Category / Family

All about family

by Talmadge House

Green Tomato Relish . . . Emm Emm

I was taken waaaaaay back to 1979 when I was a wee 7 years old living in Marathon, NY.  The smell of green tomato relish waffling through the air as I got off of the school bus and walked up our long dirt driveway to get home.  “Emmm I can smell it, momma’s been canning Green Tomato Relish” and I’d race off doing something childlike and forgot all about the relish.  But the smell, the unique look of it and merrily reminiscing the experience has stayed with me all these years.  Odd the things that take you back to yester years.

This is one of my strong childhood memories and I haven’t smelled nor have I had the opportunity to ingest it since I was a child.  That is until Thanksgiving this year my momma visited and oooohhhh she canned and brought a jar full of my childhood.  Well I opened it today and took a long deep breath and it smelled exactly as I remember.  Thanks mom!  And thanks dad for enticing mom into making it.  You see my mom had all these green tomatoes hanging out on the vine and my dad said to her that he sure could go for some homemade green tomato relish if she didn’t already have plans for them there tomatoes.  Right on dad . . . so thanks to you too!

Green Tomato Relish is surprisingly tasty on eggs of which I had this morning.  Thank you for reminiscing with me.

by Talmadge House

Merry Christmas!

Oh what a jolly time we had at the Talmadge House last night (Christmas Eve).  We exchanged gifts, ate a bunch of appetizers, some fell asleep in the recliner (Jeremy who wasn’t feeling well) . . . we also had great company.  Thank you everyone for sharing your evening with us!  So here are some pictures . . . I wish I had more that turned out nice but I’m still working on nailing my shutter speed.  Layman’s Term = many of the pics were blurry.

Mike and his dad.  Sorry Mike I know your eyes are closed but it’s the only unblurred shot.

Uncle Mike and Isabella

Isabella watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in my studio.  Look at that beautiful smile, she’s such a happy little girl!  Oh boy was she so excited about Santa Claus arriving at their home.  Soooo innocent . . . hey I believe in Santa too and the sparkle in his eye.

Bridget and Isabella

Isabella even had us playing games (Cookin Cookies) . . . so cute!

Toys that Santa brought for Scottie Buddy Boy . . . all of his toys are called monkeys.

Our traditional Christmas Breakfast that is always prepared by Mike, french toast and ham.  Mike makes the best french toast on the planet.

And a Christmas kittie kat (Miss Wilbur).  She loves to lay under the Christmas Tree

I so wish I had more pics of the rest of the clan that celebrated with us . . . Jeremy, Carol, Kane, Scottie and yeah even myself.  I must’ve been a good girl this year as Santa was very good to me bringing many wonderfully thoughtful gifts.  Thank you Santa and Happy Birthday Jesus!  Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas Eve and a Merry Merry Christmas Day!

by Talmadge House

Happy 38th Birthday Mikey!

We celebrated Mike’s 38th birthday yesterday.  He received a couple of nice gifts if I might say so myself and we dined at the Outback which was alright.  The company and atmosphere was superb however the choice in food not so much.  We’ll get something different next time.

My birthday guy and our buddy wrapped up on the couch for their evening cuddling

A few other pics from the weekend blizzard . . . look how much snow fell on us!

And for good measure another picture of Scottie in his snow trail that his daddy so nicely snow blows for him.  He’d really have  hard time getting around otherwise.  Look how deep it is compared to his little body.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I’m so excited!  Here’s what our tree looks like . . . before we swiped her up at the tree farm.  She’s a little thing isn’t she . . . PERFECT!

by Talmadge House

Sparkly Christmas Wreath Tutorial & a Birthday Party

A sparkly ornamental wreath tutorial just in time for Christmas.  If I don’t make it this year, I’ll surely make it in the future so to the tutorial archives this link goes for me.  Can you imagine the sparkly pretty things that can be added . . . oh my

And a great big Happy Birthday #5 to Miss Isabella who celebrated with nine of her little friends at Great Escape today.  Wow, what an experience . . . I’m thinking my sister does not want me to have a child by allowing me into places such as this.  LOL!!!

This was at time of arrival when all the children were sweet smelling and extremely excited!

See how busy it started to become.  All the children were tagged like heards of animals and had to leave their shoes with the hearding staff.  Picture is a bit blurry but you get the idea.

Look at her looking at Leium (I know I’ve misspelled this little guys name).  He was quite the little entertainer as you can see by the sweet smile on Bella’s face.  It appears he’s covered his eye with a purple cup and she apparently thought this was funny.

Like monkeys in cages . . .

And yes Isabella I felt the same exact way at the end of this party . . . HA!

While I joke I’m truly blessed and entirely greatful to be a part of Isabella growing up.  Happy 5th birthday cutie pie!

Great Big Hugs & Kisses From

Aunt Brandi & Uncle Mike

by Talmadge House

A Mixed Bag

Our first snow fall of the season happened this morning . . . so pretty!

OK . . . this year we had two Thanksgiving meals.  Thursday we went to Michael’s dads and Saturday we went to my sisters.  Here are some photos from the events.  We’ll start with my sisters dinner first.

This is where you’ll typically find Mike . . . yep always working!

My mom . . .

My brother Scott . . . love the new beard/stash!

Our niece Shelbie who has the most beautiful blue eyes . . . She’s growing up so fast!

Our niece Isabella who is such a bundle of bouncy joy . . . simply adorable!

And we decorated their Christmas Tree (Bridget handed out the ornaments) . . .

Now onto Mike’s dads dinner . . .

Mike’s sister Crystal loving the turkey . . .

Mike’s sister Carla . . . we got a picture with both eyes open, amen!

Me with Crystal’s new puppy Chloe (such a sweet loving little puppy) . . .

LuLu (sweet mush pie)

And last but no least Charlie (he’s the alpha dog of this household) who’s growing tired these days . . . we love you Charlie!

by Talmadge House

Is It Bob’s or Barbara’s?

It’s that time of year again . . . Christmas card planning which involves a family picture for us (me, Mike and Scottie Buddy Boy).  Can’t forget the furry baby, he’s part of the festive experience.  So off we went to pick up a new shirt for Mike cause ya know he has to match what I’ve chosen to wear.  So he decides that Bob’s would be a good place to start and who am I to complain, I’ve got him in the car actually going to pick this new shirt out.  So Bob’s it is, here we come.

I never really thought about the name of the store and that it might imply they catter more to the male species.  I mean they’ve got a little bit for us females but nothing like they have for our counterparts.  As we make our way to the back of the store I notice they’ve got all this hunting clothing (you know like Carharts & Dickies).  I’ve catagorized the make of gear as hunting due to growing up in upstate New York where almost all the men hunted and always wore Carhart clothing.  So I finally say to Mike “you know this store has so much stuff for men and very little for women”.  He proceeds to say “well, it IS Bob’s NOT Barbara’s”.  HA!!!  Funny little man came out with a good analogy of which I had to share with all of you.  Thanks for reading.

Because I love pictures so much and don’t like posting without one here’s one I pulled from the Fall this year.  Mike and his dad impatiently waiting for me to finish taking pictures while at the Bethlehem Fair.  See the impatience on Mike’s face?  I’m surprised my father in law didn’t have his tongue sticking out at me.  See what I have to deal with . . . like father like son.  HA!

by Talmadge House

A Girls Day of Christmas Ornament Making

I spent the day yesterday with two of my most favorite people in this whole wide world, my sister Bridget and my niece Isabella.  Bridget and I started our felt Christmas Ornaments.  Here’s what the finished project looks like . . . aren’t they the sweetest little things?  Well with exception of Isabella.  If you want to make your very own ornaments, kit’s may be purchased at this lovely bloggie website Rosy Little Things.  She has the sweetest kits, patterns, her very own book(s), recommendations on tons of things, oh and some really great recipes.

It was really nice to have a girls day, Isabella was in her jammies all day and was so well behaved.  Bridget looked so comfie in her blue jean overalls and reminded me that we really can still wear them.  I’ve had mine sitting aside hesitant to wear them for the last couple years for fear someone would think I’m a farmer or something.

She tells me that she’d of styled her hair had she known I was going to take pictures.  But don’t I always have the camera?  🙂  I think your boot-e-ful Bi-Get!  On the other hand your lazy daisy stitch isn’t so boot-e-ful LOL!

Now this is a girl starting photography early.  Wish I was provided that luxury at 4 years old.  I LOVE that she loves taking pictures.  She’ll surpass me at some point I’m sure, she’s a genious in the making.

And last but not least Isabella’s baby kitty kat, Pocko.  Pocko has her very own blankie and pillow made from kleenex.

Thank you Bridget and Isabella for making an orndinary day super special!  I love you both more than words can say.

by Talmadge House

Another Boating Season Closes

This past Saturday our summer home on the water was put on land for her winter hibernation.  She’s already shrink wrapped (her winter blanket) and Mike has completed most if not all of the winterization.  He did a perfect job of getting her up on the hydraulic trailer.

So taking the boat out of the water in the fall and putting her back in the spring are always big events for the Talmadge Family, even Poppa Smurf is around for both events.  Although he’s always around as he’s part of what us “younger generation” call the “GW” otherwise known as the geriatric ward.  This “ward” is a tent at the marina where all the established men and sometimes women sit and let their views on the world and life be heard.  And boy does the air sometimes get thick at the GW . . . shoe wee watch out.  Republicans welcome without invitation, democrats by invitation only.  HA!

Poppa Smurf to the left making sure all looks well

Another member of the “GW” . . . Charlie and that’s Mark blurred out in the background.  He can also be found in the “GW” on any given day.

And lastly, the boat is out of the water and on it’s way to it’s winter dry dock.  Yep, that’s my very own Mikey on the swim platform.

Until Spring 2009, Love & Luck over and out.

by Talmadge House

Pumpkin Patch @ Wells Hollow

OMG! Do puppie dogs get any cuter than this furrie baby? Personally, I don’t think so but surely I’m biased. So I really wanted to go to Jones Family Farm for our pumpkin picking this year but they don’t allow cute furry puppie dogs. Sounds like descrimination to me . . . HA! So we decided to go back to the farm we used last year (Wells Hollow) which was far more convenient anyhow being 2 miles from home and no unruley, screaming, cranky 2-legged children which is what we would’ve gotten at Jones Family Farm. I’ve decided that the BIG farms are over-rated mostly because our puppie isn’t allowed to experience them. We’ll see if I feel different with our 2-legged children. Anywhow, love this little family farm where we found this years perfect pumpkin. Mike said he wanted a tall skinny pumpkin this year so I pick one out and he says “that one? that’s huge and MUST cost alot of money!”. WHAT? This is a man having NO problem with top of the line Apple computers but a big expensive pumpkin???? Watch out bank account we’re about to purchase a pumpkin LOL.

So this is the picture taken a couple years ago when we unknowingly WENT to the big farm where they don’t allow our baby. Isn’t that sad? Scottie had to stay inside the car watching mommie pick his pumpkin. Sniff Sniff

by Talmadge House

Pampered Chef Party

Pampered Chef

I’m hosting my first Pampered Chef party and it’s online.  How awesome is that to have the opportunity to purchase great kitchen supplies right from the comfort of your own home.  It’s quick and easy.

I’ve posted a picture of all the items I purchased from Pampered Chef in July of this year and here’s a little bit about each of them.  Mike and I have searched and used several hard cheese graters and haven’t found anything we liked until the Deluxe Cheese Grater came into our lives and is one of my favorites!  I was jumping with joy to learn they carry a product that will make my Walnut Christmas cookie making a breeze and it’s with their Mini-Tart Shaper.  OMG!!!! I can’t believe how much time this inexpensive extremely handy tool is going to make my life this winter WAHOOO!!!  I’ve also heard so many good things about Pampered Chef’s Stoneware so of course I had to get my very first pizza stone.  LOVE THIS ITEM TOO!!!  Not even sure how I survived pizza making without it.  And the Measure-All Cup is just fantastic especially for measuring ewwy gooey things like peanut butter.  It’s so easy and clean with this cup.  The pinch bowl set I earned free and really like having them.  Especially since fall/winter is almost here.  I do alot of crockpot cooking (you know night before work prepping of food) and these bowls work very nicely for this.

Thank you for stopping by and if you have any questions about any item Pampered Chef carries please let me know.  I’d really love for you to give one of their items a try . . . I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.  Party closes Saturday, September 20th.

Browse & Shop Here

www.pamperedchef.biz/maryjo?page=products-main&showId=1754593