Garden Treats

Pinterest was a life saver this week.

My little garden exploded with tomatoes and i knew i'd better

be ready with a plan. I can pop cherry tomatoes like candy but from the size of the heavy stems, i didn't need that much candy.

Thankfully I found a picture that piqued my interest.

(hey, is that how they got the name? piqued interest?)

Make your own sun dried tomatoes? Never crossed my mind before but I'm so glad I did. I love doing it homemade, fresh not store bought. Whoo Hoo!!!

So here are the steps...

Start with cherry tomatoes or romas.

Wash and cut in half. I used some small regular tomatoes

as well so I cut them in quarters or eighths. They worked fine.

Loaded up each tray of the dehydrator and let them cook for

24-36 hours. I am always a little nervous about them being good and done so i might go longer than some people.

See how small they get?  LOL They were tiny but I'mso glad I did this. I'm working on my next batch right now. I'm storing them in a Ball jar. I want to try storing them in olive oil but I'm a little scared of that too.

Here's one recipe that I like to throw my sun dried tomatoes into.

Bowtie pasta

bacon

onion sliced

black olives feta cheese 

sun dried tomatoes

Cook one box of bowtie pasta, set aside.

Cook at least 8 slices of bacon. You can cut little strips crosswise or cook it on strips and crumble later...either way, cook your bacon. Reserve the grease and stir in your sliced onions. Cook them until nearly clear. Next pour the grease and onions over the bowtie pasta and toss well. Crumble bacon, sun dried tomatoes, black olives and feta cheese.

UMM UMM GOOD.

I wish I had a picture for you but my computer has crashed and taken everything with it....next time.

Raised In Love

This night we celebrate the baby of the family. LOL He towers over us all.

Missing our sweet daughter and he family.

S. clearly got his height from MeMaw's side of the family.

PePaw made the long trip with MeMaw, Aunt Leslie and Austin.

We are so thankful to have had part of our family make the effort to drive in.

Our amazing boys!

Saturday Celebration

Saturday found us with friends who've had great roles in this young man's life.

His pediatrician who has known him from day 1. 

We are blessed to have a life-time friendship with this couple. 

PePaw's twin, his wife and cousin Gary

Carol, baker of our brownies, our friend of 20 yrs.

Mr. Neal.

He continues to be young Stefan's friend and he goes to their house for lunch

since he works near them. So glad my kids appreciate an older generation and 

all that can be learned. Mr. Neal always opened his shop and loaned his tools to our boys.

They had a great experience homeschooling with the country folk.

Three generations. Mom, Dad, Me & S.  Love that my kids

could walk down the path to MeMaw & PePaw's house.

A glimpse of Mrs. Neal whose real name is Jimmie but as a little boys S. learned to call everyone

by a proper title, Mr or Mrs. and by rights, her title became Mrs. Neal....its tickles her pink.

PHS Graduation 2012

My Senior

The time has come and gone. It's been a month now so Pomp  Circumstance isn't

stuck in my head. The whole day played out so quickly.

The Sr. stopped by the house to grab his cap &  gown. 

I wanted several pictures but he just didn't want to take time to pose.

Ahh, boys. Mine were not camera hounds. 

I found these two walking around together. When S. first arrived at PHS he played football the very first day and made friends with Trey. Those guys have been through thick and thin together.

It did my heart good to catch them one last time. They boys were surprised to hear that for four generations our families have been friends. Their great-grandparents, their grandmothers, their moms (that's me) were best friends in 3rd grade....we go waayyy back and they didn't know.

Oh, the waiting....

Ha ha ha my little fashion statement.

To his credit I must say...From day one at PHS he wore his jeans

hanging over his boots like this. They called him "Cowboy" and he was the only

one who did that. Everyone else tried to be preppy; Son had no need for preppy. He was who he was and didn't get intimidated over not looking like the others. I love that he was secure and confident.

And while I feared he would actually walk across the stage like this, He did not. 

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings 

The days of lining up are over. 

Pomp & Circumstance plays.

As his first teacher I tear up. I remember well the struggles and triumphs

of home educating this, my youngest son. His decision to enter into public school

did not come lightly. Never once did I have to remind him to take his books nor did he leave his work behind and forgotten. It was a serious decision. He boasts that he's the only one who finished 

public high school in our family.....and he is. 

Coach H. spiffys you up before you walk across the stage. 

I notice his jaw clenched in every picture and I wonder what's going through his mind.

Tassels are turned.

The students walk off the field one last time.

And now, the night they waited for and dreamed about is over.

Congratulations Class of 2012

Paris High School