Momma Knows Best.....

Remember the strawberries that I blogged about last week??? Well here is an easy recipe for a refreshing dessert. Above is the picture of what they look like....ready to eat!!!
Told ya I would have up soon ;) ....thanks Mamma!! (haha)

* Add as many stawberries as you want
* Wash them and cut into bowl
* Sprinkle sugar and serve

Easy huh? and so good!!!!!!!

I also think homemade Macaroni Salad is really nice to eat on a HOT day! Here is how we make ours and remember it's always better the next day. Do like we do....(it will not STINK up your refrig) - if you put the plastic wrap on top of container tightly then put into cold area.!! My mother and I made this last night .....yum!

2 cups cooked macaroni, drained, rinsed, cooled
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion and bell pepper
1/3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Something else my Mom knows best about is planting flowers and gardening. With me being almost 30 (omgosh) and getting married---- I need to know these things and what better person to ask then my mom! She sat me down and explained when and where to plant flowers, how much water, sunlight/no sunlight...etc. Here are some pics of the outcome!!

*Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.

*The Earth Laughs in Flowers

*"Keep your faith in all beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone."

It Will Save You Money $$$$$

Everytime I hear that commercial I just laugh......IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY!!!! The way economy is today we need just about anything to help us to save. This weekend I went around some places and you wouldn't believe how much you could save if you just used COUPONS!!!!!

I actually saved $40 dollars and all I did was cut a coupon out. Some people I know don't want to take the time out to do but honestly you can't complain when it's that easy....right??? And I know some people say well its a hassle to take to the store and organize....then BUY a coupon organizer!!!!!! It will make a difference....read your local paper, cut the coupon, organize, and BUY!

So this caught my eye when I was shopping.....What is Mountain Dew and Pepsi Throwback::::


In the middle of April, PBV [Pepsi Bottling Ventures] also will begin distributing Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback, which features those brands formulated with sugar. This is a big deal since mainstream soft drinks in the United States are sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Typically, the only way to get soda from the "big guys" with real sugar is to import it. This spring, Pepsi and Mountain Dew are inviting consumers on a nostalgic trip back in time by offering special retro versions of these popular beverages.
The Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback packaging feature a retro look and are sweetened with natural sugar, just as they were back in the '60s and '70s, to give consumers a taste of the past.There are basically two types of sugar that could be used. Cane sugar, which is sourced from sugarcane that is grown above the ground. Then there is beet sugar, which is pulled from beets grown underground. Per Pepsi, these beverages are sweetened with natural sugar, a blend of cane sugar and beet sugar. For some, it will be a trip down memory lane but for others, it will be a chance to experience a new twist on their favorite brands'.

Skin Thrasher's Hotdogs

Ever since I was a little girl I have always LOVED Skin Thrasher's Hotdogs. I remember my parents always taking me to the one in Anderson! I would order 1 hotdog with mayo, ketchup and onion, a pack of chips and a "COLD" glass bottle coke! Now they don't have the glass bottels anymore BUT I still love their dogs! My favorite thing about Skin's is the CHOCOLATE CAKE! If you have never had....you should definitely try! I have always wanted to know the recipe but was to chicken to ask lol. You wouldn't believe how they make it....a lota choclate/FAT! So if you ever go to Skins in Seneca...let me know and I will meet you there ;)

True Fact: Ryan used to work at Skin's in Seneca when he was younger. His grandma (Nanny Simmons) works at the that location now and has been there for I believe 10 years or more. Can you believe that??? She is 74 years old and still kickin it ;) She is honestly an AWESOME woman!

Ware Shoals Dragway......

LOL...I can't believe I actually went to the dragway!!!! I had a blast even though I was totally confused! Saturday night Ryan's friends invited me out to the race and I have to say I had a great time. Brandon and Luanne are friends with one of the drivers so I got to ask him questions and try to understand what this was all about. Pete is in his 60's and his car is the pic below in red that reads "My Other Woman"....hehehehe...(I had to take a picture.) Pete said the track he knows has been around since the 60's and he started racing in the 90's. I actually saw a car go 151 mph in 4 seconds....totally CRAZY!!!!!

Loud cars, smoke and rowdy people = GOOD TIMES!!!

http://www.wareshoalsdragway.com/

Staying Busy .....

My mother has been trying to keep me busy and my spirits high since Ryan left so today we took a little trip to pick some strawberries. Have you ever heard of Hardy Berry Farms?? if not then ....YoU NeEd To Go!!!!! We really enjoyed ourselves and the time of the year is just perfect! Hardy Berry Farms is the home of fresh & delicious strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches and muscadines. They are located at 232 Strawberry Lane Anderson, South Carolina 29626. The phone number is 864-224-5441 and they have a Website: http://www.hardyberryfarm.com/

We definitely recommend this farm just because it is fun and memorable!!! The people are so friendly and they even will pick them for you...if you can't. They also have a place where you can get a little snack, drink etc. The strawberries are HUGE and so delicious ~ especially on a hot day like today! We picked 1 batch and going back next week for more, so stay tuned……..(recipe will follow in next weeks blog…cause I don’t know it yet LOL)

Since Ryan is not here and it's my first weekend without him~guess what I'm doing??? I'm going to PROM!!!! (hahaha jk) Bethany, (Ryan's sister) is actually going to her Senior Prom tonight and I told Ryan I would take pictures and send to him since he will be missing that and graduation. I know that Bethany will have such a great time and Ryan will be so stoked to see her all pretty up!! So, pictures at the Botanical Gardens and then off to dinner with Ryan's mom, (Cheryl and BFF Tynette.) Tomorrow I'm just going to hang out with parents and enjoy this nice weather. I was invited Saturday night to a drag race with Ryan's really close friends, Luanne and Brandon....eh- it sounds fun. Sunday I'm going to church at Bountyland (in the morning) and Newspring (in the evening)...ain't nothin wrong going twice in 1day, right?!?!?!

Bethany and Kevin

7:15pm Thursday April 23, 2009

I was sitting in my study room and was jamming out to some Third Day when my cell rang. Of course it caught me off guard because I didn't recognize the number at all. I answered "hello" and heard Ryan's voice!!!! He was a little emotional at first but I told him to hang in there and be STRONG!!!! The call lasted about 7 minutes and he told me that he did get his uniform, had some blood drawn, and picture made for the yearbook. He said that he had made some friends and that the real drill starts on Monday. They did take his cell phone away and gave him a calling card and he was told to call one parent yesterday. His mom was happy to hear his voice and encouraged him to stay focused and faithful. We are all so proud of him and I miss him so much but we ALL know he will make it through! GO RYAN!!!!!!!!

This is the journal I got Ryan before he left out for basic. I thought it would be a great way for him to look back at and realize how many people were cheering him on and LoVeD him!!! Thanks to everyone who signed and came out to his outing at Chiefs and other gatherings. We had such a great time and I know Ryan appreciated each and everyone of you guys who came ;) Thanks so much!!!!

See you soon

So today wasn't easy but I have made it through. I just got off the phone with Ryan and he was in Atlanta about to board the plane to Missouri. He met a soldier who is going to the same location. He said that the guy was very nice and CHRISTIAN. I was so excited to hear that he had met someone he could relate to. Ryan said the guy had a shirt with a picture of Jesus on the front with his hands tied behind his back with the saying..."HE died for our sins." Now is that not a GOD thing or what???

They went to TGIFridays and ate dinner and talked. They prayed together that when they were sad to put all FAITH in GOD!!! When Ryan told me this I was relieved and felt so much better. Please continue to pray and thanks to everyone who has supported us! We love ya'll!

(This was the card I got Ryan for him to read today 4-21-09...... The bible verse is 1 John 4:21)

Yesterday my mother, Nanny Simmons, and I drove Ryan to Columbia for his departure. I honestly have no clue how families of soldiers do it. It was bitter sweet and something I will never forget. We took him to Longhorn for a great evening dinner and back to the hotel. I knew it was coming and so did he.....all I could do was cry. Ryan told me to be STRONG and keep my chin up. I told him I would but I would have days I would fall apart and days where I was excited because we were one day closer. He put his hands on the window against mine and said "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." ..."I love you Amy and see you soon."

Easter 2009.....Thank you Jesus!!!

They ALL did a wonderful job this morning at the Easter church service at Bountyland Baptist. Something Ryan will definitely miss while he is gone is being at church every Wednesday and Sunday. His strong faith in God is amazing and he is such a talented man! He plays the drums at Bountyland but also sings and plays guitar. Ryan has been a member since he was little and everyone there is like family to the both of us!!! I have been so truly blessed to have met Ryan and thank God everyday that I have such an awesome Christian man in my life that everyone loves ;)

Our Easter could have not gone any better ;) After the church service at Bountyland, we came over to my parents to celebrate Easter. The food was fantastic and they both did a wonderful job! We were blessed with beautiful weather so Ryan and I enjoyed the day outside. To end the night we went to my church (Newspring) and invited one of Ryan's friends to come. Brett loved it and we are so glad we invited him.

My Homegroup

I've been attending Newspring for about 3 years now and have been a member for 2. If you have never been or heard of before you can check it out at (http://www.newspring.cc/ ) The service tonight was the best and we saw many people accept Jesus Christ!!!

When all you have is God, you have ALL you need!!!

I know my blogging has not been regular but trust me these last few weeks have been horrible!!!! For those who don't know, I got laid off at my job that I have been at for almost 2 years. It was not a big surprise because of the economical status that we live in today. I have nothing but good to say about the company that I worked for and I have to say I learned a lot while I was there.... I just hate it happened to me. I try to remind myself that when one door closes, another opportunity opens ;) God is in complete control.......ALWAYS and I'm so thankful for that! Everything happens for a reason.....right?!


Besides losing my job, my fiance is leaving in a week from today for basic training in Missouri. Ryan will be gone for 14 weeks and I have to say, this is the hardest experience on an engaged couple. I'm sure for many people/families... it's not going to be the most difficult, but with us being engaged, planning a wedding, getting laid off my job, and him leaving makes us both emotional and we have learned through all of this that when all you have is God, you have ALL you need. God has been so good to us and I know with our strong FAITH in each other and Him we will be just fine. Thanks for all of your prayers and support ;)



This past Tuesday we had a cookout for Ryan so that all of his family and family friends could wish him luck before he leaves. Inspite of the nasty weather, we had a great time!! Ryan's mom and dad did a great job on everything!!! My parents brought the cake that was made at Strossner's Bakery and it was DELICIOUS!!!!!! We all enjoyed ourselves and we thank everyone who came out!!! For all who couldn't make it and or came and want to join.... we are having 1 more outing this coming weekend in Anderson. Hope to see ya there!



As some people may know, my dear friend Randi lost her fiance in Iraq about a month ago and her story has touched so MANY people lives and ours. She is an amazing woman and I just would like for anyone who reads this to please pray for her and Gary's families. Their testimony is something I will NEVER forget!!! Gary is a true American Hero and they will ALWAYS have a special place in our hearts. We Love You Randi!!!!!!