Fall Family Fun

We're still waiting on the weather to reflect it, but the calendar shows that Fall is officially here. So our family kicked our fall festivities off in full swing this weekend. We started Saturday morning with a childhood favorite of Hubby's (made by his grandmother, then mother). I heard much about these Apple Fritters long before I ever tasted them....and let's just say I was NOT disappointed. This is only the second time I've attempted to make them since we've been married (actually it becomes a team effort with the peeling, coring, slicing, battering, frying, etc.). I think it might have to become a first-weekend-of-fall tradition around here! Here are some pics, and the simple and delicious recipe...

Hubby taking his turn at the stove...

And the delicious finished product...YUM!

After breakfast, we headed out to a Fall Festival at a local farm park that recently opened. It's the first time we had been there, and we all had a great time!

The kiddos LOVED the animals.

And we even got to "milk" a fake cow! (After my comment on last Know & Tell Friday!)

Hubby and the kids "driving" a tractor.

They even had a pumpkin patch, and Little Miss and I got some pumpkins to bring home!

It was a great weekend to kickoff this Fall season, but I'm ready for some cooler weather, and I have the sunburn to prove it!

And as promised the Apple Fritter recipe...

Grandma's Apple Fritters

3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup flour

1 egg

milk--enough to make batter the right consistency

1-2 Tbls vegetable or canola oil

1 cup of sugar and cinnamon mixture

Batter: Combine flour and egg. Add enough milk to make batter
the consistency of a thick liquid (make sure there are no lumps).

Heat oil in a skillet. Dip each apple slice in batter, making
sure it is completely coated, then add to skillet. Cook until
lightly browned, then move it to cinnamon and sugar
mixture until completely coated. Allow to cool.

Know & Tell Friday

Kayren at Everything's Coming Up Daisies is hosting this week's installment of Know & Tell Friday: Animal Edition. Click here for Kayren's original post and more great answers to these fun questions.

1. What dog do you most resemble? I would say my personality most resembles a Golden Retriever--loyal (to a fault sometimes). My friends jokingly refer to me as "The Golden Retriever" of the group as I tend to remain loyal (to people, relationships, even commitments) longer than what is healthy at times.

My in-laws' Retriever, Jodie

(photo by my bro-in-law, Omerad)

However, after giving a quick glance at TerrificPets.com, I'd have to say I probably resemble the Chow-Chow more physically. I have very thick, very-naturally-curly hair, and according to Terrific Pets, "The Chow Chow is commonly recognized for the massive amount of fur that seems to encase its body." There are many times (for example when the humidity is high) that I feel a bit like this:

2. What is your favorite zoo animal? The giraffe...they're so amazingly huge, and yet they move with such grace.

3. What zoo animal reminds you most of yourself? I'm going to have to say bear...again the hair thing (thick and dark), plus the fact that I would LOVE to hibernate all winter long. I mean if I could get by with sleeping for months on end, you better believe I would do it!

4. Do you have any pets? If so, how many, what kind, and what are their names? Yes, just one...our first "baby" Chester. He was a gift from Hubby when we were dating, and he's named for the dog in Disney's movie, "The Kid." You know the one...."Chester, the world's greatest dog."

5. Have you ever ridden a horse? Yes. A couple of times on "trail rides" on vacation and once with a friend and his girlfriend who owned horses. Also, my uncle had a pony when I was little. We rode him quite a bit.

6. Have you ever milked a cow? Nope, and I never want to. My grandparents had a milk cow when I was little. I remember my grandma giving me chocolate milk then telling me afterward that it was cow's milk that she put chocolate in. She is such a smart woman, because she knows I would have never drank it otherwise!

7. Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? I have no idea, but Kayren shares some interesting theories in her answers.

Hope you enjoyed this week's edition of Know & Tell Friday. Don't forget to head over to Kickin' It In Crazyville and check out Heather's and Reese's answers, too. Happy Friday!

Zoe is a Star!

For those of you following the amazing story of my nephew, Zoe, he is currently making the local television stations buzz. The three major news affiliates in Savannah have covered his story, and K-Love and Air 1 radio stations will air an interview with my sister and brother-in-law next week.

While we would never have wished for this situation to have happened to our family, we are so thankful for the voice it is giving to proclaim God's faithfulness and healing power. I am sorrowfully aware there are many similar stories out there, many with less-than-happy endings. I know my sister's and brother-in-law's intention is not to "flaunt" or "exploit" what is happening in their family. I know their intent is to bring glory to God and hopefully encourage someone else who is going through a similar battle.

We thank God for giving us Zoe, for sustaining Zoe's life, for giving Zoe a miraculous story. We know it's not because of anything we have done. It is because we serve an all-powerful, all-loving, ever-compassionate God whose love and grace know NO end!

Click here to see the news coverage of Zoe's story and a list of K-Love and Air 1 stations that will be broadcasting the story.

Fall Into Reading 2008

It's Fall....yea!!!! My favorite time of year. Even though it's currently 75 degrees here, I'm looking forward to the crisp, cool weather and curling up with a cup of hot apple cider, warm pumpkin bread, and a good book. That's why I'm looking forward to participating in the Fall Into Reading 2008 challenge hosted by Katrina at Callipider Days.

Since this is my first time participating in the reading challenge, my list is a bit sparse. With two small children and a hectic fall ahead of us, I'm trying to "ease" into this whole reading-challenge thing. I suppose I can always add to the list if, for some reason, I fly through the titles more quickly than expected.

I am also using this as an excuse to bring more variety to my reading repertoire. I tend to gravitate toward one type of book, so I'm trying to shake things up a bit and branch out by reading things I might not typically take the time to pick up. So, without further ado, here's my much-anticipated list:

The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson (currently reading)

The Shack by William Young

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

If you're an avid reader (or even if you're not), check out the details of the Fall Into Reading challenge, and join in the fun! There are so many good books waiting for you!

Menu Plan Monday

I have some bad news...my Beef Sour Cream Noodle Bake from last week turned out rather...bland. I mentioned it was a new recipe and promised to post it if anyone was interested. There was some interest in the recipe, but I'm afraid it was so disappointing, I just can't (in good conscience) pass it along. The good news is that I realized (as I was making it) that I already have a similar recipe that I really like. (Sometimes it takes me a while!) So, I'll post that one soon.

With birthday celebrations last week and Hubby working all weekend, we didn't get to a couple of the meal plans from last week. That made this week's menu so much easier! ;)

Monday--No Peek Chicken, green beans, french rolls (I found the link...yea!!)

Tuesday--Italian-baked tilapia with garlic-tomato pasta

Wednesday--Teriyaki-grilled pork tenderloins with Asian noodles/veggie stir-fry

Thursday--Leftover buffet

Friday--FAMILY NIGHT OUT!!

Saturday--Grilled Tri-tip, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies

Sunday--Mama's kitchen is closed!

For lots more menu ideas, head on over to Org Junkie or check out the menu plans at newly-renovated Blissfully Domestic.

********I don't know why there are no hard-returns...I can't get them to
stay once I publish. I apologize for the run-on post!*******

Happy Birthday Dad!

Circa 1971 (pre-Nancy)

Today is my dad's birthday. (Yes, we have a lot of September birthdays in our family!)

I've always been a daddy's girl, and now that I'm a parent I have such a greater realization (and appreciation) for the sacrifices my parents made for me and my sisters. When my parents were just starting out, my dad sometimes worked three jobs just to put food on the table so that my mom could stay home with me...and that was on top of trying to plant a church in Northwest Kansas. I can't imagine putting in such long days on top of the sleepless nights that come with young children!

Thank you, Dad, for all the sacrifices you've made, for the spiritual disciplines and hunger for biblical knowledge that you not only taught me, but lived out before me, and for so much more. I love you, Daddy! Happy Birthday!

Another Year Older...

Well, it's been a bit of a crazy week. (I feel like I say that a lot these days.) But this week included a bid day for me...my birthday. There, I said it...I had a birthday this week. I've always hated having a birthday in the middle of the week, because it just seems like another "average" day (school, work, etc.). But my family helped to make my day special, even in the midst of a hectic week.


It was a beautiful day, so we took a picnic dinner to our favorite park and let the kids run and play. Hubby dropped me and Little Man off at home (since it was Little Man's bedtime), and he and Little Miss went to "run errands." They came back with an arm load of surprises for me...

My Little Miss bringing me flowers

My collection of "goodies"

Yes, that is a Bon Jovi CD...I guess getting another year older makes me want to relive my "glory years." And a Daughtry CD...I've loved his music since I saw him on American Idol. What you may not recognize is the small carton in the bottom right corner...a pint of my absolute favorite treat in the world...Andy's Frozen Custard. They're original to my hometown, but they've now franchized, so if you live near a location, I HIGHLY recomment you visiting one. (And I recommend the Snowmonster!)

What's your favorite birthday memory?