Happy 4th!

“Why stand we here idle? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”- Patrick Henry - Speech in Virginia Convention March 1775

My heart swells with thanks for the freedoms we enjoy because of the many men and women who gave their time and even their lives in service to establish a land of freedom. It began with the arrival of the pilgrims on the Mayflower, was sealed by the signing of the Declaration of Independence and is today maintained by the involvement of good men and women in politics and community. I would wish upon all of us the courage to stand up to injustice and tyranny should it ever arise. And I pray for each and every one of us that it does not.

And because I’m such an avid genealogist I can’t go without making a small tribute to just a few of my forefathers who participated in some way in the Revolutionary War:

Josiah Teneley
My eigth Great Grandfather

My eigth great grandfather was born sometime after 1721 in Maryland. Little is known about his life except that he was once in debtors prison.
Patriotic Service: He signed an Oath of Fidelity and Support in Prince George’s Co. Maryland on January 22, 1778. -Box: 4 Folder:31, Oaths of Fidelity, Prince George’s County, 1778 at the Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland

James Barnett Kenney
My eigth Great Grandfather

“James Kenney was born Nov. 29, 1752 in Augusta Co. Virginia to James Barnett Kenney and Miss Kramer.
Patriotic Service: James enlisted in Virginia in Capt. Joseph Crockett’s Company, 7th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. Holt Richeson. James was taken prisoner 10-4-1778 at Germantown. At the close of the war James held the rank of Captain…”

Dr. Alexander Barnett
My seventh Great Grandfather

Patriotic Service: Private in Captain Hanry Hampton’s company in the 6th Regiment of the South Carolina troops, on Continental Establishment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William Henderson Revolutionary War. December 1779 transferred to the 8th Company of the 1st Regiment. In Garrison at the siege of Charleston in 1780. Horseman in Captain Joseph Vince’s company of the South Carolina Malitia, April to June 1781. - Historical Commission of S.C. for Militia duty & War Department, Washington D.C., for service in the Continentals.

The name of Alexander Barnett and other Revolutionary War Soldiers who died citizens of Bourbon County are inscribed on a tablet at the Bourbon Co., Couthouse. Erected by jemima Johnson Chapter D.A.R.

Dea., Capt. Gideon Hotchkiss
My eigth Great Grandfather

“He was captain of a continental army company during the Revolutionary War as noted on page 463 of “The Town and City of Waterbury, Conn.” Whether he fought is not known; he was considered an aged man at that time in history.
Word was passed down to his descendants in the Prospect area that his Revolutionary War duties consisted of enlisting and training recruits in addition to his other publicized roles. It is known he was appointed one of the officials to look after the needs of those left at home and to collect food and clothing to be sent to the troops from the area. At a town meeting held 22 Oct. 1777, five days after Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga, and on the request of the Governor and council of Safety, a committe, including Gideon, was charged with obtaining sundry articles of clothing for the Continental soldiers from Connecticut.
The Hotchkiss Family, Volume II

William Fryar
My eigth Great Grandfather

Revolutionary War records state he served as a Private in Capt. John Ingall’s Co., 2nd North Carolina regiment, commanded by Col. John Patton. His name appears only on the roll of the Company dated 9 Sept 1778 as enlisted 3 May 1776 - 2-1/2 years, sick Valley Forge. DAR papers of Mrs. Oscar Barthold, Weatherford, Texas, number 39,776 - ref Y or V-40-p285.

Frederick Danner
My sixth Great Grandfather

Frederick Danner served two years in the Revolutionary War as a private in Captain May’s Company - Colonel Logan’s Virginia Regiment.
He was granted a pension on 24 Dec. 1833 in Surry County, NC. He was 74 years old at the time of pension, which was $40 per annum. Records were destroyed in the War of 1812. Pension No. R2658. Pvt. PA. NC. PNSR Sources: NC Archives; U.S. Census; Article in Heritage
Source: Danner’s in North Carolina Author William Danner
Frederick is listed on the Military Pension Roll of 1835. Resisence ; Surry County, North Carolina. A pension of $80.00 Annual Allowance started on June 10, 1833 at the age of 72.

July 4, 2008 | Filed Under Holidays | 8 Comments 

Wax Patriotic with Strawberries

I’ve always wanted to start a post title with the word Wax used in that manner. Wow, I’m a dork! Anyhow, some of you may remember this post from a few weeks back. Let me emphasize once again that you truly can Can. We’ve very much enjoyed our strawberry jam. You don’t even need to look a recipe up online. The boxes of pectin have recipes for all sorts of jams inside them. But of course making jam isn’t the only thing you can do with strawberries. I mention this because strawberries are in great supply right now, even if you don’t live in an area where strawberries are locally grown.

Now, I knew California was the grape state, having lived there when I was younger. What I didn’t realize was that California, the California Strawberry Commission in particular, provides 88% of the nations strawberries every year. This year, the strawberry harvest was awesome so strawberries are plentiful and cheap, just in time for the 4th of July.

I think the Red, White and Blueberry Shortcake pictured at right looks light and delicious. Or this Fourth of July Cookie Pizza sounds scrumptious to. If you’re having a fourth of July barbecue or other get together, those are recipes that would be sure to impress. Or you could even create an American flag sheet cake, using blueberries for the star area and sliced strawberries to make the stripes. Even more strawberry recipes can be found here.

Ok, so we all know strawberries are healthy and tasty, yet we can’t always get the kids to eat healthy tasty things. Half the battle is, I think, making food fun. There is a great website, Strawberryville that might just get your kids excited about eating their strawberries this summer. It’s got a fun design, and includes cool strawberry facts, games, kid friendly recipes and more. Whatever you’ve got in mind for the fourth of July, I hope you’ll have tons of fun with family and friends!

July 1, 2008 | Filed Under Good Eats, Holidays | 8 Comments 

7 truths and 1 lie

In honor of April Fools Day I ‘d like to see just how many of you I can actually fool. One account of the eight written below is not true. Can the you guess which one it is?

1. When I was very young, 4 or 5, one of our neighbors became upset about something and sent me home. Evidently I was worried for her so I picked her some flowers and took them to her to cheer her up, all of my own accord.

2. When I was about 4 my mom helped me learn how to do Somersaults. I was very proud of my newly acquired skill and I wanted my mom to do some with me, so I asked her, “Can you do MommySaults?” (Do you get it yet?)

3. My dad brought home so non-alcoholic beer when I was about 16 just for us kids to try. We each took a sip and promptly spit the nasty stuff out. My dad chuckled while we each declared we would never drink real beer ever. I still haven’t ever had a sip of anything alcoholic.

4. I was a social outcast for my early years. Painfully shy and determined not to be like other girls, a so called Tomboy. My only friends were boys and books.

5. I am a treat-aholic. I love to bake and eat sweets. My favorite dessert ever is a deep dish Cherry Pie.

6. I didn’t kiss a boy till I was 17. After that I only kissed one other guy and he is now my hubby.

7. I went to my 11th Grade Prom alone. I had it on good authority that a boy two years younger than me was planning to ask me and I didn’t want to go with him. He was super annoying to me in class and I was a bit immature so the very day I heard the rumor I made it known I already had a date. But I didn’t. Then I went to prom and told everyone my “date” had to cancel.

8. I won second place in the 8th grade spelling bee. The word I misspelled: Guard.
Hey, did I spell that right? :)

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April 1, 2008 | Filed Under Holidays | 17 Comments 

Christmas 2007

Well, I’ve wanted to write a “what we did” and “what we got” Christmas post, because I’ve been reading lots of posts like that and they’re fun. But truth be told, mine will be pretty darn boring next to everyone else’s. We’ve got no family out here so it was just us.

We had our special dinner on Christmas eve. Hubby made a glorious ham (I’m talking ham that ham haters have loved). He glazes it with mustard and brown sugar and slow cooks it and it is sooooo good. We had homemade scalloped potatoes and broccoli with that. Then after dinner we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. We came home and made some gingerbread cookies and then put the kiddos to bed.

Christmas morning found us up at 6:00 a.m. reading Luke 2, then opening presents and then enjoying warm gooey homemade cinnamon rolls.

Count Dooku received a Hot Wheels Turbo Glo track with Turbo Glo Car, the “Rings” Planet Hero action figure, two Magnetix toys (from a Secret Santa) and some candy and other odds and ends in his stocking. Upon opening his Turbo Glo Track set he squealed with delight and exclaimed, “I’ve been waiting for dis my whole life!!!”

Obi-Wan received the new Mater National Cars game for PS2, the “Black Hole” Planet Hero action figure, a Backyardigans Memory Game (from a Secret Santa) and stocking stuffer odds and ends.

Vanessa received two new rattles and a Playskool pop up fun toy and then a cute pajama set and shirt from a secret Santa.

Hubby received a Kitchen Aid Knife Set courtesy of moi, made available through my first ever pay check for my blogging job

I received that new Spyro game I mentioned and an Uno Attack game from a Secret Santa.

It was a delicious, peaceful Christmas. We watched all our favorite Christmas movies, read all our favorite Christmas books, listened to all our favorite Christmas music, saw all our favorite Christmas sights and enjoyed family together time for four straight days.
T’was wonderful!

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December 27, 2007 | Filed Under Family, Holidays | 8 Comments 

In case someone is reading and cares

I didn’t get a Wii for Christmas (a girl can dream) but I did get this:

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My favorite dragon and my favorite new school (old school would be Mario Bro. and Donkey Kong) game series of all time, ever since the first game came out. There aren’t many things I could call myself fanatical about, but someday I want to own every Spyro game ever made, along with the complete Calvin and Hobbes Collection (maybe next year hon?) of course. Oh yeah, and that Wii.

So, any other chica’s out there enjoy video games as much as I do? Or am I the odd one out?

In any case, the game was a complete surprise. I mentioned it once, a while ago to tell hubby I was sad that they might not make it for PS2. Money is super tight as always and Tom actually used a gift card someone gave him as a present to pay for half of it. It was the only present I got and that’s totally cool, I wasn’t expecting anything at all. I love my thoughtful hubby!

Merry Christmas!!

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December 25, 2007 | Filed Under Holidays | 12 Comments 

I fink….

There’s a reason I don’t put presents under the tree until a couple days before Christmas. I have discovered that Count Dooku takes after his father.

Hubby loves to wonder about what might be inside any nicely wrapped present with his name on it. He wonders whilst he sizes up the package. He wonders whilst he gives the package a little shake. He wonders whilst he presses the wrapping paper against the package, hoping to see wording or other clues through the paper.

Today was the day of wrapping the presents (minus one, which had better arrive on Monday!) so I told everyone to stay out while I went about sloppily carefully creasing and taping. When I was finished I brought the presents out and placed them under the tree, thinking I was prepared for what would ensue.

Obi Wan squealed out in a high pitched voice, “Presents?!?!? Por me?!?!?”

Count Dooku perked up at the mention of presents and two wiggly little boys were suddenly perched around the tree eying the gifts. I reminded them that the presents were to be opened only on Christmas, and really they are very good about that sort of thing. What I didn’t count on was Count Dooku’s persistence in finding out what these gifts might be. After asking me for the umpteenth time what was inside the wrapping paper and me telling him for the umpteenth time that he would find out on Christmas he began investigating.

Every little astonishingly perceptive comment uttered from Count Dooku’s mouth usually starts with, “I fink….”

Walking up to me holding the smallest of the presents he said, “I fink dis looks like a game case.”

I turned my head, trying to hide the smile of incredulity that was creeping up on my face. Then I mentally scolded myself for thinking that this 5 year old addicted to dvd’s and video games wouldn’t recognize the shape or sound of the disc inside.

I told him to put it back and he would find out what it was on Christmas day. The faintest hint of a smug grin flashed upon his face as he put it back.

Five minutes later he walked up to me and said, (concerning two other presents) “I fink Obi-Wan and I have duh same present. Dey look and feel duh same.”

“No more touching the presents!” I said exasperated, wondering if he’d tell me exactly what he “finked” they were next.

Note to self: Next year wrap EVERY item in identical boxes, overstuffed with packing peanuts.

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December 22, 2007 | Filed Under Holidays | 13 Comments 

Christmas business

Well, this year I decided to make real gingerbread for what are usually graham cracker houses. The recipe was delicious and absolutely perfect for making houses. Right after I had baked up a tray I eyeballed it and cut out the pieces for three little houses. I assembled them with royal icing and then the boys and I went to work.

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Obi-Wan’s house is on the left and the decorations are very sparse because they all went into his tummy instead of on the house. Count Dooku’s house is on the right, the one that’s been through a powdered sugar blizzard.

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My little masterpiece.

I am sold on making real gingerbread now. I’m definitely going to do it every year. It smells up the whole area of the house where our little houses are on display!

Now onto Christmas Hoopla, a tag from Michelle at In the Life of a Child

1.Ok, this is specifically not a meme. It’s a HOOPLA. Got it?
2. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
3. Please refer to it as a ‘hoopla’ and not the dreaded ‘m’-word
4. You have to specifically tag people when you’re done. None of this “if you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged” stuff is allowed…then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you — but the more, the merrier to get this ‘hoopla’ circulating through the blogosphere.
5. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I’d like to get as many people involved as possible.

1. I love Christmas!

2. I love Christmas lights and I love to put them up myself. On Christmas Eve it is tradition to drive around well lighted neighborhood’s oohing and aaahing at the displays. One day when we own a house, I WILL have the grandest display in the neighborhood. :)

3. I believed in Santa till I was twelve

4. When I was single and had money I loved to pick out a family from our church every year, on which to do the Twelve Days of Christmas doorbell gift ditch.

5. I really, really, REALLY want a Wii for Christmas

6. We really, really, REALLY can’t afford one but that won’t stop me from dreaming.

7. My very favorite Christmas song ever is God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen (I love the renditions by Manheim Steamroller and Bare Naked Ladies), followed closely by Carol of the Bells, Oh Holy Night and Greensleeves.

8. Another tradition at Christmas time is to bake plates of goodies to take to friends. I LOVE this tradition. I LOVE goodies. I like to make peanut brittle, fudge, jewel cookies, magic cookie bars, etc.

9. My favorite ornament on the tree is a yellow clay star I made in first grade. Well, all I did was push the cookie cutter into the clay, but then my teacher baked it and wrote my name on it. It’s the oldest ornament on my tree.

10. We’ve had our own tiny family Christmas for 5 years now. We really do miss our families more around the holiday’s.

11. Count Dooku wants a Hot Wheels glow in the dark race track and car for Christmas. Obi-Wan wants a Master Yoda action figure. I’m so thankful for little boys who don’t realize it’s ok to ask for more than one item at Christmas time. Both of their requests can and will be filled, making everyone happy.

12. I must have a real tree every year. We love to pick it out as a family and we love the fresh pine scent that fills the room every season.

Moving Mama! You’re it!

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December 21, 2007 | Filed Under Holidays | 12 Comments 

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