Burned!

Look real close at my arm lighting the birthday candles. Can you see it? The faint red mark. That is where I burned my arm cooking the lovely birthday dinner for Christon last week. Doesn't look bad does it? Now look at the next picture.

Hurt badly. My point to all this is I can't seem to cook any more with out burning myself or cutting myself. I cut my finger and thumb last week and my finger this week. Remember that wonderful recipe for Apple Dumplings that I shared with yall? Well I was giving the sisters in R/S a demonstration on how to make those. I melted the butter slowly by turning on the wrong burner and instead of it coming on under the pot it came on over the handle. Not knowing, I picked up the handle and burned my palm really bad. While I stood there with a hand full of ice, Amanda came up and finished the demonstration as I told her what to do next. Thanks again Amanda. How's that for a cooking instructor teaching how to burn your whole palm. Maybe it's time to quit cooking! What ya think?

Many Faces of Harrison

So what is up with Harrison

and facial hair??

You never know what he'll

look like from week to week

or day to day?

He goes from one extreme to another!

Here are just a few of the many looks.

"MY HAPPY"

No wait a minute,

this is "My Sad!"

This is "My Happy!"

This is Grandpa Griffis.

Harry's dad and the boys grandpa

and Shelby and Reagan's great- grandpa.

These pictures were taken at Reagan's

1st birthday party. When I look at

them I think of Shelby because about a year ago

she wouldn't get her way or she was mad

she would say, "my mad" and then give us that

sort of face. Same thing, when she was

happy, she would say, "my happy!"

And I think about how we ask

the girls to show us their happy face,

sad face, uggie face, mean face.

Anyway the top picture always

makes me laugh.

Such enthusiasm!

The Picture of Eternity

"In many cookbooks there are pictures of the perfect dishes that recipes make—the fulness of the joy of cooking. These pictures are important because they help us envision the outcome if we strictly follow the directions as given in the recipe. It is important to begin with the end in mind, but the end represented by pictures in cookbooks is an end that is only possible if everything is done right. If directions are not followed or an ingredient is left out or miscalculated, the desired taste and appearance are seldom attained. The picture of a perfect dish, however, can serve as motivation to try again to create something that is both delicious and beautiful.

"When we think of eternal life, what is the picture that comes to mind? I believe that if we could create in our minds a clear and true picture of eternal life, we would start behaving differently. We would not need to be prodded to do the many things involved with enduring to the end, like doing our home teaching or visiting teaching, attending our meetings, going to the temple, living moral lives, saying our prayers, or reading the scriptures. We would want to do all these things and more because we realize they will prepare us to go somewhere we yearn to go."

- L. Tom Perry, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ,"

General Conference, April 2008

More Birthdays

Happy Birthday sister "Lola Jill Crenshaw"

Happy Birthday "Andrew Cardon Ripley"

Also today is my friend Maggie Taylor's birthday.

My scanner isn't working or I would have

scanned in a picture I have of her from 10

years ago, sorry Maggie.

Three very special people share the same birthday!

25

This is what 25 years old looks like.

Happy Birthday Christon!!

Today is her birthday.

I had a birthday dinner for her last night.

I invited her parents and sister.

Travis and Jordan also.

I cooked way to much food.

Shelby thought her mom needed a

chocolate Pooh cake. I made a chocolate cake,

but it didn't have Pooh or any other characters on it.

We had a good time. Harrison and Christon

are going out for town for the week end. I'll pick the

girls up on Saturday afternoon from the

other grandparents and keep them over night

take them to church on Sunday morning

and their parents will be back home Sunday

afternoon. We'll see. They have both been gone at

the same time one night when Shelby was less

than a year old. And they have never left Reagan.

I mean both parents gone away at the same time.

They have left but the other has been home with the kids.

I wonder if they can do it or if they come home early??

Thin Mints

So this is my secret to having those wonderful Girl Scout Cookies "Thin Mints" any time of the year! So easy to make. I saw Sandra Lee on Semi Homemade make these one time and I made them even easier. so here's my take on her recipe.

2 bags of "Andes" creme de menthe baking chips.
(may need a tablespoon of shorting or butter)
1 box of Nabisco's "Nilla Wafers"
Melt the chips in microwave, add the shorting to thin it out if it's to thick. Dip nilla's in melted chips and put on wax paper. Stick them in the freezer until frozen and Wa La, Thin Mints!! You'd really be surprised at how much they really do taste like the real things. If you can't find the Andes chips, try her recipe, she used 2 bags of semi sweet chocolate chips and added peppermint flavoring. My way was just easier.

The Late Arriving Letter

Memories of a Letter Carrier

During the Vietnam war years I was delivering mail in our town, and on a regular occurrence I saw many letters that went off to our boys from their families and saw many coming back to families that I served on my mail route. I could immediately recognize those letters by the red stripes on the border around the envelope.

Many of our men and boys went off to fight in that war in the jungles of that far away Asian country that many of us had never heard of. The letters that went both ways were so important to both soldiers and their families.
There were also those sad times that military officers would come to the doors of homes to report that a son or husband or father had died in the service of their country.

One of our young boys by the name of William who had been to college. He'd trained in ROTC and enlisted in the army in support of our country in the fight for freedom. He was commissioned to a lieutenant in the army and sent off to war.

The letters started to come in from him and go out from the families. After a time, his parents were notified that he had been killed in action in those jungles. His body was returned to his hometown and buried with honors.

A few days after the funeral, I was delivering the family's mail and I was shocked to see I was delivering a letter to his parents that he had written before he had lost his life. I couldn't imagine how that mother and father felt as they opened that envelope and read their son's last letter to them. Every time I would deliver to that house at 826 So. 13th Street I would think about that letter. Even to this day I can't pass that house without thinking about "The Late Arriving Letter."
Written by mail carrier Billy S. Crenshaw, my daddy.

Handsome

#1 Son "Harrison"

#2 Son "Travis" (Big Baby)

Amish Chair

This is my Amish Chair.

This is a side view.

We were in Ohio around 2000-2001 and my sister in law, Lori was giving us a tour of the Amish community. It was a beautiful area. There was corn field after corn field, everything was so green and lush. We had a wonderful day. As we traveled along the country roads we would pass some Amish people riding in their wagons pulled by horses. It was really neat to see their horses and buggies parked beside cars in the parking lots at the bank or other stores in the little towns. As we passed Amish homes they had their homemade baskets and quilts out along side the road for sale. We stopped to buy a basket. As we talked to the man of the house, Lori picked out a basket. We were paying him for it up on his front porch when I spotted this chair. Lori asked him if it was for sale? He said not really but he guessed he could sell it. He use to make and sell a lot of them but he found that it was easier for the bus loads of tourist to buy and take home baskets than it was a big wooden chair. We were in a truck so it was no big deal for us. So he sold it to me for $45.00. Lori's basket was $35 or $40.00, I've always felt like I got the better deal! It is so well made, solid wood and sanded smooth and sits so comfortable. It even folds up for storage. I wish I had about 3 more.

Following Examples

"My brothers and sisters, in this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, as we journey through mortality and face the trials and challenges of the future, may we remember the examples of these models to follow which I have referred to this morning. May we have the unfeigned humility of John the Baptist, the unquestioning obedience of Abraham, the unlimited patience of Job, the unwavering faith of Noah, the undeviating loyalty of Ruth, the unflagging determination of Nephi, the undaunted courage of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the unfailing optimism of President Hinckley. Such will be as a fortress of strength to us throughout our lives."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Models to Follow,"

Ensign (CR), November 2002, p.60

Baby Shower

If you've had a baby in the last 3 or 4 years you have gotten my standard gift! Burp Cloths. I enjoy making them and they are a much needed item for little mommies. They are made from a prefolded Birdseye 3-ply cloth diaper that I embellished with pom pom's or lace and matching ribbon on top. I also iron an applique' to some of them. I've also had a few monogrammed with the new babies initials. These two sets of boy burp cloths are for Juanita Richardson. She's having a little boy in a few weeks and I'm going to a baby shower for her tonight.

Here is a sample of a couple of girl burp cloths.

None of you have seen this design except for Jennifer. I made this one for her friend in Arkansas. It's just a bunch of 4 inch pieces of ribbon bent in half and sewed along the edge and then the top ribbon covers the raw edges. I really love this one. It was so bright and pretty, just right for a new baby girl. It's the only one like this that I have made. They are not hard to make and you can whip up a few in no time. If you are crafty and sew you can do this. Try it and let me know how you did. Let me know when you are expecting a little one and I'll make you some too.

I Need a Vacation

So I've been thinking that I want to go on vacation! NOW! TODAY! But that's not going to happen. So I've been trying to think of where I want to go so that I can make some plans. I've come up with a few places that I've been thinking about for a few years. I want to go to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. I've been before but Harry hasn't and I'd really like to go with him. I loved it and I know that he would too. I have two very dear friends that are going to be buried there some day. I'd also like to do go and do the other things that are there in D.C. I've done a lot of them before thanks to Miss Ella.

I've always wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo. I've heard really good things about it. I've never been to San Diego either. I'm thinking that would be a fun trip. But I know I'll get there and wish I had brought Shelby and Reagan. You know how fun a zoo is for children and this vacation I want for just me and Harry. So maybe I'll wait to go there when the kids can go too.

I want to go to New York City. I've been to New York and to Niagara Falls and to the Sacred Grove and Hill Cumorah and other Historical Church sites, but I've never been to the big city. I want to go to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I always wanted to climb the stairs to the top. Harry did that when he was a young boy but I understand they won't let you do that any more.

I've also been thinking about some where in Maine. Do any of you have any helpful suggestions of somewhere we should think about going on vacation. I'm open to your suggestions. Leave a comment.

T S C

It's Open! Shelby is so excited that the Tractor Supply Co. has opened! We pass it every day on Hyw. 341, going to and from her school. She's watched them build it from start to finish and was so excited to go on the first day that it opened. I took her and Rea and we bought a small bag of dry cat food and a straw beach hat for me and a bag of Combo's for Shelby. $21.91, not cheap. Poor Reagan didn't get anything, although she loves cat food and I catch her eating it all the time, so I guess you could say she did get something after all. Shelby wouldn't share but 2 Combo's with Pop pop and ended up taking the whole bag home with her. I didn't even know she liked the things.

Adult Siblings

This was taken for my parents 50th Wedding Annivesary.

September 2006

SIBLINGS

Crenshaw Children
L to R: Lola Jill, Gigi Arlene, Billy Sanford Jr. (Sandy),

Carla Elaine and Claire Leigh (Sissy)

Birth order: Gigi, Sissy, Carla, Jill and Sandy

IKEA

Jordan and I introduced Christon

to Ikea in Orlando!!!

Need I say more???

See the stroller up in the right corner,

we were waiting on her to get Reagan out of the car.

After 2 1/2 hours, Harry, Harrison and

Travis decided they never wanted to go back....

FUN GOOD TIMES!

Our adventures at Sea World Orlando

Harry holding Reagan, Shelby in the stroller.

Back row: Gigi, Jordan, Christon, Chelsey,

Happy Harrison and Emmy.

Chelsey and Emmy are Christon's sisters.

Travis was taking the picture.

Thank you Travis. I posted a few more

pictures of our fun hot (90*) April day.

We all bought the year long pass so that

we could go back as many times as we

wanted this year. I think I am done

until the fall when it cools off again.

Harrison and Jordan are just thrilled!

Christon just glad to be here and not at work!

Uncle Travis and Reagan

Auntie Jordan and Shelby

Auntie Emmy and Shelby with the Clydesdale Horse.

Auntie Chelsey and Shelby on fake Shamu.

Gigi, Reagan and Pop pop waiting for the Shamu show.


This is Shamu.

This is what Shamu did to Shelby!

That's all she talked about, was wanting

to go down and sit in the "splash zone."

Sweet Aunt Emmy and Aunt Chelsey

sat down there with her. They all got wet.

Once Shelby got wet, she was not happy!

Tired baby Reagan ready to leave.

Shamu says Hi

Hi from Sea World Orlando.

Another quick weekend trip with the kids and grandkids!

Blog it when we get back.

Have a nice weekend!

Happy Birthday

This is a picture of Kathleen Floyd Griffis, my Mother In Law. She is 77 years old today. She is the mother of 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 6 great grand children. She is the center of the lives of the Griffis family and a great example to us all. (She's holding Reagan in this picture and it was taken at Reagan's 1st birthday party in Feb. of this year 2008.

This is Maxwell Sterling Crenshaw my youngest nephew. He is 5 years old today. He is the youngest son of Sandy and Sheri and youngest of the Billy and Janice Crenshaw's grand children. Happy Birthday Max! His real hair is blonde but I just love his 70's look in this picture.

4 Brothers.

These Bricks are in the Pulaski County Veterans Memorial Park in Hawkinsville, Georgia. The top left one is for my daddy. The others are his brothers. They all are living except James E. Crenshaw, whom we called Uncle Jamie who died in an automobile accident. They all proudly served our country in the U.S Military.

Toilet Paper

So I mostly use the Scott brand of toilet tissue. Because that is what my mama uses and my mother in law too. It's much easier on our septic tank and pipes also. Every now and then I will buy something else that is on sale. Yesterday when Shelby was pottying I handed her some tissue to finish with. She grabbed it and said with a smile, "this is cottonelle!" She was right! I asked her how she knew that and she said "that's what gamma uses and it's at my house too." That child is so observant you just can't get anything past her. I didn't know there were different kinds of toilet paper until I was at least 10 years old much less the age of 3. She is so funny.

Blackie The Mail Dog

“Blackie” or “Rex”, which ever you preferred to call him, was as faithful on Palatka’s City Route #1 as the blue clad mail carrier he followed for several years.“Blackie, as I called him, was just a plain mongrel, but seemed to have as much sense as some humans I’ve known.“Blackie” didn’t really belong to the regular carrier on that route, Mr. Max Musgrove, whom he followed year after year. His ownership was questionable at times, especially when it was learned that the police were looking for him, for at times “Blackie” did get into mischief.The Letter Carriers at the Palatka, Florida Post Office had been told that the dog origionally belonged to an old black woman, but at the time we knew him best, it was understood that he belonged to a white man who lived a few blocks from the Post Office.Though Mr. Musgrove claimed no ownership of “Blackie”, he probably gave him the better care that anyone else . For instance, each day as Max ate his lunch at a little grocery on his route, “Blackie” got his usual can of dog food, and some where along the way for a snack he was sure to get an ice cream bar.For all this generosity from Max. “Blackie” would perform as an exellent body-guard and dogs along the route, who had the idea of putting the ‘nip’ on the mail man, were quickly discouraged by faithful ole “Blackie”He also liked to have a little fun on his daily trek around the route with Max and as dogs will be dogs, he had a dislike for cats. As soon as they saw him coming you would see them scampering up a tree or scooting under a house. This dislike for the FELINE species was what almost got him ‘put away’, before his time. We never knew who reported him. It must have been some sweet little lady who treasured her cats dearly. Anyway, it seems that one of the lady’s cats was disposed of and “Blackie” got the blame. &nbs p; On hearing that the police were on the look out for “Blackie”, someone who loved him, got him out of town until the heat was off!!!But not much time had passed before “Blackie” was back on the job. Every morning , “Blackie” would plop himself down right in front of the entrance to the Post Office, for that is where he always waited for Max , rain or shine. He was a familiar sight to patrons calling for their early morning mail. They had to either walk around him or step over him to get in the door. And, the amazing thing about this is, that no matter how many people came in or went out the door, “Blackie” never followed anyone else away. Other mail carriers used the same door, but he only gave them a wag of his tail as if to say ‘Good morning’ and would immediately train his head back on the door where his daily friend would soon be coming out.When Max finally did come out the door heading out on his route, “Blackies” ears would perk up, and his tail would wag like a palm frond in a Florida hurricane. Then, you’d see a greeting between friends that looked as it they had not seen each other in months. After the greeting, off they would go on their daily trek, Max carrying his load of letters, magazines and such, and “Blackie” at his job of keeping the dogs at bay and the cats up a tree.Not that he was lazy by any means, “Blackie” was a very smart canine, for he knew how to get his rest and conserve energy along the route. At certain relay boxes, he would lie and relax underneath in the shade and wait while Max would deliver the mail up one side of the street and back down the other side, resting all the while, with one eye opened and one ear cocked, for any action he might have to take. Then as Max proceeded on to another street, up “Blackie” would hop and follow along.After years of carring a “foot route”, Max transferred to a mounted route and said good bye to “Blackie” as he would be delivering mail on the other side of town. Sadly he willed his good canine friend to his successor to City Route 1, Mr. Dave Broadway, but Max never lost is love and interest in “Blackie”Right away Dave and “Blackie” became good friends also, for Dave was no stranger to “Blackie”, having ‘subbed’ for Max on the route for some two years. It might well be said here that “Blackie was as faithful to the ‘subs’ on the route as he was to Max. When he was sure Max wasn’t coming out, he would catch up with whoever was making the rounds that day and take up his duties.After several months of companionship with Dave, the sad day came. We had missed seeing “Blackie” for about two weeks. A plea was published in the paper as to his where-a-bouts. But nothing came of it until I myself, was subbing on that route one day and was approached by an elderly black lady who had been fishing down on the river bank o f the St, Johns River. She inquired if we had located “Blackie” yet, and I said no that he was nowhere to be found. It was rather shocking at first and I didn’t really want to hear what she was about to tell me. She said that she was pretty sure she had seen the ‘remains’ of “Blackie” down on the banks of the river.After working my way around the route, I went down to the river to see for myself… It was true!! I had no doubt, there before me lay the tired old bones and collar of our friend “Blackie”. How he met his death will probably remain a mystery, for this life at least. His last known owner was notified and the rites for "Blackie” the Mail Dog”were taken care of there on the banks of the St. Johns River, only a few feet from where for years he had started his daily rounds with Max, Dave, and others that carried the mail on City Route 1.
Written in the 1970’s By mail carrier Billy S. Crenshaw

My Daughters

Christon and Jordan

I'd like to introduce my daughters to you for those of you who haven't had the opportunity to meet them in person. I didn't give birth to these girls. My sons blessed my life with them by choosing them to be their wives. Christon married Harrison, October will be 5 years ago, and is pictured on the left. She is the mother of my grand daughters. (I still can't believe that neither Shelby or Reagan inherited Christon's naturally curly hair.) Jordan is pictured on the right and married Travis two years ago. Both the girls moved into our home and lived as a married couple with our sons the first year of their marriages. No sweat for the boys, but I can't even begin to know how hard that was for them to live with me and Harry. (Now think about it, can you see yourself living with your mother in law for the first year of your marriage?) But it did give us a chance to become very close and they do still speak to me, so maybe I wasn't to bad. They both have beautiful homes of their own now. They are good wives and I think my son's and our family and extended family have been very blessed to have them in our lives. One of the best blessings is that they get along with each other as best friends as well as being sisters in laws. I hope that my son's will always treasure them as much as I do. I'm also lucky that they both read my blog, so here's to you girls, all my love! TMiL (the mother in law)

Another Award!

Yes ME, I know that you are thinking not her again?!? But yes once again I have received an award! This time it is the award of distinction. Thanks Amanda for the honors. (She owes me for changing her life by introducing her to the world of bloggin.)

Here are the rules as stated by Amanda herself: "Pass the award on to five blogs that make you laugh, cry, think or sigh." So, I pass this award on to the following hard working blogging people.

Leah

Rachael

Elizabeth

Cindy

Courtney

Fair Warning!

When I first started this blog, every time Travis saw me with the camera he'd say, "Are you bloggin me?" or "Don't you blog my picture." When he brought the deer horns in to show his dad he told me to take a picture of these and blog them. Well my camera's broken and I had to send it off to be repaired. So you have been warned, anything you may say may be blogged!