Roasted Marshmallows in West Texas

It was a beautiful evening so the man in charge of fires got one going.

Then, the ones that were in charge of marshmallows got started.

Each one has the way they want it roasted -- there were a few mishaps, but all in all  there were a couple that turned out just right.

....we know from experiences we don't want to eat too many!!!

You can see in the background the house behind is completely decorated for Christmas.

Just one note....these marshmallows were the run of the mill ones from the grocery store, but the next day Carrie made homemade ones that are so superior.   She has used the  Martha Stewart recipe for many years and they are a real treat.    

How Many Ways Can You Fix Apples?

This is our "off" year for apples, but wow, we had a lot of apples.  So, how many ways can you fix all these??

First of all, we eat them - this is our prize apple.   Not sure you can see how big it really is but I am holding it in my hand and you can hardly see my hand.   It's a beauty!!

We dice and chop lots of them for a variety of uses......

like cooking them and freezing for smoothies later this winter,

and of course, pie.    We don't eat this a lot but have made several this fall to share with others. This one is a Crumb Top apple pie.  If I see I have freezer space I may get a couple baked for later this winter.

This was my first try in the new range installed this past week.   I even tried the convection and really like it.    I'll be using that more!    

Our Favorite Son In Law has a Halloween Birthday

Rob and his mother at his Commander ceremony this past summer.    You're a good man, Robert Slanger and we are thankful for you!  Happy Birthday!

Plant of Steel

I have been looking for a large Mother in Law Tongue plant for a long time and only saw small wimpy little things so, Amazon, of course came to my mind.  I figured winter is coming and the weather is changing.  Do I dare order one?   I was so shocked when it arrived this evening and far nicer and bigger than I expected.   It came from somewhere in Georgia.   Had to take picture of it incase I want to do this again.   Plants that are in the "plants of steel" category are the only ones I can have because they require so little attention.

Our Favorite Granddaughter is 7

When you live in a military family you move a lot.  Ellie  has lived in 3 houses in her short 7 years.     Her life started in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 14, 2010.    

This is one of my favorite pictures of these two.

Mack didn't quite know what was going on.   He had just turned 2 when Ellie was born.

The next home was on Hickam Air Force Base.    What a great place this was to live!

She was a little ballerina during the time they lived here.

After 3 pretty awesome years on the Island of Oahu Rob's new assignment  took them to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX.   

There are very few pictures of Ellie by herself.   Normally her best buddy is in the picture too. This one was taken when we were at Northpark Shopping Center in Dallas when Ellie and I were shopping together.  I describe Ellie as a sweet little girl with a servant heart and a "know what she wants" young lady.  She makes a decision and doesn't change her mind very often.    She was the first girl born in the Slanger Family but now has a girl cousin who lives in Tucson.   She moved from dancing to the piano and who knows what is next.  We love our little Ellie and I know there are lots of others that do too.

A family picture by a Texas size Armadillo.  

Our Favorite Grandson is 9 today

Pictures of people important in Mack's life - Grandpa Bill who is now with the Lord 

Then there is Grandma Slanger.....

add Papa to the list....

.....and cousin Mason

and at the top of the list there is Daddy

and of course, Mommy

His sister is no doubt his best friend.

Happy Birthday, Mack!!!!

She's All Buttoned Up

Today we closed up the little place on Eagle Lake.   You can tell it is time when the leaves start to fall and the days don't get too warm.    One by one our friends drop by to say good-bye - today it was our turn to go to the neighbors that are left. 

This was my last glimpse back as we walked out the door.  The big "thing" sitting under the dining table lamp is the outdoor table we turn upside down on the dining table.   

Farmer's Market and some work.

I love Farmer's Markets - especially in August when there are so many choices.   I have to be careful not to buy too much (we are still eating what I bought last week).   The man I bought these Heirloom tomatoes from told me he had 1300 tomato plants (not all Heirlooms) and had a tomato still on the vine that was as big as the cantaloupe.    I am hoping to see that tomato in the next couple weeks.  

Some of the branches on this tree were dead so Vic could cut them off.  The DNR is very watchful on any trees that might come down just because the view isn't good enough.     

One job that Vic wants to do every year is clean the outside of the house.  The pine trees have a way of spitting on everything.  He worked on 3 sides this past week - that means all the windows too - some of the windows are very high but it looked wonderful when he finished.    Next week we will tackle the lake side - that means the awning and deck will be cleaned too.    

Uninvited Guest

We noticed something was eating from our bird feeders at the lake at night so our neighbor set up his Trail Cam.   We were shocked to see the creature enjoying what Vic was putting out for him.   Doug and Vic measured how high it was to the feeders and estimate the size of this bear to be at least 6.6 standing up.  

Wrap Up with the Grands

We drove to Minneapolis on Monday morning to eventually work our way to MSP for a Wednesday noon flight.    The plan was for Carrie to meet up with a couple more friends.   We spent a few hours at Ridgedale Shopping Center on our way into the city.    There was an unbelievable display all done in Legos.  https://usaevents.lego.com/en-us     You can imagine how the kids loved that.   Here is a huge example of the Capitol Building.    You can see people standing next to it so that gives you an idea how big it is.  This is taken from the floor above.

Mack and Ellie taking a close look at the Jefferson Memorial.

A Lego "City" 

The kids enjoyed playing basketball at the motel we stayed.   They giggled so hard when they got a BB caught in the net so threw up another one and it got caught too.   They thought that was so much fun.    I just sat there and listen to them laugh.

We had an unexpected catch-up with some friends.   The Gaalswyk's youngest daughter was arriving at MSP and two other daughters (with their children) were visiting so it worked out to meet them at Mall of America.   We talked fast and furious and had a great time seeing them.   Amy (in the white top) lives in Ohio and we have not seen her since Carrie's wedding 12 years ago.  Stacy (holding her youngest) lives in Moorhead so we see her off and on.   Zoe is Stacy's daughter looking at the display.

Carrie visiting with Karen & Den

Mack, Zoe and Ellie enjoying legos at Legoland.

Tuesday evening Carrie meet two of her friends at the Galleria.   The kids and I went along .  We spent quite a bit of time at Creative Kids, ate at Good Earth and had a cup of yogurt while we waited for Carrie to finish with her dinner.    Wednesday we made a couple of stops and then got them to the airport.   I drove back to GF and they flew with one stop at DFW and then on to Abilene.   We arrived at our homes at almost the exact time.