HAPPY 4TH!

Well, our festive holiday weekend is drawing to a close... we missed being up in Maine, but we did have lots of fun down here. We had our friends Sharon and Johan down for 2 nights, as well as Johan's sister, Lise, who has become our friend as well over the last few years. Their friend, Bruno, came for one night as well. On Friday afternoon we all went to Swartswood State Park, where there's a very lovely beach and lake - the weather wasn't great, but Oliver and Andy went for a quick dip! Andy biked there and arrived only about 10 minutes after we did! That's where Oliver enjoyed a very patriotic ice pop!

On Saturday we slept in a bit and had a nice bagel brunch, then headed up to the Warwick Valley Winery, just over the NY border (Andy biked there, too!). We had a nice snack there, sitting outside on the terrace, then Andy and I strolled around the grounds with Oliver a bit while Sharon, Johan and Lise tried out the wine tasting inside. Not great wine, really, but a great day out and very nice ambiance! Live music, too, which Oliver liked a lot!

Then we came home and started preparation for our big blow-out bbq -- we had marinated pork tenderloin and Andy's homemade tandoori chicken on the grill, as well as kielbasa (a big hit with Lise!), a big bowl of Asian Slaw, and rice, and lemon tart for dessert. All super yummy! Johan and Bruno added their homemade garlic aoli and "European cocktail sauce," which were great. After a bit, the girls got first dibs in the hot tub - lots of girl talk! And then the boys went in, complete with cognac and cigars!!! I think we all slept well that night.

Oliver has loved all the company and special attention - he's been such a good boy. Today we said farewell to everyone after brunch, and the three of us will head up to Lake Mohawk later for a stroll and an ice cream.