Recycle MG Style!

Hang on. Give me a second to climb up on this big, ole soap box of mine. Careful, careful, don't want to pull a hamstring... Ahhh, there we are... Where was I? Oh ya, Recycling. I'm a fan. I've been known to convert a friend or two from the sinful world of ALL trash to separated recycling baby! I mean it's the least we can do to to try and live a little greener. But, lets lay all the cards on the table, shall we? I, the avid recycler, am guilty, as charged, of at times throwing the Jiffy jar in the trash. Pleez, go easy on my penance. I justify not cleaning the jar b/c it takes a solid 10 minutes and 20+ gallons of gas-heated-water. Not any more! MG has enlisted in a new single sort recycling program. Yup, the NW metro is going all techy in the sanitation depo. Here's how it works in a nutshell (or dare I say recycle bin). We clean out all our beer/wine bottles, aluminum/tin cans, beer/wine bottles, jars/jugs, beer/wine bottles, crush all our paper boxes and stow all our useless paper waste into one big roll-er-out-to-the-curb containers. The nice, "garbage," truck guy operates that magical arm which simultaneously scans a computer chip in our container, weighs our recycling and dumps our compost into the big truck. The more we recycle the more points we get. The more points we earn the more dollars redeem via gifts cards and online shopping. They claim the typical Grove fam will get about 20 smacker-roos a month! Not bad for doing our part. Now, if only we could figure out a use for all that dog poo... Tomorrow? Another recycled fav. I think you're gonna like em!

I recall...

...Central Park in fall (OK so not really fall more like early summer). So tell me if you've had this kind of moment before... it's a moment always burned into your memory. Not in a bad sort of geriatric "junk" kind of way (you know who you are), but more a moment in time never to be forgotten. I have been fortunate to have lots of these sort of blissful memories-you're at peace, your surroundings are inspiring-dare you say perfect? You are completely, well, simply put, happy. This is how I felt the first time my hubby and I stopped by the Tavern on the Green in Central Park last year. The building is old, full of history, if the walls could talk you could fill the air waves of 1,000 blogs. A glass atrium sparkles with numerous, voluptuous, colorful, jewel-like chandeliers. Pink (go figure) and white linen table clothes placed perfectly on heavy, white, iron tables with coordinating chairs. The central courtyard is covered with a canopy of trees, full of summer foliage, baskets dripping with flowers suspended from its strong arms. AND what sealed the deal for me...hundreds of English, floral patterned, fabric, lanterns suspended from the highest crook to the lowest bough. The condensation from the side of my cold, lemonade glass, cooling my warm hands. My cute, sun-kissed hubby sitting across from me, eyes sheltered by his Lacosse aviator shades, ordering us a chocolate cake drizzled with raspberry. I loved it all. I was completely, well, simply put, happy. A moment in time I will always remember.

My hubby remembered the lemonade was $11 a glass. He was completely, well, simply put, astounded. (but I think he still loved it too). We went back again last weekend-and my memory served. Check it out for yourself...

Be sure and see the photo as promised of the weekend birthday boys. And 34B cup "does the subway" photos...