City Visit

I took the family to the city yesterday. We had some returns but really want to see more than our own house. We ate at EL Vez which I was a little nervous that the kids wouldn't find anything they liked but we a few deletions they loved the nachos. I went with the chicken burritos and Mrs went with the fish tacos. As usual it was great. This is now the third Stephen Starr restaurant the kids have enjoyed.

We finished the day with the Christmas Show on the big screen at the Comcast Building. It was very good and just the right amount of time too at abou 15 minutes. Septa even run just right to get as to and from without an issue.

The day was topped off with Aussie Lamb Cutlets from Costco on the grill, a couple glasses of bourbon slush and finding 6 tickets to wing bowl in the mail box. Couldn't ask for more.

Christmas Tradition

Last night we came back from what is now becoming a Christmas Tradition.

It involved going down town, with lots of complaining because that's what kids do. We would have dinner, and go to a show. Last year we went to the Continental but this year I decided we would try a new place for the rest of the family. We kept with the Stephen Starr theme and went to Jones. I decided on this for two reasons, first it was close to the Theatre and second it had the type of food that any family would love. Comfort Food. It was exceptional.

We had a very diverse range. There were 6 of us, 3 adults, 3 kids, and more food than we could all eat. I had the Jambalaya, The Mrs had Tandoori Chicken, her Mom the Chicken Pot Pie, First Child Chicken and Waffles, Second Child Bacon Cheese Burger and the third Baked Mac and Cheese. It was all delicious. It is not often that everybody is happy with their meal. We skipped dessert and headed to somewhere else.

The Franklin Foundation is an old time ice cream shop. They have throw back soda, candy and delicious ice cream. It is worth the visit anytime you are in Old City. I think next time we will come away with a variety back of old time soda as well.

After we went to the Arden Theatre to see Charlotte's Web. Another great show at the Arden. We have previously seen The Littles, and Peter Pan. We will be going back in the spring to see Robin Hood.

Nicknames revisited again.

It seems the younger generation thinks it is okay to give themselves their own nicknames.

PrimeTime, TBone and I were trying to recruit for the company softball team. Two new employees seemed to show some promise, until they opened their mouths and decided that they were God's gift to our softball team. Both decided that they should also decide on their own nicknames. I just don't understand.

I suppose you always have the option to suggest a nickname (like T Bone) and have it accepted (like T Bone). But I have to say that is different. We have know T Bone for at least 5 years before he suggested the names and we accepted it. These guys we only just spoke too and they are suggesting their own nick names. I don't think it will work out well for them.

Movies on Planes

As I said in the previous post I watched many of these movies on planes. Now the foul language used in the film doesn't matter as head phones are used so you can sit anywhere. Now I had aisle seats when I watched Horrible Bosses and The Change Up. That was a mistake. I had to fast forward through a number of scenes as the people around me had front row seats to what was on the screen.

Lesson learnt. Must get a window seat so that the Ipad can be angled so that I'm the only one that can see,

Movies

I've had a chance to catch up on some movie watching in the last month, generally because of long plane trips. I have seen:

Bridesmaids
The Change Up
Horrible Bosses
Super 8
Captain America
Hanna

All were ok, and wouldn't crack my top 100 films. Although I heard Bridesmaids was excellent I thought it only ok. Maybe the expectations were too high. Perhaps it's comparison to The Hangover, which is in my top 100, left me expecting more.

The Change Up was probably the best of the this lot. It was funny, and although the language (like the language in Horrible Bosses) was extreme, it certainly added to the movie.

Dark Chocolate Minty Mallows

I was at Trader Joe's, which is one of my favorite stores this weekend. After buying the things I needed and then also stocking up on things I wanted, I was standing in a short line to check out.

I glanced around and "what to my wondering eyes should appear" (well not "a miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer") but Dark Chocolate Minty Mallows. I have always had a liking to chocolate covered marshmallows and decided to try these ones. They are delicious, and after 24 hours the 7 oz box was empty.

Valley Forge

My kids and I drove through Valley Forge National Park this afternoon. As we came up to the Washington Arch (The National Memorial Arch) we noticed wreaths around it, and each had a red ribbon. There must have been hundreds of them, and it was a beautiful sight this Christmas season. Something worth seeing if you are in the area.

As it turns out there are 2000 wreaths to commemorate the 2000 people that lost their lives during the 1777 / 1778 encampment.

Wreaths Across America

Reclining

What is it with people who have to recline their seats on a flight that is just over an hour? I would guess they only eat at fast food restaurants too because they can't sit upright for too long. 

Does Size Matter?

How important is the size of a hotel room if you are only staying one night? Obviously important enough for somebody on the train this morning to talk about it for 5 minutes, and loud enough for me to easily hear 3 rows away. As he can't stop talking, it all makes sense now  He works for a very large insurance company that was bailed out by the government. This guys self importance is as big as his employer's debt to the US taxpayer. 

Sugar Free

Should somebody who wants a hot chocolate from DD worry if it is sugar free?