tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46123133997262746622024-03-04T20:28:35.819-08:00... I would still plant my apple treeThis is where I write about trying to balance it all - motherhood, working full time and feeding my family the cheapest, healthiest and most local food I can find. Working full time does not mean that you need to eat processed, unheathly food and be stressed out. It's all about the balance.Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-34945450643288376362020-04-01T13:17:00.000-07:002020-04-01T13:17:46.967-07:00I'll never tireIt's been over two years since I posted. I got divorced. I moved twice. I learned how to fly on my own. I found my own voice. But those stories are still too raw, too personal, too close to the bone. I can't write them yet.<br />
<br />
But I want to - no need to write again. I need to write just like I need a dog, like I needed to grow something last spring, like I need to touch people to connect with them, like I need the outside.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking for months about what I can write about and if I want to start a new blog. New life, new blog, right? But I'm still me and Mary Oliver reminds us that we only get to have "one wild and precious life." I might change the name. I'll probably archive some posts, but I can't be anything but me and I can't, and don't want to erase my past.<br />
<br />
So what I can write about? Well the same things as before - just different. My adventures; the food I'm cooking, eating, growing; what I'm reading; and my kids. My wonderful, beautiful, complicated, messy, aggravating, lovable teens.<br />
<br />
So I'll start with something tiny.<br />
<br />
A few months ago, by accident, I watched both of them sleeping. The girl sleeping in the car on the way back from homecoming dress shopping. The boy asleep next to me in the library while we read and waited for his sister's dance class to be over.<br />
<br />
Both times a well of tenderness and emotion shot through me and tears welled up in my eyes. Not necessarily because they were older, although that's part of it. But because they're beautiful and because when I watch them sleep I remember all the times I've watched them before. The soft newborn sleep with hands above their heads. The sweaty toddler sleep with a blanket clutched tight in their fist. The kindergarten sleep two minutes after crawling into the car on the way home - completely exhausted. The travel sleep - curled up next to each other in camper or tent. Every memory rich. Every memory a blessing.<br />
<br />
So I'll never tire of this... this gift of watching them sleep. It will fill my heart forever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsWJdQddKEVUZ8u_yBxZYByxpVwp-7aUFOOtXa4wxp7Y-bwm_08L4fMmmxcSKfMht4a6fbsxyYtieIIO8-jAYNqNgDOlpFKWA7_QtggcjMzFINifzrFvivpMetya5w0Ob-lN-MZ8GUr4b/s1600/82403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsWJdQddKEVUZ8u_yBxZYByxpVwp-7aUFOOtXa4wxp7Y-bwm_08L4fMmmxcSKfMht4a6fbsxyYtieIIO8-jAYNqNgDOlpFKWA7_QtggcjMzFINifzrFvivpMetya5w0Ob-lN-MZ8GUr4b/s320/82403.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-57868396656746946802017-04-16T18:26:00.000-07:002017-04-16T18:34:58.525-07:00Now the the Greenblade Rises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
March and early April have kind of been a blur... full of highs and lows and busy days in between.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've had a lot to write about, and I've taken many pictures but there just hasn't been time to write about them here. Since I wrote last..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The boy turned 12.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Both kids did a great job in our school production of <i>Annie Jr.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a multitude of doctor's appointments which all could have been very serious and turned out to be nothing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My grandmother died.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took a student to compete at State Forensics.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The kids and I took our annual birthday trip to New York City.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll write about those in other posts, but for today --- Spring!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrydj6Mqcn3Ww0xgouuf1x5YEicX5qkTtyIFgrtG4zDaO47-jfY25awQOtkfm_3QH-tb7bnNTNiTs4cDwy_NaswnG4LrdHPGbA9wBVD-bxHobP7UFXhCkhig7dFG5UgB4YOsKw0j1JMPm9/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrydj6Mqcn3Ww0xgouuf1x5YEicX5qkTtyIFgrtG4zDaO47-jfY25awQOtkfm_3QH-tb7bnNTNiTs4cDwy_NaswnG4LrdHPGbA9wBVD-bxHobP7UFXhCkhig7dFG5UgB4YOsKw0j1JMPm9/s640/IMG_0977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mild winter means fall planted lettuce is ready for harvesting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQgTIW39fqpOtDis8dYtVmaoupEBin4hBVF2-x4yQjGTpvsSgm7-BueFF2rvM7Oe1TXBgcBW3ZT0Vzc-r8vk9foP5ItKuq-zDdwv8uVrxTRo0YDDLUY1fOYswkA3Ura2Yer-VwZOPe8v_/s640/IMG_0981.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the first years in memory where none of the flowers have gotten hit by a frost. It's beautiful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQgTIW39fqpOtDis8dYtVmaoupEBin4hBVF2-x4yQjGTpvsSgm7-BueFF2rvM7Oe1TXBgcBW3ZT0Vzc-r8vk9foP5ItKuq-zDdwv8uVrxTRo0YDDLUY1fOYswkA3Ura2Yer-VwZOPe8v_/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQgTIW39fqpOtDis8dYtVmaoupEBin4hBVF2-x4yQjGTpvsSgm7-BueFF2rvM7Oe1TXBgcBW3ZT0Vzc-r8vk9foP5ItKuq-zDdwv8uVrxTRo0YDDLUY1fOYswkA3Ura2Yer-VwZOPe8v_/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelgEFES9ltweKE1rw3paZ8mjB5zK3WRHlcNbfQ9-gI_3s1GbLTOuXsxJlAVWOZmFuxN15BRdgI5C7tYKhPg_Q80bcaq56MRLgtXtv3-h0az2IOn5g1onZ_z3z5aTa1UHb71xGr_S-RYic/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelgEFES9ltweKE1rw3paZ8mjB5zK3WRHlcNbfQ9-gI_3s1GbLTOuXsxJlAVWOZmFuxN15BRdgI5C7tYKhPg_Q80bcaq56MRLgtXtv3-h0az2IOn5g1onZ_z3z5aTa1UHb71xGr_S-RYic/s640/IMG_0983.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers were even blooming in Pennsylvania this weekend when I took a hike with my Dad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R2UbYVftxAA44Arsv7UJIbx7SCNd4jZ4p-sR3EzlKg5ijK-mT8-aSErANOWzGF0KywHuWtnlgiehGXHWlDFt8l2VD3O4n4x5s6-9yHVZohh8Y3V5OHtLI858SMwR13bqrTTlmAnFKxk_/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R2UbYVftxAA44Arsv7UJIbx7SCNd4jZ4p-sR3EzlKg5ijK-mT8-aSErANOWzGF0KywHuWtnlgiehGXHWlDFt8l2VD3O4n4x5s6-9yHVZohh8Y3V5OHtLI858SMwR13bqrTTlmAnFKxk_/s640/IMG_0993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't it amazing where things will find a place to grow - this is in a slag pile left from strip mining. Resurrection!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4HGR_PaA3vI3qhQce4WjY-InDtRcEXvcSnNZdsks_poUjFRnLE-FwTIIyH3Z0C1YixF2NgKAq4BkFG2_PAOFhpRbX1ca-vFQyoLXRHnMG9lSHEU8S88tX7btdCWm_tGwvUokfxLb-9Em/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4HGR_PaA3vI3qhQce4WjY-InDtRcEXvcSnNZdsks_poUjFRnLE-FwTIIyH3Z0C1YixF2NgKAq4BkFG2_PAOFhpRbX1ca-vFQyoLXRHnMG9lSHEU8S88tX7btdCWm_tGwvUokfxLb-9Em/s640/IMG_1005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love French food, but there is no where to get it close by so I've learned to cook that way. The kale is from the garden too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAr6WrBt3z44qqHX7TXvs7uxOflLkgr7FpQrl9orbwDu3tVzTkwxBtYmpsHwMJlD7YUl5B2hZARk5yT4FC8ihlEfNQeTig4QNxWNs7Ge1tuXyQR2OZi5tnaTpqZKSTg8Csfs_MZLXEHXK/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAr6WrBt3z44qqHX7TXvs7uxOflLkgr7FpQrl9orbwDu3tVzTkwxBtYmpsHwMJlD7YUl5B2hZARk5yT4FC8ihlEfNQeTig4QNxWNs7Ge1tuXyQR2OZi5tnaTpqZKSTg8Csfs_MZLXEHXK/s640/IMG_1012.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hic Resurrexit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-47763623104163741562017-03-02T19:18:00.001-08:002017-03-02T19:18:32.751-08:00March Madness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
February passed in a blur.... and March will speed by even faster.</div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ski and Sugaring Weekend </h4>
<div>
We found winter for a few brief days and reveled in cold and snow. I feel so cheated. Where was our winter? I'm not ready for spring - I'm still looking for that three day snow day forecast. I miss living in the North.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoE2-dn1TERau7WmNENOQkKmM06ua8d3epxpbBIkLvyEdKGj2GgYRPFhTYem4Ooh7WyxRR-AWdh_Vd_mTBw4G_QK9ijbjioo294XVKgBjIobSwHoP7dqVYf1dVFw6_XUy71wt6gEv7G010/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoE2-dn1TERau7WmNENOQkKmM06ua8d3epxpbBIkLvyEdKGj2GgYRPFhTYem4Ooh7WyxRR-AWdh_Vd_mTBw4G_QK9ijbjioo294XVKgBjIobSwHoP7dqVYf1dVFw6_XUy71wt6gEv7G010/s640/IMG_0303.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCb1vCB80jpBo1PZw2lOUU7SXal9cwi8U8V4SH_de00RUG_iaIZFjvL_TRq2k20OmtppDkAtB_Xd2rak3toyVotDlfmN5aXD7lCTe-CeSq8MqrnC_dVAKMvscNVZCdD7S1bNeGr29k6Cm/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCb1vCB80jpBo1PZw2lOUU7SXal9cwi8U8V4SH_de00RUG_iaIZFjvL_TRq2k20OmtppDkAtB_Xd2rak3toyVotDlfmN5aXD7lCTe-CeSq8MqrnC_dVAKMvscNVZCdD7S1bNeGr29k6Cm/s640/IMG_0311.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss_8wUkf8AtDpU-ERgvbXbmU2Y0O0u2K3-HndqMXP2gdHWC-PqqzluXCZncueWY_F4eZsQ7RSK6AvBV35rBFLP_TxDinOtskvdeHZ0UfMPIHd_0gSCOyx0NiC6wZCoV683rzYIljQB2kB/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss_8wUkf8AtDpU-ERgvbXbmU2Y0O0u2K3-HndqMXP2gdHWC-PqqzluXCZncueWY_F4eZsQ7RSK6AvBV35rBFLP_TxDinOtskvdeHZ0UfMPIHd_0gSCOyx0NiC6wZCoV683rzYIljQB2kB/s640/IMG_0312.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoWej2H2hjDjBiLUQ6jyM3SkV7BpDGK9QJHqr98GTOy68rkwnSetUje_cjhvV3kLCh4PurBOyLZFb9VG0PznwI9rERsluL5kjsWXKtqpWLSuND5nMiDJ8F8eCiByDIZFj7rh3ojICcEif/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoWej2H2hjDjBiLUQ6jyM3SkV7BpDGK9QJHqr98GTOy68rkwnSetUje_cjhvV3kLCh4PurBOyLZFb9VG0PznwI9rERsluL5kjsWXKtqpWLSuND5nMiDJ8F8eCiByDIZFj7rh3ojICcEif/s640/IMG_0315.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpn8frUQA9TE1qL6FDd5vEJiffCsC9sZFHYVKjieVMKqhfVqKaSMxugJ8tJmgVm1DBlgY1CYM_XoXzCJ_zUg6LipIpbdo1VqZxxLPV9L9c8fF2GdK__c1Qvru-bsLZjgzgNNeEMoWt7BQ/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpn8frUQA9TE1qL6FDd5vEJiffCsC9sZFHYVKjieVMKqhfVqKaSMxugJ8tJmgVm1DBlgY1CYM_XoXzCJ_zUg6LipIpbdo1VqZxxLPV9L9c8fF2GdK__c1Qvru-bsLZjgzgNNeEMoWt7BQ/s640/IMG_0326.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYa_kvlSIuy6x3qx3GzILQSzBWcv_G6J89aUqMpm6DKKnq3Bj-x_n039vocd6E744LUyyIRfhC2EIqevtanBsHPvNKZkG6FJCGIsmSA7zokv03neq6EsW_fQFByE6e3Glb2rSnbkHqKex/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYa_kvlSIuy6x3qx3GzILQSzBWcv_G6J89aUqMpm6DKKnq3Bj-x_n039vocd6E744LUyyIRfhC2EIqevtanBsHPvNKZkG6FJCGIsmSA7zokv03neq6EsW_fQFByE6e3Glb2rSnbkHqKex/s640/IMG_0332.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's 14 now so her default mood is anger. Uncle Jim knows how to fight those bad mood blues.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlsAyVgaDF08pNXlJzq10Ts1aupwDclFiaovOSAW0pgaNT_Hf4lRaDP9r3AKR0bYNg1CudD0r6MbWNGiZ4XvIVP6E7JwKQtkzrKc7md7haHdeVWeXg1xb-qpdh1XdOj8I2BnTb4tTEJLi/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlsAyVgaDF08pNXlJzq10Ts1aupwDclFiaovOSAW0pgaNT_Hf4lRaDP9r3AKR0bYNg1CudD0r6MbWNGiZ4XvIVP6E7JwKQtkzrKc7md7haHdeVWeXg1xb-qpdh1XdOj8I2BnTb4tTEJLi/s640/IMG_0356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also snuck in a (not so surprising) birthday party for my sister.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUujCC-BHQBtICFXlYbe8Gq92f6AkODhrqbCneUcKm8WCZrb-VTJrFeEuMiKwwp-N2Yt_0wwWYgOwa2XAF2MpONHqkUW4pn-xB9NU7oz8-7vz9Akow6d5QzzIGk5ZuRnztKUc8-tFF-M_F/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUujCC-BHQBtICFXlYbe8Gq92f6AkODhrqbCneUcKm8WCZrb-VTJrFeEuMiKwwp-N2Yt_0wwWYgOwa2XAF2MpONHqkUW4pn-xB9NU7oz8-7vz9Akow6d5QzzIGk5ZuRnztKUc8-tFF-M_F/s640/IMG_0372.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to hang out in the sugar camp with my Dad and Uncle Bruce and chat for almost an entire day. <br />It was food for the soul.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Growing Up</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_0wIQXPsZTaLzvH_4kv23Njsb0FE7T4c0Q-YWWSDp-eYtXqg2KCbYydIL8bV1Qkm8IUFAA8Aa7TtST4cJnRk1gk117WgUuXKmzRKEdlYoWuucW_bf5GEe2KMtKI2Oj_z3eAMB9xgyEKN/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_0wIQXPsZTaLzvH_4kv23Njsb0FE7T4c0Q-YWWSDp-eYtXqg2KCbYydIL8bV1Qkm8IUFAA8Aa7TtST4cJnRk1gk117WgUuXKmzRKEdlYoWuucW_bf5GEe2KMtKI2Oj_z3eAMB9xgyEKN/s640/IMG_0378.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just yesterday she was in ski school, now she's old enough to work there. It's lots of fun to see your kid do well at her first real job and it's delightful to be out there with her. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcsppEXvkylo3wOrCBR0hct6IUa-iXNkE_fxAmstT3ytdQXIYrfkwJJF3kG29J2P03NS1JiM_RRfOGgVOjKZgW8C1Udg-AbfOGjLrMjPg6N2XzHu8_rInXZ6WgQ8ho2UJtw31PiIY_EyM/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcsppEXvkylo3wOrCBR0hct6IUa-iXNkE_fxAmstT3ytdQXIYrfkwJJF3kG29J2P03NS1JiM_RRfOGgVOjKZgW8C1Udg-AbfOGjLrMjPg6N2XzHu8_rInXZ6WgQ8ho2UJtw31PiIY_EyM/s640/IMG_0385.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza Fondue for the birthday party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtYnaCOUVCaQ_GDqOnk1fw-_Wimc49ZcxxthFtDYAt1I-kCx9dR-oKAiX38RYelkiQef_twmQIwuupONWWrK2pI8ufzT4CIphg92GL-CaraaefVau_im9OwEb7QOrp6mCWh0hdmkJoAMJ/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtYnaCOUVCaQ_GDqOnk1fw-_Wimc49ZcxxthFtDYAt1I-kCx9dR-oKAiX38RYelkiQef_twmQIwuupONWWrK2pI8ufzT4CIphg92GL-CaraaefVau_im9OwEb7QOrp6mCWh0hdmkJoAMJ/s640/IMG_0388.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S'mores dip instead of a cake. Happy Birthday Girl...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3OBcvCEEKhag0SiJ4DZRXcPxvraeJ5CUldPqLFHevPlfjuMqNKWstSiS3bZpZf65LKXqq8aQcXOejnSu9x_XHxAnzDBswjjsi3xjtlVorL0ncoW6-u8RdkJH_H97_yHnMvlJL2ioXxDb/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3OBcvCEEKhag0SiJ4DZRXcPxvraeJ5CUldPqLFHevPlfjuMqNKWstSiS3bZpZf65LKXqq8aQcXOejnSu9x_XHxAnzDBswjjsi3xjtlVorL0ncoW6-u8RdkJH_H97_yHnMvlJL2ioXxDb/s640/IMG_0391.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the birthday kid's day we do take out -- the other kid benefits too. <br />These were worn after repeatedly getting hot sauce in his eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Sweetness</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbnJ8u-7INmUUWrk_xGZEEKYpm2RJv0Ie-eBBoCJcXsYxqTLwD866L5VSm2w6gBah8RdGMs7_byjpQpUCLRlmvDkA8BQ-YrQJUBTn1Oj9rVx2oYyvpsc5sFcZ3A1deRmG8QxVgpN8H54a/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbnJ8u-7INmUUWrk_xGZEEKYpm2RJv0Ie-eBBoCJcXsYxqTLwD866L5VSm2w6gBah8RdGMs7_byjpQpUCLRlmvDkA8BQ-YrQJUBTn1Oj9rVx2oYyvpsc5sFcZ3A1deRmG8QxVgpN8H54a/s640/IMG_0402.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was the shortest Sugaring Season ever - 16 days, but the syrup was still divine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mHRmBQOj6j539QscuZb7IMvE1HXabk-KzELmJqUS-lubPcHlp_cwwSjs7AgL-c5Gb6dIZj2t-uZHzlH8l-YceXefliiuzp0cYKwvqS_qETD53I7H9DXTwmvr8OsHYnsbGqGSbkKU_Zew/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mHRmBQOj6j539QscuZb7IMvE1HXabk-KzELmJqUS-lubPcHlp_cwwSjs7AgL-c5Gb6dIZj2t-uZHzlH8l-YceXefliiuzp0cYKwvqS_qETD53I7H9DXTwmvr8OsHYnsbGqGSbkKU_Zew/s640/IMG_0404.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His enthusiasm for band is palpable... and they sounded pretty good too.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-32945538719938244662017-01-30T08:28:00.000-08:002017-01-30T08:28:17.090-08:00Lion and the LambMy son is a few weeks shy of turning twelve. Recently, he's been feeling very sad at bed time and he's been needing more tangible love: tucking in, singing bed time songs, cuddling and of course talking through his feelings. I do not know whether his anxiety is about the transition from childhood into young adulthood, or residual anxiety about what's happening in our nation.<br />
<br />
But lately these conversations have felt bigger than our little house. I feel anxious too. I feel sad and hopeless. I make my daily calls to representatives, attempt to have dialogue with those that don't think like me, use my money to support humanitarian and social justice organizations and try to keep myself informed. But yet I feel as if my small voice is being blown away in the wind and that there is nothing I can do to combat the juggernaut of hatred which is our current government.<br />
<br />
When I tuck my son in and kiss him good night I think about three things. One, I am unspeakably blessed and therefore have an obligation to work to be a blessing to others. Two, I remember those Jewish mothers who continued to love and protect their children until their last moment when hatred ripped their lives in two. Three, I am saddened that history is repeating itself and envision (and pray for) those Syrian mothers that want nothing more than a safe place to raise their children.<br />
<br />
I'm not always sure how to move forward or how to make my voice be heard. But I can't tunnel under and do nothing. Mothers have a sacred bond and an obligation to work to protect all children - no matter the circumstances of their birth. Feel hopeless too? Try heading <a href="http://momastery.com/blog/2016/12/15/in-aleppo-we-are-the-ones-weve-been-waiting-for-please-read/" target="_blank">here</a>. Glennon is a light in the darkness and a voice in the wilderness.<br />
<br />
Pray, support each other and try not to give up on Hope.<br />
<br />
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Isaiah 11:6-9</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">The Message (MSG)</span></h1>
<div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6-9 </span>The wolf will romp with the lamb,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the leopard sleep with the kid.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Calf and lion will eat from the same trough,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and a little child will tend them.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Cow and bear will graze the same pasture,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">their calves and cubs grow up together,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the lion eat straw like the ox.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The nursing child will crawl over rattlesnake dens,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the toddler stick his hand down the hole of a serpent.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">on my holy mountain.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-11-6-Isa-11-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide.</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghybrHZP9RisCIOm18V7B2kX0LohhhfkS3mWn2YaqQa6zaS5CAMK0F6voqJR_Znk0hxw_a4Mz-EjvD3YolIBUzHKNIie-Dj50SkrSe6CAKuIlYB8z3giC99Q7yzSCuienorTi70jiK03Tw/s1600/DSCN1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghybrHZP9RisCIOm18V7B2kX0LohhhfkS3mWn2YaqQa6zaS5CAMK0F6voqJR_Znk0hxw_a4Mz-EjvD3YolIBUzHKNIie-Dj50SkrSe6CAKuIlYB8z3giC99Q7yzSCuienorTi70jiK03Tw/s640/DSCN1555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<br /></h1>
Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-7008674366971968712017-01-14T06:56:00.002-08:002017-01-14T07:05:53.427-08:00Hygge: One More Reason I Love Winter I'm a big winter lover. I love everything about the season: the cold temps, the snow, the crackling fires, the wool socks and sweaters, the sunny brisk days when we're able to get out and ski or hike in the winter world. But, I especially love when weather cancels events and you are forced to stay home. It gives me time to practice <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Hygge-Contentment-Comfort-Connection/dp/0735214093" target="_blank">Hygge</a>. I'm pretty sure if you dug deeply into my heritage somewhere there's a Scandanavian grandma who has influenced me.<br />
<br />
I'm a typical type A first born that generally enjoys being busy. However, having the gift of meetings and events cancelled because of winter weather is one of my top reasons to love this season. Today is one of those days. The weather called for freezing rain - and even though I drive a Subaru with Ice Grip Tires and grew up driving in the snow - I don't mess with freezing rain. The girl and I were scheduled to work ski school, and the boy and The Woodsman had a synod youth retreat planning meeting. Both were cancelled because of the impending weather. This meant that I slept in this morning, drank my coffee while it was hot and I may spend most of the day in my robe. Dinner was already planned for the crock pot (Taco Soup) and laundry and cleaning was mostly done earlier in the week in anticipation of a busy weekend. It's good to have some forced rest.<br />
<br />
A quiet winter's day seems like a good time to reflect on the summer's harvest. <br />
<br />
First, what I didn't can - jelly! It was a terrible fruit year. I managed to freeze a small amount of strawberries and blackberries for smoothies, but there wasn't enough to make jelly. The peach crop was small so there weren't seconds available for jelly making either. There was just enough rhubarb to make one small batch of jelly - but I gave all of that away for Christmas. It is very odd to have store bought jelly in the house. I don't think that's happened since I got married.<br />
<br />
I also decided not to can whole tomatoes. I felt like I had a lot in the pantry, and the tomato harvest was sparse so I concentrated on salsa, juice and sauce. Now it's mid January and I'm out of tomatoes. I definitely regret that decision. I forgot how many, many winter dishes call for tomatoes. Lesson learned.<br />
<br />
Here's the final canning tally:<br />
<br />
green beans: 23 pints<br />
peaches: 4 quarts<br />
tomato juce: 24 quarts<br />
applesauce: 60 quarts<br />
salsa: 20 quarts<br />
spaghetti sauce: 34 quarts<br />
green tomato curry: 5 pints<br />
hot sauce: 10 half pints<br />
apple butter: 33 pints<br />
roasted tomatoes 2 quarts<br />
pinto and kidney beans - 16 pints<br />
soup: venison stew, ham and bean, garden chowder, minestrone - 16 quarts<br />
<br />
Overall - not too bad. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77eNeZOjjDvLM3SfmfUTVdgootbg_0qK3B_oPlddgabfmdiE5jytcqDG-ekHhFa78GxdxpjYwJD15MeOk-Y-7kaGthIAh-nwAdSdmiFfeNnYTiWNJiYBIMeu3IHR08RyH7pSoFgt9D6Nq/s1600/102_0717+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77eNeZOjjDvLM3SfmfUTVdgootbg_0qK3B_oPlddgabfmdiE5jytcqDG-ekHhFa78GxdxpjYwJD15MeOk-Y-7kaGthIAh-nwAdSdmiFfeNnYTiWNJiYBIMeu3IHR08RyH7pSoFgt9D6Nq/s640/102_0717+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdonERcNJ2_2EFDCTZ1LKLimIFWw5yXgV25v48v8LsTJGX-hlVuTOq6cqCTUBgHrIztsOyQJVY7TzC8hQYi3kuQBCSR7SCJoGYir2ttlYJfie07RvSt2sZKrOAYQljajWDzPY-TdJD3UX/s1600/102_0722+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdonERcNJ2_2EFDCTZ1LKLimIFWw5yXgV25v48v8LsTJGX-hlVuTOq6cqCTUBgHrIztsOyQJVY7TzC8hQYi3kuQBCSR7SCJoGYir2ttlYJfie07RvSt2sZKrOAYQljajWDzPY-TdJD3UX/s640/102_0722+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCy8YSi-hmCLRgGZQTqrBlxspvOPdqbjHs4qo7imPprqCFFCFIo9o8HncwIrR4HWuowxKyH9BAkIRD-a-tKYBz5KMBOVL-Fm7g5m_GcQClFD3DSVeSjNyI91QqONVrmAiUBw13oMskmSM/s1600/102_0851+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCy8YSi-hmCLRgGZQTqrBlxspvOPdqbjHs4qo7imPprqCFFCFIo9o8HncwIrR4HWuowxKyH9BAkIRD-a-tKYBz5KMBOVL-Fm7g5m_GcQClFD3DSVeSjNyI91QqONVrmAiUBw13oMskmSM/s640/102_0851+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had an abundance of frozen tomatoes from my Mother's garden. It all got cooked down and turned into spaghetti sauce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzcd9pTw8kSlDrkrkZpVJb7bbiOlMT2oT21nH8s9Hc4EHgNBf8O97ktj02Bj4YvSL_gZvRQiTlMMHCwY4Aoox66VUKG8I5_v5386ih7QWrFKrYWDM0rF8_SIAcWNF-Ef0vYovDWs5WWNK/s1600/102_0853+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzcd9pTw8kSlDrkrkZpVJb7bbiOlMT2oT21nH8s9Hc4EHgNBf8O97ktj02Bj4YvSL_gZvRQiTlMMHCwY4Aoox66VUKG8I5_v5386ih7QWrFKrYWDM0rF8_SIAcWNF-Ef0vYovDWs5WWNK/s320/102_0853+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to use the stove top, the oven and the crock pots to get it all heating and cooking down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyY721_PZZ-bhZzSWZm_djsd1asw0SH8JdYP5ObSI4tPqvwpIA2SkcZ_8NzyR4PAIMooHa31yjS7Ttpf7wcdhmx_fAC-7-6n0v5-UNHuWZ6QK0hqKBWPdktWB1rkMbcTR_ea1BYii5oi1/s1600/102_0854+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyY721_PZZ-bhZzSWZm_djsd1asw0SH8JdYP5ObSI4tPqvwpIA2SkcZ_8NzyR4PAIMooHa31yjS7Ttpf7wcdhmx_fAC-7-6n0v5-UNHuWZ6QK0hqKBWPdktWB1rkMbcTR_ea1BYii5oi1/s640/102_0854+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkAw4iiGzHNjw4geTyfgwcZQ1TOlsLkUY5rUHVq8W52hl-N1izhwLxTLpkLdloOFWMn1IC0vomikQLI1NqOdJ1w1lEaTZbhmr_kv_cwhP9nezaZLEiCynHL1Mbl2D2E_FhyeWjIVGfse1/s1600/102_0855+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkAw4iiGzHNjw4geTyfgwcZQ1TOlsLkUY5rUHVq8W52hl-N1izhwLxTLpkLdloOFWMn1IC0vomikQLI1NqOdJ1w1lEaTZbhmr_kv_cwhP9nezaZLEiCynHL1Mbl2D2E_FhyeWjIVGfse1/s640/102_0855+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vxgSjg1bSDu4x0zIVkiDgViI8kZB-GBk52iRG95uLIct0O25_3tiIioMMeYa6pDEekNuUdlrYiVcEnc59r0Hj6Boo8TrzA84fIPKyFFCV7TkIpPgkTER8k6myQEZ4aQRKDaOZxUfpY-I/s1600/102_0862+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vxgSjg1bSDu4x0zIVkiDgViI8kZB-GBk52iRG95uLIct0O25_3tiIioMMeYa6pDEekNuUdlrYiVcEnc59r0Hj6Boo8TrzA84fIPKyFFCV7TkIpPgkTER8k6myQEZ4aQRKDaOZxUfpY-I/s640/102_0862+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to audio books makes canning much more enjoyable. <br />
Tomato sauce was accomapined by the true story behind Moby Dick. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4vor6Wx0Cud1SGJ7Tv70wxFy7qVfCdSii7rBXBSjYSiIuT5fVY0WEo0o_cV3a5XbqohXD3md_8XK7ljxotg9mr1yfR82XHCOaMd2rjQHpzxUAQdoZo-t9iQ-ax86PGfU0ZCcN660HMG9/s1600/102_0861+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4vor6Wx0Cud1SGJ7Tv70wxFy7qVfCdSii7rBXBSjYSiIuT5fVY0WEo0o_cV3a5XbqohXD3md_8XK7ljxotg9mr1yfR82XHCOaMd2rjQHpzxUAQdoZo-t9iQ-ax86PGfU0ZCcN660HMG9/s640/102_0861+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate Green Tomato Curry - but the Woodsman loves it. Eli helped me make the hot sauce - he's a frequent consumer. I don't know why I didn't make it before. I didn't peel anything - just used the Vita Mix to puree it all. It worked great.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjaYYXygLJq2N0xKsC1fMWr_2tfy0wSI9Z-rYJKc7j9W_s2y6hk_uu4ReAVyF8OMrSgQgousENvAM5uepjQrQuTlg1PGyXJ-WhhRMDg40O5erZMISZWJQFaacDa14kibEKLffQz-nIqRC/s1600/102_0897+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjaYYXygLJq2N0xKsC1fMWr_2tfy0wSI9Z-rYJKc7j9W_s2y6hk_uu4ReAVyF8OMrSgQgousENvAM5uepjQrQuTlg1PGyXJ-WhhRMDg40O5erZMISZWJQFaacDa14kibEKLffQz-nIqRC/s640/102_0897+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 93 year old grandmother helped with the apple butter. It's so good to spend time with her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKA2kWRaDQTpKeJFkTgyK54T9HQx6UZjPw0zEagyU1GNQiBI5dKgCZ_OgBxcZMMz6XLVt7LRi1iNUNOPvca9_kAITDHFYHSCjGzwmXML_Ht9cTz7bsxCUecNsLmoKTIdbnSstEs47hO8D/s1600/102_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKA2kWRaDQTpKeJFkTgyK54T9HQx6UZjPw0zEagyU1GNQiBI5dKgCZ_OgBxcZMMz6XLVt7LRi1iNUNOPvca9_kAITDHFYHSCjGzwmXML_Ht9cTz7bsxCUecNsLmoKTIdbnSstEs47hO8D/s640/102_0899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did apple dumplings that day too - October smells like cinnamon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-61693528526582935072016-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:002016-12-14T10:00:47.291-08:00Hope in the Darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I often find December to be very difficult. In many ways, as I continue to reel from the hateful rhetoric and policies revealed after the election, I'm finding this December to be even harder than others. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't know when I started to feel disconnected with the Christmas season. Since I entered adulthood I have struggled with the commercial nature of the season and the expectation to do everything with extravagence. I've worn myself out crafting home made gifts to protect our family budget, and still often felt that I fell short of other's expectations. Since having children I've also added a general feeling of exhaustion in December since there are so many extras that get tacked on to our already full schedule. To be fair, there aren't many of those traditions I'd like to give up, and the kids are still enthusiastic so I soldier on. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then, four years ago, 20 children and six educators were brutally murdered eleven days before Christmas. I don't know any of those parents personally, so maybe my continued grief is misplaced. But, I am an educator and a parent. I teach with the ghosts of Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech and Columbine echoing in my head. We've had two high level incidents of violent intent at my school this year, and in some manner we're always on alert. It's a fear that never really goes away. This time of year (Sandy Hook - 12/14/12) , and in mid April (Columbine - 4/20/99) I find myself envisioning things too horrible to write here, and wondering when I say goodbye to my children if it will be forever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time of year especially I hold my children a little closer, and bury my noses in their hair like I did when they were babies. When I feel their no longer little arms press around me I can't help think of those Sandy Hook parents who had that chance taken from them. They never anticipated that morning's goodbye would be the last.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBAiXmTad_F4TKIhrUaWOtCy0AzoLh-USqj7B3skhX2bJkpdtu5kDihqHqkIGSW9NbBh2aUdKoFCt46YiPLqwISCZjq8B7-00ppeyL0_EcnnZwmLXkUAWeksc0g8g7xcMhvsf0qz_EvsF/s1600/candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBAiXmTad_F4TKIhrUaWOtCy0AzoLh-USqj7B3skhX2bJkpdtu5kDihqHqkIGSW9NbBh2aUdKoFCt46YiPLqwISCZjq8B7-00ppeyL0_EcnnZwmLXkUAWeksc0g8g7xcMhvsf0qz_EvsF/s320/candles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Christmas feels hard. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Advent... Advent is easier.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've found some Hope in Advent. The promise of Christ that is to come is much more powerful for me than the rememberance of Christ the baby that was.</div>
<br />
<h2>
Lights in the Darkness</h2>
<h4>
Holden Vespers</h4>
<div>
I'm blessed with a wonderful pastor that spreads love and social justice with every breath he makes. He's also a fantastic musician. Every Wednesday during Advent I am able to sing and play and worship through Marty Haugen's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Lmt5OVFko&list=PLnlj23OKG8pWuF3Kzl1Xi7NY_hfWMJaYe" target="_blank"><i>Holden Vespers</i>.</a> I draw power from the example of Mary, and remember that even when the world seemed like it was turned upside down she still praised, trusted and remembered. I try to do the same.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<i>My soul doth magnify the Lord,</i><br />
<i>and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.</i><br />
<i>For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.</i><br />
<i>For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.</i><br />
<i>And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.</i><br />
<i>He hath shewed strength with his arm.</i><br />
<i>He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.</i><br />
<i>He hath put down the mighty from their seat</i><br />
<i>and hath exalted the humble and meek.</i><br />
<i>He hath filled the hungry with good things.</i><br />
<i>And the rich he hath sent empty away.</i><br />
<i>He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel</i><br />
<i>as he promised to our forefathers Abraham, and his seed forever.</i><br />
<i>Amen.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjbaSk3YDe9LB7PrgrXugK1EMwHOvIAQEo76PaYw6LNSBBptsWXAJ15wmetXcpyziZM0XhO5AMBx_wUbZdve7yAQoO0MDFTIBrY1a8vgMBIdH6jtbk55j7IYfFlc12ho0uEkwf7JdZHie/s1600/vigil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjbaSk3YDe9LB7PrgrXugK1EMwHOvIAQEo76PaYw6LNSBBptsWXAJ15wmetXcpyziZM0XhO5AMBx_wUbZdve7yAQoO0MDFTIBrY1a8vgMBIdH6jtbk55j7IYfFlc12ho0uEkwf7JdZHie/s1600/vigil.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4>
Hanukkah</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although we started lighting the Hanukkah lights as a way to create some religious sensitivity in our children, I have come to find Hope in the lights and promises of Hanukkah. When the candles are lit the prayers all start by saying, "Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe." For above all else Hanukkah is a festival of Hope. Hanukkah reminds me to continue to spread the light and work to heal the breach. The Maccabees were a small group working in hopeless conditions who only had the promise of God to light their way. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Advent Sermons and Texts</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Both the pastors I know, and the ones I listen to through podcasts have such wise words that help dispel the darkness. This <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2016/11/you-know-what-sounds-awesome-about-now-a-good-juicy-apocalypse-an-advent-sermon/" target="_blank">sermon</a> by Nadia Bolz Weber is the best I've heard.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Tonight I'll light a Candle and I'll Remember</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I sing the prayers at tonight's Holden service I'll think about the lost ones of Sandy Hook and their families who wake up each day with a hole in their hearts. Later, I'll pray for them alone at home and hope that we'll one day live in a world where parents don't have to worry about losing their children to violence. I'll remember those 26 and other victims of violence throughout the world. I'll hope for the promise given in Isaiah.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Isaiah 9:2-7</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">The Message (MSG)</span></h1>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxftJSnj02aaZFeHw5kX66qqrGwJy9xVTkeDFH1w1F3VYl892pxd0-ZrJfspT7RVoRp1FcZa_ASF7nQwpcxq-dRBoYwlASmOCCAijH52lx_LGnSaEWRWukjdGB6JmfuuJpY0OzTMTC_iXh/s1600/28-candles-in-heart-shape-300x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxftJSnj02aaZFeHw5kX66qqrGwJy9xVTkeDFH1w1F3VYl892pxd0-ZrJfspT7RVoRp1FcZa_ASF7nQwpcxq-dRBoYwlASmOCCAijH52lx_LGnSaEWRWukjdGB6JmfuuJpY0OzTMTC_iXh/s1600/28-candles-in-heart-shape-300x240.jpg" /></a><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" id="en-MSG-7680" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2-7 </span>The people who walked in darkness</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">have seen a great light.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">light! sunbursts of light!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">You repopulated the nation,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you expanded its joy.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Festival joy!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The joy of a great celebration,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">all their whips and cudgels and curses—</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Is gone, done away with, a deliverance</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The boots of all those invading troops,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Will be piled in a heap and burned,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a fire that will burn for days!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">For a child has been born—for us!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the gift of a son—for us!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">He’ll take over</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the running of the world.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">His names will be: Amazing Counselor,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Strong God,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Eternal Father,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Prince of Wholeness.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">His ruling authority will grow,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">He’ll rule from the historic David throne</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">over that promised kingdom.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and keep it going</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">With fair dealing and right living,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">beginning now and lasting always.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">The zeal of <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span>-of-the-Angel-Armies</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">will do all this.</span></span></div>
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5IN-LebL6_jIhJvxirAqqbGzp6_RJ0dgTn3w6crjRBnwPE3Lr6dFyBYbANvcHGkBK5U2KorznNIHwK_NYh_2FA72dZiINbywh9joWLUQgZO1j6cK3E8HUyZm4tvsxROa9QCbPryIVH4b/s1600/sandy+hook+kids+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5IN-LebL6_jIhJvxirAqqbGzp6_RJ0dgTn3w6crjRBnwPE3Lr6dFyBYbANvcHGkBK5U2KorznNIHwK_NYh_2FA72dZiINbywh9joWLUQgZO1j6cK3E8HUyZm4tvsxROa9QCbPryIVH4b/s200/sandy+hook+kids+heart.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Isa-9-2-Isa-9-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">In their names...</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 5px;">
from The Mourner's Kaddish..<br />
<i>.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 5px;">
<i>May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us</i><br />
<i>and for all Israel; and say, Amen.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 5px;">
<i>He who creates peace in His celestial heights,</i><br />
<i>may He create peace for us and for all Israel;</i><br />
<i>and say, Amen.</i></div>
Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-89821977837851282972016-11-03T12:21:00.000-07:002016-11-03T12:21:59.047-07:00Fall 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It looks like fall, but with the exception of a few cold nights it's been really warm. We've continued to have days in the 70s and 80s. Now that Halloween is over I'm ready to start thinking about Christmas and ski season, but it still feels like we're in mid September. I still love fall, but I'm ready for wood fires and sweater weather.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYSirBFS-PDwGN_h3hJXYfU74B8ZkRDzfDlCZBf7ZACcPRBuS3MhxhJx-kWvWWQA0zJQcdSIzVvxkA_ppevstKNsGfmCtVvt17dJTPI-lIC4EDej3mJy0yolKLzD5Psm-KQZIFX2sn12R/s1600/102_0870+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYSirBFS-PDwGN_h3hJXYfU74B8ZkRDzfDlCZBf7ZACcPRBuS3MhxhJx-kWvWWQA0zJQcdSIzVvxkA_ppevstKNsGfmCtVvt17dJTPI-lIC4EDej3mJy0yolKLzD5Psm-KQZIFX2sn12R/s640/102_0870+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed built a Halbshausen with his most recent firewood cuttings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
Halloween Fun</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz_hKt5AYYLVQVA6zBKL7B-Hif0zXFJ2x2ygiz2iRPRtGRhA1wNNxFavPaK7HThwzrSoM2w57uK1Efrbjs9jcOF5QcD0MfqEh4vBaxbra5i7rNPVRRaMJCRh-pv5fUGf4O6rsdroVSzvR/s1600/102_0844+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz_hKt5AYYLVQVA6zBKL7B-Hif0zXFJ2x2ygiz2iRPRtGRhA1wNNxFavPaK7HThwzrSoM2w57uK1Efrbjs9jcOF5QcD0MfqEh4vBaxbra5i7rNPVRRaMJCRh-pv5fUGf4O6rsdroVSzvR/s640/102_0844+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvjkaHcpwqNSL5f8iaIv4RgTNo9G2O_ad2I-TjhBwYpz5RMR1eJAFzu5kM1oqUIosiWuuSkOXJrf1wctHyH17maLZRJDuRV0ZOiZi6ANRqTvBFF8xaZIWxD6y20reSiazdIEXgu8bpnim/s1600/102_0845+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvjkaHcpwqNSL5f8iaIv4RgTNo9G2O_ad2I-TjhBwYpz5RMR1eJAFzu5kM1oqUIosiWuuSkOXJrf1wctHyH17maLZRJDuRV0ZOiZi6ANRqTvBFF8xaZIWxD6y20reSiazdIEXgu8bpnim/s640/102_0845+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGfR5Ojk5wV-N1RbsKeD1uB7Jzvwob_jcOvBM8bi7bz-VsVEQlJ8Nj5aUfEAQqDXvEsyqxq-_7jPBivl1ZMhx-6EGaOrDLClWr7NKvkhgnDEsApPe_6G_eQTZdN2P2qznoOstkIO82_gv/s1600/102_0847+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGfR5Ojk5wV-N1RbsKeD1uB7Jzvwob_jcOvBM8bi7bz-VsVEQlJ8Nj5aUfEAQqDXvEsyqxq-_7jPBivl1ZMhx-6EGaOrDLClWr7NKvkhgnDEsApPe_6G_eQTZdN2P2qznoOstkIO82_gv/s640/102_0847+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trunp and Clinton Pumpkins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj84DMmr14N8TB1ze8qpQrkszdp9VFMOfPeeHC8_G7CmYXfAZ2moQwX9vZUc2M78DQQhI7JklbZw6DwvyxJ-m91rG2PjDZoJdpEjigq2elOa1Z1R7eZcIYst9LBTLZ7Ddnolk2WhphCWA/s1600/102_0846+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj84DMmr14N8TB1ze8qpQrkszdp9VFMOfPeeHC8_G7CmYXfAZ2moQwX9vZUc2M78DQQhI7JklbZw6DwvyxJ-m91rG2PjDZoJdpEjigq2elOa1Z1R7eZcIYst9LBTLZ7Ddnolk2WhphCWA/s640/102_0846+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack O'Pepper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOh7pSqcMRjmnynp0-qHlWzUJd06z4cSR0DWy1jSLwOH_ljsPuy_FeGk1zg75SJ_RSequId6QMvzCIK0b2sGB3lR_6VI5e_An2Thmvs5pT4j8yznW_e8Ph9bJuIN5FpY-WdCpGQGGsv8Y/s1600/102_0874+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOh7pSqcMRjmnynp0-qHlWzUJd06z4cSR0DWy1jSLwOH_ljsPuy_FeGk1zg75SJ_RSequId6QMvzCIK0b2sGB3lR_6VI5e_An2Thmvs5pT4j8yznW_e8Ph9bJuIN5FpY-WdCpGQGGsv8Y/s640/102_0874+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli as Trump at our church's Trunk or Treat. Our pastor told us that he was very disturbed to see our son dressed as the devil. Seriously, it's the scariest costume he's ever worn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH7PnghU8TTlZS1Ougv7zz0Vd1rGzs6zjTm4LTylbcQ7oLg6QnUwAvXtV6VykDXCW-0N8RST1zhW0wxTS53El5QMz4Lxr3Kr6b7uiNZVZ_uyBFc7bxnSzb5KnrmgZZngs7N08boH5yL-c/s1600/102_0869+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH7PnghU8TTlZS1Ougv7zz0Vd1rGzs6zjTm4LTylbcQ7oLg6QnUwAvXtV6VykDXCW-0N8RST1zhW0wxTS53El5QMz4Lxr3Kr6b7uiNZVZ_uyBFc7bxnSzb5KnrmgZZngs7N08boH5yL-c/s640/102_0869+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin Hood - we wanted her to be Clinton. I guess this is close enough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JMm2z7S7F7LVCdjcjPOen1iLw0WKXSS3n9g3kSTUdpt-j7Au92zar81EPykHojVsO3tq52R4ulIaetAB8TeB44Q2ebYOTuAUD_Iak_aozaj-8u5Vr6IsrK4GMCf95mi_HRzyX07HZ-Mg/s1600/102_0868+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JMm2z7S7F7LVCdjcjPOen1iLw0WKXSS3n9g3kSTUdpt-j7Au92zar81EPykHojVsO3tq52R4ulIaetAB8TeB44Q2ebYOTuAUD_Iak_aozaj-8u5Vr6IsrK4GMCf95mi_HRzyX07HZ-Mg/s640/102_0868+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<h4>
Fall Camping</h4>
<div>
We had a lovely fall weekend and had some of our favorite people on the planet join us for an evening. We're often so busy that camping and traveling provide us with opportunities to just spend time together without any interruptions. We even taught the kids to play Pit - that was a blast!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTI6DZogqHvW-krjeNQImLHizi_Nm6EUvRiGxRsq-lnAK6Qdub7FQfS7JrdFuPMZ8iVYyAvNmr1BUNmnBAPRV_1-00FOHJBVHsbvZwmRg6GAfWyA2Yf7u5hG9_SZnCfrwCtqJHFg5hKdA/s1600/102_0838+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTI6DZogqHvW-krjeNQImLHizi_Nm6EUvRiGxRsq-lnAK6Qdub7FQfS7JrdFuPMZ8iVYyAvNmr1BUNmnBAPRV_1-00FOHJBVHsbvZwmRg6GAfWyA2Yf7u5hG9_SZnCfrwCtqJHFg5hKdA/s640/102_0838+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nkWb2xBeLA6AdW92gR9ejtrSj5R8aeao9agoxo6Pu2gR3lemOpKoDGDQySFB-H49eUETixP7jjRQQRDj95A9Gsj3AzCMB-09dr29obQGrePwbZJ7-mIO_YwqtLz5qYlAPh5UDc9-euec/s1600/102_0837+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nkWb2xBeLA6AdW92gR9ejtrSj5R8aeao9agoxo6Pu2gR3lemOpKoDGDQySFB-H49eUETixP7jjRQQRDj95A9Gsj3AzCMB-09dr29obQGrePwbZJ7-mIO_YwqtLz5qYlAPh5UDc9-euec/s640/102_0837+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQcsgVHzs6_lQlgvPUs7_BaW4oefmp4cq0mMyLDNz5oAWvz_UQaELbAJWSCe-sD7qIT_9wpJ65hWB-uVa5ByCqY-2cI2FYkHvWWUT_3sAlk3dl_GafIIXlcmzLv5L4vZipd5xf8t_89KJ/s1600/102_0835+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQcsgVHzs6_lQlgvPUs7_BaW4oefmp4cq0mMyLDNz5oAWvz_UQaELbAJWSCe-sD7qIT_9wpJ65hWB-uVa5ByCqY-2cI2FYkHvWWUT_3sAlk3dl_GafIIXlcmzLv5L4vZipd5xf8t_89KJ/s640/102_0835+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpiST_VCwBgysG6swSoLYsJ7J2TFbBMUMBbEDd_TbiMh8pemJYufKOxBPsuephi2paltcUUaELGi4-mZ0Ekb3kIlAPQ9AvY38JDXqryD6g9WO2drRjXBP0gGEwhBsXREehnn69tTOXpmh/s1600/102_0833+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpiST_VCwBgysG6swSoLYsJ7J2TFbBMUMBbEDd_TbiMh8pemJYufKOxBPsuephi2paltcUUaELGi4-mZ0Ekb3kIlAPQ9AvY38JDXqryD6g9WO2drRjXBP0gGEwhBsXREehnn69tTOXpmh/s640/102_0833+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-73582449245234807492016-10-24T18:22:00.001-07:002016-10-24T18:22:14.307-07:00Fast, French, Fabulous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was treated to an unexpected visit by one of my oldest and dearest friends. He's often able to stop in on his way North this time of year so I usually try to keep some ingredients for some fast, yet elegant meals on hand. It helps that there is an abundance of produce available both from the garden and from the CSA bag. I found out that he'd be coming for dinner around lunch, finalized a menu in my head during the early afternoon, and cranked the oven to 450 when I got home. We were eating by 5:15 and had a healthy and filling meal in front of us and great conversation between us. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H96fuQAZ_1jObNcMQENhzHPFpvsBQozDSTWswAzF-6GaDA-qIRTD1FZsulen_Dsnj5HT4ZAbE9MzS8YDk8wTFvJnbGwmE7sgum9Eso_Y4VZ8RZbbhOoGGF9uNOIPzEjJTAG791cJX-wb/s1600/102_0850+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H96fuQAZ_1jObNcMQENhzHPFpvsBQozDSTWswAzF-6GaDA-qIRTD1FZsulen_Dsnj5HT4ZAbE9MzS8YDk8wTFvJnbGwmE7sgum9Eso_Y4VZ8RZbbhOoGGF9uNOIPzEjJTAG791cJX-wb/s640/102_0850+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<h4>
Roasted Salmon</h4>
<div>
Put a cast iron skillet into the oven set at 450. When the oven (and skillet) is hot put the salmon down, salt and pepper it and drizzle it with olive oil. Bake 10 minutes. Scatter on garlic, lemon slices and fresh parsley. Bake 5 - 10 min. more until the fish flakes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Roasted Cauliflower</h4>
<div>
Put Cauliflower on a roasting sheet, drizzle with olive oil, chopped garlic and sage. Roast 20 min. Add salt and pepper and fresh parmesean if you have it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Sweet Potato Gratin</h4>
<div>
Par boil whole sweet potatoes for about 15 min. until fork tender. Drain and cool. Peel off the skins, slice and put into a baking pan. Scatter chopped garlic and sage over the top. Salt and pepper. Cover with heavy cream and chees (Swiss or Mozarella work well). Bake for about 10 min. untilt the cheese is melty.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also on the table - Apparition wine from <a href="http://www.americanavineyards.com/wines.html" target="_blank">Americana </a>Vineyards in Trumansburg, NY. This is the perfect fall wine. We love this vineyard and I usually buy at least four or five bottles so there's enough for fall entertaining.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was a perfect meal with one of my favorite people on the planet. What a great way to end a Monday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<br /></h4>
Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-55530421663797429102016-10-21T03:11:00.000-07:002016-10-21T03:11:14.673-07:00Fall Fun # 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a busy fall so far, but that's pretty normal around here. Although we actually have fewer kid activities happening this year, it's seemed like much more is happening. Part of that is that I'm teaching all Juniors this semester and that's the big English testing year in our state. So, that's meant that I constantly have a huge pile of grading to finish. But, even with all of the running around it's been a great fall so far. It hasn't felt like fall here - it's been consistently in the high 80s. As soccer wraps up and we head into November, I'm looking forward to fall part two. Hopefully it will be a little calmer and a little cooler.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Survival Strategy # 1 Crock Pot</h4>
<div>
We are managing to drive together most days this year which is good. However, it also means that there are several days when we need to eat as soon as we walk in the door. The crock pot is a fantastic tool that I use several times a week. It's been a little hard to find recipes for the early fall though since it's been so warm. I'll do soups later in the year, but no one is really in the mood for hot soup on a humid 85 degree afternoon. This Lentil Dal really fits the bill. I usually do a crock pot of rice in another smaller cooker, so dinner is all set when we get home. It's a crowd pleaser, it goes together in about 5 min. in the morning, it makes enough to freeze or to have leftovers for lunch, and it makes the house smell amazing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9BI5cY_wCRnUjEqdG_aIa2Nr7jqnQPoPDnmF6uMGqY1LAYZXBnMBGRwKVvTqXAIqHEwctPt4zfwxDflWC7GwB1KnzfDbDh_GBG3WrbbLOa328K_9R0zgxSXq5KCK3dwu4E0WNw0jDC5D/s1600/102_0663+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9BI5cY_wCRnUjEqdG_aIa2Nr7jqnQPoPDnmF6uMGqY1LAYZXBnMBGRwKVvTqXAIqHEwctPt4zfwxDflWC7GwB1KnzfDbDh_GBG3WrbbLOa328K_9R0zgxSXq5KCK3dwu4E0WNw0jDC5D/s640/102_0663+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Crock Pot Lentil Dal<br />
3 c. red lentils or split peas<br />
6 c. water<br />
28 oz. tomatoes<br />
2T onion, garlic, fresh ginger<br />
1T tumeric<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
2 t. cumin, mustard seeds<br />
1 t. salt<br />
1/4 t. black pepper<br />
<br />
<h4>
Daddy/Daughter Camping</h4>
<div>
The girl and her dad were able to go out and camp together this year. I love that they do that. Eli and I went to the high school football game to cheer on my school's amazing guys. We all had a great weekend together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvtyXeUI6zmDYCIJJobTZLVfVvYRp7eVjbMSX7sWK4-AP-JoQKNJzSf643Te7-Wo9YD0ZRrL19aTO58__OxkV753IP2hY3njBN2hEg_WSb7bObMhpkDOyTyfinDhS6pyZO8MaKDMftSHA/s1600/102_0665+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvtyXeUI6zmDYCIJJobTZLVfVvYRp7eVjbMSX7sWK4-AP-JoQKNJzSf643Te7-Wo9YD0ZRrL19aTO58__OxkV753IP2hY3njBN2hEg_WSb7bObMhpkDOyTyfinDhS6pyZO8MaKDMftSHA/s640/102_0665+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcZFdOCOwVVS38abUQfutGbRlHQfGEmNyHWD587FUhmnVs2ySVpkauATY5EAC3gMXIAveP4kxjxOA-xGFO3BEwK2LMXvfZTnWNoP3533tRIGVOaFn5ojf-jgokADsMI7_TdhMCxFRzaPC/s1600/102_0667+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcZFdOCOwVVS38abUQfutGbRlHQfGEmNyHWD587FUhmnVs2ySVpkauATY5EAC3gMXIAveP4kxjxOA-xGFO3BEwK2LMXvfZTnWNoP3533tRIGVOaFn5ojf-jgokADsMI7_TdhMCxFRzaPC/s640/102_0667+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS1u4De88-V67OJf5G_fXd4AnXxxuMutucYKB7sLxSX5adPcpD90dN7CUdC0KeUpWPB7o2jkUpwjhVzRM-zABtluQIu9v6UVh5yIMs1mK1hxUkzfiyeNXDef3f5XCPbWauADRONdQSLuB/s1600/102_0673+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS1u4De88-V67OJf5G_fXd4AnXxxuMutucYKB7sLxSX5adPcpD90dN7CUdC0KeUpWPB7o2jkUpwjhVzRM-zABtluQIu9v6UVh5yIMs1mK1hxUkzfiyeNXDef3f5XCPbWauADRONdQSLuB/s640/102_0673+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4>
The Harvest (or Lack Thereof)</h4>
<div>
It was a pretty pitiful garden year. The beans and flowers did really well. Everything else was a bust. At least the garden looks pretty and because it's been so warm they're still blooming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTSB5b8bSW6PYKXEX11QbhqB8SwKz3WvKr2xTthiYzzxKJPgt7TAcy9Ga6kO9iMIKPT3Un3mQ2NxGzxkjukXAOLM4W4IQymlGQLoAG4K88VyirlrJwmd0CXDA7YmcBoOLKwaU4ZPDeT8Y/s1600/102_0685+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTSB5b8bSW6PYKXEX11QbhqB8SwKz3WvKr2xTthiYzzxKJPgt7TAcy9Ga6kO9iMIKPT3Un3mQ2NxGzxkjukXAOLM4W4IQymlGQLoAG4K88VyirlrJwmd0CXDA7YmcBoOLKwaU4ZPDeT8Y/s640/102_0685+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<h4>
Pumpkin Patch</h4>
<div>
We headed to the local pumpkin patch and apple orchard with some great friends. It was an awesome afternoon. We had planned to go to the corn maze as well, but it was closed because of the heavy rain the day before. Oh well, figures, the only weekend we have rain would be the weekend we planned to head there. I'm loving watching these kids grow up and I'm so grateful for my parent friends as we help shepherd eachother through their teenage years (four of the five in that picture are now middle schoolers).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh9HdrxvsjcS7_7kAr-pDZr5V5GnKzgViEqsSS3N-E3SsH1uHhp8l_v-lOYSZWUwGCYb60ZrH3rz7crNhIC_JUgu3HDEEkofzXf7vX6YEcguvWwfDu52Z7jTNvHrLilCttxgjxFeF_oCQ/s1600/102_0691+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh9HdrxvsjcS7_7kAr-pDZr5V5GnKzgViEqsSS3N-E3SsH1uHhp8l_v-lOYSZWUwGCYb60ZrH3rz7crNhIC_JUgu3HDEEkofzXf7vX6YEcguvWwfDu52Z7jTNvHrLilCttxgjxFeF_oCQ/s640/102_0691+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3z26pi6d6wantxbiXeUY9E-tdwqHHb88Q911_XDJTCAWy1JBrMILq52QEjzy5cM7UFTGsL7EuRj9VUKrSe6Rzmw-3MELDN3qhNZwQ2FDL5KF4mSe1PrvHOSkjcpuOX_Y3c_OVoFXbbnJ/s1600/102_0694+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3z26pi6d6wantxbiXeUY9E-tdwqHHb88Q911_XDJTCAWy1JBrMILq52QEjzy5cM7UFTGsL7EuRj9VUKrSe6Rzmw-3MELDN3qhNZwQ2FDL5KF4mSe1PrvHOSkjcpuOX_Y3c_OVoFXbbnJ/s640/102_0694+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was $40 to fill the wheelbarrow - we got as much as we could.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YwFarc3GOpEaKGyl-sX1UnSvZwKZ2j0oe_ysZeJAupdvFr1KhQvPeqpOxSTlXrV2YlTZ7SfdRMsTI0CIj3Gnktnoh5JWz2OsH1i8rgP-Fx-22gnL87_cUde36lqJSXXqPvo1sK610kbi/s1600/102_0695+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YwFarc3GOpEaKGyl-sX1UnSvZwKZ2j0oe_ysZeJAupdvFr1KhQvPeqpOxSTlXrV2YlTZ7SfdRMsTI0CIj3Gnktnoh5JWz2OsH1i8rgP-Fx-22gnL87_cUde36lqJSXXqPvo1sK610kbi/s640/102_0695+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Physics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlRWtMHX3SM0jtTDeZD83OCnCZMg3RzqNISkursvA3ARsmMCmpPNorHk6atKXXbJPtSYDEq4P007uqwnLNKLy7pJftbmxDwMI6QMnVq9lhjc8WGBjngIV44P6ILGMyotN_OdHAZoYlIWA/s1600/102_0696+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlRWtMHX3SM0jtTDeZD83OCnCZMg3RzqNISkursvA3ARsmMCmpPNorHk6atKXXbJPtSYDEq4P007uqwnLNKLy7pJftbmxDwMI6QMnVq9lhjc8WGBjngIV44P6ILGMyotN_OdHAZoYlIWA/s640/102_0696+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the apple orchard<br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">
Redskins Game</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ed and Eli had another chance to go to a Redskins game together. They even won! </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtotoDgTISXcBZcbdhgI6ca3UWphvUVxw6N2nWv5kW8F8XWZS6a0pZtdIQRpTB6leegdG_XKo3iWPIaJdmd3l5DprG4xeYfOMoTOgAljUGDyc-luB-BThpvLVBSpEcGH1D9VeNA9DhZyQA/s1600/102_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtotoDgTISXcBZcbdhgI6ca3UWphvUVxw6N2nWv5kW8F8XWZS6a0pZtdIQRpTB6leegdG_XKo3iWPIaJdmd3l5DprG4xeYfOMoTOgAljUGDyc-luB-BThpvLVBSpEcGH1D9VeNA9DhZyQA/s640/102_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Growing Up</h4>
<div>
We now have two middle schoolers (6th and 8th). They've gotten so grown up so fast. Mostly that is a good thing. They're both pretty responsible, and most days they're kind and easy to be with. No matter the age I love these kids so fiercely. I'm already realizing that there are only four short years after this before our household starts decreasing. It really makes me wish we had a bigger family. It's going to be really quiet around here when they're gone.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59bA1YLKryKvWzqW2xdX7h2CjAPxbm5zxtpVC7x1I4z75XtHbB-DGxdaYHkcJAH-_Sy57OyQ0fhYc49AOqGOQr3XxEynMbrR2uwhGdyxRWONbMJYUXeQOJwGkjFg0IPCW40VfbcdRwPiB/s1600/102_0660+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59bA1YLKryKvWzqW2xdX7h2CjAPxbm5zxtpVC7x1I4z75XtHbB-DGxdaYHkcJAH-_Sy57OyQ0fhYc49AOqGOQr3XxEynMbrR2uwhGdyxRWONbMJYUXeQOJwGkjFg0IPCW40VfbcdRwPiB/s640/102_0660+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st day of school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHuhOAt5e5A8jbw6HX9td9SmBePxJYHtH1XMc-qZl-8zcJmO7glR5LJeBGKYopjjZS8xpG3ysn-ok-8KpxGdUqDTvtezOqGJ8Goat9KUNYBUtGJGotornMSUcc4UxxoX0k-Stq0TvhByn/s1600/102_0724+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHuhOAt5e5A8jbw6HX9td9SmBePxJYHtH1XMc-qZl-8zcJmO7glR5LJeBGKYopjjZS8xpG3ysn-ok-8KpxGdUqDTvtezOqGJ8Goat9KUNYBUtGJGotornMSUcc4UxxoX0k-Stq0TvhByn/s640/102_0724+%25282%2529.JPG" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confirmation - She's now considered an adult in the Lutheran church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Applesauce Weekend</h4>
<div>
It wasn't much of a party this year. We had to do applesauce at our house because of Emma's confirmation, and the kids, Ed and my Dad had a school service event. So, mom and I tackled four bushels of apples ourselves. I missed having cousins and the weekend at the farm. There's always next year. At least the job is done. I used the big pressure cooker to cook down the apples and it worked really well. We got some fantastic tasting sauce.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlJ7w1RqecOmAe7bk_HCrZpA6Y9IXhRlNt8pROUOkHgPONNTmL3o-hnzHJtWY8pomxW7D5YFtRw7CMXVS8KzzhlXl92sq7u8b4q4eYSWHT1EaBRgRMqp7XX0wm5g6XmVgCgkmCrUOdQV_/s1600/102_0722+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlJ7w1RqecOmAe7bk_HCrZpA6Y9IXhRlNt8pROUOkHgPONNTmL3o-hnzHJtWY8pomxW7D5YFtRw7CMXVS8KzzhlXl92sq7u8b4q4eYSWHT1EaBRgRMqp7XX0wm5g6XmVgCgkmCrUOdQV_/s640/102_0722+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwVXby2Ig2VdxEesSLsFYm7jYIPYMvZNWP8AAAmcWJKf2sr7jyOxW7oAYy8VIGudqa966JkcEDhiJnNGkgBZpERuEr-K-ODCeOMwg1bqIkz62KraW6LwpIWh_3IPkE-I5sgkOimpwMuIJ/s1600/102_0713+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwVXby2Ig2VdxEesSLsFYm7jYIPYMvZNWP8AAAmcWJKf2sr7jyOxW7oAYy8VIGudqa966JkcEDhiJnNGkgBZpERuEr-K-ODCeOMwg1bqIkz62KraW6LwpIWh_3IPkE-I5sgkOimpwMuIJ/s640/102_0713+%25282%2529.JPG" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made him help me with the last half bushel because my hand hurt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUquoG_B0Nc61jSus2br9rDmVAnsGdRTyGGJRK_kSnexzTMCZvapYQWDxxYAGDIuSw1KURc1w84VqIOjQQ-3tDtDNWJTAZH-jTV0Nh2YKiABnm2pW2JzF4cYjIE5T7fqxRAQsTTt1Z_km6/s1600/102_0717+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUquoG_B0Nc61jSus2br9rDmVAnsGdRTyGGJRK_kSnexzTMCZvapYQWDxxYAGDIuSw1KURc1w84VqIOjQQ-3tDtDNWJTAZH-jTV0Nh2YKiABnm2pW2JzF4cYjIE5T7fqxRAQsTTt1Z_km6/s640/102_0717+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Campout</h4>
<div>
We held the campout a weekend earlier than normal. The weather was gorgeous, but we were competing with several other events. So, we had the smallest turn out we've ever had. It was still a fun weekend, but we'll probably go back to hosting later in the fall next year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqPGUEekMWfu-SXgJZOx_Yg7vOtaCHwd4d1l7AFWl2T8ACeAKxrFBg4h3e5NbE-AG6c8J5A9YD-P0EC7Srxb1irHSeFWIvslsATqspgB5eMWULwPMfHnu_z3qpmNn37Zy0gVbcuBl2x5y/s1600/102_0795+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqPGUEekMWfu-SXgJZOx_Yg7vOtaCHwd4d1l7AFWl2T8ACeAKxrFBg4h3e5NbE-AG6c8J5A9YD-P0EC7Srxb1irHSeFWIvslsATqspgB5eMWULwPMfHnu_z3qpmNn37Zy0gVbcuBl2x5y/s640/102_0795+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwWiFabJfeY6gUZ0ptwZxwYRrI-vy8b1qka8iUsVhJIWpf_dy_O2KW0Nq9lenVOz63DkhEp5CMzVa6ut7cb8MbOtfY5o_IrZMo3v5l2KnN0r-jxFEkMNdFu498glO2_DOMo471KuYe8qA/s1600/102_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwWiFabJfeY6gUZ0ptwZxwYRrI-vy8b1qka8iUsVhJIWpf_dy_O2KW0Nq9lenVOz63DkhEp5CMzVa6ut7cb8MbOtfY5o_IrZMo3v5l2KnN0r-jxFEkMNdFu498glO2_DOMo471KuYe8qA/s640/102_0796.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSksjcEkzglDp9fwXAq9sh09mIFy5cyzFfh48-RvzoNfjoVcE-dylA198ewCUEK1j7yHF_14RUtMOIkiEF5S4i43IhRknN4S9bIvVIpQ60W9areF7b6QYqrnUU8oRsjkEJt8x6OSBXsitn/s1600/102_0809+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSksjcEkzglDp9fwXAq9sh09mIFy5cyzFfh48-RvzoNfjoVcE-dylA198ewCUEK1j7yHF_14RUtMOIkiEF5S4i43IhRknN4S9bIvVIpQ60W9areF7b6QYqrnUU8oRsjkEJt8x6OSBXsitn/s640/102_0809+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI85jqK9iHYOoRVJSfy4-b-V6yJtwvqBG-fAfyF_UeZ6FCq9o96rzeEx-TS2eB44lx_IDnCznrhJDCYxR7b5cltNER2VlYZUSdZiUxnpTb2Us2aw5RA5ZjsjaVHbecLsGlnGADXK9giJQe/s1600/102_0811+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI85jqK9iHYOoRVJSfy4-b-V6yJtwvqBG-fAfyF_UeZ6FCq9o96rzeEx-TS2eB44lx_IDnCznrhJDCYxR7b5cltNER2VlYZUSdZiUxnpTb2Us2aw5RA5ZjsjaVHbecLsGlnGADXK9giJQe/s640/102_0811+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-24407458170959061752016-09-25T14:03:00.000-07:002016-09-25T14:03:34.245-07:00Bake Oven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes it takes me a while to use something new. This is especially true if the new tool shows up during the school year. I just don't seem to have the capacity and mental energy to add learning how to use a new tool to the already long list of tasks I have during the school year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So last summer, 2015, Eli and Ed built a wood fired clay bake oven. It was completed by the end of July, but then it needed time to dry. Then we went to the beach, then traveled some more and then school was upon us. This summer I was ready. Shortly after school was out I <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Fire-Rediscovered-Techniques-Wood-Fired/dp/1612121586/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474836034&sr=8-3&keywords=wood+fired+cook+book" target="_blank">ordered</a> s<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wood-Fired-Oven-Cookbook-Stone-Baked-Illustrated/dp/190314194X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474835962&sr=8-1&keywords=wood+fired+cook+book" target="_blank">ome books</a>. Both of them were useful and interesting; although I found <i>Cooking With Fire</i> to be the more practical. It was also a more compelling read. I also ordered my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Supply-14-Inch-16-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B002JPJ0QY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474836117&sr=8-3&keywords=pizza+peel" target="_blank">peel</a>. However, I have found that I really also need a smaller one for turning the pizzas. I have yet to order that and have been making do with a sturdy metal spatula.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first baking was a disaster. There was still sand falling off of the inside, and I made the pizzas too big and with too many toppings. Emma wouldn't even eat hers. The rest of us managed to find enough for supper, but most of what I made was a flop. But now it's now the end of September and I've gotten comfortable enough that we can host parties. I've just about got pizza down (make them individual size - light on the sauce and toppings). I've also gotten good at overnight cooking (baked oatmeal, Indian pudding, baked beans, roasted tomatoes). The first roast chicken was a flop and had to finish cooking inside, but the second one was divine. Bread making is the last hurdle. I've gotten better at it, but it's still not even close to the quality of the bread I make inside. Luckily for me the two skills you need to have to be a successful bake oven cook are organization and the ability to plan ahead. Suits me, and it sure was nice to be able to keep the heat out of the oven this summer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other, but yet related, news - I finally started to use the pressure cooker I bought for $10 one Black Friday over five years ago. It always scared the hell out of me, but I exclusively canned using the pressure canner this summer and after that the baby pressure cooker wasn't so scary. Now I'm mad that I waited so long. I can have cooked beans on the table from dry ones in 20 minutes - without soaking. I'm a convert. What new task/tool have you avoided using and then wondered how you'd ever survived without it? We sure are creatures of habit aren't we?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Building the Bake Oven</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23PERoubh1kqc-sjISGaQLmSew9poVvXsGUdeU6FiuNrnGJLvFTQCvjZ7ghHEs8ThbET0vHJyvMwvoIJszOdILPDlM2iHc1kIOpwV3xhEeRqlsClPj-ETIfU6oPXr4MCiTLvclOzo_15D/s1600/DSC05863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23PERoubh1kqc-sjISGaQLmSew9poVvXsGUdeU6FiuNrnGJLvFTQCvjZ7ghHEs8ThbET0vHJyvMwvoIJszOdILPDlM2iHc1kIOpwV3xhEeRqlsClPj-ETIfU6oPXr4MCiTLvclOzo_15D/s640/DSC05863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugh... you have to mix the clay, sand and hay with your feet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0LaZYcj7fcdr-zVbwotIQ1e7opp8fFKJdu3BSeHTNykR2QBj_tWc1ZbXcxupv-wNcRBWSuY2GFO9OUiMfCOW_rHyfEEe0kbKzLVpIIHp6SGCDHKs1Cs0tukDQ4KEeEqgeesVwF1A8HWZ/s1600/DSC05861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0LaZYcj7fcdr-zVbwotIQ1e7opp8fFKJdu3BSeHTNykR2QBj_tWc1ZbXcxupv-wNcRBWSuY2GFO9OUiMfCOW_rHyfEEe0kbKzLVpIIHp6SGCDHKs1Cs0tukDQ4KEeEqgeesVwF1A8HWZ/s640/DSC05861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1Zwxls1CIGUMt04IdA0lIl1Su3g2lQVp56Jgspa6C5MBX9GKH_sUF998Ep9CnZTElJHgScYSt9DOTisx0DSn9lYYvCQ5vmkkzxLBkZ4t2gyRWzbJskpmZ6tnxNVCFhlu8h9Dbgifko_n/s1600/DSC05859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1Zwxls1CIGUMt04IdA0lIl1Su3g2lQVp56Jgspa6C5MBX9GKH_sUF998Ep9CnZTElJHgScYSt9DOTisx0DSn9lYYvCQ5vmkkzxLBkZ4t2gyRWzbJskpmZ6tnxNVCFhlu8h9Dbgifko_n/s640/DSC05859.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing also involves turning with the tarp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYNl2g-tihqmHna7OHavaS6uf0DbB3Zru40dIX336x76XYFi5eiwlfVFA8XGSjqGzFBoKEylA5RmADg4yCqD5EYpt9aJG-LBhrOroC2HW596LbJI661mVfKnhZTMLMAFp7Jfitm8buTj5/s1600/DSC05852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYNl2g-tihqmHna7OHavaS6uf0DbB3Zru40dIX336x76XYFi5eiwlfVFA8XGSjqGzFBoKEylA5RmADg4yCqD5EYpt9aJG-LBhrOroC2HW596LbJI661mVfKnhZTMLMAFp7Jfitm8buTj5/s640/DSC05852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative use of wood and brick to form the door (this is the sand mound). It was then covered with wet newspaper and the clay, but somehow we didn't get pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cooking with the Bake Oven</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOLREsh6Vwp9rVlyvXQMWq7LE0YSnvkEp0bFyGMtNYufP_X87imka3T58EN1q9ENRiQ0MZzZXzB4X3_HKUkRtWNEkj9EsspJuoDqWXxFoGMwUJpfXAC7gpnz10meCmD8B92rWW8-fbY9j/s1600/102_0595+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOLREsh6Vwp9rVlyvXQMWq7LE0YSnvkEp0bFyGMtNYufP_X87imka3T58EN1q9ENRiQ0MZzZXzB4X3_HKUkRtWNEkj9EsspJuoDqWXxFoGMwUJpfXAC7gpnz10meCmD8B92rWW8-fbY9j/s640/102_0595+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XKQ7hrUyVkjFPdNefM8vW-EYdU1v3nHjUeAumaQRobNp8uB9Zw2BPqnPMpFaV9723PtwCwi6E_wvYAYph9nZXyMPwMabdZLL9lejyci9RWT8PgwKuIVhnC7tPfFBCu6wpyaStyGunlIS/s1600/102_0593+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XKQ7hrUyVkjFPdNefM8vW-EYdU1v3nHjUeAumaQRobNp8uB9Zw2BPqnPMpFaV9723PtwCwi6E_wvYAYph9nZXyMPwMabdZLL9lejyci9RWT8PgwKuIVhnC7tPfFBCu6wpyaStyGunlIS/s640/102_0593+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oWBjUYV6_ks4Ukdwhocv0bQ0eqPzyUGRV-ex0bIMvkSIsRSab_Woke46x9-jv6t1Uhi1qtaJNGxarneUHzJVr1unAgdP8WLkPXUflaErz5sAIfhmlLyflemTdm1NNwvRuRpOdPaLqvS2/s1600/102_0600+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oWBjUYV6_ks4Ukdwhocv0bQ0eqPzyUGRV-ex0bIMvkSIsRSab_Woke46x9-jv6t1Uhi1qtaJNGxarneUHzJVr1unAgdP8WLkPXUflaErz5sAIfhmlLyflemTdm1NNwvRuRpOdPaLqvS2/s640/102_0600+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have everyone create their own pizza. Remind then to not use too much sauce or toppings -use polenta to keep it from sticking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXVKjbwSbY4n9-rIThnI-nJi-gZDBbLNGPNlg_5UAVddSwBGzsU2NbDa1SlhJYqW_w3MfQV7GNgSyH7vcCv77zjXzDnjh9qoxXNW-HSulMYtF014Xfhqe_Zd7Da1hm5X38F1tvlMP85ZN/s1600/102_0602+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXVKjbwSbY4n9-rIThnI-nJi-gZDBbLNGPNlg_5UAVddSwBGzsU2NbDa1SlhJYqW_w3MfQV7GNgSyH7vcCv77zjXzDnjh9qoxXNW-HSulMYtF014Xfhqe_Zd7Da1hm5X38F1tvlMP85ZN/s640/102_0602+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second time I baked bread I started too late in the day. I was pulling it out with a head lamp. I decided to bake in bread pans, but then neglected to figure out how to transport hot pans full of bread up to the kitchen. I melted the sides of this carrier a bit. It was really hot and hard to carry. I should have used fire gloves and carried them up one at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIp_ofKt9T4gNhQeew41NBiTz9qFWsAN6dLBi1JDmz1T0tXqosHBTndgpZ-Ahz25iRJtIMbwxbkmgcjm1ldEYuXJGG2mtYB30dnAkXL6bSSbtW2k91bjA_qVlj0iUYPpvowSufk63wF6x/s1600/102_0606+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIp_ofKt9T4gNhQeew41NBiTz9qFWsAN6dLBi1JDmz1T0tXqosHBTndgpZ-Ahz25iRJtIMbwxbkmgcjm1ldEYuXJGG2mtYB30dnAkXL6bSSbtW2k91bjA_qVlj0iUYPpvowSufk63wF6x/s640/102_0606+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baked oatmeal was amazing. It was similar to a dish I make in my crock pot during the winter, but it had this smoky overtone that just made it perfect. It's probably my favorite recipe so far. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-27057628063788188222016-08-28T20:53:00.001-07:002016-08-28T20:53:43.385-07:00Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a fantastic summer. At the beginning of the summer, both kids participated in the Blue Ridge Environmental Govenor's School and went to Camp Sequanota. They had a blast and we enjoyed spending some time with our parents (The Woodsman took his mom on a road trip and I helped my dad paint an outbuilding at the farm).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later in the summer we did some hiking, spent some quality time with two different groups of cousins, had a almost perfect week at the beach, and wrapped the summer up with an anniversary (19 this year) trip to the Adirondacks - without the kids.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow is the beginning of the first full week of teacher in service, and next week all the crazy that is life with kids starts again. I can no longer pretend that summer will continue forever. Maybe that's a good thing - I probably wouldn't love and cherish this time and season apart as much if it never ended.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope your summer was as restful and renewing as mine, and that you have a great new year (I'm a teacher and a teacher's kid. I don't care what the calendar says - the new year starts when school starts.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHbAO4ZSrrRQPGfD5JttF5dHVBcxiq-oujIFtD1nBSKJMgA8U7wmGyiFyuvROgJCtTx3pA3H3CDXy_kUApmLXyZXxlCgAVDvhft7VNHmzOrQ02T3p4hUnSZU7BDNLWLWVCaStm-nTcX25/s1600/102_0509+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHbAO4ZSrrRQPGfD5JttF5dHVBcxiq-oujIFtD1nBSKJMgA8U7wmGyiFyuvROgJCtTx3pA3H3CDXy_kUApmLXyZXxlCgAVDvhft7VNHmzOrQ02T3p4hUnSZU7BDNLWLWVCaStm-nTcX25/s640/102_0509+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise hike to Hawksbill (highest point in Shenandoah National Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chincoteague</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This year was bittersweet. Our school calendar is changing (starting August 1st next year) so no more August trips to the beach. It;s hard to let that tradition go. The beach just won't be the same in July. We stayed at our favorite tiny beach bungalo again, and had almost perfect weather. I cry every year when I leave and this year was no different. I keep wishing we could go back and do it all again.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wjcF9KaCUg0_yH1xsKnAfzOpDagUu3fE03k_gire9bgBeg7BlHcYUIJlhwE7Nej80ijivrlI3J5DwbZ4x2UVj-vjfIxTp_gzmXgQ9IfzoBqW3-Da0B7Aun4-jde6SyzuQGjIP00D7C1E/s1600/102_0590+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wjcF9KaCUg0_yH1xsKnAfzOpDagUu3fE03k_gire9bgBeg7BlHcYUIJlhwE7Nej80ijivrlI3J5DwbZ4x2UVj-vjfIxTp_gzmXgQ9IfzoBqW3-Da0B7Aun4-jde6SyzuQGjIP00D7C1E/s640/102_0590+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4qJ9Gw8GsOxB5TabyO07rfuirvh-8opsh_L36Jmqjk9a_Z_GQhgPXNCTx6uSKCPYx0f4OXAALK5EBVA3s0CQ-0IDtzdwn9MskhOZk_3ZQsAnnF-9Z92c51yb4MbvF8XSL7Mqij99DgSt/s1600/102_0571+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4qJ9Gw8GsOxB5TabyO07rfuirvh-8opsh_L36Jmqjk9a_Z_GQhgPXNCTx6uSKCPYx0f4OXAALK5EBVA3s0CQ-0IDtzdwn9MskhOZk_3ZQsAnnF-9Z92c51yb4MbvF8XSL7Mqij99DgSt/s640/102_0571+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZb3KP822TwOQKdcbbpjlpffWLURfn3hMTKGJEQgac85spDL4p8LUIUVUhGcqW8quM-XKIIBu3IIQLBUJL39CEEOgV4P3bF6JCa8sOV104ELR9cphEGP8elBmR5DMNuD7kA0Blu7NQjLg/s1600/102_0573+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZb3KP822TwOQKdcbbpjlpffWLURfn3hMTKGJEQgac85spDL4p8LUIUVUhGcqW8quM-XKIIBu3IIQLBUJL39CEEOgV4P3bF6JCa8sOV104ELR9cphEGP8elBmR5DMNuD7kA0Blu7NQjLg/s640/102_0573+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfMX-gp5C9tiMMDEXGBtZEVMmed18a5gDRxbGoSJkBusUzrGzkX4pJU0-o7CM500241iXYcSXBjyl3Cqp6Hxp2UubHuyyWw8bBUbdM6p8idk0qDzLfhL0BqQlsNrlGledJRxWetoyl2FS/s1600/102_0575+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfMX-gp5C9tiMMDEXGBtZEVMmed18a5gDRxbGoSJkBusUzrGzkX4pJU0-o7CM500241iXYcSXBjyl3Cqp6Hxp2UubHuyyWw8bBUbdM6p8idk0qDzLfhL0BqQlsNrlGledJRxWetoyl2FS/s640/102_0575+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favorite pics from this week. They generally get along pretty well, but this week there was no fighting or fussing. It was great to have all of that peace and harmony from the two of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VkSnErsmzIf9pTp89QExSrTDcTWqC4iW6-yXyPaZ9EC5JSJdPS1YXigyXccyozb5PGwWOrvMcNgzlJVB7Knlt_PdWFzRqW4BSx_Wexz85jXjYSLmOCOYz7sOit_TEoXs3KWlKb5zvwOH/s1600/102_0578+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VkSnErsmzIf9pTp89QExSrTDcTWqC4iW6-yXyPaZ9EC5JSJdPS1YXigyXccyozb5PGwWOrvMcNgzlJVB7Knlt_PdWFzRqW4BSx_Wexz85jXjYSLmOCOYz7sOit_TEoXs3KWlKb5zvwOH/s640/102_0578+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise was outstanding and there were more shore birds than other years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW994qXD7-nQUYJ_aTVpaQkfWDlmE6HDD8DphXIwUDmZ9ydzSuOzSoB_a-cp-pLAJMyh60KhHr6NtApfoDc8iu5FB6-FG7PF9q6sIvYZTMh_UZCOWTtHhJBXnoTQtGuS-YBX5jqABs_oL/s1600/102_0587+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW994qXD7-nQUYJ_aTVpaQkfWDlmE6HDD8DphXIwUDmZ9ydzSuOzSoB_a-cp-pLAJMyh60KhHr6NtApfoDc8iu5FB6-FG7PF9q6sIvYZTMh_UZCOWTtHhJBXnoTQtGuS-YBX5jqABs_oL/s640/102_0587+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's such a goofball. He thought people would think - oh no, there's a head on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVLRHrf6T0Wb_VPPpnZpSo4Haj60fBo_YFh57brELJhX7VfEClRpcY4R75dthLOPYDEJ_jXrWeXsqXPdH90d0z1nSpvbXNNtPsYktGvjbeCur5uVY-iFW4SkBYTiTvgy1u-BBk01jtjXM/s1600/102_0583+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVLRHrf6T0Wb_VPPpnZpSo4Haj60fBo_YFh57brELJhX7VfEClRpcY4R75dthLOPYDEJ_jXrWeXsqXPdH90d0z1nSpvbXNNtPsYktGvjbeCur5uVY-iFW4SkBYTiTvgy1u-BBk01jtjXM/s640/102_0583+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did we wind up with an 8th grader - where has the time gone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Cousins</h4>
<div>
One of my favorite parts of this summer was seeing the kids spend extended time with cousins. I really wished we lived closer. They forged great bonds with family on both sides. I enjoyed the time to reconnect too. My 93 year old grandmother reminds me frequently to keep making memories - these cousin days were full of them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej3LQjGYtfafj-C3hh9Odn5gbM7rSslIbhD58jvCmew7C-bNo0Nt_MQUQG4_ZZ4O_FJgARtinsILMwzsDbUqDIbJh9bVMA_VVOOrUULq_iFBQAXM7Pc836bQtERe3cXyEXz_vyokTQV5I/s1600/102_0526+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej3LQjGYtfafj-C3hh9Odn5gbM7rSslIbhD58jvCmew7C-bNo0Nt_MQUQG4_ZZ4O_FJgARtinsILMwzsDbUqDIbJh9bVMA_VVOOrUULq_iFBQAXM7Pc836bQtERe3cXyEXz_vyokTQV5I/s640/102_0526+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girl dotes on her younger cousins - she's still compensating for her disappointment in only being in a family of two. <br />
The little girls return the affection because they enjoy having a big sister. Smiles all around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPa6WRckUVDH9X51p59_At_WMev7-h9-0FJXOiShhKU__zh2G4-skPih_ksLHfMO3dz9o_K9IEOe606CEfuCdzbh-_5TVoXIVrJIMohrxlWrgugcyfAu-LR0pcaVgvUSqallL1Y2Khtlh/s1600/102_0556+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPa6WRckUVDH9X51p59_At_WMev7-h9-0FJXOiShhKU__zh2G4-skPih_ksLHfMO3dz9o_K9IEOe606CEfuCdzbh-_5TVoXIVrJIMohrxlWrgugcyfAu-LR0pcaVgvUSqallL1Y2Khtlh/s640/102_0556+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins really like to play cards ( no worries - the beer jug on the table belonged to the adult cousins).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Adirondacks</h4>
<div>
Early in our marriage, the Woodsman and I gave up buying anniversary and birthday presents for each other. We travel instead. We usually try to head somewhere North so that we can escape Virginia in August. This year we went to the Adirondacks and spent three days enjoying the cold (high of 65 and a low of 37), paddling on the pristine (and motor free) lakes, hiking and sitting around the fire. Coming back to full on summer (it was 85 at 9 PM when we pulled in last week) was tough.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1hSYlxlzHFJzmN2GQQOumiqXygKZ_W303UNRmBEdGUL4WJlVwx7YqjeU8GVfn0ND0pv2uN4NcFGNHucESKxrk1AUiGeOjgihhqICpmwYo3dnmabvh2Lz2T5PjrQCr-U9WX-rUUSah335/s1600/102_0615+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1hSYlxlzHFJzmN2GQQOumiqXygKZ_W303UNRmBEdGUL4WJlVwx7YqjeU8GVfn0ND0pv2uN4NcFGNHucESKxrk1AUiGeOjgihhqICpmwYo3dnmabvh2Lz2T5PjrQCr-U9WX-rUUSah335/s640/102_0615+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view from our campsite at Lake Meacham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekkjTmUBaMuMpWXoj0dyoHgkxBp7exOvrEJyFeidWAs2MNJXdE3wXJawhVrLlYA17rnlVURkyREVfq9AL-RwtSXMj9mYV5t4FRqKRmzoUkpwGmmfVeJlSBjvD5vZ5gYCAe9Q7wev8JrS4/s1600/102_0618+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekkjTmUBaMuMpWXoj0dyoHgkxBp7exOvrEJyFeidWAs2MNJXdE3wXJawhVrLlYA17rnlVURkyREVfq9AL-RwtSXMj9mYV5t4FRqKRmzoUkpwGmmfVeJlSBjvD5vZ5gYCAe9Q7wev8JrS4/s640/102_0618+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're both fans of the <i>Little House</i> books so we made a visit to Almanzo Wilder's boyhood home in Malone, NY (site of the <i>Farmer Boy</i> book.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV73bPEESUERYeghYZjTs7X8dnVAiQ4nyPbs0R_uVgovtfY4uHg1iodFdx1d4bNm3ltwgZg4Spg-Dnv8OFkZwPHukpxyqO1xwXo1_sNyJl20CjtRYl2gxMD-q9ldn4iFvhqr8TlE_ysWc/s1600/102_0627+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV73bPEESUERYeghYZjTs7X8dnVAiQ4nyPbs0R_uVgovtfY4uHg1iodFdx1d4bNm3ltwgZg4Spg-Dnv8OFkZwPHukpxyqO1xwXo1_sNyJl20CjtRYl2gxMD-q9ldn4iFvhqr8TlE_ysWc/s640/102_0627+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pitcher Plant on a bog hike at Paul Smith's College</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqImYTe6A8aFNNwYrihIj2xGB5jo1q53pljmdZyHcoz2_ZZ441x31aeIZPpEsh9kJLyKc9jBkBfJFSjb0Q7W3y7PwLHtrL-2b1TH-PU_pMzNzzqh2cwPYXIxIdRbIj6LJvePhGTpCOi9mj/s1600/102_0628+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqImYTe6A8aFNNwYrihIj2xGB5jo1q53pljmdZyHcoz2_ZZ441x31aeIZPpEsh9kJLyKc9jBkBfJFSjb0Q7W3y7PwLHtrL-2b1TH-PU_pMzNzzqh2cwPYXIxIdRbIj6LJvePhGTpCOi9mj/s640/102_0628+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ8_XuTHPmH2GY3JtMEvGYVA5Rbm6m3XKoTc3F1lO_E6eS_yh1lPQO8dtdDQY417TRGcx2o0AjPc1EOD4r8a_DEuhWxcyfj9A0PAUCsHvJGVF0GrSmtHdMgCabmRbxoTLNJOU585tMCcA/s1600/102_0630+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ8_XuTHPmH2GY3JtMEvGYVA5Rbm6m3XKoTc3F1lO_E6eS_yh1lPQO8dtdDQY417TRGcx2o0AjPc1EOD4r8a_DEuhWxcyfj9A0PAUCsHvJGVF0GrSmtHdMgCabmRbxoTLNJOU585tMCcA/s640/102_0630+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of this area reminded us of Maine (the area near Baxter State Park). There were loons, little glacial lakes, bogs and mountains. The only difference was that we didn't see any moose, but they said they were out there somewhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweQULAEX5FCGMSohzzMKz9rPWtv4Pgw065Wy216KjD22_FiRdBs1U63fZX7agiuNSqUoeMNSVGC1PIm6MpxeD5vsN0jXl493FQSZYx4VYh7Bl7cm3kCcb0ztSOgB1xlj0QIXb3h026D_P/s1600/102_0638+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweQULAEX5FCGMSohzzMKz9rPWtv4Pgw065Wy216KjD22_FiRdBs1U63fZX7agiuNSqUoeMNSVGC1PIm6MpxeD5vsN0jXl493FQSZYx4VYh7Bl7cm3kCcb0ztSOgB1xlj0QIXb3h026D_P/s640/102_0638+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjkVnphlJabBSwe98OVCJgj4F6LZj6IEzlyYR1zROioHhUsjzXN9V9Vy9-iDK-ttLOG6RFDMvL5xL4tCalxEBwcuqeF696PfpnRD8yevYozY6gpmcndRtZ5wZsswTlFdBRB1LzvT_tNRG/s1600/102_0640+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjkVnphlJabBSwe98OVCJgj4F6LZj6IEzlyYR1zROioHhUsjzXN9V9Vy9-iDK-ttLOG6RFDMvL5xL4tCalxEBwcuqeF696PfpnRD8yevYozY6gpmcndRtZ5wZsswTlFdBRB1LzvT_tNRG/s640/102_0640+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love paddling in this area because the scenery is so beautiful, and because most of the lakes are too small for motorized craft so you don't have to worry about wake and noise from big boats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNyi3hANY2FMlj4d3NIzTJyMbHhjRwVSgUhy4jlgfZ2YHe6gFaZv_7UVQ771xtI3eZhzgvdJMQhV0jZhRV1KaI-U3p6bGTufBfOBQRznMKt5HNKxvhHpg0LMktAoeZ9IZ-6FrRuWH8SuN/s1600/102_0644+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNyi3hANY2FMlj4d3NIzTJyMbHhjRwVSgUhy4jlgfZ2YHe6gFaZv_7UVQ771xtI3eZhzgvdJMQhV0jZhRV1KaI-U3p6bGTufBfOBQRznMKt5HNKxvhHpg0LMktAoeZ9IZ-6FrRuWH8SuN/s640/102_0644+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset v iews from our campsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaot2Sg3y3Zh42E1xYadBBg1zNLlHgRTh_bkeLpVk4OPWjioNfXeXcNEp5SP4O4j39CZLvMg1VKx6J9w6UtGb6InuLlF1A9uF5-qo2phZvmfVFjcYyxE62kn4_CRYM2S6X9bHdsdSqP1p_/s1600/102_0648+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaot2Sg3y3Zh42E1xYadBBg1zNLlHgRTh_bkeLpVk4OPWjioNfXeXcNEp5SP4O4j39CZLvMg1VKx6J9w6UtGb6InuLlF1A9uF5-qo2phZvmfVFjcYyxE62kn4_CRYM2S6X9bHdsdSqP1p_/s640/102_0648+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked to the top of St. Regis Mountain and saw the St. Regis chain of lakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJZZc17ty0WXPHRpiowwrK0q12ii0vdlB-KWG3-Kg8fRlb4v3uvIs79ywEubbmMWA_XWsga9oIgowIs4GQKEuMR6tvbZH0-vLGqaReQ-YXZS_VD8JfGh2YO09byUFwN9IFo_40PBfzPkC/s1600/102_0651+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJZZc17ty0WXPHRpiowwrK0q12ii0vdlB-KWG3-Kg8fRlb4v3uvIs79ywEubbmMWA_XWsga9oIgowIs4GQKEuMR6tvbZH0-vLGqaReQ-YXZS_VD8JfGh2YO09byUFwN9IFo_40PBfzPkC/s640/102_0651+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We then moved a little closer to home and found another gem - Brown Tract Pond. It was smaller and very rustic, but perfect. Another great end to a wonderful summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-33054348362670889232016-07-02T07:57:00.000-07:002016-07-31T05:22:30.037-07:00Tuscarora Trail: Shenandoah National Park to Capon Springs Road, WV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I decided that this summer I would section hike (some day and some overnight) the Virginia portions of the Tuscarora Trail (the Big Blue). Since I'm local I didn't walk the road sections, but did drive most of them just so I could see where they went. In general I found parts of the Tuscarora to be beautiful and well marked. While other parts were poorly blazed, overgrown and not trails I'll return to again. Parts of the trail run on roads and parts are on private land. These sections were the ones that were the least enjoyable. The big plus of the Tuscarora is the lack of use - Once I left Shenandoah National Park I saw very few people on the trail.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day 1 - Day Hike Shenandoah National Park (near Matthews Arm) to Route 340</h4>
<div>
The Woodsman hiked this section with me. We parked a car on the side of 340 near where the trail turns onto Route 628. We could not find a blaze for the trail head, but knew that it would be well marked in the park so we decided not to worry about it figuring that the trail would spit us out on Rt. 340 and we'd turn north and find our car.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The trail was crowded at the top (even though it was a Monday SNP is always crowded in the summer). The Tuscarora runs with the AT for a short section - we saw several through hikers. The trail almost immediately turns West and becomes the Overall Run - Tuscarora Trail. This is a pretty trail with beautiful views of Page Valley to the west. There is also a nice small waterfall and another larger cascade beyond it. The trail is very well marked within the park boundary, but it is best to pay attention to the trail markers and the map as all side trails are blazed blue within SNP (the AT is white blazed). The descent on this trail is very steep so I was very glad we were headed west and not hiking up the mountain. Once the majority of the descent is complete the trail begins to cross Overall Run. This is a plentiful source of water and there are several spots that would make for good camping. At just over four miles in the trail turns uphill and runs with the Thompsons Run trail. It then splits off again. It is soon obvious that you are on the Tuscarora trail - very little foot traffic on this trail so it's narrow, often overgrown and you must watch for blazes. Pay attention to Park Service (signs) and National Forest Boundaries (red marks on trees) to help establish your location. Once the trail leaves the Park boundary it does several short uphill sections through open woods on private property. The trail then descends through a field. There are no blazes once leaving the woods. However, Route 340 can be heard in the distance so it is relatively simple to head in the correct direction. I stepped in a groundhog hole hiding in the tall grass and turned my ankle - this plagued me the remainder of the week. We had met another hiker coming into the park that had warned us that we would cross underneath a brick railroad trestle - there we finally found a blaze. You walk under the trestle and out someone's driveway (again no blaze) and onto Route 340. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrrG6Xx1CaKdV19OxORzgWqUU8EGzAKxaxpIFn7lXeRm_XxSR4xnl40i3DGnvK6ijmuegd_ghga994ZdhroZrV78dQH4dJ9os_eeFwD2vcbXkTLvoTlLtqvNnfs50GA7G2ftc66s4OsLf/s1600/102_0444+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrrG6Xx1CaKdV19OxORzgWqUU8EGzAKxaxpIFn7lXeRm_XxSR4xnl40i3DGnvK6ijmuegd_ghga994ZdhroZrV78dQH4dJ9os_eeFwD2vcbXkTLvoTlLtqvNnfs50GA7G2ftc66s4OsLf/s640/102_0444+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4>
Day 2 - Route 340 to Elizabeth Furnace</h4>
<div>
We parked a car at the picnic area of Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area (National Forest land) and then the Woodsman took me to the trail head off of Route 613. I did not walk the four miles between Route 340 and the George Washington National Forest boundary. However, the road sections are fairly well blazed and do not get much traffic. Once crossing Route 340 it should be easy walking. The trail goes over the South Fork of the Shenandoah at Bentonville and the continues up Route 613 to the trail head. The beginning ascent (two miles) is very steep, but the views of Page Valley and the South Fork of the Shenandoah Valley are really beautiful. The trail joins with the Massanutten Trail (blazed orange) and then begins a descent to Mill Run. The Little Crease Shelter (about 2 1/2 miles in) is a beautiful little trail shelter with built in bunk beds and a great stone fire pit with seating outside. There's even a privy and a water source. This is definitely a place to return. Hiking in the Veach Gap trail to the shelter would make a lovely overnight backpack with kids. It's on my short list for the fall. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06PjeDJQ8MnA_0mePtVsOZ2PiNR1fO2VdxAcrRr-79QueNqfYxA00h_B1-p_AIQ4rIfFfm0PWLbVnz75m2j9hp1u_GWGUVUH0kGDjJxkaMZzKZ3mB9D8J6_WRqgnrxbkmeq3L0rhlSoTV/s1600/102_0446+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06PjeDJQ8MnA_0mePtVsOZ2PiNR1fO2VdxAcrRr-79QueNqfYxA00h_B1-p_AIQ4rIfFfm0PWLbVnz75m2j9hp1u_GWGUVUH0kGDjJxkaMZzKZ3mB9D8J6_WRqgnrxbkmeq3L0rhlSoTV/s640/102_0446+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The trail then ascends again up the other side of Massanutten Mountain. This part of the mountain is rocky, but open so there are wonderful views of the North Fork of the Shenandoah and of the Shenandoah Valley. There are also some nice campsites up on top of the mountain. I was glad I dropped down over the other side before the afternoon thunderstorm kicked up though - there was almost no cover. As I came across he saddle of the mountain I began to see bear sign (scat, moved rocks, bear logs). As I dropped down into Elizabeth furnace something bear shaped and moving like a bear (so I'll call it a bear) ran downhill away from me. The descent into Elizabeth Furnace was very rocky and slick because of the morning rain. I found hiking poles to be a necessity. Overall this was a very enjoyable section of trail - mostly well blazed and well traveled. I'll be back on this one. For through hikers, there are water, privies and camping available at Elizabeth Furnace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYqTJFQ3DMx40kWfkKMGTI7t9-xqhiMY-0ZVIetO4UPaiOMYgHeQyMGYl-MxiDn0q0u_2rkJPjsDqNislyFnGZ7_EMH4Q9cXn4zRVfHLgpmfxExDp_WOJCMrxTjVLkaUczer3ARBgkY8I/s1600/102_0448+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYqTJFQ3DMx40kWfkKMGTI7t9-xqhiMY-0ZVIetO4UPaiOMYgHeQyMGYl-MxiDn0q0u_2rkJPjsDqNislyFnGZ7_EMH4Q9cXn4zRVfHLgpmfxExDp_WOJCMrxTjVLkaUczer3ARBgkY8I/s640/102_0448+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Day 3: Elizabeth Furnace to Shenandoah County Park</h4>
<div>
The beginning part of this section on the east side of Massanutten Mountain (Elizabeth Furnace side) is well maintained, well blazed and enjoyable. However, once the trail crosses the Massanutten Mountain Trail at Little Passage Creek it looses all sense of appeal. The assent up to the Meneka Peak trail is steep, but the switchbacks and pleasant woods make it a very enjoyable hike. The descent to Little Passage Creek is pretty and well traveled. However, if I ever did this section of trail again I would make it a loop, skip the remainder of the Tuscarora and turn onto the Massanutten, hike up to Signal Knob and then return to Elizabeth Furnace. The trail between Little Passage Creek and the second crossing of the Massanutten Trail is the rockiest, most overgrown, most poorly blazed and most full of bear sign I've ever been on. There are no views on this section and the footing is very poor. To make matters worse there is no parking when you come out onto Route 747. The road is very narrow so hikers either need to be picked up or hike the three miles to the county park. The trail crosses out of National Forest Land and onto two private farms where there are almost no blazes. If I hadn't seen the river crossing before heading on the trail I'm not sure I would have found it. The farms and the crossing of the North Fork of the Shenandoah was very pretty, but I'll never repeat this section of trail again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjf4CfedVYedu-MFYMctYrRIs5rJCFY-CksVNMjS_N-5cNv01Xayu3EIoNEaQIg53WznKxJBiL9QMzk-P5moYEVAhhBEF4-3NR6WuPu6SqYZvRYPzqTd9VG9zNlV-T2fY9jdmC38s4Yd4/s1600/102_0474+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjf4CfedVYedu-MFYMctYrRIs5rJCFY-CksVNMjS_N-5cNv01Xayu3EIoNEaQIg53WznKxJBiL9QMzk-P5moYEVAhhBEF4-3NR6WuPu6SqYZvRYPzqTd9VG9zNlV-T2fY9jdmC38s4Yd4/s640/102_0474+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5zbHCgwMmCzab_GMzO-bc-LGLw1uRay3-4Cdo-U9ZvR0W7sSyA0Eyq-SFbaD5VvEJGESBIEac3gjm4kaFF-gevabvKKOQgIg7JeVHycOO3L0mI562HDg4MHGwKcEK65BM6EZNQE_YkWz/s1600/102_0475+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5zbHCgwMmCzab_GMzO-bc-LGLw1uRay3-4Cdo-U9ZvR0W7sSyA0Eyq-SFbaD5VvEJGESBIEac3gjm4kaFF-gevabvKKOQgIg7JeVHycOO3L0mI562HDg4MHGwKcEK65BM6EZNQE_YkWz/s640/102_0475+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityk-553dsntCcV2tv81b9oMaxy182SWx_ABOjcIKG5YR9FZIJtEJP5ExaIg3DRLQdCVOe1YqTTbCdFu0qP5zt5ghtWQZSWPXNdDMvdHn6WwQdzLP_0uQgxKQfSvW1gHIhBUTv3NZh12b7/s1600/102_0477+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityk-553dsntCcV2tv81b9oMaxy182SWx_ABOjcIKG5YR9FZIJtEJP5ExaIg3DRLQdCVOe1YqTTbCdFu0qP5zt5ghtWQZSWPXNdDMvdHn6WwQdzLP_0uQgxKQfSvW1gHIhBUTv3NZh12b7/s640/102_0477+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
FYI: When the trail leaves Shenandoah County Park it does the most strange thing I've ever seen on a trail. It crosses Route 11, goes up through someone's yard and crosses the railroad tracks. Then there is a ladder that the hiker must climb to go over a fence and into someone else's yard before eventually spitting out onto streets in a development and then turning onto several different back roads. In my opinion, this is a section best to be skipped. There is a 26 mile stretch with no camping choices, little scenery and lots of road walking. I'm glad that I was local and had car support for this chunk. Through hikers would be well advised to draft a friend to meet them for the weekend. Woodstock, VA is a lovely little town with great restaurants, wineries and hotels. My advice would be to spend some zero days with a friend and have them drop you at the top of the mountain where the trail crosses Route 600.</div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Days 4-6: Fetzer Gap (Route 600) - Capon Springs Road, West Virginia</h4>
<div>
This section is best done as a two night backpack and that's how my trail partner and I did it. There is a very short climb to fantastic views if you have someone drop you at the trail head at the top of Little North Mountain. Then the descent to Cedar Creek is wide and pleasant (it mostly follows an old road). Be careful of the "footbridge" that crosses Cedar Creek - it's just a few rotten logs tied together with binder twine! There are some great campsites near Cedar Creek - one even has a table built. We pushed on past Cedar Creek and up Little Sluice Mountain where we had wonderful views. Sections of this trail are rocky, but not horrible. It is mostly well marked and primarily on National Forest Land. We stopped for the night near the Sugar Knob Cabin. Next time I come through I'll remember to reserve the cabin - it's an adorable little shelter and it would be nice to not bring my tent on this section. There is a good spring near the Sugar Knob cabin and lots of level ground for camping - don't camp within 100 feet though unless you've reserved the cabin from the PATC.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNl2rmbftWjnr0xefJ1IrFhLQ8a_0X6T9huW6HFFnVcB-Cw9ieb-P5SL6wbLiQWhmatFu41IsLchn_-AuWnwQdXcibBAxmRNgdpbrWCQERNWYw07D1vrWFwUZyjcrBIOLX-h5dwVPx1YQ/s1600/backpack+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVEoO6qoWNNqFbk4bdgeB6h0e15VluZCE3wnxQEralmYqBtPMNCSw-wDlR6adZZGY9Ud2-OfSXMJ8uKRHxZthmtWFOoC0pLSC-3fj3JJGCBQK9BrmmEBoKSV6y0pxMBIJC7rvjXswUjbw/s1600/13502038_10209602434118531_1525534142733735454_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVEoO6qoWNNqFbk4bdgeB6h0e15VluZCE3wnxQEralmYqBtPMNCSw-wDlR6adZZGY9Ud2-OfSXMJ8uKRHxZthmtWFOoC0pLSC-3fj3JJGCBQK9BrmmEBoKSV6y0pxMBIJC7rvjXswUjbw/s640/13502038_10209602434118531_1525534142733735454_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdABFSjK96QprLzUwLWYNmaxbQRPfVRKE2_vZrgPK8ChOYf4txCaXfpvPUkMqrg67s7N7ZGcg9Me68LCePaFq5PuNMDA-pE2UEGEpKirgadn_yN2k_AQnzqLdh9PS_OSl_k9kbNnmUnES0/s1600/backpack+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdABFSjK96QprLzUwLWYNmaxbQRPfVRKE2_vZrgPK8ChOYf4txCaXfpvPUkMqrg67s7N7ZGcg9Me68LCePaFq5PuNMDA-pE2UEGEpKirgadn_yN2k_AQnzqLdh9PS_OSl_k9kbNnmUnES0/s640/backpack+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3N_estVk1hQrysjpChFus5sYRXvke9CAeM8dyCr9wA-_gWYsPJQKhATJL1nkeFUlWt1Dld87BqI0kcNFhpwgZQ1EeqsR-WRT61xqlad7qzccVQ3K9xc4kW-x-4eHBCBafkQR_3EGNS42/s1600/102_0451+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3N_estVk1hQrysjpChFus5sYRXvke9CAeM8dyCr9wA-_gWYsPJQKhATJL1nkeFUlWt1Dld87BqI0kcNFhpwgZQ1EeqsR-WRT61xqlad7qzccVQ3K9xc4kW-x-4eHBCBafkQR_3EGNS42/s640/102_0451+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Shenandoah Valley to the east<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv41ffm5P0ELE5aFbekbvDx9Up2zfT9f_QZL2cbGwS1BpKXmxBb5YTM9KgKnkEEW3oIJJ3x26VHZmd_Lo6Y3UX37qG8bDkNMyTLRZfRHxfRvHAyiC4nlpjJEiYhIiY-JZqO_t-Giu4Ykq/s1600/13528790_10209602434558542_1820004770336256023_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv41ffm5P0ELE5aFbekbvDx9Up2zfT9f_QZL2cbGwS1BpKXmxBb5YTM9KgKnkEEW3oIJJ3x26VHZmd_Lo6Y3UX37qG8bDkNMyTLRZfRHxfRvHAyiC4nlpjJEiYhIiY-JZqO_t-Giu4Ykq/s640/13528790_10209602434558542_1820004770336256023_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It rained overnight, but had mostly cleared out by the time we were ready to go. We walked through a Laurel thicket that was shrouded in mist - it really looked like a fairy tale. Then the going got tough. The trail was very rocky (basically walking in an old stream bed) and the descent was steep. Hiking poles were a must. There were some great campsites along Paddy Run and lots of good water. The moss running over the rocks (especially after the rain) made for some very beautiful scenery, but it was tiring to walk. My ankle was still hurting from the beginning of the trip, and my trail partner knees did not like going down so they were very swollen. The assent up from Waites Run is long and difficult. The rocks are huge and I sometimes found it difficult to make the steps up. I took a lot of breaks. There are very pretty views though of the mountains you did the days before and the remote nature of the trail meant that we had the trail totally to ourselves. We really moved slow. It took us about 9 hours to do 8 miles. However, I'd go back - the Gerhard Shelter was such a fantastic place to stay I'm eager to return. A note about the shelter.... there is water BUT it's 3/4 of a mile down a very steep side trail and the spring is very slow. Be sure to allow an extra 1 1/2 - 2 hours to get water. It's a must though because once you leave Waites Run there are no other water choices. Also, once you hit the top of the mountain as you approach the shelter (from the south) there are no blazes - not even once you leave the heath on top of the mountain and hit the hard woods. The trail was well weed whacked when we were there, but otherwise just take a compass bearing and be sure to keep Shenandoah County on your right and Wardensville, WV on your left. We had several moments where we wondered if we'd gotten off of the trail and we're both very competent and experienced woods women. There was also lots of sign of bear on the trail - use the bear bag hanger and pay attention to your surroundings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ_8sPbTTwbjrE-fd5lJkk9jNEPeoXCPp1EHRbqj9dZ5J0BlixvEnTU59nn25F4Uh6UTOPiRC-8G0t-gTLy35mJC8GcRo161nCdnYo15foGYfitLUTDWpIOZc_H85D28WsSSoZi0YhtQj/s1600/13510797_10209602436638594_7273501564519637547_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ_8sPbTTwbjrE-fd5lJkk9jNEPeoXCPp1EHRbqj9dZ5J0BlixvEnTU59nn25F4Uh6UTOPiRC-8G0t-gTLy35mJC8GcRo161nCdnYo15foGYfitLUTDWpIOZc_H85D28WsSSoZi0YhtQj/s640/13510797_10209602436638594_7273501564519637547_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVInsCp3JScyRh_wh6SFBTkbr855XJcIi2WIhZQZclAVVplIfoflucrA4_bTGKMg1WUxM5TOzyvxS3s28UlK-ElQGFz4TFPueSMNjTaWP93y1M_U_IktCGkHiwAngYazST3oS9xUvq3pGw/s1600/13502040_10209602437558617_1590996270557349541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVInsCp3JScyRh_wh6SFBTkbr855XJcIi2WIhZQZclAVVplIfoflucrA4_bTGKMg1WUxM5TOzyvxS3s28UlK-ElQGFz4TFPueSMNjTaWP93y1M_U_IktCGkHiwAngYazST3oS9xUvq3pGw/s640/13502040_10209602437558617_1590996270557349541_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch break near Paddy Run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EJRCP4XaVMM1gqYalEuvi2nYWJCtGRrcP6j7zKnWiqVaPuMCqr4Sxm-shWpf3YhTgHmznknKtvask-EvXZMJCwTSO7LVQJxOS3Dd5y2Fo0g-oe8NX6CI_2vG1kPQcjNaaENMVFp3COGl/s1600/102_0454+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EJRCP4XaVMM1gqYalEuvi2nYWJCtGRrcP6j7zKnWiqVaPuMCqr4Sxm-shWpf3YhTgHmznknKtvask-EvXZMJCwTSO7LVQJxOS3Dd5y2Fo0g-oe8NX6CI_2vG1kPQcjNaaENMVFp3COGl/s640/102_0454+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Columbine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZLahN3Rd_yKlFKZjsMsyVAomHDKtHwzdVhEMDk8HtjFECxrrhc6Nze89EAccAmMdaE5An9rQACMdLtqlLhf7QLvV_VvyFAqwwWORFtTuPat3PIjNbuDMea_zGaaWJK7kii1jLWJRHtG0/s1600/102_0452+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZLahN3Rd_yKlFKZjsMsyVAomHDKtHwzdVhEMDk8HtjFECxrrhc6Nze89EAccAmMdaE5An9rQACMdLtqlLhf7QLvV_VvyFAqwwWORFtTuPat3PIjNbuDMea_zGaaWJK7kii1jLWJRHtG0/s640/102_0452+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Gerhard Shelter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqYIC5suv3J6Xk8dZ1u54d4i1Ffp7vudCIqYTMCgcshCC7vwLWwpbjul9fbuea7b6OScyREZv2rTzj3kdTtPg7D3ezrdog4RjLBNkcSkk4lus87NPc7KJ2IotQOAQiP7zAvrtdQbYbvGI/s1600/102_0455+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqYIC5suv3J6Xk8dZ1u54d4i1Ffp7vudCIqYTMCgcshCC7vwLWwpbjul9fbuea7b6OScyREZv2rTzj3kdTtPg7D3ezrdog4RjLBNkcSkk4lus87NPc7KJ2IotQOAQiP7zAvrtdQbYbvGI/s640/102_0455+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Coast Krumholtz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x07EY5297VO4J5_-jYl7nPN0AbgvKrMspG5UQEAhvgs_L-Olo71678qFy9_bMnWoO-HFz1AsaicF7nxBJ96OtcPsPFkNzDH-y1nd7r9kZTBC4zzUXFEcwbaiM6J5tMry-iR5S4EGyXfS/s1600/13434848_10209602440278685_6950203680208833223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x07EY5297VO4J5_-jYl7nPN0AbgvKrMspG5UQEAhvgs_L-Olo71678qFy9_bMnWoO-HFz1AsaicF7nxBJ96OtcPsPFkNzDH-y1nd7r9kZTBC4zzUXFEcwbaiM6J5tMry-iR5S4EGyXfS/s640/13434848_10209602440278685_6950203680208833223_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
So a word about the above picture. Unbeknownst to us the PATC rerouted the Tuscarora trail so that it does NOT go to Hawk Recreation Area after it crosses Route 55. We expected to come out on Forestry Road 502 and then hike down into Hawk (which would be a good place to camp and get water), but that's not where the trail led us. The trail matches with the old map (2004) until after the second communication tower. Then it continues to follow the county line border out to Capon Springs Road Route 16. Fortunately we had both cell service to call our ride and there was a nice family with a Trail Angel who drove us the few miles down the road to Hawk. I had checked the website for Hawk Recreation Area before leaving and it lists the Tuscarora as connecting to Hawk. There are also still blue blazes leading out of Hawk (as if they are part of the Tuscarora). When I went into the Forestry Office (Lee Ranger District in Edinburg) they were able to show me a new map, but were not able to sell me one yet. They said they were waiting to get them from the PATC. Apparently the reroute was very recent. The old Tuscarora is marked like that on the new map, but according to the woman I spoke with at the Forestry office they are still deciding what they are doing with the trail - thus the blazes are still there. Confusing, but in the end not too frustrating. We had a fantastic three days on the trail together.<br />
<br />
The kids wanted to join me for the end of the week, but I thought it unwise to push on through the next sections as they're a bit long (13+ miles -that's for next summer). They requested a loop that we've done before. We hiked in about a mile on the Stoney Creek Trail and camped near the Stoney Creek. It's a campsite we love. The kids swam in the creek and the dog enjoyed all the new sights and smells. It was the first time we took the dog overnight. She did well with the backpack and fine while it was daylight, but she had a hard time settling at night and had a very difficult time with all of the strangers on the trail on Saturday. We forgot how crowded the National Forest can be with folks from Northern Virginia. So after a night with poor sleep and slow progress we all decided at lunch that we had been out long enough and it was time to be done with this year's backpacking trip. We headed home, cleaned up and went out to dinner - one happy family and one tired dog.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZJOgzVGSM6qHzv_npghIX0MEWFxehw3k1hLEutdDz5pIYTUEOdfEnEBX6UOcDF4a7P1rB8magyQb7JDlvWNrwwkoWErliSbutnj3uS37c4FqkQL0KStcehZyI_Agm-Tf5HM5B4tj8182/s1600/102_0473+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZJOgzVGSM6qHzv_npghIX0MEWFxehw3k1hLEutdDz5pIYTUEOdfEnEBX6UOcDF4a7P1rB8magyQb7JDlvWNrwwkoWErliSbutnj3uS37c4FqkQL0KStcehZyI_Agm-Tf5HM5B4tj8182/s640/102_0473+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_kkYJoeL1bUjj8zV1im0LRPXcbpNx2E8_9bTCaUZwkjswn6rIJPhQuH4O17caBG53Kaz8rDEdVJPqxZKO6EjJ13m2hgm2-RQOWCHFXcYYDjgy0hilBOiF7w0fn7jJG4C007GcjQBbhNx/s1600/102_0466+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_kkYJoeL1bUjj8zV1im0LRPXcbpNx2E8_9bTCaUZwkjswn6rIJPhQuH4O17caBG53Kaz8rDEdVJPqxZKO6EjJ13m2hgm2-RQOWCHFXcYYDjgy0hilBOiF7w0fn7jJG4C007GcjQBbhNx/s640/102_0466+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLloPHffXYb5qDTkprmT6LayP3c-OAIkKE87OIVgu4eG1IVmxble_RyUxFZ3EnYBzyj8F5b2m-oQfmfOBKo1GH16E_JomNKFSqmfy1JBv62YFA1ZP-zdPdkHY3WhcIuP5KaLN4-JBKDz8T/s1600/102_0464+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLloPHffXYb5qDTkprmT6LayP3c-OAIkKE87OIVgu4eG1IVmxble_RyUxFZ3EnYBzyj8F5b2m-oQfmfOBKo1GH16E_JomNKFSqmfy1JBv62YFA1ZP-zdPdkHY3WhcIuP5KaLN4-JBKDz8T/s640/102_0464+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwh7S1CeXlkyoz1Xqfm4Jx2jqf45Ok_uZOEYJ_GB4xi1drJDn9fXz9lGTBQVmECeaFGyTcsbI2KzoNZl77yyoHUvN_bY70sNujxff8Kzf4sCN4hXiGAkJ7s-5VaPFds0FgziUCDoUyYbG/s1600/102_0465+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwh7S1CeXlkyoz1Xqfm4Jx2jqf45Ok_uZOEYJ_GB4xi1drJDn9fXz9lGTBQVmECeaFGyTcsbI2KzoNZl77yyoHUvN_bY70sNujxff8Kzf4sCN4hXiGAkJ7s-5VaPFds0FgziUCDoUyYbG/s640/102_0465+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Feet pictures - first one is the end of the first day's hike. Next one is the end of the last day. It was a drier week than last year so my feet were in much better shape. Only one bad blister on the inside of my left arch - pretty good for 65 miles or so. Backpacking has reset my clock to summer. This is the last post I'll make until we're back to school in the summer - see you in September.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNVDILcBQVRiKnV0sCxlgWKuh4LbFbX1oImLWsYWlX1a_Yen2-yNPZ8Th4zYRNhYJZwo1000blYiGp-yE4d1vyyYq4aWF_tVsTq-B0o0GcYWXrZbVpqtJzfZT4JfL7n6cZXCRbjI2Pd82/s1600/102_0450+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNVDILcBQVRiKnV0sCxlgWKuh4LbFbX1oImLWsYWlX1a_Yen2-yNPZ8Th4zYRNhYJZwo1000blYiGp-yE4d1vyyYq4aWF_tVsTq-B0o0GcYWXrZbVpqtJzfZT4JfL7n6cZXCRbjI2Pd82/s640/102_0450+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQxd3-C_go4DvkhcTkyp0uARcb_X3rSykcz9ge-YtcEa6ChqHYUv74w4Q-wzkAFQk_enEMBLMjUmmFxgnpLJHKvx8kAzrdF4fgqjevpTJdqO2GdnWLeyeNXATgBUTuhOVaYiGFye3SlVp/s1600/102_0479+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQxd3-C_go4DvkhcTkyp0uARcb_X3rSykcz9ge-YtcEa6ChqHYUv74w4Q-wzkAFQk_enEMBLMjUmmFxgnpLJHKvx8kAzrdF4fgqjevpTJdqO2GdnWLeyeNXATgBUTuhOVaYiGFye3SlVp/s640/102_0479+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-25603591675341742172016-06-03T17:36:00.000-07:002016-06-03T17:36:00.202-07:00Barking At SticksThis time of year, as the end of school approaches and kid activities wind down, I start making plans to hit the road, get on the river, and put my boots on the trail. I become drawn to trail narratives, mark up maps, draw plans, and spend time scheming with friends and family to see who's willing to join me.<br />
<br />
So when I stumbled across Bill Bryson's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Woods-Rediscovering-America-Appalachian/dp/0307279464/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464996754&sr=1-1&keywords=a+walk+in+the+woods" target="_blank">A Walk In the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail</a> </i>I was instantly engaged. I enjoyed Bryson's description of his cursing trail companion and, as usual, felt envious that he had logged those miles on the AT and I hadn't. But then, he wrote about his time in Shenandoah National Park. <br />
<br />
Bryson hiked in 1996. I was living within a day's hike of SNP in 1996. Lollie Winans and Julie Williams were murdered in a peaceful campsite just off the AT near Big Meadows in 1996.<br />
<br />
Their <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/85806/cover-murder-park-rice-release-revives-memories" target="_blank">brutal and unsolved murders</a> terrified me then, and twenty years later they terrify me still. When I'm in the woods I'm usually feeling very <a href="http://genius.com/Henry-david-thoreau-the-pond-in-winter-annotated" target="_blank">Thoreauish</a>... "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." Their murders made me feel more like Dickinson with <a href="http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/snake.html" target="_blank">"zero at the bone."</a> From an early age, the woods have been a place of safety and serenity. I head to the woods when I want to hear my own thoughts, and maybe the voice of God if I listen. I don't want the Devil breathing down my neck.<br />
<br />
According to<a href="http://www.backpacker.com/survival/survival-stories/a-dozen-ways-to-die/" target="_blank"> BackPacker.com</a> the top 10 most likely things that will kill you in the wilderness are the following:<br />
1. Falling<br />
2. Drowning<br />
3. Heart Attack<br />
4. Hypothermia<br />
5. Heat Stress<br />
6. Lightening<br />
7. Avalanche<br />
8. Suicide<br />
9. Flash Flood<br />
10. Insects (Tick Bourne Diseases)<br />
<br />
I'm much more likely to die in the woods because I don't have enough water, or don't carry the right clothing than I am to be the victim of an attack. So why doesn't a bad tick season cause me to reconsider solo hiking and make me think about attending the next Sherriff's conceal carry class?<br />
<br />
The answer: Fear.<br />
<br />
Fear can be positive. It can provide some caution, and is especially useful when your prefrontal cortex is still forming during your early 20s. Fear can keep you alive, and can stop you from doing stupid things.<br />
<br />
But Fear can also be paralyzing. I am determined to not give in to <a href="http://www.eapoe.org/works/tales/usherf.htm" target="_blank">"the grim phantasom of fear."</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Earlier this evening I took the girl and a gaggle of her friends to the creek to swim. I also took the dog. The dog spent almost the entire time barking at a stick bobbing in the water. She jumped down to the water's edge and barked at it. Then she jumped up onto the low water bridge next to me for comfort. Then she jumped back to the water's edge and eased herself out toward the stick, almost touching it each time, but always jumping quickly back as if she'd been bitten before she could catch the stick and her fear. She did this for over an hour. She has several barks - the play with me bark. The middle of the night single bark to tell the cat she's too close to the kennel. The predator's near howl. The there's a strange car in the driveway notice. The helooo and welcome home bark. And then there's this bark - the one that says I'm terrified. I don't know what this is, and I'm pretty sure it will hurt me so I'm going to bark as loudly and meanly as I can. I hope I scare it and it goes far, far away. <br />
<br />
Her theory is a good one when she's barking at something real. I'm certain that one of the reasons we haven't had any predators around here for a year is because she barks when they draw close. <a href="http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd/page_108.html" target="_blank">"Thou she be but little, she is fierce"</a> Nothing is getting past her.<br />
<br />
But tonight her fear was completely without cause. I tried to reassure her - but she was still afraid. I tried to reprimand her with a Quiet! command - but she was still afraid. I tried to wash the stick downstream and away from her - but she was still afraid.<br />
<br />
This week I've been barking at sticks. I read all the accounts I could find of the 1996 double murder, the 1997 assault, and the Route 29 stalker. Then I stumbled across news of a <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/crime-courts/national-park-service-blue-ridge-parkway-assault-sexual-in-nature-381631821.html" target="_blank">recent assault</a> on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and felt my hackles rise and heard the growl form in my throat. Will I carry my bear spray and tazer flashlight when I'm on the trail this summer? Probably. Will I be aware of my surroundings, carry <a href="https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html" target="_blank">the essential 10</a>, tell others where I'll heading and when I'll be back? You bet. <br />
<br />
But will I give in to fear and not put my boots to the trail? No way. As John Muir said, "The mountains are calling, and I must go." <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamPAaDkFQqPGXXg2jvjYfWxAPyzAJ1o2LsP5b04Lsy6rE0TV_D5VqWw3CYGhWE8gmlm9Lacva3WabR5vyb708p5M53zZZqnL_iDJTMovC7Y4SElwbemmz6eEFhpYFbWC5dwZLFZa4QKBn/s1600/DSC05795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamPAaDkFQqPGXXg2jvjYfWxAPyzAJ1o2LsP5b04Lsy6rE0TV_D5VqWw3CYGhWE8gmlm9Lacva3WabR5vyb708p5M53zZZqnL_iDJTMovC7Y4SElwbemmz6eEFhpYFbWC5dwZLFZa4QKBn/s640/DSC05795.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-35202248361080522512016-05-15T19:31:00.002-07:002016-05-15T19:31:35.093-07:00Hike to the FallsWe spent a delightful Sunday afternoon with our congregation's young family fellowship group. We hiked to the falls off of the aptly names Falls Ridge Trail. It was a delightful way to remember our baptism on Pentecost.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P1uktU46L6QV60OqUamJgeo-DjXKAAoa2UMaDFLLd4CuNAckQNAEZE1BHr47b8Rxv94mMN1nRxl9pj4s-II51wTLPbpey0Gq6hEIx45Y4Pjd7h423iu8B5jKBhKSxridz8Sk-o9UHpLp/s1600/DSC06534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P1uktU46L6QV60OqUamJgeo-DjXKAAoa2UMaDFLLd4CuNAckQNAEZE1BHr47b8Rxv94mMN1nRxl9pj4s-II51wTLPbpey0Gq6hEIx45Y4Pjd7h423iu8B5jKBhKSxridz8Sk-o9UHpLp/s640/DSC06534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0CLoWqQw2sa3QebytOhtzRdlczXhVd0bJZ-rSSdkFedSf1LgNgqo1S7xH5u0Y5K1N9zYeUJ-gx2pbgfjO-YxuU0mGDtYnXgbj1LYo6GJYgDLOmSPnPReI9ShNMxx7geo5ElpIAM6eOwC/s1600/DSC06535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0CLoWqQw2sa3QebytOhtzRdlczXhVd0bJZ-rSSdkFedSf1LgNgqo1S7xH5u0Y5K1N9zYeUJ-gx2pbgfjO-YxuU0mGDtYnXgbj1LYo6GJYgDLOmSPnPReI9ShNMxx7geo5ElpIAM6eOwC/s640/DSC06535.JPG" width="570" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring is a great time to see wildflowers in the mountains. Alas, no Trillium.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJQE1Id2CGnB1nGsQRFUlGkFKw_fbKrH3yMlckFWCVVbIWfn6PU_VCJDqCVTPDzE86yq0GNiyCBP2Zdrn9TPpbxdax_rhBSLhSB6zhvIQ7IP1nUlynJtQV5ESz3V_OeVg-UDF6z9KWlVK/s1600/DSC06537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJQE1Id2CGnB1nGsQRFUlGkFKw_fbKrH3yMlckFWCVVbIWfn6PU_VCJDqCVTPDzE86yq0GNiyCBP2Zdrn9TPpbxdax_rhBSLhSB6zhvIQ7IP1nUlynJtQV5ESz3V_OeVg-UDF6z9KWlVK/s640/DSC06537.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqfQB1Eo4Wfjac9ByRYX3k45850G_J4MrflRh3MTQeZz7DE5upIao_ukVPsrATbdN6b_WeDyW4wbcGUhaj3M8ja1ytsAfC9tov8XvChNkVqDR3tReHObxKpVxAiKAZ7JWlmj-NUjaFssr/s1600/DSC06538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqfQB1Eo4Wfjac9ByRYX3k45850G_J4MrflRh3MTQeZz7DE5upIao_ukVPsrATbdN6b_WeDyW4wbcGUhaj3M8ja1ytsAfC9tov8XvChNkVqDR3tReHObxKpVxAiKAZ7JWlmj-NUjaFssr/s640/DSC06538.JPG" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />
The Falls Ridge Trail can be accessed from Forestry Road 88 near Liberty Furnace in Western Virginia. The first part of the trail is fairly steep. We hiked to the turn off point for the falls and stopped for lunch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVszk2cbHiGNkmZB_vYZYFpG83XS6MW84XGZ5I4ixIEyEPPojcOlXJm9kOXiaZKbY5niXw2CT-ZNSTS4TAl4HUtluUd9jedby8GNLGHYbdttdvOVar-uxVTnlX4y69RWhmFf1-q2DL5zkd/s1600/DSC06539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVszk2cbHiGNkmZB_vYZYFpG83XS6MW84XGZ5I4ixIEyEPPojcOlXJm9kOXiaZKbY5niXw2CT-ZNSTS4TAl4HUtluUd9jedby8GNLGHYbdttdvOVar-uxVTnlX4y69RWhmFf1-q2DL5zkd/s640/DSC06539.JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUMKkcZPzckh-UjEFGXmtXiImwa9Ae8I13FZ5QeBTlKmqCaXRcLOTbabn239WTZ8fhgSLXlKWHAahSHbPRknyD47QbfencxBgQoPr_3BKz7u7K3vMfMV2Utw-7qLLV8hTCcCAtzcnrdU-/s1600/DSC06540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUMKkcZPzckh-UjEFGXmtXiImwa9Ae8I13FZ5QeBTlKmqCaXRcLOTbabn239WTZ8fhgSLXlKWHAahSHbPRknyD47QbfencxBgQoPr_3BKz7u7K3vMfMV2Utw-7qLLV8hTCcCAtzcnrdU-/s640/DSC06540.JPG" width="486" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMsWfx4rYbb3WyeNeJDpyx6b4-tNji9ZqvabkH74xnE3C8Om0Wc9XqGsJc97RhsFpTObXEA6lFlwSfGTfl4CPMWE6Y90noChKObYt3laKtF-VYvuK4ZK0xNwGG-HalhJ-QiutPwV7BiV6/s1600/DSC06541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMsWfx4rYbb3WyeNeJDpyx6b4-tNji9ZqvabkH74xnE3C8Om0Wc9XqGsJc97RhsFpTObXEA6lFlwSfGTfl4CPMWE6Y90noChKObYt3laKtF-VYvuK4ZK0xNwGG-HalhJ-QiutPwV7BiV6/s640/DSC06541.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM4GuJdeKu20rt3jP2p_A3zAiZnIiBeAr-iS7HS-zxPUfQzYa7tB4__wjFKOx0QdiC8v-Nc-jGCVbKWDpaEFs6-2oN8RTqZiTAMj7DFriCA546x6gdJhclObkoRfCgoymLiYbtStADlfT/s1600/DSC06543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM4GuJdeKu20rt3jP2p_A3zAiZnIiBeAr-iS7HS-zxPUfQzYa7tB4__wjFKOx0QdiC8v-Nc-jGCVbKWDpaEFs6-2oN8RTqZiTAMj7DFriCA546x6gdJhclObkoRfCgoymLiYbtStADlfT/s640/DSC06543.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls had a their last confirmation class for the year on the trail with our pastor. They were told to watch for water and wind and think about the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zfwsQNcCclFaulV-EhKncV2CS5DfrguYFDnXU_y97lad97opkb7yNLqOiJFnRrTLgI3F7GjwMX_8CKT62Ilwn18E6BgHMjnKa8uctAg-8fBUMDTtAB3tJltdByDhylgKatlhNnOH4hRx/s1600/DSC06545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zfwsQNcCclFaulV-EhKncV2CS5DfrguYFDnXU_y97lad97opkb7yNLqOiJFnRrTLgI3F7GjwMX_8CKT62Ilwn18E6BgHMjnKa8uctAg-8fBUMDTtAB3tJltdByDhylgKatlhNnOH4hRx/s640/DSC06545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After lunch we turned to the left on an unblazed, but well traveled trail to head for the falls. If you head out to find the falls look for the rock cairns that mark the trail turns. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSPmA5_VnJP6BqPOeknlu946WaMxr1DohH76h1CjdiKu-i7DdhUQvokrc4knYt9olgjY1WkDYNtl5wKep5BP7FxnDXNut4izzO_aIH8DTmXr6t3uuTxxrOKTZ7E2jX9fOFmFGll9K3MJY/s1600/DSC06546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSPmA5_VnJP6BqPOeknlu946WaMxr1DohH76h1CjdiKu-i7DdhUQvokrc4knYt9olgjY1WkDYNtl5wKep5BP7FxnDXNut4izzO_aIH8DTmXr6t3uuTxxrOKTZ7E2jX9fOFmFGll9K3MJY/s640/DSC06546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip93cJ1CxTeqKvwsR3DJh7z6QzBReNOwFfLye9Cg8J5rmblUMCRVjwRWtiA3dedcHxCKvdh_wPLnfAfWhnTHR46APndiGuqD4j_NSPZX_eFWKMqKmItFq0VHS4bhTQJ5WTzyMiyU_PBjSi/s1600/DSC06547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip93cJ1CxTeqKvwsR3DJh7z6QzBReNOwFfLye9Cg8J5rmblUMCRVjwRWtiA3dedcHxCKvdh_wPLnfAfWhnTHR46APndiGuqD4j_NSPZX_eFWKMqKmItFq0VHS4bhTQJ5WTzyMiyU_PBjSi/s640/DSC06547.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the Laurel is just about ready to bloom, the falls had more water than we'd ever seen before, and there were beautiful Jack in the Pulpit near the falls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhJg8F0T82EPOIv4lM88EFMxx3HHkI_tDs3H-NxMgMKzjDBmysYT6g5OxE6sa221N1Rp2-Xt9qKC2eGiUm3FUgdc_QE4sE5B1oOeMddHc0iBbgIejHOce-iKfXRCkR7vGx1tE-99091H3/s1600/DSC06549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhJg8F0T82EPOIv4lM88EFMxx3HHkI_tDs3H-NxMgMKzjDBmysYT6g5OxE6sa221N1Rp2-Xt9qKC2eGiUm3FUgdc_QE4sE5B1oOeMddHc0iBbgIejHOce-iKfXRCkR7vGx1tE-99091H3/s640/DSC06549.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_6tDPatYqnXr4GsAxRWwLEIb1fxebpGlTvIxekkPnNlBO_L6kqYDV4qD91V8UdI1J2UQhwvle-2v28TD3R8hj6wvEOqZuKFoF6aWSWeKZYUDyk_iQQLYNzvgE4rx-OHjYtdIf3AMWb-r/s1600/DSC06552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_6tDPatYqnXr4GsAxRWwLEIb1fxebpGlTvIxekkPnNlBO_L6kqYDV4qD91V8UdI1J2UQhwvle-2v28TD3R8hj6wvEOqZuKFoF6aWSWeKZYUDyk_iQQLYNzvgE4rx-OHjYtdIf3AMWb-r/s640/DSC06552.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPMsOkNxOCvEzi2Rnxrqz3ITo3Mb2kA5BtapVt6ccfPXOAYPtO6FbjHPd-55Wq2ucfC72UBD5fBcx6cMGPgc1l3l2TFkivbzdGOtqg-Zxzj2yRxcUwZBaNxmap9YTSDaoukNvp8sgNkwg/s1600/DSC06562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPMsOkNxOCvEzi2Rnxrqz3ITo3Mb2kA5BtapVt6ccfPXOAYPtO6FbjHPd-55Wq2ucfC72UBD5fBcx6cMGPgc1l3l2TFkivbzdGOtqg-Zxzj2yRxcUwZBaNxmap9YTSDaoukNvp8sgNkwg/s640/DSC06562.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu13FbjsrK4u-yap8VQCsvgrR4rmYJDuJ_rCeUtwcWWM3I4WYz_5V9lwnxyQQahEQauvSziH8dTThryShOWWrWzeyPLU1CcXeUo3Vfon2MDIfxBnmus1de6nCdnNdr2d1VPpwJ49Exz2yR/s1600/DSC06556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu13FbjsrK4u-yap8VQCsvgrR4rmYJDuJ_rCeUtwcWWM3I4WYz_5V9lwnxyQQahEQauvSziH8dTThryShOWWrWzeyPLU1CcXeUo3Vfon2MDIfxBnmus1de6nCdnNdr2d1VPpwJ49Exz2yR/s640/DSC06556.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmgSjWFe8xqQvL5Q-fby7eV-uuFrTMD2pY9j4kDsmrPYGO5HDiJ_K5un1OJ9XCPOHD6LDjSkNhKedteE4iKzhgUh3IWNM8pS4jPqFylHjgw0neT7LtC67Cpto0PzElyWHeuONdVZLYovZ/s1600/DSC06559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmgSjWFe8xqQvL5Q-fby7eV-uuFrTMD2pY9j4kDsmrPYGO5HDiJ_K5un1OJ9XCPOHD6LDjSkNhKedteE4iKzhgUh3IWNM8pS4jPqFylHjgw0neT7LtC67Cpto0PzElyWHeuONdVZLYovZ/s640/DSC06559.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LZwUPJblbHDADmlEcPmjvAiKxQpNuHHyReiBOCDM42jPbsa0IDlxK5r1A3wgeQ5dCNd-pUuGeekKqyI0JbasUiBIq7PR3kWG1Y5Akn47-wttPGuxI15TjYX_BDtMpLj_uhzrXTwzUQpb/s1600/DSC06553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LZwUPJblbHDADmlEcPmjvAiKxQpNuHHyReiBOCDM42jPbsa0IDlxK5r1A3wgeQ5dCNd-pUuGeekKqyI0JbasUiBIq7PR3kWG1Y5Akn47-wttPGuxI15TjYX_BDtMpLj_uhzrXTwzUQpb/s640/DSC06553.JPG" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1eFYfkkshfdLSfcIvlUs9Y3cbV6YpVbcpKBgiRRQOHTunrqD33q_tEW6KURL9Lyqgs4ukU7tRfwDUCiECxIQRL7K7XQlLrHVe18H0V9q8kK7EFbhhyphenhyphen7ll59trwpdWBymRCtQHl5MXqtu/s1600/DSC06560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1eFYfkkshfdLSfcIvlUs9Y3cbV6YpVbcpKBgiRRQOHTunrqD33q_tEW6KURL9Lyqgs4ukU7tRfwDUCiECxIQRL7K7XQlLrHVe18H0V9q8kK7EFbhhyphenhyphen7ll59trwpdWBymRCtQHl5MXqtu/s640/DSC06560.JPG" width="570" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV4UcQiggsVnfXl-HPOwgBip5cB-rh3mkt0b2Gkjj9KPRn-m1SJB31ctDkRG-TkWv-Jzz35jA4l0rIfMNc5qk-S6cq8Pnr9OsPNZPeYCdqtmtozOi5e581lyj9YMDLyzRzwVzHfUIe6T-/s1600/DSC06561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV4UcQiggsVnfXl-HPOwgBip5cB-rh3mkt0b2Gkjj9KPRn-m1SJB31ctDkRG-TkWv-Jzz35jA4l0rIfMNc5qk-S6cq8Pnr9OsPNZPeYCdqtmtozOi5e581lyj9YMDLyzRzwVzHfUIe6T-/s640/DSC06561.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Even though it was windy and cold, we even saw hail, we certainly found the Spirit out there on the mountain.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb6Z3FJftaOuiwbVyITJIJnqRFuxEyg0IXtFb8HCEaJbb7-NVc8jCZy1J6dJZtlEMY9k-AzK_jTvRuUeXxJJGkE5wXpZKbUNDyBaVThVC_4jgJaAVO37ORrPsC_7y8w9eSlv_EwpdWct2/s1600/DSC06563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb6Z3FJftaOuiwbVyITJIJnqRFuxEyg0IXtFb8HCEaJbb7-NVc8jCZy1J6dJZtlEMY9k-AzK_jTvRuUeXxJJGkE5wXpZKbUNDyBaVThVC_4jgJaAVO37ORrPsC_7y8w9eSlv_EwpdWct2/s640/DSC06563.JPG" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Pentecost Everyone!Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-90967103973085417152016-05-09T03:22:00.000-07:002016-05-09T03:22:03.792-07:00Proverbs 18:22<i>He who finds a wife finds what is good, gaining favor from the Lord.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
There are times when I feel like Gloria Steinem - - I want a wife. This morning's devotional started with this verse and ended with this prayer... <i>Thanks for the thousands of things she does that I don't even know about. May I never underestimate, Lord, how much my loved ones do for me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
We had a great weekend around here. It was full of fun time with friends and with family -- and work.<br />
<br />
A weekend breakdown:<br />
<br />
Friday night - stayed at school until 5:00 to make copies and plan for the week ahead. <br />
- made homemade pizza dough<br />
- ran 2 miles while it rose<br />
- made white pizza with asparagus, goat cheese and tomatoes and regular pizza for the picky ones<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3Ori7i2j-lkViXx7qpEzYs2NRs3Tyky4jXl3c0ry4sJr1fOE9fudr1nrxvaA1th53d8WQZAu6DQHU8vogf1yUe0gozQGu_j_uLzl7xiw1Jt157y4LC3KTcJlIoCEvmLi1OO4FVXTFxu/s1600/DSC06510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3Ori7i2j-lkViXx7qpEzYs2NRs3Tyky4jXl3c0ry4sJr1fOE9fudr1nrxvaA1th53d8WQZAu6DQHU8vogf1yUe0gozQGu_j_uLzl7xiw1Jt157y4LC3KTcJlIoCEvmLi1OO4FVXTFxu/s640/DSC06510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
- unloaded the dishwashers, cleaned up the kitchen and ran out to the garden for some garlic while it baked<br />
- fed the chickens, gathered eggs<br />
- finished loading the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen for a second time, including unpacking lunch boxes and washing them<br />
- started a load of laundry<br />
- took a quick shower and went out for a few beers and conversation with a friend<br />
- home at 11:30 - took care of the load of laundry I started when I went out, and started another load<br />
- picked up the ice cream bowls left downstair and put them in the dishwasher<br />
<br />
Saturday:<br />
- Up at 6:00.<br />
- Finished the load from last night, and started another load<br />
- Ran 3 1/2 miles<br />
- Packed a backpack, cooler, paper products and other food for the evening's adventure<br />
- Got the children up and helped the boy find his soccer uniform<br />
- Discovered that his socks were filthy, and did another load of laundry<br />
- Discovered that the coffee pot was broken<br />
- Cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast cereal for the boy, packed breakfast for myself, the girl and the woodsman<br />
- showered<br />
- threw in one more load of laundry<br />
- soccer game (assisted the coach)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBswaPkJseuOgagzQ6vGTnIYJ8MHWWm9Sz731Zapu3KcFkVVVMwSQRiH1FwqJszsx5sEiRsDmjBD4Wu4ZonsHJmyI5gpK9gjnRSBfxTho-UPyqa3SP22fFBtluV6Yn3EyJuXKTcGADy__0/s1600/DSC06499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBswaPkJseuOgagzQ6vGTnIYJ8MHWWm9Sz731Zapu3KcFkVVVMwSQRiH1FwqJszsx5sEiRsDmjBD4Wu4ZonsHJmyI5gpK9gjnRSBfxTho-UPyqa3SP22fFBtluV6Yn3EyJuXKTcGADy__0/s640/DSC06499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e5_K8T020ZpaFzhK1Qo9iO6i8HkoOuGz7y44TyYuq4KemKKYAoV7_R1xFJTPBtC94mdgVNS2pfAOxcW9xqPk-1YoBLuFDiLE4CTFeVAcbJqUuY_CWBy7f-4jKW8xVfdDWAYrXAQa2cZ8/s1600/DSC06500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e5_K8T020ZpaFzhK1Qo9iO6i8HkoOuGz7y44TyYuq4KemKKYAoV7_R1xFJTPBtC94mdgVNS2pfAOxcW9xqPk-1YoBLuFDiLE4CTFeVAcbJqUuY_CWBy7f-4jKW8xVfdDWAYrXAQa2cZ8/s640/DSC06500.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
- bruch with friends<br />
- bought myself a new coffee pot, and remembered to get new dress shorts for the boy<br />
- great afternoon in Shenandoah National Park - a wildflower painting class, a short hike (Trillium were out everywhere but I forgot to bring the camera)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmA5HLWPztGFbCjCqBtYLaEhhlR93syf0-m9N_Ernr1_1DjCfuZYORJuYTG2ufdRJQvu9OR_iwC_KthtW3J6Z4TB4JP76TkYI4qrKPUtGPlXiIeZohxrs2ooI7P6Gm04tQKjfAOuH84Vxs/s1600/DSC06512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmA5HLWPztGFbCjCqBtYLaEhhlR93syf0-m9N_Ernr1_1DjCfuZYORJuYTG2ufdRJQvu9OR_iwC_KthtW3J6Z4TB4JP76TkYI4qrKPUtGPlXiIeZohxrs2ooI7P6Gm04tQKjfAOuH84Vxs/s640/DSC06512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc5lDwwekbHySuPfRIGfTUmg-Lwy2dMn3yTG9bwuQO_qX8Q8bnAYgJO-e74bpKBb2eXo4xSBdHhpB5kzs8SlqY8tpkvnjgS_5_bny07JCVF6qRRAXt437jl2j-SbJuH-KPHFrZalVgYHg/s1600/DSC06513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc5lDwwekbHySuPfRIGfTUmg-Lwy2dMn3yTG9bwuQO_qX8Q8bnAYgJO-e74bpKBb2eXo4xSBdHhpB5kzs8SlqY8tpkvnjgS_5_bny07JCVF6qRRAXt437jl2j-SbJuH-KPHFrZalVgYHg/s640/DSC06513.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
- dinner at the local Brew House (smoked brisket is heaven people)<br />
- picked up groceries<br />
- unloaded the car, unpacked the items we used for our day's adventure<br />
- made brownies for brownie sundaes<br />
- watched Modern Family with the family<br />
- Enjoy reading Emma's mother's day card and coupons she made for me<br />
- took care of the laundry, and started another load<br />
- carried all the clean and dry laundry upstairs<br />
- cleaned up the kitchen<br />
- defrosted food for tomorrow's mother-in-law lunch<br />
- sleep<br />
Sunday:<br />
- Up at 7:00<br />
- Make <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2012/09/lemon-poppy-seed-pancakes/" target="_blank">Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzw5Xt23lLH9GrDTCc-YK7NaE0fybSHJJ33aPm-VjtafjCF2xm3V81y6U0Ynr9n3w4INZTRe6LoEA4WwzEh9MBY-WeraNN2v7T4_LWQ7SaHb-dnb2W435G-fuVwN8aa7itM9EoXovQUM4/s1600/DSC06515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzw5Xt23lLH9GrDTCc-YK7NaE0fybSHJJ33aPm-VjtafjCF2xm3V81y6U0Ynr9n3w4INZTRe6LoEA4WwzEh9MBY-WeraNN2v7T4_LWQ7SaHb-dnb2W435G-fuVwN8aa7itM9EoXovQUM4/s640/DSC06515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
- clean up the kitchen<br />
- take care of laundry and start another load<br />
- clean up kitchen<br />
- shower and head to church to teach Sunday School and for the service<br />
- Make lunch for my mother-in - law (Baked chicken, sweet potatoes, roasted asparagus, brownie sundaes)<br />
- Grouch at the family for doing a minimal job at cleaning the house on Friday, guilt them into doing a better job, feel glad about having a clean house, but feel upset and guilty for reacting the way I did about the messy space. Wind up feeling both guilty, overworked and resentful at the same time.<br />
- Clean up the kitchen<br />
- Pack lunches, and dinner for the girl and I for tomorrow's fast meal in between dance classes<br />
- Call my mom to wish her a happy Mother's Day, remember that I still haven't sent her a card or made the donation in her honor that I intend for her gift, feel thankful that my sister always takes care of our Mother on Mother's Day<br />
- Plan the menu and prep food for this week's meals<br />
- Clean up the kitchen<br />
- Put away the laundry (mine and The Woodsman's) the girl folded<br />
- More laundry<br />
- work in the garden - weed and mulch one strawberry bed<br />
- clean out the nest boxes, feed the chickens, fill the water<br />
- organize food for dinner, bring it to the fire<br />
- carry dirty dishes and uneaten food back up to the house<br />
- clean up the kitchen and run the dishwasher<br />
- wash the collected eggs<br />
- shut in the chickens and feed them<br />
- do piano lessons with both kids<br />
- remind the boy that he said he has a Mother's Day card for me in his backpack, read it and realize his humor comes directly from his father ("Thanks for being the best mother I've ever had. Love Eli the Great")<br />
- read to the boy, and tuck him in<br />
- hang up The Woodsman's dress shirts and fold two more baskets of laundry<br />
- School work until midnight (gain inspiration from Steinbeck's description of Ma Joad being the backbone of the family, and remember and feel thankful for all of the strong women in my life.<br />
<br />
Monday morning: Up at 4:45<br />
Cofee and work out and watch the news while writing this post. See other families running from wild fires, mourning loved ones lost this weekend in car crashes and to gun violence and realize that even though my life may be insanely busy, and even though I freqeuntly feel overworked and under rested, and even though I don't always feel appreciated or that the work I do is even recognized... boy am I blessed.<br />
<br />
Happy Mother's Day to all of you crazy, insanely beautiful women out there. <br />
<br />
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-24707904502096282432016-04-29T18:48:00.001-07:002016-04-29T18:48:44.478-07:00Heaven on a PlateIt's Asparagus Season! Nothing makes me want to dance in the garden like discovering asparagus. This is my absolutely favorite way to eat the bounty. I have it at least two or three times a week. It's one of those good for all three meals dishes, and it's fast, healthy and full of protein.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqudepdFJCzxo1tvADxrIhsx1-C-cQUtQ2Wn-S_hZuACmhqn2WlmfkZMMUonIZ2gPNqgG2hVa0ufCAYQ18U7eZJhhnie51e9sJFtEejUag_mrcU-B7pG31GhfEPvw5R4XfwBMgXsH04xr/s1600/DSC06494+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqudepdFJCzxo1tvADxrIhsx1-C-cQUtQ2Wn-S_hZuACmhqn2WlmfkZMMUonIZ2gPNqgG2hVa0ufCAYQ18U7eZJhhnie51e9sJFtEejUag_mrcU-B7pG31GhfEPvw5R4XfwBMgXsH04xr/s640/DSC06494+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the gist -<br />
<br />
Make two pieces of toast (good whole grain bread is the best). Put it on the plate and spread on goat cheese.<br />
<br />
Take a big handful of fresh asparagus and saute it in a hot skillet just until it's tender. Put the asparagus on top of the cheese.<br />
<br />
Add a little butter to the skillet and make two over easy eggs. Put the eggs on the asparagus. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I add bacon or ham with the asparagus if I have it. If it's possible to improve perfection then that does it.<br />
<br />
Divinity is served!Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-37772234719110235412016-04-18T18:41:00.001-07:002016-04-18T18:41:08.994-07:00Spring Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although we've had some chilly nights, a little bit of snow and some frosts it is absolutely spring around here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSNqp2BnUuYdxLAalNW2_HMlQU7V3IyeEgPdbmZupClbq65ZEHcXNjF6aEER3ORl1nestTqZmJNrVtQCuCQc9X3J2Xq_GgoDtFRaFbGwsXl0u2-K8dFOrfrH6ooXf_CA3coJKfjX_ouLI/s1600/DSC06478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSNqp2BnUuYdxLAalNW2_HMlQU7V3IyeEgPdbmZupClbq65ZEHcXNjF6aEER3ORl1nestTqZmJNrVtQCuCQc9X3J2Xq_GgoDtFRaFbGwsXl0u2-K8dFOrfrH6ooXf_CA3coJKfjX_ouLI/s640/DSC06478.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were on the table the same day that we had snow and the menu was a turkey with all the fixings. <br />We were a little calendar confused.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eRr4_oJS_qihRYxmAm-0uIaTVRCBXcNaPTtI2bZ6ie9_JwDV3g5yBQlsPWYfzOlsDmGBeZ0lBWrToA20aLEEYrKRS4aUG6K1ukZt0Z10a9WXLKiARW5MdTZOoOgwjvvLtCl8oTwUjEy5/s1600/DSC06481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eRr4_oJS_qihRYxmAm-0uIaTVRCBXcNaPTtI2bZ6ie9_JwDV3g5yBQlsPWYfzOlsDmGBeZ0lBWrToA20aLEEYrKRS4aUG6K1ukZt0Z10a9WXLKiARW5MdTZOoOgwjvvLtCl8oTwUjEy5/s640/DSC06481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boy turned 11 in March and has jumped into grown up things: splitting wood with an 8 lb. maul (that's heavier than his dad's), running the chain saw, mowing with the riding lawn mower, and this weekend hunting turkey for the first time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWsg9VCmg2zGh0rCfJ01yTuzU0Br-CgSUZniw1uGg5-l50Fs5BAZF1Fdt2mZvtihetyilHsRS3dbFKXrfaXqPhe6HmNcrBC00XKyXZaAjRhecfA6PnhBWmm0AmQ_ahuKEEGU8tktqiN8z/s1600/DSC06484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWsg9VCmg2zGh0rCfJ01yTuzU0Br-CgSUZniw1uGg5-l50Fs5BAZF1Fdt2mZvtihetyilHsRS3dbFKXrfaXqPhe6HmNcrBC00XKyXZaAjRhecfA6PnhBWmm0AmQ_ahuKEEGU8tktqiN8z/s640/DSC06484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He saved his money and bought a ukelele. I keep feeling like we need to go to Hawaii.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-5q_ilQUd2vCZ0qiZTPxrTmATutLJhczu0d1gNS1CWEjz0d38q-3Z91lWOtjRXHNpHbE4fokmx3jsAREGWJNntW26DcKHYMpAfKr1NW0sqFwywfYZVGSTtIQf5Yym4ouIKlkYC-cfODN/s1600/DSC06486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-5q_ilQUd2vCZ0qiZTPxrTmATutLJhczu0d1gNS1CWEjz0d38q-3Z91lWOtjRXHNpHbE4fokmx3jsAREGWJNntW26DcKHYMpAfKr1NW0sqFwywfYZVGSTtIQf5Yym4ouIKlkYC-cfODN/s640/DSC06486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hammock is up - we pledge to use it more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cc9Xcmxq1i4N2AANxGCOFocGroWvUPwptEiItl-RbzM5jXpQWQUowWl1_G1JDwZyt7Y7m-FPUwsf962j5mQCYj1vqxE6nGdrZyJAj6foFu3S6DPbVNBT0oRvLV2p3QKAYxskesCe7bWj/s1600/DSC06487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cc9Xcmxq1i4N2AANxGCOFocGroWvUPwptEiItl-RbzM5jXpQWQUowWl1_G1JDwZyt7Y7m-FPUwsf962j5mQCYj1vqxE6nGdrZyJAj6foFu3S6DPbVNBT0oRvLV2p3QKAYxskesCe7bWj/s640/DSC06487.JPG" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Harvest - Aparagus, onions and garlic for me; cat nip for the kitties.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS57EJSLkW0yM05LI_1YKklNOQKq1tHWja2zWLmmfx2RM0WoSuJCDJHMeuDOifMeU00k5n2RyZG7fmSTSaaH1r_FnLYxekDaW5KbsaOAGvWfbkLcrGybCBJ3eR9KIJH8T6O-u0-28nGmJ/s1600/DSC06488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS57EJSLkW0yM05LI_1YKklNOQKq1tHWja2zWLmmfx2RM0WoSuJCDJHMeuDOifMeU00k5n2RyZG7fmSTSaaH1r_FnLYxekDaW5KbsaOAGvWfbkLcrGybCBJ3eR9KIJH8T6O-u0-28nGmJ/s640/DSC06488.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When my Francophile, mushroom loving friend stops in I revel in spoiling him a little with things my family won't eat. This time around - a <a href="http://www.molliekatzen.com/recipes/recipe.php?id=1014" target="_blank">mushroom popover pie (Molly Katzen's <i>The Heart of the Plate)</i></a> with a ham and asparagus topping. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-85610365529680073472016-03-28T15:07:00.000-07:002016-03-28T15:07:04.384-07:00What To Do With Your Tweens in NYCWith ski season and a great production of <i>James and the Giant Peach </i>behind us, the kids and I headed to NYC over Easter to celebrate our birthdays.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gdNMfDWInUhpAh8L2fcmzpYYS0P8k6Wm-OdEJQbLkETgmEEpW-oS2FCORI2BUixp-cHA12U8OJiwC1LuxM0n6JYpQlKZoHO3b7z37d_KieGqQSjYP1xVlespDsWH9QiTGO66DPbKslEr/s1600/DSC06440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gdNMfDWInUhpAh8L2fcmzpYYS0P8k6Wm-OdEJQbLkETgmEEpW-oS2FCORI2BUixp-cHA12U8OJiwC1LuxM0n6JYpQlKZoHO3b7z37d_KieGqQSjYP1xVlespDsWH9QiTGO66DPbKslEr/s640/DSC06440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s1Bdk6glC8HqBh1QKyHFLsU6BW2AWrpAGYxQXUp_U0HTfkHMcQ6l2Cqw5lbPOTGpXwMl3r5kForE7tzKRoZ7EJy4kGVujczuSiCja1GylZqP44tuuYyFE4rFbL3g1O-5btV-xT1iprgg/s1600/DSC06445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s1Bdk6glC8HqBh1QKyHFLsU6BW2AWrpAGYxQXUp_U0HTfkHMcQ6l2Cqw5lbPOTGpXwMl3r5kForE7tzKRoZ7EJy4kGVujczuSiCja1GylZqP44tuuYyFE4rFbL3g1O-5btV-xT1iprgg/s640/DSC06445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.amnh.org/" target="_blank"> The American Museum of Natural History</a></h4>
<div>
We love this museum! It is one of our very favorite places in New York. I've taken the kids to the city three times, and each time we've spent time exploring this gem of a museum. This time we attempted to find "characters" from <i>Night at the Museum</i>. There is so much to see - avoid buying too many add ons. You are able to choose a pay what you will price, but you need to do that at a ticket counter.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpY_Rl69oRgfENAuhqmQ4nc2Gy1Z6gmkLi01XoX-8UA3jKCi1EGWjd1Fq2TowQ6437yleLzrAJHcP2GJXYVDxFLw3on3fNwrOzMUcDYWgfW0iOsRFHIXD03c67PI4Z8N4tlFkL1KwUVQs/s1600/DSC06451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpY_Rl69oRgfENAuhqmQ4nc2Gy1Z6gmkLi01XoX-8UA3jKCi1EGWjd1Fq2TowQ6437yleLzrAJHcP2GJXYVDxFLw3on3fNwrOzMUcDYWgfW0iOsRFHIXD03c67PI4Z8N4tlFkL1KwUVQs/s640/DSC06451.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Central Park</h4>
<div>
My kids love to run and climb. When we visit Manhatten we stay with a childless friend so it's important to give my two some space to be crazy. I can't think of a better place than Central Park. I try to make a point of walking through the park when we can so that they can blow off some steam. There are excellent rocks to climb, wide paths for silly running, and most of the park (at least in mid-town) is very clean and safe.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-Xu0x6cSnbYBL5Arg-XGrS_6GSMhCQxUzXmvrrfHp-_KuhNabu1FZtqM1mHTErQleGAuTHYuLuPxqOWT0dkSw88UgFT3Z-DKdsDXLGFzkCNkIJkgEeJEwfIHMpJtU3OH6dbqF4kSu8tD/s1600/DSC06454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-Xu0x6cSnbYBL5Arg-XGrS_6GSMhCQxUzXmvrrfHp-_KuhNabu1FZtqM1mHTErQleGAuTHYuLuPxqOWT0dkSw88UgFT3Z-DKdsDXLGFzkCNkIJkgEeJEwfIHMpJtU3OH6dbqF4kSu8tD/s640/DSC06454.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/" target="_blank">The Metropolitan Musuem of Art</a></h4>
<div>
We spent a day at The Met - concentrating mainly on the Egypt, Arms and Armory and American Impressionist sections. If you go be sure to pay the extra $5 for the audio tour. The kids loved it - most of the exhibits had extra information, pictures and sometimes even videos. Perfect to get kids engaged with the artwork. Plan to spend the whole day. For lunch, there are some excellent cafes inside the museum, or you could hit up one of the food trucks which is always parked outside.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJPLuHIUDtyCAbvtNpKYYsk88qBEJZhZoK0CYSVdz479BZuaELlJ9L9K0urdF9zeAcSUfZ2tTlEPYFP1bMZF0VzYeNaAaN8wOtacY4X8tMOoyli28kokTJms4GAyS6K0zp_Cf215-Wzdu/s1600/DSC06457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJPLuHIUDtyCAbvtNpKYYsk88qBEJZhZoK0CYSVdz479BZuaELlJ9L9K0urdF9zeAcSUfZ2tTlEPYFP1bMZF0VzYeNaAaN8wOtacY4X8tMOoyli28kokTJms4GAyS6K0zp_Cf215-Wzdu/s640/DSC06457.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The temple of Dendur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVX88ge1PNh8dWG5O64LtVYfSOF5AY4cpU4Aj3GQRupMMGw75TnwjiEe_YSBwl7Gaq09UiEKhvk83la7aBmxD46K9wOJAMtGXJHwSv66TvdPnaXB0xmQ_l-MzklTQ6b9ftqLZBMsHRRVv/s1600/DSC06460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVX88ge1PNh8dWG5O64LtVYfSOF5AY4cpU4Aj3GQRupMMGw75TnwjiEe_YSBwl7Gaq09UiEKhvk83la7aBmxD46K9wOJAMtGXJHwSv66TvdPnaXB0xmQ_l-MzklTQ6b9ftqLZBMsHRRVv/s640/DSC06460.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.dylanscandybar.com/" target="_blank"> Dylan's Candy Bar</a></h4>
<div>
Two floors of all the kinds of candy your kids can dream of - just be careful - it's sold by the pound and you don't weigh the candy until you're ready to purchase.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ucDJZu5gPHYxuZzJqonasYP3aBq4y_AbvHPvsBYh0yIhAXieT3e90G3gJo1UbfYcBzg4q5hQIIj1WkEC8mpkHx8mdzhTgIinWCiRomCfCwoIWtFGN5SE7PSAyUc4r88jYiS81Wo5E2hE/s1600/DSC06461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ucDJZu5gPHYxuZzJqonasYP3aBq4y_AbvHPvsBYh0yIhAXieT3e90G3gJo1UbfYcBzg4q5hQIIj1WkEC8mpkHx8mdzhTgIinWCiRomCfCwoIWtFGN5SE7PSAyUc4r88jYiS81Wo5E2hE/s640/DSC06461.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NIHwJzvAs8XAK6btrY9B3Z0xqbIRCZTR5Z5b-khxKAHrvpb2eKl6HvLk4V2QLMxWQBHO75VjcfLFxcJicqcJTX_v76V0W1NWDi0EKUBtte9frCp84Ri7lgQk-ad9FUrSsXXaOKPMI3ND/s1600/DSC06463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NIHwJzvAs8XAK6btrY9B3Z0xqbIRCZTR5Z5b-khxKAHrvpb2eKl6HvLk4V2QLMxWQBHO75VjcfLFxcJicqcJTX_v76V0W1NWDi0EKUBtte9frCp84Ri7lgQk-ad9FUrSsXXaOKPMI3ND/s640/DSC06463.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuupsUQQUov3ROvULQmgxMCyXVc3Rnv-sICCBTrvPy8-pFzBD0AK0qSUQ51eL3Vv1wVLeLJK6nlCxm3O-pHl4NzK7VEK3EoCbzRMrIcx8aGOxdJWvbL5DFurst67By7oS7Xzki6tS21i9_/s1600/DSC06464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuupsUQQUov3ROvULQmgxMCyXVc3Rnv-sICCBTrvPy8-pFzBD0AK0qSUQ51eL3Vv1wVLeLJK6nlCxm3O-pHl4NzK7VEK3EoCbzRMrIcx8aGOxdJWvbL5DFurst67By7oS7Xzki6tS21i9_/s640/DSC06464.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<h4>
See a Show</h4>
<div>
This time we went to see <i>Les Miserables. </i>My kids loved it because they're familiar with both the book and the musical. However, some parts can be graphic. I've also taken them to see <i>Wicked</i> and <i>The Lion King</i> is next on our list.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5UD-0GWHus3qzXOdhl1lKvywR-eIIPQfZDiyiMPtQOWOqnHT_zm2Zgo-JMLRMjFI6157DTpxV7FHOoAcOWz9QVBGF4H3l1H1R4bMeSkCZ14aKIIGj8Az5jOabUUV9KRYOtvXTJQnZvwp/s1600/DSC06466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5UD-0GWHus3qzXOdhl1lKvywR-eIIPQfZDiyiMPtQOWOqnHT_zm2Zgo-JMLRMjFI6157DTpxV7FHOoAcOWz9QVBGF4H3l1H1R4bMeSkCZ14aKIIGj8Az5jOabUUV9KRYOtvXTJQnZvwp/s640/DSC06466.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/walking-the-brooklyn-bridge/" target="_blank"> Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge</a></h4>
<div>
The kids and our NYC host took a nighttime stroll halfway across the bridge - the views were incredible. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01HojeTd5ATaWoPwTdzo892506ZHruHmyZOcT6UE77y3RVfAq2YWPUr7WMSRkOBnNsvvYzWtz8Bc3enoo5Ww00F2SbE2NwOuGcZKMKNdJis12IjFhivcpCcWDq4cfoPO9xE9dNw0Jlwty/s1600/12596001_10208846123290308_1459248610_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01HojeTd5ATaWoPwTdzo892506ZHruHmyZOcT6UE77y3RVfAq2YWPUr7WMSRkOBnNsvvYzWtz8Bc3enoo5Ww00F2SbE2NwOuGcZKMKNdJis12IjFhivcpCcWDq4cfoPO9xE9dNw0Jlwty/s640/12596001_10208846123290308_1459248610_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-43978167917719678472016-03-14T03:28:00.002-07:002016-03-14T03:33:12.847-07:00Philosophy on the SlopesThe kids and I got in one last ski trip before spring completely took over. We went to a ski area in a state park which meant cheaper skiing, but only an older two person lift. That combined with the tricky spring snow conditions in many places (mud, sticks, grass, ice, slush, water, rocks) meant that I had a good portion of the evening to get caught up in my own thoughts. <br />
<br />
On one of the last runs down I started to think that skiing is a lot like life...<br />
<br />
1) You never really know how many runs you'll get in before your time runs out.<br />
2) Sometimes the conditions are terrible, sometimes they're wonderful, but what really makes it a good day is being there together.<br />
3) If you relax and remember to breathe even the hard parts get easier.<br />
4) It's good to wait for each other - that way you can help pick each other up if you fall.<br />
5) If you go too fast you get out of control.<br />
<br />
<br />
So long ski season 2016 - here's hoping there's snow in November.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx420GokvFmCShiMG8sNGC5taUT6XERcE2xpXqrirDABE7nNnHrQbJQFCHQnbHozJt81x0XsyWYB9Bj_3Ps_TZeRsytTVdyhn-n8GChDn_QonZMkAgkyzBKMn9_ozHRwxqMorR-_XU7kH/s1600/11077885_10200283038034675_8153120485616871806_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx420GokvFmCShiMG8sNGC5taUT6XERcE2xpXqrirDABE7nNnHrQbJQFCHQnbHozJt81x0XsyWYB9Bj_3Ps_TZeRsytTVdyhn-n8GChDn_QonZMkAgkyzBKMn9_ozHRwxqMorR-_XU7kH/s640/11077885_10200283038034675_8153120485616871806_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a picture of this year. <br />We were on the slopes more than any other season and I forgot to take pictures every single time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-68770272551868435802016-02-24T03:29:00.001-08:002016-02-24T03:29:10.358-08:00February Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
February has been a busy month so far. Usually we get several snow days so the busy times are balanced with days at home, but we've only been out one day. Despite the lack of time at home it's been a great month.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have three more weekends out at ski school. I'm at the point in the season where I both want the season to be over so I have my Saturdays back, and where I am very sad to that soon the snow will be gone and the skis will be on the rack until next season. Saturdays usually mean that something is cooking in the crock pot. It's such a wonderful feeling to walk in the door and know that dinner is done especially when you're cold and starving and it's after 7. Last weekend I only wound up working until the mid-morning because the day was slow (it was super cold), and I enjoyed knowing that dinner was taken care of while I was busy with school and house work. I really need to use my crock pot more on days when I'm home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWn3yShTQ7119_bLRtIGqjKpkS7VYHKi8L2Z9Lu1bdQVGlTt-LRN-92MpGuNwS-Lu-r3URNTvEjp-a9R6TyXy3SVEn6bQFISKahNA2J6_nE-9qOmI2Eq4x_TcWSMoTjqgoWi0JPRhDzqX/s1600/DSC06369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWn3yShTQ7119_bLRtIGqjKpkS7VYHKi8L2Z9Lu1bdQVGlTt-LRN-92MpGuNwS-Lu-r3URNTvEjp-a9R6TyXy3SVEn6bQFISKahNA2J6_nE-9qOmI2Eq4x_TcWSMoTjqgoWi0JPRhDzqX/s640/DSC06369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gram's Ham Barley Soup is super easy, tasty and makes a ton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got a light snow on a Saturday so friends (and the dog) came sledding on the hill. The first, and maybe the last, hill sledding this year. What a short, and non-snowy winter. I hope we get one more good storm before spring is here. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5ot89QeLxxuqd9CzSJKdESwucHzcStTo2uEhsWUldTvGx3xMiaCD-eyuzFNi3SGbHhesRc5M69qYQ2LrDODFPMcHVlgHPXU0DqbUCZI-f3yMYM5yH5Tm-powfe1zIblM48waH0SltLHq/s1600/DSC06374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5ot89QeLxxuqd9CzSJKdESwucHzcStTo2uEhsWUldTvGx3xMiaCD-eyuzFNi3SGbHhesRc5M69qYQ2LrDODFPMcHVlgHPXU0DqbUCZI-f3yMYM5yH5Tm-powfe1zIblM48waH0SltLHq/s640/DSC06374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was hard to get a good picture of the kids, but even harder to get a good pic of the dog. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Emma turned 13 - a teenager! She had a great party with friends. I enjoyed overhearing snippets of their conversation. There was some teen girl talk, but mostly they just continue to be silly together. I hope some of that innocence lasts. The theme of this year's party was red. So there was red velvet cupcakes, a fancy red table setting, strawberry soda in fancy glasses, and this great craft. We bought several different lip stick colors, and small magnetic frames. The girls then kissed the paper to make designs and added their names. It was a perfect craft for their age.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWFG3njvIQiJGxd4H07hf926YvcUz3L7KWiziTCz-i47wyAFGf_JAxhu2lEmeR_buUUMliIOfD_0JKS-DoCTvrJ33c7CE1geqCwGge9Gg6T2JZQ7bkmO7P7CTk2BaL6mzTYJgO9XFe3x-/s1600/DSC06383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWFG3njvIQiJGxd4H07hf926YvcUz3L7KWiziTCz-i47wyAFGf_JAxhu2lEmeR_buUUMliIOfD_0JKS-DoCTvrJ33c7CE1geqCwGge9Gg6T2JZQ7bkmO7P7CTk2BaL6mzTYJgO9XFe3x-/s640/DSC06383.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVkKJvsmXHnhNJg7vvpU4-vpJ2UlBW987BRUqfa11RLtq9NimI5VXqDcCQOsw-X0zQbW2giU0FneKI5DuXF447H8sgIiYqzvOC-_g0H22cL1puPft-hrDx9plsZ7nimvOGZU0ZtaPNrUf/s1600/DSC06381+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVkKJvsmXHnhNJg7vvpU4-vpJ2UlBW987BRUqfa11RLtq9NimI5VXqDcCQOsw-X0zQbW2giU0FneKI5DuXF447H8sgIiYqzvOC-_g0H22cL1puPft-hrDx9plsZ7nimvOGZU0ZtaPNrUf/s640/DSC06381+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 13th birthday Emma girl. Love you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-53468480574111141442016-02-07T13:14:00.003-08:002016-02-07T13:14:46.284-08:00Buckets....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We spent the weekend in PA - a day on the mountain to ski, and a day at the farm to bring in the sugar season.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My dad has had learning to ski on his bucket list for over 20 years. On Friday, with a little encouragement and a lot of bravery and determination, he got suited up and took a lesson. I hope I'm still willing to try new things and push myself when I'm in my 70s. I'm very proud of him. We had a great day at Hidden Valley with family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ETTdb7OjzJy0LrVch1a9Obg__eEZcu3OCYek2-zWbOSWLiF3T21ni2kTEjOTUEn-H6VjpmRxgWQbUo5l9YWMGnbTgCzITzf6SM7nNNfm2THu-U3N_yqJsSEV9TuTRj5XuSQFW5QgGsfC/s1600/DSC02282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ETTdb7OjzJy0LrVch1a9Obg__eEZcu3OCYek2-zWbOSWLiF3T21ni2kTEjOTUEn-H6VjpmRxgWQbUo5l9YWMGnbTgCzITzf6SM7nNNfm2THu-U3N_yqJsSEV9TuTRj5XuSQFW5QgGsfC/s640/DSC02282.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dad had already put out 50 buckets the previous week when the temps soared into the 60s, so we helped him put out another tractor load. It was too cold in the morning to catch the drips on our tongues, but sugar season has begun. I love seeing the kids know how to do so many of the jobs. We'll be up at least one more time, and maybe twice before the season is over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghye6tz3Kwc2SWX1lPzgexZyF0Uq4O8GkB36z0cRR-6K7ypfh5JeIHR4ajZY2AKPlvtAP9hRQdzJx8Rc5L-0h3gCwpCItUBdV17LrzbOeEETdczjB_4ecq_P2MIVd0R-3reJNHQaR6Y1-d/s1600/DSC02291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghye6tz3Kwc2SWX1lPzgexZyF0Uq4O8GkB36z0cRR-6K7ypfh5JeIHR4ajZY2AKPlvtAP9hRQdzJx8Rc5L-0h3gCwpCItUBdV17LrzbOeEETdczjB_4ecq_P2MIVd0R-3reJNHQaR6Y1-d/s640/DSC02291.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drilling the hole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE1FuuiVN4yXLnSz-1VQ-uVUKw_NNBdgHQ5VHsPXaO56b88r1faU9n6F2Kp-0x2ma5JIc1L2jBYfYSF_gqQvd3tn1js5expoKL1tN7zccSPvh9ZcMURHzz-b1Q_VZMfVXT9b1jOZJHGVx/s1600/DSC02295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE1FuuiVN4yXLnSz-1VQ-uVUKw_NNBdgHQ5VHsPXaO56b88r1faU9n6F2Kp-0x2ma5JIc1L2jBYfYSF_gqQvd3tn1js5expoKL1tN7zccSPvh9ZcMURHzz-b1Q_VZMfVXT9b1jOZJHGVx/s640/DSC02295.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting in the spile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX5VBa7Jd2RQHHKF1lNYtb6jUsG3G0wroN2sRFscuEmgmJXsSmUMAkwjLIbsMbDRLAmf_aK4oqN-qjcpfPcrypOETFAiZgrH0U5VqH5jxsm3AupePjyfCfCrPnQH_hLY4_07bl2KRo7L4/s1600/DSC02297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX5VBa7Jd2RQHHKF1lNYtb6jUsG3G0wroN2sRFscuEmgmJXsSmUMAkwjLIbsMbDRLAmf_aK4oqN-qjcpfPcrypOETFAiZgrH0U5VqH5jxsm3AupePjyfCfCrPnQH_hLY4_07bl2KRo7L4/s640/DSC02297.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging the buckets. It was freezing - don't ask me why she's in shorts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X-RL-hIsl2roK4r6I8giCApKo5dbUQJSqr-pklA-__oIUsUJaATsjWYiZJMtvSiE4IHlgqghdNM3U2h6m_G31fFVThbW8vBZZvmC25S8xXlSy8mGkZ55P1TIT8NoLtVf-7QPg_IItYvI/s1600/DSC02299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X-RL-hIsl2roK4r6I8giCApKo5dbUQJSqr-pklA-__oIUsUJaATsjWYiZJMtvSiE4IHlgqghdNM3U2h6m_G31fFVThbW8vBZZvmC25S8xXlSy8mGkZ55P1TIT8NoLtVf-7QPg_IItYvI/s640/DSC02299.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Buckets of joy indeed!Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-79429434007967793512016-01-28T03:25:00.003-08:002016-01-28T03:25:20.286-08:00Sorry to See It GoIt took me a while to discover the reason I love winter. Some people look at winter storms as stressful events. They clear out the grocery shelves, and huddle inside in fear watching the weatherman. <br />
<br />
Although we have all the modern conveniences, we're also chosen to have a wood stove, a gas furnace and a pantry full of canned goods. We could have been snowed in for a month or more and been fine.<br />
<br />
Also, we really like our kids, and we've taught them to be self entertainers. We are happiest when we are all together - just the four of us. We didn't lose power so we did gather for a nightly family movie, and the kids were allowed their 20 min. of technology time, but mostly we either played together or the kids found ways to entertain themselves. <br />
<br />
Although there's still snow on the ground, and winter isn't over yet, I miss the feeling of security, warmth and family togetherness we have when the snow is coming down by the bucketful and we're stranded here together. I love winter because of this feeling. The Norwegians have a name for this warmth and happiness with winter - <a href="http://www.vogue.com/872644/what-we-can-learn-from-norwegians-about-surviving-winter/" target="_blank">koselig</a>. Norwegians look at winter not as a time to be survived, but as one of enjoyment.<br />
<br />
My winter hating, Northern dwelling mother tells me that I would feel differently if I lived in the snow belt, but I'm pretty sure she's wrong. When I retire I'll be moving North to find winter.<br />
<br />
Stay warm everyone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCuGrhWOSJfMfNGCdgp52kmXi65SUPBCOOq8m6SkGiEsGZsWbaMY_KJN33O8JC99daT5YQOheLpNjdO-ki-Fbg1GHm8mMjVraaC2KDdIdtyxDH2HPScT1-ue1FIzIqAIR2BEVC9Hhky8C/s1600/DSC06342+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCuGrhWOSJfMfNGCdgp52kmXi65SUPBCOOq8m6SkGiEsGZsWbaMY_KJN33O8JC99daT5YQOheLpNjdO-ki-Fbg1GHm8mMjVraaC2KDdIdtyxDH2HPScT1-ue1FIzIqAIR2BEVC9Hhky8C/s640/DSC06342+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb4tF_FUrnPud_kzUBBUKEPCQ8iOzv4XkwiMtbNk_RPDGo4WE6L8yz9h4MwSNPp9Zq5KbpFvLLQ-q3GExD1U21cW3-oxVs_Gs4BDoHdu0mpIknElsWQN6Bg7xGbkdO19t3WVSKp4vBjFo/s1600/DSC06345+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb4tF_FUrnPud_kzUBBUKEPCQ8iOzv4XkwiMtbNk_RPDGo4WE6L8yz9h4MwSNPp9Zq5KbpFvLLQ-q3GExD1U21cW3-oxVs_Gs4BDoHdu0mpIknElsWQN6Bg7xGbkdO19t3WVSKp4vBjFo/s640/DSC06345+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7x4flbRYtWE1aqka6Q-nYUFw5DHYtQNTifh7NLpjfqKbgIMSy0goosCvpuarThfuhSb89FJoAZ4-1pVuMXpYJHwRnb506PBDZsfmh51zEJH4BDCH3dJ-7jeA8pMNPWZIP6wW4BamR9FY/s1600/DSC06353+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7x4flbRYtWE1aqka6Q-nYUFw5DHYtQNTifh7NLpjfqKbgIMSy0goosCvpuarThfuhSb89FJoAZ4-1pVuMXpYJHwRnb506PBDZsfmh51zEJH4BDCH3dJ-7jeA8pMNPWZIP6wW4BamR9FY/s640/DSC06353+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujiM3J1nPF1_57b_cIyDowUthql7cRb1D3VGzC5qwKHOsrfTytl0U5muuoRXxcu9nqcy2Dm7pSd1j3Cuu2VUOnalWm_DoYMT0QNaWKyQCLxxvbu4ZSh9BTFyjTXQGPOvuMfhzjD0wLt_H/s1600/DSC06354+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujiM3J1nPF1_57b_cIyDowUthql7cRb1D3VGzC5qwKHOsrfTytl0U5muuoRXxcu9nqcy2Dm7pSd1j3Cuu2VUOnalWm_DoYMT0QNaWKyQCLxxvbu4ZSh9BTFyjTXQGPOvuMfhzjD0wLt_H/s640/DSC06354+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInpiJmIFW8SWlW_ok_3IFKYvQiP7qIarPJOOxi-S4y5CwcfLpQ4P6ozavOGd2wmLz6RlPP3EnExK9v1VKOADwm2uuMi6Jt5g0QydrAc8uzvohSRW5lNTN-e5WLUHW2mGO-k0SDtU00be9/s1600/DSC06356+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInpiJmIFW8SWlW_ok_3IFKYvQiP7qIarPJOOxi-S4y5CwcfLpQ4P6ozavOGd2wmLz6RlPP3EnExK9v1VKOADwm2uuMi6Jt5g0QydrAc8uzvohSRW5lNTN-e5WLUHW2mGO-k0SDtU00be9/s640/DSC06356+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sfm5QagqUG3p6jpLzQ8NGQ9Ip6QcEYvvKr9R7OA43NlEsvSZ3xgJiOiy_5wCYlNbZvFdbAKZnA46qCt6r_DxVjUly2QqS-zW1A0sp-B-k2cSQg2GWBXBXwbfXMwkbuaZpG5toMMjXx4F/s1600/DSC06357+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sfm5QagqUG3p6jpLzQ8NGQ9Ip6QcEYvvKr9R7OA43NlEsvSZ3xgJiOiy_5wCYlNbZvFdbAKZnA46qCt6r_DxVjUly2QqS-zW1A0sp-B-k2cSQg2GWBXBXwbfXMwkbuaZpG5toMMjXx4F/s640/DSC06357+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-23447990908580149282016-01-22T04:11:00.000-08:002016-01-22T04:11:18.753-08:00Snow Day ReadingNormally a snowy day finds me on the slopes, but even this winter loving, Subaru snow tire driving, Northern transplant girl knows when to listen to reason and stay put. Today's agenda? Reading, reading, reading (with a little de-cluttering and kitchen magic thrown in for variety). <br />
<br />
I'm an early riser, even on a day when I could sleep in, so I've already logged over an hour of quiet with my coffee and a few chapters of this gem: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Gatewoods-Walk-Inspiring-Appalachian/dp/1613747187/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453463716&sr=8-1&keywords=granny+gatewood" target="_blank">Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail</a></i> by Brent Montgomery. It's well written and makes me want to plan this summer's backpacking trip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvMwtwl3EUN6ACinQFcYxU7NNPop7w8R0zmIUO5-oEUvt69VecEyY-u6KVkDdVtk08LJiWom_Bf5XNivNNFZmaKiYPc1cYak6IpAfY0YgfqjqSdg0PnYVwR9ln_9wBackJFiCzM-TiZlT/s1600/gatewood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvMwtwl3EUN6ACinQFcYxU7NNPop7w8R0zmIUO5-oEUvt69VecEyY-u6KVkDdVtk08LJiWom_Bf5XNivNNFZmaKiYPc1cYak6IpAfY0YgfqjqSdg0PnYVwR9ln_9wBackJFiCzM-TiZlT/s640/gatewood.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm also halfway through Anne Lamott's new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Victories-Spotting-Improbable-Moments/dp/1594486298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453463874&sr=8-1&keywords=anne+lamott+books" target="_blank"><i>Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace</i> </a> a good pre-Lent read. As always Lamott shines through with honest, and sometimes brutal, storytelling which leaves you thinking and working toward being a better person.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpGGdlPc0NZ5NR0vjECzECoR_YBylys8J8pN3n4gH7foQtzYw6cMoNRvqA2inX0ot_QaI7JKiRxa86dG_3lKFzj8uJSlafrG8zAnSxkRtWsXeGKyrw5xHisskyoLDWuizXKQzU9Bb-DV9/s1600/victories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpGGdlPc0NZ5NR0vjECzECoR_YBylys8J8pN3n4gH7foQtzYw6cMoNRvqA2inX0ot_QaI7JKiRxa86dG_3lKFzj8uJSlafrG8zAnSxkRtWsXeGKyrw5xHisskyoLDWuizXKQzU9Bb-DV9/s640/victories.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yesterday I finished Nadia Bolz-Weber's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Saints-Finding-Wrong-People/dp/1601427557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453464042&sr=8-1&keywords=accidental+saints" target="_blank">Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People</a>. Nadia's writing provides a refreshing reminder that liberal Lutherans (and others focused on the message of love) are working hard to combat the myopic, close minded and exclusionary version of Christianity that often has the loudest voice in our society. I'll be rereading Nadia's writings throughout Lent - her writings rank among the best sermons I've ever read.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJi9Ujag5Fd723m332kBQ4CfbVgsvWB0HYAdYe0XWWVuMfMnCiOEGYrB7EqjKp9_kj2oCcJL4cE_6_2MZDt5eh_3tTLCjkjkmFQAekVdATIekuoVxveF9zwBb1DTh9LeaMz4HyCuj4bE7/s1600/saints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJi9Ujag5Fd723m332kBQ4CfbVgsvWB0HYAdYe0XWWVuMfMnCiOEGYrB7EqjKp9_kj2oCcJL4cE_6_2MZDt5eh_3tTLCjkjkmFQAekVdATIekuoVxveF9zwBb1DTh9LeaMz4HyCuj4bE7/s640/saints.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I also have school related reading to do in preparation for next semester's English 11 Honors class, but they're all old loves - <i>The Scarlet Letter, The Bluest Eye, Beloved, The Awakening, Ethan Frome, The Grapes of Wrath</i> and Annie Dillard's <i>Pilgrim at Tinker Creek</i>. I'm so excited to teach those texts again that even though it's "work" it will be pure pleasure.<br />
<br />
Happy reading and stay warm!Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-17497248190808264202016-01-09T18:16:00.001-08:002016-01-09T18:16:31.317-08:00Winter Warm Up Recipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My Dad blessed us with a freezer full of venison, and I've made two great warming winter recipes so far. They're exactly what you want to come home to on a cold and snowy evening. Bring on the winter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pizza Turn Overs</h4>
<div>
I browned and drained one pound of venison burger. Then I added a jar of pizza sauce (I used what I canned this summer). I divided pizza dough into eight small circles and then added about 1/2 c. of the filling. I then folded them over to make turn overs. sprinkled parmesean cheese and greek seasoning on top, let it rise for 20 min, and finally baked them at 400 for about 20 min. We also fell in love with<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/239616/buffalo-cauliflower/" target="_blank"> Buffalo Cauliflower</a> and at the last two heads for our fall stash that way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeSci21MBrXig63PfzbogdjxtUITfbQzRnrH2GC3YYzdwSn3oSiFD3geoVDxagEzPUwghTDgMbDcxt26FpsMrUfI14fPQDtzACyBzEaSAydTAro65Y02oNsTWGiJP2ezATMhZubxLu4yk/s1600/DSC06333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeSci21MBrXig63PfzbogdjxtUITfbQzRnrH2GC3YYzdwSn3oSiFD3geoVDxagEzPUwghTDgMbDcxt26FpsMrUfI14fPQDtzACyBzEaSAydTAro65Y02oNsTWGiJP2ezATMhZubxLu4yk/s640/DSC06333.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Venison Goulash</h4>
<div>
I browned and drained a lb. of venison and dumped it into the crock pot. I then added a quart of tomatoes and several peeled and chopped carrots. I shredded about 1/2 a cabbage and added it to the top. I then stirred in 1 t. smoked paprika (that's an important ingredient - don't skip it. You can find great smoked paprika <a href="https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/smoked-spanish-paprika/c-24/p-1159/pd-s" target="_blank">here</a>) and 1 t. salt. I let it cook in the crock pot on low all day. Right before supper I made mashed potatoes. I put a scoop of potatoes on one side of the bowl and ladled the goulash on the other side. Serve this one with bread to sop up the left overs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VotA3COutFW-wufc9POjD7sSoZBsliesVJQXPLc216s_u209hzV651f-SCuaN7hu3g3lCERkpICgxdFV0VBjkW3mn1XBjJQQaXDKoT1AveQ8XV9SLxRri4lLZa7JduknC6bfK1vVo7bz/s1600/DSC06258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VotA3COutFW-wufc9POjD7sSoZBsliesVJQXPLc216s_u209hzV651f-SCuaN7hu3g3lCERkpICgxdFV0VBjkW3mn1XBjJQQaXDKoT1AveQ8XV9SLxRri4lLZa7JduknC6bfK1vVo7bz/s640/DSC06258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612313399726274662.post-19804782607391696932015-12-28T18:43:00.002-08:002015-12-28T18:43:24.931-08:00Some Men Stop at the Bar...Other men put a chain on their bar and stop in the woods. <br />
<br />
If my husband is gone longer than expected when taking the trash and recycling, I don't wonder if he's having an affair.<br />
<br />
If he spends long hours gone from home on the weekends, I don't worry that he leaves because he's tired of us.<br />
<br />
If he's down in the woods after work, I don't worry that he's secretly hitting the bottle.<br />
<br />
He's a hoarder alright.... a Firewood Hoarder. Now he has the shirt to prove it. <br />
<br />
Amen to men like these two that keep us warm and cozy all winter long. They are a gift.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBWpjHSBSkcPrYmzA79fJJXlgA1aZCIRI-viqfjfcB2SeipLsipCvIyEDmp6Fj9F5CnaxCtWJM8VoVdXPWyqbLz3hvQ3_kpl1tr-EQy78QnoOep2Oj6anbshGhNtz8Ilt18mpNqPQBW4i/s1600/DSC06324+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBWpjHSBSkcPrYmzA79fJJXlgA1aZCIRI-viqfjfcB2SeipLsipCvIyEDmp6Fj9F5CnaxCtWJM8VoVdXPWyqbLz3hvQ3_kpl1tr-EQy78QnoOep2Oj6anbshGhNtz8Ilt18mpNqPQBW4i/s640/DSC06324+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Ts-MFc-ILeD23h1wrfnnkSscxPWlo4NGh9nVO6YZUdx-N5ZavNYE3cV88CiuRevV5Uz5U5k73JmtvLJ4nSip0lvDXQqOH-lQk_mNSR8GQYxmlHlWOXmMsu2tMq64sD015K2Z7gFVgOg/s1600/DSC06325+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Ts-MFc-ILeD23h1wrfnnkSscxPWlo4NGh9nVO6YZUdx-N5ZavNYE3cV88CiuRevV5Uz5U5k73JmtvLJ4nSip0lvDXQqOH-lQk_mNSR8GQYxmlHlWOXmMsu2tMq64sD015K2Z7gFVgOg/s640/DSC06325+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Ayrie Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04037611678753841412noreply@blogger.com0