Tag: dads

It has Been a Hard Couple of Months

It has been a hard couple of months. . .

We have had a hard few months since my Dad passed away. I have struggled to write and wonder if I should. This blog was started to tell funny stories about me trying to raise two wild and crazy boys that I love dearly. Stories on my mistakes in child rearing.

Started a new position at work. . .

Started a new position at work just weeks after Dad had passed away. This did give me something to focus on besides how very sad I was. Work kept my mind busy so that I did not fall into a deep depression, it also slowed my grieving process. So many days I am thankful that I work from home, if I actually had to interact in person I would be a mess. At home, nobody asks how I am doing and for that I am thankful.

Many firsts without Daddy. . .

It seems all the firsts without Dad were all at the first of this year. Dad’s Birthday, Father’s Day, Mom and Dad’s Wedding Anniversary and Christmas last year. All of these Celebrations without my Dad, they are just not the same. These are a distinct reminder that one of the most important people in my life is no longer here. The man that I called for advice on everything and the one I called to share exciting news, is not on the end of that phone anymore. Below is a picture of Dad and I on his Birthday.

Conclusion. . .

In conclusion, not sure where my blog is going this year since the boys are grown and have their own lives now. Big T never liked me writing about him to start with, he used to give me grief every time I posted. Oh well, add that to my mistakes made by Mom list.

I was Recently Asked How would I Describe My Dad. . .

How would I describe my Dad???

My response to the question, how do I describe my dad. Dad was a humble Christian man with a work ethic like no other. One of the most impactful things my Dad ever told me was, “you can only go as far as your friends will let you go.” He did not mean your friends would limit you but your friends would lift you up.

Dad’s testimony. . .

Dad was never a, “Do as I say” parent he was a, “Do as I do” parent. He lead by example in his everyday life. I do not remember him yelling at me as a kid and I do not remember him ever spanking us but I do remember serious/ stern conversations when I messed up. He always ended those conversation with a very heartfelt, “I love you little girl.” He went on several mission trips to Haiti and Ecuador when I was little to help build churches. My sister and I followed suit, we went on mission trips with our church youth group. Again that was Dad leading by example.

Dad and I with Patches

Dad had a routine. . .

Dad had a daily routine; he was up and out the door every morning without fail at 0430 to go open the doors at the local gym. After his workout he came home changed clothes and he and mom were off to the barn to feed and take care of the horses. The second trip home was for breakfast a shower and then off to work. Dad had a tremendous work ethic, again Dad leading by example.

Conclusion. . .

My Dad passed on to the immediate presence of our Lord and Savior on August 18th. He had an impact on many over his 92 years and he is going to be deeply missed.

Time for Our Last Drop Off to College

Time for the last drop off to college. . .

We take Big T back to college in a few weeks, our last move in day, he is a big Senior this year. Lots of emotions these last weeks; excitement, love, sadness, and hope for a wonderful year.

Packing and preparing. . .

We are packing and prepping for the ride and for drop off. It’s funny when we took Sprat the first time I had read all the books and blogs about what he would need for the perfect dorm. The truck was overloaded with stuff that every freshman needed for their first year at college and for dorm life.

What I have learned about sending the boys off to school. . .

I have learned less is truly more when sending your kids off to school. It may be different for girls but for these boys it is so true. Each year our load got smaller and smaller. Big T has required so much less than Sprat did, he does take all the essentials though. I think Sprat was a bit of a clothes horse (someone who loves clothes and has lots of them).

Senior Year. . .

Like I said, so many emotions this year. It is so hard to believe that my baby is going to be graduating college in May.

Looking forward to one more year of Lacrosse with this guy.

Celebrating the Big Day. . .

Celebrating the big day. . .

We celebrated Sprat and Sweet G this weekend. It was a most perfect day for this perfect duo. I had a great time watching them and all their friends having the time of their lives. It was perfect.

The Big Exit. . .

This is going to be a photo overload. . .

These fellas traveled a long way to stand by the happy couple

One of my favorites. . .

This is the before for the motley crew.

Processed with VSCO with v5 preset

We had a great weekend with family and friends. So happy for Sweet G and Sprat.

Have You Ever Made Your Own Bread?

Have you ever made your own bread?

Have you ever made homemade bread? My Grandmother made bread, this was nothing fancy just white loaf bread but it was the best bread ever. Mom made bread for us growing up and she used Grandmother’s recipe. This recipes makes about 5-6 loaves depending on the size of your pans. The recipe is not complicated but you will need a very large bowl to mix everything up.

Grandmother

Me and according to my sister and mother I look like Grandmother

Back story on the bread. . .

Early in our marriage the hubs was diagnosed with food allergies and was not able to eat any type of bread or bakery products that were pre packaged. This meant baking my own bread. I was very fortunate to have Grandmother’s bread recipe from my mom. I began making our own bread from scratch, my family loved it. The hubs eventually could eat regular baked goods again and now I only bake bread every now and then.

Whenever I would bake this bread I always felt like Grandmother was watching over me. My Grandmother passed away when I was in third grade, I have many fond memories going to visit her. I did not get a lot of time with her but what time I had was special. Here is her recipe for loaf bread, I am sure there are many out there similar but this is hers.

Grandmother’s Bread recipe

  • 5 lbs flour (1 bag, I like King Arthur)
  • 3 pkg dry active yeast
  • 5 cups lukewarm water
  • 2 T salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened

Sprinkle 2 cups warm water and 2 tsp sugar over your yeast and set aside.

Sift flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add butter. Pour your yeast mixture over the butter. Mix with your hands until well blended and the dough is smooth and not sticky.

Place in a large bowl and grease the top with butter. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size.

Once risen work dough down and divide in to loaf portions, depending on your loaf pans this could be 5-7 loaves. Grease your loaf pans and and cover let rise again until double in size.

Bake 350 for 15 minutes then reduce to 325 and bake for 40 minutes until brown. This bread freezes beautifully. Enjoy, with much love.

It is Almost Wedding Time. . .

It is almost Wedding time. . .

It is hard to believe that the Wedding is only a month away. Seems like Sprat and Sweet G just got engaged. The plans are all coming together slowly but surely.

The Church is booked, reception and rehearsal venues are set and final walk throughs are scheduled. Waiting to hear on RSVP’s to finalize the head count.

I did finally get a dress, that was an arduous process. Trying on clothes used to be so much fun, now it seems more of a chore. Still need to decide on a dress for the rehearsal dinner and the last shower.

Everything is coming together. . . . for this Fairytale Wedding. . .

Lacrosse Season Official Over for 2023-2024

Lacrosse Season officially over. . .

Big T’s lacrosse season is officially over and I am a little sad. Junior year is winding down and soon Big T will be home for the Summer. It was a banner season for lacrosse in our house, Big T had a good season and Sprat had a good first season as a High School lacrosse coach.

I am very proud of both of my kiddos, they are growing, changing, and becoming pretty good humans. The hubbs and I got to see the last two home games for Big T and they put up two good wins. Very exciting to watch your kid grow and bloom as a student, athlete, and as a person.

Must be honest, I am a little sad to see the season end. I am going to miss: our little trips to visit Big T, watching him play, visiting with his friends and teammates, and the other parents.

Stay tuned for recipes from the garden, the hubbs has been busy in retirement. . .

potatoes, onions, spinach, peppers, tomatoes, and radishes so far.

Spring is in the Air. . .

Spring in the air and front porch update

Spring is in the air and my front porch greenery needed an spruce up. We had a beautiful wreath on the porch last year and of course those hot days wreaked havoc on the wreath. Decided it needed some sprucing up for Easter.

My old wreath that needed sprucing up

My new wreath, OK my spruced up old wreath

Found my new flowers to add to the old wreath at Michael’s, it was a very inexpensive spruce up. I think they look lovely, let me know what you think.

Update on the Sourdough front. . .

Update on my sourdough. . . Made two loaves the other day that turned out beautiful. I do love King Arthur flour. These loaves turned out beautifully and had the best flavor. The hubbs enjoyed it with some pimento cheese.

Don’t they look fabulous?

I will be making some more this week.

Road Trip and a Little Lacrosse. . .

Road Trip. . .

The hubbs and I make at least two trips a year to see the boys play college lacrosse. Sprat graduated this year in May so this year we travel to see Big T. Big T is the face off guy for his team and has been really working on his technique. He kept telling us all week, Mom I have a new technique I am going to try in my next game. Big T was so excited to execute his technique.

Big T in White jersey and making his move

Big T again with the Win on face off.

Love Watching these kids play. . .

Love watching these guys play lacrosse, they have really come together as a team. So excited to be able to go visit with Big T and watch him play. We visited some new places to eat and went back to some old favorites. The lobster roll at Legal Seafood is a must anytime in Massachusetts. This time we tried Dave’s Hot Chicken a favorite of Big T. I do not eat a lot of meat when eating out but, you will love this, they had a cauliflower alternative to their chicken tenders and it was delish!! We will go back next time we visit for sure.

Stay tuned for more recipes and Lacrosse updates as the season continues. . .

How to Stay Healthy and Eat Healthy at Work. . .

How do we eat healthy at work. . .

How do we eat healthy at work? It is very difficult when you are surrounded by sweets, treats and quick grab vending machines. Being sent home to work remote was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am able to fix my own meals and I am not tempted by the monthly cake squares we used to get.

Meal prep is the key. . .

When I worked in the office, meal prep was the key. Fixing a few days in advance always helped me stay prepared to go to work. Working twelve hour days you cannot just take your lunch, you need breakfast and a good snack too.

This is a fabulous chicken and rice soup my hubbs made this morning.

One of the chicken pies the hubbs made too.

The Hubbs and his chicken soup and chicken pie. . .

We each have our own specialties and the hubbs is definitely his chicken soup and chicken pie. The boys love these especially the soup.

  • 4-5 Chicken breast
  • 2 large containers low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4-5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 T oregano
  • 5 fresh sage leaves
  • black pepper
  • 1 cup Jasmine rice

2 T Montreal steak marinade, 2T red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup water and mix that together and pour over the chicken and a little chicken broth and minced garlic cloves. Place Chicken and all of the above in the crock pot and cook on low for about 8 hrs.

After your chicken is cooked pull it out and shred about 3 chicken breast for your soup and save the other breast for your pies. Put your shredded chicken back in the crock pot with the above ingredients and cook on low for about 5 hrs, You can use your left over chicken to make pie or you can use it to pack your lunch with salads, wraps, or just over some rice.

Stay tuned for some more meal prep and healthy eating ideas from my kitchen to yours, until we eat again. . .