100th Post Give Away

I started blogging this past January. I don't post every day, just when I have something to share. Well, I've have almost 100 things to share. I should hit my 100th post sometime this month.


I can't tell you how much your friendship means.

In celebration of this event, I'm having a give-away.

I have been collecting some nice things I thing you would like.

Would you like a set of black and white mini toile picture frames?

How about a cute plate for nibbles?

Or would you like a candle warmer? You could win all of them.

To be eligible for my give-away, you must be a follower. You will get another entry for every comment you leave between now and my 100th post. Good luck.


Today, October 1st is my birthday, so instead of receiving, I'm giving.

Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is hosting Outdoor Wednesday. Click on the link to take you her blog so you can check out other outdoor posts.

Today I'm sharing photos of my visit to Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. If you are sight-seeing there, this is the place to go. This photo is the Light Street Pavilion. There are two buildings full of retail shops and places to eat.

Across the harbor is Hard Rock Cafe.

The Lightship Chesapeake:

Baltimore has their own version of the World Trade Center. That is the tall building on the left. You can take the elevator to the top for a view. The other tall building on the right is one of the offices of a company where I used to work.

I am standing in front of the Maryland Science Center looking toward the harbor. The science center has a planetarium and an IMAX Theatre, as well as other science exhibits. The science center was my favorite.

This is an unusual lighthouse.

The USS Constellation. It is open for tours.

Probably the most recognised feature of Inner Harbor is the National Aquarium.

In addition to seeing the fish is a small dolphin show and a 4-D Immersion Theatre. There is a rainforest type room where I took this photo of the parrot.

Metamorphosis Monday - Porch Table

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch hosts Metamorphosis Monday. I got a new table for my back porch. Click on the link to see how other bloggers have changed something.

This was my before. I just used a TV tray table.

I found this table at the thrift store. I never did take a before picture of it. It was very scratch and marked up. I knew I wanted to paint it. I was torn between off white or black, but ended up painting it yellow spray paint so I thought I would try that. Not too bad.

I added a basket of magazines and simple games. My grandsons, who think all games have a joystick, spent an entire afternoon playing Pick Up Sticks, marbles and dominoes.

Sightseeing Saturday - Central Park NYC

Christine at Christine's Home and Travel is hosting Sightseeing Saturday. This is my first link to that meme, but I have enjoyed seeing where she and other bloggers have been. I know you will too, so click on the link and check them out.

The employee's group in our office had a one-day bus trip to New York City last fall.

I wish I would have worn a pedometer. We sure did walk a lot.

The bus dropped us off at Rockefeller Center. You should have seen the line for the show at Radio City Music hall. It went around the block.

Our first stop was at Trump Tower. There is a place inside where you can get an affordable lunch and find clean restrooms.

I wanted to go to go shopping, but DH wanted to go to Central Park. He is an avid hiker. I teased him and said you are the only person I know who who go to NYC to take a nature walk. lol

Driprock Arch:

Bethesda Terrace Fountain:

We watched the model sailboats on the conservatory water.

Our final destination was the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

After walking to the museum, we then had to turn around and walk back. We stopped at the Carnegie Deli for something to eat. It is a little hole in the wall place, packed with people. Honest to goodness, this is an actual corned beef sandwich they serve.

We ended up ordering something half that size and still shared it. DH had a piece of their famous New York style cheesecake for dessert.

A last look at Times Square and then it was time to catch our bus back home.

Foodie Friday - Advise Please

This is a little variation on the usual Foodie Friday post where bloggers share their wonderful recipes. You can go to that post, hosted by Michael of Designs by Gollum, if you click on the Foodie Friday link. I've already shared the recipe for my Cinnamon Raisin Scones at http://nittanyinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/07/cinnamon-raisin-scones.html.






I love this recipe and make it a couple times a week. In an effort to be more heart healthy, I have used Splenda Blend and omitted the sugar topping.



Now, I purchased my first bag of whole wheat flour. I hate the result. The uncooked consistence was much dryer and not sticky like with AP flour. Once baked, it tasted like flour.


I'm asking you expert experienced bakers for advise on how I should adapt this recipe, still using the whole wheat flour to taste like the scones using AP flour.



You can either comment or email me at nittanykzm@gmail.com, whichever you prefer. Thank you.

Thrift Store Purchases

Leigh at Tales from Blogeritaville is hosting Thrifty Thursday at Blogeritaville. Click on the link to check out what other bloggers are are finding.

I went to Salvation Army and Goodwill this week. I got a lot of great finds.

OK, I know at $20 this is probably a knock-off, but until I know otherwise, I am happy living in a state of denial and will assume this is the real deal.

This wire basket is almost perfect for holding apples. It only needs to be spray painted black.

These apples won't stay in here long. I'm going to bake a pie today.

The hurricane candle holder before. You know what I'm going to do.

Black spray paint to the rescue.

I liked the form of this finial, but not the dull black color.

Step 1: Spray paint an off white color.

Step 2: Put a brown glaze over it. I had to daub it on to get it into the crevices. I then wipe most of it off and some of the glaze stays in the crevices and makes the surface a cream color.

Finished:

My best deal was this small table. The previous owner had already painted it a creamy off white and saved me a step. It fit perfectly in my living room.

At @2.97 for a set for four, I thought that it was a great deal. The tops of these goblets are a soft iridescent blue, which compliments my good plates.

Outdoor Wednesday - Boiling Springs, PA

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is hosting Outdoor Wednesday. Click on the link to check out other outdoor posts.

The town of Boiling Springs is situated near the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, and a regional office of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is located in the center of the town. My husband is an avid hiker and often hikes a portion of the Appalachian Trail. His destination is Boiling Springs. He will call me on his cell phone to pick him up and take him back to his vehicle where he started his hike.

Known as the bubble, the spring is formed by natural artesian springs. It is a beautiful peaceful area in the middle of this small town.