It can be hard to find a really nice crochet project for the guys in your life. Especially one that will actually get used. This easy pattern for a crochet necktie is a great Father’s Day gift idea or for a young man graduating or attending a prom. Continue Reading
Tomato Bisque from Medieval Times
Worthy of the Queens approval and fit for her knights as they ready for a fencing duel is this delicious bowl of Medieval Times Tomato Bisque. I duplicated the easy soup recipe from a recent dinner theater show we attended with our family.Continue Reading
Training in Righteousness
Training in righteousness is primarily the responsibility of the parents. And, by extension, grandparents can have an impact on spiritual teaching as well. Here is a list of 20 bible verses relating to passing the torch to the next generation.Continue Reading
Keep Calm and Love London
Keep Calm and Love London. We weren’t really calm at all but actually quite excited. And loving London is easy. This was our second trip to this lovely city, across the pond and we were thrilled to be going to London, England again. This time with two of our adult children and our oldest grandson. A little more confident in our international travel experience and our ability to navigate airport flights and customs as well as the tube and underground, took away much of our first-time anxiety. Once again we would be experiencing the history, art and culture that is so abundant at every corner we turned. Added to all of this, we would be enjoying it through the eyes of our kids. Continue Reading
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
LBI Lighthouse & Tomato Jam Recipe
Before summer is gone and fresh garden tomatoes are unavailable, I wanted to make a batch of this unique Tomato Jam using a vintage recipe from my husbands great-grandmother. I shared the recipe for Tomato Jam a couple years ago but thought I’d post again because it is a good way to use summer ripe tomatoes and it is delightful to enjoy the bright taste during winters sometimes dreary days.
Classic Crab Cakes & Hip Replacement Recuperation
Making these yummy classic crab cakes was the first real cooking I’ve done since my hip replacement four weeks ago. Though I’m still hobbling without my cane and can’t bend to the floor yet, I’m pleased as I resume more and more regular activities.Continue Reading
summertime
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Leonardo da Vinci
Carefree and leisurely we walked around the lake and through paths at a nearby park, the girls snapping pics and Jared Pokemon hunting.
(Keri came for several days to keep Shaela company during her visit with MomMom and PopPop)
Much cooler and pleasant under the canopy of trees.
spying out ducks
looking to see if their initials were carved into a tree
investigating an up-rooted tree
challenging each other on strength and agility
three of our 13 grandchildren… Jared, Keri and Shaela
peanut butter and fluff sandwiches because, of course, grandmoms allow fluff 😉
a sweet summer day
Aquarium
Aren’t these Pacific Sea Nettles Jellyfish fascinating?
This was my favorite part of our visit to the Adventure Aquarium by the Camden NJ Waterfront.
A week with Shaela
We spent a long weekend visiting our daughter in upstate NY while her husband, Brad was in Massachusetts doing a two-week intense study as he works toward his school administration certificate. The five hour drive can become boring but not with a spectacular sunset.
Jill and her family are outdoorsy people but the kids were sweet to accommodate Abbey and my passion for museums and cities.
We drove to Utica to The Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute (previous post).
After the art institute we headed to a really fun place for lunch. Tramontane Cafe (or Tram for short) is an eclectic and funky neighborhood cafe and coffee house filled with kitschy decor that serves up really good sandwiches and baked items. Friendly service and so fun to be in an atmosphere full of 50’s and 60’s memorabilia.
While the exterior of the building was a little run down, the nearby telephone poles displayed much creativity. Yarn bombing, kniffiti, urban knitting or graffiti knitting is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre rather than paint or chalk. source
While waiting for food, there is a game area and if you are there in the evening, a stage for live entertainment.
Graduation
He did it. And, he did it well.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
With the warm glow of the setting sun, we watch and cheered as the class of 2016 filled the field with not just their caps and gowns but with their youthful excitement, hope for a bright future and relief their high school responsibilities were behind them.
This graduation class of 525 students almost filled the track with young adults that were just entering the school halls as freshman a blink ago. Parents and grandparents remembering with hearts overflowing as the procession flowed by.
Jared, with his best friend since middle school, marching right behind him, enjoyed every moment of the celebration.
“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”
lots of hugs and smiles
highlighting his accomplishments
Storm Robotics Alumni
AP Latin students barbecue
The following day, it was PARTY TIME!
friends
family
fun
Braden and Jethro had no trouble finding adventures together.
our pond fish are well fed 😉
ending this beautiful evening relaxing by the fire making S’mores
Dear Jared says the Lord…
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.…
… Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you
do call on him, precious grandson
♥
Shake and Bake Coating Recipe and Family/Friend Times
Busy days and hungry kids call for easy meals. Do you remember the old Shake and Bake commercials with the little girl in her southern accent, enthusiastically exclaiming, “And, I helped!” I have always liked the product. Nice flavor, little mess and no frying. Now I make my own shake and bake coating. It’s easy and economical. I use it for both pork and chicken and you can change up the spices to suit your taste. (Scroll to bottom of post for recipe)
Old Fashioned Potato & Ham Soup and Family Pics
When plans to be out for the day suddenly changed and I found I had nothing pressing to do, I knew immediately what I wanted. I called my sister and was thrilled she was able to come for a visit. We chatted, caught up on family, laughed and ate a light lunch while Jared, Abbey, Erin and John popped in and out.
I was in the mood for soup. A soup to use the Easter ham leftovers, but, not a heavy soup. Bean soup wouldn’t work because I hadn’t soaked beans and didn’t have canned. I’d make potato soup and though I love thick, rich, cheesy potato soup, this time I wanted something lighter. This potato and ham soup with carrots, celery and onion is in a thinner broth and just slightly thickened with milk and flour.
Perfect for an unplanned, spontaneous and delightful sistertime.
Old Fashioned Potato & Ham Soup
Ingredients
2 Tbs butter
1 celery stalk, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth (reduced sodium if you prefer to add your own salt)
2 large potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
small sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped or 1⁄4 teaspoon dried rosemary
hefty dash pepper
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups ham, cooked and diced
1 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
salt
Directions
In a Dutch oven or pot, melt butter over medium heat; add celery, carrot and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes.
Stir in chicken broth, potatoes, rosemary and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
In a measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the milk and flour. Pour into the soup, whisking to combine. Gently simmer and stir 5 minutes more. Stir in ham and parsley and heat through. Adjust seasoning.
…and the blessings that fill our lives to overflowing
(posting photos is the part of my blog our grandkids love the best. It truly warms my heart to know they visit and it is the main reason I blog)
bundle of sweetness
Jamie and Josh with their kiddos
Our oldest and our youngest grandchildren
Jared and Joelle
Aunt Abbey captivated with this little peanut
Keri with her baby sister
(none of us can resist kissing those incredibly soft cheeks)
our grandson, Braden in the hospital with pneumonia
home in time to celebrate Easter
and color eggs with siblings Brenna, Ryan and Shaela
Braden and our daughter, Jill
Grandson Ryan, accepting a basketball award from his dad, Brad
Coloring Easter eggs together after school
making chocolate coconut buttercream eggs
Noah and PopPop
Once a week John and I make a point to spend one-on-one time with a grandchild. During that time, we have dinner and chat, asking them five questions to spur conversation on a deeper level, always ending with how we can be praying for them. Their answers are varied and all so precious and it amazes us to see a side of them that isn’t so apparent as they interact when they are all together.
MomMom and Keri Jill
Our first granddaughter who will be entering her teen years this summer, sweet, artistic and loves all things Paris!
PopPop and Silas. See that cracked front tooth? He is proud to say he acquired it while at our house and thinks it makes him look like a hockey player!
During a weekend stay-over, we cheered on Jared’s Robotics team at competition
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children
Proverbs 17:6
snippets of family and friends
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
Edith Sitwell
This sweet home is where our daughter, Jamie and husband Josh and family now live, love and grow. They moved in just before the holidays and are enjoying a lovely, spacious house that more than accommodates their large family.
baby #8 is due in March 🙂
above photos by Nathan Lawrensen Photography
Upstate NY twin, Jill, husband Brad and their precious four.
Youngest daughter, Abbey feeling better after losing her car in a traffic accident. She was hit from behind while sitting at a traffic light and forced into the cars in front of her.
The bottom left photo is Abbey and our oldest grandson, Jared, taken by dear, sweet blogging friend Judy (Just a Little Something for You).
A delightful visit from Judy and her husband, John, who came bearing delicious treats, pretty plates, exciting cookbook, warm smiles, loving hearts and leaving us happy and thankful for very special friends.
A pic with my brother as we celebrated a loved nephews birthday.
visiting grand kids
warm inside ~ cold outside
a surprise party celebrating my aunts 75th birthday
warm by the hearth
Birthday time
My sweetheart just had a birthday and I made him a
cake to celebrate.
A dark chocolaty cake with peanut butter frosting, ganache drizzled on top and down the sides then sprinkled with chopped snickers bars.
This dear daughter totally surprised us by driving 5 hours with her youngest son to spend the weekend.
all four daughters together for their dads birthday
Happy Birthday, PopPop!
Chocolate Cake, Peanut Butter Frosting with Ganache
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup boiling water
Chopped Snickers, sprinkles or other candy for decorative garnish, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans
In large mixer bowl, stir together dry ingredients.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Stir in boiling water on low (batter will be thin) Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes (I needed to bake 45 minutes) or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire racks. Allow to cook completely before frosting.
Peanut Butter Frosting
1 cup peanut butter
2/3 cups butter
2 Tbs. cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups 10X sugar
Beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer. Gradually mix in the sugar, adding cream a little at a time; add vanilla and beat until fluffy.
When cake is completely cooled, spread frosting between layers and frost the top and sides.
Refrigerate cake for an hour or so before topping with the ganache.
Ganache
Ingredients
16 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
Directions
Heat the chocolate chips, heavy cream, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally.
Spread the ganache over the top of the frosted cake allowing some to drip over the edge. Arrange chopped candy bar or other sprinkles as desired.
Back in the swing of things
We realized the time and energy it would take to plan and prepare for our trip abroad but what I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to get back into the swing once we returned home.
Unpacking, laundry, connecting with family, email, snail mail, photos from camera, iPhone photos, sorting photos, editing photos, food shopping, house cleaning, yard work, even making meals is a chore (and you know how I love to cook!)
A cold when I got home (so happy we were well while away) slowed me down too.
I am slowly catching up and getting back in the swing of things as we cherish these these family moments.