Why I do love PA

We went to PA the beginning of May to visit Justin's family again. And like always we had a great time! ...

1. I love the landscape in that area. The open gently rolling hills dotted with trees and farmhouses are so picturesque. I would love to have a Pennsylvania inspired home in Nebraska! These pictures are of the battlefields of Gettysburg but this really is what it looks like in the Lancaster area where we visited.

2. I love the food! Grandma Fisher makes the best food for us! - ham loaf with stewed tomatoes, crab legs, stuffing, the creamy-est mashed potatoes ever, ham salad sandwiches, potato rolls - I'd eat anything she makes! That must be a grandma thing because I feel the same way about Granny's food. Grandpa Fisher loves anything peanut butter and so do I. We enjoyed peanut butter ice cream and peanut butter donuts daily. Again, these are the best peanut butter donuts I've had in my life! We even had ice cream fresh from the cows. You could see the cows as you walked in. Of course we had more than one of Joe's steak sandwiches. And we brought home a box of pretzels right off the line.

3. I enjoy all the time we spend with Grandpa and Grandma Fisher. We are blessed to be able to stay with them. We drive all over the countryside talking and hearing stories. And almost every night we stay up late playing Hand & Foot. It's a very fun card game! We always play in teams and the boys usually beat Grandma Fisher and I. I think it's my fault because I'm still learning. And the guys are merciless!

4. This year I loved watching everyone get to know Olivia...

Here's Olivia with Aunt Donna, Uncle Scott & Aunt Robin, Uncle John, and Aunt Miki.

I was actually sad to leave this time. I'm usually the type who is happy to go home at the end of vacation. I really have fallen in love with Justin's grandparents and think of them as my own. I'm sad to say good bye for at least another year. But in spite of the 20 hour drive I'm looking forward to our next trip east! 

I Wish Wednesday

I'm still thinking about winter and Christmas! :)

I wish winter was prettier in Nebraska.
I miss the beautiful snow covering the ground. I don't like seeing the dead brown grass all the time. Clean snow is so lovely!

I wish my excitement about Christmas would burn strong throughout the year.
This is more of a goal than a wish because, like I said, I think wishing is pointless if you're not going to do anything about it. I've been wondering... At Christmas time we have Advent to help us anticipate Christ's birthday. Why don't we have something that helps us anticipate Easter? (Lent doesn't count because it brings dread not excitement.) Because what Easter celebrates is a little more important and we should be even more excited about it. I love the songs and stories that talk about the veil being torn! It's such a vivid description of what happened on a spiritual level at Christ's death. And it means so much to me personally - because God no longer resides in the temple but in the hearts of believers!

I wish flying weren't so nerve racking.
I'm flying to visit my sister at college later this month. I've never been much of a fly-er. I usually get motion sickness or just really nervous. I'm not worried about the plane crashing (well maybe a little) but rather worried about getting sick. I really hate getting sick on the plane. I'm so thankful to whoever invented Dramamine.

Good Eats

We spent this past weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina for GD's annual Ethics Film Festival. J and co-worker K's video was a finalist again. Friday night we ate at a great new (or new to us) restaurant in Downtown Charlotte.

Here's the hype: Zink American Kitchen’s creative menu and “speakeasy” décor offer Uptown Charlotte guests a unique and memorable experience. The menu, which is overseen by Executive Chef Tom Condron and Chef de Cuisine Jon Fortes, takes traditional American comfort foods and reinvents them into “cool” dishes that give this restaurant its distinct style. From small plates of Maryland crab fritters to sushi and Artisan cheeses, fresh seafood, apple cider pork chops, and grilled burgers and steaks, guests are presented with a variety of New American cuisine to consider. As “cool” as the food, is the restaurant’s deep crimson décor which offers a relaxing ambiance that’s both modern and fun. This chic, understated elegance is the perfect backdrop for the restaurant's impressive 30’ Zinc bar and bustling patio which overlooks the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Zink’s impressive menu together with its extensive wine list, beer selections and specialty drinks makes it a great place to dine anytime.

J got the American Wagyu Burger. Apparently Wagyu Beef is like Kobe Beef from North Carolina. I ordered the special which was the same kind of meat but in steak form and with a side of mushroom gnocchi. So yummy! Find more info at their website. I wish I would've taken pictures!! But really, how weird would I be for taking pictures in a nice restaurant.

It was a great trip and we have all good food! We were full after Zink's, a great luncheon at the hotel and a night full of eating catered food at the races.