The Lake.

Still trying to soak up as much nice weather as we can.

The Pumpkin Patch

This was last year's pumpkin outing. It was just me, baby and the husband. 

It's always kinda been our thing to get pumpkins and carve them together, secretly competing for the best pumpkin.

And this is now...

Iris and her BFF Vivian

Cousin Matthew ringing the "Fun" bell.

The cousins.

Snack o' war.

Finally, a smile.

She enjoyed being pulled around in her wagon and she didn't even try to jump out.

That wagon used to belong to her Aunt Nicole (my sister from another mister) who is now 17.

I think that's pretty cool.

We haven't carved our pumpkins yet. 

I'll post some pics when we do and you can be the judge.

Walking.

Taking a bit of my own advice we went walking around Lake Galena (Peace Valley Park) yesterday.

 It was soooooo gorgeous. 

The views never cease to take my breath away.

Sometimes it's hard to get outside. 

The laundry is piling up and there's only a drop of milk left in the fridge.

But on a day like this, when good friends and sunshine beckon, I have to tell myself the laundry can wait and there's enough milk to get us through one more morning.

I inevitably feel like I've made the right decision after getting out there, breathing the fresh air and getting some excercise.

I feel even more motivated to get my chores done after a day outdoors.

It's like pressing the reset button.

(Insert deep cleansing breath here.)

Seasons.

I grew up in Florida so for a portion of my life I didn't really see the seasons change save for a visit to the northeast to visit family.

But I've lived in Pennsylvania for 11 years now and this house for 7 years and have seen many seasons come and go.

Now that August is coming to a close I can see the light hitting the trees a little differently, the shadows are a little longer and the days a little shorter.

It doesn't make me sad to see the summer go (although come february...) but excited to pull out my fall boots, go pumpkin picking with the nugget, dressing up for halloween, stews, stuffed acorn squash, cable knit everything, knitting, cocoa, cocoa and knitting...well you get the picture.

Make these last days of summer count!

PS. I finally learned how to knit in the round! WOOHOO!

Rainy Beach Daze.

What do you do when it rains on your parade? Sing and drink beer.

A room with a view.

That was all we saw of the sun.

It was a drowsy ride home but I have to say I think a good time was had by all.

Farm to Table.

I mentioned that I was going to a farm to table dinner a few posts ago. My first event away from baby and husband since said baby was born. Just me and my girls. It was a lovely evening. Rain threatened to ruin it all but the gods were smiling on me and the rain cleared, the sun shone and even the bugs behaved themselves. I almost didn't know what to do with myself. Sitting in a lawn chair relaxing with a glass of champagne and dining on gorgeous food prepared with love on the very farm where it was grown (Blooming Glen Farm) has hardly been in the cards this past year.

In hindsight we probably should have brought local wine. Maybe next time.

Danielle sitting pretty.

Nothing says "farm to table" like a blue grass band.

We had burgers which came from the farm across the street with gorgeous brioche buns, wheat berry salad, fingerling potato salad with pickled wax beans, watermelon salad and locally made lemon verbena ice cream from oWowcow Creamery . Yummy!!!!

There were a ton of little kids running around and I can't wait until next year to bring Iris and some of her cousins who couldn't make it this year. But believe me I was grateful for the time away.

Thank you Zone 7 for hosting a wonderful event!

Random things...

So it's been another whirlwind tour for us. 

The beach was wonderful. Iris just loves the sand now and has taken to chasing (on all fours) the seagulls. She doesn't mind a faceful of sand.

I planned on returning last Monday but with computer issues, a new iphone to get up and running (one having everything to do with the other... Jeesh!), trying to get organized from being away and everyday life with an energetic baby it just didn't happen. But we're here now.

Not a bad view huh? There is music and weddings in this gazebo every weekend. I'm really going to miss it there.

I added a little something to my dining room decor. This little round vase has housed some mementos from our travels (beach glass, smooth stones, shells, etc.) for some time but I added a little sand in the bottom from the beach where my Dad lives (pictured above). He'll be moving away from there soon so it was the perfect addition to a bowl full of memories. I know it's corny and it makes even me throw up in my mouth a little bit but at the same time it makes me smile and it has meaning to me.

This is me having fun with my new phone...

Gotta love that morning sun!

Since we've moved our dinner time back until Iris goes to bed (you know...so we can actually enjoy our food) I've been whipping up these little snacks for us. A little cheddar, goat cheese, olives (black and red cerignolas...my favorite), whole grain dijon, crackers and my latest edition but not yet pictured... organic medjool dates do the trick.

The platter was a 5 year anniversary gift from our BFF Danielle who also officiated our wedding. Apparently wood is the traditional gift for the 5th wedding anniversary. There's a joke there somewhere.

We were also able to do something else we hadn't done in a while... go to the library. I love the library! By today's standards it's an old fashioned concept. I love the hushed environment and the access to all the books I could ever want without paying a dime for them (unless there late of course but even then it's pennies on the dollar)

Must... learn... to... knit... in... round.

This is my happy place (below). I rarely get to hang here but when I do I'm usually....well...happy.

I even made myself a mini margarita. Ahhhhh summertime!

And finally, my main focus right now is Iris's birthday party. I bought some supplies for the invitations (can you tell I'm in love with instagram). So until then... no new projects unless they're birthday related.
I pained over a theme of some sort and I didn't want to go overboard on a first birthday (but still want to make it special of course) so I just chose colors. That's right, my theme is colors. Pink and green. All shades.  I'm still kicking around ideas for food. I'm keeping that simple too.

And I bet you can't guess what I'm doing right now...that's right, I'm at the beach...again...in the rain.

Too Much Anthony Bourdain?

I love Anthony Bourdain. I read every book he wrote when I was pregnant except Medium Raw (it wasn't out yet). I still have yet to read it but at the moment I'm working my way through Keith Richards' Life and it's thicker than a phone book. But you're next Anthony!

Anyway, I just love when Anthony travels to Asian countries with people cooking street food in large woks right on the side of the road. "I want to go to there."

Since I won't be traveling to any of these countries anytime soon I decided to fulfill my own wok adventures with some creative use of leftovers and an open fire.

G.'s been on a fried rice kick so this was a perfect pairing. I cooked up some brown basmati in my rice cooker (best $15 I ever spent), cubed up some leftover pork loin, chopped up some vegetables and drug a few choice bottles of this and that (Mirin, Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, Siracha, etc.) down to the fire.

After the wok was good and hot I added a little sesame oil and started sauteing the veg (bell pepper, onion, shitakes). Then the pork but only for a few seconds because it was already cooked and I didn't want it to dry out. Finally, the rice and the wet ingredients (see above). I don't measure the wet ingredients I just do it to taste. 

There's the little nugget being a good girl and paying with her blocks.

Final touches and...

dinner is served.

Grab a couple of cold ones and you're all set. I think Anthony would agree!