Applefest 2013

We live in an apple growing area and my best friend in high school lived on an apple farm.  We spent countless hours together on her farm and I have fond memories of sitting in the chilly storage area surrounded by crates of apples as high as the high ceiling just chatting and enjoying hanging out together.  As I think of these precious memories I can almost taste the cider and smell the sweet smell of the apples that were around us!  Looking back I think JoAnne’s family were ahead of their time as we had a chilled vending machine in our school that was filled with nothing but apples.  I think that was pretty rare in the early 80’s.  Unfortunately she and I don’t see each other often now but when we do it’s great to catch up on one another’s lives and I am thankful for the friendship we shared at such an important time in our lives.

Recently an annual celebration called Applefest was in a nearby small town so Hannah, Mom and I decided to go in spite of the cool, rainy day.  Mmmm…hot apple donuts from a local mill.  We had a great time and as it is with small town events it was fun to bump into special people.  This time it was family we came across and shared visits with before going in our separate directions.  My beautiful niece Bec (left) and 2 of her great friends.  3 special girls!

My brother Ken (Bec’s dad) with Alesha, and 2 of their other kiddos Keenan and Shelby.

Hannah had fun trying out some of the little games and rides.

 

Hannah and I enjoyed this time with Grandma as Mom and Dad are now in FL for the next 6 weeks.  We’ll be visiting them there soon (yay!!) but they’re still gone a long time.  Regardless of the weather we had a great time together!  And…one final blast from the past, fries from a local chip truck.  Just as yummy now as they were when I was in high school!

Happy Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!

Moon Festival celebrations, though still relatively new to North America, have been held throughout Asia for well over 1,000 years. This holiday is a time to reflect upon the bounty of the summer harvest and the fullness of the moon. The Moon Festival is often compared to a sort of "Chinese Thanksgiving" because of its spirit of gratitude and its inclusion of abundant food - including the popular moon cake. Moon cakes are flaky, round, semi-sweet pastries often filled with bean or lotus-seed paste and topped with a duck egg, echoing the shape of the full moon…or so I’m told.  The only ‘Moon Cakes’ I’ve eaten are sugar cookies iced with a soft orange icing, tinted to mimic the colour of the Autumn Moon.   (Hmmm, celebrating Thanksgiving in September/ October.  Sounds like the perfect time of year! Right Stacey??  )
Hannah and I have had lots of fun this past week celebrating the Mid-Autumn moon with many friends.  First off we met with another travel group from our agency whose sweet girls are also from Hunan.  It was also during this get together that we realized even though our DD’s came home from China 10 months apart from one another that all the girls will enter JK (Junior Kindergarten) next September.   They seemed so far apart in age the first time we were together and now as they’re growing that age gap is quickly vanishing. 
I am so thankful for the friendships we have developed not only with our own travel group but with this one too!  When they were planning their travel to China Hannah and I were invited to go and I shared of our experience in China.  From the day we met this group welcomed us with open arms and it’s wonderful!  Thank you friends!  We enjoy celebrating these special events with you.
While we were there Hannah made a beautiful Chinese lantern.  It’s amazing to see how much more intricate Hannah’s crafts can be now compared to a year ago.  She did a great job!!
Our second party was hosted last Tuesday by our friends Ange and Gavin and their boys.  There were more beautiful lanterns to create.


A picture of the ‘big kids’ minus the adorable two little babies who were busy cruisin’ around.
After supper we took the kiddos out for their lantern walk and found the moon.

We attempted one final group shot with the littles but since it was almost an hour past most of the kiddos bedtimes…oye!  They had done really well all evening but by now were ready to call it a day.  Hannah crashed within minutes of her head hitting the pillow when we got home.
Tonight was the true Autumn Moon so Hannah and I went out for a quick walk with her lanterns in search of the moon.  Unfortunately it was hidden behind the clouds but we had fun anyway.
Searching for the moon while wearing her super hero cape.
I love you XiaoFen!  It’s been such fun celebrating this festival with you!

Mmm….Ribfest!

Mommy loves herself some ribs so last weekend Hannah and I went to a local small town and enjoyed their Ribfest…twice!  Mmm, mmm! 

Friday night we met our wonderful friends Auntie K, Uncle J, Chick and Pea.  Hannah and I both love to hang with these very special peeps so as soon as she knew we were on our way to see them she said their names over and over…and over again.  She’s at the parroting age and when she likes the sound of something she says – watch out!  She’ll repeat it over and over again.  Sometimes it’s helpful as it helps me figure out what she’s saying and other times, oh my!

The weather threatened rain but we didn’t let that dampen our fun and we had a great time!  The kiddos were our top priority so we made sure they were happily munching away first.  We bought corn-on-the-cob and French fries for the kiddos.

Chowing down on corn on the cob! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Once the kiddos were taken care of it was time for Uncle J and I to enjoy some good ole BBQ ribs!  (Auntie K prefers veggies over meat but she did humour us and at least hold a rib. ;o)

Ribfest 2011! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We introduced the kids to the wonderful world of funnel cakes for dessert and they enjoyed every sugary morsel that came their way! 

I treated myself to a deep fried Snickers bar and it was a decadent treat! 

After supper we wandered the grounds enjoying a variety of fun activities!

Walking the pretend balance beam while enjoying the live music.

On oh yes….the dancing!

This picture makes me giggle.  Hannah and Pea were mesmerized by this line of boxes that people kept walking in and out of.  Heh!

Hannah couldn’t get to the local pizza mascot fast enough.  Based on this pic I think she’ll do just fine when we go to Disney in August.

Our final stop of the evening was a fun time at the park.

Swinging, climbing and sliding for all VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Thanks for the super fun time at Ribfest Auntie K and family!  We think this would be a great event to make an annual tradition!

Saturday night Hannah and I returned to Ribfest, this time with my parents and niece Bec Bec.  There were many different vendors selling their ribs so it was great to be able to try a different one.  Friday’s were ok but Saturdays were mmm…mmm good and we also enjoyed sides of creamy coleslaw and baked beans.

After supper there was more balance beam walking

plus Hannah’s first roller coaster ride!

My adrenaline loving little girl had a blast on the roller coaster and as soon as the ride came to an end she was asking to ride again!  It was fun that it was a Chinese Dragon coaster.

Life is a whole new world of wonderful adventures with Hannah by my side!!  I can’t wait to see what we do next!