Patty Cake Cookies...

After being inspired by my new cookbook I thought I would try my hand at posting a recipe. I have taken pictures during preparing several different dishes but never felt comfortable posting. I enjoy baking and cooking. And think I'm pretty good at it...and I am not one to toot my own horn. I happened upon a blog called The Pioneer Woman a few years ago and instantly fell in love with the stories, pictures and recipes. After sharing it with my Mom she apparently became hooked too. She surprised me with a copy of Ree's cookbook. Downhome recipes, normal ingredients and amazing pictues. Thank you Mom!!! After reading (yes reading) her cookbook it gave me the confidence to post a favorite of mine...so here goes....

Ingredients:

2 c brown sugar

2 c granulated sugar

1 lb (4 sticks) butter/margarine

2 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

4 c flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

12 oz chocolate chips

1/2 c chopped pecans

2 c minute oatmeal

2 c crushed corn flakes

Cream the sugars and butter. Add vanilla and eggs. Blend flour with soda and baking powder, then add to sugar mixture. Finally add chips, pecans, oatmeal and corn flakes. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto baking sheet. Bake at 350F about 12 minutes.

These are large, yummy cookies. I am not one to follow a recipe to the letter. Therefore do not be afraid to substitute different flavored chips, nuts or cereal. I have used regular oatmeal if I was out of minute oatmeal. I think some people are afraid of cooking/baking because if they don't have the exact item in the exact quantity specified they fear the recipe will fail. While this may happen sometimes...other times that's how other great food is born. So get in the kitchen, make something yummy and have fun!!

Fall Roundup...

Happy Halloween everybody!!! What a great, rainy, cold day!

We have been passionate about Fall round-up for years. However had never had much luck. Breakage and poor weather have continued to ruin Fall round-up year after year. Well not this year!! While weather postponed it for two weeks...last night was beautiful. And fortunately they had problems with the "tree" (the starting lights) which postponed actual eliminations until the kids and I could get there from the last football game.

Frank was in a such a laid back mood. He was happy to have made a couple of runs and didn't care if he won any rounds or not. Well...he won some rounds. All the way to the final!!! Unfortunately he ended up being runner-up. But it was a great drag race with good lights and the car ran great...track was pretty greasy...but car and driver performed flawlessly. Soooo happy for Frank!!

Today is a wash for the juniors but the weather is supposed to clear and they will run tomorrow. Hopefully I will have additional good news to report.

Happy Halloween everyone...don't eat tooo much candy...on second thought...go ahead!!!

Organized home...

I am a Virgo! Everything I have ever read says that Virgo's like things neat, orderly and in their place. How true, how true. When my area, desk and/or home are clean with everything in it's place I feel at peace. I have many non-Virgo friends who feel the same way.

I read an article on Yahoo the other day talking about 'energy zappers'. A cluttered home/office/space was on the list. Your brain doesn't get a chance to relax...it bounces from one object or pile of papers to the next. Yep, makes sense to me.

Do you ever drive past those homes where everything is neat and tidy. Not one of those big fancy houses with the professional landscape. That house where the grass is neatly cut, the flower beds are weed free, firewood cut and stacked with tarps neatly covering each stack. You can tell the people inside love their home. Yep...that's the kind of house/home I want. In my ideal world our house would be like the Cleaver's or the Cunningham's. Dusting is all done, counters are cleared, when you hang up your clothes they stay wrinkle free...I could go on but I think you get the idea.

I remember one day in particular when DH and I were first living together in a one-bedroom apartment. We have always had too much "stuff". Our multiple personalities are only rivaled by our multiple hobbies. He had been gone for the day and I was in cleaning mode. There wasn't a drawer or cupboard that I did not clean-out and organize. The laundry was done, the frig was cleaned out and dinner was cooking in the oven...even the candles were all lit. I couldn't wait for him to get home. That was the last time I feel that the house was really clean...all at the same time!

This morning as I was reading blogs (instead of cleaning...hhmmm maybe that's the problem) I happened on the LazyOrganizer. At first I felt bad for her kids but the more I read she makes a lot of sense. While I may not implement such a rigid schedule, I definitely will not feel as guilty when I have the kids clean their rooms before they go anywhere. Well today is a good day to start...off I go...time to wake up kids!!!

Senior night washing...

Tonight is Senior night for Morgan. This is an annual event held for Seniors during the last home football game. Parents come to the field and walk with their son/daughter to celebrate their accomplishments during high school. Every year for at least the last 8 years it has rained for senior night. And I mean RAIN!!! Typically we dress up for this special occassion. Heals and soggy football fields don't mix. However...I can't wait!


This morning a fellow Senior Mom sent an e-mail that was sooo fitting I felt compelled to share. Every moment is so precious..even if it's raining. We will dry! This will be Morgan's only Senior night and I intend to drink in every soggy moment. The stories we tell down the road will be colorfully enhanced by the rain.


Here's is the e-mail I received:


NEED WASHING??

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 yards old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said. 'What?' Mom asked.


'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated. 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.


This young child wited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain.' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.


'No, we won't, Mom. That not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. 'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'


'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'


The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.


'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run though the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said.


Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cards and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.


Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

An interesting weekend....

Busy...yes! What I had planned...definately not!!

Friday was a my last home game at Leetonia concessions...said with a little tear. I have been in concession for the last 4 years. I have grown quite fond of my other Booster Mom's. Mo is a senior and Jon is going to Crestview so this is my last time at Leetonia. The weather was horribly cold and rainy...hence concession was extremely slow. But we had a good time laughing and passing the time.

This was to be fall roundup weekend at the drag strip...the race we look forward to every year. It's the final race of the season as well as trick or treating and trailer decorating contests. Lots of fun with a little crispness in the air and it's just fun. Most people stay for the weekend and watching the track wake up and greeting your competitors with a good morning is kinda cool. Due to the weather being cold and rainy they postponed fall round up until Halloween weekend.

Jon and I were supposed to go stay overnight up by the game but decided to go see Michael Stanley and the Resonators instead. Jon was ok since he wasn't feeling well and just wanted to sleep. We had dinner with our great friends Medford and Sandi to celebrate Medford's birthday and then went to see the show. It was great!! I have been to several MSB shows and have never been disappointed.

Then Sunday was the big Steelers game!!! Jon and I were very excited when we won 2 tickets on the 50 yard line at Heinz field for the Steelers to host the Cleveland Browns. Then we realized we were in the next to the highest row of seats!!! Unfortunately we left before kickoff. Jon wasn't feeling well. But we did have the in person experience.

We were there when the gates opened and got a couple pics of Hines Ward and Big Ben. I'm pretty sure it's the first and last time I will ever spend $4 on a 20 oz bottle of Coke!!

Renewing the soul...

This past weekend we loaded up the motorhome and headed south. Unfortunately Morgan was not able to come along...something I'm trying to get used to. She's 17, a senior in high school and has her own activities she wants to attend.


We, of course, took our puppy (Sidney) with us...our house would not have survived her being alone that long. As we were headed out of town I could feel the weight of the daily rat race lift from my shoulders. We were blessed with beautiful weather. As many of you know...I am a girl from another time...an older time. While I enjoy the internet, cars and electric...I also enjoy cooking in a cast iron skillets over an open fire, walking in the woods drinking in God's magnificent artwork and listening to sound of crickets and bull frogs float in on the cool crisp evening air.


We camped at a campground designed for horse trail riding. There were a couple of pounds for fishing, numerous marked trails for walking (or riding) and serenity all around. For me sitting by the campfire and hearing the clippity clop of the horse's shoes hitting the roadway...well that's just a little piece of heaven.

Jon wanted to "explore". So he loaded his new fanny pack with all of the essentials...an apple, a pepsi, his knife and his whistle. He grabbed his fishing pole, strapped Beary in and off "they" went. Frank and I followed about 15 minutes later...when we got to the pond...no Jon. We decided to head along the blue trail (that's the one that runs between the 2 ponds) to catch up with our boy. When the blue trail came to a gravel road we agreed Jon wouldn't have crossed the road so we turned back...figuring he was probably sitting at camp wondering where we were. As we approaced a fork in the road (aka the white trail splits from the blue trail) we decided to take the white trail...it was in the direction I had thought I heard Jon's whistle earlier. Well let me tell you...the white trail is LONG. An hour later when we arrived back at camp we saw evidence that Jon had been back...his fishing pole and Beary were left behind. So we decided to sit tight and wait for him to show back up. Let me tell ya...every minute felt like 10. Finally my cell phone said I had a voice message...not enough signal for it to actually ring. Jon had left a message he ended up at the shooting range (he had crossed the road) and was headed back. I being the worrier lept up and started running toward the shooting range. This is not a straight shot people...this is back up the blue trail...yes I said UP. A twisting, turning gravel trail. Thought I was going to have a heart attack half way up...heart pounding in my ears, sweat rolling (gotta get back to the gym!) But I kept going. I got to the gravel road and thought I heard voices. I called Jon's name...nothing. Decided to walk toward the voices and (to my delight) around the corner comes a pair of horses with my son on the back of one of them. These wonderful people were camped at the same campground and heard Jon blowing his whistle. They followed the sound and rescued my dear son..who confessed he was starting to accept the fact he would have to spend the night in the woods...by the way it was around 5pm.
After all the excitement and exercise we had worked up an appetite. So we threw a steak in the skillet, some corn on the grate and rounded off our meal with some home canned beats and some mennonite rolls. That was the best meal I had had in years. And of course for dessert....toasted marshmallows! Frank did the shopping for our trip and decided to treat us with not only regular marshmallows, but strawberry ones too. They were delicious.


The next day we scouted out around their hunting grounds (a bit farther south) before returning for lunch. We knew it was time to start packing up, but Jon wanted to fish one more time. He caught this beautiful large mouth bass (Dad hooked this one the day before but failed to bring it to shore). So much to our dismay...we had to head home. It was so peaceful and beautiful down there. I can't wait to go back!!!

Over the hill?

Well I turn the big 4-0 tomorrow, Sept. 3rd. My wonderful friends and amazing family planned a surprise party for me this evening. You can check out the details, so beautifully written by my Mom on her blog.


Thank you sooo much Beth, Tami, Sandi, Teresa, Carrie, Jacquie, Kelli and, of course, Mom and Morgan. In this day of schedules so busy you need to schedule time to turn around...these beautiful ladies took time out for ME. Each one holds a special place in my heart.


Beth...for being my savings grace! If I had had a Sister...you would've been her.

Tami...for always smiling and making me smile. You have a heart of gold...and the greatest boys in the world.

Sandy...for showing me how to do anything I put my mind to. You're such a strong, compassionate woman...the perfect role model.

Teresa...for lighting up a room just by walking in. Your unwavering faith and calmness are contageous virtues.

Carrie...for always making me laugh. Oops...I'm the one who makes you laugh! You've shown me it's ok to laught at myself.

Jacquie...for allowing me to be me! To vent! To say whatever is on my mind...and its OK!

Kelli...what an amazing young lady you've become.

Mom...what can I say...I love you!!! I now understand the sacrifices, sleepless nights and tears you've shed throughout the years. You always put me first! Thank you and I love you don't even begin to express the depth of my gratitude and affection.

Morgan...my beautiful and amazing daughter. I couldn't be more proud of you! You make my life complete. I love you more than life itself.

There couldn't be a better birthday present than this amazing group of ladies. I am truly blessed. Thank you all for making my birthday perfect!