Changes....and Baked Oatmeal

Wow! I haven't posted in over a year and thought I was locked out of my own blog. I couldn't find it. There have been so many changes in Blogger that I was momentarily lost. But....I'm back and more changes are on the way. I'm changing my format from a little mom and pop :) blog about the family to something more interesting to all of us (not that my family isn't interesting, but you all know what I mean...all the grandma stuff can get old I guess). My focus is going to be more food related. I love to cook and especially bake and get lots of requests for recipes. I am always flattered and give them the recipe. So I decided that this might be a better way to do it.  I'm going to blog about some of the recipes I love to make and hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them.

Along with this will be some changes in my blog itself. Those are under construction and will come a little later but since I had a request for a recipe I decided to get started.

The recipe I will give you today is one that my family has enjoyed for many years. It does have a background. Some recipes I just get from a cookbook, blog, magazine or such, but some are special in that they are ones I requested from someone. In April, 1995 we had the first Woman of Worth Retreat in Ohio. It was at a little rustic Mennonite camp ground near Wooster called Camp Luz.  Camp Luz was special. It was kind of small and primitive compared to what we now have (think Heartland and Beulah Beach). Even with that thought I have very special memories of the years at Camp Luz. The group was more intimate because the size was smaller. If you all remember we even had to rinse our own dishes. But I have such good memories of those years. Pranks pulled on each other that everyone was involved in because of the size of the group. Suitcases emptied and items scattered all over the building, underclothes removed and placed in the freezer...etc. Good, clean, fun. God's presence felt in such a special way. Remember the year the guys came and set up the stuff for taping the sessions and when it was done they were all blank. Obviously we weren't supposed to have those recorded. Special times.

Along with that fun was good, old fashioned food. The first morning they served something none of us were familiar with. As a matter of fact, we had to ask what it was. It was Baked Oatmeal, served with vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit. I have to say I was not sure about this but soon realized something so plain was absolutely fabulous. I asked them if they would be willing to share the recipe. I had bought an Amish cookbook from a shop on the way there the day  before and promptly wrote the shared recipe in the front cover. I still use that same recipe today. I hope you all love it as well as my family has.

This is my go to recipe when we have company. I usually serve Baked Oatmeal and Breakfast Casserole. But that's for another day, if you like.

Baked Oatmeal

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

Mix thoroughly:

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup oil (can use 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup applesauce)
3/4 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon to taste

Stir in:

3 cups quick oats

Put in pan. Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes til set and brown around the edges. Don't let it get to dry.

My family prefers it served with cooked apples and whipped cream. I have also used chunky applesauce. Leftovers (if there are any) are even good heated and served with milk.

**To really lighten the recipe I have used skim milk and replaced the oil totally with applesauce with good success. It gives a little different texture and I don't do this for company but it's still good.

I hope you enjoy it. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Our kids are growing....

I just had to post this picture from Labor Day weekend.  Breanna was so excited to see how much taller then me she is and of course C.J. had to show he is almost there.  Jay'von just wanted in on the picture but it does show how tall he is going to be in just a few short (no pun intended) years.



Aren't they cute.  Breanna is 10 years old.  C.J. and Jay'von both have birthdays in a couple of weeks.  C.J. will be 9 and Jay'von will be 4.  I guess I have some tall grandchildren.  Three out of four, at least. 

I'll have to post some more summer pictures soon and I have some new recipes I have tried this summer I want to share.  Be back soon!

She's Finished! (for now)

I just want to take the time to congratulate Courtney on reaching another milestone in her career climb. She graduated this weekend with her RN and we are very proud of her accomplishment. She plans to  continue school this fall for her BSN and maybe her Masters after that.  She has ambition and goals and I admire her for striving and achieving those goals.  She works hard and I know she can do whatever she sets her mind to.  Congratulations, Courtney!  We love you.



Courtney Janelle Sherron, RN





Jay'v congratulating Mama.

 Quote of the day: Sonya (Courtney's friend) taught Jay'von to say Congratulations to Courtney after her pinning ceremony on Thursday night.  On Friday morning Jay'v and I were driving to Morgantown to attend Sonya's ROTC officier's commissioning ceremony.  Jay'v didn't want to get up early to do this.  He kept saying he wanted to go back home.  I told him we wanted to go to Sonya graduation.  He said "I don't want to go to Sonya's gradulation and already went to Mommy's gradulation last night!"

Random thoughts.....

There are lots of random thoughts running through my head right now.  Some of the things I could write about; It's  one of the coldest springs I remember, Easter, Breanna and Carolyn's birthday's, Mother's day, Courts upcoming graduation.... I could go on and on and on and on. I think you get the picture. 

I think I will suffice it to say I will just post a couple pictures from the last couple of weeks and do a longer post next week when I have more time.

Enjoy!  These are from Easter weekend which was also Carolyn's birthday.  She is 29 and has never had her birthday on Easter.  Someone did some research and found it has been over a hundred years since Easter was on April 24 and will be that many more before it happens again.  So she enjoyed a once in a lifetime occurrence. 






Carolyn, George and Zara on Carolyn's Birthday



Baby Zara having some quality time with Papa



Courtney and Jay'von



Breanna and C.J.



Breanna with her birthday cheesecake....

Well that about covers the last few weeks.  I'm not sure why we don't have any pictures of Chuck and Danielle.  They must have been hiding from the camera. 

Have a great week! It's going to be a busy one.  Mother's Day is tomorrow and Courtney graduates with her RN on Thursday night. I'll be back after it's all over. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Thirty-three years ago today I began a new chapter of my life.  It was no longer "my" life but "our" life.  It has been an intersting journey with many hills and valleys but definitely worth the ride. 

Our day was sunny and beautiful after a snow storm the day before.  I remember driving home from decorating the reception hall and crying all the way because of the "blizzard" it was right then.  But it soon melted and the next day was wonderful.  I think you call that typical Ohio weather.

There have been lots of changes in our life in the last thirty-three years.  We have added a son and two daughters, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and four wonderful, precosious, beautiful grandchildren to our family.  We are so blessed! 

I am thankful to say I have a wonderful husband, too.  He has been a union carpenter for 32 years and I have to say he is one person in a thousand who loves his work.  I never have to drag him up in the morning to go to work.  I feel blessed in that area because I have worked with people that were not that fortunate. 

He also has made it possible for me to be home the last three years to take care of Jay'von so Courtney could go to school for her nursing degree.  I realize he has sacrificed and worked extra hours so I could do that but he didn't complain.  He's just that kind of guy.  Our children never went to daycare (I didn't work until they were in school), and he knew I didn't want that for our grandchildren, either. 

He also loves to help around the house.  He is a champion cookie baker and loves to make jam and jelly.  It has been so many years since I made jam I probably forget how.  He is famous around here for his Hot Pepper Jelly (yes, it is made with hot peppers) that we serve on cream cheese with crackers.  We have to make extra since we give away so much. And, yes, I do gladly admit that he made it instead of me. I am proud to say I have a hammer slinging, wooden spoon stirring, apron wearing (nail and kitchen) husband! 

Thanks, Charlie, for being such a wonderful husband and putting up with my quirks for thirty-three years.  I hope we have at least that many more.  I love you!

One Thing....

I have been thinking a lot about change.  I'm sure we all have things in our life we want to change.  Whether it be eating right, breaking a habit that we are bound to or just being more consistent in our devotions or exercise we all have things we want to do differently.  I am beginning to realize the only way to change things is by taking one thing at a time. 

I am a person who wants to jump in totally at once and  then quickly gets discouraged.  That is not a good thing when it comes to making changes in real life.   We need to start slow and make the changes one at a time.  I have heard if you do something for 6 weeks it becomes a habit.  So choose something you really want to change in your life and do it.....one day at a time.....for 6 weeks and see what happens.  I'm ready!!  See, there I go again,  ready to jump right in and fall flat on my face. But that's OK.  At least I have determination and for some of my issues it will take real determination. 

I need to lose about 100 pounds. There, I have said it.  Yes, that is a BIG goal.  But, you know, if I take one day at a time and change the way I look at it, it will happen.  This will mean changing my eating (and cooking) habits and adding exercise to my already busy life. 

I say my "cooking"  habits because I recently decided that I show my love by cooking and baking things I know people will enjoy.  I just love to get in the kitchen and create things I know people like to eat.  Now tell me how to overcome that.  It is really hard to make homemade cinnamon rolls from Helen Deitz recipe and not want to eat them.  Any of you that knew Helen know that her rolls were wonderful.  I'm not saying that mine are near as good as hers but they are good and I love to make them for people.  I made a big batch for Valentine's Day and gave them away (but ate a few in the meantime). 

I try to be disciplined and not eat what I make and sometimes I succeed but more likely not.  So, tell me, do I quit baking and feel depressed or continue and try to be superdieter and leave it alone.  I realize I should have willpower and I'm sure as I lose the weight it will feel so good I might be able to pass things up but I'm scared that won't happen. 

So I have decided, with God's help, I am taking one day at a time and do whatever I have to do to get through that day.  If I need to bake for some occasion I will make sure nothing is left in my kitchen for temping me the next day.  If I slip up I will be ready to pick right back up where I left off. 

I am declaring today as my new start to an old problem.  I will keep you updated on my progress.  Let me know if you want to join me in this journey.  You know the saying the more the merrier.    

Thank God for our new blessing!

Zara Chriselda Ann Cheriyan
Born 3/7/2011 @ 8:25 pm
6 lb 11 oz    -    19" long

Little Zara is now a week old and it is time to welcome her publicly into our family.   She is already such a little blessing who has wrapped her self around Neena and Papa's hearts already.   

Congratulations Carolyn and George!  You did good!!

RANDOM THOUGHTS.....

Did you ever wonder why we have such a hard time doing something we know we should?  Why not just do it?  Why do we play games with ourselves knowing what the end result has to be? 

I have decided that there are some things that no one can do for me and really they probably don't care anyway.  I have to do them myself.  I have to pull myself up by my boot straps and take control of the situation!  (the bad thing is I don't wear boots....but you know what I mean).  We have all been there at one time or another.  A real  "ah ha" moment when we realize we are responsible for our own destiny, you might say.  Although God is our ultimate authority we do have to answer for ourselves.

So, I say all that to say this.  I have made a HUGE commitment to myself to accomplish some things in the near future.  No, this is not a New Years Resolution and it probably isn't earth shattering to anyone but me.  But I am going on record as saying it is going to happen.  There!  As my mother-in-law used to say, "I've said it and I'm glad."

On another note, we are enjoying some spring like weather.  We have all had our share of the usual gunk that is going around but thank God is hasn't been as bad as some.  I attribute that to the fact that Jay'v and I pretty much just stay here all snug and warm and away from all the germs....LOL.  We will get out when the weather gets real nice and the germs are gone.

We are looking forward to the newest arrival of the Sherron clan within the next couple of weeks.  Carolyn and George are all ready to welcome baby Zara.  She can make her entrance just any time.  Her little pink room is ready and waiting for her homecoming.

It is amazing how different babies are.  Carolyn was my impatient one.  I had false labor from six months on.  I actually spent the night in the hospital twice getting the labor to stop because she was impatient to get here.  She was actually born 3 1/2 weeks early.  Zara is due in 1 1/2 weeks and  Carolyn hasn't felt much of anything.  That doesn't mean she won't go tomorrow but she sure has been a calm baby as far as that goes.  We hope that continues for Mommy and Daddy's sake.

The Sherron house is kind of in an uproar right now.  Charlie is between jobs for a few weeks so we decided to remodel the master bathroom.  These projects are always such a mess and always seem to run into unexpected twists and turns but the end result will be worth it.  Maybe I'll post pictures after it is all done. 

Does anyone need a recipe for homemade pizza crust that tastes just like frozen pizza....LOL.  Seriously, I love to make things with yeast dough and usually have great success but not this time. I recently bought a new cookbook that is all baking and mostly yeast dough and even though I have a good pizza crust recipe I thought I would try this one since it looked so good.  Well, the dough was so stiff even with not using all the flour that I just knew it wasn't going to rise good.  (and I was right).  This dough was so heavy and stiff I just rolled it out and made some cheesy bread sticks with it.  Wasn't so bad that way. Then I made my old tried and true recipe  and proceeded with my pizzas.  A lesson learned.  I don't usually make a "new" recipe when I have am having company but it worked out since they were running late and my recipe only has to rise for 15 minutes.  So, remember,  if you want a recipe to taste just like that old frozen pizza just let me know....I have it. 

Sorry this has been kind of rambling but I did warn you.  Now time to move some more stuff out of the bathroom so my own personal "Bob the Builder" can proceed with making a mess in order to make it beautiful. 

"I will figure it out...."

My 3 year old grandson wasn't feeling well last evening and asked me to cuddle with him.  I sat down for a few minutes of cuddle time but needed to finish supper so couldn't stay as long as he wanted.  When I started to get up he wanted me to stay.  I told him I needed to finish Papa's supper, to which he promptly responded, "I can do it." When I asked him what he meant he said it again.  Laughing I asked how he was going to do that and he said, "I don't know, but I can figure it out."  Then he proceeded to put a finger to his chin and hum as if he was trying to figure it out. 

About that time Charlie came in and Jay'von went running to tell him that he needed to go back to the car.  Of course Charlie was very confused as he isn't used to being met at the door with a command to go back and get in his car. He wanted to know if we needed to go somewhere but Jay'v told him no, "WE*STILL*NEED*TO*COOK*YOUR*FOOD"! Of course said very slowly and adamantly, with much hand waving (doesn't get that from his Neena or anything).  It was so cute. 

As I was sitting thinking about this last night I realized that's what we do with God sometimes.  We try to take on things he already has under control, even though we don't have any idea what we are doing.  We try "to figure it out".  I am so guilty of this.  I need to learn that even as I had everything in the kitchen taken care of and really didn't need Jay'von's help, God has my life already planned and taken care of and doesn't need my help to make it right.  If I just sit back and let him do it, it will come out right.  I remember someone (I think it was Sheila Wolfe) saying to imagine  we are on a tandem bike....God is in in front and doing the steering.  We are in the back and just need to follow along. We have to keep pedaling and not drag our feet, and of course lean the right way in a curve, but we don't need to worry about steering the right direction.  He has all that under control.  Sometimes I tend to want to change places with him and get in the drivers seat.  I just need to remind myself that I am the rider in this life.  God is my Father and He will take me through.

This was a real important lesson for me right now.  January and February are not my best months.  I need lots of sunshine (and we aren't getting much).  And I tend to get depressed and SAD.  And when that happens I do tend to forget that God is in control of every situation. Thank God for his guidance even if he uses a very funny 3 year old.

I'M A WINNER!!!

My wonderful, high speed, satellite Internet was not so wonderful yesterday.  As a matter of fact, it isn't most days anymore.  I'm not sure what is going on but plan on making a call today to see why my server isn't responding most of the time at least 4 days of the week. But aside from all that, I find that I am a winner in the drawing held over at ourshelteringtree.blogspot.com .  If you haven't visited their blog yet you are missing something.  They have a very unique situation with a mother and her two daughters blogging together.  They all have great, encouraging things to say.  You definitely would benefit from checking them out and add them to your list of blogs your read regularly.  They have wonderful ideas about many things from decorating, to recipes, to how to live our lives pleasing to God. Of course that is the most important aspect.  We all need help and encouragement in our daily walk with God and Pam and her family have lots of  God given talent they are willing to share.  Thanks, Pam, Melanie, Emily (and of course, Morgan) for starting your wonderful blog and for the gift. God knows when we need a lift.

Christmas Eve and Random thoughts.....

I was born into a large family.  We hear a lot these days about large families and that was us.  No we didn't have 17 or 19 or whatever but there were 6 of us and really that is a lot.  Especially since we are all now grown with families of our own.  Of course we all have spouses, so that makes 12. Then add the 16 grandchildren and 13 1/2 great grandchildren for a total of 41.  And we can't forget who started it all! So with just my immediate family we have a total of 43 1/2 people. Quite impressive, I think. Maybe not what the Duggers will have in a few years but still a large family.  And with a group that large it is hard for all of us to get together in the winter in one house since we can't spread out outside.  So, I said all that to say this....We have to rent a building for our Semi Annual Christmas Eve Fish Fry.  This year we rented the Arden Community Center about 20 minutes from us.  Most of the family were able to be there.  There were some circumstances that hindered some from coming and I feel bad about that.  I know our families are all spreading out and we have traditions of our own but I will be an advocate of this for as long as possible.  Of course I am the one that has no family on the other side to spend the off year with so I do look forward to these "together" years.  

So here goes.....hope your eyeballs don't pop out from all the pics but there was so much going on it is hard to pic just a few.

First of all I am posting this for my Mom.  Mom has lost almost 40 pounds in the last year and complains because she can't lose the last few pounds.  This first picture was taken at Carolyn and George's wedding in October of 2008.  Wouldn't you agree that she has done great! These are beautiful before and after pics as far as I'm concerned.

  

The rest of these are in no special order, just kind of random.  I will try to caption so you know who and what (sometimes that's hard to tell...lol). Hope you enjoy them.



Not sure what this  is...Jeremy is acting out his story and we probably don't even want to know...LOL





We set up a craft table in the corner for the little ones.  Shannon and Carolyn both brought stuff for them to work on.

This is Allie, Carrington, Austin, Devin, Kenzie, and Jay'v.





One of the chief cooks....my brother Rick.  Doesn't he look great almost 60 pounds lighter. He's my inspiration!!

My sister-in-law Tonia cooking Hush Puppies.  You just have to taste them to see if they're right.

My sister, Donna.  She's really concentrating on all that food. 

The end result.....

Uncle Curt trying to see if his belly is bigger then Carolyn's preggo one!

Girl cousins picture.....Sarah, Courtney, Carolyn and Jody.

All the women after the Chinese gift exchange...and we still loved each other!!!



All the men including Jeremy with his "man purse" that they fought over!

So there, you have it.  We're kind of crazy, but a lovable bunch.  As you can see, this has become a big thing attended by some friends also.  We say the more, the merrier!! And we do know how to be merry....especially when you get us all together. 

By the way, I am thinking of starting a food blog with recipes.....what do you think?  Should I????

Coming up next....our family Christmas and Court's birthday....hopefully before 3 weeks goes by.

Church Christmas Program....

If you're not me or my immediate family you will probably find this boring because these pictures are just of our kids....I've got a lot more so if your kids were in it and you want to see them, just let me know.

Our Christmas program was entitled "An Old Fashioned CHRISTmas with CHRIST in it".  They actually decorated the church with pine garland and paper chains with strings of popcorn hanging from the candelabras. It was beautiful and looked so authentic.  Andrea has a wonderful gift for decorating.

Jay'von saying "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Breanna



C.J.



The pine garland and paper chains....I didn't get the popcorn :(



This is the whole group singing at the end



Jody and Lennie singing   -  (this one's for Granny)

We wanted to get pictures of everyone while they were all dressed up for the program but it is hard to get them together.  The following pictures will show you how hard....lol.

Finally, one that worked.....C.J. (8), Breanna (9), and Jay'von (3)

 Then we tried to add Neena and Papa to the mix and had more fun.  Charlie's eyes are very sensitive to the flash and he shuts them when photographed.  We have tried all the usual remedies and still have many pictures through the years with his eyes shut.  This time was no exception but we did get a couple that were tolerable. :)

This is a prime example.....everyone is fine, except his eyes are closed.  We actually had family pictures taken once when the kids were small and he had his eyes closed in every one.  The next one is the only one that worked.

I wanted to get pictures of everyone but after all that everyone was done.  That was the best we could do for one night. 

My extended family is quite large.  I have 5 siblings plus our spouses, our children and in some cases their children.  When we are all together there are sixty some of us.  Every other year we all get together for Christmas, and guess what.  This was the year.  So my next post will have pictures of our semi annual Christmas Eve Fish Fry......coming soon!

Cookie Exchange.....

I started a post for New Years about all that happened in 2010 but it just was taking to long.  I think I'll just focus on a review of December in pictures.  Hope you enjoy them!

The first thing that happened in December was our Second Annual Cookie Exchange.  We started this last year for a fun time with our family and friends.  We expected about 20 people and had over 50 attend.  My little house was bursting at the seams.  Andrea Poston offered her BIG family room to us this year. So we packed up all our stuff and took it next door for the party. 

These pictures are just a few I had time to take during the busy evening.  Sorry, somehow I neglected to get pictures of the wonderful cookies.



Kristen's snowflake sugar cookies



My niece Jody as "Grandma got run over by a reindeer"



The ladies can come dressed in Christmas attire. We actually give a prize for the favorite outfit.  These are the ladies that dressed for the occasion.

These last pictures are of some of the ladies that attended the party.  I wasn't able to get everyone because there was so much going on.

We had a great time and an excellent turnout even though the weather didn't cooperate.  We're already looking forward to next year.

Coming up next.....Church Christmas Program.

THE JESSE TREE

I have decided to do something new for advent this year.  Since Jay'von is with us most of the week I wanted to some kind of Advent Calendar for him but don't like the whole Santa Claus thing you find everywhere.  Just today I read another blog about starting a Jesse Tree with her kids.  It needs to start today (some start on the 28 and some on the first but since I didn't get inspired until today I decided today it is). There are many ways to do it and you could google it if you want info.  Basically it tells the story from creation to Jesus birth in little 2-4 minute devotions each day.  They get to hang a picture (ornament) on the tree each day as you go through the story.  The blog that I read actually started her kids when they were 3 so we are about right.  I think Breanna and C.J. will enjoy it, too.  I actually printed all the stuff for them to make their own.

 Let's face it, it is all about traditions and this seemed like a good one to start. I'll post pictures after I get it started.

If you want to know where I got my info or the places I printed my stuff let me know.  I'd be glad to share. 

May you all know the wonder and excitement of Christmas as seen through the eyes of a little child.  You might want to do this even if there isn't a child in your home. 

God's Been Good

I saw this on someones blog the other day and it just seemed like how I feel these days. God has been good to us. Sometimes I feel like he has been better to me then most. He just keeps blessing and blessing us. Last year someone put out a Facebook challenge to post what you are thankful for every day in the month of November. It was quite interesting to do. I'm not on Facebook this year but have tried to do that each day this month. We do have so much to be thankful for. Our family has pretty good health. Yes, we have our usual aches and pains and Carolyn has had some problems with her gallbladder while pregnant but for the most part we are healthy. When I look at some of the blogs I read daily I realize we are so blessed with good health. God has given me a wonderful family. I have a husband that provides for us so that I am able to stay home and take care of Jay'von. I have three children that now have homes of their own and are doing well. I have three and a half grandchildren that are so precocious (and of course I am not prejudiced at all). I think that was supposed to be precious...lol. I have a beautiful home that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We have more clothes then we need and all the food we want. Our water is good, we don't have to worry that it will make us sick. We have three vehicles sitting in our driveway that we can depend on to take us where we need.

This is just what I can write as fast as I can right off the top of my head without really thinking about it. We are so blessed and God has been so good to us. I know everybody talks about blessings at this time of year and I don't want to be thankful just because it is Thanksgiving. I want to remember to be thankful every day....all year. Thanksgiving should be a way of life.

Have a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day with family and friends and remember "God's Been Good"!

I LOVE FALL!!

I love fall. The days are crisp and cool. The nights are long and cuddly. The colors are beautiful and the sunshine is nice and warm (not so hot you don't want to be out in it).  I know many people disagree with me but it is so much more comfortable then summer. 

I couple of weeks ago the kids came to spend the day and bake cupcakes and carve pumpkins.  Somehow I failed to get pictures of the cupcakes but got a lot of the pumpkins.  I'm only posting a few so you can get an idea of how much fun they had.  It was a beautiful sunny day and they worked outside so the pics were great.

They found cleaning them out to be "yucky". :0)

I think they all had to have help with the "yucky" stuff.



It takes concentration....



They used patterns that Courtney brought.

No pattern for C.J.....he just "imaginated" it!

Yay! All done.

The finished product



Jay'v, so proud of the pumpkin his Mommy did for him

 Now you see what fun they had carving Pumpkins. They really did come out well.  The patterns they used were very detailed.  They were beautiful when lit. 

Thanks for visiting with us again.  Talk to me...let me know that you think my grandkids are the best because I do....lol.