Summer Memories in Your Own Backyard

When I was a child, we didn't have many vacations. Most of our vacations were going to my grandparents house where we would spend time with our cousins. Those are now some of the most precious memories I have. No exotic localities with spectacular entertainment. Just kickball games, popsicles, and family. They were awesome times.

On June 18th we had our first pool party of the season. Now I don't have a big pool, or that great of a backyard. But for the time that my people are in that space, it is magic and memories all the way.


He was not happy about seeing me, but he loves the pool.

When his mommy showed up he was all smiles for her.

Cassidy is a little mermaid in the pool. You cannot get her out! We had several pool parties this season and made special memories.

Kelsey was reluctant at first, but I think she saw cousin Jack having fun, and decided that with arm floats and a raft, she would live to see another day.

Soon though, Kelsey had enough and moved on to other things.

Everyone had fun roasting marshmallows for smores. There was also a BBQ, corn hole games and basketball!












Getting family together doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. Just take the time to be together and make some memories. You will never regret the time you spend with the little ones. Making magic for them only takes imagination and you.

Summer Memories in Your Own Backyard

When I was a child, we didn't have many vacations. Most of our vacations were going to my grandparents house where we would spend time with our cousins. Those are now some of the most precious memories I have. No exotic localities with spectacular entertainment. Just kickball games, popsicles, and family. They were awesome times.

On June 18th we had our first pool party of the season. Now I don't have a big pool, or that great of a backyard. But for the time that my people are in that space, it is magic and memories all the way.


He was not happy about seeing me, but he loves the pool.

When his mommy showed up he was all smiles for her.

Cassidy is a little mermaid in the pool. You cannot get her out! We had several pool parties this season and made special memories.

Kelsey was reluctant at first, but I think she saw cousin Jack having fun, and decided that with arm floats and a raft, she would live to see another day.

Soon though, Kelsey had enough and moved on to other things.

Everyone had fun roasting marshmallows for smores. There was also a BBQ, corn hole games and basketball!












Getting family together doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. Just take the time to be together and make some memories. You will never regret the time you spend with the little ones. Making magic for them only takes imagination and you.

Family Reunion 2015

Country Roads...
Take me home..
To the place, I belong...
West Virginia.......

We traveled this past weekend to the beautiful state of West Virginia. The destination was Charleston, W.Va., for the (2nd!) Armstrong Family Reunion (Organized by Jill!!!). To have my cousins in my life again, not to mention my Aunt Esther, is amazing in so many ways. Family bonds can be bruised, shaken, or abandoned for a time. But the roots of the Family Tree run deep, especially in the West Virginia soil. We came together this past Labor Day weekend, and two words sum it up...FUN...and... LOVE.


We started by paying homage to those who have gone before us.

My brother John and husband Bill walking through the graveyard of beloved family....

The Grandparents...

Gertrude Armstrong

Paul Armstong

Their final resting place...

Next, we stopped at the old homestead....which is no more. The tidy little homes of yesterday are all gone.


My Grandparents home used to stand on this empty land...





The homes are gone, but that doesn't stop the memories. We played kickball in the front yard with our cousins. We ran down the path to our Betty-by's house. We visited with our Uncle Richard and Aunt Virginia. We watched the creek rise, and the coal trains go by while sucking on drippy popsicles. So many memories of days gone past.


We all took a dip in here (sometimes with a bar of soap!) during the dog days of August...

This was the view from my Grandparent's kitchen window. I remember my Papaw having his morning coffee and gazing out the window at this view.

A group photo taken on Crawford Bottom Road...

But being a part of the present was what the trip was really about. Connecting with our family. My people...

My cousins Jennifer and Jill and her husband Mike. I love them so much!

Jennifer and her lovely family...

My sister Kim with our cousin Rita. I also met Rita's beautiful daughters and adorable grandsons.

My cousin Kevin and his lovely wife Shelly and daughter Jamie,(and beautiful Kadie who turned away at the last minute!).

My cousin Ricky and his wife Rhonda. I haven't seen them since I was 15 years old. I also met his daughter and granddaughter. They are gorgeous!

Cousin Leasa McNeely with Rhonda, Amanada, and her daughter.

My Aunt Esther, Joey and Leann, and my cousin Jennifer's son, Ben.

It was so wonderful to spend time with my brother Johnny and his wife Georgia.

My cousin Kevin, mugging while hugging...

My Aunt Judy and Aunt Esther....

My sister Kelley and her husband Randy....

There was peanut butter fudge and zucchini cakes, banana nut bread, and blueberry cakes. The were all baked by Esther with the help of her wonderful husband, John. Not only was it the best fudge ever made, it brought back memories of holidays at the grandparents house. .

A group photo was taken after dinner. I just love each one of these people so much. There is shared history, family ties. It was sad when the trip was over, but I know we will be together again. There was so much love and joy in the room. That was real. This family will survive and thrive.

A strong, loving family is a legacy worth nurturing. We will carry on. We will live, love, and remember the loved ones who have passed on. I believe in some way, they are still walking among us, supporting us on our journey as we live our lives, and raise the next generation in our family values....Live with respect for others, love with all your heart, work hard, and have fun!

On the way home, Bill and I stopped in Charlottesville, Va., for a glass of wine at my favorite winery, Pollack. Anything to delay the inevitable that the reunion weekend was over.

I am already looking forward to the next reunion....did I hear Cleveland mentioned????

Baked...For Breakfast

In the depths of Winter I learned
There was in me an invincible summer.

by Albert Camus



This poem really spoke to me this past week as most of the country was put into a deep freeze. It was bitterly cold here. On a frosty mornings I like to make a hot breakfast, however, it must be easy because cooking in the morning is not my favorite thing. I made Baked Oatmeal one day. The beauty of this dish, is you can make it the night before, then just heat it up before serving.

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Baked Oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients:

3 cups of quick cooking oats ( I used rolled oats)
1 cup of packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt

To the dry mixture add:

1 cup milk

2 eggs (beaten)

1/2 cup butter (melted)

Mix together and pour into a 9 inch baking dish

Bake for 45 minutes

It smells so good when it's cooking! Slice and crumble into a bowl and serve with milk. Delicious! You can also add walnuts, raisins, and chopped dates to this and bake for extra goodness.

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I love eggs for breakfast. However I usually scramble them or make a fried egg. I think 3 or 4 years ago I poached my very first egg. Well I've dawned on a new horizon and baked my first egg. It was easy to assemble and very tasty, too.

Baked Eggs

In a 7 oz. ramekin add:

2 tblsp. cream
2 fresh eggs

Salt and pepper to taste
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Sprinkle some Panko on top
Add some dried Dill (or seasoning of your choice)

Bake at 400 degrees for 13-15 minutes. This gave me a medium set yolk. If you want a completely set yolk, bake a minute or so more. If only making one egg, cook for 11 -13 minutes.

Enjoy!