Ashley's Baby Shower!

January 29, 2011 ~ Well it was finally time to get ready to welcome Baby Adams with a baby shower! It was a lot of fun planning my sister's shower and trying to come up with non-traditional things to do. She only has about 2 weeks until my nephew is born!

She has decorated his room in a construction theme so I had cakes and "boulder" cupcakes made by the Sugar Loft at Osage Beach. They turned out adorable! This is the dozer cake...

and this is the dump truck cake. They turned out so cute! We sprinkled crushed up Oreo cookies and chocolate candies that looked like rocks to help with the theme.

We had a "candy bar" which was a huge hit.

With all of the gifts she should be set for a year!

This is the Crews girls! Grandma Marsue Crews, Ashley and me!

She had a wonderful turn out and it's so wonderful to see important people in her life come to be a part of this special day!

Everyone signed this picture so that they can hang it in his room.... to show him how much he was loved before he even got here!

This is Grandma Crews, Daddy, Mommy and Grandma Adams! This will be the first grandchild for both sides... can you imagine how super excited they are!?! Well now that the shower is over we wait patiently for his arrival!

Pampering my sister.....

Well in about 2 1/2 weeks my nephew will be here so I decided to pamper my sister and we had pedicures and manicures this afternoon to prepare for her baby shower this weekend. (Can't you tell she's my sister... we are both silly!)

I have been so busy that I haven't had time to get a much needed spa day and it's always more fun with someone else! Ashley brought Sonic slushies for us to drink and the girls at Natural Nail Care rocked! Thank you Tracey & Amanda!

See... she ain't right! That's my sister!

A perfect ending to a great day!

Frost

As I looked out our office window this morning this is what I saw..... so I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures! This morning we had a fog/frost and the bushes/trees were outlined perfectly! These pictures couldn't capture the beauty but I had fun trying!

Although this is pretty.... I sure am ready for Spring!

I'm an Chamber ROI Graduate!

I love our Chamber of Commerce! We have a very unique thing in Columbia, MO and that our Chamber is 1,137 members strong and we get 500+ people that show up to our QMB's (Quarterly Membership Breakfast) which is fabulous! Our chamber is very active and such a great resource to help your business grow! This morning was our 3rd Annual ROI Graduation. ROI stands for Return On Investment which was a great program designed by the Chamber to encourage seasoned and new members to get involved to see everything the Chamber has to offer. It's really fun because it forces you to get outside of your comfort zone and try something new! There was 25 graduates today and 18 of us "walked" and received our diplomas which was a lot of fun! If you live in Columbia, MO and your business or the business you work for is not a Chamber of Commerce member then please beg them to let you get involved! You will thank me once you see the personal and professional growth opportunities that our Chamber has to offer. Congrats to our ROI class.... will you be next?

My Town!

"Yeah, where I was born, where I was raised. Where I keep all my yesterdays. Where I ran off 'cos I got mad,  An' it came to blows with my old man. Where I came back to settle down,  It's where they'll put me in the ground: This is my town" (My Town by Montgomery Gentry)

Well I wasn't born here but I've been in Midway since I was 3 years old and this will be where they put me in the ground 'cause this is my town! Midway is full of life, memories and love! It's so funny to talk to people and they think that Midway is so far away. They'll say "Oh you are all the way out there?" or "You don't have to drive all the way into town" which cracks me up because we are only 10 minutes or less from the Columbia Mall... a hop, skip and a jump!

Our shop is where my Grandma & Grandpa Crews' barn was located. (They rented the barn from Lance Henderson) As a kid we always had hogs or cows that we would raise and butcher and I spent a lot of time in that old barn. I have been looking for many years for a picture or drawing of that barn (back in the 1980's there were several college and non-college students that sat for hours and would draw this barn).

We have Boone County Firestation # 9 which is quick to respond to any need. There is something nice knowing that we have this service so close to us and that people are always there.

This is our elementary school where I attended from 1981-1988. Midway Heights Elementary School, I think, is the best elementary school! I love it so much that in 2008 we decided to become a Partner In Education with it. I love being able to give back to our community and something I am very passionate about. The teachers and staff are amazing and always go the extra mile to make sure that each child is given the best care possible.

 This is one of the 2 churches out here.... Midway Locust Grove Church. I wanted to get married at this church but they couldn't accomodate 300+ people. My Grandma & Grandpa Crews are buried here and this is where I want to be when it's my time. It's just a part of our town and where many gather on Sunday. My Grandma & Grandpa's garden was right next to this church so I spent a lot of time playing here while they worked.

This is one of my favorite little stores and it's located right here in Midway! Larry's Boots is a store I frequently visit. If you like western wear including cowboy boots then this place is a must! I love the Cruel Girl brand of shirts and have several pair of boots.... I've got my eye on a couple more pair but I am trying to be really good and not spend on things I don't really need.... which is really tough to do!

The last stop for today on our tour is a Midway tradition.... sledding on the big hill! This is a big hill at the Midway Truck Stop and for as long as I can remember all the kids gather here to sled during the winter. It's always fun to drive by and watch them go zipping down the hill and you can't help but remember when you were a kid and did the same thing! It was fun going down the hill and not so fun walking back up the hill.

Well I thought you might enjoy a small tour of "My Town" and don't be a stranger.... come see us anytime!

More blankets!

Well I have been a busy little bee trying to get a nice stock pile of baby rag blankets for our upcoming (April) flea market! I have been cutting all the fabric so that when I get a chance to sit down and sew I can whip out one or two blankets at a time! I purchased over 400 yards of fabric which is enough for approximately 100-125 blankets!

They are really fun putting the colors together and unfortantly I have more girl fabric then boy fabric. Oh well I will get creative i'm sure! I love the feeling when I get one compeltely done and wash and dry it.... they are so soft! I had given many of them away as baby gifts and I don't take special orders so I thought this would be a great way for those wanting one to get one at a reasonable price. They are roughly 35" x 35" finished. I have tried to make some matching lovey's but only if I have left over material that isn't enough to make another blanket.

Here's a few of the little lovey's..... Made just like the rag blankets only smaller.

Beer Tops & Wine Corks, Oh My!

Well, I love my mother in law, Francie! She is saving me the beer tops and wine corks from her work! I have a few projects in mind and need lots of both and she has helped in a big way! (I have some awesome friends who have saved their stuff and given to me too... thanks guys!) I have to wash each of the beer tops as they had a little moisture in the bag and have a little rust on them.... and have about this many more that need to be washed!

It's fun to look at the different beer tops (since I don't drink) and come up with ideas of things to make! She is going to keep saving but I also need different / rare beer tops too! So if you have any please save them for me and I will make arrangements to get them from you.

I really love the wine corks! I can't wait to try different projects incorporating them in it. If you drink wine and don't save the corks for yourself please save them for me! I guess I don't have enough to do as I always find something new to try my hand at. I'll post of some my crafts once I figure out what I am doing! :)

Banana Pudding....

Well with all the snow we got last night (almost 9") I was going to fix some snow ice-cream but after seeing that it isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon I wanted something warm for breakfast at the shop. I always loved Grandma Ruby's Banana Pudding and had all the ingredients (it's a simple receipe) and decided to whip some up! I love fresh made pudding (homemade or box) and nothing beats the cook &serve kind! If you're interested in this here's the super simple receipe.....

Vanilla Wafers (amount depends on what bowl/dish and how many you want)
2 small boxes of Jell-o cook & serve Vanilla Pudding (I like to use the Banana Cream kind too)
4 cups of Milk (I always use whole milk)
2 Bananas

Cook your milk and pudding mix on stove top until done. While you are letting it cool place your vanilla wafers in the bottom of your bowl / pan. Cut up one banana and put on top of the vanilla wafers. Slowly place the pudding on top of the vanilla wafers and banana (I use a big spoon and gently pour so it covers everything nicely. Use about 1/2 of your mixture and cut up the other banana then put the remaining mixture on top. Top with additional vanilla wafers and immediatley wrap with plastic wrap to prevent film on top of the pudding (this will also help the vanilla wafers become soft). Leave out of refridgerator for 30 minutes or so to cool. Grab a bowl and enjoy or place in the refridgerator. It's best to eat within a day as the bananas start to turn brown.

All done and waiting for it to continue to cool! It's little things like this that bring back a great memory.... We miss you Grandma Ruby!

Chief Bill Markgraf's retirement

Sunday January 16, 2011 - Well yesterday was an exciting day for a fellow Ambassador. Chief Bill Markgraf was retiring from the Columbia Fire Department after 22 years of being the Chief. Ambassador's are a small family of our own and since becoming an Ambassador in 2008 I have had the opportunity to get to know Chief. He is a great man who served our city well. If you are an Ambassador, no celebration is complete with out a ribbon cutting!

I had the honor of speaking prior to his ribbon cutting. Chief: Markgraf became an Ambassador in November 1994. During those 17 years he has had the prestigious honor of having a tree dedicated in his name, which is located at Columbia College. He chose to have a lilac bush rather than a tree, and he is less than 300 points from his second tree which is a real honor of his dedication to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. We wouldn't miss his retirement reception and we are glad he wanted us here to celebrate the next chapter of his life. Good luck with retirement Chief and enjoy time spent traveling with your wife!

(Chief Markgraf and his wife, Linda) "Chief Markgraf's retiring.... smile.... cut!"

Chief was having a good time listening to all that spoke and presented him with some wonderful awards, plaques and special made pieces. It really was a nice reception and about 250 were in attendance.

A few of his plaques....

This was a grill from a fire truck turned into a clock from the makers of the fire engines (pretty cool)

This was a really neat gift from the crew from the USS Missouri in which they flew a flag (in the center) in Chief Markgraf's honor on December 7, 2010 over the USS Missouri, USS Columbia and others and gave to him with all the appropriate certificates. He was very honored to receive this. He said with all these wonderful gifts he might have to add onto his house! It was a great time and was a wonderful way to see someone retire from our community. Congratulations Chief Bill Markgraf and enjoy sleeping in! :)

Smile....

I stopped by the Candy Factory and saw this. It made me smile as soon as I saw it! Happy Saturday everyone and don't forget to smile.... :)

Funnel Cakes!

Well since most of the good snow is gone for snow ice-cream I had a hankerin' for something sweet. Most days a little piece of chocolate takes care of it but this morning I felt like a funnel cake! (No worries friends I am not preggers) and had a good easy recipe for one so I thought what the heck. So I whipped up a batch. Here's the recipe for those interested:

1 egg
2/3 cup of milk
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1 1/4 cup of flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder

I used peanut oil to fry them in which I think tastes a little better than plain vegetable oil but use whatever you have. I used a small sauce pan and filled about 1/2 the way with the oil and turned burner on medium high and tested a little bit of the dough to see if it was too hot or not hot enough (a fry daddy would work great.... I think) Once my oil was hot enough I started pouring the batter all around (nice thing about using a small/medium sauce pan) and used metal tongs to flip over the funnel cake when it was almost done. (I would recommend using a cheap katsup or mustard bottle that you can pick up from the dollar store so you get a more even funnel cake) Once it's to the perfect brown color place on a paper plate (easy clean up and catches all the extra oil) then top with powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar mix and enjoy! That's my favorite part at the fairs in the summer is the funnel cakes! Since it was so darn cold I just needed something to remind me that Spring/Summer is right around the corner!

These are some interesting little critters I tried the other day.... basically they are homemade doughnuts from Trisha Yearwood's cook book. My opinion.... Let Krispy Kreme make the doughnuts.... they are professional and they know what they are doing! LOL! They were good but a lot of work to make them. Brandon liked them with jelly on them.... silly boy! Any who.... some of the crazy things I love.... sweets! :)

When the weather gives you snow......

Well it's said when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. Same hold true I guess for snow.... when good ol' Missouri weather gives you snow then I make snow ice-cream! I often forget about this super simple tasty treat from my childhood because we never really have a good enough snow but today was the perfect morning to have some for breakfast! So I whipped up the milk mixture, grabbed a bowl and ran outside to get some clean snow! I knew this was going to be good when the snow came up to my shins and the wind was cutting through me (note to all others doing this... put more on than just a sweatshirt and make sure to tuck in your t-shirt under that sweatshirt or the wind and snow that blows up your shirt might make you holler!) :) So if you are interested in trying this snow ice-cream and don't have a clue how then here's the simple directions:

2 cups of milk (I prefer whole milk)
2/3 cup of sugar (more or less depending on how sweet you like it)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Mix these 3 ingredients together in a large bowl and taste to make sure it's where you like it)

Run outside with a large bowl and a big spoon and get a nice bowl of CLEAN snow. Run back inside and add it by the spoonfuls to the above mix until desired consistency. Enjoy and don't forget to share with others! (this doesn't keep very well in the freezer so it's best to make a fresh batch when you want some).  :)

More of Michele's random craziness! (giggle)

I can't help but laugh sometimes at some of the stuff I come up with! Well today it snowed pretty good and I didn't go to town until later this afternoon when it was crazy outside. So I had a little time to record a few of these for your laughing enjoyment! I crack myself up sometimes! (This is an app that you download to your phone and this little kitty cat repeats everything you say in a crazy voice.... very childish but very fun... in my world!) Go ahead... watch it again.... It makes me smile too! :)

Half Moon

This is our horse Half Moon! I went up to check on her yesterday and she was resting. When Brandon's mom moved from their farm in Fulton, MO we got a horse! (Long story but basically in a nutshell... Marty & Stan had 3 horses. Steel, Half Moon and Hondo. Hondo died of old age. Steel was Half Moon's mom and someone shot her on their 200+ acres and they were afraid they would come back to shoot Half Moon. So we loaded her up and brought her to Midway!) We have had her since 2000 and best we can figure she is about 30 years old and she has arthritis in her knees really bad. We don't ride her and we just let her do whatever she wants to do. We had 2 other horses we bought just to keep her company but recently sold them because we have moved her to our 25 acres and there is 4 other horses with her. She is so calm and mellow and really laid back. I messed with her for about 30 minutes and got some really good pictures of her (can you tell I love my new camera!)