My Daily Travels

Living close to several Amish communities and the Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia border, finding one of a hundred back roads that lead deep into the country is child's play. The hard part is choosing which direction to go. The fun part about Sunday driving down an old historic country road is the... Sign in to see full entry.

I should have known to expect the unexpected when it comes to our immediate family. Our granddaughter Chloe messaged me a few minutes ago and wants to meet up with us and have dinner together after she and John get out of school today. So, Taco Bell it is. The chef's salad will have to wait until... Sign in to see full entry.

Yesterday I purchased all the ingredients to make a large pot of lentil soup for today's dinner. I would have sent a bowl of leftovers for John's lunch tomorrow with a sandwich and frozen the remaining soup. After reading the weather report this morning, I immediately scratched hot soup off my... Sign in to see full entry.

For the past six or seven years our two grandchildren, twelve-year-old John, and 14-year-old Chloe have enjoyed going to the haunted scare houses, spooky trails, hayrides, and bonfires during the most frightful month of all. John and I share a birthday at the end of October, so we naturally love... Sign in to see full entry.

Little Buddy is our one raccoon who hangs out in our yard, day and night. Like a cat or dog, he sleeps in the sun spots, and we can hand feed him. We find him sleeping on a branch in the tree and on the bench near the bird feeders. He uses the water I provide to the animals to wash his hands after... Sign in to see full entry.

Yesterday, I was fooled by the warmer-than-average day accompanied by soft breezes, with a weather prediction of only a 49% chance of rain. Quite often life unfolds in the most extraordinary of ways. One day it is a shit show of "Tom Foolery," events, and on other days, it is all systems go, similar... Sign in to see full entry.

I have an unusual love for trains. Maybe that is why I was okay with buying a house situated not more than 30 feet from train tracks with active trains running past several times per day. Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities are home to several hundreds of miles of train and trolley tracks... Sign in to see full entry.

I currently have a list that is a mile long of things to get done before my family arrives later this month. My mother loves to bake breakfast frittatas, but since I also bake, broil, and roast quite a bit, my oven was starting to resemble a battle zone. Years ago, I cleaned my oven while down on my... Sign in to see full entry.

It is one of my hubby's all-time favorite foods, yet I only fry up crispy chicken a few times a year. While shopping yesterday, I spotted chicken on sale, so I grabbed the family-size package with the $5.49 label. I also bought buttermilk to use as my overnight marinade for the chicken. I added... Sign in to see full entry.

The Laurel Highlands are absolutely stunning this time of year. The area sits nestled along the Appalachian Mountains and offers views of waterfalls, historic landmarks, and a few haunted venues. We live roughly half an hour from Route 40/National Pike, which falls at the base of the Appalachian... Sign in to see full entry.