Recipe ~ King Ranch Chicken Casserole

One of those wonderful 'dishes' to take to a potluck dinner ~

King Ranch Chicken

1 chicken, boiled

1 pkg tortilla chips, or noodles

1/2 c onion, chopped

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can Rotel tomatoes w/ peppers

1/2 c green pepper, chopped

12 tortillas

1 pkg grated Monterey Jack cheese

1 c chicken broth

boil chicken, remove meat from skin and bones. Saute onions and
green pepper. Mix with soups, tomatoes (drained), cubed chicken, and chicken broth.
Line bottom of Pyrex casserole with six tortillas.
Add 1/2 of mixture; spread over tortillas.
Sprinkle grated cheese over mixture.
Then make another layer of six tortillas, chicken mix, and cheese.
Perheat oven to 300 F.
Cover with foil and bake at 250-300 F 1 hour until cheese is bubbly.

Princess Lauren

Lauren McKinsey, 2 weeks old.

The newest Princess of our family~




Princess Lauren

Warrenton Airpark

Warrenton, Virginia~ one of my favortie places to hang out.

Warrenton Airpark is a little piece of heaven, located in the beautiful rolling hills of Northern Virginia.

This is a Private Airport operated by Warrenton Airpark, LLC, Tom Richards, Owner .

Aircraft using Warrenton Airpark vary from Hot Air Balloons, to General Aviation to include Power Parachutes, Ultralight Aircraft, and Experimental Aircraft.

When you visit the Airpark, you realize the old saying is true,

the only difference between boys and men is the size and cost of their toys.

A photo of the only house on the Airfield grounds.

The Airpark is dedicated to the joy of flying and sharing experiences with other pilots.

There are three runways.

To the right is a long grass runway.

Below is one of the pilots who is the designer and builder of yet another hanger for the expanding sport of flying. Tom Richards is assisted by Retired Air Force Colonel and pilot, Ford Daab. They are having their style of fun.

Plane parked at another private residence adjoining the airfield.

Each hanger has interesting and unusual planes. Some are being built. Love going down there.

The guys and girls who fly out of here come from all walks of life. They seem to be living their dreams by taking to the air.

Future pilots given a check ride in a vehicle grounded for non-compliance of the FARs - no wings.

We love to pack a picnic and go down to visit my brother, Tom.

There is usually a cool wind blowing and some interesting objects flying around.

June

Saving the Nite-Nite

When Madison was a baby, she called her little pink and white blanket her 'nite-nite'. She had been swaddled in this blanket since she was born. All of her life, everywhere Miss Madison went, the 'huggie blanket' was with her.

When she was a baby and here, I wrapped her in this blanket and off to the swing on the patio we would go. With her all cuddled to me for more warmth, we would swing. Soon the squeaking of the swing and my rendition of "Rock a Bye Baby" plus the birds chirping, took her into a deep sleep. My heart was so full, as she was so, so sweet. It was a bonding that will last a lifetime.

Another memory I have of her and her 'hugging blanket,' I was rocking her in my rocking chair and she was, of course, wrapped in her magical blanket. She was so sweet. Her little blond head rested sleeping in my arms. I remember taking her beautiful little hand in mine and was awestruck by how much I loved that child.

This was shortly after 9/11. Suddenly
the saddest feeling of sincere grief came over me. I thought of all the men and women my age, who lost their grown children in the 9/11 tragedy...they were victims not recognized. I felt so sad for them. They not only lost their grown children, but their unborn grandchildren as well. They were cheated. I grieved for them as they lost these moments of experiencing the awesome feeling of loving a grandchild.
Now Miss Madison is 7 years old, and her 'nite-nite' is called her "Huggie Blanket."

She was with us for an overnight, and this morning, she held her threadbare blanket up and she asked if I could save her 'huggie blanket'.

Without a doubt, we put perhaps 10001 stitches to save her nite-nite. They both will soon be eight years old.
She is such a pleasure.
June

A Day for the Birds

About a month ago, a couple of black birds made their home nearby and have raised a few babies. These black birds turned out to be good old-fashion, corn eating crows.

These crows have become urbanized and are feeding at my birdfeeders.
Actually, they are eating me out of bird seed. My last resort was to find and borrow a BB gun.
"I have one, come and get it," my son-in-law said.

When I picked it up last night, I told him I knew how to pump and shoot it. He supplied a box of BB's as well. This morning, bright and early, I went outside in my PJ's to start the day...I loaded and pumped the gun.... finally found the safety ....and after some time, realized I still had to cock it...
Well, when I cocked it. the sound was LOUD and the crows flew but interestingly enough, the other birds hung around.

Well...the crows came back before I could turn around...so now to test the BB gun. I didn't know if it would actually shoot. Carefully pulled the trigger without really aiming ...just sort of away from the house kind of shot...it fired.

Well, unfortunately that first shot, went into the fish pond. IF I HAVE put a hole in that brand new pond liner, I am a dead duck.
WORSE would be if I shot one of the fish. If one becomes a floater with a little hole the size of a BB...I am a dead duck as well.

Spent the day learning I can't aim a BB gun.
June

Gathering Moss

When we lived in Brazil,
one of my Aunts wrote a letter and posed a question...
She wrote, "Your life is like a rolling stone. It is said a rolling stone gathers no moss. I have a question for you and please ask your friends as well. Which is better, to have moss or to have no moss?"

I asked at bridge or socials as was an interesting topic. ...
"What do you think?" No one had an opinion. It was clear she meant support systems which included friendships.

Our American as well as International friends there lived the same lifestyle. All traveled extensively with jobs that took them and their families all over the world. We never thought of gathering moss. We were gathering awesome experiences shared by others of like mind-set. Those people were and are our moss.

I responded to her question saying none asked had an answer to her question. It was a new thought to all, I think.

My Beloved Aunt Doris came down with cancer the following year...and wrote to say that she finally had the answer...She wrote that in her time of need...the moss that she has collected by living in the same town for 60 years felt REALLY GOOD.

I thought about that. I had only been her moss through letters. We wrote weekly over the years. I still have her letters. They were important to me.
She was the most incredible woman I ever knew. She taught me how to live and in the end, she was a grand example to all as she left this life with such style.

When I think of "moss" as being a support system, she was my first layer.
June

Sentiments for Lunch

I had been out and about; a busy morning ran into lunch time. The drive thru was perfect for a quick snack. Got a little lunch and pulled into the shaded parking lot to enjoy my burger.

Down went the car windows ~ ah, was so nice. The summer breeze enhanced the peaceful spot. I unwrapped my lunch and sipped the soda.
Sitting all alone, my mind went back to the days when our large Station Wagon was full of kids plus the dog that went everywhere with us.
Their loud complaining came to me~loud and clear in my memory.

“Mama, she won't get over,"

"Mama, she’s touching me."

"She's looking at me, MAKE HER STOP." (That was my favorite.)

"I gotta' pee pee." (Someone always had to go.)

"Trixie has bad breath, make her get back."

"She got one of my french fries." etc...

I remembered being so stressed/tired/whipped down. I remembered wishing for just one moment to be alone...a moment of peace and quite, which never, ever came.

Now... looking back, I remembered that wish~

Today~ the car was silent. I was alone. Tender emotions of nostalgia overwhelmed me. I found that I missed them...I missed my little girls being little and with me.
Suddenly I felt very alone and lonely.

That didn't last long.
June