Southern Dinner

I received my camera back in the mail today after being repaired under warranty! This is a meal that I wanted to share which was stored in the memory. Although I am not from the South, I consider this to be Southern country cooking. The main dish is Collard Greens with Bacon and it is as delicious as it is nutritious! Meg and I could live on collard greens- they are that good. I buy the large bag from the produce section that has them already washed and cut.
First, I fry a pound of  bacon and  remove from the pan all but a small amount of bacon grease in the bottom.After rinsing the greens, I pile them into that  large skillet and add 4 cups of HOT water, salt,pepper (or Montreal Steak Seasoning) and about 2 or 3 Tablespoons of sugar. I cover them and cook on med for about 45 minutes to an hour until tender.They cook down like spinach does.

While the collards cook, I add the cooked and crumbled bacon in with them for seasoning. Most of the water evaporates off, but I serve this with a slotted spoon and store any leftover greens in the fridge in the juice. Sometimes this is a side dish but on this particular night it was the main dish.

On the side was corn bread and real butter! This is always good! For fun, I added a can of corn to the batter and it turned out fine.

I also served this quick and easy side of Tropical Fruit which is delightful. The fruit is crunchy, sweet and sour.

A summer staple is Iced Tea. To make a gallon, we boil two to three cups of water in a saucepan and drop in 6 teabags to brew for at least ten minutes. If time allows, I'll repeat this process with the same 6 teabags and more water. The concentrate is then added to a gallon pitcher with one cup of sugar. Cold water is added to fill the pitcher and it is refrigerated. It certainly is refreshing when served cold or over ice! Bon Appetit or should I say " Y'all come and git yer dinner now, Ya hear !"

Summer Sunday

 We started the day with the little guy's favorite breakfast, blueberry pancakes and sausage.

 

I received a call to help a Senior relative so we made plans to attend the evening Mass. When she was settled in with all she needed, we headed to the beach. Once again we had the pleasure of seeing some of our cousins!

 Uncle Tom planned ahead for his large crew and prepared hamburgers.He really did have extra and shared with us, AGAIN!

The kids had a blast playing volleyball, swimming and hanging out at the dock.I can honestly say that we are getting together with a lot of people this summer and it is a pleasure to be able to socialize with others. The dock is like a modern day soda shop!!!!!!

One of the best parts of our day was celebrating with Uncle Tom and his children who were all back together after an absence of many months. It was a privilege to capture their reunion in a "beachy"  family portrait.

Aren't they a good-looking bunch!!!!!  But that's only the half of it... This family is known for their very sweet personalities and how affectionate they are in showing their love for others.

The two brothers had a long grappling match that was hilarious to watch. This was a wrestling match that looked to me like two brothers who had missed each other.Uncle Tom was taking no chances, however and broke up the fun! He knows that it's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt!!!!

After scooting home to change our clothes we made it to Mass on time! On the way home from church, we treated ourselves to an annual freebie at 7eleven on 7/11.

People were streaming into 7eleven when we got these and they had 7 slurpee flavors going. The cup size is probably only 4 oz. but they were fun, free and deliciously cool.
Thank you, Dear Lord for another beautiful Sunday on which to worship You, enjoy Your creation, and spend time with each other and our cousins on their very special day.

Christmas in July

Today Jeff, Greg and Cindi and Sam were down in the Tyson's area on a mission which turned out to be a bait and switch operation. They were able to put a positive spin on the trip by enjoying the massive  fancy mall. The adults very generously treated their younger siblings to a gift from the Lego Store! This kit of 1061 pieces is very apropos in that it includes a truck, a trailer and an ATV. In the above picture, the guys are sorting legos by type and have started the building process

It is great to see them working together and having fun.What an absolute treat to receive a present this nice when it isn't even Christmas or anyone's birthday! Thanks a million!:-)

A Trip to the Theater

Last week we were able to attend a  children's theater performance held in an old railroad station. I thought long and hard before I ordered the tickets in this economy but decided to make the investment. We were not disappointed and really enjoyed the show. I had purchased a ticket for Grandma Dolly but she wasn't up to it and gave us enough notice to invite a friend instead.

 We arrived early enough to enjoy the program. There isn't a bad seat in the house as this is "theater in the round." There are seats arranged on three sides of the stage and the actors are within a few arms reach. The show we saw was 'The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf". It was set in a courtroom with 12 different nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters as jurors. Local children were the actors and they did a great job.There were many plays on words in the script which made you think but could be understood by thinking kids.

At Intermission,  a baggie of 3 homemade cookies and cold juice were served for a very reasonable .50 each.
The first part of the play described the wolf's actions from the three little pigs' perspective. After the break, the wolf told his side of the story. The most clever part of the directing was using 4 "jurors" to build each one of the little pigs houses while holding some straw, sticks and bricks.When the wolf "huffed and puffed", the people leaned in the same direction with the pig standing inside the square.

When the show was over, the actors and actresses came out in costume for the kids to talk to or get an autograph. We had fun discussing the play on the way home and I was very pleased that the kids had behaved so well throughout it. I told them how much I had hoped that this would be a special outing and that their good behavior made me feel that they had appreciated it.

Front Yard Fireworks

Tim and Kristy surprised us by bringing over some powerful fireworks the other night.The quality was amazing in the booming sounds, colorful patterns and the height of the displays.There were some multi-colored smoke bombs and a "train" and "tank"  that fired on the ground.

The ATV made a great set of bleachers and the headlights helped a lot while the fuses were lit.

I must say that I was a bit of a scardy cat about the whole thing. Since I read about a five year old girl loosing her eye from fireworks, I have not enjoyed them since.The rest of the family did though, and these and the neighbor's are the only fireworks that the kids saw this year.

I kept the younger ones back with me until the big, spectacular shooters were finished and then we all came close to watch the smoke bombs.My fun ratio definitely increased when I thought to grab a camera! What I really enjoyed was the clean up which took all of ten minutes because we all worked together. We really appreciate that Tim and Kristy thought to share their 4th with us and treat us to a nighttime spectacle in the yard!

An Afternoon, Poolside

This week, I  had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at the pool with six of my children and my grandson! My neighbor has a beautiful in-ground pool on which she spends her time and money  to maintain in refreshingly clean condition. She has invited us to swim over the last two or three years.What a treat!

Jeff had a four day weekend because of the 4th and it was so much fun to have him with us. He gave some diving tips to the kids. Parents of adult children know what a gift it is to be able to spend time with them.It means so much that they choose to be with you.We all enjoyed being able to share this little piece of heaven with Jeff.

Sam played with the ball and created huge waves by pulling it underwater. He helped the little guy ladle water  into a bucket on the side.

Miss J. has hit another milestone and can swim underwater.

John hitched a ride in this picture but usually swims around very well.

The little guy is a natural-born water baby. His father LOVES the water and so does the G-man.

       Fortunately, I love to be out in the sun and don't mind taking the crew swimming when possible.We appreciate so much the generous hospitality of our neighbor who allows us to swim and sun in her fantastic pool!

My Pink Bag

         The lack of contrast in this picture may not do justice to the lovely shade of pink that is my beloved toiletry/cosmetic bag. The reason that I love it so much is because it was sewn by my Grandmother and given to me in 1967 (43 years) ago. It has been in continuous use since then and still looks very nice and functions beautifully! I can easily remember the date it was made, as its purpose was to carry my stuff around during the World's Fair, called Expo '67 held in Montreal, Quebec in Canada. My Grandma made a bag for each of my brothers also. Two of my sisters were babies then and one wasn't born for many years later!
         Expo '67 was a wonderful exhibition like an amusement park with a series of museums and interactive displays all put together. According to Wikipedia, it is considered to be the most successful World's Fair of the 20th Century receiving over 50 million visitors in the six months it was open.We were very fortunate as children to be taken there because I can still remember some of the exhibits such as a huge mechanical fire breathing dragon that came up out of the water while we rode by on a boat. I can also picture a car manufacturer's display of brand new cars going past on a conveyor belt that you could ride in as they went along. We rode on a minirail that traveled along elevated about one story around the entire site. Reading Wikipedia again, it said that there were 90 "Pavillions"  there which were hosted by different countries (which is why they call it a World's Fair) showcasing the history and new innovations of that particular country.The theme for the fair was " Man and His World". It was spectacular! This emphasizes to me that kids remember these trips for a lifetime. Planning them and investing the time and money necessary are great investments!

      I took this picture in a hotel bathroom because I truly use this bag to hold my toothbrush, hairbrush and the very small amount of make-up that I might pack when I go anywhere on a trip. After receiving it as a child, it was my car bag for traveling that held books to read on the trip and my souvenir money. You can see a white fabric rope that attaches to either end of the body of the bag. The little handle can actually be folded in to make the bag have a flat top and be carried on the shoulder with the rope. It is lined with an equally beautiful ivory colored soft fabric to make it sturdy which may account for its long wear. There is an envelope shaped pocket trimmed with lace on the outside which I use for small items like hair barretts.
       I love to pack and use this wonderful bag which I have never found to be replaceable by any other type of cosmetic bag available. It makes me happy to continue to use this handmade gift from my Grandmother to an eight year old. I don't think she could have foreseen how useful and long lasting this thoughtful present of hers has been. When I use it, I feel connected to my wonderful childhood and forget that I am a middle-aged woman! It brings me back to those carefree days when all I had to pack was a book to read and some activities for the car. It reminds me of my Grandmother who, in 1967, cared enough about our planned trip to the World's Fair to sew a beautiful bag for each of us to carry our treasures  in! I am also very grateful to God for granting me, by His Grace, enough stability in the circumstances of life to have held onto this piece of  my past.

Fort Edwards

Today we had a blast at Fort Edwards in nearby West Virginia. It is on the site of a French and Indian War Fort. Aunt Cecilia told us about it and we are certainly glad we went. I borrowed Natalie's camera and so we can enjoy pictures again.

The boys had fun with this amazingly simple version of Tug-o'-war. Both opponents get on their stump and start at the very end of their rope.They start pulling the rope at the same time and whoever comes off their stump loses.

This young man said that his bagpipe cost 2500 dollars. It took him three months to make a single sound come out of it. He has learned to play it and he sounded good while we were there!

The gentleman in the cap owns this wagon which he said was the equivalent of a tractor trailer in its day. It transported  goods like flour.This man knew so much about the technology and workmanship of the wheels, the tongue, the horse set-up and even how the goods were packed ( in two rows of barrels which were made smaller than they are today).

There were guns and hats for the boys to play in.

This man actually hunts with these guns that he and his friends have made.

We enjoyed talking to this woman who got into reenacting at the age of twelve and has been doing it for twenty years.She described the articles of clothing typically worn and demonstrated doing "laundry". It was nice to touch the natural fabrics of linen and wool. Only the underclothing was washed- the outer, hardly ever.

 Sam received a drum lesson. The beats were different from what he is used to.

This lady had a knife and was admiring Larry's curly hair!

This lady is a seamstress who dressed Meg up in a handmade outfit with "stays"( a corset) .

It was amazing how the pieces mixed and matched by changing the "stomacher", the piece through the middle of the chest.That fastens in and she had that piece in four different fabrics which made the Jacket look very different and allowed it to be worn  with the red or blue skirt.

Another gentleman brought a display of snakes native to the area.

This man was making lace. What intricacy and patience was required! He said that during the time of the Stamp Act, 600 homes in Ipswich, Mass. were making a yard of lace a week each, for which they were paid well.

This guy actually is part Indian and gave a presentation on Six Indian Nations, and his weapons. I didn't get to listen as I was watching Miss J. work with clay.

John played "War" with Old style cards using shillings and "pieces of eight" which actually were like coins cut into 8 wedges.

I got a kick out of this Tavern scene. These guys looked like they were having fun throughout the afternoon! It was a pleasure to experience some "Living History" and it was so interesting to see how people lived in the late 1700's. This was great family fun because each of us found it interesting. I was given a couple of ideas for future field trips from the reenactors, also.