Monday, January 17, 2011

Snowshoeing

I'm thankful for the ability to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature and crisp Vermont air.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Being wrapped up in a warm blanket on a snowy day with a hot cup of tea.

It's hard to believe, but we're having our first big storm of the winter season (over a foot of snow). So many parts of the country (even the south) has seen more snow than we have. Today, its just beautiful. It's so quiet outside and I'm wrapped up in a lovely, soft blanket with a nice cup of tea. It couldn't get more perfect.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Sound of Music

The last few days I have been listening to / watching a number of musicals from my childhood. I love 'The Sound of Music'... but I also just love the sound of music in general. Music makes me happy and I especially love when music and dance come together. Some others I've been watching are My Fair Lady, Annie, Oliver, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A life well lived

I'm thankful for the life of Annette Monouydas, who passed away on 1.1.11


Saratoga Springs, NY - Annette Monouydas passed away Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011 at Schuyler Ridge Center in Clifton Park, where she has resided for the past six years.

Born on April 18, 1920 in the province of Avellino, Italy, she was a daughter of the late Alexander and Francesca (DiTore) Terlizzi. On June 8, 1928, the family arrived in the United States via the SS Conte Biancamano and settled at Loon Lake, where they built Alex's Grove Inn, a dinner and dancing establishment that drew crowds from as far as Plattsburgh on a Saturday evening. She had attended a one room school and later St. John's Academy in Plattsburgh.

During World War Two, she met and married her late husband, Stephen Monouydas. While he was in the US Army, they traveled across America and Annette held various jobs, including a disc assembler. Following the war, they settled in Glens Falls and opened the Ideal Diner on South Street. In 1954, they opened the Brookview Diner in Wilton and were known for serving good food at reasonable prices and had many loyal customers.

Annette was hard working and enjoyed people. Her favorite activities were cooking for her family and friends, and ballroom dancing, which she did right up until her illness at the age of 84. In years past, she was a communicant of St. Clement's Church in Saratoga Springs. Three years ago, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ after hearing the Gospel message.

Survivors include her daughters, Deborah McMullen of Beaufort, SC, Pamela Wakeley/Flubacher (Stephen) of Guilderland and Stephanie Raptis of Wilton; five grandchildren, James Cook, Sarah Kowalski, Joanne Maltese, Stephen and Matthew Raptis; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Rose Verro of Saratoga Springs; her brother, Michael Terlizzi of Las Vegas, NV and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Daniel and Louis Terlizzi.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A New Year

I'm thankful for a new year... a time to reflect on the year past and make goals for the year to come.