Waffles, snow and homebrewing

Saturday morning we looked out our front door and found this:A big ole snow storm blew through Central PA on Friday night we got about 28 inches of snow. But, fear not, we were prepared. I made certain we were stocked with food and drink to make it through a weekend at home.

We knew that Saturday was going to be a whole a lot of snow-moving, so a hearty breakfast was definitely in order. Homemade buttermilk waffles topped with a apricot preserves and bacon sounds about right.


Now properly fed, my sweetie got to work shoveling our walk and getting his truck mostly free while I cleaned up the breakfast dishes and took our very antsy dog out for a walk.

Unfortunately, with snow up to his tummy, he wasn't feeling very comfortable taking care of business... alas. Our whole neighborhood was out in full force using their snow throwers, shoveling snow, plowing snow, but still in a very chipper mood. Mick got lots of attention, so he was happy.

I took over the shoveling duty and Tyler took a walk with Mick and he made really good progress, but here's what we were working with:
Yes, that's my little Toyota Matrix. So after about another two or three hours, we had both our cars free of snow and had shoveled out our neighbors as well.

My little valentine's day gift for hubs arrived on Friday afternoon (pre-blizzard) thus continuing my streak as best wife on the planet. For Christmas this year I purchased him a homebrew kit to make his own beer. And now we are about a week away from having a batch of homemade lager. But, hub is not much a of lager man, honestly, he's more into the IPA's, occasionally the Belgians. So I purchased this for him:
The "refill kit" with supplies to produce four more batches of beer. This means, he'll be spending a lot more time brewing in the kitchen and bottling in the basement. This will probably induce the purchase of another keg to be used for fermentation. But, what can I tell ya, I just want my guy to be happy.

I'll be wearing my gold star for awesomeness this weekend when we're enjoying MY valentine's day gift of a getaway to Connecticut. Yippee! And the plans are really coming together!

We're staying here:
At the Scranton Seahorse Inn in Madison, CT and I made dinner reservations at a place very nearby. It's going to be great!

And now we are watching the final minutes tick away on the Super Bowl. I really don't mind either team, but at the moment it looks like the Saints are going to take this one home. So, congrats NOLA! You all certainly deserve a win. Though I admit, I love my Peyton and am a little sad for him.

That being said, CONGRATS WHO DAT NATION!

Snooooow Daaaayy!

On Wednesdays and Fridays, I am off work and free to pursue whatever my little heart desires. As I said earlier today, it snowed last night, so Mick and I ventured out to take some pretty snowy pictures.

It was also time for a Mickdog photoshoot as I have not taken many pictures of him lately. He is my furry son and means the world to me (I could go on regarding my devotion to my boy and maybe I will later) and so I am remiss for not taking more sweet, candid photos. I righted the situation this morning by taking no less than 20 action shots.

Here are the highlights of Mick/our walk together:

This is what happens when you walk a hound dog. You sniff and sniff and sniff.

Me and my main man, little sweetheart and best pal. I love my dog!

On a side note, can anyone tell me why my pics sometimes post with giant spaces between them? What gives?

A Waltz for a Snowy Day

Though the weatherfolks were only predicting an inch or so of snow to fall last night in our area, we actually got around 4-5 inches. Yippeee! Winter wonderland day :)

I know I live in the Northeast now and should really not be so excited over a snowy day, but what can I say, it still feels new sometimes!

So, while I'm out playing in the fluffy, white snow, here's a waltz for the morning. I just love this song!




Snow pictures to come, should anything strike me as lovely, which I'm sure it will.

Christmas 2009 - The Highlights

We had a fantastic Christmas and I hope that you did too! We were with my in-laws and spent our long weekend goofing off.


We kicked off the weekend with my husband and his brother comparing their mustaches, which they grew to be judged by the family and friends over Christmas, much to the chagrin of everyone. No one suffered this contest more than my sister-in-law and I though. Someone told my man he looked like a pedophile at a Civil War Re-enactment.


My husband grew the stache and a little spindly chin strap (neither guy can grow much facial hair), while his bro concentrated on the stache only. The results were inconclusive, however I got a priceless shot of the two of them looking tough(to come). We inspired their mean mugs by telling them to channel Steven Segal: Lawman.


There was plenty of snow on the ground from the blizzard two weeks ago, so we spent a good deal of time rolling in the snow, then jumping the in hot tub! I had never done this before and learned that I cannot roll in snow without kicking my feet the entire time I do it! I've got the jimmy legs, what can I say.


We spent our Christmas day opening gifts together and eating, eating, eating. My mother-in-law was a real trooper and cooked the ENTIRE day. She made was a fantastic breakfast, complete with hominy (which is the most delicious thing on the planet). And a fabulous Christmas dinner of turkey, homemade dressing, sauerkraut, fresh cranberry sauce, homemade, hand-mashed potatoes, and so much more! And... sweet tea. Real, authentic, brewed sweet, sweet tea. It was fantastic!

Saturday, we made a plan. Shopping in the morning to cash in on the sales on Christmas cards, gift wrap, etc. My mother-in-law and hubby's aunt got some great deals, but everything I looked at made me think, "I will be packing this when I move." And I know myself well-enough to say that it wouldn't have made it. Into the recycling bin in would have gone.

After our shopping adventure we hit Jack Brown's. It's officially my favorite place in Harrisonburg for the fact that it does one thing, and does it well - burgers. They take American Kobe beef, stick it on a bun, top it with cheese and send it out into the world.

This is what Jack Brown's looks like. It's a tiny little place with a nice selection of beverages, burger, cheeseburgers and we cannot forget the DEEPFRIED OREOS. I thought this delicacy was only available at the local Fair, but I was wrong. This is the icing on top of the already perfect Jack Brown's cupcake. A warm, melty oreo surrounded by what taste like funnel cake. It's outrageous!

This is Aaron Ludwig, one of the people we have to credit for giving us JB's, which is now such a staple of the JMU student body that getting a seat after 7 pm is virtually impossible. We met and chatted with Aaron on our first visit to JB's and he's an awesome guy with a vast knowledge of beer who was picking out my hub's beers for him by the time we left. He's got a good thing going at this place and we will be back!

Sunday was a quiet day of church and time with family before we headed back to PA and for me, back to ze cube. But, fear not, I am a mere three days away from take off for Nashville, TN, to spend New Year celebrating Christmas with my side of the fam and the hubs.

I am looking forward to seeing my friends and enjoying some of Nashville's best! I've got my eye on Bosco's (a staple), Pizza Perfect (my first job!), maybe that soul food restaurant in the Factory? What was that place called? And Krispy Kreme.... And J. Alexander's.... And Calypso Cafe....

Why do I write so much about food?? Gotta quit doing this on my lunch hour!

The Turkducken... Mission Accomplished

The Turducken was no sweat. It was easy, mostly because it came ready to pop in the oven. However, I am a little disappointed with the overall consistency, the chicken seemed to be MIA. But, for the most part the Turkducken was good and was stuffed with some fantastic cornbread stuffing! Can't complain about that!



So here it is.... the finished product. Sliced and served with 4-cheese spicy mac and cheese with cajun sausage, red beans and rice, a fresh salad and wine. Eaten with good friends and family during our first real snow of the year. It was a pretty great Saturday!

Pictures from last weekend's trip to Hauser Estate Winery

Hauser Estate was so beautiful and watching the snow fall from high on a hill in Biglerville, PA was a pretty romantic Saturday afternoon.

I wonder if we will have another snowy Saturday?










Looking at these pictures makes me cold!!