Leaving IBC

This is our last month at IBC. We will be leaving at the end of August to find a church to serve and worship closer to home. We have driven to Inglewood from Hendersonville since 2002 but we feel the timing is right for us now to be closer to home. We have so many good friends and it is going to be hard to say goodbye, but we feel really strong that God is leading us elsewhere.

Swim in it if you got it.

Last weekend we had a plethora of friends at our house to swim. Debbie, Dakota & Duncan Gowins started the Saturday off by swimming in the morning. In the afternoon, Erin Wilson had her birthday party at our house. She had a big crowd and a really good Hannah Montana white cake with white icing.

On Sunday after church, the Owen family came over and we swam for most of the afternoon. It was a big pool day for the Owen children. Claire spent all afternoon jumping in the deep end and Carter advanced from dipping his toe to full fledged underwater jumping in. My buddy Cooper is like me...he prefers to take it nice and slow and just move around the edge of the pool.

I will NOT spare Kristi Wilson the embarassment of posting her picture wearing the blond Hannah Montana wig. We will sure miss all of these folks when we leave IBC but hope that we will continue to see them often.

I love these children.

The Braswells were in town for Sarah Shrum & Keith Beck's wedding week before last and on Sunday we invited them up for a swim. Kevin also invited his 5 & 6th grade Sunday School class . Poor Dale got the brunt of the boys in the pool. They jumped all over him and made him throw them in the pool. This is normally done by Kevin, but he was glad that Dale was here to do the honors. We also had the Hollans, Mr. Eddie & Mrs. Brenda and Tina's parents. It was a lot of fun and I got to love on Kaitlyn and Hannah a little bit more.

Cause I'm older and I have more insurance.

I fried up a mess (does anybody under 50 know what that means?) of green tomatoes last night and yes maam, they were good. I was in such a hurry to eat them that I didn't want to go upstairs and get the camera. Trust me though, they were pretty.

Bellantes in the house

The Bellantes made their way up yesterday from Franklin. I believe the pictures say it all. Sorry Nick....I didn't get you on the slide.

Jack has a BIG boo boo.

Our dog Jack caught his two front paws in between the planks on the deck yesterday in a rather freakish accident. One of his toenails was barely hanging on so we had to make a trip to the Rivergate Emergency Pet Clinic. He ended up losing three toenails. Kevin took him today to our vet and they rebandaged his feet and gave him antibodics and anti inflamatory pills. He is almost back to normal today, but yesterday he was so pitiful. Here he is today after getting new bandages. Orange of all colors!!

Bridal Shower recipes

Several of the guests asked for the recipes, so here they are. The link is for the cupcakes, and the chicken salad is below. The berry salad is in another day's post below.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_32146_PRINT-RECIPE-FULL-PAGE,00.html


Mama's Chicken Salad
4 whole chicken breasts cooked with salt, pepper and celery sticks
Juice of 2 lemons (I used bottled lemon juice- just a couple of tablespoons)
2 small jars of sweet pickle relish ( I only used about 1/4 cup)
2 small cans of crushed pineapple ( I used one can, and next time I will drain it good!)
2 stalks of fresh celery, chopped fine
1 1/2 cups of walnuts or pecans
1 cup of Hellman's mayonnaise (
1 tablespoon of powdered curry (stirred into mayonnaise)

Chop cooled chicken into small pieces and pour lemon juice over all. Add all ingredients, stir until mixed well, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Serve on lettuce leaf or with assorted crackers.