Simply Jennifered: September 2015

Long time no talk people!! Can we just take a second and breathe?!? This has been one HECK of a busy summer, and an even busier start to the school year!

Here's a photographic diary of my summer :)

These first ones are from my visit to Genessee Country Village and Museum:

Ladies gathering for a prayer before they get to work sewing, doing the wash, and other outside work before a battle.

Here's a photo of the mounted cavalry of the Confederacy that was represented by these fine gentlemen! They came all the way from Virginia to re-enact! This was when they stopped by the picnic pavilion to ask for a kind lady to offer a ladle of water after winning a battle.

There were two battles that day, and below is a photo of the one that was fought in a town. The scenario was: Town being attacked, town must defend itself from the Federals.

Swinging back into the "school" mindset, I ordered my agenda for the year. Little things like this make me smile :)

Here's a favorite from lifeguarding: my niece stopped by with my mom when I was at work and we had a nice hour or so swimming around and having lunch.

Another GREAT year with the Erie County Fair! Our Historical Society got 5th Place (out of over 15), and qualified to be recognized at a special dinner for our display.

Our scene was a Doctor's Office from 1915; everything you see is a TRUE artifact, no reproductions.

And of course, Hubby and I walked around and found these cute, happy pigs :)

The three little pigs!

Another addition this year: my in-laws are mobile! They found a park where they can keep their camper year-round, and use it as a vacation spot! It's relaxing out there! There are lots of amenities out there, including a seasonal pool, shelter, game room, a schedule of events, etc.

SO. Let's get into something a bit more relaxing. I had my first professional massage this summer at Corto's and it was AMAZING. There are a few different rooms, and this one below... Can you imagine soaking in a bubble bath in the tub before/after a massage??? Talk about relaxation and serenity.

I had the lovely experience of babysitting this little one, who wasn't even a week old! My mom's friends are foster parents, and had to go to a wedding so I gladly stepped in!

VACATION!!!!! IT HAPPENED! We went back to Pawley's Island and had a few changes this go-round. We took 2 days to get there, and 2 days to get back. Our first overnight was in Hagerstown, MD. Below is Alex, finishing his breakfast with a bowl of fruit loops :)

It was a bit of a foggy ride from Hagerstown to our next stop in Virginia to meet up with some friends. From a distance, we couldn't decide if this (below) was a mountain or some more fog to drive through. What do you think?? :)

Why hello, Virginia!

Heh, I had to laugh. This was inside the truck stop. I can only speculate what happened that forced them to put up this sign...

CAROLINAS! Our mandatory stop at the restaurant Twin Lakes in Sunset Beach, complete with the best ever hush puppies and great drinks.

Mr. Lionfish wants to come out and say hello!

We were too full to eat dessert, so we took their famous (and BEST EVER) Key Lime Pie to go, and had it for a midnight snack at the hotel.

Our view this year:) 4th floor perfection.

The stairway to heaven:

Okay, this is one of the best hidden gems in Pawley's Island if you're vacationing there. They make homemade meals, freeze them, and you can buy them! Which was perfect, because we had an oven in our hotel room. We got a small container of the Palmetto Cheese to try because it is the "Home of Palmetto Cheese", Chicken Cordon Bleu, Palmetto Macaroni and Cheese, and Chicken and Orzo. This was great because we didn't have to worry about lunches, or food on the road. Some of it even lasted until we got back home, and had it for dinner. Next time we go, I think I'll get some pralines for Alex to try for the first time.

Vacation selfie!

Heading out for dinner! Such a fancy and handsome husband :)

We went to Perrone's, and we HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone who wants quality food, prepared excellently, and even great service. Below is my lavender lemon drop martini and a Manhattan for Alex, as a pre-dinner treat. Alex ordered the duck, and the filet for myself. This steak could not even TOUCH the steak I had when I was out west.

After dinner, we went to a cigar/bar/whiskey specialty place, and saw lots of flashing lights go by, and started wondering what was going on. When we made it back to the hotel, we found police directing traffic at the intersection where we turn in to the hotel, and found that the entire Hotel community was without power! There was a transformer that blew off-property. I cannot give enough credit to the hotel staff, the Fire department, and other vacationers! Especially the owner of the entire hotel complex; she was in our building going through each floor with a flashlight making sure people were okay, and did a great job overall. She had firemen standing at the stairs making sure to share information with the vacationers, and to make sure people were safe and had a flashlight or other source of light. The power was on within an hour, and things were handled with care. GREAT JOB!

This (below) was dinner Sunday night, at Capt. Dave's in Murrell's Inlet. We sat outside, and had some pretty awesome views. We had boats going by, docking, goats walking around, fishermen coming up with their catch.