As of this evening - they are actually on thier way!! Keith said they had almost gotten as far North as the Grapevine already!! I am soooo jazzed! I miss my baby - Keith - he has been gone 5 whole days already! He has taken on the job of riding back up I5 with S'te and all the kids. I'm here to tell you - this will be one full, happy, lively house for the next few weeks!! Yippee!! I can't say it enough...
As things alway go.... we have 2 little guests that arrived today... So our house will be REALLY full.... LOL They are little cuties and are welcome to share our home and family . . . as our little guests always are...
I look for the big van to pull into the driveway somewhere around dawn with a few (hehee) very, very tired peoples in it.
We have planned a family reunion of sorts for a Saturday in July. I am hoping and praying that as many of our family members as possible make it. This will be the first time S'te has been to Oregon for several years... I certainly hope that it becomes an annual trek. . .
We also plan to visit Pendleton, my Mother's resting place, and as many other places as she wants to go. With 11 children in tow (her 9 and my 3 - - she's mine too!) you'd be suprised at what we can do... I know we will have a wonderful time...
Pray for their traveling safety please. :-) The Lord has certainly blessed us!
June 21, 2008
June 19, 2008
Friendship Bread
For those who have run out of friends to bless the starter with I have a couple of "hints" or rather ideas that have been tried by others - and Horray! they work!!
If you only want 1 starter left over: After adding the 1.5 cups of "stuff" - measure out your cup of starter and put it in a bag. You should have 4.5 cups left. Take 2.25 cups (2 1/4) and set it aside... Complete your recipe with batter in bowl. Use the additional that was set aside for another batch - complete recipe as usual. And you have only your one bag of starter... Of course, if you don't want to bake 4 loaves of bread - just throw the extra 2 1/4 cups away... Until someone asks for starter and you can "friend" them a couple! LOL
If you want a pudding flavor that only comes in the small packets: Use 2 pkgs of pudding mix but cut the flour back by 1/2 cup.
If you are using aluminum (throw away) loaf pans: Use the spray but don't flour...
Adding nuts, coconut, raisens, poppy seeds, etc: Add them before your pudding or flour to make it easier to mix them in.
I use a complimentary extract: lemon for lemon poppy, coconut for coconut cream, peppermint with vanilla pudding, you get the idea! If I'm doing chocolate flavors I still add the vanilla... Don't know if it helps anything - but you can let me know~~
Flavors that have gone over really well in my house: Banana nut (with a real sliced banana in it) with walnuts, chocolate chips with vanilla pudding, lemon poppy, pistachio with pistachio nuts, chocolate fudge pecan (I got a bag of pecans in GA and need to use them!), vanilla pecan, butterscotch chip with either vanilla or chocolate puddings and of course, the regular, original is absolutely wonderful to use as the "shortcake" in strawberry shortcakes... The uses just go on and on!! I absolutely love the stuff! hehee
A hint for those with milk allergies!! I began using Soy milk several batches ago... I've found that it works very, very well. And it is really convenient too - since Soy doesn't need to be refridgerated until opened... and I almost always use the whole carton up anyway! I don't know for sure how many batches it will take to get all of the milk product from the starter.... but I'm hoping that it is gone now. Several of the Jell-O puddings do not have milk products in them! It states right on the box under the ingredients "No milk". So that's good news for my Grandson! Most of the store brand instant puddings that I have found - do have milk products.
If you only want 1 starter left over: After adding the 1.5 cups of "stuff" - measure out your cup of starter and put it in a bag. You should have 4.5 cups left. Take 2.25 cups (2 1/4) and set it aside... Complete your recipe with batter in bowl. Use the additional that was set aside for another batch - complete recipe as usual. And you have only your one bag of starter... Of course, if you don't want to bake 4 loaves of bread - just throw the extra 2 1/4 cups away... Until someone asks for starter and you can "friend" them a couple! LOL
If you want a pudding flavor that only comes in the small packets: Use 2 pkgs of pudding mix but cut the flour back by 1/2 cup.
If you are using aluminum (throw away) loaf pans: Use the spray but don't flour...
Adding nuts, coconut, raisens, poppy seeds, etc: Add them before your pudding or flour to make it easier to mix them in.
I use a complimentary extract: lemon for lemon poppy, coconut for coconut cream, peppermint with vanilla pudding, you get the idea! If I'm doing chocolate flavors I still add the vanilla... Don't know if it helps anything - but you can let me know~~
Flavors that have gone over really well in my house: Banana nut (with a real sliced banana in it) with walnuts, chocolate chips with vanilla pudding, lemon poppy, pistachio with pistachio nuts, chocolate fudge pecan (I got a bag of pecans in GA and need to use them!), vanilla pecan, butterscotch chip with either vanilla or chocolate puddings and of course, the regular, original is absolutely wonderful to use as the "shortcake" in strawberry shortcakes... The uses just go on and on!! I absolutely love the stuff! hehee
A hint for those with milk allergies!! I began using Soy milk several batches ago... I've found that it works very, very well. And it is really convenient too - since Soy doesn't need to be refridgerated until opened... and I almost always use the whole carton up anyway! I don't know for sure how many batches it will take to get all of the milk product from the starter.... but I'm hoping that it is gone now. Several of the Jell-O puddings do not have milk products in them! It states right on the box under the ingredients "No milk". So that's good news for my Grandson! Most of the store brand instant puddings that I have found - do have milk products.
June 13, 2008
The Cistern
We've been busy our few weeks here on the South Coast! I've been clam digging a couple of times with Clint and Sallie. Keith likes clams well enough that he even got some rubber boots and rain pants and went with me one day. The clam tides were really good last week - so we took full advantage of them. I'm sorry to say that I just can't dig a full limit... If I get 8 or so - I'm done.... I also cheat and let them clean themselves out overnight before I do the chore of cleaning them and getting them ready for the freezer. It takes a couple of digs for me to get enough for a meal. If only I were younger, stronger, and in better shape!!! It's tough work . . . my admiration for those who go out and get full limits every day of decent tides is insurmountable!!!
We didn't get rid of our excessive water problem last year, so we tried it again this year. Digging deeper and putting a concrete storage cistern in... From the looks of it - this may work! Thank the Lord!! Clint cut the top off of the old cistern and put gravel and dirt in it for a raised strawberry bed!! I'll be a farmer yet :-) Click here for other pics.
We've also been busy getting the "guest room" ready for S'te's visit! The camper has had "issues" that were never taken care of before . . so we've had to replace the furnace and get the water heater fixed. Of course, lots and lots of cleaning!! I don't know how some people live in total filth - but obviously - they do!
My project while Keith is gone to get the kids is to clean up the yard, get the freezer stocked, and finish up in the camper. Sallie has loaned me enough towels and washcloths and Donna showed up yesterday with an inflatable bed, sheets and all!! Sharen and Jack plan to come down from Klamath and all the rest of our Family has been invited to a BBQ/birthday celebration July 4th weekend - so we will have lots of fun and good visits then. I am so looking forward to our upcoming events!! and to being able to relax in the newly dried out back yard!! I am so totally and completely blessed - the only thing I could possibly ask the Lord for now is to bring someone to give us news of Jeremy.... that would so totally complete my life.
So that is my news for now....
We didn't get rid of our excessive water problem last year, so we tried it again this year. Digging deeper and putting a concrete storage cistern in... From the looks of it - this may work! Thank the Lord!! Clint cut the top off of the old cistern and put gravel and dirt in it for a raised strawberry bed!! I'll be a farmer yet :-) Click here for other pics.
We've also been busy getting the "guest room" ready for S'te's visit! The camper has had "issues" that were never taken care of before . . so we've had to replace the furnace and get the water heater fixed. Of course, lots and lots of cleaning!! I don't know how some people live in total filth - but obviously - they do!
My project while Keith is gone to get the kids is to clean up the yard, get the freezer stocked, and finish up in the camper. Sallie has loaned me enough towels and washcloths and Donna showed up yesterday with an inflatable bed, sheets and all!! Sharen and Jack plan to come down from Klamath and all the rest of our Family has been invited to a BBQ/birthday celebration July 4th weekend - so we will have lots of fun and good visits then. I am so looking forward to our upcoming events!! and to being able to relax in the newly dried out back yard!! I am so totally and completely blessed - the only thing I could possibly ask the Lord for now is to bring someone to give us news of Jeremy.... that would so totally complete my life.
So that is my news for now....
June 5, 2008
Happy Birthday S'te
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I hardly believe it's been a whole year!!.JPG)
And there has been so many additions :-)
Our Arrival
When we arrive back in Coos Bay we found this in our driveway. I knew it was not a small camper - but it takes up the whole driveway!! We will need to move it ~ and soon!!
Actually soon came really quickly... the very next day Clint was showing us what had been fixed, changed, and upgraded since we've been gone1 We now have 4 new fruit trees, the lawns are all green and look beautiful! Several problem spots have been filled in... It all looks really wonderful!!
On Saturday we went and got some lawn furniture and began the chore of putting everything together.... We could have certainly been on Funniest Videos... but . . . no. On Sunday, Clint decided that it would be a good time to move the trailer to a better spot. Since we have to go under a tv cable line and around a tree - we need to do it while Sallie is home - so she can also assist!! Talk about wonderful friends!! Never would have happened without them!
It took the entire afternoon to get this done to Clint's satisfaction and it looks really good. Now all I have to do is clean it out and get it ready for a new floor covering. It is rather dirty.... like.... caked mud in quite a few places.... but nothing that can't be cleaned.... it just takes time.... lots of time....
And I go back to the lawn furniture. Got it done except for the "dome" on the canopy. It split a seam so Sallie is going to sew it for me - again what a great friend!
And that was our first weekend back in the Great Northwest... now when we fall into bed (or, in my case, chair) . . we are both exhausted and sleep really soundly!! Oh, it's great to be back!!
Actually soon came really quickly... the very next day Clint was showing us what had been fixed, changed, and upgraded since we've been gone1 We now have 4 new fruit trees, the lawns are all green and look beautiful! Several problem spots have been filled in... It all looks really wonderful!!
On Saturday we went and got some lawn furniture and began the chore of putting everything together.... We could have certainly been on Funniest Videos... but . . . no. On Sunday, Clint decided that it would be a good time to move the trailer to a better spot. Since we have to go under a tv cable line and around a tree - we need to do it while Sallie is home - so she can also assist!! Talk about wonderful friends!! Never would have happened without them!
It took the entire afternoon to get this done to Clint's satisfaction and it looks really good. Now all I have to do is clean it out and get it ready for a new floor covering. It is rather dirty.... like.... caked mud in quite a few places.... but nothing that can't be cleaned.... it just takes time.... lots of time....
And I go back to the lawn furniture. Got it done except for the "dome" on the canopy. It split a seam so Sallie is going to sew it for me - again what a great friend!
And that was our first weekend back in the Great Northwest... now when we fall into bed (or, in my case, chair) . . we are both exhausted and sleep really soundly!! Oh, it's great to be back!!
From Pendleton to home!
We drove across I84, North to the Columbia River - more of Oregon scenery that I've never seen before. I hate to admit that I lived in Oregon for so many years and never saw so much of it!! I've read history along the way and found so many things that truly amaze me. I may be amazed easily - but every trip thru different parts of our whole country - - well, God did a really awesome job when he created all of the different parts is all I can say. So we traveled most of the northern border of Oregon along the Columbia River. I have actually known for years that the Columbia is the Oregon/Washington border - but I never realized how huge the Columbia was, nor did I ever realize just how many dams are on it - and how different the scenery is from the highest part - towards Pendleton - and the lower parts of it - toward Portland.
We did take a detour and see the Multinomah and Horsetail Falls. Magnificant!! Pictures of them are on the Flickr Badge. Of course they don't even come close to doing justice to either of them. Today had been a rather murkey day for the most part....We went from I84 to I5 around the Portland area - so we didn't really even get close to the City. We headed south with the decision that we would cut off at Corvallis, spend the night, and go down the coast the next day. Keith has acquired a rash that won't seem to go away. He soaked in the hot tub and got in the pool at the Holiday Inn in Pendleton and that just seemed to make it worse. I'm rather concerned so we will call it a day a little early.
At Corvallis we checked in to their Holiday Inn Express and checked out the rash again... It's even worse than this morning.... and no clue what it is!! he hasn't been out in the woods, sitting on the ground, or much of any thing that I can think of to cause a rash. No different laundry soap, regular showers, not too hot... What could it be? So off to the ER we go! Believe you me!! It was the shortest ER visit in history!!! I've had waits at the Dr.'s office longer than this one!! 55 minutes from check-in to check-out!! And they apologized for the wait! And you'll never guess - - - - - Poison Oak!! Absolutely no idea what or where he got into it!!
So now we know what is itching him... got him some medication and good 
old calamine lotion . . . so he got a good nights sleep so he can hold on while I drive down the coast.
old calamine lotion . . . so he got a good nights sleep so he can hold on while I drive down the coast.We headed that way after breakfast and were amazed to see several people on bicycles traversing the same road! Up the hills and around the curves... just pedaling away. Amazing! We got to Hwy 101 and headed south towards Coos Bay. The last leg of our trip! It has been a fast forward several days but the end and our little house is at the 
end of this day! We made several small stops - at one of my favorites - Devil's Churn - we didn't walk down the paths to any of them - it was a very grey day and misty - I was afraid it would be slick and don't need another trip to the ER! We stopped at several places to look out over the Pacific Ocean as well as at Sea Lion Caves. My amazment at our world is still with me~ I reminissed about other trips down the same road - Most especially the one with S'te right as she was learning to drive!! Now that was a trip!! She nailed the brakes and and stopped at EVERY wide spot in the road where she thought there might maybe be something she wanted to look at :-)
end of this day! We made several small stops - at one of my favorites - Devil's Churn - we didn't walk down the paths to any of them - it was a very grey day and misty - I was afraid it would be slick and don't need another trip to the ER! We stopped at several places to look out over the Pacific Ocean as well as at Sea Lion Caves. My amazment at our world is still with me~ I reminissed about other trips down the same road - Most especially the one with S'te right as she was learning to drive!! Now that was a trip!! She nailed the brakes and and stopped at EVERY wide spot in the road where she thought there might maybe be something she wanted to look at :-) About noon we rolled into our front yard. Clint and a friend were looking at the newest purchase - a used Salem travel trailer to use as a guest room. So we did hugs and welcome homes and caught up on current happenings as we unloaded the car.... and then just spent some time relaxing. It's great to be back!
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