TRICK or TREAT!!!

What a wonderful evening with Family tonight!

Put together an impromptu dinner of simple "hamburger stew" late this afternoon.  Opted for store bought jalapeno cheese bread, corn muffins and thumbprint cookies to keep the stress levels down since this was kinda "last minute".  Grabbed a few extra pumpkins while I was at the store. Then Bonnie, Ben & Bethany, Sam, Mom and Daddy gathered at our house......and we had a terrific time!  

Pumpkin carving commences on the back porch

We had wonderful, mild weather for being out of doors

In comparison to last year, it seemed we had quite a few kids come to the door for treats.  We just about ran out of candy!!!  I had to bring out my secret stash of snack-size Heath bars for the last few kids.  (I guess that's probably a good thing....)

This is how our porch looked at the end of an evening of carving........

Kinda spooky, huh? 

Hope you've had a fun time with your loved ones this evening!

A big BOO to you!!!

Jane

Saturday Night Tradition

Since moving back to my hometown earlier this year, I realized that our family has developed a new tradition.  Every two or three weeks, we get all the kids over for dinner here at the house. 

It's not hard to get them all together.  Just mention a free, homecooked meal to two single young men and they're there!  And for Bonnie, a busy single mother, the prospect of a sit-down dinner without having to prepare it in the confines of her tiny apartment kitchen while keeping an eye on two busy kids is sheer delight. 

We usually get together on a Saturday evening, so Ed and I have the day to prepare.  This past weekend, Ed had a slew of catfish in the freezer that needed to be cooked up.  So, he set up his deep-fryer on the back patio and went at it.  We supplemented the fried catfish with some boiled crawfish, hushpuppies, home fries and pasta salad (because, face it, some of us are just not big fans of fried fish!).

Chef Eddie.....master of the kitchen, grill and deep-fryer!

 
May I just say that the food was absolutely scrumptious!  Ed had previously prepared crawfish for the boys and they were already big fans.  But, this was a new food experience for Bonnie and she took right to 'em, after she got past their antennae and beady little eyes staring at her! 

Of course, the kids, every last one of them, got goofy when the camera made an appearance....

I really hope they don't act like this at work.....

Since they work in the same office!

Don't even ask......

Even Trayden and Ansleigh had trouble sitting still for me...

If Trayden sat still, Ansleigh got silly....and vice versa!

And Ed made a big production of eating his crawfish, or "sucking bugs" as he says....

I'm not sure what to think of this.....

Honestly, I thought I would never get a decent shot!  But, as I look at the images now, I realize that they are perfect!  Perfect because they capture the spirit of the evening....they reflect the fun and laughter that filled our home on this evening. 

We are so blessed to have a home where they still love to come and hang out.   And I love that we are building this new tradition as a family!

And, by the way, I did get some really decent new photos out of the evening.  No doubt, some of them will be making their way over to my sidebar in the coming days. 

Do you have a similar tradition with your family?  A special time during the busy week to sit down for a meal together and reconnect? I would love to hear about other family's traditions!  

And finally.......are your kids as dang silly as mine?!?!?!? 

Feeling so blessed, even with the empty nest....

Jane

Halloween......Family Style!!!

Our first Halloween back in town....close to family, especially those grandkids!!!  Yep, we had to do something really special to celebrate.

So, we decided to invite everyone over on Saturday evening for some pumpkin carving and a big ol' pot of Ed's fabulous homemade chili. 

In attendance, the Boys (Ben and Sam), Bonnie and her Brood (Trayden and Ansleigh), Dad, and Mom and Bob.  Oh, and of course, dear Eddie Dale and moi, the hosts with the most! 

We started out on the back patio with pumpkin carving....

Ed sorta ran this part of the show, seeing as how he is the master pumpkin carver!  In exchange for his overseeing the outdoor activities, I shuttled in and out from the kitchen with drinks for everybody and kept the pot of chili stirred.  And, I was the official photographer of the evening's activities, by default! 

Here he is getting everybody organized and started with the carving.....

Eddie Dale helping everyone find the perfect pattern.

Daddy was the first one to jump in and start cuttin'!

Bob looks on as the carvers get started.

This is the hard part, right???

Bonnie always manages to look like she's having fun....

This part is kinda yucky, Mimi!

Ben, deciding who he is going to end up helping....

And the lucky winner of Uncle Ben's help - Trayden!

Mom had a great time watching - but, no messy carving for her.

And Sam was totally distracted by his new I-phone....

But, one by one, they all finished up their masterpieces....and brought them over to me to be lit up and photographed.  

Ansleigh and her happy little Jack-o-lantern

Bonnie and her ambitious UT/Longhorn carving

Trayden might be serious, but his jack-o-lantern is surprisingly happy!

Daddy picked a very traditional pattern, but he had the best "stemmage", hands down!

I think Eddie Dale got confused and thought this was a mug-shot....

But, I did say he was the master carver - and he proved it once again!

When they were all lit up, I finally got someone else to snap a photo of me with the grandkids....just so y'all  would believe I was actually there!  :)

Oh, my goodness....is that a "deer in the headlights" look on my face, or what?!?!?

At this point, everyone was getting pretty hungry and that chili, with its tantalizing aroma, was beckoning us into the kitchen. 

Dinner was super simple and casual.  We ate spicy chili out of styrofoam bowls and slathered warm flour tortillas with butter.  Dessert was peach cobbler, munchkin-sized cupcakes, and the sugar cookies Ansleigh and I made earlier in the day.  (More on that in another post.....'cause it was just so special it deserves its own space!)

It was loud, chaotic and crowded!  The food was filling, hot and oh-so-yummy!  Everybody had a great time and the evening was total success!!!   And I am so glad we were able to do this with our Family.....this "building memories" is a "very good thing". 

Here's one last look at all the Jack-o-lanterns before they went home with their carvers.....

Aren't they just so SPOOKY and BOO-TIFUL?!?!?!?  (Sorry, I couldn't resist that....I promise I won't do it again....ever!) 

Be back later with more about those sugar cookies.....and then we'll shift gears and look ahead!  After all, it is November!

~Jane~

Chicken & Dumplings...the Perfect Comfort Food

There is definitely a chill in the air here....Autumn has arrived, in all its splendid glory!!!

I've been waiting for some cooler weather to break out the stockpot and make my first batch of chicken & dumplings for the season.....I figure it's about time!!!

My mom taught me the simplest way to make chicken & dumplings and it never fails.  Everyone loves it so I always make enough for leftovers.

It's sooooo simple....here is all you need....

Chicken breasts, milk, 1 stick butter, pepper, seasoned salt, celery seed, canned biscuits

 A large stock pot, preferably non-stick

I boil 3 large chicken breasts in seasoned water.  To season the water, I use black pepper, celery seed and Mrs. Dash.  (Of course, I realized today - after going to the grocery store - that we are out of Mrs. Dash; so, I am using the old stand-by favorite, Lowry's seasoned salt.)

Once the breasts are cooked, I set them aside to debone and cut into chunks.  I reserve about 1-1/2 inches of the seasoned stock created from cooking the breasts.....

To this, I add a stick of butter (or margarine), and an equal amount of milk.

While I am waiting for the liquid to simmer, I take 3 cans of "whomp" biscuits.  (You know, those small canned biscuits that you "whomp" on the edge of the counter to split open?)  On a cutting board covered with an ample of amount of flour, I flatten each biscuit and cut it into fourths.....or sixths....just depends on my mood.

Once the liquid is just beginning to come to a slow boil, simply drop the floured and cut biscuit pieces into the mixture, a few at a time, always stirring.  It's really important that you get the liquid just to that boiling stage or else the dumplings won't plump up and float to the top!  The "plumping" is key to a good dumpling.  Equally important, to stir and keep the temperature from getting too hot and the mixture from boiling over. 

Just coming to a boil...perfect!!!

Your dumplings should "plump up" and float to the surface for the first few minutes

Once I have all the dumplings in, I simply set the heat so that they simmer nicely and keep them stirred every few minutes so they don't scorch or stick together.  Generally, it will take around 45 minutes to get the dumplings cooked to the consistency we like.

When the dumplings are almost done, about the last 10-15 minutes, I stir in the chopped (or chunked) chicken meat. 

This is what the dogs look like when I am cutting up the chicken....just waiting for me to drop a piece or give them a nibble....

To finish seasoning, I add lots of freshly ground black pepper and Mrs. Dash (okay, seasoned salt...).

And, voila!  There you have it....super simple chicken & dumplings, the perfect comfort food on a cool, Autumn evening.

Now, this makes a really big pot of food, but I have three strapping guys to eat it all up!  If you reduce the chicken to 2 breasts and the biscuits to 2 cans, it is just about right for two people to have second's and then a leftover meal the next day.  (Just add a little milk or water to it when warming it up.)

It was great to have the boys and Sam's "baby", Savanna, with us for dinner tonight.  We wiped out the entire pot of dumplings and had a wonderful evening!!!  

 I am linking up with Funky Junk Interiors' Saturday Night Special,  where you can check out a array of blogs in three different categories.  How's that for adding a little variety and spice to your life???

Now, a special "Howdy and Welcome" to those of you visiting from Java's blog-hop, "Follow Friday 40 and Over"!!!  I hope you will stay and browse around The Porch for a bit and leave me a note!


Stay warm wherever you are....

~Jane~

Catching Up and Catching Our Breath...

What a week!  This is my first chance to relax on The Porch and share a bit about it with you....


First of all, let me tell you that Eddie and I had a terrific time with his sisters at their homecoming/reunion in Bowie last weekend! 

Eddie's beautiful sisters, Beverly and LeeAnne

 **Remember all my worry and fussing over "what to wear"?  (Click here if you need your memory refreshed!)  Well, all that worry was for naught.  Once we arrived, I realized that my decision to just take jeans and various coordinating tops, shoes and belts was right on target!  All the activities were very casual and I felt totally comfortable with my selections.  And, for those of you who subtly suggested I might be overpacking for a weekend trip, I have to tell you ~ between travel clothes and changing for different activities, I utilized every piece of clothing I packed except the black rosette top and the beige tee!**

As for the reunion itself, it was great to see Eddie reunite with his old friends and interact with them after so many years.  Occasionally, he would turn to me and just grin, like a little kid.  He had so much fun! 

The Three Amigos - Mike, Jim and Eddie - reunited

Eddie with Jim and Vickie

We made two runs across the Red River to The Peach Orchard, one of his old haunts where they only serve fried foods.  (Seriously!?!?!?!  See the menu on the wall?  All fried.....catfish, shrimp, oysters, chicken or steak fingers....)

Part of the large group that gathered at The Peach Orchard

Now, that we have returned from our little weekend jaunt, I have been busy around the house.  Monday was spent in a whirlwind of cleaning ~ laundering and rehanging curtains, cleaning ceiling fans and mini-blinds, wiping down baseboards.  You  know, all that stuff that you don't get done on a regular basis but you wake up one day and notice that it really needs doing!

And STUDYING was a huge priority this week!  I finally finished my last course of the seven 30-hour courses that are required in order to make application to take the state's real estate licensing exam.  Woohoo!  Today, all those beautiful certificates of completion get mailed off to the Texas Real Estate Commission for certification.  Once that is done, I will be able to file a formal application to take the Big Test!  I am getting there ~ slowly, but surely. 

So, blogging got a bit neglected this week.  It's not the first time ~ and it won't be the last!  But, I'm sure most of you can relate....

And here it is....October!  My focus now shifts to a whole new "to do" list.  My stepdaughter's wedding is just five short weeks away and it's time to do some serious shopping for a dress.  Sons, Ben and Sam, are moving into their first apartment this weekend and I promised to help....at least that way, I can be sure there is liner in their kitchen cabinets (I don't think boys care too much about this sort of thing, but it's important to me).  I need to sign up for a crash prep course in Austin for the big real estate test....and take the test!  And there's more Fall and Halloween decor to drag out and put up.....

I just made myself tired writing it all down!  Guess it's time to get busy....

Have a fabulous Friday!

Jane

A Day for Which I Am Grateful...

This past weekend, I had the opportunity take a little day trip up to Lubbock to see an uncle who was in Texas, visiting from California.  I haven't seen Uncle Roy, my mother's younger brother, in about 15 years....so this visit was long overdue.

I was worn out from preparing for and helping host our granddaughter's 4th birthday party at our house on Saturday afternoon.  In addition, I had a stuffy head, sore throat and itchy eyes from a full-blown allergy attack, but I was determined to make it up to see him on his last full day in Texas.  So, I stopped at the convenience store on my way out of town to gas up the car and grab a coffee.  The drive takes about 2-1/4 hours and I was there before lunch.

My mother had gone up on Thursday to spend  a few days with her sisters and get in a longer visit with Roy.  When I arrived, it was as if the years melted away....and I was little Jane Kimberley, with my uncles teasing me all over again. 

The temperature was mild and we spent most of the time on Aunt Liz's screened in porch.  She had made her famous banana pudding, a yummy rum cake and a big ol' pot of beans.  A cousin and her husband, in from Fort Worth, had brought a smoked brisket.  We enjoyed a big meal together, plates perched in our laps and styrofoam cups of tea with our names pencilled on the them sitting close at hand.

It was delightful and entertaining to watch my mother, her two younger brothers, and her two older sisters interact.  They talked about their childhood, sometimes quibbling over details of certain incidents.  (However, they were all in agreement about Roy pulling all the orange pom-poms off the trim of their mother's new curtains!)  We all laughed and sighed over their shared memories.  They posed for pictures, exchanged e-mail addresses, and had second helpings of banana pudding.

The Thornburg Offspring - Kenneth, Becky, Linda, Roy Jr. (l to r); Elizabeth (seated)

When it was time to say goodbye, all the sisters teared up.  They stood in the drive and waved until my uncle's truck turned the corner.  Then, we went inside and had a second helping of rum cake.

As the day wound down, I too said my goodbyes and got back on the road.  But, I found myself dawdling a bit on the way home.  After about 40 miles on the road, I pulled over at a rest area perched at the edge of the escarpment of the Llano Estacado just outside Post.  The sun was getting lower.....making my shadow long.....

While I was here, I gazed in awe at the view.....you can see for miles and miles.....

And I still had miles and miles to go, so I got back on the road.

I pulled over again, about another 30 miles down the road.  I don't know why, but I only stopped briefly and pulled out my camera again.  The sun was sinking lower still and I was struck by the simple beauty of this telephone pole against the sky, a cloud covering the sun....

Pushing on home, I stopped only one more time.  Although I was driving with the sun setting over my right shoulder, I could tell when it was about to dip below the horizon.  So, I swung onto a little gravel road beside a cotton field, just outside Roscoe.  There is a long stretch of wind turbines running on either side of the highway for at least 20 miles....it's almost mind-boggling to see so many of them.  There I watched the sun finish its descent.

I could almost hear it sigh as it's journey for the day was finished and it sank below the horizon....

As I arrived home and the puppies all greeted me with glee, I reflected on what  a wonderful day it had been.  Truly a blessing!  The time spent with Family....the time spent alone on the road....the laughter and hugs....the quiet moments enjoying the beauty of Nature.  My heart was filled with Gratitude for a day well spent.

I am linking up with Heidi over at Heart and Home for Wednesday Gratitude.  Just click HERE to be inspired by beautiful words and images from many a Grateful Heart.

Have you experienced a day like this recently?  A day that will lodge happy memories in your Heart and cause you to stop and smile in remembrance?  Oh, I hope so!

Until next time....

Jane