Happy Birthday, Joe!

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Today, July 10th, is my brother's 57th birthday! He is looking great and feeling it, too...he's a lucky guy!!!
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We always come back for more...

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The tradition continues...
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This is one stop we will never forget to go to...

Clarence's for biscuits and gravy, et al, before our drive back to FL. We also go there during the trip sometimes but if we don't go any other time, we won't miss our farewell breakfast the day we go back home!

I have to go back and see how many pictures we have taken in front of Clarence's. And, more importantly, who was lucky enough to be in the pictures (meaning: were able to go to Grandma's and Grandpa's house!!!)

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A meal, fit for a queen...

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Well, I made the roast and used the home grown veggies. The cubed steak was skillet fried in canola oil with a coating of flour, salt and pepper. Then, I put the steaks (6 cubes) in the baking dish while I mixed two packs of onion soup mix with 2 cups of water and a can of cream of mushroom soup. Then I put all of that mixture in the skillet to mix with the drippings from the steak frying. Then, I poured the mixture in the baking dish with the cubed steaks and moved the steaks around to get gravy all over them. I then put a lid on the baking dish and put it in the oven at 375 for 2 hours. I actually had to lower the oven temp after an hour to 350 since it looked like it was really boiling.

The potatoes were all peeled and boiled and then whipped with an electric hand mixer. Kent does those because his turn out so creamy. Everyone loves them at the holidays!!!

The green beans were steamed in the steamer for 25 minutes and tasted great with a little salt and butter added.

The corn was boiled on the stove for 30 minutes. It was the bi-colored corn like Zellwood has this time of year.

Kent made biscuits using the Betty Crocker Buttermilk Biscuit mix from Sam's (Orlando stores don't seem to carry it so we get ours from Johnson City, TN). He has become very proficient at making biscuits and these were the best so far!

We opened a bottle of White Merlot (my favorite at the taste testing in California at the Sutter Home winery) and enjoyed a couple of glasses with dinner. A great combination!!!

Successful meal, happy tummies, nice evening!
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The rarest of Kodak moments...

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Okay, this one is self explanatory...or is it?!!!!

I knew Kent was taking a nap after he drove the whole way to TN (after an all night, 9.5 hour drive), because I had peaked in to see him. What I didn't notice was that when I couldn't find KJ anywhere, he was sleeping on the bed with his dad! I had to get the camera, pronto for this rare photo op. AWWW, isn't that cute?!!!

A pure Kodak moment!
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Why KJ decided to lay down there..well, I guess the invitation of Grandma's soft, comfy bed was too hard to pass up!!! I don't know of anything more soothing and restful than that!
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Almost Heaven, Tennessee...

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Ah, yes, going to grandma and grandpa Bank's home always rewards us with a field of dreams....I mean greens!!! And white...potatoes, that is! Fresh from the garden, picked yesterday. Mmmmmm..ready for a cubed steak roast dinner tomorrow (Monday) night back in FL.
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The garden is abounding with the rewards of Grandpa's sowing. And we reaped abundantly!
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These speak for themselves. Grandma Banks taught Kimmy and I how to string the beans last year. And Kent and I didn't waste any time in getting them ready for tomorrow night's meal!

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Holy cow...or onions...these are humongous!!! They came from a neighbor across the road who has a garden as large as Grandpa Banks' but I didn't get to see it this time. I will have to go over there next time as it has been mentioned as a site to witness!

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I am so looking forward to dinner tomorrow. Never as good as Grandma Banks, but I'm learning!!! :o)
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