Yearly Portraits at Conestoga House and Gardens

Every year I try to have a photo session with the kids since I don't go anywhere for portraits.  My favorite spot for this casual photo shoot (ie: I click away while they roam) is a local gem, Conestoga House and Gardens. 



They are only open one day a week, have very restricted hours, and finding a Wednesday evening that we're free is slim pickings.  However, last night was the last chance we would have before they close for the season, so off we went.  (It was Pete's first time there and he had a very important job--to keep Adam out of the water hazards fountains, pool, koi pond.)

It was evident that the kids were tired and not in the mood.  Wouldn't you say?
(Note to self: avoid picture taking during the first week back to school.)

Anytime I asked if they could stand or sit in a particular place or smell this or that flower, they balked and gave me one of these:

Adam's tactic was to run.  Just run.  And the boy is quick.

(By the way, the place has a carry in, carry out policy...we brought our own flowers.)

So, I left them alone, and managed to get a few shots I could work with.  They didn't have to be contest winners.  Just one or two snapshots of who they are at this age.

And because I promised Natalia she could use my camera (with assistance) to take a few pictures when we were finished, here is her favorite shot of the night.  The horse.  That should be no surprise!  :-)

What truly made the evening was running into some friends from college and my Y.E.S. training, as well as two families from our church!  Shout out to the Planks and the Howells!  :-)  The kids had a blast playing hide and seek as the sun set.



Together At Last

Ryan and Sarah are in for the week from the Golden State.

After much anticipation and excitement waiting for their arrival, we are loving every minute we get to spend face-to-face.

Sunday evening we had a picnic at Mom and Dad's. Pulled pork sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, lots of fresh veggies, and lemon ice cream pie for dessert...end of summer on a plate.

Thankfully the weather cooperated and we could spend the entire night outside.

The kids had a great time running around and playing...

...and then there were presents from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Sarah. (Since their visits are usually twice a year, they give group Christmas and birthday gifts when they're here...and they're so creative and fun!)

Can you guess what it is?

Pandemonium.

All lined up for a picture and so giddy they can't keep from dancin'!

(I believe the new puppies names are: Cooper, Diesel, Honey, Molly and Daisy)

Adam leaned down to hug his puppy and said, "I'm SO GLAD to meet you!"

Natalia's puppy looks just like the German Short-haired Pointer we had when she was a baby...hence the same name. AND, Joe and Kim's neighbor have a black poodle, just like the one Eli got! Ryan and Sarah had no idea how coincidental their selections were, which just made things all the more fun!

See?

I love these boys! Happy to hug them at the same time!

I Get Alittle Giddy...

...every time I think of THIS.

Last Friday my family was blessed by my mother-in-law's generosity. She works for a division of Hershey and can get free tickets to Hershey Park. If not for this fact we would not go. It's just too expensive.

We took the tour through Chocolate World first and the adults ate the packed "supper" we each had brought along. The kids wiggled and squirmed and were too wide-eye-excited to think of eating food. The absurdity when such fun was to be had!

We spent awhile in the kiddie sections. Then a group broke off to go to the water park area and my brother Joe and I set off to brave the likes of FAHRENHEIT. Our loved ones said their goodbyes and assured us the life insurance policies were paid up. (!!!)

We chatted leisurely as we waited in the hour-long queue. It wasn't until we were debating where to stash Joe's glasses that any signs of doubt or trepidation were expressed. He accused me of talking him into this. (Let the record state that neither of us had needed ANY encouragement.)

It wasn't until we were in this position that my heart started pounding.

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

What a thrill! What a rush! I could not stop LAUGHING the entire ride!

And since I had not been to the Park since 1995, I had to chase it with THE STORMRUNNER.

I <3 rollercoasters. The higher and faster the better!

Tomato Pie

I found a recipe recently while blog-hopping, and I've made it 3 times in 3 weeks. After a few revisions (for reasons stated below) I thought I'd share it.

If you want to see the original recipe, click on this link. It promises to be "smack your granny" good.

If you want to try my "I was raised a pacifist" version, keep reading. :-P

What makes it different?

Well, I omitted the mayo (or cream cheese substitute) and decreased the tomatoes and shredded cheese, because I didn't want an overflowing mess in my oven and thought a cup of cheese was plenty. I cooked the onions before assembling the pie, because raw or slightly cooked onions give us old farts heartburn. :-) AND, I layered the bacon and onions on the bottom, then the tomatoes, then the cheese and crust. Maybe I'm dillusional but I think putting the tomatoes in first makes the bottom crust a bit soggy. (I also tried it once without the second crust on top, but it dried everything out. And that's practically a sin.)

Tomato Pie

Makes 1 pie plate, or 6-8 servings.

2 prepared pie crusts (I just buy the ones you unroll)

2 large or 4 plum very ripe tomatoes (homegrown, if possible--the taste is unmatched)

1/2 large onion

1 c. shredded cheese (Use 1/2 sharp cheddar and 1/2 Mont. Jack or mozzarella)

6 slices bacon

basil, salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Set out your pie crust to bring to room temp. and preheat the oven to 400.

2. Core each tomato, cut in half through the equator, and use your fingers to scoop out the seeds and juice. Then slice and place in a colander, sprinkle with a little salt and drain a bit more.

3. While frying the bacon, thinly slice the onion. After removing bacon to drain on paper towel, reserve a tiny bit of hot fat to brown the onions for about 5-6 mins. over medium heat.

4. While onions are cooking, chop up bacon, shred cheese and prepare bottom crust in a lightly greased pie plate. (Pull crust just a little beyond the edge of the plate so it doesn't fall in when you fill it. You want enough bottom crust to crimp to the top.)

5. Layer bacon, onions and then tomatoes in pie crust. Sprinkle with black pepper and basil and then top with cheese. Lay second crust on top, crimp edges of top and bottom crusts together, and cut a few slits to vent steam.

6. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower temperature to 350 and bake for 30-35 mins. more. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

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I love pairing this dish with Spinach, Mushroom & Cheese Quiche, Sausage & Cheese Quiche, or both!

A great casual meal to make for dinner guests because the work is finished nearly an hour beforehand. Just slice and serve!

Enjoy!

Sunflowers

Last summer, despite our frequent trips to my parents' house, capturing a shot of this large swatch of sunflowers eluded me. I either had a carload of tired hungry children, a tight timeline, and/or I had forgotten to grab my camera before leaving home. Till I had the time and my lense handy the blooms had faded and dried up.

So, when I drove past this field a few days ago and discovered their bright shining faces in all their glory, I knew I had but a narrow window.

Don't sunflowers just make you smile?

I think the farm where these are planted must harvest the seeds to sell because it seems like a pretty large crop just for aesthetic purposes.

Last night when I took these shots there were several colums of dark blue storms all around. I was kind of hoping for that particular shade of blue behind the yellowish orange of the blooms, but their faces were turned to the east and I was surrounded by tall corn. Only one way to shoot.

I just love these blooms.

Photo Shoot--Part 2, Outakes

Here are a few that didn't make the cut.

Either the lighting was weird and I didn't know how to fix it, I only got one shot in before the kids were moving on to the next thing, or you can speculate just from the picture why I didn't keep it.

And that's a wrap, folks.

Photo Shoot---Part 1

Last week the ladies in my Care Group met at Conestoga House & Gardens for the evening. It's become a tradition to enjoy this local gem together once a year.

Located right along Marietta Avenue and just west of downtown Lancaster, Conestoga House is the former estate of the Steinman family. It is only open to the public June 15 to September 28 on Wednesdays, from 1pm-8pm, but it's free. There is an outside area with a few tables and chairs, so we take in tea, fruit and scones with lemon curd. (They have a take in--carry out policy.) And while there, enjoy the beautiful flowers and ideas they generate.

This year I happened to be filing mental notes for this photo shoot more than for my flowerbeds. I try to take some candid shots of the kids at least once a summer since I don't take them for studio pictures. And in the midst of such beautiful scenery, positioning is the least of my concerns. Every background is fantastic.

The kids did pretty well. I was determined not to fuss at them. That never works. I asked my mom to join us, mainly to keep an eye hand on Adam so we wouldn't have to fish him out of the fountains and koi pond.

Both children didn't stay still for more than a few seconds (if that), so I just kept snapping frames. I'm happy with the few "good" shots I did get, AND I ran into an old high school friend too!

Now, which ones do I choose to frame? Help me out here...

(Outtakes will be posted tomorrow.)

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