It's That Time Of The Year Again!

I absolutely love this time of the year.  The air is beginning to have that crispness that only the fall can bring.  And with that cool crispness brings all kinds of comfort foods.  One of my favorites happens to be soup.  We LOVE soup at my house.  I always try to make enough so that I can store the leftovers in the fridge for another cool day.

Just last night I made my first big pot of Baked Potato Soup.  When my family sat down to enjoy that very first bowl of that warm, steamy liquid happiness, my husband said," It's official......FALL IS HERE".  It really did make my heart happy.

Ok, so if you don't have a really good recipe for Potato Soup, then you NEED one.  This is probably my all-time favorite recipe.  It's really easy and I can promise that your family will adore you for making it for them :)

Baked Potato Soup

12 slices bacon
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
8 cups milk
4 large baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 green onions, chopped
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

~Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain, crumble, and set aside.

~In a stock pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
 

~Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.

~Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted. 

Now serve this yummy soup with a hunk of sourdough bread and I can promise that your family will be coming back for more!  I hope that your family enjoys this soup as much as mine does.

Until next time................

The Bulldog Prayer

The Bulldog Prayer....

Tonight our Lord, we are gathered as members of the Bulldog Nation and we thank You for the blessings of being a Bulldog.

We thank You for fall afternoons between the hedges, we thank You that we are blessed to hear the Redcoats playing “Glory, Glory,” and we give thanks for the chills we get when the trumpet tones the battle hymn. We give thanks for the smell of ribs cooking on the grills of campus tailgates and we gave thanks for the chapel bell ringing after a victory, and are grateful for the sheer joy of wearing red and black.

We thank you for those moments that we treasure, Tarkenton to Herron, the flea-flicker versus Bama, Appleby to Washington, that kid (The Great, Herschel Walker) out of Johnson County running through two men, run Lindsey run, sugar falling from the sky, Butler kicking it a million miles, hobnailed boots that still hurt in Knoxville and Johnson in the end zone. 

Tonight we thank you for Aaron Murray, a fine young man who did not charge us $180,000 to play quarterback.

Tonight we thank you that Mrs. Gathers and Mrs. Jenkins allowed their sons to discover biscuits and pound cake at an early age so that we might have a nose guard for the 3-4 defense.

Tonight we thank you Lord for the potato industry in Idaho so that the boys from Boise will have something to do after they learn they know nothing about football.

Tonight we thank you for the new Nike uniforms. We may not like them but we know they look better than a Gator in a tank top and jean shorts.

Tonight we thank you that as we gathered here that we have been blessed, we have been blessed to live in land that stands for freedom, for those who have given of themselves to defend our freedom. We thank you for the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and we pray for your blessings to continue on we who are gathered here this evening that may truly understand that it is great to be a Georgia Bulldog.



   GO DAWGS!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tis The Season.....for.....PIE!!!!!

I made this YUMMY apple pie last night. Let's just say that my husband said that this is the BEST pie he's EVER put in his mouth.  SCORE!!!  It's super easy and doesn't require a rolling pin!  That's the best kind in my book.  So, if ya got a 10 inch cast iron skillet.....it's time to get your PIE on :)




EASY SKILLET APPLE PIE

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Granny Smith apples
• 2 pounds Braeburn apples
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 (14.1-oz.) package refrigerated pie crusts
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Butter-pecan ice cream

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 350º. Peel apples, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Toss apples with cinnamon and 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
• 2. Melt butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat; add brown sugar, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and place 1 pie crust in skillet over brown sugar mixture. Spoon apple mixture over pie crust, and top with remaining pie crust. Whisk egg white until foamy. Brush top of pie crust with egg white; sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar. Cut 4 or 5 slits in top for steam to escape.
• 3. Bake at 350º for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly, shielding with aluminum foil during last 10 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Cool on a wire rack 30 minutes before serving. Serve with butter-pecan ice cream.

Enjoy!

Until Next Time................

Time To Make The Pumpkin Bread!

It has finally cooled down just enough for me to break out the ol' electric mixer (not that I ever really put it away) and make my daughter's most favorite fall treat..... PUMPKIN BREAD!

Yes, Pumpkin Bread! My daughter begs me to make this for her every fall. When it comes to comfort food, this makes her most happy and warm all over.

So, as I was whipping up the batter this afternoon, I thought of my blog friends and figured I would share this recipe with you.

This recipe makes two loaves. This is so good on a cool crisp morning with a nice hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or my personal favorite.....warm apple cider.

PUMPKIN BREAD

3 1/3 cups sifted all purpose flour
2 tsp. Baking soda
3 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. Cinnamon
3 cups sugar

4 eggs
2/3 cup water
2 cups canned pumpkin
1 cup Vegetable oil

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

-Combine all dry ingredients.
-Add all wet ingredients to dry mixture and mix well.
-Pour batter into 2 greased and floured bread pans.

Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
*At the 1 hour 15 minute mark, test bread with a toothpick to check for readiness. If the toothpick doesn't come out clean, continue baking until toothpick does come out clean.

Enjoy!

Fall Is Here!

My most favorite time of year is here! I absolutely love the crispness in the air, the leaves changing and falling from the trees, and of course FOOTBALL! I also love that fall also brings comfort foods. I made one of my favorite fall desserts last night.....Warm Southern Apple Crisp. Needless-to-say, the family was most grateful.

If you get a chance in the next few days, make a fall favorite dessert for your family. They'll love you for it!

Here is my Apple Crisp recipe. It's tried and true.....guaranteed to bring a smile to your face :)


SOUTHERN APPLE CRISP

Ingredients:

3 pounds tart apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preparation:

Peel, core and chop the apples; toss in a bowl with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; add to the apples and toss to combine.

In another bowl combine flour, sugar and oats. Cut butter into 8 small pieces, and cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped nuts.

Butter a 9-inch square baking dish. Spread apple mixture in bottom of baking dish then sprinkle with flour mixture. Bake at 375° for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned.

Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or a little heavy cream, if desired.


Enjoy!


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Back To School!!!

Yes my friends, today is the day that I act like a giddy school girl and dance around to the tune of "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"!!!  It's BACK TO SCHOOL DAY!!!!  

Yes, I'm excited to have some of my day back, but at the same time, I will admit that it is bittersweet.  My oldest baby is starting the 7th Grade.  She's growing up way too fast for me.  When I woke up this morning, my mind rushed back to the day that my husband and I dropped her off for her first day of preschool.  It seems like a lifetime ago and yet, it feels like if was yesterday. 

I'm gonna miss having her around to help me with things around the house and having her watch her little brother when I have a quick errand to run.  I'm also gonna miss laughing with her about something funny that we see on TV.  Not to mention my little shopping buddy!!!!

Well, Miss Morgan, you are growing up!  I just want you to know that I love you very much and I am very proud of the sweet young lady that you are growing up to be :)  But always know that even though you're growing up, it's ok to still be Mommy and Daddy's little girl! 

Now, go get em' girl!  You're gonna have a great 7th Grade year :)

So Much To Be Thankful For.....And Prayer For Another!

As I begin to write this post, I must tell you that I have tears streaming down my face.  Tears of thankfulness and tears of sorrow.  Funny how your prospective on life can change on a dime. 

Some of you know that I have a twitter account.  Twitter really is useless, but from time to time I actually learn stuff.  Recently, I began following Ryan Seacrest.  Mostly to keep up with behind the scenes of American Idol.  Little did I know that one of the things that he tweets about is a little girl that is in the fight of her life.  Yesterday I was curious as to who this little girl is, so I checked out her website.  A website that changed my perspective as a mother.

The tears of thankfulness that I shed are because I have two very beautiful and very healthy children.  Sometimes in the thick of total choas, I forget how lucky I am.  Yesterday I was reminded not to take all those moments, both the good and the chaotic, for granted.  Last night as I lay in bed I thanked the Lord for all of those moments and for giving me two wonderful children. 

You must be asking, "What was on that website", "Who is this little girl that Ryan Seacrest is tweeting about"?  Her name is Layla.  She is a sweet little two year old girl that within a few days will succumb to cancer.  She is absolutely a beautiful little girl.  In fact, I think what drew me to her was just how much she looks like my little Jackson.  Those great big blue eyes!!!!

Please pray for Layla!  Pray that the Lord will comfort her in her last hours of life.  Pray for peace for her family, especially her mother.  My heart goes out to her the most.  I can't imagine having to watch the life of my sweet child slip away.  Go to their website  laylagrace.org  Be thankful and greatful for what we have :)

Until next time..........

*The above pictures is of Layla and her father taken just a few days ago.

Follow me on Twitter: @JanaSpringer
Follow Layla on Twitter: @laylagrace

Where Have I Been?

I know it's been a very long time since my last post and I apologize for that.  Just to let you know.....It hasn't been on purpose.  My family has really had a very long and bumpy last few weeks. 

It all started with little Jackson about 3 weeks ago.  He started coughing one day and we all thought that he was being silly trying to get attention.  He sometimes will hear others cough and will cough himself thinking that he's funny.  We all laughed along until the next day when his silly little cough was followed with a fever.  We limped along for a few days and eventually he broke the fever and began acting more like himself again. 

Morgan all of a sudden began coughing and complaining that she too wasn't feeling well.  This was on a Sunday.  She went to school on Monday and Tuesday, not feeling great but good enough to go to class.  By Tuesday evening she begain running a temp. of 104.5.  Holy Mercury Batman!!!!  This kid just never gets sick.  The cough got worse and she missed 3 days of school.  Took her to the doctor on Thursday and found out that she had viral pneumonia!!!!  I was stunned!  Her fever finally broke and she began feeling better that weekend and was back at school on Monday.  As fast as she got sick, she got better just as quickly.  Amazing how kids can bounce back from a major illness.

Now we are going into week 3!  Saturday afternoon, I notice a funny feeling in my chest but I just ignore it.  Sunday, I wake up not feeling great but have way too much to do to let it get to me.  By Sunday evening, I was running a fever.  Only a slight one, but a fever non the less.  Monday morning, I wake up and feel like I'd been hit by a 747 still in flight!!!!  The cough was getting worse and the body aches were unbearable.  I began running a high fever of 103.5.  Tuesday morning I decided I had better get to a doctor because I didn't want to end up with pneumonia like Morgan.  Too late! A chest x-ray confirms that I too have fallen victim to viral pneumonia.  I ran a fever of 101-103 for 5 days straight.  But I'm here today to say that I survived and am on the mend!!!!!

With all of that said, I've missed y'all!!!  Before everyone began getting so sick, I had been trying out some new recipes that I can't wait to share with y'all.  I promise that I will be posting those here soon.  I have a return doctors appt. and few things that I have to tend too since I was in bed for a week.  As soon as I get things back in order and on track, I'll be back! 

As I leave this post today I have to give a shout out to the New Orleans Saints!!!!  May they win BIG TIME over the Indianapolis Colts this evening in the Super Bowl!!!   GEAUX WHO DAT NATION!!!

Until next time.........

Getting in that Thanksgiving frame of mind

If you are like me, your finding yourself getting geared up for the big Thanksgiving meal.  Every year around this time I  begin looking for new and exciting recipes.  Don't get me wrong.....I love the same traditional things that we make from year to year.  However, I love to add a few new things in there if I can. 

This year we are making our way to Oklahoma City and Tulsa to visit family and friends.  My sister Jennifer just recently moved back to the Tulsa area, so my family will be together at her  new house this year.  We haven't all been together for Thanksgiving in a very long time since we have all been scattered all over the country.  So, to make a long story short, my sister and I are in charge of the meal.  I've come up with a few new recipes that we will be making this year for the big feast. 

SCALLOPED SWEET POTATOES
    
3 tbs. butter
3 lg. onions, thinly sliced
6 lg. sweet potatoes, very thinly sliced (about 14 cups) divided
2 c. shredded Asiago cheese, divided
1 tsp. salt, divided
2 c. heavy whipping cream, divided

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add onions; cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, or until onions are very tender.  Uncover, increase heat to medium-high heat, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onions are caramel colored.  Remove from heat, and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Layer potato slices over bottom of baking dish to cover.  Sprinkle evenly with 2 tbsp. cheese, 1/4  tsp. salt, and 2 tbsp. cream.  Repeat layers three times, beginning with potatoes and ending with cream.  Pour remaining 1 1/2 cups cream over the top of layers.  Sprinkle evenly with remaining  1 1/2 cups cheese and top with caramelized onions.  Cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.


ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

1/3 c. butter
3 lbs asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 onion, copped
1 (8 oz) pkg. sliced baby bella mushrooms
1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/4 c whole milk
1 c. shredded swiss cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 (6 oz) can french fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add asparagus, onions, and mushrooms; cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.  Add flour;cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add milk, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring  frequently, until mixture is thickened.  Stir in cheese, sour cream, salt, lemon zest, and pepper.

Spoon mixture into prepared pan, and bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.  Top with onions, and bake for 5 minutes longer.


And there you have a few of the new recipes that we will be trying this year for our Thanksgiving dinner.  I'll get a few of our favorite recipes together that we use year after year, and I will post them in my next post. 

I've come down with a nasty cold that my kids so graciously have passed on to me, so I'll do my best to post again fairly quickly.  I promise :)  Also, I've had a few people ask for some more homemade household cleaner recipes.  I'll get to that request also. 

Until next time.................

Got Music?

       

So, most of you know that my husband is the program director at WBGL.  If you didn't know that.......well, my husband is the program director for WBGL.  It is a wonderful Contemporary Christian Music station that is serving central Illinois.  They broadcast into the Chicagoland area and down the Effingham area to the south.  Also from Springfield in the west over to Terre Haute, IN. to the east.  That my friends is a very vast area. 

The past few months have been exciting for WBGL simply because they are about to buy their very own building to call home.  For well over 20 plus years they have been renting a literal hole in the wall.  It is a very small space and let's just say that the staff is very close......simply because they are sitting on top of each other!  So, needless to say, these are very exciting times!!!!

This week is the stations "Vision" fundraiser.  The station is a non-profit, listener supported station.  Any and all money that comes into the station is from the listeners.  Every year we are all amazed at what God does through those who love Him and the station.  Every year the station has a set of goals.....first and foremost is to honor the Lord......second, to meet their monthly operations......and lastly, to collect extra monies for the new station.  The station will be buying this building debt free!!!!  All because of the support of the listeners.  IT'S AMAZING!!!!!

I say all of that to invite you to listen to the station for free online......visit their website at http://www.wbgl.org/

or if you have an iPhone or iTouch you can download the app for free.  Simply go to the  app. store and type in WBGL. 

Now, I know that some of you are going to want to know when my husband Ryan's air shift is .......well, he is on from 3pm CST to 7pm Monday thru Friday.  He always has some interesting little tid bit to talk about.  And I must say that I personally think that he's one of the best Air Personalities/Program Directors out there!  But that's just me......you'll have to tune in and judge for yourself :)

Until next time.....................

P.S.   I almost forgot to tell you that the day after Thanksgiving the station will be playing all Christmas Music 24/7 until December 26th.  So if you love Christmas music as much as we do, you're gonna love listening online or via your iPhone :)

Time Just Has A Way Of Getting Away From Me!!!

Hello fellow bloggers! I feel so bad for not having blogged in awhile. Time just has a way of getting away from me. So this will be my attempt at catching you up on all the things happening at the Springer Zoo.

1. My sweet baby boy Jackson turned 16 months old a few day ago. Seems like just yesterday I was getting my bag packed to take to the hospital. He is just an amazing little wonder. What a blessing that God has given to my husband and me. Sometimes I have to ask what I have done for God to have blessed me with such wonderful children.

2.. My beautiful Morgan is just as smart as ever!!! It really just blows my mind at what an intelligent kid she is. She obviously does not get this from my side of the family. She is now in the 6Th grade and is a middle schooler. Again....how time flies!! We have run into some issue in middle school this year that as parents have taken us by surprise. We live in a very liberal community and our family is very conservative. So as you can imagine, we feel like ducks out of water. We are seriously considering homeschooling her next year. We thought about pulling her out this year but felt that it would be difficult to do with the school system. It's easier to switch during the summer months. If you homeschool........all advice is welcome!!!!

3. My sweet husband Ryan continues to work as hard as ever. He recently was up for Program Director of the year. He didn't get it but we were happy that the award went to a guy in Augusta, Ga. Me being a Georgia girl myself, was happy to keep the award in the home state! :) I bet Ryan walks away with the award next year!

4. We are gearing up for the holidays!!! I love this time of the year. It's all about family and I LOVE my family more than you possibly can imagine. This year we are doing something a tad different.....We are going to my sister's house in Tulsa for Thanksgiving. This will be the first time in I don't know how long that my mom's side of the family have all been together in one place for Thanksgiving. I can't wait!!!! Of course, we will be making the trip home to Georgia for Christmas. My kids love Christmas at Paw Paw and Charon's house. Santa always knows where to find us :) You do realize that Santa comes in a pick-up truck when delivering his toys in Georgia. At least that is what my kids think. Yep, we are a little redneck!

Well, that's about it for now. It's almost 9 pm and the sandman will be visiting me very soon. I'm so thankful that Jackson is sleeping through the night these days.

Until next time..........

LONG Weeks and Santa Fe Soup

Wow! I can't believe that a week has passed since my last blog. This past week has been a long one for me. Ryan left last Wednesday for the Christian Music Broadcasters convention in Orlando. He was there until Sunday. I must take a second to brag on my husband. He was up for the CMB Echo Award for Program Director of the Year. He is truly one of the hard working PD's in Christian radio. He didn't get the award this time but it sounds like he came very close to winning it. The loss was softened a little by knowing that the award went to a PD from Augusta Georgia. Gotta keep it in the home state :)

I'm so glad that Ryan is back home. I'm just not fit to be a single parent. It's hard work!!!!! My hinny was dragging by the time he came home. Not only was I doing my regular everyday things that I do but I was having to do Ryan's share of things around the house as well. I was up at the crack of dawn and in bed (if I was lucky) by midnight. My body just isn't used to that. AT ALL!!!!

On top of all of the madness with Ryan being gone, my daughter started telling me that she just didn't feel right. To make a long story short.....she battled a nasty sinus infection all weekend. She woke up this morning running a low grade fever, so I decided to keep her home from school today. She isn't a very fun kid when she's sick. Life can become unbearable with her when she's not feeling well.

So, with all of the madness going on, I decided yesterday to make a pot of Santa Fe Soup! So easy and so cheap to make. Plus, Morgan said it was just what she needed since she was sick. The good thing is, it makes alot of soup so we are heating it up again tonight for supper :) Yay me!!!! All I had to do was plug in the ol' crock pot and supper is ready! I'll put the recipe at the bottom of today's blog :)

Well, the sick one is calling for me so I must tend to her :) I am hoping to blog more than just once this week. We will just have to see how the week goes I guess!

Until next time!


SANTA FE SOUP
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 (28 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch dressing seasoning
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients in a large crock pot. Heat for at least 3 hours on low.

Serve with fritos, sour cream and shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Enjoy! :)

Happy Tuesday!!!!

Well, I made it through the weekend! Saturday was a good day for the most part. Ryan and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. It was quiet. We didn't go anywhere or do anything, but we did look back fondly on the day that we committed ourselves to each other. It was nice.......until 2:30pm!

WHAT HAPPENED???? You may be asking. I'll tell ya what happened.......my Georgia Bulldogs got creamed by Oklahoma State!!!! That's what happened. It got loud and it got ugly here at the Springer house. I'm really surprised that you couldn't hear me! I played a long and hard game. Actually, I probably could've done alot better myself if Coach Richt would've thrown me in the game. But NO! He wouldn't listen to me :(

Now, I must say all of that to tell you that my poor husband is a self proclaimed sports atheist! He was raised by a sports atheist! Bless his heart he really tries to understand me but he ends up shaking his head and going to another room to watch "This Old House" or something. Every year he tries to watch a game with me. He does pretty good until the second quarter. Then he starts asking questions that I know my 11 year old daughter can answer. I really try to be patient, but really? How many times do I have to explain that you get 4 chances to move the ball 10 yards? I give up! I love his non-sports loving heart anyway.

So things got pretty quiet again after the beating was over. Then the good part of the day happened. OU lost to BYU!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how happy that made me. Ahhhhhhh, just to know that all those people that gave me such a hard time about being a Georgia fan all week, were now feeling the same agony that I was in! Misery really does love company! LOL

Ok, enough about football, or at least until next Saturday! Labor Day was nice. We ended up making a trip to Kohl's to get a new suitcase for Ryan. He's headed to Orlando this week for a Christian Radio Conference. Morgan is WAY upset that he is going to be at Disney World and staying on the property. I think knowing that her daddy won't have time to rub elbows with the Main Mouse helps to ease the pain a little.

Well, I think I've got ya caught up on the happenings around here over the past few days. Thanks so much for all of the feed back on the laundry detergent. I've already had a few people try it and they LOVE IT!!!!!! If you're thinking about giving it a whirl, DO! I promise you won't regret it.

Until next time y'all!!!!!!!


P.S. The picture above is my sweet Jackson! He was letting us know what he thought about Georgia losing to Oklahoma State. You do know that he will be the next BIG thing for Georgia Football! LOL GO DAWGS!!!!!

Pumpkin Bread & Georgia Bulldog Football

We had a busy weekend here at the Springer house. Every year exactly one week before the first Georgia Bulldog football game of the season, we have our "Hanging of the Red" ceremony. Basicly we get out all of our festive gear, cover the mailbox, hang the garden flag, get out the UGA china. You know all of our "stuff". We always have a blast doing it and it really gets us (well, more me than anyone else)ready to cheer on the Bulldogs!!!!

It has been unseasonably cool here over the past few days and I'm enjoying every minute of it. It's been nice to turn off the AC and open the windows. Ahhhh.....just love the fresh air!!! Now of course this time next week we could be blazing hot again. I guess we are entering that wacky Summer/Fall strange weather pattern.

We decided after church on Sunday to run out to our local apple orchard for some lunch. While we were there we bought a half of a peck of just picked Jonathon red apples. Yep! Momma is gonna make an apple pie with those babies!!!!

Today, since we didn't even crack the 70's, I decided to make a couple of loaves of pumpkin bread. I tell ya, there just isn't anything like the smell of fresh pumpkin bread baking in the oven to make you want the fall to hurry up and get here already! It smells so good!

Ok, well, I believe that we are caught up with what's happening here at the Springers. I hope that you all have a wonderful week and hope that all of you are getting as excited as I am for the kick off of football season! GO DAWGS!!!!!

Until next time!


Pumpkin Bread

3 1/3 cups sifted all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
14 oz. can of pumpkin
1 c. vegetable oil

*Combine all dry ingredients.
* Add wet ingredients and mix well.
* Pour batter into 2 greased and floured bread pans.
* Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour and 15 min. or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!!!!

No More Excuses!

So this morning I was on Facebook and saw that a friend of mine has started blogging. She is a mother of 8.......yes, that's right a mother of 8 and if she can find time in her hectic schedule to blog, then so can I can! NO MORE EXCUSES!!!!

Well, since my last post Jackson has turned 1 and Morgan is now 11 years old. Morgan is now back in school and is officially a 6th grader and is in middle school! How time flies. Seems like yesterday I was dropping her off at pre-k. I'm just not ready for her to grow up. I'm holding on like crazy to Jackson. We tease all the time that he's never gonna grow up and he is gonna live at home with mommy for the rest of his life. :)

Ok. I've got tons to do today and I'm already way behind. We had a long night of severe weather. I wasn't able to get enough sleep so I slept a little longer this morning than I would've liked. I've got a mountain of laundry that isn't getting washed by itself and Jackson needs to be changed and put down for his morning nap.

So, I promise to get back on the ball and start blogging again! Until my next post....have a fabulous day!!!!!


P.S. Check out Shannon's (my friend on facebook) blog! www.myshannonigans.blogspot.com

I know, I know!!!!!

I know that it's been a while since I've posted to my blog. Life gets busy and time just flies!!!!! I promise to get back in the game......I just need a little push! I guess I just figure that there just isn't anyone out there who really want to hear about my really boring life. It's a busy life.......but it's boring.

Ok.....so I just want to let ya'll know that I am still alive and breathing!!! Now, I must go and chase down Jackson! He is into EVERYTHING now. Never a dull moment with a 10 month old! HA!

A Sad Day......

Today my sister Jennifer had to do the unthinkable when it comes to the care of your beloved pet. She had to have her 7 1/2 year old Besenji - Kenya to sleep. I hated that Jenn had to do that but we all know that it was in Kenya's best interest. She had a stroke about a year ago and just hasn't been right ever since. Jenn found out over the weekend that most likey Kenya had a brain tumor. In recent days Kenya began to getting aggressive with Jenn and my nephew Aiden. This was not KiKi's temperment at all. Jenn knew it was time.

I think that I've cried a bucket of tears today myself. Just remembering that everytime I've stayed with Jenn and Scott, Kenya ALWAYS slept with me. She would always curl up next to me when I was sitting down and just wanted me to love on her. I'll miss you KiKi!!!!!!

I'm thinking about you today sis! Love you very much :)

We Survived and are Still Alive!!!!

Well, I know that it's been a few days since I last posted. I'm sure you're wondering how we all fared with all of the sickness that we've had as of late here at the Springer house. WE SURVIVED AND ARE STILL ALIVE!!!!

It all started with Miss Morgan almost 2 weeks ago. She came to me right before bed one night complaining of her throat hurting and feeling achey. Of course, I blew it off as, Um.....it's Sunday night and someone doesn't want to go to school tomorrow. That's what I get for jumping to conclusions cause before I could say anything she added that she didn't want to stay home from school because of a fun project that they were going to be working on and she didn't want to miss it. I knew then that she was serious and really wasn't feeling well.

A few days later, Ryan called me from work complaining that his sinuses all of a sudden were draining like a faucet and that his throat was beginning to get sore. By nights end, he too had fallen to the dreaded disease. I was doing all that I could to keep little Jackson and myself away from my disease ridden family. If I could've wrapped Jackson and myself in bubble wrap and put in a disease-free plastic bubble, I would've done it!!!!! By the time Friday rolled around, Ryan was taking the day off because he didn't have a voice and was just feeling really cruddy. Saturday morning he woke up early (which he NEVER does) and told me that he needed to see a doctor. I should've scooped up Jackson right then and ran for the hills.

Sunday afternoon, I noticed that Jackson (whom in his 8 short months of life has NEVER been sick) wasn't acting right and had a slight cough. Then the sneezing and the crying began, yep that was me! I too was becoming a casualty of the sickness monster. Of course, I don't have the luxury of sleeping it off or even just taking the day off to recoup! I'm mom and life as we know it would come to a screeching hault! So I say that to say that this stuff is hanging on with me. Jackson recovered quickly!

So here I am, alive and well! I think that I'm beginning to feel human again. Hence, another saga in the day (or shall I say weeks) of the Springer clan. May we all stay well for a very long time. I can't handle another few weeks of constant sickness! I'm so ready for the weather to warm up and stay warm. We all could use some springtime fresh air!

Hope you and your family are staying well!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

Well, yesterday Ryan woke up feeling worse than he has all week. He actually took Friday off (which he NEVER does) because he felt so bad and he had no voice. He decided that it was time to see a doctor! Wow! I knew he was seriously not feeling well because he avoids going to the doctor like one tries to avoid the plague.

The diagnosis: A really bad sinus infection! I could have told him that!!!!!! Sheesh, should've gone to med school!

After taking NyQuil every 6 hours and a few rounds of antibiotics, Ryan is feeling somewhat human today. At least that is what he is telling me. I'm so glad cause he is no fun when he isn't feeling well!

Morgan is feeling better. I'm glad cause she is not one that you want to be around when she is sick. So not like me at all. When I'm sick, I want my mommy. Morgan wants to seriously HURT you if you come near her.

Now, I say all of that to say this.........I woke up this morning with a sore throat and a stuffy nose!!!! I keep telling myself, "You're NOT getting sick, You're NOT getting sick, YOU'RE NOT GETTING SICK". You see, I just don't have time to get sick. Plus, there is a rule in the Springer House........Mom isn't allowed to get sick! I don't have the luxury of laying around and sleeping it off. I still have an 8 month old to care for (by the way, he is remarkably well!) but I still have my everyday stuff to deal with. If my world comes to a screeching halt and the whole world comes to an end, so to speak.

Well, I'm gonna go take some more Sudafed and suck it up! I'M NOT GETTING SICK!!!!!!!


**I almost forgot! I told you that I would let you know how the Jonas Brother Movie turned out......It was surprisingly good! We ended up going to the 4 PM showing, so there wasn't alot of screaming pre-adolecent girls! I highly recommend it if you have a pre-teen girl in your house. :)

When Will It End?????

OK! So at least the dog decided to cooperate last night! Jackson however was up again every two hours. I think that my body is beginning to get used to the fact that it just isn't going to get the sleep that it needs. I think that I'm on auto pilot!

Today, my husband is home from work. He has been battling sinuses for the past week. Ryan and sinuses aren't a good mix since he is in radio and has the afternoon drive show. To make a long story short.........he has no voice!

I've decided that since Ryan is at home today that I will surprise Miss Morgan this afternoon when she gets home from school and take her to see the new Jonas Bro. 3D movie. Yay me!!!! I look forward to spending an hour and a half with a bunch of screaming out of control school girls. I'll make sure to take plenty of Advil before I leave. :)

Ok! So now ya'll are caught up on what's going on in my world today! Just another ordinary day for Miss Jana. I'll give ya an update on the movie tomorrow.

Until then..........