KathyMcCurdy.com

Summertime and the Living Is Easy

2010-07-09T14:38:06Z

It may be summer but here at Thirsty Boots we are busy....relaxing, beautifying and having fun! Michelle and Andrew have made the flower beds around the house look a lot better. Michelle Andrew trims the 40 year old yews. The final result. You can just see the fencing, meant to keep Tucker out! New seating for the terrace A baby raccoon got separated from mom. We lost our beautiful swans to a coyote but gained this cormorant: Lucky enjoys an early morning walk. The horses enjoy the early morning. Lady continues to be optimistic. Kim came up to relax on July 4. John joined him in cool relaxation. Hamish and Ellie were here with Rowan and Heath before they move to Portland Maine. Hamish takes Rowan for a row. Heath charms Kim. John chooses the pond to cool down.

Life Is Good!

2010-05-25T13:36:24Z

This little guy surely lives up to his name. How did we get so "Lucky" to have him in our lives? (if my dad were here, he would be correcting me that the correct word is "fortunate!")

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T15:11:32Z

Engagement Party

2010-05-08T17:17:46Z

They say a picture is worth a thousand words: Congratulations Heather and George!

First Riding Lesson

2010-04-20T13:55:41Z

After Lily's beaming grin and excitement over riding Oreo, Heather and I put our heads together and thought it would be great to give Lily riding lessons. Lily's mom agreed and here she is, waiting for her first lesson over at Flight Way Farm. She looks happy. Within the 45 minute lesson, Lily was trotting and working on her posting! Lily looked so serious during her lesson, I was worried she didn't have a good time. She assured me she did, stating, "If I smile for the camera, I can't focus." Nine lessons to go (for now)! P.S. Mrs. Schreiber reminded me it was 25 years ago that Julie started lessons with her!

Weekend Fun

2010-04-13T00:58:13Z

So what did we do over the weekend? Well, Sunday proved to be the fun day. Heather brought George's daughter, Lily, over to build a fort in the woods. Julie helped out and once stage 1 was done, they all had a picnic. Picnic in the fort Lady wanted in. So did Lady. Next it was rowing on the pond. We checked out the fort from the water. Then off to ride Look at that smile Happy girl Yep, it was a good weekend.

SPRING

2010-04-12T17:46:44Z

This past weekend was gorgeous and allowed for all good outdoor, fun things - garden planting; weeding; fort building with Lily, Julie and Heather; kayaking and just sitting in the sun. After such a perfect weekend, it was hard this morning to leave all the beauty of Thirsty Boots Farm and come to work.

CONGRATULATIONS TO HEATHER AND GEORGE!

2010-03-06T12:38:40Z

They're engaged! So happy to be gaining a great guy and a beautiful Lily!

Sugar Mapling Time

2010-02-14T14:17:00Z

On February 13, John and some of his maple sugaring buddies gave a maple sugaring talk at the Parmelee Farm, Killingworth's historic preservation. It was a wee bit cold so I didn't stick around for the tapping of the trees. It is that time of the year again. Good! We have run out of maple syrup and I miss my Sunday morning pancakes! Standing in front of the wall Julie helped rebuild last fall.

I'm At It Again!

2010-02-13T23:54:32Z

Well, I couldn't stand it any longer! It's been months since our Stave puzzle Circus Train weekend and I've been adrift without a puzzle. So here is my latest acquisition, Falling for You. It was fun to do. Imagine my surprise, however, when arriving home on Friday afternoon, I discovered a little surprise from the Chief Tormentor himself (Steve Richardson, owner of Stave Puzzles)...a Valentine's Day puzzle..small but challenging. It's one of Steve's "Troublemaker" puzzles. There are two solutions and the trial and error with the geometric pieces takes time!! Solution 1 Solution 2 And, best of all, look who is now a fan! John came up with solution 2!

Come home, Heather!

2010-02-11T18:11:30Z

If you come home in March, Heather, you'll miss all this! Come home and play!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

2010-02-01T12:28:55Z

It's hard to believe it has almost been 10 years since you left us. Julia Acheson Thompson, February 1, 1916 - July 3, 2000

BVI - Our Last Two Days

2010-01-10T17:10:48Z

The sun came out on our last two days in the BVI (thank goodness)! We sailed over to Money Bay on Norman Island and had the best snorkeling of the trip. There was also time to relax and we caught Heather doing just that. After Money Bay, we sailed along the south side of Norman. Returning to The Bight. The last morning...

Christmas Sailing in the BVI

2010-01-08T23:27:36Z

Our long anticipated sailing vacation with the kids didn't turn out quite the way we expected but we did learn a lot which should help with possible future trips. The most important lessons for me were that we'll attach ourselves to moorings in the future (dragging in the middle of the night is not fun) and we'll eat out more. No more cooking for me. I've always found it challenging to created delicious meals in such a small place but the bloom is off the rose on that one. It also didn't help that three, perhaps four of us, contracted a bug off the plane. Heather was laid low on our first night out on the boat and we had to return to Roadtown 24 hours later to rehydrate her at Peebles Hospital. So on the third day of our vacation, we "began" our trip again. That night was my turn to get sick and that laid me low for the following day. Patrick was next and the bug kept him from attending the world famous New Year's party at Foxy's he had so looked forward to. Couple that with two to three days of rain, winds, and swells and our trip was less than ideal. Once the decision was made to seek more sheltered harbors (with moorings!) was made, the sun came out and we ended the trip with two calm, sunny, stress-free days for some nice sailing and beautiful snorkeling. At least we ended on an up note. Here are some pics. Our first night in the BVI, we traveled to the top of Tortola to Sky World for a drink, the beautiful sunset, view of all the islands, and sushi. Heather with Peter Island behind her. The two captains The kids Kathy and John Beautiful sunset Sky World is not like it used to be 20 years ago when many tourists traveled the winding, steep road to get up there. It is smaller now, and run by a man who you sense could care less you are there. You have to like sushi for that's what they serve. It is good and you can sit Benihana style and watch it being made in front of you. My recommendation? Go up, have a drink, watch the sunset, then head back down the mountain for your meal. Sunrise at Maria's where we spent the night before boarding our sailboat. And we're off on a 42' Beneteau chartered out of BVI Yacht Charters. Dad's happy So is our dingy captain. The first night we anchored in White Bay on Peter, a nice bay with good snorkeing but it was raining. Kelly and Marc's boat behind us? First meal Fast forward two days when we leave Roadtown a second time after Heather feels a little better. Happy again. Captain Pat Chef Pat and bloodies after the Bathes One of our sunny days (on our way to Marina Key). Very happy dad Always time for a Stave puzzle! Marina Key and Pat's birthday dinner. Chrissy, Kathy and Julie enjoyed the triple Pain Killer. The next day we anchored in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. We immediately headed to the Sandcastle where Gail and Sana recognized John (from our visit last year), gave him big hugs and a martini! Yes, we love the Sandcastle! On the beach and feeling better. New Year's Eve and the girls keep the "hat" tradition! One looks better in this gear IN the water. Reading on the boat - the favorite book passed around was Sarah's Key. We caught up with sunny weather on Norman Island and decided to anchor in the Bight for two nights. Finally, restful nights of good sleep. Sunset Blue-water swims Sailing to Money Bay and the most beautiful snorkeling I've ever seen. Happy mom Happy couple Last sunrise So we're back home in the cold weather, dreaming of the beautiful blue waters. The BVI will pull us back again...it remains to be seen in what manner. Things to remember (or not): Allen, pleasantly rude; "Is that a real horse?";"That's Brad Pitt's house."; Brossy Britches and Captain Curmudgeon; Kelly Ripa and Marc Consuelo;the bug; Ivan and Ken; Marichino Bay; Captain Ron; Gertrude's hamburgers; Pain Killers; Money Bay; fan garden; Peebles Hospital; Island time; Peter Island villas; Heathers' hut; Sarah's Key; rdie to Sky World; Catch Phrase; "Heather...that's a category!";pepper in water magic trick. Check out heathermccurdy.com for some more photos.

It's All About Family

2009-12-15T00:29:12Z

December 6 it was off to Larchmont Yacht Club for our annual McCurdy Christmas party. This year we were saddened by the recent death of F's mother, Candy Fee, at the age of 92. F couldn't join us but we did gather as a family, toasted Candy and her full life, and celebrated family. We had loads of fun with the Yankee Swap this year but just being together was the best gift of all. Go to heathermccurdy.com for more great photos of the day. Joe and Katie Brothers and sister Kathy 1, Barb, Chrissy and Lily Diyari and Patrick Heather, George and Lily Diyari, FJ, Chrissy and Pat Kathy and Barb Suzanne, Sophia, Lily and Mike Happy face Beautiful faces Happy girls And another McCurdy Christmas card!