First Game of the Year...

Tonight, Kelsey cheered in the first football game of the season. Our team played better than last year, but we still lost 35 to 22. The pictures we took of Kelsey came out too dark and look distorted when I try to edit them. But, hey...at least we got a cute one of us! Ha Ha



I promise to get one of Kelsey at the next game! She looks so stinking cute in her cheerleading uniform!

Before the game, I went to the farmer's market in search of some fresh jalapeno peppers, but came back empty handed. The tomatoes in the garden are about to go crazy, so I thought I'd make some salsa to store for the winter. Since I couldn't find the peppers, I made some pickles with some of our insane amounts of cucumbers.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that it looks like I broke my toe today too? As we were getting ready for the game, I jammed my toe against the gate we use to keep Sadie in the kitchen. I couldn't understand why it was so sore and getting more sore as the game went on...until I took off my sock and found this!!!



Gross, huh? I have ice on it, but it's just getting more swollen and purple as the night goes on...
Maybe I can get someone to wait on me....oh, the pain....I can't walk...I could use a Kahlua and Cream...anyone?....anyone?

Sad, Yucky Day...

Today sucked. No ifs, ands or buts about it. It sucked. Today, my father would have been 74 years old if he had survived his battle against cancer almost seven years ago. I hate death. My dad was a great provider, an avid hunter and a handsome bugger bundled together with a brilliant mind. Don't get me wrong, he certainly had his faults too, but you know what? He was my dad, and I miss him like crazy. I wish he could be here to watch his grandchildren grow, to share the joys we've been blessed with and to provide that big, strong shoulder when I need it. Dad, wherever you are....Happy Birthday. I love you.

My dad, pictured here with my brother:

The fact that it was my dad's birthday already had my spirits down, but then I had to go to work and ugh, did that make my day worse! No details, just.........blah!!

So, I decided that I needed cheering up. What is the best way to brighten your mood? Act like a child! And, I do not know any child that doesn't like slushies. Yep, a big giant slushie on my way to the farm tonight started to do the trick. As you can see, I chose cherry!

Spending the next three hours alone with my husband, helped a little more. We picked some tomatoes, checked out the pumpkin patch and just strolled around the farm holding hands, talking and sharing some future dreams. We also talked about planting more of these wonderful sunflowers next year....take a look at this plant for goodness sake! By the way, I'm 5 foot 9 and as you can see from the pic, this sucker towers over me...

Well, tomorrow's another day. I'll still miss dad, but I'll also still have a pretty great life going on...If I can only figure out how to not show up for work and still get paid...it will pretty much be perfect!

First Day of School!!

Well, it is finally here...the first day of school! Kelsey was the first one out of bed after me WITHOUT prompting! She got up at 6 AM ... BY HERSELF! Will wonders never cease? Of course, I fully expect that to change by tomorrow...

Both girls primped and preened and then put on their jeans with holes in them...I know, doesn't make much sense. We had a great hot breakfast of egg casserole and sausage links, and out the door they went...juniors in high school!!! Where did the time go? Really?!

Here are my juniors....

Now the fun begins, practices, football games, concerts, driving lessons, and add a new one to the mix...college courses! Kelsey was accepted into the Dual Enrollment Program and is taking two college classes this semester. If she continues with the program, she'll have a full year of college in before she graduates from high school! Crazy!

Here's to wishing my girls a happy, healthy, fabulous junior year!!

Sick Day...

I did not feel well today at all!! Ugh! So, called in to work and ended up sleeping half the morning away. For those that know me, you'll understand when I say that it wasn't soon till my boredom kicked in. It really doesn't matter how bad I feel, I can't just sit around. So...I decided to throw some laundry in and do something with the zucchini (again). We already have zucchini bread frozen (although I'm sure I'll make a couple more loaves before all is said and done) and zucchini jam. So today...zucchini pineapple!

Zucchini pineapple you ask? Yes sirree! Mix crushed zucchini with pineapple juice, lemon juice and sugar, simmer and there you are! You can use the mixture in anything you would crushed pineapple and believe it or not...tastes just like pineapple! Made up quite a bit...



Now, what to do with the other begajillion zucchini...

Beautiful Farm Day...

Today was a great day! We spent last night at the farm and woke to the fresh country air! Alex brought her friend Brittany along. Kelsey couldn't join due to her schedule at work. We attended a picnic at a local farm, with all of our Leck Kill neighbors. Here's a pic of Alex and Brittany on our way to the picnic. The gathering was held at the farm behind them.



After the picnic, which by the way...farmers sure do know how to put on a tasty spread...we harvested a few of our things to bring home. Look at those zucchini after only a week! We will be eating zucchini bread and pickles for years!

Back to School Shopping...

Today, Alex and I finished off some back-to-school shopping. As you can see, we were very successful!

Here's Alex trying on one of her back-to-school bras!!!!

I swear, I still get teary eyed when I see such a beautiful site...

Anyone have a tissue??

Am I The Only One Awake Today??

Here's the view that I got when I tried to wake everyone up this morning...They are still laying there! Wake up everyone!!!

A Day In The Life...

Today was a very full day for Kelsey. She spent the day at the Marina and tubing on the river. It was her friend Dee's birthday and a few friends went along for the fun. She then went to the stadium where all the cheerleaders are decorating the outer fence for the upcoming football season. I went along, taking some kids that were on probation so they could do some community service work. Kelsey then reported to band practice, where she spent the rest of the evening doing marching drills on the field.

Meanwhile...Alex and Noel took Sadie to the vet to get her nails clipped (a girl has to work at staying pretty you know!). Noel then went to Todd's house in an attempt to capture a roaming coyote on film while Alex practiced her skills on the keyboard.

All in all...a pretty busy day!

Nature...

It still amazes me that we can put a tiny little seed in some dirt and a few weeks later have vegetables, flowers, trees, whatever Mother Nature can think of...

These pics were taken at the farm and are a result of Noel putting itsy bitsy seeds into some dirt...amazing!

Farm Life...

Just wanted to post some recent pictures of our trips to the farm. There are two chocolate lab brothers from the neighboring farm that come to visit us every time we're there. They will hang out and spend the day with us. Sadie, our beautiful Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, loves to spend the day with them roaming the fields in search of critters! It's not uncommon to see all of them swimming in the pond together either. Here's some pics of the three of them. The first lab picture is of Luke and he is just a big teddy bear. The second is Bo and he has the most amazing eyes I have ever seen on a dog. Then, there's our baby, Sadie. As you can see, they have all just enjoyed an afternoon swim in the pond!

For Those That Didn't See...

Here's a pic of Kelsey with boyfriend Allen at the prom in May. Not everyone got to see it, so thought I'd post!

Holy Zucchini!

Just got back from harvesting at the farm and WOW did we find the mother of all zucchinis! Here's a pic of Alex holding our mama zuke. We also brought home a crate full of cucumbers, some pints of blackberries, additional zucchini , numerous radishes and a sugar baby watermelon (tester). Nice harvest day.

A Hobby of Mine....

I have become a real foodie in the last year. I make new recipes all the time and love to experiment in the kitchen. I have also learned to photograph my dishes and have even won a recipe contest! (Prize was a $50 gas card, who can't use that!)

Anyway, I have no idea what I'm doing, but want to link to a slideshow of some of the dishes I have made. Here goes....

http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s305/jonesies/?action=view&current=442caae0.pbw

The First Day of Our Blog...

Hi all!!

Not even sure what made us want to blog, but a blogging we will go! Today was quite full for us. Noel took Kelsey to work first thing this morning and he then headed to the farm to get some work done.

Everyone knows the farm and it's official farming business "Valley Greenery" is up and running this year, right? We are growing organic produce and this year we have tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, radishes, sweet corn, watermelons, pumpkins, gourds and ornamental corn. We are already planning for next year!

Anyway, while Noel was at the farm throughout the day, I got some laundry done, did some shopping and tried my hand at making some jam. See, between the zucchini that we are growing and the zucchini that our nephew Austin is growing, we literally have zucchini everywhere! So...believe it or not, I made zucchini jam. Not a great attempt, the jam didn't set, but I know Alex will eat it up because it's made with jello and tastes like kool-aid.

Speaking of Alex, she spent the night at her friend Chesney's house. It was Chesney's birthday and she wanted a buddy to help her get ready for the party, so Alex volunteered of course!

Up above is a pic of Alex and Chesney on our vacation to the Outer Banks this year....

After Noel got home from the farm, he and Austin went to brother Joel's to help him out with some home repairs.

Later Noel and I went out for dinner. Our anniversary was on Tuesday, but who wants to go out to eat on a Tuesday night for heavens sake! So, we enjoyed our dinner tonight. We are now just waiting for our girls to return from their nights out so we can head off to bed. Exciting, huh?