Let Me Explain . . .

why I haven't been blogging . . .

I must have caught the stomach virus that

my son had this week.

Yesterday was BAD, today I'm better, but very weak.

I'll be back soon with pictures from my reunion.

Reunion Time . . .

It's hard to believe that I graduated from

high school 40 years ago!

Am I really that old?

YIKES!

Tonight hubby and I will be traveling to

my home town to attend my 40th reunion.

Here's the old high school that was torn down

over 20 years ago.

Wish it was still standing so we could walk the halls

and share memories of teachers and classes.

I think I need to get out the yearbook and brush up on names of faces of classmates.

Come back tomorrow to see pictures of the big event.

The Adventures Of Ethan . . .

Hi everybody!

Nana gave me permission to tell you about some

of the adventures I had last week.

On Wednesday I had fun climbing the stairs.

With Mommy close behind I made it to the top.



Here I am sitting on Mommy's lap.
We're in the cellar waiting for the scary
tornadoes to go bye bye.
I was a good boy.
I only cried a little bit.


I always like traveling in my stroller.
We headed to the park.


Mommy and Daddy look like they're having
great fun!

Swinging is fun . . .

especially with Daddy by my side!

Before we headed home we slid down the slide.

Being 15 months old is so much fun!!!

Weekly Words To Live By #8 . . .

When you're tired and don't know what to do . . .

Let go and let God . . .

Visit Tracey for more Weekly Words To Live By.

Walkin' In Sunshine . . .

It's so nice to finally see sunshine again!
After a week of rain, hail, and tornadoes

sunshine is a welcome sight!

Wishing you a sensational weekend!

PW Biscuits . . .

"Rise and shine! The cat heads are getting cold!"

My dad used to say that when he'd wake us

for Sunday breakfast.

I never could figure out what biscuits and cat heads

had in common.

This morning I got up early to make

PW Buttermilk Biscuits.

The recipe is on page 44-45.

Okay, I can read.

I can cook and bake.

But, something went terribly wrong.

Look at this mess I created!

I baked the biscuits for 13 minutes (11 to 14) in
a 450 degree oven per the instructions.
Obviously I did something wrong.
Baked way too long?
Rolled out too thinly?
Oven too hot?

Hubby assured me that hard biscuits
are better than no biscuits at all.
I'm not sure about that!
; )

We did eat the two biscuits on our plate.
The taste was good, but the texture too crunchy.

I don't fault the recipe, just me the baker.
Maybe I'll try again someday . . .

Random Monday Memories #7 . . .

The past few days I've been reminiscing

about my graduation from college.The four years I spent at

Oklahoma State University

were filled with many memorable moments.

I toiled many hours in this beautiful library.

We had no personal computers back then.

All research was done by using the card catalog files

to find books. Also, current newspapers and

magazines were available.

President Richard Nixon spoke at

my graduation in May 1974.

I lived in an apartment complex across the street

from the football field where graduation

was going to be held.

The weeks and days before the ceremony the

sky space above the stadium was filled with helicopters

doing their Secret Service duties.

When the President entered the stadium that afternoon

we were thrilled to see his wife, Pat, was with him.

I was able to shake hands with the First Lady

when she passed by.

Do you have any graduation memories to share?

Weekly Words To Live By #7 . . .

“Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right;

decide on what you think is right and stick to it.”

T.S. Eliot

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable--

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--

think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

I Signed Up . . .

After my scary experience of sleeping through

severe weather early Thursday morning

I signed up for a call service offered by

KTUL Channel 8.

If a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning

is issued for my address, my cell phone will be called.

The program allows you to have 3 phone numbers

registered. The cost is $6.95 a year.

A small price to pay for peace of mind.

By the way, it was determined that

several small tornadoes

were responsible for all the damage,

not straight winds as previously reported.

When I saw the path of the tornado touch downs it looks

like it went right over our neighborhood.

SCARY!

I Slept Through It . . .

Hubby is out of town on business so I stayed up until about 2:00 AM monitoring the weather.

I decided the severe weather was over for our area, so I crawled in bed to get some sleep.

I had no idea that severe weather had popped up a couple of hours after I fell asleep.

I must have really been tired to have slept through this storm! My son called at 5:45 AM to ask if I had power, I did, but they didn't. They live about 5 miles from my house.

I turned on the TV to find out just how bad the storm was. Tulsa schools and several others are closed today because they have no power, plus there are trees and power lines down all over the area.

They say they don't think there were tornadoes, but from the looks of the damage to this house I can't believe straight winds of 60 to 80 miles an hour could have caused this.

I'm thinking we need to sign up with a local TV channel that calls you if severe weather is headed your way!

I'm so thankful we received no damage.

I hope you're having beautiful spring weather in your neck of the woods!

Tornado Alley . . .

You might be wondering why I haven't posted my usual PW recipe today. I was busy yesterday watching the weather. Today I got to play with Ethan. When he's here I make it my priority to spend time with him.

Yesterday, Oklahoma was reminded that we do live in Tornado Alley.I started watching the tornado watches & warnings at lunch time. All the conditions were right for severe thunderstorms & tornadoes. I called Kari around 4:00 to tell her a tornado was sited near Stillwater. Stillwater is located about 90 miles west of Tulsa. This storm system was moving fast. About 70 miles per hour. Soon after Kari & Ethan arrived people started showing up. I'm so glad we have a storm shelter that holds about 12 people. Thankfully we were spared a tornado warning. Warnings were given in areas west, north, & south of us. In total 5 people died in storm yesterday. There are lots of injured people & great lose of homes & businesses.

If you're an Okie blogger I hope you are okay & were not harmed by the storm. Let's keep our fingers crossed that severe weather will stay away for a while.

Legacy Of Love . . .

I'm linking up with my niece, April, for her

Mother's Day tribute.

"The Greatest thing I have learned from my mother..."

I hope you'll visit April today!

I cherish the memories of my Mother, Helen. Her love, kindness, beautiful singing voice, & generous heart are a legacy of love to her family. She loved the Lord. I find sweet comfort in knowing that I will see her again in heaven. I thank God for my wonderful mother.

My Mother taught me so much in her lifetime, but the greatest thing she taught me was to love others just as Christ loves you.

A new commandment I give to you,

That you love one another; as I have loved you . . .
John 13:34

Mothers hold their children's
hands for a short while,
but their hearts forever.

Pray Today & Everyday . . .

If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive

their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Let us remember to not only pray today but everyday!

Mother's Day Tribute . . .

"The Greatest thing I have learned from my mother..."

Link up May 9th

My niece, April, is hosting a sweet

tribute to Mothers on Sunday.


I hope you'll visit her and link up to share your thoughts about your Mother.

PW Chocolate Sheet Cake . . .

When I read the recipe for PW Chocolate Sheet Cake

it reminded me of the cake my friend, Margie,

made. She was a pastor's wife who could cook

up a storm.

This recipe begins on page 218 and ends on 220.

Combine 2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt
Set aside.

In another bowl, mix with a fork

1/2 buttermilk

(I didn't have buttermilk so I added 1 tablespoon vinegar to whole milk.)
2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Set aside.

In a medium sauce pan,

melt 2 sticks of butter

add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder.

Whisk together to combine.

Meanwhile bring 1 cup water to a boil.

When the butter is melted pour the boiling

water in the pan. Allow to bubble for a moment,

then turn off the heat.

Pour the chocolate mixture

into the flour mixture.

Stir together for a moment to

cool the chocolate.

Next, pour in the egg mixture.

Stir together until smooth,

then pour into an ungreased

jelly roll pan or

rimmed baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

While the cake is baking make the icing.

Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a sauce pan.

Add 4 tablespoons cocoa powder.

Stir until smooth.

Add 6 tablespoons milk,

1 teaspoon vanilla,

and 1 pound powdered sugar.

Stir together until combined.

I opted not to add pecans.

Immediately after removing the cake
from the oven, pour the warm icing over the top.
(oops, I forgot to hide the Oreos)


After waiting for the cake to cool
we taste tested the chocolaty goodness.
Delicious, just like Margie used to make!



Next week I'm hoping to try a PW recipe
that's not sweet. I'm not promising though.

Weekly Words To Live By #6 . . .

I enjoy each season . . .

Summer for long days of daylight

Fall for crisp blue sky days

Winter for the beauty of snow

Spring for the rebirth of nature

To everything there is a season, and a time

to every purpose under the heavens . . .

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Visit Tracey for more Weekly Words to Live By . . .

The Lovely Month Of May . . .

Finally, May 1st is here.

Now we can enjoy all the beautiful flowers

and sunshine that come in May.

Did you ever make cones filled with flowers to hang

on neighbors' front doors?

That was so much fun!

Enjoy your weekend!