Weather Forecast

Oh my goodness - just two days ago the weather forecast for camping was all rainy days!  Today it shows all sunny days.  So in two days it will say rain, in four days it will say sun - perfect!  We are going to have beautiful sunny days!

Rainy Zoo Field Trip!

Papa and Nana went to the zoo with Javier's class (and 2 other Carrollton classes and Beaverton and Bay City school buses were there too!

We were worried about the rain ruining the day, but most of the day turned out okay. We had three kids in our group, Javier, David and Darion. They were all good kids. We made it to the wolves, eagles, bobcat, donkeys, crows, macaws, a ride on the train, jumping in the fossil find, alligator, giant rabbit, alpaca, chickens, serval, monkeys, kangaroos, penguins, and then on to the carousel. However, just because you get on a zebra that doesn't stop the thunder and lightening!

We couldn't go to see the pythons so we will go back soon with Javier and Ayva!

We gave Javier his lunch to take back to school. Even with the rain we had a fun day!

Memorial Weekend Picnic

We had a family picnic at the Tridge this afternoon. The ground was very wet from all the rain this past week. But we still had fun.

It is fun to watch her how much Ayva loves Sheala and how much Javier looks up to Robbie.  Sheala and Robbie are such good role models. Ayva and Javie are so well behaved. It is a pleasure to have a family day.

I told Pat that we are very blessed to be able to  enjoy a day with our family.

Spending the Day with Ayva!

We had so much fun! She brought her swimsuit so she could go in the whirlpool. We made bubbles with Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo. She had a blast.

Then she had crackers and chocolate chips in her Frankenstein bowl. And we made fruit cobbler for lunch.

We played Connect Four, Guess Who and spy.

Robbie and Papa were working on the trailer. When Caroline got here we had taco bowls and cobbler for lunch.

Then Caroline gave me a mani-pedi and they went home.

Sheala called to say she has a second interview Tuesday!

I think I am the happiest Nana anywhere!

Ayva Graduated from Preschool!

Such a big day! Ayva Graduated from Preschool! Then she picked IHOP for breakfast.

Princess Doctor Ayva

Click here for easy, easy, easy instructions.

Literally this took 20 minutes. I bought tulle at the St. Pete's rummage sale for $1!

After Ayva put the tutu on she proceeded to check out her Grandpa with her penlight aimed into his eyes. She told him the blood was shaky in his eyes!

It was a fun little tutu.

Javier put on a goul costume but had it off so fast I didn't get a picture!

Pentecost

 

Pentecost meets inspiration from Chihuly! The first time I saw the purple glass tubes we were in Rhode Island - when I turned the corner and saw all the purple I started crying. It was Lent.

When we went to Arizona and I saw the red ones I thought - Pentecost.

And then 18 years later when I saw the plastic florescent light covers at a hardware store going out of business sale I just knew it could work.

Then we went to the restore in Ann Arbor and found the glass globes to use as stands.

A trip to the dollar store and two rolls of red cellophane later we had the beginnings of the Pentecost display.

I love this one - it is simple and thought provoking. It screams Pentecost to me. Thank you God for guiding inspiration in my life.

 

Galaxy

My Galaxy is not working! It won't take my password - and yes I DO KNOW MY PASSWORD - the keyboard looks strange so I think maybe a virus. Anyway - won't be on Words with Friends, won't be on Bakery Story - going to Verizon today. May have to get a new tablet!!!! We'll see.

Necessity is the mother of invention

Sad little leftover pork chops sitting in the frig. So I decided to make bbq pork sandwiches. Alas no bbq sauce! I am all into those herb and tomato paste squeeze tubes right now.

So I made my own - pretty yummy too!

1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 TBS honey
2 squeezes each garlic, italian herbs, tomato paste
1 tsp smoked paprika
Couple shakes of cayenne pepper and Mrs. Dash.

Put the sliced pork in the pot and cooked on simmer for 1/2 hour. Put on 1 point pitas and shredded 1/2 ounce colby.

Estate Sale

We went to an estate sale yesterday and there was so much crammed into every nook and cranny we decided to go back today when some of it was gone. Great stuff - lots of treasures. I can't wait to see what is still there at half price. And it was a Forester estate sale so that means the prices were good even on the first day - but half off - what a deal. I keep telling myself I don't need a sculpture of Mary and baby Jesus but it just isn't registering - if it is still there for $20 today I will just have to buy it! I'll post after the we come back and let you know what I got!

You should be proud of me - NOTHING!

We saw a beautiful pheasant by the side of the road - he ran really fast to his mate and made her run into the high grass. We didn't mean to bother them - but he was really gorgeous in the light of the setting sun.

Rat's Nest?

Lol - no - it is the most beautiful Michigan day ever! We're driving with the windows down, the wind blowing my old grey hair every which way.

What a glorious day!

Frittata

Preheat broiler
3 eggs
3/4 cup chopped green beans
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp butter
1 oz longhorn cheese grated fine
Dill, Mrs.  Dash, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.
Melt butter with olive oil. Add onions and green beans, salt and pepper. Cook untill browned.
Mix eggs with other herbs and add to veggies. Sprinkle cheese over pan. Put under broiler until browned on top.
Makes 2 servings - 4 pts each
Can use any veggies.  Leftover veggies are great too.

Gordon Lightfoot:

50 Years on the Carefree Highway Tour

 

Last night we went to see Gordon Lightfoot - it was a great concert.  Pat was so happy to be there!

 

He sang all of Pat's favorites - of course he knew the first set was entirely from his "Endless Wire" album. And to be truthful, every single one of Gordon Lightfoot songs is a favorite of Pat's!



Robbie and Alicia Prom

 

Such a beautiful sunshiny day for prom!  They went to Genji's to eat dinner - in their blue jeans!  They didn't want to get anything on their prom clothes!  When they got back Alicia was the first to get ready - Robbie seemed to be taking a long time so Papa went to see if he could help Robbie, then Caroline.  I told Alicia to come outside and I would get some pictures of her first.  Then Caroline came outside - I said "You left Papa? That is like the blind leading the blind!" Then Pat came out and said, "That was like the blind leading the blind!"

Then Robin went in and finally - Robbie came out looking like a million bucks! 

This is Important?

Half the roads are impossible to ride on without finding holes big enough for a two year old to disappear in. But City workers are sent out to change the Arthur Hill street signs back to regular green street signs.
Are these the old signs or was money spent to make new ones?

OH MY!

So I turned green with envy when I saw the Bake with Zingerman's week long bread baking class. I thought about how I would love to take it with Sarah.

Then I saw it was $1,000 for each of us! $2,000? Get over yourselves! I am sure we can do anything even without that class. I've tasted Sarah's cinnamon rolls-none better anywhere! And my Aunt Kathy rolls are yummy.

Goodness gracious that is cah-ray-zee!

Land of the Living

OKAY - spent the first day out at the hospital with Caroline - she had a cyst removed - it looks good - thankful for a good daughter, a good doctor and a good prognosis. 

I actually spent a the afternoon back on the couch but at least I moved - I also am not taking any medications since last night - YAHOO!

Today is cleaning day - so while our sweet Stephanie is here we are going on a road trip - hope the sun is shining.

We are extremely busy in May - looks as if we will be going to weddings, taking pictures of Robbie going to prom, seeing Gordon Lightfoot (You know that makes Patrick happy than a pig in poop!), doctor and dentist appointments, and decorating and cleaning at church.  My Mom always wondered how she had time to work - I'm beginning to understand.

That is all for today!