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.