I have lived in Ohio for 4 years and I would have to say this is the first year I am excited about the Ohio Michigan game. 

My neighborhood is actually having a tailgate party.  rather then just hanging out and watching the game inside someone’s house, we are going to tailgate outside starting at 8am.  Brats and burgers will be served for Breakfast.   Should be fun

What are your plans for the big game?

On Sunday my daughter, husband and I met Shaun Hegarty and his family at the zoo.  We always enjoy taking our daughters to the zoo together.  And definitely try to get a visit in just before winter. 

This weekend we took advantage of the nice weather and did not have to bundle up to check the animals out. 

Usually we go through Africa pretty quick.  But this time we spent most of our time there.  The seals and polar bears were so active and very entertaining.  We also hopped on the train and got a great look at the animals moving around. 

Another crowd pleaser was the natures neighborhood.  We had a hard time pulling my daughter away from the goats and outdoor play area.

It looks like it is shaping up to be another nice weekend.  I would recommend a trip to the zoo for you and your family.

I live in a fun neighborhood.  Our house was actually the first one built in the subdivision and we were the first to live there.  So as the neighborhood slowly grew we really got to know our neighbors well and now are close friends. 

We try to plan get together often.  This weekend is our annual Kaleidoscope party.  Every couple is assigned a color.  That couple has to dress in that color, and make a food and drink that is the same color.  The party moves from house to house throughout the evening. 

This year my husband and I are the color yellow.  So I will be serving a pineapple slushy drink, deviled eggs, and a lemon cake.  It’s kind of a weird combonation of food and drinks but they are all yellow!

With my husband decided to open a restaurant October 1st, I feel like our family has missed out on Fall.  I love taking part in all the activities of the season, like hitting up the apple orchard, going to the fall festivals around town and taking my daughter to Boo at the Zoo.

We did get to one fall festival in Whitehouse, and this weekend we went to Levis Commons so my daughter could trick-or-treat and take a hay ride.  I’m glad we could do a couple things and there is always next year.  

Here are a few pictures I snapped this weekend at Levis Commons Fall Festival.

This Sunday I took part in my first Marathon in Columbus.  It was such a great experience.  I was concerned I might not be able to finish because I had the flu days before running … but I had a better time then I even expected.  I finished in 4 hours and 55 min.  That was a lot faster then I thought. 

It was a very emotional experience … after 5 months of training I finally reached my goal, and then to hear other runners stories and what they overcame to get to that point was inspiring. 

I went into this saying this would be my first and last marathon … now I can say there might be a chance I will get bit by the running bug again.  Here are some pictures from the day.

After training for 5 months, my first marathon is this Sunday. 

Back in June I set the goal to run 26.2 miles in the Columbus Marathon.  Through the past 5 months I have training through illness, injury, heat, rain and lack of motivation and finally on Sunday I can cross ”running a marathon” off my bucket list! 

Now a small set back …  just days before the race, I came down with the flu.  I have been batteling it since Monday.  Today I am finally back at work, but even my Doctor told me I won’t be up to full strength by Sunday.  It has been tough to accept, I would like to put in my best effort in Columbus, but now I guess I will just have to settel for crossing the finish line.  Though, after months of training I am fine with just participating and finishing my first marathon.  

Next week I will post pics of the run.

Monday was a tough night for me.  Igrew up in Green Bay Wisconsin and have been a die hard Packer fan.  While I was a Packer fan, I was also a Brett Favre fan.  Brett was the reason I love d the Packers and was pretty much the only quarterback I knew. 

Last year was tough for me…I didn’t know if I should follow Green Bay or the Jets, and then this year was even more confusing.  I was raised to hate the Vikings … and Brett in Purple seems like a cruel joke.  But on Monday nite I finally picked a side …. or a person.  I didn’t cheer for the Packers or the Vikings … I was rooting for Brett.  Brett was the reason I became such a fan of the game.  I didn’t care who won Monday, I just wanted Brett to have a good game.  I was heart broken when Brett left the Packers….I feel he was screwed….and I know that game on Monday night was the game Brett was looking forward to playing since he left Green Bay.

When Brett leaves the game, I am sure I will revert back to the green and gold, but for now I am gonna stick with Brett.

 For several years now it has been my husband’s dream to open a restaurant.  This is something I never wanted to start up.  I know many restaurant owners and have found it is a huge commitment of time and money.  Finally last year, I gave in and allowed my husband to begin to pursue his dream…..I just had no idea that he would actually follow through.  

After months of looking for the perfect location he signed a lease at Levis Commons, and a month after that agreement, the doors to Andrew Z’s Sportz Pizzeria, will open….this weekend. 

The past month has been very trying.  Besides working his regular job, my husband is putting in hours on end at the restaurant.  I, in return have picked up all the responsibilities at our house plus have been helping out at the pizzeria.  

But even though we are both exhausted, I have to say I have learned so much about the restaurant business.  My favorite part was probably the food sampling.  The chef would make all the items on the menu several times until he felt he perfected them.  I have to say the pizza is unlike anything I have ever ate, and the hot subs are another one of my favorite items.

I know this new venture for our family will change a lot of things … well get less sleep, be paying more bills and have less time as a family …. But my husband is living his dream, and I guess the worst is behind us.

Andrew Z’s Sportz Pizzeria’s Grand opening is this Friday and Saturday from 5pm-2am at Levis Commons.  It will be a big party complete with live bands, games for the kids and of course pizza.                                            

One reason I love Fall is because I get a chance to visit our local apple orchards and stock up on fresh apples!  I will make a dozen trips in the upcoming months to take advantage of buying local.  besides packing a couple in my lunch every day I also enjoy cooking and baking with them.  My husband often teases me that it is the only time of year he can get me to bake. 

I thought I would share this recipie.  My friend just e-mailed it to me today.  It seems really easy.  Enjoy!

——————–
CROCK POT APPLESAUCE
——————–

  10 lg. cooking apples, peeled, cored & sliced or cut in
chunks
  1/2 c. water
  1 tsp. cinnamon
  1/2 to 1 c. sugar

Put all ingredients into crockpot. Should be about 3/4 full.
Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours (high 3 to 4 hours).

This weekend my family and I took a trip to Milwaukee Wisconsin.  All my family lives in Wisconsin, and I usually make the drive by myself, but this time my husband came with me. 

that’s because my grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  They were not going to do anything to mark the occasion but at last minute invited the extended family to a catered party at a local restaurant.

We all attended a mass where they renewed their wedding vows and then celebrated with food and a games after.  A 60th anniversary is called a “diamond anniversary.”  So the 50 of use played a game of baseball “diamond” trivia.  We were all tested on how well we knew my grandparents.

After being married for 6 years myself, I know how hard marriage can be.  It was great to celebrate the commitment they have made and kept for 60 years.