Happy anniversary!

We started out with the pillaging of a local thrift store armed with a 

half-off coupon. I scored some fabric, king-sized L. L. Bean flannel

 sheet set, coats,  boots, pj's,  books and a vintage pair of oxblood oxfords among many other things. 

A wonderful lunch at Phnom Penh and a walk through the West Side Market. A quick stop at Lilly's chocolates, which is very close to being heaven.

A lovely car ride out to Chagrin Falls and ice cream from Jeni's. A walk around the falls was nice. 

A nice long hike at the Heron rookery in Geauga county. We didn't run into another soul during an hour or more walk. Such lovely conversation.

Enjoying the sounds of a stream passing under a covered bridge. A few trees were already scarlet.

Perhaps a beaver's dam?

Can you spot the tiny toad that visited us?

This was a perfect day to cap off a decade of wonderful marriage. We talked about our hopes and dreams for the future and counted our blessings often throughout the day. I am one lucky lady!

Time well spent

This summer we spent most of our time off just being together,  wandering and enjoying some of our favorite places in our state,  Amish country. We love the Amish farms,  homes and people.  We absolutely love the areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania where they live. Good Earth magic in those rolling green hills. I love to use hand-powered tools in and outside of my home, so I love to wander around Amish shops. Plus,  where there are Amish,  there are good things to eat. We spent the past few months reading the Little House on the Prairie books aloud. We were able to see many of the things we read about while out in the Amish community. 

We camped a few times,  both in the Mohican and Punderson areas, both in different Amish communities.  Here is a little slice of the end of our Summer... 

A visit to Middlefield Cheese museum

Relaxing in the woods

Punderson lake

Hand pies,  aka fry pies at Nauvoo family market,  a great Amish store. They were delicious! 

Vlad tries out soap carving during a camping trip. 

A path behind our tent at Punderson. 

Home away from home at Punderson

Yes! Camp is all set up! 

The view of the lake from the back of our campsite. 

Vladdie battles a giant corn at a farmer's market outside Middlefield. 

Look at the gorgeous flowers they had at the end of August! 

They also had peaches. 

These lovely veggies went well with our Amish cheese for our camping picnics. 

Matt discovered a nest of hatching snapping turtles in the mulch at the Punderson Manor house. They were so cute!! 

I looooove moss!

Nights were spent in tents, with the boys drawing page after page of scenes from their favorite video games.

We read and read and read! The Long Winter was interesting to read during a heatwave. My favorite part of the Summer was the time Matt spent reading to me.

Of course there was knitting! These became socks for Matt.

Wolf checks in on some images on dad's phone to make sure he draws the boss battle from Metroid correctly. Details, details, details!

Who gave Vlad an ax?!?

We had a slow, sweet Summer spent wandering, sharing and enjoying each other's company. I will cherish the memories of this Summer for the rest of my life. While I am sad to see it end, I need to remember that another season awaits, filled with potential!

My Goodness, the garden wasn't the only thing growing this Summer!

These kids look so much older to me than they did a few months ago! Here are pics of them from May and then today!

I am also throwing in a pic from the first day of school. I know we homeschool, so backpacks in the front yard seems stupid, but pics of us at our kitchen table just seem even weirder! At any rate, they sure do grow up fast, as I now begin "officially" schooling my baby.  Hard to believe...cue the music while I wipe away a tear.

Giant Bubbles!

Click here if you can't see video

     It is so nice to have awesome neighbors. For example, my neighbor, Ann, made this special bubble wand for us. She shared a recipe for bubble mix from crafts-for-all-seasons. The kids have been having fun with it. We also tried making bubbles by dipping random things like an apple corer and slotted spoons into it. So much fun!

Titusville Oil Festival!

This past weekend we went to stay with our Aunt Bettye at her beautiful home in Titusville. We had so much fun visiting with family and seeing some sights in and around Titusville. We were shocked that the weather was really cold and damp during the weekend, so it prevented more outside activities, but the bright side was that we got more time to visit and talk with people we love!  Here is a rundown on some of the weekend's highlights.

We went to the parade! We got there early, which wasn't a problem because there are so many interesting homes to look at and, of course, we found ways to stay occupied :)

Vlad hopped from lap to lap, as shown here with Grandpa.

Matt decided to act like a donkey to pass the time.

Wolf showed Grandma some love.

Vlad got a little "ultimate".

Naturally, I knitted a few rows.

Then it started!!!!!

OMG! It is Grimace! I love Grimace!

And lots and lots of candy, including...ZOMBIE candy! As if candy doesn't already turn my kids into zombies?!

Instant zombie, just add candy!

Although cousin Cognac shunned the Republican dog biscuits, I think he really did want some of that candy!

The boys tried the rock wall. The guy tried to help "Toots" here climb the wall, but he accidentally passed gas on the guy's face, which, thankfully, made them both laugh very hard. Wolf made it up about 6 feet.

Vlad got a little further, without the aid of  any additional jet propulsion.

Aunt Bettye treated us to a fantastic cake!!!!!!

Cognac visited with the guests at the post parade luncheon.

So nice to see everyone!

We visited a local, very beautiful cemetery in order to get a rubbing of a possible ancestral gravestone that had worn away over the years.

Bettye's research, coupled with Matt's skill resulted in a readable end product. 

A visit was made to Aunt Pat and Uncle Phil's farm. We all received a great tour of some of the machinery and some education about farming corn. It was wonderful, but the boys especially liked the tractor rides!

        We also did a bit of wandering around downtown.

It was mandatory that we had a stop at the famous Warner's Bakery. Delicious to taste, but a feast for my vintage lovin' eyes too!

Great old signage!

I covet this cake holder, oh yes, the aqua version of my white carrier. Oh, aqua, I might marry you.

We were able to get the Aunts and Uncles together for Sunday breakfast at Gina's Restaurant. Good conversation, sibling banter, jokes galore and... Matt ordered "Slop without meat" which was tasty!

We are so glad to have been able to go to the festival this year! Thanks to Aunt Bettye for letting us invade for the weekend. We are still enjoying the amazing sweetcorn brought back from the farm too!