Cookie's a Pretty Bird....

Several years ago, we moved to upstate Western New York .... a relocation for Hubby's job.

We got busy getting settled in... and Sarah went off to school and Hubby to his new office and I found myself alone and not knowing a single soul.

We had never had a pet...and maybe this was the time to get one. I've always loved anything with wings, so this is the route we took. I found a breeder in the area that had newly-hatched cockatiels that were being hand-fed. The younger the bird, the easier it is to teach them to talk.

We got a male and called him " Cookie".

Wow...what a fast learner. I could teach him a word a day and a phrase in just a few days.

After a couple weeks, I got a job. I thought that Cookie might be lonely being home all day by himself ....So we brought home another male..."Muffin". They were always caged with their wings clipped, but once in a while I would let them out to explore or play on the bird swingset I bought at a craft show!....as MidlifeMom would say, isn't that a hoot!

Well, Cookie and Muffin are still with us and are now about 15 and 16 years old and doing well! I don't know how old they are in " bird years but I'd be interested to know.

Kennywood Park.....

Kennywood Park today....2007

Postcard from 1902

Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, the highlight of the school year was the Kennywood Park school picnic. Every year we would look forward to a full day of fun that made going to school all year worthwhile! Here is some info. on this historical park......

Only 11 Remaining Trolley Parks in the U.S.
Trolley companies built most of them to en-courage more riders at night and on weekends, when business tended to be slow. A beach, a picnic area, and a few rides at the end of the trolley line attracted tens of thousands of passengers on a Sunday. Cleveland's Euclid Beach, Pittsburgh's Kennywood Park, and San Francisco's Chutes all started as trolley parks.

There were more than 1,000 of these parks in the United States prior to The Great Depression of 1929. Some were simply a picnic grove with an athletic field and swimming area. Others were full-fledged amusement parks with a variety of rides, games, dance halls and roller skating rinks.

Kennywood is a National Historic Landmark located on a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River just minutes from the downtown Pittsburgh area. The park was founded in 1898 as a trolley park by the Monongahela Street Railway Company.

Surviving the years and continuing to thrive this traditional park is one of America's finest. Kennywood is 40-acres of exciting attractions that include a number of historic rides, including the Jack Rabbit, (built in 1921) and the Racer (built in 1927) wooden coasters; an original tunnel of love dark ride that dates back to 1901; and a historic Carousel located in the carousel pavilion building, that dates back to 1898.

Kennywood uses the slogan " America's finest traditional amusement park." Kennywood now features 31 major rides, including three water rides, five roller coasters and new in 2007 -- Cosmic Chaos, the S.S. Kenny and the Pirates of Kenny Cove high dive show. With 14 child-friendly rides in Kiddieland, two arcades and seven gift shops.

As of March 2006, Kennywood had bought 15 acres and is in the process of acquiring another 28 acres. Its $60 million expansion plan, includes a hotel, an indoor water park, and a new signature thrill ride.

If you're in the Pittsburgh area, this is one place you'll want to visit... and if you've ever been there, let me know!!

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

" If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart."
(Arab proverb)

Simple Pizza Soup

~ Simple Pizza Soup ~

1/2 # cooked spicy sausage

4 tomatoes

carrots, green pepper and onions, chopped

1- 28 oz.can spaghetti sauce

1/2 tea. oregano

1/2 head cabbage, chopped finely

Add any of your favorite pizza topping combinations

Add one can mushrooms last 15 minutes.

Simmer all day. Drop some shredded cheese on top to melt into serving bowl.

Enjoy with some warm homemade bread!

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I've been told that a way to feel better is to finish things that I have started.Today I finished 2 bags of potato chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already!!!! - Unknown

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"If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade. However — if life gives you a pickle, you might as well give up, because pickle-ade is disgusting." — Clifton J. Gray.

Have a great day!!!

Let's See, What Will I Wear Today....

Working for Target, I never have the problem that alot of gals have deciding what to wear!

I never run late because I've tried on several outfits and nothing looks right...does this shirt match these pants?....is this still in style?....does this outfit make me look fat?

No, everyday is the same.

Day after day... Every morning I relive the movie "Groundhog Day". Just grab the next hanger in line, slap it on, and off to work I go!

Best Salad I Ever Had....

Awhile back, Hubby and I had dinner at Mitchell's Fish Market. I ordered the House Salad and it was out of this world! I raved with every mouth - watering bite. If you have a chance...try it... you won't be disappointed!

House Salad

6 oz. Red Leaf Lettuce
6 oz. Iceberg Lettuce
20 Dates
4 Cucumber each, sliced 1/16” thin
6 Cherry Tomato per salad
halved ½ cup Carrots ,julienne
4 tsp. Pine Nuts

Poppy Seed Vinaigrette: 6 oz.
1 ½ tsp. Garlic Puree
½ tsp. Kosher Salt
2 ¾ Tbsp. Sugar
1 ½ Tbsp. Spicy Golden Mustard
1 ½ Tbsp. Sherry Vinegar
½ cup Corn Oil
1/8 tsp. Black Pepper
1 1/8 tsp. Shallots, minced
1 1/8 tsp. Poppy Seeds

Toss all ingredients except pine nuts. Serve on a chilled salad plate.
Arrange the tomatoes around the rim. Garnish with pine nuts.
To prepare dressing combine all ingredients except poppy seeds and oil.
Puree with mixer. Slowly add corn oil. Mix in poppy seeds.
yields 4 servings

More Pittsburgh Firsts

First Retractable Dome ~ September 1961~Pittsburgh's Civic Arena boasts the world's first auditorium with a retractable roof.

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First U.S. Radio Station ~November 2, 1920 ~ KDKA Radio, Pittsburgh Pa.

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First Banana Split ~ 1904 ~ invented by Dr. David Strickler, a pharmacist, at Strickler's Drug Store in Latrobe, Pa.

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Daylight Savings Time ~ March 18, 1919 ~ A Pittsburgh city councilman during the first World War, Robert Garland devised the nation's first daylight savings plan, instituted in 1918.