a walk in the park.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,
places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.
- John Muir

lately our place to play in has been the county park.






i like to run down hills.

photos by: jalexander.

christmas can [still] change the world.

we are leading a 4 week study on this. looking forward to it!

move over...

mike + mand.
we're moving into your silo!




neat-o, right?!

found here.

foodie friday!!! earl's.

my love + i were out on a jaunt to pick up a craigslist find [pics to come!]. we drove by an inviting diner-ish looking place with a large sign that read 'earl's'.
"i think i've heard good things about earl's", i told j.
so it was decided.
after we picked up our treasure we were coming back to earl's for dinner. very.good.decision. it was cold & snowy outside. it was nice & warm inside. we picked a table right next to a heater and that made me happy. it smelled like home cookin' & apple pie. that also made me happy. grilled cheese w/ homemade chips for me, broasted chicken with mashed potatoes & gravy for j. fresh cut curly fries with gravy for an appetizer. and a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie to share for dessert.
yummm.
worth going just for the pie.
and the fruit jar drinkers.

we'll be back earl.

go to earl's:
12139 olean road
chaffee, ny 14030
716.496.5125

home?

[warning mand: looking at these pics will remind you
how much you need want this house.]
we recently went to look at a house with m+m.

it was built in 1814. known as the 'covington route' in the underground railroad.

see that room in the back? that's the meat house.
the hooks to hang the meat are still there.

it's a rather large house. but we have big plans.

see the bell?! to call in the farmhands...or children.

marble sinks in bedrooms with original faucets.
[who's the hottie in the mirror?]

i love all the windows.

and the amazing wallpaper.

the backyard wasn't too shabby.

totally spectacular barns. big. huge. barns.

and lots of them.

intercom system. we tried it. it works.

trout stream bordering the property.

conspiring together to figure out how we can pull this off. aka convince the hubs. the trout stream was very helpful.

halloween @ sweethome

c+h wanted to party on halloween. so i called mooms & told here we were coming out to the country to party. we invited m+m. mooms invited aj+uncle stu. and the party was on.
these trickers showed up as well:

i always thought it was tricker treat [trick or treat.] so much to learn...
our party centered around food [imagine that.]

the menu:
curried butternut squash & pear soup
red cabbage soup
apple pear cheddar salad
pumpkin biscuits
cajun cornbread
homemade cheddar chive bread
cocktail meatballs [i had to throw in some meat somewhere to satisfy the hubs!]
caramel toffee apple dip
sparkling grape juice [or it wouldn't be a party!]
fresh homemade donuts

and it was a very happy halloween!

from time to time...

i always...
... want ice cream. like everyday. like right now.
... snooze the alarm. i'm a snoozer.
... drink coffee. every morning.
... feel loved.

i sometimes...
... feel completely insecure.
... think too practically. i'm a practical gal.
... ignore calls. sometimes i just don't want to talk on the phone.
... sleep til 10am. it's a beautiful thing.

i never...
... eat meat. it's gross.
... wake up early + happy. no. can. do.
... read as much as i should. i'm quite good at reading blogs...
... want to watch scary movies.

but here's a scary movie for you! happy halloweeny!

happy weekend!
my weekend plans include: apples & caramel dip & butternut squash soup. mmm.