36 Years Ago!

36 years ago my sweet husband was born. Thank you to my in-laws for raising such a loving, thoughtful, compassionate, respectful, God-fearing boy and for all the other friends and family along the way that have been a positive influence in his life. I am so blessed & honored to be Jimmy's wife, best friend, and mother to our children.

Jimmy on his 1st Birthday!

Jimmy has been working hard around our house the past few weeks. He has been "falling" lots of trees and clearing leaves and underbrush from our back yard. He wanted to spend the day splitting the wood and hauling it to a friend's parents house. His boss offered to come over and help him...what a great boss huh?!

I gated the boys in the back deck area so they could "supervise" the work party when it started to sprinkle.

The sprinkles quickly turned into torrential rains, thunderstorms and lightening. Keep in mind, here is 2 intelligent, professional men - throwing wood into the back of a truck underneath trees while it's storming around them!

I love to cook but really don't enjoy baking very much. But, since it is Jimmy's birthday today, and he loves baked goods, I thought I would attempt to make an apple cake - my mom's recipe that he LOVES (recipe below.) Bryce and Drew love being in the kitchen with me so they got to help mix in some of the ingredients. Note: the cute polos they're wearing are from their Uncle Jeff - he had their names embroidered on them and the logo of the fire department he works at. Aren't they handsome!

Apple Cake
4 cups apple - galas work well (peeled and diced)
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg

3/4 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs, well beaten
1 cup chopped walnuts

Mix together apples and sugar; set aside.
Sift together flour, cinnamon baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Add flour mix to apples; add oil, egg, vanilla and nuts. Mix well. Turn into well-greased 10x10 pan (I use a 9x13). Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60min.