Happy Halloween !!

Here are my two little trick-or-treaters right before we headed out tonight. The other child of mine, now too old to trick-or-treat, stayed home to help my Mom pass candy out at her house.

Gage is Scream
Katie is the Princess of Thieves

It still seems so odd to be trick-or-treating before it is

even dark out. I know they do it for safety reasons but you know, it kind of takes the fun out of it.

We did happen upon two houses that had people dressed up and acting the roles of zombies and such.
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched my children go up the steps. There was a little person on the ground that came crawling after them as though they were going to grab at their feet. Once they were on the porch to get the candy there was a girl that was pretending to cut her foot off and another boy with a chainsaw ready to pounce on them. Neither of our kids acted scared but they sure had their eyes wide open. I think they were just waiting & watching for the next ghost or goblin to hop out at them. It was definitely a house that smaller children probably would have been scared to go to but quite fun for the older ones.
Now that Halloween is over we'll be looking forward to the next holiday....Thanksgiving!
Well I should say that I will be looking forward to Thanksgiving, I'm sure the kids are looking forward to Christmas.
Hope you've all had a Happy Halloween!

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars & a Fairy Ring

Howdy all!
I can't believe it's almost Friday. It's been days since I have posted anything but I just haven't really felt like doing much of anything. It's that time of the year when my sinuses drive me crazy. You know that feeling of your head being about three sizes bigger than it actually is and all that pressure behind your ears and eyes just feels like it's going to explode?
Well that is how I have felt for the last couple of days and all I've really wanted to do was close my eyes and go to sleep so I haven't done much of anything, or at least nothing worth sharing with all of you.
Thankfully, today things seem to be letting up and so here I am.
I was up and at it early this morning cleaning house, figuring out what was for supper tonight and of course you need a dessert so I thought I would give these a try. The recipe is out of one of my many Amish cookbooks, though I have seen it other places too!

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars

1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
8 oz. cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (1 bag will do)

Stir cake mix, 1 egg and oil together.
Reserve one cup of this mixture for topping.
Press the remainder of crumbs in a greased 9X13 pan.
Cream together the cream cheese, 1 egg and sugar. Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the mixture and then spread over the crumb layer.
Combine the reserved crumbs and the remaining chocolate chips.
Sprinkle over the top.
Bake 30 minutes at 350°.
Cool and cut into bars. ENJOY!

Now are you wondering what a fairy ring is?
If so, then go HERE to read Granny Sue's post about them.
The picture below was taken a few days ago in a neighboring yard. I got up that morning and looked out and wondered what those weird things were laying in the grass. I thought maybe someone had walked through and left garbage behind.

It's hard to see with all those leaves!

Nope it was a circle of mushrooms that had popped up overnight.
The first thing that came to my mind was Granny Sue and her fairy ring tale.
I noticed another person taking pictures of the shrooms today. (I should have gone and taken another picture because they have grown even bigger.)

Anyways, I stopped and asked him if maybe there had been an old tree that once sat there and he said NO. His parents had bought the house back in the 30's and that there was never a tree in that spot.
Hmmm... Are the fairies sleeping nearby?

*The tooth fairy recently visited our house so my husband's take on the whole tale was that the tooth fairy had been dancing in that spot.*
Cute thought and one that Katie enjoyed.

Homemade Maple Granola Cereal

Granola is a favorite of mine.
It doesn't matter whether it's in the form of a snack bar or a cereal... it's all yummy!
Store bought granola can be expensive when you consider the small amount that you get in the box for the price that you pay for it so I thought I would try making a batch of my own.
I never realized how easy and inexpensive it is to make. You get so much more for your money and you could make it in so many different flavors. I chose to use maple syrup in mine for a bit of flavor but next time I'll try adding some other flavors like peanut butter, almond or maybe I'll even add some dried fruit to it.
The possibilities are endless.

Maple Granola Cereal

8 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups wheat germ
2 cups walnuts, chopped fine
2 cups graham crackers, crushed (not ground fine)
3 sticks butter
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1-2 tsp. maple syrup

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan.
Add sugar, honey, salt, soda and syrup to butter and mix all together.
Pour over dry ingredients and toss to coat well.
Spread mixture onto 2 large greased baking sheets.
Bake at 250° for 1 hour.
Be sure to stir every 15 minutes to that it doesn't burn.
Let cool and then store in an airtight container.

** Did you Know? **
There are 8 different B vitamins that work together and are needed by every part of your body. Because B vitamins are not stored well by your body, you need to eat foods every day that contain these vitamins. Liver and *wheat germ* are the only foods that contain all of the B vitamins.

The weather this weekend was beautiful. My themometer read 83° on Saturday. It was a bit breezy which made for a super workout when we rode our bikes. That extra wind sure provided lots of resistance for our bike trek on our journey south to home.
Sunday was more of the same but not quite as breezy. Katie went with us on that day and she was pooped by the time we made it back to the truck.
I didn't get my bathroom painted nor any sewing done but I did get caught up on some blog reading as well as some paper work that needed done here at the house. I got a start on my Christmas shopping (it's gonna be here before we know it) and managed to take the time to sit and watch a whole movie *Letters to Juliet* from beginning to end without any interruptions.
It was a nice relaxing weekend so I'm good and ready to tackle the week ahead.
Hope you have a great Monday!

Gathering Nuts, A New Favorite & Salt Dough

Happy Friday to all!
I am so glad the weekend is here.
I have tons of stuff I should do but the sounds of a quiet weekend spent doing nothing sounds wonderful.
Not that that will happen but I can still dream.
I've got a bathroom that needs repainted, vehicles that need washed and waxed before winter fully arrives, sewing, Ebaying, catching up on everyone's blogs and so so much more.
Wonder which or how many of those will actually get done??
Yesterday afternoon I looked out the back window to see two of my kids pounding away at my little Burr Oak tree. Yikes!
I went out to yell at them but I was quickly greeted by the nut gatherer.

She was so happy with how many she had gathered and Gage was grinning ear to ear each time he knocked one off the tree that it was hard to yell at either one of them. Instead I sat and watched as they carefully knocked more down thinking the whole time that maybe without the nuts on the tree that all the little pesky chipmunks that are burrowing up my yard will go away!

After Mark finished work we headed to the mall to grab a bite to eat. When we finished eating we headed over to Ollie's Bargain Outlet. This store has been in our area for a good while but I never take the time to go into it. That is until last night. It is now my new favorite!
As soon as you walk in the door you run into aisles and aisles of books. Tons of cookbooks, history, educational, romance, amish reads, religious, hobby etc. I could have spent the whole shopping trip in just the books alone.
In the end we ended up bringing plenty home with us.

These are a few of Logan's picks.

I also found a few jigsaw puzzles that will keep us busy indoors when the weather changes
and some new Christmas cards as well as the book Amish Peace that I have heard from a few bloggers was a good read.

Today, we managed to squeeze in some time to try a new recipe for salt dough. ( Do you gals put lemon juice in your dough??--It said that it would make the dough even harder.) 
The kids always enjoy playing in the kitchen and getting their hands dirty so they enjoyed this.

The dough is drying in the oven right now so maybe tomorrow we can get them painted up cute.
Well I'm off to get a few more things done so that I can spend my evening here just sitting by the fire.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

What do you do....

when you create something that looks like this????

This was one of those recipes that I had doubt about from the very first ingredients that I mixed together. But hey, you won't know until you try.

Right?

 I had dough that had climbed up and over the sides and actually I think it may have still been growing.

I cleaned the pans up and then placed them on a cookie sheet in the oven. First, I took all other racks out of the oven for fear of having to clean those too!

In the end, the bread was edible but by no means was it the best tasting that I have ever made.

Relax!

The recipe is in the garbage. I won't share it with you.

Thankfully, the main course of my meal turned out a whole lot better than this. 

Sights of Amish Country

These are just a few of the sights that I managed to get a picture of. As you will see I love the barns!

Everyone has a barn because everyone has a horse!
                 
I love the gentle rolling hills that Ohio has. Here in WV we have hills (mountains) or creek bottom valleys...no in betweens.

                     Two Lane Covered Bridge

Heading Home!

Second Trip to Amish Country

This weekend I headed back to Amish country to pick up several items that I didn't grab on my first trip and then once home wished I had.
But before I show you those things I have to tell you the other reason for going back.
Carmen over at WAXED OUT CREATIVE LIFE and her husband were traveling back to Sugarcreek this weekend. They live several hours away from me and since Sugarcreek is only 1 1/2 hours away I hated to miss the opportunity to meet them.

Here we are standing outside of a little shop that I always stop at. Can't remember the shop's name but they sell outdoor furniture and playsets and inside they have tons of country accents for sale at very reasonable prices.
Carmen and I are standing outside near the animal enclosure. My kids always want to feed and pet the goats as well as play on the swingsets at this place.
As for the goodies I picked up on this trip:

Pillows, table runner, berry candle and candle ring all for Misty. Items that she wished she had gotten on our first trip.
For myself, I grabbed this purse...

and this cookbook from my favorite restuarant.

I couldn't pass these mums up!

The flower beds over in Amish country are still so bright and full. Most things are dead and drab looking here at home but not over there.
I got 4 of these ( 2 purple and 2 yellow)
I couldn't pass them up at $3.99 for the purple and $6.99 for the yellow.
I also grabbed this huge one for $6.99 too!

I forgot to take a picture of the quilted throw that I got for my Mom but here is the horse welcome sign that she picked up for me.

I had hubby hang it at the front door.
I've got a good many pictures of the beautiful Ohio countryside but I'll save those for tomorrow.
Hope you are having a great day!

German Apple Cake

It's apple pickin' time around here!

My neighbors have a Golden Delicious tree in their back yard that is so loaded down with apples that they have had to prop the limbs up with 2X4's for fear of them breaking. Actually a few limbs have already snapped in two.
Anyhow, they were kind enough to share it's bounty with us this year. Logan and I grabbed a ladder, a set of grabbers and the wagon and began picking apples one by one.
Keep in mind it was a nice warm day so the bees were just as interested in those apples as we were.
In the end, it was easier to grab a limb and give the tree a good shake and they all tumbled down.
I really wish I would have gotten a picture of Logan doing this. It was quite funny as he was shaking it all the while trying to protect his head from the falling apples.

We ended up with a full wagon load so I made several batches of applesauce and then placed the rest of them in a cool spot to keep until I need them.

Dorothy also shared her recipe for the apple cake that she makes. She sent us all over a piece so that we could try it and it was DELICIOUS!

Now I know what I'll be making with those apples!

German Apple Cake

1 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples
1 cup walnuts

Icing Ingredients
3 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 tsp. softened butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat oil and eggs until frothy.
Add sugar and vanilla and blend.
In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, soda and salt.
Gradually add flour mixture to egg mixture.
Fold in apples and walnuts.
Pour into a greased and floured 13X9 pan.
Bake 1 hour at 350°.

While cake is baking, blend all icing ingredients together.
Spread icing on cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Let cool and then place in the refrigerator.
This can be eaten hot or cold however I am told that it is much tastier eaten cold.
ENJOY!

Of All the Nerve!!

Sorry people but I need to vent.
My Dad was pulled over today by a GlenDale, WV policeman who claimed that he had clocked my Dad going 47 mph in a 35 mph speed zone.
Anyone that knows or better yet rides with my Dad knows better.
He typically drives 5 miles (or more) UNDER the speed limit and is always cautiously watching out for other drivers.
Now, Dad said as he was driving through GlenDale a white truck flew by him going much faster than allowed. (Coincidence, my Dad's truck is also white!)
When the cop stopped him, almost into the next little town, my Dad told him that he had the wrong person and that he had been passed by a speeding white truck. The cop asked him if he had just pulled out of the Kwik Mart (gas station) and my Dad told him no. He had just driven straight from Moundsville and was passing through GlenDale on his way to Wheeling.
Obviously, the cop didn't have his "crap" straight!
He has mistaken my Dad for the speeding vehicle that must have just pulled out of the gas station.
Why else would he have asked Dad that?
Well you know what?
He didn't give my Dad a speeding ticket, he gave him a warning ticket and told him not to worry about it....just throw it away.
He (the cop) again, must not have been sure of himself or he would have given Dad a speeding ticket for going 12 MPH over the limit.
GlenDale doesn't overlook that big of a speeding issue!
(If you're not from our area then I'll tell you that when passing through GlenDale---GO 35 MPH---or they'll get you.)

What makes me mad is the fact that if that officer wasn't 100% positive that he had the right vehicle then he should have never issued a ticket of any kind.
These are the kind of things (along with many others) that make citizens distrust law enforcement.

Grilled Flank Steak

This is quickly becoming a favorite at our house.
My husband typically drowns all of his steaks in A-1 but when I make these with the marinade below he says they are good all alone.
Tasty and tender when marinated all day and then grilled fast.

Grilled Flank Steak

1 flank steak
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp. water
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. pepper

Place meat in a Zip-loc bag.
Add all other ingredients to bag and zip it shut.
Shake it around a bit so that everything mingles together.
Place in refrigerator and let it marinate all day.
Heat grill up nice and hot.
Place steak on grill and sear each side, toss the leftover marninade.
After both sides are seared you can turn the heat down to medium low and let cook till desired doneness.
I prefer mine "non-mooing" so I cook it well done. 
Probably 15 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness.
You be the judge on the time, depending on your own personal preference.
Cut on an angle into thin slices.
Enjoy!

*Flank steak can be rather pricey at $6.00 a pound so I usually watch for sales and then stock up on it. It freezes well, can be thawed quickly and then placed in the marinade*

Biking Along Wheeling Heritage Trail

My weekend mornings throughout the summer are usually spent bike riding with my Dad. Since getting a new lease on life a little over five years ago with the help of by-pass surgery my Dad has taken a new approach on his eating styles and exercise.
Diabetes has also crept in over the years so between the two it's not an option ~ it's a must!
Though he is on his own in his vegetarian diet, I am more than happy to join him in his bicycling adventures in an effort to remain healthy and strong.
So THIS  is where you will find us on the weekends and here are some photos that I took this weekend while riding.
We had an extra one (Katie) riding with us on both Saturday and Sunday. It was the first time that she had ever been on the Wheeling Trail and she enjoyed the new scenery plus the playground.
The above photo is looking North to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge with the Fort Henry Bridge in the background.
These next few were taken behind the Wesbanco Arena. They are looking out across the Ohio River and/or south.

 

Looks like a nice fishing spot.

Dad and Katie taking a quick rest at Wheeling's Heritage Port and taking in all the scenery.

This playground sits just north of Wheeling's Heritage Port. (right alongside the trail)

Nice hair-do huh?

She had a bad case of helmet head after wearing her bike helmet.
While Katie was playing I took a closer look at the remains of the old Pennsylvania Depot that sits directly across from the playground.
This is all that is left of it.

My Dad sent this picture to me and said that he believes that this is what it used to look like.

You can still see where the bars on the windows used to be.

Lots of vine and weeds now taking over.

We found these just above the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and I'm wondering if they are the Hedge apples that I have been in search of to repel spiders and insects.

Anyone Know???
They are pieces of one that has been smashed.
They fell from a huge tree that sat on the hillside. I would have loved to get more of them but to get to them I would have had to climb this huge stone wall.

Don't think that's gonna happen!
Well that's all for my biking pictures.
It was a busy weekend. I didn't even get the time to go near my computer.
I thought weekends were meant for resting up but it seems there is no time for rest. There has been something going on every weekend for the past month or more.
I guess I shouldn't complain though because once winter settles in and the snow begins to fly we will all be stuck indoors and bored to death wishing for that something to do.
Catch you all later!