THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.
Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.
With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.
Lovely, never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it ?
Cause I love you, just the way you look tonight.
Just the way you look tonight.
~~~~
Eight years ago Andrew sang those words to me on our wedding day. Yes, I have that husband. I may have a strong, confident soldier but I also have a husband who writes me love poems, brings home flowers, serenades me, loves me completely, and whisks me away for romantic weekends. I am one very blessed woman. So, on our 8th anniversary Andrew whisked me away for a romantic anniversary getaway to Lancaster, PA.
This trip was bittersweet for us both. We are so thankful to have been blessed with 8 wonderful years of marriage though if you want to count military separations it really is only about 5 years. This trip marks the first time we have both left our little Buddy Bee and the last time Andrew and I will have a getaway before he leaves on his deployment in only a few months. We were so grateful for this opportunity to get away together and even more thankful for Grampy who took wonderful care of our little boy.
Buddy Bee helping Mommy pack the cooler.
I missed this little boy very much.
Mr. Attitude when Mommy told him I had to fill the cooler with actual food rather then his hammy little self.
After his final protest he finally asked for Mommy's help to get out of the cooler.
Our bags were packed, Buddy Bee's typed 2 page detailed schedule was reviewed with and provided to Grampy, prepared meals were in the fridge, Andrew's secret trip details were printed and in the car, and finally, we were ready for our getaway.
I would like to think that 8 years ago we were just as excited the night before our wedding as we were the day before our 8th anniversary.
Final kisses were given to the Buddy Bee and we were off on our little adventure.
Halfway to our destination we stopped for a quick lunch and enjoyed a quite, relaxed meal without little Buddy Bee distractions.
My handsome chauffeur driving us to my first surprise destination.
Andrew's first surprise destination was a quite little vineyard where we spent time exploring the grounds and holding hands in the rain. It was a perfect start of our romantic getaway.
Even on a very gloomy, rainy day this vineyard was gorgeous.
We passed on exploring the actual vineyard fields because of the pouring rain but we enjoyed our drive by them.
After our trip to the vineyard we were off to our rented cottage.
We found this privately owned little cottage near the village of Gap, PA.
The cottage is part of Spring Wood Organic Farm, a 220 acre third generation Mennonite family farm operated by Roman and Lucy Stoltzfoos with the help of their eleven children.
It was truly the perfect little place for our anniversary getaway.
Our hosts filled the cottage with special touches that made our stay even more memorable.
The loft Bedroom.
Kitchen
Dining Area
Living Area
Basement living area with fireplace.
View from back deck.
Pond with resident pair of swans.
Back deck with hot tub.
My handsome dinner date and I.
A romantic dinner for two of my homemade lasagna, veggies, garlic bread, and salad.
A special treat for dessert; chocolate covered strawberries.
Our first day was a perfect start to our anniversary getaway.
The next morning Andrew and I enjoyed a breakfast of items from Spring Wood Organic Farm that were provided for us. We thoroughly enjoyed the eggs, organic raw yogurt, raw milk, homemade bread, and homemade granola and grape nuts. After breakfast we got the privilege of feeding the swans!
A little rain could not stop us from feeding the swans so, up the pant legs went and off we went to the pond.
I could not have been more excited about feeding the swans.
Our little cottage for a few days.
The pair of swans came running when they heard us down by their pond.
Andrew did the honors of feeding them their 5 cups of corn.
Swans are my favorite animal and being able to watch them was a huge highlight of our trip.
We left the swans to eat in peace but we enjoyed watching from the covered deck.
After the swans were fed we were off on day two of our little adventure.
Andrew planned all the details of our trip so, I was not really sure what our day had in store for me.
I was really jealous of the hydrangea bushes. This summer I planted 3 hydrangea plants in front of our house but they are still too small to enjoy. I would have loved to see these in full bloom.
Little Stone Cottage was truly a perfect little getaway for us.
The bride and groom 8 years later!
Before our first destination we had to check in on our little boy where we were informed that the Buddy Bee was sick and up most of the night. Of course, once I heard that I was ready to pack our bags and head home. Grampy informed me that there was no way we were coming home and that he had once done this before for me. I was still ready to return home but was assured that our Bee was doing fine and enjoying his sick morning watching Curious George with Grampy.
Andrew planned some quaint shopping for us before our very special anniversary lunch.
We enjoyed exploring Strasburg, PA very much and found some homemade fudge for Grampy as a Thank You gift.
Andrew and I enjoying our anniversary lunch at Fireside Tavern.
Fireside Tavern
After our fabulous lunch we headed off for an afternoon of window shopping in Intercourse, PA.
We couldn't forget our little Buddy Bee so during our window shopping we were looking for a little special something for our boy. And immediately we fell in love with this locally made train which, we brought home for our little boy.
And as a momento of our 8th anniversary we brought home a wooden swan.
I couldn't pass up all the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls so this Raggedy Ann has now joined my collection.
Eight year wedding anniversary.
After an afternoon of window shopping Andrew and I were ready to return to the cottage for a peaceful evening.
And nothing could be better than sitting by the pond watching the swans.
Andrew relaxing in the hammock before dinner.
Our anniversary dinner entailed ribs, sweet potatoes, and veggies.
After dinner we took a trip down to Spring Wood Organic Farm.
We enjoyed visiting with the Stoltzfoos' on their front porch but soon headed back to the cottage for a relaxing evening.
The next morning we once again enjoyed a wonderful breakfast, packed up our belongings, took advantage of the sunny weather for another photo opportunity, watched the swans, and started our trip back home.
Andrew watching the swans.
We needed at least one kissing photo on our anniversary getaway!
The swans were working hard at fluffing their feathers which, was so fun to watch.
We made one last stop at the outlets on our way home and scored on footwear for the whole family. Andrew and I both got great deals on running shoes and we found a pair of rain boots for the Buddy Bee on clearance! We were soon on the road again and were very glad to pull into our driveway. We were thankful for our time together but missing our little boy very much.
Buddy Bee was so happy to see us but soon was engrossed in his new train.
I think he likes it!
Buddy Bee had a fascination with the coal car....it really was upsetting him that it was empty.
We unpacked the car and loaded up our kitchen table with our purchases.
It was a perfect getaway but we were so glad to be home!
Andrew, Thank you for loving me and for taking me away to nurture our marriage. I hope we are blessed with many, many more years. I loved you then and even more now. SHIMLY! ~Your Loving Wife
