From Searcy To Randolph: April 2012

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Day 80: Randleman

The Randlemans are buried at St. Paul's and were not actually from this area (or stayed in this area). Some of my first memories were of walking to the St. Paul's cemetery from my house before I even started elementary school. I remember loving the gates in the cemetery and getting in trouble for bringing home blue bird eggs so I could hatch a little baby bird. I get my love of cemeteries honest!

Day 79: History in Glass

Today we visited St. Paul's museum. I haven't been here inside in over fifteen years. The stained glass is as beautiful as I remembered it!

Day 78: Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake

Who knew you could make a cake in the microwave! With the weather so cool outside, I was craving pumpkin. We found an easy microwave recipe for pumpkin spice cake and used our new Pampered Chef stoneware. It turned out surprisingly well!

Quick Pumpkin Spice Cake
3 eggs, lightly beaten, 1 can (15 oz) solid pack pumpkin, 1 pkg. (18.25 oz) spice cake mix, Powdered sugar (optional)

Brush Stoneware Fluted Pan with vegetable oil using Pastry Brush. In Classic 2-Qt Batter Bowl, combine eggs and pumpkin using 10" Whisk; whisk until smooth. Add cake mix; mix with Mix 'N Scraper until thoroughly blended, about 1 minute. Pour batter into pan, spreading evenly. Microwave on HIGH 14 minutes or until Cake Tester inserted near center comes out clean. (Cake will be slightly moist on top near center.) Let stand in microwave 10 minutes. If necessary, loosen cake from sides of pan using Skinny Scraper; invert onto serving plate. Let cook 5 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar using Flour/Sugar Shaker, if desired.

Yield 12 servings or 24 sample servings.
Tips: Brushing the Fluted Pan with vegetable oil is the best method to coat the interior of the pan to prevent sticking. For best results do not use the Kitchen Spritzer or a non-stick cooking spray.
If using a microwave oven without a built-in turn table, rotate pan after 7 minutes of cooking.

Day 77: We Are Cooking!

We used our new Pampered Chef stoneware for the first time today and made a Southwest Chicken ring. It was surprising really yummy!

Day 76: Lime Makes Everything Better

Staying in Mexico left me with a craving for lime - it makes everything better!

Day 75: Church Bell

I was tempted to ring the bell!

Day 74: Montgomery McCaskills

It's always pleasing to come across old headstones that are still legible. Many times when they are this old, you only have a stone remaining with no clue as to who's it is.

Day 73: Cemetery Bird

It's the season for birds to go crazy because they are in love. This guy was taking a break from chasing his girlfriend!

Day 72: Church Window

Today we visited the Presbyterian church where my many of the Montgomery County Scottish were buried. My Grandmother told me personally that her ancestor was buried there, but I can only connect cousins. The original church still stands and is used for special occasions.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Day 71: Baby Shower

Today we showered our beautiful friend who is expecting twin boys soon!

Day 70: Duck Punch

Who knew ducks like to swim in sweet punch as much as I enjoyed drinking it!

Day 69: Spa Day

My high school girlfriends and I spent the day at the spa. Our faces, toes and fingers were pampered and we we laughed until we cried. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

Day 68: Bob the Dog

Bob kept us company yesterday. He is going to be a big brother soon!

Day 67: Miller Mine Shaft

The Miller Mine shaft was the highlight of our night.

Day 66: Stacked Rock Jail

We spent some time in the jail where stealers of gold and shooters of men stayed.

Day 65: GHOSTS

Ghosts

Day 64: Gold Mine Night

Tonight we joined a local team to stay the night at the gold mines.

Day 63: Lip Burn

Yesterday I was covered in sunscreen to protect my skin from the sun beaming down on the hot roof. I wish I had remembered the spf chapstick!

Day 62: Habitat House

Today I faced my fear of heights and hit a few nails to put up shingles on a habitat house.

Day 61: No Dumb Phones

We bit the bullet this month and upgraded to smart phones. Now we can distract ourselves every second of every day - just what we need!

Day 60: Kudzu Season!

Peter the bunny lives in our neighborhood, along with his large family. Fortunately, he loves to eat the kudzu growing by the creek. Unfortunately, he doesn't eat it faster than it grows!

Day 59: Gold Hill

We are ending this week with a night at Gold Hill, our new favorite place. For anyone that visits Gold Hill, stop at the Montgomery general store and pick up this book!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Day 58: Pfeiffer Falcons

Today we visited the home of the Falcons - since Brandon is a Falcon!

Day 57: Book Lady

Emily C. Prudden

Day 56: Betty

Betty is our office mascot. She is an obvious traveler and loves the sand!

Day 55: Cemetery Cross

This has always been one of my favorite headstones - many times I have visited here to watch the sunset.

Day 54: Hedgecock

Hedgecock Builders is on the same street where my Gramaw lived. This is the old train station and train tracks we used to walk when I was little.

Day 53: Flat Tire

Today I had my first ever flat tire! I caused it and was at work when it went flat, so I can't complain. My wonderful husband saved the day and drove it home with the donut.

Day 52: Booger Hollar

Today we ended up at the haunted Booger Hollar bridge. We have heard of Booger Hollar for years and have always wanted to check it out.

Day 51: German North Carolina

My German ancestors settled mostly in Alamance County. Many of the Lutheran churches in that county have headstone that resemble this one. I was excited to find Cobles in Stanly County!

Day 50: McCrary

My mother grew up near the Asheboro City Cemetery across from the Charles McCrary Elementry School. The McCrary line goes back to my McCarson line in Buncombe County. During the early 1900s, D. B. McCrary and T. H. Redding were asked to take over the mill in Asheboro, which led to the Acme-McCrary Corporation.