Strawberries...Cakes, New Life and Old Friends.

Good morning, friends...It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post!  We've been a little busy, as of late.  Goodness!  Almost all good things though.  Sunday, we went to our daughter Crystal and hubby's home, for a family gathering.  All of our kiddo's were in town at the same time!!  Hadn't happened in over 4 years!  Tylar and wife, Sara in from Hungary...William in from Arkansas...we were extremely blessed!  Also, Tylar and Sara had an announcement...!!!

I made a cake from a recipe I found on Patti's, Olla-Podrida blog.  We all loved it!  And I made a Vegan one!  (for our Sara)

Vegan 

Regular cake

I had frosted them both but can't find the photo of the finished cake!!

On Thursday, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast...omgoodness, these were wonderful!  They had cheesecake filling tucked away inside of the pancakes!

We had plenty to eat...bar-b-que...mac & cheese...potato salad...ribs and sausage!  It was all sssooooo good!  But the best thing about it was the family all being together...

When Larry and I finally got our hugs out of the way and we all got settled on the sofa, I looked at Sara and said, "Well...Where's my greatgranBaby"?  Just teasing them like I always do...Sara looked at me funny like, and said, who told you??"  Lololol...I swear no one had and if daughter Crystal knew, she said nothing!  I just had been feeling "new baby" for the last day or so...We all had a good laugh, but Larry and I are SO happy about having another GreatGran in the family!!  And it's another Girl!

Expectant parents, Grandson Tylar and Sara.

Everyone was getting in the pool and Larry and I grabbed grandson William for a photo.  Gampa Larry made a funny face because William always hams it up during a camera shoot.

Now this is Caitlin (left) William's new girlfriend.  So pretty and works in some governmental department (forensics).  We don't know too much about her as of yet...and Will wasn't offering much information.  We'll find out more later on though...lol

We also found some time to get together with our old school buddies...A lot of years have passed since elementary and now.  Amazing we're all together, still!  Praying we stay that way!

I know this is probably a silly thing, but it really helps me stay on track with appointments or places I need to be.  I take 2 prescriptions and various supplements so...why not add little signs to those specific days right on my pill box?  I see it every morning...Works for me!

I cut post-it-Notes with my info on it then stick it to the day I need to take notice of...works and I'm not constantly pulling out calendars!

For lunch today I made chicken breast and green beans...

Then I received a JURY SUMMONS in the flippin' mail!  I'm SO sick of these things...It's like the courthouse has me on speed-dial!!  Well...long story short, I've been excused from duty...

I'm going to have to have surgery on my eye...October 9th.  Oh well...I'd rather have surgery than jury duty again!  They can't find enough decent people to uphold the law!  I've done my duty for over 52 years...I don't feel any remorse about missing one time!

And what's a post without Sloane? lolol

She had a blast in the pool. She loves her Pops.

Well, I suppose that's about it for now.  Hope you all have been behaving yourselves!  I'll be over to check up on you so...until next time...

                                            

Thanksgiving Eats and Being Grateful...

Family...Will, Crystal and Tim

Everett and Samantha...

"William!  Be still baby so Gamma can get the shot!  Will!!  Stop talking!!  Gotta love him!

Home made pralines...yes, I made these!  Recipe HERE

The BEST peanut brittle...EVAH!!!  If it was any better, I'd have to slap myself...Recipe HERE



Light and crispy



Dirt Cake...(Oreo Cake, full of chocolate pudding, cream cheese and powdered sugar and whipping cream) Recipe HERE



Libby dreaming of bigger things...



Toffee!!  I made the BEST toffee!  Recipe HERE



The turkey was yummy...super moist



And the family sat down to eat...we were very grateful!

Now...Onward and forward...to Christmas!

Hope you all are having a happy and peaceful week!

Post Thanksgiving Turkey and Dumplings and Cherry Pie...

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Our family gathered, laughed, ate...did some more eating and before you knew it, it was over.  Just like that....I guess that's just the way things happen.  Time...goes by too darn fast!  The kiddos came up last weekend and spent the week.  That really helped relieve my "separation from the brats" problem...Hahaa... Everything works out in the end.
We also got Samantha (granddaughter) moved on the 19th into her new place.  It's a one bedroom starter place that's just perfect for her.  We had fun shopping with her this past week when her Mom (Crystal) came up for the visit.  Nothing like giggling and planning...it was fun.
So...after the official holiday had past, there were the...leftovers.  Not that there were many.  Leftover turkey got turned into turkey &  dumplings.  Found a pretty good recipe on Pinterest.  Hubby actually made me blush!  Said it was really good SO...no more easy cooking using biscuit dough...needs to be this, fresh dough...from now on...really...'cause he loved it...we'll see...Hahaa
The cherry pie was TOO EASY!!  Grab two ready made (or go ahead and make your own...I dare you)  pie shells...a nine inch cast iron skillet...a can of cherry PIE FILLING...I emphasize pie filling so you won't grab the cherries in juice...and four or five pats of butter.
In the dry, ungreased skillet, lay the uncooked first layer of pie crust...pour in the whole can of pie filling...dot the filling with the butter...lay the second pie crust on top and create a magnificent (mine was simply gorgeous...NOT)  edge on your pie...vent the top with slits or one small hole in the center...bake at 350 degrees until you see the pie bubbling, takes about 35 to 45 minutes.  Serve hot with vanilla ice cream...Lordy, I'll never go back to the glass pans again! 
And last but not least, when Hubby's Dad and Mom came in the door on Thanksgiving, Dad handed us the vase of roses...What a sweet thing to do...He's 90!
Y'all have a great Sunday!  Going to see if I can get Hubs to get the Christmas tree out of storage...

Post Christmas and New Years.....

crazy kiddos

breakfast

Good Morning...Yes, it's post, Everything.  Kids came for Christmas "breakfast" instead of lunch.  We thought since they all had other places to go, we'd spare them several repeats of the turkey meals.  It gets old, quick!  We had a good time, ate bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, jelly.  First time we'd ever done this...I think it was a good idea!  
Larry got me a double waffle maker for Christmas.  It works pretty well but I don't think it gets hot enough.  But it's been fun gaining all my new found pounds playing around with it!  Speaking of pounds...here I go AGAIN.  I do NOT want to be old and a "waddler".  Diet starts soon....WHAT???
Soon I say.....soooooonnnnnn......
Hope you all had a fun New Years as well.  Larry and I were in bed by 8:30....Hahaaaa....we don't "do" New Years very well, never have.
Well stay warm guys...and pray for an uneventful 2015!