Momma's Pumpkin Pie by Tammie

I am not the cook in the family. Patty is by far the best cook of the children. Momma makes the best desserts known to man.

But this week I needed to vent some frustrations. So I bought a pumpkin. cut the top off and gutted it. Then I baked it.

Last night I actually made 100% from scratch pumpkin pie for today's Chilli and bake-off luncheon at work. The last time I made crust was in home-ec when I was in the 8th grade. I was so good at home-ec the principal was forced to transfer me to shop class mid-semester at the urging of my home-ec teacher.

Anyway. Margie once told me that if you can read, you can cook. So I pulled out my Amish cookbook and off we go. First problem, I didn't have a rolling pin. So, off to WalMart to buy that.

Once I began... I really started to feel like my mother. I had the oven on preheat. Dishes in the sink soaking. Laundry going in the washing machine. And the Phillies and Yankees were on the tv. Now all I needed was my dad to yell at. hehe

The pie dough turned out easy enough to make. After all I grew up in the kithens of Granny Mae, Nannie and Momma. The first pie filling was completed and poured. During the mixture of the second pie filling I realized that there was no brown sugar in the first pie. OH NO!!! Well not to worry, while completing the second pie, it dawned on me... I would just add brown sugar to the already poured pie filling... then stir.

Now the pies are cooking. Dishes are in the process of being washed. Clothes have been changed out. The table is almost recognizable. I called my mom. Then Patty. =)

Once the dishes were completed. It was time to begin the chilli for the luncheon. I couldn't stop at just one pot, I had two crockpots full of chilli.

The judging took place and I won!!! My totally organic pumpkin pie made from scratch had beat out the competition. One of the ladies commented that she didn't try it because she thought it was something someone picked up from Tippin's! Woo Hoo. That totally surprised me, because if you could've seen the pie. There is no way you would've thought that crust was store bought.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Cat Mommie

Being a cat mommie has given me surprises that no one warned me about.

A few weeks ago I found a dead snake along the fence line. Since I have dogs that were bred to find and kill critters that burrow and slink and it was Toby that brought my attention to the snake, I gave them full credit for the "kill."

Yesterday during my lunch time with the babies Oprah Mae brought a baby snake into the kitchen. She was very proud of her catch. So proud in fact that she tried her best to keep Millie and me from obtaining and killing said catch. When I finally managed to kill the serpent she became bored with it and ate it. This brings me to the conclusion that the first snake was killed by the black panther known as Oprah Mae and simply too big to eat.

Today she went outside to play in the rain. Then came in soaking wet. She jumped on the bed and me to let me know it was raining. Without her, I wouldn't have had a clue.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Fall...

I love the Fall for all the colors. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. This morning on the way to work I paused long enough to snap a shot of the beautiful drive I have...

Outside our building the parking lot has lit up with the colors of the season.

The downside to this all is that Winter is just around the corner. But before then we still get to enjoy Halloween - Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin and Momma going home from the hospital!

Mother-In-Law

I can't believe the day has actually come and gone.

Nicole had the most beautiful wedding. It began with an afternoon rehearsal - she arrived 20 minutes late - Jeff even later... We were skeptical about the wedding starting on time. Hayden and Sinclair were super. Sinclair practiced tossing the rose petals while Hayden wondered why the ring bearier only got a stupid pillow. By the time of the wedding we had convinced him his role was equally important.

We then went to a wonderful restaurant compliments of Bill and Deana. Thanks! It was nice getting to catch up with Fr. Bob and Georgia. (that's Father not Friar...)

The day of the wedding Laura and Kyle took the kids to a museum where I hear they were able to hold real snakes. Glad that duty was given to the other parents! Terena and I went over to Nicole's house around 2pm. Terena turned Nicole from a pretty young lady into an absolutely gorgeous young bride. She also helped with the curls on the bridal party.

Nicole jumped into my car for the trip to the chapel. Only one stop was required before arriving - she needed Rooster Booster. For those of you wondering what that is - well basically red bull and Nicole is addicted. Things were pretty calm Saturday. We managed to get Nicole to the chapel and in the dressing room before Ryan arrived. No major incidents happened.

Kevin walked me to my seat and then the show began. The girls and guys were so sharp in their red dresses and matching tuxes. Ryan looked more nervous than I've ever seen him. Then Nicole appeared. She was dazzling. I had promised myself I could handle that moment. Seems I couldn't. My baby girl was walking down the aisle to officially begin the next phase of her life.

How fortunate she is to have the family she is marrying into. Deana will make the best mother-in-law to her. She now has 2 additional sisters and 2 brothers.

A snapshot of the weekend is to your left.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Hospital Update

Mom had to go back to the hospital this week. Nothing major just an infection trying to set in.

The doctor removed some dead skin and she is doing well. She will be in the hospital for about another week.

This morning Jimmy brought Daddy and Skylar up to visit with Grannie.

The visit went like this...

Daddy and Momma

Skylar walking me to the car in anticipation of rain

Skylar and Aunt DaDa catching some zzzzz's while Grannie slept.

Long days and pleasant nights!

Prescriptions Urged for Cold Medicines

On my soap box...

It is no secret that Oklahoma has a huge problem with methamphetamine production. A few years ago we had a groundbreaking law that actually worked in curving the amount of meth manufactured in our state. The law moved all over-the-counter colds meds that were used for the production behind the pharmacist wall and required ID to purchase no more than 2 boxes at a time. This proved so successful surrounding states began enacting similar laws.

Well the production method has evolved to get around these laws. So one of our new legislators that happens to be a former police officer is proposing this new law:

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A doctor's prescription would be needed for what is currently an over-the-counter cold medication under a proposal by Oklahoma's top drug enforcement officer. Darrell Weaver, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, says the proposal is designed to cut down on so-called shake-and-bake methamphetamine labs in Oklahoma. Weaver urged state lawmakers to make cold medications containing pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed and Claritin-D, a Schedule II drug that requires a visit to a physician's office and a prescription before it can be purchased. Weaver aired the proposal before members of the House Judiciary Committee. A Tulsa-area lawmaker who requested the meeting, Rep. Lucky Lamons, says he'll introduce legislation next year to make Weaver's plan state law.(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

This is going to far - in my mind. First we need affordable health-care for everyone. If this law becomes real it will only hurt the people without health insurance. The criminals will still find a way to make meth. They will adjust the formula or something.

It would be alright to make these cold medicines prescription only if we had a healthcare plan that works. The majority of people that buy over-the-counter cold medicines are just like you and me - honest, hard working people.

I don't want to have to go to a doctor everytime I have a bad cold. Even with health insurance it is $20 to see the doctor, $10 for the prescription plus time off for the doctor appointment. That equals far more money than what I would have spent going to the corner drug store and buying a box of Sudafed. Not to mention lining the pocket of the health insurance companies even more for no reason.

Please contact your local State Representative and tell them this is just silly. Also contact Senators Coburn and Inhoffe and your congressman to let them know we need affordable healthcare that works!

long days and pleasant nights...