National Convention (TeenPact camp)

Beautiful day to drive to make the 350-mile drive to Dayton.

The smokestacks at the Kingston Fossil Plant always take my breath away.

There's a two hour window when all campers are supposed to leave.  They are all packed and ready to go. I got this last shot of Trevor's room.  It is a bit (to say the least!) more sparse than Holly's room, but he enjoyed it. Although he started out by choosing a top bunk, before the first day ended, he moved to a bottom bunk and was very happy there.

We'd been to the overlook two years ago. Trevor had not had a chance to go yet, so we walked back over.

 

Poor kid had spent a few of the days sick with a cold, but thankfully there was a terrific medical staff that disbursed all kinds of miracle meds.  (What I truly appreciate is that not a big deal was made of it; other than giving a general permission while registering him online, they didn't make a big deal out of any of this, no phone calls to me or additional permissions required.)

Needless to say, he was back to his regular self!

The spectacular view of the Tennessee River Valley.

I'm not sure where Holly was standing when she took this, but it's quite a drop off!

 

It was a cooler and rainier week than in the past.  Holly also took this stunning photo of the camp in the mist one morning.

It was a really good week.  Two years ago, when Holly first went, there were just over 500 kids.  This year, 750 campers came.  That's quite a jump, considering that these are all homeschooled kids who must first attend a week long state class before they are eligible to come to NC.  It's also quite a testimony to how families value the program, as these events are expensive (to me, anyway).  It was such a blessing that Holly and Trevor had the opportunity to go to share this experience. They'd been planning and looking forward to this for the past year, and we've been considering it their last big together thing before Holly heads off to college.

Catch up from May--while the kids were gone

Time flew.

I got this beautiful shot of Tinker Mountain. This is from the grocery store parking lot(!). We live much closer to the side of the hill, back on the right side (not visible in the photo). The Appalachian Trail runs along the crest.  Such a pretty view to appreciate!

Robert and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary . . .

with a dinner out to our favorite restaurant.

My camera did not give justice to the sun shining spectacularly through the clouds, but we saw this when leaving the mall after dinner.  Unforgettable!

MEOWWWWW!

Creepiest photo of Holly's cat, Pumpkin. She's usually pretty cute.

Believe it or not.

Weird

Robert had to order a float for the toilet. We received a giant box in the mail and had no clue what was inside. It felt empty.

And it was, pretty much. That's an awful lot of box for a tiny part.

Yesterday

I took Lakota out for a walk this morning. It didn't show up well on my phone camera, but Tinker Mountain was entirely shrouded in fog.

Her ear feathers are so stinkin' adorable, with their crimping.  They bounce when she walks.  (Probably because she bounces when she walks.)

Weather in Dayton, TN: warm and super muggy.  Humidity in the 90s!  I got a phone call from Trevor while I was at work last night. The reception was so terrible. He said he was fine, and I think he said he ruined his tan shorts. The connection ended, and he didn't call back.  Fortunately, he has more than one pair, so maybe I will hear more in a day or two.

Road trip to Tennessee

We are realizing this will be the Season of Long Road Trips.

We drove Holly and Trevor to Dayton, TN yesterday for a week at TeenPact camp.  This will be Holly's third and last year and Trevor's first. They've long been planning this as the last one big thing they'll do together while Holly is still home.

I was excited for Trevor to make this car trip.  Oh, it's not partcularly exciting, but it's a fun time in the car that *I* look on fondly each year.  Trevor was more than happy to have Lakota sleep on his bed for the last two nights.  Holly did not sleep. She doesn't like to get up early, so she stays up, easily (and happily) gets ready in the morning, and sleeps in the car on the way there.

Trevor loaded up the car, we piled in, and then drove in fog and rain for the first couple of hours.  Not my ideal drive.  As we crossed over the Smokies, the weather changed, and it was good.  We stopped for lunch in Knoxville and made decent time to the camp. Both Holly and Trevor had a good case of the butterflies and they checked in. The staff (all teenagers) are always so welcoming, encouraging, and friendly, remembering students from various state classes held across the country during the year.

We found Trevor's dorm-style room first.  Concrete floors, with six(?)  triple bunk beds in each room, with a large bathroom with many private showers.  Trevor grabbed the top bunk on the less crowded side of the room. The only other kid in the room at the time was a friend of Trevor's from his Virginia state class, and he greeted Trevor with, "Hey, I was hoping you'd be in my room!"  And Ryan even brought a soccer ball, the one thing Trevor'd forgotten.

We went over to Holly's much fancier lodge, because that's what the girls get.  She was found and hugged by a couple of girls who remembered her. We found Holly's room, and she was very happy to claim the same perfect bunk spot the had last year, and she was happy to find that the bottom floor was very nicely cooled. 

Robert and I got ready for the 5:15 hour drive back home.

One picture before we go!

We hit Knoxville rush hour, but we were going against the traffic.  We snacked on Pringles and cashews, and I added in Cokes and Sweetarts, while Robert ate Bit O' Honeys.  Blech!

Robert drove most of the way.  We saw a couple of trucks like this.  We couldn't figure out what they were carrying.  It's too late to be grapefruit, but these were very large to be apples or onions.

Unlike past years, there were few policemen or dead deer. We hit a fast and hard thunderstorm past Christiansburg, and the whole drive was what I'd imagine it'd be like in March.  Just a little warmer, though.

Not many plans here while they are gone. I'm working all but two days, and one of those is our anniversary.  In the meantime, and for the short term, I'll enjoy the quietness, the lack of clutter, and going to bed early.  And I'll be ready to trade that back in for our normal life before they get home.

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

1/2 a bag of frozen meatballs, thawed, and cut into quarters
12 c. low sodium chicken broth
1 bunch of kale, washed, and coarsely chopped (or escarole, or endive, whatever)
2 large eggs
2 T. freshly grated Parmesan
salt/pepper

Bring broth to boil in large pot.  Add meatballs and kale and simmer until kale is tender, about 8 mins.

Whisk cheese and eggs in a medium bowl to blend.  Stir the soup in a circular motion, and then slowly add the egg mixture into the moving broth, stirring gently with a fork to form thin strands of egg, about 1 minute.  Season with salt/pepper.  Ladle into bowls, and serve.

Adapted from Giada's soup recipe, which has homemade meatballs.  I prefer easy.

Soccer ends

Pfffft. It was a crazy soccer season. So many games rained out, makeup games scheduled whenever possible, pre-empting practices.  Even one of our makeup games was rained out!  I missed out on my semi-annual socializing with my soccer mom friends.  One bright note was that Trevor side reffed ~ten games.

The other bright note was that we made it to Championship Night, playing in the consolation game, which is for teams in 3rd and 4th place.  We played against the Flames, who barely beat us earlier in the season.

It was a nice match up.  They ended up in the consolation game due to one bad call (not in our game).  I'm glad for this; otherwise, we'd be playing a team many of us can't stand (see crazy coach from last season :P). I would have dreaded the week leading up to the game and would not have enjoyed watching.

Trevor in blue on the left

It was nice to overhear a Flames dad say several complimentary things about our team, how clean we play, how much his son enjoys playing us, how he is friends with many on our team, how well both teams get along, how evenly matched we are, how we play a good game, etc.

(And yes, it's another one of those people Trevor knows but I don't.)

And "evenly matched" was right. We tied the game 1-1.  We went into a 5 minute overtime, with each team scoring again, so we were 2-2.  Then we went to a shoot out, where each five players from each team take turns attempting to shoot a goal, and the team with the most points at the end of the five wins.

We lost partway through.

I don't know what was going on when I snapped this picture, but most of our (blue) team is avoiding watching, with Trevor holding his hands over his eyes. 

So it wasn't the best outcome. But we played a really good game, and if we had to lose, I'm glad we lost to this team instead of the alternative.

End of biology

Trevor's biology class officially ended last week with the Museum field trip (which he missed).  However, the Professor invited Trevor and Jason (another student) to meet him for coffee yesterday morning.  Dr. Abraham encouraged the boys to take notes for two hours as he discussed creation vs. evolution. 

What an honor and a privilege for Trevor to be under the instruction of this Godly man for this time.  His life is a testimony to his faith as he's stood up for what he believes, unmoved by a worldly desire to fit in, to do the "comfortable" thing.  Dr. Abraham was in between full time teaching jobs, after leaving Liberty, and spending this semester in an adjunct position at our local community college.  It is our loss that it seems he will be leaving for a position in Oklahoma that will begin in the fall.

I told Trevor that he will have profs like this, who invite students out, separately from class, students who are sparked by the teacher's passion for his subject . . .

I know I've posted recently about the blessing this class, this instructor, has been, but I am blown away by God's perfect timing to put this man into the lives of these kids.

To DC

Since Trevor missed his biology field trip last week to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, we made plans to get there this week.  Feeling no need to park out and take the Metro in, I'd scoped out parking garages ahead of time.  I don't mind driving in the city--although while I focused on driving, Robert and the kids were able to enjoy glimpses of such wonderful sights as Arlington National Cemetery, planes flying into/out of Reagan Airport, the Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol dome, and more.

We walked two blocks to the museum, where along the way we passed the FBI building, the Post Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the IRS.  Absolutely wonderful (but cold! It's the middle of May but barely 60s and very windy).

We toured the museum. The exhibits were nicely done, not too crowded with people, although (not surprisingly) filled with school groups.  The deal of the day was the $.25 lockers where we stashed our coats. 

We came in from the opposite side of the National Mall, so I dragged Holly out the front door. How could we be so close and not at least stand there?  We took pictures of both ends, the Washington Memorial shrouded in scaffolding, and the Capitol, while we reminisced of our previous trip several years ago over July 4th weekend to meet up with our friends, the Coxes.

The Museum is not particularly large, at least in comparison to Denver's Natural History Museum.  We had some time left, so we walked next door and spent some time in the War exhibit at the American History Museum.  The ambiance was completely different, devoid of school groups, and quiet.

I wasn't watching our time closely enough, and by the time we pulled out of the parking garage, it was 4:10.  Not really the optimum time to be leaving the city!  As planned, we made our way just outside the beltway, stopping at Noodles & Company to eat, before heading the rest of the way home.

The kids slept. Robert and I agreed again how much we love this state, how beautiful it is.  We got home at 9:00pm.  It was a great day trip, and I'm looking forward to taking more of these when Holly goes away to school in the fall.

Homemade Pizza

. . . right down to the pizza dough.

(Updated 7/22/13 CHECK OUT BOBOLI COPYCAT RECIPE, WHICH IS EVEN EASIER TO WORK WITH!)

Bobby Flay's Pizza Dough

3-1/2 to 4 c. bread flour, plus more for rolling
  (Using bread flour will give you a crispier crust; I've also used all-purpose flour, which gives a chewier crust. Either is fine.)
1 t. sugar
1 envelope instant dry yeast
2 t. kosher salt
1-1/2 c. water, about 110F
2 T. olive oil, plus 2 t.

Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.  Add water and 2 T. of the oil. Beat until the dough forms into a ball.  If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 T. at a time, until the dough comes together into a solid ball.  If the dough is dry, add additional water, 1 T. at a time. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.

Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 t. of oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about an hour.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two equal pieces.  Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rest for 10 mins. before rolling out.

I've been able to get one into a 9x13 pan, and the other into somewhat of a circle.  Sprinkle corn meal onto pan before putting dough on.  Place preferred toppings over dough.  Bake at 350-400 until done, or you can use a pizza stone and bake at a very high temp.

Original recipe, with directions for a bread dough mixer, can be found here.

Holes in my walls

For some time, we've been planning on putting up a tile backsplash in our kitchen. I think we bought the tiles last summer. Robert's been cutting holes in the walls to both replace and add to the existing outlets. It's been slow going though.

Book Review

Shaking the Nickel Bush,
The Dry Divide, and
Horse of a Different Color by Ralph Moody

These three books complete the autobiographical series that I began last year.  Ralph travels the southwest with his new friend Lonnie, and the two try to make a living doing various odd jobs.

I don't think this period was a pleasant time in Ralph's life.  Shaking the Nickel Bush began dragging on, and by this point, the books are no longer happy family reading.  There's nothing objectionable, but neither is there the warmth and values described in the earlier books.  I had to force myself to continue reading. However, I'm glad I did. 

The Dry Divide finds Ralph penniless in McCook, Nebraska, as Ralph unsuccessfully attempts to return to Littleton.  Ralph easily finds work as a farmhand, and with sharp ability to find money-making opportunities, Ralph quickly is in business again for himself.  The line blurs between this and Horse of a Different Color, and although the figures and details get a bit tedious at times, this is a happy story of hard work, entrepreneurship, and friends coming together.

Most of the ends are happily tied up at the conclusion, although I would have loved to have read more of Ralph's life with a wife and children.  Overall, a very good series, excepting the lag mid-way through.

My precious!

She jumped right up and cuddled against me when I came home from Pennsylvania last month.

Sweetest faced baby!

I'm so glad we have this little dog.

Fair time!

Health Fair time, anyway.  I think it's been two years since I've taken advantage of the county's health fair that is free for employees.  I've blogged my results in the past just to keep a record can only find this one).  This year was a little different, held in a different--and nicer--location, but without the festive and slightly chaotic atmosphere of years past.  My scores are first, with recommended scores following in parentheses.

Total cholesterol: 189 (< 200)
HDL: 56 (60 is optimal, but 50-60 is fine)
Triglycerides: 84 (< 150)
LDL: 116 (< 100; 100-129 is near optimal)
TC/HDL ratio: 3.4 (< 4.0)

Glucose (fasting): 88 (< 100) YAY

Blood pressure: 110/72 (thank you, lisinopril)

BMI: 24 (20-24 is normal) (I think they divided erroneously in my favor)

And surprisingly my entire family, I passed my hearing screening with flying colors.

I'd not eaten that morning (fasting for blood draw), and the snacks they had were running out and not so great--interesting choices for a health fair:  Yoplait yogurt, white bagels (no toaster), one tub of cream cheese that was empty, several unopened jelly packets, apple slices floating in water(? to prevent browning), and empty juice bottles.

At that point, I figured I'd passed, so I might as well make it worthwhile.

On my way back to work, I stopped at Dairy Queen and got a bacon and egg wrap and sweet tea.

P.S. Thanks to my mom for some amazingly healthy genes!

Time to Vote in Virginia

After serving in the Virginia House for 51 years, Lacey Putney, the delegate who represents our area, is (cough, finally, cough) stepping down. 

Robert and I voted for the next Republican candidate via a Firehouse Primary.

It was really so much fun!  There was only one place to vote in the whole county, and it was the high school that is just a mile away.  The parking lot was full of happy people, chatting, sitting out in lawn chairs, people passing around various petitions, asking newcomers to vote for their candidate.

It was just as festive inside, and Robert and I recognized a few local politicians, including Roanoke Delegate Greg Habeeb.  It was much like a big cocktail party, sans the drinks.

Mostly older people.

All happy people.


As we were leaving, I was approached by a young man, who asked, "Are you Mrs. McGowan, Trevor's mom?" I've been asked this more times than I can count.  It never fails to surprise me just how many people my kid knows--and how many people know my kid. 

A super fun time, even though our candidate of choice did not win.

Missing Socks

They wait patiently in a drawer waiting for the day they are reunited with their sole mate.

Soccer haiku by Trevor

The field is a lake 
Rain is pouring from the sky 
Today is Tuesday

Spring soccer

Soccer season is limping along. I say that because it's been such a slow, cold and rainy spring, and two out of the first three games were rained out.

Our illustrious coaching staff, Mike, Tim, Robert

The remainder of the season has been a blur of practice times replaced with makeup games, and regular games, as we must stay on schedule and finish up by a certain date.  The team's doing pretty well in the standings, which always makes for a decent season.

I just noticed this photo.  I wonder why my two kids are standing off to the side?  Maybe they've heard all of Robert's strategies beforehand.  At least one of them seems to be paying attention . . .

In all seriousness though, it's a bittersweet season.  Four of our kids are graduating. After Holly's bone bruise injury last year, I'm holding my breath for her to be safe for the remaining games.

. . . time flies . . .

Trevor

Trevor has become a powerhouse on our defense. So conveniently, we are minutes away from a field. He's been studying videos to perfect his kicking, and when he asked me to take him out today, how could I refuse?  

And 15 minutes after we got home, Robert came in from the burn pile out back and asked if Trevor wanted to go.  Haha!  So they did.

(Notice that gray, damp May weather we're having.)

Lost photos

While I was visiting in Pennsylvania, my aunts and uncle had saved a box of photos for me from my aunt who passed away three years ago.  I need to send Lori half.  These are just a very small sampling of pictures that I don't ever remember seeing before.

Grandma, Grandpa,

Lori, Kristine

1972, Bethelehem, PA

Lori, Kristine

10/1969, San Jose, CA

Grandpa, Lori, Grandma

1972, Bethlehem, PA

Such a precious treasure!!

Book reviews

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm

Amazing story, amazing book.  I began crying on the first page.

Yes, Adam's story is heartwarming:  a country boy who loses his way, gets addicted to drugs, climbs out, and is given preferential treatment when enlisting in the Marines.  Adam pushes himself to become the upper one percent of the Marines and succeeding--despite losing both the sight in his right eye, and severing the fingers of his dominant right hand.

"Fearless" aptly describes not only Adam but the others who push themselves to extreme limits in their desire to give all for our country.

Trevor is now reading the book. Unforgettable, and even now, I get chills thinking about it.  God bless Adam's family for their ultimate sacrifice, and praise God for His promises, knowing that this life is short and the joy they have in knowing they will spend eternity with Adam.

Pennsylvania visit, part 3

Poor Aunt Barb came down with a horrible sore throat during my trip. She stayed home on Sunday morning, and Uncle Joe and Kathy and Tommy took me to breakfast. It was a darling restaurant.

We'd already driven past Tommy's school, Moravian College, which is one of the oldest schools in the country.  They also took me up to the top of the hill where Lehigh University sits.

Up the hill, back and forth, back and forth, climbing, climbing, climbing.  Stop for fresh air and the view at the top.

Drive back down the backside, which wasn't too bad, then on a curvy, narrow, practically-one-lane-road from 100 years ago, then back into Southside, up this street, down this street, "Here's Railroad Street, where grandma lived when she was little."

Because I'm just the life of the party, I finally had to gasp out that I was starting to feel a little carsick.

(I really need to replace those wonderful Sea Bands that I donated at the last minute two years ago to Holly's missions trip leader.)

We stopped, thankfully, at a pretty greenbelt area where the Lehigh River, Lehigh Canal, and Monocacy Creek all converge.

We walked for a while, while I regained my stomach before heading back to Joe's house where I was able to visit with Uncle Joe and Sister Loretta for the rest of the day.  It really was quite lovely!

Biology

Trevor's biology class has gone so well this semester.  The class was unplanned, a last minute opportunity that began mid-semester.  Originally, the details were sketchy.  A former Liberty biology professor would lead a biology class for homeschoolers if there was enough interest.  He had no schedule, no plan, just a BJU book that was suggested to him as a spine.  As the prof suggested parents attend the first class with their students to give it a try, Trevor and I went, even though we were not expecting it to work out for us. 

Within ten minutes, we had both changed our minds.

Dr. Abraham's testimony, brilliance, and passion for his subject hooked us instantly.  The class has not been structured; it's a small class, with the prof unfamiliar with the ways of homeschoolers (and he's had my sympathy, lol), and for most of the class of five, the first time in an outside learning environment.  Rabbit trails are numerous.  But he holds the students to very high standards--the content is deep, in line with what he's been teaching at a local community college.

Trevor's loved almost every minute of it.  What a blessing it's been to us this year, as Roanoke lost its long time, favorite science teacher a few years ago. This class, taught by this way, by this Godly man, has been a perfect fit for Trevor.

Break time for the class.  

I failed miserably at my attempt to stealthily 

snap a picture with my phone, lol.

Pennsylvania visit, part 2

On Saturday, we went up into the Poconos to celebrate Aggie Bucko's 80th birthday. Aggie's husband Joe was my dad's cousin.

We all donned party hats, along with Tommy and Kathy

Lori and I have fond memories of Joe and Aggie's daughters, our "famous" cousins, The Bucko Sisters.  We spent six weeks that summer with my grandparents.  We saw the girls perform at Dorney Park (nothing like what it is now, believe me), and we spent a day at their house.  They were a few years older than us, and when we went home, we treasured our own copy of their 45 record, Tie a Yellow Ribbon.  We listened to it, sang with it, and in general just idolized those girls.

Anyway.  Joe passed away last year.  I haven't seen the Buckos since that summer of 1974. I was thrilled to go back to help surprise Aggie for her 80th birthday.

It was a cold day, and there must have been 30 or so people there, waiting in the house, for Aggie to return home with her daughter.  We visited, with people I only vaguely remembered, or had never met before.

Sue Bucko (now Jones) and Aunt Barb

Aggie was totally surprised. She is the sweetest, most gentle lady.  Lori had told me this, but I didn't remember.  There was tons of food and we ate and ate.

Aggie blowing out not-quite 80 candles

Happy Birthday to a lovely lady.  What a pleasure to be able to share this celebration with you.  I was the one who was truly blessed.

Cake, anyone?

April Showers

bring double rainbows.

Pennsylvania visit, part 1

A few days after Easter, I drove to Pennsylvania by myself.  It was a different trip, not only because of the drive, but because it was my uncle had passed away just a few weeks before.  Although he's my uncle by marriage, I don't remember a time when he wasn't there.

The drive up went well.  It was nice, not too cold, just a bit gray.  I got there in the late afternoon, and my Aunt Barb and I went off to the amazing Farmers' Market (a name which brings to mind fruit stalls, but this is so far above and beyond that, more like the best gourmet grocery store ever).  While there, Trevor texted me a picture of what was going on at home.

For whatever reason, the picture turned out weird with all of the forwardings, but we had several inches of snow that began shortly after I left. 

All I can say is, perfect timing, and I was glad it was them and not me.

Easter (catch up!)

Spring still waiting for winter to be over.  Easter was very cool.  We went to church out in Bedford.  This is the first time both kids have gone, and they both have commented, several times, that they really liked it.

Dinner:  Ribs, homemade bread, deviled eggs, and asparagus with Trevor making his now-famous hollandaise sauce.

I made a different cake for Easter--still carrot, but with a basket decoration.  It was super easy, and I think the kids liked it.  I was pretty happy that I was able to make this look so good!