I'm not gone, I just haven't been here....

I don't mean to depress you but I am taking this space to tell my year in review in all it's facts and glory to God.  This year has posed some unusual challenges for me; I attended two funerals of people that are so very dear to me.  My Aunt died early in the year, suddenly, and is with her Lord.  My sister-in-law died after a long battle with a difficult disease; also, safe in the arms of her Savior.  Both were more like dear friends.  But I am so happy for them because they are in heaven and not here on this earth where things are so uncertain.  I'm thankful that my brother is now free from being care giver (after 20 yrs.)  I honestly don't know how people go through these things without the comfort that comes from God's Holy Spirit that has lead our family.

We are, by nature, a happy, laughing family.  And so, life goes on.  We put all our trust in God's Sovereign plan happily.

Now to the pleasure of celebrating HIS-story.  Galatians 4 says
When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman.....
We get to celebrate this because God made a way for us sinners to come to Him, through His Son.  For God so love the world that He gave is only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16



JP is our substitute pastor now and is doing a really good job.  He served last week.

All our furbabies are doing well. Daisy, our eldest, shows that she sometmes has trouble coming up the back two steps with her back hips so we help her then.  She is 13 yrs. old...for A GSD that's pretty old!!  But, she is so fiesty, still with the stick game and she can see a squirrel in trees at the end of the yard that I have trouble seeing!   My shadow, Charlie, is still a big lug love! as they all are it's just that I spend more time with him since he literally take every step I take (can get old by the end of the day,,,haha)

We here in the holler wish you all the best and Merriest Christmas season.  Blessings from the holler...

Chicken bake and happy Remembering weekend to you...

A few nights ago I made a dish that's been a staple in our house since I met JP.  He had a version of this dish at a friends house in college and then made it his own.  He actually cooked for himself in college, therefore, had many friends!  Oh, he still cooks for himself and me sometimes,,yall know that haha.  This recipe is so good, good for you and easy, that I had to share it.  Here goes:

Grease your baking pan with bacon grease or spray (whatever you choose)

chop up the vegetables you like and dump them in there.  We use onion (quartered), broccoli (tops and bottoms), potatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash.  Just use what you like and looks best at the store or out of your lovely garden!  I season this layer with Adobo (a mixture of garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper).  I also mix up my sauce which is olive oil - 1/4 c, red wine vinegar - 1/3 c, and Worcestershire sauce - 1/2 c or more taste it and see what you like.

The next layer is chicken seasoned with Adobo or you can use Montreal Chicken seasoning or salt and pepper work fine too.  This recipe is very forgiving and easy to make to your taste.  One thing we do is cut the breast in two pieces so it's all about the same size.  Then I cover this with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for about 50 min to 1 hr..until the potatoes are almost done.  Then I uncover it and bake it for about 20 more minutes to brown the chicken.

This is what it looks like after two hungry people have already helped their plates!  I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture when it first came out of the oven.  This recipe reheats well, and goes into lunch for a hubby well.  Enjoy!

Our deepest thanks and respect to all of our military family and friends.  Our respect and honor to those who have fought and served this country.  Blessings to you all from the holler...

Springtime in the holler..

We have been so blessed with Indigo Buntings this year.  This afternoon, JP spotted one of these tufted titmouse birds gathering up some of Charlie's hair, from when I brushed him, they'll have a really soft nest.

The turkeys are on their usual trek in the mornings.  These two gentlemen are the escorts; the ladies come up from the creek and go to their roosting spot behind the house.  They made several trips that day.

We are blessed and doing well.  I hope that this finds you all enjoying the spring too (or whatever season you might be in :) Blessings from the holler yall...

Who's a good listener?

Who's a good listener?  Charlie is, and apparently Violet too.  

Although, Charlie's attention span might be a tad longer than Violet's. haha. I had just charged the battery on our camera and was going to put it in it's case.  Charlie was following me as he does 24/7.  I heard something on the T.V. and repeated it.  JP, was watching the three stooges, so it might have been something like "wise guy huh!"  I don't really remember what I said, just that sweet expression on his face.  It's one I see all day because Charlie is truly devoted to me and listens to my every word and follows my moves and expressions.  What a blessing he is, although sometimes I turn around and he runs into me because I put the brakes on and he doesn't. haha. That gets on my nerves!  But then I see this look and I can't stay upset for a minute.

In other news from the holler, JP made a delicious Paella.  It was our first and it was delicious.

I pray you are well and staying close to The Lord of all.  Blessings from the holler...

Some regular visits from the locals and a favorite recipe...

I find life here in the holler a constant blessing.  I know God put us here because He knows where we need to be and He chose to bless us with what delights us.  For instance, the deer that come by our yard each day to graze.  You would think that after seeing them every day for so long it would become common place.  It never gets old.  I am just like the dogs, who bark at them, I get excited everytime I see them.

Today, I slipped out the back door and walked into the front yard to take these pictures.  We have many pictures just like these, but hey, it's the thrill of being out there with them.  My hands still get a little shakey as I try to get the best and closest picture without the deer running off.  So, I'm sorry these pictures aren't better.  I did have my long range zoom lens in but it was almost dark and I was in a hurry and freezing!

What fascinated me anew yesterday was how God made them perfectly camoflaged for their environment.  

Earlier this year we had Redneck Tacos.  A local bar-b-q restaurant named this dish and we started making them at home because I love them.  It's easy.  It's a cornbread pancake (johnny cake or hoe cake) on the bottom, pulled pork w/ our homemade sauce next, followed by cole slaw.  Oh, it's so good.  It's so good, I forgot to take a picture until I was half way through eating mine!

Well, that's all.  Blessings from the holler...

Happy New Year adventure...

Hello to all!  We are expecting some rainy/snowy weather so I decided to let a few of the dogs out to play or lay in the sun.  As you can see Scrappy decided to have her first adventure of 2014!  Therefore, she has had her first bath.  I wouldn't mind if it snowed some and I know that Speedbump is anxious for the white stuff.  At any rate, I have my towels washed and we're ready for whatever.

God's richests blessings to you all and Happy New Year from all of us in the holler...