Filet Mignon Roast & Julia's Kitchen Wisdom

This is truly one of my favorite cookbooks!  It is by a chef I absolutely adore!…. the one and only, Julia Child!  I have such respect and deep, soul, "cooking passion" emotion for this woman it is hard to put into words.

That said, this is one of those cookbooks that I refer to often and give as gifts to new brides, friends & family members.  My personal little green, hard back version is precious to me and it is centrally positioned in my "creating" kitchen.  

Her famous, very detailed, 2 Volume Set, my husband Bob, gave to me as a gift one Christmas.  So special!  It was written with Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck -- "Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volumes I and II."  I also cherish these cookbooks ---  for just the mere pleasure of reading and "dream" cooking with them.   

This book however... is always near me… my favorite… my little green one.

In describing Julia's Kitchen Wisdom book, I will use her words:
"This book aims to give quick, snappy answers to many…questions."
"It is, rather,  a mini-aide-memoir for general home cookery…. "

"It began as my loose-leaf kitchen reference guide gradually compiled from my own trials, remedies, and errors --- corrected as I've cooked my way through the years.  Now that it has evolved into a book, information is arranged according to the large categories of soups, eggs, bread, and so forth, with the emphasis on technique."
As for the essential techniques, "….in the roasting section for instance, the master recipe, though brief, details the technique.… Once you have mastered a technique you hardly need look at a recipe again and can take off on your own."

And only as Julia can express with her heart on her sleeve… "My own little loose-leaf served me well, and I am hoping this book version will give you too, as well as me, many of the essentials needed for brief instruction and problem solving."

Here's a recipe selection under the category of "Meats, Poultry and Fish" -- Technique, Roasting -- Master Recipe: Our Filet Mignon Beef Roast!

This is a tried and true, favorite family recipe - used throughout the course of the year and consistently for our New Year's Eve Celebration which I call…. "Foodie Wish Fest Celebration!"

To note… this recipe is always delicious and perfect ------ every time!  
Enjoy!!  From our family to yours!
Or as Julia would say…..  "Toujours bon appetit!"  

Family Filet Mignon Roast* - A Foodie Wish Fest Celebration Favorite

Roasting time at 325 degrees - preheat oven

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Salt & pepper, freshly ground

For the Deglazing Sauce

1/2 cup each - carrots and onions, chopped

1/2 cup plum tomatoes, fresh, chopped

 2 cups beef broth

Rub the exposed ends of the roast with oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Arrange the roast in a roasting pan and set in the lower third of the preheated oven.

After 1/2 hour, baste the ends of the roast with accumulated fat, strew the carrots and onions into the pan, and baste with the fat.

Continue roasting, basting again once or twice, to a meat-thermometer reading of 125 - 130 degrees at the large end - for medium rare.  
We prefer to roast it until medium - 140 degrees / medium well.   December 2012, 160 degrees was perfect for us!

Remove the roast.

Spoon fat out of the roasting pan.

Scraping up the coagulated roasting juices, stir in the tomatoes.

Blend in the beef broth and boil several minutes to sauté the tomatoes and create a concentrated flavor.

Correct the seasoning, strain and pour into a warmed sauceboat.

Enjoy!

*from the book's recipe: Roast Prime Ribs of Beef


Design your life today! http://bit.ly/YtaKcA

 

Chicago bound!!!

Here's a quick weekend update...

I've been in Chicago all weekend at a conference and I'm absolutely loving it!!!
Some of you already know from our facebook wall....

It's been a fantastic experience and I will fill you all in when I get back!

Here's a sneak peek :)

Talk soon!
Nikki

Happy Monday Everyone!!

  I googled "monday"...
and you know what I saw...
it was so sad...
poor Monday!

On Wikipedia...
"A number of songs feature Monday, often as a day of depression, anxiety, or melancholy. For example, Monday, Monday (1966) from the Mamas & the Papas, Rainy Days and Mondays (1971) from the Carpenters, I Don't Like Mondays (1979) from the Boomtown Rats, and Manic Monday (1986) from the Bangles."

Yes it's the first day of the week when adults go back to work and children go back to school after the weekend.

But check this out...
It's really Moon Day!
"The name of Monday is derived from Old English Mōnandæg and Middle English Monenday, which means "moon day". "

Poor, poor Monday... it gets such a bad rap.
It is however, excitingly the first day of the week!

Kids get to go back in to school and see their friends!
Yes some people go back in to work... but Monday's get everyone's adrenaline going.
People say hello! How was your weekend?
There's chatter and discussion about what everyone did.
It's uniting if you really think about it.

There's Monday Night Football!

Here's some other amusing good things I found out about monday...

A few from Odee...
Monday is the best day to buy a car - car salesmen have few Monday buyers and are more willing to cut a deal :)

Monday is the least rainy day of the week! - Some people believe it's due to man made pollution subsiding over the weekend!

Workers only manage about 3.5 hours of productive work on a Monday.
So why complain???! :) You're going to do less on a Monday! YAY!
It tales a bit to get back in gear.

So hey!
Kick Monday's butt and enjoy the day!
Hope we gave you a few reasons to help you through it or at least smile!

It's kinda like a short day if there's only 3.5 hrs of work to do :)

 

- The LD1 Team

Working from home

It was absolutely gorgeous this past week here in our home base of Pennsylvania.

Unseasonably warm temperatures and we were loving it!!
Here's a pic of Team LifeDesigning1 working the other evening.

We're not a flashy, picture taking, up on stage kind of bunch...
but we do want you to see, and know us!
That's Bob to the left, MaryAnn and Nikki out on the deck.
We're just like everyone else...

There IS one difference though...
We MADE this work from home thing happen!

And it wasn't always easy...

We're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be able to do this
and we'd love to have everyone be able to also!
It's been a dream of ours for a long time.

If you've been wondering about starting your own work from home business
get in touch with us sometime, sign up for our emails
or follow us on Facebook.

We can show you how, what steps to follow and how to do it right!

We've done it wrong.
We've tried several things.
We know we've found what works!

See you on the other side when you'd like to jump in and see if you can do it.
We already know you can... But you've got to realize it and want it ;)

You can ALWAYS jump back out. It's the jumping in that takes courage,
The learning that takes determination...
And the pushing through it that gets you success!
We're right here for your support.


- the LD1 team


"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."
- Steve Jobs

Heathy Everyday Living

Good things to know!

Amazing how everyday foods can benefit us!

We don't need the preservatives!

Source: facebook.com via Drew on Pinterest

Soothing for the Tummy!

Source: Uploaded by user via Dani on Pinterest

Detox Idea

Source: Uploaded by user via Dani on Pinterest

I'm gonna have to try this!
Healthy things that just don't even come to you! LOL!

I put Lemon in my water....but frozen fruit! What a great idea!!! 

Source: blogilates.com via Miss K on Pinterest

Having fun on Pinterest!
<3

To Do Today: Eliminate the word "can't" from your vocabulary

Hi everyone,

Are you ready for some weekend relaxation or what? We are!!

Here's a little task we'd like you to try today....

Don't think or speak the word "can't".

We're going to explain why we want you to try this and how amazing this little contraction is...

Are you thinking of "better things" in life?

Are you holding yourself back in life?

How often do you use the phrase "I can't"?

Can't is a nasty, yet powerful little word. It gets in your system and tells your brain some ridiculous things!! 

Can't is in the conscious part of your brain. 

The conscious part of your brain makes lists, remembers to pick up milk and lock your door when you leave the house. 

The conscious most certainly has its job to do. 

But check this out...

an interesting thing is how your conscious and subconscious work together....

Your subconscious focuses on different things than your conscious.

It focuses on keeping you safe, reacting quickly, your dreams, solving big life problems, happy
thoughts, stored memories, fears, etc. etc.

Your subconscious also listens really well to your conscious.

Kind of like its servant.  

If your subconscious hears "I can't"...

it goes about the rest of your head and body notifying your nerves, muscles so on and so forth

"hey guys! Conscious says we "can't" so warn everyone!"

So then....

Nerves go on alert, muscles get tight, stress seeps in, avoidance starts...

But wait one doggone second!! Just because you THOUGHT "hmmm, I can't do this," does it really mean you can't do it?
Um, NO!

You're at a decision point.
The point of taking action.
The point of "I want something better and this looks interesting but... Can I, or can't I do it?"

And here's your answer...
YOU CAN. 

Change that thought, feeling, nervousness or fear and take control over your own mind.  

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Congratulations!

There's a reason you're reading this...

That's how you make any real change in life!

A baby step. One tiny thing, and you already did it!

You sought information to make a change!

We already know....

- you can do it.

- you can be successful.

- this is the best system out there.

We've seen it happen. 

We see the results of those people who squashed their "I can't's"

We, at one time, did it too!

Check out this amazing video of people who didn't let "can't" stop them!

They didn't give up on their dreams! 

Watch the video! (Might even need some tissues! I did)

So... spend the rest of your day, coming down from a crazy week...

Fighting those "can't's" with another baby step.

Tell your mind "I'M IN CONTROL!"

"I WANT a change and its time!"

The tools are here for you.

The support is here for you.

The team is here.

We're just waiting on you to fight back on "can't".

Make "can't" your enemy today.

See you on the inside when you're ready!

Have an amazing day!

Do one thing for yourself today... 

Don't think or speak the word can't.

See how long you can go!

The LifeDesigning1 Team

P.S. I have always taught and continue to teach Jackson that 

"can't" is not part of our vocabulary! Actually, I taught that to many children 

over the years! ~ Nik

We believe in you!

P.P.S.  Did you watch the video I mentioned above? Click Here

It's been a week!!! Oh my!

Hi everyone!!!

Oh my gosh... we haven't posted in a week!!!
Who knows the last time that happened!?!

We've been crazy busy!
Between the Easter holiday weekend and business stuff going on we've been slammed...
...but that's a great thing!

This is a short post today but we wanted to keep you updated on a few things.

#1 In case you missed our Easter wishes on Facebook...

We hope everyone had a wonderful, blessed and yummy Easter weekend! 
- From all of us at LD1 :)
(We thoroughly enjoyed the family time and eating!! Yumm!)

Don't ya just love this Easter Island pic? LOL


Ok...

#2 on the list is...

Tonight at 9pm there will be a google hangout for "The Extreme Team" members. If you are a member you will get your reminder email and we will see you on the call!!!

If you are not a member, you are more than welcome to come and "hangout" as a guest of ours. Just click here and refresh it at 9. Please let us know on FB that you joined us. :)


And last but not least...

#3... 

We would like to welcome all the new people that we have on this blog and list. We look forward to meeting and chatting with you. If you're new, "like" us on Facebook so we can touch base and communicate team info easier. We're excited you've joined us and we're here to help so let us know how!

Thank you to all the people who have "liked" us and our posts in the last week.
We're so amazed and we appreciate it very much!
You guys are a truly awesome bunch!!


See you/talk to you tonight!!

Google Hangout 9pm EST

Happy FRIDAY!!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!

I have a long time theory that Friday is the best day of the week!
Friday, for those of you still working a "normal job," is the day of the week to wrap things up.

People are more relaxed today. You might have time to read or forward some funny emails, there's chatter in the office about weekend plans and maybe even a bit of "hey! drinks tonight with everyone...are you in?"

People are ready for the weekend. Ready to spend time with family, the kids, work on the house, get outside, sleep in a little, exercise, go to a movie, go on a date, so on and so on.

Friday is even fantastic for those AAA personalities... sending emails, finishing up by noon, sneaking on to Facebook, updating friends, see what's going on and busily making productive and fun weekend plans. (They never slow down! Lol)

No matter which of these you do on a Friday we all have one thing in common.
It marks the end of a busy work week! 

Enjoy today! Reflect on this week!

Do a few things a little different this Friday.

It's the first Friday of spring.
A season of renewal, rebirth, growth. Nature does it normally and right on time, for itself, every year. Nature recreates itself, creates new growth, changes its form. If you really think about it, makes changes and adapts better to its environment than the year before. (Like for instance a tree)

What will you do with your first Friday of spring???

Spend time with important people in your life?
Clean out that closet or garage that's been sitting there cluttered forever?
Start something for YOU?


Just a few things to get the old gray matter sloshing around up there in your brain but don't think too hard today!

Whatever you do, create new space, new thoughts, new room for something bigger and better to come in to your life.

So get out there!

Just do it!

It doesn't have to be perfect or right... But it's gotta be something that puts a smile on your face, keeps your spirit up and keeps ya moving forward!

Good luck!

Have an amazing Friday!!!

Adventure: Family / Friends Celebrations: Baby Shower! "Rosette" Cookies!

Adult Adventure - ANNOUNCEMENT!

Another Confession from the Life Designing1 Team!


WE LOVE TO HAVE FUN!


Yes! We are social beasts! We love to laugh!



A Recent Celebration with Friends…..
a Baby Shower!
Friends! Food! Gifts for Baby! How can you not love it!




In preparation of the fun…. to share with friends….

we made some "Rosette" Cookies and they were a hit!
(Made them for a "Marathon" race at Jackson's school this fall and a local chef loved them!)


So…..

 

We thought you may want the recipe!

****************************************************************************************************

Rosette Cookies - A "Generation" Family Recipe*

1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg (2 - if a flakier pastry is desired)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour, sifted


oil for frying
Rosette iron
paper towels


Mix the first five ingredients together and then slowly add the flour until the batter is smooth.
Heat enough oil (in a wide pan) to be able to deep fry.


For each rosette follow these instructions:
Dip "batterless" (rosette) iron into the hot oil until the iron is hot.
Dab the iron onto a paper towel - then dip into the batter.
Make certain you --- do not -- go over the top of the iron! It will run the entire batter.
Dip the "battered" iron into the hot oil --- the batter will loosen itself - if you need to, nudge it off with a fork.


When it looks light brown… Turn the Rosette cookie to brown the other side.
When that side is light brown…. remove and drain on paper towels until cool.



Sprinkle with confectioners' / powdered sugar.
Serve! and Enjoy!



We always know when people sample our cookies…….. by the powdered sugar on their shirts! :) Enjoy!




*This family "generation" recipe was submitted to a local cookbook:


1992 - Ethnic Recipes, Traditions and Customs -- St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Compiled by Mary Ann Lipsky
Illustrations and Narrative by Janet Kovalchick (a local artist and dear friend)
Small Drawings Assistant - Robin Gwen Lipsky (age 18)




****************************************************************************************************

Adventure FOOD: True Caesar Salad: Cookbook Submissions "Over the Years" - Workplace: The Swain School - 1989

I was the Preschool and Lower School Director at The Swain School from September, 1987 - June, 2008


Food / Cooking being a Passion of mine…..
For the School's 60th Anniversary, I volunteered my time to compiling an Anniversary Cookbook!

To this day…. People still comment to me about how they refer to it for some favorites!

The cookbook is out-of-print so….

I will be sharing some of the recipes on this blog that I / our family submitted and...
some of our favorites from our Swain friends!

Submitted by The Lipsky Family: "TRUE" CAESAR SALAD*

created by Caesar Cardini at Caesar's Hotel in Tijuana, Mexico in 1924

• 2 heads of romaine, washed, dried
• and refrigerated at least 8 hours
• 3/4 cup garlic flavored oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
• 1 large lemon, halved
• 6 - 8 drops Worcestershire sauce
• 2 coddled eggs
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup croutons
• wooden salad bowl

GARLIC FLAVORED OLIVE OIL

• put 4-5 cloves of garlic in mixture of 1 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• cover and let set 4 -5 days - remove garlic.

CODDLED EGGS

• bring water to a boil, add eggs.
• Remove pan from heat - after 1 minute remove eggs from water and set aside.

CROUTONS

• take 2 day old bread - remove crusts - cut into 25 squares.
• Place in roasting pan and dribble with 3/4 cup garlic flavored oil, flip to coat.
• Bake at 350 (degree oven) for 30 minutes, flipping cubes every 5 minutes.

SALAD

• Place romaine in salad bowl and toss with 1/2 cup oil (using a waving motion).
• Add salt and pepper, toss again.
• Add lemons, Worcestershire sauce, break eggs over salad, add remaining 1/4 cup oil and cheese and toss again.
• Add croutons last and toss lightly.

After gathering ingredients, make this in front of your guests at the table.
Arrange leaves on a dinner plate stem side out - this makes it easier to eat with fingers!!



*Submitted by The Lipsky Family to The Swain School - 60 Years of Traditions and Family Recipes in 1989

Foodies 101: A Favorite TV Show! A Favorite Candy Store!

Dolce Patisserie

Location: The Shoppes at 23 Main Street, Hellertown, Pennsylvania 484-851-3652

Did you know?

Right here in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania….

We have a "Sweet Genius!"

 

Click on Alan's picture for the rest of the gallery ;)

Foodie Bob read this in the paper recently:

Owner of Hellertown pastry shop wins 'Sweet Genius'

Alan Pitotti wins $10,000 on popular Food Network show.

January 18, 2013|By Diane W. Stoneback, Of The Morning Call

Pastry Chef Alan Pitotti, owner of Dolce Patisserie, was back at work in his Hellertown shop less than nine hours after his family, friends and customers watched him win $10,000 on the Food Network's "Sweet Genius."


Although the 36-year-old chef had just won the equivalent of a Super Bowl for pastry chefs, he already was focused on figuring out how to give his daredevil fans a chance to taste the cake that clinched his victory -- It was a meringue-covered, spicy pink peppercorn and wasabi pea cake, with spicy chocolate ganache…..

I was really excited about this announcement and it gave me a great excuse to visit Dolce Patisserie again to purchase some chocolates!


I so enjoy his "beautiful"…. and I do mean "beautiful" candy creations…. that are equally as delicious!


And…. Alan was there! Which is not a surprise…. he loves his work! :)

We had a wonderful chat about the competition and his wonderful experience with the show and host of "Sweet Genius," Ron Ben-Israel.



P.S.
I've postponed blogging about this due to Billboards in the Lehigh Valley not posting that Alan is a "Sweet Genius!"

They show him attending the local community college, but nothing about Sweet Genius!

So…..

the Billboards remain the same (to date, now early March, 2013)

and…
I wanted you to know…..

Congratulations! Alan Pitotti….. Sweet Genius!

from the LifeDesigning1 Team! :) So Proud!

Links to more info on Alan Pitotti: Sweet Genius! :

Dolce Patisserie website

Dolce Patisserie's toffee is golden article

NEWSMAKER Q&A: ALAN PITOTTI article

LifeDesigning 1 Team Confesses….

Foodies 101!

LifeDesigning1 is Admitting:  WE ARE FOODIES!

There comes a time when one has to confess… and the time is now!

 

We are……. FOODIES!

We are……. foodies from way back!  It's actually generational!  

My Grandparents (mom's) came to the United States from Austria, Hungary & Yugoslavia (specifically, in an area which is now Slovenia) with many wonderful hopes, dreams and passions!  The United States was a promise of opportunity, freedom… starting a new, abundant, prosperous life!

With them they brought many skills and talents… compassion, a strong work ethic, cooking, baking, farming…. and love!  The love of family, children, friends & community! 

What we will venture into here is the extension of their passion --- ours now  --- for Food!  

 

In the early 1900's, my grandparents were Growing and Nurturing their food, initially, on their farm and then, on small plots of land.  

And…. 

 

They were Cooking and Baking It!  Surrounded by family, friends and community… they cooked and baked often and they did it with Passion and Love! 

Being Foodies… we will be posting about our favorites here:  

• Our Favorite Foods
• Recipes
• Cookbooks
• TV programs
• Classes
• Places we've explored, munched / dined at & purchase some of our favorite foods 
• And... of course, Restaurants!  Where we've dined and dine, some rather frequently!

This is our Adventure --- Food!  :)  

Good Times Ahead! 

A little example of what's to come ;)

More Homemade Valentine Ideas Part 2

More Homemade Valentine Ideas from Pinterest!

Source: growingajeweledrose.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

What a cute Homemade Valentine Idea for those little valentines at school! <3

Source: mommygaga.com via Dishin' With Rebelle on Pinterest

What a sweet Homemade Valentine Idea for Grandparents/Aunts/Uncles! 

Source: timandkimshirley.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Show your little ones how they can create symmetry with this cute Homemade Valentine Idea! 

Source: nurturestore.co.uk via ♥Christy on Pinterest

Love the little Homemade Valentine Envelopes here...so cute! ;) 

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Kristin on Pinterest

Are you into Mason Jar Homemade Valentine Ideas? These are adorable! 

Source: pressurecookeroutlet.blogspot.com via Erica on Pinterest

A simple and adorable Homemade Valentine Idea to say "I Love You!" 

Source: mykidsguide.com via Monica on Pinterest

Ok, I'll stop for now! I'll post more as I find them ;)!

Make sure you click on each of the pictures so you can visit the Pinterest site and find out more info!

Which Homemade Valentine Ideas do you like the best? Comment below ;) 

Give this post a share and a like! Thanks so much! <3

Homemade Valentine Ideas and Pinterest

I've been on Pinterest lately and have found some absolutely adorable Homemade Valentine ideas!

Check them out! <3


 

Source: Uploaded by user via Belinda on Pinterest

I have a couple ideas for Jackson's homemade valentines this year! But I keep finding more! (So excited he wants to make them this year! <3)

Here are some more Homemade Valentine Ideas!!! Yay!

Source: designfinch.com via L on Pinterest

Wait! There's more! I've been having so much fun on Pinterest! 

Check out the Lip Whistle! So cute! And there are so many Homemade Valentine Ideas for both girls and boys! Love it!

Source: oopseydaisyblog.com via L on Pinterest

I really love that Lip Whistle one! Oh this is going to be difficult!!! Oooh the airplane one might be good too!!!! So hard to choose!!! Jackson's going to have a blast!!!

So much fun to make Homemade Valentines! 

Awe! Check out this hairdo for girls on Valentine's Day! So cute! Do you think Jackson will mind? Hahaha! 

Source: foreverfoldinglaundry.com via Louisa on Pinterest

How about some great Homemade Valentine Food Ideas! Yum! 

Source: momendeavors.com via Sara on Pinterest

Ok, I'll stop for now! I'll post more as I find them ;)!

Make sure you click on each of the pictures so you can visit the Pinterest site and find out more info!

Which Homemade Valentine Ideas do you like the best? Comment below ;)

Give this post a share and a like! Thanks so much! <3

Adventure Days ~ Camden Aquarium - Part 1 - Camden, New Jersey

ADVENTURE DAY!!!  Went to the CAMDEN AQUARIUM in New Jersey recently!  Soooo cool! The Penguins…. outside... Check out that penguin over there Pa! This is so neat! And, Inside….. they are funny! It's so cool to watch them swim! Then we entered…. the Stingray Beach Club area at the Camden Aquarium, New Jersey -- It's a Touch Exhibit!!  I can actually "touch" a stingray! And…        Here's Pa telling me the right way to "touch" a big stingray!  Wow! Check out the Stingrays Pa! Look at the size of that one Gamma! And…. Gamma!  Look at the size of them!  Pa told me we can go to places and actually swim with them!  Like in the Grand Cayman Islands (where Pa and Gamma went), Hawaii, Florida…. I'm going to have to do some research on that!  That would be a trip filled with Adventure Days for sure!     There was an area where there were smaller ones…. so neat! So cool to be able touch all of these animals! This Adventure Day to Camden Aquarium, New Jersey is -- To be continued…    As we venture on to the Sharks! Joyful Journeying with Jackson!  :) Make Life an Adventure! Start Enjoying Life Today! Follow these simple steps: Click on this Link! Put your email address in! Watch the Free Video! Get Started with us today! <3

Adventure Days: January and the Beach Cape May, NJ

January Adventure to The Beach!

A chilly Sunday in January and…. We went to the Beach!  One of our favorite places…. Cape May, New Jersey!

We started our day on Jackson Street…

And then we headed straight to the ocean to walk on the beach!  Gamma calls it "our beach" in the winter because there are fewer people there to share it with and not so crowded.  Good Idea Gamma!

As we walked, I collected all kinds of treasures… shells, stones…. and Pa was explaining all kinds of things to me…. like the patterns in the sand from the wind.  It was a little windy and chilly, but I didn't want my coat to restrict my fun!

   

I love the beach and the ocean!  Just look at how neat it is!  

And the waves….  

They are just the best fun!  

I love looking at the videos of my waiting for them to come at me…. and then I run from them.  And… I do it over and over and over again!   Hahahaha!  

It's just hard to leave the ocean once I'm there!

Here we are eating --- at The Ugly Mug Restaurant!  My standard… "Grilled Cheese…. Please!"  :)

(Oh… walking & running in the cold, Atlantic Ocean… I did get a little chilly…  got a new sweatshirt!)

New sweatshirt, treasures from the beach and shopping, sand in my jeans… I would say… "it was a pretty good Adventure Day today!"

And… I wanted Pa to get a sweatshirt just like mine!  If you look close… there are "sharks" on them!  It's really Cool!  

Fun Times!  Fun Adventure!  

Till next time….. 

Make Life an Adventure! Start Enjoying Life Today!

Follow these simple steps:
Click on this Link!
Put your email address in!
Watch the Free Video!
Get Started with us today! <3

Adventure Days: Pennsylvania Mountains

My boys getting ready to venture into the snowy woods! A beautiful walk in Nature!

Adventure Days in the Mountains!

Ever want to visit the mountains of Pennsylvania, but you weren't sure what to do when you got there? Well... We absolutely love to visit our home in the Mountains!

It's a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just appreciate Nature! We visit the local stores! One of my absolute favorites is The 84 Country Store in Greentown, PA! I love to visit this store because of all of the great Country Items it has for our home and also the special treats they make in store! Oh... Now I'm thinking about Fudge!

Anyway....

We spend lots of time just on the grounds around our home! We enjoy amazing Nature Walks through the woods hoping to spot animals! We've had animals such as deer, foxes, bears, opossums, coyotes, raccoons and skunks visit right in our back yard! It's always an Adventure!

We splash through puddles! Fly Kites! Find and Identify footprints in the snow! And yes, we can even identify certain types of animal poop! LOL!

Jackson flying his kite all by himself! The winds were giving a hard time that day too lol!

We also love to go on Critter Walks!

That's when we go searching for all those little mountain critters...like newts, frogs, snakes, butterflies, caterpillars and anything else little that we can catch for a little bit to inspect and release!

Sometimes we have to walk a little further to find some of God's beautiful creatures! Below are some pictures as we search through the woods for animals! Even if we didn't find any...we still love the Adventure and Beauty of God's Green Earth!

This was right as we were entering the woods! Two enormous pine trees came together to create a natural tunnel!

Even with his big old snow boots...Jackson manages to enjoy the streams and puddles created by the melting snow! Gotta love puddles and streams!

My little adventurer! He is determined to see the Beaver Dam and Swamp!

And he found the Beaver Dam! It's right behind him in this picture! Can you see it? ;)

We hope you enjoyed a view of our Mountain Adventure Days! We'll share some more Adventure Days soon! Be sure to visit 84 Country Store when you can! It's an Adventure in itself! Love it!!!!

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