Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

Pigs in a Blanket

By Lorraine

An ever popular and easy appetizer, Pigs in a Blanket is a great after school snack especially for high school boys!
No one really needs a recipe for pigs in a blanket.  A tube of crescent rolls and either hot-dogs or cocktail sausages, a few minutes in the oven and you have a tasty snack or appetizer.  Serve with some plain or fancy mustard for dipping and you’re set! Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds before baking, if desired.Continue Reading

Switcheroo and Birthday Fun

By Lorraine

After a two week visit in New Jersey, our daughter, Jill and family headed back to their New York home.
They took Jared with them and left their youngest daughter, Shaela here with us!
Not permanently or course, just for a week. 
Keri came by to keep her cousin company and the two of them made a cake
gave me hugs
made
* a card * a heart * a star * finger puppets *
(representing my four daughters)

included Raider in the celebration
and delighted me with an adorable birthday skit!
a totally perfect birthday!

when you take a boy fishing…

By Lorraine

he concentrates on everything his PopPop says to catch his first fish
 then littlest sister picks up a pole, casts the line and in an instant, gleefully catches her first fish
 before you know it, another sister takes a turn and catches her first fish
 then somehow, a friendly competition begins as his mom and dad try to out-fish each other
{but mom has the advantage of fishing this same lake a gazillion times when her dad brought her as a kid} 
 someone (Aunt Abbey) determines to get that BIG one everyone sees swimming near the water edge
(but settles for a small sunnie)
there are lots of laughs over yucky worms and  hearing dad moan as he untangles lines
and messy moments pulling the hook out of the fish before tossing him back
(not to mention the expression of someone when a flipping fish splatters, splashes and slaps about their face)
when you take a boy fishing
everyone has a good time

Sharing: Seasonal Sundays @The Tablescaper

a day in the city

By Lorraine

Wondering how we got back across the river?
We could have turned and headed right back over the bridge the way we came, but we had more plans.
 We walked from the base of the bridge through Old City to a sweet cafe located at Welcome Park where we enjoyed General Tso’s Chicken and finally rested.  We planned to do most of our walking prior to lunch keeping the end of our adventure a little easier.

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Chocolate Tiffin Refrigerator Cake

By Lorraine

Besides my friends from across the pond, who knows what tiffin is?
When I first heard of tiffin I knew it would be a fun confection to make with kids.
There are many versions online but I went with one I saw on this video by a very cute little elf and her daddy.

this is what wikipedia says about tiffin:
Tiffin is a form of cake-like confection composed of crushed biscuits (most commonly digestive biscuits), sugar, syrup, raisins and cocoa powder, often covered with a layer of melted chocolate. Unlike regular cakes, Tiffin does not require baking. Instead, following preparation of the mixture, the confection is chilled until set. As a consequence the product may also be known as ‘fridge cake’ or another similar term.
Here is how to make chocolate tiffin yourself
 gather ingredients of butter, biscuits (cookies), chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, raisins and Karo syrup
enlist the help of two sweet grandsons to butter the dish and crush the cookies
to a saucepan, add the butter, sugar
cocoa powder
and Karo syrup
heat over low heat
stirring until melted and smooth
stir in crushed biscuits and dried fruit then press into pan
lick spoon while pan is chilling in fridge
melt chocolate in microwave
spread on top of chilled tiffin ~ place back into fridge for a couple of hours
loosen edges of pan and turn out onto cutting board
cut into squares

eat some and wrap some to share with your siblings and parents

Chocolate Tiffin
Recipe source:  My Virgin Kitchen
100g butter (on my kitchen scale 100g = 3.5 oz. or about 7 Tbs.)
2 Tbs. golden syrup (light Karo)
2 Tbs sugar
4 Tbs. cocoa powder
3/4-1 cup raisins and dried cherries
200-250g rich tea biscuits, broken into varying size pieces from medium to very small (I used vanilla wafer cookies)
200g chocolate (your preference of dark to light ratio)
In saucepan, melt the butter, Karo, sugar, cocoa powder over low heat; stirring until smooth.
Stir in the crushed biscuits and fried fruit until blended.  Press firmly into a buttered 8×8-inch pan.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate in microwave on 30% power for 30 second intervals (stirring between each heating) until chocolate is melted and smooth.
Remove pan from refrigerator; spread melted chocolate on top.  Return to the refrigerator for several hours until completely cooled and firm.
Allow pan to sit on counter for a few minutes.  Loosen edges of pan with knife and turn tiffin out onto a cutting board.  Cut into squares.

together

By Lorraine

 An impromptu overnight visit from Jill and family was super special!
They were returning from a week-long vacation in Myrtle Beach and made the 10-hour drive to our home to rest up before continuing another 5.5 hours to their NY home the next day.
See the center photo above… Ryan happily completed his first 5-mile run with his mom!
 We made the most of their time here by having all of the cousins together on this hot, humid day.
Since it was another stormy day, the boys laughed and played on their various devices.
 And the girls played dress-up and giggled a lot
 Chloe tried to sweet-talk PopPop into giving her the cell phone
Abbey had just a few okay hours after her wisdom teeth extractions before a week long time of great discomfort. Her face is puffy in these photos taken at the Gazebo on Main Street of our town.

The Spider and the Fly

By Lorraine

WARNING: SQUEAMISH ALERT
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the morning after I cleaned outside the windows above the kitchen sink, I spotted this busy little guy (or is that gal) preparing its dinner
 THE SPIDER AND THE FLY
by Mary Howitt
‘Will you walk into my parlour?’ said the Spider to the Fly,
”Tis the prettiest parlour that ever did you spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there.’
‘Oh no, no,’ said the little Fly, ‘to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.’
‘I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?’ said the Spider to the Fly.
‘There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!’
‘Oh no, no,’ said the little Fly, ‘for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!’
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, ‘Dear friend, what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome–will you please to take a slice?’
‘Oh no, no,’ said the little Fly, ‘kind sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see.’
‘Sweet creature,’ said the Spider, ‘you’re witty and you’re wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in a moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.’
‘I thank you, gentle sir,’ she said, ‘for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.’
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing:
‘Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple–there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead.’
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;
Thinking only of her crested head–poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour–but she ne’er came out again!
And now, dear little children who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

Arachnophobia Facts
source
  • Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is the most common phobia.
  • Half of all women, and one quarter of all men in the United States experiencing it in some degree.
  • Throughout the world only 2% of the 63 000 species of arachnids are harmful to humans.That means that most spiders are harmless,and a scorpion’s sting is rarely deadly.
  • In the whole world, there are only 7 types of spiders which can be declared as dangerous to humen.
  • There are nearly 40,000 species of spiders worldwide and about 3,800 in the US.
  • Spiders generally live for 1 or 2 years. The longest living spiders recorded was aged 20 years
  • Spiders rarely bite people and only do so as a means of defense.
  • Spider silk is the strongest natural fiber known. It’s exuded as a liquid and hardens when the spider pulls it, thus aligning the molecular structure. It will stretch up to 1/3 of its original length without breaking.
  • There is no correlation between the size of the spider and the degree of venom potency.
  • Spiders cannot eat solid food. Everything they ingest must be liquefied.
  • Contrary to popular belief, the female Black Widow spider seldom devours the male after mating
How do you feel about spiders?

Weekend with the Littles

By Lorraine

feeding Raider gold fish crackers
getting pics is not for slackers
lots of lovin’ all around
squirmy baby can’t be found
playing hard and fighting sleep 
toddler antics make you leap  
 waffle breakfast summer days
 soaking up the morning rays
 climbing cherubs up in trees
 help me PopPop, will you please?
giving little sister hugs
 showing PopPop tiny bugs
ending with family party
times like these warm my ❤-y

Surprise!

By Lorraine

Jamie had her sonogram yesterday.
But, even she didn’t know the gender of the precious baby soon to join their family.

But I knew!
As planned, the technician kept it secret. She handed me the photo revealing the special news as we left.  
For a fun way to announce the news to her family, I made a cake for them with the answer inside.
Since Jamie and her family are spending a week down the shore (she came back up just for the appointment), I had to prepare two cakes and give her the right cake to take with her.

She sent me these photos of the reveal…

my adorable Jamie… just a little… hesitant… to tell us… she is… expecting… again… baby number… seven… and this time she isn’t having twin sister, Jill share the news for her…  so, she… casually… mentions it… during a text conversation about nothing in particular…

love my girl!
Star Sugar Cookies following this recipe
Piped Frosting in white, pink and blue 
Frosting used for cake:
FROSTING
1 cup shortening
1 cup butter, softened
1 pkg confectioners’ sugar (2 pounds)
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons water
In large bowl, cream shortening and butter until light and
fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until
smooth. Add enough water to achieve a spreadable consistency.

Where Have You Been

By Lorraine

we’ve been to Lenape Lake in Mays Landing where PopPop John
played as a boy while visiting his aunt and uncle
who can resist climbing an old wooden fence
showing the girls where he used to canoe with his brother and where we took their mom and aunts to ice-skate in the winter

the next day we stopped by our favorite Popes’ Gardens center and while it was still too cold for the annuals we wanted, we had fun visiting the alpacas, turkeys, pheasants and many other animals
and, or course, Rosie the goat
joining The Tablescaper for her new Oh the PLACES I’ve been !

PopPop, will you teach me…

By Lorraine

how to shave…

Noticing facial hair on his face, our 15 year old grandson turned to his PopPop for instruction.
 Realizing the honor and blessing that Jared wants to share a milestone in his life with him, John gathered together a new razor, shave cream and after shave and the two of them headed to the bathroom
where they lathered up and began
 instructions included stern advice about sliding the razor sideways and how (in guy talk) it would make hamburger of his face. If that should happen, he showed him his handy-dandy styptic pencil

men stuff continued
then the inevitable… a nick
some repair and an inspection
rinsing…drying
finishing with good smelling stuff
then it was off to home depot
their relationship is a gift
Oh, that we would continually use our gifts to influence our grandchildren on things eternal

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9 

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