Highlight Reel of the Last Week

  The countdown is on...  If you know, you know. 

   My calendar is very full these days. Just a few recent events... 

I took my 2 oldest grandchildren to a "ba-parade"

and to see giant pumpkins at a pumpkin festival

We went to our youngest grandson's baby dedication at their church last Sunday

Us Miller ladies did a shopping trip this week for Arianna's birthday

Can you guess what Avery's favorite store is?  

A lovely French cafe that was just a little above our tax bracket... 😁

Back in August I got a phone call out of the blue from our local library, informing me that I had won a prize from the Summer Reading Club! I logged a couple books this summer, but I really didn't expect to win anything when I entered my tickets. I won a 1-year family pass to The Wilds, a conservation center. For myself, my spouse and all my grandchildren (which isn't that many at this point). The first membership card got lost in the mail, but I finally got my card and booked a tour before they shut down for the winter next month. The kids loved it! Although they were disappointed there weren't any elephants at this zoo...  

You ride in an open-air bus through the pastures to see exotic animals that are endangered/near extinction. They've got a good thing going here. My favorite was the Persian Onager foal (laying in the grass here; when it stood up, it hid behind mom so I didn't get a good photo) -so cute! 

The kids' favorite was the cheetahs. Colton kept saying "run, cheetah, run!" but she only stared at him disinterestedly and ambled away after a bit

When we saw this Pere David's deer, Colton blurted out "how about we shoot him?" -twice- while I crossed my fingers that the tour guide couldn't understand what he said. #waystogetkickedout 

It tickles me how this one is her father's daughter 

(notice how she is using her hands as binoculars to see animals off in the distance)

Being the time of year it is, there were not very many people around- we were the only 3 people on our tour bus. I hope to visit a couple more times before my membership expires. 

The Making of Apple Cider

This past weekend was our 2nd annual camping trip with friends from church. We picked the campground specifically because they were hosting an Apple Cider Festival on Saturday. It sounded like fun on FaceBook, and it certainly lived up to our expectations. 

First we got a wagon ride to the orchard, with a guide who told us trivia about everything from this unclaimed land to deer to apples. 

They turned us loose in the orchard to pick as many apples as we could in half an hour. 

We may or may not have spent as much time taking photos as we did picking apples... LOL 

Next we rode back to the pavilion and helped washed the apples...

...then they showed us how to shred the apples via two different systems.

Next we helped put the shredded apples into the press, and turned it to squeeze out the juice...

...and strained the resulting cider.

Q. Why does juice from white apples turn brown immediately? A. Being exposed to oxygen. Judith, there is your answer. 😉 

 

They supplied cups to sample the final product. It doesn't get any fresher than that!  

Last of all, they bottled the cider and we got a free 1/2 gallon per person. 

It was so much fun! And educational. We didn't know it is that easy to make cider. I'd love to take my grandchildren next year. Thanks, Zion, for this event! 

100 Years, Blessed & Loved

 Our whole family traveled to PA for my Grandma's 100th birthday party on Saturday. 

Because of my past employment in the healthcare field, it wasn't my first 100th party but it's certainly not a frequent, ho-hum occurrence. Having a relative reach 3 digits was cause to save the date and make extra effort to be there! I don't think my children realize yet how fortunate they are to have a great-grandparent that they know. I have only the foggiest recollection of one great-grandpa (this grandma's father) -the only thing I remember is sitting in the back seat of the car on the way to visit him and wrestling in my mind why anyone would have a last name like "wire hanger" (Wenger). 😂 

Saturday morning we were also privileged to meet the man who lives in the house where my brother Steve died nearly 30 years ago; he heard the crash in his front yard and was one of the first on the scene. He has a private collection of old cars which we were allowed to see.  

This is one of my favorite snapshots from Grandma's party. 

My cousin, who I used to babysit, visiting with Grandma & my aunt. 

My brother Gerald & son Josh grilled some fabulous chicken for the meal. 

The cake & ice cream (cranked by steam engine) were delicious, too.

Grandma Sarah with her 10 children.

My dad is the oldest; he will turn 80 this year. 

Grandma with 20 of her 29 grandchildren (4 deceased)

The majority live within the state, but a few of us traveled from OH, NY, MD & VA. 

The ones living in GA and OK were absent. as was the one in Italy on his honeymoon. 

Grandma with some of her 71 great-grandchildren

Jeremy is the oldest; he turned 30 this year. 

Grandma with her 7 great-great grandchildren (held by their daddy or grandparent)

With my dad being the oldest, we dominate. My brother Dale & I each have 3 grandchildren. 

I only have 1 cousin who is a grandpa (on the far right). So far. 

Our 5 generation photo!

Sarah, oldest Son Leroy, oldest Granddaughter Cheryl, Great-grandson Josh, oldest Great-Great-Granddaughter Avery

My parents with their 6 great-grandchildren (and the daddies) 

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good heritage. -Psalm 16:6 

100 Years Young

Today is my grandma's 100th birthday. Happy birthday, Grandma! 

100 years- wow! She has seen a lot of change in her lifetime. 

She hasn't always had an easy life, but she is the meekest person I know and does not complain;

 I aspire to be like her when I grow up. 

Today Dear Lord I am 90 and there's much I haven't done,
I hope Dear Lord, You'll let me live until I'm 91.
But then if I haven't finished all I want to do,
Would you let me stay awhile until I'm 92?
So many places I want to go, so very much to see,
Do You think You could manage to make it 93?
The world is changing very fast
There is much in store,
I'd like it very much to live until I'm 94.
And if by then I'm still alive,
I'd like to stay till 95.
More planes will be up in the air,
So I'd really like to stick,
And see what happens to the world when I am 96.
I know Dear Lord it's much to ask,
And it must be nice in heaven.
But I would really like to stay until I'm 97.
I know by then I won't be fast, and sometimes will be late,
But it would be so pleasant, to be around at 98.
I will have seen many things and had a wonderful time,
So, I'm sure that I'll be ready to leave at 99 . . . maybe.