the 1st of February

Today marks the 8 year anniversary of my first date with SmithCale at our beloved alma mater, ACU.

SmithE is six months today, she was getting her sweat on with us <sans sweat>

and it's been one year since Lolo's passing.

 While it saddens me that SmithE will never know Lolo, I'm happy to have known her and am better for it. 

Upon revisiting this picture, I realize her message lives on.

Family. 

Food for Life,

BSmith, forging one day at a time

Final Applegate Edit

WE'RE FINISHED!

I think the SmithCale leaning head on hand posture just about says it all.

It must dumbfound some of you where we carved up an extra 24 hours of editing time.

Trust us, it astounds us too, but we know that what we've made is the 40 minute cornerstone for many memories.

Food for Family,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

Quality Time

The day before our 15K, we met up with my Mom at her new locale: McKinney.

She wasn't exaggerating when she said the shopping downtown was great.

Also, the restaurants are AWESOME (more to come on that).

After lunch she bought me really cute birthday shoes, then told me either an extremely sad or gross story (I don't quite remember).

Of course, we had to go see her new employer: Gunter ISD. She'll be their new upper-level math teacher!

There were lots of fancy tigers.

So many tigers it's scary!

then she drove us by Deion Sanders' house on the way back!

Thus ends the Summer of Travel!

In case you wanted to recap of this summer since May:

We went car buying (already has over 10K miles on it)

Family Graduated

Service Honored

Edit Weekend #1

Alley Fest 10K

Reunioned

Showered

Shannon & Ben Got MARRIED

I turned 26

Edit Weekend #2

Shopped for Zoe

Visited Genghis

15K

WHEW! I'm sure you're as tired from reading all that as we are from doing it!

This weekend our car won't leave the garage except for church (and a "long" run- haha 4 isn't long), and we're STOKED!

Food for Life,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

Mongolian Exports

Sorry for the blogging hiatus, our internet decided to go kaput last night and stop working. So I read instead!

On Sunday SmithCale and I ventured over to Irving to meet up with my mom, sister, brother and Genghis Khan.

The artifacts were flown in from Mongolia, and it promised to be gruesome!

Since SmithCale is arty, like Yoko Ono, he has introduced me to a many art exhibit since our meeting. One thing I've been known to do is want to touch things. He would always grumble at me about it, so now I do it for fun.

Although I realized Sunday it's hereditary. Mom walked right up the statue of Genghis and touched it while SmithCale winced!

Oh, you mean this piece of art?

Of course, they wouldn't let us take pictures inside. Because the exhibit included a Princess Mummy it had to be kept at 60 degrees. Honestly, this was not a problem, because it beat the sidewalk-melting 110 degrees outside.

Both SmithCale and I agreed they really made Genghis seem like a reasonable guy, and we wanted to read more about his brutal expeditions. So SmithCale read me his page from Wikipedia on the way home about the pyramid of heads and about pouring silver in the ear of his enemy.

Stay tuned for what we're doing NEXT weekend!

Food for your Horde,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

The Obligations of Having Talent

Actually, we started editing Shannon & Ben's video last weekend, but this weekend we plan on finishing!

So far we've gotten to the ceremony, and you know you're doing something right when you go back to watch it and just sit back and smile while it plays.

Instead of thinking of the things you want to fix.

So Ben and Shannon, get your guest room ready because it looks SOOO good we're going to just have to bring it to you and watch it together!

Food for Sharing,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

Zoe Shopping

Many of you might remember our BFFs Monni and Jim are expecting their first baby girl, Zoe, in November!

Since it is already July, it was time for furniture shopping!

Where do you go for such things? Frisco, of course.

Too bad the people she brought along were only moral and excitement support, since none of us have kids!

In the end we found a beautiful black bedroom suit along with uber girly, ruffly sheets!

and a little something for Jim. (which, thankfully, he left at the store)

Biggest joke of the weekend:

How many college-educated people does it take to break down a stroller?

two?

Three?

Three plus Jim Four?

And now, come to think of it, I don't think we ever figured out that particular stroller.

Food for Babies,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

What a Difference in a Decade

Today marks the last day I'll be 25.

I guess now I'll be considered on the latter side of mid to late-20s.

In honor of my birthday, I'm going to share something with you; more about me. Which, to be honest, makes me panic a little. I like to keep everyone about an arms distance from me just in case they ever feel like judging me.

But, in order for change to happen a shift must occur.

Here was my 15th birthday:

Now let me tell you what hasn't changed from this picture:

1. I still love turkey

2. and a good funny face

That girl from a decade ago has taught me much more:

1. To be kind, because we're all just trying to bandage our wounds.

2. To be shrewd and not rely on beauty.

3. Hard work reaps bountiful rewards.

4. Personality can get you pretty far.

5. the Amazing Grace of God to heal, teach and change.

Food for a change,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

P.S.- and NO we aren't having children yet! (It seems like everyone asks)

the Applegates

Shannon & Ben finally tied the knot last Saturday after a year and a half engagement!

We rehearsed in the breath-taking chapel. Cousin Hannah was her stand in.

There was lots of talking and hugging.

The men partook in a little evening frivolity.

and then they were married!

You see that relief especially on SmithCale's face?

Congratulations to a really sweet, savvy couple!

Food for Family,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

Showered

I can whole-heartedly say that I truly enjoy attending a shower. I always leave smiling. I think it's mainly because the excitement is contagious. The overwhelming buzz of anticipation for the showered event is palatable and infectious. Maybe that's why they call these events 'showers', because like being caught in the rain, the feeling gets all over you!

Shannon's wedding shower fit the bill perfectly.

There were decorations.

An attendance roll.

Humble hostesses.

Corsages.

CAKE! The worth-getting-up-early-and-running-4-miles kind of buttercream cake!

A very ecstatic bride-to-be and mother-of-the-bride.

Family and old friends.

Lots of Gifts!

*OMG i'm getting married* giggles.

Homemade aprons subtly prompting her future husband to Kiss the Cook. (Personally, I'd settle for one that read, "Please don't complain about all the dishes I've made and just do them." Love you SmithCale!)

Gracious thank-yous.

and Good-byes. Diane told all the ladies that after the wedding, her and Clayton are closing on their house and moving back to the rice farm.

Food for Celebration,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

Pre-Shower Sabotage

Shannon & Ben Wedding: T-Less than 2 weeks!

Today: Wedding Shower

Place: Spring, Texas.

SmithCale and I got up early this morning and after a quick run and shower headed south.

After a quick lunch I gave Shannon my Recipe notebook I made her, complete with tabs and our favorite recipes that we think she and Ben would like. Knowing Shannon like I do, all recipes included butter or cheese (except the obligatory vegetarian recipes)!

Then we settled up some father's day debt.

Then they duped us.

This box was marked "For Dad" from Diane and Shannon

Clayton, with leatherman in hand, carefully carved off the, what we found to be, first layer of wrapping paper. Then it was labeled "For Cale". Immediately I began to panic, because SmithCale's not a father!

SmithCale took this picture, but if you look beside the arrow, it looks like someone else was in on the joke.

It turned out to be a thank-you gift from the Smiths' for our help with the wedding! SmithCale is playing with the tripod outside as I type!

Don't worry about me, I was given a gift card to Ann Taylor Loft!

Thank you Shannon, Ben, Clayton & Diane!

Stay tuned for shower pictures...

Food for Surprises!

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

How My Alley Run Shirt Made Me Friends

It was only moments after this picture was taken that it happened.

A setof grandparents along with their daughter and her son wandered by, just having arrived for their own vacation for the weekend.

They stopped in front of the main rec. room where we were gabbing. Then the daughter saw my shirt, and said, "Did you go to Alley Fest?"

"Yes we did, and we did the 10K!"

"My son and I are from Longview!"

"Us too!"

"Well actually we live in Spring Hill."

"Really??? Us too!"

Come to find out they live literally a minute from us.

They asked about the rec. hall because their family was going to rent it for Christmas, and being the friendly girls they are, Carley and Kelsey took them inside and gave them the full tour.

Well, SmithCale's family being the way they are, met up with them Saturday and invited them to our family church service Sunday morning.

If you've never been to a Hunt family singing session (ala Church of Christ acapella), you don't know what you've been missing.

Obviously touched by our family, the daughter left in tears from being so moved.

Never take for granted your impact on people's lives. We're all in this together!

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Food for Everlasting Life,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time

Final Reunion Recap: Tradition

For all you non-family members, let me explain the shirts.

Our family shirts are:

1. Color coded

2. Embroidered with your generation

AY5-first generation (original 5 children of Dutch & Molly)

AY 12- second generation

AY 29+- third generation (our group, there were 29 grandkids, but they didn't want to keep re-embroidering shirt, thus the +)

AY4- fourth generation

Also, AY was the original brand marking for the family (like for cattle and other brandable things (children, disgruntled neighbors, etc.))

Green

AY5- Glenna (middle)

Red

AY5- Dale (3rd from right)

Blue AKA the Best

AY5- Shirley

This picture really sums up most of the members.

Clayton is always yelling (white cap)

Kacie is acting a fool.

And we continually pick on Ben (hands on head, who OFFICIALLY joins the family July 9th!)

We missed you Angela!

(and it's only fitting that SmithCale took pictures all weekend, and one of the ONLY picture he's in, Kacie is blocking him! Such is life!)

Tan

AY5- Janet (middle right)

Yellow

AY5- Bobby

I wish there was another word for what it feels like to become part of this family, blessed just doesn't seem strong enough.

But, I am blessed, enriched and guided by every member.

Thank you, and see you all next year!

Food for Family,

the SupperSmiths, forging one meal at a time