Before I tell you about today's baking adventure, I just
want to say that friends who stop by with fresh eggs and
peonies from their garden are the best kind of friends!
That's what happened yesterday when my friend and coworker, Eleisa
and her lovely daughter Stephanie stopped by to add Stephanie's
gold fish, Benihana to our koi pond since he's outgrown his tank!
As you can see, Benihana has made himself right
at home now and, we are most delighted to have him!
I especially appreciated Eleisa's gift of fresh eggs since I had a Virginia
ham steak soaking in milk for this morning's breakfast! You see, this ham
is very salty - So soaking it in milk helps to draw some of that salt out!
I'll tell you about our trip to Virginia last weekend a little later...
Today, it's all about rushing this breakfast to the table...
Featuring Eleisa's beautiful eggs and this delicious Virginia ham...
So that I can get to my cookie baking!
So many times over the past few years, I have baked to fill these terrific
Bake it Forward tins, provided by my friends at Imperial Sugar, with
Ranger's favorite cookies to ship to him and his brothers in Afghanistan...
But not this time! This time, I'm baking to fill a tin for Ranger to enjoy
during his drive to Dallas tomorrow... As he finally deploys into civilian life!
The other tins will be filled for his battle brothers
who are joining us for dinner in Atlanta to celebrate!
A friend and fellow Army mom asked me today how it feels to know
it's over and I told her there simply are no words without tears...
Tears of gratitude for the safe return of our son after
five years and seventeen weeks as a Ranger in the Army...
And, five deployments to Afghanistan...
However, while it's over for our family and we are so excited about the
next chapter for our son, I'll never be able to fully put this experience
behind me until every mother's son and daughter serving is also home!
Until then, those warriors and their families will
remain in my constant thoughts and prayers!
So... Now that the cookies are baked and the Jeep is all packed up...
I'm ready to go! Ready to focus on our trip to Dallas in September and
seeing our Ranger son settled and doing well in his new life as a civilian!
Surely that's worth celebrating with cookies!
Speaking of Celebrations... I loved all your responses to my give-away for
the P. Allen Smith cookbook so much that instead of announcing just
one winner, I have selected three of you to receive this wonderful book!
So without further delay, I want to invite Toni, Leah and Kathy to
send their full names and addresses to me at: jcbridge@aol.com
Congratulations Ladies!
Yay!!! Welcome home Ranger and thank you for your service!!!! Happy tears from this Army mom. You be sure and wave to Chattanooga on your way to Atlanta. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all of your wonderful blogs. Yipee-I love P. Allen Smith.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your blog, and you write so well to always keep our interest!! And can't go without say all the wonderful cooking you do!! So happy for you and Ranger!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you Janet! I know from your writings that it was not easy for you -- but you got through it and the pride you have as a mom really shows!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that you and Brandon have reached this stage! I am sure that Brandon and his friends will love the cookies, what a great way to celebrate his return to being a civilian. Sending love and happies to you all (and Benihana in his new home too!) xx
ReplyDeleteThe only one tough cookie at your house is you. There must be so many of his friends that can not believe his mother is for real.
ReplyDeleteHeart felt thanks to Brandon and his Battle Brother's for their service to our county! Welcome Home Ranger!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those cookies!
Yippee! Thanks so much for the P. Allen Smith Cook Book! I read it cover to cover in one sitting! Made the Brussel Sprouts with Maple Mustard Vinagrette and the Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce for dinner...........OMG Delicious! This is going to be a keeper,stunning photography, fabulous farm to table recipes.....PERFECT! Thank you for your incredible generosity Janet!
Best Wishes to Ranger on his new life, Good Luck to him! I'm sure you're glad to have your prayers for your son answered, I will continue with you to pray for all the other soldiers and their families until everyone is home safe. Tell him Thank-You very much for serving our country. My favorite thing to bake is anything for my sons!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless us one and all!!! Hearts and Toodles, Barbi
I am happy for you Janet and appreciate all Brandon and his brothers have done to serve our country. Good luck to him and his future in Dallas! Now, we both have sons in Texas.
ReplyDeleteHello! I have been out of the habit of reading blogs since my Google reader went kaput. �� I'm so glad I found your blog again. I will be reading often, as I always enjoy your posts. So happy for you and your family that your son is safe. So grateful for all that he and his Brothers have given for us.
ReplyDeleteOn another note...those giant chocolate cookies look incredible! Are there PB chips or mini cups in there? Also, would you share the recipe, or point me in the direction of a similar one? Would love to give them a try.
Janet I am sorry to be the one to tell you but because I care you son picture and name is being used in a catfish person on tinder.. I was sent a cropped picture of the one that is here. I was sent others of him but was told I would have to write his admin and send money for him to be able to get off the base he was on.. this happens more the I thought but I did not trust what was being presented.. please pass this on too your son.thank you. Doni Wilson Morrison
ReplyDeleteJanet
ReplyDeleteI hope this gets to and sorry to be the one that tells you but your son's name and pictures are being used on tinder with a catfish profile. I was sent a cropped picture with some others but did not trust some of the things the person was saying. Please pass this along and I hope with me calling the person out that it has stopped. Thank you Doni Wilson Morrison trying to do the right thing