TGIF!!!!

First, it’s Friday and that means Java's Follow Friday 40 and Over. Stop on over and take a peek.

Also, did you notice anything? Java made me another button this time for my main blog. It is so cool and I love it. Thank you Java, truly thank you!!!

I was off today, well off from daycare but dang did I work hard. First Brenda and I went for our walk. We are work in a 5K competition walk next Saturday for our town’s Fit City get together. We already walk 4-5 miles and a 5K is just over 3 but it’s more of a speed walk so wanted to time ourselves to just know what we can really do. Then I worked in the bathroom. Our linen closet was a disaster. I wish I had taken a before and after pictures. It took me 3 hours to go through everything, fold, organize and put back. I took out 1 large garbage bag of extra daycare kids clothes I just don’t need. I did keep a small tote of extras. I took out all the swimming towels and suits and bagged them up to be stored for the winter. I put all the extras into small totes to keep them together. Like the shampoo’s, deo’s…that kind of stuff. Then I got the cleaning supplies on one shelf. The sheets and blankets into a tote and finally we buy toilet paper, paper towels and Kleenex by the case and now that’s all together. Then came my underwear drawer. It’s now all nice and neat, until I wash clothes and stuff things back in there that is. I also got a call today, for a new little boy. I have an interview tomorrow. We’ve talked a lot so far and it’s a go for him coming but we’ve never met so I never hold my breath until it really happens but Lord knows I need a new wee one. So that meant a really good house cleaning and yard pick up. First impressions you know. Then I finally got to cutting the lilacs back and some tree trimming. Next was a big dinner with my parents. I invited them over for pork chops, red potatoes, corn, green tomato bread and green tomato crisp. I paid bills, did some filing and now am done for the day. Well posting and reading some blogs are next but that’s relaxing and enjoyable.

Yesterday the kids and I went to the library. They had a special guest speaker. Chef Sharrony. She’s a grandma that came to teach the kids about apples and how to make apple sauce. It was really cool and of course I forgot my camera at home but I did take a few pictures with my phone so please excuse the blur but you can get the idea.

 

Then I took Anton out for a slushy before I took him home. Anton is my mini-Mike and he only comes once a week after school so I take a little bit of extra time with just him and last night we went to the DQ.

As you can see there is never a dull moment here. Mondays we visit with great grandma, Tuesdays we just stay home and play, Wednesday is library day and a trip to visit Kim,  Thursdays I’m off because of preschool and Fridays is a mixture of a short visit at great grandma’s and a visit to the farm. Plus scouts, next Tuesday is fire trucks at school….well you get the idea.

I hope that your life is full and wonderful and well, just the best.

So that’s that my friends. I hope you all have the most blessed Friday and a terrific, relaxing, enjoyable weekend.

Venture Crew 52…

You know that Mike is an Eagle Scout in his troop and you also know that now that he’s 18 there’s not to much for him to do in the troop other then helping his scout master out. But our troop 52 started a new section of the troop, it’s Venture Crew 52. It’s for scouts 14-21, the ones where they still so want to be part of something but are just past the age of boy scouting. Any-whoo… Our crew is a crew that loves to get together for camping, hiking, whitewater rafting, canoe trips to the BWCA, bowling, swimming, golfing, movie nights, shooting, paintballing and so much more. Well this year they didn’t know it but there were earning an award. Something that only 7 have earn in our council of mid-upper Minnesota and western North Dakota. 5 of them from our troop. They earned their Ranger Award. It was so cool. Plus Mike earned his bronze award. When he started Venturing it wasn’t for awards, it was just for fun. Kevin, their scout master, surprised them all with these. They earned them and didn’t even know it.

We had the Court of Honor Friday night outside so the picture wasn’t the greatest but look at their smiles!

A couple other pictures of the Court of Honor.

That’s it for today’s folks. I hope that you’re having a great week. Take care and God Bless!!!

Wordless Wednesday…

:o)   God Bless!!

Made this…

Remember the cool thing I bought at the craft fair in Little Falls?

Well I wanted to make a smaller version with what I had on hand and this is what I came up with. What do you think?

I’m in the process of making another one for my mama with this on the end…

I’ve been helping daddy get ready for his performance with the Geritol Frolics. There is one song that has been hard to get the timing, the words and all together so we’ve worked a good 4 days with a couple hours each day on it. Here’s my daddy. I don’t know if I’m allowed yet to tell you what the show is all about but when I can I’ll be sharing some super cool, beautiful, proud moments with you.

So this is me sharing with you. I have more this week so keep coming back if you have a moment or two.

Take care my friends and have a blessed day!!

Waiting for the bus and Mike’s new toy….

I love taking my kids down to the bus stop and waiting for the bus to come. They get so excited and love watching the others get off the bus. We have the nicest bus driver, he’s patient and good with the kids and will honk and wave to my wee ones. Anyways, here’s one of our evenings waiting…the weather was perfect, the colors outside are beautiful and everyone was in such a great mood.

  

 

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Mike got something this weekend that he has had on his wish list for a very, very long time.

A dirt bike. Just check out this smile….

He was so excited. Kim called on Friday night saying her hubby had something that he knew Mike wanted really bad. A Honda CR80R Dirt Bike. It is perfect for him and he’s at the age I can’t so no anyways but also at the age I don’t have to worry quit as much because he has a few brains cells for safety. Kim’s hubby said he’d take two payments and Mike could take the bike after the 1st payment so Mike was there Saturday after work picking up his prize.

 

I have more to share but that’s for another post. Hey, if you want to see how my enchiladas turned out go here.

Take care my friends and have the most blessed afternoon.

Friday Follow 40 and Over….

I am so excited, you know why, I’m the featured blog over at Java's Friday Follow 40 and Over. It’s my Life Style changing blog. She even made me this cool button, I’ve never had a button before. Heck I didn’t even know how to make one or add one and now Java has done that for me. Check it out, it’s on my side bar now and you can add it to your blogs if you really want too. Maybe one day this blog will get the featured spot and Java will make me a button for here.

So today you’ve got to go and check out Java and enjoy her Friday blog hop. You have to be over 40 to join but you don’t have to be over 40 to enjoy visiting the other people and their blogs.

Go, now, run and have the most blessed Friday possible.

14 years and counting….

I just got a call from the school. For 14 years we have been taking our fire trucks in, yes we own 2 fire trucks, we bought them on auction from McGregor and Palisade’s fire departments about 15-16 years ago. There’s where my engine3 comes from too. Anyways, the school called and asked us if we’d take the kindergarten class for their annual rides. So this coming October 5th we’ll be at our local school doing what makes us happy and the kids roar with excitement.

This is a few years ago…

This is a 1949 and the one below is a 1961. Jim’s is the ‘49 and mine is the ‘61.

We started this when Mike was in kindergarten because the wee ones weren’t really included in Fire Prevention week and we thought they need to have some fun too. We let them ride in the back and 3 wee ones get to join us in the front blowing the sirens and asking 10 million questions. It is a blast and we wouldn’t trade this time for anything. You know another cool thing? I have had my daycare kids ride with us since the beginning and Rachel and Abby now help us out when we go. Rachel is 10 and Abby is 8 and their parents and teachers have let them help us out with the rules and all every single year since they were in kindergarten. It’s really cool. Before this Mike was with us each year, well from kindergarten though 6th that is.

I just thought I’d share that little bit with you. Today I’ve been doing windows and also got all the drapers washed and rehung. Plus Brenda and I went for an early morning walk. Today was just a bit over 2.5 miles. In the past 4 days we’ve walked 15.30 miles so not bad at all.

Now it’s rest time. Then this afternoon I’m going to use my new green salsa, which by the way has gotten rave reviews. I made it just like I do my normal salsa except let it cook down to a really thick sauce, and make chicken wraps. I’ve never done that before but if they turn out I’ll share them with you. I also have a project in mind so am going to give that a shot too.

So take care and have a blessed afternoon. For those in Minnesota I think it’s getting time to build an ark, we get any more rain and we’ll be needing it.

P.S. If you go to www.getfreshwithafriend.com you can get a few tub of bathroom wipes. Just an FYI if you’re interested.

Green Tomato Bread….Smells divine….

I decided not to rewrite this recipe. I love having it in my grandma’s handwriting so I took a picture of it for you. You can click on it, get it bigger and just print it out if you’d like. I did change it just a bit and the second picture shows my changes. I tried to make it a bit healthier.

 

My changes….

I also have my own eggs and I loved that the egg was a double yoke.

 

                      

And the bread……….

 

Can you smell it? I wish we had smell-o-blogs. I think you’d just have to bake some today.

So there you have it, our baking for today. Hannah loves to help me and Justin loves the clean up, you know liking the spoons, bowls, counter…anything that just might have something goodness on it.

Now it’s off to the great outdoors for chores and some play time. Maybe even a walk in the woods to see what leaves we can collect for our art and craft project this afternoon.

Take care and do have a blessed day.

Not a cooking/baking blog but….

It seems the past few posts have all been food, baking, cooking and all but I can’t help it, it’s just that time of year. So you’re stuck looking at pictures and reading and drooling a bit, that is until canning season is over with and that is coming to an end soon. All that’s left is apples and they aren’t quite ready yet, my friend say it has to freeze first before we can start picking and using. Me, well I’ve always just picked when I’m ready but since I don’t have apples of my own, I’ll patiently wait.

So I’ve told you all about green tomatoes, tons and tons of them. Well I just can’t let them go to waste by rotting on the vines. I have some in a wagon, some in my kitchen and they are slowly turning. The ones on the vines are trying but it’s just not warm enough but yet they keep trying. So I’ve been asking around for green tomato recipes. The past two days I have tried two different ones. A Green Tomato Bar and Green Tomato Bread.

The Green Tomato Bars were a huge hit and I almost lost taking any pictures to share with you. I have just one picture, the last bite in the pan but it does give you an idea what it looks like and you can guess how it tasted.

The recipe is:

4 cups green tomatoes chopped finely and then set in a strainer to drain for a while

2 cups brown sugar (I used dark brown sugar this time and it had just a little molasses taste)

2 TLB Lemon Juice

1 tsp lemon extract (I didn’t have this so used real vanilla)

3/4 cup soft butter (again I didn’t have just butter so used 1/2 cup butter, the rest cheap-o tub-o-butter)

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups oatmeal

Combine the tomatoes, 1 cup brown sugar and lemon juice in sauce pan and simmer 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in extract.

Cream butter, rest of sugar. Add rest of ingredients and mix into a crumble.

Layer crumble on bottom, press down, add tomato mixture then top with last of crumble.

This makes a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350* for 35 minutes. I used a dark pan so of course the sides got a  bit darker but not burnt flavor just dark.

ENJOY!!! The kids loved it, my uncle said it tastes like apple crisp, my daddy loved it and said a bit like date bars. Jim said apple crisp but missing the whip cream (diet means no whip cream in this house), Mike wasn’t sure but said he liked it and yes I can make it again so that’s that.

In just a little bit I have another recipe I’ll share with you. My grandma’s Green Tomato Bread. It’s still baking and I want to share all with you so will do that in just a little bit.

Take care and have a blessed morning.

This weekend…

Remember this?

It’s now this….Jim and Mike built it from nothing and now….

Next weekend we are going fishing.

Fall is coming. This is just at the end of my driveway and so much more to come.

I did more tomatoes…. I think one more huge batch and this season will be finished.

 

  

I made a huge batch of chili,  1/2 for dinner and 1/2 to freeze and then I wanted to try something total different, I cooked the tomatoes with the skins on and added peppers, onions, mushrooms and two left over grilled hot sausages cooked them down to a thick sauce and pureed it all into the greatest tasting spaghetti sauce.

Now I have tons of green tomatoes, unless we get some really warm weather they’ll start rotting on the vines so I’m going to try a few green tomato recipes. First tomorrow I’m going to try to make a green tomato bar. It’s suppose to be like a date bar. If it turns out great I’ll share it with you. I’m also going to make a green salsa, just to give it a try. I’ll make up a recipe and if that one works I’ll share it too.

So take care my friends and have the most blessed week.

Time….

Yesterday I got this from E-mail Ministries. It is part of my morning devotions. I thought this was the perfect thing to share with you this Saturday morning. Time is something we seem to have so little of, we need to set what is most important to us and then let the rest follow. Please take that time today and just reflex, relax and enjoy what is the most important, our families!!!

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture.... Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said.
"What box? " Mom asked. "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time." Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Thank you for your time.....
-- Author Unknown

Friday Follow 40 and Over…17th edition

Meet JAVA. She is the wonderful host of Friday Follow 40 and Over.

Want to meet people your age? Want to learn about been there, done that and what happens next? Just want to see what is gonna happen when you get a bit older? Just want to have a great day? Then stop by JAVA and see what it’s all about.

I have met the nicest people, I have had question answered by people that have been there, done that, I have seen and learned about what just might happen in the next few years. It is really a great blog hop and if you have a moment, just hop on over to JAVA'S and investigate. You won’t be wasting a minute of your time.

I hope that you all have the most blessed Friday and a terrific, restful, relaxing weekend. Take care my friends, old and new and God Bless you all!!!