Christmas and New Years...

We spent Christmas at home this year...Christmas Eve, we went to the church we were married in and spent some time with Todd's extended family. Christmas morning, we woke up and opened gifts together then I called my parents in the UK to wish them a Merry Christmas. We then went to John and Laura's for our traditional brunch. This year Laura cooked scrapple, egg and cheese sandwiches and I made a hashbrown casserole and brought some Proscecco to make mimosas! They were delicious. We then came home to veg out for a few hours before John and Laura came over for Christmas dinner....it was a wonderful day shared with such special friends.

Then, on Monday, we left for 7 Springs. We have been spending the past few New Years here with friends. The weather has been wonderful while we are here. It really snowed our first night, so skiing has been good for Todd. I don't really ski...I try, I stick to the beginners area...but it's hard work when you learn at 30+ years old! Today I treated myself to a mani/pedi while Todd went to Hidden Valley to ski (it's cheaper there during the day). Tonight, we drove to Monroeville to meet my friend, Sara and her fiancee for dinner. Sara and I met through work...she is my Fisher rep and takes excellent care of me and all my lab needs at work. We hit it off over the phone and via e-mail...and we decided since we would be so close (she lives in PA) that we should meet up. We had a great time at dinner with Sara and Wade tonight, and can't wait for many more visits!! ( I am just bummed I didn't get a picture...I even brought my camera)

Tomorrow, we are going on a snow shoe tour, and then the Dixon's arrive. We will spend New Years on the slopes snow tubing...then, the Pochron's arrive on Friday for the weekend. Both families have young girls, so we hope they have a lot of fun!!

We will be back on Sunday...and I will post pictures then!

Happy 2010

Our house for Christmas

The loft (where we have a fooseball table, and a smaller tv with DVD)
Guest bathroom

Our family room

Our dining room (we have more chairs, but I decided 4 gave us more space)

Our breakfast nook/eat in kitchen area

See the snow??

opposite the kitchen

I got the cute Merry Christmas sign from Target--the sleigh is Longaberger and the poinsetta in the mirror background is from our favorite neighbor Carol

Christmas cards...hallway leading to the garage and 1/2 bath

staircase

office

living room

I got these reindeer from Hallmark a few years ago...they go with the sleigh in the office

Merry Christmas!!

It snowed here last night and is STILL snowing today...they say 1-2 feet is expected!!

I am making vegetable beef soup today...yummy!!

Adoption Update

We have received almost all our forms from the Secretary of States (still waiting on Minnesota!!)...we are getting our passport pictures taken on Thursday...and we review the home study report on Friday!! YAY!! I really want to get logged in before Chinese New Year, so that's my goal and I hope once we apply for the I-800A that we can stick to it!! I will feel so much better once we are Logged In, because then the offical count down can BEGIN!

Last day of Leftovers...PHEW!!

Okay, I think we are turkey-e-d OUT! We've had turkey on Thursday, Friday and Sunday...and don't forget tonight for turkey noodle soup!! That's what happens when you go out to eat to enjoy a beautiful extravaganza, and get a 10-12 lb turkey and take home the leftovers!!

Here's the meal plan for the week...thankfully I did not have to shop. We've had leftovers and some food we brought back from the mountains.

Monday: turkey noodle soup, salad and bread

Tuesday: hamburger helper (cheeseburger macaroni)

Wednesay: BLTs with homemade oven fries

Thursday: chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots

Friday: BBQ chicken, baked potato and salad

We have a nice week ahead of us...my book club is meeting for our Christmas cookie/wine party on Wednesday night and then our friend's daughter has a Xmas concert at school on Thursday night. Then....Friday we are meeting with our social worker to review our home study report!! I can't wait!!

It's starting to look a lot like Chrsitmas at our house. I will post some pictures tomorrow. Unfortunately I have misplaced my camera...so I will have to dig out an older digital I am thankful we kept around.

Have a great week everyone!! It's my first day back to work in a week...and look at me, I am avoiding work already by blogging....3.5 weeks until Chrsitmas Break and another few days off!! YAY!!

Happy Thanksgiving

What a beautiful sunny morning walking into the main lodge this morning for breakfast

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at Helen's (the fine dining restaurant at 7 Springs).It was so beautiful inside. The fire was roaring, they were decorated for Christmas and we saw all our favorite wait staff that we closed down the bar with last night!! They treated us to a round of drinks and also a TO DIE for piece of chocolate cake.

The student chef carving our own personal turkey

a view of the extravaganza of food that was brought to our table. Anything we didn't eat, came home with us. The TO GO box was as big as our table. We will have leftovers for a week!! The food included:

• turkey
• mashed potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• gravy
• crab imperial
• salad
• rolls
• green beans
• breaded cauliflower
• 3 types of stuffing (sausage, portabello and pine nut)
• ham
• homemade noodles

Then...we each had desert. Todd had pumpkin pie and I had apple pie with vanilla ice cream. We enjoyed a bottle of Ferari Chardonnay and I had an Earl Grey tea with desert. It was heavenly....but we are soooo stuffed now!!

This year, we are both very thankful to be nearing the completion of our dossier to China. We meet with our social worker next week to review our home study, and we are in the process of certifying and authenticating our documents. I am also waiting for my police clearance for child abuse from the UK. We one step closer each day, and that is something we are both VERY thankful for!!

Happy Thanksgiving....

...now if 'Winston' our Old English Sheep Dog would just PASS the leather leash he ate this morning while we were at breakfast....we would be even more thankful!! I think it's going to be a very LONG night....

A week to be Thankful for...

This was most of my view today....Winston and Marley (not pictured) didn't really leave my side. I am reading 'The Girl on Legare Street' by Karen White and LOVE it...Todd worked from the condo all day and the dogs and I vegged out.

This was the view from the balcony off the family room. There was so much fog all day, we couldn't even see the slopes.

And this was the view from the front door leading to the parking lot.

So, we didn't really miss much leaving the condo today...we are getting ready to head to the lodge to enjoy a relaxing hot tub (oh yeah, because our day has been SOOOO stressful!! LOL) Then, we are headed back to enjoy some chili for dinner and settling in to watch the last episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8. I can't help it, I am addicted!

We are headed to town tomorrow to mail our MD adoption forms off for certification and we also want to go to the movies to see The Blindside. Wednesday I have a mani and pedi appointment and then I think we might head out to see Kentuck Knob, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed property. Then...Thursday we have the Macy's Day parade and dinner at Helen's....delicious!! I am reseraching what wine to drink with dinner....we will be sure to enjoy a bottle!! : )

Bow Holders

I just found this website:

www.iwantedtowonder.com

...and they have the CUTEST bow holders for little girls...I LOVE this one!! I definately see one of these in our future!!

Headed out of town...

We are headed to 7 Springs this week for Thanksgiving and a little R & R. It's been a busy week at work for us both, and we can't wait to pack up the car, the dogs and off we go!! Of course our work lap tops are going with us...but there will be plenty of time to RELAX in the mountains. We are going to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Helen's restaurant with table side carving and a nice bottle of wine...just the two of us!!

Hope you have a great week, Happy Thanksgiving!!

Meal Plan for the week

Monday: filet mignon, mashed potatoes, blue cheese wedge salad

Tuesday: Lisa's with Deb

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: shrimp with linguine and zucchini

Friday: BLTs with oven fries

Saturday: on our way to 7 Springs for the week!! BBQ grilled chicken, baked potatoes, green beans

Sunday: chili with saltines and all the fixings

We are kind of repeating some things from last weeks menu, because things got off track trying to get our rental ready for new tenants...and then getting ready for the home study meeting this Saturday. Thankfully both of those items are behind us and now we can focus on getting out of town to 7 Springs for the Thanksgiving week!! YIPPEE!!!

Final Home Study Visit

We had our final home study visit this weekend! It was our visit for individual conversations with our social worker...and boy were were nervous! Some of our friends have been through this before and offered advice and support, but you never know what they will want to know. I am happy to report that it went great! Todd went first...he was asked to describe his childhood, his college and professional career and whether or not I will be a good Mom! He talked to our social worker for about 2 hours...I was upstairs with the dogs and going NUTS!! Then, it was my turn. I had similar questions and also had to dscribe what kind of father I think Todd will be and what challenges we will face, etc... I also had to describe my childhood and we both had to talk about our relationships with our families. We briefly discussed finances...and that was it! We will meet again on December 4th for the final report review and hope to be able to submit the application about a week after that for our I-800 and then fingerprinting.

We are SO excited!!

Home Study, trains and meal plan...

This weekend we had a home study visit with our social worker...we were really worked up and anxious, but it went well. Our social worker is great, and really put us at ease. We talked about our plans for childcare...how we met...why we want to adopt...why China...and she also spoke to one of our references. We asked Todd's God Parents, Rudy and Nancy to join in the fun!! It was a nice morning....long, but very exciting!

This coming Saturday, she will be back again for our individual interviews to discuss our childhoods, our relationships with our families and our finances. We will be nervous about all that...we have a lot of things to work through with our family discussion.

On Sunday, we went with some friends to Cumberland to enjoy the Western Maryland Scenic Train Ride. The train travels from Cumberland to Frostburg and you get time for lunch in Frostburg before the return trip back. It was a long travel day because it takes 3.5 hours from our house to Cumberland. Six adults, one teenager and 3 little girls...and I think we all survived!

Meal Plan for the week:

Monday: ham and cheesy noodle bake and salad

Tuesday: chicken pesto pasta

Wednesday: chicken teriyaki with twice baked potatoes

Thursday: tacos

Friday: shrimp scampi with linguine and zucchini

Saturday: Waterfowl Festival in our town...Scossa (our favorite italian) for the atmosphere of a buzzing town!!

Sunday: filet mignon, baked potatoes, and salad (or mashed potatoes and green beans)

Have a great week!!

Menu Plan

My menu plans have been non-existent recently...and so has my blogging!! Things are crazy right now...Todd is away this week, so here you go!!

Monday: leftover spaghetti and meat sauce & garlic bread

Tuesday: Chicken curry and rice

Wednesay: Chinese Take Out

Thursday: BLTs with oven fries--or left overs depending on what time Todd gets home

Friday: Shepherd's Pie

Saturday: Spaghetti Carbonara with garden salad

Sunday: Western MD Train Ride with the Pochron's and Dixon's--out to eat

Have a great week everyone!!

100 Wishes Quilt

We went to have our pictures taken a week or so ago, as we are sending them out with our letters this week or next with instructions on how to contribute to our daughter's 100 wishes quilt.

**Adoption Update:

We are meeting with our social worker and one of our references this weekend!! Then, we will have our seperate interviews the following weekend. YIKES!! Our social worker hopes to meet with us after Thanksgiving to review the report. Then we can apply for our I-800A and move more forward with the dossier submission. We have checked a good portion of the items off the list for the dossier already. But the notorizing, certification, etc... are what will be time consuming next.

Saddened

I know a lot of people in the China adoption community have seen the LA Times article stating that Chinese Officials are stealing babies for foreign adoption. Todd and I read the article for the first time the other night and my heart is broken. When we chose to adopt, we opened our heart and chose to do this for exactly what it is...a choice. I'll be honest with you, we don't know if we can have our own children or not...we are opening our hearts and our home to adoption for a child in the world that needs a warm, loving, caring home. We are lucky enough to be able to provide that to a child in need. We did our reserach...domestic adoption wasn't a choice for us, we looked at a number of countries and we chose China for their ethical reputation. Now, we read and learn this....it has given us something to think about. We are one step away from completing our homestudy packet so that we may open our lives, our home and our hearts to our social worker over the next 90 days. We are scared, we are nervous and we are excited. Todd and I are very private people and the thought of sharing my most intimate details about our financial situation, our family life and our own relationship with a stranger will be challenging. But this challenge is something we are up for. Reading the news article has made us stop and think....are we really making the right decision?! After I read the article Thursday evening, I laid in bed and cried as Todd held me. I know in my heart that our daughter is in China...the next morning I opened the closet in the room that will be the nursery and I looked at the small amount of clothes I have bought for her, the toys we have collected and the adoption books that some of our closest friends have shared with us....this is what we are meant to do. We will continue with the adoption process. Yes, we are scared that our daughter will be 'stolen' and we may not have the answers for her...but we are remembering why we are doing this. To provide a home for a child in need....a child in an orphange without a family is a child in need. We have made a promise, even from the beginning to help our daughter find her parents should she wish to be connected with them...and that is something that I promise to this day to do for her. When we travel to China, I promise to research everything I can to answer all the possible questions she may have one day. That is something that I feel I will owe our daughter and her biological parents. I don't want to feel we are contributing to the program of babies being stolen...but those babies also need to be saved. We may choose to have our own child one day...but right now this is still the path we are travelling down....the journey to China.

SOLD!!

She is on her way to Nova Scotia...and I have to admit, even I was a little sad to see her go. It was FUN while it lasted...wonder what's next?!

Meal Plan for the week

Today I had a doctor's appointment in Annapolis, and I had a gift card to Williams and Sonoma to spend!! i treated myself to a weeknight cook book. It's a big 3 ring binder and I can't wait to get reading for next week's menu plan...but for now, here we go!!

Monday: lasagna and garlic bread

Tuesday: chicken cordon blue with salad

Wednesday: chicken alfredo with broccoli

Thursday: BLTs with homemade oven fries

Friday: pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans

Have a great week!!

Picture catch up...

Happy Fall

-our front porch decor-

I got this GREAT idea from a blog that I read...thanks, Lisa!! (If only my picture taking skills were as good...)

Our rental house AFTER the tenants moved out...10 bags of trash later and whopping them with a BIG bill. There's just something about picking up other people's garbage and their sex games I don't enjoy....
Hoping to re-rent tonight after meeting a new set of tenants!

Scossa to go!! It was delicious and bery romantic at home...I love my hubby!!

Marley fell down the stairs last weekend. Actually, we both missed the action but heard the crying and have witnessed the limping now for just over a week. We have had 2 trips to the vet. Nothing is broken and we are treating her for Lymes just in case.

She couldn't stand to eat or drink for the first few days...breaks my heart

Getting around much better, but that paw still is tender!

Great weekend!!

It was our 5 year Anniversary this weekend, and we had a lot going on!!

Friday afternoon we met at home for our first Home Study visit. Our social worker was very kind, and helped answer a few questions we had about the home study process. We have received our packet and there is a lot of paperwork to collect. The last few things we have are to collect our reference letters, sanitation survey, fire inspection and our medical forms. We have a lot of the other items crossed off the list and are ready to go. Once we complete the packet, we mail it back to the agency and our social worker will meet with us 3 more times. It will take 90 days to complete the home study.

Before we went to dinner, we had to wait for our boat broker to stop by so we could sign a contract for the sale of our boat. It is very bitter sweet, but it is what is best for us right now. We have a Shamrock 22 but next week it will be on it's way to Nova Scotia!! Then, Marley our 5 year old Golden Retriever fell down the stairs running. She is still limping today and Saturday morning we were at the vet for a test for Lymes and an injection of cortisone...I think she will be back to the vet tomorrow as she is still limping.

Dinner Friday night was at the new Bartlett Pair Inn in Easton. It was yummy!! We decided to do the chef's tasting menu...and entrees included: Lettuce Crab, potato and leek soup, seared halibut, steak and fries, and chocolate souffle with basil cream...we had a bottle of wine and it was delicous!!

Saturday morning, we went on a sail from St Michaels on the Selina II...enjoyed lunch at Foxy's and then had a family wedding at the same church we were married at 5 years ago....it was nice. We didn't go to the reception, and came home to share a delicious take out from Scossa (our favorite Italian Restaurant) and a movie then a small fire in our back yard...it was a wonderfully romatic evening and we wer both so happy!!

Sunday, we had to clean up trash that our tenants left in the yard of our rental house...that was certainly a come back to reality! Then, we headed over to John and Laura's for some skeet shooting and off to Johnny's for the BEST burgers ever!!

Monday...back to work with a new boss....it's a challenge and I am trying really hard. Some things have already happened that I am not ready to share, but I think I handled them well and I hope I did the right thing. Tomorrow, we have our annual ISO audit which lasts for 3 days. I am also in the process of some method development/validation work for a project we are working on...it hasn't been going too well, so let's keep our fingers crossed for tomorrow!!

Hope everyone has a good week....I am exhausted already and it's only Tueseday!!

Happy 5th Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to my BEST friend...it's been a wonderful 5 years! I can't wait until MANY, MANY more!!

These just arrived at work...sorry so small...it was from my cell phone. Just like our wedding flowers....beautiful!!

I love you, Pumpkin!!

What a week!!

I don't know if I am coming or going this week, we have so much going on right now!! Todd started a new 'flip this house project'...and we are up to our eyeballs and more with paperwork for the adoption!! I am trying deperately to stretch every minute of time that I have left this year with vacation and sick time...and it's tough!! We went to Annapolis the other day to get our livescan finger prints for the home study. Next week we have TB tests, sanitation survey and inspection of the home...plus I have my follow up with the Rheumatologist for my Lupus tests. I don't have Lupus, but they thought I did 3 months ago, and this is the final (I hope) follow up to confirm negative results.

Also...it's a bear at work. Something new and frustrating everyday....and of course no notice to the lab for anything. I am an analytical chemist, and the only one at my company. I have so much to do right now, it's pretty overwhelming.

Oh, and did I mention that we have our first home study visit this Friday??? It's also our 5th Wedding Anniversary. Is this ironic or what?!

Hope everyone is having a good week. I hope to post some pictures this weekend from the Anniversary festivities!!

Meal Plan for the week:

Monday-The most awesome rack of lamb, mashed potatoes, spinach

Tuesday-Rusticanna for pizza

Wednesday-Mason's bar

Thursday-oops forgot to take something out again!

Friday-out to eat--Todd's in charge for the Anniversary

Saturday-Family wedding-we aren't staying for the reception-out to eat again

Sunday-Pot Roast....fall is here!!

Do you notice a trend with all this eating out?! We are BUSY people right now!!

Hopefully we can relax and enjoy some fun this weekend--I have a surprise for Todd on Saturday for our Anniversary that I hope he LOVES. It doesn't beat the seaplane ride for my Birthday...but I think it will be FUN!! : )

Meal Plan for the week

Monday: we both had areally BAD days, so we ordered a pizza from Domino's

Tuesday: Salmon, herb rice, steamed broccoli

Wednesday: Pork Chops, stuffing, green beans

Thursday: Tuna Steaks (grilled), loaded baked potatoes

Friday: Suicide Bridge Restaurant with work colleagues

Saturday: Comedy Night at Coffee/Night Cat--eating out (Mason's Bar)

Sunday: Pork Tenderloin, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli

Have a great week!!

My Birthday!!

This Sunday was my Birthday...and Todd treated me to a wonderful day. We got up and went to The Chart House for brunch in Annapolis and then walked around downtown and enjoyed the beautiful weather!! We then headed to the movies to enjoy the matinee showing of Love Happens. It was really good, but a little tear jerker! Then....the BIG gift experience of the day was a Sea Plane ride over the county we live in. It was awesome!!

Me before take off in the plane
View from the air

Todd and I by the sea plane after the flight

Thanks Ken for a great flight!! We can't wait to do it again, soon!! : )

and...thank you Todd for a WONDERFUL Birthday!

I love you

xoxoxoxo

Meal Plan for the week

Sunday-Hamburger Helper

Monday-out to celebrate Laura's Birthday @ Annie's

Tuesday-Fresh Flounder, potatoes, spinach

Wednesday-Fresh cheese stuffed Rigatoni with marinara sauce

Thursday-burgers and tater tots

Friday-salmon, herbed rice, broccoli

Hope you have a great week!!

Happy Birthday Laura

Tomorrow is Laura's BIG Birthday...(we share September together in the Birthday month...unfortunately I am a little older...) This picture is taken a few years ago in Punta Cana when we were all on vacation.

Happy Birthday Laura, I hope you have a great day!!

Back to the grind...and meal plan for the week

I can't believe the weekend is over already...it was great! I still need to go to the grocery store and get ready for the meal plan for the week....but here it is, it's short, it's easy...and you won't believe how little I need from the store!

Tuesday-Hamburger Helper (Cheeseburger)

Wednesday-Rockfish, mashed potatoes, spinach

Thursday-on your own...going to a baby consignment sale in Salisbury

Friday-Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Then, we will do this all again on Saturday!!

Labor Day Weekend in the Mountains

Chairlift ride to the top of the ski slopes at 7 Springs
Paddleboating

Inside the lodge at Sporting Clays

(I tried shooting for the first time and LOVED it!!)

Before the Phil Vassar concert

Phil Vassar on stage at the Greyrocks Ampitheatre

We had a GREAT weekend! We took both dogs with us to Champion, PA to 7 Springs and amazingly they both did great in the car. We lost about an hour on the way up and 1/2 hour on the way home due to traffic.

Friday night we got there around 9pm and headed straight to dinner at Timbers. On Saturday we enjoyed the breakfast buffet overlooking the 'slopes'. Then we bought the unlimited activities wristband and enjoyed chairlift rides, alpine slide racing, paddleboating, etc... We treated ourselves to dinner at Helen's. I ordered the Osso Buco and Todd had the filet. We had a great bottle of wine and talked for hours over dinner. It was so nice. Sunday, we ate breakfast at Timbers and went biking...that was really tough with the hills of the mountain. Then, we went skeet shooting. It was a blast and for my first time, I didn't do too bad! That night, we enjoyed some sushi and wine at the bar in Helen's and then hit the Phil Vassar concert. It was fantastic!! Followed by a fireworks show and home by 11pm tucked in bed!

Monday we woke up to soem rain, so we got the house straight and packed up our things to head to lunch at the restaurant at the Sporting Clay. They have a beautiful building and good food!

We were home around 6pm...unpacked and headed to Dairy Queen for some burgers and ice cream...our last official farewell to summer!!

Meal Plan for the week & Mountains

This week is short because we are headed to the Mountains for the Labor Day weekend!!

Monday: Left over chili with rice

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs

Wednesday: herb grilled chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli

Thursday: Concert in the Park in St Michaels (subs from zambinos)

Friday: On the road

Saturday: Helen's retaurant for a romantic dinner for two

Sunday: Phil Vassar concert at the 7 Springs Ampitheatre followed by a fireworks display

Monday: On the road home

We are packing up the dogs, and the bikes for a FUN weekend in the mountains. We love to travel to 7 Springs (http://www.7springs.com/) in the winter, but LOVE what they also offer for fun in the summer and fall. We will also head there again for Thanksgiving and with friends for the New Year celebration. We stay at the same condo each time we visit, so it always feels like home. We can't wait to enjoy some time away and some FRESH mountain air!

Waiting

Waiting has got to be one of the worst things ever! For everyone that knows me, I don't wait well....at all. My bestest friend in the whole wide world and her husband have started IVF for the first time this month. Yesterday was egg retrieval day and today we are waiting to hear if the doctors and specialists were able to successfully fertilize these eggs. I sent a text to her this morning (she lives in Florida) and there is NO news, nothing, zilch, nada....NO news!!

I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through as a couple because this is killing me!

Please everyone keep them in your thoughts and prayers and let's hope for successful news!!

**Update**

There are 4 good embryos for transfer!! No, they are not transferring all 4, but I think they are going to do 2. Let's keep happy thoughts for this special couple today as they go through the transfer...and then wait 2 LONG weeks to determine if they are pregnant!! Very exciting!!

Ready for Fall...

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, and especially in the area of Maryland where we live!

These are just a few of my favorite things:

• cool, crisp mornings
• the smell of freshly baked pumpkin pie
• decorating the house with fall colors, pumpkins and candles
• the Fall Pottery Barn catalog
• Waterfowl Festival in Easton
• Fires in our backyard fire pit
• glasses of wine by the fire
• hot apple cider
• Thanksgiving trip to 7 Springs (and being lucky enough to ski with SNOW!)
• sleeping with the windows slightly open at night
• the 'smell' of fall
• the leaves turning colors
• our wedding Anniversary (October 2nd)
• My Birthday (September 20th)
• Black Friday for SHOPPING
• soups, stews, chili, and chowders
• Pumpkin Patches
• Hay rides

You name it, I LOVE it about the fall!! What's your favorite time of year??

Menu for the week

It's raining SO hard this afternoon...there's nothing really better to do than catch up on Blogs and get ready for the week with our menu!

Monday: Tacos

Tuesday: On our own...Todd is travelling to Pittsburgh for business...I'm getting Chinese food!!

Wednesday: Chicken Club sandwiches with watermelon

Thursday: Concert in the Park...subs from Zambinos

Friday: chili with rice

Saturday: Rockfish and warm potato salad

Sunday: BLTs

What are you cooking this week??

Book Club

proscuitto wrapped asparagus, devilled eggs and (the rolls are missing)
Chicken and Rice casserole (still in the oven)...

We had 6 ladies turn up for the first Book Club. We are reading Prayers for Sale this month, and Carol is out next host while I lead the discussion. I am so excited how well this turned out. I only wish I got a shot of the group!

Friday night fun

Chloe and Maci sharing ice-cream...

We watched our friends daughters last night so they could take their oldest to a GOP Shorebirds game...it was a lot of fun. The girls are 6 and 8 and a lot of fun! They brought us a babydoll that looks like a beautiful China baby, we can't wait to share that with our daughter one day. It's our first gift for the baby, so that makes it really special.

We ate dinner at Rusticana, then headed home for some ice-cream and watched a Barbie movie. The girls were great, and up and at 'em at 7:30am!

Settlement...

The house in Preston has settled....no funds to the title co from the buyers lender....therefore no keys and NO recorded deed....ugh! Let this nightmare be over soon....

**Update....wire received, keys exchanged hands...we no longer own the house YAY YAY YAY!!! Ready to start the next flip...inspection on Monday, and settle within 10 days and should only be there 14 days. Contract to buy hopefully pending...if not, for sale by owner first, we need all the profit we can get on this one!

Book Club and Menu for the week...

Monday: chicken alfredo with broccoli

Tuesday: Book Club at my house

Paula Deen's chicken and rice casserole

devilled eggs

proscuitto wrapped asparagus

rolls

fruit salad

wine and sodas

(Hair of the Dog is featuring 3 bottles for $24.99...this could be dangerous, because they are wonderful)

Wednesday:Roasted tomato and shredded squash and zucchini pasta

recipe from Whole Foods

Thursday: Concert in the park in St Michaels

We are picking up some chicken, mac & cheese and rolls from the Amish Market

http://www.eastonmd.org/

Friday: **update...we ate at Rusticana (pizza and chicken tenders and fries...we babysat our friends 6 year old and 8 year old....overnight!)

Grilled Rockfish with warm potato salad

grill the fish scales down, top with Old Bay and some pepper and small dabs of butter, medium for about 30 minutes....delicious!

warm potato salad http://www.williams-sonoma.com/

Saturday:

**update...we didn't get to the beach today. There has been rain all afternoon (UGH). We had to buy a hot water heater for the house going to settlement on Friday (YAY) and check out the newest investment property we just received word our contract was accepted on! We hope to be out in 2 weeks after settlement....keep your fingers crossed y'all!

We are heading to the beach!! Nothing like fresh lemonade, boardwalk fries and Grotto's pizza to end the summer!! (Oh and I have a 20% off coupon to the Coach Factory store...)

**so tacos tonight and maybe the beach tomorrow....

Sunday: Tacos

Good news, I have been averaging $50/week at the grocery store this month!! Let's hope we can keep it up!! Next week, the only items on the list are tomatoes, potatoes, bacon and watermelon...I already have everything else!! YIPPEE : )

I will post pictures of the Book Club tomorrow! I can't wait!!

Zoo, Houses, etc...

We are going to the National Zoo this weekend...and I can't wait! Panda Bears are my absolute favorite animals, and I am really looking forward to seeing them. There is even a Panda Cafe, so I know where we are eating lunch!!

We are still waiting for the house in Preston to go to settlement. The buyers are (again) asking for an extension. We have been told their loan is with USDA for approval, and that is the final stage. Once they sign off, we are running to the settlement table. We have another house in a local community that is also under contract. Unfortunately, it will be our first loss...but removing this property from our books is key right now. We have one rental already, and with the market and economy the way it is...we just want to sell and get out!

Our Compliance Manager at work is leaving...she's moving to Idaho. She only gave 2 weeks notice. There's some skuttle about whether I will take over the department....right now I am the Analytical Chemist for the QA/QC department. I wish there was some more time for training, I wish I knew more of the regulations, and I wish I was brave enough to just go for it....I'll keep you posted. I want this, but it feels really out of my reach.

Keep your fingers crossed...the boat is getting shown (again) tomorrow. It's been for sale over a year. We really don't want to get rid of it....but we want something different. A true fishing boat is a dream, that and something with a cabin and galley. Something that would be kid friendly for naps, and also something better suited for overnight trips. But, we have to sell the Shamrock first!

Oh, and my Book Club starts on Tuesday....I am so excited. I think there are about 8 ladies joining and there are a mix of ages...30s, 40s and 50s. I think it's going to be a really great group. We are going to try and order our books from a local Book Store (Harrison Street Books), and hope to host the club there one night for some publicity for the store.

The first book we are reading is Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

Hope you are having a good week!!

menu for the week

We saw this movie on Friday and absolutely LOVED it! I thought Meryl Streep did a great job as Julia Child, and it really made me start thinking about how much I LOVE to cook. I plan our meals for the whole week, every week, so we know what's on the menu and so I can keep a better eye on how much we spend at the grocery store. For the past 2 weeks, it's been under $75 (including cleaning products, etc...) We cook at home atleast 5 nights a week and then the weekends are sort of hit and miss. We usually go out with friends or just eat a big lunch out on Sunday's and then eat a light dinner

On Saturday, Todd went fishing with some friends and they had the best luck! This is Todd with one of his Rockfish (sorry so small and poor, it's from a cell phone) We will have fish for a long time now!! They boys did great, and caught their limit by 9am, however, enjoyed the day out on the water until 2-3pm. They also caught some bluefish, and hit a turkey in the car!! Welcome to the Eastern Shore! LOL

Menu for the week

Rockfish, red potatoes, green beans

Cheeseburgers and watermelon

Chili stuffed zucchini boats

Roasted tomato and zucchini /squash pasta

Chicken Alfredo with broccoli

Then, Saturday and Sunday we are out....Saturday we are going to the National Zoo with John and Laura and on Sunday we are enjoying dinner with the Pochron's at the Dixon's house!! : )

I belong to a CSA with a local farm. I collect 1/2 a share each week for $12.50 and get a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. It's great. This week, we have a lot of zucchini to get through.

Next week starts my Book Club.....stay tuned!! I am soo excited!

menu for the week

I too can't make it through the grocery store without a detailed list consisting of a menu for the week...here's what we are having this week!

Monday-corn chowder with basil grilled shrimp

Tuesday-pork chops, mashed potatoes, beans and okra

Wednesday-Spaghetti with meat sauce

Thursday-BLTs

Friday- stuffed zucchini chili boats

Lunches are at home...or Todd and I grab a quick bite out (Today was shamefully Taco Bell....but so yummy!) If we run home, they are sandwiches or leftovers from the night before...something easy.

Have a great week! We relaxed this weekend...enjoyed seeing Funny People, dinner and ice cream with friends and a QUICK boat ride before the storm....Can't believe it's Monday, again!

Sick in the summer??!

We had a great weekend spending some much needed quality time together...we had helped friends move last week, busy getting the house in Preston finished for settlement this Friday (YAY)...and work has been crazy for us both. (Me more so...but that's a whole different story!) So, we went to the Fair on Friday night to see Jeff Dunham (hilarious). I cleaned and grocery shopped for the week on Saturday while Todd finished up at Preston. Then, we went to see The Ugly Truth...great movie! Sunday, we dropped off our boat to rent for the week to a really nice family in Royal Oak, ate lunch at Foxy's and did some shopping in St Michaels.

Todd has been suffering with a sore back for a few weeks. Finally went to the doctor and it was diagnosed with muscle spasms. Got some medicine and that seemed to help. A few days later, developed a rash...back to the Doctor to learn he has SHINGLES!! He is doing well. Feels pretty run down, but I think is over the worst of it. The rash is starting to dry out, and the pain in his back is subsiding.

Today, I went to the Doctor with a sore throat I woke up with...and of course those icky white spots...strep culture was negative, so they did a more invasive culture to send off. I have a fever, swollen glands, and feel kind of poopy...Got some prednisone to start on that I know will make me feel better!

Delaware State Fair

Tonight, Todd and I are headed to the Delaware State Fair in Harrington to enjoy the food, the animals, the sites and Jeff Dunham. We absolutely LOVE the fair. There is just something about the atmosphere, the food, and of course the tractor ride from your car to the fair grounds....Are we rednecks or what?!

Adoption Update

The paperchase has begun....we will be getting bi-weekly e-mails from our dossier consultant with a list of items we should be ordering (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc....) They say if we stay up to date with the e-mails, we will stay on track with the dossier submission! Our goal is to have our dossier to China by the Fall!

Weekend

We had a great weekend with friends. Deb, Scott and Julia travelled over to the Shore from Annapolis to go out on the boat, eat crabs, and enjoy ice cream in Oxford on Saturday....

And Sunday, Todd and I babysat for Maci and Chloe while their family packed up to move to Tunis Mills!! We thought it would helpful to have little hands and feet out of the way while Mom and Dad focused on the big stuff right now.

Maci in the pool bag
Maci and Chloe at the pool

Julia tubing

Capt. Julia driving the boat!!

Julia in the tube for the first time, ever!!