A Very Busy Fall and A Merry Christmas Wish

Oh, my!  I didn't realize I had take such a L O N G blogging break!  My fall was very busy and I just never took the time to create a post.  I'm going to share a few photos of our fall activities to catch you up and hope next year slows down a bit.  I am retired, after all!  LOL!

We celebrated our grandson Jack's birthday.  He had a fun party with close family and friends.

This guy is all about diggers, tractors and combines and those are what he got!  He even got diggers on his shirts!!

On September 24th I was in charge of the Mideast District Meeting for our State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  It was a bit stressful but our Mideast District ladies pulled together to make a productive and informative meeting.

A few days later, J and I traveled to the Northeast for a visit with our cousins who live in Dutchess County, NY.  We really enjoyed our visit and driving around in beautiful northern New York and Vermont.

While on our trip, we did a little genealogy sleuthing and discovered a monument to one of my ancestors, Jacob Groshong (Grozing).  I was so happy we found this! 

We enjoyed the local cuisine and wine.

On the way home we stopped at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio.  This was something we thought would be a nice break on the ride home.  Three hours later, we were still touring this extensive museum!  What a place!  The multiple buildings are measured in tenths of miles.  LOL!  Needless to say, it was a bit more than a stroll.  If you've never visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force and are in the Dayton area, do stop by.  It is VERY impressive!

Yes, that's an Air Force One, one of three.

J was very excited to be able to sit in an actual F-4 Phantom.  These jets used to fly over his home on the farm when he was a kid.

I have to share a few pictures of our grandson!  He and Grandpa working together on his train set.

The young farmer showing off our sweet potato harvest!

Jack carving his Jack-o-Lantern!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jack with one of his presents.  No, it wasn't a digger but a little piano.  He's trying to play like his momma.

Our little farmer helping with the harvest.

Our kids' Fall pictures 

We have enjoyed some stunning sunrises this fall.  

Aren't I blessed with such views?!

We celebrated J's birthday at our daughter's and son-in-law's home.

J and I enjoyed a day out in Old Town St. Charles to start off the Christmas season.  The weather was unusually warm so we took advantage of it!

The kids helped make our Christmas cookies, a family tradition started with my mom.  We made press cookies using a spritz recipe.  

I'm including it below.

This week will be full of safe family gatherings this year (no Christmas Zooms) and time to remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

We wish each of you a very merry and blessed Christmas!

Zenda

Ethel's Press Cookie Recipe

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg yolk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups sifted flour

Cream the butter and sugar together.  Beat in the egg yolk and then the vanilla extract.  Sift the salt and flour together then add to the butter/sugar mixture.  Add food coloring for colorful cookies.  Chill dough for a short time (about 10 minutes).  Put through a cookie press onto a cookie sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes at 400-425.  Cookies are done when there is a very faint browning at the bottom.  Don't overcook them!  Let them cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes then careful remove them with a thin spatula and cool on a plate.  Enjoy these dainty and delicious treats!  

We use this old cookie press.  My mom's was just like it but wore out after so many years.  I was lucky to find one just like it at a local resale shop but have seen them for sale on the internet.

Summer Happenings

I've taken a little summer vacation from blogging.  Our gardens are going gangbusters now so I've been busy canning and freezing some of the extra produce.  Cucumbers and zucchini are currently the vegetables of the week.  I froze green beans last week.  My daughter suggested them and I still have so many canned beans from last summer I thought I'd give something new a try.  

J and I travelled to northern Wisconsin for a week at the end of July.  Apparently, we had some of the hottest weather of the summer at home but it was nice and cool on our trip!  We stayed at a small resort, Four Seasons Island Resort, near Pembine, Wisconsin.  It has a lovely nine-hole golf course, pool and 2 nice restaurants.  It was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing!  

This little resort is located on Miscauno Island in the Menominee River on the Wisconsin and Michigan border.  You access it driving on one of these small bridges.

The setting is so pretty and peaceful!

There are canoes to rent or, with a license, you can fish.

This bridge is on the other side of the small island and taken from the golf course.

J teeing off on one of the nine holes.

I probably spend as much time enjoying the scenery as playing golf!

We ate a couple of nights at the hotel grill.  J enjoyed trying out the local beers but I enjoyed a Blue Lagoon.  It's one of my favorite summer drinks.

We spent a couple of days driving down dirt roads and finding surprises 

like this little waterfall, near our hotel

We also enjoyed visiting the Menominee Range HIstorical Museum.  It shared some of the local history around Iron Mountain, MI such as the Cornish Pump, which pumped water out of iron mines in the late 1800s-early 1900s.  This was the largest 

steam-powered pump in the world.  

The display included lots of items used in iron mining.  

Next door to this display was the Glider and Military Museum.  There was a variety of vintage vehicles, military items and a restored glider used in WW II.  

According to the museum's website, "During World War II, the Ford Motor Company's plant in Kingsford built more Model CG-4A Gliders for the United States Army than any other company in the nation at less cost than other manufacturers. The glider featured in this museum is one of only seven fully restored CG-4A World War II gliders in the world."

It was certainly impressive!

J and I like finding these interesting, local displays.  Many communities have interesting histories and are proud to share with any who take the time.

We also spend a little time in Door County, Wisconsin.  We found a few wineries and this new brewery in Sisters Bay called Peach Barn Farmhouse and Brewery.  It just opened this summer and is owned by a young couple.  They served their offerings out of a barn on the back of their property.  Visitors relaxed in their backyard in a laid back, comfortable setting.  There were a lot of families enjoying the cool weather and playing outdoor games.  We just happened upon this place and really had a fun time.  The beer was good, too!

One of our favorite wineries on this trip was von Stiehl Winery in Algoma.  We sat outside with others and enjoyed visiting with locals and listening to live music.  

This was taken at the Northleaf Winery in Milton, Wisconsin on our way home.  You can tell J is a red wine kind of guy.  Surprisingly, one of our favorites from this winery was one of their peach wines!

Since we've been home we've had fun with this little fellow!  

Jack's Lego combine

I guess you can tell he loves fresh corn on the cob!

I just love this picture of Jack and his GG (Great Grandmother - J's mom)

And one more EXCITING event happened recently!  Our future daughter-in-love said YES to the DRESS!  

Michelle and I got to go along with her mom and sister  It was so much fun watching her try on all kinds of different styles.  The one that she picked is so elegant and beautiful, just like she is!

We've had a very happy and blessed summer so far!  I'd love to hear what you've been up to.  Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

                Zenda