It's Friday!

Fridays have always been crash nights at our house. When all the kids were young, it meant Johnny's pizza night. Sorry kids if we burned you out on pizza back then :( Now days it is so quiet. Sometimes I miss the noise of the young ones... their crazy teenage schedules... their "What's for supper?" or their "Mom where's my_____?" Then I smile and thank the Lord that we raised 4 kids who became wonderful adults. To all of our children I say "I am proud of who you've become." Hopefully you'll be resting with your feet up one Friday afternoon about 20 years from now and think the same thing. I love you all!

Recipe of the Week

Several family members have requested this recipe lately. So here it is!

Mr. Ken Bailey's Walnut Fudge Clusters

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flour
1/2 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups walnut pieces

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat. Melt chocolate chips in butter. Remove from heat and stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir until shiny (20 to 30 strokes) Add in cup of flour, stir until shiny (about 40 strokes) put in walnuts and stir. Line a cookie sheet with foil shiny side up. Drop by spoonfuls of walnut fudge on foil. Bake exactly 7 minutes at 350 degrees.

So yummy that Don says they are dangerous!

Is that Bradley or is it toothless Uncle Lou?

If anyone in the family needs a loan, try calling Bradley. The tooth fairy has been busy at his house so he is the money man! He has lost two teeth in one week! WOW Bradley you are growing up! I love you big man!

Lily's First Sleepover with Us

Last night Lily came to spend the night with us for the first time. She was a perfect angel. She slept all night (between us)! I couldn't resist this photo op. Hope you find it as precious as I did.

Tears for today

Weight, heaviness, loss, sadness but God's Word says that we aren't to grieve as those who have no hope. I know that someday I will see my precious mom again but I still miss her everyday. Sometimes I think she is still here. I want to pick up the phone. It hurts to know that for now I can't. She would be so proud of the family. She would be so glad that Bradley is at Calvary learning scripture passages. Leslie quoting John 3:16 would make her beam. Her hands would brush through Carter's curls to encourage them and talk about his pointed chin with pride. She'd be so loving with Lily and say how she looks like Don with a smile. She'd be proud of what a great big sister Sara is. Mom would love what Laney has done with the house and so glad that she is here with us. But she is spending time with her Lord....so happy to be in His presence. Mom I miss you so much. Thank you for everything you taught me...mostly to love God. Missed

Historic Day

Watching the news coverage of the Presidential Inauguration this afternoon, I wanted to shed light on a view of the election and ensuing festivities that I haven't heard anyone talk about. You know that I rarely discuss politics with anyone and try to keep my opinions to myself but when you entered my blog it is like coming into my house so pull up a chair and look at it my way for a moment. The year is 2009, the President is number 44, the President is black (actually bi-racial) all important facts of the day. But for me it feels different. Yes today is all about me :) This is the first time in history that the President of the United States of America is younger than I am!!!!! No one mentioned that on the news. No commentator seems to even know that this election has changed my view of history. If you want to talk about it with your friends and family we could possibly get people on the "bandwagon" and spread the news. It is all about me today as I count the days until this too happens to you. So if you get weary from the TV talk just think to yourself ...it is really about grandma.

Repairs

I'd like to share some acquired knowledge with you. Around my 40th birthday this information came to me. It was deep...profound.... revolutionary. Yet even after eleven years, my mind still can't quite fully wrap itself around it. It came one day when it seemed everything around the farm had been conversing and planned an attack....let's all break down tomorrow. The truck's transmission waivered, the trailer's tire went flat, the well wouldn't pump and the conveyor belt broke on the planting machine all on the same day. Then like a bolt of lightning it hit me...I know how to keep from repairing things...no it is not maintenance....no it has nothing to do with the money in your savings account. I laughed that it had taken me 40 years to know this valuable information...I gloated in my wisdom. Puffed with pride at my new found knowledge, I began to share it with others. So I chose today it share it with you via this blog. Beware you will be changed forever. This is not for the faint at heart. The way to keep from repairing things is to have nothing. And with that thought, thank God for all he has given you. We are blessed with so much. Thank you Lord for everything!!!! Now off to fix the leaking hot water heater.