a very important decision.
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| A bookmark for her Bible so Brenna will always remember |
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. John 3:3
Mosaic Hearts for Grandchildren
I finally got to it!
I have been wanting to try my hand at making a mosaic project.
I bought some glass tiles and broken china on eBay a few years ago.
Then found a box of supplies at a garage sale.
I used a coupon to purchase the cutter and picked up a few heart shaped pieces of wood.
And it all sat in the closet ~ until now.
Not sure where to begin, I donned a pair of goggles and began cutting some pieces and playing around with a design. Trying to make the finished heart a little more useful, I added a tiny peg that can be used to hang a necklace or two. I glued down each piece into place with an adhesive for mosaics.
When the glue was dried, I opened the bottle of grout to find it was rock hard. Off to the craft store for a new one and then on to the messy work of grouting.
Being sure that all of the spaces and crevices between each cut piece was filled, I scraped the excess off and waited about 30 minutes.
I lightly sprayed the surface with a water bottle and began rubbing away the grout that covered each tile.
Finally each little heart was finished. A loop of ribbon was glued to the back and covered with a heart-shaped piece of card stock.
With an ‘I love you!’ sticker on the back, these hearts are ready to box up and make their way to the post office on Monday bound for some precious little girls that melt my heart.
Birthday Weekend with Grandchildren
Monday is John’s birthday and so we kind of made this a birthday weekend.
Friday evening we went into Philly to the Walnut Theater to see Amadeus.
From the Playbill:
Amadeus weaves a confrontation between mediocrity and genius into a tale of breathtaking dramatic power. In the court of the Austrian Emperor Josef, Antonio Salieri is the influential court composer. Enter the greatest musical genius of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The final contest is not between Salieri and Mozart, but between Salieri and God.
Though there are mountains of snow outside, for a change of pace, John requested a summer barbecue menu for his winter birthday dinner. We had burgers and hotdogs from the grill, homemade baked beans, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, chips, iced-tea and cherry Kool-Aid (his favorite summertime drink ~ it’s the boy in him)
We finished with candles in an apple/pear/mixed berry cobbler.
We spent some time with these cuties on Saturday morning as Keri played soccer.
Saturday evening we used a gift card from Jill & Brad and went to Outback with Jared for dinner.
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| Caleb is a boy of few words. At one point it was just Caleb and Pop-Pop in the dining room eating cobbler and ice-cream. He looked up at John and simply exclaimed, ‘Yum’ in his sweet, musical voice. |
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| This is the reaction when I asked Caleb to give Pop-Pop a birthday kiss… |
Our ever alert sentry
…and an embroidered note to my Beloved, machine stitched on fabric with the words done by hand. This sweet idea came from Flamingo Toes. She has complete instructions on her blog.Warning… Sad Little Keri Girl Ahead
Our church has held an indoor Soccer League outreach for many, many years. Our girls were a part of it all through childhood and John coached and ref-ed for years. He loved it and sadly sent his referee shirt to a donation organization just last year thinking his soccer league days were over.
Then he learned our granddaughter, Keri Jill, was old enough to begin now that she is 7 years old. So, first thing this morning, off we went to watch Keri play and cheer her on.
After ascertaining that she looked cute with her pink jacket tied around her waist, she was ready to play.
Then, a bit of apprehension set in.
Feeling uncertain about what she should do as Daddy coaches her team and
brothers Silas and Noah look on.
Preferring to watch the boys scrambling after the ball.
Not liking this situation at all.
Daddy, I need to talk to you…
Daddy, I need to talk to you…
Mommy, I just want to go home…
and curl up on the sofa.
Parenting is such a fine balance in encouraging, loving, prodding along yet not pushing too hard. I’m sure every mom feels the same heart tug remembering a time with a child facing a challenge in their young life.
Stamped Valentine’s to make with Kids
Little ones spending the night is a perfect reason to make lovely abstract roses for Valentine’s Day Cards for their Mommy. Stamped Valentine’s to make with kids is an easy projects and lets them use their creative imagination as they compose their design.
Butterfly Kisses from Cambrie
This sweet little noggin, pressed against the window pane is what greeted us as we arrived at our daughter, Jamie’s last night.
Cambrie Noelle, with her recently pierces ears, pressed her cute button nose against the glass as she peeked at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop through the large bay window
There couldn’t be a more welcoming sight.
Pop-Pop’s little peanut learned to give kisses!
With a little apprehension and a little coaxing she melted our hearts once again.
♥
♥
Is that the cutest pucker you have ever seen!
♥
♥
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children
Proverbs 17:6
Happy Birthday, Ella Grace!
My little weekday friend just had her 4th birthday and to celebrate, Abbey and I took her to the the mall this morning, to Build-A-Bear Workshop so she could make a special bear to love.
After choosing her bear body, Ella headed to the fluff machine. Using a foot pedal, she pumped until her bear was stuffed just right. Then she picked out a heart and helped insert it into her bear just before sewing closed. Finally, off to the computer to prepare the birth certificate for “Princess Bear”.
How did we guess that Ella would choose a pink Bear with pretty bows and a shirt with a big heart…
cause she is all girly-girl!
♥
enjoying a banana in the food court watching the morning crowd stroll by.
Sitting a spell waiting for the stores to open. Yup, we’re early birds.
Hoppin’ John New Year’s Eve
Looking Back on 2010 With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart
January began the end of a very long and difficult time in our lives that included an unbelievably extended unemployment. Holding on to hope and the promises of God was being tried to the utmost and it was the most stretching time in our walk of faith.
The prayers of many carried us through when it felt like we had no more words to pray.
God’s promises are trustworthy and His timing is perfect. In His amazing way, He provided our needs and in February, John began a new job that he loves.
~*~
We cherish our grandchildren and pray they will grow to lead God-honoring lives and come to know Him personally.
In April, we said good-bye to our good friend and brother-in-law, George.
We loved every second of every visit with our kids living in up-state New York.
In June, our oldest grandson, Jared, became a teenager.
Our youngest daughter, Abbey, attended her senior prom in May and then in June, accepted her high school diploma.
We had a blast in Ocean City, in July with Erin, AJ and Jared.
One very hot, humid summer evening, my sweetie took us out to the ballgame and we watched the winning Phillies play.
We loved having family and friends celebrate with us, Abbey’s school achievements.
We went to the playground and ran, climbed, played on the swings and monkey bars and threw some balls to eager batters and catchers.
We shared birthday cake celebrating all of our August birthdays.
We enjoyed the boardwalk anew through the eyes of the little ones
and shared the largest pizza we ever saw.
and shared the largest pizza we ever saw.
A Paris themed birthday and some handsome Maitre d attended a party.
September included a great time visiting cousins in Lewes, Delaware.
Beautiful autumn, October days were spent sightseeing in nearby Philadelphia to celebrate our
35th wedding anniversary.
35th wedding anniversary.
A keepsake from my Beloved.
A frightening bee-sting incident involving our grandson and dog with a happy ending.
A perfect day spent with my sister after a book signing by Ina Garten 🙂
A few too many leaf-raking days in the fall.
A boy and a dog ~ happily recovered.
A boy and his Pop-Pop just messin’ around.
A special day in November, our twin daughters celebrated a bench-mark birthday.
Thanksgiving and gratitude.
Our New York family and meeting their playful puppy.
Enjoying our sweet, Spanish friend was also a November highlight.
A very cold but very fun day in Philly with Jill and family & Jamie and family.
Christmas with three of our four daughters.
~*~
A year of blessings from the hands of a Gracious and Loving
Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33
Philly with Family
Saturday morning we all bundled up and met at the Speedline to take the train into Philly.
Our first stop was to see the Holiday Light Show ending with a concert on the Wanamaker Organ at Macy’s Philadelphia. It has been a Christmas tradition since 1956. I have been visiting since I was born and have delighted taking my children and now grandchildren to enjoy a family tradition for so many.
Little people and big people fill all the floors of the gorgeous building to get a peek at the Light Show.
Here are a few facts copied from the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ site. It has great information, facts and photos if you’d like to learn more.
The Holiday Light Show:
Fun Facts and Figures
Past and Present
Fun Facts and Figures
Past and Present
There are 34,500 LED lights on the Macy’s Magic Christmas Tree in six colors: red, yellow, green, blue, purple, and cool white, which breaks down to about 5,750 lights in each color. It is topped by a red Moravian (or Advent) star. The lights on the tree, the snowflakes, and the snowmen are dimmable.
The rest of the light show has about 65,000 LED lights (the Parade studio attempted to do an actual count, but found it impractical to finish). Colors include red, yellow, orange, green, blue, pink, purple, warm white, and cool white. The LEDs use 90 percent less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs (which were from 5 to 7 watts per bulb in the old show). LED colors are purer than incandescent colors, and cameras sometimes have difficulty capturing the violet and white shades.
The vertical strands have four steady LED colors: red, purple, blue and green. They also have two incandescent blinking colors: blue and white. These blinkers are still incandescent because the blink is in the bulb and is not controlled by the computer. LEDs are not developed enough yet to handle blinking.
The old Wanamaker tree contained an estimated 23,500 lights, many custom-tinted just for the Show in shades of pink and purple, and the figures contained 29,000 bulbs. The show was fed by 1200 amps.
After the Light Show we headed to the 3rd floor to see the Dickens Village.
Macy’s acquired the Dickens Christmas Village from Philadelphia’s Strawbridge & Clothier Department Store. Numerous animated figures depict scenes in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (1843).
Waiting in line provided photo opportunities (as if we really needed photo opportunities!)
And a stop to see Santa on the way out.
A pit stop to fill some empty tummies and lots more walking to the playground at Franklin Square.
The cold and wind didn’t stop all the spinning, twirling, running, swinging, climbing and laughing.
Another long walk back to the station to board the trains homeward with plans for a warm, cozy evening in front of the fireplace eating something that is also a Philly tradition…. Cheesesteaks! Jill and Brad always try to include them as one meal during their visits because even though they have them in up-state NY, they just aren’t the same. We also wanted Aldara to experience these wonderful sandwiches too. Her opinion… two thumbs up and “I like!”
Baths done, PJs on, fire going and Pop-Pop controlling the remote, we are ready for…
A Christmas Carol
(my tied-with-first favorite Christmas Movie. The other one is
A Muppet’s Christmas Carol)
Thankful for Family this Thanksgiving Day!
It is early morning but my helpers are already up and in the kitchen with me. We are preparing a 22-pound turkey for our feast later today. PopPop set up his laptop in the kitchen so we can watch the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade while we chop and dice and toss ingredients.
We even had a period of large white snowflakes fall from the sky to add to the festivities inside.
Grandchildren Visiting from NY
Abbey woke to lots of giggles and laughter this morning
And introducing someone new who also traveled over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house…
RUDY
Rudy is a five month old apricot color Yorkie-poo. He is sweet, playful and a lot poofy!
I don’t think I have ever seen a little puppy quite like Rudy. He sort of has a little monkey face. I think it looks like you should unzip his thick coat and let the real puppy dog out.
He is much loved! Except by Raider who isn’t thrilled about having this fur-ball wanting to play with him and take his toys. Raider, I was hoping you would be a nice host to your new cousin (or is that nephew).
Brenna and Ryan loving Rudy
Well, it’s back to the kitchen for more peeling and chopping of celery and onions and parsley and yams and cauliflower and cranberries and nuts and apples and beans and…………………..
Citrine Birthstone for our Twin’s November Birthdays
Our precious girls had a birthday today.
How ever did these two sweet little girls get to be… 30 years old?
How ever did these two sweet little girls get to be… 30 years old?
Abbey and I took lunch over to Jamie’s house and had a great time with her and the kids. Of course, Jill was on our minds all day and wishing we were with her too.
Not so easy getting five little ones happy and cooperative for a photo but we tried.
I filled a tray of cheeses, crackers, apples, breadsticks, muffins and nuts and another one with cookies, brownies and chocolate. Jamie made a delicious Rachel Ray recipe for Ginger-Soy Carrot Soup.
Jill and family will be down from up-state New York for Thanksgiving and I will be taking photos of her and her family then. Miss you so much, guys!
♥
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| Jamie & Jill ~ just as sweet on the inside as on the outside |
Scooby-Doo and Friends Grandkid’s Halloween Costumes
Shaela, Brenna and Ryan
Adorable Scooby Doo characters, Velma, Daphne and Freddie, easy to pull together Halloween costumes using thrift store finds.
Baby Cambrie
ten months old already…
and loving her crackers, crawling and parroting words those around her say. Her tiny little voice copied her mommy the other day by saying,
‘bye, Abbey.’
‘bye, Abbey.’
See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.
For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven
Matthew 18:10
For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven
Matthew 18:10
♥
Giant Bubbles Fun Summer Activity with Grandchildren
Time with grandchildren is some of the very best moments of all. They are even more precious when those grandchildren live a distance away. As our daughter Jill and husband, Brad’s visit was nearing an end, we had one last activity we wanted to do with the kids before they head back to up-state New York. Making bubbles. GIANT bubbles. Bubbles they could almost climb into. And it was so much fun! If you are looking for a great activity to do with kids, grand kids, your own kids, neighborhood kids, youth group kids and even big kids, make a batch of bubble solution together and see who can make the biggest one!
Ryan caught on quickly and was making some pretty impressive bubbles in no time.
Shaela needed a little help at first from PopPop
She soon caught on and was making some amazing bubbles all by herself.
And, pretty thrilled about it.
How To Make GIANT Bubbles
For convenience, supplies can be purchased from Amazon through links below.
Supplies to make the bubble solution:
1 Gallon Purified Water
5 cups Unscented and uncolored Dish-washing Soap
1/2 cup Glycerin
Directions:
Pour the water into a bucket. I used a clean plastic container.
Pour the dish-washing soap into the water. Then mix it gently with a wooden spoon.
Pour the glycerin in. Mix gently again. You don’t want ANY bubbles.
NOTE: Humidity has a lot to do with good bubble making so you might want to add a little more or less water to get a good consistency. Since it is so humid here in August, a little thinner was better.
Supplies for making the wand
2 Wooden or Poly Dowels, we cut them 16 to 24-inch
2 Eye screws
3 to 4 1/4 inch nuts (to weigh the line down)
Cotton String (we used kitchen twine)
Directions: The photos will be a help in making the wand
- Drill a small hole in the end of each dowel.
- Screw the Eye Hooks into the holes you just drilled until they are secure.
- Cut a 70-inch piece of cotton string. Cut another piece of string that measures 30-inches. You can make the string as long or short as you like just as long as one string is longer than the other.
- Put the 3 to 4 nuts through the 70 inch string.
- Put the ends of both pieces of string through one of the eye hooks and tie a knot. Do the same thing on the other eye hook. Now you should have a long string and a shorter one that runs from one dowel to the other.
Even our pup lent a paw in the process of measuring the string and making the wand!
Now for the Fun part:
Making Giant Bubbles
- Head outside with your bucket of solution
- Put the end of the dowels in the bucket so the string is submerged in the bubble solution.
- Bring the ends of the dowels up from the bubble solution, together until about chest high.
- Then separate the dowels by pulling them outward so the string makes a triangle that points down. The washers will weigh the center of the bottom string down. see photo below.
- Step backward quickly so that the air goes through the bubble solution between the dowels and makes a bubble.
We had to give it a few tries before getting the hang of making the bubbles but as you can see, even little kids were quickly able to master it.
And the big kids couldn’t resist a try 🙂
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means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but
it won’t cost you anything additional.
means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but
it won’t cost you anything additional.
