Apple cupcakes, with homemade marshmallow frosting. They are so tasty and absolutely scream "autumn".
My second serious foray into baking. I was particularly pleased with my frosting job since it was only the first time I've ever used a piping bag. Kristin is normally the baker in the house, while I tend to be more of the cook. Lately though, I've taken a keen interest in honing my baking skills as well.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
How Ya Like Dem Apples?
Friday, October 21, 2011
My Little Railfan Buddy
I got off from work fairly early today, so I decided that it was time for a much needed visit trackside with my daughter, Katrina. She loves trains and I've been wanting to take her for awhile, but life has been crazy for the past month or so. I'm glad we made it out today though. We both had a blast hanging out at the Odenton MARC station and snuggling to mitigate the effects of the wind. She was thrilled every time a train would pass and I loved watching her face as they did. She was particularly fascinated by the Acela train sets that would zip through the station at over 100 mph. When we weren't watching trains go by, we would pass the time singing silly songs and imagining where all the other people at the station might be coming from and going to. It did my soul good to spend that time with her and I'm looking forward to the next time we get a chance to.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
New Domain Name
Yes, yes...I know. This makes three posts in one day now. I'm normally not one to make that many blog posts in one day, but I recently purchased a domain name and I thought it was worth spreading around the internets.
This blog can now be reached through the domain name www.jerseymutt.com. Please update your bookmarks accordingly. ;)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
This blog can now be reached through the domain name www.jerseymutt.com. Please update your bookmarks accordingly. ;)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Drunk Punkin
As I've previously stated on this blog, there are many reasons I love October. I've added a new reason though recently, and that is pumpkin flavored beers. Here we have bottles of Flying Dog "No Fear" imperial pumpkin ale and Cape Anne "Fisherman's" pumpkin stout. Two awesome tasting beers. At 9% ABV, I think that No Fear is my favorite of the two. Make no mistake though, pumpkin and spice flavor goes quite well with stout.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
Listening to "Dear Mr. Fantasy" by Traffic.
Last Saturday Recap
'Tis a slow one for news this week. I'm mainly doing things around the house this weekend while my ladies are visiting some friends in South Carolina. With that in mind I thought I'd take a little bit of time to do a photo recap of last Saturday's activities. First up is the photos from our visit to Hill High Farm near Winchester, VA...
I love this first shot because the elements in it are sure signs that fall has arrived.
A few tractor shots.
Katrina and Grandpa making their way through a maze of hay bales.
My little smiling sweetheart during the hayride.
While stopped to pick pumpkins. She's already cute enough, but holding up that little pumpkin makes her look even cuter.
One of two calves at the animal petting barn.
Later that evening we had a small campfire get together at my in-laws' church.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I love this first shot because the elements in it are sure signs that fall has arrived.
A few tractor shots.
Katrina and Grandpa making their way through a maze of hay bales.
My little smiling sweetheart during the hayride.
While stopped to pick pumpkins. She's already cute enough, but holding up that little pumpkin makes her look even cuter.
One of two calves at the animal petting barn.
Later that evening we had a small campfire get together at my in-laws' church.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Virginia: My Haven, My Home
For those who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, it is no secret that I've been having a bit of a rough time at work. It is what it is, and I'll leave it at that. That's not what I'm here to talk about this evening.
I'm here this evening to talk about my home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. I'm a transplanted Virginian having spent the first 14 years of my life in New Jersey. My parents moved the family in September of 1994 down to the southern Virginia town of Keysville. Keysville is a small town situated about an hour southwest of Richmond. Almost a decade and a half later, Keysville still does not have a traffic light.
While it was a huge culture shock at first, after a few months I really began to enjoy my new surroundings. Sure I didn't have all the conveniences I once had, but I found that I really loved the countryside. It should be noted, that I did spend a good portion of my early childhood on horse farms (my parents had been renting the houses). From there and visits to other rural places, I think I developed an appreciation for the countryside early on.
I only lived in Keysville for four years. While I loved my new home, at 18 years old I needed more than that small town could offer. To that end, I enlisted in the Air Force and left for basic training in April 1999. While the last 12 years have taken me many places, I always enjoyed any chance I had to go home for a visit.
Another reason that Virginia is so special, is that I met my wife Kristin here. I met her the fall before I joined the Air Force. It was Halloween night to be exact. I had just turned 18 a few days before and she was a sophomore at Longwood College (now university). We kept in touch over the years and when I came back to the states in 2004, we started dating.
The first time I came up to visit Kristin at her parents house, near Winchester, VA, I fell in love with my home state all over again. The Shenandoah Valley is not only one of the most beautiful places in Virginia, it is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I'm so happy to be stationed in Maryland now as it puts me closer to my hometown as well as Kristin's.
So some are probably asking what my opening paragraph had to do with all of this. Well, despite the bad week I had spending the weekend here in White Post has been renewing. Whether here or in Keysville, this state always allows me to find my center again.
From a hayride with my ladies yesterday afternoon...
To a campfire at my in-laws' church...
To a evening walk with Layla today...
After this weekend, the stress from the last few weeks has melted away. I can't say that it won't return, but for now I'm going to enjoy my haven here.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm here this evening to talk about my home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. I'm a transplanted Virginian having spent the first 14 years of my life in New Jersey. My parents moved the family in September of 1994 down to the southern Virginia town of Keysville. Keysville is a small town situated about an hour southwest of Richmond. Almost a decade and a half later, Keysville still does not have a traffic light.
While it was a huge culture shock at first, after a few months I really began to enjoy my new surroundings. Sure I didn't have all the conveniences I once had, but I found that I really loved the countryside. It should be noted, that I did spend a good portion of my early childhood on horse farms (my parents had been renting the houses). From there and visits to other rural places, I think I developed an appreciation for the countryside early on.
I only lived in Keysville for four years. While I loved my new home, at 18 years old I needed more than that small town could offer. To that end, I enlisted in the Air Force and left for basic training in April 1999. While the last 12 years have taken me many places, I always enjoyed any chance I had to go home for a visit.
Another reason that Virginia is so special, is that I met my wife Kristin here. I met her the fall before I joined the Air Force. It was Halloween night to be exact. I had just turned 18 a few days before and she was a sophomore at Longwood College (now university). We kept in touch over the years and when I came back to the states in 2004, we started dating.
The first time I came up to visit Kristin at her parents house, near Winchester, VA, I fell in love with my home state all over again. The Shenandoah Valley is not only one of the most beautiful places in Virginia, it is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I'm so happy to be stationed in Maryland now as it puts me closer to my hometown as well as Kristin's.
So some are probably asking what my opening paragraph had to do with all of this. Well, despite the bad week I had spending the weekend here in White Post has been renewing. Whether here or in Keysville, this state always allows me to find my center again.
From a hayride with my ladies yesterday afternoon...
To a campfire at my in-laws' church...
To a evening walk with Layla today...
After this weekend, the stress from the last few weeks has melted away. I can't say that it won't return, but for now I'm going to enjoy my haven here.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Lady Layla
Just a quick post this morning to share some new photos of our Pit Bull mix Layla. This dog is great very photogenic and she does a fairly good job of sitting still long enough for me to take her picture. More and more each day I count myself lucky that we found her. She is such a sweetheart and couldn't imagine this household without her.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
For The Love Of October
Finally after many months, October is here again. Of all the months out of the year, October is my favorite month of the year. Sure it is the month of my birth, but there are so many more reasons I love this month.
First, there is the weather. September often holds onto heat from August, and November generally marks the change to winter temperatures, at least in this region. October on the other hand seems to strike that perfect balance. Chilly evenings and cool or mildly warm days. Indeed October is a great month for campfires, bonfires and any other fire that you choose to gather around with family and friends. Second, there is the fall foliage. Trees ablaze with many beautiful colors seem to abound in October. I'm not sure yet how Maryland will be, but growing up in New Jersey, fall color always seemed to peak in this month.
This October 1st is a rainy one, but I'm enjoying it just as much as I would a sunny one. I love rainy, fall days. Perhaps it has to do with the weather at the time of my birth. My mom often relates how it was a cold and rainy October 25th when I entered the world at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. I hope everyone has a great October. I'm looking forward to bonfires and photographing trains with a beautiful backdrop of colored leaves. :~)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
First, there is the weather. September often holds onto heat from August, and November generally marks the change to winter temperatures, at least in this region. October on the other hand seems to strike that perfect balance. Chilly evenings and cool or mildly warm days. Indeed October is a great month for campfires, bonfires and any other fire that you choose to gather around with family and friends. Second, there is the fall foliage. Trees ablaze with many beautiful colors seem to abound in October. I'm not sure yet how Maryland will be, but growing up in New Jersey, fall color always seemed to peak in this month.
This October 1st is a rainy one, but I'm enjoying it just as much as I would a sunny one. I love rainy, fall days. Perhaps it has to do with the weather at the time of my birth. My mom often relates how it was a cold and rainy October 25th when I entered the world at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. I hope everyone has a great October. I'm looking forward to bonfires and photographing trains with a beautiful backdrop of colored leaves. :~)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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