1 Coal Miners Daughter

Well hello old friend...it's been a looong time! Lots of life happening! School started yesterday. YAY !!!!!!!! It's so quiet here I can finally think! I love my kids, honest I do! Things are just so much cleaner when school is in!
So I must tell you about my vacation!!!!! Four days, no kids, no pets, no cooking, just us on a motorcycle! So needed and long overdue. We started on Aug.11th. Left about 4pm, headed to PA. The first night we stayed somewhere near Pittsburgh. We went with our good friends Joe & Vicki. On Friday we started again toward Gettysburg. The weather was beautiful! Scenery was incredible! Time with God, priceless! We went to 2 covered bridges that day. The first was way down a dirt road kinda tucked away from the world.

It was cool. We walked under it and admired the little creek flowing under. We love seeing anything historical. On that exact same road was the Flight 93 Memorial. Of course that was our next stop! It is still under construction so this was the temporary sight. As I stood there looking over that field my heart filled with sadness. I thought of how all those lives and families were affected and I dropped my head and thanked God for my life, my family.

The second covered bridge we saw almost killed us! We parked on the side of the road, got off the bike and started walking the bridge like we always do. RUN !!!!!!!!!!!
All of a sudden a car comes flying around the curve and on to the bridge. I don't think the four of us have ran that fast since we were kids! Even funnier, we didn't learn the first time! We got chased off that bridge again! Guess the locals don't get many tourists walking their bridge! Scary!

We had so much fun! Here is a pic of some of the breathtaking scenery...

Before Friday was over we did arrive in Gettysburg. It was awesome!!! There is so much to see and do. I don't think we could have seen everything we wanted to in a week! The history is all around you! We walked on some of the battlefield, climbed to the top of the Confederate look-out tower,visited museums, and most of all I spent much needed time with my husband. Thank you Jesus for giving us this opportunity!! It made a huge impact on our marriage, our family, our whole life!
 
 I have to go decorate a cake real quick! But I will be back, soon! No really I will. I have lots more Gettysburg pics to share! God Bless Ya !!!!

I was watching one of my favorite shows tonight when one of the main characters said, "Scars remind us where we've been but they don't have to dictate where we are going." How true is that. To be completely truthful this blog is really to help me wash away some scars. Food is what I know so it seemed easier to try to put the focus on that while getting brave enough to release some truths. The scars. The secrets only one person knows all of, the secrets that could help someone else not have as many as I do. There are many scars on the outside. A jellyfish sting on my back, one above my eye from falling off the top of the wood pile, and an ugly one on my knee from wrecking my bike to keep from hitting Mr. Morgans car head on in the big curve up White Oak. I also have many surgery scars. But then there are those on the inside. They started early. And grew for many years. They are the reason I go to therapy, and live normally as long as I take my meds.They are the reason I hesitate before letting anyone really know me.And yes, they are the reason why cooking means so much to me. Because I am really good at it , and I can use it to make friends. People like to have friends who can cook. So cook I do, for anyone, anytime. There are  people who read this that have known me all my life, but have no clue of the things I have gone through. Some won't believe and that no longer bothers me. I know the truth and when I get brave enough, you will too.
God bless!

So I just wrote this huge long post for tonight and I lost the whole thing before it saved! So I will try it again...
Today was a long day! Up at 6 to finish using up all those cukes! I ended up with 14 quarts of kosher dill pickles and 7 quarts plus 1 pint of sweet pickle relish (which is completely awesome and will taste amazing in my potato salad!) Canning is so much fun. I'm excited to learn more. So thankful to Mom for sending the veggies.  She also sent fresh greenbeans and potatoes which is what's for dinner tonight. To some that's no where near a complete meal, but on Wednesdays they take what they can get! We had a great night at church. I helped with the elementary kids. We played some fun games. I love being in our church. I'm always surrounded by family there. I was really tired but made myself go and am so happy I did.
God Bless

Jen, I have never tried meatloaf in the crockpot. It sounds good. One of my secret ingredients is grated carrots! I want to try to make jam next.
Crystal, I wish I could do crafts with the kids all the time. I love it! I hope you are having an incredible time. Give those sweeties a hug for me. I missed them too

So over the weekend my almost brother-in-law went to WV. My awesome incredible Mom sent me loads of cucumbers!!!!! She knew I wanted to try canning so she hooked me up with pickle wannabes! Yesterday I made 7 quarts of kosher dills. The kids are dying to try them and if they like 'em I'm gonna make at least 7 more. I also have a recipe for sweet pickle relish that I'm gonna try tomorrow morning.
I remember canning with my mom and Grandma when I was young, ok so I remember all the prep work they let us help with! But as an adult this is the first time I have tried. I don't mind admitting that when I heard those lids seal I broke down right there in the kitchen and did my happy dance!!  "I made some pickles....all by my see-eeeelllffff. Oh yes I diiiid!!!" I'm sure it was hilarious if you happened to be looking in my window but oh well, I don't care!
Today for dinner I'm fixin' Chicken fried rice with tons of veggies added in. Its really too hot to cook, but I will anyway!
What are you fixin'????
God bless!

 I had the bestest weekend!!!!!!!! (Better than best hence the bestest!!!!) Justin had Jerrys bike all weekend so on Friday evening Wes and Sarah came and sat with the kids so we could go riding. It was awesome! We spent about 2 hours just riding some back roads and enjoying all Gods beautiful handi-work. Saturday we took the kids to Wes' house and met up with good friends Joe & Vicki. We did alot of riding then...like 7 hours! We went down into the Cuyahoga Valley, so beautiful, we visited 2 covered bridges & Nelsons Ledges. We had soooooo much fun but most of all I got to prepare for our upcoming vacation. We will be on the bike 4 days in a row. I needed to get my butt in sadle condition! It does take alot out of me to sit on that little seat for hours at a time in the hot sun. But I did use great sunscreen so the one thing that could have messed it up, didn't! No sunburn!!!!!!!!
Sunday brought an awesome time at church and a huge 6 lb meatloaf. The kids lesson was on Shepards protecting their sheep so for crafft we made sheep hand puppets and then each kid made their own snack. Using a huge marshmallow, a regular marshmallow and small pretzel stix we all made our very own sheep. They were cute and tasted oh so yummy! One little girl wanted nothing to do with eating hers. She gently took it off her plate, kissed it and gave it to mom for safe transport home. It was the sweetest thing! Two of my favorite kids are on vacation and will miss 2 Sundays. I was asked to "please keep our crafts so we can do them when we come back" . So of course I did. Theres a bag in the room with both of your names on it! Sadly I only have one more week in the craft room. The regular teacher will be back and then I will go back to filling in wherever I am needed. I sure will miss working with this bunch tho. Before I tear up...
On to that meatloaf! My meatloaf seems to be odd to my Ohio friends. Some who say they hate meatloaf will cautiously try it then are hooked at first taste. Some look at it weird before their first taste. Only 1 person who has tried it does not like it! My 10 yr old Justin!!! It is an awesome recipe, one of the best that Im including in the cookbook I'm writing, so if you want the recipe, comment and ask and I'll send it to ya. To go with the meatloaf we had smashed potatoes with the skin still on, steamed summer squash and green beans. Also had spice cake with cream cheese frosting  yummy!!!!!!!(That of course the 10 yr old loves!)
I am so thankful for all many blessing. I live my life to praise God and spread His love!  God bless!

It is soooo hot today!!!!!!!!!! The kids are playing in the sprinkler, my yard looks like a swamp! Its fun to watch them running around. Three of our neices are here for the day so there are 5 soaked rats! For dinner tonight I am crazy! I am using the stove...and oven! Pork steaks,Broccoli,and some kinda pasta. I have a bunch of zucchini from my garden so I will suffer the extra heat for some wonderful zucchini bread. Its also a favorite of my Pastor so I always make extra to take to church. My mom always made Chocolate Zucchini Cake. Its really good but uses way too much sugar for my diabetes.
 I see the Dr next Friday, Im really excited to see how my test results come back. I have lost almost 20 lbs in the last 3 months and have really been watching what I eat, so the results should be much better.
So heres my zucchini bread recipe...

4 cups grated zucchini
1 1/2 cups oil (may use applesause instead)
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 eggs
3 cups self-rising flour (I always use sr flour)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

Cream oil,sugar,and eggs. Add half of the zucchini then half the dry ingredients. Add the other half of each then the vanilla. Pour into 3 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for an hour. Cool on wire rack. Enjoy!!

God Bless

So I'm here today to admit that I am no good with routine! I can't get on this computer everyday and type a blog...even though I really do want to!!! My mind is so jumbled these days I'm lucky to think about it twice a week! So I'm gonna do my best. Thats all I can promise.I started this project because I have alot to say. And words are easier for me when written, not spoken! I'm working thru alot of self-esteem stuff and thought this would help...maybe it will. Maybe I should accept the fact that I'm a little crazier than most...maybe a million things...
Please keep me in your prayers. God Bless

Tonights dinner was quick and simple. Salisbury steaks and smashed potatoes. Wednesdays are usually that way because church starts at 6:30. I went with Sis. Arva to take the elementary kids to the camp for a swim. It was 95 degrees at 6pm. My husband Justin went and my good friend Necole. It was fun, we had a good group. Only 10 kids showed up so it was a relaxing evening by the pool. Much love and thanks to Sister Ann for always taking care of the pool and being an awesome lifeguard.While we were gone I did miss Angelica singing for Praise & Worship. It was her first time doing a duet but she had an awesome lady by her side! Much thanks Amanda for all your encouragement! We love you and your family bunches!!
I love reading your comments Jen! And Ada. I have so many great memories of us just being kids together before you moved away. I still have a deep love for lemons, thanks to your Dad! Please give 'em both a hug from me. Love you all
God Bless ya!!!!!!!  

I know, I know! I'm supposed to do this everyday!!! I'll get it, soon I hope! Weekends are crazy here, Saturday was spent with all 4 of us doing some yardwork for an elderly lady from our church. Sandwiches for dinner that day! Sunday was church,of course! For the last few weeks and a few to come I have been helping with the preschoolers/kindergarteners. I have been teaching their craft class. It is so much fun and the kids are wonderful!! Although some of them have an issue with my WV accent. I have been asked ,"Are you from England?"  and told ,"You talk like a cowboy!" I usually work with the older kids so even though I've been at Trinity for 3 and a half years the little ones are just getting used to me!
So I do have to tell you about dinner yesterday, Spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. I am not a red sauce person, whether it be spaghetti, lasagna, or even pizza sauce(love pizza just order light sauce) . So I made the spaghetti sauce as usual, turkey meatballs and all, then remembered I had a pint of venison spaghetti sauce that my awesome friend Faith had made. Warmed it up in a little saucepan and yummy!!!!!! For the first time in a long time I truly enjoyed spaghetti! Thanks Faith, Love ya bunches!
Today its hot here. Really REALLY hot!!!! So our menu is simple...Eggs , toast, sausage and bacon. Sounds like a winner to me. Dont eat eggs very often or sausage or bacon really, since the diabetes started. So when I do its a treat. Usually do biscuits and gravy also but its just too hot! My Grandma makes the best breakfast gravy EVER. I remember walking in her house hundreds of times and going straight to the stove to see if there was any leftover, if there was it was like finding gold!!!
For Jen and Ada, my cousins who I know love to read as much as I do, and anyone else who cares to know, I'm reading this awesome book called "The Shack" by Wm.Paul Young. I think you will like it. God Bless ya. (Love you ladies! Hope we can see each other soon!)

Whats for dinner tonight???? Burgers on the grill with some fresh corn on the cob!! Yummy...now heres the story! Justin isn't big on "cooking out", so we never worried about having a grill. Then out of the blue he said," Lets go get a grill and do burgers!"  Well yes sir!! Sounds like a great idea to me! So we did. We all sat outside, enjoying the evening and the smell of charcoal cooking up our fat juicy burgers.What a wonderful evening. I dont really remember many cook-outs in my growing up years. Only ones held at my grandparents house, mostly for the 4th of July. Everyone except my Aunt Peggy lived so close that we were always together! All the kids LOVED being at Grandmas! They lived right alongside an awesome creek where we would swim as often and as long as we could get away with! In spots it was even over my head. And I could never forget the huge snapping turtle that lived there! You could sometimes see it right before the first of us jumped in. It must have been pretty shy because even though we were constantly warned about how she wouldn't let go until it thundered, she never got any of us! The very best times of my childhood were spent at or with my Grandparents. I miss them so much, Grandpas in Heaven and Grandma is still in WV where I don't go often enough. Really need to fix that!  I love ya Grandma, with all my heart!