Saturday, October 17, 2009

Post 1000.


I just got done baking and eating some pumpkin bread. It's especially tasty with some cinnamon swirl cream cheese spread on it. My kids all love this. The recipe is here, but I cut back on the sugar to 2 cups and instead of 1 cup of oil I used 1/4 cup oil and 3/4 cup of natural applesauce. Also the baking time needs to be doubled. So maybe I actually reinvented this recipe. I highly recommend it, if you're in the mood for something pumpkin. Delicious and easy.
Wow!
I can't believe I've blogged 1000 times. I was thinking back to when it all began. I had less clutter around my house, one less kid, a live-in nanny/friend, and not a clue what I would "say" from day to day. I was failry new to the whole world of blogging and had actually only been following a handful of them for a few months when I started kicking around the idea of my own place in cyberworld.
Chip said, "Why would anyone want to read your blog?", I didn't have a good response other than, "It's just going to be for our families and friends". I often emailed them updates and photos as to what our family was going through and thought a blog might be a handy way to just put it all out there and then let them check in when it was convenient. I had no idea this place would actually take on a life of its own. =)
It's been really wonderful to "meet" so many of you. Several of you have become friends- through scrapbooking and more. So many of you have encouraged me through emails and real mail and I have loved that you share your life stories right back. It's definitely been fun to be able to look back through the many stories and especially the photos and see how life has changed and evolved in the past few years. I would have forgotten so many of the details here and am so glad that I have paused and blogged about things like kids putting jammies in the toilet and Chip running over a skunk late one night. Those are the things that happen, but are quickly forgotten in the bustle of daiy life. I'm happy that I have been able to watch Wyndham accomplish new things and see Crew grow inside me and out. I am happy to look back on funny things my kids have said and look forward to many more. There have been serious topics, moments I wish I didn't have to blog and things I am still churning over in my mind wondering how they will 'look' on the blog as they play themselves out too.
My original blog name (which lasted about 2 days) was "Life- This side of Heaven". That's really what this is about, and for me it all comes down to the Nitty.Gritty.
I'm so glad that you all have somehow come to this place- my space in the web- and been touched in some small way. I don't know how long I'll keep blogging, but hope that I can capture a lot more before I call it quits. I'm glad I was able to show Chip that I did have something to say and that- if even only for our family- documenting life experiences this way is truly valuable.
Thanks for playing along this week and saying hello from wherever you are. I was surpised at the number of people reading from Indiana...Hi you guys! We drive through the corner of your state on our travels to MN, so be sure to wave hello on our next trip. I had Chip pick a number between 1 and 143 and he chose #78. Congrats to Susan of Granger, IN...I'll be sending you a Starbuck's giftcard and a chocolate bar in the mail soon! (Send me your address at nitty.grittyjody@yahoo.com )
Now, to the rest of you, if you didn't play along yet, or you want one more chance, tell me your favorite candy bar or holiday dessert and I'll have Chip pick another number sometime by Sunday night. I'm not sure why anyone wants random mail from me, but I sure do have fun sending mail and it could be coming to a box near you!

38 comments:

Erika said...

Congrats on post 1000! I have been blogging since March 2006 and often joke with my husband that I wish I would have started sooner, because I can't remember much of what happened before then. It's so nice to have that family record!

My favorite candy bar is Snickers- yum!!! :-)

Heather said...

1000 posts wow you are a talker...jk :)

I love the Turk bar. Yummy chewy candy inside coated in what else....chocolate mmmmm my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I've been blogging since February. My husband freaks when I post personal stuff. Like when I broke the front window with the flying debris and the lawnmower. That's too personal for him. I've slowly been putting my blog in a notebook along with the pictures and slowly deleting the world wide blog :( I really enjoy your blog. You are down to earth honest. I love watching your family growing up. I wish I had journalled much earlier too. Then I would be able to remember the moments with my kids more too. Boy I'm chatty today **grin** Sometimes I'm not sure if I belong at some blogs...cause I'm not related or anything...I feel like maybe people with think I'm a "creep"

Unknown said...

I am a new reader of your blog, but love it. you are real & witty...it is great to read someone dealing with life's little struggles like jammies in the potty! I am new to blogging, congrats on 1000!

thanks for the pumpkin bread! I will make some soon. I also modify the ingredients to try and give my children healthier foods. Here is my modified banana bread! http://raisingtomorrowsmen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

oh and I love reese's cups!

Sheri said...

Congratulations! That is a lot! Thank you for sharing though. I really enjoy reading.

My fav is butterfinger.

ellen said...

I hope you keep on bloggin'. Yours is one of my favorites. I love blogs that keep it real. :)

My favorite holiday dessert are my Grandmother Pitchforth's sugar cookies.

Belinda said...

Hi, Jody:

I'll try one more time. I love any kind of pound cake... chocolate, cream cheese, apple crumb, etc. It doesn't matter. I just love pound cake.

Dana said...

Congrats on 1000 posts! My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin crisp. I just might have to make some tomorrow!

Melanie L said...

I'm glad an Indiana girl won:) (I'm one too!) And congrats on 1000 posts, I really enjoy keeping up with what goes on in your life. My favorite holiday dessert is eggnog (I drink it for dessert since it's so rich)!!

Michelle said...

I'm reading from Houston. Not sure how I found your blog but I love reading it and love your recipes too! I am going to try the pumpkin bread soon. I love pumpkin in baked goods. My fav candy bar is a hersheys with almonds! Here's hoping for 1000 more posts from you! lol

Michelle

Unknown said...

My fave holiday dessert is actually a drink: the salted caramel hot cocoa from starbucks! YUMMO! Yay for 1000!!!

HEART said...

Congrats on 1000 posts.
Maybe someday I will be better at posting more. who knows.

Right now my favorite candy would be ANY! I am borderline gestational diabetes controling it with diet so no candy for me.

My favorite holiday dessert would have to be pumpkin pie icecream~ yummm.
ok enough talk about sweets
Heart from Ohio

glorious days said...

i like your blog, it's nice and colorful and has words of wisdom from time to time that i copy-paste on my PC and from time to time I go back and read. so you didn't write for your family only, but for 'strangers' as well. and i am happy cause you have decided to start a blog in the 1st place.

as for candy bar.. I love Kit Kat. and Snickers.

Jess said...

Conrats from South Africa Jody on 1,000 posts! My favorite candy bar at the moment would be Tempo. But I'm craving my holiday Peanut Butter cups, the ones with more pb in them. They don't have them here!

Blessings to you!

GracieMarie's mom said...

Congrats Jody on your 1000th post...you inspire me when you talk about your faith and share about your family. My favorite dessert for the holidays is homemade Italian canolli's...I only make them for Christmas with a cream receipe that is over 50 years old.

amy & lisa said...

Congrats on your 1000th Post!
Thanks for sharing.

It's my 1 year blogoversary today!
Life with blogging....how fun. :)

My favorite candy bar is the plain Hershey's Milk Chocolate. Nothing else like it. :)

Thinking about trying that pumpkin bread recipe. Sounds so yummy.

Hall Family in MD said...

Congrats on 1000 posts! I enjoy your blog and my favorite dessert right now is a pumpkin layer cake I found on kraftfoods.com. Actually, anything right now with pumpkin is my favorite =)

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday treat is pumpkin cheesecake.

I am glad you continue to blog... reading your blogs is like a vacation for my mind. :)

Laurel

Amanda said...

Wow, 1000 posts--what an accomplishment when you weren't even sure you wanted to start it.

From going from Michigan through MN, I am guessing you go down 94 through NW Indiana--I live about 1 mile south of 94 off of the Cline exit--and I'll be waving Hi Back!!

I've been contemplating starting a blog for a little over a year now--I guess I feel like I just have a lot to say--but that no one would care/want to listen. Maybe I should start with a journal then, LOL.

I thought of your family today when I opened the Chicago Tribune. The cover story was about a family who lost their little girl at 4 years and 2 months back in 2006 to a guy who drove right through a stop sign and hit her and her family. Her mother and brother has minor injuries, but the little girl named Maya was drug under the car for 4 car lengths and later died at the hospital that day. The 2nd officer to the scene now patrols that corner 3-4 times a day, stopping and ticketing people who blow the stop sign, and he passes out a sticker that has Maya's picture on it and reminds people to stop at stop signs.

Not exactly like your story with Teagan--but the story did remind me of her, so I came here after I read it to let you know I was thinking and praying for you today.

BTW--The pumpkin bread recipe sounds delicious, and I'm gonna try it out later this week!!

Fiveboys said...

Oooooo, my favo candy bar is 100 Grand. I could eat a million of 'em!

~Sue

Anonymous said...

I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for the recipes and pictures of your kids. My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie made out of homegrown squash-pumpkins. They also make delicious muffins.

Grandma of 6!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Jody on a blog well done! You're ALWAYS an inspiration, and I love reading your blog, seeing your scrapbooking creations, and of course the photos of your beauitful family.

I love good ol plain Hershey bars!

Jennifer said...

I've been away from reading my favorite blogs for a few days now and would have been so sad if I'd missed your 1000th post! I'm here in North Texas and love a good Baby Ruth candy bar! Happy Fall Y'all!

lora said...

I love you music!!
I just wanted to tell you that...

Becky said...

Hey Jody,
Hope you had a great weekend! My fav candy is the Cadbury Easter eggs. I wait for them all year and then stock up and horde them:) The kids have no idea where my hiding places are! Congrats on 1000 posts. See you soon.

Becky

Anonymous said...

Wow, 1000 posts, it's been fun reading your blog Jody.

I love See's dark chocolate. :)

Teresa said...

Hey Jody,
Happy 1000th! And you were the first blog i ever read, over a year ago, recommended by my sister :) and my favorite holiday dessert: Coca cola cake! ever had it? reminds me of mom. The fudgy frosting is like no other cake.
Thanks :) Teresa

Jodie R. said...

Congrats on the 1000 posts, Jody! Not really a dessert or a candy bar, per se, but...my favorite treat right now are the dark chocoloate covered blueberries from Trader Joe's. Nothing beats 'em!

Carol Sue said...

I love those Milky way's....Love your blog, I am way out on Oregon
nykerk06@comcast.net

Daisy Path said...

yeah....i love nutrageous candy bars.

wife.mom.nurse said...

Congratulations on 1000!

Really, I cannot imagine it!

I think of how much love, and life, and reflection, and wisdom that represents...amazing.

Looking forward to reading # 2000!

Lauren said...

And here's to 1000 more posts, my friend!!! Keep them coming :)

Jan C. said...

Clark Bars! I'm way too old to love candy bars as much as I love these.

As for holiday desserts, I have a recipe for brownie trifle that is incredibly easy, but so delicious that the bowl practically gets licked clean every time I make it. Pretty sure it's posted on my blog in the recipe section, if you want to know more.

Karey in OK said...

My favorite holiday dessert is fudgey pecan cake and probably candy bar is a Mars bar.
Congrats on 1000.
Love to hear what is going on with the family.

tonya B said...

i have to choose a favorite cho. bar that is gonna be hard
snickers
congratulations on a wonderful blog.

Unknown said...

yay on 1000 posts!!! i just adore your blog...and you :)

my fav candy bar is reese cups...

Jennifer said...

Congrats on #1000 ... definitely a cause to celebrate! :)

Right now I like Take 5 ... just because they seem to be a perfect mix of salty/sweet/crunchy/chewey goodness!

Steph said...

Happy 1000th post, Jody! I'm very glad you started it as a way to keep in touch with family (like me). Even though we're a couple states apart, it doesn't feel as distant when I read your blog, catch glimpses of your daily life, and see fun pics of my nieces and nephews as they grow up too fast:) Love and hugs to all of you. Wish I was there, sampling your yummy pumpkin bread!

mytasteofheaven.blogspot.com said...

YOU tell Chip that if you stop this blog I will cry forever and a day!!! I am a 58yr old (and yes that is HARD to type) grandmother (oldest is 8) from Alabama. I love this blog, it has helped me in SO MANY WAYS, TOO many to count!!! You tell Chip that. I love you, him, and your sweet family, I love Teagan and who she was. I love Wyndham, and all of you. I love ya'll (don't that sound southern :-) )