Remembering my Mama

Mama,
Today makes 16 years you've been gone. I miss you today just as much as I did back then. I'd give anything to hug you just one more time. I think the words of this song sum up my feelings really well. I miss you like crazy and I can't wait until I see you again.

***Scroll down and stop the music in the music player before starting this video.



You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Dear Daddy...

I wrote this last year in memory of my Daddy. And, while it brings me to tears every single time I watch it, I really wanted to re-post it this year. I miss my Daddy every day of every year that goes by. This will be my 14th Father's Day without him.

I cherish these pictures with all of my heart, as they are the only ones I have left of him. For those of you that might wonder, that is my beautiful Mama with him in the blog post. In the video, he is shown with his longtime and very dear friend, Pam Austin.

The very last picture on the video is the last one ever taken of Dad. It was taken only ten days before he died.

I believe it captures best what we all loved about Waymon...his smile.


***Read the blog post and then watch the video at the bottom. Be sure to hit pause on my music player so you can hear the music on the video.***


{original post}

This year makes the 13th year I have spent Father's Day without you.

I miss you every single day of every single year that passes by. I never realized how hard it would be without you. I miss you at times when I least expect it. I have very few pictures left of you and not one of you and Holley together. It stinks.

My memories are all I have left when my children ask questions about you. I tell them all the funny, crazy stuff we did together.

I tell Holley about how scared you were to hold her the day after she was born.

She just laughs.

I remember the educational things you taught me over the years.

I remember the silly little things.





Because of you:

I learned to check and change the oil in my car.

I learned how to change a flat tire.

I developed a serious constant craving for Chick-A-Dilly chicken.

Every time I see a jar of Tostitos cheese dip I think of you.



I learned to judge the mechanics that work on my car.

I also learned to never let them take advantage of me.

All during my childhood I was convinced I had been named after a carburetor.

I learned to appreciate a person that can hunt and kill their own food.

I developed a deep love for hunting later, because of you.

I see you when I see blue Dickies coveralls.




Crown Royal tastes the best when I miss you terribly and need a good, stiff drink...Waymon Holley style.

Everywhere I look I see hooded eyes.

I learned that sausage is best smoked on the grill and served with mustard.

I remember sitting with you on the porch at Pam's holding your hand...silently.

I remember going hunting with you and sharing a can of Vienna Sausages. YUK!!

You always bought me an ICEE, every time we went into the Pit Stop.

I think of you every time I think of Pam. Those bonds are unbreakable.

Pennywise the clown still scares the crap out of me.

My college degree? It's for you.

To this day I think of you when I see a Nissan truck.

And a Rottweiler.

And a Cocker Spaniel.

And a Beagle.


Click on my music player to disable the blog music before you play this video. Thx.

Pretzels with Cheese Dip

By far, The Yummiest Pretzels Ever!!!

Ingredients:

* 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
* 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
* 2 tablespoons butter, softened
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 4 cups water
* 2 tablespoons baking soda
* Coarse salt
* 8 ounces process American cheese, cubed
* 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
* 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
* Prepared mustard

Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add butter, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
Punch dough down. Divide into 12 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 15-in. long strip; twist into a pretzel shape.
In a large non-aluminum kettle, bring water to a boil; add baking soda. Drop two pretzels into water; boil for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain. Place on a greased baking sheet; sprinkle with coarse salt. Repeat for each pretzel. Bake at 475° for 10-12 minutes. Remove from pan to wire racks to cool.
For dip, combine cheeses in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until melted, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk. Serve the pretzels with the cheese dip and mustard. Yield: 1 dozen.




Picture borrowed from Taste of Home website.

World's Best Potatoes

Here's a quick side dish when you are too busy to slave over the stove.

5-6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes

3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 Tablespoon salt

1/2 Tablespoon pepper

2-3 Tablespoons McCormick Grill Mates Onion & Garlic Medley Seasoning

Wash and cut up potatoes into bite size pieces. Put in large bowl. Add in the salt, pepper, onion and garlic, and EVOO. Stir until well coated. (You can add more or less of the seasonings to suit your individual tastes.) Put all in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake at 375 until golden brown and the potatoes are tender.

These are delicious!! My hubby and children request them on a regular basis.




The Honey BBQ Chicken we made to go with our potatoes.



YUMMY!!!!