Hurricane Irene in Photos

Here are some photos from Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene taken around the town of Foxboro MA.  I think we got lucky at our house.  There were many more trees and tree limbs down around the town than in our little neighborhood.

These first two photos are from Mirimichi Street in Plainville:

A new fence at another house on Mirimichi Street was destroyed by a tree limb:

Further down Mirimichi Street, the road was blocked by the top of a large tree hanging from the power lines!  I guess we were lucky we didn't lose power during the storm.

After picking my way around the suspended tree, I made it down to the lake.   Not much to see down there, except for the wind.

Lake Mirmichi

Heading up Spruce Street, the road was blocked by a large tree, but town workers had already chainsawed a chunk out so cars could get by.

Road crews were clearing a downed tree on Green Street (106):

On Mill Street, this tree had fallen on the three cars parked in this driveway:

There were trees down all over town.

Spruce Street

Central Street

Fairway Lane

Queen Bee Barrette Giveaway!

It's back to school shopping time, right?  So once you've got all your little girl's cute new outfits lined up, isn't it time to think about hair accessories?  Or maybe you've got a tiny tot whose hair is getting just long enough to start playing with.  I've got some news for you.  

We have just discovered Queen Bee Barrette.  What I love most is that the co-founders of the company, Laura and Kara have been friends since they were five years old.  How cute is that?  And they're local ~ hailing from beautiful Newburyport, MA.  Their philosophy is Do Good + Look Good =  Feel Good.  All of their products are handmade and they source their items through economically disadvantaged global artisan groups.  (Beautiful stuff made with designer fabrics!)  It is their hope that the little girl who receives their hair accessories will be encouraged to adopt this philosophy as she journeys through life.  Well done, Laura and Kara!  

Emily loves her new hot pink flower hair clip, but she is obsessed with her new headband with the crochet flowers on top!  She has been wearing it for the past 5 days straight, matching or no matching, she loves it! This is a testament to Queen Bee for making products that don't hurt little heads!  Kudos to that!  The crochet work is just gorgeous!  

So do you have a little girl who would just love to try out some Queen Bee Barrette accessories for herself?   One lucky little girl is going to win a membership to Barrette of the Season Club, compliments of Queen Bee Barrette!  

Their most popular seasonal barrette (pictured left) will be mailed to the special little Queen Bee in your life. Then, at the beginning of the next three seasons, she will receive their featured hair accessory designed specifically for that time of year. Each accessory will come attached to a signature Queen Bee card and placed in a beautiful white box wrapped with polka dot grosgrain ribbon. We will make sure she knows her special seasonal surprise comes from you to her. The perfect gift for your daughter, granddaughter or any special Queen Bee!

Here's how it works.  To get in on this amazing giveaway, you need to do the following:

• LIKE Queen Bee Barrette on Facebook and tell them Annie sent you from stowedstuff.com.  

• Leave a comment below telling me who the little Queen Bee is in your life who would love some new hair accessories.  

• Like Stowed Stuff on Facebook and I will give you an extra entry. 

• Contest is open to US residents only and ends September 6th, 2011.  Be sure to leave an appropriate email contact or follow with Google Connect.  One entry per person and winner will be chosen using random.org.  Good luck!

Disclosure:  We were given a sample of Queen Bee Barrette accessories to take part in this review.  All opinions are my own.  

Listen Up Mommies! Have You Heard?

Pepperidge Farm Honey Whole Wheat Goldfish Sandwich Bread!

Cute little Charlotte came over for a play date this week and our whole family was enthralled with her sandwich on fishy bread.  We ooohed and aaaaahed over it and I asked Charlotte, where did you get that bread?  She said, "I don't know.  Ask my Mom."  I guessed it was Pepperidge Farm, and sure enough.  So I ran to the grocery store that that afternoon and found it in three varieties: white, whole wheat and honey whole wheat.  Life hasn't been the same.  Fishy bread has no crust!  Fishy bread vanishes quickly.  No scraps left on the plate in this house anymore!  Thank you Pepperidge Farm!  And thank you, Charlotte!

And the Dunkin Donuts K-Cups are finally here.  They come in all the same great varieties as the coffee grounds and they do not disappoint.  I paid $11.99/box (14 K-Cups per box) and I'm never going back to anything else.  The taste is just right and there is no better K-Cup in my opinion.  Yes, they are expensive and only available for purchase at your local Dunkin Donuts, but they are worth every penny.  

Annie's Dunkin K-Cups in Original Blend (Medium Roast)

Topnotch Resort & Spa: Stowe, VT

Last week, the Traverse took the Stow family up north to Stowe's Topnotch Resort & Spa.  We were looking for a last minute getaway that would be enjoyable and maybe even a little relaxing.  Traveling with three under 5 however, proves to be no small feat.  I did get a good few hours in at the spa, which was heavenly, but we've already decided that we need to go back to Stowe very soon and leave the kids with Grandma and Grandad....there is just so much to enjoy up there and it would be that much better without the kids.  However, Stowe has tons of fun family activities, but with missed naps and tired parents, things did get a bit tricky at times.  

Indoor Pool Area with Hot Tub & Sauna 

But let's focus on our home away from home in Stowe.  Topnotch was nothing less.  We had a spacious executive level hotel room with 2 double beds, vaulted ceilings and lots of space for Owen's "packy," along with the kids' toys and a very large suitcase.  We loved the large plasma t.v., the complimentary newspaper of choice at our door each morning, and a lovely turndown service each night with Lake Champlain Chocolates.  YUM.  The ultra-purified water hit the spot after our outings and I loved the June Jacobs spa collection body products; especially the grapefruit shower gel! Oh, and let's not forget the Wi-Fi, a must have for this mommy blogger!

Beautiful Lounge Area :  Cozy Apres Ski

Norma's Restaurant Outdoor Seating

Fitness Studio

Bar Area Lounge

The hotel is simply, topnotch.  We loved the elegance and beauty of the entire place, but the outdoor areas and the breathtaking mountain views as our backdrop were amazing.  Especially at night when the fires were ablaze! It's a beautiful spot.


The resort also offers a one-of-a-kind tennis academy for kids and adults.  (It looked fun!)  We can't wait for the kids to try it out when they are a bit older!


We love summer and I had never been to the mountains in the summer months before.  It was splendid.  But we can't wait to get back (maybe even with our three lovely children) and get them on skis.  Better yet, fall foliage and Octoberfest is just around the corner which would be a  great excuse to get back even sooner! Topnotch Resort and Spa was a tranquil oasis. Topnotch.

Photographs © 2011 Anne C. Stow, all rights reserved.
-Thank you to Topnotch Resort and Spa for providing us with such wonderful accommodations.  

Dinner at the Cactus Cafe: Stowe, VT

Our first night in Vermont led us to some delicious Mexican food at the Cactus Cafe on Mountain Road in Stowe.  We were STARVING!  And this mommy needed a margarita badly!

Since it was a lovely summer evening, we decided to sit outside on the deck, surrounded by their beautiful perennial garden.  What a setting.  We found the staff to be extraordinary - they were attentive, helpful and friendly.  The best part of our dining experience (aside from my frozen margarita with salt) was a taste of Cactus Care!  This is an incredible service where the staff of Cactus Cafe takes your children to the playground located in the field behind the outside dining area.  We had never experienced anything like it ever before.  The kids had a blast playing on the swings while we enjoyed some quiet time with just the baby.  It was too bad they had to come back and eat their dinner...


You can find the Cactus Cafe on Facebook here.

The menu at Cactus Cafe is quite extensive, including an amazing list of specialty tequilas and drinks.  I chose the trademark drink, the Mansfield Margarita, which did not disappoint.  Chris was impressed with the long list of specialty beers and he chose the Negra Modelo.  Vermont or Mexico?  The drinks hit the spot and the calamari was killer.  Kids menu was perfect too.  Aidan chose his Mexican favorite, the hot dog while Emily went for the cheese quesadilla. 


Well, if you are a fan of hot and spicy, you'll love this.  We got to sample Doehne's very own Deano's Jalapenos, which are Jalapeno chips that were created in the very kitchen of the Cactus Cafe.  He has two flavors, Cheddar and Ranch and they are both award winning snacks.  


So if you're ever up in the area of Stowe, VT and you're craving Mexican, this is the place to go.  Try Cactus Care out for yourself and enjoy a little peace and quiet sipping some tequila while your kids run off and play.

Hot and Spicy!

If you'd like to try Deano's Jalapenos for yourself, I'm giving away both varieties (ranch & cheddar.)  I'll make this simple.  All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me your favorite thing to order at a Mexican restaurant.  Be sure to leave your email address or follow the blog using Google Connect so I can find you if you win!  Winner will be chosen using random.org and contest period ends on September 1st, at midnight (EST).  One entry per person, US residents only.  Good luck!  

  
-Disclosure:  I was given a complimentary meal at The Cactus Cafe to participate in this review.  All opinions are my own.  

Spikes

Aidan and I were cuddling...

Aidan:  Where did you get all those spikes Mommy?

Mommy:  What spikes?

Aidan: Those ones right there on your boob.

Mommy:  That's not my boob, that's my armpit.  It's just hair.

Aidan:  But what are they?

I guess I should shave.  Better yet, I guess I should shower.

Aidan Is Starting Young

5 Reasons to Drive the Mount Mansfield Toll Road in Stowe, VT

1.  You'll see breathtaking views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains and Mont Royal in Quebec (on a clear day).


2.  It's an exciting drive on a narrow gravel road that zigs and zags up to an altitude of 3,850 feet.


3.  Three stopping points along the way to get out and check out the view.  The second of these, Lot B (Nosedive), provides convenient rocks for tinkling if you had too much coffee.


4.  You get a "This car climbed Mount Mansfield" sticker for your car.


5.  It's a great opportunity to check out Stowe's famous ski trails without the snow.  

Lysol Back-to-School Giveaway!

Ya, ya.  I'm in denial.  I know it's coming.  I just realized I go back to work a week from tomorrow.  Not only that, I have to work 3 days in a row.  I'll never understand why we have so many professional days in this town.  


We've managed to stay healthy this summer and I've got some amazing things to help you all stay healthy as the kids head back to school, thanks to Lysol.  


First, is the Lysol Disinfecting Wipes:  Dual Action.  They're in the purple container!  I love the tough side for scrubbing difficult messes!  They kill 99.9% of germs and come in Citrus and Crisp Linen scent.  


Here are some great cleaning tips provided by Lysol.  

Establish Before- and After-School Hygiene Habits - As your child adapts to the school-day routine, you can help make hygiene a regular part of the day with some basic actions both before and after school.
Cleaning and Disinfecting – Lysol is the expert in killing germs at home. Find everything you need to know about common germs, how they are spread, and how you can help control them.
Kitchen Cleaning Tips – Learn how germs spread in the kitchen and how to help protect your family from foodborne illness with simple cleaning and disinfecting tips.
Bathroom Cleaning Tips – Reduce the spread of germs and help prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your bathroom with simple cleaning techniques.

Ok, the best thing of all is the new Lysol Healthy Touch No-Touch Hand Soap System. It automatically senses hands and dispenses just the right amount of soap. You and your family will never have to touch a germy soap pump again! We all know how much I love sick people! This thing is amazing. First, it's stainless steel and pretty. Second of all, we love it because it requires no fiddling with a manual pump and doesn't tip over. No mess ~ genius! The kids LOVE it because it's cool and I love it because they are less likely to mess with it and create sudsy concoctions in the sink! AND, it comes in four yummy scents:

• Refreshing Grapefruit Essence
• Soothing Cucumber Splash
• Aloe Vera & Vitamin E with Moisturizers (I have this one and LOVE it!)
• Antibacterial Total Care

Here are some more great links, some are especially great for teachers! Check these out!

Handwashing Poster - Make handwashing fun by downloading a handwashing poster to read together and hang by your bathroom sink.
Back-To-School Basics: Traditionally, classrooms are breeding ground for germs. Every desktop, pencil sharpener, doorknob and faucet that an infected child touches becomes colonized with germs

Lysol is having a live chat session tomorrow about fighting germs during back-to-school season at 2pm EST, with host head microbiologist Joe Rubino. You can find the live chat on the Facebook page here.

Be sure to LIKE the Lysol Facebook page for your chance to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the grand prize of an "automatic" stainless steel kitchen set including a refrigerator, dishwasher and stove!

Ok, ok, let's get to it. Want to win your own Lysol Healthy Touch No-Touch Hand Soap System and Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes? All you have to do is leave a comment below! You'll absolutely love this stuff!! Good luck mommies and teachers!

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-Disclosure: I was given a Lysol Healhty Touch No-Touch Hand Soap System and Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes to participate in this review. Contest period ends August 26, at 12 midnight EST.

Queen of the Road Interview on FOX 25 Morning News

Summer day trips for the end of the summer: MyFoxBOSTON.com

The S Word

August hankering?

Really?  It's only August 16th and my inbox is full of "Back to S" sales.  I want to throw up.  Don't we all remember December, January and February?  I know I do.

Plow guy Eric made a killing in 2011.  He's currently sipping gin and tonics aboard the SS Stow.  

I think we need to cherish these last few weeks and forget about S.  Can we just do that?  Please?  Here are a couple of things I've heard this week that make me cringe...

• "I can't wait to put my boots and fall sweaters on"
• "I feel a bit of fall in the air and I love it!"  

Ok, forget it, I love fall too.  I really do.  Octoberfest beers, sweaters that can cover my fat rolls from too many summer beers...I get it.  But I need to live in these moments and enjoy these remaining weeks of amazing weather while they last.  I got a pedicure today at my favorite Foxborough salon, All About You and I chose a color called "I Eat Mainely Lobster," a beautiful coral from OPI.  Save the dark reds and purples for the fall. We're packing up for one last getaway to Stowe VT, and we're not going leaf peeping.  A Traverse SUMMER adventure in the mountains and the Stow clan can't wait.  Ben & Jerry's, Cabot Cheese and Cold Hollow Cider Mill here we come!  Get your summer on, peeps.  It'll be gone before we know it.  

Ya, I know my toes are on the verge of being webbed.  That'd be Tom Connelley's fault.

What's in the works for your family?  Any plans for a last hurrah?  We've got plenty of time folks!  Live it up!

Medela Pump Giveaway Tonight!

Last call to RSVP for tonight's MommyParties get together, sponsored by Medela.

One lucky winner will receive a breastfeeding prize package valued at over $350 featuring the new Medela Pump In Style Advanced On-the-go Tote plus:

• Pump & Save Breastmilk Bags (50 pk)
• Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags (5 pk)
• Quick Clean Wipes (24 pk)
• Disposable Bra Pads (60 pk)
• Tender Care Lanolin
• Tender Care Hydrogel Pads (4 pk)

Guests will receive a party bag including:

• Lanolin Sachet
• Disposable Bra Pads Sample
• Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bag
• Quick Clean Wipes
• Breastfeeding Information Guid

Hoping to get some last minute RSVPs, so please spread the word in your circles of friends!  Shindig starts at 6:30pm tonight!  Can't wait to see you!  Please RSVP by leaving a comment below!

Interesting, At Best

So I took a snooze this afternoon while my 2 boys napped.  Let's face it, vacation can be tiresome.  Sometimes, you need a vacation after your vacation.  So Emily was watching a movie on the couch, so I thought I'd go lay down for a little while.

Ya, so I dreamt and everything.  A good little nap.  I woke to a whisper, "Mommy, how do you spell "CAR VIDEOS?"  Ya, my five-year-old was searching google for Car Videos for her little brother, who had just woken up.   I saw that he was bare-bummed and his pull up was on the bathroom floor.

Mommy:  Aidan, did you poop or pee?
Aidan: Pooped.
Mommy:  Ok, I need to check your bum.  Come here please.
Emily:  Oh, it's ok Mommy.  He pooped and I wiped him.  
Mommy:  You WHAT?
Emily:  He pooped and I wiped him.  He was as clean as a new pin, but I gave him a wipe anyway.  
Mommy:  WOW!  You're an amazing sister.  
Emily:  Can we watch some car crash videos?

Wow.  I was impressed.

Sesuit Harbor Cafe: Dining Tips!

Best Lobster Roll Ever

Chris and I went out for dinner without the kids last Wednesday night while vacationing in East Dennis, MA.  We discovered the Sesuit Harbor Cafe, which is really just a cute little shack with a tiny kitchen.  But boy, is it a beautiful spot with some yummy eats. Grandma and Grandad liked it so much (they went there for lunch on Tuesday) that they had to go back for a second lunch together on Thursday.  Why mess with a good thing, right?

Here are a few important tips to consider before you go to the Sesuit Harbor Cafe:

1)  They don't accept credit cards, so bring your cash!  (or checks)

2)  They don't serve alcohol, but you can B.Y.O!  So we brought our own bottle of wine AND wine key.   We sorta wish we had packed a pair of wine glasses like some had.  Wine in plastic cups kinda makes me crazy.

3)  Go to the bathroom before you leave the house (unless you are a fan of port-a-potties) and we all know how that can go.  Chris was adventurous on our way out, but not me.  No way, Jose!

4)  Arrive on the early side.  We got there around 5:40pm and the line wasn't out the door yet.  (It gets BUSY!)  Got a great parking spot right out front, too.


5)  Is it just me, or is this list of tips sounding more like, why should I even bother?  Believe me, you NEED to check it out.  The views of the boats coming in and out of the harbor, the amazing seafood and the good ocean air are just a few reasons why you need to go.

Took a big CLAW off the top before taking the photo.  Oh, and I never like coleslaw.  Best coleslaw I've ever had!

Daddy's Oysters 

Sesuit Harbor

Outdoor Dining at Its Best!

A No-Frill Menu, Full of Good Eats!

I hear that the bakery is just as delicious as the raw bar!  The prices weren't terrible, considering you seem to get a whole lobster in their famous lobster roll!  We were also impressed with the FAST service!  We always love meeting new people and that we did as we shared our big picnic table with two Cape Cod locals.  Did you know there are 27 beaches in Dennis?  Anyway, if you're down on the Cape, the Sesuit Harbor Cafe is well worth a trip! You'll love it.  Just remember to go pee before you get there!

Oh Buoy!  

A Family Vacation in Dennis, MA

We're still here and having a ball.  Unbelievable.  One of the best weeks of my life.  

Back to my regularly scheduled margarita.