Wordless Wednesday

Pinterest...

I've become a bit obsessed with Pinterest in the past month.  (Thanks a lot, Shannon from Sitting in a tree.) It's just one of those sites where you absolutely get too many ideas, and yet it's not enough.  I spend far too much time just going through all the categories.

With Halloween around the corner, I wanted to try to make some decor since I honestly can't afford anything new.  I've been slowly putting out some decorations over the past week, and hope to hit the outdoors and garage at some point before Halloween.  I knew I wanted to do this pin as soon as I saw it.  Simple, and yet it looks really cool.  The kids love it.  I didn't do 100, there's only 22 up there, but that's literally half my wall.  And they aren't there in the picture, but the lamp has mini bats in the shade for an awesome batty silhouette thing going.  Also found on pinterest.

The kids costumes were a no brainer this year.  Both are obsessed with Mario and Luigi from Super Mario Brothers, and when they saw the costumes...I always feel like a cheat when I don't make their costumes, but hey...why drive myself nuts this year?  They should look adorable.

We're having a party this year in the garage, which means I get to make funny Halloween food. Pinterest is overflowing with ideas, my favorite being wicked halloween themed jello shots.  I also hope I get to make something yummy for Lilia's class for Halloween.  Just because I want to bake something, but not have it all in the house, if you know what I mean.

Wordless Wednesday

OMG mini second honeymoon!

I just spent what I believe was my first 24 hours without kids with my husband since we had kids.  No really...Lilia is 4 1/2...and it's the first time we left the kids for longer than a few hours.  It's truly a dumbfounding feeling.  I find myself thinking that there is NO way it could be that long.

It was also really nice.  We went back to the Poconos- where we had our honeymoon- and spent the day and evening and morning and afternoon...just the two of us.  Not only was it refreshing, but I'd have to describe it as healing and renewing.  The place we stayed- Paradise Stream- was nice.  We stayed in the "Diana's Oasis" suites, which had a shower for two, a heart shaped whirl pool tub, a king sized round bed, and a private indoor pool, all of which was enjoyed.

Seriously though...4 1/2 years.  I hope that doesn't mean we're going to go another 4 1/2 before we have another 24 hour vacation from the kids.  I don't think I could handle it.  I love my kids, really, I do.  But sometimes you just need a break.

Here I demonstrate how to use the hot tub...

Happy Anniversary, My Love

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Today is our 10th anniversary.  I don't want to be cliche and say "I can't believe we've been married 10 years" because I can believe it.  It feels like forever, but in a good way.  Happily ever after way.  We've had ups and downs, but I'd say for the most part, John and I have been blessed with a happy marriage.  I think that's what happens when you marry your best friend.  Marriage becomes stupidly easy.  We talk, we laugh, we love.  Oh sure, every once in a while, I get stupid and make life difficult for both of us.  But the great thing about best friends is they are never afraid to slap some sense in you (not literally...) and work things out.

Since we got married, our love hasn't diminished.  It has only grown.  I think it has enveloped us, and our children, and when the world is harsh, it's definitely the warmest blanket I have.  You'd think after 10 years, we'd learn to do things apart.  We haven't.  We rarely do things apart, mainly because it's just no fun to go somewhere and only thing "John would love this." the whole time.  We love to do things together, and some of our hardest struggles has been the inability to do things alone- just the two of us.  We miss hockey games together, and going out for quiet dinners.  Now it's hockey games chasing the two kids, and dinner at Chuck E Cheese.

It's not always easy, and it's not always fun, but I wouldn't trade this for anything.  I love being married to my best friend- my other half, if not my better half.

Happy Anniversary, my love, my best friend, my soul mate.  I've loved these past 10 years, and look forward to the next 10 years.  Oh the adventures we are going to have.  I love you.

Wordless Wednesday

Apple Goodness

I love Fall.  I love Apples.  I love the smell of Fall.  Cinnamon, cloves, Apples...nothing smells as wonderful.  Fall baking is probably my favorite time of year to bake.  Even more so than Christmas cookies.  Apple pies, Apple Crisp, Applesauce, Apple Cider and Apple Cider Donuts.  Oh my!

We went to Apple Fest at Fly Creak Cider Mill down near Cooperstown this weekend.  It's always a good time, though an expensive time.  Gourmet food is never cheap.  The kids like to go because there are ducks and chickens to feed (like we don't have our own chickens or anything...), a play area and there was bounce houses this time.  The bakery/restaurant is delicious. And you just can't go wrong with a few bottles of Apple Wine.

A Beautiful Ginger Gold Apple...*drool*

I normally don't buy apples there though.  They are SUPER expensive.  But they have free samples of just about everything (remember to get your free sample of fudge!) and I tried a slice of a ginger gold apple.  It was so delicious, I had to buy some.  Lilia is going through the applesauce I made a few weeks ago pretty fast, so I figured I could make some very taste applesauce at the very least.  Though now I'm eating an apple a day and if I don't make applesauce soon, there won't be any more apples left.  I suppose at the very least, I could whip up some apple butter.

I might just have to make another trip down there.  Of course, then John would get another chance to stop at the Ommegang Brewery, so I don't think he'd complain too much.