Homemade Strawberry Jam

It is a really dreary day here today. It has rained off and on all day long and it is COLD. The perfect day to do some canning!!! My Aunt Kathy got some strawberries this week and shared them with my mom, who shared them with me :)! So, I got out my jars and lids and rings and, with Alex's help, made this delicious strawberry jam!

Last fall I made some apple butter that was delicious. So I decided to give some strawberry jam a try. I cut the stems off of the berries, rinsed them and cut them in fourths. I mashed them with a potato masher then put them in a pot on the stove. I had about 7 cups of mashed strawberries. To that I added 5 cups of white sugar and about 1/3 cup lemon juice. I stirred the mixture on low until the sugar dissolved then brought it to a full boil. When the strawberry mixture reached 220 degrees I put it into the jars, put on lids and rings and set it aside to "seal."

I'll let you know how it tastes!!!!! Thank you mom and Aunt Kathy for the strawberries. I have some strawberry jam for you!!!

ELITE EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about those MISSOURI TIGERS!!!!! The underdog Tigers came out strong against the Memphis Tigers last night. After an unbelievable shot by Denman that hit NUTHIN BUT NET from just past the free throw line ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COURT, the Tigers came out in the second half to take a 24 point lead. But Memphis came back strong and cut the lead to 6 points. Missouri pulled it all together at the end and beat the Memphis Tigers to advance to the ELITE EIGHT in the NCAA Tournament! Mizzou will play the University of Connecticut on Saturday for a chance at the Final Four! MIZ-ZOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gas Prices Edge Upward

For several weeks gas prices in Eldon have been $1.79 for regular and $1.89 for diesel. Last week, diesel went up to $1.99 per gallon, but regular gasoline stayed at $1.79. Today, regular gasoline prices went up to $1.89 per gallon. Only a ten cent increase, but the first increase we've had in a long time. Gasoline prices usually increase in the spring around here for the tourist season. But, I hope they don't get anywhere near as high as they were last season. Yikes! I'll keep all my out-of-town readers posted!

Happy Birthday DAD!!!!!!!

Friday, March 13, was my dad's birthday.

We celebrated with dinner at our house on Saturday afternoon.

We had a great time!

And my sister, Rhonda, was able to come down from St. Louis for the day.

I am so thankful for my dad and I pray that God gives him many more years to spend with his family who LOVES HIM VERY MUCH! I love you dad!!! Hope you had a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Wild Olive Tees!!!!!

I have discovered the neatest website for Christian t-shirts. It is called Wild Olive Tees and it is AMAZING!!! My biggest decision is which one to buy first!

This is an awesome way to share your FAITH, and to support Christian women operating a Christian business! HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!! May God bless the Wild Olive Tees ladies!

EHS Student of the Month

It seemed like there were several posts in a row that were ALL ABOUT ALEX. Her basketball, her birthday, just lots going on in her life. Well, now, it seems all I do is post about Cole. His basketball, getting his license, National Honor Society. Well, now I'm posting about him AGAIN, because last week he was named Eldon High School's Student of the Month.

I tried to upload a scan of the article that was in the newspaper, since the Eldon Advertiser is still in the dark ages and you can't find the articles online, BUT, it won't let me upload a PDF document and I'm not smart enough to convert it, SO, I am retyping the article below:

"Cole Griffith, son of Billy Paul and Robbin Griffith of Eldon, is a sophomore at EHS and has been chosen as the EHS student of the month for February. Principal Leane McNay said 'When he was called to the office for his interview during Advisory period, he was in the Agriculture Department working with his FFA meats team, preparing for contest. Cole was born into a farming family, and it is his passion, his past and his future. He also participates in athletics, playing both basketball and football. His attendance rate is an astounding 99.5%! While challenging himself with a rigorous course schedule including four honors courses, a foreign language class and Agriculture Science II, he maintains a high GPA and was inducted into the EHS National Honor Society on Tuesday evening, March 3. Cole is polite and respectful always, and represents everything we are proud of at Eldon High School. Congratulations, Cole!'"

So, I hope you'll forgive me, but I just had to share this about Cole. Now, I PROMISE my next post won't have anything to do with either of my children. Hmmm, what the heck in my life has nothing to do with my children . . . . .

Tail Lights

Yesterday my son Cole turned 16 years old. I can't believe it. It seems like only YESTERDAY that I was in hard labor, making no progress, when Cole's heart rate plummeted and the decision was made that I would have an emergency C-section. So, at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 1993, in Sedalia, Missouri, Cole Henley Griffith was born. He weighed 8 pounds 2.6 ounces, and was the most beautiful baby boy I had ever seen . . . and he still is. That's one reason it was so hard to watch this sight this morning.



The sight of tail lights driving down our driveway. The sight of my two babies, in a vehicle, without me, heading to school.

Dad always told me that the first time I watched the tail lights of Cole's vehicle drive down the driveway, that was the day I would know what being a parent really was. Well, today, I know exactly what my dad meant.

I am excited for Cole, of course. He is a good driver, and a very responsible kid, and I couldn't be more proud of him and for him. I remember getting my driver's license and how thrilling it was to actually get to go somewhere BY MYSELF.

But today, as I watched the two most precious things in my life drive off without me, all I could think of was how very much I love them and want to protect them. And, while I'm still the same parent I was yesterday, today, my heart is just a little bit heavier knowing that my son is driving. I love you Cole. May God bless you and Alex and keep you safe everywhere you go.

National Honor Society

Last night Cole was inducted into National Honor Society. There were 22 students inducted, and Cole was one of only three boys in his sophomore class selected for NHS.



National Honor Society is based upon excellence in Character, Service, Leadership and Scholarship. Students must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and be nominated by the National Honor Society committee. After nomination, the student must complete an application. Finally, they must be recommended by their teachers. Mom and dad and Bobette, along with Greg and Renda and Caragan and Cade, were all there to support Cole and I appreciate SO MUCH that they were able to be there with us.

Following the ceremony, they had cake and cookies and punch in the commons area of the high school. Congratulations, Cole. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

National FFA Week

"In John Deere green, on a hot summer night . . . "

This week is National FFA Week. At our local FFA Chapter, yesterday was "Drive Your Tractor to School Day." So Cole, being the total "farm kid" that he is, drove our John Deere 2555 to school. It was a chilly day, but he didn't care. All total, I think there were about 15 tractors in various sizes and colors but, for our family, there's only ONE color . . . John Deere GREEN!!!!!