tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832588252445590402023-11-15T20:38:12.838-05:00Tales from our Homestead...Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-46940654643592566492013-05-06T15:54:00.001-04:002013-05-06T20:31:26.224-04:00Words are PowerfulRecently in my life someone said to me, "No one cares about you."<br />
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Talk about powerful words. <br />
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We have to be so careful what we say to our spouses, children, friends, and even our enemies. Words can haunt our hearts for hours, days, weeks, even years. We have to ask ourselves if "winning" a conversation or disagreement is worth the damage our words can cause. <br />
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I've learned, it's never worth it. Sometimes, I have to choose to ignore things or just walk away from a comment even when I feel misrepresented. Sometimes when we are simply trying to explain ourselves and feel like our motivations are right, they can be wrong. <br />
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What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded. Proverbs 18:21 NCV<br />
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Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-82336202795901293212013-04-15T01:37:00.001-04:002013-04-15T01:37:24.825-04:00Misinterpreted PassionWhat are you passionate about? <br />
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If I scroll through some people's Facebook timelines, their passions are obvious: My mother shares scripture and teachings on her Twitter and Facebook more than once a day; She's passionate about Jesus. My Aunt Debbie shares photos and tips about making party food unique; it's safe to say she likes throwing a pretty party with a good theme. My cousin-in-law Raeia's timeline is filled with Pinterest pins of recipes that are genuinely whole foods and good for you, as well as work outs. She's passionate about being healthy, really healthy. <br />
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Do you know what I'm passionate about? Food. I should probably equal that out with exercise but that's a post for another day. Several years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to cook from scratch. At that point in time, I just wanted to be more like my great-grandmothers before me. I learned to can, freeze fresh produce, and make jams. Then I learned to bake bread. I even learned to make fresh pasta. While I've been on this journey, I've also learned a lot about our food system. It's not as safe as you would think. Additives, food dyes, and preservatives change our brain chemistry, over exposure to GMO corn can cause cause fertility issues, neurological diseases, and cancer. <br />
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I began to wonder why our great-grandparents had families of 8 or 9 children instead of struggling with infertility and multiple miscarriages. And how they rarely had troubles breast feeding or how rarely children developed autism. How commonly did people have Alzheimer's? <br />
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My mom says (if I remember correctly) that once your eyes have been opened to the truth, it's up to you to decide what you do with that information. You can keep it to yourself or share it. <br />
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It's been brought to my attention that: my desire to share the things I have learned is rude, I make people think that if they aren't just like me, I think they're stupid., and this is why I have no "real friends". I, in turn, feel like my 11th grade self who never understood why she was the only unpopular Varsity cheerleader ever. <br />
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I won't lie, I don't understand why we medicate our children for hyperactivity rather than changing their diets first. But, I never EVER meant, one single time, to act like I think I am a better mom than anyone else. My house is messy, there are always dirty dishes in my sink, and I just cannot keep from buying crackers to keep on hand. I am not perfect, I am just me. Warts and all. I get so excited learning to make things from scratch because I think it's fun. Maybe you enjoy gardening - I kill everything that can't tell me it's thirsty, or music - I can't play an instrument or sing, or art - please don't ask me to draw anything. It's embarrassing. But I can cook. I love it. I always have. <br />
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My heart is broken. Surely, you all didn't think I was that self-righteous and mean. But I am thinking more people feel that way than I'd like to know. <br />
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I'm hoping this may clear some things up, I'm sorry I offended so many of you. Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-81421871311540392102012-12-16T22:07:00.000-05:002012-12-16T22:09:23.489-05:00I Walked Away...Alzheimer's Sucks <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I'm not even sure what the point of this post is. All I know is that the past few days I've had to come face to face with something I have tried to run from for years. Where do I even begin? Well, let's start at the very beginning...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I am a child of divorce. And through that hard bit of life, I have also had the privilege of having an extra family it seems. Two extra parents, extra brothers, and two extra sets of grandparents. I was in the 7th grade when my parents started dating new people, and my Mom met a man younger than her by 7 years. He became my stepdad when I was 15. Noah has always been great to me and my brother Chess. But this story isn't about him, it's about his mom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> When we met Aundria, she didn't have grandkids yet, but she always treated Chess and me like family. She is by far the kindest person I have ever met in my life. I never heard her say anything negative about anyone, ever. I never heard her raise her voice or speak in anything other than a soft tone of voice. Not like I've forgotten if she had...she really didn't. She hosted us almost every Sunday for lunch. She made the best creamed potatoes. I can still remember how they tasted. I wish we had learned her secret to those awesome potatoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> About 8 or 9 years ago, she started to forget things. One Sunday she put flour in the tea instead of sugar. Another Sunday, she added cinnamon. You know...just little things that we could kind of giggle about on our way home. It was 7 1/2 years ago she was diagnosed with Dimentia/Alzheimer's. I'll never forget that phone call. I was working for Clinique in a department store, and I sat down right in the middle of the floor and listened to my mom tell me that eventually she wouldn't know me. And she'd never know my children. Not because she was sick and wouldn't be living, but because she wouldn't have the ability to remember. The last time that stands out to me that she and I truly interacted was at my wedding reception. That was 6 years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> For 6 years, I've only visited her a little because it was so hard to see her on this journey. She's been living in an assisted care facility for 3 1/2 years now. Until this weekend, I'd only visited her once or twice. I know how horrible it sounds. I'm an adult, no one was going to make me go...but it was so hard to see her so disconnected. Now, her journey is coming to an end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This weekend, I've had to come to terms with the fact that when things got tough, I walked away out of my own selfishness. It was as though if I didn't have to see what was really happening to her, it wasn't. I didn't have to accept it. Total denial. If you've never had a loved one to go through having this illness, you just can't understand. It's not a forgotten thing here or there...it's total forgetfulness. Even forgetting that you shouldn't put your hands in your dinner plate or how to do even the simplest things. One day, she just didn't walk anymore. It's loving someone who no longer has the ability to even chose to love you in return. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The past two days, I've gone to see her and just watched her sleep. It's been an odd experience because she was always so very ladylike and I think if she knew she was snoring in front of us she would not like it one bit. But she doesn't know...she's been gone for a long time. Alzheimer's is like having someone die twice. It's the only situation I've ever witnessed where it genuinely feels hopeless. There's no turn around. You just don't come out of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> So, this post, I guess, is an apology. It's a way for me to say I'm sorry to someone who will never hear me, but didn't notice I wasn't around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Kindness, genuine, unconditional kindness is one thing about her I will never ever forget. My beloved Grandmother, Aundria, is only 68 years old. She hasn't known me for a while now. But I'll always remember her. </span>Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-53510810189113769342012-11-06T11:51:00.000-05:002012-11-06T11:52:20.083-05:00October Photos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvHSeKSqWJX360apQwjSwJ1N_b8Ml1Yklhwch7sX2zBOTfhhTtUneeRqha78e7CsZgtstYnc-dxJhEFpB_43vY4n4OXXOUSclSCv9jY2gAVwnhqkMkhbimcXujkBXxzN2rwn442dBREM/s1600/October.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvHSeKSqWJX360apQwjSwJ1N_b8Ml1Yklhwch7sX2zBOTfhhTtUneeRqha78e7CsZgtstYnc-dxJhEFpB_43vY4n4OXXOUSclSCv9jY2gAVwnhqkMkhbimcXujkBXxzN2rwn442dBREM/s640/October.jpg" width="640" /></a>Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-851275082586030112012-09-25T13:21:00.001-04:002012-09-25T13:21:22.055-04:00Monthly Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping Part 2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> First of all, let me say that the best thing that's come out of my monthly menu planning and shopping experiment is that there isn't any stress over dinner. Granted, I focused so much on dinner that I kind of forgot our lunches here at the house. Oops. However, next month, I'll know better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have a lot of things that will carry over to next month, partially because we traveled a bit to visit family, and partially because we eat a lot of breakfast around here. :) We have some meat in the freezer, and still two gallons of Organic Milk we haven't touched! I'm pretty excited. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We have a lot of new menus in our collection now too. All the recipes I planned for this month were new. I had never made them before. And now I am going to share more of our favorites with you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Chicken Fried Steak with Creamed Gravy</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 Large, thin ribeyes cut in half</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp ground pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oil for frying</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine Panko, flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. In a second dish, whisk milk and eggs. Dredge chicken in dry mixture, dip in milk mixture, and dredge in dry mixture again. Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a skillet. Heat oil and fry steaks in bathces, about 10 minutes, adding oil as needed. Turn, fry a couple more minutes until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack on top of a pan. You can place the pan in the oven to keep the steaks warm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creamed Gravy:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 cup flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-3 tbsp pan drippings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cups of milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt and pepper to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carefully drain all but 2-3 tbsp of the pan drippings from the skillet. Add flour adn cook over medium high heat. Whisk the flour until it becomes brown and forms a paste. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until combined. Let the gravy come to a boil adn then reduce heat and simmer until the gravy thickens. Salt and Pepper and serve over Steak and Mashed Potatoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**This recipe can be repeated with thinly cut chicken too. This is the best "chicken fried" recipe I have tried! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 (20 oz) Chicken Thighs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 Medium Asparagus, ends trimmed, cut in half</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 Bell Peppers, any color</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup carrots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Red Onions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 oz Sliced Mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup EVOO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp Sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cloves of Garlic</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 425. Wash and dry the chicken well. Combine all the ingredients together using your hands and arrange in a very large roasting pan. The vegetables should not touch chicken, and all should end up in a singer layer. Use two baking dishes if necessary. Bake 35-40 minutes. Enjoy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post also appears on my cooking blog: discoveringhomemade.blogspot.com</span>Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-30925362478763776012012-09-24T15:24:00.002-04:002012-09-24T15:24:09.482-04:00Pictures from the Last Few Weeks...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnx96Po-3j55qiInkAXzAlIlTYDDXDEY1X5zZqTlOUAA82n24JI6QtzfQOGn81qez93Pp3061LkxVVvoPoymCMOJg1BPjWkU54D2J5WvVCvy8gvQb-wFudlP5ZdKQ-rRy0v-b_LS-Pxk/s1600/Ella+Teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnx96Po-3j55qiInkAXzAlIlTYDDXDEY1X5zZqTlOUAA82n24JI6QtzfQOGn81qez93Pp3061LkxVVvoPoymCMOJg1BPjWkU54D2J5WvVCvy8gvQb-wFudlP5ZdKQ-rRy0v-b_LS-Pxk/s320/Ella+Teeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella Rose has two teeth!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTTBEcds0Xt4qCHJdMakKY4ii3FFg67q6kXbGb7lvHKHDGmImOU8EYuC5Ej1EuWRU1icC8_0NP7y54ZiQL99zGuY-fgyTs7s9bk-ahg_7Xasb29hkvKaVXGrhX0qXp4k-4NifOmh7EGg/s1600/bedhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTTBEcds0Xt4qCHJdMakKY4ii3FFg67q6kXbGb7lvHKHDGmImOU8EYuC5Ej1EuWRU1icC8_0NP7y54ZiQL99zGuY-fgyTs7s9bk-ahg_7Xasb29hkvKaVXGrhX0qXp4k-4NifOmh7EGg/s320/bedhead.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sweet Girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGFwzDsdhi9pl8QUf_Z6yvrF0ZFZErOoOrknVGsiKz4il9TGajiwO1o2sHz5F33IKUgkAoT1DajiOGBfRb2d3fJAHWoNFo36T49xS4agtMuUeF_Rg-VCfl3TimJNIWVHTqSPfHUcNq_c/s1600/image_10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGFwzDsdhi9pl8QUf_Z6yvrF0ZFZErOoOrknVGsiKz4il9TGajiwO1o2sHz5F33IKUgkAoT1DajiOGBfRb2d3fJAHWoNFo36T49xS4agtMuUeF_Rg-VCfl3TimJNIWVHTqSPfHUcNq_c/s320/image_10.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly Carly Beth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBYNes0IMkOQqm7A1TfrTs7ylGYjAdcAwtTShvqFJ9g-SOFcuBHA_lnMPREVNyZ8y0qx8L8mVTFd63Ufre9a5fHEBt8C9sSJSkVHELX6kKm4kLHqgvmgtmg1Vqd1srF0iS0pnZ7XtGDM/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBYNes0IMkOQqm7A1TfrTs7ylGYjAdcAwtTShvqFJ9g-SOFcuBHA_lnMPREVNyZ8y0qx8L8mVTFd63Ufre9a5fHEBt8C9sSJSkVHELX6kKm4kLHqgvmgtmg1Vqd1srF0iS0pnZ7XtGDM/s320/image_2.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's going to crawl any day now...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxi6635Stw8lT4PAUI0rcGWMkjVrKpRibwsHGAceszuZmHv-audZVaB-8Hzgye4eeBytNvswg7JPFqTx1_SLmD-8AfBMLPduPGN7KU2LZOgss-BUnpjJmmwtAx8z5zUpR7fhdivPzP-A/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxi6635Stw8lT4PAUI0rcGWMkjVrKpRibwsHGAceszuZmHv-audZVaB-8Hzgye4eeBytNvswg7JPFqTx1_SLmD-8AfBMLPduPGN7KU2LZOgss-BUnpjJmmwtAx8z5zUpR7fhdivPzP-A/s320/image_3.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Ella Rose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBBFdZy7Zk1ni_sTA7pgHXDrsCFi71z1Z5k_7coh2U0Yr6yeEsn3e8wxgitaKsDDSmuWHLusn8Ngu3i1gOyy5m-juGlubXdNM0BF9b7E3qPRx8rBb6-sSPbbyXxpKE0BkCoYuXZPHOyI/s1600/image_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBBFdZy7Zk1ni_sTA7pgHXDrsCFi71z1Z5k_7coh2U0Yr6yeEsn3e8wxgitaKsDDSmuWHLusn8Ngu3i1gOyy5m-juGlubXdNM0BF9b7E3qPRx8rBb6-sSPbbyXxpKE0BkCoYuXZPHOyI/s320/image_4.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly Beth is into superheroes right now</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVxsiAgqW6uG5NFvSAcJMRy_21xLVyefJyoP1qXPnMJVWhUyVp7dxsEvDk_FHe7a702u1o1m7KGMAnQYBWreNhJA5AAmF9-1t1Tt_NryQqE3syrAO9DANG6ycAYPQWZT5GqC43DN06QQ/s1600/image_5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVxsiAgqW6uG5NFvSAcJMRy_21xLVyefJyoP1qXPnMJVWhUyVp7dxsEvDk_FHe7a702u1o1m7KGMAnQYBWreNhJA5AAmF9-1t1Tt_NryQqE3syrAO9DANG6ycAYPQWZT5GqC43DN06QQ/s320/image_5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real food or not, we have to stop for a frosty on our way to Auntie Jane's! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3Pwaw6csc1Y20I9FRhVJKPTCVBQDCODSnTx1gTpGWFV9jUaaaKEqyIDd10ZlY9rwEx3gvKDuwFOkwchLNFc7Q4yQrIGezmQ8flo0ODpPM0zU-636VzKJDYK3CmtQL5Zr3Jipl_P5s3Q/s1600/image_6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3Pwaw6csc1Y20I9FRhVJKPTCVBQDCODSnTx1gTpGWFV9jUaaaKEqyIDd10ZlY9rwEx3gvKDuwFOkwchLNFc7Q4yQrIGezmQ8flo0ODpPM0zU-636VzKJDYK3CmtQL5Zr3Jipl_P5s3Q/s320/image_6.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella Rose graduated to the next seat...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAeUiYVrPZJiiWfdsQKUkQgPGV5EpwiqjV3ly0Bih2766ACpi642yMyUbVCEexxZVWGn2WO55p8tUL4WwkIqts59RwB5-p4GHsbfH1DuxCFbfWByHvelaU0IID4jjFzVaYDlAmlSaNwE/s1600/zucchini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAeUiYVrPZJiiWfdsQKUkQgPGV5EpwiqjV3ly0Bih2766ACpi642yMyUbVCEexxZVWGn2WO55p8tUL4WwkIqts59RwB5-p4GHsbfH1DuxCFbfWByHvelaU0IID4jjFzVaYDlAmlSaNwE/s320/zucchini.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We battled over this bite of zucchini for two hours until she fell asleep... </td></tr>
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<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-56746492875703542512012-09-06T11:01:00.001-04:002012-09-06T11:02:59.606-04:00Monthly Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping This month, I decided I was going to plan our menus and shop for the whole month! I did a lot of research online and read other bloggers experiences with shopping for the whole month. It was my hope to come in under $400 which is technically our food budget but I know good and well we spend more than that by eating out when I just don't feel like cooking. I worked for two weeks researching and printing recipes. I picked recipes we'd never had before, and even printed recipes to make our own ketchup and mustard, some muffins and cookies.<br />
On Friday, I went out with my grocery list. I used a printable I found online to help me stay organized. I hit Aldi first and bought everything on my list they had available. I spent $117 roughly. I filled up my cooler in the back of my car and headed to Walmart. At Walmart, I spent about $240 on food. I bought all my meat here. I didn't shy away from the items that I love and are staples in my kitchen: Good quality meats, King Arthur Flour, Ghiradelli chocolate chips, and Organic milk. Even though I was shopping for a whole month and was concerned about the bottom line, I am more concerned about what my family is eating on a regular basis. This whole experiment is pointless if my family isn't staying with our healthy eating and minimal processed foods. I came in at about $50 under my goal of $400. I was really proud of myself!! $50 may not seem like a huge deal but over the course of the year is $600 we can save. That sounds pretty good to me!<br />
<br />
I froze three gallons of milk. I also cut the peppers and onions I purchased and put them in freezer bags in the freezer. I froze Asparagus and the other veggies I purchased. I also processed my avocados for future recipes and froze it in freezer containers.<br />
<br />
So far, I have made three new recipes of things I printed and I wanted to share them with you because they are SO yummy!!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken</u></b><br />
Adapted from skinnytaste.com<br />
Yield: 4-6 Servings<br />
Ingredients:<br />
2 Chicken Breasts<br />
1 14.4 oz can Rotel<br />
1 15 oz can Black Beans<br />
1 can Shoepeg Corn<br />
2 cups Chicken Broth<br />
1 Onion, chopped<br />
1 Pepper, Chopped (Any color will do, I used Orange)<br />
1 tsp each: Garlic powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper<br />
Salt to taste<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
Combine Chicken broth, beans, corn, Rotel, onion, pepper, and seasonings in the crock pot. Season the chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or high for 6 hours. Half and hour before serving, remove the chicken and shred, return to the slow cooker and stir in. Serve over rice, tortillas, or chips for nachos.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Creamy Chicken Marsala</u></b><br />
Yield 4-5 servings<br />
Ingredients:<br />
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces<br />
1 package Baby Bella mushrooms, cut up<br />
1 small onion, diced<br />
3 cloves of garlic, minced<br />
3/4 cup Marsala cooking Wine<br />
1/2 cup Chicken Broth<br />
1/2 cup Half & Half or Heavy Cream<br />
1 Pound dry pasta<br />
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese<br />
5 tablespoons of butter<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tbsp in a large skillet. Cook chicken until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate. Boil water, and cook pasta according to the directions on the box.<br />
<br />
Melt additional tbsp of butter in the skillet, add garlic, mushrooms and onion and cook for 6 minutes. Add cooked chicken back into the skillet. Add the Marsala, chicken broth adn cream and bring to a boil. Simmer until sauce is slightly thickened.<br />
<br />
Drain Pasta and reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Add the Pasta to the skillet along with 3 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Cook until the pasta has absorbed some of the sauce, add the reserved pasta water as needed.<br />
<br />
Season with Salt and pepper and serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>"Instant" Pancake Mix</u></b><br />
Adapted from Alton Brown, foodnetwork.com<br />
Ingredients:<br />
6 cups All-purpose flour (I used 1/2 King Arthur White Whole Wheat and 1/2 King Arthur All Purpose)<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda<br />
3 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1 tablespoon kosher salt<br />
2 tablespoons sugar<br />
<br />
<b>Directions: </b>Combine all ingredients in a lidded container, Shake to mix. Use the mix within 3 months.<br />
<br />
<b><u>"Instant" Pancakes</u></b><br />
2 eggs, separated<br />
2 cups buttermilk (I used Almond Milk and it was so yummy)<br />
4 tablespoons melted butter<br />
2 cups "Instant" Pancake mix<br />
Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350.<br />
<br />
Whisk together the egg whites and buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and melted butter. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together, don't try to work all the lumps out.<br />
<br />
CHeck to see that the griddle is hot by places a few drops of water onto the griddle. It's ready if the water dances across the surface.<br />
<br />
Lightly butter the griddle, wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel.<br />
<br />
Gently ladle the batter onto the griddle. At this point you can sprinkle chocolate chips or fruit into the pancake if you'd like. When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake, it's ready to flip. Gently flip the pancake and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.<br />
<br />
Serve with yummy maple syrup! :)<br />
<br />
Yield: 12 pancakes<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
***This post also appears on my recipe blog: discoveringhomemade.blogspot.com***Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-50318604041799887922012-08-28T09:55:00.002-04:002012-08-28T09:55:26.674-04:00Blessed By Her Heart...I Pray She Blesses Yours<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> In July 2010, I decided to take a leap and totally expose our family's heartbreak with the whole world. (<a href="http://toddandmandywatson.blogspot.com/2010/07/to-blogor-not-to-blog.html">http://toddandmandywatson.blogspot.com/2010/07/to-blogor-not-to-blog.html</a>) On our daughter's 2nd birthday, we had our first miscarriage. I was devastated and angry. I had unrealistic expectations on how my friends should react. It was raw, unbridled emotion. Reading it today, I can still remember how every cell in my body was in disbelief. I was so hurt. My anger could be calculated in direct reference to how many times I heard "God has a plan"... (On a side note, that's not very comforting in the heat of the moment, so wait a bit before offering that bit of insightfulness to someone in the midst of personal tragedy.)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> Even though we had been through this awful experience...we decided to continue on our journey to grow our little family from 3 to 4. Through all of this, God blessed me with two very special friendships. We were all on a different version of the same journey: To Grow our families. One of my friends, K, easily had her first daughter, and the other, M, had been pregnant and suffered a miscarriage close to the end of her first trimester. I cannot speak for them, but these ladies helped my mental health and faith so much in the darkest time in my life. You don't understand unless you've walked in our shoes, and it's so hard to expose yourself to people who cannot even begin to understand your pain. It's hard hearing advice from someone who just doesn't know - and that applies to any situation. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> In March 2011, we found out we were expecting again. I was hesitantly excited. Our first doctors appointment was at the beginning of May, I waited until I was 9 weeks because I wanted to see a certain doctor. But when the appointment was merely days away...I started to feel very uneasy. I remember talking to my mom and saying "Surely, God isn't going to do this to us again..." But our baby didn't have a heartbeat. It passed away at 7 weeks and 4 days (roughly). The doctor said I had options; I could have a procedure, I could take a drug that would induce the miscarriage or...I could wait it out. We came home, talked it over, and decided to wait. Thankfully, it only took a week, and I was able to safely deal with it on my own. To be honest, part of me died. I have never been more aware of what was happening to me than those few days. I was scared, hurt, and felt like it was a hopeless situation. I was unsure if I still wanted to travel my journey. My husband wanted to keep going, but his pain wasn't the same as mine. I'm not discounting what he felt, I'm just saying...being a mom is different. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> In July, I went back to the doctor so they could run tests and help us to figure out why we were able to have Carly so easily...but now we were struggling. They were doing blood work for all kinds of things, and the doctor had them do a pregnancy test, just in case. IT WAS POSITIVE. I have never been more shocked in my life. I'll never forget that afternoon. However, I was JUST BARELY pregnant. I was in and out of the doctors office for the next month every couple days for ultrasounds and blood work. Thankfully...this pregnancy was meant to be. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> My Two friends were starting new parts of their journeys. They were starting injections and fertility treatments. The three of us soldiered on together, praying forcefully for the well being of my baby, and the creation of theirs. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>My one friend, K, has an awesome blog. She is the most crafty and resourceful person I know! She can figure out how to do anything. I had been encouraging her to be honest about her journey...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>and in November she made her first post: <a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/11/infertility.html">http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/11/infertility.html</a> , February her second: <a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2012/02/infertility-part-ii.html">http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2012/02/infertility-part-ii.html</a>, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>March her third: <a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2012/03/infertility-part-iii-life-after-ectopic.html">http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2012/03/infertility-part-iii-life-after-ectopic.html</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>and last night...her final post on her (in)Fertility Journey<a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2012/08/infertility-part-iv-final-update.html">http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2012/08/infertility-part-iv-final-update.html</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> I'm sharing this with you...because maybe your journey is similar to mine, or maybe it's similar to her's. I think the most invaluable thing I have learned through all of this is that I'm truly not alone in what I have been through or how I feel. And I'm sharing her story with you today because, well, even if you've never been there, you should read it. Not everyone gets pregnant the first try. Not everyone who easily has their first child, can have the same "luck" from then on... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> It's also worth mentioning that our other friend, is finally pregnant and their baby is due in December. I've been so proud of her for her sticking to what she and her husband have wanted even when it's unpopular. Much to the chagrin of some family and friends, they are waiting until the baby is born to know the sex. (yeah!) They've waited so long they want to enjoy every bit of excitement, joy and surprise. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> All of our journeys are worth celebrating...and they aren't over. My husband is one of 4, and I am one of 3...but also, we have our hearts set on a boy. I'll continue on this journey until it's over. Since the birth of our daughter, Ella Rose in March, We have lost another baby. We have 5 children now ... two here in our home, growing and thriving every day...and three in heaven dancing and playing until one of us gets there to bless them with a name. I mourn them, but I am not concerned about them...between Jesus and GangGang, I know they are being taken care of. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> I hope the honesty of one or both of us blesses you. K is on of my heroes. I'd be so proud to be just like her when I grow up...</i></span><br />
<br />
Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-90341074945807104232012-08-18T18:24:00.002-04:002012-08-18T18:27:30.642-04:00Over You...<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>"It really sinks in, you know, when I see it in stone</b></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Cause you went away,</b></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>How dare you?</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I miss you</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>They say I’ll be OK</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>But I’m not going to ever get over you"</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Over You - By Miranda Lambert</b></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I can't believe it's been six months (yesterday) since GangGang passed away. I don't think I've really accepted it. Visiting Bluffton last week was really weird. It was the first time since we were there for her funeral. I kept expecting her to come walking into the kitchen with her walker. To say I miss her is a huge understatement. I am amazed at how someone affected my life so much in a short period of time and from long distance! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I tell Ella Rose about GangGang a lot. I never want us to forget her or not talk about her. I want Ella to know everything about the amazing lady she's named after. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> It's selfish, but I wish she was still here. She lived a very long and very full life. I'm just not ready to give her up yet. I know she's healed, and reunited with her husband in heaven...and I know I'll see her again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I miss you so much, GangGang. Have fun playing with my babies until I get to heaven too. I know you'll be waiting for all of us with open arms. </span></div>
Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-7957902069807098132012-08-06T12:46:00.000-04:002012-08-06T12:46:04.240-04:00Carly Beth's 4th Birthday Party<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlEFWqbJoYwUKOLFXyxngJIiGMrfafTdvnClg1btXdLFE3UJWalpgrupjNND9vo3yTblOIlsyiQHkfIfsmR-LSd9mc31UdhCIJRkvcp5OJl862zC0zVGgA9BMthyphenhyphenFVe3jkN_FdyGjyp8/s1600/invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlEFWqbJoYwUKOLFXyxngJIiGMrfafTdvnClg1btXdLFE3UJWalpgrupjNND9vo3yTblOIlsyiQHkfIfsmR-LSd9mc31UdhCIJRkvcp5OJl862zC0zVGgA9BMthyphenhyphenFVe3jkN_FdyGjyp8/s320/invite.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful Invitation created by my friend Kendra over at <a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/">Southern Disposition </a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I wanted to post some photos from Carly's birthday party. I can't believe my sweet girl is 4 already!! Time has flown by. We are so thankful to everyone who came to celebrate her birthday with us! Our home was filled with family and friends. Our cup runneth over.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-BThiJDAUW9zDp7q5kziRNXJQ4DCgcIQ086z9rwWiPNiBBHQuU-AcO4oSWpdrUSmKqxm5lmyD_MHkasHbfQHWmlaHyn7n2tlIELw5Ki4iI5icu4aPUCpsN8Q9QglOlCPOH9chqk6RqQ/s1600/Carly+and+Ruth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-BThiJDAUW9zDp7q5kziRNXJQ4DCgcIQ086z9rwWiPNiBBHQuU-AcO4oSWpdrUSmKqxm5lmyD_MHkasHbfQHWmlaHyn7n2tlIELw5Ki4iI5icu4aPUCpsN8Q9QglOlCPOH9chqk6RqQ/s320/Carly+and+Ruth.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carly Beth in her Birthday Hat made by Daddy with her Mamaw Ruth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH2EkNkyiFYiZ07g-2fdTI0kuAN2-CKaiDMHUNizd3dMmAM0u_vro26h1Nn0bAKCBoOFWfplxhXsjfXNe9M6daryhkGvzH8sF2ng7m-iwqv50Mbe2QRrFQ3oKjoUO-3InIrwsAgSYXd0/s1600/Carly+and+Amanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH2EkNkyiFYiZ07g-2fdTI0kuAN2-CKaiDMHUNizd3dMmAM0u_vro26h1Nn0bAKCBoOFWfplxhXsjfXNe9M6daryhkGvzH8sF2ng7m-iwqv50Mbe2QRrFQ3oKjoUO-3InIrwsAgSYXd0/s320/Carly+and+Amanda.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carly Beth and Amanda...or Damanda as she calls her :) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7CHzTb6JEIgV04j6JuVHBMiDNLgsrWxF9KmHBUHSn9xjc1eVPukED5kxnD6yBZt3YF7OezgN8i1rikwuRT8W-vlIWJCJtGAvnKcqzxyA5aHuRujwwklHCtm6Khn-UVGSZHPYvjMyWsE/s1600/386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7CHzTb6JEIgV04j6JuVHBMiDNLgsrWxF9KmHBUHSn9xjc1eVPukED5kxnD6yBZt3YF7OezgN8i1rikwuRT8W-vlIWJCJtGAvnKcqzxyA5aHuRujwwklHCtm6Khn-UVGSZHPYvjMyWsE/s320/386.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mickey Mouse Shaped Nutella Sandwiches </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pinata!! I'll be posting a tutorial soon on how we made this! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Todd, his Mom, and Ella Rose. They all look alike! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj075X1wLk9Hjv52r_PKRoBx6IBiTb0Yde1RP9pZTswHjZXfobNTbyXrOPjJiNd9I9_LSvsCmJE5Lo0YL9W7U2RM6fNXjlOsNoJIaohw78h6DFbvJWpvlfsp-_Nlv0AIcljEJ0t_gJdIgE/s1600/494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj075X1wLk9Hjv52r_PKRoBx6IBiTb0Yde1RP9pZTswHjZXfobNTbyXrOPjJiNd9I9_LSvsCmJE5Lo0YL9W7U2RM6fNXjlOsNoJIaohw78h6DFbvJWpvlfsp-_Nlv0AIcljEJ0t_gJdIgE/s320/494.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carly and her cousin Harleigh</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-71058907156009362462012-06-19T21:09:00.002-04:002012-06-19T21:09:44.745-04:00Carly Beth and her Violin...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-49820469440211414572012-05-31T13:52:00.001-04:002012-05-31T13:52:16.950-04:00Carly and Ella<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/31/1660.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/31/s_1660.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/31/1661.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/31/s_1661.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/31/1662.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/31/s_1662.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/31/1663.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/31/s_1663.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-23459908287914198872012-05-17T23:41:00.001-04:002012-05-17T23:41:07.395-04:00Just some pictures...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/17/4065.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/17/s_4065.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/17/4066.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/17/s_4066.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a 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href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/17/4071.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/17/s_4071.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/17/4072.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/17/s_4072.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/17/4080.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/17/s_4080.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-23118610478688120812012-04-22T17:44:00.001-04:002012-04-22T17:44:53.054-04:00Ella Rose is 4 weeks old...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/22/2928.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/22/s_2928.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/22/2929.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/22/s_2929.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-40750954173516284982012-04-18T13:54:00.001-04:002012-04-18T13:54:12.332-04:00An Update in Pictures...Ella Rose<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1646.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1646.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Carly Beth and her friend Jett<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1647.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1647.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Carly Beth Reading to me...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1649.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1649.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Someone likes Ice Cream...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1650.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1650.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Carly Beth, Papa, and Ella Rose<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1651.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1651.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Someone got a haircut...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1652.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1652.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Granna, Carly Beth and Ella Rose<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1653.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1653.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=8th%20Ave%20NW,Hickory,United%20States%4035.742855%2C-81.363143&z=10'>8th Ave NW,Hickory,United States</a></p>Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-70813121326513650142012-03-24T23:55:00.000-04:002012-03-24T23:55:58.596-04:00Baby Watson is Here!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eleanor Rose Watson was born Friday, March 23 at 11:22 am. She is named after Todd's Grandmother whom we lovingly called Gang-Gang and my Great-grandmother on my Dad's side. We are calling her </div>
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Ella Rose. </div>
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On Friday morning around 2 am my water broke. I called the hospital and they told me to time contractions for an hour and call back. When I called back they were 6 minutes apart. They told me to wait until they were 5 minutes apart for an hour. Around 4 am, Todd took me to my mom's so she could help me and he could run to work and do a couple things to ensure whomever was covering his route didn't miss anyone. </div>
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Around 6 am, it was time to go to the hospital. My contractions had been 5 minutes apart for 30 minutes, then 4 minutes apart for 15 or so minutes and then 3 minutes. As soon as we pulled into the hospital parking lot, the contractions really got intense...little did I know things were about to get a lot more painful. </div>
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They officially admitted me to the hospital around 7, and the pain was...PAINFUL. My nurse asked all the admission questions as slowly as humanly possible, I'm sure. It probably didn't help that I knew that as soon as I Was officially admitted, I got an IV to help "take the edge off" until I was dilated to a 4 and ready for the epidural. If you know me...you know I'm a wuss. I was in so much pain, I didn't know how to deal with it. All I wanted was for my Mama to make it better. Between her and Todd they were trying their hardest to calm me down and remind me to breathe through my nose. I just could not calm down. I was climbing the walls through those contractions!! </div>
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Once I got the IV...it's totally blank. Todd says I Was literally lethargic in between contractions but still yelling and climbing through them. They checked me at 10 am, an hour after I got the IV...AND I HAD DILATED TO A 9. No wonder I was hurting so badly! Todd had to hold me up while they gave me the epidural. I was so thankful to have made it to 9, I knew I Was going to get the opportunity to push...</div>
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Except, as soon as I received the epidural, the baby's heart rate dropped and wouldn't steady back out. They rolled me back and forth, from side to side for about 45 minutes and then told me we'd be doing a c-section immediately. I was a little disappointed but I was also thankful for the urgency and efficiency of the team. As soon as the decision was made, my room was full of nurses. I'd be willing to bet at least 10 of them helping get me ready to go into surgery. </div>
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Ella Rose was born at 11:22 am. She had her umbilical cord loosely wrapped around her neck. She wasn't blue or anything like that, she was just tangled up. When the doctor said it was a girl, I was shocked. I really thought this baby was a boy! </div>
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I may be biased, but I think she is beautiful. </div>
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Daddy and Ella Rose in the Operating Room</div>
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Just Resting...</div>
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Just resting...</div>
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Big Sister, Little Sister...</div>
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Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-10472273064916328492012-03-21T23:34:00.001-04:002012-03-21T23:34:00.798-04:00Getting Ready for New Honeybees and a New Baby<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/21/3030.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/21/s_3030.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Last year, Todd decided he wanted to be a beekeeper. (Side note: he never needs a Halloween costume because his bee suit is way creepy.) He got his bees in May of last year so we didn't get any honey last season...but on Monday, we are getting two additional hives and will be able to "rob" all three at least once probably twice! With the potential of 5 gallons of honey from a single hive, we are going to have plenty of honey for the winter and won't have to use nasty white sugar anymore! And no, honey isn't sugar. Todd and Carly Beth painted the new boxes tonight in preparation for our new buzzing friends. Beekeeping is kind of an expensive hobby but fresh, raw, local honey can be too. <br /><br /> I, on the other hand, was washing the baby's new socks and swaddle and putting the cover on the boppy pillow. The new swaddle blanket is cute, it has bees on it...but Carly Beth is angry with me because I wouldn't buy "her baby Lucy" a pink swaddle today. I'm starting to get concerned over what she may do if the baby is a boy...which I think it is. We'll see...<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-72262974488909721772012-03-12T12:26:00.001-04:002012-03-12T15:11:05.273-04:00Surprise Baby Shower!I LOVE surprises! I love being apart of a surprise and receiving them. But let me start the story back a couple months ago...<br />One of my Aunts told me she wanted to throw a baby shower for me but thought we should wait till after the baby came so guests would know whether to buy for a boy or a girl. This wasn't a huge deal since we kept all our larger baby things we received for Carly Beth like the bouncy seat, Pack n play, High chair, and stroller. All babies really need at the beginning is diapers and onesies, right? <br /><br />Last week, my Aunt invited me to a surprise brunch for my cousin Caitlin's 11th birthday. I got excited and made a couple rounds of biscuits to take. I even made her a present of quality time cards: like little "mini dates" just for us. She likes quality time, it's her love language. Anyways...<br />On Saturday morning we got ready and I was having one of those harder mornings so I put my hair in a ponytail and skipped makeup. When we got to my aunt's house, I noticed some cars that surprised me, but didn't think anything about it. When I walked in...<br />IT WAS A BABY SHOWER FOR ME!!! I was so surprised! No one notice me slip in so I walked into the kitchen and said "This doesn't look like a birthday party." I'm still just so surprised! It was my family, so even though it was a large group it was still intimate and quaint. I felt, and still feel so special! I was so surprised! <br />I feel much more prepared for Baby Watson's arrival and I am so thankful for my family! Turns out my husband knew and he kept it a secret even though he knew I was having trouble not shopping for the baby. <br />Thank you do much for my surprise!! I'm still so surprised and very very blessed! <br /><br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-57663014309636075972012-02-25T16:28:00.003-05:002012-02-25T16:28:29.605-05:005 Weeks To Go...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe there's only 5 weeks left until Baby Watson arrives!! I am very much unprepared compared to the journey with Carly Beth. At this point everything was washed, folded, ready and waiting. This baby has enough clothes for maybe two days. Looks like I need to do some baby shopping.<br />
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The baby's crib and blanket are ready. Todd put the crib together much quicker than when we did it for CB and My Mama did a great job sewing the blanket. It was super quick! I'll post pictures of their finished room when Carly's Bed is done and all the furniture is where I'd like it to be. :)<br />
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This pregnancy has been a little harder these last weeks than I remember with Carly Beth, but I know I'm blessed and I'm trying very hard not to complain. My total weight gain is less than 13 pounds. This is a serious victory! </div>
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I'll post more pictures as I get things done...Why did I wait until now? </div>Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-77353619109925334402012-02-21T17:22:00.001-05:002012-02-21T17:25:41.142-05:00Dear GangGang - a Letter to An Amazing LadyDearest GangGang,<br />I still can't believe you've gone. In the six years I was blessed to have known you, you taught me a lot. You showed me how unconditional love can truly be life changing. You showed me that family doesn't always mean "blood relative". You even shared your amazing Eggplant Casserole recipe with me. You spoke truth even when we didn't want to hear it, but it always coated in love and a desire to help and not hurt.<br />You always called my daughter your "First Great-Grandchild" and never even gave a second thought to the "Step" that should've been in front. It always touched me when you wanted her to accompany you to the beauty shop so you could show her off. Carly Beth loves you so very much. We all do. I'll make sure she never forgets you.<br />It's my prayer that your legacy of unconditional love and family is carried on. I hope that we get to bring all our children to see your beautiful home on the river and teach them to shrimp and catch crab off the dock, tell them your stories of the hog farm and moving cows up and down the road.<br />We will teach all our children about who you were and how you loved all of us. I could only hope that people see me as half the lady you were when my life comes to an end.<br />We will always love you, GangGang and we will never forget you or the things you taught us. <br />All my love,<br />Mandy <br /><br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-54642571525900821372012-02-16T10:40:00.001-05:002012-02-16T10:40:41.136-05:00At The End...You can shed tears that she is gone,<br />Or you can smile because she has lived.<br /><br /> You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,<br />Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.<br /><br /> <br />Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,<br />Or you can be full of the love that you shared.<br /><br /><br />You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,<br />Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.<br /><br /> <br />You can remember her and only that she is gone,<br />Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.<br /><br /> <br />You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,<br />Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.<br /><br /> <br /><br />written 1981<br />David Harkins 1959 -<br />Silloth, Cumbria, UK<br /><br /> <br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-69300803699901664822012-01-22T23:26:00.001-05:002012-01-22T23:29:34.808-05:00Ten Weeks To Go!!!Wow...I'm 30 weeks today. It's flown by. It's been a very easy pregnancy, just like with Carly Beth. I'm having serious insomnia but I'm not complaining. Total weight gain is 9.2 lbs...I'm 1.2 lbs heavier than when I was 30 weeks with CB, but I'm still very pleased! <br /><br />I'm hoping and planning to do so many things differently this time...God has really opened my eyes to a lot since the last time I was here. I know we will endure criticism but we are confident in the choices for our family. <br /><br />God has done an amazing work in my husband. This summer we will be growing vegetables for the farmers market and taking honey from our three hives. One day, our family will be working together on our own little farm, bringing healthy organics to our community and changing people's opinions about food. This is turning into a passion for us. And I'll be honest...not having my husband leave for work every day definitely will out weigh the work we'll be taking on as a family. <br /><br />We are excited to meet the new baby. We aren't sure if it's a boy or girl...I'm thinking boy but I could be wrong. I am so grateful for this miracle...I wasn't sure that we would get here again after losing two babies. God is good to us and thankfully He healed our broken hearts. <br /><br /><br /><br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-20827113661089326322012-01-10T10:36:00.001-05:002012-01-10T11:48:32.056-05:00I Turned 30...and Life Went OnI've been 30 for 11 days. Thankfully, I'm not crying about it anymore. Actually, I was upset the days leading up to my birthday...I'm sure being pregnant was a factor. But once my birthday came, it was a pretty great day! I am prone to having birthdays that are less than fabulous...but since we are close to my family now, it was great!
My Dad and Stepmom took CB on Thursday and kept her until Saturday. It was such a blessing!! I needed a day to myself and Hubby and I got to have a date night. Unfortunately, on Thursday night Hubby's Dad called to to us that his grandmother passed away. Her quality of life hadn't been good for a while, and we know she went to be with Jesus.
Friday was my birthday and it was great! Hubby made sure no one forgot to call or text me, myna Aunt Di took me to lunch, my Mama took me shopping...and we had dinner at the farm with her, my stepdad and Samuel. It was a great day.
Saturday we went on to Charlotte to celebrate New Years with the Lail's...and Sunday we were busy in Concord with Todd's grandmother's arrangements. Monday we traveled to Boone to bury her.
In the midst of all that...Hubby bought a tractor!
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/10/870.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/10/s_870.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />
Guess our farm dreams are on their way to coming true...
<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-80984347236672411152011-12-28T11:23:00.001-05:002011-12-28T11:23:22.022-05:00Lucy and Bluebell We finally picked names for the baby goats! Their Mom's name is Melina, and so we toyed around with names ending in "a". Most of the other animals have names that end in "o": Jojo, Banjo, Ringo... But these little girls got different names: Lucy and Bluebell. Lucy has a black spot on her nose and Bluebell doesn't. Hopefully their eyes will stay blue :) <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/28/828.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/28/s_828.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Did you know baby goats hop like rabbits?<br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/g7AJJr5wqlI" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g7AJJr5wqlI" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AJJr5wqlI"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/g7AJJr5wqlI/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/pcrYPwSRY5I" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pcrYPwSRY5I" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcrYPwSRY5I"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/pcrYPwSRY5I/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p> <br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlMI9A3TJ_8" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlMI9A3TJ_8" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlMI9A3TJ_8"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/AlMI9A3TJ_8/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683258825244559040.post-35283288100895574062011-12-26T10:00:00.001-05:002011-12-26T10:00:14.483-05:00Goat Movies and Christmas Pictures...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/788.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_788.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Papa Noah made this barn for CB. It's awesome!!
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/789.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_789.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This is one of the new goats..
<br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKSxkX_lEUU" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKSxkX_lEUU" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKSxkX_lEUU"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/OKSxkX_lEUU/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/mqLcfIyDhM0" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mqLcfIyDhM0" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqLcfIyDhM0"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/mqLcfIyDhM0/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p>
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/790.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_790.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Santa brought CB a sheep family with their own cottage.
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/791.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_791.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Carly and Harleigh...
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/792.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_792.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />At Great Wolf Lodge...
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/793.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_793.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />
<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/26/794.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/26/s_794.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Naptime on the way to Great Wolf...<br />Mandy Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04912030038932699028noreply@blogger.com0