The Tombstone Chronicler

Old Man's Brother...The Older Man

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

You know The Old Man that I have a photo of in my header - and that I've blogged about ad
nauseum
infinitum? Well, here is his much older brother. This old man has been around for as long or longer than my old man, and he is HUGE! My brother has a wonderful photo of my Dodgie standing inside of him, and you can get a sense of just how huge he was in all his glory. There isn't a tree near-by that is half as big as this tree is.

For the 40 years my parents have called this land theirs, he's always been this way. Never had the pleasure of seeing him in all his living glory. Sure wish I could have.

Sunday Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:18:00 +0000

Cousin Curt with Remy, teaching her the fine art of wood working

Finding a passion

And a mentor to teach you

Simply priceless hours

~~~

xoabb

expect anything!

New Year's Eve Sunrise

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:29:00 +0000

A New Year's Eve Missouri Sun Rise 12/31/11

Forgot about this...

The last sunrise of the year

Here's to many more

(last new year's eve sunrises!)

~~~

xoabb

expecting 2012 goodness!

The Crick

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

An ever changing

Playground we all hurry to

Each time we come home!

~~~

xoabb

expect anything!

3 Bum Generations

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:33:00 +0000

Of course, the first thing you notice is my brother's head is cut off in this photo. I'm not sure why, as I wasn't the editor of said photograph. On the other hand, this is a superb photo of three generations of Bumgarner men (and the women that helped produced the two younger ones.) Thanks, Paul Jackson, for not only this photo, but a lot more of 'em!

I'm boring, I know, but love documenting such a loverly time. That MO gathering was just wonderful! (Come on! Tell me you don't you agree that everyone in this photo just looks damn happy???)

~~~

xoabb

expect goodness!

Sunday Serenity for a New Year...

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Grand Roger, Brynnlee, Grandma Mary, Remila, Bly-guy, Angela, Dodgie & Cody-dog

12/26/11

We had the most wonderful time this Christmas. Nothing better that the gathering of all those you hold near and dear in one place. It was a very nice way to close out 2011 - a year that wasn't all kinds of good for many of we humans.

A good friend of my parents came over to take photos of the family during our stay and the above one is one of my favorites. It's my parents with their grandkids. The youngest kid, my Dodgie, belongs to my brother and sis-in-law, (and tho Cody-dog thinks she belongs to Dodgie, she really belongs to the grands). The three big kids, along with that black-haired beauty belong to GB and I. Angie (the black-haired beauty) joined our family this past year on 9-10-11 when our son, Bly (or George as Angie calls him), had the good sense to marry her. Yes, it was planned quickly and at first they thought they'ed have a big old wedding next summer, so why make a big announcement/send announcements out, but as time goes on, it seems less and less important to wait to tell the world what a wonderful person our Angie is. (Only problem is the confusion caused when her identical twin, Carolina, is here as well. I shamefully admit there are still times that I mix them up.)

May this New Year be

filled with goodness - and much love

that surrounds us all

~~~

xoabb

expecting goodness in '12!

The Old Man...

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:13:00 +0000

...has fallen

May The Old Man rot in peace.

I'll miss him terribly.

~~~

xoabb

change isn't always pleasant

I've blogged about this magnificent tree over the years - the photo in my blog header is that of The Old Man in all his glory. I always knew that the above was inevitable, but still...it was hard to see this. What finally happened is the "sprout" (you can see it lying on the ground on the left) that was growing out of the left side finally got too heavy and caused The Old Man to split. I really am sad to see him go. He was magnificent!

Photo taken December 2011.

Sunday Serenity Surely Sidetracked by Monday Madness

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:56:00 +0000

This little ornament, which had it's beginnings as a pine cone located on a tall, tall, very much alive pine tree, was originally a party favor for one of our many wonderful bird parties my mom put together for us when my sis and I were kids. (Yes, the above ornament is at least 40 years old....which means I'm old. Pooh!) Our family would find a cedar tree, bring it to our home and then secure it to our deck. We'd ask our friends to save hollowed out orange halves and then bring them on the day of the party. The oranges would have wires attached to them so they could be hung from the trees and then we'd fill them with a mixture of peanut butter/seeds/suet. We'd also fill pinecones (the above ornament's sibling) with peanut butter, and string wires with popcorns and/or cranberries. The birds then enjoyed their feast the entire winter! Such fun!

In the present, we had just a wonderful, wonderful Christmas! All of the immediate family are together in one place, (oh, and with our newest addition, Angie) for the first time since Carrie was married to Marty in 2001.

We're having a perfection time together!

Who could ask for anything more?

~~~

xoabb

expect extreme joy!

And We're Off!

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

A Frozen Rustic Road Pond From a February Past

Our kids are already in Missourahhhh with their Grands and GB and I are leaving very very early this morning to join them and all the rest of our family. We have a ride to the airport (thank you Neil for getting up at 5:30 am and driving us), folks to take good care of Miss Stella-dog and Mr. Pain-in-the-Butt Trey-You-cat, a ride home to Columbia and then a Christmas with our ENTIRE FAMILY together (first time since sis Carrie and her Marty got married in '01)! And instead of Christmas cards, (which I've not done for 3 years now - naughty!), I'm hoping to send out Valentine's Day cards, with a picture of us all. (O right, we'll see if that happens.)

To all of my friends, family and lovies,

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas or

whatever other holiday you might celebrate!

It really is all good...

~~~

xoabb

it's a wonderful life!

Sunset on Second...Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

A few thoughts...

There's been a lot of troubling news of late;

(There's also been lots of good news as well.)

But my glass has always been half full,
(Though lately I've begun to think I've sprung a leak...)

Then again, I think of all the good,

And remember that the half full glass stuff

Is a very good thing indeed!

Sunday Serenity

There's a reason to believe in serenity!

~~~

xoabb

good thoughts!

Sunday Serenity...Family

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:28:00 +0000

Our beloved Mimi, my husband's mom, our kids' grandma and my truly wonderful mom-in-law died a little over three years ago. Her home was sold shortly thereafter. Imagine our surprise when the gentleman who bought her home wrote us that three boxes full of family photos and memories had been found! I've no idea how we missed them, but miss them we did! He kindly mailed everything out to us.

Inside those boxes we found many photos we'd already seen, every card that had ever been given to her, and a few wonderful surprises. Above was one of those surprises. It's one of the only photos we have of Mimi as a young girl - and what a treat that her mom and dad and great grandfather are in the photo as well! (As far as Gladys and Otto that are on the left of the photo...have no idea who they are.)

Such a treat to find

Unexpected glimpses of

Our families' past

~~~

xoabb

expect family treasures to pop up!

And a happy happy birthday to you, brother Billyum! Tho it was yesterday, the loves and hugs flowing your way are just a big today!

2nd Street Sunset

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:10:00 +0000

Weather is crazy

Trust not what weathermen say

Just rely on self!

The FBB's Roasted Bourbon Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Bourbon Roast Turkey from "The Beekman ~1802~ Heirloom Cookbook", page 146

Beekman Boys Turkey
How good could it really be??
How 'bout best ever!

One week ago on Thanksgiving Day we had not one, not two, not three but four Thanksgiving turkeys. While the two smoked turkeys were wonderful (a contest between me (mine's here) and our friend Tony (contest ended in a solid tie)) and the deep fried one done to perfection this year (unlike the nuked turkey year), the turkey that was oven-roasted this Thanksgiving rendered all of us speechless...it was that good!

I happen to love The Fabulous Beekman Boys. I was originally told about their TV show on PlanetGreen by friend Ellen, who raved about them. It took me just two shows to totally agree with her! The boys just released their first cookbook (sold out already) and in it is a recipe for a roast turkey that requires cups of bourbon. That piqued my interest. Quite a bit. Anything involving bourbon? Count me in! Not only that, the recipe also calls for maple syrup, molasses, citrus and Worcestershire sauce. Those are a few more of my favorite things...just how good was this bird going to be? I can tell you now - in a word - perfection!

We had a hard time carving all four of the birds as there were sticky picky fingers darting in and out of the carving stations the entire time! (Lucky no one lost a digit.) And at the end of the night, there was one small bag of turkey leftovers (didn't think there was any at all, but the bag was hidden under the lettuce in the crisper drawer. A planned hiding, perhaps??) and not one morsel of it was the Beekman Boys Turkey. The entire 20 lb. bird was consumed. Dang it!

Of course the recipe is in their cookbook (which you really should treat yourself to), but if you're not so inclined, below is a copy of the recipe and a link to the original on their website:

Bourbon Roast 14 lb. Turkey

Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients:

1 turkey (about 14 pounds), rinsed and patted dry, neck and giblets removed, liver discarded

1/4 cup coarse salt

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons ancho chile powder

1 juice orange

1 lime

1 small onion, halved

2 bay leaves

3 garlic cloves, unpeeled

3/4 cup maple syrup (preferably grade B)

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 cup bourbon

1 cup canned chicken broth

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Tuck the wing tips under the turkey by bending them back and pushing them under the wings. In a small bowl, combine the salt, sugar, and chile powder. Carefully run your fingers under the breast and thigh skin of the turkey to loosen and then season with about one-third of the salt mixture. Rub the remaining mixture in the cavity of the turkey and all over the skin. With a fork, pierce the orange and lime all over. Place them in the cavity along with the onion, bay leaves, and garlic cloves. Truss the turkey.

In a small skillet, combine the maple syrup, molasses, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes for the flavors to concentrate.

Place the turkey on a rack and the turkey neck and giblets in a heavy roasting pan with a lid. In a small bowl combine the bourbon and chicken broth and carefully pour the mixture into the pan (do not splash the oven or outside of the pan with the mixture). Pour all but 1/3 cup of the maple syrup mixture over the turkey breast. Cover the pan with the lid and roast the turkey, without uncovering, for 1 hour 30 minutes. [Tent with foil if the bird begins to get really toasty brown - mine did.]

Uncover the pan and brush the turkey with the reserved maple syrup mixture. Roast for 30 minutes, uncovered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh, without touching bone, registers 165°F.

Lift the turkey from the pan and transfer to a platter or cutting board. Tent with foil and let stand for 30 minutes. Discard the neck and giblets.

Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a gravy separator or a large measuring cup and remove the fat, reserving 3 tablespoons. If there isn’t enough turkey fat, add butter to make up the difference. If you don’t have 4 cups of pan juices, add water to make up the difference.

Place the turkey fat in a large saucepan and heat over low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour has browned, about 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in the 4 cups of pan juices and cook, whisking constantly, until the gravy is lightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Slice the turkey and serve with the gravy and your other sides.

Below are the adjusted amounts for our 20 lb. bird:

Bourbon Roast 20 lb. Turkey

Serves 16-18

Ingredients:

1 turkey, about 20 lbs., rinsed and patted dry (neck and giblets removed; liver tossed)

1/3 cups coarse salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons ancho chile powder

1 large orange (be sure to remove the sticker - as you can see, above, I forgot)

1 lime (2 if they're small)

1 medium onion, halved

1 cup pure maple syrup (preferably grade B)

3 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

3 cups bourbon

spray oil for oiling foil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

Remain as above. Use a meat thermometer if you are unsure of doneness.

From: Beekman 1802 Heirloom Recipe Cookbook

xoabb

expecting deliciousness next year!

Sunday Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Daughter Remy began our Thanksgiving day tradition of everyone writing what they are thankful for on an autumnal-looking leaf three years ago. This year we carried it a bit further and put the leaves on a tree that cousin Heather created. While all the sentiments were wonderful - some funny, many filled with love of family and friends - the very best one came from Miss Elle, age four. When asked by Rem what she was thankful for, without hesitation, she replied: "Well, dinosaurs and sticks!" That kinda sums everything up in a nutshell!

~~~

xoabb
hope your Thanksgiving was half as wonderful as ours!

Ahhhhhhhhhtumn

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:09:00 +0000

November 10th was just about the only day this fall when the light made the colors really stand out. The above has only been slightly enhanced. Just one week later, the trees have all lost most of their leaves, and it's gray and dreary out. No sun to reflect on our gray clouds.

I feel winter coming on.

Tonight is bridge night and I'm feelin' lucky! A certain friend of mine thinks she's going to be the big winner. I beg to differ - it's gonna be me! Regardless, we always have so much fun, and that's all that really counts.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Cousin Julie and I are the Grand Hostesses (lots of lesser hosts and hostesses around to help, but only two Grand Hostesses) of 48 this year. We haven't had that many in probably 5 years or so. I'm kinda freaked out over the whole thing because I can't remember how I possibly made enough gravy and mashed potatoes for everyone, (those two dishes are my particular specialty). I think possibly I'm getting old and losing my cooking groove. Hello! O children of mine....possibly it's time for you to take over and put this old gal out to pasture...

Nah...all will come together, as it always always does for us, and it will be wonderful. As always.

~~~

xoabb

I just love Thanksgiving!

Sunday Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Cayman memories

What wonderful times we had

Treasured forever

~~~

xoabb

memories....

For many years we went to Grand Cayman for Christmas, first in rented homes and after my parents bought a vacation home, there. What wonderful memories our kids (and we) have of those years! Pictured above is the very first Christmas our youngest, Brynn Lee, spent on Cayman. It was 1985. In the above photo our children are 7 months, 18 months and 5 years. Their dad 35 and me 30. Damn...what happened to me??

So Loverly, Showing Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:01:00 +0000

I had just left a newly discovered old cemetery I'd photographed for findagrave (I AM the tombstone chronicler after all!) when I stopped at a red light, looked to my left and saw this wonderful church that had American flags all over their grounds that, according to their sign, were honoring both those that have served and are serving our country. I find great tranquility in that.

~~~

xoabb

It's Veteran's Day.
Kiss a Veteran!
Hey, Daddy, here's a kiss from afar!
xoxoxoxoxox

The Morning Spirits were Dancing

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:19:00 +0000

Last night the stars and moon were out;

the sky as clear & bright & beautiful as it's ever been.

This morning, just a mere 7 hours later,

a nearly all-enveloping fog...so very etheral!
(and very very weird...just sayin'.)

but

The spirits were surely dancing this morning!
such a good good thing...

~~~

xoabb

is your spirit dancing?

hope so!

Happy Booooooooooday...

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

A bit snowy for us here in the Northeast,

And no school for most (me? Not so much, POOH).

However, it's candy time!

And costume time!

Yea!

~~~

xoabb

somebody's been eatin' the halloween candy in our house....anyone? anyone?

Sunday Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Spirits Rising

~~~

xoabb

always believe!

Sounds Like a Good Fit

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:35:00 +0000

9 Chickweed Lane

~

I've been reading the comic strip 9 Chickweed Lane for years now.
Most folks don't get or like its extreme quirkiness, but I love it!
Today is especially good, considering the upcoming elections.

~~~

xoabb
I really don't like elections. At all.

What Fun We Had!

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:27:00 +0000

Ella, Connor, Auntie Jules

The four of us (Auntie Jules, Connor, Ella* & and moi) went to the New Canaan Nature Center's Fall Festival this past weekend. What fun we had! (BTW, any of you in this area who have younger kids in your life, don't miss this annual event!)
Even I, an old fart, had a glorious time! Needless to say, Miss Ella and Mr. Connor had just the very best of times as well! Auntie Jules (there on the right) kept everything on course...of course, and wasn't ONCE led astray by moi, though I really tried!

*(Don't tell her mom and dad, but Jules and I personally fed Ms. Ella a self-decorated cupcake, cotton candy and two cookies. We weren't very proud of ourselves...but we sure had fun! And, um, we'd do it again. In a minute! :)

xoabb

love my family!

The Swing (for modern times)

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:29:00 +0000

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

~Robert Louis Stevenson

~~~

xoabb

o to be young again!

Sunday Serenity: Unfurling a...

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:44:00 +0000

...new family member,

One we already adore...

We are SO lucky!

~~~

xoabb

expecting guesses as to who the new family member is!
and no, I'm not preggers...56 here....GAH...
:)

Sunday Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (TSannie) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 04:26:00 +0000

even in times of

trouble, there are magical

moments to be had...

~~~

xoabb

demand serenity!

Photo taken by my son Bly with his blackberry.

Quite the eye he has! (Just braggin' :)

Thank you Hilary for honoring my son's
wonderful photo with a POTW!
Magical indeed!