Merry Christmas!!!

 Merry Christmas Friends & Family!

Has it really been 3 years since I last wrote a post here?   It seems so.  Time flies.   So much has happened in the past 3 years.  

The good part about life happening is that the good memories can fill all the right buckets.   Our son, Clay,  has graduated from high school and is currently active in the NMSU ROTC program with intentions of going active upon graduation.  He has settled into becoming a good student with a strong desire for greatness.   Now, he repeatedly plays too many video games.   What teen doesn't these days? 

Our oldest, Courtney, has graduated from law school and is anxiously looking forward to passing the bar so that she can be a US Army Jag lawyer beginning in August 2021.   Her and Rick are living in the Dallas metroplex with their two dogs, Winston and Jake.  Courtney is baking cakes in her spare time and Rick is working with his mom at Patriot Paws as the general manager.

Meagann is currently on  the downhill slide for graduating NMSU with her bachelors in History Education.  She is hoping to snag a job teaching at the university so she can work on her masters and be debt free.   Next Sunday afternoon, she will be marrying the love of her life.  Her fiancee, is a young man whom she met here.  Erik is a police officer at NMSU and is pursuing his criminal justice degree.   And before you ask, she didn't meet him and obtain a speeding ticket along with a first date.    

A huge shout out to COVID for screwing up all the wedding plans.   What should have been a beautiful golf course wedding has turned into a backyard event with catering courtesy of Costco.      The only bright spot is that this wedding is costing us pennies in compared to what it could have been.     I can't say that Greg and I are unhappy about that.

I wish I could offer up some personal pictures this year for Christmas of the kids or something.  I only have dog pictures and for whatever reason my photos aren't syncing easily with the computer.   Santa needs to bring me a new mac.   I AM NOT REFERRING TO A BIG MAC HAMBURGER. 

I found this video earlier today and wanted to share.  Anthem Lights is one of my favorite groups.   These 2 songs mesh together perfectly.  Enjoy!  

 Lots of Love, OG

                                                            Merry Christmas 2017 !!! 

                                 

FYI...   We moved...  again!    I may need to catch up a few of you, non-facebook friends.   I haven't sent Christmas cards in a couple of years; the time management issue just got the best of me.   So....  way back in 2016, Greg was offered a job with MVT transportation.  He is the head of their HR department and is constantly busy trying to solve a problem or two.  This new job was simply a gift from the Lord.   No doubt about it!   At that time, I finished teaching  pre-k in Frisco and prepared our house for the big move.  It sold in about 5 days and that just confirmed the decision.     Immediately upon arriving in EP early August, I went to the local high school to finish class registration for our son and walked out with a job.  

I am currently teaching at Franklin High as a BIC classroom teacher.  This is a high school sped classroom for behavior issue teens.  This year, they added to my schedule a resource algebra and geometry class.   Never, in my wildest dreams would I have ever considered myself a math teacher.     The Lord not only provides a job in his timing... but doesn't he have a BIG sense of humor!!!  (ME...  HS math teacher?)    So, we rented the first year here and have recently purchased a home in Las Cruces, NM.  It is a small snowbird community that just felt right.    Our home is located near Old Mesilla.   Honestly, it may have had something to do with the Mcalister's Deli and Target being close by.   Our house is keeping us pretty busy.   We have 48 pecan trees and a small orchard filled with apple, peach and several pistachio trees.    I have plans to add a pomegranate tree or two within the next few months.  We absolutely love this house and still wake up daily and are amazed that we own this place!   

                                            

Morning coffee here is the best!!

                                       

Clay is a Senior and will soon graduate in June.   He is still playing French horn & the mellophone in the band and made Wind Symphony this year.   Last summer, he spent a month volunteering at Camp Glorietta and came home wanting to play baseball again.   After that, he went to tryouts and made varsity!!!    This fall, he was nominated to be a member of the spring prom court.    Vote Clay Ginger Prom King 2018!!!!   This may be the closest I will ever get to royalty.  At this point, life is looking pretty good for him.    We aren't sure exactly where he will land after graduation.   Brain surgeon?  Fry Cook? A model?  All we know is that God has a plan for him and it will be magnificent!  

This past December, Meagann transferred to NMSU and is pursuing a history education degree.  She is still spinning with the Blue Stars during her summer vacation.  This next summer, will be her age-out year.   If you get a chance to attend a DCI show...  give her a shout!    She would love to go on staff with some DCI group.   We shall see.   God has magnificent plans for her as well!!!   I am just thankful she gave up the idea of being an underwater fire-starter.    

Our oldest, Courtney is currently living in Birmingham, Alabama.  She is mid-way through her law degree and happily still married to Rick.   He is still working for JC Penney in their loss-prevention department.   Rick gets to bust people for shop lifting and someday, Courtney can prosecute them!     These 2 kids are perfectly adorable, aren't they?   I know God has big magnificent plans for these two!!!   I am also praying that grand-children aren't a part of the immediate plan.   I am not old enough for that...and neither are they!!!

If you are ever in the area... we have plenty of room.  We will feed you, house you,  and entertain you.   There is a ton of things to do around here.  Ruidoso is about 2 hours.  White Sands is on the way!  We have a ton of hiking/jeep trails and Hatch is a short 25 minute drive.   The green chili cheeseburger is incredible!  

Merry Christmas!!!    Greg, Ona, Meagann & Clay Ginger

Enjoy these few pictures of our year... Enjoy!   (I have done a terrible job of taking pictures this year!!)

Friday Night Lights!

Candy Treats...

This post is something I started back in the winter time and just didn't get around to completing and posting.  Yes, I gave this stuff away as christmas gifts.  However, gift giving can be anytime!   Either one would make a fabulous teacher or house-warming gift!

The crock pot recipe is from a former Frisco co-worker.     Thank you LB!!!!  This particular recipe is incredible easy and makes way more than you can imagine.   I used the tiny muffin liners from Dollar Tree.  The candy sprinkles make it look particularly festive!!!!

This stuff can't get any easier!   Drop it in the crock pot and turn it on!  

The hubs friend and co-worker, PV,  made this next one for an office staff party.  He couldn't stop eating it.  Thank goodness she gave me the recipe.   This toffee is simply amazing!   Watch it close and look for the caramel color.  Not all microwaves are the same for cooking times!  Enjoy!!!

Easy Microwave Toffee

3/4 - 1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup wter

1 bag milk chocolate chips

Grease or spray a 9 inch circle on a lined cookie sheet or aluminum foil.

Spread the pecans over this!

Spray the glass batter bowl with canola oil as well.

Add the butter, sugar, salt & water to bowl.

DO NOT STIR!

Microwave this for about 9 - 11 minutes or until it is a light caramel brown color.

Pour over pecans.  

Lay the chocolate chips over the top of the toffee and spread after about a minute.

Shake a very small amount of sea salt over this!!!

I used a small tin from Dollar Tree  and lined it with a cute doily!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

Yes,  I had to do it!    The ugly pajamas were calling my name.    I planned this card all year and it makes me so happy!   And yet, I didn't get the opportunity to send it.    I had all sorts of good intentions.      Here is the latest information on our clan.     

During June of  last summer, our oldest and her husband moved to Birmingham, Alabama.  She was admitted into school at Samford University in the Cumberland School of Law.  She is currently in the top 15% of her class and will soon be running the world.   Courtney is loving her life right now.  Rick is currently working with JC Penney's in their theft prevention department and has gotten a recent promotion over several stores.  Don't ask me what he does...but he seems happy doing it.  Greg & I are thrilled that life is going well for them.    Last week, they were forced into buying a new car because of his travels and found a 2006 Toyota Corolla with 30,000 miles.   It was an epic grandma car score for them!!!

Meagann enrolled into NMSU this month and is doing well.   Transitioning here to EP has been the most difficult for her but she is looking forward to the summer when she resumes marching with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Core.  She is still a part of their leadership team and this summer they will be performing a version of Hamilton.   This one should be amazing!!!

Greg is now employed by Mesilla Valley Transportation.   MVT is a conglomerate of several companies.  Don't ask me what they are.  I can't remember them all.  However, he is the HR man for all of them and is loving how the company is re-shaping for the future.

On the first day we arrived here  in EP,  I walked into the local high school to finish registration for our youngest child, Clay.    He was ready to start summer band camp.  He has acclimated nicely here and now has a whole new posse of friends.    That same day, I walked out with a job.   It was pretty exciting for me.    Fortunately, because of all my certifications...... special education teachers are hard to find... and there I was!    I am loving being in the high school environment and I can say that I never knew how much I would love it.   Go figure!!!  There is a huge possibility that I will soon begin the process of adding to my certifications and get a bigger degree.    Please pray for decisiveness and discernment... and maybe clarity as to when or if I begin this huge step.    The Lord works in mysterious ways and there is always a good reason for what he does.    I can say that several times during the past few years.....  I have questioned and been angry a few times at him.    At this point, I will never doubt his will again.     Moving here was a good thing for our family.   

Our desire is to move out of this rental this summer and with that get a permanent address....so next year......Christmas Cards will happen.   Finally, no excuses!  Right?    

I can't end this on a Merry Christmas but I can wish all of you a good day/month/year.   

All our love............

Did someone say "Italian Cornbread" ?

A couple of months ago, my BFF made this on her food network show.   It spoke to me, loudly.  So, when Thanksgiving and cooler weather rolled around the corner,  I knew what had to be made.   Soon!

Italian Cornbread

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 T. baking powder

1 t. kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup milk

1 large egg

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 cup grated parmesan

2 T. diced sun-dried tomatoes

1/2 t. oregano

1/4 cup + 2 T. shortening

Preheat the oven to 450*.  

Combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder & salt.

Measure the milks and add the egg.  Stir together.

Add the baking soda and stir.

Add the parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes & oregano.

Mix it all together.

In a small bowl, melt the 1/4 cup shortening in the microwave and slowly add to the batter.  

Stir this until just combined.

In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons shortening over medium hear.  Pour the batter into the hot skillet and spread.  Cook on the stove top for about a minute.   Transfer to the oven and bake for about  25 minutes or until golden.

Cut and enjoy!

 I served it with a hot bowl of my tomato soup!   That recipe also came from my bestie, Ree.   Any remaining leftovers were combined into my recipe  for crockpot stuffing on Thanksgiving Day!!!    Oh the goodness!

I am so thankful for the cranberry relish!!

 For years, my children have enjoyed the benefits of having a Williams Sonoma around the corner.      I have always thought..... why make it when the store bought is so good!!!    My daughter enjoys using the relish on her Thanksgiving day leftovers panini sandwich.    The gravy is also delicious!!!

Fortunately, this year, I have a jar of the gravy base...  I am good.  My daughter was set on having that relish for her sandwich.   We looked all over EP to find a jar.    Unless, we wanted something with green chili mixed in...   we were out of luck.   Here is the substitute recipe I doctored around with.   We will definitely make this again next year.   Who knows, maybe next week.   Turkey gravy is next on my list to conquer.

Cranberry-Apple Relish

1 bag cranberries

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1 apple, peeled and diced

1 cup maple syrup

2 oranges, zested and then the juice squeezed into the pan

maybe an 1/8 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Bring to a boil and simmer about 15 minutes.   Try to crush the pomegranates and cranberries as they cook.   However, they will naturally crush and burst as they cook.  Next time, I will also chop the apple in smaller pieces.  

I plan to pour it over a block of cream cheese and use a wheat think as the vessel.    I am now ashamed to say I have bought the jarred stuff previously.   The hardest part was zesting the oranges.   I am still not sure if I did that correctly.   

Until next time friends,  I hope you all find something to be thankful for other than the cranberry relish!!   

Kolaches!!!!!

Ok,   I have lived here on the other side of the world for 3 months.  It is obvious that I may have to learn to enjoy white queso.   It is also obvious that I may need to learn how to make it better at home.  Maybe I should do more than melt together velvetta and a can of rotel?   Who am I kidding here......  it is better like that than with the weird white cheese and chunks of green chilis!!!

However, there are some things that I may not get to eat again for quite a long time.   I will have to learn to make them!    Kolache's are on the top of the list!!!!   There is a gas station just south of Hillsboro, Texas on HWY 35.    All us Texan's refer to it as the Czech Stop.    My car just pulls off the interstate on its own and stops.   Half of the station is this cute little bakery with a case of kolaches in every flavor known to man kind.    There are always a dozen or more families lined up for this goodness.   Cream cheese, apple, strawberry, peach, blackberry, sausage, lemon.........  you name it and they have a flavor.

I found this recipe last summer in a regional Texas cookbook.    I think the next time I will substitute some apple pie filling for the cream cheese.  The cream cheese was really tasty...but I think my boys will enjoy apple a bit more.

Cream Cheese Kolaches

2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100*-110*)  honestly, I just used really hot tap water.
1  (8 oz) container sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Combine yeast & water in a measuring cup... stir and let stand for 5 minutes.
Stir together the rest until blended in a large mixing bowl.  Add the yeast until well blended.

Using the dough hook, add the flour 1 cup at a time and beat at a medium-low speed for about 5 minutes until the dough leaves the side of the bowl and pulls together.   (I used a spatula to get it off the sides a bit during mixing.)

Cover bowl with lightly greased plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-24 hours.

Turn dough onto a well floured surface and shape into 16 (2-inch) balls.  Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on buttered baking sheets.  Let it rise in a warm place until about doubled in size.    Maybe an hour to an 1 1/2 hours...  draft free .....

Now  make the cream cheese stuff!!!

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

6 Tablespoons sugar

1 large egg yolk  

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

Combine all that until smooth.

Preheat the oven until 350*.   Form an indentation in the top of the roll with a spoon or thumb.  Spoon about a tablespoon into the top.  Brush with egg white and water combination.

Bake about 15 minutes or until golden.

Enjoy!!!