when you're missing home

Ok, so today I made mini pumpkin cheesecakes. 

Which is a little bizarre as I despise pumpkin flavored things.

It just makes me happy to bake them in the fall:) 

Here is your step by step tutorial in making not exactly homemade mini pumpkin cheesecake:) 

Step 1: Obtain the mix

 Step 2: Look on the back for the alternative recipe

 Step 3: Mix the crust and press into individual cupcake tins and a pie pan.

 Get into a fight with your dad about the best way to put the crust in the cupcake tins.

 Also, keep your cat away from pans.

 Step 4: Mix up the pumpkin stuff in the kitchenaid.

 Ignore comments such as "is it supposed to look like that?" and "did you follow the recipe?"

 Step 5: Get someone who knows how to pour level to pour the cheesecake filling over the crust

 Step 6: Bake 40 minutes and then add topping and bake 5 more minutes.

Get rid of stuff you don't like in the fridge to make room for it to chill.

Goodbye, broccoli.

 Step 7:  Wonder why it doesn't look like the one on the box??? ")

You're welcome, people. 

Here are a few other random photos to make your Sunday even more thrilling!!

 My dad and sister got me this sparkling Eiffel Tower from Paris.

It is magical.

 My hair is getting to a weird place.

Also, I still need to dye it brown/black.

 I always go darker in the fall.

 This little thing is so sweet.

 Dad versus his true protege.

 I'm not sure who I am more scared for in this picture.

 Eagles football with my parents.

 I asked my mom to "hold Sugar up in triumph".

 My dad kept saying "will you stop harassing that cat?"

My mother has never been a big Eagles fan.

Until she watched Silver Linings Playbook.

These are the crabby patties she made in tribute to that evil, evil film. 

I feel inspired by life again, people.

 Either I am spiraling into a manic phase or it's fall in PA, baby!

Lori Ann

I'm still awake

One of my clients gave me a "Just for Today" bookmark.

It says this:

I really like the first section. The "I can do something for 12 hours.." thing.

I think I will repeat that to myself to get through work today.

I'm so tired.

In 8 hours and 21 minutes I will be done.

 I can go home, put on my pajamas, watch the news and then spend the rest of the night under the covers, re-reading the Deathly Hallows.

And then we will have a fall weather, beautiful weekend.

 I feel like maybe baking something and making a fall craft and staying up to see the stars.

Sounds magical.

8 hours and 20 minutes.

Lori Ann

Hang on to a dream

I was telling my sister's kids about 9/11 again last week.

We've told them stories about it since they were young.

This year we saw the 9/11 memorial in NYC.

They wandered, fairly disinterested, around the memorial-

 stopping to listen to their mom and I explain what all the names meant.

 After a few minutes they ran out without a backward glance when we told them we could leave and go get some hot chocolate.

And this week, they watched the videos on Youtube with the same fascinated disbelief I see on their faces when they watch a slightly scary episode of Scooby Doo.

"That's not real is it, Aunt Lori? There's no such thing as monsters"

I hope that; as young Americans, they learn about 9/11 and have increased appreciation for their home land and the sacrifices made by others-

But I also hope it always stays a little unreal for them.

I hope they never have a morning like we all did on 9/11/01.

A morning where you watch people jump out of windows and see planes crashing into buildings and you feel sick and numb and keep thinking

"How is this my country? How is this real?"

I was far from my family on 9/11- well, if you call Illinois far.

 As a missionary who couldn't call home except twice a year, it felt a lot farther than it actually was.

But I called home that day.

I just wanted to hear my dad's voice say

 "It's alright, kid. We're going to get these guys and everything is going to be alright".

But even after I talked to my dad, I still felt sick and lost.

He couldn't make everything ok.

Nothing would ever be OK again.

 Not like it had been before that day.

I've said this before and it never fails to come across as a little melodramatic but I have always felt that my childhood ended on that day.

I remember standing at this gas station, seeing the Burger King flag already at half mast, and it felt like the world was spinning around me.

Like one of those scenes from a movie where the camera does a panoramic view.

I think I'll remember that moment for the rest of my life.

God bless all of those who lost someone on 9/11.

 God bless all of the first responders who sacrificed their lives.

 God bless all of those who continue to serve.

 And please, God bless America. 

Lori Ann

And you let her go

Today's post will be completely random.

 Because I feel a little crazy right now.

The song "Midnight Train to Georgia" always makes me feel a little guilty and sad.

The above comment was not a passive aggressive solicitation for sympathy or interest about why that song makes me feels sad- I just wanted to say it.

I had 12 voice mails and 50 emails waiting for me when I got back to work today.

My whole body hurts because I walked 2 miles and then worked out with Tory who seemed to be feeling extra evil today.

It looks like we just got a somewhat shady Get out of Syria free card from the Russians.

 I'm feeling a little Cold War-esque right now, comrades.

I am working on my Goals for 34.

 I will be 34 in about 4 weeks and I want awesome goals this year.

 Because when I turn 35 I plan to have a fancy dress party and adopt an almost grown child.

 So 34 is pretty much the last year of my not so much youth.

After swearing off gay romance novels, I bought one called "My cowboy heart".

 I knew it was going to be good when it was revealed that one of the main character's name was Speed.

 And I was right about it being good.

 Because they got a ranch and adopted a three legged dog and set the snow on fire on Valentines Day.

Literally.

Anyway, 

I can't stop listening to "Let her go" by Passenger.

 It's one of those songs you hear on the radio for the first time and 5 minutes later you are buying it on itunes. 

And not to be cryptic but I think I like it because I've let things go that I should have held onto.

 Things I still see when I close my eyes. 

This blog is going to an emo place that I am not ok with.

Lori Ann 

Some sweet company

We're still working on our 'Chopped' video.

 I know.

We're jerks to keep you in suspense.

But hopefully this gem will tide you over until our true masterpiece is complete!

You're welcome.

Lori Ann

Jack Allen

James Ray

Elizabeth Mae

Katherine Danielle

You choose, you learn

As you know, I've been helping out to watch my sister's children while she is in Paris.

 Here is the latest update in the week of my life I like to call

 " I think I might be legitimately going nuts.

 Like for reals" 

I did Katy's hair for school.

 ha ha.

 Danielle's going to have to so some damage control from this week of outfits and hair! 

The teachers may have already called child protective services.

I wish their whole childhood was like this picture.

 But alas, every moment like this is followed by a screaming fit.

  "Jack! You stole my poptart! I'm going to kill you!!!!" 

Elly got up and put her soccer uniform on at 6:30 am.

 Intense thy name is Elizabeth Mae. 

Nana Terry made a celebrity appearance at the game

We played another round of 'Chopped'.
 (Don't worry- there is video this time)

 James made this chocolate ice cream and sour patch kids combination.

 He called it "the island of mud"

 Everyone else called it "cat puke". 

He is an innovator- you have to give him that. 

A risk taker. 

Some risks just don't pay off.

And my guess is most risks involving sour patch kids don't pay off.

ANYWAY

We all pitched in to help Uncle Dave clean the taekwando studio

After a long and crazy day with the kids, I got this package of fall scented bubble bath and lotion from my sister Erin!

 Thanks, Eri!

I am wearing the sweet cinnamon pumpkin right now and I feel SOOO happy.

I stole this from my friend Sarah's blog.

 I thought it was a cool quote- displayed on her equally cool, handmade cork board.

 I would totally stalk her if only she didn't live on the other side of the world!

OK, so the Chopped video should be up by the afternoon. 

That should give you all something to look forward to during church:) 

Lori Ann

It was all I hoped it would be

So...

My sister is in Paris.

 Apparently enraptured with paintings of wild turkeys.

Meanwhile, I'm having a crazy time with her children.

 Here are the highlights so far.!

The kids being crazy.

Me yelling.

And then...

Yesterday night we had a 'Kid's Chopped"

(Minus both the literal and figurative chopping.)

The kids all had three ingredients and had to make something out of them. 

(Again...Like the show Chopped.) 

The three main course ingredients were noodles, sauce, and chicken nuggets.

The secret ingredient is always chicken nuggets!

Big J made a main course. 

The kids all freaked out like a rockstar was joining their competition.

 'Daddy is the best, he is so good at cooking!"

The teams hard at work while Willow the cat and I "supervise"

Team Jack and Katy won the main course round.

 Then it was boys versus girls for the dessert round.

The three ingredients were: dessert shells, pudding, and donuts.

Elly and Katy had some creative differences and so Elly created what became known as 'the Tower'/the Napoleon"

Katy with her...unique...creation

The boys went all out.

They had the food processor out and they fried stuff.

It was intense.

It was the art equivalent of an angry Jackson Pollock. 

  I tried to ignore that whatever it was in the center of their plate looked like raw meat. 

Jack was the judge and he tried every dish and  gave them all constructive feedback. 

They loved it.

The Girls took round two.

Which led to a Jamesaroni meltdown due to his having been on two losing teams. 

And while this will sound completely cheesy, I have to say that I was so proud of all of them.

 They tried so hard and worked together and were so proud of their creations. 

They are good kids.

 And while; after two days with them, I am tired, angry, and a little mentally broken,

 I wouldn't trade these babies for the world!

Lori Ann