Bill and Erin’s Wedding

Bill found this snap from Dad's old phone captured by him at their wedding in Vegas

Photo captured by Dad!

Such a fun wedding week-end and celebration!  Happy Anniversary Bill and Erin!!!

Ed Sheeran Concert!

The sky was on full display for the Ed Sheeran show in Tampa.  Steph and Elle went with friends.

Here's the setlist - Tampa, May 20, 2023

Sautéed Cobia!

Our neighbors caught a huge Cobia fish in the gulf near Cedar Key and shared some filets with us.  Steph did a wonderful job on the prep and we ate well!

Oak View Spring Concert

Busy week last week with three band events!  Kids and bands all did well!

Two Shepherds and a Bear!

Birdy and Bear!

Gator Baseball!

We went to the Gator baseball game With Rick and Rick as part of a fun week-end of golf, food and family!

Sausage Rigatoni!

Steph and Jack were away for the week-end so Elle and I got to play in the kitchen!  She first made brownies (barely visible on the counter in the pic) and then we made our favorite dish that Steph makes - Sausage Rigatoni.  We even found the particular Classico sauce that we could no longer find during the Covid years!  The recipe is below.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

1 lb. of rigatoni pasta

1 lb. Italian sausage

2 cloves of minced garlic 

1 jar (24 ounces) Classica Marina with Plum Tomatoes & Olive Oil (pic above)

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 pkg. (8 ounce) of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (cubed)

Several fresh basil leaves (torn or chopped to garnish)

Start heating the large pot of water to boil the pasta.

Brown the sausage in a large skillet.  Drain any excess grease (usually there isn't much so draining isn't needed)  Add minced garlic and place on low.  Add the sauce and continue to cook on low.

When the pasta water is boiling, add the pasta and begin cooking per directions.  Usually 11-12 minutes.   Add the cubed cream cheese to your sauce and stir regularly until it has melted and blended.  Turn heat up if necessary.

Drain the pasta when cooked to liking and add to pasta sauce.  Stir until blended and ready to serve.

Add parmesan cheese and basil to liking.

Pete Excited for a Pup Cup!

Elle and I took Petey to Starbucks for a "pup cup" or a "puppacino".  He didn't mess around and licked it up quickly!

Jeep Grand Cherokee Hits 100k

We went in with Jack to purchase Rick and Barb's old 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  As we were driving it home we got to celebrate it hitting 100,000 miles.   I've personally only had one other car make it to 100,000 - my old 1987 Honda Accord which I ultimately sold when it had ~130k miles to buy a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse.  Something I still regard as a mistake!!!

The Jeep, however, was not a mistake.  It is in fantastic condition and will be a great first driver for Jack in the Fall.

A Random Dog Steph was Petting in 2006!

Moon Series from Ring in St. Augustine

Here's a cool moon progression shot from our Ring doorbell in St. Augustine.   The pics are in reverse chronological order and occur about two hourse from one another.

This one was around 5am and you can just barely see the moon.

The one was 3am.

And this one around 1am.

Cereal Boxes

Actually Jack and I still read cereal boxes at breakfast on occasion…

Go Big Red!

Elle is loving her (and my) Nebraska gear.  I bought the hat out of necessity when I visited Bill for his 50th birthday party.  We went to the Husker-Wisconsin game and it was cold!!!

Superbowl i-Chat

During the big game Robert and I kept tabs on each other...   <initial draft submitted 2/5/2008>  

 

Elsa’s Apple Tag Working!

One month in and Elsa's Apple Tag tracker is still working!  We've been able where she likes to hang out around the neighborhood.

Bbq lunch after Freshman Orientation!

Year in review series...

Rio Grande in Fort Collins

Bill and I had an opportunity for a quick meet-up and shot up to Fort Collins for a few hours.  We took full advantage of our time by visiting some of my favorite places when I was there 25+ years back.  

One of those was Rio Grande known for its strong margaritas!

I always appreciated how clear their classic margarita was as well.  We inquired on its ingredients and learned this classic margarita actually doesn't contain lime juice.  Their fancier margaritas do. 

The other notable thing was the weather.  It snowed throughout our trip to the Fort and was cold!

In Progress Pyramid

Progress on the pyramid project!

School Pyramid Project!

Elle had to build a pyramid for a project at school.  It needed to open up so you could see on the inside as well.

Back dog!

National Youth Leadership Training!

Jack completed National Youth Leadership Training earlier this year.

Chulo!

Always. Good day when you get to ride Chulo!

Elle Turns 12!

Elle turned 12 and finally got a real party.

Publix has upped their game when it comes to cakes!

Puff still shows up in his birthday outfit!

The girls got to do a set of challenges as a team that included:

Challenge #1:  Go into the backyard around the edge of the yard.   Petey will be released into the middle.  You will have 1 minute to touch Petey.  

Challenge #2:  Each of you have to make a basketball shot!

Challenge #3:  Grab a phone.  Take group selfies in front of 2 houses decorated for Christmas

Challenge #4:  You have 3 minutes to find the sour patch, puppy tree in the reservoir pond across from our house.  Each girl should grab one of each return home.

First day of a school!

9th Grade at GHS and 6th Grade at Oak View!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Girl and Her Dog

NetApp Letters in the Lake

Hammock time for the cousins!

Elsa and her Friend

Happy Halloween!

Junior's French Toast Secret Recipe Reveal!

 

Junior's french toast at Georgia Tech was a staple breakfast for both Dad and I.  Sadly it isn't there any more but I ran across some GT Marketing of this.

TOMMY’S REPLY:

Hmmm… it’s been almost 11 years since we served our last batch and nothing was ever written down. But let me encourage him and those alums willing to use a little “trial and error” approach... it’s very basic!

Many high-end restaurants start by mixing eggs, milk, and a little vanilla extract to dip their French bread... very good! But we needed to feed hungry students fast at a price they could afford, so we took it to another level.

We found that using "complete pancake mix" and adding eggs and milk could make a heartier mix… fluffier. We used Flower’s Bakery regular sandwich bread (day-old holds together better!). Now, as to proportions? Too many variables, but as I stated earlier, trial and error.

Follow directions on any pancake box (complete mix only)... remember we’re starting from a pancake approach… not the fancy egg wash approach. Try to keep the batter slightly sticky (a few more eggs if needed), not too thick… definitely not thin. Depending on your small batch, play with it. You’ll get the results needed after a few trials. Now have your oiled, griddle at 360*). Dip your bread in the prepared batter (don’t soak it too long, dip to cover both sides of the bread) and place it on the griddle. After 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, check to see if it's golden brown, then turn to the other side and cook for the same time. Again this is trial and error... you can do it!

Take it off the griddle, add butter, dust with ground cinnamon, pour syrup as needed, and Viola!

There's a video too which reveals more:

2 cups of "Complete Bisquick"

1-1/3 cup of Water

Beat it lightly

Cook on grill at 360 degress

2 pieces of white sandwich bread - coated well with two pieces laid side by side.

Garnesh with cinnamon, butter and syrup.

Gators!

It seems lots of folks like to go to Chick-fil-a after the Gatore Homecoming Parade!

The Pumpkin Spice Joe Joe!

Similar to the Starbucks's Pumpkin Spice Latte…. Too sweet. One or two a year is plenty!

Hurricane Ian Updated Spaghetti Model

Florida vs. Hurricanes!

Uncle Duck Stories and Family

Robert Hopka, known fondly as Uncle Duck, has had quite a life.

Jack interviewed Duck and documented a few things during the Summer of 2016.  Here is what he noted:

After school he once bought a hot dog and a pop for ten cents.
He skipped the third grade.

How he courted Dolores (Aunt Dodo) - Dolores was "going with" a boy who dumped her for another girl.  Duck had his eye on Dolores and seized the opportunity to ask her out on a date.  He started "going with" her and ultimately married her.  She was good Catholic girl who made him go to devotional.  He wasn't that keen on it but did it for her.  Duck was a veteran and served as a mechanic for B-24 Liberators in the Air Force.  Duck's Dad served in World War 1 and Duck served in WWII.

Duck had one sister - Betty.  Betty had 3 kids.   Betty died as the age of 75.  One of them died when hit by a car at the age of 18.

Stuff found in newspapers.
Mrs. Betty M. Homa, age 75, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013. She was born in Holland, MI on March 6, 1938 and at age 4, she was adopted by Steve and Vera (Breno) Hopka. Betty graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central High School in 1956. She married Edwin J. Homa in Muskegon on June 13, 1959. He preceded her in death on November 3, 2008. She was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a current member at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. She was a member of the Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Catholic War Vets Auxiliary. She is survived by 2 children, Thomas (Karen) Homa of N. Muskegon and Mary (Alan) Anderson of Muskegon; 5 grandchildren, Holly Homa, Autumn (Craig) Fulco, Sarah, Michael and Elizabeth Anderson; 1 great-grandson, Chase Boucher; 1 brother, Robert Hopka of N. Muskegon. She was also preceded in death by her son, Michael E. Homa on October 10, 1980 and her natural brothers, Henry and Robert Alderink.  She will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery. 

Duck was married to Dolores

Mrs. Dolores G. Hopka, age 87, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2011. She was born in Muskegon, MI on May 12, 1924 to Walter & Alexandra Kulesza and married Robert Hopka on July 7, 1965. Mrs. Hopka had been employed in many various capacities for the Muskegon County Court System for years until retiring. Dolores was a long time member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She loved travelling and particularly enjoyed several trips to Europe, in addition to Poland. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting and sewing.

SURVIVORS

Husband of 46 years, Robert; sister, Henrietta Kulesza; sister-in-law, Betty Homa; many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, & 5 sisters. Entombment at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Remembering Uncle Paul

Paul Curtis Tangeman, 72, died Monday, June 24, 2019 after a truly heroic battle with cancer. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family to whom he was so deeply devoted.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie, of forty-nine years, two daughters, Karen and Jennifer, and their families including husbands Jason and Brad, respectively, and five grandchildren: Luke (13), Anna (11), Nate (8), Nora (3) and Remy (3 months). Paul also leaves nephews, cousins, and many loyal friends.

Paul was born on September 5, 1946, in Clear Lake, IA. As a child he was a clarinet-playing Midwestern Eagle Scout, living in Iowa, Kansas City, Alabama, and Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska where he majored in chemical engineering and played on the tennis team.

Paul worked at DuPont for thirty-five years, initially as a chemical engineer and ultimately as a business development executive, with honorable loyalty and an exemplary work ethic. He was a dedicated member of the Catholic church, serving as a Eucharistic and homebound minister, and an active volunteer at United Way. He ran multiple marathons, enjoyed Mozart and jazz, loved baking and cooking, and cultivated rose breeds at each of his homes. He loved dachshunds, body surfing, and history. Paul was a patient conversationalist, appreciated his life, gave more than he took, rarely sought recognition, unquestionably helped those in need, and cherished his relationship with God. As a devoted father and grandfather, he could often be found playing on the floor with the kids.

Tropical Storm Fred!

Fred didn't really amount to much in Gainesville last year.  Hopefully this year's hurricane season doesn't amount to much either!