Sunday, September 11, 2005
Karen's Pregnant!
Ok some of you may know this by now.... But I cannot help but SHOUT it out..... My beloved sister Karen and her husband Seth and my darling niece Katrina will be welcoming a new baby into their lives mid-May!!!! That's right, Karen's pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot contain my excitement. I didn't cry for joy like I did the first time (that was a shocker, your younger sister telling you she's pregnant two months after she's married), but I am so glad for them!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 26, 2005
Crappie Fishing
Last night was awesome. Jonathan and I have been going about once a week to Tuckertown Lake to fish for crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish. We've never gotten crappie, but we did get a big largemouth bass that Jonathan cooked into a great dish. But catfish was what we really wanted. We were jug and line fishing.
Last night we decided to leave at 6:30 and do some more night fishing. We caught up our bait (that's the fun, easy part!), then set our jugs. You get plastic jugs, put a light stick in, and tie about 10 feet of fishing line w/ a hook on it. Then you choose your bait. We used cutbait, chicken livers, catfish bait, and minnows. Only our catfish bait caught a HUGE catfish!!!! It was awesome! But it's always the last jug we get! It was so obvious, we had to chase that thing all over.
While we were waiting for the jugs, we tried for crappie. Besides my inadequacy with the boat motor, we did good. Jonathan caught 3 keeping size crappies, and I caught one non-keeper.
I'll post the pic of the catfish when I download it. Then we'll have a fry up!
Last night we decided to leave at 6:30 and do some more night fishing. We caught up our bait (that's the fun, easy part!), then set our jugs. You get plastic jugs, put a light stick in, and tie about 10 feet of fishing line w/ a hook on it. Then you choose your bait. We used cutbait, chicken livers, catfish bait, and minnows. Only our catfish bait caught a HUGE catfish!!!! It was awesome! But it's always the last jug we get! It was so obvious, we had to chase that thing all over.
While we were waiting for the jugs, we tried for crappie. Besides my inadequacy with the boat motor, we did good. Jonathan caught 3 keeping size crappies, and I caught one non-keeper.
I'll post the pic of the catfish when I download it. Then we'll have a fry up!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Lauren & Ariel's Wedding in Baltimore
So, this weekend we spent in Baltimore for my cousin's wedding. It was an 8 hour drive, but we had fun together. We arrived 3 hours before the rehearsal dinner and toured the Baltimore harbor, specifically submarine Torsk and the ship Cheseapeake. It was really hot, but interesting. I cannot imagine living on a submarine, it would be SO cramped and stinky!
The rehearsal dinner was upstairs at Oliver's Brew Pub. It was decorated so nicely and everyone had a wonderful time. Ariel's family were so friendly and very Jewish. His grandmother Eleanor especially reminded us of Yenta, the way she talked and her accent! They really loved Lauren & it was a joyful occasion.
We attended the rehearsal afterward. It was at Beth Am Synagogue and get this - all the men inside had to wear yarmulkes! We agreed not to tell Carter, Noah & Jay so they could be surprised at the wedding. :)
The following morning Jonathan & I picked up my siblings and headed to the harbor again. We got some Dunkin Donuts, walked a lot, and just hung. We got some good seafood at Phillip's, we were trying for the Rusty Scupper Sunday jazz brunch, but with all my siblings, it was too steep. Ah well. We had crab legs & steamed mussels.
The hilarious part was that because of checkouts times, all 12 of us had to get ready for the wedding in one room (Graydons, Wilsons, Jay)! We actually got there on time. The wedding was beautiful. The rabbi would sang blessings in Hebrew - any Herbrew he said in a song-like way. It was so cool. It was a Herbrew/English wedding.
The reception was at an old and very elegant hotel- The Belvedere in one of their little restaurants called Truffles. There was a dance floor in the middle, tray-passed hors d'ouvres, a table of appetizers, a full sit-down meal and (the best part) a full bar!!! We sat across from a very nice couple, Vince & Amy, and Vince was from a town between Danville & Lynchburg.
Jonathan and I danced, and it was so romantic!!! We stayed til quarter past seven, but had to go to drive home because Monday was school! We made great timing and got home about 3:15. Monday was a rough day energy-wise, but we're all caught up now and havin' fun on the new schedule! Enjoy the pics!
Jonathan & Denise on The Chesapeake (dreaming of owning our own boat!)
The rehearsal dinner was upstairs at Oliver's Brew Pub. It was decorated so nicely and everyone had a wonderful time. Ariel's family were so friendly and very Jewish. His grandmother Eleanor especially reminded us of Yenta, the way she talked and her accent! They really loved Lauren & it was a joyful occasion.
We attended the rehearsal afterward. It was at Beth Am Synagogue and get this - all the men inside had to wear yarmulkes! We agreed not to tell Carter, Noah & Jay so they could be surprised at the wedding. :)
The following morning Jonathan & I picked up my siblings and headed to the harbor again. We got some Dunkin Donuts, walked a lot, and just hung. We got some good seafood at Phillip's, we were trying for the Rusty Scupper Sunday jazz brunch, but with all my siblings, it was too steep. Ah well. We had crab legs & steamed mussels.
The hilarious part was that because of checkouts times, all 12 of us had to get ready for the wedding in one room (Graydons, Wilsons, Jay)! We actually got there on time. The wedding was beautiful. The rabbi would sang blessings in Hebrew - any Herbrew he said in a song-like way. It was so cool. It was a Herbrew/English wedding.
The reception was at an old and very elegant hotel- The Belvedere in one of their little restaurants called Truffles. There was a dance floor in the middle, tray-passed hors d'ouvres, a table of appetizers, a full sit-down meal and (the best part) a full bar!!! We sat across from a very nice couple, Vince & Amy, and Vince was from a town between Danville & Lynchburg.
Jonathan and I danced, and it was so romantic!!! We stayed til quarter past seven, but had to go to drive home because Monday was school! We made great timing and got home about 3:15. Monday was a rough day energy-wise, but we're all caught up now and havin' fun on the new schedule! Enjoy the pics!
Jonathan & Denise on The Chesapeake (dreaming of owning our own boat!)
My family & Jay, The Chesapeake behind them, touring Baltimore Harbor.
Stuart singing Man of Constant Sorrows. Jay looking normal.
Lauren circles Ariel seven times, signifying the house they're building together.
The Chair Dance after dancing The Hora! (no handkerchiefs, sadly) Did the Rabbi Dance?????
Mary & The Boys - all wearing yarmulkes! Funny to see!
Monday, August 15, 2005
Couples Cookout & Seth & Karen Visit!
Ok this weekend was the Couples Cookout and it was fabulous! Things worked out perfectly. My husband helped me get everything ready, even down to skewering fruits onto a pineapple to look pretty!!!! I couldn't have done it without his help! The best part of the weekend was Seth, Karen & Katrina's visit! They came near 5 on Sunday and stayed til 3 on Monday! We had terrific fellowship and I played and played with my most favorite niece!!!! I can't wait to have a little girl! Everyone except one couple we invited came to the cookout. Our backyard patio actually felt really squished to me! I made raspberry margaritas for the ladies and they turned out great. The cheese fondue w/ pumpernickel, rye, granny smith apples, cauliflower and celery also was yummy. The coffee punch went quickly, Caroyln brought some delicious deviled eggs, Joe's hoemmade salsa rocked, and Jonathan's chocolate chocolate chip cookies were chewy and great. So everything went beautifully. I only wish we'd started earlier so it could've been longer. :)
Monday morning about 7:30 I heard little Katrina noises outside our door and so I hurried with my morning routine so I could go play with her! Karen was able to get in a little nap while Katrina and I played like little girls. :) I made the king pieces in chess be Humpty Dumpty. :) During Katrina's nap time Karen and I went up to Starbucks for girl time! We were probably gone an hour, we just sat outside and talked and talked and shared our lives. It couldn't have been more rich and profitable to our spirits. I love my sister so much and being able to share the experience of married life with her is a blessing untold (motherhood someday too). After our time together we got back home and Seth & Jonathan had been playing with Katrina for a bit. We took over while they took a ride in the Mustang!! Their time to leave came all too quickly, but it was such a great visit! Here are some darling shots of Katrina!!!
Monday morning about 7:30 I heard little Katrina noises outside our door and so I hurried with my morning routine so I could go play with her! Karen was able to get in a little nap while Katrina and I played like little girls. :) I made the king pieces in chess be Humpty Dumpty. :) During Katrina's nap time Karen and I went up to Starbucks for girl time! We were probably gone an hour, we just sat outside and talked and talked and shared our lives. It couldn't have been more rich and profitable to our spirits. I love my sister so much and being able to share the experience of married life with her is a blessing untold (motherhood someday too). After our time together we got back home and Seth & Jonathan had been playing with Katrina for a bit. We took over while they took a ride in the Mustang!! Their time to leave came all too quickly, but it was such a great visit! Here are some darling shots of Katrina!!!
Monday, August 08, 2005
Visit to Bakersville
Ok this weekend was absolutely fabulous. Jonathan and I had already planned to go up to the mountains to visit his grandparents in Bakersville during the Gem Festival. But he decided it would be fun to go camping Friday night along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We looked on the map and online and decided on Crabtree Meadows, about 30 minutes from his grandparents. It looked fun!
We left Friday around 1:30 with a Starbucks Mocha Valencia and Bruegger's Smoked Salmon bagel to start us off. We were driving the Mustang because it's so fun to take on the BRP through the curves & it gets better gas mileage! The drive was lovely, very sunny out and perfect temperature. We of course stopped at any lookout that intrigued us and got some fun shots!
We arrived at the campsite at 5:30, picked a perfect one close to the restroom, still in the woods, and right at the head of the trail to the waterfall! It has rained, so all the downed wood was wet and the camp store was closed! So we were able to head up the road 8 miles to a Wal-Mart to get charcoal and lighter fluid, plus a sweatshirt (for me), baked beans, and chocolate!
Back at the site Jonathan got a great fire going in under an hour. The smoking charcoal dried the wood the I'd gathered, so by about 7 we were roasting brats, s'mores, and baked beans. I liked munching on vanilla wafers (my husband, like my dad, is a graham crackers s'more maker!). Lots! We also drank Cheery Coke & CVDP. Ahhhhhh!
Though we'd planned to walk to the falls that night, it got dark too quick w/our running around, so we just sat outside talking - it was sooo fun! Amazing after a year, 3 months, and 12 days, there's still so much to converse about and it's still such a fun experience! *smiles happily* We hit the sack near 10 and got up near 7.
Brakfast was Jonathan's idea! Egg McMuffins! He poached the eggs, toasted the engligh muffins, & cooked the bacon! We also had cheese grits, a banana, & o.j. Then we packed up the site and at 8 headed to the Crabtree Falls! We knew we'd be the first ones there!
The trail was 1.3 miles and eeasy! Jonathan was like, "Doesn't this remind you of the AT?" and I said no, b/c it wasn't up-and-down enough. But if I'd had a pack, at points it would have reminded me. At the first overlook to the falls, we tried to step out and a copperhead angrily let us know we'd intruded on his sunbathing!!! After that I kept saying "Watch for snakes" but that was silly! We made our way to the falls and it was GORGEOUS! It's unique because it doesn't have a pool so to say (the pool the falls goes into is about 15 x 4). Then it's just little falls all the way down to the French Broad River. We climbed right up to the falls & Jonathan got an awesome shot! We got really wet, but were so invigorated by the beauty and fun!
After all that we headed to his grandparents. Jonathan worked w/Grandpa Skillen while Grandma and I talked. We had lunch then headed to the gem fesitival. The gems, fossils, geodes, etc were magnificent. I liked the finished gems best - reminded me of when Susi and I were discussing our favorite colors. Gems came up and she commented that she loved every color, if true enough. Gems colors are so true, I felt the same way. All that beauty before me left me so amazed. Jonathan defintely wanted to buy me something. We both can spot something that's so me yet I was happy w/ very inexpensive jewelry. Jonathan found something Very Delicate and Beautiful that I would never buy for myself and we loved it's simple beauty. Diamond-Shaped Emeralds and Diamonds in a slim strand/line on a thin silver necklace. We decided to keep it in mind, but I couldn't imagine getting something so nice.
We enjoyed the entire time and Grandpa bought some really gorgeous and expensive things for grandma! He kept saying he was impressed I wasn't making Jonathan buy things! Actually, I did want popcorn! :)
Jonathan got me a heart-shaped tigerstone to carry with me or put somewhere to remember him!!! I love stuff like that!!! I still carry a penny in my purse imprinted w/ "Montgomery Zoo" that Jonathan squished for me when we visited w/my family while we were just courting!
After the festival we made dinner for them: Jonathan's Famous Rotisserie Chicken, sweet potatoes, organic basmati rice, and broccoli. That was fun!
Then that night, Jonathan surprised me by coming up to me and putting around my neck that Beautiful necklace we'd loved!!! What a guy!
Sunday we visited their church, had a good lunch at the Golf Course, and hung out til 2:50. Then we headed home the pretty way! It was very rainy, foggy, and we drove in clouds the entire time in the mountains. We tried to go to Mount Mitchell, and we did, but the rain was very cold and hard and you couldn't see 10 feet in front of you! So we didn't hike it! :( But we had a fun drive down together!
Getting home is always a blessing - you're grateful for your travels, but even more grateful for your home! I got all the smoke-smelling clothes washed and we watched On the Waterfront - I really like that movie! Then bed. What a great weekend.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Posting at Xanga Now
Ok I'm now posting at Xanga even though I kinda like this better. My webfilter isn't allowing my pictures to show up & as that's very annoying, I'm just heading over to Xanga. Check there for updates!
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=jonathans_wife
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=jonathans_wife
Monday, July 11, 2005
Back from the Beach!
Ok, after a perfectly lovely 5 days at the beach, we're home. I got a beautiful bronze while there and Jonathan and I had the most fabulous time with all his uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents! Brief highlights...
- Fourth of July fireworks & getting told we could only do sparklers by the police. :) The boys throwing firecrackers into the sound & having them go off underwater while the fish got angry!
-Crabbing at night with Benjamin, Micah, Wilson, Jonathan, Uncle Bob, Aunt Angela, and Matthew. Matthew and I named all the crabs we caught... There was Mr. Crabs, Mrs. Crabs, Crabby Baby, Moster Crab, Monster Truck Crab, Taylor Crab... oh lots more! Matthew made it so hilarous!
-Fishing off the pier with Matthew and Benjamin. Benjamin had shown Matthew how to cast. Very excitedly, Matthew kept casting & nearly getting us! Then, one cast his pole came with him!!!! Benjamin "rescued" it but we howled!!! Matthew also almost cast himself in!!
-Caramel Cake and Rich, Rich Triple Chocolate Brownies w/ Ice Cream!
-The cool Aquatic museum.
So we had a blast! I finished a cool book Jonathan had read (Sci-Fi, my 2nd one ever). After heading back we then watched Emma, Zoe and Lyric Friday & Saturday. We went to the park twice, went swimming, had TCBY, made strawberry chocolate chip waffles, made their Mom birthday cookies, and colored pictures. It was fun but 3 kids are a lot of work! :) After giving them back to their parents we met up w/Ryan at Jitters for a rich, fun-filled evening of fellowship, coffee & wine. I'll be so sad to ever leave the McMahons!!!!
This week has various fluid plans. A great joy will be getting back on Slim in 6 and Body for Life workouts! I didn't intend to take off for vacation, but i did. Why isn't my BFL book here yet???
To all back in Milton, we'll be back the weekend of the 23rd. Come visit!
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Crazy Things We Did To Songs!
Ok, feel free to add stories, all my siblings.
Tchaikovsky's Russian Dance from Nutcracker Suite: Dance around in circles until we were so dizzy, but don't stop til the song ended!
Oh Happy Day (When Jesus Washed My Sins Away): Change lyrics to "washed my brains away..." and do little Earnet Goes to Africa hand/dance moves. :) (Yeah, crazy! Mary started it, I think!!!)
Marching to Zion: (start out really high, capitalization/bold means really HIGH) Come we that love the Lord, and LET our JOYS be KNOWN...... We're marching to Zion, Beautiful, Beautiful Zion, We're marching upward to ZIOOOON the beautiful city of God!
Count Your Blessings: (Has to be from HymnMakers): Play Tambourine crazily w/music!
Obrigado Brazil's Brasileirinho - I don't know, it's just an awesome tune to get nuts to!
Wieniawski's Polonaise Brilliant, Op 21 - AH!!!! How can you NOT get high on this piece? Karen and I could hardly stand how HAPPY it makes you!!!!!!!!!!! *shrieks as she listens to music* Ahem....
There's tons more, but my brain is alluding me currently. Mary, you must know?
Tchaikovsky's Russian Dance from Nutcracker Suite: Dance around in circles until we were so dizzy, but don't stop til the song ended!
Oh Happy Day (When Jesus Washed My Sins Away): Change lyrics to "washed my brains away..." and do little Earnet Goes to Africa hand/dance moves. :) (Yeah, crazy! Mary started it, I think!!!)
Marching to Zion: (start out really high, capitalization/bold means really HIGH) Come we that love the Lord, and LET our JOYS be KNOWN...... We're marching to Zion, Beautiful, Beautiful Zion, We're marching upward to ZIOOOON the beautiful city of God!
Count Your Blessings: (Has to be from HymnMakers): Play Tambourine crazily w/music!
Obrigado Brazil's Brasileirinho - I don't know, it's just an awesome tune to get nuts to!
Wieniawski's Polonaise Brilliant, Op 21 - AH!!!! How can you NOT get high on this piece? Karen and I could hardly stand how HAPPY it makes you!!!!!!!!!!! *shrieks as she listens to music* Ahem....
There's tons more, but my brain is alluding me currently. Mary, you must know?
Thursday, June 23, 2005
"How Committed am I?"
That's a quote from Bill Phillips, when he was talking about pushing past your mental limit, and diligently workong out. :) Stuart loved that quote. I don't remember the rest of it, but there was more.
What an appropriate quote. For over a week and a half, Jonathan and I have been seriously working out together. It is fun and rewarding to feel so great. I am using videos and supplementing with Body for Life exercises on target areas. Body for Life was one system I don't see how people could get tired of. The videos... yeah, it could get that way! I haven't been dibilitatiingly sore, probably from low-weights (not killing myself) and lots of stretching afterward!
I have also started buying more organic groceries. It's a bit of a price increase, but I'm still in the budget. Jonathan said we can keep wine purchases (my favorite!) off the grocery budget and just something special. Not that it was a huge deal anyway, but whenever I had leftover budgeted money I liked to use it on something special, like wine or a gourmet cheese. Our garden will help once it starts producing more vegetables.
Today I've worked a lot with Mary on a project for a client. She's done a really good job and it looks like we're almost ready to deliver. Thank goodness!
No big plans this weekend. Maybe we'll try to get together w/some friends. But next week we're having a family of 5 over to dinner, celebrating Lyric's 1st birthday, and I'm meeting Aunt Diane for breakfast!
Now, I have to workout and make dinner later! Tootles!
What an appropriate quote. For over a week and a half, Jonathan and I have been seriously working out together. It is fun and rewarding to feel so great. I am using videos and supplementing with Body for Life exercises on target areas. Body for Life was one system I don't see how people could get tired of. The videos... yeah, it could get that way! I haven't been dibilitatiingly sore, probably from low-weights (not killing myself) and lots of stretching afterward!
I have also started buying more organic groceries. It's a bit of a price increase, but I'm still in the budget. Jonathan said we can keep wine purchases (my favorite!) off the grocery budget and just something special. Not that it was a huge deal anyway, but whenever I had leftover budgeted money I liked to use it on something special, like wine or a gourmet cheese. Our garden will help once it starts producing more vegetables.
Today I've worked a lot with Mary on a project for a client. She's done a really good job and it looks like we're almost ready to deliver. Thank goodness!
No big plans this weekend. Maybe we'll try to get together w/some friends. But next week we're having a family of 5 over to dinner, celebrating Lyric's 1st birthday, and I'm meeting Aunt Diane for breakfast!
Now, I have to workout and make dinner later! Tootles!
Monday, June 20, 2005
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Susi's Wedding, Life, etc!
Hello All,
So, it's been a while, eh? Yep, life has just flown.... Since my last entry I've been to Vermont, Boston, Susi's Wedding, and done lots of work, too.... I can't possibly catch up on everything, so I'll just hit highlights...
June 1st was Index Day. First month to post all index holdings using Windows. Hehe, only Mary will understand that. But considering I started about 7 and finished about 10:45... Yikes! Jonathan & I were to get up at 4:40 & leave by 5 the next morning, so that made it tough. I thought I was all finished at like 9, but lo and behold at 10, JoelB links me with what looked to be a huge problem. It wasn't, but it took me 45 minutes to figure that out! I think we finally fell asleep at 12! 4:40 came bright and early, but we actually had left the driveway by 5:18. We headed straight to Starbucks for some Grande Mocha Valencias (I was the only one there!) and headed out. We drive to PA 1st for Jonathans 308 and arrived there at our exact planned time - 1:15. The countryside was beautiful, many barns and rolling hills, although there was rain sporatically all day. We arrived in Ludlow, VT at 11ish, due to a navigating problem of mine - which my husband took very patiently!
Vermont was so enjoyable. I worked some, but mostly we rested, played badminton, fished, swam, paddle-boated, hung out, and visited quaint little Vermont-y stores. :) I took Suzanne to Dunkin Donuts for coffee twice (she loves those caramel lattes!) and Mary and Karen to Java Babba's (icky name, good coffee). Karen, Mary and I went shopping for Katrina's 1st birthday party!!!! It was so fun - Karen wasnted to buy EVERYTHING, but did a good job stopping herself. We had an awesome party for her. She's such a joy!!
We visited some really cool restaurants in Vermont, especially one called The Tavern. It had huge ceilings, dark wood, and we had a room all to ourselves! Seth gave a toast to Karen for being such a sacrificing and loving wife, it was so sweet.
We spent a day in Boston together, but Stuart, Jonathan, Noah and I (those who wanted to rise & leave early) drove in to a train station, took it in, and then walked to Bunker Hill. It was really hot outside. When we were still 10 minutes from BH, Mary called to say they were parking! That meant we had about 30 minutes to see BH and walk to Quincy Market... looked like we'd have to be reallllly quick! As it turned out, there were TONS of 4th grade school children at the monument, but we 4 decided to climb the 297 stairs to the top. It was quite a hike and real muggy at the top! But the view was spectacular. We looked thru the small museum and then headed back to QM. We made great time, although Jonathan and Stuart differed in how to get there... :) We walked to Paul Revere's House & then Old North Church which was a blast listening to the info on - great pics, too. Then Jonathan and I had to head to Sudbury for dinner/sleep at his Aunt Tammy's place. The traffic was MADDENING!!! We had a cookout & his cousins were really nice. Then walked to an old inn where there was a 15 person fife and drum band playing - right there in twilight framed by that old inn, I felt transported to another time. The uncut fields sent my allergies afoot, and halfway home we got caught in a downpour! But then the bed was ever so inviting.
We picked up Crystal & drove home. Jonathan decided to take his chances on 95... AGH! We have experienced it now and say NEVER AGAIN. It was awful, the traffic outside Providence, New York, DC, Baltimore, etc... We arrived home at 1:15, but we did watch A Man for All Seasons and SpiderMan 2 in the car, thanks to Jonathan's wonderful birthday present to me!!! :)
The next day, we were to start Susi's cake! Crystal and I left our house at 2 and it took until 7:15 to get to Milton! Admittedly, we had to stop for groceries at Sam's and Bloom (do you believe Sam's doesn't sell cocoa, baking chocolate, or margarine???!!!), the mall quick to look for a dress for Crystal, and for gas. I let the car get to 0 miles to empty, it was hilarious seeing how nervous Crystal was!!! (Sorry, it was!) We had fun together (Snickers and Ritz Bitz), but were glad to be out of the car. Ok, she still had to drive to the Freeman's to get the cake pans. Jennifer headed over and we started making the HUGE cake. We originally planned to 15x the recipe, but really only had to 10x it. But we could only make 5x at a time. It took hours to bake, and we always had something to do: clean, make icing, get some nourishment ourselves, clean silver, etc! We stopped at like 11:30 and were all so tired!
The next morning Jennifer surprised us with utterly delicious Pumpkin Pancakes w/ Hot Cider Syrup. I'm craving more right now! It gave me the energy to go on! We musta started back on the cake like 9ish and planned to be done at 1. Well, we couldn't get the a/c working so the house was about 87 degrees. The icing kept melting... or getting real soft. I didn't think to get it fixed... So, I also did not have cardboard separating the tiers. One the whole thing was together, the jam in the bottom layer kept kind-of oozing out little by little. I didn't think WHY. So finally it was almost done and I stuck the whole think in the freezer so I could shower. 15 minutes later I went to get it and... THE WHOLE CAKE IS SLIDDEN OVER TO THE SIDE!!!! I felt like fainting or screaming or waking up (but it wasn't a dream!)... I knew I needed help so I cried out, "Help! Help! Somebody help! The cake's all slid over!" It's funny to remember my voice now. Seth & Jennifer immediately came to the rescue. The top 2 tiers were perfectly intact, the bottom 2 needed surgery. So I told Crystal, Seth, Karen & Nancy to please head on, I'd just have to finish this & possibly miss the wedding. Jennifer took off every piece of chocolate shard and cleaned them off for re-application. I iced the tiers up again. The chocolate had lost it's shine, but it looked pretty salvaged. Jen went to get dressed and I finished the scroll-work. It make the cake look much better, though it was still the oddest looking cake I think I've ever seen. :)
Then came the fun part. Jen was to drive and me hold this 25 lb cake.... steady... for 40 miles. She drove amazingly! I was never worried! As I suspected, my wonderful brother-in-law Seth called to give better directions! I don't know when we arrived (4:30?), but the wedding had just ended. Oh well, so sad for me, but business to do! We actually put some purple flowers on the cake & it made it look much better w/ color! They served it up and everyone said it was delicious! I think all but the bottom layer was (it had all the jam/icing squeezed out of it!) We talked and walked around, Katrina loved playing in the water. :) And then at 6 Jen & I headed back to Milton. I cleaned the rest of the kitchen mess, not much b/c Jen had already done most of it, grabbed some things and headed back to Charlotte. I was bone-weary. Jonathan and I both finally saw one another at 12 after over a day and a night apart!!! What a sweet reunion that was!!! I hate spending nights apart from him, so it was so joyous to once again be with my wonderful husband!
And that's my story... I'll have to upload pics soon.
So, it's been a while, eh? Yep, life has just flown.... Since my last entry I've been to Vermont, Boston, Susi's Wedding, and done lots of work, too.... I can't possibly catch up on everything, so I'll just hit highlights...
June 1st was Index Day. First month to post all index holdings using Windows. Hehe, only Mary will understand that. But considering I started about 7 and finished about 10:45... Yikes! Jonathan & I were to get up at 4:40 & leave by 5 the next morning, so that made it tough. I thought I was all finished at like 9, but lo and behold at 10, JoelB links me with what looked to be a huge problem. It wasn't, but it took me 45 minutes to figure that out! I think we finally fell asleep at 12! 4:40 came bright and early, but we actually had left the driveway by 5:18. We headed straight to Starbucks for some Grande Mocha Valencias (I was the only one there!) and headed out. We drive to PA 1st for Jonathans 308 and arrived there at our exact planned time - 1:15. The countryside was beautiful, many barns and rolling hills, although there was rain sporatically all day. We arrived in Ludlow, VT at 11ish, due to a navigating problem of mine - which my husband took very patiently!
Vermont was so enjoyable. I worked some, but mostly we rested, played badminton, fished, swam, paddle-boated, hung out, and visited quaint little Vermont-y stores. :) I took Suzanne to Dunkin Donuts for coffee twice (she loves those caramel lattes!) and Mary and Karen to Java Babba's (icky name, good coffee). Karen, Mary and I went shopping for Katrina's 1st birthday party!!!! It was so fun - Karen wasnted to buy EVERYTHING, but did a good job stopping herself. We had an awesome party for her. She's such a joy!!
We visited some really cool restaurants in Vermont, especially one called The Tavern. It had huge ceilings, dark wood, and we had a room all to ourselves! Seth gave a toast to Karen for being such a sacrificing and loving wife, it was so sweet.
We spent a day in Boston together, but Stuart, Jonathan, Noah and I (those who wanted to rise & leave early) drove in to a train station, took it in, and then walked to Bunker Hill. It was really hot outside. When we were still 10 minutes from BH, Mary called to say they were parking! That meant we had about 30 minutes to see BH and walk to Quincy Market... looked like we'd have to be reallllly quick! As it turned out, there were TONS of 4th grade school children at the monument, but we 4 decided to climb the 297 stairs to the top. It was quite a hike and real muggy at the top! But the view was spectacular. We looked thru the small museum and then headed back to QM. We made great time, although Jonathan and Stuart differed in how to get there... :) We walked to Paul Revere's House & then Old North Church which was a blast listening to the info on - great pics, too. Then Jonathan and I had to head to Sudbury for dinner/sleep at his Aunt Tammy's place. The traffic was MADDENING!!! We had a cookout & his cousins were really nice. Then walked to an old inn where there was a 15 person fife and drum band playing - right there in twilight framed by that old inn, I felt transported to another time. The uncut fields sent my allergies afoot, and halfway home we got caught in a downpour! But then the bed was ever so inviting.
We picked up Crystal & drove home. Jonathan decided to take his chances on 95... AGH! We have experienced it now and say NEVER AGAIN. It was awful, the traffic outside Providence, New York, DC, Baltimore, etc... We arrived home at 1:15, but we did watch A Man for All Seasons and SpiderMan 2 in the car, thanks to Jonathan's wonderful birthday present to me!!! :)
The next day, we were to start Susi's cake! Crystal and I left our house at 2 and it took until 7:15 to get to Milton! Admittedly, we had to stop for groceries at Sam's and Bloom (do you believe Sam's doesn't sell cocoa, baking chocolate, or margarine???!!!), the mall quick to look for a dress for Crystal, and for gas. I let the car get to 0 miles to empty, it was hilarious seeing how nervous Crystal was!!! (Sorry, it was!) We had fun together (Snickers and Ritz Bitz), but were glad to be out of the car. Ok, she still had to drive to the Freeman's to get the cake pans. Jennifer headed over and we started making the HUGE cake. We originally planned to 15x the recipe, but really only had to 10x it. But we could only make 5x at a time. It took hours to bake, and we always had something to do: clean, make icing, get some nourishment ourselves, clean silver, etc! We stopped at like 11:30 and were all so tired!
The next morning Jennifer surprised us with utterly delicious Pumpkin Pancakes w/ Hot Cider Syrup. I'm craving more right now! It gave me the energy to go on! We musta started back on the cake like 9ish and planned to be done at 1. Well, we couldn't get the a/c working so the house was about 87 degrees. The icing kept melting... or getting real soft. I didn't think to get it fixed... So, I also did not have cardboard separating the tiers. One the whole thing was together, the jam in the bottom layer kept kind-of oozing out little by little. I didn't think WHY. So finally it was almost done and I stuck the whole think in the freezer so I could shower. 15 minutes later I went to get it and... THE WHOLE CAKE IS SLIDDEN OVER TO THE SIDE!!!! I felt like fainting or screaming or waking up (but it wasn't a dream!)... I knew I needed help so I cried out, "Help! Help! Somebody help! The cake's all slid over!" It's funny to remember my voice now. Seth & Jennifer immediately came to the rescue. The top 2 tiers were perfectly intact, the bottom 2 needed surgery. So I told Crystal, Seth, Karen & Nancy to please head on, I'd just have to finish this & possibly miss the wedding. Jennifer took off every piece of chocolate shard and cleaned them off for re-application. I iced the tiers up again. The chocolate had lost it's shine, but it looked pretty salvaged. Jen went to get dressed and I finished the scroll-work. It make the cake look much better, though it was still the oddest looking cake I think I've ever seen. :)
Then came the fun part. Jen was to drive and me hold this 25 lb cake.... steady... for 40 miles. She drove amazingly! I was never worried! As I suspected, my wonderful brother-in-law Seth called to give better directions! I don't know when we arrived (4:30?), but the wedding had just ended. Oh well, so sad for me, but business to do! We actually put some purple flowers on the cake & it made it look much better w/ color! They served it up and everyone said it was delicious! I think all but the bottom layer was (it had all the jam/icing squeezed out of it!) We talked and walked around, Katrina loved playing in the water. :) And then at 6 Jen & I headed back to Milton. I cleaned the rest of the kitchen mess, not much b/c Jen had already done most of it, grabbed some things and headed back to Charlotte. I was bone-weary. Jonathan and I both finally saw one another at 12 after over a day and a night apart!!! What a sweet reunion that was!!! I hate spending nights apart from him, so it was so joyous to once again be with my wonderful husband!
And that's my story... I'll have to upload pics soon.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Like the sun that rises every day,
O Lord You are faithful,
dear Lord You are faithful,
Like the rain that You bring and breath that I breathe,
You are so faithful, Lord.
Like a rose that comes alive every spring,
O, You are so faithful,
dear Lord Youare faithful,
Like the life that You give to every beat of my heart,
You are so faithful, O Lord.
I see a cross and the price You had to pay,
I see the blood that washed my sins away,
In the midst of the storm,
Through the wind and the waves,
You'll still be faithful,
O You'll still be faithful.
When the stars refuse to shine,
And time is no more,
You'll still be faithful,
You'll still be faithful O Lord.
O Lord You are faithful,
dear Lord You are faithful,
Like the rain that You bring and breath that I breathe,
You are so faithful, Lord.
Like a rose that comes alive every spring,
O, You are so faithful,
dear Lord Youare faithful,
Like the life that You give to every beat of my heart,
You are so faithful, O Lord.
I see a cross and the price You had to pay,
I see the blood that washed my sins away,
In the midst of the storm,
Through the wind and the waves,
You'll still be faithful,
O You'll still be faithful.
When the stars refuse to shine,
And time is no more,
You'll still be faithful,
You'll still be faithful O Lord.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Audio-Bible - Yeah!
I found this awesome site where I can listen to the Bible being read! It's Alexander Scourby (which I really like) reading... Although I checked James and he doesn't do the little "[quiet voice]James a sevant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, [really loud voice] TO THE TWELVE TRIBES WHICH ARE SCATTERED ABROAD IN ISRAEL." Hehe, ok only like Karen & Stuart would get that....
I was gonna buy the CD's (prob'ly still will), but for now I can listen to the Bible at my desk! I love it!
http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
P.S. hazardously & elspeth, do you guys remember Dad waking us up to this? Romans? Proverbs? Ah, brings back memories.... Bad ones too - Day of Thy Power, nothing got us up faster!!!! LOL!!!! And the ever-loved Bridge Over the River Kwai March. How can you wake up in a bad mood to that?!?!?
I was gonna buy the CD's (prob'ly still will), but for now I can listen to the Bible at my desk! I love it!
http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
P.S. hazardously & elspeth, do you guys remember Dad waking us up to this? Romans? Proverbs? Ah, brings back memories.... Bad ones too - Day of Thy Power, nothing got us up faster!!!! LOL!!!! And the ever-loved Bridge Over the River Kwai March. How can you wake up in a bad mood to that?!?!?
Notes from Daniel...
Ok, so 4 days ago I started reading in Daniel. It just seemed that I hadn't been there in a while and there was much riches of wisdom in that book. So that is my current Quiet Time reading... I also started a new journal, because I ran out every single piece of paper in my last one. I love starting new ones.
Here are thoughts from chapter 4... Not time now to add all the comments from Chapters 1-3.
v27 "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."
Daniel plead with the kind to repent and turn away from his pride, so the punishment wouldn't come. He didn't. After the punishment, this is the result:
v37"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Isn't that amazing? God's humbling puts us exactly where we should be.... we recognize our dependence on Him, that we are truly dependent on Him for every breath! I rejoice that I am dependent on His care!
Now, the Lord tells us to "humble yourselves" before the Lord, or under His mighty hand (James 4:10, I Peter 5:6). His humbling should come as a Last Resort. He wants us to do it. But trust me, when He does it, He does it completely!
Let us use this story to encourage us to humble ourselves, especially when God brings it to our attention, whether through a situation, a person, or a scripture.
Currently Memorizing: Sermon on the Mount!!! (Thank you Daddy & Noah for your examples!!!) up to 5:21! May I stay faithful!
Here are thoughts from chapter 4... Not time now to add all the comments from Chapters 1-3.
v27 "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."
Daniel plead with the kind to repent and turn away from his pride, so the punishment wouldn't come. He didn't. After the punishment, this is the result:
v37"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Isn't that amazing? God's humbling puts us exactly where we should be.... we recognize our dependence on Him, that we are truly dependent on Him for every breath! I rejoice that I am dependent on His care!
Now, the Lord tells us to "humble yourselves" before the Lord, or under His mighty hand (James 4:10, I Peter 5:6). His humbling should come as a Last Resort. He wants us to do it. But trust me, when He does it, He does it completely!
Let us use this story to encourage us to humble ourselves, especially when God brings it to our attention, whether through a situation, a person, or a scripture.
Currently Memorizing: Sermon on the Mount!!! (Thank you Daddy & Noah for your examples!!!) up to 5:21! May I stay faithful!
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