Got Squash?

I do!!

Thanks to my gardening friend.

I have 2 - 5 gallon buckets full!

Yea! Yea! Yea!

(UPDATE, In case you were interested:

This amount yielded 6 one gallon freezer bags and one large chili pot full for lunch tomorrow!!)

We All Scream For Ice Cream

We actually have an ice cream man who drives around our neighborhood each afternoon. It's been a few years since we've had a regular one. His ice cream truck is white and he plays the loudest music to attract all the children and adults alike. I had the girls on the golf cart the other day and we were able to stop him so we could buy and ice cream. Shelby picked a yellow "Sponge Bob" ice cream bar that had pieces of bubble gum for his eyes. Reagan got the same thing. It made the biggest mess! But the girls were delighted with their treat. It was a fun first time thing. I suppose we'll stop him again some time during the coming summer.

Texas Sheet Cake

Texas Sheet Cake

Pre-heat oven to 350*

Put in sauce pan:
1 cup water
2 sticks butter
5-6 Tablespoons powder cocoa
Stir and bring to a boil. Don't scorch.
Remove and set aside.

Mix together:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Now add the boiled mixture to these ingredients and beat well.
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1/2 cup milk and stir then add to all of the above.

Bake in greased jelly roll pan for 12-17 mins depending on your oven. Use the toothpick test for done-Ness.

While cake is baking make the frosting.

In same sauce pan from above put:
1 stick of butter
6 Tablespoons powdered cocoa
6 Tablespoons milk
Once melted and almost boiling add in a box of powder sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla mix well and pour over hot cake as soon as it comes out of oven. Eat hot, cooled or frozen. I served it with vanilla ice cream.

I made this Sunday night for dinner with the children. This is the first time I've ever made Texas Sheet Cake. I found it fast and easy to make. It was rich and wonderful.
Mrs. Ella Rae Keeney shared the recipe with me.

This isn't near as exciting as the Big Catch" that is on Amanda's blog and Courtney's blog today! Check it out!

Anna's Bored!

I've got a little house guest this week. Anna Elaine Adams! My sister Carla's youngest daughter. School was out for her last Friday. She came in late Monday night just in time for bed. Yesterday she helped play with Shelby and Reagan. They went home at 5:00 pm and at 9:00 pm she's "BORED!" So much for mine and Harry's company!?! She's already read every ones blog and she asked me if there was anyone else, that she knew, that had a "blog". I was surprised at just how many of yall she know's.

Today I will try and find something "FUN" to do??? There has been talk of Summer Waves or and the beach? Who knows? The grass does need mowing.

Happy 20th Birthday

Jami Olivia Kinchen

(my niece)

(Carla's oldest daughter)

Happy Birthday Mother

Memorial Day

Grandpappy

This is a picture of my Grandpappy,

Jessie Edward Crenshaw,

nick name Ellis.

Grandpappy started working in the cotton mill in Hawkinsville Georgia when he was 9 years old. He swept the floors. Later he became a 'fixer'. When a machine in the mill broke down they would say, "go get Mr.Ellis." If it was in the middle of the night, they would come wake him up to go in to fix what ever was broke. He only lived two blocks from the Mill.

He also tried a little farming with his father in law, William Right Barlow, that was grandmother's daddy. But continued to work in the cotton mill till he was 65 years old, then retired.

I remember him most when he was older. He sat in his rocker and loved to listen to gospel music on the radio. My daddy told me that Grandpappy use to lead the music at his church. He also listened to the radio Preachers. I'm not sure I was around enough to know of much else he listened to. I do remember that he and Grandmother liked to fish. That may have been mostly Grandmother though. I also thought that he was a quiet person. Seems to me that Grandmother was the more out going of the two of them.

My Daddy says this about him:

Here is the most honest man I ever kwew. Here is a man who loved the Lord, who read his Bible every day, who prayed, who paid his debts, who treated his fellowman with respect, he provided for his family amd worked hard for his employer. I never ever heard him say a cuss word. Maybe, just maybe he had a sixth grade education."Mr. Ellis" was a repected man in his community. He loved his wife that he married when she was 15 and 1/2 years old. He was 21.He loved the simple things of life, such as fishing in a river, a creek or a pond and never in a boat or never on a Sunday.That's my daddy, 'the song leader',Mr. Ellis.

Love,Papa

Thank you, daddy.

YUM!

I LOVE LIVER and ONION'S!

Thanks to my mama, who cooks it wonderfully and who made us eat it! You don't find it on the menu much anymore? You actually don't hear of people eating it much anymore either. I wonder why? Well just for your information "Longhorn's Steak House" has it on their menu! It's really on their Lunch Menu but if you go in the evening just ask for it. You wouldn't believe it but it is only $6.99 for all you can eat! That's what I get every time I go because I won't cook it for myself and no one else in this house eats it. I always order the steamed broccoli with it and a side salad. It is such a large serving that I have never ordered the extra plate. Liver is a great source of Iron which I need so badly. I seem to stay Anemic. So lately we've been going out to eat there at least once a week so that I can have liver and onion's! Yum, Yum!

Still No Camera!

After 3 times of sending it off to be fixed the prognosis isn't good. I will be getting a gift card to replace my camera from Circuit City. But I'm still waiting, and waiting and waiting. I've really missed not having a camera. The girls are so cute and growing so fast and not having a camera for over two months hasn't been fun.

I've done a lot of research and actually picked out a very nice "expensive" camera that I would really love to have. It's a Nikon D-80. I want this camera soooo bad!! I'm just trying to figure out what body part to sell that would bring me that much money. Can't really come up with anything so it's still on my all time wish list or maybe only in my dreams.

Dancing With The Stars!!

And the "WINNER is

Kristi Yamaguchi!!!

Yea! Yea!! Yea!!!

Jason was great too, but Kristi was

consistently great!

I LOVE DANCING WITH THE STARS! I have to watch it by myself, but that's okay. I've always loved to dance, then I married a non dancer! Can you believe my luck? Oh well, he's wonderful in so many other ways but I do miss dancing and it would be wonderful if Harry loved to dance also.

So for your viewing pleasure here are a few of my favorite "Star's" dancing. Enjoy!

Tuesday Tag!

So the missing, vacationing, partying, lovely niece, Tara, tagged me. So I'll do my best to answer her tag, (questions!)

Four Places I go over and over:
1. Shelby and Reagan's school.
2. Out to water my tomato plants.
3. Feed the cats inside and out.
4. Wally world.

Four People that email me the most:
1. the parents
2. Beth
3. Barney's friend Chris
4. Overstock.com

Four of my Favorite Foods:
1. Diet Coke
2. Chocolate
3. All Vegetables
4. Cake, any kind

For places I would rather be right now:
1. On vacation with Harry at any beach.
2. On vacation with Harry in Boston and Maine.
3. On vacation with Harry in New York.
4. On vacation with Harry in Washington DC.

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Beaches
2. An Unfinished Life
3. Pillow Talk
4. Shall We Dance

Four people I would tag:
1. Barney's friend Chris
2. Amanda
3. Rachael
4. Christon

I Need a Maid!

Christ Changes Men

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world. Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. … Men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. … Their will is swallowed up in His will. (See John 5:30.) They do always those things that please the Lord. (See John 8:29.) Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 5–6; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

Silver Springs, Florida

We spend today at Silver Springs with Christon, Harrison, Shelby and Reagan. The other grandparents Donnie and Emily and aunt Emmy. It was the first time for the Smith Family to visit Silver Springs. We all enjoyed it.

Silver Springs is a 350 acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida.

We rode the Glass Bottom Boats that offers passengers an unparalleled view of underwater life in the 99.8% pure waters of the Silver River. The boats, with U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, will take you on an enchanting tour of the seven major spring formations at the headwaters. One spring, Fish Reception Hall, is home to dozens of species of fish as well as alligators, clams, crawfish, shrimp, snails and six different kinds of turtles, all amidst the backdrop of tiny fossilized shells from 70 million years ago. Peer through the glass and crystal clear water for views that only a scuba diver could have. You’ll be comfortably seated, and covered from the sun and weather.

At the Wildlife Exhibit You can look into the eyes of a Mysterious White Alligator! See not one, but two of the rarest reptiles in the world. Known as the "Swamp Ghost", these eerie and fascinating creatures are natural phenomenons that have to be seen to be believed!

Big Gator Lagoon is a one-acre cypress swamp habitat featuring more than three dozen of Florida’s largest alligators, most 11 to 13 feet in length! Guests observe these large reptiles from the safety of an elevated boardwalk. Be on the lookout for Sobek, believed to be the world’s largest American crocodile in the care of man. He’s 16 feet long and weighs 2,000 pounds. His name, Sobek, refers to an ancient Egyptian god that had the head of a crocodile and the body of a man.

Panther Prowl is an extraordinary opportunity to photograph the Western cougar, a close cousin of the rare and endangered Florida panther—North America’s largest and most majestic wild cat.

World of Bears is the largest bear exhibit of its kind in the world. Two acres of outdoor habitats showcase a variety of rare and endangered bear species including North American black bears, and Kodiaks (the only brown bears on exhibit in Florida). Kritter Korral features a variety of farm animals like sheep, rabbits, donkeys, turkeys, and goats that park guests can pet and hand feed. They’re popular with the younger set and love the attention they get! We fed everything from the fish to the alligator and even the two Giraffe. Like Shelby said "it was a Gorgeous Day!"

"WHOOPS"

Instead of delivering mail my dad now delivers flowers. This is a story he wrote about a little situation he got his self into. Enjoy!

I work part-time delivering flowers a couple of days a week. One day recently, I had a delivery to an area about 16 miles round trip. When it's far out, in an outlying area we call and make sure someone will be home. I called the phone number listed and could tell it was an elderly lady that answered. I identified myself and told her that I had flowers for her and asked for directions to her home. She told me she lived at 106 Cedar Street and told me how to get there. "It's right where those yellow barrels are beside the road. Turn right there on Cedar St. and come down to my house". I asked if her house number was where I could see it? "Yes." was her reply. As I approached the area, I easily spied the yellow barrels and the street sign. I turned right and drove down a dirt lane. The sign 106 was posted on the big oak tree . I turned in the driveway and pulled up in front of a trailer. There is a pickup truck in the yard and she had told me she had a little dog, but he would not bite. I could see a little dog sitting behind a plexi-glass door. Flowers in hand, I went to the door and knocked. The little dog just sat there and looked at me, no barking, just watching me. Not receiving a reply, I knocked two or three more times. Still no reply. I went back to my van, and dialed up the lady on my cell phone, and got a busy signal. I thought to myself, she must be way back in the back of the trailer on the phone and can't hear me. So I went back to the door and knocked very hard. The little dog just sat there and continued looking at me. Checking the screen door, I found it unlocked, so I stuck my head inside and call out, "Florist with your flowers." Still no one came. In all the waiting, I notice the coffee table, is only two steps from the door, so I eased in, placed the flowers on the table and eased out. As I was driving out the dirt lane, I called her on my cell phone to let her know I had left the flowers. When the phone rang, she answered right away and I told her I had left the flowers on her coffee table. She says, "I don't see any flowers". I asked her, "You do live at 106, don't you?" She said, "No I live at 105 Cedar St." OOPS! I quickly put the van in reverse and returned to the trailer where I had left her flowers. At the door, the little dog again watched me. I knocked, open the door and stuck my head in, still no one answered, so I eased in, retrieved the flowers and eased out, worried all the while, that the little pooch will run out the door. Relieved that I have the flowers back, I drive across the street to 105, where the little old lady and her little spotted dog are waiting on me. She was walking with the aid of a walker, so she ask me to sit them on 'her' coffee table, which I did, while trying to keep an eye on her little dog. He was all over the place, bouncing off chairs and sofa and barking like crazy. I apologized for the delay and told her what happened and everything is just fine. Mission accomplished, at last. Driving back to the shop, I began thinking what had just transpired, and reality kicks in, as I realize I could have been shot as a prowler for trespassing. But in this great nation of ours, a lot of people still feel free enough to leave their doors unlocked. Life is very interesting at times.

Billy S. Crenshaw

13 Things Thursday

Thirteen things that I don't do much any more.

1. Sunbathe

2. roller skating

3. play softball

4. use hot rollers

5. write letters

6. paint my fingernails

7. go to dances

8. streak my hair blond

9. go fishing

10. play cards

11. use a map

12. go to the movies

13. swimming

I really miss a lot of those. But there are a few that I don't miss at all!!!

B is for Blog

Sister Carla and brother Sanford, aka "Barney's friend Chris." Carla is showing us the sign for the letter "B" I didn't get it at first. So she says, "B is for Blog"

When family sees me with the camera they automatically think I'm going to blog them.

They are usually right.

Wild Wicked Weather

This tornado touched down on St Simon's Island!

These pictures are of it coming across

the marsh from Brunswick.

It was a wild, wicked weather Mother's Day.

Out in Evertt, Harrison and Christon sustained

a great deal of hail damage. Both of their vehicles

were damaged along with their roof.

But they at least still have a roof, others aren't so lucky.

Don and Ella Keeney had some roof damage to

their home on St. Simon's Island.

Hands

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mama!

Janice Arlene Padgett Crenshaw

I love you with all my heart.

I am who I am because of you.

$113.46

This is close to what Harry's truck looks like. It's a 4-door, F-350 Ford diesel. My truck is sick and needs a tune up and rest and so I had to drive Harry's work truck yesterday. I don't drive it much since last year when I filled it up with $75.00 worth of GAS and it requires Diesel. Boy does it require DIESEL!

As I was dropping Shelby off at school yesterday, Mrs. Jennifer came out to get her out of the truck and she said, "oh, Gigi, how much does it cost to fill this truck up??" I said, "I'm not sure, I don't have to do it very often." She was like, "oh, I'm so sorry." I'm like "yeah, I know."

As luck would have it, as Reagan and I pull out of the parking lot the little buzzer goes off, "LOW FUEL." So I call Harry and tell him and he said "oh yeah, I do need DIESEL. Use my card and fill it up."

Have any of you bought diesel lately?? $4.17.9 a gallon!! It guzzled 27.149 gallons for a total cost of: $113.46!

I'm still in shock!

PS: As we drove by the gas station this morning the gas price of Diesel had changed to $4.29!

Players Championship

This is where Harrison and Christon are going today. Harrison has been going to the TPC at Sawgrass – Golf in Jacksonville every year since he was about 17. He missed the two years when he was serving a mission. It's going to be a hot day. Forecast is for 93* and very windy. Makes for an interesting day of golf! I'll be here keeping the children!

Black Cherry Fresca

This is my new favorite drink! Thanks to Travis and Jordan who left two in my fridge last Saturday. Which I drank and loved. Bought a 12 pack yesterday and may go back and buy another today because they are on sale. Give them a try and see how you like them.
P.S. I've learned that they also have a Peach Fresca. I'm off to see if I can find that one. I'll let you know if I do.

And The Winner Is????

ELIZABETH!!!

Christon is the witness to my fairness and non cheating! Thank you Christon. I have had to send my camera off again to be fixed and don't have it back yet, so no pictures for proof. I want to thank all of you for playing along and for reading my blog and especially those of you who comment!! Elizabeth your stamps are in the mail in the morning. I need to send them before the price goes up next week. I'm also enclosing a special little treat of some Laura Ashley Note Cards. Lucky you! Please e-mail me your address as soon as possible. Thanks.

100 Blog Post Give Away

This is my 100 blog post!!
Yea!! As I contemplated how to celebrate my big achievement! I thought that I wanted all of you to join in the celebration with me!

This is what is worrying me most right now. The high price of gas! So I thought it would be really nice of me to give you all a chance of winning some free gas! Well... seeing as I can hardly afford to fill up my own tank with gas. I changed my mind and looked for something else to have as a giveaway!

Since I'm the daughter of a retired Postal Worker /Mail Carrier/ Letter Carrier/ Post Man, whatever you want to call him. I've been thinking about the fact that the price of stamps are going up another penny starting next week, May 12. Since the Post Office does not give away Free Stamps, I thought that I could give away a sheet of Forever Stamps! I bought myself several sheets last week and I'm willing to share a sheet with one of my special bloggin friends! So join the fun and leave a comment! If you are one of my favorite lurkers and still haven't left a message or still can't figure out how to do it, just e-mail me and tell me you want to join the contest. Come on now don't be shy!! Contest will be over tomorrow, Wednesday, at lunch time. 12 noon EST! Thanks for playing along. Now go and "Make it a Great Day!"

Mother and Daughters

This is my daughter in law Jordan and her mother Susie sitting in the chair and her sister Brittany. I thought these were cute picture's! Don't you think that Jordan looks just like her mom?

He Went About Doing Good

"It was said of the Savior that He 'went about doing good . . . for God was with him.' (Acts 10:38) May we follow that perfect example. In this sometimes precarious journey through mortality, may we also follow that advice from the Apostle Paul which will help to keep us safe and on course: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.' (Philippians 4:8)" - Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," General Conference, April 2008

Double Duty

Or I could call this picture "Pretty In Pink"

All three girls are wearing pink.

When there are children to be swung

everyone needs a 10 or 11 year old niece

around to help! Thank you Anna.

Swinging baby on the left, Reagan.

Swinging baby on the right, Emma Mae.

Park on Jekyll Island, GA.

Red Neck Pinata

Mrs. Peg from Christon's work had given her these Pinatas that had been in the storage closet for years. So she filled one of them with candy in case any little ones did show up for Reagan's 1st birthday party and they needed a little fun. No other real forethought, like where to hang it or something to hit it with? So, Amanda brought her little ones and Carla's daughter Anna and Shelby were there. And where there are little children there needs to be some action/activities.

So Pinata time!! Where to hang it? We were having Reagan's party at the cafeteria at Griffis Steel Co. Not really conducive to children's birthday parties. So Uncle Travis to the rescue!! He thought he could hang it from the overhead crane outside in the shop! Yea good idea, not really. It wouldn't stay on, it fell off 3 times. Poor frustrated children. It wasn't to bad an idea though because Travis could lower and raise the Pinata with the crane, to the height of the children. Now remember, no forethought to this little event?!? He had to find and old broom handle to hit the thing with. It was the funniest disorganized event ever witnessed by the older party goers. We laughed so hard at those poor children it was a shame. Finally Travis let Jonathon finish it off and candy spills all over the dirtiest floor ever!!! No forethought to sweeping under where the Pinata candy would fall! The poor little children had to pick up their now very dirty candy off the filthy floor. So sad! No one had ever witnessed such a redneck event before and we were all wishing we had a video camera because we could have turned the tape over to America's funniest Videos .

Amazing Talent

Yall know that "What a Wonderful World" is one of my favorite songs! I loved this and this guy, Terry Fator, is an amazing ventriloquist! Probably the best in the world! Enjoy!