Spaghetti Sauce Mak'in

Here are some of my pictures: I started out with 56 tomatoes, all were given to me or I grew them myself.

Here are some of the chunked up tomatoes, and the start of my big mess!

Diced onions and green peppers, I didn't even cry when cutting them, yippie.

My BIG mess, hey it's all worth it:-)

1 pot of sauce trying to thicken up, the other is on the back burner, I had so much it took 2 pots!

Finally, I'm on the last water bath, hooray!

Ta..da...they all sealed, it sure was fun, time consuming but fun. Thanks Michelle for the recipe and the over the phone help.

I also should tell you I ran out of jars so I froze some sauce and of course we had spaghetti the next night.

LET'S NEVER FORGET 9-11-2001

I know you don't need me to remind you but today is a sad, sad day for our country. Please say a prayer for the thousands that died and the many more thousands that were injured that day, and the several thousands of people who's life was changed for the WORSE that day.

Today, my daughter and I will be attending a ceremony at the court house, I know it will be such an emotional event for many. (I'm taking a box of tissues to share)

On that terrible day I was not in town, and my daughter needed me, she called me in a panic (she was 20 years old). I had no idea what was going on as the t.v. and radio were not on because I was getting ready to get picked up from my new friend, Rose, (she was coming to get me at our hotel and show me around the town my husband and I would be moving to). When Jennifer told me to turn on the t.v. I was immediately stunned, for what I was witnessing was extremely horrific. At that very moment they were talking about the daycare in the World Trade Center being struck, Jennifer was working at a daycare. Oh, all I could think was to tell her they are not going to strike your little daycare building, your going to be alright.

Tippy Tuesday

Once again, you can click on the image to enlarge it.

While traveling home from our extended 4 day Labor Day weekend, we passed this magnificent statue (and church) their sign said this:

"Warning: exposure to the Son may PREVENT burning"

and so consider this is your "tip" for the week.

Here are some facts on the statue that you may find interesting:

• Height: 62'



• Weight: Approximately 16,000 lbs



• Construction: A wood and styrofoam sculpture over a steel framework anchored in concrete. This is covered with a fiberglass mat and resin exterior.



• The project was constructed in Florida, cut into sections and trucked to Monroe Ohio to be reassembled on-site at SRC. (Solid Rock Church)



• Designer: Brad Coriel Artist/sculptor: James Lynch



• Over 8000 man-hours in development and installation



• Reportedly the "King of Kings" is the largest sculpture of Christ in America.

Tippy Tuesday

Open both ends of tomatoe paste cans.
Push the last lid thru the can.

Look how clean that can is, I used this method for all 6 of my tomatoe paste cans when I made homemade spaghetti sauce last week, and it worked well....smoothly:-)

Enjoy your week. Today is Blake's first day of school, I do hope he does well.

It was a total success!

Summer Fun

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

We've been to the pool a few times lately and somebody just loved it:-)

Is she the most darling, eat-her-up scrumpchious thing you've ever seen?

Do you think I should enter her in a photo contest?

They're both enjoying the nice water on a hot day.

She would walk as far as she could and then keep going if we didn't pick her up, not afraid at all.





Another day I took Blake to the Mudfest at the local park.He's just getting started.



He almost slid into the mud, (good, he's still clean).

Well, I knew he'd find that pig pen I mean pool of mud sooner or later!

After several times around the obstical course, he's getting muddier.

He met up with his friend Ben and they chased each other around and around.

This is what you call "disposable clothes"

And this is what you call a "clean kid"

Tippy Tuesday

Hello everyone, I've been busy and I want to post some things we've been doing so come back later and I'll try to get some stuff up.

Your tip for today is this: For cleaning smelly hands after chopping onions or garlic, just rub them on a stainless steel spoon. The steel is supposed to absorb the odor.

Tippy Tuesday

Go to www.walgreens.com and upload a favorite photo TODAY because until 11:59 p.m. you can get a free 11x14 when you use the code FREEPOSTER. You don't have to pick it up today to get it for free, you just have to upload it and "check out" oh, and to save on shipping fees you'll want to pick it up at your most convenient Walgreen's!

I'm not done "tipping" you because each day this week Walgreen's is doing something great in their photo dept. check their site daily for the bargain of the day.

Yesterday they had 25 prints for a whopping total of 25¢! (I didn't know till later in the day or I would have told you.) All this week they have 50 prints for $5.00 and that is a really good price. The coupon code will be EASY50 each print after 50 will be 10¢ each too. (you have to make it to 50 first for the bargain price.)

It's summer time and you've been on vacations and staycations, the pool, the parks, grandmas and so on go get your fix:-)

Happy Tuesday:-)

Blake gets a blog Pen Pal

A little while ago Jennifer signed Blake up for a pen pal, he got matched up with Sam, a little guy going into kindergarten from Georgia. Sam sent Blake several fun things from his state of Georgia.

Blake sent off things from and about Ohio to Sam including a photo album with pictures of Blake on his 4 wheeler and doing some of the things he enjoys, a packet of Gold Star Chili, postcard of Jungle Jim's and other places. Since Jennifer doesn't have a blog, I thought I'd share what Blake received on mine. Here he is with his package of goodies. What kid doesn't enjoy getting mail?

Here is the confederate money Sam sent, how awesome was that! Blake thought it was pretty neat!

a state quarter, a Kennesaw Georgia patch were also included.

He liked the arrow head too.

My Favorite Vacation Spots

Over at Kelly's Korner http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ we're all showing our favorite vacation spots so I hope after you leave me a comment you head over there and find a great vacation idea for your next one.

You can click on any picture to enlarge it, I hope you enjoy our vacation spots:-)

Gulf Shores, AlabamaOne of my favorite things to do when there is get up early and walk the beach, looking for whatever might have washed up over night. Plus of course enjoy the sunrise.
I found this pole and enjoyed poking around and drawing, I was using the net to capture crabs, just to look at them:-)
They're really fast and I kept taking shot after shot seeing how close I could get before he ran into his hole.

The beach is long and private, we go after the summer rush is over but still lovely weather.

The two-tone building is where we stay, we're on the 4th floor toward the middle.

This place is neat, a friend told us we needed to go to Lambert's they throw rolls at you if you want one you catch it. They come around with huge pots of mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cole slaw, they keep filling you up till you tell them to stop.

ERIE,PAa view of the public dock, I could sit here all day on a hot day, the breeze is wicked!
One of my favorite things to do is walk the beach and find beach glass, shell, and stones for "skipping", that's what I'm doing.

They had these frogs all over the place one year, companies sponsored them and painted or jazzed 'em up, they were everywhere. Another year they did it with pigs!

CANADA/NEW YORK/NIAGARA FALLS

A view of the American Falls, click to enlarge, you can see the walkway and get kissed by the falls on your walk!

This is the magnificent view out our hotel window!!

Across the to the American side, shot from our room, on the Canadian side.
ERIE,PA (my home town)

A favorite to bring home from Erie, PA are Smith's hot dogs. They have natural casings, a light garlic flavor and a crunch to their bite, we always make sure to bring several back and freeze. An amazing WOODEN roller coaster at Waldameer Amusement Park. The roller coaster was new Summer of '08. (You get an amazing view of Lake Erie, that is, only if you keep your eyes open). This place has been in business for decades! You can get a ride-a-ramma or purchase tickets per ride, great for a few rides or all day.

Here is my dad and I standing on the dock of Presque Isle.

FLORIDA (SIESTA KEY)

Here is our granddaughter getting a feel of the sand, she enjoyed it so much and we want to take them back this fall.

Sam and Blake feeding the seagulls. Totally kay-osk (sp)

Blake and Seth having a great time.

Blake at sunset in Ruskin, Florida.

FREE FOOD

Today only, get a FREE roast chicken club with any soft drink purchase. I know what I'm having for lunch today. You just have to ask for the deal and you might want to call to see if your Arby's is participating.

Tippy Tuesday

When making an ice cream cone put a miniture marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to absorb the melting ice cream and help prevent drips, who knows, the kids might be surprised when they get to the bottom and see a marshmallow!