The Making of Sauerkraut

Come on, admit it. You always wondered how a small town, family owned business produced sauerkraut. You're welcome. :)

This was the last day of "cutting" for Victor Preserving Company.....ever. (Cutting is the term those of us "in the business" use for shredding the cabbage and adding salt. After time this combination ferments and becomes sauerkraut.)

Victor Preserving Company was started by my great grandfather over one hundred years ago, and this fall my father, current owner and president, decided to sell. He wasn't looking to sell, but an offer was made and accepted and a family "legacy" is gone.

VPC was always a food producing company. It use to be more varied in its production, but in the last 40ish years it's been solely a sauerkraut factory. My great grandfather started it and ran it, my great grandmother ran it (after great grandpa passed away), my grandfather ran it, and my father was the last one to run the factory. 12 years ago my husband joined the "team" and became plant manager.

The above video was mostly for family memories, but I thought I'd share it here because I know all of you were wondering about the fascinating world of sauerkraut. :)

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Another one......

Elderly Couple of 62 Years plays piano

This has been floating on facebook for awhile, and I thought it was cute.

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New child training method.

I think it's going to be a complete success.





Only one of these boys is mine. Can ya guess which one? (I'll give you a hint. It's the cute one!LOL)

They Have Arrived!!!

My twin nieces have arrived this evening. I don't know any details other than names.

Aleah Jolynn and Autumn Nia

Turns out that they didn't like any of my suggestions.

I won't be able to meet them until this summer, but I am really excited for Shane and Leslie.

Prayer Request

I recently connected with a friend from my teenage years on facebook. Some may remember Amy Rice. Amy just sent a prayer request for her niece, Megan. Megan is 26 and 11 days ago had a baby. Megan is in critical condition and things are not looking good for her. I don't know any details. I just wanted to pass this request along. Please Pray.

Something she learned in school?

Brianna found these glasses somewhere in the house. I'm not sure where she found them or who they actually belonged to in the first place. This is her version of what an "old lady" looks like.

Look like anyone you know?





(I think she got this idea from someone at school......... Brittany. At least that's what Brianna told me.)

As boys get bigger.....

....so do their toys.


(Courtesy of last week's snowfall)












My man.


I know all of you THINK that you have the greatest husband. I'll let you live with that delusion. I know the truth. :)

It's finally here!!!!

I know you were all waiting with baited breath to see this video, and FINALLY it is here!!!! :)

I know that no one is feeling the Christmas spirit anymore, but I hope you get a chuckle out of the video anyway. Enjoy!

Locks of Love

A couple years back, Katelyn chose to donate her hair to Locks of Love. Her hair finally got long enough to donate again and yesterday was the day. Her hair is a bit shorter than I had anticipated, but she can still pull it back into a ponytail so she is content.

Truthfully, I'm beginning to hate ponytails. I can't persuade her to allow me to try different styles. She just wants it pulled back out of her face. Oh well, I'll chose my battles and this isn't one I need to fight. Eventually, she will grow up. I just try to keep in mind all of the girls that I considered "tomboys" and how they blossomed into very feminine young ladies. I can be patient.

It just occured to me.....

After our recent trip to Michigan it occurred to me that I never updated about my brother-in-law and his wife. If you recall, it was about a year ago that I posted a prayer request for my brother-in-law and his family. I would simply link to this post, but since I am computer ...ummmmm...challenged (dumb), I don't know how. I'll try to be brief.

There was a court case regarding their insurance policy coverage when their barn burned down. This case was settled out of court just this past September. They didn't get the full amount that I feel they were entitled to, but they did get some compensation. Answer to prayer.

Also, in the last year and a half ,in the midst of the court "battle", they suffered the loss of a baby girl (stillborn at 4 and a half months) and then 9 months later, a miscarriage. They were heartbroken.

When they found out that they were expecting again late this summer, they were incredibly excited as well as a little nervous. When it came time for the ultrasound they found out they were having TWINS!!!! Another big answer to prayer. They weren't praying for twins, but were thrilled to get an unexpected blessing.

The twins are girls and I have officially named them Gertrude and Bertha, Gertie and Bertie for short. Mom and Dad are having a hard time agreeing on names so I took the burden away from them. Thoughtful, huh? They like unusual names. Anybody have better suggestions?

So, I want to thank all of you that prayed for this family about a year ago. God heard and answered.

P.S. Amy, you may remember Leslie Toler from college. She's married to Shannon's brother, Shane. This is the family to whom I am referring.....just in case you were curious. :)