Fall Wrap Up....in December

Hmm...we're seeing a theme lately in my posts (or lack of posts!). It is just far and few between my postings right now, and that's okay. I do them when I can! Here's a few pics of the fall...so I can move onto December!

Our friends Kevin & Alysha's 30th Birthday BashLittle Punkin' in her patch

Ethan taking charge at the wheel

Grace with a "baa baa sheep" Our dear friends Ian & Jill with their little Ethan

Celebrating a milestone - My Dad turned 60 years young.

A surprise "1960's themed birthday party ensued soon after...What a blast!Our family trip to Williamsburg, VA in NovemberLots of cut throat card playing

(especially by these cardshark sisters Marilyn & Nancy!)The SistersThe BrothersDining colonial style at Kings Arm Tavern.
Aunts with too much of the King's reserve... :-)
Enjoying a beautiful walk in the historic town.

We were blessed with "perfect" fall weather!The whole crazy gang.Hope you had a Happy Fall! Now stepping into winter...

Summer Wrap Up...in October

I know it has been quite awhile since I've posted. September seemed to be full of a few little trips, and one big long trip. Voila! Before I knew, it was October and fall was quite here to stay. These pictures are from our trip to Hilton Head, SC & Savannah, GA.

We stayed at the Disney Hilton Head Resort courtesy of James' Mom & husband. I recommend this resort to anyone, but especially those with small children. They were so family friendly, and like Disney always does, created a "magical" atmosphere which in turn creates such magical memories!

We basically just relaxed and took it easy all week, it was great.

The Disney touch was everywhere...

Relaxing on our back porch.

View from our rocking chairs - gorgeous marsh!

The beach at Hilton Head - the ocean temp was like bathwater!

The brothers

Beautiful Savannah, GA

Grace's current favorite meal - spaghetti!

Me and hammocks, we just don't get along.

Here I am trying "gracefully" to keep me and my daughter from capsizing.

Poor girl was holding on to me for dear life.

I don't think Disney's going to use this shot for their brochure...

Grace's first bike ride

The card sharks

Waking up from a nap in a minor predicament

We are so thankful for this time of rest & togetherness we were given.

There is more to life than increasing it's speed. ~Ghandi

"Sisters and the City"

I've never been a younger sister, don't know what it's like. So I rely on observing my two younger sisters & brother who were the product of me being their older sister. Nobody has entered therapy yet - knock on wood. :-) They certainly were the recipient of bossiness, teasing, bedroom door slamming, and the occasional pinch or pulling of the hair (okay, maybe more than occasional, us Vitto girls could get riled up!). I also organized/forced the siblings into many dorky musical/dance productions performed for our parents (to be immortalized forever on video tape)....hmm, they seemed to be having fun at the time.

Decades later, they have emerged as 3 of the most beautiful, talented, funny & caring human beings I have ever met - DESPITE me being their older sister. My beautiful & witty sister, Julie and I got some rare one on one time on Saturday over lunch. She is one of my closest friends, and seems to still like me even after I've ruined many cute pictures (see above), and days for her with my "too cool for school" older sister tude'. Actually, I'm going to blame my Mother for that picture. Did she honestly think I was going to be happy wearing the same dress as my two other sisters who were toddlers??? We all have forgiving to do. :-)

Julie and I headed into Lancaster City to eat & stroll

around this historic town.

Here are a few pictures of our afternoon....

First Stop: La Dolce Vita - a scrumptious Italian bakery & cafe

Lancaster and all it's uniqueness.

Some Amish ladies waiting for a downtown bus... Central MarketA quick walk through of the new contemporary & stylish

Lancaster Convention Center by Marriott

The pictures hardly capture it's vastness.

The brick building in the picture was left standing, and the new hotel was built around it. Preserving a piece of history. Back home clapping for Aunt Julie. Thanks for a great day Julie!!

Waldorf Sandwich

My sister Janelle and I had this amazing sandwich at a little cafe up in Newport, PA. We both LOVED it! I tried to imitate it, and it came out pretty well! I thought it was such a unique pairing of flavors for a sandwich. Hope you enjoy!

~The Waldorf~

Layer these ingredients on hearty toasted bread:

Oven Roasted Turkey (I used honey ham), Fresh Mozzerella, thinly sliced apple, lettuce, mayo, and top with Maple Glazed Walnuts.

Maple Glazed Walnuts:

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 T butter

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup walnuts

In a saucepan, mix syrup, cinnamon, butter & salt. Stir over medium heat until brown and thickened. Add vanilla, then nuts, and toss to coat. Cool on wax paper. **These are great over ice cream, salads, & tossed with mashed sweet potatoes!

Thanks to the Espresso Yourself Cafe for the inspiration!

And we have take off!

Grace has been taking steps here and there for the past few weeks....however, these past few days she has really taken off. I have a feeling we are in for increased bumps & bruises!

Chive Risotto Cakes

~Chive Risotto Cakes~

Recipe Courtesy: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics

4-6 servings (2-3 patties each)

This recipe includes ingredients that I don't use often (Panko, Arborio rice, Greek Yogurt), but I decided to "branch out" anyway, as this recipe looked so delicious on the Barefoot Contessa's cooking show. I was not dissapointed - and neither was my husband (which is who I aim to please at supper time!). He told me this was a keeper!

A quick note: the rice mixture does need at least 2 hours to chill before preparing them to eat. So it's not a recipe you start at 6pm. It's a good make ahead meal, as the last minute prep goes very quickly.

• Kosher Salt
• 1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or 1 5.3 oz container)
• 2 extra large eggs
• 3 T minced fresh chives
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian fontina cheese (5 oz)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3/4 cup Panko(Japanese dried bread crumbs)*
• *I used about 1 1/2 cups, 3/4 wasn't enough in my opinion.
• olive oil

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-low heat, and add 1/2 T salt and the rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. The grains of rice will be quite soft. Drain the rice and run under cold walter until cool. Drain well.

Meanwhile, whisk together the yogurt, eggs, chives, fontina, 1 1/4 tsp of salt, and the pepper in a medium bowl. Add the cooled rice and mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight, until firm.

Spread the panko in a shallow dish. Heat 3 T of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. From rice mixture into patties 3 inches in diameter and 3/4 inches thick. Place patties in the panko, turning once to coat. Place the patties in the hot oil and cook, turning once, for about 3 minutes on each side until the risotto cakes are crisp and nicely browned. Continue cooking in batches, adding oil as necessary, until all the cakes are fried.

These risotto cakes are creamy on the inside and crisp on the outside - a wonderful combination! It reminded us of cross between creamy mac n cheese & crispy hash browns. In short...comfort food. Enjoy!