Truck to Truck

Saturdays are pretty unpredictable for us. We usually are just doing chores, shopping, getting prepared for Sunday, the normal mundane stuff. I got a call about 10:30 am Saturday and Jade says, “How about lunch in Miami with us today Mom?”. I say, “let me check with Dad, that sounds fun.” Then the next thing I hear is, “Do you think you could bring us our washer and dryer you have stored for us?” Now we are getting to the crux of the call. A few phone calls later, some help from R.B. loading said washer and dryer and we were on our way to Miami for lunch. We had to put our lunch with R.B. and Stacie on hold for awhile, but they are closer so we can do that soon. It's always good to combine a little service with a little food. We had a good time and now Jade has no excuse to let the laundry pile up. LOL, (who needs a better excuse than working and having 3 little laundry makers always in high gear?) Good for us; one less thing we have in storage now. Life is good.

Stacked Enchiladas

Always a family favorite, one of the many things I learned to make from Gramma Dorothy. We love them so much, we have been known to give up the traditional turkey or ham at Christmas in favor of these delicious enchiladas. We were at Taya and Kevin's on friday cooking up dinner complete with pudding parfaits made by Kaitlin and Madison. They did a great job. Daron was a good helper with his chopping skills to help me with the main course. Papa was with us for dinner and we all had an enjoyable evening. I love these good times.

Our Last July Birthday…

Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo, and so on. Our little Jades is our twentysomething birthday girl. It was so fun to see you, Jeff and the boys this weekend. There is just never enough time to do everything we want to, so we will be glad for the things we do get to do. Since I don't even really talk to you as much as I would like to, I want you to know how glad Grumpy and I are for you. I am going to do the birthday list, but want you to know there is so much more we think about when we are thinking of you. Here are some of the things at the top of the list:

• That you are okay with singing in your opera voice wherever and whenever the urge may strike.  This brings much amusement and spontaneity to our visits.
  
• It is always so wonderful to see that you are aware and appreciate the efforts of others, weather in your behalf or for someone else. Even if what they do isn't the way you would do it, you see their efforts.
  
• That your imagination is as resplendent as ever. I see it in your sparkly eyes.
  
• Your love for your family that blesses our lives. Not just with your service to us, but the closeness we have because you know how important those ties are.
  
• That you are great at the details that make things “done” instead of stopping just short.
  
• Your love of the Olive Garden. Every time I see cream I think of you making alfredo sauce just like the kind at the Olive Garden.
  
• Your talent in the beauty department that is amazing.
  
• The desire you have to give of your many talents to others. Your nature is so generous.
  
• The funny games you used to make us play - big booty, big booty. You are a fun person.
  
• That you are my friend, and a good friend to all of us as well as daughter, sister, wife, and mother.
  

Jade, my baby girl is an awesome grown-up. We hope this next year will be one that you can take great growing experiences from. Call often, visit often, we will too. 

I especially love that all our children like to be together, serve each other and love each other. I used to say often all I ever wanted for my children is their happiness. I still say that, and am gratified to know that each of you in your own ways are making that happen for you and your families.

Sentimental Sunday…

We had dinner tonight for Summer's birthday. Long time family tradition where the birthday person picks their favorite dinner (that I can make) and we all eat that. Over the years I have come to know most of my kids favorites. And of course there is the ever present chocolate cake. Always. Well, tonight we are enjoying one of Summer's favorites - meatloaf, (burned ever so slightly on the bottom) with potatoes, candied carrots, peas, salad and ice water. We didn't have the whole gang over, so it was just Summer, Jamie, R.B., Stacie, Austin, Carson, Seth (just visiting), Papa K., Grumpy, and me. It was a nice dinner, everyone was conversing and before I knew it the kids started in on each other. There was jabbing of forks, food transferred from plate to plate, water being salted on the sly, insults flung and oh my, someone ended up with cake and milk all over their front. I'm not talking about the little kids, this was R.B. and Summer! Austin was really getting a kick out of his dad and aunt Summer going at it. Poor Seth will take horror stories home to his parents. It brought back all the memories of mealtime shenanigans. Drinking out of Summer's water when she wasn't looking, putting food on someone's finished plate so Mom and Dad would think they weren't finished, you know, I could go on and on. There was even a food fight or two way back when. I can distinctly remember a whip cream fight before we had kids in our first apartment. There was whipped cream everywhere. Good thing we didn't progress to that tonight, or Granny would have had to get out the flyswatter and look out! It was fun, no one was too worse for the wear and I'm sure Summer can get the chocolate cake and frosting off her clothes and out of her hair. She will bide her time and sometime when he least expects it, she will have her revenge. After it all Carson was mad at all of us because he didn't get any cake. I guess we never get too old to be kids once in a while. New rule, R.B. and Summer can't sit next to each other any more.

Another Birthday…

She told me she looks like a cheeseball in this pic, but I have writers license here, and I like it. Our Summer is having another happy birthday. I can still remember when she was born and looking at her little scrunchy face and knowing that Summer was the right name for her. She was so light complexed and dainty, the name just seemed to fit. I really had to run some serious interference for her because Tawna and Taya liked her too - way too much.  They just weren't old enough to really help. I thought she would never learn to crawl because every time she would get up on all fours one of them would try to ride her like a horsy. She did eventually learn despite the challenges. She is a continued Joy in our lives and we love her so much. It is especially wonderful to look in her face and see such happiness again. Some of the things that make her Summer to us are:

• She is so thoughtful of us with remembered occasions. We appreciate her cards and sentiments expressed.
  
• Her talent on the piano. It is so nice to sit and listen to her play.  I especially love it because I know it is therapy for her and she loves it so much.
  
• Her willingness to help people. Although we all go through times and seasons that we can or can't help like we want to, the desire is always there in her to help others.
  
• She tries so hard to make us all think she doesn't like being in the kitchen much, when we all know what a great cook and baker she really is.
  
• The good mother she is to her children. It will be a few years before they are really old enough to appreciate all she does for them.
  
• The strength she has to make a good life for her and her children. Life is hard, we are happy to help, but in the long run, she is the one making it work.
  
• Her skills in the poster/scrapbooking/card/bulletin board display areas. She is amazing.
  
• Her quiet, sharp and funny wit.
  
• Her listening ear when things need to be listened to.
  
• That she was born to us, in this family. We are ever so grateful the Lord let us have her in our lives.
  

Well, another birthday, another year. Learning, loving, living and lasting through it all. Can't ask for more than that - not without seeming greedy.

Austin is the Man!

Yes, he is next on the birthday list this month. The big and official 8 years old. Wow, where did the last 8 years go? He is doing so well, even with his cast. Truly a sweet young man. Well Austin, here are some of the things that make you so precious to us:

• Your funny sense of humor
  
• That you love to read so much
  
• Your wonderful imagination
  
• That you can forgive others for mistakes they make
  
• Your love of the dunes
  
• That you love to ride your quad so much
  
• Your love for your family
  
• That you have such beautiful blue eyes
  
• Your great appetite
  
• That you will be baptized soon
  

We love you so much Austin and hope you have a great birthday. Grumpy and I will miss your birthday dinner, but we will see you soon.

Kisses and high fives from Granny and Grumpy.

Sentimental Sunday…

I am reminded today about the truly good cooks I have learned from. We had Robert over for dinner and he chose chicken fried steak for his birthday dinner. I learned from the best - Gramma Dorothy - she takes the prize for chicken fried steak. I remember when I was dating Grumpy, long long ago, feeling a bit worried that I wouldn't be up to par with her cooking. Some of the many things we call our favorites still from the kitchen of Gramma Dorothy are of course, chicken fried steak, swiss steak, homemade macaroni and cheese, pineapple and cheese jello salad, BBQ pork, stacked enchiladas, and many more. Nana is also a hard act to follow in the kitchen. She just seemed to know what would work together. A huge tradition from my Dad's side of the family is chocolate cake served in a glass with milk poured over the top and eaten with a spoon. It took Nana a while to get used to that when she married pop, but that's how we all grew up eating chocolate cake. It is definitely a family fav. Again - that was on Robert's dinner list tonight. I remember eating cake for breakfast many times growing up. She always figured it was there to eat, but we all tried to save the last piece for Papa. Nana made green chile to die for along with sunday pot roast, any kind of pie, fried chicken, turkey dinner - it's all about the dressing - and so many other wonderful foods that are family traditions. I have been guilty of thinking there was something wrong with us that everything we do seems to include food. I remember her telling me that family traditions do have a lot of food involved; probably because we plan our get togethers around dinner time because everyone has to eat, so they might as well come do it together. I am thankful for the food, the memories of the food, the food prep and all the memories associated with that and the happy wonderful family traditions that have resulted because of the family getting together to simply eat and converse. Yes, we do many things together as a family, and most of them include some kind of food. It seems to work for us, and I am glad we are a family of great cooks and have fun learning from each other as well. I define a great cook as anyone not afraid to try new stuff, keep the good learned from it and remember what didn't work so as not to do it again. Of course it goes without saying that the food involved is savory, healthy (most of the time) and shared. 

Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes (which I forgot until the last minute), chicken gravy, candied carrots, french cut green beans, taffy apple cookie pizza and Chocolate cake and milk. (I forgot the salad completely) It's hell getting old, I can't remember anything. 

Good times.   

Happy, Happy Birthday, from us to you!

Yes, I know it is a little early, only a couple of days, but I just couldn't wait to post Robert's Happy Birthday wishes. Our little surprise 24 years ago has been such a blessing. All the other kids say we spoiled him rotten as our baby, but I say you were all spoiled on some level. I think it is the job of every parent to spoil the baby anyway. I see the tradition is being carried on by all of my other kids in their families. Robert has always been my big affectionate teddy bear. Of all the kids, he was the only one that would let me hold him on my lap and be content to just be. He was my “night owl” an kept me company (not too late) the many nights I painted folk-art projects for the classes I taught long ago. I truly appreciate Robert's willingness to help with many things, but especially the things that require his big muscles. We love many things about Robert, some of which are:

• His beautiful blue eyes
  
• His big, open heart
  
• His generosity
  
• The big bear hugs he loves to give
  
• Knowing that he does know
  
• His progression into the man we know is in there
  
• His determination to build a great life
  
• The love he has for his family
  
• His thoughtfulness
• The wonderful son he is

We love you Robert and don't tell you enough how much we appreciate you. Keep on keepin' on, you are doing great!  Don't forget to post now and then, I have been known to post embarrassing things on your behalf. Enquiring minds want to know…

Celebrating America

Even with the hot, blistering days, the celebration must go on. We went to Taya and Kevin's house for a BBQ complete with all the things that make it the 4th. Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, chips and dip, root beer, homemade ice cream and chocolate cake. Kevin's parents, Ed and Carol along with his sister Heidi and her fiancee Bryce were there as well as his brother Ed with wife Sally and their kids. Papa and Gramma Harmon were on hand helping as usual, and Papa Kanaga wouldn't miss a chance for a BBQ!  It was a houseful. Everyone had a good time and it was fun watching the kids run wild playing, hollering and getting wet outside. There was a slip and slide and touch football outside along with the running and screaming that goes along with all of that. Inside people played pool, air hockey, weii, and eventually the sign game and mafia. Still there was the running and craziness that goes along with the inside stuff too. Good conversations, good food, good people. What more could you want in a holiday? I tried a new recipe for Rocky Road ice cream and it was a hit. It was fun trying a new thing. I can think of a couple of things I would do to fine tune it, so when I get it perfected I will post the recipe. We always like the Heath Bar Brickle that is a must if there is ice cream being made, so we had plenty for all.  I love that Taya and Kevin opened their home and had us in for the happy chaos that always accompanies these events. Family is the best.

Okay, I'll Play!

Tawna tagged me for a couple of fun personality insight things, so here goes:

One Word…

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
   
2. Where is your significant other? Phoenix
   
3. Your hair? Yucky
   
4. Your mother? Remembered
   
5. Your father? Amazing
   
6. Your favorite thing? Grumpy
   
7. Your dream last night? Vampires
   
8. Favorite sport? Lake
   
9. Your dream/goal? Celestial
   
10. The room you're in? Lovely
    
11. Your favorite fruit? Grapes
    
12. Your fear? Inadequacy
    
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alpine
    
14. Where were you last night? Home
    
15. Were you're not? Cruise
    
16. Muffins? Blueberry
    
17. One of your wish list items? Cabin
    
18. The last thing you did? Slept
    
19. What are you wearing? Nightgown
    
20. Your TV? Seldom
    
21. Your pets? None
    
22. Your computer? Addiction
    
23. Your life? Complicated
    
24. Your mood? Ambivalent
    
25. Missing someone? Nana
    
26. Your car? Orange
    
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
    
28. Your summer? Progressing
    
29. Love someone? Family
    
30. Favorite color? All
    
31. When was the last time you laughed? Today
    
32. Last time you cried? Yesterday
    

And here are Just Three Things…

Joys…The Gospel, my life, Chocolate!

Fears…Our safety, our health, America's future.

Goals…Self sufficiency, a cabin, getting unpacked and fully functioning.

Obsessions…Reading, blogging, chocolate.

Random facts…I love jewelry, but it is last on my priority list, I would be lost without my honey, I wish I had 3 lifetimes to do everything I want to do.

I tag Tracy, Jacque, and Sydney. Inquiring minds want to know!