A Graduation!

Missy Tippens

Our daughter graduated from college this past Monday! We had such a special day celebrating her achievement on the beautiful Emory University campus. But the day was also filled with gratitude for our son. He'd been in a terrible car crash on Saturday on the way down for graduation. When we saw his car (which was destroyed), we knew it was a miracle that he wasn't gravely injured. He had what we're hoping will be successful surgery on Thursday. We're so grateful to God that he's going to be okay!

So graduation day was also a celebration of life and God's provision! We're so proud of our daughter. She worked so hard for 4 years! And she earned her B.A. in linguistics and psychology. Future plans TBD.

I thought I'd share a few photos and a video. Emory's graduation is so cool in that they always have bagpipes play as the students enter! They did it way back in the dark ages when my husband and I graduated from there (grad school) and have continued today. :) I'm including a short video for you to get to hear some of the music.

We're thankful for a wonderful weekend!

www.missytippens.com

Mother’s Day Burgers, Courtesy of My Guys

By Mindy Obenhaus

Well, after a whirlwind Saturday that included our oldest son’s college graduation,

I came home from church Sunday, contemplating what I might do with such a quiet day. Our younger son was gone for the weekend, there was nothing pressing so, hey, maybe I’d take a nap or at least attempt to be a vegetable and become one with my couch. The possibilities were endless.

Then the younger boy texted that he’d decided to come home early. Next thing I know, our college grad is walking through the door, wishing me a happy Mother’s Day. So much for a quiet day, but who cares. This mama is happiest when her chicks are in the nest.

And since everyone was tired of traveling, we decided to stay in for dinner. Talk about a Mother’s Day present. They cooked for me!

Grad boy has spent his college years working on the perfect hamburger, so he decided to show off for Mom. And I have to say, I was very impressed.

He started with 2 pounds of ground chuck and 1 pound of ground venison, then chopped up some onion, mushrooms and jalapeno. (all seeds and ribs were removed so there was no heat).

Wait. There are veggies in this burger? Who are you and what have you done with my non-veggie-eating son?

Mix everything together in a large bowl, including some Montreal Steak Seasoning to taste.

Then form your patties.

He prefers half-pound patties, but then he’s a growing boy. You’re welcome to go smaller.

From here, you can grill the burgers

Or pan fry them.

He decided to try both methods to see which he liked best. Not sure I ever heard the verdict, though.

The outcome, however, was one juicy, delicious burger.

Mama was impressed. Throw in some bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers and my favorite Mesquite Barbecue potato chips and I was in heaven.

After dinner, we went for a drive around the property. Hard to believe that after all the flooding from Hurricane Harvey last fall, we now find ourselves heading into a drought. The lakes are already getting low.

Most of the pastures are still green, though. And the calves continue to arrive.

Some still find it difficult not to stray from their mamas.

Note that this one’s mama is on the other side of the fence. Baby decided to hop the cattle guard and do a little exploring. Unfortunately, they never seem to remember how they got in and, inevitably, have to be coaxed back out.

Oh, and remember this guy/gal from a few weeks ago.

He/she is still keeping watch over their family in that mulberry tree and always on the lookout for anyone or anything that might seek to disrupt them.

So how was your Mother’s Day? Did you do anything special? Is Mother’s Day celebrated in Canada?

Three-time Carol Award nominee, Mindy Obenhaus, lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com

Graduation Week

by Missy Tippens

Well, it's been a crazy week. And I haven't cooked anything worth posting.

You see, my middle son graduated this past Saturday! So instead of food, I thought I'd share a few photos today.

First, here's the graduate! We're so proud of him! He received a B.S. in Physics with High Honors. (End of mom brag moment.) :)

Here he is with the grandparents who could attend the ceremony.

And here is the whole lot of us. :)

We had a wonderful day! Then more family joined us at Stoney River Steakhouse for dinner. It was my first time there, and it was excellent.

Now that the two youngest kids are home for a while, I'm having to think a little more about cooking. I may actually have some meals to share soon! ;)

Missy Tippens

Our Crazy, Busy, Good Eatin' Weekend

Whew! What a weekend.

As most of you know by now, my family is preparing for a big move. But there were a few events we had to get out of the way first. So, in typical Obenhaus style, we simply crammed them all into one weekend.

First there was this.

Our youngest son had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. But it wasn't just about him.

These four young men started out as Tiger Cubs in the first grade. Together, they later transitioned into Boy Scouts as part of the Ninja patrol. And Saturday, they were all recognized for achieving scouting's highest rank of Eagle Scout.

It was so much fun to not only see these guys together one last time, but to watch the video one of the parents made, reviewing the kids' journey from little boys to men.

I laughed, I cried... Such a fun time of remembrance.

Then it was on to the same son's graduation open house. Of course, you can't have an open house without food. So I prepared my go-to meal for feeding a crowd--

Time to smoke a big ol' brisket for Texas barbeque.  

You can find that recipe here.

Throw in some beans (recipe here), Cole Slaw (recipe here), chips, salsa and queso and it's a party.

Oh, and the all-important graduation cake.

But before the party even got started, the most amazing thing happened.

I'd like you introduce you to my new grandson, Max (short for Maximilian), born Sunday afternoon.

You know, there's just something about babies that makes you forget about the worries of the world. So much love, pure trust and innocence all in one tiny, little package.

Thank you, Max, for making your grammy's life just a little bit better.

And now, the countdown is really on. Only ten more days until that big move. So let the packing frenzy begin in earnest.

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and the last of her five children. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 

Of Strawberries, graduations and barbecue

I pick up Miss B every Tuesday and Thursday from preschool. On our way back to my house, we pass DJ's Berry Patch and family farm.    

Beginning in February, the farm was being readied for strawberry season. It's a pretty complicated process. You can find out more about how strawberries in NC are grown here.

We got excited as the rows were planted. We got worried when the weather got colder than normal and plastic was put over the rows or covered with freezing water when the weather dropped down below freezing. 

After the miserable winter, we wondered about the strawberries. Would spring ever come? Would we ever get to pick strawberries?  Somebody asked twice a week, "are they ready yet?"

Finally, three weeks later than usual, they were!

Miss B picked some before we resorted to buying a big ole bucket. And grandma had to go back and buy another bucket because some grandchildren love strawberries so much they didn't want to share!

Do you know the correct way to store fresh picked strawberries, especially large quantities? Here is how you do it if you are going to eat them, like we do, quickly:

1)  Do NOT take the caps off or wash before storing.

2) Do examine strawberries for bruises or mold, especially if you are buying a container full. These affect how long they will keep.

3) Do NOT wash them. Strawberries soak up moisture. Very Spongebob like.  Put them in an open container with a layer of paper towels.

4) Wash and then de-cap right before serving. Eat within a few days

It's funny how every year, strawberry season coincides with graduations. This year, prime picking time was on top of graduation. And even funnier, one special graduation was celebrated by the pickin' of a pig.  

I've waxed poetic about my first North Carolina pig pickin' (you can read about that barbecue adventure here. Just click) But no barbeque was more fun than the one we attended this past weekend, hosted by our son, who graduated from law school, and our daughter-in-law.  Three years of hard work while raising three children under six. Of course, they were going to party. Sixty people from as near as their neighborhood and as far as Maryland showed up to congratulate this family that has done so well.

This picture is great but you ought to see the one with all the family trying on his grad cap. They all went to law school.

What about you? What growing season accompanies your graduation season? Are strawberries already gone? Are you still waiting for them? Is there something special y'all cook for big celebrations?