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Showing posts with label outdoors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoors. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2014



Our newest addition to the family, Russell Valentino (he was born on Valentine's Day).  And we LOVE him soooo much!  He was a birthday present for Hans' this year, and he has become much loved by all.  He is a Dutch Dwarf (though I'm not so sure about the dwarf - he's getting pretty big), and the cutest thing on earth.  He and Tucker are even getting along!   

       




Carmelized Pears - EASY!


After you've finished grilling those Brats or BBQ'ing the chicken, use the coals to make an EASY but delicious, healthy dessert, that cooks while you enjoy your dinner.
Grilled Carmelized Pears:
Take 5 pears, any kind (or as many as you need), and cut them in half, top to bottom.  Cut the core out of each half.  Put aluminum foil down on the grill, and as it warms up, coat it with butter-flavor Crisco (or the regular kind - they both work).  Make sure you have enough foil so you can fold it back on itself halfway; and DO coat the whole thing.  Then sprinkle on cinnamon-sugar, a nice coating of it - so you almost can't see the foil through it.  Then lay the pears on the cinnamon-sugar, cut side down.  Sprinkle more sugar mix on top of the pears (the skin side), fold the foil over top, and crimp the edges a bit.  The coals were running about 225 degrees at this point, and I left the pears on for about 30 minutes.  When you finish your dinner, you'll have soft, warm, caramelized pears just begging for a scoop of vanilla ice cream!  ENJOY!

(Thanks to stresscake.wordpress.com for the photo - everyone ate mine so quickly, I couldn't get a good picture, but that's exactly what they looked like!  Next time...)

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The 'house'

Today we were again reminded of our status as "the house" for Josh's friends (and sometimes large groups of Hans and Bethany's friends, as well).  4 of his friends came over today to hang out.  They ended up taking Hans with them on a bike ride to the lower Norwood park, then picked up pizza on their way back to the house this evening.  Yes, the teens bought their own pizza for dinner - and Hans pitched in some money for his share as well.  I'm so proud!  We watched School of Rock with dinner, and then I built my first real fire in our fire pit (it is BEAUTIFUL weather here, thank you God!).  Bethany and some others roasted marshmallows for smores, Hans made me a marshmallow, and while everybody hung out and chatted, I cut down some pesky branches.  And pushed Boo on the swing - love that swing!  It's a rather unique experience being the 'house' that everyone wants to hang out in.  But very nice.  And I know they are really becoming comfortable here, because Alex walked in this afternoon and called out, "I'm home!".  Without knocking.  So it's kind of cool...

Love to all!

(ps - Happy Anniversary, love!  We miss you - everyone's asking about you, and we're waiting for you to come home!)
  

  

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Mother's Day

Hi all...

I know I'm slacking lately; just when I should be writing daily because there's so much going on, there's so much going on I can't seem to keep up!  So I'll backtrack a little, and get everyone up to date.

Last Sunday was really lovely; actually, my Mom's day started Friday night, since Cody and I went dancing and then out for drinks with some friends from dance class.  We haven't been 'out' with another couple in a while - or at all - so it was spontaneous and fun!  Saturday Bethany's LAX game was cancelled, so we got to relax a little, but I had a wedding to sing for, so I went to work.  Then some shopping on the way home, dinner together, and then Hans took me to a Ladies & Lads dance at school.  And he actually danced with me!

Sunday, after church, we headed out to Longwood Gardens.  We stopped at a huge nursery on the way there (one I'd always wanted to visit), and found the Lantana that we've been looking for ever since leaving NC.  It was one of the plants we'd had out front and Hans has been asking for them.  So after a few plant purchases, we stopped at Mile High where Cody had made lunch reservations; it was wonderful!  Finally, onto Longwood Gardens; it was CHILLY.  Especially for May!  But we had a lovely time; everyone took lots of pictures, and we just enjoyed being outside, together.  It seemed like a while since we'd just hung out together...  That evening we heated up leftovers, watched Once, and ended a really great Mother's Day.  Oh - and I got some Coconut Coffee, the Les Miserables dvd (which is great, but still not as good as seeing it live), and a really awesome 'garden' hat.  You'll see in the picture.

I hope all my friends who are mother's, plan to be mother's, and/or have mother's (which is everybody), had a great day.  Remember, hug a mom - every day you can!

Love to all...

 
  

  


  

  

  

Friday, February 8, 2013

The weekend...

Will be an opportunity to get away and spend some time together!  We went skiing last weekend, at Camelback Mountain, and it was very nice - but there was a snow storm that made it difficult to see, for several hours.  (Plus, skiing is NOT the easiest sport, and we weren't fully ready for more than a day.  LOL)  And it wasn't just me, due to my age!  ; )


Right now the blizzard is coming through downtown Philly; I had dance class tonight while Josh and Cody went to a play (a requirement for Josh's acting class).  The snow was really starting to come down, but just as we passed the airport, it was almost nothing.  So fresh powder in the Poconos tomorrow!  Hahahaha...

Our thoughts are with all the people further north and in Canada who are being hit by the storm.  We're praying for your safety, and that everyone is watched over.  And hi to my parents, down in sunny Florida - THIS is why you're down there!   <insert diabolical laughter>.

BTW...  I did it!  The Social Sec. Admin. acknowledged that I DID NOT have to pay back the overpayment they gave Josh.  YAY!!!!  Thanks Dad, for making me so stubborn.



            

   

       

Love to all...

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Snow?!?

Whoa...  It's November 7th, and it's SNOWING outside!  It's not sticking, but it is coooold outside, and the snow is coming down.  It sounded like rain at first, and when it got quiet, you could see the flakes beginning.  This is a good omen for skiing this season!

I hope that things are well with everyone else - my parents, who were out of communication for a while; Cindy, whom I desperately need to call; and all the people affected by Sandy.  Our prayers are with all of you.

On a lighter note, the picture of Tucker is so cozy...  I wish I could be a cat!

Love to all...


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Bethany's new stick...

Used field hockey stick from Ebay = $15.
One roll of electric tape = $1.
Duct tape in purple = $3.50.












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Having a mom who will make you a customized, personalized hockey stick...

Priceless.






Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Bethany's new 'thing'

So my beautiful daughter has decided to play Field Hockey.  ???  I'm SO proud of her for trying something new like this - just surprised at the choice!  She started her practices last weekend, and I bought her a used stick that we're going to 'dress up' when it arrives.

I never imagined I'd be fitting Bethany with a mouthpiece...  : 0
Bethany is the tall one in back, just left of center!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Bowling

We're starting the celebration for Hans' birthday tomorrow. So we went bowling, then out for dinner, riding our bikes the whole way! It was a great day! Now Bethany is at a black-light birthday party until 11:00. I'm gonna have to watch out - my kids are getting to have better social lives than Cody and I.