Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Buttercream Frosting

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Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Buttercream Frosting: Easy recipe for vanilla cupcakes with cherry buttercream frosting. A delicious and fun recipe to make with kids.
What is better than a vanilla cupcake with a big swirl of fluffy cherry frosting, sprinkled with jimmies and topped with a cherry? Making them with a granddaughter, that’s what. Shaela came to spend part of her summer break with her PopPop and I and also spend time with her New Jersey cousins. Making cupcakes together topped her list of fun things to do while she was here. It was a sweet idea!

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Little Champ

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 Sometimes even a little tumble can cause a big hurt.

This is Chloe. She was playing in her Little Tikes Cozy Coupe and somehow getting out, she tumbled. Her siblings and neighborhood kids were all playing and went to help her when she ran to her mom shouting, “I broke my bone!”. One look and her mom knew this was bad.
Jamie cut away her shirt and put her arm into a sling. Off to Urgent Care. They took X-rays and sent her to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
 This is what a supracondylar break looks like.
The night before surgery, the doctor had to manipulate the bone back through the fascia because he was concerned it could have poked through the skin as she slept. (middle left photo above)
Now, with two pins, a bright pink cast and a little time, Chloe will be good as new.
While Jamie was caring for Chloe, Joelle and Jethro came to our house for a couple of days.
 Baby Joelle clung to Aunt Erin and shared all of her cold germs.
 And like all that went before her, Joelle loved splashing bubbles in the kitchen sink.
At the store Aunt Erin told us how excited Joelle got when they turned onto an isle and she saw a display of little dolls. Joelle told everyone that listened about her babies.
Jethro was my little shadow. We planted seeds together. He showed me that he is as tall as a yardstick. We watched movies and snuggled at bedtime.
(Did you know that if you thread a yardstick down through the cabinet drawer pulls you can prevent a curious mobile baby girl from opening each drawer and removing dangerous content. Yes, after 13 grandbabies, I learned this. It is not perfect but it will buy you some time.) 
(you can see the yardstick better in this photo)
Shaela is our granddaughter who lives in upstate New York. This week was Shaela’s turn to be Super Kid in her class. Family can attend this 30 minute time to celebrate each Super Kid and share interesting or amusing stories or thoughts about why this Super Kid is special to them. Jet and I got to be part via FaceTime as did PopPop John from his work office and Shaela’s other grandparents who are currently in Hawaii.  Pretty amazing, I say.
and from the recent past…
When you are a mom to eight children it might take you almost a year to make good on your Father’s Day gift. Jamie and John finally got to enjoy their father/daughter evening together. Dinner and then home to watch a special episode of one of their favorite shows, Gold Rush. Remembering John Schnabel is a moving tribute of John by his grandson, Parker.
Back in February we had a visit from our New York family. Aunt Erin giving our grandson, Braden a haircut.
After this long week, John and I went to a restaurant we had been wanting to try. We were pleasantly surprised to learn it was Restaurant Week and the menu was a lovely 4-course meal, including, an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert sampler. We thoroughly enjoyed or time together.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

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Top on Shaela’s list of things to do while visiting was to bake and she chose to make this Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake.

The last day of her visit and before I drove her to meet up with her mom we squeezed in some baking time.
It was a little labor intensive but she did a great job following the directions.
It turned out pretty tasty!

 Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
source Pillsbury Celebrate 100 booklet

PRINT RECIPE
16 servings @320 calories each

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cold butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and side of 9- or 10-inch spring-form pan with shortening; lightly flour.

In large bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup of the sugar. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture.

To remaining crumb mixture, add baking powder, baking soda, salt, sour cream, almond extract and 1 of the eggs; blend well. Spread batter over bottom and 2 inches up side (about 1/4 inch thick) of pan.
NOTE:  We had a little trouble getting the batter 2 inches up the sides but it didn’t seem to matter

In small bowl, combine cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and remaining egg with electric mixer, or mix with a spoon. Pour into batter-lined pan. Carefully spoon preserves evenly over cream cheese mixture.

Add almonds to reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over preserves.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until cream cheese filling is set and crust is deep golden brown. Cool 15 minutes; remove side of pan. Serve warm or cool. Refrigerate leftovers.

After baking, Aunt Erin took Shaela to a pool for fun and help surviving the 99 degree temp (104 degree real feel)

summertime

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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

A week with Shaela

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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. 

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

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Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies is a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. A great entree served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.
Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies makes this a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. I served it at Jared’s graduation party as a side dish but it would be a great entree served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.Continue Reading

Old Fashioned Potato & Ham Soup and Family Pics

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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

PRINT RECIPE

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

Family Moments

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Jill came down from upstate New York to participate in The Love Run Philadelphia Half Marathon with her twin sister and a good friend, Megan.
in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum

 Jamie and Jill before the run on a brisk morning
Finished!
 The boys stayed at Jamie’s house and the girls stayed at my house. After making the bunny cake, they dyed Easter Eggs…
 experimented with the colors…
and techniques…
 admired their creations…
 then promptly decided to eat their masterpieces!
 someone liked them…
 someone didn’t
I went to my computer for a time while the girls played all about the house.  I heard them scampering in and out of the garage, upstairs and down. They yelled to me they were playing dress-up.  This is what I found! Quite an able crew, don’t you think!
 Then popcorn and a movie before bed
after all that baking and cleaning it’s hard for wee ones to stay awake
 Earlier this month, our oldest grandson was inducted into the Latin Honor Society. After the ceremony, we had a fun dinner at a nearby restaurant.
{ah, how I love this young man}

Easter Bunny Cake

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This adorable Easter bunny cake is made using a box cake and frosting (either homemade or from a tub). Our girls had the best time assembling it and were overjoyed with their finished creation. Truly a fun project and a lovely Easter dessert. It looks super cute on the holiday table.
This adorable bunny cake is pretty and a really fun project to do with kids. My little granddaughters did all of the decorating themselves in less than 30 minutes.  After baking, I cut the layers in half and stood them up on the cut side after they added some frosting.  Then I cut the notches and let them go to town decorating.

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