A Ping Pong Thanksgiving

Well, we're back from a "ping pong" Thanksgiving as we'd like to call it. As the pictures demonstrate, fun was had by all! We had fun spending time with both the Albright Family and the Gropp Family.


Dad Albright and Josh (Josh making breakfast and Dad testing his turkey thermometer)

Mom Albright making Apple Crumb Pies

Dad Albright getting the peanut oil ready to fry the turkey

Matt and his friend Scotty (they were only able to visit for a few hours from Maine, but it was still great to see them)


Dad Gropp with Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in on a walk in the woods

Ben, Josh, and Heidi on a walk in the woods

Heids and I on the woods walk

Thanksgiving dinner at the Gropps (with the Caies, Owen-Smiths, Grandma and Grandad Gropp, and Marsha Jerritts from church as well)

Ben and Josh enjoying the fire while we decorate the tree

Steve and Eliza Doo'

Dad Gropp and Josh hanging the lights on the tree (it's funny to see a ladder next to the tree, as we never needed one with the artificial tree at Little Brook Road N.)

Grandma and Grandad Gropp taking it all in :)

Heidi in the balcony taking it all in!

Mom organizing the ornaments

Hanging some more ornaments

Mom Gropp hanging our stockings. Josh and I get to share this year ;) hehe

Higgins has some other plans for these ornaments :)...don't those belong outside???

Whew! That decorating is tough work...is it time for some cheese and crackers yet?

Nope...not yet :) hehe


After an 8 and a half hour ride from CT to Baltimore on Sunday, we are now in full gear for

MISSION EVERYTHING BUT IMPOSSIBLE

It was strange to return to our apartment last night and not have Edgar with us (no, he didn't die)- Mom Gropp graciously offered to care for him while we find a place in FL. Before we brought him to CT, we wanted him to feel like he was a part of this important life event, so we took some "Pre-moving" pics :)

What do you think he thinks of yet another move?

In his almost three year old lifetime, he has lived in 3 (soon to be 4) locations, has ridden on many screeching subways, trains, buses, cars, trucks, and has vacationed in many a location.

why Dad, why??????

"Our 1st Move"



Don't pack me up!!!

Thanks for visiting!

*Remember to click on the blue link at the bottom of the page if you are getting this message in an E-mail so that you can see the pics :)

A Recipe for Fall

Fall is my favorite season by far. I love the changes, the smells, the leaves, the foods that are associated with this time of year, oh, I could go on!

One of my favorite fall recipes is from one of my Jefferson roommates, Candice. It's from a cookbook by the Authors of "More with Less" called "Simply in Season"- it advocates for using food that is in season and has some great recipes to really savor each season. One of my favorite fall recipes now is

"Pumpkin Sausage Pasta"- it's a must try! Here is the recipe:

Cook, drain, and set aside 1 lb Penne (I use whole wheat)

In large deep frypan brown 1 lb bulk sweet italian sausage over medium-high heat. When cooked, remove meat and set aside. Drain fat from pan and return pan to stove.

Add 1 medium onion (chopped) to pan and 4 cloves minced garlic to fypan and saute until soft (3-5 minutes)

Add 1 bayleaf and 2 tablespoons fresh sage (I've never added the bayleaf and I add dried herbs)

Add 1 cup dry white whine or chicken broth and cook until half of liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes

Mix in 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, 1 cup pumpkin or winter squash (cooked, pureed- I use pumpkin puree in a can, however, make sure it doesn't have anything sweet added to it like is frequently used for pumpkin pies)

Continue stirring until sauce starts to bubble and add sausage. Reduce heat.

Stir in 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer 5-10 minutes to thicken. Mix sauce with pasta and serve with freshly grated romano or parmesan cheese.

To make a great recipe and meal even better, I had the honor of cooking with my wonderful husband. He's such a great mincer and chopper! It's always picture perfect and handled with care. Although Josh said when we started cooking- "I don't like 75% of the ingredients going in here", it was a winner- and it better be because, boy, do we have leftovers :)