Barbara At The Rock "N" Roll Marathon

Somewhere in Lane 5, runner 9865 is preparing for the signal to begin running.

The cheering section is waiting to sight Barbara.

Runner 9865

Forty Rock "N' Roll Bands provided music along the 26.2 mile route.

Barbara and Anne

26.2 miles under 4 1/2 hours and the proof !

Barbara finished in the top 500 runners of the Women's Division!

Barbara and one of her #1 fans, her dad!

Mom and Dad with Barbara.

Just resting those feet!

***

Rock "N" Roll Marathon

Our youngest daughter Barbara had prepared several months for this event. The 11Th Annual Rock "N" Roll Marathon which benefits the Leukemia and the Lymphoma Society with 17,828 runners attracted runners from every State in the United States and 30 plus countries. I might add it was won by a Kenyan in the mens division and a woman from Russia in the womens division. Both times were slightly over two hours. Barbara's finishing time placed in the top 500 runners in the women's division. Way to go Barbara!!!

***

At miles marker 16 Anne supported her sister running the last ten miles with Barbara which ended at the finish line. Barbara is the third Myers to run and complete a marathon. Tom ran in the New York City Marathon, last year Anne ran in the Rock "N" Roll Marathon, and Barbara ran in it this year. Oldest sister Mary has ran several half marathons.

***

One gal had her boyfriend on his knees at the finish line, he proposed, she said yes; and she received an engagement ring to the cheers of a throng of people..

Polish Sausage ~ A Tradition and Heritage.

Polish Sausage

Heritage and Tradition

There is something magnetic between those who find pleasure in food,  be it a tasting, sharing a recipe, or maybe conversing.   For me it can be a new recipe, learning a new spice, setting a beautiful table with guests or enjoying another dietary platform or ethnic foods.  You can "bond" with a new friend you meet in text and may never meet physically.  My newest friend is MJ Essenmacher of Tuscon AZ.  MJ is owner of Creative Catering Corp,  (www.Creative Catering.com)  I have gone to MJ's blog, https://thekitchenimpossible.blogspot.com/2021/09/de-liber-september-and-october-marks.html to find two more photos showing her creative catering talents.  

  

I am so grateful to MJ for sharing her family recipe, the same recipe used by her late father. MJ stated she does not sell the meat or use it  with her catering but makes it to keep the tradition and heritage alive within her family. Thank you MJ and with your permission, I will share your family recipe with my followers. 

Polish Sausage.

Ingredients:

17 pounds pork butt, double ground

15 garlic cloves

1 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

6 tablespoons salt

6 tablespoons fresh ground black pepper

2 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons marjoram

Directions:

Clean pork casings and keep in bowl of water to prevent drying.

Blend spices and seasonings in another bowl, set aside.  

 

Double grind pork and place in a large bowl.  Sprinkle the seasonngs over the pork with occasional mixing.  When all seasonings have been sprinkled in the meat, mix lightly making sure not to pack down the meat.   Add 6 cups ice cubes and mix well.  Mixture will be loose or maybe "sloppy".  Refrigerate in a covered bowl overnight.

After stuffing sausage, let dry on a rack overnight in the refrigerator.

To cook; Cover with 2" of water on top of stove for 20 minutes, then place in an 325*F oven for aboout an hour to make the skin crispy. 

Uncle Martin

Uncle Martin Myers

I returned to Norwalk Ohio to pay my respects to an uncle who was so much to so many.  He was a loving husband, father, brother and uncle.  He at 95 1/2 years young still called his loving wife "Honey".  He would often tell her and others, he didn't know how he was so lucky to marry Jean.  It was a relationship that never lost its depth of love.

His love of family was exhibited in many ways.  He so often extolled the virtues of his wonderful mother who was so respected and loved by the entire family.  He longed for the taste again of her cooking.  The father of four daughters, Martin encouraged all of them to be the best educated as possible knowing the successes in life that would follow.  When Uncle Martin would tell he never spanked any of his daughters, his daughters reassured him that was because they were perfect.

On our visits to their home, Uncle Martin would lovingly tell of the achievements of their very successful daughters and sons-in-law.  I can see him with his right hand held and his index finger pointed upward and his head slightly tilted as he would say, "that is right, I tell you", and naming his daughters or sons-in-law, that Rand, Tim, or Bill as he would share their accomplishments and you knew the pride he had and love for their daughters or sons-in-law.  The grandchildren, nieces, or nephews were not spared with his generous love and compliments.  He was a great source to pass along family happenings and achievements keeping us up to date.

For many years as Aunt Jean and Uncle Martin resided on the family farm.  They so graciously opened their home for family and holiday celebrations.  Uncle Martin and Aunt Jean were such a cohesive factor keeping the family together.  Grandchild knew their cousins and from visit to visit on the farm, it was as if they were never apart.  This relationship continues today due to the generosity of Uncle Martin and Aunt Jean.

Uncle Martin had such a vibrant mind and was a very interesting conversationalist.  He kept abreast of the family, world politics and economy, the local government, and the farm prices and farming culture of today.  He used a computer and looked forward to reading his emails. 

We will all miss our dear uncle but know he is happily reunited with his heavenly family and friends.  Rest In Peace Dear Uncle.  You have so deserved your heavenly reward.

YAY "Phil The Thrill"

"Phil The Thrill"

Yay Phil (center)

Our grandson is the driving source of his basketball team. Phillip can usually be counted on for almost half of the total team points. Last weekend his team won the league championship for the second consecutive year. Congratulations Phil and to the team!

A Grateful Thanksgiving

A Grateful Thanksgiving

Today was such a perfect day to be together with family. The weather was absolutely beautiful with a high of 87 degrees. I stayed behind to prepare our meal while the rest of the family did their traditional Thanksgiving seven mile hike. When they returned, the adults sat down to enjoy a tasty brunch prepared by our daughter Anne. The celebratory Thanksgiving meal was enjoyed toward the evening hours. Daughters Barbara and Anne and family were a part of our holiday this year.

8th Grade Graduation

Jacob and parents march to Pomp And Circumstance Jacob with brother Phil Proud Granddad with Dad and Jacob Jacob with Father William The Family with Father William The 8th Grade Class Jacob with John Angelo

***

Saturday's Celebration

Each of the 22 classmates pictured on the cake. The family-hosted class party

Not only classmates were great friends, the parents also were bonded.

***

Sunday's Celebration

Friends, Family, and Co-workers

More Friends, And Family

The Boys Found A Great Way To Celebrate! 8th Grade Graduation

Friday May 29th was graduation for grandson Jacob. The event was marked with three days of celebration for eight years of hard and I mean HARD work! We are very proud of Jacob.

My Mother's Family She Fondly Recalled

Family

I returned to Ohio two weeks ago for a funeral of a special cousin. We were a lucky group of grandchildren who have memories of spending Sunday afternoons at the farm of our grandparents playing together in our young years. In the top photo is the group of cousins and our remaining matriarch and patriarch that gathered to pay respects at the funeral mass. Our remaining aunt had a mother who lived to be over 100 so we are hoping Aunt Frances is with us for many more years. Uncle Frank is the only remaining sibling of my mother and we are counting on him to be with us sharing some of that good wisdom passed on from our grandparents.

***

I spent a brief visit in Florida with my cousin Marnie before returning to California. In the bottom photo is another cousin. Ken lived in the same town in Ohio where we spent forty years and raised our children. After graduating from college, he remained in North Carolina for employment. Ken bought this nursery five years ago and it continues to expand. It was a bonus to see Ken after many years.

Hello Milano and Zurich

Hello Milano and Zurich

Daughter Mary behind "the wheel" and her friend Elisabeth are visiting in the States on business and of course to stimulate the economy. Hello Milano and Zurich, good-bye euros and Swiss francs!

Olivia Turns Nine

Olivia

Today granddaughter Olivia celebrated her ninth birthday with a family dinner. Happy Birthday Olivia, we love you.

Happy Birthday Uncle Martin

Happy Birthday Uncle Martin

Pictured is our family patriarch Uncle Martin and his lovely wife, Aunt Jean. Uncle Martin is the last surviving uncle of a family of seven boys. Uncle Martin and Aunt Jean raised four very successful daughters. It is so neat to hear someone celebrating their ninetieth birthday calling his wife "honey" and Aunt Jean certainly deserves to be called honey. Much could be written about this couple but we will leave it to Martin's special day. Happy 90Th Birthday Uncle Martin.

Happy Birthday Phil

Happy Birthday Phil

Today our grandson Phil celebrates with twelve candles on his cake. Have a very special birthday Phil. Phil happens to be a Cincinnati Bangles fan! A BIG hug and squeeze Phil, we love you! I am especially pleased that Phil checks this posting frequently. I know he likes and appreciates what his grandma blogged.

Happy Birthday Jacob

Happy Birthday Jacob

Happy Birthday grandson Jacob. You are now one of the teenagers in this world. Jacob is best known for his easy going personality and big smile. He is a linebacker for the Vikings Football Team. Tackle the day Jake and have a great memorable birthday!

Grandson Phil

Grandson Phil

Meet our grandson Phil. Phil was awaiting surgery when this photo was taken yesterday. We visited Phil in the Recovery Room last evening about 9:30 p.m. and I plan to go over to the hospital this morning. On a telephone call to home early this morning he told his dad "he was sore". Who hurts the most when it happens to the grandchildren?

The Family Reunion Finale!!!

Grandpa and Grandma With Eight Blessings

Left to right

Charlotte, Katie, Olivia, Laura, Anna, Jacob, Veronica and Philip

Dad and Mom with Our Four Blessings, Barbara, Anne, Tom and Mary

Our Many Blessings!

Each year as we end our summertime reunions, we do the family portraits. We get all kinds of the usual complaints; it is taking to long, are we done yet, the sun is too bright, how many more photos, are we done yet, can we hurry this up and get it over, are we done yet. This year Aunt Barbara was clever. After her photo shoots she said, o.k. give me your worst smile or look. I hope that is their Christmas card photo so next year they really want to smile and not complain. It really is fun to learn if we get an original complaint that we haven't heard before. It didn't happen this year. They really are good sports!

Summertime

Uncle Greg makes everything so much fun Tom displays his skiing talents Flagger Girl Olivia says "skier down". Uncle Greg does some wake boarding The grandkids have an afternoon of crafts. Laura and Katie frost the cupcakes they baked. A new puppy (Duck-Troll) comes to visit Olivia, Charlotte, and Anna Sunset at Discovery Bay

Friday at Discovery Bay was a fun-filled day. We started with boating and water activities. Following a late lunch the grandchildren had an afternoon of crafts while our two oldest granddaughters baked cupcakes. Guests came for dinner and a long evening followed with visiting and family reminiscing.