Family Reunion

Dear Sis,

We just got back from Tennessee. Josh’s family is having a reunion at Aunt Peggy’s house.

We flew in Sunday evening. We finally got to meet, Uncle Warren and Aunt Debbie, cousin Brian’s new daughter Ryleigh, Uncle Steve and cousin Andrea, and P-Pop’s cousin Susan and her husband Paul. Perhaps the most special introduction occurred between Josh’s brother Jason and our William.

There were also several old faces in the crowd. Aunt Peggy her daughter Paula, Uncle Buddy, cousins Brian and Julia and their two older kids, and cousin Natalie.

William really enjoyed playing with the kids. Ryleigh is just 11 months older. Where she lead, William followed:)

Sunday night we had cousin Susan’s yummy cake. She was kind enough to share the recipe.

Mandarine Pineapple Sunshine Cake
Serves 18
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Ingredients
  1. 1 box yellow cake mix
  2. 1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
  3. 4 eggs
  4. 1 t vanilla
  5. 15 oz can mandarin oranges
  6. 20 oz can crushed pineapple
  7. 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
  8. 8 oz tub whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. Beat together cake mix, butter, eggs, vanilla, and 1/2 c juice from the mandarine oranges until smooth. Add drained oranges and beat until they break up and become part of the batter. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes. Cool completely.
  3. For frosting: drain pineapple, reserving juice. Beat together pudding mix and juice until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and crushed pineapple. Spread over cake. Chill and serve.
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Monday I helped Aunt Peggy make dinner and I got two more yummy recipes.

Steak & Gravy for a Crowd
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Ingredients
  1. olive oil
  2. flour
  3. round steaks
  4. canned french onion soup
Instructions
  1. Cut round steaks into portions. Place flour in a bag and toss steak until well coated. Pan fry in oil until browned on each side.
  2. Place panfried steaks in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add enough canned soup to cover meat. Bake at 350 for several hours until meat falls apart like roast.
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Strawberry Shortcake
Serves 6
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pound strawberries, hauled and sliced
  2. 1/4 c + 3 T granulated sugar
  3. 2 1/3 c baking mix
  4. 3 T unsalted butter, melted
  5. 1/2 c whole milk
  6. can of whipped cream
Instructions
  1. Combine sliced strawberries and 1/4 c sugar. Cover and set aside in refrigerator.
  2. Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  3. Whisk together baking mix and 3 T sugar. Make a well with dry ingredients. Pour in melted butter and milk. Stir just until absorbed.
  4. Press dough out on a floured surface. Cut six biscuits with a floured biscuit cutter. Arrange on prepared sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes, until golden. Cool on wire racks.
  5. Slice biscuits in half. Place bottom half on a serving dish. Top with sliced berries and whipped cream. Replace biscuit top and layer with more sliced berries and whipped cream. Serve.
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Tuesday morning we went to the Natural History Museum at Gray Fossil Site. In the early 2000s, they were digging to expand the highway and they found a bunch of Ice Age fossils. The museum is home to the continuing dig, collections, and exhibits. It also has a couple of great hands on areas for the kids. Williams favorite stops were the fossil dig…

the station where bottles were launched with pressurized air…

Bottle Launching Movie

…and the dress up area.

We stayed for dinner Tuesday and then flew home. Aunt Debbie took our family photo before we left.

If was a wonderful visit!

Love,

b

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