Sheetpan Chicken and Vegetables

One of my book clubs was reading The Lazy Genius and the author shares a recipe she says will change your life!  :D  ha!  Well, it isn't necessarily life changing, and I have been making sheet pan chicken and veggies for a long time  - BUT I did learn a couple tips that improved the meal for me. One was to cram the veggies together (instead of spread them out) and then set the chicken on top of the bed of veggies to cook. This lets the chicken grease/juices run down and flavor the veggies and because the veggies are crammed together, they don't overcook (too much anyway). I also lifted the chicken skin and oiled and seasoned under there as well as on top and bottom. I cooked them on convect bake at 450 for about 50-55 minutes. Still just too afraid of my oven to cook at 500 degrees as the author recommends. :( Very good! I seasoned with some rosemary garlic and a lot of Montreal Chicken seasoning. Bone in skin on thighs. Veggies used were an onion, several red potatoes and a couple yellow potatoes. Sweet potatoes, carrots. 1 zucchini and 1 yellow squash, and a bag of frozen whole green beans.  I do feel my sheet pan chicken has been upped a notch with the author's tips!! 

Christmas Letter 2022

I'm posting a copy of this years Christmas Letter here on the blog... first Christmas letter/card we will have sent since 2018.  :)   There are links embedded within this letter to take you to blog posts about specific events - at least as far along as I have gotten on the blog!  ha!

        Well, it has been awhile!  My last Christmas card and letter was way back in 2018.  I have wanted to write since then but something always seems to happen in December…  This year I determined that I would get a note written and sent no matter what.  :)  Life has had many twists and turns since 2018, but we remain thankful for the tapestry of joy and yes, sorrow, that makes up this one crazy life.  Here is a brief rundown of events from the last Christmas letter to today. 

2019 saw both Brianna and Matthew graduate from Truman State University with their Masters degrees.  Brianna has been teaching K-12 music at Green City, MO ever since. Matthew teaches high school Math and does coaching in Miller, MO.  

Brianna, Daddy, Mama and Matthew - May 2019

        Also in 2019, Jackson and Brianna moved to a new house on the north end of town. That left their little  house on Friedman available for us to turn into an Airbnb.  By 2022 both of those things have changed!  We sold the Airbnb, contents and all, in mid-2020 when the pandemic pretty well shut down that business for us.  Jackson and Brianna sold the house in town and moved to a house in the country in 2022.  (this is what happens when you have 4 years between updates! ha!)   

The biggest event of 2019 was a trip west that I got to take with Mama and Daddy.  We set off for a grand tour of our favorite places in Wyoming and spent 10 glorious days in Yellowstone, Powell and beyond. The high point (of many high points!) of that trip was the period of time we spent on the actual homestead land where Mama grew up.  The current owner of that property built a new home there and graciously offered to  let us stay there.  I cannot overstate the power of being with Mama as we walked, ate, and slept on the same ground where she grew up. It was a sacred time and we will forever be indebted to dear Larry, Skip and family for the experience.  

Laura, Daddy and Mama at Artist's Point - Yellowstone

Mama in the Yellowstone Bus - a '32 model in a '36 model

Mama and Daddy on the homestead property near Powell, WY. 

On New Years Eve 2019 I offered a toast to the family saying with gusto, “2020 - it will be our best year yet!”  I am now forbidden to ever offer a toast again, under any circumstances. :)  We entered 2020 like the rest of the world; ‘with plans’.  :)  But as we all discovered, ‘plans’ can be changed. However, 2020, while different than we expected, also brought many joys and helped us refocus on what is truly important. We celebrated the birth of our first grandchild, Maverick Earl Mann, who was born to Jackson and Brianna on May 25, 2020.  We are now excitedly anticipating the birth of our 2nd grandchild in May 2023!  Maverick will be a marvelous big brother!  

Sweet Maverick wearing his Big Brother t-shirt

        2020 also provided the opportunity for Jackson to make a life change and leave Hobby Lobby to focus on raising, training, and now breeding horses here at Willis Creek Ranch. Jonathan finished his AA degree at Moberly Area Community College in December 2020. 

Mama, Jonathan and Daddy with Jonathan's diploma 

        He continued to help us here at WCR throughout the pandemic and was invaluable throughout that time.  We closed ranks to care for Mama and Daddy and will always remember  and be indebted to those who chose to walk that path alongside and in support of us. 

        In early 2021 vaccinations made large family gatherings safer and we made up for lost time with joy-filled reunions. Daddy also won the Carnahan Public Service Award in February of that year (much deserved).  Jackson continued with his horse business as he and Jonathan experienced their first foal birthing at home. It was a tough one and yet the foal and mare survived. As Marvin said later, “I guess it worked for the boys to learn about everything that can possibly go wrong  on their first  birthing experience”.  :)  

Chloe (foal) and Roxie (the birthing story)

        2021 saw Anna graduate with her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. She now works for Cox Health in Springfield and is happy with her chosen profession. James and Rojina had their first child, a beautiful little girl named Aasha Lee, in September 2021. We all feel her name is so special… Aasha means ‘hope’ in Nepali and Lee is Mama’s middle name.  

Julie, Rojina, James and Aasha Lee - Fall 2022

        We spent a large part of 2021 clinging to ‘hope’ after we lost Mama on May 29, 2021.  It is still so hard to think about but there is much to be thankful for even in the midst of the pain of losing her. Mama was healthy and well and planting flowers just days before she died following emergency surgery for twisted intestine. Another blessing in the midst was that because her surgery began on a Friday night and was taking too long, they stopped mid-way. This allowed us to be with her on Saturday morning for several hours where she was lucid and very much ‘Big Sue’. Although they successfully completed the surgery Saturday afternoon, her heart just gave out.  Our hearts were truly shattered to lose her.  But we rejoice over the life she lived, the lives she touched, and the difference she made in our lives.  This world will never be the same without her, but we know we will see her again. 

Marking one year of missing Mama - May 29, 2022

2022 has been the year of ‘rebuilding Marvin’. :) The poor man has had multiple surgeries on his eye, his teeth, and installing a pacemaker.  We have joked that he is nearly a Bionic Mann.  The eye surgery was necessary and successful, but did cause him to lose even more of the eyesight he had. However, we are so thankful for the sight that remains. He still has more oral surgeries to go in 2023, and the pacemaker has helped him tremendously.  

        We hosted an extended family reunion here at Willis Creek Ranch in June 2022 and it was pure joy to be with so many from near and far.  We look forward to next summer when we will get to do it all again!  Matthew was nominated for Missouri Teacher of the Year and placed in the top 7 in the state!  Hannah bought her little house from Julie so now is the official owner of her home. Jonathan started at Truman State University this fall as an Agriculture Science major. He just completed his first semester this week and is looking forward to Christmas break. 

        We get to babysit Maverick 3+ days a week and are so grateful for the time spent with him. One of my greatest joys is having a full table of ‘my fellas’ at lunch.  As often as possible Daddy, Marvin, Jonathan, Jackson, Maverick and I gather for lunch at our table and it never fails to touch my heart to see the 3 generations enjoying one another’s company.  And I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to just be here with them all.  

Mav was entertaining us mightily!  :D  (he was mimicking what his Dad had just done) :D

        So many of my greatest joys take place around this table. I have claimed the song ‘Crowded Table’ by The Highwomen as a mantra of sorts. That song represents  so well what I have always wanted and worked toward. We are so thankful for many years of crowded tables and each and every person who has been a part. I remember every single one. 

They say you need to find ‘your people’. I am beyond blessed to have indeed found ‘my people’ and I want to say a special thank you to them.  I am a member of 4 different groups of magnificent women who have surrounded me and stuck by me the last several years - through thick and thin.  2018 was the year that I began my wine club.  We are an eclectic group who came together over a shared interest in, and love of, wine. But, we have developed into something more… dear friends who have formed deep bonds of love and camaraderie. I also find myself surrounded by incredible women in my Bible study group and two(!) book clubs. :)  All are new groups since the last Christmas letter (which seems truly a lifetime ago). I am forever grateful for these gifts of friendship in this stage of my life and do not take them for granted.  I love each of these women so much and will forever be thankful for the ways they have, and continue, to enrich my life and my world. 

     So as you can see, much has changed since the last Christmas letter in 2018.  And not just because of a worldwide pandemic. In so many ways, when I look back, 2018 was the year that everything changed for me. That was the year I turned 50, Jonathan graduated from high school, and Marvin and I celebrated 25 (wonderful!) years of marriage. So many joyful events. I also remember that as the year of transition in health for some in the family and for daily activities to begin to change.

But there are things that have stayed blessedly the same. My love for my family is at the top of that list. I am forever grateful for them.  Throughout everything the last few years I have held tightly to my Faith in dear Jesus and have been so thankful for our wonderful church and church family.  I have clung to Hope that continues to shine, even in darkness, and draws me forward. And Love, the greatest of all… expressed by God through family, friends, and our beloved community (be love).

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. 

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  

And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.  

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 

We would love to keep in touch with you!  Our email address is Lmjmann@mac.com.

  

We have a family blog/journal 

(that is usually months and months behind, but eventually I will get caught up!)  

You can see this letter (with bigger photos) and more at…

 https://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/

We wish you Peace, Joy, and Love in the New Year!  

Marvin and Laura Mann - and family 

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end. 

Lamentations 3:22

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Let us then pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:19

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; 

everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7

   

March 2021 - Anna and Matthew visit

Mother's Day 2021 

Jonathan, Marvin, Jackson and Boots!  March 2022

Jackson and Maverick - riding Jo - March 2022

Marvin, Daddy and Laura at church - June 2022

Family Reunion - June 2022

Family at MO State Teacher of the Year banquet - with Matthew (top 7 in state!)

Sunday family lunch - October 2022

Celebrating Marvin's birthday - November 2022

Brianna performs with Lucky 7 Jazz Quartet

Jackson, Maverick and Brianna - fall 2022

Jonathan, Marvin, Laura, Jackson, Brianna - and Maverick :) 
Thanksgiving Day 2022

Wine Club ladies - December 2022

Bible Study/Books With Friends - December 2022

Zoom Reading Circle - in person patio gathering - June 2022

some of the members of Well Read Book Club 

Random June

Random June events that didn't make their way into any other blog post... :) 

June 1, 2022

Jackson brought his dogs, Koda and Scooter, to visit.  Goose was not impressed!  He is clearly very territorial, which is something that we need to work on a bit more.  Although I can kind of see his perspective... this is HIS place and now these other dogs that don't belong here are running around!  :)  Goose was the loudest by far (he can sound like he will eat you up!) but it was Scooter who snuck in a nip at Goose!  (you have to watch Scooter!)  Koda is HUGE but docile.  Anyway, things got better and it was a good experience for Goose overall, but there for a bit it was taking all Jonathan's strength to hold Goose back.  Whew!

Marvin, Scooter, Koda, Jackson, Goose, Jonathan

cozy, are we??

What a pretty, peaceful evening.  I love it here at Willis Creek Ranch.

June 3, 2022

1st day in the pool!!  Yay!!!  Looking forward to many summer days right here!

Marvin working so hard, as usual... blessed by this wonderful man. 

Spent some time on the patio after supper.  It was a lovely evening.  Felt like spring is over and summer is really here.

June 4, 2022

Enjoyed some pool time - was thinking of my wine club ladies!  :) 

Poor Goose was pretty freaked out by the pool... the steps, the deck, the sounds - all of it.  Just as well.  I really don't want him jumping in!  :D 

Getting used to the idea that there will be a barn in this view soon enough...

Jackson dropped by to visit with Marvin (seated on the steps)

Marvin adding rails to the stairs -
"Maverick-proofing' the pool steps. 

June 6, 2022

view from the front porch - Marvin bringing Boots in to the barn

A storm was blowing in and I went out take photos.  Its bark was worse than its bite, but it did have a few moments of big winds and activity.  Sure was pretty to watch!

June 12, 2022

LOVED this!  I bought this adorable little deck chair with mini umbrella from my high school friend Dan.  It holds my phone safely out of the water and under cover of shade.  Perfect for sitting on the pool deck.  Isn't it cute??

June 16, 2022

I was getting ready to head to Deb's book club, but stopped at Daddy's to drop off his dinner.  I ended up sitting in my car when a freak hail storm blew up.  As the hail got larger I hightailed it back home and into the garage to ride the storm out.  Marvin came out to talk to me and then we heard the big bell in the front yard start ringing!  Ummmm.... that bell doesn't ring!  :D  About that time Jonathan came out and said that there was some siding in the backyard.  When the storm passed they went looking and discovered it wasn't siding but this long piece off the north part of our roof peak.  It was blown clear to the backyard over behind the garage!  That was quite a storm that came up out of nowhere!

This piece was left on the house but it blew down
by the next day in yet another storm! 

Was finally able to pick up Julie and head to Deb's house.  We were talking about our book, The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, which we all enjoyed greatly.  Deb found this ice cream which made us all smile!  The little girl in the book, Rose, wears a t-shirt that says 'Be More Unicorn' and when Eudora asks her what that means, she responds, "be more sparkly and magical".   :) 

PS - the ice cream was delicious!  :) 

June 22, 2022

This was a melancholy day, for sure.  This was Dawn and Kylie's last day with us.  We are so very happy for them and their big move, but oh, how we will miss them.  I don't have adequate words to express just how much.  We are so very thankful to have had them in our lives for so many years!  And we never could have gotten through the time after Mama died with dear Dawn.  We call her 'God Bless Dawn' because every time we talk about her we can't help but shake our heads and quietly say those very words.  We will never forget her and all that she has done for us.  

How do you say goodbye?

Dawn, Daddy, and Kylie

June 25, 2022

Had a few friends come join me in the pool for a couple hours.  Great fun!