Sometime in July our county had their annual Relay for Life celebration. My family went and supported the cause, my mother in law, who reports everything for our county to the paper and the local teams. The cattlemen grilled ribeye steak sandwiches (you know you're from a small town if you've ever enjoyed one of these) and there were root beer floats being made by another group. (Before we were married, Al took me to a nearby town's celebration and offered me a ribeye sandwich and I said, no thanks. Then proceeded to finish his sandwich off. It must have been love!! They are the absolute best things ever!!) There was a silent auction where I bid and "won" two weekend kayak rentals, hence the previous post of floating down the river!
Sunday we had the opportunity to go boating, tubing, kayaking down the Cedar River with some good friends. Beth was brave enough to bring a camera along so I get to share all these wonderful pictures!! Thanks Beth!! And if you want to see more of our wonderful trip, check out her blog. Alas, there aren't any pictures of "Queen Beth" sitting on her chair in their blue boat! She had the camera and I didn't think to snatch it!! Next time...(because we all know I won't be brave enough to try and kayak with Casey on my lap and take pictures!)
The kayaks were free rentals that I acquired at Relay for Life and they were a blast!! Bigger than I expected and very easy to manuever!
Beth's men were trying so hard to fish, stopping to get bait and everything!!
Too bad they didn't catch any this trip! But that means we should do it again!! Don't you think, Beth?
Despite not having a motor, Al was relaxed and enjoying our time...
I stopped home unexpectedly after taking the kids to school and this flew at me and hit me in the face!! AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!! Al was at work and his Dad was busy so I begged a neighbor to come and "save" me from this creature!! Then, he indulged me by holding him and letting me take a picture for the blog!! Look at those teeth!!!| 1 | lb. bacon | 1/4 | cup honey |
| 8 | chicken breasts; cut into chunks | 2 | tsp. ground oregano |
| 3 | cloves garlic; minced | 2 | tsp. basil |
| 1 | large yellow onion; sliced | 1 1/2 | tsp. parsley |
| 6 | large tomatoes; diced | 1 | tsp. salt |
| 1 | red bell pepper; cut into chunks | 1 | tsp. ground black pepper |
| 1 | green bell pepper; cut into chunks | 3 | cups Mozzarella cheese; grated |
| 1 | cup mushrooms; sliced | 3 | cups Cheddar cheese; grated |
| (1) | 10 3/4 oz. can tomato puree | 1/2 | cup Parmesan cheese; grated |
| 1/4 | cup balsamic vinegar |
Heat a 12" Dutch oven using 20-22 briquettes bottom. Slice bacon into 1" strips then add to hot oven and fry until brown. Remove bacon from oven. Remove and reserve all but 2 Tbs. of the bacon grease from the oven. Add chicken and garlic to oven and cook, turning frequently, until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork. Remove chicken from oven and add reserved bacon grease. Line the bottom of the oven with onion slices then put chicken on top of the onion. Add tomatoes, red and green bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cover and bake using 12 briquettes bottom and 12-14 briquettes top for 30 minutes.
In a large measuring cup make a sauce with the tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, honey, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Sprinkle bacon over top of cooked vegetables then pour sauce over vegetables. Cover and bake another 15 minutes. Sprinkle cheeses over the top. Replace lid and let sit for 15 minutes until cheese is melted.
Serves: 16
The first day of school was a flurry of excitement in our house. Surprisingly, Carter was the most excited of all, counting down the days until he got to go back to school. Emily was more uncertain, thinking that 4th grade was going to be hard. Casey just wanted to stay home with mama.
This is the night setting on my camera. Turned out kinda cool I think.
My beautiful daughter.
Carter was playing around with a flashlight so I thought I'd see what would happen. Cool Light Saber effect.
This picture was also taken in the night setting by Emily.
Disclaimer: All of my pictures are straight out of the camera. I am excited by photoshopping effects but don't always have the time to practice with the program. So in order to post more, I am opting to just put pictures up for now and work on improving editing techniques later! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Take me out to the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks,
I don't care if I ever get back.
If they don't win, it's a shame.
at the old
Ball game!!!!
