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I'm delighted you've come to call! Have a cup of tea or coffee & rest with me a few minutes. There is always time to spend with a good friend!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SNOW TODAY!!!

It is snowing like crazy outside!! Nothing like an Oct. snow storm to get you ready for winter,huh?!!
Thursday I'll be flying down to Ashley & Miles' to see those new grand babies!!! Can't wait!!! Till then, it's a flurry of activity & I'll probably pack tomorrow!! I know I haven't been blogging faithfully-too busy enjoying this time in our family!!! Wishing all well!!

Friday, October 24, 2008

As Promised



The last picture of "the Bump", which was no longer a bump... but closer to Titanic proportions!

Zane's side


Gavin's Side










And cause I love them and think they're adorable!!!!

Gavin



Zane







Thursday, October 23, 2008

And just because they are just SO cute!!!!

G:

Z:







Napping on the couch:









Glow Worms!

The boys both had a touch of jaundice which got worse the first day we were home. When we went to the pedi appointment we had to get what they call "bili blankets" for the boys. They looked liked little glow worms laying on them in the dark!


Zane:


Gavin:
























The First Three Days

The Beginning:


And The End:

Gavin Anthony ~ 10.17.2008 ~ 4:57 am ~ 18 1/4 inches, 5lb 7oz


Zane Travis ~ 10.17.2008 ~ 5:16 am ~ 18 inches, 5lb 4oz


Our First Family Picture:






Gavin and Zane

Gavin:

Zane:

Gavin:
Zane:

Daddy snuggling with his boys:


And we're HOME!!!!!
Gavin:
Zane:





















Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Gavin & Zane!!!












What's cooking!!

Ashley sent pictures up of the twins & if only I knew how to get them posted,I would!!! I'll be heading down pretty soon!! THEY ARE ADORABLE!!!!!
It's apple time,one of my favorite seasons!!! Royal Gala is my current choice for a good eating apple, along with Cortlands to eat & bake with. There are so many varieties out there now & I've tried nearly all!! Ginger Golds & Crispins are a couple more favorites. When the children were home, I would make huge batches of applesauce to freeze.We liked it chunky with brown sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg-Yum. I haven't made any sauce yet this year but I have been baking with apples. The traditional Apple Crisp with a crisp,sweet topping has showed up on our table a few times. We had Apple Brown Betty at a friends home. Always,always gotta make the first Fall pie with apples!! This year I tried a Rustic Caramel Apple Tart & an Upsidedown Apple Cake-All Good!!!
Do you have those little traditions in your home that bring a bit of sweetness to family life??? All the many tiny threads of shared memories keep our hearts sewed together.It's the "breaking of bread,the drinking of wine"; the acts of daily communion keeping us a part of one another. In the photograph album of my heart I can see their faces & hear their laughter.
I see myself with my Mom & siblings going down to our 20 acre apple orchard. The gray & red Ford tractor towing the little wagon with us in it down the road. My Dad worked the night shift then, so during the day he would prune,then after supper we would all go down & clear the prunings away. In the Fall, we would all be filling our apple crates,setting them near the center row to hoist on the trailer. Cool,crisp air,the delicious scent ot Autumn filling my senses, while energetic work with laughter filled my soul.
As a new bride,I had a fridge which was a side by side, I would allocate one shelf to be filled with my Autumn treasure. I would simmer my applesauce, the air redolent with it's sweet spicy goodness, then fill my containers to cool before placing them in the freezer. This was a task I always looked forward to doing!
As our family grew, our children would help in the work. I tried to make it fun, festive, that they might associate pleasant things with working together for a common goal we would all find future delight in. I would make up little games or we would sing,sometimes, listening to a story.For me,now, it was not just the task of preserving food, but preserving love....
I hope you get a chance to make those memory ties with your family, for love & honest work sweeten any recipe. Time seems to run on swift feet,but when I bite into an apple or take that first spoonful of Crisp, time seems to stand still, for just a moment, as I see the smiles & hear the laughter once again in the sweet room of my memory.
Here's my All-Time Favorite Apple Crisp:
This recipe is just for 2,I usually double it!!
2 med.tart cooking apples,pared & sliced (about 2 c.) My Tip: If apples aren't tart,sprinkle with a bit of lemon juice.
2 Tb. water
3 Tb. flour
2 Tb. sugar
2 Tb. butter,softened
1/4 tsp. cinnamon ( I like it heaping!!!)

Heat oven to 350.
Divide apples between two 10 oz. custard dishes. Sprinkle water over apple slices.
Mix flour sugar,butter & cinnamon with a fork till crumbly,Sprinkle over apples.
Bake uncovered until topping is light golden brown & apples are tender,25 to 30 minutes.
My Tip: Use a fork to test if apples are soft.
Here's another secret-desserts taste better made small in their own dish!! And they look cute!!!
Here's another thing that's good to know-Don't store apples & carrots next to each other.Apples give off a gas that turns carrots bitter tasting. If you want your carrots to stay sweet,keep them apart!!!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Zane & Gavin have arrived!!! Gavin came in at 18 1/4 '' & 5 lbs. 7 oz. Zane is 18" & 5 lb. 4 oz.. Mommy & Daddy are all doing fine,tho' needing a bit of sleep!!! They were born at 4:57 & 5 :16 AM on Oct. 17 th.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008










Ariana and I just got back from our first road trip to visit all our friends and family in PA. The little munchkin did absoluetly amazing with the 4 1/2 hour drive. She must take after her parents and love car rides! It was wonderful to be down there. It meant so much to me to be able to spend time with everyone again. While we were there, I had my best friend, Julie, take pictures of us. I absolutely LOVE how these came out. Enjoy!
All our love, Ariana and Summer