~Fall 2009~

Too Much TV!

Yesterday, we were over at my moms house, visiting with my grandparents (from Phoenix) and the men were watching 'political TV' (aka - BORING!) and the women were playing with the Peter and James. Peter must have snuck downstairs a time or two, just enough time to have see some of the commercials that they were playing.
On our way home, Tim and I struck up a conversation about some random topic, and Tim had used the sentences "that's been an issue" . . .
Peter piped in and said "Just like Issue 3! It's a bad deal for Ohio."

Obviously, we have a political figure in our midst.

Bossy Boy

Peter: James, please be quiet.
James: Blahahallalalhahah
Peter: JAMES - please stop talking!
James: alalalllaaalalaa
Peter: Daddy, James is not being quiet like I asked him to.
Daddy: That's probably because your not his parent.
Peter: (looks at James, really closely) James, PLEEEASE shut it and be quiet, . . . for a long time
(James: aahhhh, ahahah,. . . )
Peter: ZIP IT . . lock it and give me the KEY!
James: Oh-tay. (hands his a 'key')

Good Night, *Humble* Boy!

Peter tonight, saying his 'night-night prayers'. . . .

Dear Jesus . . please forgive me of my sins. That we had fun (Mom: "THANK YOU that we had fun. . .") . . . THANK You that we had fun today. That we played in the leaves. Thank You for the beautiful weather that we have been having. And, thank You that James and I are so very wonderful! Amen

. . . .uuugghh, I think our next 'fruit' that we'll be working on will be HUMBLENESS!

Saucy Spiced Apple Pie

This is the BEST apple pie I've ever HAD! . . . . really, it is!

Pastry (for double pie crust)
1/4 C butter, softened
2 C sugar
1 egg
1 egg - separated
1/3 C pineapple juice
1 1/2 t vanilla
1/3 C flour
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ginger
1/4 t nutmeg
** I added a 1/4 cloves too
6 C sliced, tart apples

Line a 9-in pie plate with bottom pastry - trimming even with edge.
In large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, pineapple juice and vanilla until well blended. Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg - gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Fill crust with apple slices, and then top with the creamed mixture.
Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie - place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges (important, it will over-flow if not sealed tight)
Beat egg white, brush over pastry, sprinkle with additional sugar (and cinnamon)
Bake @ 350 for 55-60 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool - serve - enjoy!!!

B&B ~ Day 1

Sunday, after church - Tim and I dropped the boys off with my parents, and headed Northeast to Danville , OH.

For our joint birthday gift - Tim's parents booked a Bed and Breakfast for us to stay for 2 nights/3 days. It was truly the PERFECT gift!

Tim and I were SO excited and really had NO idea how good this trip would be for us both!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We arrived around 3:30/4:00 in the late afternoon. The owner of the B&B greeted us, handed us our key and walked us around the Inn. First thing I saw (of course) was THIS beauty

A Chickering Rococo Style Square Grand Piano

A beautiful antique grand piano, built in the mid 1800's, valued at over $30,000! I just about passed out when the owner told me that I could TOUCH it and PLAY it!!!

She showed us our own little cabin, and let us know that dinner would be ready at 7:00. What a treat! We settled in, I knitted, took a nap and then got into the whirlpool, all just because! It was wonderful!
We headed to the Main Hall to sit and relax, running into another (sweet) couple. We chatted it up quite a bit, a little of this, a little of that. We learned that they were regulars at this particular B&B and they just adore the Inn owners. The owner came in to tell us of our dinner selections for this evening.
Warm Bread
Tossed Salad with Oranges and Pine Nuts with a Seseame Dressing
Golden Vegetable Soup
Scalloped Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Sauce or
Mushroom and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts with mushroom red wine sauce
(Tim and I both picked the Chicken)

It was amazing!!!

We have a lovely conversation with the two couples that joined us for dinner. The other couple - our age, was very quiet, but joined in the conversation. Tim then decided to ask what they do for a living and the wife (Tanya) said 'Christian counseling' . . . well, Tim and I must have lit up and had flags popping out of our heads, because the husband (Todd) knew that we were VERY interested in her profession. So, Todd asked what we did, and I chimed in telling them that I teach piano and write music for a Christian band. Then THEY lit up like NY city and we hit it off immediately.
We had an amazing dessert. . . . . . .

The younger couple did excuse themselves from the table during dinner, but Tim and I never thought another thing about it (later to come) but they finished dinner with us all and headed back to their cabin early. Tim and I stayed up with the older couple and I got to serenade them all evening and even took requests. It was RIGHT UP my alley! A perfect end to a perfect day!

B&B ~ Day 2

We had the option of having breakfast ready for us at 8:30 or at 9:30. Tim and I looked at each other and both said "9:30!!!"
We had heard that the older couple wanted to have their breakfast earlier this morning - but we also learned that the younger couple (who have young children) picked the later time as well. The Lord had BIG plans for us, and this was just ONE sign of His Grace to us this weekend.
We had a lazy morning, knowing that breakfast wasn't until later, we got to sleep in . . I read, knitted some more and took a nice (LONG) hot shower . . . and went to the bathroom without ANY intreruptions. That does NOT happen at home, by any means.
We met up with the older couple just as they were heading out, Tom (the husband) gave me his business card and told us that if we were ever in the Dellaware area, or closer to Columbus, to give them a visit.
Tim and I sat down for breakfast - and at this particular Inn, they like to purposefully 'pair' you with the other couples in the Inn. So we got to enjoy our first breakfast with Todd and Tanya.
The breakfast menu this morning consisted of. . . . . . . .
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Breakfast Suffla with Spinach and Squash
Pear Ginger Pancakes with Brandied Pear Syrup
Hot Coffee
Cranberry Juice

Delicious is such an UNDERSTATEMENT when it comes to this breakfast!! Truly a delight!

We started eating between 9:15/9:30 and started right up with a great conversation with Todd and Tanya. We learned that they too had two children (a little bit older than ours) and went to a similar church like we do. And then, one by one we went around the table and gave our testimony. This does NOT happen to Tim and I, ever - on a regular basis or irregular basis. We talked about our favorite scripture verses, ones that have helped our own Spiritual growth, ones that have helped us with parenting and those that have guided our thoughts and actions while witnessing to others. Long story short, when we started to 'wrap things up' it was 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON! I thought praying with them over breakfast was fantastic . . .this was incredible! I really never expected this, at all.

Tim and I had scheduled a Couple's Massage at 5:00, so I thought that we could cram in a million different things and get back to our cabin by the time Kim would come over to give us our massages. NO SO! In fact, about a third way into the driving around town, I barely got the words, "If you want to just turn around and. . . ." OUT - before Tim turned the car around and headed back to our cabin. It was taking WAY to long to drive to all of the 'happening' places, and I wanted to get another awesome nap in before dinner.
Since we had talked so long with our new-found friends, we completely forgot about lunch. So, we decided that we would eat at a 'Ma & Pa' restaraunt and decide later if this meal would be lunch or dinner.





Turns out it was a late LUNCH! . . . . and a very GOOD one, at that!

We went back to our just relaxed, started a great fire in the fireplace in our cabin, read our books and listened to music (which they provided). It was very romantic!

Kim - our Massouse - came around 5:30 - Tim went first (it was his first massage ever!) and he was like jello afterwards, then I went and we had a lovely talk with Kim. She was wonderful! We were both VERY relaxed.
Tim's parents surprised us with a tray full of chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider. What sweet treat for us!

We went out later, for dinner. It was a pretty 'late' dinner, too. I think we didn't eat until 8:30/9:00, but again - a small chain always has the BEST food - and it was GOOD!

We headed back to our cabin and saw 6 deer on the way! Three of them were running along side of our car . . . for at least a half of a mile. It was amazing!!!!

After my first attempt of starting a fire . . .and Tim, having to REstart it . . I started to doze off, so I headed to bed and slept like a LOG! (no pun intended)

B&B ~ Day 3

Our last morning here . . . . totally bummed out that we are leaving so 'early' . . . even though, this is the LONGEST that we have been away from BOTH boys at the same time. . . it seemed like a minute!
We (as in I) got up around 8:30 (which is TOTALLY sleeping in for me!) and started to pack. Took another hot shower, put things away, tidyed up a bit, got Tim up, we finished packing and headed to breakfast.

This morning we enjoyed . . . . .
Chocolate Cherry Muffins
Herbed Scrambled Eggs with Tomato Basil Sauce
Stuffed Baked Cream French Toast with Roasted Pears
Hot Coffee
Cranberry Juice

DELICIOUS - again! Nothing short of it!

We had another wonderful conversation with Todd and Tanya, finishing in the parlor. Todd wanted to hear me play the piano, so they finished up packing and met us in the Main Hall. He told me some of his favorite Christian Contemporary songs and I would play them (as best as I could) and we just really got to enjoy each other's company.

We had to check-out at 11:00, but promised the Inn owners - as well as Todd and Tanya, that this would become an annual visit. It's only 2 1/2 hours away . . . we don't have to rent a car - the scenery was breathtaking and since they come THIS weekend, every year - we would be sure to visit with them again. We said our goodbyes and they took a picture of all 4 of us together (to come soon!) and then we exchanged information and promised to keep in touch.

Tim and I had a shorter ride home, mostly in silence. We were spent. I think more emotionally than physically, but it was a good 'spent'. Kind of like the one after a 'high' . . . . like a retreat or camp.

Here are some pictures of our stay at the White Oak Inn

Our Cabin:

Our Bedroom:

Our Tub:

Our Living Area:

The View from The Back Porch:

Our Bathroom/Closet/Hallway:

The Cabins:

More pictures around the Inn . . .

trust me - they don't do justice to the beautiful fall colored leaves . . they were stunning!

A couple pictures - just the tip of the iceberg - of our sights on the way home



Just a gorgeous house . . one, of many - we saw on our travels.

**By the way . . . Tim and I found out later, that the reason Todd and Tanya excused themselves from dinner, was because - after finding out that we were Christians - they went to the back, talked and prayed if this would be God's timing in them asking us to share our testimony to the other couple sitting with us. How cool is that!?! Turns out, it wasn't in His plan - but still so cool knowing that THAT was in their thoughts and prayers for this other couple!

Same Difference

Today, while eating lunch - Peter asked Tim what 'why not?' means?
And, the conversation went something like this. . . .

Peter: What does 'why not' mean, Dad?
Dad: Well, it's kind of like saying 'yes'
Peter: *silent*
Dad: It would be like you asking me something, like if you asked if I was your Dad, and I would say . . . . . um . . . . .

{dramatic pause . . and careful consideration of a GOOD example to give}

Dad:. . .It would be like if you asked me for something to drink, and I would say 'why not' - meaning 'yes'!

Christmas List . . part 1

Peter has recently become VERY excited for Christmas . . mostly due to his Mommy playing Christmas songs all day long, and also partly due to all of the local stores displaying and decorating for Christmas already.

The other day, he decided, on his own, that he really should start writing out his Christmas List out for Santa. Now, when I say 'writing out' - I actually mean 'drawing'. . it has taken us about 2 years to get this kid to draw something! NOT because he couldn't . . but because he never thought it looked good enough. For example - He would draw a face and then cry because it wasn't round enough! Oi . . . . it was interesting. But, FINALLY - he is now interested and loves to draw things, pictures and his own Christmas List.

This kid could SPELL WORDS before he had any interest in drawing! - something is WRONG with this picture!

So, here is ONE list (out of many, I'm sure - to come!):


If you look in the far left corner - what looks like a Bee - it is actually 'Bumble Bee' from Transformers.

Yes, yes . . my child who is afraid of COOLWHIP - saw and loved the Transformers movie.


(now, we didn't let him watch all parts of the movie - but he LOVED it!)

Fall Pancakes

As most of you may remember, Fall is my FAVORITE season of all!!!

The cool crisp air.

Hot cider.

Pumpkin pie.

Over sized Sweaters.

Warming up by a fireplace.

Pumpkins.

Leaves turning colors.

Last year, I posted a couple of recipes of some of my favorite 'fall' recipes. So, here we are again!

I made these this morning for my family - the kids ate them UP! (which is saying something, because they are picky eaters!)

~ Ginger Pancakes ~

2 C baking mix (like Bisquick)
1 1/2 t ground ginger
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1 egg
1 1/2 c milk
1/4 c molasses

Mix all of dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix egg, milk and molasses - whisk until well blended. Blend the dry ingredients with the wet mixture. Pour, cook and enjoy!!!

My Ghetto Children

Tim and I made the kids look this way, on purpose . . . they have no cheeks behind them to hold their pants up, so we just elaborated a bit - and here's the outcome!

Peter: Today is THURSDAY!
Tim: That's right, Peter! Good job!
Peter: I'm REALLY smart!
Tim: You sure are!
Peter: That's because I've got a BIG brain in there!