Doughnut Days

Yup! It's time again for our annual tradition: Doughnut Day!! This year we had to really work to squish it in to everyone's schedules, but yesterday afternoon we did get it in. All the ladies and children came over and we made cider-glazed-pumpkin-doughnuts! Mmmmmm....

Actually, while it is overall a fun day, it is really characterized by the constant requirement to exercise self-control. To some degree, anyway. Like, only eating a dozen, not two dozen, doughnuts. And it is an exercise in child supervision - making sure they eat only one, not two, dozen...

But doughnuts make everyone smile, so they are hard to resist!


Hmmm. I get the sense from looking at this picture, that Josiah might have just grabbed a fresh, hot, glazed doughnut as he walked by!


Long day, and a tummy full of doughnuts - I think someone looks ready for bed!

Autumn Fun

This post is out of order, but I didn't get around to posting it before we left for the wedding, so here it is now! Josh & Abbey hosted a fall "Saturday Special" for our church and it was so much fun! They've organized a few of these through out the year, and have done a great job with each one. This time it was held "indoors" at the Geaschel's barn.

There was cider making, donut making, ping-pong, carpet ball, volleyball, crafts and coloring, and just plain ol' fun visiting through the afternoon hours.

Even "indoors" it was pretty cold that day so everyone stayed pretty well bundled up!

Of course, with a ping-pong table and a crowd we had to play "Around the World!" :)

Despite the chilly temps, Bella had fun, too!

Then, after a big chili dinner, came the "organized activities." Basically, Josh stood on stage and said "I need three volunteers" or "I need 4 Dads" or "3 ladies" or whatever combination he wanted. Then, after you were on stage, you were given your assignment. :-)

There was a pie eating contest, a "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" race, various ensembles given select instruments (balloons, recorder, trombone, kazoo, etc.), and other creative assignments. My favorite was the four dads that had to put together and perform a ballet routine for us. Absolutely classic!

And then, of course, there was a sing-a-long. Due to weather, it wasn't around a campfire, but we still sang campfire songs! Thanks so much, Josh & Abbey, for all the work you did in planning and hosting that day! We all had an unforgettable time and have a larger store of great memories with our church family!!! :-)

Of course, how could we title a post "Autumn Fun" without including a picture of leaves... or trees missing their leaves!

Steven & Rebecca's Wedding

(Photo credit: Tiffany McDonald)

Friday, November 6, 2009, found us in St. Louis, Missouri for a wedding! What a privilege to attend and take part in the solemnities and festivities of the day! However, we were not merely celebrant observers. The Servens honored us by again asking us to come down and prepare the feast for a daughter's wedding! We figured if they can handle two weddings in one year, so can we! :-) You will have to look elsewhere for pictures of the ceremony and reception. We came home with a camera loaded with kitchen pictures!

We drove down on Wednesday and settled into our accomodations that evening. On Thursday, festivities began. So did the work. Thursday evening the guys headed over to the church to help with set-up and decorating, and Mom, Joanna and I spent 4+ hours in the kitchen prepping the beef. We were not left to trudge through our work alone, however. A sociable young man with a camera kept us smiling - in exchange for just a few samplings of the roast. You know, the odd end pieces that can't be served...

We also prepared the "au jus" the night before, and, frankly, the only way to really tell if it is seasoned properly is to smell it.

Friday morning arrived quickly and we were off to the church to prepare the feast in the larger kitchen on site. I soon found myself staring at their stove space, their stock-pots, and 110lbs of green beans. It was time to move from theories to practice and get all this food cooked in the remaining hours before the ceremony.

At the same time, Mrs. Young was directing a crew of young ladies in the preparation of over 40 apple and pumpkin pies! All created fresh, and completely from scratch!

I can personally attest that the results were as yummy as they looked!

The biggest challenge cooking for a crowd that size (400+), is simply the amount of space it takes to prepare and store the required quantities!

Washing and chopping mushrooms for the gravy, washing and slicing radishes for the salad...

Demonstrating knife skills....

Wondering where I'll fit the rest of the green beans...

Dare I confess that I was rather nervous at times during the day regarding both the timing and taste of the meal? The Lord was very gracious, however, and everything turned out fairly well and was hot (or cold!) at the right time!

The reception was lovely, and the staff of servers much appreciated!

At both Beth and Rebecca's weddings we have had the opportunity to get to know and work alongside new friends. What a blessing that has been!

The day was lovely - in every respect - and in all things the Lord was magnified! To Him be the glory! God bless you, Steven and Rebecca, as you now serve Him together!

Reformation Day Faire 2009

Last weekend we attended Providence Church's Reformation Day Faire. We had a wonderful time and a big thank to you all who worked so hard to organize and host this event! These few pictures and comments hardly give so much as a hint at the day, but at least it is something!



Friday afternoon, evening, and Saturday morning were great times of music (Genevan Foundation Psalm Sing, and Charlie Zahm) a collection of very interesting lectures, and lots of low clouds and rain. Then, Saturday afternoon, right as we were getting ready for the outdoor activities, out came the sun! Praise the Lord!


"Ye Olde Town Square" - It was beautiful out and so fun to see so many walking around in costume! Mid-afternoon we headed over to the park for the "Highland Games"...



Caber Toss - Winner: Joseph Erber!!!

Shot Put - Winner: Joshua Erber!!!

It was a long day, but very enjoyable! Thanks again, Providence Church, for hosting the event!

Apples to Applesauce

It's apple season! And that means lots of fun and hard work!

This year, Josh built a cider press, so some of the apples were set aside for cider.

With a little help, Winston was able to press some of the apples into cider!

Mmmmm.....

Most of our apples turned into sauce. With eight grandchildren 4 and under, we can make our way through applesauce fairly quickly! Grace really enjoyed "helping" the apple choppers.

We didn't get many pictures of saucing this year because we had so much to do and so we were all busy all day long!

Between a full day yesterday (96 quarts canned) and a couple of half days last week, we've gotten around 200 quarts of sauce canned! Now we just have to make the last few bushels into cider and pies!

Bella

Birthday Time!

Camille turned two back in September, but since she was sick that day we postponed the big celebration, and then other things came up, so we finally got around to celebrating it last week. We also celebrated the October birthdays (Mom and Joseph) that day, thus the three candles. Mom and Joseph sacrificed the excitement of blowing out their own candles, however, and allowed the little people that immense pleasure and privilege! They all look pretty excited to me!

Ready - Set - Blow!


Hmmm... it didn't go out!


Happy Birthday, little girl! We love you SO much and think it is just so cute how your whole face lights up when you smile!

Providential History Festival 2009

October 1-5, 2009 found our family in Omaha, Nebraska for the 2009 Providential History Festival. This was our first year to attend, and we were really impressed by all that they are doing there and look forward to heading back that way in future years! This year, they invited us to come out to present the reenactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention to their attendees.

Dad & Mom were also asked to present a workshop (actually, two workshops) on "improving your drama" (I can't remember the actual workshop title, but it was something to that effect). Shown above are a handful of victims - or rather, volunteers - preparing one of the hands-on exercises in the workshop. They did a great job with a tough task! And we all had fun watching them! :-)

Well, did I mention that we ended up bringing more than just the workshops and 2nd Virginia Convention. Above we have pictured the 2009 performance of the legendary "Revolutionary Tea"! (Below is pictured a rehearsal of the same presentation earlier in the day... )

I would really very highly recommend that if you are at all within driving distance of Omaha, you check out this event for 2010!

This year the festival was held at the Strategic Air & Space Museum which was a very fun setting, and in the midst of everything else going on, we did get to spend some time browsing through the museum and seeing all the planes. I think Bella liked this plane, but I suppose that the picture could be interpreted differently...


On Friday evening, a couple of us taught a bunch of the crowd a few dances, such as the Virginia Reel. The one shown above has a real name, but as none of us can remember what it's name actually is, so for now we've dubbed it the "Harvard Circle." I believe the photo above (taken by Beth) was during the "Jewish" variation - just a guess as the circle seems to be moving with a faster tempo than the "colonial" version would warrant...


Joanna & Raeanne also performed the "Ashoken Farewell" that evening - and I got to pose with the famous duo shortly before their performance! :-)

I ended up heading home earlier than most of the gang from our neck of the woods, but have heard nothing but wonderful reports about the rest of Saturday and Sunday. It sounds like there were lots of fun and interesting presentations, good conversations, new friendships...

Hope to see YOU there next year!

Thank you, so much, Kayser family for inviting us, hosting us, and all the incredible work you put into hosting the Providential History Festival! May the Lord bless the festival, and your church, abundantly!

Ooh, but I can't sign off without one more picture of Bella! But now I must sign off, because I am headed over to her house... ta ta for now!