Honest review of our 13th wedding anniversary dinner spot

My husband and I recently celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. We commemorated this special occasion with dinner at a local spot called Tabitha's. This is my honest review. 

After 13 years of marriage, my husband and I were looking forward to celebrating and considered many options before settling on a very small, mostly unknown little spot called Tabitha's. We choose this place mostly because it is very close to where we live - like within steps - and that since our anniversary was on a school night, this location would not require a babysitter for our children. Tabitha's allowed us to prepare a meal for our children before our dinner - let us right into the kitchen and everything! We made something simple and beloved: mac and cheese and hot dogs! After their meal, the children retired for the evening (or that was the attempt at least) so that we could enjoy our dinner - just the two of us. 

My main criticism is that Tabitha's doesn't seem to have enough staff. My husband and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to cook alongside each other it was a very modern, hipster vibe to be the chefs of our own anniversary meal. But we really were expected to do everything ourselves. We even had to refill our own drinks and clean up afterwards. There were a few times that the kids requested snacks for a movie that was playing in the other room and after no staff supplied their snack - the children had the audacity to ask us! Guests! Have you ever heard of such a thing! Well, I just couldn't bear to see those poor children suffer so I got up and just fixed that snack myself!  I'm mortified to even confess that at one point my husband even got up to unclog the toilet for heaven's sakes! 

One benefit to Tabitha's is that there is absolute zero dress code. I mean one person wore only a diaper...well now that I think of it, he was very small, possibly a toddler actually. My husband and I were able to dress down, like way down, I may or may not have been wearing pajamas. Stretchy, comfortable clothes also allowed us to eat without the constraints of tight clothes, so that was great! 

The biggest benefit of all though was that all of the food, drinks, and entertainment were free for the entire evening which is almost unheard of in today's day and age. The food was divine, the drinks were exactly how we like them prepared, and the entertainment was mostly hilarious, albeit a little loud. There was a very chubby little baby that smiled and squealed if you made eye contact with her! There was a very tiny boy who could kick a ball quite impressively. There were four bigger children who were willing to complete menial tasks, not for tip money though, rather simply for the payment of watching a Halloween movie in an adjoining room. The biggest child even wished us a Happy Anniversary although it did kind of sound sarcastic considering he said it while half slamming the door as he made his way to close up the chicken coop for the night. Oh yes! That reminds me, another bonus - Tabitha's has their own chickens, ducks, and goats; a very farm to table vibe. 

My husband and I had the salmon, goat cheese risotto, and brussels sprouts. It was honestly delicious and that really saved the overall experience. I mean, we did have to share a few bites with some random kids that wandered over to our table uninvited throughout the meal - but there was plenty and we were able to get seconds so it ended up being fine to share a little bit with those poor hungry children (I bet their mother never feeds them). 

After 13 years of marriage and 22 years in total of being together - the company and conversation is almost always the best part of our dinner. We chatted and laughed and remembered. Another great bonus about Tabitha's was that we weren't rushed in any way to get on with the meal. We were able to sit at the table long after the food was finished just enjoying each other's company. And with no babysitter to rush home to, our only deadline was bedtime on a school night and only a few steps between the table and beds to get everyone tucked in. 

My most honest review would be that Tabitha's certainly isn't for everyone. My husband says it's his favorite spot though and he would know; he's been eating there for 13 years and has really seen how the meals have changed over the years. Poor guy use to smile and eat gratefully even though the chef was such a novice in the beginning years. It's also really economical for us to go there and they are patient with our loud, energetic children and can even persuade them to assist in the cooking and cleaning up process, so that's a bonus. 

We will keep going there despite the lack of staff, general messiness, and all those poor children who seem to be on the verge of starvation (although they are weirdly picky about food for children who are so hungry). 

We feel really lucky to have this spot all to ourselves - it's always crowded (but almost everyone there looks just like us!) It might not be the place for everyone, but it is definitely the place for us. 

Five out of five stars. 

Father's day at the Que

We celebrated Father's day at our favorite local spot, The Quemahoming Dam (I included it in my no bummer summer list!) with our Dadda, my Dad (Chum), and Brandon's Dad (Pappy-) - plus Abba, Gigi, Aunt Uch, Kevin, and Aunt Kitty! We reserved a small pavilion (it's only $25!) and spend the day enjoying the beautiful weather, grilling out on the charcoal grill for a delicious picnic dinner, swimming in the dam, fishing, skipping rocks, playing on the playground, and even kayaking.  It was honestly such a perfect day.

First, the gratitude that I have that my children know the joy and comfort of all the people that love the very most in one place at one time runs so so deep.  I know it is a blessing beyond belief that we are surrounded with family and friends who first love our babies, but also like each other enough to spend whole days together in harmonious peace (even whole vacations together!) This gift is never one that escapes me and for one that I am so truly grateful for.  

Secondly, we have such good Dads in our lives.  

Brandon, who will forever be the single greatest thing I have ever given my children; a man who loves them, and encourages them, and celebrates all their weird little quirks, and who in deliberate and obvious ways so very much loves their mother.  

Chum and Pappy, our Dads, who have taught us each nearly every important lesson of our lives.  And then, graduated to grandfather status and just straight kills it.  These kids of ours are so blessed with grandpas that not only teach them so much, but go out of their way to create special little activities that are unique to them and to each child.  Like golfing, and quad riding, and fishing, and always being up for a game of soccer or catch in the yard.  

And so many Dads we know; our friends and family, the kids' uncles and godfathers.  I will never reach the end of my gratitude for the examples of good men that my children have in their lives.  (thank you to all of you good, decent, and kind men in our life). 

embracing winter

I've lived in the northeast all my life, so imaging a life that didn't include all four seasons feels like it would be missing something.  But that doesn't mean I don't whine and complain about all the crappy parts of winter; the cold, the slush, and the cold, slushy, wet little kid boots that track melted snow all through the house.  Mittens that fall off little hands, socks that slip down halfway off of little feet that lead to so much whining.  The wind!

I read a really great post that Ashley shared about the Norwegian's Secret to enjoying their long winters and I can't stop thinking about it.  It's not so much that I hate winter, but in cold places like we live, it's natural conversation for small talk to complain about all things cold.  And I can hear myself complaining about it within earshot of the kids and I've been wondering how that's rubbing off on them, especially after reading the article.

Like most kids, they love seeing the snow and sled-riding and eating snow by the handfuls, but is my short patience about winter raising them up to think that winter is something to endure instead of something to enjoy?  Deep inside, I know I don't want to live without all four seasons, and so I'm trying my very best to live and talk like that's how I feel.

Mostly due to one of my 100 Small Things goal this year of reaching 1000 hours outside, I have been adamant about taking the efforts to go outside if the temps are above 25 degrees, if only for a few minutes.  The weather has really been inconsistent this winter for us, so we've had freezing days that we had to stare longingly outside, to days that were in the low fifties (that we even pulled out the bikes and the kids got in some trampoline time!)

I loved that in the article in Norway they say, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!' and I've been keeping that held close to my heart when I don't feel like bundling them up and getting outside when the fresh air and wide open spaces are the exact thing that will make us all feel better.

We are also trying to embrace the coziness of the winter by snuggling up and leaning into some chilly favorites like warm blankets, candles, and lots of hot cocoa.  We've been baking a weekly dessert (is the motivation winter or pregnancy, it's hard to tell) and it gives the kids a chance to get their little hands on measuring tools and cookie dough spoons to lick clean!   

Wintertime also means, it appears, earlier bedtime routines, the kids put on their jammies and we all head up to their bedrooms to read extra books and snuggle awhile, sometimes even taking homework up to finish on the bedroom floor with snacks before bed.  Surrounded by the coziness of their blankets and the little lamp, there's something incredibly cozy about this time when in great contrast in the winter, the kids are barely making it into their jammies until well after the sun goes down and with dirty barefeet from running through the yard until almost 10pm!  

One of my favorite ways that we try to embrace winter is by celebrating all the mini-holidays throughout the cold, winter months.  We try to hit up as many winter holidays as possible to bring some joy and bursts of excitement into the long months.  This year, we've celebrated Orthodox Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr.'s bday, Groundhog's day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, President's day, Valentines day, and Gemma's fourth birthday.  We are now awaiting Violet's half birthday (March 25!) and St. Patrick's day (Greyson is already drawing up his leprechaun traps, ha).

We've even celebrated National Popcorn day, Thank-a-Mail-Delivery person day, and howling at the February Full Moon; aka the Snow Moon.  We have our Lenten countdown calendar posted for the kid's to color each morning and we slowly decorate for the next big holidays by creating little crafts (thanks pinterest) weekly.  Just little ways to bring surprise and newness to our winter days seems to bring a special kind of magic to the season.  Spring, summer, and fall somehow feel like a celebration in an of itself with all the opportunities for exploring and outdoor activities.  So winter gets its own kind of attention with all of our little parities.

Here in western Pennsylvania, no matter what the Groundhog has said, we still have at least a month or two of winter left to go.  I bought the kids' their Easter clothes yesterday while we were out and about (matching dresses for the girls, obviously!) and they've been stored away in my closet as a reminder that spring is on its inevitable way - both as a hopeful reminder and as a reminder to hold tight to winter while it's still here.  Hold tight to the coziness and closeness that naturally comes with winter.

Do you settle in and cozy up for the season?  What are some your favorite winter perks?

college, reunions, and fun!

Brandon and I started dating in high school, two grades apart (scandal!), and then when I graduated, I headed east to Susquehanna University.  Brandon graduated two years later and headed southwest to Washington&Jefferson college.

Long distance for six years was hard, but we contribute our time apart and growing into our own selves as a big part of what makes our relationship so strong today.  What I love about our separate college experiences is that we each were able to make our 'own' friends.  As high school sweethearts from a small town, his friends and my friends were all the same people, due to geographic limitations.
But college gave us the opportunity to make our 'own' friends- granted everyone we made friends with heard of the other within only a few minutes, but technically they were friends with only one of us.

And now?  Well, now they're all both of our friends.  We feel doubly blessed to have such a wide group of friends to lean on and celebrate with; all the w&j friends call us 'Brandon and Tab' while all the Susquehanna friends call us 'Tab and Brandon.'

We've been lucky to get a chance to spend time with both sides this fall.  Early in September, we got the chance to get together with the W&J friends and all their kids!  We spent the afternoon at Siri & Dobber's house hanging out and laughing at all the kids running and toddling about.  We got to wish Jamie and Potter best wishes as they await their first baby later this fall, and Baby BFFs Violet and Claire closed out the playday with an outdoor baby pool bath (cutest!!)

Later in the month, we were headed east to celebrate my ten year college graduation.  pause for effect here, friends.  TEN YEARS out of college.  It does not feel possible that's it's been ten years.  time, man.

We made plans to spend the night at Brandon's cousins house which the kids were over.the.moon about since they'd get to sleep over and play with their cousins Reid, Audra, and Rowen.  After a long drive in which the two big kids stayed awake giggling and teasing each other for 2 hours and 45 minutes of the 3 hour drive (!) we arrived well past their bedtime.  Despite going to be late, all six kids were up before 7am running, playing, and having quote 'the best day ever.'

The kids played all morning, buzzing around the house and then we all headed out to Reid's flag football game to cheer him on.  Afterward, we spent the afternoon at the Masonic Village Autumn Days riding in a hay wagon, playing games, and balloon sword fighting each other.  It was full day of fun already before we even loaded up at naptime to drive an hour to Susquehanna for the homecoming/reunion festivities.

I hadn't been back to campus in, well not quite ten years, but probably like eight.  It was so weirdly familiar riding through the campus and walking around.  The kids weren't at all impressed as I tried to explain to them that I lived here in college ("You're just my mom, MOM!" said Gemma as she is incapable of imagining me as anything but the person I am right now).  We got to catch the tail end of the volleyball tournament (go SU!) and I was so happy to chat with the coaches and our loyal fans that still attend most of the games.

We met up with lots of friends from the class of 2005, including Heather from Life Unexpected to which this is my public pleading for you to start blogging again (!!)  We took a long stroll around campus as I pointed out the buildings that I spent most of my time, or the places that something funny had happened.  I snapped goofy grinning selfies in front of my freshman dorm and sent them off to my two best friends whom I met there.  Such a wave of past memories, it reminded me of how grateful I am to have spent my four years of college at SU; getting the education I got, the friends I met, the experience.  gosh, I'm a sucker for all of it.