Back in Hanover

Since we've been back in Hanover, Brett has been working non-stop as the season is coming to an end. I am so ready for him to not be working long hours seven days a week (since May). Yesterday was actually his first day off in what seems like an eternity! But more on that in a bit.

Before I left for Arkansas in September, my hours working on the farm had been cut back and since then have been non-existent. Their regular workers were back from their summer vacations and breaks so I wasn't really needed. With that being said, I have had a lot of free time on my hands (as well as a lot of alone time which has not been as fun). Brett's parents are coming to stay with us this month so I've been getting our spare bedroom company-ready and been hunting for a new job. Brett also bought me a sewing machine, so I've been trying to channel my inner Martha Stewart! My first project was a fall banner for our fireplace.

It's hard to see in the pictures, but I used my machine to do some decorative stitching on the pennants. 

The glass head (Cornelius) will soon be replaced by a pumpkin!

Yesterday was a good day in Hanover. Brett had the day off! We woke and he made breakfast. Brett LOVES to cook, but with his crazy work schedule he hasn't had much time to cook other than nights we grill out. We tried out a new church- this could be a whole post in itself, but we've had trouble finding the right "church home" for us. Then after lunch, we made our way to the annual Wine Festival of Hanover. I was surprised by the number of people and vendors! For a small town, there was a great turn out. Nine local wineries were represented. You pay to get into the festival and they give each person a wine glass (and some pretzels, ha) and you can go to any of the booths and taste as many of their wines as you want. The wineries made their money through bottle/case purchases or you could buy wine by the glass. 

Some of our favorite wines included Sour Cherry and Raspberry from West Hanover Winery (website). We also liked the wines from Allegro Winery(website). Their Apple Cinnamon wine was served warm and tasted like Fall in a glass! I'm ready for pumpkins, sweaters, boots, and cider. With lows in the 40s already happening here, I would say we are just about there. 

Catch-up.

I've been a terrible blogger lately! Last month ended up being totally crazy. It left me so behind on posts that I didn't know where to start. So, now it is time for a quick catch up on what we've been up to. (Get ready for a lot of pictures!)

The first week of September I flew back to Arkansas to be a part of one of my best girlfriend's wedding. Katelyn and Chris's wedding felt like a retreat. I got to spend the weekend with my best girls in one of the most beautiful locations in AR- Whitney Mountain.

From our balcony

We didn't want to leave each other: Jess was headed back to Japan,  me to PA, and Anna to Dallas

 In a sad turn of events, Brett's Grandma passed away while I was in AR. So Brett drove down and I cancelled my flight so we could be with our family. It was definitely sad circumstances, but it was so nice to spend time with everyone. We soaked up the time with family and friends while we were in Pleasant Plains. I somehow failed to get family pictures, but I did have my camera the nights we hung out at Sean's house.

Oh how I've missed this girl!! And I guess her hubby too :)

I'll cover the second half of September in my next post, but I wanted to end with this picture of Brett and his Grandma back in March after our wedding.

Never thought the day would come...

We own a new car! And not just new to us. We're talking the thing had 20 miles on it when we bought it. TWENTY! I never thought I would see the day. We hadn't planned on buying anything right away, but a great deal was laid out in front of us, and we jumped on it! After driving the same problem-prone car for 9 years, I am still getting used to owning this beauty:

I've lost the other pictures I had on my computer, so a phone pic will have to be good enough for now. I've found myself being overly protective of her (is it a her?...who knows...). The night after we got her it hailed-of course! Brett was still at work, so I sat on our porch crying because I thought she would for sure be damaged. I called Brett and my dad multiple times and they both reassured me that cars are built to withstand a lot...Looking back on it now I think I may have been a little over-dramatic. Ha! She is still without a scratch and adding much happiness to my life :) 

I moved to the country and drive a John Deere.

I've been meaning to write a quick post about my job here in Hanover. I still haven't found something permanent, but one of Brett's coworkers set me up with a great part-time job!

I work a few days a week on an organic produce farm: Glenville Hollow Farms. They own approx. 1800 acres and grow various fruits and veggies. I pretty much do whatever needs to be done, but my job mostly involves helping with farmer's markets and picking tomatoes (lots of tomatoes). One day I spent close to 8 hrs. just picking tomatoes!

My boss, Cindy, sells at multiple markets during the week, but I help with one that is right outside of Baltimore. Here a few pictures from my first market!

Our tent- we had four large tables of produce to sell.

They grow so many different varieties. Some of them are so interesting looking (and yummy!).

When I'm just picking produce at the farm I get to cruise around in this:

That's right. Be jealous.

The markets run through Thanksgiving so I hope to keep working on the farm for the season. So far it has been really fun, but a ton of hard work! I come home covered in dirt and exhausted, but it feels good to be working outside, and I love interacting with the people at the market. There is a great program where government food checks for fruit and produce double in value if they spend them at farmer's markets. I love explaining what the produce is, how you cook it, what it will taste like, etc. I've even started recognizing "regulars". I love that the people know exactly where their food is coming from, and I can tell that they think it is really cool that they "know" the farmer.

I'm thankful for my job!

Lancaster and the lake

Last weekend Brett and I took a quick trip to Lancaster where I was way too excited to see Amish people. It was a rainy so we didn't get to do too much but it was fun to be out.

Known for their Shoo-fly Pie!

We also made a "quick" trip to Lowes where we made a deal: Brett could buy a table saw if I could get a plant. I think he probably got the better end of the deal, but I was pretty happy about my purchase! 

getting it home was challenging.

 

Last week we also spent an afternoon at the lake. Having such a beautiful place just 15 minutes from our house is wonderful!

the marina

We're having a lot of fun checking out all the neat places close to our new home! 

It's addition.

When we first moved to PA, I convinced myself that I didn't need to worry about making friends. I had friends, wonderful friends (I miss y'all!). Then as the weeks went on, I realized how hard it was to meet people when you work alone and your church is full of older folks-just like the town. Then a new phase set in. I decided I didn't need friends up here at all. I have Brett and I'm completely okay with spending all my time with him. He's so fun- why wouldn't I want to be with him! Fast forward another two weeks and I feel the need for a girlfriend to shop with, get coffee, lay by the pool, etc. Part of me was sad over this, because it made our move here seem very permanent. I felt like I would be replacing those dear to me. After a much needed convo with a wise friend from home (hi, Becca!), I was reminded that it was an addition of friends not subtraction or replacement.

Then God showed me that He really does care about friendship.

Last weekend we walked into church and for the first time, I recognized a face! At first, I couldn't place how I knew her. I started thinking maybe I didn't know her...then she waved. Brett and I continued walking to our seats and then the girl came over and said "Arkansas, right?!". That's when it hit me- she was on my plane from Little Rock to Baltimore! While in the airport, we had worked through switching schedules due to canceled flights and complained together about how late we would be getting in. We never discussed where we lived or really any particulars but chatted a bit while at the gate and wished each other a good flight when we boarded. It just can't be coincidence that two girls from the same small town in PA met while flying into one of the largest airports. I'm so thankful to have someone to call when I need some girl time! Friendship is a good thing.

Home is wherever I'm with you

I am back in PA! After finishing my thesis, I spent a few days relaxing with my family in Little Rock and my family in Pleasant Plains before catching a flight to see my man!! The trip was a little dramatic with my first flight being canceled and not having my bags for two days, but I was so happy to be with Brett that it didn't even matter.

We've spent the last two weeks doing little projects around the house, laughing, cooking, and playing music. I've also been riding along with Brett as he checks out the green bean fields. I have learned more than anyone could ever want to know about green bean harvesting, but it has been fun seeing what his job is all about!

Some pictures from the last few days:

Brett got a grill for part of his birthday present and he built a table for our porch!

We grilled chicken: lemon, paprika, rosemary, and olive oil.

Brett's mom made a similar salad when I visited and I had been craving it ever since so I made up a version of my own! Yum!

Keeping it real.

I think he likes having someone to cook for him...

We did have a little bit of drama. Shortly after this:

I ended up in the emergency room due to an allergic reaction (from the cedar boards we grilled fish on)! My tongue started swelling and my throat felt like it was closing up and I couldn't breathe. I have never experienced anything like that...I think Brett and I were both pretty freaked out. But after a large dose of meds (I was falling asleep in the hospital bed less than 5 min after they gave it to me), I was feeling good as new!

I've also made a new friend! :) She's our neighborhood cat that we sometimes let hang out with us (shh don't tell the landlord). We're pretty sure she has an owner due to her flea collar, but she is skinny so we've fed her tuna and chicken. 

It is hard to take her picture...she is really active

I'm sure you (by "you" I mean my mom and maybe one other person who reads this) are overloaded with pictures now so I'll stop for today. On the agenda for the next week: follow up some leads for teaching/research positions at a local college, start work on the produce farm, and spend time at the lake with Brett!  

It is so nice being home and back with Brett! I am one happy girl!!