It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We got some snow on Friday.  It really is a beautiful snow.  A day later most of the roads were clear so we just get to enjoy the snow.  I stepped out and took a picture of the house as it was falling.

One of the traditions that Jeri started a few years ago was coming over and surprising me by putting up my Christmas tree.  She has now convinced her brother and his family to come over as well.  So earlier this month the little Christmas tree elves showed up while I was gone and put up the Christmas tree.  Jeri & Sarah were in the kitchen cooking a wonderful supper when we got home.  It really is a wonderful family time.

Besides taking pictures of the beautiful snow the other thing you do is do a little "redneck" sledding.  Saturday morning Grandpa Joe got the little 4wd Ranger UTV out and went over and got the boys.  They went all over creation in that thing.  I think they had a little fun too.

Dr Hiram Rutherford Home Blog

I've been involved with a local historical site for over 30 years.  We are working on a huge fundraiser.  One of the promotion idea's was to start an online blog.  So this is what I've started.  Bit's of information about the site mixed with news.

Would love feedback.

Here is the link, enjoy.

http://drhiramrutherfordhome.blogspot.com/

Learning to sew

Kristyn came out Sunday afternoon so she could make a poodle skirt for her Halloween costume.  She had never sat at the drivers seat on the sewing machine so this was all new to her.  She did a fabulous job.  The only part I did was the zipper. 

Apple Pie time

Wednesday night Sarah and I canned 21 quarts of apple pie filling.  One of her co-workers had given her a jar.  We had plenty of apples so thought we would give it a shot.  Doesn't really take that long when you have the right tools.  Rural King sells the best one.  An apple peeler, corer, slicer.  Makes short work of pealing, slicing and coring about 24 lbs of apples.  Only took us about 2 hours start to finish.

Had a few apples left over so I got out a couple packages of frozen pie crusts and made a couple of fresh apple pies.  Even put one package of apples in the freezer. 

These canned apples will be really good this winter.  I think Sarah is even going to use some of them as gifts.

Recipe:
Ingredients:   6-8 lbs apples  (makes 7 quarts)

Syrup:
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
10 cups water
3 teaspoons lemon juice

Instructions:
1.  Peel and slice apples.
2.  Place in a large bowl with 8 cups water and 3 Tablespoons lemon juice to prevent browning.
Make syrup: 
3.  In heavy saucepan put all syrup ingredients, EXCEPT cornstarch and lemon juice.
4.  Mix well.
5.  Remove 3 cups of the liquid and put in bowl.  Gradually add cornstarch, whisking very well after each
     addition, making sure there are no clumps.
6.  Add corn starch liquid to the liquid in the saucepan on the stove.
7.  Cook syrup until it bubbles and thickens.
8.  Add 3 Tablespoons lemon juice and continue cooking until syrup is thick.
Prepare to can:
9.  Rinse and drain apples.
10. Begin ladling syrup into clean jars,  add a large spoonful of apple, repeat layers until jar is full.
      (Note you will need to push the apples down in the jars so they are full of apples.  The syrup will)
      (come up around them.)
11. Check the head space at the top of your jar.  (leave about a 1/2")
12. Clean the rim of the jar with a damp cloth.
13. Place a canning lid on jar.  (As your getting things ready you should have all 7 of your lids boiling in a
      small sauce pan.)
14. Process 20 minutes in a hot water bath.

Sunny Saturday in October

Just a beautiful Sunny Saturday morning here.  Getting to spend the morning with these cute grandchildren of mine.  Kristyn wanted the camera so she did a small photo shoot.  she must have been impressed with Braden's tree climbing ability since that's what she took the most pictures of.  I deleted the ones of me in my PJ's.  Kind of had to raise my voice and tell her to STOP taking pictures of me since I wasn't dressed.

Check out  Braden's shoes.  Not sure how many people could climb a tree with GUM BOOTS on.  He managed pretty good.

I snatched the baby and took her inside.  Then they proceeded to pick up acorn's.  They were trying to set a Guinness Book of World records for the most nuts picked up in one day.  They are a hoot just listening to what they are talking about.

Here is the World Record nut collection.

Hope you had as much fun on Saturday as we did. 
PS:  Looks like I need to collect my Tupperware back looks like there are a couple of my bowls used for the collection process.

CORNBREAD AND BEAN FESTIVAL

50 years ago this month I was honored to be the ribbon cutter at the annual "Cornbread & Bean festival.  Back in the day thousands of people arrived in Oakland on labor day weekend to attend our festival.  FREE cornbread and beans were served.  I've heard estimates of up to 30,000 people attended.  This festival started in 1949 and ended in 1970.  My grandparents, Raymond and Leta Hawkins were always there helping out with the planning, serving, set up, clean up just about anything that needed done.  They along with many Oakland residents worked tirelessly to put on this fabulous event.  It's one of those "remember when" things that people still talk about today.

 Ribbon cutters for the 1963 festival Joy Pierson, Brenda Temples and yours truly Kathy Hawkins Pardi.

 Ariel view of the grounds.  Notice the picture of the high school.  It's been torn down.  The long white building at the upper left of the picture if the old Ag building and also where they served the beans and cornbread.  It is now gone and replaced with the new high school building.

 This is my grandpa Hawkins in the front.

 Oakland Farm Supply.  I have now worked at this business for 34 years.

 Cooking the beans.  My Grandma Hawkins is in the bottom picture on the left.  Next to her is Bill Hanner.  The couple on the right is my great aunt and uncle, Gladys and Clifford Hawkins.

 Frying chicken.  The middle two are my great uncle Clifford and my Grandpa Hawkins.

 Oh how the farm machinery has changed through the years.  Notice the corn picker on the front of a tractor.  Boy how times have changed. 

Some of my favorite memories from the festival are the ice cream stand my Grandma always worked at.  They sold ice cream bars.  For some reason they were always better at the festival.  Of course the rides were just "the best".  The scramble stands out as one of my favorites.  I really wish my children and grand children could enjoy the days where kids could be kids and have no worries.  Just run around the festival grounds and everyone looked after you and your parents didn't have to worry about you.  Volunteering seems to be a thing of the past.  I believe it is one of the best things a person can do.  If you have a chance to get involved go sign up and enjoy the ride.

What we've been up to.

 Clayton joined the Titan JFL football team.  He's been very dedicated and is really enjoying it. 

 Our church camp sponsored a pool party and cookout for everyone who went to camp.  The water was just a tad bit chilly.  We had a good turn out and everyone had a lot of fun.

 And the latest project.  Brad and Sarah's barn.  Chris used to build barns for a living so he's kind of our expert contractor on the project.  This is where the were after working on it for a day.

 Starting to put the metal on now.  Gray sides with a barn red roof.

 Spoiling little miss Lindy Lou is high on the priorities this summer.

 Kristyn and Braden watching a little football with Caden.

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

July 16, 2012 a day that changed our lives forever.  Missing my mom today and everyday.  Sending kisses and hugs to heaven and back.

Baptism at Hawkins pond on 7-6-13

Today was a very special day, Clayton and Kristyn were baptized along with a young man that attends our church, Zac.  Kristyn had asked her Grandpa Biggs to help with  her baptism he was able to help with Clayton's too.  Water was a little chilly but that didn't change their minds.

After the baptisms we had a cookout.  Hotdogs over the campfire.  It was a really nice day.

Clayton and Taylor singing Jesus loves me

Jazzy blues style.

Clayton singing at church camp.

Clayton has such a God given talent. 

He's singing "When I Grow up" I want to be just like you.  Brought Matt McGregor to his knee's.

MISSION ON THE HOMEFRONT!

Antioch Baptist Church sent a work crew to the Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Grounds for their annual "clean the grounds" day.  Twelve workers from Antioch made the two hour trip to Springfield to the camp where Antioch Youth Camp will be held June 16 to 21st.  In all there were approximately 100 workers from multiple states working at the camp.  Cleaning cabins, checking air conditioners, lighting water heaters, power washing shower houses, washing windows, raking and bagging leaves, etc.

In June we expect to host 100+ campers from Oakland, Charleston, Kansas, Ashmore, St. Joe and surrounding areas in central Illinois.  Every year since 1967 a small group of Baptist Churches from the Oakland, Charleston, Ashmore area have gathered for a week long youth camp.  To teach, share, grow, train and just plain have some fun as we learn more about God's word and His plan for our future.

Justin and Treva looking over Lake Springfield.

Mission fields aren't always across an ocean sometimes their in your own back yard.

After a hard day of working the best thing you can do for the 9 & 10 year old that worked very hard all day is take them to Scheels so they could ride the farris wheel.  Grandma stayed on the ground for this one.

If your interested in attending the AYC youth camp call or email me and I'll send you a form.  Cost to attend is $125 per camper and this includes 3  "home cooked" meals a day to fill your body and class time and evening services to fill your soul.  Plus there is always recreation fun everyday and on Thursday night the all important and absolutely famous skit night.  My number is 217-346-2154.  Email  kpardi1@yahoo.com

Just want to do a little bragging.

 When Sarah found out she was expecting a little girl her creative side was bursting at the seams.  She was so excited about sewing for her little girl.  She had thought and planned the entire 9 months.  This is what she came up with for Lindy's room.  Big pink flowers with lime green stems and leaves applicaed on grey stripped material and framed out with black and white check.

Sarah has such a gift.  Her mother taught her to sew and sew she does,  She made her diaper bag as well.  I'll get a picture of that coming up.

So that's it just braggin on my daughter in law.

COULDN'T RESIST

                                            Don't ya just want to kiss that sweet little baby.
                                            Sorry I'm the Grandma, I'm entitled.


Have a wonderful day.

Easter Egg Hunt and first day at the Pond 2013

Lindy Lou got to go to her VERY first Easter Egg hunt.  

Look Mama I found an egg.

 

Clayton, Kristyn and the 8 to 10 year old egg hunters extraordinaire.

Braden and some of the 6 & 7 year old hunters.

Just snoozin.  Oh how I love it outside.

Checking out the stash.

A friend of ours I think the caption should say "Come one dad they are mine".

This picture was take 3 1/2 seconds after they said GO.

Braden was SUPER HUNTER (said with a radio announcer voice).  Actually he had already turned in his eggs and this was the collection bucket.

Yeah Clayton a basket winner.

Braden and his BIG blue bunny.

Clayton had a tree, a cross, a bunny.

Here is Kristyn with her winning drawing.  HE HAS RISEN!

Leaving notes in front of Grandma Martha's store.

Then we went to the pond for a little fishing and sitting by the fire.  Oh we roasted some hot dogs too.

Wish I could say this is the fish we caught, BUT actually these are my brother in laws.  They did catch several crappe and a cat fish.  Can we say fish fry for Easter dinner. 

And this was mom's favorite.  HOT DOGS roasted at the pond.   MMMMMMMM.  Just a good way to spend our day.