The Isaacs December 2024

Hey Friends,

I am here to tell you about a fun evening Mom and I had together recently. This resembles my usual Saturday posts. 

The Isaacs were having a Christmas concert north of us, so we decided to drive the hour and a half to Versailles, Ohio. It was great to see our family perform at the BMI Event Center. 

Food was our first order of business. Culvers was on the menu for dinner, and we both had the cod dinner. 

Then we finished the drive to Versailles. The BMI Event Center was a great smaller concert setting. You felt like it was a personal concert. 

I was thrilled to meet singer songwriter legend, Jimmy Fortune! He was super nice! I left with a new friend. We bonded of things we share in common. 

Wow, what a singer? Jimmy’s version of Oh Holy Night was breathtakingly beautiful!

I got to see my friend Andi at the concert We enjoyed getting to catch up with her.

 

I love my sweet Mama!

The moment I had been waiting for… The Isaacs! An Isaacs Christmas concert is another level of awesome!

The lighting was not the best for pictures from my vantage point. Here are my best shots. 

Becky is a walking miracle. 2 years ago tomorrow she was hit in a head on collision. She could not walk or stand for several weeks. Thank God for sparring her life and helping her this far! 

Many of you joined us in praying for her. Thank you so much for the prayers. Becky is still recovering and waiting for a total miracle. 

Sonya sang and played amazing all night. I was left speechless and in awe of her ability! It was better than ever, and I do not know how that is possible!

It is always a treat for us to see  Aunt Lily! She is a fabulous lady. I am proud to call her my Aunt!

They sang many of their fabulous songs from the Isaacs Christmas catalog. Also adding in some Christmas classics and a couple more songs along the way. 

We love Greg Ritchie on drums. He has worked on all of studio albums. He is very special to our family. 

The one the only Ben Isaacs. I am still Ben’s number one fan. Thanks, Ben, for loving me and being my chearleader!

I love it when Sonya’s children Gatlyn and Evya join her on stage! They are both a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to spend some time with my little cousins. 

This was a fabulous show. It will go down in our memory bank as an awesome night. It was just what we needed. 

We loved be with our family, The Isaacs one more time. The music and singing encouraged and inspired us. We laughed and cried but it was a great night!

It was good to see some other family and friends too. 

A selfie with both my cousins, Steve and Jenny Moore, was a must. 

 

That is a wrap on our visit with the Isaacs for December 2024. Hopefully, we can see them again soon. 

Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow.

Odie

Foodie Friday Loaded Potato Soup

 Hey Friends,

Mom and I have had a blog post idea for Foodie Friday for a while. Now is a great time to incorporate it into my rotation. Some weeks, I may share a favorite recipe or talk about good food I have enjoyed.

Dad taught us to love food and the experience of excellent food and cherish the memories. Eating was an event for us!  What better way to honor him than by talking about food?

Last winter, I was on the hunt for a good recipe for potato soup. I combined my favorite ingredients and created my own version. I am pleased with the outcome. 

We have had some cold days this week that were just right for soup. Mom was busy with paperwork. Wednesday afternoon. I fixed u Loaded Baked Potato Soup. It was just right on a cold day. I did not get pictures of the process this week. Here is a picture of the leftovers.

I thought it was even better the second day.

Here is the list of ingredients I use. This is an Instant Pot meal for me, but I am sure you could do it on the stove, too.

Ingredients

4 cans diced potatoes 

14 oz real bacon pieces

1 stick of butter

Chopped green onions

2 Tlbs minced garlic

Seasonings measurement to your taste.

Salt 

Pepper 

Onion powder

Garlic powder

1 c Milk

1c Heavy whipping cream

1c Chicken broth

1 block Cream cheese

2 c Cheddar cheese

Instructions 

Part 1

Add a stick of butter to the pot on sautee mode.

Then add 1 Tbs of minced garlic.

Next, add most of the bacon pieces and 

Most of the green onions. 

Add seasonings

Sautee for 10-15 minutes. Stir frequently 

Part 2

Add drained potatoes. 

The rest of the minced Garlic

Season some more and stir. 

Add chicken broth.

Cancel sautee.

Add lid set to sealing, not venting.

Cook on manual for 15 minutes. 

Pressure can be quick or naturally released. 

I usually do a quick release.

Part 3

Add Cheese, Cream Cheese, Milk and Heavy cream. 

Stir well to combine ingredients.

I turn the sautee feature on again to help things melt together. 

Then, I set the slow cook feature on for a few hours to keep it hot. 

I stir the soup occasionally. 

Part 4

Time to enjoy some Loaded Potato  Soup. Garnish is optional sour cream, bacon pieces and green onion.

Thanks for stopping by for this first installment of Foodie Friday. See you next time. 

Odie

Throwback Thursday 12/12/24

 Hey Friends,

Thanks for stopping by for a visit for this Thursday. It is a pleasure to have you drop by.

Mom found an old photo album the other day. The pictures brought back a lot of good memories. I scanned a couple of the photos to share with you. I may choose some others in the future.

These pictures are from our first trip to Mexico with Bro. Larry Landress in the early 1990s. Bro. and Sis. Landress were still in language school. If my memory is correct, Bro. Larry also preached his first full message in Spanish the day these pictures were taken. It was an honor to experience that moment in history with our friends!

Dad also preached with an interpreter for the first time here. Bro. Craig Benner interpreted that message. Dad often said he could not get his message out that day. He also said Bro. Benner must have preached a great message in Spanish. The people listening to the message were touched greatly by God!

Below is a snapshot of our family on this Mexico trip. I remember this photo being taken. It is crazy to me how random memories are engraved in my mind.

I am so thankful for all the moments I was blessed to experience with our family. We can look back on many of them in the blog archives.

See you next time.

Odie

Christmas Mall Fun

Hey Friends,

Thank you for visiting. I have something fun to tell you about today. 

Yesterday I spent a few hours with some my favorite ladies. Sarah Lakes Boyd, Bethany Lakes Hoskins and Rebecca Lakes James, which they will forever be The Lakes Girls in my brain. 😁 Ava James and Emerson Hoskins were also part of our fun crew too. We missed you, Grace Boyd and Brylee James!

I was blessed to have them as my cousins, friends and role models growing up. We share lots of wonderful memories from our younger years.

We actually had a good laugh over one of our memories! We had to stage a photo. No one was harmed in the process!

while in Indiana for a youth camp back when I was around four or five, Rebecca accidentally locked us out of the girls dorm. She was watching me while our Mothers were at choir practice. In her panic, she pushed my stroller down the back steps of the dorm. We went for a little tumble! All I remember is landing in the rocks and Sarah coming to my rescue along with our friend Anita. They picked me up and took me into the dorm. They dusted me off and made sure I was OK.

Rebecca has felt horrible about that moment all these years! It is definitely something that we have never forgotten. We have laughed a lot about it. 30 plus years later she still can not believe that my Mom trusted her to watch me. 😀

From my earliest memories, they have been a bright spot in my life. Always there to lend a smile, give a word of encouragement, or just be a friend. I am genuinely thankful that they have been my friends for life. They have always gone out of their way to make sure I knew they were my friends.

Now is no exception. They were some of the first to reach out to me when our current journey began! They have carried us through prayer and being there whenever I needed them. 

Yesterday, we actually got to sit have lunch, talk, laugh, cry and just enjoy each other's company. A little bit of retail therapy was also thrown in the mix. We finished the day off with a little treat and coffee. 

All around it was a wonderful day! Just what I needed to bring a smile to my face. it made me extra thankful for the wonderful friends and family that God has placed in my path!

See you tomorrow

Odie

One Month

Hey Friends,

Thanks for joining me for another installment of the blog. I have a few different blog posts swirling in my brain. I can not make my thoughts cohesive and flow out my fingertips. Hopefully, I can get them out soon. 

Our longtime readers know dates and commemorating life’s moments mean a lot to us. Dad liked to look back and remember the milestones. 

Today, is a date I wish I did not have to talk about, but Dad would if he was here.  One month ago Daddy was set free from this life.

I know he is still enjoying his life. He is no longer suffering, bound by time and physical limitations. None of us can even image the life Dad has now in Heaven. That realization gives me hope and comfort. 

Down here each day that passes I miss him more and more. Everyday we are trying to figure out life. Real life hurts! Dad often quoted Garfield, “Life Stinks”! I say a hearty double amen!

One thing I know God is good! He has been there every moment in our grief and uncertainty. We are truly blessed!

Thank you for the prayers, friendship, encouragement, help and love. Our family and friends are absolutely amazing. We love you all! Thank you just feels so hollow, but it is meant from the bottom of my heart. 

See you tomorrow. 

Odie

Happy 30th Birthday Ben Shoemaker

 Hey Friends,

Today, I must take care of some family business. I am a day late and a dollar short, but better late than never. At least, that is what I have heard before. 

Yesterday was a big day in Benjamin L. Shoemaker's life. He turned 30!

Happy 30th Birthday, Ben! I hope you had a excellent birthday and your best year and decade ahead! We love you! 

7 years ago you joined our family! When you said I do to Deidre you gained a lot of family. Thanks for putting up with the Boggs crew. I am proud to call you one of us!  Thanks for claiming me as “your Odie”. 😁

Thank you for being a great husband to Deidre, and blessing our family with three more lovely little members. You are such a good Daddy to Charlie, Chloe and Carson! 

Well, Benjamin, I hope you feel extra loved and appreciated! 

Odie

Sunday Sanity 12/8

Hey Friends,

Four weeks ago today, my Dad finished his earthly fight. He was a faithful soldier in God’s army. Daddy was committed to his God, family, calling and friends until the end.

Today’s Sanity comes from Jeff Rowe. This is a snippet of a text he sent me four weeks ago. It spoke directly to my heart when it was freshly shattered!

God has brought many special people into our lives over the years. Now, we can not imagine life without them. One such person is Jeff Rowe, owner of East Tennessee Luxury Coach in Vonore, Tennessee. 

Jeff became the official BoggsMobile mechanic. He kept us rolling and took Dad’s calls whenever we needed help on the road. He also helped tremendously with his bus-induced psychosis!

He is not just our go to bus guy, but he became a friend to our family! Often, he took up for me with Dad! This was the last picture Dad took of me and Jeff on July 22nd. 

I have found Jeff is eloquent with his words. I always feel honored when he takes a moment out his busy schedule to send me a text. Often it was exactly what I need in that moment.

Jeff has served our country! Once a Marine, always a Marine. We thank you for your service!

Odie

 “Today is the Marine Corps birthday.   Although your Dad was not in the military he was a outstanding soldier in the most important army.  The army of God.”

Jeff  Rowe 

Recent Food Family And Fun Memories

Hey Friends,

We have had a lot of family time in recent weeks. Family has always been a blessing I treasure, but now I am even more grateful for my family.

I have found myself living in the moment and not snapping pictures of every moment for the blog. You know Dad's motto, "if there's not any pictures then there is no proof it ever happened." I do have a few photos to share with you today from my camera roll. 

I hope you enjoy seeing my Recent Food, Family And Fun Memories.

Odie

 

Christmas Wreaths 2024

Hey Friends,

I hope you having a good day on this Friday. Earlier this week, I was able to participate in a fun holiday activity that I enjoy. 

This marks the 4th year that I have attended a private wreath making party. Thanks to my cousin Lisa for being my extra set of hands, eyes and legs this year. Our finished product looks so good. 

Aunt Theresa Osborn invited me to join some of the ladies from Dodds Church for the annual Christmas ladies night. This year, we were also joined by a some other family members and friends. It was a fun evening of creativity and fellowship!

It all takes place at the headquarters of Purkey Landscaping in the Plant Barn. Kristy and Perry Purkey and everyone involved do an excellent job helping us make beautiful Christmas wreaths. 

Krysty and her helpers have a vision, and bring it to life. They create new wreaths designs each year. It gives us an examples to go by. No experience is necessary. Everyone comes out making a beautiful wreath! 

The price of the wreath party includes all the supplies to make the wreath. For the repeat customers you keep taking your grapevine wreath back each year and change to the new wreath decor for the new season.

All the wreaths looked great this year! I really love the way my wreath looks on my red front door It is just the touch of Christmas that my front porch needed.

The pictures below are the ones that I captured during the night. 

If you are in the Waynesville, Ohio area, I encourage you to stop by the Plant Barn and check it out. Their address is  

4138 OH-73

Waynesville, OH 45068

It is a cool place to shop. You may find that special thing that you need for your home or a nice gift. 

Click here to see Purkey Landscaping online. You will find all the services the offered by Purkey Landscaping. Also all information about different events that they host during the year.

Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow. 

Odie

 

Beach Cottage Christmas 2024

Hey Friends,

Thank you for spending a moment of your time with me this Thursday. It is bitterly cold here in Ohio. Winter has set in. I do not enjoy the high temperatures in the 20s like we have today. The wind chills make it feel much colder!

 

We are supposed to have a little bit of snow this morning. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

I thought I would give you a little glimpse of what the beach cottage's Christmas decor looks like this year.

 I still have a couple of things that I want to fix up. The lights on my bedroom Christmas tree went out after I got it decorated, but before I could take pictures.

My cousin Lauren came over and did the tree in my living room for me! She is very talented, and I think it looks beautiful! Thank you so much, Lauren, for your help! I love you, and it was fun to spend some time with you!

I will leave you with the inside pictures of my beach cottage Christmas 2024.

See you tomorrow!

Odie