IT'S MY 19TH ANNIVERSARY TODAY!

I can't believe it's been 19 years since I married my sweetie. It's been a crazy roller coaster of a life, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Doug is perfect for me, and I am so blessed to have the privledge of being his wife. Happy Anniversary Doug! I love you more and more every day.

We were such babies when we got married. I was 20 and Doug was 23.

Our Engagement Picture

Cutting the Cake (my favorite wedding picture)
Leaving the ReceptionNYE '05
Last Saturday on our Anniversary Date

What do you like in a blog?

Why do you read somebody's blog; especially somebody you've not met IRL.

Do you comment on blogs?

If you blog, why?

How do you attract readers to your blog?

I am wondering what direction I should go in my blog. I would like to discuss some topical things and move away from only blogging about my family and life. Now that the boys are all in high school, our days seem to be pretty much chores, food, school, food, school, food. Boring stuff to blog about day in and day out. I want to still blog about those things, but topics of interest with discussion is something I'd like to delve into.

I really love reading Jess's blog MakingHome. I think she has great topics and lots of good discussion in her comment section.

I also like reading blogs of people I've come to know online. I really enjoy De'Etta's blog Choosing Joy and Carri's at PetersonClan, among many others. I especially like my mom's blog , too. I'm finding it fun to have a recipe blog Cooking for the Guys.

So, what are your thoughts?

I started a recipe blog today. I copied the recipes from this blog onto there, but will be leaving them here for now. I will only be posting new recipes on the recipe blog. I was finding it hard to find recipes here.

So please visit me at Cooking for the Guys.

Isaac is 16 years old!!!

UNBELIVEABLE that my middle son is going to be 16 years old tomorrow. But he is! He is such a blessing. He is growing into a fabulous young man. I am very proud of him.

Here's a trip down memory lane :)

Isaac was born at home. The midwife, Peg, weighed him by hanging him from a fish scale. He was 8 lbs. 12 oz., my biggest baby.

Doug was exhausted by the labor and birth experience :::snort:::
Jordan loved him right from the start.
The first time Jordan met Isaac.
Isaac's first birthday.
Isaac was always getting into mischief when he was a toddler and preschooler. It is a wonder he made it through childhood alive. Here he is trying to climb through the bars of an old-time jail cell.
Isaac's 2nd birthday. Jordan has cut his hair to his scalp, and we had to shave it all off.
Jordan still loves Isaac.Such a cute baby he was!
And so cool in his sunglasses.........

Jordan sometimes loved him hard!
Isaac wasn't quite so thrilled about being the big brother.
Isaac's 3rd birthday. His gorgeous hair had grown back.
He's always had great, curly hair!
He's happier about being the big brother now.

He loved his great grandpa!
All 3! Aren't they adorable?
He has always loved to fish. He's fishing at my mom's in this picture.
The first day of school last year. They still love each other, eh?
Check out the hair!

So handsome!
Isaac loves the outdoors. Here he is at Cook Forest, PA this past summer.
A fishing trip to Canada with my dad this past summer.
Isaac and Jordan at the lake.
Isaac doing a DNA experiment for Apologia physical science

two years ago. Playing the guitar in the back yard.
You're never too old to cuddle with dad!
His Cousin It look.
At the lake this past week. I love how his hair just blows in the wind!
Thanks for taking this Memory Lane trip with me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC!!!!!

I'm having a rip roaring relaxing time!!

It is gorgeous here at the lake! 70s during the day, 50s at night, perfect weather for fires and s'more making and drinking coffee with friends.

My girlfriend and her 3 kids came on Monday afternoon. We relaxed and chatted with the kids played in the sand and water and gathered sticks and made a fire. We had chicken tacos for dinner and s'mores around the fire. Everybody went to bed late and it was just a fabulous day.

Tuesday we all woke up by 8ish. I woke up to a note from Jordan and Isaac. They were on the boat and I'd see them by 10. They made it in at 11. They did not catch any fish.

Anyway, I made English muffin egg/cheese sandwiches and bacon for breakfast. We sat around and waited for the boys to come back with the boat. They got back and we went out. I let all the kids take a turn driving. My girlfriend's 3 year old dd thought it was great fun! And when I wasn't looking, she pushed the trottle all the way down so we could do FAST! She sat on my lap to drive. And she was simply adorable. I really wish we had the camera, because the look on her face was priceless.

We ate lunch. Lunch is very important for kids of all ages. Then we did the most lovely thing, and put older people in front of a movie and moms and littles took a nap :) Lovely!

Dinner was burgers and chips. Easy peasy! And then another evening of fire making, s'mores and coffee. Showers. Oh yes, all were in need of showers.

Today it was way to choppy for me to want to be on the boat. So after breakfast (blueberry muffins and fruit), we drove over to a fish hatchery to feed the carp. A huge cluster of carp. You toss them bread and they slap all over each other. The kids loved it.

Home for honey grilled chicken and rice. And then kids back to the lake to skip rocks. Mom to sit on the deck and chat and knit and relax. And then, sadly, my girlfriend and her kids had to head home. It was a lovely visit! And so nice to have fellowship. And snuggle a little 3 year old girl that thinks I am wonderful.

Monday evening she was cuddling on my lap and looked at me so sweetly and said, "Miss Kelly, I am ready for my shower now." So off I went to give her a shower. I miss those littles.

So after they left, I instructed my boys on what to do while I was napping, and went to nap :) Jordan and Allen went back home for church and will be back tonight. Isaac decided it was very important to stay and fish ;)

Happily I've already cooked dinner today and cleaned the kitchen. We will have leftover. I'm going to have coffee. We may have a fire. Isaac and I may go for a boat ride later. I've not seen him at all since I've been awake.

I just have to say how very much I love it here, and how badly I've needed this break. We'll be heading home soon. Which means the weekend, and Doug home :) But this week has been simply lovely.

We're at the lake!!

We are having gorgeous weather! It is in the 70s in the day, 40/50s at night and the sun is shining and no rain forecasted!

What a beautiful week to be at the lake! One last relaxing week doing nothing but fishing, reading, fellowshipping, sleeping, etc., before the end of the season. We'll still come up during the day to do the grass and leaves. Doug and I may spend the night a time or two. But this will be the last week we'll be here this year.

My girlfriend and her 3 kids are going to come and stay with us. I'm looking forward to relaxing and talking and just doing nothing.

I didn't even forget my camera. So hopefully we'll take lots of great pictures.

Isaac got a new lure for his birthday (which isn't yet, but hey, we're here). It's the Banjo Minnow. He is really hoping to catch a lot of fish. He saw it on an infomercial and just had to have it :::snort::: He is going to catch the fish that aren't even there!!!

Then we'll go home and hit school hard. It has been a slow and rocky start. But I am sure we can redeem our time and have a great 12th year of school.

South-of-the-border-soup (Taste of Home soup magazine)

1 egg
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
**I also added cumin and garlic to the meat**
1 lb. ground beef (90/10)
16 oz. picante sauce (I used salsa)
2 c. frozen corn (I love the white corn)
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
14 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/4 c. water (I used beef broth)

In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1" balls.

In a large saucepan, brown meatballs; drain. Add the picante sauce, corn, beans, tomatoes and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 min or until the meat is no longer pink.

YIELD: 2 quarts/8 1c. servings
1 c. = 4 WW points

WHAT A WEEK!

And Woo Hoo!!! We have POWER!

First, we had a fabulous weekend at the lake. Doug and I went with friends of ours, sans kids, Friday-Sunday afternoon. We had a FABULOUS TIME! We ate and drank our way through the weekend. We went dancing. We played cards. We had donuts for breakfast Sunday morning on the boat! It was a fabulous weekend! Although it POURED down RAIN!

So we came home on Sunday evening at 6pm. At 7pm the power went out. The power came back on THURSDAY afternoon at 2pm! The people across the street had power. The people behind us had power. We did NOT have power!

So thankfully my FIL had a 5000 watt generator. We put $20 a day in that baby, and locked it in the garage at night. We ran our refrigerator and freezer, alternately all day. We gave an extention cord to the neighbor so they could run their refrigerator.

We also did 1 load of laundry. Because between 6 and 7pm Sunday evening I started a load of wash (so Doug could have clean cloths for work this week!) AND did you KNOW? That a Whirlpool Duet front load washing machine, once it starts the cycle and the door locks, the door DOES NOT OPEN if there is NO ELECTRIC! So my clothes were trapped! But we plugged it into the generator and did the load. Otherwise, we took care of the food.

We did all right though. We have a gas water heater, so were able to have hot water. We have city water, so had water period. My in-laws do not have water when there is no power since they have a well and need to run the pump. We have a gas stove. I was able to use a lighter to ignite the burners. I could not figure out how to ignite the oven though. But we had a full tank of propane on the grill, so that was great!

We had a package of batteries from Sam's leftover from camping last June. So we had plenty of batteries for the flashlights. I scrounged up candles. Did you know that when you think a candle stub will burn out, it will still go for another hour or so? I learned a lot of stuff while the power was out.

1. I do NOT have wash and go hair :::snort:::

2. It is hard to play cards by candlelight.

3. It is all the way dark in the house at 7:30 pm. By 9pm, people are TIRED and WILLINGLY go to bed!

4. We rely way too much on electronic entertainment!!

5. I missed the internet a LOT!

We tried to school. Isaac and Allen did much more than Jordan.

6. Algebra takes a LOT longer when you can't have the kids watch the lecture CD. And my boys are using Saxon AND TT. One each. Twice as long for me!

Monday they did school. Tuesday they went to my in-laws and worked like dogs for 8 hours cleaning up trees and limbs. Wednesday Jordan went to the cabin to get the chainsaw for my dad, and then he and Isaac went to the Blue Man Group concert. So no school for him that day. He isa falling way behind. Not a great way to start his last year of school!

Next week we are taking the week off to go to the lake. One last Hooruh! before the season is over. Then the 29th is Isaac's 16th birthday, so no school. But come the 30th, we will be hitting it HARD!!!!

So that's us the past week or so. How about you?

A GREAT Recipe Blog!

My Sonlight friend, Bethany, has a fabulous new blog with tons of recipes.

Check it out.

For The Love of Grub

We have finished the first week of our 12th year of home schooling!

WOW! My kids are getting old :::snort::: We just started our 12th home school year. Jordan will graduate this year! That is such a bitter-sweet thing. I've been doing a lot of pondering on his last year at home. Very deep stuff.

So anyway, we started school on Wednesday. We did school Wednesday - Friday, and only math and science. I was whipped on Friday! I am very glad we decided to ease into things slowly this year. Next week we will be doing a full schedule of school.

But we have spent the summer staying up late and sleeping in. I've only been sleeping in until 9am, but gosh, some of these boys will sleep until 11 or later.

So starting easy to get into a routine was more important to me than doing it all from the first.

It went really well! I hope this is a good sign of a great year to come. I could really use a good year.

Everybody was up by 7:45 and downstairs doing chores by 8. Allen did get up at 7 so he could do chores and then work out before breakfast.

School started at 9 and everybody was finished with their work and discussions with me/correcting work by lunch.

We eat our dinner at noon, so I cooked on Wednesday. Thursday we went to the lake after lunch (which was McDs) and yesterday Doug came home.

It feels good to be getting back into a routine, even though I am doing it kicking and screaming this year. I just wasn't ready to start. But we will keep on doing the next thing :)

Tomato Soup! I just love homemade tomato soup. Here are two fabulous recipes for you to try!

Tomato soup (from cuisineathome.com)

Roast 5 lb tomato
6 garlic cloves
1/4 c olive oil
salt & pepper

at 450 for 40 minutes, until very soft

Saute 1 c onion in 2 T oil 5 minutes

Stir in 2 c water
2 t sugar
1/2 t salt
1/4 t red pepper flakes

Stir in tomato mixture

Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer 10 minutes

Puree until smoothStir in 1/2 c. heavy cream with a spoon (I was not running to the store, so I used 1 c. 1% milk)

Garnish with fresh basil

This recipe made about 11 c. of soup for me. Using the 1c. 1% milk, the entire recipe has about 15 points. 1 C = about 1 WW point


Creamy Tomato Soup (from my gramma. Very yummy with home canned juice)

1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. soft white whole wheat flour (Gramma uses white)
2 c. milk (I use skim or 1%)
4 c. tomato juice
salt, pepper and Italian seasonings to taste

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir 1-2 min., until flour is browned. Gradually whisk in milk. Whisk and cook until thick and bubbly. Whisk in tomato juice and Italian seasonings. Cook until warmed through.

Yield: Slightly more than 6 c.
1 c. = 3 WW points

It's been a busy summer!!! And new additions to our family.........

It's been too long since I've blogged. De'Etta linked to my blog a couple weeks ago, and well, I better blog if people are going to be coming, eh?

Since I've last blogged I've been so busy! Summer has flown by and now it's time to think about start school and getting back into somewhat of a normal routine........

In July I drove to the other side of PA and hopped a ride with my girlfriend and we went on to VA to visit another girlfriend. I met both these ladies on the Sonlight forums. They came campign with us in June! We were going to a pool party meet-up in VA, where I met many, many great ladies and their cute kiddos! We had a great time staying with Dana. We stayed up too late, got up too early, and had such a great time.

We've spent a lot of time at the lake. The cabin has not yet sold, though it is still on the market. We spent a few nights on different weeks then stayed the entire first week of August like we always do. Doug had to work until Thursday, and it was not so much fun vacationing without him. Jordan had to work some and so he came back and forth. My family is growing up and moving on and it is weird. It is Jordan's last year of school and it seems we just started hs'ing. We'll be starting our 13th year on Sept. 3rd!!! WHERE did the time go?

My friend Jen moved from one part of PA to another, and so I drove my big teen boys out to help her husband unload the truck. Isn't it great when your imaginary friends help you move??

I organized a SL meet-up at a local lake in Aug., and that was great fun. Jen and her kids came from PA to stay with us and go to the meet-up. I just love that I have real friends that live in my computer :)

And I've gone to visit Jen for a few days, which was again so much fun.

Doug and I are still adjusting to his crazy work schedule. It's been 1 1/2 years, and you'd think I'd be used to it. I guess I am, but I am going through a period of it being really hard and really hating it. God is stretching me right now, and I am resisting. I'd like my old life back, thank you very much LOL.

Five weeks ago we had 5 new additions to our family. Lilly had another litter of kittens. That brings our cat total to TEN!!! We do not want ten kitties and are trying to find them homes, although not very successfully. I'm not sure what we're going to do with them.

But they are pretty darn cute! They are now out of the box and walking all over, learning to eat and use the litter box and are pretty much toddlers.

Lilly's first litter is now 5 months old. We need homes for them, too.

So we have Buddy our 5 year old kittie, Lilly the mama kitty, Newman (g), Shadow (b) and Leroy (b) the five month old kitties and George (b), Jerry (b), Kramer (b), Phil (b), and Yaya (g) the 5 week old kitties. If you notice a Seinfeld theme going on, you are correct :::snort:::

Here are the kitties at about 3 weeks learning to walk.
A basket full of kitties. They love to lay in the sunrays.
Newman, the 5 month old kittie, decided she is NOT too old to nurse!!! Only in my house would we have tandem nursing kitties LOL.
So that is life here. How is life where you are??

Crazy/Busy Monday!

We have had a busy, wonderful, crazy day! It is day FOUR of no rain :cooldude: That is reason enough to be happy ;)

So what did we do?

I stopped by RiteAid for some hair color. I'm in a mood LOL.

Took Allen to golf.

Came home and colored my hair, got food together and packed the swim bag.
Isaac and I picked Allen up from golf and went to my sister's for a visit. She got a new pool last week. Mom and my other sister, her kids and my BIL were there. The kids swam, we ate and chatted and then hopped in the hot tub (twice ;)). We had a fabulous time visiting! We've decided we need to visit every Monday!

Jordan went to get a friend and they joined us there.

Came home (friend is spending the night with Isaac) and Jordan went to work.

I washed wet stuff in my own washer :cooldude: and hung it on the line :)

Showered and ran to the grocery store for some stuff.

Made guacamole and then some nachos with Bethany's refried beans without the refry. Those are YUMMY!

While we were eating, friends of our stopped by. The daughter was out getting in driving hours, so they stopped by (the friend spending the night is her boyfriend). So I invited them all in (girl, mom, brother) and we had a nice visit while they waited for other dd and dh to finish up VBS practice.

Chatted on the phone with two friends this evening :)

Watched Jon & Kate Plus 8.

I'm crocheting a baby blanket for the neighbor, so I worked on that.

Cleaned the kitchen a few times.

I'm tired. Oh, I talked to Doug about 10 times.

Oh yeah, I finished getting stuff together for the boys' assessment tomorrow.

Then I made an appt. for a hair cut in the morning before the assessments. I need a trim before the VA Pool Party LOL. I'm not thrilled with my color, but it is OK.

So what did you do today??

How are you celebrating Independence Day?

It was a crazy/busy morning, but the rest of the day will be relaxing :)

Doug didn't get to come home yesterday, but he was home at 7:45 this morning. We were all still sleeping :)

So we woke up and decided to divide and conquer. I had to go to the laundromat and wash clothes. The washer is dead and beyond repair. The dryer is now working :)

So Isaac and I went to the laundromat and did 4 loads of wash (well 6 really, but they have huge washers there!).

Doug and Allen went to Sam's Club.

Jordan went to the grocery store.

We were done with all errands within 45 min. :)

I dried 2 loads and hung the rest on the line. I had to hang 1/2 and then switch.

Jordan has to work at 2, so we had a cookout early.

We set to putting away the food. Allen made brownies. I made the burgers, chopped veggies and cut the watermelon. Isaac set the table. Doug grilled.

We had a nice meal and then cleaned up.

Doug, Isaac and Allen just left to meet my FIL at the golf course. Jordan will work until 6:30 and I'm going to take a nap.

We'll head to the fairgrounds to watch fireworks with friends this evening.

I am so thankful to all the people that fought for our independence and have fought to defend our independence through the years. Thank you to each and every military family for your sacrafice for our country!

Iced Mocha

1 1/2 c. strong hot brewed coffee
3T packed light brown sugar
2 T chocolate syrup
1 c. ice cold milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Ice
Whipping cream and shaved chocolate for garnish

Combine the hot coffee and brown sugar in a large measuring cup and stir until the brown sugar dissolves. Stir in chocolate syrup. Chill.

Comebine with 1 c. cold milk, stir and serve over ice.

I double this recipe and store it in the refrigerator in a 1 qt. Mason jar. When I'm ready to drink it, I stir in the milk (I always forget the vanilla) and pour over ice.

I have put it in the blender with ice, but I don't like it that way as well. It separates or something. It is yummy over ice though :)