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Party of Ten Series: The Gift of a Special Needs Child

By Lorraine

The Gift of a Special Needs Child is full of challenges, obstacles, learning curves and difficulties. But it is also overflows with laughter, love and joy.

The Gift of a Special Needs Child

I remember exactly when I got the thick manila folder in the mail early last April. I was eager to pour over it. I probably should have waited for Josh to come back from his business trip, but I was ready. As my eyes bounced from word to word, my tears started to make their way down my cheeks.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Caleb

Spooky Halloween Food

By Lorraine

For goblins & ghouls, spooky Halloween food of bloodshot eyeball deviled eggs, moldy popcorn, spider web, squashed soup & lots more inspiration.
read with a slow, deep, menacing accent…
Do come in my friend…
I have prepared for you fiendish and Spooky Halloween food that will send shivers down your spine…Continue Reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Grandchildren, Halloween, Jethro, John, Keri, Lorrie, Noah, Ryan, shaela, Silas

Making Memories and GIANT Bubbles with Kids

By Lorraine

How-to DIY instructions for making a fun summer activity for grandchildren and kids of all ages. GIANT bubbles too big to believe
 Kids, big and small, never outgrow a fascination with bubbles. How many of those little plastic bottles of bubble solution have you bought through the years. Yes, me too. There is just something delightful in blowing little iridescent globes of various shapes that float effortlessly through the air and then suddenly POP! Imagine the FUN you and your kids will have making super GIANT bubbles. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts Tagged With: Caleb, Crafts, DIY, Grandchildren

End of Year Wrap-up

By Lorraine

End of Year Wrap-up
As the year draws to a close I’m trying to catch up by posting activities and memory-making moments with and for family. It’s been a busy and full couple of months. My heart overflows. Hard to imagine that less than five months ago I had a total hip replacement.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Abbey, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Christmas, community Group, Erin, Grandchildren, Jamie, Jared, Jethro, Jill, Joelle, Keri, Noah, Silas, Sisters

McVities Chocolate Tiffin

By Lorraine

I was super excited to find McVities Digestive Biscuits at a local store. Now I could make this no-bake English treat with the authentic ingredient.

Tiffin is a chocolate confection filled with nuts, dried fruit and broken bits of cookie.

McVities Chocolate Tiffin
source

25 MINS. preparation – 30 MINS. refrigeration
Serves 12

INGREDIENTS
250g chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids)
*7/8 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp corn syrup (I used 2 parts Karo corn syrup and 1 part molassas)
1 cup roasted shelled hazelnuts ( I used cashews)
1/2 package McVITIE’S DIGESTIVES© (200g), roughly chopped
1 cup dried figs, chopped (I used dried cherries)
75g white chocolate

RECIPE
Grease and line a 20cm square tin. (I used an 8×8-inch pan)

Melt the dark chocolate, corn syrup and butter in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring until well combined. (I used the microwave, 30 seconds at a time at 30% powder, stirring between each time until melted and smooth)

Fold in the hazelnuts, McVITIE’S DIGESTIVES© and figs.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and press it down firmly to remove any air bubbles.

Melt the white chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water.

Drizzle it over the tiffin with a teaspoon in lines and use a cocktail stick to drag the chocolate lines in a backwards and forwards motion across the whole tiffin.

Leave in the fridge to set before serving.

RECIPE NOTES:

* I miss calculated the amount of butter when preparing, using 7/8 of a stick rather than 7/8 of a cup of butter. Though I saved a bunch of fat and calories and the tiffin tasted wonderful, it was a little crumbly and it would had make a prettier confection with the additional butter.

Feel free to substitute your favorite nut and dried fruit for the hazelnuts and figs. Other recipes suggest using graham crackers if you can’t find McVities Digestives. I have substituted vanilla wafer cookies with success.

Here is the link to another yummy tiffin recipe I made with my grandsons a few years back.

Filed Under: Cookies & Bars, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Caleb, Christmas, Silas

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

By Lorraine

 
Hawaiian Pasta Salad with brightly colored veggies is a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with cheese tortellini, diced ham, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and pineapple in a creamy dressing.Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies makes a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. I served it at a graduation party as a side dish but it would be a great entrée served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pasta, Recipes Tagged With: Braden, Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Grandchildren, Jethro, Jill, Joelle, John, Noah, Ryan, shaela

Welcome baby Joelle Elizabeth

By Lorraine

Big sister Chloe, welcomed the newest member of the family on her birthday.
Baby Joelle Elizabeth not only shares a birthday with her sister, but they are both little leaplings.
Both born February 29th, four years apart.

 Not due until March 17th, Joelle came a little early to join her seven brothers and sisters.
 It doesn’t look like she will be in want of love and hugs anytime soon.
 Joelle came into the world with very dark hair, at the same weight as her momma did (6 lbs. 7 oz.) and looking (in my opinion) much like her momma did at birth. She needed a little encouragement to let out a big cry after birth and still needs to see those bilirubin numbers drop but she is doing just fine. 
A local hospital and paper shared this special leap day birth noting that the delivery doctor is a leap day baby as well 🙂 
We celebrated Chloe’s birthday on the 28th and Caleb turned 8 on March 4th.  PopPop John got to watch Silas play in a soccer tournament and we even had a late winter snow that cleared up by afternoon. 
I wrapped up the week with a special outing to the Philadelphia Flower Show with dear friends.
The theme this year is National Parks and it was all so beautiful!
and… I even managed to get this post prepared!
Happy Sunday, sweet blogging friends!

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Birthday Family, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Jamie, Jethro, Joelle, John, Josh, Keri, Lorrie, Noah, Silas

Easter Peep Graham Cracker House

By Lorraine

 
Adorable little Easter Peep Graham Cracker House is so easy to make using royal frosting to glue and assemble coop. Sweet treats for kids and cute table place-setting decorations.
Inspiration abounds on Pinterest!  You have probably seen these adorable little Easter Peep Graham Cracker Houses.  I visited Yesterfood to see how Joy made them.  A sweet Easter table decoration and a fun after-dinner treat for the kids. So fun, that one little guy determined he was NOT willing to share.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Easter, Grandchildren, Jared, Jethro, Keri, Noah, Raider, Silas

Family Recap

By Lorraine

I have been so busy this past month that I am just now catching up on family photos. These are the posts the little ones love best ~ the ones filled with their sweet faces.
These are my favorite posts too.
 
 
  ♥ ♥ ♥  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥  ♥ ♥ ♥
 

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Abbey, Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Christmas, Grandchildren, Jared, Jethro, Keri, Noah, Ryan, shaela, Silas

Ratatouille for French Inspired Birthday Lunch

By Lorraine

Kid-friendly ratatouille is a healthy combo of summer veggies. Easy recipe of sliced eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper and fresh herbs arranged over tomato sauce and baked until tender.Trying to serve more vegetables that your family will actually enjoy? Try this kid-friendly ratatouille dish. It is a healthy combo of thinly sliced summer veggies and so easy to prepare. Call the kids into the kitchen and get cooking!Continue Reading

Filed Under: Recipes, Vegetables & Sides Tagged With: bell pepper, Caleb, eggplant, Grandchildren, Keri, side dish, squash

i am chloe

By Lorraine

can you guess i am
2
by
my antics
my expressions
my spontaneity
my elfish behavior

We went to our daughter’s house Saturday morning to watch the kids while she ran in the Philadelphia 5k Rocky Balboa race
chloe was perfectly 2-years-old
she pulled on an over-sized skirt  
plucked a princess crown on her noggin
and went about the business of being 2
I had the joy of capturing some of her magical moments
the princess and her pop-pop
being sweet
being coy
letting PopPop kiss her cheek
(oh, who can resist those soft cheeks)
being resolute in a stare-down
being vocal about a sibling offence 
being aggrieved
 raider has a special attachment to chloe
she shares her food with him
but only if she wants  
 each child… so unique… overflowing with personality and individual talents 
jammie clad… climbing cherub… crafty keri… chocolate faced… chapped lips…
photobomer…chillin’ sisters… quiet play…
hanging out at their house is truly delightful 
and their mom (with  a friend) braved the chilly morning temps to run a race.  she did it in 9 min 7 sec miles with a 28:22 finish.
what . a . champ!

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Grandchildren, Jamie, Jethro, John, Keri, Noah, Raider, Silas

Cousins Camp ~ Part 4 Wrap Up

By Lorraine

~ DAY 5 ~
After a full and exciting day at the water park, we spent Thursday at a relaxed pace. Ryan stayed over Aunt Jamie’s to be with the boys and Keri stayed here with the girls.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: AJ, Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Cousins Camp, Erin, Grandchildren, Jethro, John, Keri, Lorrie, Noah, Ryan, shaela, Silas

when brother is sick

By Lorraine

baby Jet has been sick for a bit unable to shake a fever, croupy, bronchial virus illness that sent him to the hospital for a couple of days.  He is home now with meds and should start to feel better soon.
 
Four of his siblings came to my house so Jets mom and dad could take care of him.
I should be running around, cleaning up and getting ready for our three up-state New York grandchildren coming down on Friday to spend the week. Instead, I am sharing some glimpses and moments of our time together…
 
Sick little brother
hospital stay
siblings at Mom-Moms
ready for play
 
trip to the playground
slip down the slide
twirling and dancing
places to hide
 
snooze with the pup
splash in the sink  
swishing those bubbles
drawing with pink
 
buckled in car seats
noodles to eat
bedtime stories
Incredibly sweet
 
library visit
more books to read
pieces in puzzles
tummies to feed
 
climb in the playhouse
French fries to munch
peeking from high spots
all during lunch
 
toys scattered about
sink full of mess
washer still running
house in distress
 
tickles and smooches
diapers to change
fingers need wiping
smells that are strange
 
snuggles at bedtime
piggies and toes
bath time all finished
soon they will doze
 
sleeping so sweetly
my eyes behold
blessings from heaven
 
worth more than gold
copyright 2014 by Lorraine @With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart
 
 

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Grandchildren, Jethro, Keri, poem

Chocolate Buttercream & Coconut Easter Eggs

By Lorraine

Making Easter chocolate eggs is such an endearing tradition especially when done together with children or grandchildren. Gather up the ingredients, corral some children and make some delicious, chocolate buttercream and coconut Easter eggs together.
Making Easter chocolate eggs is such an endearing tradition especially when done together with children or grandchildren. Gather up the ingredients, corral some children and make some delicious, chocolate buttercream and coconut Easter eggs together.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Caleb, Chloe, Easter, Jethro, Keri, Noah, Silas

Jethro’s Turn…

By Lorraine

…to have his photo taken in PopPop’s christening outfit

I have photos of all but two grandchildren in this vintage romper as well as our youngest daughter, Abbey who is now 22 years old.  Somehow, I missed grandchildren, Keri and Noah and never thought of it when our older girls were babies. That makes me a little sad since it has now become a tradition.

 

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren, Vintage Tagged With: Abbey, Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Grandchildren, Jared, Jethro, John, Ryan, shaela, Silas

The Birthday Guy

By Lorraine

Yesterday was my guys birthday.
He took the day off and we spent it in a relaxed way doing some of his favorite things.
as he planned…
Not up at 5:15 this morning
a hearty, at-home breakfast.
off to the movies to see Frozen 
a late-afternoon pastrami sandwich at a nearby delicatessen  (yes, he has been hankering for a pastrami sandwich)
then to a second movie… Saving Mr. Banks
(we liked both movies)
and finally birthday cake with some of his huggable & snuggly grandkids
This morning, he is still talking about how much he enjoyed the day
🙂
John’s life verse:
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Bible, birthday, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Jamie, Jethro, John, Josh, Keri, Noah, Silas

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Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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