Sometimes "Plan B" is better....

Today was supposed to be a special "family day"....we were planning on going to the beach at Presque Isle for the day, then stop for dinner on the way home, but with the weather calling for thunderstorms, we decided we'd go to the beach at Morainne State park and go to Living Treasures, too...well, it was clouding up, but we packed up the trusty old suburban anyway, hoping they would be wrong (it didn't even start to rain here until 8pm!)....we packed up the cooler, extra icewater, chairs, towels, swimsuits and a quilt, and headed north. We weren't on the road 45 minutes when the skys opened up and it poured! We looked in the direction of the lake and it was dark, cloudy and raining...so we turned around and headed to "Plan B"....we went to the Science Center for the day! We have a family pass, so it was free...and we already had food...so off we went! It was around 2pm our time....the clock on the left showing Moscow, Russia time and the clock on the right showing Tokyo, Japan time...I thought this was cool!
Everyone had a great time, but I think the one who enjoyed it the most was Ronnie...he LOVED it! Here he is making 'clouds' and blowing them around...while Anna helped. (or posed for the picture...she is good at posing!)

Ron enjoyed it a lot, too...here he is helping Ronnie with circuits and wiring. (of which Ron knows a lot about)
Anna the artist....using dot paints to decorate her fish
They were working on plumbing...connecting tubes with pvc joints and redirecting the water...Ronnie was fascinated! If it wasn't so very crowded today, we would have stayed even longer! Can't wait to come when everyone else is back in school!

The highlight was the robotics room. Ronnie is already designing his robot....he loved getting his picture taken with R2D2 from Star Wars!
And my favorite, C3P0! They even had the robot from the tv show "Lost in Space"! It kept shouting "Warning! Warning Will Robinson!" (I used to love that show!)
Even our big girls had a great time....whenever they are together they have a good time!
We ended up (with multiple coupons!) at a little resteraunt by our house called "Pepperoni's"...they call themselves a "unique family pizzaria"...and they were! Very clean, old italian music playing (yes, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin)...and the food....it was wonderful! We hardly ever go out to dinner...with 6 of us, it would just cost too much, but with our coupons....it was a special treat!

After our wonderful meal, we all came home, relaxed and then rented on demand the movie "Inkheart" with Brendan Frasier....it was great! A movie all of our family enjoyed....we still have time to go to the beach this summer as a family, but for us today...'Plan B' was the best plan for our family! A very frugal, but fun memory making day! ~Sue~

Chicken Bucket Chicken...a 70's tradition continues...

I think our family lives a unique lifestyle compared to the average family these days...in many different ways. One way, is that we are surrounded by lots of family...immediate and extended...and we get together frequently. Today, we continued a tradition that started in the 1970's....when my mother got an electric chicken fryer/pressure cooker and started making "chicken bucket chicken"...and I always requested this for my birthday. So, today, we made the 1 hour drive east, picked up my niece and headed to my mom's house! (sigh...)today, she passed the torch to me...and I learned how to make this treat. Below, you will see my beautiful (but wacky) mother holding up the booklet for her fryer. (anyone remember those Pepsodent commercials?)

We used thighs, legs and wings...so here is the chicken seasoned, and dredged in cornstarch...to make it gluten free, we can use only cornstarch and/or rice flour seasoned with season salt and pepper.

Now....my mom told me all the 'secrets' that she has learned over the years...but here is a batch frying up golden brown....for 3 minutes, then you put the lid on and pressure fry them for 10 more minutes, release the steam, carefully lift the lid...and gingerly take the hot chicken out to keep warm in the oven....usually we do a batch of potatoes in here, too...so good and crispy, but today it was....

corn on the cob! Sweet and juicy...didn't even need potatoes! We had my mother's famous (to us) coleslaw as well.

Here is the finished product...golden and crispy! One of my sisters came over for dinner with us, tomorrow I'll see my other sister, then we'll meet up again for a picnic on Saturday with my Dad and Step-mom....where my sister will take Sara over night to spend some time with her cousin, Tina. Never a dull moment around here!
(Huge sigh....) This is my requested birthday cake every year...and this year it is my last as there is NO WAY to make this gluten free. It is a pistachio cake and the frosting is heavy whipping cream and pistachio pudding...it is green, rich, moist, sweet and creamy...and not to be duplicated. It WAS really good, as usual. The rest is for Ron to finish.

Well...another year, another batch of 'chicken bucket chicken'! (Jolyn (who remembers this from our childhood years) and Dayna (my highly foodie friend)....when you come to Pittsburgh, I promise to make it for you!) Goodnight and God bless! ~Sue~

Summer birthday celebrations.....

The month of August, in our family, only has 3 birthdays in it...as opposed to July that has 8...so today was a smaller celebration! Yesterday was my 44th birthday...and it was wonderful! Very relaxed...Meghan made brunch, everyone gave me beautiful presents and cards, then Sara made dinner...in the evening, the girls and I went to our church's parent/youth group meeting. Very quiet birthday for me...which I liked, very much! (especially as today was particularly busy!) After church today, we all went over my sister, Lori's house, to celebrate my birthday, my step-mom, Maryellen's birthday and my nephew, Tommy's birthday...it was a very simple celebration....my sister got Kentucky fried chicken (not healthy, I know...but YUM!), and we had homemade potato salad, coleslaw, cucumbers in sourcream, and hot homemade biscuits...a typical American summertime picnic! My wonderful step-mom, Maryellen and I...we were particularly grateful to have her here today, as she just got out of the hospital on Thursday and is still recovering from pneumonia.
My sweet nephew, Tommy turns 15 this week! Can't believe he is that old already! All of these cousins seem to be growing up so fast!

Except these ones....I'm so very, very happy that we still have little ones to enjoy! Ronnie, Anna, Ty and a couple of the neighbor children had a blast under the sprinkler today...Ty really liked putting his hand in my icewater, then drinking from it, and since it was so cold...he would let it dribble out onto his chubby little belly....and giggle! So cute!
The beautiful picture frame that Meghan got for me...it is hard to tell, but it is a real soft green with cream.
The plaque that Sara got for me a long with a jar candle....I've wanted a visual reminder for us and to help the little ones remember these as well.

My wonderful husband, got me a new chair and ottoman for "my corner of the world"! I had seen this at an antique/consignment store and remarked to the girls how nice it would look in my livingroom....well, Ron went after working all night yesterday, checked it out and brought it home for me! It is so very comfortable, and completely matches the two recliners that we have as well....he laughed at me today, told me he loves me, and shook his head that what he called 'second hand' furniture could make me so happy! I told him, I've never wanted diamonds or jewelery....it doesn't take a lot to make me happy! The only thing I need to get now, is a few parts for a mystery gift that was bestowed on me by very dear friends....as soon as I have them, I will take pictures of this long wanted, special gift! So....our birthday weekend was quiet and simple...just the way I like it! ~Sue~

Summertime fun....priceless!

Lots of summertime fun going on around here! Even though we homeschool, the summer months when lessons and learning aren't taking up quite so much of our time is the time to spend some special time with special friends and family...especially those that go to school during the year. Yesterday, after watching Ty and the girls working, our old neighbor (and my "other daughter") Elissa came for her favorite burrito dinner and to sleep over.....after dinner we all met for miniture golf! Cubscouts is starting back up for Ronnie, and we all went to a family outing....we had such a great time! Ronnie is very excited this year to be a wolf. Meghan, Elissa and Sara....both girls as well as Ronnie got hole in ones! ( I didn't...but I was a little busy helping Anna and keeping her on the path!)
Our friends, the Logan's were there...little Jeremiah is now 3 months old...such a chub, and HAPPY...he was belly laughing most of the time!

Here I am with Jeremiah's mom...my "crazy Filipino friend", Judi! It was so good to see her, Chuck, Jacob and their girls, Bella and Hannah.....the little girls call me "Miss Shoe"...cracks me up!

Jacob and Ronnie...they had so much fun playing 18 holes together! Afterward, we all had pizza and lemonade and stayed and talked for a while.

Ron and Anna had a lot of fun....once she got the hang of it, and hit some in, she was very excited!
Today, Sara & Lissa went horseback riding at Rolling Hills ranch...they had a great time. This is something that they look forward to doing together a couple times a year. Lissa goes back to school soon, so we are glad that she was able to stay over and spend the day....when she lived across the street, of course we saw her almost everyday....we really miss them!

My three girls!
Ronnie and his friend, Miles. Miles is also an old neighbor...these boys have played together since babies...they are only 3 weeks apart. They had a blast playing sword fighting outside, and legos inside...typical boy stuff, while Anna danced around the livingroom in her dance outfit.

Grilled hotdogs, fresh veggies from our garden....a quick, simple American summertime meal....

~Getting together with special people, playing in water, summertime picnic food, slinkies (got one each Ronnie and Anna for $1!) having my children plan and hide birthday surprises for me....all of these......priceless! ~Sue~

We love Ohio...part 2 of our trip!

Our dear friend, Stephanie. As this is part 2 of our trip, I saved our last day for ....last! LOL Anyway...yesterday, Stephanie treated us to an old-time victorian Tea Parlor...imagine a victorian "Dr. Quinn" style....we loved it! Ronnie, Charles and David went to a resteraunt for lunch...then hiking down to a little river with falls...Ronnie had so much fun! Stephanie in the square(in her Audrey Hepburn outfit). The town was called "Oldstead Falls"...and they brought all of these buildings from all over Ohio, renovated them, created this little town with bricked walkways, a gazebo, train, shops, 2 eating establishments, a barber shop and many more....all authentic. It was so cool to walk around like it was the Dr. Quinn town!


The Livery Stable sign above Clementine's tea parlor.

My three beautiful daughters in the gazebo...overlooking the river.
The ice cream parlor...we were so full after the tea parlor, that we'll save this one for next time.
This is so funny....Stephanie ordered 'high tea' for all of us...and look at Anna's face...this was before food.....

THIS is Anna after her food arrived....she said "this tower is all for me?!"...and it was! She had her own food, tea pot and tea cup...she was so happy!
Steph and I
The girls thought this antique phone booth was really cool.
Clementine's Tea Parlor....

Abigail's quilt shoppe....beautiful fabrics!
The old buggy...Ronnie did NOT want his picture taken...he wanted to go off with the guys.
The town boasted a wooden 'boardwalk' outside the shops...just like in the old days so the ladies didn't have to 'muss' their skirts.
Back at Stephanie's...the boys and Sara played Wii, Anna played with the dog, while Meghan, Stephanie and I looked at some old pictures of the kids when they were little, and then we loaded up the car. We drove away with the three of them waving and Charles even had the dog, Gunner waving at Anna.

What a special time we had with good friends! Thanks, Steph, for your incredible hospitality! Looking forward to spending time with all of you again very soon! ~Sue~

We love Ohio...part #1!

We just got back from a wonderful 2 day trip to visit old friends in Ohio! What a fun trip!Here is Meghan, me, Stephanie and her friend, Judy at a cute little park close to their house.

Anna, the monkey!

Ronnie...hanging with "the guys"...watching them race on their bikes.
We had a wonderful dinner Sunday night, then when my little ones went to bed, Steph and I, her two sons Charles (age 17) and David (age 14) and Meghan & Sara stayed up playing the board game, "Clue"...what a fun game! We ended up talking and laughing until after 1am! (mistake...Anna got up super early the next day!)Yesterday, we drove up to the beach at Lake Erie....how beautiful! Stephanie and I have been friends since 1999...it was wonderful spending time with her and her boys!
Meghan at the beach...she, Steph and I didn't bother to get our bathingsuits on...although, I wish I had! It was so warm, peaceful and beautiful there!

Ronnie and Charles...he is looking into applying to go to college at Patrick Henry University next fall...
The rocks that we were sitting on...and sharing with the seagulls!
Anna, Ronnie and Sara....the water was perfect! Everyone had so much fun!

David and Charles
Icecream after an afternoon of swimming....just in time before the heavy thunderstorms started!

This view was gorgeous! Can't wait to go back again soon!
Charles
Their wonderful dog, Gunner and Anna...she loves this dog SO MUCH! He had to be the best behaved dog I've ever been around...and SMART! He was so gentle with Anna, played ball for hours with her, and knows his left from his right! She misses him already!
The boys were great with Ronnie...took him under their wings, taught him things, listened to him and taught him some cool Lego things...they also shared David's drum set with him...he was really good! (Hmm....maybe there is a drum set in the future for our home.)

Stephanie took the girls and I to Old Time Pottery. This shop was great! Tons of housewares....incredibly priced! I got 2 oil lamps, lamp oil, dish cloths and towels...even my Christmas cards! The girls got some great bargains, too! (Meghan has almost filled up her Hopechest already!)
I had to laugh...Steph got herself a new "blankie"...a soft, beautiful blush colored boucle throw.

The "Clue" gang! We had so much fun with this game! We played it both nights. I have to learn the boys 'strategy'....I couldn't figure it out either night!
This is David....telling Sara to stop trying to see his cards!!!

~What a special trip this was! Thanks, Stephanie! This was the first time we got to visit with them since they moved 6 years ago....she kept inviting us, but with having Ronnie and then Anna...and then moving (and my fear of driving on the highway....)we didn't make it until now. I'm so glad! Part two of out trip tomorrow.....wait until you see the old town that we visited when we had our 'high tea' at a victorian tea parlor! ~Sue~