After running 4 miles with me and Suzy the pups were WORN OUT. Look at Jade sitting like a lady :) I should have taken a video just so you could see how heavily they were panting. I love these dogs! :) They are the best running partners ever!!
Mother's hold their daughters hands for a little while, but their hearts forever.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A week with the Ross'
Time flies :( Mike and Debbie have already come and gone!
Some highlights of the trip...
*Running 8 miles with Debbie (we DID it!), T.J. and Mike ran 9.
*Pigging out on delicious meals! (Debbie made her famous homemade pizzas and sent FOUR back with T.J. to eat while he is gone for the summer)
*Watching Inception & The Book of Eli (still quite not sure how I feel about these movies) :) Overall I liked them though.
*Getting lost but finally finding our destination- a great restaurant near Cayuga Lake, eating outside on a patio while it POURED rain around us with the awesome sounds of THUNDER (don't get that in NY very much) and lightning. See pictures below of rain and the RAINBOW after.
*Taking the dogs and relaxing at the Brooktondale swimming hole.
*Running around the GORGEOUS reservoir at the Catskill Mountains (picture below)
*Staying at a B&B with Mike and Debbie, sharing a room and hysterically laughing until tears into the wee hours of the night!!! Need I say why? :)
*Playing NERTS with Mike and Debbie from about 9:30-1am Sunday night!!! Now our favorite game!!! And yes Mike and Debbie dominated us!
Some highlights of the trip...
*Running 8 miles with Debbie (we DID it!), T.J. and Mike ran 9.
*Pigging out on delicious meals! (Debbie made her famous homemade pizzas and sent FOUR back with T.J. to eat while he is gone for the summer)
*Watching Inception & The Book of Eli (still quite not sure how I feel about these movies) :) Overall I liked them though.
*Getting lost but finally finding our destination- a great restaurant near Cayuga Lake, eating outside on a patio while it POURED rain around us with the awesome sounds of THUNDER (don't get that in NY very much) and lightning. See pictures below of rain and the RAINBOW after.
*Taking the dogs and relaxing at the Brooktondale swimming hole.
*Running around the GORGEOUS reservoir at the Catskill Mountains (picture below)
*Staying at a B&B with Mike and Debbie, sharing a room and hysterically laughing until tears into the wee hours of the night!!! Need I say why? :)
*Playing NERTS with Mike and Debbie from about 9:30-1am Sunday night!!! Now our favorite game!!! And yes Mike and Debbie dominated us!
These are just a few of the many fun things we did. The weekend was full of love and laughter! Debbie was able to come out a few days before Mike so we enjoyed doing whatever we wanted! We somehow ended up working out 2 times a day and enjoying all the workout programs Cornell had to offer. We took a water aerobics class that I was I think the youngest by 40 years! Ha! Debbie was probably 10 years younger than them all too! It was really funny and FUN! Please imagine us with water belts and 70 year olds! Needless to say we were the only 2 in 2 pieces! :) The instructor even asked me if I "got a workout" after it was all said and done! I did!
I miss them already and I know T.J. was so sad to see them leave. HOWEVER we will see them again in September!!! We are all running a 1/2 marathon together in PA! VERY excited about this!!
Enjoy the pics!
The patio set Mike and Debbie are sitting on was their surprise gift to us for our 2 year wedding anniversary. I can't WAIT to take advantage of this! We've been wanting one for awhile!!!
My little Ace enjoying the outside
This is the gorgeous double rainbow that showed up after the thunderstorm.
I wish I could say I took this picture but I actually found it online HOWEVER this is the EXACT view we had when we ran at the Catskill mountains, tell me that is not the prettiest view ever! Definitely was motivating to us all I think!
Mike took this picture with his Iphone- capturing the Esopus river where T.J. works all day!
The spots would be all the rain falling down on us :) This was a great dinner at a restaurant near Cayuga Lake. We topped the evening off with ice cream from a famous creamery nearby!
So nice to spend some quality time with my husband! I miss him already.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Book List for August
Off to start my next 3 books! I'm still reading through all the books I bought at a community book sale which I completely "judged a book by its cover" and grabbed books I thought looked good. Like I've said before I don't really love to read the back of a book and see what its even about! I just want to be taken completely by surprise. I just started "Little Earthquakes", so far so good! Each chapter switches the character and I always like that.
"The Last Sin Eater", oh how I love Francine Rivers!!! I will read ANYTHING she writes. I've heard this book is a little hard to get through but someone else told me it was SO GREAT so we will see!Have ya'll read any of these books? Tell me what you think if you did, do you have any book suggestions for me?
Thanks! And off I go to read!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Book reviews
A couple weeks ago I posted a blog about the next 3 books I was going to read, "The Host", "Water for Elephants" and "Two From Galilee". In case you are a book lover like me, here is my input on the 3 without spoiling anything! :)
"The Host" definitely a "Sci-Fi" read but I LOVED IT! It did take a little while to "get into it" and I DID have to pay attention pretty hard in the beginning but it was worth it! It's basically about the human race being "hosted" by an alien species and all the adventure that comes with that. The author of this book also wrote the Twilight Saga and that is what made me read this... or else I probably would've never opened it! I can't believe it but I really did love it! It was one of those books that when I finished I was really sad it was over... I "missed" the characters!!
"Water for Elephants"... what a change of pace! This definitely took a little while to "get into" as well... but mostly b/c I was so used to reading about aliens that it was hard to focus back on real life again! :) This book is a fiction book about the life of a man in a circus, what is CRAZY AWESOME is that he is from Ithaca, NY and went to the Cornell vet school! It was SO FUN reading all about Ithaca and it was around the 1920's that the story was placed in which was even better. There are some parts that aren't "easy" to read, obviously there is animal abuse in the circus which is SO SAD and regulations weren't the same back then as now! Overall I am glad I read it. I admit that the last night I sat down to read I started at midnight and put the book down at 2:30 am!!! (and had to wake up at 5:30am!) it was that much of a page turner near the end!
Rumor has it they are shooting a movie based on this book in Ithaca this summer! :) I know that Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson (famous "Edward" from Twilight) is in it... it should be great! :)
Last but NOT LEAST I read "Two from Galilee". I borrowed this book from Grandma Ross and was really excited about it. It is the story of Mary and Joseph that is VERY "real" and told like you are right there with them experiencing this miracle. It's easy to read the story of Mary & Joseph in the Bible and not really feel like it REALLY HAPPENED to 2 ordinary people. This was a page turner and I read it pretty fast. It made me remember that we are ordinary people but can be extraordinary with Jesus. I would recommend this read out of the 3 the most b/c I think EVERYONE would love it. Thank you Grandma Ross for this amazing read! :) Debbie is bringing it back home with her to OK for you!
Posting the next 3 I'll be reading soon...
"The Host" definitely a "Sci-Fi" read but I LOVED IT! It did take a little while to "get into it" and I DID have to pay attention pretty hard in the beginning but it was worth it! It's basically about the human race being "hosted" by an alien species and all the adventure that comes with that. The author of this book also wrote the Twilight Saga and that is what made me read this... or else I probably would've never opened it! I can't believe it but I really did love it! It was one of those books that when I finished I was really sad it was over... I "missed" the characters!!
"Water for Elephants"... what a change of pace! This definitely took a little while to "get into" as well... but mostly b/c I was so used to reading about aliens that it was hard to focus back on real life again! :) This book is a fiction book about the life of a man in a circus, what is CRAZY AWESOME is that he is from Ithaca, NY and went to the Cornell vet school! It was SO FUN reading all about Ithaca and it was around the 1920's that the story was placed in which was even better. There are some parts that aren't "easy" to read, obviously there is animal abuse in the circus which is SO SAD and regulations weren't the same back then as now! Overall I am glad I read it. I admit that the last night I sat down to read I started at midnight and put the book down at 2:30 am!!! (and had to wake up at 5:30am!) it was that much of a page turner near the end!
Rumor has it they are shooting a movie based on this book in Ithaca this summer! :) I know that Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson (famous "Edward" from Twilight) is in it... it should be great! :)
Last but NOT LEAST I read "Two from Galilee". I borrowed this book from Grandma Ross and was really excited about it. It is the story of Mary and Joseph that is VERY "real" and told like you are right there with them experiencing this miracle. It's easy to read the story of Mary & Joseph in the Bible and not really feel like it REALLY HAPPENED to 2 ordinary people. This was a page turner and I read it pretty fast. It made me remember that we are ordinary people but can be extraordinary with Jesus. I would recommend this read out of the 3 the most b/c I think EVERYONE would love it. Thank you Grandma Ross for this amazing read! :) Debbie is bringing it back home with her to OK for you!
Posting the next 3 I'll be reading soon...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Happy Birthday Debbie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
My sweet, sweet mother-in-law just turned the big 5-0-!!! Look at this picture and tell me if you think that is possible... yes I know my mother AND mother-in-law both seem to defy nature the older they get! They only get prettier! I love this picture of Debbie, she has her long hair pulled back and is dressed up like a cowgirl as she helped out with VBS at their church.DEBBIE is coming to see me today! :) Mike will get here Friday and T.J. will drive up for the Catskills and we'll have a great weekend together. Then we'll all drive back to the Catskills so Mike and Debbie can see what T.J. is doing down there! We will attempt to tube down the Esopus creek :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBBIE! I love you and feel so blessed to have you in my life! Running partners for life! ;)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Nana's Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars :)
Oh you THOUGHT you knew what a good dessert was didn't you? :)
I know many people have their "secret" recipes that is theirs to keep (and if you do that is FINE) I however like to share all mine! :) Why not right?? This is my FAVORITE dessert. It's my nana's chocolate peanut butter bars and I know if she was alive she'd be happy I was sharing it with people! This is literally to die for!
Nana's recipe for chocolate peanut butter bars
you will need:
1 c. butter (or margarine) creamed
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter & then another 1/2 c. for later(I like to use the extra crunchy kind)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
2 c. quick oats (1 minute oats- like the Quaker brand)
1 12 oz. package of semi sweet chocolate chips
1 c. powdered sugar
2 or so tbs. of milk
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350
*Cream butter and gradually add in sugar & brown sugar. Cream well. (I usually melt the butter 1/2 way first b/c it makes it easier to do this) :)
*Blend in eggs, peanut butter (which I also heat up for a good 20-25 seconds so it can mix better), baking soda, salt and vanilla.
*Add flour and oats, mixing between them.
*Spread this mixture into a 13x9 GREASED baking pan (I usually use glass but probably doesn't matter)
*Bake at 350 for 22-24 minutes. (The original recipe states 30-35 but I think 25 minutes is actually even too long!!) We don't want these suckers to be hard do we? No! :) It will be a nice golden brown and you will be able to tell the edges are done.
*When you take out the pan sprinkle the pan immediately with the whole bag of chocolate chips, evenly distribute them across the top.
*Let the chocolate chips stand for about 5-7 minutes (maybe even a tish longer)
*While chocolate chips are melting mix together 1 c. powdered sugar, 1/2 c. peanut butter (I heat the peanut butter up in the microwave for about 25 seconds to make it easier to mix), and 2-3 tbs. of milk (go easier on the milk you want this mixture not to be too runny!), mix well.
*Spread the melted chocolate chips across the entire top of the dessert with a spoon or fork.
*Then drizzle the peanut butter/powdered sugar mix on top of the melted chocolate chips. I usually swirl it all around on top :)
Then you are DONE! :)
MAKE SURE TO EAT A PIECE RIGHT THEN! It won't be that hard and it will fall apart when you take out a piece at that point but you won't regret it b/c it is SO DELICIOUS! :)
Also keep in mind... I NEVER EAT THIS DESSERT WITHOUT HEATING UP MY PIECE FOR 15-20 SECONDS, it should always be eaten while warm in my opinion with a big glass of milk :)
I know many people have their "secret" recipes that is theirs to keep (and if you do that is FINE) I however like to share all mine! :) Why not right?? This is my FAVORITE dessert. It's my nana's chocolate peanut butter bars and I know if she was alive she'd be happy I was sharing it with people! This is literally to die for!
Nana's recipe for chocolate peanut butter bars
you will need:
1 c. butter (or margarine) creamed
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter & then another 1/2 c. for later(I like to use the extra crunchy kind)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
2 c. quick oats (1 minute oats- like the Quaker brand)
1 12 oz. package of semi sweet chocolate chips
1 c. powdered sugar
2 or so tbs. of milk
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350
*Cream butter and gradually add in sugar & brown sugar. Cream well. (I usually melt the butter 1/2 way first b/c it makes it easier to do this) :)
*Blend in eggs, peanut butter (which I also heat up for a good 20-25 seconds so it can mix better), baking soda, salt and vanilla.
*Add flour and oats, mixing between them.
*Spread this mixture into a 13x9 GREASED baking pan (I usually use glass but probably doesn't matter)
*Bake at 350 for 22-24 minutes. (The original recipe states 30-35 but I think 25 minutes is actually even too long!!) We don't want these suckers to be hard do we? No! :) It will be a nice golden brown and you will be able to tell the edges are done.
*When you take out the pan sprinkle the pan immediately with the whole bag of chocolate chips, evenly distribute them across the top.
*Let the chocolate chips stand for about 5-7 minutes (maybe even a tish longer)
*While chocolate chips are melting mix together 1 c. powdered sugar, 1/2 c. peanut butter (I heat the peanut butter up in the microwave for about 25 seconds to make it easier to mix), and 2-3 tbs. of milk (go easier on the milk you want this mixture not to be too runny!), mix well.
*Spread the melted chocolate chips across the entire top of the dessert with a spoon or fork.
*Then drizzle the peanut butter/powdered sugar mix on top of the melted chocolate chips. I usually swirl it all around on top :)
Then you are DONE! :)
MAKE SURE TO EAT A PIECE RIGHT THEN! It won't be that hard and it will fall apart when you take out a piece at that point but you won't regret it b/c it is SO DELICIOUS! :)
Also keep in mind... I NEVER EAT THIS DESSERT WITHOUT HEATING UP MY PIECE FOR 15-20 SECONDS, it should always be eaten while warm in my opinion with a big glass of milk :)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
2 years later...
I could write a novel about how much I love T.J., our marriage and these last 2 years!!! I won't bore you with that :) HOWEVER I will brag on my husband for just a sec! T.J. suprised me with an awesome night at an awesome bed & breakfast in the catskills for our 2 year anniversary! :) I couldn't be any more grateful for T.J. and everything he does for me and is! It's hard to believe it was 2 years ago that we said "I do!" who would've EVER THOUGHT we'd be in NY, and T.J. would be at Cornell... studying fish?! Not me! :)
Our sweet room at The Alpine Inn
The view off our balcony
2 sleepy heads waking up to God's glory behind us!!! We are very excited at this point for the breakfast to come! :)
The AMAZZZING breakfast! :)
I will always remember this time :) I'm just so thankful!
Hurricane Simulator
T.J. and I went and saw Eclipse today (also known as the third Twlight movie) :) Yes this was the 2nd time I saw it within a week and it was SO GOOD, T.J. loved it! However... after the movie T.J. saw what looks like a large vending machine that you can open up... the idea is that you pay $2 close the "door" and "feel" what it's like to be in a hurricane- the wind gets up to 80mph. T.J. wanted me to do this SO BAD, I refused... of course when I told HIIIIM to do it he didn't want to- he just wanted to watch MEEEE be in it so he could laugh :) So I decided "why not?!" Yes it was uncomfortable.. yes people stopped and stared at me while I just stood there for a minute :) Yes T.J. laughed hysterically the whole time.. and YES my clothes and hair were flying everywhere... that's all. Now I just have tangles in my hair that won't come out.
"Staycation"
What a week!
It's sad to think a week ago today Julia and Kylie were both here... we were enjoying the 4th of July heading out to see an awesome show after a great cookout with friends...
With that being said I had a GREAT "Stay-cation" with Julia and Kylie. Julia is obviously my awesome 19 year old sister and Kylie is a friend from OK that I was able to get to know really well while she visited and I'm really excited about this new friendship! :)
We hiked to a couple different waterfalls, swam, laid out, ATE, ran, watched girly movies, did our toes, cooked yummy meals and just had a great time showing the girls my life out here. :)
I miss them so much already and am now looking forward to Mike and Debbie (T.J.'s parents) coming out for a week here very shortly! :) Enjoy some of the pictures I uploaded from the girls trip, there are plenty more on facebook!
This picture was taken at the "Brooktondale swimming hole" it is AWESOME. There are waterfalls to jump off of, pools to swim in and lots of places to just lay out and fall asleep to the rushing water!!! :)
This was taken at Ithaca falls
A nice waiter took this picture of me and Julia after we ate our lives away at a Thai restaurant :)
Love my sis.
Julia showed me the ropes on the "jumping pictures" I love them now!
Julia and Kylie
It's sad to think a week ago today Julia and Kylie were both here... we were enjoying the 4th of July heading out to see an awesome show after a great cookout with friends...
With that being said I had a GREAT "Stay-cation" with Julia and Kylie. Julia is obviously my awesome 19 year old sister and Kylie is a friend from OK that I was able to get to know really well while she visited and I'm really excited about this new friendship! :)
We hiked to a couple different waterfalls, swam, laid out, ATE, ran, watched girly movies, did our toes, cooked yummy meals and just had a great time showing the girls my life out here. :)
I miss them so much already and am now looking forward to Mike and Debbie (T.J.'s parents) coming out for a week here very shortly! :) Enjoy some of the pictures I uploaded from the girls trip, there are plenty more on facebook!
This picture was taken at the "Brooktondale swimming hole" it is AWESOME. There are waterfalls to jump off of, pools to swim in and lots of places to just lay out and fall asleep to the rushing water!!! :)
This was taken at Ithaca falls
A nice waiter took this picture of me and Julia after we ate our lives away at a Thai restaurant :)
Love my sis.
Julia showed me the ropes on the "jumping pictures" I love them now!
Julia and Kylie
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