Garbage Can Supper

Last night was the Annual (12th possibly?) Garbage Can Supper at my Aunt Maxine's house. Vegetables including corn, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and onions, along with brats are cooked in a garbage can over an open fire. It is always a great time with lots of friends and fabulous food. What a great way to celebrate the closing of summer! Thanks to all the "cookers"!

I brought mixed nut bars, which were a hit. Here is the recipe. Easy and very yummy!

Mixed Nut Bars

Whole graham crackers

1 can of mixed nuts

1 package of chocolate chips

Line a 9X13 pan with graham crackers. Spread nuts and chocolate chips on top.

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter

Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 4 minutes. Turn off heat and add 4 tsp. white syrup. Pour over the top of the crackers, nuts and chocolate chips. Let cool. Cut and enjoy!

The Can

My Uncle Max and Great Uncle Walt at the Garbage Can Supper

*Pictures "borrowed" from Matt Beck

Top Chef Masters

As most of you know, I am a big reality TV watcher. I love Top Chef, and just finished watching Top Chef Masters. The winner was Rick Bayless who is my favorite. Yea! Wouldn't if be cool to eat a meal prepared by a famous chef?

Lindenwood U-2nd oldest college west of the Missisippi

Here are some pictures of the Lindenwood University campus. I was very impressed!

The Big Summer Trip

Yes, we survived the trip to St. Louis. RJ is attending Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO which is just outside of St. Louis. We left on Tuesday and got home Saturday evening. He had orientation for a few days and started school on the 24th. He seems to be adjusting well, and liking the college, although he tells me it would be much better if he didn't have to go to class. Go figure!!

Wendell, Cecilia and I spent a few days seeing the sites of the area. We spent quite a bit of time in historic St. Charles--first capital of MO. Downtown is right next to the river and very quaint--brick buildings and cobblestone streets. We also visited the St. Louis Zoo, which was awesome! Next we went to the Anheiser-Busch Brewing Company. We didn't do the full tour, just saw the Clydesdales--don't think Ceci would have made the whole tour. Oh, and we couldn't pass up our complimentary glass of Budlight. Tasted very fresh and just brewed!

We also had supper at RJ's Granny's house. I got to see many of his relatives that I hadn't seen in years. It was great to see everyone!!

On the way home we stopped in Omaha at the Strategic Air Command Museum. We stayed downtown at the Magnolia Hotel and ate at Spaghetti Works in Old Town. Ceci was an awesome traveler, but we were very ready to be home!

We are very thankful for a safe trip. Now it's back to school! It's the second day and I am beat. It's great to be back see all the kids and staff.

The Leapster and princess crown got us through the last 4 hours of the trip!

RJ and Ceci the night before we got RJ moved in

Our first night in St. Charles

Lewis and Clark

Main Street St. Charles--lots of cobblestone!

Music on main street

The River


The St. Louis Zoo is AWESOME!!

Lunch at Fraziers--a little restaurant on the detour to Anheiser-Busch

The interstate we had to walk across to get to Fraziers

One of the clydesdales at A-B

Enjoying my free Budlight!

A view of downtown STL from the Arch park

Ceci, RJ and Granny Charlene

The above pics are from the Strategic Air Command Museum near Omaha

Ceci's balloon kitty

Saturday Run

On Saturday, my running partner, Carrie J. and I ran in the Subway Off Road 10K at Richmond Lake near Aberdeen. It was our first attempt at a 10K, and a trail race to top it off! The trails were beautiful but tricky (think Sica Hollow trails with smaller hills). Although we finished near the back of the pack, it was really, really fun and challenging. I even won a $25 gift certificate to the Athlete's Foot in a drawing.

Wordle

Here is a cool new site I learned about recently called Wordle. You type in a bunch of words or a blog address, and it randomizes and makes a picture of your words, with the ones being used most frequently in larger font. Cool, huh? Try it! I think it would be a cool way to decorate a kid's room, or could be used in school. Look who's name is the biggest!!

Image taken from www.wordle.net