An Anniversary to Remember

Today is our 30th year Anniversary! My life is rich beyond measure because of the man I choose to marry. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful loving, caring, patient husband at my side. He is everything to me!

We had such great plans to celebrate this special day. Yesterday afternoon we took off without the children to spend the day together. We walked, talked, shopped, dined and then spent the evening in a motel. We had not been at the motel very long when all of a sudden we both became extremely ill. Would you believe it, food poisoning? We spent the entire evening in agony. After being up all night in the bathroom we both decided we would be more comfortable in our own bed at home. We packed up, went down to the dining room to get our breakfast and then took it to our children at home so that they could enjoy it.

Mar-Kay being the wonderful husband that he is took the children to church and let me stay home in misery. He came home later and crashed.

Last night as we were moaning and groaning we were pretty depressed, but now that we are beginning to feel a bit better we have had a good laugh over the whole incident.

Happy Anniversary Mar-Kay

I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY SISTER

I remember very clearly the day my baby sister was born. My mother woke me in the wee hours of the morning and led me to the living room. I was instructed to stay awake and watch over my younger brothers and sisters. I was only 11 at the time. After my parents left for the hospital every sound that you can imagine frightened me, but I stayed awake and alert until the phone call came. Our family at that time had three girls and three boys, this baby was to be the tie breaker. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I received the phone call that my newest sibling was a girl. Honestly, I don't think I could have taken another brother.

Natasha was the most adorable baby imaginable. Being the oldest daughter I was put in charge of her. She slept in my room and I watched over her and even got up with her in the middle of the night. As she grew she had the cutest ringlets and a round chubby face. She reminded most people who saw her of Shirley Temple. I loved how she would follow me and want to do what I did, even if that meant getting into my make-up and other things. (Oh the stories I could tell) I enjoyed taking her with me as we grew older and she would often join my friends and I. She was that lovable. It was a sad day when I left for college. I missed her terribly. As the years have gone by we have each been busy with our own families, but to me Natasha will always be my baby sister. How grateful I am that we can be together forever.

I wish Natasha lived closer so that we could spend more time together. Not only is she my sister but I count her as one of my dearest friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATASHA!

My thoughts are with you on this special day.

I Love you!

The Finished Product

After cutting of several inches

and having it layered,

The curls are back!

Thank you Nora!

In Concert with...

Petty Family Restaurant

Several years ago my sons asked me if I would open a restaurant where they could bring a date and have a unique, entertaining, and delicious time at an economical price. (economical meaning free for them). This is what I came up with:

Over the years we have opened the "family restaurant" for multiple occasions. At the beginning of the summer I sat down with the children and asked them what they wanted to do for fun. One of their goals was to open the restaurant for all of their married brothers and sisters. To them it is a fun exciting experience and they have a blast. For me, it is a lot of work, but I admit, I love every minute of it. This time it was even more rewarding because they brought the grandchildren and we provided babysitting so that they could enjoy the evening.

The menu

The dining area.

Two of our beautiful waitresses.

Everyone ordered Caesar Salad to begin with.

Our other lovely waitress.

Each ordered their own personal deep dish pizzas which included

Hawaiian

Pepperoni

Vegetarian and

Supreme

The babysitting service was run by this

very capable young man.

For dessert the party ordered my special

Apple Crumble Pizza

This picture was taken before it was cooked.

It begins with a thin pizza crust followed by

a special homemade pastry cream.

I take only the best apples and saute them

in a secret blend of spices and then

finally top it with a generous crumb topping.

I would share the recipe but it is a Family Secret

and can only be enjoyed when the restaurant opens.

This morning when Brigitta came down to greet me

she hugged me and said,

"Mom, yesterday was such

a beautiful day!"

I have to agree with her.

It was a beautiful fun filled day

and when evening came, we all crashed.

Personalized Hair Care

Mar-Kell's wife is a cosmetologist and so we get our very own

specialized service.

Thank-you Nora for doing such a terrific job

and being patient with Brigitta and all of her wiggles.

Southwestern Chili Cheese Bread

This is an amazing loaf of bread. It is full of flavor and goes well with any soup. Our family enjoys it toasted and served with a bowl of chili.

For three loaves or 16 rolls:

• 2 Pkgs active dry yeast
• 1 Cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 Cup oil
• 1 Cup buttermilk
• 1 Tablespoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup cream-style corn
• 1/4 Cup Dried minced onion
• 1 4oz Can green Chile peppers
• 2 Cups cheddar/jack mixed cheese
• 5-51/2 Cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• Cornmeal
  

Place your cornmeal, yeast and baking soda in a large mixing bowl.

In a saucepan, heat the oil, buttermilk,

salt and sugar to 110 degrees.

I used my homemade buttermilk.

Add the warmed ingredients to the cornmeal

mixture and stir well.

Add corn, onion, chili peppers and mix well.

I used Anaheim chilies fresh from my garden.

If you prefer you can use Jalapeno peppers

for a spicier flavor.

Add cheese and eggs. Mix well.

Add 4 cups of flour. Mix well.

Add enough additional flour to make a

stiff dough that you can turn out and knead.

Put dough on a lightly floured surface and

knead until smooth, approximately

10-12 minutes.

Shantell is my "cook in training".

When the dough is smooth and elastic it is ready to rise.

Place in a greased bowl.

cover and let rise until doubled.

This will take about 1 hour.

Prepare a stone pizza round by greasing

and sprinkling with cornmeal.

Divide dough into three equal parts.

Form into round loaves and place on

prepared cooking stone.

Cover and let rise until double.

This will take 1 hour.

When it has doubled in size

Place in a preheated 400 degree oven.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Immediately take the butter and rub over the top.

Let it cool completely before slicing.

This bread freezes well,

if there are any leftovers.