Family Reunion 2026

 

 

From Nita:

From Jen:

From Cindy:

 

And Randy:

 

 

Thinking about Hedges

The kids are growing up so my focus is able to shift away from them some what and back to the house and yard. Frequent walks at the local botanical garden has given me an appreciation for various plants and trees, and I want to try and find some way to grow some of my favorites in my own yard. Here are some of my favorite native hedges. 

 

Sweetspire

 

 

 

 

Clethra

Black Chokeberry

Fothergilla

Ninebark

Canna Lily

Catalpa

CopperLeaf - my favorite favorite

Also copperleaf

Another copperleaf photo

Rusty Trips - Southwick Beach Summer 2025

 

Had some friends over

 

First Night 2025

We explored the Penn State campus (State College, PA) and visited the bookstore

A room with the view of the parade

They gave out light up hats, and lit up the three bridges

We stopped to listen to some music

Pittsburgh at night is pretty

There were various light installations all around

Video links: 

1) The parade members created their own life size puppets

2) A band testing the weight limits on a trailer

3) Crowd size

Instant Pot Larry’s Chicken and Broccoli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 chicken breasts cut up

1 onion

4 cloves garlic

1 cup orzo

1 32oz container of chicken stock

1 can Wegmans condensed cream of mushroom soup

¼ cup mayo

¼ cup plain yogurt (2% Fage)

2 tsps curry powder

¼ tsp garlic, onion, oregano powder

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

½ pkg of mushrooms

juice of half lemon

optional 2 cups of rinsed plain rice

after cooking add 1 cup shredded cheddar

Brown the chicken. Then the onions and garlic. Use some chicken stock to clean up the burned bits on the bottom of the pot. Put all ingredients into the pot, stir. Cook for 12 minutes on high pressure.

Add cheddar, serve over rice.

Easy to Make

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

½ onion

1 clove garlic

saute for 2 minutes in butter

1 box of macaroni

1 quart of chicken stock

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

High Pressure cook for 4-5 minutes, quick release, add the following and stir until creamy:

½ block shredded muenster

½ block shredded Monterey jack

½ block cheddar

Serve with steamed broccoli on the side.

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Quick Shrimp

1 bag of frozen de-veined, peeled shrimp

½ lemon

1 tsp of black peppercorns

1 tsp salt

Squeeze lemon juice in a regular saucepan/pot with enough cold water to cover the shrimp. Add remaining ingredients including the squeezed lemon half. Bring to boil. When shrimp are pink and they begin to curl into a C not and O, drain them. Serve with cocktail sauce.

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Rosemary Pork Tenderloin and potatoes 

Source: https://diethood.com/instant-pot-garlic-pork-tenderloin/

Season a Pork Tenderloin --

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds pork tenderloin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon paprika

salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Sear the tenderloin on saute while you make the sauce.

For the Sauce

¼ cup low sodium soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons olive oil

¾ cup of chicken stock

1 tablespoon brown mustard or Dijon mustard

Add sauce to Instant Pot with a small bowl of mini potatoes. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.

If you would like gravy add these to sauce:

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons cold water

She's accepted her offer today.