Wednesday thoughts

Loving right now: *My niece Katie's tollhouse cookies she made us. *Pulling out our micro fleece sheets we got last year...total luxury. *Candle lighting season. *Working on numerous scrapbook projects - definitely back in a creative "mode". *Soup/Stew season. Last night's Tortilla Soup was awesome (wouldn't you agree Jess?). *Listening to John read to the boys over the monitor. *Having Friday off to get some much needed things done around my house.

Where de go?

Okay...I'm back. Who knows what I've been doing? I'd like to say I've been busy, but I don't think I have been? Saturday night we were lucky enough to go to Lobster night at the Eagles Mere Country Club. John's parents had to spend their "monthly minimum" but they had plans. So...they offered it to us. Cooper was very excited, he has been looking forward to trying lobster for quite some time. He found out he loves lobster...but really, how can you not? Duncan was more mesmerized by the butter burners.

We spent the night in Eagles Mere where the boys decorated cupcakes....

and roasted marshmallows in the fireplace.

It was a lovely night away...it was indoor camping...it was 12 hours of family fun. Cooper was recovering from Hand Foot Mouth virus (poor little guy). John was recovering from a 5 hour IV treatment for his migraines. I was nurse, mom, cook and activity director. But did you see those lobsters? And how about those marshmallows? It was well worth it.

It's that time of year...

Well, at least around here it is.

Apples apples and more apples.

Apple dumplings (thank you Aunt Carla).

Apple cake.

Maple-Mustard Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Apples (tonight's dinner).

Apple Cider.

Apples and Cheese.

Apples and Cheese and Wine.

Mixed greens with apples, dried cranberries and NY Cheddar (today's lunch).

Red apples, green apples (my favorite) and yellow apples.

One of the things I love about living in the North is having seasons.

Seasons mean change.

Change in weather, change in clothing and change in food.

I love craving corn on the cob in July and apples in October.

I love packing away the shorts and bringing the sweaters down from the attic.

(Just as much as I love packing away the sweaters in the Spring!)

Each season for me is also the perfect time to "re-group".

Each season is like a fresh start and I love that!

I think that is why I love January so much ~

New year, new calendars and new goals.

So for those of you down South...

well, enjoy the sun...we will be jealous in February.

But for now...would you like us to send you some apples?

Something

I have been feeling uninspired "word wise" so I switched to photograph mode. I walked around my house this weekend and started snapping. The light was absolutely beautiful but because I know very little about my camera a lot is just trial and error. I feel like I have all these great creative ideas swirling around in head but I am having a hard time turning them into anything...just stuck I guess. For me, the best thing to do when I get "stuck" or I'm feeling "uninspired" is to just to something. Something is definitely better than nothing...and hey, I ended up with some pretty photographs. As for being inspired...we'll see.

Love October con't

...the best part of Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting...

Love October

Hayride.

Corn maze.

Getting lost in the corn maze.

Campy? Yes. But a yearly tradition non the less. Oh, and totally fun! We had ultimate October weather here this weekend and took full advantage. We visited with 'Ol Mr. Snyder, ate apples and peanuts, bought our pumpkins and mums and thoroughly enjoyed the sunny afternoon.

Sigh...

So... Where do I start? The picture is blurry because I did not have the camera ready...it was a quick...oh my goodness I need to catch this so I can document the story later kind of thing. No flash...didn't have time. So... Duncan runs into the kitchen on Monday (as he always does) to give me a big hug. Only today I see tear remnants on his cheeks. Uh oh I think...what did he do this time? John comes in and tells me the story... At nap time Ma Jane (John's mother) took Duncan upstairs and laid him down in his crib (as she does everyday) where he rolled over, put his thumb in his mouth and closed his eyes. Nothing strange...same ol' routine. So you can imagine Jane's utter confusion/amazement/fear when, about a half an hour later, she hears a small knock...then a quiet "hellooo?" coming from the basement. Wasn't it a dear friend of ours (THANK GOODNESS) who had found Duncan out on the corner on the sidewalk!!! Yup, you read right. Duncan climbed out of his crib, out of his room, down the front stairs, down the hall, down the back stairs, through the basement, out the garage door, down the driveway and up Campbell Street!!! What do you do? Punish the child? Laugh till you cry because he is fine? Try to reason with him (he's 3)? I'm thinking a simple GPS implantation device is the only sound solution... PS. The picture is a "oh mom, I'm in trouble again"...

Perfect

Tell me please...

why do I spend so much time trying to wipe that off?

At the museum

Light

If you listen,

Not to the pages or preachers

But to the smallest flower

Growing from a crack

In your heart,

You will hear a great song

Moving across a wide ocean

Whose water is the music

Connecting all the islands

Of the universe together,

And touching all

You will feel it

Touching you

Around you...

Embracing you

With light.

John Squadra

From his book 'This Ecstasy'

Bye bye baby

Turning 5 meant giving up a much loved companion. He has been just fine without it...a few moments of sadness but rising to the occasion. For Cooper I think it's more of "a deal is a deal"...he wouldn't go back on his word even if it hurts a little...that's just the kind of kid he is. For John and I it's a reminder that our baby is growing up...bit of an ache in our hearts, but a deal is a deal and we too are rising to the occasion.

And so

He's 5

Major life milestone.

This year's birthday morning went something like last years. Cooper came to my bedside early Sunday morning and lightly tapped me...then whispered "mom, am I 5 now"? "Yes sweetheart, you are 5 now". Next came a grin that truly made his face sparkle. He ran to the mirror in the hall to examine his new age. Then he was off to Duncan's bedroom..."Duncan, do I look familiar?...I am 5 now". Cooper then made Duncan come out to the mirror to stand side by side with him. Cooper said "see Duncan, I am taller...do you see where your head comes to on me? that's because I am 5 now".

I just laid in bed, listening and smiling...and I'll bet...my face sparkled a little bit too.

Ahoy, me hearty!

Join the fun.

History

Final stop on the way home from Pittsburgh...Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. My mom has been trying to get the family here for years ~ it was worth the stop. I love when I see all these neat historic (or just plain old beautiful) stuff right in my backyard. My handsome father and brother.

Love family, love traveling, love history, love creating history, love all the smiles and laughs on this trip!