Then and Now

Anyone who has been around tractors in their lifetime knows that they are entertaining to children. Boys like them, girls like them, little kids like them, big kids like them. Tractors are big, loud, and different - what's not to like about them?

I rode on many different kinds of tractors growing up, but not nearly as often as Grandma. Their tractor rides were for work while ours were for fun. When it was planting time, she would always have to ride on the left side of the tractor because she was left handed. She threw the seeds with her left hand while her other sisters got to swap out on the right side since they were all right handed. She remembers how tired her left arm would get from throwing seed over and over.

Here is a picture of my brother and me on a tractor with our Grandaddy (Emily's husband) when we were little.

My kids love to look at the tractors and ride along with my Grandaddy whenever they get a chance. Here they are with my dad (Emily's son) when we were visiting a few weeks ago.

The Crunch of Fall

When I was growing up, I remember a special tin at Grandma's house. She kept it fully stocked with freshly made chex-mix. It was definitely not the kind that you can buy in a bag at the store. This chex-mix had more flavor, more crunch, and more love baked into every bite. It was like a game to be the first to open the tin at each visit, that burst of buttery aroma hitting you in the face when the lid popped off.

Now my husband, Alan, makes chex-mix several times a year. He has taken the regular recipe on the cereal box and developed his own twist that leaves the whole family's mouth watering and always wanting more. This year he added Morton's Garlic Sea Salt to the mix and it is better than ever.

Whether I am eating Grandma's chex-mix or my husband's chex-mix, I get good feels in every bite. It makes me think of fall and winter, of family gathered together, and of yummy things passed down from generation to generation.

Below is Alan's chex-mix recipe. We especially love to make it with all the chex cereal, Cheeze-It crackers, and Bugles (those soak up so much flavor). The best thing about this kind of snack is that you can always throw in whatever you have on hand or make your own little twist to good ole' traditional mix. Try it this winter. Your taste buds will thank you!

Welcome to Our Blog

My name is Erica and my grandma is Emily.

We obviously look like we are in the same family.

Thanks for the visit and taking a look,

At our stories, laughs, and things we cook.

Intros are awkward, I never know what to say,

So I chose to go with cheesy-ness today.

Rhyming is fun, I'm not going to lie.

But if I keep this up you may never stop by.

So just bear with me, I'll get to the point.

If you come back, I won't disappoint.

Welcome to Our Blog

Erica and Emily circa late 80's/ early 90's

Erica and Emily circa 2014