What getting up early gets you

Aren't you glad that we aren't birds?  And that getting up early does not get us a worm???

This morning, I woke up much earlier than I'd hoped and decided to make these delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.  I had to modify the recipe a bit as I didn't have a full cup of pumpkin or the millet -- I topped up my pumpkin with applesauce and used oatmeal in place of the millet.  I was a bit worried as sometimes my "creation" don't turn out all too well.  These turned out great!  A yummy treat that feels sort of healthy with the whole-wheat flour and oats/millet inside.

And, even though I dearly wanted to keep them all for myself, I actually brought a basket of them to work to share -- my good deed for the day :)

Getting chubbier ... the road to a new adventure

Tonga - July 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous day; enjoying fine food and friends/family.  Jason & I celebrated yesterday as we're working today.  So, we're having leftovers before most people even get their first thanksgiving meal - yummy!

While on the topic of feasting .... I have to admit something ... I've put on about 15 pounds since July.

No, I'm not packing on weight because we're moving somewhere that has a scarcity of food.  I'm also not planning on hibernating through the winter (although sometimes that sounds pretty nice).  

A weight gain like this is something I would generally be freaking out about.  I'm comfortable with  five pounds ... I know with a little work, I can get it back off.  But, this ... 15 pounds.  Oh my!  And, I've been told to expect more, lots more ...

We're also expecting a completely new adventure to come our way, on or around March 25, 2013.  Although planned, I have to admit this new adventure freaks me out even more than the weight I'm putting on.

I'm sure by this point, you will have guessed!  Jason & I are expecting our first child!  

So this year we are thankful for a healthy report on this little guy (yes, it's a boy!) and thankful for the road that we've been on together since joining Peace Corps Tonga in 2006. 

The Poconos

When I hear anyone mention this place, all I can picture are heart-shaped bathtubs and honeymooning couples.  That's all I knew about the Poconos ... until this weekend.

We wanted to have a last getaway before winter locks us into our home at Forest Echo and we also hoped to see some friends from Virginia at the same time.  The Poconos is exactly halfway between us, so we decided to meet up there.  As I started researching places to stay, I was amazed at what a large region of Pennsylvania "poconos" covers.  Picking the "right" place was sort of stressful!

We ended up along the banks of Lake Wallenpaupack and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.  Although it isn't the prettiest time of year here (all the trees are naked), there are cute towns/villages around and lots of hiking opportunities.  It helped that it was 76 degrees on Saturday!!!  Probably our last day like that until April or May, so I was drinking it in!

Trying to get a picture of the four of us was not easy -- would have been nice without a branch going through  Megan's face :)

Ohhh ... where to sit??

On our drive back, Jason & I took the scenic route and ended up in Woodstock, NY -- we weren't sure what to expect since all we knew of the area was the famous/infamous concerts.  It actually has a very cute downtown.  Very hippy (obviously), but quirky and a lot of fun!

Cupcake shops are sorely lacking in Vermont, so I was really excited when I saw this sign.  Unfortunately, once inside the shop, it had a funky smell and the cupcakes were minuscule (they didn't even clear the top of the cupcake liner!).  So, out we went and I had a delicious Mexican hot chocolate instead.  Yum!  A rather perfect end to a lovely weekend!

First Snow!

We got our first snow for the season last night!  I'm feel like I'm still sort of a kid when it comes to snow - I get so excited by it!  I guess growing up in a place that only gets snow every 15 - 20 years kind of set me up for being thrilled by it.  I love how it makes everything look so pretty and like new!

This is Vermont

Lately, I've been thinking about doing a little series on some of the randomness of Vermont ... and some of the things that we see here that are SO SO different than how I imagined (& how I would think you might imagine) Vermont to be like.

I had an appointment in Rutland on Friday and along the highway on my way home, I drove past this sign.  Stopped, turned around and tried my darnedest to snap a shot.  Deer hunting season begins soon!