~Happy 98th Birthday in HEAVEN, Sweet GG~

Today is my GG's 98th birthday, and she is 
celebrating it the best way 

she ever has celebrated her birthday, 
in Heaven with Jesus and Pop Pop!!! 
~This is GG and I at Uncle Carson and Aunt Linda's 50th Wedding Anniversary party.~

~GG and Abigail April, 2018

GG was 96, and Abigail was 3 in this pic.

Grandmother, I know there is no way that our minds can comprehend what Heaven is like. But, if it were anything like here on earth, I know that you would be helping anyone you could, lending a hand, working your head off, bringing a smile to many a face with your fun and funny ways.  

And you would CONSTANTLY be working inside your mansion, shining the floors, dusting, cleaning, making everything sparkling clean, and 

cooking Soppy Chocolate and Mac and Cheese to feed everyone!  

Then you would move outside and work on your plants and flowers 

and make everything look beautiful.

So, though, I don't know what all you are doing, I know that you are enjoying HEAVEN and worshipping Jesus and being with Pop Pop!!  You have a new mind and body and are not suffering anymore.
And we are sooo HAPPY for you!!
But, we want you to know that we LOVE AND MISS YOU sooo much!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Years ago, GG bought this sign, and wrapped it in pink tissue paper, and wrote on it, 

"For Martha, Carole, and Carson to open when I'm gone.  I Love all of you, Mother!"

~To Those I Love~

When I am gone, just release me let me go-

so I can move into my afterglow.

You mustn't tie me down with your tears; 

let's be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, 

you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.

I Thank you for the love you each have shown, 

but now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me awhile, if grieve you must, 

then let your grief be comforted with trust.

It's only for a while that we must part, 

so bless the memories within your heart.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home!"

~In Honor of GG's Birthday, 

I will post her Mother, 

Granny Morgan's Soppy Chocolate Recipe. 

Granny Morgan invented Soppy Chocolate to feed her sweet Southern Tennessee family of 9 children and her Preacher husband during the Depression.  
She made up this recipe from staples that she had in her cupboard. 
We love the salty taste of the biscuits with the semi sweetness of the Soppy Chocolate.  
And as Always...Enjoy!

~SOPPY CHOCOLATE~

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup Cocoa

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

Stir together dry, and add:

2 cups water

2 cups milk

Boil until thick, Stirring constantly, and turn off heat 

and add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 stick butter, and stir well.

Serve over steaming hot biscuits for breakfast (or any time of the day:-) with a side of bacon or sausage, or with eggs.  When I make Soppy Chocolate, I almost always make sausage gravy in another skillet to serve to my family as well.

 ~Piping Hot Biscuits and Soppy Chocolate...

You can even see the steam rising.~

I don't normally make "drop biscuits" with it ( I normally make regular biscuits), 

but when Kimberly went to the store for me last week  (wearing a mask), 

all she could find was 10 lbs. of regular flour, and 15 lbs. of self rising. :-) 

So, I found this easy 3 ingredient self-rising drop biscuit recipe to help use up my self-rising flour and we like this recipe. ~

I made a TRIPLE recipe for our family!

~3 Ingredient Drop Biscuits~

2 1/4 cups self-rising flour

1 stick salted butter, COLD

3/4 cup-1 1/4 cup buttermilk or milk. 

(To make buttermilk, place milk in a bowl and add about 1 Tablespoon of white Vinegar, and let set for a while to SOUR your milk.)

Measure your flour into a bowl.

Cut in COLD butter with your pastry blender.

Add about 3/4 cup milk and stir in using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, not a whisk, just until the flour is incorporated, about 10-15 seconds. 

Add more milk as needed.

Drop onto greased iron skillets and bake at 425 for 16-18 minutes, until golden brown. 

If desired, spoon melted butter over the top of the baked biscuits.

~Family Picnic~

The Monday before IHC, our family, Daryl and Laura and their family came over and we had a fun picnic in our green space.  

We so enjoyed getting to be together!

 Daryl and Laura brought yummy pizza and yummy drinks...and we made the sides and desserts.

 ~Cousins~

 ~Kimberly made Grandma Bryan's yummy potato salad, and I made these chocolate cupcakes and Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies.~

 ~Abigail was afraid that she had forgotten how to ride a bike over the winter, 

But she remembered and is doing a great job.~

~Thursday of Cyber IHC 2020~

Our family so enjoyed Cyber IHC.  

The services and sermons were so good.  

Some made us cry and worship Jesus, others made us want to pray and draw even closer to Him.
#IHC20
#IHCstrong
#CyberConvention 

 ~On Wednesday of IHC, when Abigail heard that IHC needed $, 

she ran to her room, found her wallet, wrote a note, and mailed $3.00 to IHC!  

 ~On Wednesday, in between the services, K and I ran to Peebles for Kimberly 

to get some groceries for our family.  (Kimberly wore a mask.)

On the way we stopped at the Walk up Locust Grove Dairy Bar 

and got some ice cream.~

 ~Bro. Harry Plank with his mask on.~

 ~The kids watching IHC~

 ~This pic popped up of Sarah, Samantha, and Kristin singing in the 

Time of Discovery Youth Service last year.~

 ~Mary wearing her IHC pin~

~Homemade Pizza~

Josh came to stay with us on Thursday night and he and Sarah put our homemade pizza together.

~Gramp and Gram's house!~

 ~The next AM we left at 6:15 and drove to my parent's house.  

My brother Andrew and his son Taylor were already there. They had rented a cherry picker to top off several of the trees in Daddy and Moma's yard so that when the winds and storms come, 

there would be no danger of the limbs hitting Daddy and Moma's house or the neighbors' house.  

My brother-in-law Daryl and Bryan also came to help us all with the cutting up of the limbs and hauling the mess away.~

 ~Josh was a huge help to us.~

 ~Cousins:

Bryan, Taylor, Elijah, and Noah.~

 ~Mary giving Kimberly a wheel-barrel ride. :-) ~

 ~They tied off many limbs and all pulled together to help them have a "controlled fall." ~

 ~We had a little picnic outside.  

Josh and Sarah and I had made 3 lasagnas for our lunch. 

My sister Laura sent the yummy salad, French bread, and...

 ~Whoopie pies for dessert. (Thank you, Laura.) ~

 ~Later I made iced coffee for a fun pick-me-up for everyone working.~

 ~Noah (in camouflage) splitting wood~

 ~Kimberly taking a little break on Gramp's tree swing.  

She worked her head off all day helping haul wood, 

so that Gramp wouldn't have to. 

(Gramp's back was hurting him, so we were trying to get 

all the wood cleaned up so Gramp wouldn't have to later.)

 ~Josh and Sarah burning the scrap branches.~

 ~It was so nice to be with family and have this work day to help my sweet Daddy and Moma!~

 ~Grandpa and Grandma's house~

~On Saturday morning we enjoyed my cinnamon rolls.~

 ~Some of our kids and Phillip went with Dad D. to help him pick up an old John Deere Tractor that was in pieces, that a friend was giving him.  

The friend let some of our family and Josh drive his nice red tractor.~

~The old John Deere Tractor engine that a friend had gifted to Dad D.~

~So Fun to be with Dad and Mom again.~

~Josh and Sarah sitting on Grandpa and Grandma's front porch.~

 ~Abigail and I, with Abigail wearing her, 

"Mom's Bestie" blouse. 

 ~Dad remodeled their bathroom and painted it a cheery yellow and white.~

 ~Playing a game.~

 ~Grandpa and Noah visting.~

 ~On Sunday morning we listened to Dad and Mom's church service on a conference call.  

It was a good service and we enjoyed "attending" their service that AM.~

~On the way home from Grandpa and Grandma's house we passed our BELOVED IHC convention center.   Sad we couldn't be there this year, but the Cyber IHC was wonderful!~

~A tractor Ride with our neighbor~

Our neighbor took Abigail and Mary on a ride on his tractor to see his goats.

Kimberly, Sarah, Elijah, and I were walking behind the tractor.~

 ~Mary holding a little Tennessee fainting goat.~

~Mary and Abigail chillin in the front yard eating their candy Josh gave them. :-) ~

 ~On Tuesday, Kimberly, Sarah and I had to run to Cinci, so Mary was "Mommy" and made pizzas for lunch and baked potatoes for supper. :-) 

~Our kids have been enjoying kids camp every Wednesday night!~

 ~And have been learning their verses.~

 ~While in Cinci, we dropped off our tithe to Pastor and Grammy, and had a fun visit with them. :-) ~

 ~Mary's baked potatoes.~

 Keep looking to Jesus.  
The devil wants us to be discouraged or down, but God is in Control in April / May 2020!!!!
~HEATHER~

~CYBER IHC 2020!!! & Scottish Scones Recipe, and Moist Choc. cupcakes with Coffee icing Recipe~

Whoever knew last year, 
when we all left Dayton IHC, 

that we would not be going to Dayton this April, 

but would be gathered around our computers and phones WATCHING IHC this year?!  
GOD KNEW, 
and NONE of this has taken Him by surprise!! 

GOD IS STILL GOD!!! 

We are enjoying watching IHC!!!!  

Since we have watched several IHC's while on 
the mission fields, 

for our Missionary Family, 
This CYBER IHC feels normal. :-D 

~Praying for Dear Dad Sankey's health.
(I have known Dad Sankey since I was 11, and started attending his School in Bedford, IN. 
Then, when I was around 13, my oldest brother Andrew married his daughter Vonnie, and Andrew calls him "Dad II", so I have called him that ever since. :-) ~

During Cyber IHC's,
I make goodies and serve yummy food and 
we enjoy these 3 days 

worshipping our Lord, 

Drawing Closer to Jesus, 
Getting blessed, 

Wanting to pray and Seek His Face More, 

Singing when they sing, 
enjoying the Specials, etc.  

Thank you, Dear Jesus, for being able to Watch 
Cyber IHC, 

and feel like we are "with" our beloved Family of God. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a fun recipe for Scottish Scones, that I like to make as part of our brunch.  These are not beautiful, 
but are so yummy!  

My family LOVES me to make these!  There are Squeals of Joy from my littles, and even some of the older ones, when they find out that these are on the menu for our brunch. 
(You might want to double this recipe.) 

~Authentic Scottish Scones~

Deanna K.

2 mugs (cups) of flour

Heaping 1/3 mug of sugar 

1 teaspoon (t.) Salt

Pinch of soda

2 t. baking Powder

2 Walnut sized daubs of room temp. butter

1 mug milk

(I Love the measurements in this recipe.  “CUP” can be substituted for the measurement “mug.” :-) 

Mix the dry ingredients first then cut in the butter and add SOME OF THE MILK. 

(DON’T ADD ALL THE MILK 
RIGHT AWAY TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T GET TOO STICKY. )

It is a very pliable dough that I just use my hands, 
ON A FLOURED SURFACE, to press dough into large rectangle about 1/4 thick.  
With a pizza cutter cut into squares 
or you might be able to use cookie cutters.  
Fry on a griddle that is lightly 
oiled on low heat, 
because you want to get the insides done.  

Can serve with powdered sugar on top or jelly, 
but they are Delish plain!! 

And as always….ENJOY! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~Our own Dear Lucas Wilson (Nephew by marriage)
is a big part of helping make Cyber IHC happen! ~

 ~My older girls and I on Tuesday of Cyber IHC~
(I'm wearing one of the Springy skirts I got from my Classy GG's closet.)

 ~My Little girls and I on Wednesday of Cyber IHC~

I recently posted this recipe for MOIST Chocolate Cupcakes! This recipe is so nice and easy and calls for ingredients that we all have in our pantry.   

I am giving you a YUMMY Coffee icing to 

pipe on top.   

Then, for fun, you can cut some straws and put them in the cupcakes, like it is a coffee. :-) 

Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

NOTE:  Before you start your cupcakes, 

do this part of your icing.

Cook the following together in a small sauce pan 

on stove top, 
stirring constantly til thick:

Slightly over 1/2 cup flour (or 10 Tablespoons) 

and 2 cups of milk.

Place a piece of waxed paper over the 

thickened mixture so it does not dry out and 

place in the refrigerator to cool.

While that is cooling, make your cupcakes.  

Cupcake Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, not packed
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  

Line 2 cupcake pans with 24 liners.  

Sift together dry ingredients into a large stand mixer 
bowl.  

Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract.  

Beat for two minutes, scraping the sides as needed.  

Add the boiling water and beat just until blended.  

The batter will be watery.  

Pour the batter into a large measuring cup or 

bowl with a spout.  

Evenly pour the batter into the cupcake liners.  

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the 

center of the cupcakes spring back when touched.  

Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire 
rack to cool completely.   

~Mocha Filling/Icing~
Taste Of Home
(When I posted this recipe recently with 
my Easter Colored Icing cupcakes, 
I forgot to take off the Instant Coffee and cocoa.
Opps!  Sorry!
So, you can do this recipe 
with the 
cocoa 
and Instant Coffee, 
or if you want to 
have a colorful icing you can take 
out the cocoa 
and Instant Coffee. )

This is a yummy light cool whip type icing.

The first step of this icing recipe, 
(The first 2 lines 
of it)

SHOULD HAVE ALREADY been DONE 
as I mentioned 
above. 

{Cook together on stove top stirring constantly til 
thick:}
{10 T. flour (Slightly over 1/2 cup) in 2 cup of milk!  

LET COOL!}

NOW:

Cream together with mixer:
2 cups sugar, 
2 cups butter (1 lb. or 4 sticks of butter) 
 2 t. vanilla, 2 T. 
instant coffee, 

4 t. cocoa, and cooled mixture.
Beat WELL..., scraping sides, for at least 5 mins. 

to avoid your sugar being gritty.  

Lasts on cupcakes out of fridge for a couple days, 

doesn't work to refrigerate this icing.

(If you want to color your icing 
you can take out the cocoa and coffee 
and divide and add food coloring as you desire.)

This is buttercream icing has a cool whip consistency, 

so doesn't work well for intricate cake decorating.  

I used my 2 LARGE Russian tips to pipe on this icing.

And As Always....Enjoy!!

And ENJOY IHC!!

http://ihconvention.com

~Heather~