A Visit to the New Yankee Stadium

Every year hubby and I try to make it to Yankee Stadium to watch his favorite team play for his birthday. We haven't been able to go the past couple years due to finances, but we were really eager to see the new stadium.

It was such a treat when my boss gave us two free tickets for the last regular season home game a couple weeks ago. The stadium is absolutely gorgeous and there isn't a bad seat in the house. Unfortunately the Bronx Bombers lost, but they almost pulled it out in the end.

I got a kick out of the evening because it was a brisk night but I was actually warmer than hubby was. Don't think that's ever happened before and probably never will again!

Hubby in front of the stadium (guy on left looking at camera)

The view from our seats. They were nosebleeds, but you could still see great. I was surprised hubby went down willingly when I asked him for a photo!

The plasma screen in center field was amazing!

Raising the Walls

Here are the latest pictures of the work on our house from a couple weeks ago. We have most of the framing done in the kitchen. Just need to finish laying the sub floor in the area seen below and then we can frame that out.

Hubby and I are heading back out for a quick trip this weekend to drop off a washer and dryer, winterize the house, and pick up his little plants so we can keep on eye on them over the winter. He'll go out again for a couple more weeks the end of the month to get a few more small projects done.

We just need to put in the fire stops and then the rough plumbing and electrical so we can insulate and put up dry wall. We're hoping to build all the cabinets ourselves over the winter because I work for a cabinet shop that can do all the machining for us. This way we can also do the painting and glazing exactly how we want it.

Parmigiano Pumpkin Soup & Rosemary Onion Rolls with Blue Cheese Topping

Lately I've fallen in love with making yeast breads.

It all started with the craving for homemade, fresh from the oven pitas and has expanded to include pizza dough [for our weekly Sunday night pizza night], apple cider doughnuts [not technically a yeast bread, but still in the general category], and now fresh rosemary and caramelized onion rolls with a blue cheese topping.

This latest recipe I found while reading The Pioneer Woman. I just recently discovered her and oh my does her food look downright delicious. I mean, you gain 5 pounds just looking at some of her recipes! Plus, she's an incredible story teller and I love reading her story of how she and Marlboro Man fell in love. Forget Martha Stewart, I want to be Ree when I grow up!

When I found the roll recipe I knew it would go perfect with the pumpkin soup recipe I found while flipping through American Lifestyle magazine last time we were out working on the house. This magazine was sent to us courtesy of our realtor and most time I just throw it away after a quick flip through, but this time the section on crockpot recipes caught my eye. I sure am glad I stopped to look because this soup is perfect for a crisp fall evening.

In fact, both these recipes are so good that they'll result in marriage proposals. No joke. I know because it happened to me yesterday. And not from my husband. Shh! Don't tell him!

PARMIGIANO PUMPKIN SOUP
(recipe and photo courtesy of Art of the Slow Cooker via American Lifestyle magazine)

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil (I used 1 T of butter because I was out of oil)
2 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips (I used 4 strips of crumbled bacon)
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (about 28 oz.) Libby's 100% pure pumpkin
2 quarts chicken broth
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground white pepper (I used black because I was out of white)
1/2 cup cream (I used light, but a full 8 oz. to make it creamier)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 T chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (I forgot to put it on, but it tasted fine without it)

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto, and saute until crisp and frizzled. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve. If using bacon, I do mine on paper towels in the microwave. Cover with another paper towel and microwave on high approx. 1 minute per slice. Cool and crumble.

2. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion and saute until tender (do not brown). Add the garlic, and cook for a few seconds, until aromatic. Stir in the pumpkin, broth, nutmeg, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, cover, and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high, or 6 to 8 hours on low.

3. Stir in the cream and Parmesan and heat through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and serve with crumbled bacon or prosciutto on top.

ROSEMARY ONION ROLLS WITH BLUE CHEESE TOPPING

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 large yellow onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups bread flour (I used regular because that's all I had)
2 teaspoons kosher salt (more to taste)
Freshly chopped rosemary to taste (be generous!)
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Saute sliced onions and minced garlic in 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Cook them until brown and caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

Pour warm water into a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top. Add sugar and olive oil, then stir gently with a fork until combined. Set aside.

Combine flour and salt in a separate bowl. To the yeast mixture, add flour mixture, onions, and rosemary in alternating ingredients, stirring gently until dough is combined. (It’ll be sticky!)

Generously flour a flat surface. Knead dough 15 to 20 times, adding flour generously to make it easier to handle. (Keep it sticky, though!)

Drizzle olive oil in a separate bowl, then add ball of dough, turning to coat. Cover with a tea towel and place in a warm spot for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Divide dough into eight portions, and form a rough round from each piece. Place on a baking mat or parchment paper, then cover with a towel and allow to rise for 15 to 20 minutes.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until brown. Brush with butter halfway through baking time.To top with blue cheese, either place crumbled blue cheese on completely baked rolls and allow it to soften naturally, OR remove the rolls with five minutes baking time left, top with cheese, and return to the oven to bake/allow cheese to melt.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

To round out the soup and rolls, I added a salad with crumbled blue cheese, apple slices, craisins and walnuts. It was a delicious and light fall dinner!

Apple Cider Doughnuts

I was blog stalkin' the other day and came across a recipe for apple cider doughnuts. They sounded and looked downright heavenly, and my hubby loves special treats for weekend breakfasts, so I decided to make them this past weekend. What could be better for a crisp fall morning?

My dough was a little too sticky to work with the biscuit cutter, so I just used two spoons and dropped in dough balls to make tiny fritters. Next time I'll try adding more flour to my dough. I also didn't take the time to make the glaze the recipe calls for, but they need just a little something extra so I'll make it next time as well. Here are the steps in photos:

1. Chop two McIntosh apples.

2. Add cider and cook over medium heat.

3. Cook until apples are softened and most of the cider is absorbed.

4. Puree apples and cider in a food processer (or blender) until smooth.

5. If necessary, return sauce mix to stovetop to reduce further. Set aside to cool.

6. Combine all dry ingredients except sugar. Set aside.

7. Combine some of the sugar and the shortening with mixer until it resembles coarse sand.

8. Add eggs and blend.

9. Add cooled apple sauce.

10. Mix in 1/2 the flour mixture, the buttermilk, vanilla and the rest of the flour mixture.

11. Combine to a sticky dough...do not overmix.

12. Place dough on lightly floured piece of parchment (I didn't have any as you can see) and shape into 7 x 11 square 1/2" thick. Chill for 2 hours or overnight.

13. Heat 2" of oil until a deep fry thermometer reads 350. Drop doughnuts in a few at a time and turn frequently until browned.

14. Remove to a paper towel to drain. If wanted, drizzle with glaze and cinnamon sugar.

Here is the recipe I used (according to the blog I took it from, it's courtesy of the Food Network):

APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS

Ingredients:
1/4 t. baking soda
3 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly grated nutmeg
1 2/3 c. granulated sugar
3 T. vegetable shortening
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 c. confectioners' sugar
Vegetable oil, {for frying}
2 red apples {such as Cortland or McIntosh}
2 1/2 c. apple cider
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour {more for dusting}
4 t. baking powder

Directions:
Core and coarseley chop the apples {do not peel}. Combine with 1 1/2 cups of cider in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cover and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the apples are tender and the cider is almost completely reduced, about 5 minutes. Pureee with an immersion blender or in a food processor until smooth. Measure the sauce; you should have 1 cup. {Boil to reduce further, if necessary}. Let cool slightly.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

Beat 2/3 cup granulated sugar and shortening in another bowl with a mixer on medium speed until sandy. Beat in the egg and yolk, then gradually mix in the applesauce, scraping the bowl. Beat in half the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and vanilla, and then the remaining flour mixture. Mix to make a sticky dough; do not overmix.

Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper and pat into a 7-by-11 inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: Simmer the remaining 1 cup cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/4 cup. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar until smooth and glossy, then set aside. Mix the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a shallow bowl; set aside for the topping.

Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until a deep fry thermometer registers 350°. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Cut the chilled dough into 12 rounds, using a floured 2 1/2 or 3 inch biscuit cutter, then cut out the middles with a 1 inch cutter {or use a doughnut cutter}. Slip 2 or 3 doughnuts at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as needed. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Dip one side of each doughnut in the cider glaze, letting the excess drip off; dip just the glazed side in the cinnamon-sugar or roll all over in cinnamon-sugar, if desired. Serve warm.

Now, here's the photo of what they're supposed to look like (photo courtesy of Food Network magazine):

As you can tell, mine didn't turn out like this, but they were still very delicious!

Happy 2nd Anniversary, My Love!

Two years ago today I married the man of my dreams. We had a wonderful weekend of celebration at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Loveland, CO. About 150 of our friends and family came in on Thursday night to enjoy a couple days of food, fun, laughs, hiking, shopping, fishing and horseback riding before the big day. Hands down it was the best weekend of our lives!

The fall weather and color of the aspen trees was glorious. Here my dad is giving me away at the altar.

Reciting our vows that we wrote ourselves by combining different bits and pieces of others we found in books.

Hubby said the parts in blue; I said the parts in pink and we said the parts in black together:

I, [hubby's name], choose you, [my name], and I, [my name], choose you, [hubby's name] in the presence of our friends and families, to be my wife, to be my husband, from this time forward.

To love you and to be a comfort and safe haven in your life, to hold you close and listen deeply when you speak, to nourish you with my gentleness, to uphold you with my strength, to weigh the effects of the words I speak and the things I do, to never take you for granted, and to always give thanks for your presence in my life, loving you now and as you grow and develop into all that God intends. I will love you when we are together and when we are apart; when our lives are at peace and when they are in turmoil; when I am proud of you and when I am disappointed in you; in times of rest and in times of work. I will be at your side through all of life’s challenges and joys as we become one in spirit before God. I promise to give of myself to you in every way I can, and to care for you and protect you as I would my own self. I promise to be faithful to you in this life, and to be honest and true to our union until God, in his perfect wisdom and timing, calls one of us Home.

Lighting the unity candle. It was so windy that it never actually lit, but we sure loved laughing about it and joking that we hoped it didn't symbolize our marriage!

Leaving in a gorgeous horse drawn carriage. Our guests had the opportunity to go for rides while we were having our photos taken during cocktail hour.

One of my favorite photos from the day. The weather was absolutely perfect...just started to snow as we drove to where we were staying that night and the next day all the leaves started to fall from the trees. Thank you, Jesus!

We used this photo (below) in black and white for our thank you card. We had glossy postcards made and in the bottom left corner I put "Thanks from the Mr. & Mrs." I still see a lot of them framed as photos in friends and families houses.

A kiss during our first dance. The reception was in a covered pavilion and we strung white lights through all the rafters and then draped the posts with cream muslin. It was dreamy!

Thanks for indulging me in my wedding flashback. I dreamed about that day since I was a little girl and it turned out even better than I could have imagined.

Hubby, thank you for a great first two years of marriage! The highlights from this year include: our honeymoon trip to the Cook Islands in February, a trip to Italy in April, the birth of our second nephew, many road trips for work, and a lot of fun times working on renovating our house. Looking forward to what this next year holds for us!

Am I the last one...

...to get hooked on the Twilight series?

All the rage between my friends on Facebook a few months ago was how great the Twilight books were. I'm not normally one to read the latest "must read" (case in point I've never read any of the Harry Potter books nor do I think I ever will), but something about how many different people were saying these books were good caught my attention.

I picked up the first one a couple weeks ago and was wondering what all the hype was about until I got about half way through the first one. Then, I'm said to say, like the rest of the world, I was hooked.

I quickly finished Twilight and then moved on to New Moon. A couple days ago I finished Eclipse and now I'm anxiously waiting until there's a copy of Breaking Dawn available in the library to be checked out.

It's a very good series and a fast and entertaining read.

I still haven't decided if I want to see the movie, though. Any suggestions from those of you who read the book and saw the movie? Is it worth it?

And, if you were Bella, would you rather be with Jacob or Edward? Call me crazy, but I think I'd choose Jacob.

Gettysburg Photos

I mentioned here that hubby and I spent some time with my parents in Gettysburg over Labor Day weekend. We had such a great time! Here are some photos from the trip:

We met up with our friends Luke & Melissa for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. God provided a ride home for hubby from the house in a neat way. Luke & Melissa were going to come visit us for Labor Day if we didn't have any plans, but I told them we were going to be in Gettysburg. Mel just laughed because they had already decided if we weren't available to drive out to visit her aunt and uncle who lived near Gettysburg instead. So, hubby hopped a ride from the house with them and I still got to see them for a little bit at breakfast. How fun!

The rest of that day, my parents, hubby & I toured the brand new visitors center. They had a great video, cyclerama, and museum that was very informative. We also did some antique shopping where I found a beautiful silver tray for $12!

Before heading to the ghost tour (which was very lame, but gave us great things to laugh about) that night, we had dinner at Dobbins House. It's one of the oldest homes in Gettysburg and even has a spot where you can see where they hid slaves on the Underground Railroad.

The next morning was our horseback tour and we were all look forward to it a lot. It was so much fun and the weather was awesome. But we were all a little sore at the end!

Here is a Confederate soldier (renactor of course) that we came across right near where Pickett's Charge started. We actually saw him as we were doing a driving tour of the fields after the horse ride.

On the horseback tour, we came across this barn which had a hole shot through it with a canon. It's located beneath the two diamonds in the brick. See it?

L - R: My dad on Stormin' Norman, my mom on Robbie, Hubby on Red, and myself on Simon. I was so excited to get a Paint because I love Paints. He was such a sweet horse. The headphones are how we heard the tour guide who was stationed in the middle of the pack.

Group photo after a great ride.

Our last stop before heading out of town was at the National Cemetery. It was here that Abe Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. This was one of the many canons situated throughout the cemetery.

On the driving tour, we came across so many monuments honoring the brave men who fought so valiantly for their beliefs. My favorite was probably this one that honored the men from the state of Maryland.
They were one of the few states that had men fighting on both sides of the battle and this monument depicts a Union soldier on the left and his Confederate brother on the right. Very moving.

The fields where this battle was fought are absolutely breathtaking. It's hard to imagine the numerous men who were lying wounded and dead on this particular field after Pickett's Charge.

If you've never been to Gettysburg (or any of the battlefields for that matter), I highly recommend you go. It's definitely an awesome experience!

Fall Decorating

Just like everybody else around blog world these days, I'm so ready for fall. It's absolutely my favorite time of year (besides Christmas or my birthday or vacation...) and I can't wait for it to roll around.

A couple nights ago I was finally bitten by the crafting bug again (that or I decided it was time to clean out some of the "junk" taking up space in my craft room) so I decided to do a mini makeover on the living room.

Now, I consider myself a member of the P.O.O.P.I.E. club (shout out to the Nester), but for some reason when I came across these at Michael's fall clearance last year they were just calling out my name.

I'm still not 100% satisfied with them - some times I look at them and really like them, other times they just scream, "Look at us! We're FAKE!". What do you think keep or give away on Craig's List?

(Tangent: What is up with my camera? I definitely think it's time to get a new one. The flash just loves to wash everything out when it's on and if it's off everything just looks grainy. Ugh!)

I also did a mini redo on the mantle. The gun is a must stay - past done through the fam' from the Civil War, but I did add the books, vases, jars filled with acorns and rearranged the dried hydrangeas in a new vase and added some faux leaves. I love the Shakespeare print that I picked up on the cheap a few years ago and leaned that up there too. Still not the best mantle scape, but much better than the mini bunny I still had sitting up there from Easter! Yeah. Guess I've been a little busy.


Now give it to me straight. The flowers on the side table...bad or good?

Happy Birthday Chelsea!

Happy Birthday, Chelsea! Can't believe you're already in the later part of your 20s. Would you please stop getting older because it means I'm getting older too. I don't think I'll ever stop seeing you in my mind as my "little" sister - even if you did get married and have two kids before my 2nd wedding anniversary!

Remember when we used to love having matching Easter bonnets and insisted on Mom buying them for us only to be too embarrassed to actually wear them to church? Or how about me teasing you about ladybugs and ghosts? Or all the times we'd make forts in our room or throw Care Bears out our window (oh wait I guess that was just me)? Then there was the time we acted like pirates...

Have to admit that your "pirate face" is definitely much more fear inducing than mine! Sure there a few times (perhaps I should say a lot of times) we'd fight, or I'd make you call me "drill Sargent" when I was left in charge, but through it all I think you turned out pretty darn cool.

Mom always said we'd grow up to be great friends someday, and while I admit at times I thought it'd never happen seeing how we're complete opposites, I'm glad to see that like normal, "Mom knew best." You are definitely one of my very best friends and I'm so glad I have a sister like you.

Thanks so much for the stellar example you set on being a godly wife - especially through the challenging and difficult times - and for giving me two very handsome nephews. Looking forward to many more years as sisters and friends.

Happy Birthday!

On the road again...

It seems like I say this every couple weeks! It will be so nice when we're not living between two houses in two completely different states.

Hubby and I are leaving on a jet plane again tonight to go work on the house some more. Hopefully this trip we'll finally get some framing done in the kitchen so we can continue to keep that project moving forward.

From there we're heading directly down to South Carolina, Charleston in fact, for a friend's wedding. While there we're going to try to hit Fort Sumter to get the South's take on the whole Civil War. After all, we did get the North's viewpoint not too long ago.

I have a few posts that will publish while I'm away, but for the most part you get silence from this part of blog land. What's new for me lately, though, right?

Cherry Cola Birthday

It was yet another birthday at work today. This one was for someone turning the big 4-0 and he most definitely did not want people to know about it. So, I was happy to oblige. My making sure EVERYONE knew how old he was going to be! Ha!

I use the guys at work as my guinea pigs and today was no exception. I was flipping through my Woman's Day magazine the other day and came across a delicious recipe for a coconut marble bundt cake. It sounded (and looked) downright heavenly. I had all the ingredients except the coconut and well, you just can't make a COCONUT marble bundt cake without coconut. Running to the store was definitely out of the question because that place is a zoo on Sunday afternoons and I was not about to get trampled in that stampede.

So, it was on to plan B.

After going on a hunt for supplies, I came up with a boxed chocolate cake mix and some canned frosting. B-O-R-I-N-G.

In an attempt to jazz things up, I pulled out my Southern Living cookbook (thanks again so much to Tom and Jen for that wonderful gift a couple years ago...I love that thing!) and found a recipe for a Root beer cake that used a boxed cake mix. Of course I didn't have root beer, but I did have a can of cherry coke. Where it came from I have no idea because there are absolutely no cherry coke drinkers in my house whatsoever.

The recipe still sounded a little too dull for me so I then looked to see if there was a can of cherry pie filling anywhere and I was in luck!

For the cake, I used one box chocolate cake mix, 1-1/4 cup cherry coke, 2 eggs and 1/4 cup oil. I blended all those together until moistened. Then I added 1/2 can cherry pie filling and stirred that together. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes at 350, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool and then remove from pan.

For the icing, I used the rest of the can of cherry coke (about 1/4 cup), the rest of the pie filling, 3 T cocoa, 1 tsp. almond extract and about 1 cup of powdered sugar (or until it's how sweet you desire). Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until cocoa and powdered sugar have dissolved. Cool and then pour over cake.

And the verdict from my guinea pigs?

Not too bad. Definitely didn't get the rave reviews or the desire for 2nd helpings from everyone that my cakes have received in the past, but they said it was good.

Personally, the cake had too much "fake cherry" flavor for my liking. The cake had barely any cherry flavor, but the glaze was a little too strong in the cherry flavor. Definitely not my favorite cake, and I probably won't be making it again. But, it was fun to experiment.

Still have not forgotten

I admit this year I've been so busy and sidetracked, I completely forgot that today was Sept. 11.

Eight years ago today there was mass terror inflicted not only on the people of NYC, but on our country as a whole. Last year I reflected on where I was on that day. Where were you?

I cried today just like I do every year when I remember those I know who lost loved ones that day and just recalling the events of that fateful day all those years ago.

The radio station I listen played this poem this morning and I thought it very fitting:

MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Goodbye." I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK ... I am ready to go."

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe on Me now."

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was with the Firefighters, the Police Officers, the Emergency Workers. I was there, watching each brave step they took.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; "Come to Me...this way...take My hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well.

Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go." I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

~~~ God ~~~

Written by: Stacey Randall

Giddy Up!

I've been looking forward to this Labor Day weekend for a VERY long time.

I picked my mom and dad up at the airport last night and we're on our way to pick up hubby in Dillsburg, PA. He hoped a ride with our friends Luke & Melissa (our reno buddies) from the house to their relatives house there. Once we get him, we're off to GETTYSBURG!

I love Civil War history (don't ask me to recall a single date or name, though because I enjoy learning it, not remembering the specifics!) and can't wait to tour this battlefield again.

The first time I went was about 8 years ago with my parents. This time we're taking hubs for the first time (even though he's lived three hours away from it for his whole entire life) and we're touring the fields on HORSEBACK! How awesome is that?!

We're also going on a ghost walking tour tonight where they'll tell us stories from that time in history.

And to top it all off, the weather is supposed to be gorgeous.

Now, where are my boots and hat?