Weekend bbq~
We just returned from a full day of playing in the backyard of Chris' aunt's in Harrisburg; there was a Hassler reunion and bbq so I met the extended family on Tom's side. They have a beautiful backyard with all sorts of trees and flowers, a garden, a hot tub, and playground equipment for the younger kids. We all hung out in the screened porch and yard, playing kickball and badminton, in between pushing the kids on the swings and eating lots of food until the sun set. Eric's girls, Alley and Lily, have been with us for the last three days (they stay during the week with their mother), so we spent time hangin around the house (playing in the yard and exploring the world of sidewalk chalk), going to the markets (Chris went back to Funk's for a dozen tomato and pepper plants and some black rasberries), and even out to Kitchen Kettle Village (the epidomy of Amish tourism).
Kitchen Kettle Village was neat because, even though its filled with "country" decor and american flags, there is a relish shop that gives out samples of every kind of jam and relish they make; stuff like tomato jelly, rasberry wasabi spread, pumpkin butter, garlic jam, etc. On the way home we stopped by a winery and tasted some of their brews too (my first wine-tasting outting!) from which Arlene bought some blueberry honey mead...
Among my latest accomplishments, I finally got Chris to watch Harry Potter! He's always been totally anti-HP ("its for little kids") but lately we've been trying to listen to the audiobook from my IPOD. That didn't work because its so freakin slow and Chris refused to pay attention, but I was relentless. By chapter 6, when Harry hadn't even gotten on the train to Hogwarts, we borrowed the DVD from his brother and watched it last night. And he actually liked it! He's even suggested watching #2 tonight... :)
We also planted a dozen tomatoe and pepper plants in the front lawn yesterday- 9 out front with Arlene other plant, and 3 at Eric's house. Hopefully they will flourish with the great weather and sunshine, at least until the first frost.
This morning Chris and I went running; never before have I gotten him to do this. We went through the neighborhood, around a school's field, then into the woods (which was a fun obstacle course trying to dodge branches and stumps/tree roots), then up to some train tracks overlooking a creek, finally winding our way back home. It was a good run, though we had to stop a few times. Its so much more fun to run with someone else, hopefully I can talk him into it again. ;)
Still trying to get my pics onto the computer (I have a DVD but it won't read it, uurgh!), then I'm off to go attempt drawing countries again~
Kitchen Kettle Village was neat because, even though its filled with "country" decor and american flags, there is a relish shop that gives out samples of every kind of jam and relish they make; stuff like tomato jelly, rasberry wasabi spread, pumpkin butter, garlic jam, etc. On the way home we stopped by a winery and tasted some of their brews too (my first wine-tasting outting!) from which Arlene bought some blueberry honey mead...
Among my latest accomplishments, I finally got Chris to watch Harry Potter! He's always been totally anti-HP ("its for little kids") but lately we've been trying to listen to the audiobook from my IPOD. That didn't work because its so freakin slow and Chris refused to pay attention, but I was relentless. By chapter 6, when Harry hadn't even gotten on the train to Hogwarts, we borrowed the DVD from his brother and watched it last night. And he actually liked it! He's even suggested watching #2 tonight... :)
We also planted a dozen tomatoe and pepper plants in the front lawn yesterday- 9 out front with Arlene other plant, and 3 at Eric's house. Hopefully they will flourish with the great weather and sunshine, at least until the first frost.
This morning Chris and I went running; never before have I gotten him to do this. We went through the neighborhood, around a school's field, then into the woods (which was a fun obstacle course trying to dodge branches and stumps/tree roots), then up to some train tracks overlooking a creek, finally winding our way back home. It was a good run, though we had to stop a few times. Its so much more fun to run with someone else, hopefully I can talk him into it again. ;)
Still trying to get my pics onto the computer (I have a DVD but it won't read it, uurgh!), then I'm off to go attempt drawing countries again~