Nationals at BJU

The large instrumental ensemble Joel plays baritone in just placed

2nd at the AACS National Competition!!!!

Congratulations Joel!!!

Pyrex Love

Me and Ginger c. 1974

Since starting my Etsy shop, I have spent some time searching for and researching vintage Pyrex dishes . . . actually, I am starting to become a little obsessed.

I am not sure why I love Pyrex so much . . . actually maybe I do know.

For me Pyrex dishes just feel good. Somehow, much like Pepsi Throwback, Pyrex takes me back to the 70's.

Brian and I talk about it all the time . . . we both just had really, really good childhoods. I am not sure what the political or social climate of the 70's was - but life for kids was great.

We played outside. We watched great shows on TV like Emergency and The Brady Bunch. We wore cool clothes. And we ate supper at home every night out of Pyrex dishes!

Life was simple and just plain good.

When I come across different Pyrex patterns memories of Aunt Ann's meatloaf, Aunt Janie's chicken casserole, or Aunt Rose's garden fresh tomatoes are evoked.

But more than that it is just remembering being a kid.

Is it crazy to feel all of that about a glass dish? Maybe, but I must not be the only one to feel this way.

While trying to research a Pyrex pattern that I had never seen before, I ran across the most AWESOME website. Awesome that is if you love Pyrex.

At pyrexlove.com you can see EVERY Pyrex pattern ever made! Talk about nostalgia!

My plans tonight are to sip on a Pepsi Throwback and look at old Pyrex patterns while watching Emergency on DVD!

Life is still good.

Joel and Amanda

Joel and Amanda in Manchester, New Hampshire

at a hockey game.

Something tells me they weren't that interested

in the hockey game.

New Venture

I have officially entered the world of Etsy!
Go to TheWifeandDaughter to check out my shop!

Nor'easter

Squinting in the sun - but at least the sun was shining!

I can't believe they were filming a documentary

about our trip to Niagara Falls!

American Falls and Bridal Falls in the background.

It has been spring break week here and Brian and I blew through New England like a nor'easter! We left Sunday morning after church for our 18 hour trek to take Joel to see Amanda in New Hampshire!

Considering neither Brian or I had ever been any farther east than Columbus, Ohio, we were excited to see some new parts of the country. Thankfully the weather was good and we made good time.

We got to New Hampshire around 5:30 pm on Monday and had a great evening with Amanda's family. Tuesday morning we were able to visit with Amanda's grandparents, Richard and Diane (missionaries with Open Air Campaigners), who are responsible for getting this whole "Joel and Amanda" thing going in the first place!

Brian and I were were back on the road by noon on Tuesday and made it to our destination of Niagara Falls by 10:00 pm that night. We stayed at a hotel within walking distance to the falls and had a great time there on Wednesday morning.

We were back in the car by noon and amazingly enough were home by 9:00 pm Wednesday night! Wow! That was a lot of driving . . . but we were able to add the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire to the list of states to which we have been!