If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?
My mom.
She deserves it!!
I always have this dream. That if I win the lottery, what would I do.
First, I would buy my mom’s house; she could live there forever. I’d pay off debt. I would buy her a car just like mine. I would pay for all remodeling she wants to do to the house. And I would set aside money for her to get allowance for the rest of her life. She deserves this and more. So much more. ❤️
But also most importantly, my husband could choose to work or not. His choice. I know he has many dreams and ideas that he cannot do because he provides for the family. And he would invest some of it; into various things. He would want the money to continue to earn.
Next, I would pay of our debts. And also add square footage to our house and shop. We would still do the work ourselves. Just because we would be made out of money doesn’t mean we would be wasteful.
I might splurge and get myself one of those awesome craft stations….I’ve always eyeballed one.
🤤
But maybe the husband could build one for cheaper….
But other than that I don’t really have anything that screams out to me like I need.
But I would want to keep living the same. No one would know that we won the lottery. I would want to still be me. And our kids would still grow up the same.
I know. I’m pretty boring when it comes to what you want when you win.
But for me, if my husband is happy, I’m good. If my mom has no more worries I’m good. And if my family can live comfortably, I’m good.
All of our holidays have something in common. Can you guess it?!
#1
New Year’s Day:
Growing up we would stay up until midnight the. Rush outside with our pots and pans, clanging them! Celebrating the new year.
However now, I can’t seem to stay up that late. Especially my kiddos. Maybe when they get older we will have a late night game night. Or watch a traditional movie. But for right now, I sleep early. Haha 😂
Valentine’s Day:
Before marriage I would buy my mom and siblings flowers. Every year. Even my brothers. Also make my extended family valentines.
Now that I’m married and I live so far away, I prepare my husband’s favorite food. Chicken Parmesan, rolls, salad, and then a wonderfully delicious chocolate lava cake. But I also try to send valentines to my family. My daughter loves to help with those.
Easter:
(If a child is reading this, you may want them to skip this passage. Due to childhood believing.)
Younger years: I believed in the Easter bunny for a long time. I don’t know if I believed there was one or if I liked the fantasy of it all. But church was always first, then a huge egg hunt!
Now as a mama, I try to dye the eggs the Saturday before. Those ones are only for food purposes. Since where we live we have wild animals I don’t want to miss an egg and have a bear or snake visit us. We use plastic eggs outside. We go to church then come home to an egg hunt. That’s the same. The only difference is if snow is still on the ground by Easter; then obviously we have an indoor Easter. But the Easter feasts are the main purpose! I try to replicate my childhood meals to my grownup years.
Birthdays:
We don’t just celebrate our own birthdays. We also celebrate my siblings and mom’s birthdays. So most of the year is filled with cake. January, March, May, June, July, August, October, November, December. Lots of cake!!
Fourth of July:
Childhood years were pretty consistent. City parade. Delicious foods for lunch, which the leftovers would also be dinner. Fireworks in the park; until they were illegal. Staying up and having lots of family fun!
Now as a mama, parade in a city park. It is a huge parade that lasts almost 1hr. Or more. Go home and eat delicious bbq ribs that the husband makes!! I can’t eat ribs anywhere else. My mom can attest to the deliciousness of them. Hanging at the house for most of the afternoon. Then heading back to the park for an 1hr firework show. We also set off fireworks on our property the night before.
October 31st:
My childhood was for the most part church functions. Every church I went to would have a event on October 31st but it was never scary or disturbing. If church is part of your life, I think it’s best to have your kids participate in church activities on October 31st. Because once your kiddos grow up they tend to go trick or treating with friends. And I personally think it help me discern what was not okay. But anyways back to childhood memories. As a family we would all dress up and have a fun evening eating candy.
Grown up now…I still like church functions. Ours is called the harvest festival. I do the face painting. My kiddos go off with their dad and get candy. No fish! But it’s always lots of fun. We only do that; we don’t go additional trick or treating. We just have lots of wonderful family time.
Thanksgiving:
My childhood years we always had delicious foods. My mom was amazing at having a spread of cheeses and fruit before the dinner meal. All is kids would be playing or watching a movie while my mom and older sisters slaved away. But the meats and gravy. And mashed potatoes. Stuffing….my mouth is drooling 🤤
But now as the mama I too keep up the tradition and I cook all the foods. Everything is from scratch. Minus the pumpkin pies. I don’t make them from pumpkins…haha 😂 But I try and have everything timed to be done at the same time. I make enough food for maybe 15 people and it’s just us four. We eat thanksgiving foods for several weeks after thanksgiving.
Christmas:
(If a child is reading this, you may want them to skip this passage. Due to childhood believing.)
Childhood memories. I also believed in Santa for a long time. I think I was 12 or so when I finally decided that I was old enough to stop believing. But I wanted to keep the gifts magical. Also helped when my nephews were born. But we would wake up and open gifts. We wouldn’t rush through them. We would each take turns and watch as each other got their gifts. We would devour candy all throughout the morning into lunchtime. And we would wait for the delicious dinner that was being prepared. Slowly dinner was changed to delicious Chinese food in downtown. Less dishes.
Now as the mama I love to watch my kiddos open their presents. I like getting presents from people but I love giving presents more. The sparkle in my daughter’s eye as she sees all the gifts from Santa makes me so happy. I want that imagination to keep stirring. We don’t eat lots of candy. My daughter turns crazy with any amount of sugar. But I do devour a bag of Hershey kisses all by myself. I eat about 7 to a mouthful. 😊 Then we eat a small lunch. Then dinner. I have kept the tradition of Chinese food alive. But I make it all from scratch. Christmas dinner is the hardest for me. My husband knows to leave me alone while making the meal. I run around like a chicken with no head. But it is always delicious.
Well there you go. Can you guess what is the common ground? Food! Delicious food! Probably why I can’t seem to lose weight. I’m always eating food through the year.
Well I hope this answers the prompt. Have a delicious Wednesday. We are getting firewood again. It’s going to be another long tough day.
We left the house around noon today in search of standing dead trees…for yes, firewood.
I will suggest, if you are on a hunt for firewood leave first thing. Because if you have an almost 1 1/2 year old, the little guys don’t last long. But the husband had to finish fixing the brakes on the trailer. (The reason for leaving so late.)
But here I sit in the truck, after 6 hours of getting some firewood. Not a lot, but at least we got some.
The husband and I have it down! He cuts down the tree, then he carries the log a short distance away, then I pick them up and take them the rest of the way to the truck. The logs are roughly 6ft long and maybe 6” in diameter. So a decent log; and I can move them. 😎 I feel so awesome when I help the husband.
But yes, our evening was attempting to fill a trailer with wood. Our 21ft trailer looks giant now with the maybe 6 trees worth of firewood. But it’s something.
We are having Subway for the drive home. Our go to…”oh, we won’t be home until after 7pm!!” dinner decision.
But maybe once in bed the husband and I will watch a movie together. If I’m still awake.
Not a normal evening for the normal person. But luckily, I’m not normal. 😊
Have a wonderful Wednesday evening.
Photography By: emily2jane “The Tree” 9-13-23
The picture is of a tree we really wanted to get, but it was too big. And the brush around it was about 7ft deep. But oh…it was a glorious looking tree. A tree that many people have probably driven by saying, “I want that tree!!”
Originally it was my great grandma’s recipe. Then I added some from a pioneer recipe. Then I added a Pinterest recipe. Betty Crocker recipe. And just some personal thoughts. And now I have an awesome pie that anyone likes.
But it has a lot of sugar. So the anti sugar people out there, maybe you can alter the recipe and make it with honey and maple syrup. I don’t know.
I’m not a big fan of apple pie. But I can eat Costco’s apple pie and mine. That’s it.
I know this recipe by heart. I made it enough. My husband loves the pie. It’s the food that has made him fat and happy. His words.
To start: 2days. This makes 2 pies. 6-8 green apples, peeled and sliced. In a large bowl. Add apples, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 4 shakes of cinnamon. I don’t measure the cinnamon….maybe 2-3 tsp. Depends on if you like cinnamon. Mix and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 24hrs. This was my grandma’s secret. It helps the apples soften.
Next day. Make 2×9” Betty Crocker pie crust recipe. Plus 2 batches Betty Crocker biscuit dough made into cinnamon rolls. Let pie crust chill 30min in fridge.
Slice cinnamon rolls and place in pie pan. Push down and around to form a bottom crust. This is the Pinterest idea. (I think is was for mini pies with cinnamon roll cup. I just enlarged it.) It should fill the pie pan.
Scoop out apples and place in pie pans. Do not put the liquid in apples in pie pans; save juices. This next part is from a pioneer cookbook I got in Boston. Pour sugar juices into small sauce pot. Mix 1 TBsp flour with 2TBsp water. Whisk into sugar juice mixture. Turn heat to medium high. I personally add the butter now instead of putting butter with the apples. Let simmer until thickened. About 5min. I sometimes forget about it and then it’s always magically done. It should still run off the spoon. You don’t want it clumpy, but also not runny.
Pour new thickened juice mixture into apples. I usually use maybe 3/4 of it.
Next the pie crusts. Roll out dough. I usually do lattice crusts. it’s pretty. I add leaves or something pretty to top made from dough. That’s just personal touches.
1/4 cup of milk. Brush tops of pies. Also sprinkle white sugar on top of milk. This helps the crust have a nice crunch and color.
Cook @375 for 38min. This step depends on where you live. You will have to learn what amount of time works for you. But if you make the apples 1 day ahead you don’t have to cook the pie forever. I usually cook until I can really smell the apple pie then I check. I like the lattice to be golden. And to see the juices bubbling.
And you are done. Enjoy!! It is delicious. I love vanilla ice cream on it, but it’s delicious enough to just have it plain. My daughter who is picky likes it. My son already eats anything.
Well I hope you like this recipe. And I did just write it from heart. I didn’t get up from the couch. Haha 😂 It is a great pie for holidays. The cinnamon roll crust helps it be something new. And I’ve never had someone says they don’t like it. And if you are someone who can’t have dairy use non dairy milk and butter or just leave those steps out.
But this recipe I know I can’t take all the credit. I have morphed recipes together to create this one. But it is awesome!!
This is a great question. And my answer is actually quite funny.
Turns out my first name was just because my mom loved the name. All my other siblings were given family names. But I was named my name because of pure love. Which makes me happy, and I am okay with that reason.
Especially since I have a name for hopefully another little girl, and the first name is not a family name. It’s just a name that I love.
My middle name is a family name. And this is the funny part.
My entire childhood I thought my middle name came from my grandma on dad’s side. She was an awful human being. I only met her once; once was enough.
Through my entire childhood I thought about what to legally change my name to when I was old enough. That was how much I was disturbed.
Obviously I kept the name. Only to find out, from my mom, that I’m actually named after a grandma on my mom’s side who was a lovely person. Haha 😂 Mind you I found this out when I was maybe 17-19. I can’t remember exactly. But for a long time I wonder how my mom could name me with love and hatred.
Safe to say I was mistaken, and now I love my name. And maybe when I become a grandma, maybe my name will be the start of a family name. 🥰
Finally back to our room, “Dude? Are you okay?” I asked Charlie; he had been grasping his rib cage.
“Yeah. The wind was just knocked out of me. And I think my back is bruised. But I should be fine by morning,” Charlie climbed into the bed across from Jeremy. “But what were you thinking? You know that what you did today will kickstart how the upperclassmen treat you, right?”
“Don’t worry about me. I have a knack at head butting bullies. Sometimes they change their personalities once they have met their match,” I smirked and looked over at Jermey.
“What?” Jeremy exploded, “You think I was as bad as Bryan?”
“Not as bad, but you were a bully that I tamed,” I laughed this time, because I never thought of it that way. A pillow hit me head on. ‘I knew it would, but I still continued to laugh.’
“You were a bully?” Charlie had slightly sat up in his bed.
Timothy propped up Charlie with pillows.
Jeremy groaned as he sat in his desk chair, “Yeah, I was. I was major jerk back in high school. Thankfully George was able to understand me through these last two years of high school. I don’t know if I would have changed so drasically unless George was my role model.”
‘Wow, didn’t know that’s how he felt.‘ “Wow. didn’t know you thought of me that way,” I walked over to give Jeremy a sarcastic hug.
“Don’t you dare,” Jeremy had held up hand to stop me in my tracks.
I chuckled and backed back to my own chair. I also remembered it was not us the pair of us in the room. I bursted out a laugh because of Timothy’s expression; it was pure horror. Jeremy looked their way and joined the laughter. “Sorry Timothy,” I tired to muffle my amusement, “being roommates with Jeremy so long has changed me.
Charlie sat confused as well, but maybe a bit more entertained.
Timothy turned towards Charlie, “Sorry you had to witness,” Timothy stopped and turned back towards Jeremy aand myself, “…that. I guess I’ve not spent a lot of time with these two.”
“Well that will have to change these next few months,” Charlie tried to laugh but instead just retreated into the pillows around him.
‘It won’t be that long for me. Soon I’ll be entering into the lions den that I have already pissed off.’
It’s been a while since I did one of these. I have been cooking, but I’ve been trying to figure out how to cook with a new tiny one at my feet.
Todays recipe is from….the mother in-law! Haha 😂 Our relationship was rocky at first but now we have found a common ground. Cooking. I share recipes and she does too. This recipe actually comes from one of my many cookbooks; she discovered it when she visited many years ago.
It’s called…Southwestern Rice Bake
This is the picture she sent me. I love getting recipes like this. Where you’ve changed things to be more delicious!! And I did make it the same as she wrote.
The ingredients. I was also making pickles at the same time. I’ll write about the pickles on a different post.
Cheese, rice, beef, garlic, cilantro, etc. What could go wrong.
First comes the tomatoes.
This lone tomato came from our garden. 😎
Chopping tomatoes, chopping tomatoes, chopping, chopping, chopping. I’m making the salsa for the top first. She wrote that you should let it sit and stew I. The fridge while you make the other part. (My new spiffy knife!! That thing awesome.)
Super easy to make. Just Tomatoes, onion, green chilies, cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic, and fat. I didn’t know about the fat, but she insisted it would taste good. I might just use oil next time. I don’t need to eat extra fat.
The meat! Definitely going to drain off the fat. I’m always looking for ways to be healthier. I’m not too old; my body shouldn’t be hurting.
The gathering…
Mixing!! Mix, mix, mix the stuff up. (I don’t know why I’ve got the shake my wiggles out song stuck in my head… but I do.
Well I did it again. I forgot to take a before picture. I was doing the pickles, the casserole, and the dishes all at once. Ignore the ugliness of my oven. Ewww….I’m going to need a day of scrubbing.
The smaller casserole dish was just left half plain. But look at that delicious salsa. 🤤
Finished! And I must say that mother in law recipe looks amazing. Let’s taste it…!
Taste: 10/10!! I’m happy I did one extra tomato. The salsa makes this dish!!
Easiness: 10! It’s actually not too hard. I just started making dinner a little too late. Took me about 2hrs total. But I also had a baby on my ankles for maybe 30min.
Overall: 10! I will be definitely making this again. So all you daughter-in-laws out there. This is mother-in-law approved. If you want to try it out. My daughter loved it without the salsa. And my son ate maybe a 1/8 cup. He is a hungry thing.
Hope this recipe works for you. Have a good Wednesday.
These are some great questions. Not too hard, and easy enough to answer in the morning.
They won’t be in order of favorite. That’s way too hard. But only picking 10…
#1 How to Train Your Dragon 1-3
I know they are kid movies, but I love them. I actually asked my husband to buy them for me on my 26th birthday. 😎
#2 Star Wars 4-6
It’s not that I’m against 1-3 or 7-9; I just love the original ones. Definitely going to have my kiddos watch the original ones first. That is the way it must be done.
#3 Prince of Persia
I can’t really tell you why I like this movie. It’s funny to me, but also I like the storyline. Also probably because when I watched this movie for the first time with my older brother, he called it the ‘baby face’ movie. Mr. Jake has a baby face in this film. Haha
#4 Avatar: The Last Airbender
I love this tv show. But not only me; it has become a tradition with my husband and daughter. We sadly watch this show about two times a year. Haha My daughter loves it. Definitely recommend this show if you want to laugh and smile the 99% of the time. That 1% is the deep stuff.
#5 Calamity Jane
I wouldn’t say this was a favorite movie when I was younger; but I’ve grown to love it. It is more enjoyable for an older crowd. I didn’t get a lot of the jokes or lines when I was younger.
#6 A Walk to Remember
This was one of the first movies I watched with my sisters and mom. We had a girls day one afternoon, and we all sat together and watched this movie. They all had their boxes of tissues from the get go, and gave me one too. I had no idea what I was getting into. But boy, did I need them. Definitely a cry your eyes out movie. Crying of sadness, crying of happiness, crying just because. If you need to cry, perfect movie.
#7 Pride & Prejudice!!!
The original BBC one! I think this actually would be in the top 3. I love this movie! (Technically a show) I remember a Saturday that I sat down to watch the movie; then my mom came home and asked to watch it again with me. So of course I did. Then my younger brother showed up, so we three watched it again. So about 16hrs later I had, had my fill of pride & prejudice. But I still continue to watch it!
#8 2014 Godzilla 1 & 2019 Godzilla 2
I don’t know why I like these movies. But when I want to watch this kind of movie I watch these ones. They are great. And it’s a movie that my husband will watch with me.
#9 Harry Potter 1-7
I know many people will say these movies but I really do like them. My older sister was a huge and still is a huge Harry Potter fan. It was a fun thing to have in common with her. I also own all the books. I think the 7th book and 7th movie is my favorite. Maybe 3….No maybe 1…. Let’s just stick to all. I like all of them. Even though the 4th one was a bit scary.
#10 Any Disaster movie. San Andreas, Day After Tomorrow, Geostrom, Deep Impact, Armageddon, Independence Day, Twister, Greenland, etc.
I again don’t know why I like to watch these types of movies, but I do. My mom does too! They keep me on the edge of my seat! Greenland was maybe on the edge of a little too intense… Original Independence Day, epic!! Twister, frightening. I’ve probably watched Day After Tomorrow 30-40 times. At least once a year.
#11 Sports Movies: 42, Remember the Titian, Greatest Game Ever Played, Facing the Giants, Blind Side, Forever Strong, Ford vs Ferrari, Miracle, Glory Road, Mighty Ducks, etc.
I know it’s supposed to be 10, but I can’t believe I forgot one of my most watched categories. The ones I listed are just a few. I’ve watched so many more. All the ones I listed are great! I recommend all of them. I know why I love sport movies. I’m was an athlete. I love watching movies where they complete their goals and beat their endeavors. They are inspiring. The husband is not a big fan so I tend to watch them by myself. Which is all good; means I get to watch them over and over again.
.-.-.-.-.
I’m sure there are movies I forgot. I love dance movies. I love foreign movies. I love action movies. Right!! Probably #12 would be Die Hard. But that’s a Christmas movie. So I feel like there should be second list: Top Ten Christmas Movies. That list would be easier I think.
But I love…no wait! Shooter. I can’t believe I forgot about that movie. I love that movie. Maybe I would replace Shooter with Calamity Jane. If you like Action/ Thriller movies I definitely recommend this one.
Also Hot Fuzz. Man! I’m now remembering all the movies. This one is a movie my husband and I quote all the time. “Narp.” But it is a bit gory. Not for little eyes. I still close my eyes at some scenes.
Okay I’ve got to stop. I could probably continue to list movies. Let’s just say I like various types of movies. Just No horror or harming little kids.
Life is too short, just watch what you like. There is only so much time in a day. And let’s be honest, you maybe only have 2-3hrs at night to watch something. And you will watch something you like.
Excited to read other peoples answers. Also to see if I’m the only one who couldn’t stay within 10 movies.
The simplistic part of writing. That I can have a thought and just jot it down. That it could be for me personally. It could be for my blog. For my journals. An art idea. A poem. A story from a dream.
But that it doesn’t have to be some eloquent masterpiece. For some reason I have random dreams. And occasionally I will have a vibrant dream that I must wake up and jot it down for possible future stories.
Like my story I’m writing on my blog: Life of Two Best Friends, started off as a dream. and it’s just morphed into a story that I enjoy to write.
And I have maybe 5 other stories that I have saved in my computer, all different types. Christian Romance, Fantasy, Sci-fi, etc. I just wake up inspired and I get it down.
My brain likes to store things. And if I get them down on paper that’s one less thing so my brain to store.
But writing is a great way to express one of my creative sides. I’m not good at expressing myself through speaking, but through writing people can hear my points of view easily.
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
Everything!! But seriously, I have so many ideas and why not put them all in one shop.
I want to sell artwork. Paintings, drawings, photos, etc. I would also like to have some sort of art classes in my shop.
I would like to have a cooking section. Where I have a cookbook of my tweaked recipes. Also maybe a small cooking corner; where I could teach an easy recipe. Plus a baking area.
I’d like to have an area for other crafters to maybe teach their craft. Maybe not sell items, but sell their time.
My husband wants to make and sell tables. So I’ll have an area for him. And I might steal some of his wood and paint different things. Or insist he makes different small furniture that I can help with.
Then maybe to finish off the space I would have a kid Art corner. Somewhere little kids could just go crazy and paint.
So…I would have a collection in my store.
I’m an everything type of a person. Not a one hit wonder.
emily2jane 