Trip to Fort Wayne

Friday evening we loaded the truck and took off for Fort Wayne.  On a side note, I'm not sure how we are going to load the truck once we have kids because we are always full now with "stuff" and Joey.  A beautiful drive on a fall night despite a little rain.  We packed some cheese and crackers for a little picnic but decided the wine wasn't a good idea while driving.

We arrived around 8:30 and was greeted by the Delaney - Jen, Ian, Evan, and Colin.  All smiles! And we were equally as excited to see them.   I was very excited about some baby time!  And I got my fill... well I don't think you can ever get a fill of that but I loved every minute of it.  There is nothing more sweet and calming that watching a baby sleep in your arms.  The boys cracked a beer and Jen and I cracked the Moscato... so yummy!  Definitely my favorite kind so far! I'm pretty sure this is it - Bricco Riella Moscato d'Asti by Bricco Riella.  I just love sitting and talking with Ian and Jen... Jen and I find more and more similarities between us and we find more and more similarities between Ian and Ryan.  Love it!!  I can't wait to be part of that family.

The Saturday morning, Ryan and I got to take Even outside (well in the garage - we could have blown away if we actually were outside) and play some golf and basketball - so FUN!   (sorry about me yelling at Joey in the background - LOL).

Then Mom and Dad Delaney came!  So great to see them and hear them talk about their addition. I told Ryan and I enjoyed listening to his dad talk about his new workshop... he sounded like a kid at Christmas time.  And then the party began at noon... chili and corn bread - 2 of my favorites and Michigan vs. MSU football (despite the fact they lost) - it was a great start to the day.  The party continued all day and in the evening we had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs and smores.  It actually turned out to be a great night.  Then in to watch the Tigers (who also lost) and chill with the family (and maybe more baby cuddling time).

Ryan and Colin

Ryan helping Evan open the tractor we got him - John Deere of course!

Sunday, a great breakfast made by Mom Delaney - Amish egg casserole - so going to make this all the time now!  And then back on the road.  This time we broke the trip up on our way through Jonesville with a stop at the Welden's.  Every time I stop there, I just can't believe how big and grown-up Karle and Kahle are getting.  They definitely aren't little kids anymore.  But I do love watching them grow and am amazed at Karle's reading.

Then finally home to unwind and watch football, including the Lions (who are also no longer undefeated).

Fort Wayne or Bust

So excited to be heading out of town this weekend... to Fort Wayne, Indiana to see the Delaney clan and celebrate Evan's 2nd birthday!  And I get to do some baby cuddling with the little man Colin!  Can't wait to see how much he's grown. 

Evan Delaney

And we get a much needed break from doing projects around the house and some R&R and W (wine) and B (beer).  LOL!  But no fear, next weekend we will be back at it.

Lunch Packing and Meal Prep

Last night at 8:30 I found myself again trying to piece together lunches for today.  No leftovers, very little lunch meat - and a hungry man to pack for.  Luckily I pieced together a sandwich, chips, string cheese and an apple for him and some soup that I had frozen a while back for myself.  But then today I found myself thinking about what to make for lunch and dinner next week.  And I realized that I spend hours a week trying to plan this out.  Knowing what to have on hand is a huge part of it and having meat unthawed also is a big deal.  I have discovered that I love cooking in the crockpot - well it does the cooking but that's a huge time saver, but one can only make so many crockpot meals a week before it gets old.

Someone said - just to guy those frozen meals, but I just can't bring myself to buy them.  And then also trying to help Ryan with not eating gluten adds another HUGE factor.

I just remembering the days growing up, when I'd have a great hot lunch at school and then came home to a good home cooked meal.  And it was all done for me, no thinking involved.  Now wouldn't that be great to have in your adult life.

Busy Weekend

Another great weekend on RAD Farms.  We had a movie night in and Friday and watched 2 good movies... Something Borrowed - a romatic comedy and then The Fifth Quarter - based on a true story - I cried a lot during this movie! 



The big tree (almost at the start)



And the tree is gone!



Then Saturday.. up and at 'em!  Ryan wanted to cut down this huge tree (like 45 feet) because it was definitely dead and if it fell, it would land right on the power lines.  A big project for just 1, well 2 if you count me!  Lots of trips up and down the burm to remove each "little" tree that made the big one.  Then reinforcements came in (aka me and Joey), who picked up sticks and rakes and stacked wood.  That's just plain old hard work!  But we finished it!

Also had our first brush bonfire!  A great day for it... low winds that were blowing away from our neighbors!  Our pit is now empty again!





Our first tree planted



Then Sunday... it was time to plant the apple trees!  Holy hard work again!  And I realized how similar my dad and Ryan are.  Lots of measuring and plotting things out before starting to dig.  Me, I would have just started to dig and laid it out as I went.  But I'm very thankful for Ryan who takes the time to do these things because it definitely looked awesome in the end.  We plants 6 trees and let places for 2 more after we get the pollinators.  So RAD Farms is officially underway!!  We still have to plant the strawberries and rasberries, but lost steam after several hours in the 80 degree sun.



Our orchard



Crane Road... so pretty in the fall



Things learned so far at the house....



1.  Cutting trees down is an all day job... don't let anyone tell you otherwise unless there is like 10 people helping.

2.  Planting trees is not as easy as it sounds... dig a hole and put the tree in right?  HAHA, yeah not so much!

3.  A pickup truck is a must have when living on 7 acres.

4.  I don't know how the Amish do it!  Power tools are a must!



So sunny on October 9th



I love the Quad!




Our Orchard

So RAD Farms is officially under way... yesterday we purchased 6 apple trees (and will have to pick up a couple more in the spring to be the pollinators) and 2 raspberry bushes and a flat of strawberry plants.  We are also thinking about picking up a couple pear trees on Saturday when we go back to pick up the trees.  So exciting!  Now we just need to plot out where to plant them all... in the back, back 40 of course, but where?

One year later

Wow!  What a difference a year makes!  Last year on my 30th birthday, I ran a 5K and finished on the 50 yard line in the Big House - crossed that off my bucket list.  And had great intentions of crossing lots of other things off my bucket list during my 30th year as well (Europe, parasailing, etc.).. But funny how God really does have a plan for each of us.  About 6 months after my birthday, I meet an amazing man and soon fell head over heals for him.  And we buy a house and get engaged and unfortunately a few of my bucket list items didn't happen, but so much more did and was even better.  So keeping a list and crossing things out is good, but adding new and better things to the list is even better!  If you would have asked me a year ago where I'd be, I would never have guessed this, but I guess that's how God works... it's all in His plans!

So for my birthday this year, I had to teach at 6:00 am - so my birthday started nice and early... then had to work all day!  But after work, Ryan and I went to Mac's in Saline (again, we also went there Saturday with the fam).  And then came back home and had champagne and watched a little Colts Monday Night football and the Tigers (who won on my birthday :-).  Also a great birthday cuz my man knows me very well!  He got me a Maurice's gift certificate!  So excited!  Also got to hear my favorite little people sing Happy Birthday to me and even Karle sang it to me in French! 

Can't wait to see where I will be in a year from now, but I can only guess it will be just as amazing!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Another great weekend!  Friday was the start of my birthday weekend and we were going to see the Lion King 3D.  Super excited!  However, upon going into the movie theater we discovered that 3D movies at $13.00!  Must be my old age (almost 31)... but I decided I didn't want to pay that much for a movie that I could probably recite by heart.  So instead we ventured to Dan's, a local bar in Saline and had a few drinks.  Early home, because I had to get up early to teach and Ryan had to go pick up the newest member of RAD Farms - a Quad.

Saturday was a big day... the Quad arrived!  I forgot home much fun it was ride around on 4-wheelers.  After doing it so much as kids.... I felt a little like one again.   A chilly, Saturday, I spent most of the day inside cleaning and organizing and watching Michigan kick some butt.  Then we planned to meet the Welden's and Dad in Saline at our favorite restaurant Mac's.  After a great linner (it was like 3:30 when we ate).... we all come back to the house to hang out and ride the Quad - which the kids (Karle & Kahle) just loved! 

Then Sunday... a chance to sleep in and it felt great!!  Because once we were up, we never stopped.  Mowed the lawn at both houses, sting trimmed, cleaned the front flowers out (and got a few torns stuck in my finger), cut down 2 trees (and added to our wood pile), decorated the front porch for fall, made and ate a great dinner - meatballs, mashed potatoes, corn, and pumpkin pie, and ended the evening with a walk down the lane.

All in in, a great fall weekend!  And tomorrow's my birthday!  YEAH!!!!