It's a wrap!

A summer delight... Cherries!!

Well, the menu for the next two weeks has been made! I don't know why it is so hard to make a 2 week menu! I should just put money back and then go weekly to the grocery, but shopping isn't one of my favorite things to do so the bi-weekly shopping works for that! Oh, well, here it is!!

Thursday- chicken picatta, linguine, peas and tomatoes

Friday- lexington style chicken, baked potatoes, salad

Saturday- tacos

Sunday Dinner- pork roast, mashed sweet potatoes, caulifower and broccoli, eggs, rolls, caprese salad, white cake with homemade buttercream frosting (This will be my birthday dinner)

Sunday evening- blt's

Monday- lemon basil chicken, red potatoes, carrots

Tuesday- salmon patties, salad

Wednesday- mexican pie (hamburger and chili beans in a baked pie crust topped with taco fixin's)

Thursday- YOYO (You're On Your Own) (I may be going to a party)

Friday- Steak, roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli

Saturday- Family Fun Night at church- Taco Salad, Twinkie layered dessert (Twinkies cut in half length-wise for crust then a layer of each: vanilla pudding, peaches, bananas, strawberries and top it with Cool Whip) (the original recipe just used bananas and pineapple... switched it up to suit my family)

Sunday Dinner- Lasagna, green beans, salad, bread

Sunday evening- mini pizzas (crust is flattened Grands biscuits)

Monday- Chicken Sorrento (chicken chunks, broccoli, carrots and onion marinated in creamy italian dressing)

Tuesday- balsamic bbq chicken, mac and cheese, baked beans, green beans

Wednesday- nacho chicken ( chicken slow cooked in 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup salsa with a pinch of chili powder and then served over crushed tortilla chips and topped with cheese)

Thursday- Parmesan Chicken served over linguine, salad, bread

Calvin Trillin said, "I don't care where I sit as long as I get fed."

That is not true in our house... the food must taste better when they are sitting next to Daddy...

they still fight to sit by him!

July Happenings

There are lots of pictures in this post... you know, if I'd do this more often I wouldn't overload like this!

July has been a good family month!

My baby turned 18. I know! How did that happen?? Look at those dimples.. he's a cutie!

In June I had the bright idea to paint his room. Rachel had a bright idea to change rooms with him since her room was bigger and she is hardly ever here. So, I set about moving furniture around and painting. It took a lot longer than I planned due to an unplanned trip to Baltimore, but I did eventually get it done. So, this is a new poster for his room... "101 Best Movie Quotes." He likes to quote movies and can do awesome impersonations... Shrek is my favorite!

On July 3 Beech Grove has their fireworks and since it is just a couple of blocks over we usually have Ry's party on that night. We throw great parties... fireworks and everything! Well, really this year he didn't want me to go "overboard." Me?? He just wanted to have some guys over, play video games and eat pizza. He wanted cinnamon rolls for dessert, but our a/c was caput so I made individual Oreo sundaes instead... he didn't complain!

On his actual birthday I made his usual birthday treat- peanut butter pie. It was yummy!

He deserved a big 18th birthday blow out since he is such a great guy.

But he got what he wanted... low key, and hopefully he felt how much he is loved!

Makenzi and her Mommy came to visit us. I just love this girl! She is a bit shy at first when she comes. She knows us but it does take a while to warm up. The older she gets the less time it takes...

I am anxiously waiting for the day when she runs from the car into our arms!

This is what she first played with after she got here... She got all the dishes out and lined them up to prepare a feast for everyone. The next day she was making "snacks" and I asked her if I could have some. She "made" it and then held it up ad said, "This is for Rachel." The next one was for "Rachel's friend" and then Rachel got at least 3 more...

I never did get any! She is so much fun!

I made ice cream sandwiches with Pop-Tarts... she really liked those and thought they made the perfect breakfast!

Here's the bathing beauty enjoying the summer sun! If we got to see her more in the summer I would have bought a bigger pool. Next year this one will be perfect for the new Baby Fye we will have and Kenzi can get a bigger one!

This morning he woke up and sat on her Mommy's lap for a quick hug then sat back and and said,

"I want to go to Wal-Mart." She wanted to buy more fireworks. She does know what she wants!!

We spent a few hours at the Beech Grove Park with Liz, Trenton and Chloe until the storms rolled in and forced us home. It was a hot day and it was fun for the kids to spend time in the creek.

The enjoyed watching the crawdads scoot along from rock to rock. Trenton called them lobsters.

Makenzi's Daddy didn't get to come home this time, but I caught glimpses of him....

Kristi WAS enjoying the crawdad dances until she thought they were turning into attack crawdads!

She'd had enough!

This was actually before we went to the park... we got cleaned up after wading in the creek! We are making cake balls!! My family loves cherry chip cake so I thought making it into cakeballs would just be the ultimate!

I was so wrong! Perfection shouldn't be messed with!

Now, chocolate cakeballs.... oh,yeah! They are sooo more-ish!!

We had a lot of fun making them and eating them!

We made a trip to Build-A-Bear! She had a tough time deciding which animal to get.

She first grabbed the pink teddy bear, then her eye caught several others...

We thought she had settled on the black doggie....

Then she spotted the pony! Cinnamon the Pony even has a button to push that says "Mamaw Loves Makenzi!" I am sure Kristi is so tired of that!! Aunt Rachel and I thought Cinnamon needed a cute little skirt but Makenzi knew her ony loves the outdoors and had to have a beach chaise lounge chair! Cinnamon even shared it with Kenzi's babies!

You need some history on this picture. Robby, although not a complete health nut, did try to limit his added butter. He never complained about anything I cooked, but when he would see me prepare vegetables he always commented with "What are trying to do? I can feel my arteries clogging now!!" He said it in love and it didn't stop him from eating anything! Now, enter Kezni... that sweet little girl that is so much like her Daddy loves butter! If you put it on a roll she will lick it off... This picture is of her idea of a cup of dairy... not ice cream.... butter!

She put the butter in this little cup and was licking itlike ice cream!

Rachel and "her friend" Brandon. Brandon went with us to PA and rode back with Larry, Ryan and me since Rachel went on to Roxbury to help at a youth camp. He met family, spent 3 days with all of us and had a 7 hour trip back home with us and he is still coming around! Might have something to do with that pretty little girl! She took at picture of him at a friend's wedding in April and when I saw it I said, "Rachel, he's not ugly." She said, "I knoooow!" They have known each other for years... isn't it funny how after years of knowing someone you finally "see" them?

I had 40... yep, 40 pictures of them to choose from.

They said they were for me... some I think was more for their benefit. ;o)

We got to meet Ann's fiance, Pat. He is avery nice man. He walks several miles a day and stays in good shape for his 75 years. He has a 3 wheel motorcycle and a camper and enjoys traveling. Ann will enjoy that!

See that smile on her face? I don't know that I have ever seen her so happy!

This is his home that he has lived in since the early 60's. Isn't it adorable? He takes very good care of his home. He does his own cleaning and honestly I don't know of anyone that out cleans him. You can tell things are not new by the style (when he bought, he bought quality, to last) but things look like they were put in yesterday!

This will be Ann's home come October. A family friend said it is the best kept house in Harrisville.

On Sunday we spent the day at Lake Erie. It was a wonderful day. Hot, but not too hot. I really do not like beaches. Well, I like them, thoroughly enjoy them, once I get to my spot. I hate (yes, I know 'hate' is a strong word, not to be used lightly) walking through sand. Not because the sand is dirty, but becuse of all the litter in the sand. auggggh. But when I get to my spot I love the sound of the water, relaxing in the sun

and the squeals of laughter coming from all the children.

Ryan doesn't read my blog, so I am going to insert this... I thought it was cute. I won't expound too much,

I'll just say that in effort to remain "decent" he built up a sand wall. I thought it was pretty creative.

Here's Miss Chloe having fun in the sun. The sun was too bright to look up. Why didn't I bend down??

And here's Master Trenton... they had a great day!

" Sexy Men Speak French" The back says in French, "Excuse me, madam. Do you speak French?"

Last year's birthday gift from his sister... it was supposed to say "hot guys"... that would have been Mother Approved!

July for the Fye's has been fun and eventful. We are busy, happy and tired people!! We have a few more days left in July, but other than normal busy-ness, I don't think there will be anything news worthy!

Looking forward to a great August, though!

I'll leave you with this thought:

Families are like fudge. Mostly sweet, but with a few nuts.

Just sayin'.

Magnolia Beauty

Sunday evening I realized that I did not take one picture of our family or of the Easter table. I did get this one picture of the roasts... only because Liz reminded me to. That is so sad! I need to relax on holidays and at dinners and remember to take pictures and enjoy the moment! And if I would have had someone else start taking family pictures that would work, too! I just don't like for my family to have to wait too long before the meal is on the table... but a few minutes wouldn't kill them!

The cheesy pork roast was absolutely fabulous! It has a cream sauce that goes with it and makes it fantabulous!

Today's Daybook...

This is the view from my living room window. This year we have more blooms on our Magnolia tree than we have ever had.

It is beautiful.


Today I am thinking about the menu for the next two weeks. Why is it so hard to come up with two weeks worth of menus?

I am thankful for the visual pleasures the Lord gives us.
Fresh, bright, vibrant spring colors to help us stretch out of our winter hibernation.


In our learning rooms we have moved from winter boredom to spring daydreaming.
The transition was smooth. Home Educating one has its trials.

In the crafting room I am gathering ideas for my next round of card making.

Thinking I will use some of these pictures that have been cropped just so!

From the kitchen I am looking forward to Sunday night's SNAC (Snack Night After Church) when I will be taking Yummy No Bake Bars and chicken salad on croissants. We have been wanting the Yummy Bars but I didn't dare make them without someplace to take them! I keep having mixed thoughts... "I hope everyone eats them all!" ... "I hope we have leftovers!"

I am wearing work out pants and a multi-colored topped. Comfort is the cry of the day!

I am going to help a friend with wedding ceremony decorating on Thursday. I am looking forward to that!

Maybe next week I will have pictures... depends on if the Bride puts pics out first... Not gonna steal her joy!

I am reading a lame, lame, lame mystery that I got from the Dollar Store.

Ready to go to the library or the church's library!

I am hoping that I will get to see Rob and his family before too much longer!

We are praying for hail here in central Indiana.

I know that sounds terrible, but that is how we will see Rob this summer.

He travels all over the country and if he could spend work time here that would make us very happy!

Some of my favorite things are dishes. I just dishes... they make me smile!

Today's quote:

"Any child can tell you the sole purpose of a middle name

is so he can tell when he's really in trouble."

Dennis Frakes

What's Going On Today

Outside my dining room window... I noticed today there are bright purple little buds starting on one of our trees out front. It is the tree we used to take Easter pictures in front of, but it hasn't been in bloom the last couple of years. If it's not ready Sunday, maybe it will be when Makenzi is here mid-April.

I am thinking... I have quite a lengthy project list for this spring!

I am thankful for... Pastor Bailey and Esther. When our church has communion Pastor and Esther serve us. I love that. I said that to Rachel on Sunday and she said, "Mom, you say that every time." But it is true, I love how they, as our Pastor and wife, serve us together.

From the learning rooms... catching up on keyboarding.

I am wearing... a short jean skirt, my one and only sweatshirt, it's eggplant in color and I have on Colts Blue socks! Yeah, I'm not going anywhere!

In the crafting room... wall words for my kitchen. I decided on "Together... our favorite place to be." It seems that some of our best family times are around our table... talking, laughing and yeah, sometimes eating.

I am going... to work on our next Kids Konnect Bible lesson. I will be using 'Who Will Be King?' from Matthias Media.

I am reading... Ulterior Motives by Terri Blackstock

I am hoping... Larry feels much better tonight. Cat allergies=no fun.

I am hearing... 24.

Around the house... a few dishes, but all looks pretty good... well, there is that laundry that needs done...

I am creating... an Easter tablescape.

Favorite things... glue dots.

Today's picture... is of some of my Sunday School class and my wonderful assistant teacher, Theresa. This is from our bowling BLAST (Beleving, Learning, Adventures in Studying the Truth). We have one BLAST event each month.

Today's Quote: When we do what we can, God will do what we can't.

Quest for Healthier Menus

A couple of weeks ago I decided that to get past this almost 3 month plateau I am on I needed to plan healthier menus. So I searched the wonderful resources of the web and the local library, and my dear cousin gets me a subscription to Healthy Cooking for my birthday (it changed this last year from Light and Tasty to Healthy Cooking). I was determined to find meals that my family would like and that our waist lines would like also. You know... that's not so easy. We like what we like. There is a reason I am on this particular weight loss plan. So, on my quest to healthier menus, I got sidetracked. The healthy cookbooks from the library and the magazines are all earmarked and ready to be copied, but to get to the lighter fare on websites (at least most of the ones I looked at) you have to pass by the good stuff... or is that, the not-so-good for you stuff. So, I am thinking that tossing in a lighter fare menu or recipe here and there is definitely a good thing, but moderation is probably where we should live. Afterall, God gave us those different tastebuds for our enjoyment, not to torture us.

In the last 4 days I have tried 4 new recipes! I get tired of the same ol' things to eat. I remember a childhood friend's family had spaghetti every Friday night. At the time, it sounded wonderful to me and I remember thinking that is what I am going to do when I grow up... Monday night is chicken night, Tuesday is hamburger night, Wednesday is.... well, you get the picture. There's no way I could do that! The only thing we may have 2 weeks in a row is pizza!

When I started the "Quest" I also opened another Delicious account just for recipes. I love this!! I have one account for business and personal. It has all the blogs I follow and they are listed under various tags such as decorating, crafts, Sunday School, weddings, etc. Then the one for recipes has tags for resources (recipe blogs or sites like Taste of Home), appetizers, breakfast, fruit, pork, etc. So when I go to plan my menus I go to that Delicious account and can pull up those recipes or I can search for more ideas. It is so handy. It probably won't be long before I open another account for A Mari Celebration. If you haven't checked Delicious out, you ought to. A free organization tool! Fun!

Here's the 2 week menu for this round. I am going to go back to Friday so I can include the recipes I tried this weekend, since there are keepers and I want to share them with you!

Friday- Homemade pizza with copy-cat "Papa John's" sauce (mmm, so good! I made a double batch and the rest froze it in 1/2
cup containers)
Saturday- Cowboy Sandwiches (the recipe has a different name... these were ok, don't know that we will have them again..)
Sunday- dinner- homemade lasagna, cauliflower, green beans, salad, rolls and lemon crumb cake (this cake was in the Healthy
Cooking magazine and I couldn't get a link to it. It is a dense cake. I liked it, but my family isn't real hip on
lemon.)
Sunday- after church- slow cooker pulled pork with homemade coleslaw and perogies. (oh, my! the recipe said the pork tastes
better the second day and boy was he right! Last night, I was thinking it was an awful lot of steps to go
through to get that result.Not hard steps, just time consuming, but today I am thinking it was definitely
worth it. I will double the sauce recipe next time, though. It's a keeper for sure!
Monday- Butter Roast Chicken, crash hot potatoes, and peas (The chicken recipe is one I have hadfor years and my
family loves it.)
Tuesday- beef tips and homemade noodles, mashed potatoes and carrots
Wednesday- leftovers
Thursday- enchiladas and corn casserole
Friday- Lexington Style chicken, baked potatoes and broccoli (another favorite chicken recipe)
Saturday- taco roll (taco meat and cheese rolled up in a pizza crust)
Easter Sunday- Cheese stuffed Pork Roast, cheesy mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, carrots, cauliflower salad, homemade
yeast rolls, deviled eggs and I am sure dessert will be served but I don't know what it will be yet!
Sunday night- chili dogs
Monday- chicken paremsan, linguine and green beans
Tuesday- cube steaks and gravy, mashed potatoes, and peas
Wednesday- pizza roll
Thursday- bbq ribs, mac and cheese and baked beans

So there's a peek into our culinary world... as you can see we will be relying on moderation! If it is between food that we don't enjoy and adding more exercise to my schedule it will have to be exercise!

Happy 70th Birthday, Ann!

This last weekend we went to Missouri to celebrate my Mother-in-law's 70th birthday! We thought it was a surprise, but she "had an idea" that something would happen! She wasn't allowed to do anything this weekend except enjoy her family! Liz took a breakfast casserole and taco soup, Rachel made three large pies (in deep dish 9x13's): peach, apple and dark cherry (all from scratch!), and I took cheesy potato soup, pecan tassies, and gobs (cream filled chocolate cookies, like Suzy Q's). Donna added chili to our soup menu and Milton and Larry grilled steaks and ribs for the birthday dinner menu that Donna planned.

And of course we had birthday cake!

Grandma and her grand-daughters, and GREAT grand-daughter! Kara, Anna, Makenzi, Rachel and Chloe... missing is Crystal, who couldn't make it! When Larry's grandma was living she would alway stress the GREAT when telling her great-grandchildren who she is... maybe it started with Crystal calling her that... can't remember,

but anyway now Ann is the GREAT-Grandma!

(This picture is supposed to go after the birthday cake, but I accidentally deleted it!!

and can't figure out how to move pictures within the post..)

Chloe, Jerry and the birthday girl!

Liz, Donna and Milton. Donna and Milton have a wonderful home! It was Milton's parent's home and it is filled with history and love. D&M have added on and it has made the home very company friendly! We always feel welcome and comfortable in their home!

The birthday cake was delicious! Crystal Schaper made it. It had a strawberry filling in the center... it was all delicious, but if you know me, you know the frosting was my favorite!

Donna, Ann and Rachel

Ann with her kids that were there... Donna, Jerry and Larry.

Rachel and I were hoping that we'd get there and Debbie would be there!

But she couldn't make it and we certainly missed her and her family!

Grandma and the grand-sons! Curtis, Ryan, Trenton and Rob. Missing is Steven, Debbie's son.

Makenzi and Trenton had fun playing together!

Larry and his Mom... I like this picture of them.... they knew I was taking the picture, but they don't look like they are in pain!!

Ann with some of her goodies!

Chloe loves to sit on her Daddy's shoulders!

My Sweetie and Me!

It was raining, but Papaw took Makenzi out to see the "bears." Donna had their cousin, Davey Lane carve (don't know what the correct term is..) bears in a tree trunk for her front yard. Anyway, they got out to the front and then Kenzi said, "I'm scared." It was hard for her to get her mind around wood bears in the front yard. But she stuck with Papaw! Doesn't she look so cute in her little coat? Like I said, it was raining or I would have got a picture of them out there!

One of the games we managed to fit in the short weekend! We also played Bananas!

A new game that Donna has and it was soo much fun! I could play it for hours!

Mamaw sure does love her Kenzi! Ryan came up and hugged me and Kenzi was not impressed!

"That's MY MAMAW!!!" She had to run and claim me her own!

Needless to say, I loved it!

My favorite girls!

It was hard to say good-bye to this fun-filled little girl!

We don't have a set date when we will see them again, and that seems to make it harder.

By the looks on Kenzi face, she isn't so crazy about saying good-bye to us, either!! We can think what we want!!

I had hoped to have someone take a picture of our family, but it didn't get done!

I didn't get a picture of Kristi, but she was there!

We hope Ann had a great birthday weekend. We enjoyed celebrating with her!