Just to please Chris...

What to do when a Husband has asked you to update this. The last thing I want to do is write a blog in the middle of the night, but especially writing one from a phone. Nothing new to report since 2014… Well maybe there is, but it is such a long story where do I start?  Tressa is now a senior at Purdue University one semester to go.  It was just yesterday we dropped her off!  You hear it all the time where does the time go, so true. Kennedy is a junior in high school, looking forward to her senior year and getting out of that place. We are enjoying time together with her and the small visits we get from Tressa. Of course the long visits from Tressa turn our world inside out along with five extra pounds on our waistline due to all the baking. Just wrapped up a FaceTime call with T,  called Kennedy at the same time, the pic shows they were both in bed same position.

 SISTERS  

A Purple Banner for K!

I am terrible about keeping up on this blog, I apologize to Kennedy that I did not note your achievement in 4H this year.  She won Reserve Grand Champion Barrow, she was so excited and that is what I will remember.  The crowd always love when children are excited and enthusiastic when they win.  I will remember her jumping up and down and hugging Olivia.  This was our first year only having 1 child in 4H.  What a change, but so proud of K!  I think K is prouder of winning 5th in dog showmanship, with Hershey.  She loves her dog!

50 Foods

Today Tressa sent me a text asking me what my favorite foods are to eat.  That got me  thinking about my upcoming birthday and what I should be doing to thank those who have made a difference.  Several things come to mind and I hope I can do at least 10% of them.  Getting back to FOOD...I have titled this blog 50 Foods, the following are foods I have enjoyed over the last 50 years and who made them.  

No particular order, just as they come to mind.

1.  My sister Lisa's Beef and Noodles!  This would be very close to the top of the list.  SImply the best!  She makes this at least once a year for me, but I think Ashton gets it more then I do.  Not fair, but he is her son.  

2.  My Grandma Lilly's pickled eggs and beets.  I still can see the glass tray she served them on usually for special occasions such as Easter.  Me in my Easter dress, knee high socks and black patton leather shoes.  

3. Grandma Messmore's white rice.  Now this may seem simple, but she had a way of putting milk and sugar in the bowl that made it fabulous.  I never could  perfect this like she did.  Another one of my favorites is her greasy eggs, bacon and toast.  I always had to eat in the kitchen, she would pull out her butcher block drawer, I would pull up a foot stool strategically placed where I could see the TV in the living room, so I could watch Saturday morning cartoons.  If it was during the week the milkman would stop by or Vern to get his daily report of what needed to be done.  

4.  Mody's sugar cookies.  My family knows what I mean, they also look forward to them.  Countless hours were spent at the Kennedys kitchen table with at least 5 bowls of icing for me to decorate the cookies.  No wonder I was overweight in Jr. High.  These cookies are the best, again I could never master this even when she gave me the recipe.  

6.  My friend Sherri makes an awesome birthday cake, that I get once a year at least.  Chocolate with cream icing in the middle of the the layers.  She also makes a great stroganoff and taco salad.  I loved the MOPS breakfasts!

7. Now this may seem odd, but I did like my Moms chipped beef and gravey.  Don't know why, but that is one meal that sticks out.  I will give my Mom credit, she did have a meal on the table every night until my brother moved out.  Then it was just easier to go to Akron to get an upside down banana split or hot fudge sundae.  I remember that we usually had supper on the table no later then 5:00, it seemed like.  We would watch Andy Griffith and my brother would just laugh.  Life was simple then, sometimes you want to go back, just to relive one day.  

8.  Last but not least, my mother-in-law's brownies.  Simply the best!  It is a cake brownie with awesome icing.  Not long ago we found out that only Grandma can make these.  Julie tried to make some and found out from Kennedy that they didn't taste like Grandma's.  Oh well, we can't all be perfect like Grandma! 

Bon Appetite!

Start of Summer 2016

Here's a flashblack of Chris in the start of summer in the early 90's.  He's showing off his abs in his fabulous swimwear.  For the summer of 2016, we are enjoying Tressa being home, Kennedy taking classes for her driving permit and our future trip to NYC. 

Don't Mess with Texas!

Kennedy lived up to her end of the bargain and earned enough points to take a trip to Texas.  Her request was to have Dad take her and leave Mom at home.  Well, unfortunately there was another twist in order to get to Texas, drop off her sister in OK.  So the three of them headed out and Mom stayed at home to take care of animals.  

They had a great time, Kennedy was able to come back with many stories and a new wardrobe including boots and a hat.  Tressa was able to spend time with her best friend from high school in Stillwater, OK (Go Pokes!) and then fly home.  

I have included pictures of Kennedy in Texas and New Mexico in her new outfit. 

Her new goal is to move to Texas, but that is far off.  We need to graduate from High School first.  

Kennedy also had her first job over the weekend pet sitting.  She loved watching Dogger, the Boxer.  He is a rescue dog and was very well behaved.  

Longhorns!

Year of the purple banner...

Tressa finished off her 10 years in 4H with  style.  Winning the Grand Champion Barrow at the County Fair and Senior Swine Showman and Reserve Champion Dairy Showman.  Kennedy received her purple banner by winning  Grand Champion Grade Dairy.  It has been fun to watch T-Bird grow as a showman over the past 4 years.  The night of the swine show I will always remember when she was picked as the winner what a special memory.  We are very proud of both girls, what a great year!

Graduation Day

Congrats to Tressa!

Celebrations

Yesterday, we spent the day with family and friends. I have attached a picture of Nanny and Cadley.  We were celebrating Ansens 1st Birthday.  Ansen is so cute and sweet, but for some reason I did not get a picture of the Birthday boy.  I think I spent too much time in the quieter room.