It's Friday!

Fridays have always been crash nights at our house. When all the kids were young, it meant Johnny's pizza night. Sorry kids if we burned you out on pizza back then :( Now days it is so quiet. Sometimes I miss the noise of the young ones... their crazy teenage schedules... their "What's for supper?" or their "Mom where's my_____?" Then I smile and thank the Lord that we raised 4 kids who became wonderful adults. To all of our children I say "I am proud of who you've become." Hopefully you'll be resting with your feet up one Friday afternoon about 20 years from now and think the same thing. I love you all!

Recipe of the Week

Several family members have requested this recipe lately. So here it is!

Mr. Ken Bailey's Walnut Fudge Clusters

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flour
1/2 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups walnut pieces

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat. Melt chocolate chips in butter. Remove from heat and stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir until shiny (20 to 30 strokes) Add in cup of flour, stir until shiny (about 40 strokes) put in walnuts and stir. Line a cookie sheet with foil shiny side up. Drop by spoonfuls of walnut fudge on foil. Bake exactly 7 minutes at 350 degrees.

So yummy that Don says they are dangerous!

Is that Bradley or is it toothless Uncle Lou?

If anyone in the family needs a loan, try calling Bradley. The tooth fairy has been busy at his house so he is the money man! He has lost two teeth in one week! WOW Bradley you are growing up! I love you big man!

Lily's First Sleepover with Us

Last night Lily came to spend the night with us for the first time. She was a perfect angel. She slept all night (between us)! I couldn't resist this photo op. Hope you find it as precious as I did.

Tears for today

Weight, heaviness, loss, sadness but God's Word says that we aren't to grieve as those who have no hope. I know that someday I will see my precious mom again but I still miss her everyday. Sometimes I think she is still here. I want to pick up the phone. It hurts to know that for now I can't. She would be so proud of the family. She would be so glad that Bradley is at Calvary learning scripture passages. Leslie quoting John 3:16 would make her beam. Her hands would brush through Carter's curls to encourage them and talk about his pointed chin with pride. She'd be so loving with Lily and say how she looks like Don with a smile. She'd be proud of what a great big sister Sara is. Mom would love what Laney has done with the house and so glad that she is here with us. But she is spending time with her Lord....so happy to be in His presence. Mom I miss you so much. Thank you for everything you taught me...mostly to love God. Missed

Historic Day

Watching the news coverage of the Presidential Inauguration this afternoon, I wanted to shed light on a view of the election and ensuing festivities that I haven't heard anyone talk about. You know that I rarely discuss politics with anyone and try to keep my opinions to myself but when you entered my blog it is like coming into my house so pull up a chair and look at it my way for a moment. The year is 2009, the President is number 44, the President is black (actually bi-racial) all important facts of the day. But for me it feels different. Yes today is all about me :) This is the first time in history that the President of the United States of America is younger than I am!!!!! No one mentioned that on the news. No commentator seems to even know that this election has changed my view of history. If you want to talk about it with your friends and family we could possibly get people on the "bandwagon" and spread the news. It is all about me today as I count the days until this too happens to you. So if you get weary from the TV talk just think to yourself ...it is really about grandma.

Repairs

I'd like to share some acquired knowledge with you. Around my 40th birthday this information came to me. It was deep...profound.... revolutionary. Yet even after eleven years, my mind still can't quite fully wrap itself around it. It came one day when it seemed everything around the farm had been conversing and planned an attack....let's all break down tomorrow. The truck's transmission waivered, the trailer's tire went flat, the well wouldn't pump and the conveyor belt broke on the planting machine all on the same day. Then like a bolt of lightning it hit me...I know how to keep from repairing things...no it is not maintenance....no it has nothing to do with the money in your savings account. I laughed that it had taken me 40 years to know this valuable information...I gloated in my wisdom. Puffed with pride at my new found knowledge, I began to share it with others. So I chose today it share it with you via this blog. Beware you will be changed forever. This is not for the faint at heart. The way to keep from repairing things is to have nothing. And with that thought, thank God for all he has given you. We are blessed with so much. Thank you Lord for everything!!!! Now off to fix the leaking hot water heater.

I had a great day today.
It started off early this morning when Don and I saw an American Bald Eagle flying around over the pond. It has been since 2000 that we have seen one here. I was hoping to get a picture of the enormous bird in flight but as of yet have not been sucessful.
When you are a grandmaw "Omaw" great days can be marked by the fact that there are precious tiny finger prints all over the glasstop table and zucchini muffins were a hit with a two year old. I love being a grandmother. The most amazing thing about being a grandparent is what I learned a few years ago. When you hold a tiny newborn grandchild you know how much you love them and to my amazement as they grow they love you back!!! What a blessing. Thanks Jaime for coming over and letting me have a "Carter fix." I love you precious daughter. I know staying home with Carter is the best thing you can do with your time and energy. Thank you Theo for being supportive...I am proud that you are my son-in-law!

Learning About Blogging

Well I was finally successful at putting a cute background on my blog! Isn't it cute!

All of my favorite grands in one picture!

Since this blog's main purpose is to show off my grandkids, I just had to put a picture of my favorite grands....oh yeah this is all of them in one picture!!!! Aren't they precious in their Christmas polar bear pj's? Thanks Aunt "Yaney" for making them!

Well I have successfully made a couple of posts and today even put a picture on my blog. Still can't figure out how to get the cute background imported. Any help is appreciated.

Just watched President Bush give his farewell speech. I bet he is relieved to be leaving the White House.

Recipe of the week

I thought I might post new recipes that I cook. Only if they taste good!!!

With the weather being cold, I always think about soups as comfort food. When I was a little girl my mom would cook a big pot of vegetable soup everytime she had a hambone. So soup comforts my tummy and comforts me with sweet memories.

I tried a new soup this week. I found it in a Paula Deen magazine. I thought it was delicious and easy. Don even liked it! Here goes!

Chicken, Spinach and Cannellini Soup
Makes about 6 to 8 (1cup) servings

3 boneless skinless chicken breast, fat removed
2 (32 oz) boxes chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 (10 oz) bag fresh baby spinach
2 cans (15.5 oz) cans cannellini beans
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

In a large Dutch oven, bring chicken and broth to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes oruntil chicken is cooked. Remove chicken from broth and shred. Strain broth and reserve.
In the same Dutch oven, combine olive oil, onion, and garlic and cookover medium heat for 4 minutes or until onion is soft. Increase heat ato medium-high and add reserved broth, shredded chicken, spinach, cannellini, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Note: Soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator before reheating.

Grandma's first blogging experience

Wow! I'm actually blogging! Teacher by day blogger by night. I'm hoping that this will be a good way to brag and show off all of my grandchildren. Enjoy!