Starting Over

I'm gonna try and start my blog over...a lot has happened in the 1 1/2 years.  Jerry retired from his ranch job and we've moved to Michigan, me the end of March 2012 and him the end of June 2012.  I was able to get my old job back, April 2012. 

We are living in a cool house in Gladwin, temporarily.  It's up for sale, we are doing some maintenence and cleanup while we're here. 80 acres of woods with a lake and a lovely stream. It's paradise.  There are apple trees, hardwoods, evergreens and wildlife everywhere.

We both wish we could be settled into our own place, get on with life...make a garden, have a few chickens, a few cows and just live life.

Winter was long...the drive to work and back everyday for me, Jerry here in the house with Michigan's gray days.  We survived!  The snow was beautiful, the wildlife was/is beautiful.  I'm thrilled to be close to my grandchildren and my children.  I can stop and see them often.

My girl and her husband moved to Lansing almost a year ago and are currently building their first home.  She is enjoying her job and her life.

My boy and his family are hoping to buy or build a new house in the near future.  Their growing family needs a bit more room.  They have 3 precious little ones...I think they're done :)

We are missing our Texas friends and family..hopefully we will see them soon.  There are things we need to go back and get...things to bring home to Michigan that we left behind.

 What we left behind

   Where we are today

Things have not run smoothly for us since we moved.  Ups, downs, ups, downs...currently on Ups :)  I hope everything works out well for us...I'm scared and I'm pretty sure he's scared.  I feel guilty for what I asked him to give up...the river view, family land and dear friends. At the same time I'm so very happy to be close to my grandbabies.  I want to be an active, frequent part of their lives.

One thing is for sure...we are not missing the excess heat we left behind.

Thanksgiving in the Davis Mountains November 2011

Jerry and I decided to drive out to the Davis Mountains for Thanksgiving this year.  What a long, long drive it was.  When we got there, it was like a big present waiting for us....the views were spectacular!

Spiciest Festival and Half Marathon October 1, 2011

This was our third year volunteering to man a water stop for the Half Marathon at Clark Gardens.  Arise early, early in the morning, go pick up your supplies (water, energy drink, cups, table and a trash bag).  Set up on the trail and wait for the runners.  I stayed from 6:30 to 9:30 then had to leave.  I volunteered to assist with cooking demonstrations in the Rose Pavilion.  Was a fun day. 

Table Decorations in the Rose Pavilion...

Chocolate with a Kick...

Dried Pepper Display

Entertainment :)

Jalapeno Grill

Recipes for dishes in the cooking demonstration

Strolling Mariachis

Oh my goodness...what a way to start the afternoon...Peach Margarita's all around

Poblano Shooter demo...pretty tasty

A big pot of Steamed Tamales, ready to serve

Homemade Madagascar Vanilla

I love to bake!  Jerry and I decided to try our hand at making Vanilla.  Being that my cowboy is so smart and thinks the only way to go is the quality way...he researched the beans, the vodka and the different final products.  We chose to buy the beans from olivenation.com.  We received lovely long, plump and fragrant beans.  He bought Smirnoff Vodka.  The bottles were ordered from specialtybottle.com.  They come with caps and we ordered little shrink wraps to go around the caps. The labels came from onlinelabels.com. They have a very easy and free template you can use and save when designing your labels.

March 2011 - The plump beans, split and ready to be scraped

Scraping the beans and putting them in the 2 qt jar

Seeds...Paste...Caviar

Beans and Caviar in Vodka...going into a dark cabinet to age.

Look how dark it is after just a couple months

September 2011...It has aged 6 months.  We've strained it and are mixing the 2 jars together before bottling. We probably went a little overboard this being the first time we've made it.  If a little's good, more is better :)  We increased the amount of beans we used...ending up with a 4x Vanilla.  Mercy is it good.

Cutest little 2 ounce bottles waiting for liquid heaven

TaDa!!!  Bottled, labeled and ready for gift giving :)

We ended up with 55/2 ounce bottles.  We're gonna go ahead and pour more vodka over remaining beans...just to see if it's worth it to use the beans 1 more time as so many online say to do. 

Michgan June/July 2011

My Parents Garden June/July 2011

 I went to Michigan the end of June...another grandson was on his way :)  Spent 2 weeks with my family...had lots of fun.

My Dads strawberries

My angel girl Kaitlin Virginia. She's almost 5 years old. We always go to Barnes and Noble when I visit.  Lots of fun with this sweet child.

Look at that angel girl face :)  When we go to the bookstore we stop into the Starbucks and get her hot chocolate.  This time she wanted a BIG cookie.

After the bookstore we played with Silly Sand I think it's called...out in Nanny's yard. She is a happy child.

Then...we played with a princess oven..sorta like easy bake oven.  We didn't like the cake very well...but it was fun.

Later that afternoon we made bracelets.  She worked very carefully...paying close attention.  Was fun watching her pick out which color beads she wanted to use.

 

My grandson Sam...named for my father.   He turned 2 June 30th, 2011.  We gave him cowboy boots for his birthday.  He loved them...put'em on right away.  

My precious girl fishing with her great grandpa...my dad Sam.

We're having a sleepover...watching Tangled together.

Early the next morning it's back to fun activities.  She had a stepping stone kit....so we made that together.  Here she is painting the Tinkerbell imprint.  She wants to put it near her tree house at home.

And see what we have....June 27th, 2011.  A perfect baby boy.  Jace Thomas has arrived. My daughter in law is the ultimate.  She stays so calm and in control...I am blessed to have been able to witness the birth of my 3 grandbabies.

My son John with his new baby boy....their 3rd child.  Just look at proud Mama Kirstin in the background.  I love this photo.

My daughter Erin holding her new nephew. 

Daddy John, Mama Kirstin and baby Jace Thomas

Big Sister Kaitlin smoochin her new brother

This Grammy getting some hugs in.