Ways to End Summer

So it is a sad but true fact that summer is almost over. With the realization that I will be going off to school in about three days it has become crunch time to accomplish some of my summer goals that have been pushed to the side until now. There is simply so much to do this weekend. 

Today began early at 6 am! I had to get up early to work on a project I started the night before (more details to come soon, its still not done yet) Then, I had enough time to make blueberry muffins for breakfast. Then we headed off to Syracuse to go to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo one of the places I have been wanting to revisit this summer. 

The place is pretty much the same as it has been with the addition of a few animals and the loss of some others. There were new Sand Cats, two baby snowy leopards, and Fossa (the ones from Madagascar that eat the lemurs). Although the baboons and the Hyacinth Macaws were nowhere to be seen. Also, they added a pachyderm palace, which is a very nice addition to the elephant exhibit.

Fun Fact: how many pounds of poop do seven elephants make overnight? **(Answer below)

On the way out we were lured to the membership desk by the goody bag on display and we soon became proud Adopt an Animal Parents to a Fennec Fox, undoubtedly one of the cutest animals in the zoo. 

"Oh yeah, you think I'm cute."

Pretty sweet gift bag

After disapproving of some of the animal names at the zoo (Who names an elephant Chuck?) I had to give the stuffed fennec fox a right proper name, so I chose Harry. Having a bit of British fever lately due to the Olympics and the fact that I'm currently reading a biography of the Queen, the book Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I realized that he does bear a similarity to Prince Harry indeed. 

Also, I just found the website zooborns.com that have photos of baby animals born in the zoos around the world. You can search by zoo or by species on the site. I was able to find pictures of our adopted Fennecs when they were born earlier this year on April 21. As well as pictures of the two baby snowy leopards born on June 14, who were not on display when we were there.

**Oh yeah, seven elephants produce about 800 lbs of poop overnight. That's a lot of poop to scoop. 

Also while in the Syracuse area we grabbed a bite to eat at Heid's of Liverpool. Its one of those classic no-nonsense hot dog  places (opened in 1917). Although, I ended up having some delicious chicken tenders and a pickle instead of a hot dog.

Like I said, there is a lot to cram into these last few days. Today was the only free day to go out to the dinner at the one place I've been dying to eat at all summer. And although I felt terrible about eating out twice in one day we just had to go to Nicky Doodles. I used to think McDonald's had the best french fries but ever since I've tasted Nicky Doodles' fries I have changed my mind.

Apparently some of the local animals think their food is good too. There was a skunk prowling the grass under the picnic tables as we got there and some people running for their cars, while others pulled out their camera phones to snap his photo. According to the workers the skunk and his partner in crime,who was not present this evening, are actually frequent visitors to the establishment. Needless to say, we chose to eat inside.

So for dinner I had a Raspberry Rondezvous Sundae (it was beautiful and delicious) and french fries for dinner. I think I shall ave to go for an extra long walk tomorrow. Oh darn it - tomorrow we'll be at the Church Bazaar and they have fried dough...  

Twine Vase

Yesterday was the dreariest day of the whole summer. So gray, rainy, and cold - an inside day. Not a big fan of inside days. I did my best to occupy myself but inevitably I ran out of ideas around one o'clock. I resorted to pacing around the house pulling on my pigtails, however when I became constantly assaulted with the words: "Would you like to sort underwear for me since you have nothing to do?" coming from my mother I knew I had to find something to do. And fast.

So I grabbed the first blank canvas I see, which happened to be a glass vase-like container form a garage sale, and resolve to make something out of it. 

Ok, this is not the most interesting craft in the world and it doesn't take a geniuses to figure something like this out but here it is:  

Twine,Gel Medium or Mod Podge, Some Kind of Container, neon yarn 

(I think this would look great on wine bottles too)

Apply medium with a brush to the container about two inches at a time. Starting on the bottom edge wrap the twine around the container Until it is covered. Then I added a neon stripe to make it a little more interesting by applying gel over the first layer.

VOALA: A new vase has appeared right before your eyes.

A Photo Safari

One of the things I've been wanting to do that I finally did, was go on what I was calling a "photo safari" in downtown. Now Downtown Utica is known to be a little sketchy with tons of pawn shops and empty buildings, but there is a lot of nice historic architecture. Hey, you never know what you'll find if you go explore somewhere you've lived near but never payed attention to. Here are some of the images I shot: