The Month for Love

My husband and I celebrated our 22nd Anniversary with a nice dinner out.

Valentines decor at my Mama's.

Mama made the heart shaped book on the table.

Out with the old and in with the new.

Peace and joy were a little hard to get this Christmas. It was a very trying year for our family. My Daddy passed in July . My sweet husband had a job change along with other family issues. But we made the best of things and had a very nice Christmas.

My Christmas lights fizzled about a week after I put the tree up. I was going to leave it but decided the put more on top of the decorations.

We kept the family portrait session brief but managed to come up with a couple of decent shots. Joe, Debra, Heather , Daniel and Jordan.

Mama with her girls and our husbands.

Oma with the grand kids. They sure have grown up fast.

I hope 2012 is a better year for our family and for many others that had a tough 2011.

I have a lot to be thankful for.

Celebrating Mama's 78th Birthday

Lots of Birthday calls from friends and family.

Lots of good food.

Heather's friend, Becky, Heather , Mama and Taylor.

My sweet husband.

Jordan , Mama, Heather and Daniel.

My Mother-in-law and Mama

Precious In laws.

2011 Flowers Family Reunion

The Flowers family reunion was held at Grassy Pond in Lake park , Georgia. It was a very nice day although some what sad for us "Flowers" girls. We were missing my Daddy. He passed away on July 6 th, of this year. He was always the one to plan and cook all of the meats on the grill. My cousin, Tim and his friend, Matt took over the grilling task this year. And they did an awesome job.

Jackie and Snookie were on the lookout.

My husband , Joe getting in a little R and R.

Cousin Tim cutting up the pork for BBQ.

Way too much good southern cooking. We had 53 people in attendance. We could have easily fed 50 more.

After the blessing and before the announcements.

Heather and friend Kim with the doggies.

Cousin Tim and my son, Jordan. Jordan rode his bike about 23 miles to get there. And back. He loves to bike.

Family friend, Juan and Jordan.

Mama and the doggies swinging after lunch.

Smile!

Time to head back home.

Cousin Debi and Jim have got it made in the shade. Couldn't resist.

Some of Daddy's sisters. My Mama, Ruth, Jewel, Arnell and Laverne.

It's fall, y'all!!!

The weather is changing and I am ready for some camping. Love the smell of smoke, "piece of quiet" and dutch oven cooking. I especially love to make cornbread, "Celtic potatoes", and cobblers in the dutch oven. And I did make an amazing pineapple upside down cake before too.

Basic ingredients for Celtic Potatoes

4-5 pounds of smallish red potatoes

1-2 large onions

1 pound of bacon

1 pound of shredded Colby jack or cheddar cheese

Fresh or dried rosemary.

Salt and Pepper

Chop onions , not too fine. This is a rustic dish. Wash, cut potatoes into quarters.

Cook bacon in dutch oven over hot coals.

When most of the fat is rendered, remove bacon with a slotted spoon. Reserve for later. You can now drain some bacon fat off or leave it all in. Bacon fat rules in my book.

Cook onions until soft. Covering with lid to hasten cooking. Next add potatoes. Let the potatoes and onions cook together. This will take a little while , maybe 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

When almost done cooking, add cheese, reserved bacon, rosemary and salt and pepper. Cover with lid and continue cooking until it all comes together. Mmmm enjoy.

* Side note here. There are lots of sites on the www. that will explain dutch oven cooking. Go to those sites for more info on the actual methods.

It's Peachey Keen on Rednesday

Wow, It has been a while since I participated in Rednesday. Link up with Sue at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/
I have had a busy, stress full last couple of months. My father passed away July 6th and my husband has changed jobs due to too much stress. I needed a break from the everyday stuff so I went for a ride in the country.

It's peach season here in Middle Georgia and the Elberta's are "in". A friend had told me about this farm stand and I went out to find it. After following my GPS's directions and getting lost, I did the old fashioned thing and asked for directions. I was soon on my way.

Beautiful blue skies and green grass.

The sign does not say but you can pick your own zinnias and sunflowers. Which I did, a whole bucket full.

There was a bus load of seniors enjoying peach ice cream and the shade.

Fresh Georgia peaches. The Elberta variety.

Mmmmm, fuzzy peaches. The fuzz is washed off before it reaches the grocery store but mine had the fuzz.

The grand finale and my lunch. A peach blossom with peach ice cream. Is your mouth watering? I have made two batches of these since I ate this last week.

My last stop was Yoder's country market. It has huge selection of bulk products. I bought lots of spices and as a treat for my kids, bags of the dehydrated marsh mellows like the ones in lucky charms. Who knew you could buy those thins by them selves. if your are ever in the Middle Georgia area, visit William Brown's farm stand, Yoder's Mennonite restaurant and country market. It is worth the ride in the country.