Buffalo runs on Timmy Ho's

Despite being huge Buffalo fans, my in-laws have a flaw.  They believe Dunkin' Donuts is better than Tim Hortons.  This has led to some hysterical conversation and debate, about everything from Dunkin' Donuts lousy customer service to Tim Horton's "non travel able cups" to the more subjective "Which donuts taste better?"

I have one answer for them.  Tim Hortons has the Honey Cruller.  This alone makes Tim Hortons the best.  Light, Airy and melt in your mouth goodness.  DD has nothing like it, nothing even comparable.

:(  I miss Tim Hortons.

Thanksgiving Menu

 

All from scratch.  'Nuff Said.  Want a fork?

First Kiss

Some mushy friend wants first kiss stories, so I'm going to oblige.

John and I were freshmen in college.  We were good friends, and drinking buddies.  Of course there was some sort of attraction between us, but as I had a boyfriend, we never pursued it.  Well...until one night...

It was actually Halloween.  Some how I ended up getting cornered by a former fling, and one of his scuzzy friends, looking for something I wasn't giving.  So I jump on my roommate's computer, get on irc and demand John come over and protect me.  So he does, and eventually, scuzzy one and two leave.

John and I start drinking.  It's 2 am.  AMP comes on MTV (Remember when MTV had music videos?)  And somehow, we started making out.  I don't remember what started it, though I'm positive it was him kissing me first.  And it was hot, and awkward, and awesome...and when AMP ended, we turned off the TV and turned on the CD player (Remember CD players?) and Radiohead came on and was telling us to "slow down fool".

It didn't lead to anything that night.  I remember him leaving, and thinking "OH sh**! We just ruined our friendship." and getting sad.  But luckily, it didn't.  We became friends with benefits for awhile, and eventually we realized there was a lot more between us.  And here we are, 13 years later, married, with two kids and a house and some apple trees.

Apples here, Apples there, apples in my backyard!

One of the things I've always wanted in my back yard was an apple tree.  So for my 9th wedding anniversary, we ordered two apple trees, one red delicious, and one granny smith.  Of course they would arrive on a day I was leaving town, but luckily, the trees arrive in a pot.  So I put them somewhere safe and in the shade, watered them, and left them.  As it turns out, I was supposed to do that so they could acclimate to the new environment.  Yay for things working out.

The Red Delicious

A few days later, we were ready to plant them.  Digging holes in the ground is fun, when you get someone else to do it for you.  (Thanks dear!)  The process wasn't that difficult.  Right now they were only about 4-5 feet tall, easy to lift.  We stuck each in the freshly dug hole, filled it with soil, and covered it carefully with mulch.   It was also recommended that the tree be staked for a year.  Voila!  My own little apple orchard.

Now I've spent the past few weeks worried that I somehow did something wrong, and the plants would die.  They are still alive, and thriving.  We still have to get through winter, but if all goes well, these little apple trees can bloom as early as next Fall.  I'm really excited.  I love Apple season, and having my own apple trees is even better.

The Granny Smith

And with my yard as big as it is, it's so nice to fill it in with something as nice as apple trees.  I'm a big geek when it comes to dual functioning things- and apple trees are both useful AND aesthetically pleasing.  Of course, I'm not really done.  In the spring I plan to add a cherry blossom tree, strawberry and blueberry bushes, and some grapevines.  I'm so excited!

Confession of a bad fan.

I've been a little sick lately, with a cough and headache.  As such, I've also been really tired.  So when we were clearing up our plans for the weekend, I couldn't stand the thought of going to a hockey game, tired as I am, with two kids and a losing team.  So we sold our tickets, and changed our plans to go to Rochester instead.

I feel really guilty.  I think I'm a bad fan, and I should turn in my fan card.  I fully admit, if the team was good, we'd be going to the game this Saturday.  It's a lot easier to put up with chasing two kids around an arena while tired when the team can entertain me.  But the recent losing streak just leaves me with no confidence that the game will be anywhere near enjoyable.

So fellow fans, lynch me, and revoke my fan card.  This week, I'm a bad fan.  And you know what...it's all good because we'll have a great time with the kids at the Museum of Play.  And we'll go to a game (or two) in December.  Maybe even without kids.  (A mom can dream, right?)

Interpretive Dance

I swear, when I don't have anything to blog about, I should just post Liila quotes.  She has the absolute best quotes ever. (I DO have things to post about, but I can't find my camera cord to upload pictures...)

Today, Lilia, despite being told not to jump on the furniture, was hopping on the chaise lounger.  Her reason?

I'm dancing like a spicy noodle Mom!

How do you say no to that?

I Love Fall

I love Fall, though this year has been to busy to enjoy thus far.  Usually the time of the year consists of Halloween decorations, hockey, hot apple cider, apple pies, trips to Letchworth, and trips to the pumpkin patch.  I only have a few things up for Halloween, and we managed to get a trip to Letchworth in on Sunday on our way home from Buffalo.  Which leaves a lot left to enjoy once I'm done painting my bedroom, which by the way is taking far too long.

One of the nicest extras in our house is a fireplace in the living room.  Which, is easily becoming part of our night time routine.  I never realized how nice having a fireplace, with a fully stocked wood pile, could be, especially as the temperatures have dropped.  Clean up isn't that bad either, made easier with a shop vacuum, which I lack at the moment.

Of course, being this time of year, warm drinks are a good thing.  For awhile, Starbucks was selling an Apple Cider Chai drink, which I loved.  I don't think they sell it anymore.  So here's my own version:

Apple Cider (Enough to fill your mug)
Chai tea bag
Cinnamon stick
Cloves (1-2)
Cardommon (a pinch)

Simmer in a pan, letting the chai seep for a few minutes.  If you don't mind extra calories, top with some whipped cream and nutmeg.  Feel free to use the cinnamon stick as a garnish.