Sunday, April 29, 2007

Spring

I love spring. The flowers, birds, new grass, I love all of it. I was out this evening watering my flowers and I thought I would share a couple of my favorites with you.


One of the azaleas in the front of the house. We bought this 11 years ago when we moved it and it was so little. I didn't think it would ever grow.


The lilac is my absolute favorite. I have 2, a white and a purple. The purple one is right at the front porch and when you walk up to the house that is all you smell.


This is the white one. It's a lot smaller than the purple which is huge but it still smells heavenly.


My dogwood. I love the white dogwood. This came from my mother in laws yard. She gave it to us when we moved in. Do you see the pink azalea at the bottom of the tree? It was mixed in with the dogwood and we were afraid to try to separate them, I didn't want the azalea to die. Every year it has come back out and bloomed, it doesn't get any bigger but it keeps plugging along.
I will have peonies this year. My Dad gave me a bunch of them last year and all but 2 of them came up this year. I really didn't expect them to bloom the first year but most of them have buds on them so as soon as they bloom I will have pictures to share.

Every week I try to make at least 2 new meals. I collect cook books and I tons of them, including my Mawmaw's cook book that was given to her in 1957 by her mother in law.




This is my favorite and I will always cherish it. It has her handwriting all through it on recipes, grocery lists and what she was making for whom. I love it and I feel very blessed to have it.
Anyway, I try to make 2 new recipes each week, it doesn't always work out that I am able to do it with our schedules but the past week we had 2 incredible meals, if I do say so myself. I thought I would share one of them with you.
COUNTRY CHICKEN CHOWDER
2 tablespoons margarine or butter (I used butter I always cook with real butter)
1 1/2 lbs. chicken tenders, cut into 1/2 inch pieces ( I used boneless skinless chicken breasts)
2 small onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 small carrots, sliced
2 cups frozen corn
2 cans (10 3/4 oz each) cram of potato soup
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 cup half and half

Melt butter in large skillet. Add chicken; cook until browned. Add cooked chicken, onions, celery, carrots, corn, soup, chicken broth and dill to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours or until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.
Turn off heat; stir in half and half. cover and let stand 5 to 10 minutes or just until heated through.
I doubled everything on ours, there's 5 of us and I usually have to double recipes. This was wonderful, you have to try it. Right now I have bar b que in the crock pot with a new sauce that we haven't tried before. That is for dinner tomorrow night. It smells wonderful. It has red wine vinegar in it and I was a little leery I've never cooked with that before, but I'm game to try just about any new recipe.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Finally....

I finally have a picture of Ashleigh and the prom dress. But first for an incredible picuture take a look over at www.zoofullofboys.blogspot.com. You won't be disappointed I guarantee it.
Now, on with the show.



Now, give our honest opinion, what do you think of the dress that it took 4 shopping trips to find? I think it's very pretty, Rusty said it's the ugliest dress he has ever seen, my parents both liked it and my mother in law said it was different but better than she thought it would be from the description. Simon said it wasn't horrible but was a little pitchy in places, sorry just a little American Idol humor. Now give me your honest opinion, the count down is on prom is in less than 2 weeks. Well, at least the first of the two proms she will be attending.
Have a great evening.

Monday, April 23, 2007

My 8 year old the genius

Ok, well maybe he's not a genius but close, very close. He came home from school today very excited, he had gotten a 100 on his spelling test last week. Now that is not amazing, he is very good at spelling, he almost always gets a 100, but on this test he spelled tuberculosis correctly. I can't even spell that correctly. I had to look it up on www.webmd.com to get the spelling so I could put it in the blog. He won't have to take the spelling test this week as a reward. I think that is pretty awesome. So of course I had to take a picture, always looking for an excuse to take a picture.

Isn't he cute?! He was so proud of himself. Oh, and yes in the background is my new refrigerator and yes it is covered with magnets, I collect them and have been for a long time. I am so happy with the refrigerator, lucky for my husband it doesn't take much to make me happy. ha ha ah

And finally what you have all been waiting for, drum roll please, the test. I thought that was quite the hard word for a 3rd grader, but he pulled it off.

The weather is beautiful, the flowers ar blooming, my azeleas are blooming, the lilac right in from of our front door is in bloom and I am getting to enjoy the wonderful fragrance of the lilac, that has to be one of my favorites.
We decided to take advantage of the weather and grill hotdogs. We opened the grilled and surprise, guess what we found.


I can't have birds for neighbors in my grill. We use that grill. Alot. Thank God there weren't any eggs, I don't think I could have evicted eggs, but the grass and leaves are now gone. The birds were not happy with me, at all. After I went in the house they were walking on the deck railing back and forth looking at the house, looking at the grill. I am sure my car with be covered with bird poop in the morning.
Have a great evening.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Busy, busy days

We have had probably the busiest 2 days in a long time. Yesterday we went to see my Aunt in the hospital. Please pray for her. Last month she had a tummy tuck (she didn't tell any of us about it) and every since she had it she hasn't felt right. She thought she had caught a stomach thing that just wouldn't go away. Well, last Sunday she was running a high fever and when she talked to my uncle on the phone he couldn't understand anything she was saying. He raced home and took her to the emergency room. They said she has toxic shock syndrome. She had gotten a strep infection from the surgery and was very seriously sick. They did emergency surgery on her Tuesday to remove as much of the infection as possible. Until today she was on a ventilator, they were keeping her sedated and had restrained her because she had tried to pull the vent out. I talked to one of the doctors I work for and she told me that what she had could very easily kill her. It scared me to death. My aunt is only 10 years older than me, there is 9 years between her and my Mom, and growing up she lived with us some. She has always been more like my sister than my aunt. So, Rusty and I went to see her last night. Her color was good but she looked so pitiful lying there. But today I am more hopeful so please keep her in your prayers, it is going to be a long road for her. Well, since the hospital is right next to Potomac Mills we of course had to make trip over there. We walked that whole mall and just did alot of window shopping. It was just Rusty and me which doesn't happen very often, so we had a night free of "don't run off, don't touch that, put that down, etc, etc, etc".
This morning we went over to a friend's house, Rusty is doing a little electric work for them in their basement. Also, they just moved back here, thank God I really missed her, and they brought their refrigerator with them so they didn't need the one in this house. They asked us if we wanted the one in their new house, YES. Our's is in good shape but it 's 10 almost 11 years old and it's got it's little problems. I am so excited about this, am I old or what I am excited about a refrigerator, anyway it's alot bigger than ours which is very exciting. You should have seen us getting, well trying, to get it in the house. It was just Rusty and me and it was quite the experience and not one I would like to experience again any time soon. But we did get it in and it is now sitting in the middle of the kitchen. It will be hooked up in the morning.
Blake has his first game today and had a great game. He hit 3 base hits, got 2 outs and just was really on top of it today. One of his hits quite possibly could have been a homerun but the little boy on the other team caught it and I am still not sure how he did it, it was an incredible catch. I will have to post pictures of another game, I was the dug out mom and between keeping the score, batting book, making sure each child was ready when it was their turn and trying to keep 10 8 and 9 year olds sitting down and behaving I didn't have time to take any pictures. After the game we had to run to Rusty's playground, Home Depot, and get stuff for the weed eater so he can do the lawn tomorrow. Ashleigh took Blake to the mall with her and then out to eat. They are now sitting on the floor playing checkers, I love to see them spending time together. I am exhausted, I don't know if I have the energy to make it to bed and it's only 10:30. Like I said I am old.
Good night.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Opening Day

Yesterday was Blake's opening day for baseball. I love living in a small town. Opening day is quite an experience to be had. We had to be there at 9:00, so we show up at early coffee in hand to stand around and wait. Nothing ever starts when it's supposed to. You try to get your child to stand still, be good and for God sake stay clean, at least until after the ceremony. If you know Blake this is a feat in it's self. We did make it with only a couple grass stains on the knee so I consider it a job well done. They have all the teams out on the field with their coaches, they thank they sponsors, introduce the mayor, the police department, the baseball board, etc and all this with children from ages 5 to 15 standing out in the field. Proud parents are all moving around trying to get that perfect picture of their child with their team. They have prayer which was done this year by the youth pastor of the church that Rusty and I have gone attended and he is a good friend of Rusty's also, they coach football together too. I loved the prayer this year. He not only prayed for the safely of all the players, but he also prayed that they parents realize that the coaches and umpires are all volunteers who are doing the best that they can. I thought that was so important, especially in our little town. Sports in very important around here and some of the parents can really get out of hand. Hopefully, they remember the prayer when they are getting mad because they think the umpire made a bad call or they think the coaches aren't playing their child enough. We have a great system with our little league, every player gets to play no matter what their ability. Rusty is a coach, but I do have to say that they are very fair about this. Hopefully, we have a great season with no injuries, good sports, and understanding parents.
After opening day we went to my parents, they were here for the weekend to work on their house. We had dinner with them and then spent the next couple hours just sitting around talking. It was so nice, they have cancelled their satelite service so there wasn't any tv, just us sitting around enjoying each other. Steven had class for work so he wasn't able to come with them, but next time he will be here also.
Ashleigh contacted a guy that she went to school with before we moved here when she was in 2nd grade. They have talked on the phone everyday this past week and last night they went out to dinner. It's really funny because when they went to school together he had this big crush on her and used to chase her around making kissing noises. She had a wonderful time, they went to The Outback for dinner, and told me this morning she is going out with him again. When Rusty and I were in school we used to refer to the boys from Marshall as the Marshall boys. Rusty was a Marshall boy. I asked him this morning if he realized his daughter had gone on a date with a Marshall boy. He looked at me and said "Not all of us are bad". No, I guess not.
Have a great day.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Easter, cont...

Coloring Easter eggs is a family affair with us.









Everyone got involved in coloring easter eggs, except Wayne he was spending the night with Uncle Steve enjoying an evening of video games, food, movies and just generally enjoying being together.

On Sunday my Mom, Pawpaw and I walked up to the beach for Sunrise Service. It started at 6:30 and it was incredible. I have never experienced something like that before. They did a recreation of the Last Supper. (at the bottom of my blog is a larger picture)

Each of the disciples spoke about their life, how Jesus had called them and how they died. It was the most moving, touching thing I have ever seen and with the sun coming up in the back ground it was totally awesome.

Before the sunrise.

And as the sun was peeking over the ocean. I have always loved going to sunrise service but that was so special. You could hear the ocean washing up on the sand, it was cold but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Rusty wanted to go with us but he was sick the night before and I didn't want to wake him up, now I wish I had.


After we all went to regular services at my Pawpaw's church we headed to the state park for a family picnic. We did things a little different this year, we don't normally picnic on Easter but we packed our traditional easter food and had a great time. It was a little windy and chilly but being all together was definitely worth it.

You can't have a picnic without dill pickles.





Don't ask what they are laughing about, we probably don't want to know. When you put the 2 of them together it could be anything.

Like I said, it could be anything. My husband is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He has always been able to make me laugh. When Steven and I were growing up I always complained because no matter what he had done he could always make my mom laugh. They both have an incredible sense of humor. When I took this picture Rusty said "You are NOT going to put that on your blog." Take a look honey, here you are in all your glory.


















We came home on Monday and are missing everyone already. Mom and Dad will be here this weekend to work on their house here so they can get it on the market. I am looking forward to seeing them again this weekend.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Sunrise Service

Take a look at the bottom of my blog. This is a picture of sunrise service, on the beach, Easter morning. I wanted a bigger picture instead of just putting it in a post. I will tell you about it tomorrow. Now, I know you will be back, it's an incredible story.
Good night.

Easter

This could run kind of long so get a cup of coffee, a donut, sit back and be prepared to be amazed.
We had such a wonderful time with everyone. We celebrated Wayne's birthday, met Margie (Pawpaw's fiance), celebrated Easter, got to spend some much need family time and just had a great time. I had lots of pictures to share and lots to fill you in on.


I told you about Britt's donuts on the boardwalk at Carolina Beach, well here they are making our order. Don't they look good?! There is absolutely nothing like them, they literally melt in your mouth and because they melt they don't have calories and they don't count when you are on a diet. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. That way I don't feel bad for all the donuts I ate while I was there.

After they take them out of the low fat (ha ha ha) oil, they put them on this rack, cover them with glaze and let the glaze drip off. They then put them in a white paper bag and they are done. As you take donuts out of the bag, over and over again, the glaze gets on the bag and you end up with a sticky arm up to your elbow but it's worth it. Oh, is it ever worth it.



And the finished product. My mouth is watering just looking at the picture.


On Saturday night we celebrated Wayne's birthday, we all went out to dinner at Wilson's and enjoyed every minute of the good food, we are a family that enjoys food. They have all you can eat crab legs which is what alot of us where there to eat.





We had been there for a while when I took this picture. Crab legs are one of Rusty's favorite things to eat. One year we were in Tennessee and we went to a buffet with crab legs. We were there so long that they finally came out and said "No more crab legs, we don't have any more crab legs." I don't think we have ever shut down a restuarant before.



And here's the birthday boy. I can't believe he is 16. In a couple months I will have 2 children driving, God help me and my insurance rates.



Isn't that a beautiful cake? There is a bakery in Wilmington called Apple Annie's and they make the best cakes. We look for an excuse to have an Apple Annie cake. It had strawberry filling (Wayne's favorite) with real strawberries.



This is my Pawpaw, isn't he cute? He will be 82 in May and you would never know it. He is in perfect health and doesn't act 82 either. And this is Margie. She is really nice and I liked her alot. She's funny and just a very nice person to be around. I hope she realizes what a gem she is getting with my Pawpaw. He is one of a kind.







They had this guy going around the restaurant making balloon animals and just about anything you wanted. He made this for Blake and I was truely amazed. I've never seen a monkey climbing a tree for bananas made out of balloons.



And what about Ashleigh's flamingo? Wayne didn't get a balloon, he was too cool now that's he's 16.


My Mom and Dad. They have been married for 40 years. They gave my brother and me a great childhood, you couldn't have asked for a better one, and they have always been there for us. I have the best family.

I will be back tomorrow with more from the weekend and more pictures. I am headed to bed.
Good night.

ashleigh again

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Friday, April 06, 2007

Prom dresses, AAARRGGGGG

You would think that it wouldn't be this hard to find a prom dress. Last year we walked in and Ashleigh knew which dress she wanted right away. It was so easy. This year, oh my God!!!! We spent quite a while today in the mall looking for the "perfect, dream dress". I don't think it exsists, I don't think the dress is out there. She wants a strapless, backless dress. If you've ever seen my daughter then you know this dress just will not work for her. She doesn't wear a B bra size, she is very well endowed on the top. Every dress she tried on today wasn't the right one. I was to the point of picking out the dress for her. We will try a couple more stores tomorrow. I don't want her to settle for a dress, I do want her to find her "dream dress" but I'm not sure she's not being too picky. I don't know if she will be able to find that dress she's looking for, keep your fingers crossed.
We went out to Steven's house today. This was the first time I had seen it. I love it, it is really nice and he has such a nice yard. It has 2 1/2 acres and backs up to a body of water that runs into the river. We came home, had dinner and then walked up to the board walk for Britt's Donuts. You can keep Krispy Kreme and any other donuts out there, they can not hold a candle to Britt's. It is a family owned business that has been there since 1932. My Mom grew up eating them, I grew up eating them and my kids are growing up eating them. When you buy them they give them to you in a white paper bag. The donuts are very hot, they make them while you wait so they are always hot. Then you eat them walking on the beach and boardwalk. There is nothing like it. If you ever get to Carolina Beach you have to hit Britt's.
Good night and Happy Easter.

Traveling

We are at my Mom and Dad's house in Carolina Beach, N.C., we came here for Easter. I was really excited about seeing my everyone and we will get to meet my Pawpaw's girlfriend. Well, actually she's not his girlfriend, she's his fiance, they are getting married in June. They were originally planning on getting June 9th but Ashleigh's graduation is the 8th so they moved it to the next weekend. I can't believe my Pawpaw is getting remarried. My Mom said that Margie is really nice and that she is very funny. She makes my Pawpaw really happy. My aunt isn't happy about his getting married, she said it hasn't even been a year since Mawmaw passed away. It will be a year in July and it has been fast but he will be 81 next month and why wait? I am happy for him, and if him getting married means I get to keep him around longer than I am all for it. We got in around 12:30 this morning and Mom was waiting up for us. My Dad had to work today so he was in bed but he did hear us come in, with there being 5 of us we are not always the quietest, he came down to give hugs and love and then went back to bed. We sat up and talked to Mom until around 2 and then we all headed to bed. Steven worked last night and then he came by around 6 this morning to pick up Wayne for a day of computer games, video games and food. They did alot of things together before Steven moved and this is the first time they have been able to get together. We are going to head to the mall today, Ashleigh wants to
see if she can find a prom dress here, she is hoping to find one different from any of them at home.
I will be back later. Have a great day!