Getting Ready

I don't know how my friends, Tom and Steve do it! They are the fabulous owners of Fandangles' and tgey cater lots if events.

I am exhausted and I just made cookies and baked beans for Sheala's party!

210 cookies with cream cheese frosting topped with blueberries or champagne grapes.

Beans for 150.

I started at 6:00 this morning and just finished at Noon. The beans are still in the oven on low.

I just have to say, good thing she is worth all this!

Taking Pictures

We stopped at a site where we see lots of deer. Even though it was 8:30 pm it still was quite hot so we didn't see as many deer as before. I think about 30 came out of the woods to eat the farmers crops! I wonder how that farmer makes any money?

We parked on the side of the road. The deer came out and looked at the van and then continued on after making sure we weren't moving. It was quite interesting that several of the deer came out of the woods, walked across the street and went into the deep ditch on the other side of the road. They must have been going over to get a drink of water and then they came back over to the woods. You couldn't even see them in the ditch. A couple of fawns came out with their mother and it was fun watching them go into the ditch.

Then we saw some sandhill cranes and a great blue heron. The sun was beginning to set and the reflection off the wheat fields and the barns was spectacular. I love seeing the windmill farms.

Planning the 60th

We got together at John and Mary Beth Looby's home for our last planning for the Class of 70 birthday bash to be held at Tom and Steve's Fandangles' in Flushing on August 25th. Clarence Lum moved back to Saginaw and he joined in the planning. We had a fabulous dinner - John grilled Salmon and Steak and Mary Beth made yummy potatotes and dessert. I brought grilled veggies.

Clarence took beautiful pictures of the garden where we had our dinner. I don't know how they manage such a huge garden. Clarence told me I could use some of his pictures on the blog. Thank you, they are great pictures!



St. Francis of Assisi watching over the flowers



I think these are Morning Glories



The veggie tray I took to the dinner. Mary Beth the recipe is easy - clean and cut the veggies put them on a cookie sheet covered with foil, drizzle with olive oil and season. Beans - dill, Tomatoes - oregano and parmesean cheese, Peppers - oregano, asparagus - thyme and parmesean cheese, zuccini and summer squash - oregano and parmesean cheese. Then I put Mrs. Dash over all of them. Roast them in a 425 degree oven for about 25 minutes. They are delicious hot or at room temperature.


A dinner plate loaded with goodies


A cute sign, "Leave Room in the Garden for the Angels to Dance"

Great Job, Sheala!

We just picked up Sheala from the National HOSA competition in Orlando, Florida. Her team won 2nd place! They had a written test brought them down from 24 to 18. Then they had to perform.

They tied with first place winners in the performance so the written test had to break the tie.

So proud of their hard work. They had so many work sessions this year. They became a great team.

Clear Vanilla!!!!

My favorite eldest daughter went to Texas for her nephew's graduation from basic training. Look what she found for her Momma!!!

Clear vanilla makes the most delicious flavoring in everything.

I only have about a TBS left.  Thank you, JoJo.

Brave

Well, it was too scary for Ayva. Yes she is three, but this little three year old loves to watch zombies! I also think that the storyline was too hard for kids to understand. It was all over the place.

The art work was fabulous. We only saw it in 2D - thank goodness - 3D would have had Ayva terrified!

Marina and Jason

Joanna's best friend, Marina has been waiting patiently for her husband to come home from Afghanistan. He finally made it home. The sacrifice the families makes is much more than anyone realizes. The honor and integrity it takes to serve our country is so unselfish and patriotic. It makes me proud to know them.

They both have such sweet happiness in their eyes in this picture I just had to post it. Here's wishing them a wonderful time together. They live in Hawaii so I am sure the beautiful setting will enhance their time together. Love to Marina and Jason.

What Have I Done?

Oh dear Lord in Heaven, what have I done? I just suggested to Pat that we start working in the basement!

If you don't hear from me something probably fell on me and I am dying in the basement!!!!!

Never mind - I never thought I would jump up and down with glee because Pat has a sore back!

Oh This Was A Great Buy!

I went to an estate sale on Thursday and saw these beautiful Peggy Karr Iris platters. The big one is 20" and the small one 14" - each of them had a stand. All four pieces retail cost is $225 - if you can find them.

I decided I wouldn't buy them until today when everything was half off. We didn't get there until 11 so I was sure they would be gone.

They were there and I got them all for $45! What a deal!

Zoo fun

We had so much fun. Papa even left Habitat for the zoo. He went back and we went to McDonalds.

The sand in the fossil find is always a favorite. And that dolphin has had more kids pose on it than any other place in Saginaw.

WooHoo - Big Day Ahead

While Pat finishes up at Habitat, Nana gets BOTH Javie and Ayva for a day of fun. We will be off to the zoo - so pictures will be posted when we get back!

All About Her

I love the excitement of graduation. Joanna put together a beautiful collage of pictures she took of Sheala. Some at Andersen Enrichment Center in the Rose Garden and some in Hawaii.

Quiche

Our favorite quiche is bacon/broccoli - but you can substitute any meat and veggie in this recipe. I put it in the Saginaw Series: Bertie's Bakery: Heaven Scent book. Elinor makes it for the brunch after Katy's first solo at the Cathedral. She makes the bacon/broccoli and one with chicken and carmelized onions.





Crust for one quiche

1 heaping cup of flour
1 stick of unsalted butter
Pinch of salt
ice water



Put the flour and salt in the food processor. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to processor. Pulse until crumbled. Add water a little at a time while the food processor is on. As soon as it begins to gather together it is done. If you do not have a food processor you can use two forks in a cutting motion through the flour/salt/butter mixture until it starts to come together.

Put the mixture on a piece of plastic wrap and push it together to make a circle. With the edge of your hand make two indents on top of the circle, turn the dough and make two more indents on top of the circle. It will look like a tic tac toe grid. This will help you roll out a circle when it comes out of the refrigerator.

Put the dough in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.

3 Eggs
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 box frozen broccoli and cheese, cooked and strained to get rid of any water and most of the cheese
1/2 cup milk
Salt, Pepper, Mrs. Dash, Dill
2 cups longhorn colby cheese (or any cheese you want)
1 TBS Flour
Nutmeg

Cook bacon, crumble and set aside.

Cook broccoli, strain and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400

Mix together in a bowl. Three eggs, 1/2 cup milk, salt and pepper (I always pretend I am putting the spice on one egg and count for the number of eggs I have in the bowl. So, if I usually turn the pepper grind two times for one egg then I would turn it six times for this recipe.) 1 TBS Mrs. Dash and 1 TBS dill.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator. Turn a cookie sheet over on the counter and put a little flour on it. Unwrap your dough. Roll your dough out on the cookie sheet. When it is bigger than your pie pan, dust off any extra flour with a pastry brush. Then slide the crust onto the pie pan and carefully push it into the bottom of the pie pan and on the sides. Trim any excess crust and crimp the edges.



Put the bacon in the bottom of the crust. Arrange it so it is even over the whole bottom. Then add the broccoli on top and arrange that evenly over the bacon. Carefully pour the egg mixture over it. Sprinkle the flour over the egg mixture - this is the secret to the cheese staying on the top of the quiche. Sprinkle the cheese over the flour. Sprinkle the top with a little nutmeg.

Bake for about 40 minutes - when you stick a knife into the middle it should not ooze out egg mixture. Cook it for another ten minutes if it is not done in the middle. Then it needs to sit after it comes out of the oven for about 15 minutes to set up.

Chocolate Brownies

The first year we were married a good friend, Laura, gave me this Hershey Syrup brownie recipe. It has been a favorite all 39 years of our marriage! My Mom LOVED this recipe and told me I had to take it to every single potluck. It is so easy and so delicious. Here is the recipe. I even put them in the book, Bertie's Bakery: Heaven Scent. Jen, Katy and Colleen make these after watching the classic original "House on Haunted Hill."




Chocolate Brownies
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter or margarine
4 eggs
1 16oz can Hershey Syrup
1 cup flour

Chocolate Frosting for Brownies
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
7 TBS butter or margarine
6 tsp milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix butter, sugar and eggs. Alternately add syrup and flour. Grease and flour bottom of 9x13 pan. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350.

After the brownies cool. Bring sugar, butter and milk to a boil - boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips - QUICKLY beat until chips are melted. IMMEDIATELY pour over the brownies and spread to edges. If you wait too long the topping will crack - it won't hurt the taste but won't look as pretty!

A day in Almont

We went to visit Pat's brother, Dan and asked him to create the covers for the Saginaw Series. He agreed to do them. He liked the idea of using old buildings. He even went to Daniel'Den several times.

His son, Augie came home from golfing and we went to dinner in Metamora. Then we stopped at General Squire's park. I took this picture of the Clifford guys in General Squire's Tea House.

We had a nice afternoon talking.with Dan aboit his artwork.

Dinner at Peninsula Grill on Old Mission Peninsula

We are in Traverse City. We have come here several times for lunch - today we had dinner here. This is THE most fabulous dinner we have had in Traverse City.

We had Saganaki cheese for an appetizer. It was lemony and delicious with the naan bread.

Our waitress, Amanda was sweet and very attentive. Our Chef, Chris Day was FABULOUS. The sauted spinach, scallops and polenta was melt in the mouth fantastic. Pat's beer battered fried Lake Perch was not greasy and crispy beyond belief. He had rice and asparagus with his dinner that was so good.

We are in Heaven!

Javier Graduation from Kindergarten!

We had such a nice morning. We went Javier's graduation. Then on to IHOP for breakfast. I think he has been asking daily if they could go there for his celebration.

We all had fun and even saw Monica and got a good hug!

When we got to IHOP Joanna joined us after her dentist appointment. Yeah!

I'll add pictures from my camera later. Here are a few from the Galaxy.

Another Church Sign

This one I really like:

Best vitamin for a Christian? B1

Grandchildren Proud

Sheala ran into the house and said with a huge smile, "I'm a freshman!" (That is as in college freshman!) Then Robbie said, "2 and a 1/4 days and I'll be a junior and begin meeting with recruiters!"

Where did the years go? How can they be this ready to take on the world? Just where will they be in four more years. I'm so proud to be their Nana!

Rain, Rain

I'm so happy I am sitting on my couch watching the rain. I hope it clears up for Pat and his brother and nephew camping this weekend!

I made coffee this morning - no lets just say I made a mess this morning. I guess you have to make sure the coffee pot is pushed in real good! Coffee grounds and coffee all over the cupboard!

I'm wrapping beads all day! I hope to get a good stock pile for the fall shows.