A Little Time to Steal Away

Well, I had decided a couple weeks ago that I needed my toes to look nice for our anniversary. (Like we women need an excusse to go to the spa!) I had a gift certificate and some birthday money, so I went and had a wonderful, relaxing pedicure at the Beauty Spa before Tom and I left for our little get away on Friday.

This is the best photo I could get (because I can't actually SEE my feet anymore), but I love my watermelon-colored toes!

We were heading to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton to celebrate our 5th Anniversary. After leaving Tennyson with my sister, Courtney, on Friday evening we headed to Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse for dinner. It's one of our favorite restaurants, but since it's usually a $50 check we rarely go. So it's a good place to go for special occasions. On the way there I realized I had forgotten the camera, so we figure we'd swing by home on the way to Staunton. We checked in with Courtney after dinner to let her know we had to come back by, and since Tennyson was fussy (due to another tooth and bad diaper rash) we decided to walk around Target and Old Navy until he went to bed.

After picking up the camera we headed to the hotel. We checked in to the hotel and put our bags in our room, and decided to go ahead and exchange gifts. I don't know if it's "kosher" or not to say what we got each other, but Tom's gift was SO thoughtful and sweet that I have to share! Since we honeymooned in Disney World this was just the perfect gift, and I was so thrilled I couldn't stop crying.

Isn't this precious!?

The gift I got for Tom was something I felt was special enough to be an anniversary gift - a Bible. To be more specific, the The American Patriot's Bible. For anyone that knows anything about my husband you know that he is "Mr. History," and the great part is that since he's been out of the Christian bookstore loop he didn't even know this Bible existed! One point for me!

Once we exchanged gifts and cards we decided to go grab some ice cream. Blackfriar's had just finished a performance so getting out of the parking garage was fun, plus there was a wedding reception at the hotel that people were beginning to leave. But we got to Kline's and back to the hotel in no time. We settled in for the night and I had to remark to Tom that it's no wonder we will have 2 kids in 2 years (and almost by our 5th anniversary). We don't have a t.v. in our bedroom and no king-sized bed! Haha!

The next morning we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast in the restaurant off the lobby. Then we walked around Staunton for a while, and came upon a little farmer's market downtown. We didn't buy anything, but it was good to get out just the two of us. I have to admit it felt a little strange to not have a diaper bag on my shoulder or a little boy holding on to my finger as we walked. But we know it's good for our marriage, especially on our anniversary, to just be with each other. It was great to be able to talk about whatever we wanted without interruption. And the funny thing was we were still finding out things about each other we didn't know. Is that great or what?!

But as fun as our 17 hours away was it was great to get home and be greeted by a little boy, who came running, wrapped his arms around our necks, and kissed us when we walked in the door. And I only cried a little as I showered him with kisses. ;-) Of course it will be a while before we'll be able to leave overnight again since the baby will be here soon. But it gives us something to look forward to!

Here are a few photos from the downtown area and the hotel:

The lamposts in downtown Staunton

Duckies on parade in a window display
The hotel lobby

A display case in the lobby with Stonewall Jackson artifacts

Artwork outside the Shenandoah Ballroom

The lounge, Sorrels, named after Jackson's horse

What a special time Tom and I had, remembering that beautiful day our life started as husband and wife five years earlier. We are excited to see what God has planned for our marriage in the future!

Tasty Tuesday ~ Honey Chicken Salad

This is a Southern Living recipe and I am telling you it is the BEST chicken salad! I can't tell you how many times I have made this for a gathering and every time someone requests the recipe (including this past weekend when I made it). It's the only chicken salad I ever make!

Honey Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 celery ribs, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Garnish: chopped toasted pecans

How to Make It:
1) Combine first 4 ingredients.
2) Whisk together mayonnaise and next 3 ingredients. Add to chicken mixture, stirring gently until combined. Garnish, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

FIVE Wonderful Years of Marriage!

As I sit here writing this I can't help but become overwhelmed by emotion (not that it takes a lot these days) because I am reminiscing about what happened five years ago today -Tom and I got married. It seems like yesterday and I remember that beautiful day so clearly. We were remarking last night that it was raining, just like it did the night before we got married. But on our wedding day we had p-e-r-f-e-c-t weather!

Even though our marriage relationship has come easily, we have faced many obstacles since becoming husband and wife. But we were blessed to have come through them stronger, closer, and more in love. God has truly blessed us beyond belief. And after (nearly) two babies and five years later we are looking forward to our future with hope and anticipation.

Tonight we are going away.....JUST the two of us! And even though we are a little apprehensive because we've never left Tennyson overnight, we are excited about spending time....alone.....just soaking in each other's love. (Sound cheesy? I don't care!) :-)

Twila Paris is a favorite of ours and this is my favorite verse from "How Beautiful." It still makes me cry every time I hear it because it reminds me of how we were on June 12, 2004, and I know it's how we'll always be - beautifully in love.

How Beautiful the radiant bride

Who waits for her Groom with His light in her eyes

How Beautiful when humble hearts give

The fruit of pure love
So that others may live

How beautiful, how beautiful,

How beautiful is the body of Christ

Thank you for five wonderful, beautiful years together, my love. Words cannot even begin to express just how very much I love you.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Manicotti

You know any meal involving homemade crepes can't be all bad! I got this manicotti recipe from a friend of mine when I was looking for dishes that freeze well. And since this is an easy-to-follow, yet time-consuming recipe, I also recommend doubling it and sticking one in the freezer.


MANICOTTI

Crepes:
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter, melted

How to Make It:
1) In large bowl wisk together flour and eggs. Gradually add milk and water, stirring to combine. Add salt and butter, beat until smooth.
2) Heat a lightly oiled frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Poor or scoop the batter onto pan, using about 1/4 cup batter for each crepe. Tilt the pan so batter coats the surface evenly. Cook for 2 minutes turn and cook other side.

Filling:
15 oz. ricotta cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese (plus more for sprinkling)
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1 jar spaghetti sauce

How to Make It:
1) Mix first four ingredients in a bowl.
2) Take a spoonful of mixture and put in the middle of the crepe and roll up. Place seam-side down in 9/13 dish.
3) After repeating with all crepes, cover with spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
4) Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with parsley, and bake another 15 minutes. When done recover and let stand before serving.

In Serious Play-mode

Baby Update and Then Some

Well, I am officially (as of two days ago) in my third trimester! Welcome Week 28! I had a baby appointment today and all went well. I am measuring exactly where I should be, and by that I mean my belly, and nothing out of the ordinary to discuss with the doctor. I did have my glucose test today and, despite me having enjoyed a bowl of ice cream last night, passed with flying colors. Even my hemoglobin was right where it should be. Haha! Like I was worried about that. :-)

I feel like this pregnancy is flying by. I can't believe that I am already at the point where I will be going to the doctor every two weeks! I told Tom this little boy of ours is going to be here before we know it, especially if he comes at the end of July like Tennyson did. But since getting past the exhaustion and morning sickness of those first 14 weeks or so I have really enjoyed being pregnant. I enjoyed my pregnancy with Tennyson, too (except for that horrid rash, of course). I don't care that I have stretch marks. I don't care that I can't bend down....as well. I don't care that my skin looks like it did when I was in middle school. Every pain, every spotting scare, every restless night and the constant trips to the bathroom were/are SO worth it! Besides what woman with a healthy self-image doesn't feel sexier when she's pregnant!!!

Though it has been more challenging with having a very, very active little boy to keep up with at the same time. I have to note that has been incredibly nice to not have to get ready for work every day and leave the house. And I am especially glad for that now that summer is fast-approaching! Ahhh, I can stay in my nice, cool house all day if I want!

The other exciting thing going on here is that Tom's LAST day of school is tomorrow! We both can't believe his 7th year at BRCS is coming to a close. It's crazy! But the BEST, the very best part about that is he will be home 5 days a week now, with the other two days being spent doing what he loves in Harper's Ferry. I am so excited for him! Tom is really in his element up there, doing living history. If you get the chance to go see him in action do it! He's amazing to watch!

So that's the update from here, excluding all the new things Tennyson is doing. But that's for another post.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Fresh Strawberry Pie

I am not a big fan of cooked fruit, so when my brother-in-law, Dan, (who is quite the chef) made this pie I knew it was going to be delicious! It is so fresh, light, and it's the perfect summertime pie! This gets made often in our house when strawberries are in season.

Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
dash of salt
2 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup oil

1) Mix ingredients in a bowl with fork.
2) Press onto bottom and sides of 9" pie plate.
3) Bake at 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

Filling:
2 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cranberry jello (cranberry is my favorite but you can also use rasberry or strawberry)

1) Mix first three ingredients in a pot. Bring to boil; stirring continually with a wisk.
2) Boil until thick. Remove from heat.
3) Add jello. Cool. (I set the pot on a towel in the fridge and stir every once and while until cool.)
4) Place 1 1/2 - 2 pints of cut strawberries over cooled crust. Pour filling over strawberries.
5) Chill in fridge for several hours. Serve with whipped cream.