Baby Eye-day-ah

I made a quick unexpected stop yesterday to see our new little one.  Just haven't had enough of him yet.  And I had the pleasure of getting him dressed, feeding him a bottle, changing his sticky little diaper and finally seeing him awake.  What a delight.

If you ask Isaac what his little brothers name is, he says Baby Eye-day-ah.  Love it.

Went to a garden party....

This past Friday was the start of the 10-day Gettysburg Festival. A number of the events associated with the festival are featuring PA Preferred products. PA Preferred is the Department of Agriculture's branding program that helps consumers easily identify locally sourced products through its gold check mark in a blue keystone logo.

There are more than 4,000 member locations enrolled in PA Preferred, including farmers markets, restaurants, food processors, grocery chains, craft breweries and wineries.

We just became members of PA Preferred and over the weekend one of our customers that we process meat for (McElhaney Family Farm)provided us with tickets for one of the events of this festival. We attended this event as representatives for McElhaney's.

"The highlight of the PA Preferred culinary events will take place on Saturday, June 10, with the presentation of the 2010 Governor's Award for Culinary Arts at the Farm-to-Barn Dinner At Beech Spring Farms." ~PA Preferred.


What an absolutely fun evening we had even though we didn't know a single soul, except Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who we had met last month with his visit to the butcher shop for Beef Month - something I didn't have a chance to blog about yet.

Beech Spring Farms is a gardeners delight.  I was told the lady of the house does most of the gardening herself.  And she does an amazing job.  This huge tree provided the focal point for the 1st part of the evening.

Hor d'oeuvres

Flowers were from the many gardens on the farm.

Also under the tree was a young bluegrass band "River Wheel" that provided the evening with great music.

There were landscape artists set up in various parts of the gardens working their craft.  (the ability to draw/paint well has always been something I wish I would be able to do.)

And then the gardens...

Covet thou not thy neighbors greenhouse........  I'm trying.... I'm tryin....

The sun, shining so directly through,made this look fluorescent.

I only took photo's of the flower gardens but she also had large vegetable gardens as well.

This hydrangea beside the pond was one of the largest I've seen. 

The second part of the evening included the presentation of the Governor's Culinary Arts Award.

Former White House Chef Walter Scheib, The Festival's Artistic Director of Culinary Events

(shooting directly into the sun - not a great photo op set up)

Governor Rendell arrived to present the Culinary Award.

(Secretary Redding in blue tie.)

The Governor's Culinary Award. 

The TV crew man was taking a VERY long time getting his shot.  I couldn't just tap him on the shoulder and say 'excuse me but I'd like a picture as well'.  =)  So his camera is in my picture.

The final part and highlight of the evening was the Farm-to-Table Dinner 

held in the barn built circa 1987 and catered by The Greenfield Inn.

I've never been at a table that had white and red wine AND meadow tea and iced tea.  Only in PA, I'm thinkin'.  Meadow tea is nectar from heaven in my book.  The entire menu from drinks to dessert were grown and made in PA.  I won't list all the food available but some favorites were Beef Brisket (provided by McElhaney's), Pig Stomach (Hog Maws), Sliced Beef Heart , Chicken Pot Pie, Corn & Potato Chowder, and of course, Whoopie Pies (lemon, spice and chocolate) , Rhubarb Pie and Apple Dumplings.

PA Preferred provides some marvelous local fare.

Sec. Redding said that a number of events associated with the festival will feature PA Preferred products. PA Preferred is the Department of Agriculture's branding program that helps consumers 'Pennsylvanians are fortunate to enjoy a nearly year-round harvest of diverse and affordable agricultural products, thanks to our hardworking farmers,' said Redding. 'Events held throughout the year, like the Gettysburg Festival, enable us to not only enjoy the great food prepared in Pennsylvania, but also to celebrate the farmers who make the meals possible.'

I am so thankful to live in an area rich with farms, roadside stands and other options that provide access to locally grown produce and other foods.  The producers are all very hard working and we are blessed by their efforts.

Come Away Sunday

The photography is great in this clip. My favorite is the eyes of the wondering child. May we be awed by God's greatness.

Happy Fathers Day

I was blessed with a Dad who loved the Lord, loved Mom and loved us kids -- and in that order.
Dad was never shy about meeting people and would easily talk to someone he never met.  As a child growing up I remember Dad off making friends with the neighbors after we'd be set up in a campground. I also rememer him determined to make friends with any little children who would be over for a Sunday meal with their families.

Our granddaughter Rachel was quite shy with almost any man besides her Daddy when these pictures were taken.  So it was special to Dad when she allowed him to sit her on his knee and read a book to her.






Happy Father' Day, Dad.  You're the best!

Lil Peepers

Yesterday I got to see little ‘baby eye-day-ah’ – that’s big brothers version of Baby Isaiah. He’s got his days and nights mixed up a tad so I haven’t seen him wide awake yet. Mommy says stop by tonight.

I fussed a little, poked and prodded and got peepers.....

and faces.

He did open his eyes long enough for me to introduce myself and then it was a slow,

 'don't bother me' closing and it was lights out again.

Sorry the pictures are yellowed – I don't have much practice with one handed, left handed photography. 

Mommy says big sister is one, going on five.

Managed to snap this quick cuz she’s a mover.