Family

Today Is Veteran’s Day

1967 Jim in Navy uniform — My husband--2 years Navy Veteran

My dear husband, Fabgrandpa, is a Viet Nam Veteran. He served in the Navy back in 1968 thru 1970, and was on a ship just off the coast. His job was to load ammunition onto the planes, that then took off from that aircraft carrier to drop bombs on the country. He does not talk about his military time often, because I know it bothers him to know that his actions helped kill people on the ground. But that is what happens in a war, and I am sure there are tens of thousands of other veterans who don’t discuss their time served for these same reasons. Whether you are for or against any given war, I think you should support all of the young men and women when they return–they have all paid a price for our freedom, every one of them.

poppa 20 year Navy Veteran — My father-in-law: 20 year Navy Veteran

Today, I am thanking the three most special veterans in my life: my husband, my father-in-law, and my son. I have a whole platoon of others who are veterans as well–my two brothers, cousins, several uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. They aren’t forgotten. I am proud of them all, and send my love and thanks to them all.

seth in camo — My son: 17 year Air Force Veteran

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Road Trip: Brunswick Georgia and The Golden Isles

Karen · 3 Comments

me and polly — Me and Polly showing our “biscuits” on the pier at St. Simons

Both nights that we were in town, Polly came over and spent the evening with us in our room, before heading back over to here school for the night. We had a laugh-fest, that’s for sure! We talked about everything and anything, just as you would expect when getting together with friends. She told us this story:

“I decided to make some home made biscuits, and I thought they turned out pretty good. I munched on biscuits for several days while sitting at my desk. A few days later, I happened to notice a line of ants marching down the kitchen cabinet and through the dining area towards my desk. I thought the ants were going over there to eat up the biscuit crumbs I dropped on the floor under the desk, but NO! They were eating up a dead roach bug that I had swept over by the door and hadn’t picked up yet to put it in the trash. Can you believe that even the ants wouldn’t eat my biscuits?” That had us laughing even harder than before.

The last night we over to St. Simons Island to Barbara Jean’s for dinner. I forgot to take a picture of my food! If you have never been to Barbara Jean’s you have to go. Fabgrandpa had squash casserole and buttermilk fried shrimp. I had a “Coastal Platter” that came with a grilled fish fillet, grilled shrimp, and a crab cake with no filler on a bed or rice. Polly ordered the chicken fried steak and a baked potato. All of it was sooooo good! You can order crab cakes from their website and have them shipped anywhere in the country, so guess what I am getting for my next birthday (which I am changing to next week!)

After dinner we walked down to the pier. It was so nice down there, it was hard to believe it was the first week of November. The view at night is awesome, too. This photo doesn’t do it justice:

The evening was over much too fast! We went back to the motel and said our goodbyes. I missed her as soon as she walked out the door.

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Happy Halloween and All That Jazzz

Karen · 12 Comments

I was sitting here a while ago when it dawned on me that this, the 31st day of October, 2011, is the 20th anniversary of me living with my guy, my Fabgrandpa. Yes, he moved in with me on Halloween night in 1991. We were struggling with trying to get a full sized dresser up the front steps of my house when a little kid came running up and yelled “Trick or Treat!” I about lost it laughing, when the Fab Hot Boyfriend (ok, we weren’t married yet back then) said “Do you want a pair of socks?” It has been a laugh a minute ever since.

You have to agree, he WAS hot back then. Look at all that dark hair. That mustache. Those dreamy green eyes. Who wouldn’t have fallen in love with a guy like that. My treat for the last 20 years!

fabgrandpa in 1991 — Yeah, he WAS hot back then.

So was I. This is me back then:

Fabgrandma 1991 — And this was me, Dark hair, Still cute.

Weren’t we just made for each other? Look at that happy couple:

1992 Me and Fabgrandpa — Me and Fabgrandpa

And us today, still happy, and still cute:

I am looking forward to 20 more. Happy Halloween, y’all. Hope yours is as fun as mine.

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Halloween CostumesThrough The Years

Karen · 10 Comments

I used to get dressed up in costume to take my kids trick or treating, but haven’t done that in many many years. And back then I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on taking pictures. You know, back in the olden days when we still had to buy film, and then take it to the store to get it developed. Because of that, I don’t have many photos of my kids, and fewer still of them at Halloween. They had home made costumes most of the time, and I think they were always cuter than the bought kind. But here is a collection of pics I was able to find, of me, my kids and my grandchildren dressed up for Halloween over the years:

This is the earliest one I could find–it was about 1976 or 1977. That’s me, the clown, Becca the Witch, Emily the Raggedy Ann, and Seth the Pirate.

halloween costumes home made — OOOoooo, scarey!

A few years later, they were a Vampire, a Rock Star, and a Fat Old Lady. I don’t remember who that is in between Becca and Emily, but it wasn’t me. I am not that short.

home made halloween costumes — Vampire, Rock Star, and Old Lady

In 1984, Seth dressed wacky in this costume for a school dance. Don’t know what he was supposed to be, but still, a home made costume.

home made costumes — Seth in 1984, dressed for a Halloween dance at middle school

I think this was 1989–a Girl Scout Father Daughter Dance in a 60’s theme, and Becca, Emily, and their cousin Bonna dressed like hippies. Ok, so not Halloween, but I found it when I was looking for costume photos:

Even though I think the home made halloween costumes are the best, I still love seeing the pics of my grandkids dressed up in their bought costumes. Yes, I am a little tiny bit disappointed that they don’t get the fun of making their costumes, but cute enough for me! This is Michael, my oldest grandson, I think in 1999.

Michael, in a ready made costume — Michael, can't remember the year. Maybe 1999?

Michael and his sister, Sarah. I have no clue as to the year.

halloween costumes — Michael and Sarah in costume

Spencer in 2003? I think that is what the date on the photo says. A cute green dragon!

Spencer in 2008? He was a really scarey, hairy werewolf!

Sarah dressed as a fairy last year. So cute!

Owen is going to be dressing in this Spongebob Squarepants costume this year:

And Amelia is a cutie cute Butterfly. How cute is this?

So, what was your favorite costume for you, or one of your children or grandchildren? Do you miss making your own costumes out of what you had on hand? I do, I always loved making home made costumes!

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Sometimes Facebook Has A Life Of Its Own: The Ill Fated Squash Casserole Recipe

Karen ·

When I woke up this morning, there was a whole thread going on that threatened my reputation! I mean, really! My own daughter was on there accusing me publicly of giving her a recipe 20 years ago and leaving out a crucial ingredient, destining her to squash casserole failure forever. How could she say that? I mean, I would NEVER EVER do that! (snicker!) (and this may or may not have happened back when she went off to college. Here is the cast of characters, then the facebook thread:

Becca Parson It may have taken me 20 years, Karen Stroud Eidson, but I am ON TO YOU!!!

Becky Eidson Singer What?! Tell me!!!

Becca Parson Two words…. Squash. Casserole.

Becca Parson This trickery shall NOT STAND!!

Becca Parson She knows what she did!

Linda Stroud Sewell it’s the cheese isn’t it

Becca Parson No, there’s no cheese in hers.

Linda Stroud Sewell oh sorry, that’s my recipe so is hers no crackers?

Becca Parson It’s a very basic ingredient, one that changes the flavor only a little, but it’s super important.

Becca Parson I feel so betrayed!

Becca Parson Butter.

Becca Parson It’s not in the recipe and she always smiles and laughs when I say she left something out, but I KNEW she did!

Linda Stroud Sewell oh yes, I can’t have that anymore….LOVE butter, but it doesn’t love me

Becca Parson I have been making it according to her recipe for YEARS and it never tasted right. Tonight, I had a memory of watching her stir the squash and I was so surprised because it was so simple. I added a little butter and it finally tasted right.

Linda Stroud Sewell I haven’t made one in a long time. Mama doesn’t like mine because I put a little cheese in it, but my family likes it and that’s all that matters

Becca Parson I just wanted it to taste like it did when I was a kid. I always wanted seconds or thirds of squash casserole, but it was always disappointing when I have made it for myself. But now I will make it…ALL. THE. TIME!

Becky Eidson Singer Lol! I made it last year for Christmas… I don’t remember if I used butter???? It was good though… I will definitely make a note of this! Thanks for sharing Becca!

Emily Rascoe Ok, now I need you to message me the whole recipe please! I am in need of a squash casserole fix.

Cheryl Harding I’m with Emily – even sounds good for breakfast this morning,lol!!! That was rotten of her and I notice she has been quiet throughout this whole thread. Probably laughing so hard she can’t type!!

Karen Stroud Eidson ahemphf Cheryl Harding–she has been quiet because she has been sleeping.

Karen Stroud Eidson I will have to see proof of this alleged miscarriage of justice here. Do you have a scan of the recipe where I allegedly led you astray in the makence of squash casserole?

Karen Stroud Eidson I have always used butter in my squash casserole, and club crackers. Now that I can not eat wheat, I still use butter, but I used crushed up gluten free pretzels instead of the crackers.

Karen Stroud Eidson oh, and Linda Stroud Sewell, Mama is right–there is no such thing as cheese in squash casserole. What a horrible thing to do.

Karen Stroud Eidson Oh, Becca Parson, how could you accuse me of being so cruel?

Sarah Parson Always gotta use butter 🙂 Thats whats Grannies recipe says in her book 🙂

Karen Stroud Eidson Thank you Sarah Parson, at last, some loyalty

Cheryl Harding I love you Karen – you and your family are so fun!!!

Sarah Parson ‎Karen Stroud Eidson Ive seen Seth and yourself make it on front of me so its easy for me to say lol..Plus I have grannies recipe book lol

Sarah Parson Plus I wouldnt eat it if it had cheese in it. Dont like cheese 🙂

Becca Parson it says butter on the top, but nowhere does it say anything about butter in the squash. I have followed that recipe religiously for YEARS thinking that one day it would taste right and it never did. You trickster!

Sarah Parson mine says use the other 1/2 of butter in the squash. You got the old recipe book of grannies the written one?

Karen Stroud Eidson I have to see that recipe Becca. I wouldn’t have done that to you on porpoise! Snicker…

Gaelyn Olmsted OK, I’ve eaten Karen’s squash casserole and would Really like the whole recipe.

Becca Parson I’ll scan it for you. It says nothing about butter except on the top.

Linda Stroud Sewell WELL, Karen Stroud Eidson…. all I have to say is don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It’s not so horrible….to each his own!

Becca Parson Sarah, I have the recipe my MOTHER wrote for me.

Karen Stroud Eidson I have tried it–I don’t like it. .o cheeses squashes for me.

Karen Stroud Eidson That should be “no” cheesey squashes for me.

Becca Parson I’m not a fan of cheesy casseroles usually, either. Depends on what it is, though.

Linda Stroud Sewell well then y’alll probably don’t like Mac & Cheese or Broccoli Casserole either…I put cheese in both of those as well. Actually, I don’t make ANY of these casseroles anymore because they have WAY too many calories in them for me to eat.

Becca Parson I like mac and cheese, but that has cheese in the name. But no, I don’t much care for broccoli casserole either. Just a personal preference though. Has nothing to do with your cooking at all. I don’t like green bean casseroles, either. Pretty much no matter who makes it. I’ll eat it to be polite, but don’t really care for it.

Karen Stroud Eidson Well duh mac & cheese gotta have cheese or it wouldn’t be mac & cheese now would it?

Linda Stroud Sewell ewwwww yuk, DISLIKE Green bean casserole too

Linda Stroud Sewell and no offense taken….you haven’t eaten my cooking in a long time…..heck, I don’t even cook like that anymore 🙂

Karen Stroud Eidson I’m going to post the recipe on my blog, both the orignal version and the gluten free version. And I WILL include ALL the ingredients!

The recipe that started all this was one that I got about 40 or so years ago from my mother. My children loved it. They loved it so much, in fact, because I used to tell them it was pie and they couldn’t have any of it until they ate their dinner. They would clean their little plates so they could have that delicious squash pie. When they grew older, and knew it wasn’t pie, they still loved it. Whenever I am around them now, and cooking for them, it one of the things they always ask me to make for them. And I can not imagine that I would give the recipe to anyone and purposefully leave out an ingredient. So, here is the famous (or infamous) squash casserole recipe:

Squash Casserole, The Full Unadulterated Recipe:

5-6 medium yellow squash, scraped and diced

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 or 4 slices bread, crumbled

3 eggs, beaten

Salt & pepper to taste

Club crackers, 1 sleeve, crushed

1 stick of butter

Put the squash and onion in a sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook for about 25 minutes, until the squash is soft. Add salt and pepper to taste and 1/2 of the stick of butter. Mix in crumbled bread and beaten eggs. Pour into greased or sprayed baking dish. Cover with cracker crumbs & dot with the remaining 1/2 stick of butter. Bake at 425° for 20-25 minutes or until set and browned on top.

To make this casserole gluten free, prepare just as above, but use your favorite gluten free bread instead of regular bread. I use Udi’s, but any brand will work. Replace the Club cracker crumbs with crushed gluten free pretzels. I use Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels. Put them in a zip lock bag, and pound on them with a wooden rolling pin. You’ll need about 1 cup of pretzel crumbs for the top of a 9″ X 13″ casserole dish.

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One Last Party

Karen · 3 Comments

My friend Gaelyn, from Geogypsy, had a “end of season and open house to show off her new RV” party the other day. I didn’t get many pictures there. In fact, I didn’t get any pictures of the inside of her digs. I do have to say, however, that there was the best bunch of people there! We had good food, again, and good drink, and good company. Those folks from interp party like no others!

Here’s a couple of the pics I did get, from outside around the fire:

tequila and beer — My drink(s) of choice Tequila and Beer

There were lots of people indo0rs, including me, but there was also lots of food and lots of good conversation. I’m going to miss all these people!

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Boys Will Be Boys

Karen · 1 Comment

My grandson Michael will be 15 next week. As I was sitting here thinking about him tonight, I thought of this pic:

michael with gorilla statue — You can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends' nose!

This was taken at the Atlanta Zoo when he was about 6 or 7 years old. I still love this photo!

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It’s That Time Of Year Again

Karen · 2 Comments

You know, the end of the season. Party time. The end of the season means everyone who can throws a party to say good bye to friends and co-workers. Some, we’ll never see again–they move on to other parks, other jobs, retire. Others, we’ll see next year, or at the next park. Then there are the ones we meet up with during the off season whenever we can.

biggest fire pit in the universe — Preparing for the fire.

While I’m not saying that park rangers throw the best parties on earth, I am saying we certainly know how to improvise, and how to create something from nothing. With two days notice, we can prepare the biggest fire pit in the history of the universe, scrape together some pretty darn good curry, make a killer chili, or even a pie, with what is left in the pantry that we’re trying to “eat down” because we’re leaving. And most of us DON’T live in a travel trailer–most live in government housing, those tiny little cabins or apartments.

We all work long hard days making the park safe, creating a memorable time for our visitors, greeting the public and answering their questions. We can go days on end without seeing our friends who work just down the road. But mention the word PARTY, and we are there.

I love the parties, the food, the fellowship, the beer, the fun. There are more to come in the next two weeks. Love the parties, yes. But it means goodbye. And that is the hard part.

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