Life at Willis Creek Ranch: April 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Spiced Peaches

This is a quick and easy dessert that you can almost always throw together using ingredients from your pantry. And yet it tastes so good and comforting.

Directions for Julie's spiced peaches

Use as many cans of peaches as you need for your crowd. (You can definitely use fresh peaches when in season, but part of the beauty of this recipe is that you can whip it out in the dead of winter and feel like you have a lovely dessert to share.) Place them in a baking dish (including some or all of the juice) then sprinkle them with seasoning as desired. Sometimes Julie only uses cinnamon. Sometimes she grates fresh nutmeg over them, followed by cinnamon and, if she has any, cardamom. You could also easily use a cinnamon spice blend like the one that Pampered Chef sells. Microwave them for a minute or two until they are warmed through. They go really well with a shortbread cookie or over ice cream. :)

'Celebrity' band dinner

Daddy was asked to host a table at an annual band fundraising event. Mama wasn't feeling up to going (her ankle is still not healed up completely) so she stayed home. But, the rest of us here 'on the hill' enjoyed a fine meal and entertainment courtesy of the jazz band and choir. Shonda was busy working hard in the kitchen serving food, but Jeremy and Cody were able to join us at our table.

I got this photo from the Facebook band page - all the table hosts.

Jazz band performing for the crowd.

Our table - Cody, Jeremy, Jackson, Jonathan, Daddy, Marvin, and Julie

Julie decorated the table with an ATSU/Truman theme - it looked terrific!

Gigi dropped by! :D

I took this photo from the band page, as well. It shows Mr. Hudson, the beloved band director.

this one just made me chuckle… :)

Brianna showing the baritone saxophone she has been playing this year.

ATSU/Truman table decorations (in the midst of all the plastic cups!)

Again, from the band Facebook page - showing the ATSU water tower (centerpiece)

Following the meal, an auction was held to raise money for the music programs and scholarships. We skipped over bidding on desserts, but when the outgoing band uniform was put up for auction, we had to jump in. Julie and I purchased it together as a gift for Brianna. We figured that since it was a uniform she had spent the last 4 years wearing (her final year as drum major) it would have a lot of sentimental meaning for her. Julie and I reminisced that we were each in 'outgoing band uniform years' years ago. Ironically, my first year of band we wore the uniforms that had been 'new' for Julie's band. Then we switched to 'new' uniforms that were the outgoing uniform for the current high school band director (when he was a student). Now the 'new' uniform of the late-90's has had its final year and we bought one for Brianna. I kind of like that circle of memories and meaning. :)

Brianna with her band uniform

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

An evening of jazz

The jazz band held a special concert at the Arts Center to celebrate local high school artists. Marvin, the boys, and I all attended and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I am always impressed by the band director, Mr. Hudson. He has a warm and caring way of leading these students to perform at their very best. (I don't have a photo of him from this night, but should have one in an upcoming post…)

Brianna (photo by Jackson)

(photo by Jackson)

I got a photo with Jackson IN it!! :)

After the concert we went to get some frozen yogurt (although it was COLD outside!!) at the new yogurt place in town. It was quite tasty! Fun evening with friends.

Shonda, Jeremy, Cody, and Jonathan

Alaina, Brianna, and Jackson

Jonathan, Marvin, and Laura

Easter

We enjoyed a sunny and beautiful Easter celebration with friends and family. Although we joked that it was somewhat of a 'small crowd' with the M. family missing (they were in Iowa). :) As is tradition, we gathered at Julie's house for lunch after church, then had an Easter egg hunt for 'the kids' (of all ages!) followed by visiting and Noah decorating eggs.

Jackson and Brianna took a commemorative photo - standing in the very same spot as one of their favorites from last year. I told them they may have to make this a yearly tradition. Kind of like that thing on Facebook about the older couple in front of their little home that left me bawling. Or something like that… :)