the Heat is On

So, I really like spring, summer, and fall, but winter is not my favorite. However, it seems as though it is well on its way. I resisted turning the heat on through most of October (though we did break down one weekend when it was 54 in our house), and made it through most of November. But, now it's on. I am not happy about it. Why does it have to cost money to not be cold??

I currently have the heat set at 62. I'm having a hard time typing as I sit here under my down comforter. I have a hard time deciding what's more worth it... saving money or being cozy? It's hard to know.

I realize that it is currently the eve of December, and my Christmas decorations are up- but I miss fall already.... on the last weekend of October on a nice day I spent the afternoon with my mom & nanny driving around the lakes looking for good places to take a few pictures (finishing some film- I KNOW! FILM!!). I also took some shots with my digital camera (which in the end turned out better than the film pictures).

Here are a few- my final ode to the fall which came and went too quickly. Tomorrow.... DECEMBER!!!!

the best fall colors we could find- there weren't a lot this year. but the reflection in the lake was beautiful.

it was a beautiful day!

these pine trees are one of my favorite spots on the lake.

U2 (finally)

A month ago (or more), I saw U2 in concert. I've been wanting to blog about it, and just never made the time. So, while it's not super fresh in my mind- I think I could still string together a few thoughts.

I've always wanted to see them (well, since I was in college and really knew who they were) and thought just one time I'd spend the money and go. So, when my friend Gretchen asked me last spring if I wanted to get tickets with her for the September show in DC, I said yes.

We were hoping to get mid-level tickets, but by the time her mom was able to get through (she went along with us and was our ticket purchaser extraordinaire) all that was left was 7 rows from the top, or field level. I was interested in going, but not $200+ interested... so we opted for 7 rows from the top.

it was an adventure getting there (I have never seen a metro car so full), and adventure ordering food (it took them 20 minutes for our $7 fries and $10 chicken fingers), and we were finally at our seats.

It was an awesome show. Great stage- great set list- my one complaint (besides the drunk dancing woman in front of me) was that there was an echo from where we were sitting so it was hard to hear when Bono spoke. But DEFINITELY worth it (cost wise- i spent more $$ seeing David Cook this summer...) and I would for sure go again. A lot of my friends/acquaintances have asked "why do you/people like U2? what's the big deal?" Here are my reasons.

• They have been playing music together since 1976 with no member changes. How many bands have been doing that?
• They have both sincere ballads and crazy pop/rock. A nice variety.
• They use their fame to do good in the world. I know some people who don't agree with this- they want their singers to just sing and their actors to just act- but I say- if you're famous- why not use it to better the world.
• they put on a crazy good show
• they let people into the inner circle of their stage by random selection (My friend Gretchen got to do it once)
• i think their message and the music points to something bigger. some say it's Jesus, some say it isn't, I think it very well might be.

Jim Wallis wrote a blog about the concert the next day (he's better than I am) and I think he said it well. Take a gander.

To cap it all off, we walked the wrong way out of the stadium towards the metro, had to turn around and haul it back... we got on the last train out of the stadium about 10 seconds before it pulled away. Left York at 2:30 pm, got home at 3:00am the next day. Still... worth it!

Here's the crazy stage lit up

You can sort of see the band here.....

This is with or without you, in the encore. Probably my favorite moment of the show. The sound is terrible- but I think you can still see the effect.

it's that time of year....

I recently turned 29. I've been mentally preparing myself for this year for the last few months. It seemed like it would be a significant. Everyone keeps telling me "OOOO This is the LAST YEAR before the BIG ONE" or things like "Oh man- one more year and then it's all down hill..." It kind of sets you up for a challenge.

So, I started to figure- if NEXT year is such a big one- I probably need to get my stuff in order so that I'm ready for "The Big One." That is a tall order. I mean- if it's all downhill from 30- I ought to hit 30 at a bit of a peak, or at least a plateau- not in the depths of a valley. Not that I'm in the depths of a valley. But I'm not at a peak.

So, I think I should make a bucket list. Not the "before I die" bucket list, which was made famous by our friends Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, but the "before I turn 30" bucket list. (just to clarify that these are not things i need to do before i die). (also, as a second point of clarification, I want to note that I did not see said bucket list film. i tend to avoid movies about senior citizens who become "the most unlikely of friends" (quote from imdb))

So, while my bucket list isn't totally complete, I will be working on it. I'll publish it shortly. If there is something that you feel I MUST do in this next year- please let me know. Thanks!

Donald Miller hunt!

I'm not sure who of my friends follow Donald Miller's blog... I've been enjoying it a lot lately. He has a new book coming out (which is quite over due- it was supposed to be released 2 years ago, was pulled back, and is now out). He's really be promoting it and has said that he's never promoted a book like this because he's never really believed in a book he has written as much as this one. Well, if you go to the blog you can read about a little contest he was doing.

For the last few weeks, he's been posting a location of a manuscript of the book, signed by him, and with his phone number so you can read it and give him feedback. On Wednesday of this week was the final posting- and there was a copy at Hearts and Minds in Dallastown. I went for it- and I won!! First of all- I never win anything... and this is a handsigned copy of a manuscript of DM's new book!! I am so excited!!! I got there (my friend Billy got there first, but he was only there to mark my place b/c he new he was closer, as i called him while i was headed there). I got there second- so really first b/c he wasn't really participating... and I got the book! A handful of people came after us, and I was pumped. Here I am with Byron Borger- the owner of the store. (ps- go to his site for a great review of this book)

This was a thrilling day and I was super pumped about it. I'm going to start reading it today!!! (I know- it's been 48 hours, but I have had NO spare time). My thoughts on the book forthcoming.

And if you aren't familiar with Donald Miller's work- I recommend you check him out. He's a great writer!

Wedding Season (entry 2)

As I previously mentioned, I went to quite a few weddings this summer. Five. Which to some may seem like a lot, but to me, it isn't. In fact, it was kind of a slow wedding summer. I have been out of college for 7 years, and in that time I have gone to around 40 weddings. It's a lot. As someone said to me this weekend "you've got kind of a 27 dresses situation going on." And I do, I guess.

I watched 27 dresses when I got home this weekend, I thought about it, I can definitely relate to Jane, the late 20s single gal who's been in 27 weddings. Now, I've only been in 6, but I've definitely BEEN to a lot more than that. And while there are certainly times that it is difficult to buckle down and head to another one, for the most part I am glad to do it. It's a beautiful thing to watch your dear friend on the happiest day of their life. I am honored to be a part of their day. And I love dancing!

Some people say to this "HOW have you been invited to so many weddings?" And really, it's just the blessing/curse of the life that I have been in. First, I went to a Christian college. Let's be honest- A LOT of people get married after they graduate from Christian colleges. Immediately. Those were the first summers. Then I started working for a campus ministry organization. A bunch of young, just out of college, mostly singles all working together in ministry? Those are prime candidates for more weddings. Then- the students that I worked with through the campus ministry organization started getting married. Again- a bunch of evangelical Christian students all together involved in campus ministry- these people are going to get married!!

And then, I'm not sure if you should count these- but in 2007 I became the wedding coordinator at my church- that added like 12 more in the last 2 years (not attending the receptions, but still spending a Friday night and all day Saturday attending to a wedding) They are not on the below list. FYI.

As I was helping my sister with some details of her wedding, I was sorting through my box of wedding materials (you know- programs, invitations, and favors that I've saved along the way... it started out as a way to save some memories and maybe get some ideas in the future- but now it's more or less a way of documenting the way I've spent the last 7 summers). I thought I'd run through the breakdown... (those with a * I was unable to attend, the + I was in)

2001
Kelly & Tim+
Tracey & Randon

2002
Beth & Rich
Beth & Cliff
Ashley & Matt

2003
Lacey & Aaron +
Coop & Kristin
Brooke & Adam
Andy & Trisha

Kristin & Gillis*

Keith & Kristie

Liz & Jeremy

Mary & Steve

2004

David & Sabrina

Sarah & Kirk

Jess & Micah

Tim & Anna

Jon & Michelle

2005

Becky & Tim+

Ryan & Annie

Clay & Jess

Tom & Melissa
Tara & Jared
Erin & JT
Kristi & Dan *

2006
Mike & Heather
Jana & Ryan*
Jamie & Clifton
Frost & Erica
Bethany & Seth*
Lisa & Eric +
Sharon & Chris
Rachel & Seth

2007

Jason & Trisha
Bekah & Jake

2008
Steph & Eric
Kim & Todd *
Erica & Craig
Scotty & Sara

2009
Amy & Dallas+
Chris & Erin

Heidi & John

Allison & Jason+

Meghan & Joe

When you look at it, it really is a lot of weddings. 44 invites. 39 attending. All of which were a LOT of fun. But can sometimes be a challenge for the single gal... more on that later.

Wedding Season (entry 1)

Summer always brings along wedding season. This summer was no exception (5 weddings), and this weekend was the ultimate culmination of my summer wedding season. I had 2 weddings in 1 weekend- and was able to attend them both!!

First- my step-sister Allison got married to Jason!! It was a joy to be in her wedding party and to celebrate with both of them all weekend. We had a great time!! The downside to being in a wedding is that you take very few pictures. But I got a few and here is one of me and the fabulous couple. It was great.

My other sister and I headed to P-burgh Friday AM for a bridesmaids lunch, and then had the rehearsal that night. Sat AM we did hair (which was fabulous) and then got ready and had the big day!! Such a good time!!!

Then, Sunday morning I was up and at 'em (slightly begrudgingly) to head to Carlisle for the wedding of Meghan and Joe. Meghan is a former student from Penn State and one of the greatest girls around. It took me awhile to get my energy back- but I had a great time connecting with some GREAT former students (the State College table represented) and and great time celebrating with them. I am looking forward to seeing this newly married couple as they continue to reside in York til they head to Loughan AFB this November (with my cousin Scotty!)

It was a GREAT wedding weekend full of celebration- but I am EXHAUSTED now. I think it will take a few days to recover.

California!!....California!!!! (in the style of Phantom Planet)

Late July to Early August my sister Amy and I went to CA to see our cousin Lisa and her husband Eric. Lisa is a dentist in the Air Force and was stationed for this last year at Travis AFB in Northern CA. They lived in the town of Vacaville. We were there for 6 days and saw nearly everything. (well, not really, but it was a lot) Here is a whirlwind tour of what we saw. (since our trip Lisa and Eric have moved to their next assignment: Guam!)


First Night: Dinner at Tahoe Joe's, a local restaurant. We went for Happy Hour and ate a TON of appetizers and had some fun drinks!

Amy, Lisa, and Becki w/ Tahoe Joe himself!

Day 2: we went to base for lunch w/ Lisa, and then to two local wineries in the Suisun Valley. They were great!! Here is a shot from one of the wineries.

That night, after Lisa was off work, we went to downtown Vacaville for dinner (more happy hour) and then to an outdoor concert in a park.

Saturday we got up bright and early and headed to Muir Woods to see the Redwoods. It was awesome!!!

After Muir Woods we headed into San Francisco and saw IT ALL!! Here are a few things:

sea lions at the pier

it was very windy that day!!

We saw Mrs. Doubtfire's House and went to the Full House houses!

We went to Chinatown

We also went up to Twin Peaks for a view of the city (too foggy), walked all over the city, and drove the crookedest street. We ended our day w/ a Giants Game!!! It was great!!

Sunday we went to Sonoma and Napa Valleys. First was a picnic at a winery in Sonoma, after getting tasty sandwiches downtown.

Then we went on a tour and started tasting!

Next stop: Napa for the Laird Winery!! Probably my highlight!

We came home that night and just played cards and watched a movie- we were wiped out!!

Monday we just hung out by the pool during the day. it was gorgeous!! This is what is looks like in Vacaville ALL THE TIME!!!!:

That night we headed up to Sacramento and ate at the old town. I tried to look for Arnold, but I did not see him....

These are just a FEW of the 600 pics we took. What a great trip!!!!

What i've been up to...

It's September 1st. Fall is in the air, and I'm a little bummed about it. I really love summer. I love fall too- but I'm not quite ready for it... Summer seemed to fly by so quickly. But at least this year I got to take some vacation!! Here's a brief overview of where I have been the last month and a half... (in which I'm not sure I've had a full work week...) I have pictures of most events (thanks to my new pink camera).

July 4: Annual 4th of July Carnival in Jacobus, followed by a fun family gathering @ my mom's. This is my young friend Julia killing it at the balloon game.

July 11: Annual LAIRD family reunion in Ebensburg, PA. A Classic Day.

July 12: My step-sister Allison's bridal shower in Pittsburgh (2nd sister to get married this summer!)

July 16: Trip to Burkittsville, MD w/ friends for small town carnival. Always entertaining!

July 18: Heidi (one of my bff's from college and Philly roommates) got married!!!!

July 18-25: BEACH WEEK! Annual family trip to Rehoboth Beach, DE. We had a lot of rain and clouds this year, but I read 4 books (see previous blog post)

July 29: Mom's Bday!!! (no pic)

July 30-Aug 4: CALIFORNIA!!! My sister and I went to Vacaville, CA (outside San Fran) to visit cousin Lisa and husband Eric. She's an Air Force Dentist. We had a GREAT TIME!! (see upcoming post on the trip)

Aug 7-9: American Idol Live in Atlantic City, NJ and weekend to follow on Long Beach Island with great friends.

Aug 13: CCO Area Day- Day trip to State College (which always feels like I'm visiting my homeland). It was a great day to reconnect with the CCO staff in my area and gear up for another school year (I maintain associate staff status w/ the CCO).

Downside to the day: I was stung by 10 bees. (once in the eye- got hives 1 week later)

Aug 15: "An Evening at the Landings" celebrating friends' new apartment

Aug 15-20: ALL THE COUSINS TOGETHER!! Before Lisa & Eric left for Guam (her next AF assignment) they, her brothers and their wives & kids came into town and the 5 cousins + spouses were together for a few days. We had a great time.

Aug. 31: Visiting Kelly & Tim- good friends from college (though Kelly and I go back to camp)- they work for a missions org in Chicago- we only get to see each other once a year- but it's always refreshing to spend time with them on their brief visits to York.

Aug. 23-today: I've had a nasty cold that I can't seem to shake... but I need to improve because THIS weekend is when my step-sis Allison gets married AND my friend Meghan gets married (that's right folks- 2 weddings- 1 weekend). In one (sat) attending the second (sun).

Looking forward to next Monday when I'm home from all my travels and can rest from my Labors!!! It was a good summer... I wish it could last just a bit longer, but all I can do is reflect on its fullness and goodness and prepare for the glorious season of fall!

Beach Reads

Last week I went to the beach with my family. An annual trip, always an adventure- this year in a new location. We were still in Rehoboth, just a new house- it was weird after being in the last house for 15 years!!! This year there was 13 of us at the fullest 2 days- which is a low number for our gang!! It wasn't the best year of weather- but I got a lot of reading in. Guess I'm not so bad at reading after all...
Book #1: Baby Proof by Emily Giffin. This is the first book of hers that I've read- i'm looking forward to her others. It was a quick read, highly entertaining- classic "chic lit." A good way to start. Gotta build that reading momentum.

Book #2: (my fav of the trip) My Life in France by Julia Child. I had read Julie and Julia by Julie Powell when it first came out a few years ago and have since been quite interested in Julia Child. I picked this up in January and finally got around to reading it. It was great!! I recommend it to anyone who likes cooking, France, French Food, international travel, memoirs, history (stories about the 50s-70s), and strong fascinating women. she didn't start cooking til she was 37!!! I was already super excited for Julie and Julia (the movie) and now I can't wait!! It comes out next week!!

Book #3: The Last Lecture. I had seen the documentary on Randy Pausch back in the fall and my mom had loaned me the book. It was a quick read- and covered a lot of what I had seen on the doc., but it was good. Touching. He was a Carnegie-Mellon prof diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and this is the premise of his "last lecture" at CMU (which is a series they have- not just b/c he was ill) and the advice that he's leaving his students, his children, the masses. I recommend.

Book #4: This one I am only about 60 pages into..... but it's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. A memoir (my fav. genre right now) about Kingsolver and her family who leave dry AZ behind to move to rural VA to plant and harvest and live a year on local foods. Foods that they know where they come from. Living in season. It's something I try to do (though at a much less noble scale) and I am enjoying it so far. Though Barbara does not crack me up the way that Julia does....

I'm leaving Thursday for my next vaca- flying to CA (SF area) to visit my Air Force cousin and her husband before they depart for Guam. I already packed my book in my carryon! Photos to come (I took NONE at the beach)

Berry Cobbler

So, I've mentioned my berry cobbler and have had a request for the recipe, so I'm sharing it with the world. But you have to get the back story first.

This recipe is from my great-grandmother from Texas. My "Poppy" was born and raised on a ranch outside of Houston, Texas. My grandmother "Nanny" grew up in Holidaysburg, PA (you win a prize if you know where that is). They met in California during WWII. Poppy was in the Air Force, and Nanny went out there with her sister to work in an office. She always says "things were different during the war." They got married in Harrisburg, and then moved to Houston after the war because that is where Poppy could get a job. Having grown up on the farm, his mother was always cooking fresh foods and desserts from the farm. She (the original Nanny Smith) made a fresh dessert, I think, every day. My Poppy was used to that, so my Nanny learned his mother's recipes for her new husband. After 3 years in TX my Nanny got really homesick and so they came to PA "for a trial period" and never left. But she brought the TX recipes with her and now we all use them! It's kind of a rough recipe b/c she just passed them along verbally to my nanny.

Nanny Smith's Berry Cobbler

make a pie crust for a 1 layer pie- but use milk instead of water. (refrigerate or put in freezer til ready to use)

mix in a sauce pan: 2/3 to 1 cup of sugar, 1 tbsp corn starch, 1 cup already-boiling water. Stir in water gradually, and bring to a boil for 1 minute- keep stirring.

After 1 minute add in 3 cups of fruit (any fruit that you can bake in a pie will work, but my FAV is black raspberries. my family also does it w/ peaches a lot)

now roll out your pie dough and cut into squares (about 1 inch - 1 1/2 inch)

in a dish (i used an 8x8, but you can use smaller for a thicker cobbler) make a layer of fruit/sauce. sprinkle over top 1 tbsp of butter (in quarters), 1/4 tsp vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then add a layer of crust squares.

* a time saver is rather than adding the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter into the layers, you can just mix some of each into the fruit/sauce mix

repeat this for 3 layers, finishing with squares on top (save the middle squares from your rolled out dough- they're the prettiest), and press down on the squares gently for the juice to come over some of them.

Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes.

DELISH!!

here is what was left of mine when I decided to take a picture....

more cooking!!!

I have been on a roll lately... preparing more foods! It's really quite shocking for me, as the person who most nights has cheese and crackers or cereal for dinner. Summer does that to me- all the fresh things and being outside- I'm much more interested in preparing foods. This weekend I've had a few events, so I made a double batch of pasta salad (with fresh basil) and another tomato-mozz-basil salad. And I took a pic!!! I think it turned out to be quite tasty!

Container Gardening and Summer Eating

This year I have decided to work on a small container garden on my porch. When I lived in State College I grew a few things here and there, but this year is the first year that I bought some stuff at the start of the growing season, and plan to use it all summer. We'll see how it goes. I have 3 railing boxes and 2 pots.
Here is the middle box, where I am growing basil, rosemary, and thyme. Some people have asked how they are so big already, but I did not start them from seed. I bought seedlings from my local big box store. I have to start simply- maybe next year I'll be more ambitious.

I am also growing a tomato plant and mint, and then 2 boxes of flowers for some visual appeal. I haven't spent a lot of time on my deck, but it's pretty out there. Above are the mint (L) and tomato (R). i realize that it looks a little wilty, but I took these photos at the end of a hot day. I promise, I really am watering them!

Yesterday I finally used some of the herbs!!! On Thursday I went out to water them (I haven't had to too often b/c it keeps raining) and I realized my basil was starting to flower, which I figured was wrong. So, I called my always reliable herb-specialist (as in she grow herbs, she's not a pot head), Becky, and she affirmed that I should break off the seeds. She also reminded me that I need to be using the herbs or they will become unruly (I simply agreed with her, knowing that they are all well on their way to unruly). I'd like to make some pesto, but am not quite ready for that major of a project. She suggested a tomato-mozzarella-basil salad, and said her favs have some balsamic vinegar in them. I did some searching and found one that I would use from the food network online. [addendum: went back to add the link from the recipe I used and it's gone!! It's like it was only meant for me that day.... I did find the recipe from gourmet mag that it was adapted from. the FN recipe was a double of this. I followed directions with the exception of the dry mustard- which i did not have a could not find. my friend Chris says that is used as a thickening/bonding agent, so maybe my dressing was a little more runny than it could have been, but i didn't mind.]

So yesterday, in honor of summer, and my visit from friends Chris and Sharon, I made such a salad, and I brewed some fresh iced tea that I put some fresh mint in. It was a delicious summer meal that we enjoyed on the deck, with some roasted chicken and pasta (I cannot admit that I roasted the chicken- I bought one already done). The salad turned out well with fresh homegrown tomatoes from a local produce market (mine will not be ready for awhile). For desert we had a homemade raspberry cobbler (which I made the Texas way- not the way anyone around here makes cobbler, another entry for another day) with fresh black raspberries picked (by mom while I was at work Thursday) from my aunt's house.

I have rarely served a meal where nearly everything is homemade from FRESH ingredients. I'd like to more- this kind of thing is important to me, but it is a challenge to keep up with. But a good kick-off to summer eating.

I got my camera out to take a pic of the salad, but we had already dug in when I realized that I forgot. I plan to make one next Friday for a picnic that I'm going to, so I'll include one then! In the mean time- here is my deck ready for summer!

My sister got married!

After many years, my sister Amy married Dallas over memorial day weekend. We had a great time leading up to it and the whole wedding weekend, and we're happy to have Dallas in our family!! There are a few pics here to capture the weekend!!Amy and Dallas @ the rehearsal

Sisters!

Just post-ceremony

Sweetheart table with good food!!

A great group of friends to celebrate with!