Random Indoor Activities

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!!  CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE OUR PARTY!!!


NINE YEARS!  That's a lot of candles!


Bella loves to party



More cupcakes from Karen's daughter.  Karen, give me the word and we'll pull Jenny out of college and start a bakery.  Warning: I'll eat all the profits...


Crazy weather.  It's either nice and warm like this down at Canandaigua Lake or...



Nasty like this thunder, rain, and hail the other day.  It seems like we've had about 2-3 weeks of straight rain.  

Nothing else too much to report.  Kind of been cooped up in the house with the weather and all.  

"There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be."

Welcome to the Purr Imagination benefiting Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester!

Round the world and home again
That's the sailor's way
Faster faster, faster faster
There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing
Is it raining, is it snowing
Is a hurricane a-blowing
Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Are the fires of Hell a-glowing
Is the grisly reaper mowing
Yes, the danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing


I think Susie stole Johnny Depp's costume...


Susie and I showing off our outfits


Pam and I.  


Good people watching.  

 
The Skycoasters (http://skycoasters.com/) put on a great show as always  


Look at all that candy!


Violet Beauregarde as played by Audrey.  As you can tell, a good night was had by all!!!


Speaking of Lollypop Farm, time to paint the exterior




Megan hiking in Linear Park with Irondequoit Creek behind her.


A River Runs Through It.  What?  Penfield of course...



Legion Eyer Park.  As you can tell, there are a lot of parks near our house.  I discovered this one on Google Maps trying to find something else.  It appears there's a bike trail around here too.  Something else I have to research.


A panorama of Eyer Park


An old railroad bridge running over Irondequoit Creek


David the Gnome's house.  Possible something more vicious...


Another bridge over Irondequoit Creek


Tried out Crust Pizza Kitchen at 115 West Commercial St in East Rochester.

Good Italian sausage pizza in Edmund Lyon Park.  


Checking out the rest of town...


Busy week last week and still catching up.  More of the same this week.  Stay tuned for my next adventure: "Mike Uses His New Lawnmower."  It promises to be a dangerous experiment...

CHILI CHALLENGE!

Victor Chili Challenge hosted by the Victor Merchants Association (http://www.victorldc.org/)  


Mmmm...  This was from Cole & Parks (http://coleandparks.com/) at Victor Coal & Lumber (http://www.victorcoalandlumber.com/).  It was a very good steak and chipotle chili that was hearty.  And, I now have a new found love of eating in hardware stores.


The Game Gamut (http://www.thegamegamut.com/) hosted Mickey Finn's (http://www.mickeyfinnsrestaurant.com/).  It was a pretty tasty chili with some kick.  Plus, everyone will be getting board games for christmas as I already found something for everyone next year.


The Burger Shack (http://www.burgershackgrill.com/) hosted Chef Chase.  What I learned walking in was they have a Best Plate Challenge where you eat their version of a "garbage plate" (http://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates) in 20 minutes and you get a T-shirt.  Little do they know that I have a hollow leg...


Grandpa Bob's Old Fashioned Candy Store (http://pennycandy.me/Candy_Store/Welcome.html) hosted Legacy at Fairways (http://www.legacyrochester.com/legacy.php?location=victor&section=about).  I wish I knew the name of their chef because he had the most gourmet chili I've ever had.  In fact, he won "Most Creative Chili" in the overall competition.  

 
Hopper Hills Floral and Gifts (http://www.hopperhills.com/) hosted the Thirsty Turtle (http://thirstyturtlebar.com/), which won for "Spicey Beef."


Jon Bon Jovi's Music?  No chili here; just rock and roll


First Presbyterian Church of Victor (http://www.victorpres.org/).  No chili here either; just God and a beautiful church..


Apparel Printers Plus (http://www.apparelprintersplus.com/) hosted Bernardo's Pizza & Subs (http://www.facebook.com/BernadosPizzaAndSubs?fref=ts).  Dave's chili won "Most Unique Flavor," but I think it should have won overall best.  It had a great flavor with a little kick.  And, probably the highest quality beef ever in a competition.  



Southeast corner of Maple Ave and East Main St.


Northeast corner of Moore Ave and East Main St.  They are so fortunate to have this village still intact.


The Black Diamond hosted Chef Kevin.  This bar reminded me of home...

To recap, the winners of the Victor Chili Challenge were:

Bistro 11 - Best Overall
Thirsty Turtle -Spicey Beef!
Legacy - Most Creative
Bernardo's - Most Unique Flavor
Bistro 11 - Poultry
Soup Spoon - Vegetarian
Bistro 11 - The People's Choice


Beautiful Building at Moore Ave and West Main St.  


And, since it was such a great weekend outside, we walked over to W Commercial St in East Rochester just to see what was going on.


Another mural on Andrews St between Clinton Ave and St. Paul St.  
Hope you enjoyed the nice weather while it was here!

Meat the Bills!

For your meal, the chef has prepared for you a meal that combines a few of your favorites into one meal.  A fine hybrid of pizza and philly cheese steak.  For dessert, a table has been set up for your angioplasty...  Must be tailgating season for the Bills


MEAT!


Conklin's Bar & Grill.  Seems strange seeing a Bills game in nice weather.




Back of the line for the security strip search.  Only half kidding...


"It's been a long time since there's been a blowout win like this; well...  at least where the Bills won it."  A 48-28 win.  I guess that means the Bills are tied for 1st place in the division...

Good time as always!


It's nice to see a primitive civilization developing in the park near our apartment.

Please help the animals of Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester by supporting me at Barktoberfest 2012 this Saturday.  Please visit:

http://www.lollypop.org/bfest/mikekraus

"Hunter?!? This Is A Party; Not A Safari!!!"

Erin and Megan at the Rochester wedding party.

My co-worker's daughter is heading off to college tomorrow, which may mean my cupcake intake will drop dramatically over the next few months.  I'll be a wreck because I'll be sad and also have low sugar...


After a graduation party at Bernardo's Pizza in Victor, NY.  Someone better have the Ghostbusters on speed dial.


Emmy Lou REALLY needs a home.  It takes her a little bit to get use to you, but she'll be your best friend after that.  It's been a while since she's been on my desk.  I wonder why?

Oh, it's because Rufio took Emmy Lou's corner...


YEAH!  Lollypop Farm Picnic!  Perfect day to be outside having lunch!
That's it for now.  Will be out of town at another wedding this weekend.  So on and so on...