Gracie's 12th BIRTHDAY

Click on the picture of Gracie to see the whole album. Enjoy!

Ohio Fun

You know how you have pre-conceived notions about places that you've never been?  I definitely had a few about Ohio.  I NEVER expected it to be so beautiful.  We drove through the countryside into Amish country.  It was like taking a trip back into snow covered time. 

As most of you already know, the Browns are tropical people. After 3 years of living on Guam and now Florida, our blood has thinned so that it probably looks more like cranberry juice.  Being in for real, honest to goodness SNOW was a huge deal for us!

Uncle Rob introduced us to the joys of uncontrollably flying down snow and ice covered hills. Also know as sledding.

Abbie made it halfway down at lightning fast speed before she rolled the rest of the way down.

She got up asking for more!

Holly was considering carefully her options. 

"Should I risk life and limb for a moment of absolute fun?

Absolutely!"

Yes, we ate Heini cheese and we loved it!

  

Heini's Cheese Chalet was in an Amish community called Bunker Hill.  

We also ate a restaurant called The Amish Door in Wooster and I am not kidding when I say it was one of the best meals I have EVER had.  

Lee was a very happy guy.  He, his dad, Abbie and Gracie went to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton.  He loved every minute of it.  

See all of our Ohio pictures in our Picasa Web Album linked on the right.  

White Christmas

I really am dreaming of a White Christmas. It could happen.

Friday Funny

This is on Fraidy Cat's Christmas wish list. Automated dog smacking device!

Wordless Wednesday

Turkey Day Prep

Twas 3 days before Thanksgiving and all through the house-PANIC!!!

Nah, not really...but close.

We went from just a small dinner, possibly somewhere else to a big gathering then back to just a few family members and back again to possibly 20+ people at our house.  It's a good thing that I adhere to that ancient proverb: Semper Gumby-Always Flexible!

I'm not complaining mind you, I LOVE Thanksgiving!!!!

Thanksgiving is a dream holiday for cooks and eaters alike and I fit in BOTH categories.

We've been faithfully watching the Food Network and scanning the internet for new tips on our old favorites.  Holly has the Alton Brown pie making episodes recorded and is ready to put those skills to good use.  Gracie is on standby with her Yoshi Blade just waiting for me to hand her something that needs to be sliced or diced.  Caitlin has shopped for her cookie ingredients and is ready to put that Kitchen Aid mixer to work.   It remains to be seen though whether or not Lee will build the Turkey Derrick over the fryer this year.  Abbie and Lee are our ever reliable taste testers. Now, who's doing the dishes? (Insert cricket sounds here)

Truthfully, I plan to cook for an army and whoever shows up to eat will not be disappointed.  If we end up with leftovers, all the better.  Leftovers make good lunches.

So here is our menu for Thursday:

2 Turkeys-

 Not sure if we will bake, roast, fry or smoke them but I'm

leaning towards roasting one and frying one.

1 Ham

 Again, don't know if I will go buy a Honeybaked ham or one from the grocer and bake or smoke it. I guess I need to make these decisions huh?

Cornbread Dressing

Giblet Gravy

Green Bean Casserole

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Mashed/Creamed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Casserole

Corn Pudding

Fruit Salad

Cranberry Sauce

Rolls

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Caramel Cake 

Apple Dumpings

Snickerdoodles

Did I forget anything? Do you think we need more?

 I'd love to hear what you are having!

Friday Funny