Doggie Travel Trip #1

Dog Travel Tip #1 -

Don't feed dogs anything out of the ordinary if you don't want wierd smells! The Christmas snacks that Santa brought is not agreeing with Mowgli. Had to put him in the other room!

Or was it the Turkey scraps? Either way keep to their strict menu and strict times... :->

Marriott Residence Inn Newport News Review

The Marriott Residence Inn Newport News is in a wonderful location just off of I64, convenient to several restaurants, shopping, etc. Carrabba's and Cheeseburger in Paradise chains are within walking distance (for the young at hear). The airport is also nearby. Typically only small planes and helicopters fly into this region.

Room:
- We had a very beautiful very spacious and modern one bedroom suite with 2 very comfortable queen beds. The sofa pulled out into a sofa bed. This suite could sleep up to 6. The beds were very comfortable. There was plenty of bureau space to unpack. The room also had a table with four chairs for serving dinner and a separate desk area. Just perfect for my wife and I to read, relax, and connect with our online connections.
- This room had a full size fridge, microwave, toaster, 2 burner stove top, sink, and dishwasher. I was able to prepare meals most nights including a precooked Christmas Turkey.
- The room also had 2 beautiful full size HD flat screen televisions. Easy hookup to our game system that we brought which the boys took advantage of in the 1st bedroom.
- The bathroom was adequate and clean. Showers were always hot.
- Free High speed internet was wonderful. It did get a little bit slow Christmas evening when people where checking in and the following day when people were grounded because of the airport being closed due to the snow storm.
- The room was always warm... in fact a bit too warm for us Northerners... attempts to turn down the heat failed so we shut off the system and opened a window (and we were fine).





Pet friendly
- This Marriott is pet friendly but they do charge a $100 flat fee. If you are here for more than one day it acceptable (any less than 3 nights is unacceptable). Upon check in they provide you a water dish and a bag holder with some doggie doo-doo bags.

Pool / Gym / Laundry:
- The pool was broken (67 to 63) during our entire 5 night stay. The Marriott Courtyard is right next store and we were allowed to use their pool and hot tub. I believe we were the only ones that did that. It was a bit chilly.
- We did use the exercise equipment. They have 2 treadmills, 1 elliptical trainer, and one bike (with TVs attached). There are a few free weights. All in great condition!
- I did laundry - $1.50 per load and you'll need to run it through the dryer at least twice. ($3.00)

Breakfast:
- This one was of the better Marriott Residence breakfast I had. Although I wished they served bacon one of the days I was there (and off my diet). Plenty of fresh eggs with optional toppings such as cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Real Thomas’ English muffins. Breakfast also included a wonderful yogurt, fruit, granola combination and make your own waffle. Real minute maid OJ and fresh coffee!!!

Staff:
- This is the only real complaint about this hotel.
- First I had booked this room over 1 month in advance and requested extra towels and an oven to cook a Christmas ham in. I got neither and the oven was not available when I checked in.
- I was constantly running out of shampoo, toilet paper, etc. (even when the room was serviced) and had to send the kids down to get supplies.
- The snow removal around the property after a big storm was awful. I can understand that this is southern VA but when 2 days go by without walks (and more importantly stairs) being cleared is totally unacceptable especially when you see staff standing around smoking at the back door (give them a shovel!). The back door was also broken for several days of our visit so we would have to make phone calls to let the kids in (when they took out our dogs).
- To top it off when I went down to ask to buy quarters and laundry detergent from the evening staff member I got an attitude and was told that quarters wouldn’t be available until Monday! I walked over to the Courtyard and got a totally different attitude. The host was very gracious where I bought my quarters and even gave me complimentary detergent and dryer sheets! I avoided her for the rest of the trip (even when I wanted to extend my stay).
- The main breakfast hostess was an exception, she did a great job and had a friendly mood and conversed with her patrons.

Overall, great hotel, staff could use some improvements in some areas. I travel to this area often on business and wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again or better yet, the Courtyard. ws.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town Review

A must see event if you live in the Southern VA area or like to travel to theme parks.

FULL REVIEW with pictures coming soon.

Harrows Chicken Pie

My wife instructed me to head to Harrow's in Reading, MA after church and bring home a big FRESH chicken pie with potatoes and carrots. I also got some rolls and a blueberry pie. I've passed this place many times in the early 90s but never once eat a pie from there. It was very popular in her family.

I brought it home and put in a preheated over at 375. I made up some mashed potatoes, squash, and some cranberry sauce. I'm not a big chicken pie fan (the ones you get a supermarkets) but boy was this one good! Lots of juicy pieces of shredded chicken, big pieces potatoes, and small little cut carrots. The jumbo pie cost about $20.00 and this feeds a family of 5 or 6. We had left overs which we will have for dinner. The crust was very good as well (not terribly thick just the right texture). The rolls were out of this world as well.

I even found nutritional information on SparkPeople.com my new favorite social network for helping you track your nutrtion. Although I'm not sure if the sodium count is right here.

I don't believe they have a restaurant (I didn't see one). They also have potatoes, squash, and other side dishes.

SparkPeople Chicken Pie

Journey to Bethlehem review in Windham, NH

Last week we went to the Journey to Bethlehem at Windham Bible Chapel in Windham, NH. This is a fun filled and FREE event which focuses on the REAL meaning of the season. The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NOTE: This event is over with for the 2010 season). This event ususally occurs the 1st weekend in December (Thursday through Saturday).

We arrived around 7PM on a Saturday evening and were greeted with "Shalom" from the greeters dressed up in Sheppards clothing. This year there was no line during this time (in years past we have waited up to 35 minutes in line). The "pre-show" takes place inside the chapel's sanctuary. Once inside you are seated in one of the rows of chairs with your group.(Depending on what time you are seated is what part of the show you see.) There is a combonition of continuous live action skits during the time of the prophets from Moses to Mary (along with a slide presentation). During the presentation the guides usher one row out of the santuary at a time out into a small room where you are given name scrolls. Your "family members" (also dressed up in hebrew garb) arrive and you get going on your journey. The rest of the event is an outdoor walking event.

There are several stops including the map maker, roman guards, three wisemen, sheppards, and finally to the Bethlehem inn and stable. The last scene is of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Each stop has a roaring warm fire where you can gather around to keep warm! Each station there is a small presentation (about the Christmas story) that takes about less than 5 minutes. The paths are lit up by candlelight in pails. Hot chocolate is served in the lobby of the church an another even bigger fire is in the front of the church.

We have been going to the Journey of Bethlehem for quite some time now. Each year it seems to be getting better and better. The Roman Guards are move animated and more involved (even have two new stopping poings) so make sure you hold on to your name scrolls. There seems more barn animals.

Unfortunately the Journey to Bethlehem is over for this Christmas season.

Overall this event is wonderful, free, and like I mention celebrates the real reason for the season. Only advice - dress WARM dress very warm!