Kristen Deborah (Pendleton) Follen

This is a tribute to my daughter, Kristen Deborah (Pendleton) Follen. She was born on October 31, 1967. She passed away yesterday, December 14th, after fighting with cancer for 5 years. She was an awesome daughter, awesome sister, awesome person all around,  a great mother, a super friend, and a wonderful work-mate. For a few years she was a Deputy Sheriff and worked at Temple Station. When she had her children, Alexandria and Jackson, she quit the department. Later she went to work for the San Gabriel School District as an Office Manager at Coolidge Elementary School. 

 

Rest in peace my love. You are in a lot of our hearts.

This is my dad, Leslie Laney, and our dog Lucy and the playhouse he built for Kristen....

 Here's our family..... way back when... Brian, me, Kristen, Aaron, and Jerry...

1989 when Kristen graduated from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy...

1991 Kristen's wedding.....

2017 with her Alex and Jack....

And here are various other photos.....

Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Blarney Stone ~ Bacon and Cheese Lover's Pie ~ Annalee (Carlin) & Led Fortini ~ National Bouillabaisse Day

 

Good 39º foggy morning. 

 

 

Yesterday the rain came down on and off all day. 

The forecast is for rain through the middle of the week. 

 

Road cam from Grants Pass....

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

 

Interesting about the Blarney Stone....

 

The Blarney Stone is a block of Carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney, 5 miles from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great eloquence or skill at flattery). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. The castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the stone and tour the castle and its gardens.

The word blarney has come to mean "clever, flattering, or coaxing talk". Irish politician John O'Connor Power defined it this way: "Blarney is something more than mere flattery. It is flattery sweetened by humor and flavored by wit. Those who mix with Irish folk have many examples of it in their everyday experience."

The ritual of kissing the Blarney Stone, according to the castle's proprietors, has been performed by "millions of people", including "world statesmen, literary giants and legends of the silver screen". The kiss, however, is not casually achieved. To touch the stone with one's lips, the participant must ascend to the castle's peak, then lean over backwards on the parapet's edge. This is traditionally achieved with the help of an assistant. Although the parapet is now fitted with wrought-iron guide rails and protective crossbars, the ritual can still trigger attacks of acrophobia.

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Do you love bacon? How about cheese? If you nodded enthusiastically to either of those, then you're about to experience something wonderful...a Bacon and Cheese Lover's Pie. It's a quiche-style dish that's absolutely loaded with cheese, bacon, and some chopped spinach. You'll be smiling from your first forkful to your last.

 

• 1 refrigerated pie crust (from a 17-ounce package)
• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup real bacon bits
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 º. Place pie crust in a 9-inch deep dish pie plate and flute edges.
    
2. In a medium bowl, combine cheddar and Swiss cheeses; sprinkle half the mixture into bottom of pie crust. Sprinkle bacon bits over cheese, top with spinach, then remaining cheese.
    
3. In the same bowl, combine eggs, half-and-half, onion powder, and pepper; beat until thoroughly mixed. Pour into pie crust; sprinkle with nutmeg. 
    
4. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
    
5. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

 

 

Special anniversary today, high school pal Annalee (Carlin) and her hubby Led Fortini are celebrating 52 years. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KIDS!!

 

 

This is Anne's website:

http://www.fortiniinteriors.com/about/

 

 

 

Historically this date.......

1819 – Alabama becomes the 22nd U.S. state.

 

1903 – The Wright brothers make their first attempt to fly with the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

 

1963 – Baldwin Hills Reservoir wall bursts, killing five people and damaging hundreds of homes in Los Angeles.

1972 – Apollo program: Eugene Cernan is the last person to walk on the moon, after he and Harrison Schmitt complete the third and final Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) of theApollo 17 mission. This is the last manned mission to the moon of the 20th century.

 

And births this date include....

1503 – Nostradamus, French astrologer (d. 1566)

 

 

1935 – Lee Remick, American actress (d. 1991)

1946 – Patty Duke, American actress (d.2016)

Four husbands under her belt!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Monday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Bouillabaisse Day on December 14th gives seafood lovers everywhere a reason to celebrate. This flavorful fish stew hits the spot on cold winter’s day, too.

 

The French are known for many great recipes. Their food inspires travel to France for a taste of the authentic. Bouillabaisse tops the list of must-have cuisine while visiting France. The tasty stew originates in the port city of Marseille and is traditionally made using the bony rockfish, saffron, fennel seed, and orange zest.

In the culinary world, strong opinions bounce around about the proper ingredients for an authentic bouillabaisse. From the fish (typically red rascasse, sea robin, and European conger) to the wine (red or white), it is hotly debated. They even argue about the soup’s origins. Did a Greek goddess create the stew? Or does the credit belong to coastal fishermen who threw the ingredients together from unsold bony rockfish?

Regardless, cooks use a variety of fresh fish as their first step to a delicious bouillabaisse. It’s especially important if you can’t get to the south of France to order it made for you.

 

 

HOW TO OBSERVE

Travel to France to enjoy the authentic taste of bouillabaisse. No time? Visit a French restaurant near you or even try making it yourself. Explore a variety of recipes for bouillabaisse. For inspiration, watch Julia Child while she prepares her Bouillabaisse A La Marseillaise. Invite friends to join you.

We’ve also provided this Bouillabaisse Recipe for you to try. Add a baguette and watch a French movie for additional flair.

Weather/Sun/Dude/Rain ~ Picture of the Day ~ Towns of Climax ~ Homemade Jelly Donuts ~ US Army National Guard Birthday

 

 

Good 41º raining morning. 

 

Yesterday we started like this........

And it changed, and we got some blue sky and sunshine. 

Dude was very happy enjoying the sun while the air temperature was still in the 40ºs.

We topped at 57º and then the dark clouds moved in and the temperatures started dropping fast. POURING rain started in the night.

 

 

 

Picture of the Day....

 

 

 

 

Interesting about towns named Climax.....

 

Climax is a small town in Decatur County, Georgia, United States. The town was named "Climax" because it is located at the highest point of the railroad between Savannah, Georgia, and the Chattahoochee River. The population was 280 at the 2010 census.

Climax was platted in 1833, and named for its lofty elevation. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated the place in 1905 as the "Town of Climax", with the municipal corporate limits extending in a one-half mile radius from the town's central water well.

 

 

 

Climax was an unincorporated mining village and a former U.S. Post Office located in Lake County, Colorado, United States. Climax is known for its large molybdenum ore deposit. Climax is located along the Continental Divide at an elevation of about 11,360 feet (3465 meters). It was the highest human settlement in the United States, and it holds the record for having had the country's second highest Post Office and the highest railroad station.

After mining ceased, the residential houses were all transported to the West Park subdivision of Leadville, Colorado, before 1965, leaving only the mining buildings standing.

After a 17-year shutdown, the Climax mine has reopened and resumed shipment of molybdenum on May 10, 2012.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

Oozing with strawberry jam, our Homemade Jelly Donuts are so melt-in-your-mouth-good, you'll never buy store-bought donuts again.

 

• 2 (7.5-ounce) containers refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 biscuits each)
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

 

 

1. Lay out all the biscuits. Using your fingers, flatten slightly. Place an equal amount of jam in the center of half the biscuits, then top each with remaining biscuits. Pinch edges together to seal well.
    
2. In a large deep skillet over medium-low heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Cook the donuts in batches 3  to 4 minutes, turning to brown on both sides. Drain on a paper towel-lined platter. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve warm, or allow to cool completely before serving.

 

***If you prefer, you can top the donuts with a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon instead of the confectioners' sugar.

 

 

 

Historically this date...

1636 – The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. This organization is recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard.

 

2000 – The "Texas 7" escape from the John Connally Unit near Kenedy, Texas and go on a robbery spree, during which police officer Aubrey Hawkins is shot and killed.

 

 

2003 – Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his home town of Tikrit(see Operation Red Dawn).

 

 

And births this date include....

1818 – Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States (d. 1882)

 

1910 – Van Heflin, American actor (d. 1971)

 

 

1925 – Dick Van Dyke, American actor and comedian

Interesting.... he's 95. He got married the first time in 1948 and after 38 years got divorced. Then he married again in 2012 at age 87!

 

1929 – Christopher Plummer, Canadian actor

 

 

1945 – Herman Cain, American businessman, radio host, and politician (d.2020)

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Happy Sunday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

 

December 13th commemorates the birth of the National Guard.

A component of the United States Army, the National Guard is primarily composed of citizen soldiers who hold down full-time, civilian jobs, attend school or as is often the case, both.  At the same time, they are available to provide support and protection for the states’ civilians or to be called for military operations for the country.

Each U.S. state, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territories of Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands maintain both an Army National Guard and an Air National Guard.

National Guard Mission

National Guard Soldiers serve both community and country. Our versatility enables us to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counter-drug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. The Guard always responds with speed, strength and efficiency, helping to defend American freedom and ideals.

From before the start of the American Revolution to Hurricane Katrina and beyond, the National Guard has provided support and protection for its citizens.

HOW TO OBSERVE

While not recognized as a Federal Holiday, National Guard members across the country celebrate the birth of the oldest military organization in the United States with galas, balls and birthday parties.

 

NATIONAL GUARD BIRTHDAY HISTORY

On December 13 of 1636, a direct declaration by the Massachusetts General Court established an official militia for the first time in the American Colonies. The resolution required all able-bodied men from age 16 to 60 to join. While less-organized militia existed, this legal document brought them together under a formal establishment. We know this organization today as the National Guard.

The Massachusetts Bay Colony established three regiments designated East, South, and North. Older than the United States itself, the National Guard maintains these roots in Massachusetts. The regiments include the 101st Engineer Battalion (formerly East Regiment), the 101st Field Artillery (South Regiment), and the 181st Infantry and the 182nd Infantry Regiment (North Regiment).

After the United States was formed, and the country grew, each state established its own militia. However, the term National Guard was not the official name until 1933. While some states used the term National Guard before this time, individual state militia had various titles. Two examples include the Mississippi State Guard and the Indiana Legion.

After World War II, the newly established United States Air Force established the Air National Guard.

Today, approximately 350,000 men and women serve in the National Guard and the Air National Guard, 39% of the Army’s operational force.

** My Jerry was a Marine but also served with California National Guard after we were married. He operated a 155 self-propelled howitzer....

 

 

 

 

In the Marines he had been a tanker....