The Chicken Was a Hit

The Coach signed the game ball for Mr. Baseball.

It's amazing how much my cooking has in common with the game of baseball. I am up against a pretty tough crowd. There are nights when I will hit a home run and there are others when I know I've struck out.

Then there are the slumps. No matter how hard I try, nothing tastes good to any of us. We usually go about a week eating ham and cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and waffles. I am famous for making brownies for dinner when I am in a slump.

This gets old really fast.

There's something about the arrival of Autumn that inspires me to cook. For tonight's dinner, I wanted to try something different. I took a risk and concocted a chicken dish.

What's for dinner tonight? Kayleigh and Everett both asked.

I had to quickly come up with an appealing name.

"Cheesy Ranch Chicken." I said as I pulled it out of the oven.

"Smells good." Kayleigh complimented me.

We also had mashed new potatoes, fresh green beans with garlic, and homemade blueberry muffins. Just so you know how picky my crowd is, Everett does not like green beans, and Kayleigh does not like mashed potatoes. Everett loves the blueberry muffins, and Kayleigh barely tolerates them.

And then there's Cozette who eats nothing.

The Coach did not have time to eat dinner with us before the baseball game.

After we said a prayer, I intently studied their expressions.

Kayleigh took a bite.

"Mmmm... Mom, this is really good. You should submit it to Southern Living."

"Thank you Kayleigh. It's not that good." I assured her.

Everett was busy eating his food. I asked him to please eat all of his dinner, so he would have a good game.

He finally spoke.

"This chicken is so good that I am going to hit a home run tonight!

I just about fainted.


Guess what?

Everett hit a home run.

And he received the game ball too!

It looks like we're all back in the game.

Lost and Found

Childhood friendships leave an indelible impression upon our hearts. It is because of this truth that I opened a Facebook account. Many friends from elementary school, high school, and college have made their way back into my life through this simple media outlet. However, the one person I wanted to find the most is not on Facebook. Even with my best efforts of searching for her through mutual friends, I have not been able to find her.

Until now.

Missy Barry was my best friend when I was in the second grade. We remained best friends until my family moved across town during the middle of my 5th grade year. Missy and I called each other and visited when we could, but we eventually lost contact a year later.

I have never forgotten Missy. Our days were spent riding bikes, building elaborate forts in the woods, playing Barbies by the creek, rolling like logs down the hills, and spending afternoons on the carport of our elderly friend, Mr. Ivy, who always greeted us with a warm smile and a medley of fruits and vegetables that he gladly shared. We also enjoyed going to Girl Scouts. I always laugh when I think of the silly skits we did with our dads.

The neighborhood was our world, and we explored every inch of it.

Those days with Missy are the fondest from my childhood.

After we moved, The Rios family lived across the street from us. Their daughter Amanda became a life long friend of my sister Quincy. Amanda has always been special to our family.

About a month ago, I started thinking about Amanda and felt compelled to find her.

It was easy to find her on Facebook

This is where the story gets really good.

Amanda recently posted a status that caught my attention. As I noticed the names of other friends of hers who responded, I was stunned to the see the name of another childhood friend of mine from the fourth grade and I wondered how she and Amanda knew each other. I mentioned in my response to Amanda that I believed I knew this person.

Within minutes, I received a response from Tasha asking, "Jeannie, is it you?"

Amanda and Tasha became friends through their children playing team sports.

It is indeed a very small world.

Tasha and I became Facebook friends, and I discovered a group she belonged to called "The Wedgewood Group."

This is my old neighborhood.

As I read the names of childhood friends that I have not seen in almost 30 years, I practically lost my breath as I read the name of Missy's older brother.

I emailed him that very second.

Missy and I found each other the next day.

We met for lunch yesterday. It's hard to describe the emotions I felt as I visited with my dear friend. We laughed as we reminisced about those wonderfully innocent days.

Missy reminded me of the time I made a special concoction from all of the herbs and spices in our kitchen cabinet. I promised her that her feet would not grow any larger if she drank my special potion. I don't remember that episode, but somehow that sounds like something I would have done!

After talking non-stop for a solid hour and a half, we realized that we did not have time to eat lunch. We both agreed that we needed more time. We look forward to our next visit.

A lump came to my throat as we said good-bye.

This I know to be true.

There's an inextricable bond that ties childhood friends together.

Kindred friends are never really lost.

We just have to take the time to find them.

On the Town

Historic Downtown Lawrenceville

Finding treasures at antique shops is thrilling. We live about 10 minutes from the historic district of downtown Lawrenceville. Scotland Yard Antiques has been a favorite shop of mine for years. Nikki purchased some lovely ceramic pieces, and I found an antique four poster bed for Cozette's room. It was a very lucky find.

We also enjoyed eating at The Lunch Box.

A highlight of the afternoon happened when we were purchasing Yum Yum's Bliss Cupcakes at Timeless Treasures. A photographer walked in to take pictures for the Lawrenceville website. She offered to take our picture since we looked like happy customers. She said for us to look for the photo in the next couple of weeks.

Nikki and I agreed we love having serendipitous moments.

Did I mentions that it's Nikki's birthday today?

It is.

p.s. Quincy could not be with us today because she has to live so far away!

Adventures in Babysitting

This is what Kayleigh is up to while I am away.
Photography by Everett Simpson.
Cozette was sitting on the sofa laughing, so I am told.

If you were to ask me, what is the best thing about having a teenager, a tween, and a toddler, all at the same time, my answer would be:

"Instant access to the best babysitters in the world!"

If every baby had such doting siblings, I do believe the world would be a better place.

I always look forward to seeing the pictures Kayleigh takes of her escapades while she is babysitting Cozette.

Kayleigh is starting to master the self-portrait.

I have dozens of these photos that Kayleigh has taken of herself with Cozette.

If you need a great babysitter--feel free to call!

If the Shoe Fits

Then wear it!

One of the perks of having my sister live around the corner are her surprise visits after work. We love when Nikki comes by to see us for a few minutes before dinner. Tonight when Nikki was getting ready to leave, we could not find her shoes.

Cozette was wearing Nikki's shoes outside in the rain.

"Nini's shoes." Cozette said as she was caught in the act!

We were grateful that she kindly agreed for me to take her picture.

I am starting to have more conversations with Cozette. The other evening she walked into the kitchen when I was eating my dessert.

"You eating apple pie and ice cream?" She nonchalantly asked like she had been talking for years.

"Yes, my darling, would you like some?" I offered.

"Just ice cream." (pronounced i'sh-cream )

After I scooped her a little bowl of ice cream, we ate our treats together.

"Yummy. I like ice cream." I shared with Cozette.

"Me, too!" She happily agreed.

"Where's Daddy? She asked for the hundredth time.

"He's working." I answered.

"O-Tay." she said as she slurped her ice cream.

When Cozette was finished she announced, "All done."

Then she proceeded to get down from her chair to give me her bowl.

I thanked her for being so polite.

Nothing is better than engaging in stimulating conversation!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Everett's #1 fan.

Serious ball playing.

This catcher is my little guy.

He's about to make contact with the ball...

Run Everett...

Making it to first base!

Everett with his new friend Johnathon.
Notice Everett's teammate is scratching Johnathon's back!

Everett had the opportunity on Saturday to assist with a baseball team that has special needs. I literally had tears come to my eyes as I watched our boys lovingly assist these special children.

Here are Everett's thoughts about the experience:

"When I went to help with the special needs game, I helped a boy named Johnathon. All Johnathon wanted us to do was give him hugs and scratch his back. We all liked Johnathon. We scratched his back and gave him hugs. I think it is very good they get to play baseball.
I hope I get to do this again."

It's Just the Little Things

Nikki wrote a clever comment on my facebook status today. I posted that using coupons was making me want to turn some cartwheels. My sister knows me all too well. She wrote she wasn't sure what she would rather see more... me using a coupon or doing a cartwheel! I had a serendipitous encounter yesterday, and I was so excited that I sincerely wanted to turn a cartwheel!

Using coupons is something that I have been reluctant to do. It takes so much energy, effort, and time. Who wants to drive all over town going to different grocery stores?

I'm starting to realize that I do.

My sister, Quincy, has spent her valuable time teaching me how to strategize using coupons with store sales. She has saved a significant amount of money using coupons this way. We had a conversation over the weekend about how she has been blessed with her efforts. She expressed that I would be blessed, too, as I made this a priority.


Keebler Cashew Shortbread cookies are my favorite packaged cookie. One of our local grocery stores is having a buy one get one free special on all Keebler cookies this week. As I was running errands yesterday, I debated back in forth in my mind if it was worth stopping with Cozette. She was getting tired, and we had already been running errands for a while.

Boy, it was worth the trip!

As I was standing in the cookie aisle with Cozette, who was eagerly trying to get out of the buggy, I could not tell if the Cashew Shortbread Cookies were on sale. So, I picked up four packages of cookies to take to the cashier. I was going to buy the other two packages of cookies if the shortbread cookies were not included in the sale.

Then suddenly out of no where, this man, (I believe he was the Keebler Man) approached me and said, "I noticed you are buying four packages of cookies."

"Well, I am not sure if the Cashew Shortbread are on sale." I responded.

"They're on sale. Here. I have some special coupons that I can give you. Here is a coupon for an additional $2.00 off this set of cookies and here's a coupon for an additional $2.00 off of this set of cookies."

"Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much." I was absolutely flabbergasted.

"You're welcome."

When I got home, I realized that I had purchased four packages of Keebler cookies (which would normally have cost a little over $13.00) for less than $3.oo.

Seriously.

What are the chances of me running into the Keebler Man? I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

This is a little thing and it may seem insignificant to others. Little things add up though. I am now inspired to be a better steward over my finances. No effort is too small.

And it's the little things that mean the most.

Nikki, you come on over tomorrow, and I'll do that cartwheel for you!

Crocodile Trail

A view of Crocodile Trail.

My Dad has mastered the art of story telling. As a child, his stories of crawling hands and bloody bones would cause me to lose sleep at night. My sisters and I could never get enough of his frightening tales. He is also the supreme prankster. This combination of story telling and teasing is the formula for a most excellent time.

The cousins had a special outing with Papa on Saturday. After treating them to Blizzards at Dairy Queen, they headed to Tribble Mill Park hoping that they would not have the misfortune of encountering any crocodiles...

Papa almost had them convinced the crocodiles were waiting to eat them up.

Trying to be brave as they started their scary journey.

This damsel does not appear to be in distress.

There aren't any crocodiles, Papa!

Papa said he really thought they might encounter a few crocodiles!

Maybe next time.

However, beware of geese!

Flying through the air with the greatest of ease.

Look! No hands!

Thanks, Papa, for being so much fun.

It Never Hurts to Ask

Everett is avoiding eye contact with me, because I just asked to see his Friday folder.


My Mom can take the credit for teaching me two invaluable lessons:

1. Never leave home without your lipstick.
2. Always speak up because it never hurts to ask.


Whenever I forget to wear lipstick, regret is immediate, because I inevitably run into someone from my past. This week, I had another experience where my Mom's words echoed in my ears. Everett has hoped to be on the Student Council ever since Kayleigh was on it her 5th grade year. The children do not vote at his school. Instead, each child completes an application that requires thoughtful answers. A school counselor chooses the best two from each homeroom.

Everett brought his application home earlier this week. I barely scanned the form and noticed the date September 4th on it. I did not have my glasses on and assumed that September 4th was the date the application was due.

I was terribly wrong.

Everett put his application away, so he could go play with his friends. He promised he would fill the application out later that evening.

Unfortunately, we both forgot about the application.

The next evening, I remembered that we had not completed it.

"Everett, shouldn't we work on your application? I asked him.

He was quiet.

"It was due today." He slumped his shoulders as he answered me.

"Oh Everett, I thought it was due Friday!" I was so sad for him.

"No, it was due today. I forgot to do it." He mumbled.

Everett and I had a discussion about making choices. This was a hard lesson for him to learn. After he got ready for bed, he came in to my room with tears in his eyes.

"I am so sorry, Mom." He apologized.

"Everett, I am sorry for you. Instead of getting a chance to apply for student council, you chose to play with your friends for the afternoon." I sincerely responded.

"I know." He sadly agreed.

The thought that he should apply anyway hit me like a bolt of lightning.

"Everett, I seriously doubt they will consider your application because it is late. However, let's complete it anyway. I will send a note to your teacher explaining what happened."

He ran out of my bedroom like speed racer to get the application downstairs. To make matters even worse, Cozette had scribbled in blue crayon on part of it.

Everett's answers were well thought out. I was very pleased with him.

"Don't forget to write the note!" He said as he kissed me good night.

"I won't!" I promised.

The next day he was jubilant as he told me that his teacher said she would accept the application. To be perfectly honest, I was shocked.

Today was the big day he would find out who was chosen. When I heard his school bus coming down our street, I bolted for the door. He got off the bus all calm and collect. He casually walked up the sidewalk as I stood there waiting for him.

He could barely suppress his smile.

"Guess who's on Student Council?"

"Can you believe it? I answered him.

Everett and I both went inside to bask in our excitement.

"Um, excuse me sir, but do you have anything you would like to say to your Mama?"

Everett put his hands in his pockets and looked down. "Yes, thanks, Mom!"

"You're welcome. Mommom always taught me to speak up--that it never hurts to ask. It seems that you are being taught a lot this year about the importance of having faith." I continued.

At this point Everett was sitting at the kitchen table. I proceeded to ask him about his Friday folder, so I could review his grades for the week.

He laughed as he answered, "Maybe, we could wait a day or two on that one..."



p.s. I spent most of my day at Emory. I am grateful for the good news that my eye is slowly healing. The contact seemed to improve it. I go back in three weeks. Dr. Beck seems to be very hopeful.

For that matter, I am, too!