Yeah - you know who you are - "I'm hungry" "This is hard" "I don't have enough to eat" Well - if some of you wouldn't drink your points you would be having enough to eat!!!!! Actually, I think ww is going well for most of us. It's just a couple of those friends of mine that need a kick in the buttola.
This got me through the last ww - Pat loves it too - so I try to have it on hand all the time in the freezer.
Graham Cracker light crust
12 oz cool whip
1/2 cup peanut butter
FF chocolate syrup
Mix half the cool whip with the peanut butter - put in crust, top with rest of cool whip and drizzle (just a little bit) of syrup over it - freeze. Cut into 8 pieces. 4 points each. YUMMY snack each night. I look forward to it.
Graciela asked for Strawberry Pie recipe - here it is:
1 graham cracker pie crust
1 6 0z pkg. low-cal strawberry Jello
6 c. fresh strawberries
1 c. diet strawberry soda
1 tsp. cornstarch
Mix soda, Jello and cornstarch in saucepan and heat until it begins to boil. Remove from heat and chill until slightly thick. Mix strawberries into chilled Jello mixture. Pour into pie crust. Top with low-cal topping (Cool Whip). Makes 6 servings. I don't have the points figured out and I gotta tell you - I'm upstairs and my points finder is downstairs and well - that's probably why I'm in ww!!! Someone help me with this one!!!!
Vegetable Soup
This weekend I made vegetable soup. I put in zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, onions, kale, 2 cans of tomatoes and cabbage. 2 low sodium boxes of vegetable broth. Lots of Mrs. Dash, oregano, pepper, and maybe a little too much Cajun seasoning (my nose runs when I eat the soup).
For dinner I add some of my frozen shredded chicken for 2 points but for lunch I eat it for 0 points without the chicken.
Okay - that's it for tonight - ME
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Weight Watchers Starts Today
Weight Watchers starts today at City Hall. We have been trying to get it back at work for a long time. So every Friday we will be meeting at lunch time and hopefully I will be as successful as I was last time I did this.
Work has been very busy lately - I'm trying to go paperless for payroll and it is a huge change. Today starts all the divisions except Patrol - that is going to have to wait until the end of March. So I sent the printjob to print out the Patrol time sheets and the stupid new copier/printer/fax/and probably fix your dinner machine decided to copy 3 sets - so much for going paperless! There is no confidentiality with that machine - you can make a copy - walk away and someone else comes to make a copy and they get a copy of your stuff, too!!! GGGGRRRR..... I hate machines.
The Oneida outlet in Birch Run is going out of business - I really am going to miss that store - Pat and I went out there this week and bought some knives and they had a display piece for sale that is so cool - it is to display silverware in lots of different slots - I bought it and we'll pick it up when they call us - of course - I'm not sure where the thing is going to go - but one side will be for silverware and the other side will be for beads. Yeah! Organization here we come!
Work has been very busy lately - I'm trying to go paperless for payroll and it is a huge change. Today starts all the divisions except Patrol - that is going to have to wait until the end of March. So I sent the printjob to print out the Patrol time sheets and the stupid new copier/printer/fax/and probably fix your dinner machine decided to copy 3 sets - so much for going paperless! There is no confidentiality with that machine - you can make a copy - walk away and someone else comes to make a copy and they get a copy of your stuff, too!!! GGGGRRRR..... I hate machines.
The Oneida outlet in Birch Run is going out of business - I really am going to miss that store - Pat and I went out there this week and bought some knives and they had a display piece for sale that is so cool - it is to display silverware in lots of different slots - I bought it and we'll pick it up when they call us - of course - I'm not sure where the thing is going to go - but one side will be for silverware and the other side will be for beads. Yeah! Organization here we come!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Shack
Go to the Shack Book Website
From Jean Marie, to Bill and Amy, to Pat, to ME - a book so thought provoking and so healing I just have to share with you. First - I think it is the first book Pat has read since he read Centennial when we first were married - so that is a miracle in itself. Thank you Bill. (Fran - don't even think of buying it!!!!)
My favorite quote from the book is when Papa is talking to Mack about Grace:
"Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors." Wm. Paul Young, The Shack
The Mom Song
OH MY GOODNESS - our friend, Rod, sent this to us - you have to watch it! It is so good.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Another phone camera picture!
So - the fuzzy picture taker is back again - I really have to remember to take my camera! But this is Sheala at her first cheerleading competition. They did great! For such a small team they were very precise and their drills were in unison - I was very proud watching them work together.
There were five teams - Sheala's had six girls the other teams had 10-30 girls. That makes competition difficult because those huge teams had girls flipping all over the place. It was fun watching them work so hard and then while they were waiting for the first place winner to be announced the girls were on the mats just talking to each other - then they all started having fun in their separate groups - but it was amazing to watch them gravitate towards each other and start having fun together. Someone in the middle of the circle would do a cartwheel or flip then go back to the circle and then someone else would go in the middle and do something. They all had such fun - that was really great to see.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dinner at 6 on Hoyt Street
Lately - I've been cooking in the crock pot adding one package of Lipton dry onion soup mix on top for 12 hours whether it is pork, beef or chicken. Then when I get it out I shred it and put it in small containers for one meal easy cooking. It sure has been making life easier on the run. And I love the garlic mashed potatoes in the refrigerator containers - ee gad - I'm starting to cook like Mom after just Jim and Jane were home!!!!!
When Jane tells you something tastes like Mom's cooking - well - I'm not sure whether that is compliment or not because Mom was working and after Dad died I don't think cooking dinner was a top priority - when Kathy or Larry tell you it tastes like Mom's cooking - you know that is a compliment - when Jim tells you - again - not sure because he had both styles of cooking. When we were growing up Mom spent hours cooking our dinners - 6:00 (right after Kathy came home from work at Bertie's Bakery. Sometimes after watching Superman on TV - Dad and I would walk down to meet her. It was always an experience walking with my Dad - he would do a double take with his feet if you were trying to walk in the same cadence as he was and then you had to do the same to get back in rhythm! It was fun.
Anyway - every night a friend of my brother Jim's would call - and Jim would have to tell him we were eating dinner and he would call him back! Can you imagine - every single night! And lots of times my sister's friend, Nancy, would come over to eat with us.
Sometimes after dinner we would get to go to Andersen Pool to go swimming during family night swimming. That was my favorite time with my Dad and sister Jane - he would pick us up and throw us into the water (until a lifeguard would yell at us.)
Jane and I were talking about memories this morning - it triggered these: I have many fond memories of the kitchen on Hoyt Street. Mom's several kinds of jam in the cupboard, the Novena we were praying every night after dinner written on the chalk board, the maid's stairway up to the pantry and to the maid's bedroom (of course we never had a maid - but it was fun having a back stairway, looking out to the backyard where every winter Mom would say she was taking the fry pan outside to melt the snow, the times when Mom would put our names on milk bottles so she knew if we were getting our milk, Kathy and I sitting at the table while I listened to her as she practiced her forensic talk from "Please Don't Eat the Daisies," Dad sitting at the head of the table, helping Mom do dishes at the sink, watching Larry eat Peanut Butter sandwiches when he didn't like what was for dinner (most anything other than chicken or spaghetti caused him to have a sandwich!)and best of all when Mom and the aunts made Christmas cookies weeks in advance.
We are planning a family get together - Jane and I were saying it will be fun to get to hear everyone's memories! I can't wait to see all of you!
When Jane tells you something tastes like Mom's cooking - well - I'm not sure whether that is compliment or not because Mom was working and after Dad died I don't think cooking dinner was a top priority - when Kathy or Larry tell you it tastes like Mom's cooking - you know that is a compliment - when Jim tells you - again - not sure because he had both styles of cooking. When we were growing up Mom spent hours cooking our dinners - 6:00 (right after Kathy came home from work at Bertie's Bakery. Sometimes after watching Superman on TV - Dad and I would walk down to meet her. It was always an experience walking with my Dad - he would do a double take with his feet if you were trying to walk in the same cadence as he was and then you had to do the same to get back in rhythm! It was fun.
Anyway - every night a friend of my brother Jim's would call - and Jim would have to tell him we were eating dinner and he would call him back! Can you imagine - every single night! And lots of times my sister's friend, Nancy, would come over to eat with us.
Sometimes after dinner we would get to go to Andersen Pool to go swimming during family night swimming. That was my favorite time with my Dad and sister Jane - he would pick us up and throw us into the water (until a lifeguard would yell at us.)
Jane and I were talking about memories this morning - it triggered these: I have many fond memories of the kitchen on Hoyt Street. Mom's several kinds of jam in the cupboard, the Novena we were praying every night after dinner written on the chalk board, the maid's stairway up to the pantry and to the maid's bedroom (of course we never had a maid - but it was fun having a back stairway, looking out to the backyard where every winter Mom would say she was taking the fry pan outside to melt the snow, the times when Mom would put our names on milk bottles so she knew if we were getting our milk, Kathy and I sitting at the table while I listened to her as she practiced her forensic talk from "Please Don't Eat the Daisies," Dad sitting at the head of the table, helping Mom do dishes at the sink, watching Larry eat Peanut Butter sandwiches when he didn't like what was for dinner (most anything other than chicken or spaghetti caused him to have a sandwich!)and best of all when Mom and the aunts made Christmas cookies weeks in advance.
We are planning a family get together - Jane and I were saying it will be fun to get to hear everyone's memories! I can't wait to see all of you!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
7th Grade Basketball
Even though this picture was from my phone and the kids were all running - it's our Robbie in red number 12! We have been to three of Robbie's games - they lost all the games - HOWEVER - in the first game the team scored 5 points and Robbie scored all 5 of those - in the second game - the team scored 7 points and Robbie scored 5 of those - in the third game the team scored 12 points and Robbie scored 8 of those! He loves playing and we love going to the games. There are only 7 kids on the team so Robbie plays a lot and is exhausted but after every game we ask him if he had fun - and the answer is always YES!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hope
After watching all the presidential TV yesterday - only one thing remains constant to me - I keep thinking - What if it works? What if all of us begin to hope again that the United States of America will pull out of this financial mess? What if the youth in our country begin to want to be part of the change? Every time the media showed one more story of hope I kept looking over to Pat and saying "What if it works?"
I am excited about the possibility that we may be on the verge of our politicians working together. There was so much speculation yesterday - everyone kept saying that when so many people want change and when so many people made the trip to Washington that the politicians will have to listen to what their constituents want. So many interviews yesterday hinted at the possibility that things could turn around.
I've been having fun with CNN's "The Moment"
They had people submit photos of the swearing in and then matched the pixels together to create a huge 3D photo - it's been fun to play around and people watch and just imagine all those people in one spot.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Grissom's Last Show
Well - the VCR taped everything but the last 10 minutes of CSI - I know you think, just like Jan always did, that stupid in = stupid out - BUT in my defense - I HATE THE VCR!!! I know we should get up to speed with technology - but - that costs money and I would rather drive with my honey 500 miles than spend it on something stupid. So Stupid is as Stupid does - MMMM.....
We went online this morning and watched the last ten minutes - it was really good. It ended just the way I wanted it to - when was the last time that happened on a show?
Thank God it is Friday - I hate LONG weeks after the holidays give us time off - and - we get MONDAY - YEAH! And my New Year's resolution of never being at work a whole week without time off is already broken - I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my time sheet with NO TIME OFF for the whole two weeks - YUCK!
So - a goodbye party for one of the sgts at work tonight - I will miss the little poop - it seems as if so many people are leaving right now - it makes it harder to keep on working when your friends keep leaving.
Our contract was ratified this week - I can't say how happy I am that it does not expire until I will be gone - if we had been getting contracts on time I would have had three contracts to lose benefits in - now I can leave with just one hit to health care - I have to really count that blessing - who knows what will happen in the next contract?
It has been so cold lately - right now it is -4 degrees - and that is not the wind chill factor. I can't wait for our trip to Arizona to see my brother Larry - we will welcome the warm weather that is for sure.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Dinner with the Little Princess
oh - and her parents and grandparents, too! We had Jesse and Caroline and Crystal and Chad over with Ayva. She is such a doll - she is getting big and smiling, too. I love to hold her. We missed Javier - he was with his other Grandma and so we didn't get to play. We thought the next time he comes over we would get the blocks out and build towers to knock down, I can't wait. We had such a nice evening - it is always fun to visit with them.
Well I've started back on the WW diet - I am waiting for WW at work to start if we get enough people. I never do real well on my own but I have to start on something. We had the best 6 point dinner the other night (no not when Jesse and Caroline were here that was MUCHO points). I thought I would share the wrap 6 point recipe:
Fat Free Tortilla Wraps
Jennie-O Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage
1 small onion, sliced thin
half bag broccoli slaw
Mrs. Dash, garlic and pepper
Lauging Cow French Onion Cheese wedges
Saute the onion, take the casing off the sausage and saute with onions, add seasoning, cook until the sausage is done. Add the broccoli slaw and cook until starting to wilt but still crunchy.
Steam the wraps, spread one LLC on it - top with the hot mixture. It was very filling - and Pat loved it too..... MMMMM 5 servings - 6 points each.
Well I've started back on the WW diet - I am waiting for WW at work to start if we get enough people. I never do real well on my own but I have to start on something. We had the best 6 point dinner the other night (no not when Jesse and Caroline were here that was MUCHO points). I thought I would share the wrap 6 point recipe:
Fat Free Tortilla Wraps
Jennie-O Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage
1 small onion, sliced thin
half bag broccoli slaw
Mrs. Dash, garlic and pepper
Lauging Cow French Onion Cheese wedges
Saute the onion, take the casing off the sausage and saute with onions, add seasoning, cook until the sausage is done. Add the broccoli slaw and cook until starting to wilt but still crunchy.
Steam the wraps, spread one LLC on it - top with the hot mixture. It was very filling - and Pat loved it too..... MMMMM 5 servings - 6 points each.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A Cruise?
Update to this Blog already!!!!
Nope - when I went down to the calendar in the kitchen this morning I realized my first big weekend show is in Frankenmuth on the weekend we would be on the cruise - so 8-( I had to call Cindy and tell her we can't go with them. That is a huge show and I just can't miss it - if it was a one day show I could ask Joanna to cover it - but not a whole weekend. Have fun Jim and Cindy!
Yup - the two people that said they would never go on a cruise - said yes last night to Jim and Cindy. We'll be going on a cruise this fall out East. All the ports of call are in the US and Canada. It sounds like it is going to be a fun time with Cindy's first husband's family. They had a couple extra staterooms booked and voila - it didn't even take any talking us into it - we both immediately said yes!
While we were at Jim and Cindy's we called Larry and Kathy to finalize our trip to Arizona. You know it is a good thing Pat went back to work and that there is LOTS of work right now - he's going to have to save for the trips.
While there we read a reference letter that someone wrote for Michael. It was such a beautiful testimony to Michael's amazing life. And he explained to a T what Michael is like - it was so nice to read it and we appreciate Jim and Cindy sharing it with us.
We had dinner last night with our friends we haven't seen in a long time - Jan and Rod - it sure was nice to catch up and hear all about their family - they are both retired and loving every minute of it.
So - Jesse and Caroline and anyone else in the family that can make it are coming for dinner tonight - of course Caroline demanded fettucini - I told her that they all will think that is the only thing I can cook - every time they come over she asks for it - really - I CAN make other things Carolina Moon.
That's all on the homefront for today!
Nope - when I went down to the calendar in the kitchen this morning I realized my first big weekend show is in Frankenmuth on the weekend we would be on the cruise - so 8-( I had to call Cindy and tell her we can't go with them. That is a huge show and I just can't miss it - if it was a one day show I could ask Joanna to cover it - but not a whole weekend. Have fun Jim and Cindy!
Yup - the two people that said they would never go on a cruise - said yes last night to Jim and Cindy. We'll be going on a cruise this fall out East. All the ports of call are in the US and Canada. It sounds like it is going to be a fun time with Cindy's first husband's family. They had a couple extra staterooms booked and voila - it didn't even take any talking us into it - we both immediately said yes!
While we were at Jim and Cindy's we called Larry and Kathy to finalize our trip to Arizona. You know it is a good thing Pat went back to work and that there is LOTS of work right now - he's going to have to save for the trips.
While there we read a reference letter that someone wrote for Michael. It was such a beautiful testimony to Michael's amazing life. And he explained to a T what Michael is like - it was so nice to read it and we appreciate Jim and Cindy sharing it with us.
We had dinner last night with our friends we haven't seen in a long time - Jan and Rod - it sure was nice to catch up and hear all about their family - they are both retired and loving every minute of it.
So - Jesse and Caroline and anyone else in the family that can make it are coming for dinner tonight - of course Caroline demanded fettucini - I told her that they all will think that is the only thing I can cook - every time they come over she asks for it - really - I CAN make other things Carolina Moon.
That's all on the homefront for today!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Earthy Possessions Closes in Grand Haven
We were so sad to hear that the consignment shop that had my wrapped silverware for sale is closing in Grand Haven. We went Saturday to pick up our pieces that hadn't sold. Leah and Hank made that store so fabulous. I told them they couldn't just stop using their talent they had to find a way to continue somehow - even if they designed store windows or something.
I have never seen a space so beautifully utilized - even better than Jacobsons which was always my favorite store to walk through in awe of the artistic way everything was displayed. This consignment shop was elegant and warm and smelled of flavored coffee.
I know they will do something when the economy gets better - I hope I'm one of the first they call so I can have them sell my serving pieces. Good Luck friends.
I have never seen a space so beautifully utilized - even better than Jacobsons which was always my favorite store to walk through in awe of the artistic way everything was displayed. This consignment shop was elegant and warm and smelled of flavored coffee.
I know they will do something when the economy gets better - I hope I'm one of the first they call so I can have them sell my serving pieces. Good Luck friends.
Visiting
We had Joanna, Robin, Sheala and Robbie over for dinner the other night. Pat picked up Robbie after basketball practice so he got here first. He is such a great help in the kitchen. And - a Pfalzgraft outlet went out of business and we bought a new set of Cuisinart knives - oh my goodness - I have never had such good knives in my kitchen. So I warned Robbie to be very careful. When he used one for his salami - he said "Oh my goodness it cuts right through the salami!" - I told him, "You are right that is exactly how it would cut through your finger!"
He then helped Papa make a great salad for dinner. I shouldn't ever worry because he has been helping in the kitchen since he was just a toddler and he loves to cut up veggies - of course - more goes in his mouth than in the bowl but that is how I got his mother to eat her veggies when she was little, too. I made some mashed potatoes and took the roast out of the slow cooker. I still have to thank my friend Cathy for teaching me the secret for making the most tender meat in the slow cooker - just add one package of dry onion soup - it works every time with 12 hours cooking.
Then Joanna came in from work and we enjoyed some "couch" time. I love it when I get to cuddle with my daughters or grandchildren on the couch. We watched Robbie on the Wii fit - and we laughed the whole time. He likes to sit on it, stand on it, twist on it - always trying some different position to see if he can get the top score - and of course he does in many areas. But it is nice that Nana gets to be top Penguin fish catcher and super hula hoop twister.
Then Jesse called to say hi and Caroline got on to say hi - they both were working and it was an extremely slow night at the restaurant so they were watching TV. We figured they could all come for dinner on Saturday - so that will be a nice visit.
Then Robin and Sheala came in and we had a great dinner - everyone laughing and recounting their days at work and school. Sheala had to jump up to show us her splits at one point - and Robin had to tease her about never getting to drive because she couldn't possibly already be 15 next month. And Sheala teasing him about how he learned to drive from his Mom and then had to learn all over. Telling stories on Jesse about when he saw a police officer at the corner and so he used his blinker and both Sheala and Robbie looked around to see why because that so seldom happens.
Then after dishes and a few more minutes in the living room they all went home. These nights are what such great memories are made of - I love it.
He then helped Papa make a great salad for dinner. I shouldn't ever worry because he has been helping in the kitchen since he was just a toddler and he loves to cut up veggies - of course - more goes in his mouth than in the bowl but that is how I got his mother to eat her veggies when she was little, too. I made some mashed potatoes and took the roast out of the slow cooker. I still have to thank my friend Cathy for teaching me the secret for making the most tender meat in the slow cooker - just add one package of dry onion soup - it works every time with 12 hours cooking.
Then Joanna came in from work and we enjoyed some "couch" time. I love it when I get to cuddle with my daughters or grandchildren on the couch. We watched Robbie on the Wii fit - and we laughed the whole time. He likes to sit on it, stand on it, twist on it - always trying some different position to see if he can get the top score - and of course he does in many areas. But it is nice that Nana gets to be top Penguin fish catcher and super hula hoop twister.
Then Jesse called to say hi and Caroline got on to say hi - they both were working and it was an extremely slow night at the restaurant so they were watching TV. We figured they could all come for dinner on Saturday - so that will be a nice visit.
Then Robin and Sheala came in and we had a great dinner - everyone laughing and recounting their days at work and school. Sheala had to jump up to show us her splits at one point - and Robin had to tease her about never getting to drive because she couldn't possibly already be 15 next month. And Sheala teasing him about how he learned to drive from his Mom and then had to learn all over. Telling stories on Jesse about when he saw a police officer at the corner and so he used his blinker and both Sheala and Robbie looked around to see why because that so seldom happens.
Then after dishes and a few more minutes in the living room they all went home. These nights are what such great memories are made of - I love it.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I thought I would count my blessings for the past year and - I can't - there were too many. Family - how important it is to us and how much we love spending time with the Jacklins and the Martinez Family - Blessing from a wonderful wedding to old and new grandchildren and great grandchildren and grand nephews - the St. Mary Cathedral All Class Reunion - where we had a chance to see so many old friends (no that's not the way to say it - where we had a chance to see so many friends from the past!) to Pat's parents 65th wedding anniversary - can you imagine 65 years? That will be 2037 for us - WOW and I think counting down to retirement is hard!
Family - so many people coming together for Caroline and Jesse's wedding - lots of cousins - spending time with Jim and Cindy - going to dinners - sitting in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve Day - reading the Noble blogs - loving every minute of it.
Going to St. Peter and Paul Church - no we haven't joined yet - Pat has in his own way he volunteers for things like choir and delivering gifts - but he is very patient with me not ready to join - I'm still sitting in the pew wondering why I still have a problem with this but at least I'm content at the moment.
Traveling all over the place with Patrick - we have done so much this year - several trips to Traverse City, Grand Haven, Tawas, Grand Marais, Manistique, with lots of camping trips too. Then the best - off to Boston to see Elise and Roger and Rhode Island for the Chihully Exhibit and then to New Jersey to see Kim and Fred and the girls - what fun we have had.
We've been to hundreds of antique stores and garage sales and Goodwills and St. Vincent de Pauls and Salvation Armies - we love traveling to new places and finding treasures to resell. Finding a good way to sell the knives with the dishes for a combination of First and Second Serving - Pat making beautiful backdrop displays for the shows for me.
And most important of all - Friends - so many good friends in our lives - a party reuniting many of us at Olympia and Vince's - Friends who stepped in and made the wedding a wonderful time - camping trips with friends, dinner with friends, spending time in great conversations and lots of laughs and even some tears - we are certainly blessed with good, good friends. These people we choose to have in our lives and we appreciate all that they do for us and with us.
Happy New Year everyone!
Family - so many people coming together for Caroline and Jesse's wedding - lots of cousins - spending time with Jim and Cindy - going to dinners - sitting in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve Day - reading the Noble blogs - loving every minute of it.
Going to St. Peter and Paul Church - no we haven't joined yet - Pat has in his own way he volunteers for things like choir and delivering gifts - but he is very patient with me not ready to join - I'm still sitting in the pew wondering why I still have a problem with this but at least I'm content at the moment.
Traveling all over the place with Patrick - we have done so much this year - several trips to Traverse City, Grand Haven, Tawas, Grand Marais, Manistique, with lots of camping trips too. Then the best - off to Boston to see Elise and Roger and Rhode Island for the Chihully Exhibit and then to New Jersey to see Kim and Fred and the girls - what fun we have had.
We've been to hundreds of antique stores and garage sales and Goodwills and St. Vincent de Pauls and Salvation Armies - we love traveling to new places and finding treasures to resell. Finding a good way to sell the knives with the dishes for a combination of First and Second Serving - Pat making beautiful backdrop displays for the shows for me.
And most important of all - Friends - so many good friends in our lives - a party reuniting many of us at Olympia and Vince's - Friends who stepped in and made the wedding a wonderful time - camping trips with friends, dinner with friends, spending time in great conversations and lots of laughs and even some tears - we are certainly blessed with good, good friends. These people we choose to have in our lives and we appreciate all that they do for us and with us.
Happy New Year everyone!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
65th Wedding Anniversary
Pat's parents are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary today - it is an amazing number of years! When I think about the commitment and love it takes to stay together through thick and thin - I say all the time that Patrick is my true love - he certainly grew up in a home where there was an abundance of love and a wonderful role model marriage to learn from and bring to our marriage. I am so thankful to his parents for the love that Pat shows me every day.
We are so blessed to be able to celebrate this day with them. We'll be seeing many people that we haven't seen in years - including Pat's brother Bernie and his wife Bonnie. What a good day this will be.
I also think about Caroline and Joanna who have married wonderful men that remind me of Grandpa. He and Pat certainly helped form what kind of man they would choose to marry - our family is filled with many blessings.
Friday, December 19, 2008
ANNOUNCING - FIRST SERVING NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PATISSERIE
When I was at the Horizon Keepsake Show - someone we know from St. Mary's and Mt. Carmel days came over to the table and said that he really liked the dishes and knives and thought that maybe they could sell them at his business. But that he would want to discuss it with his business partner, his sister before making the decision.
OH MY GOODNESS - Click the link:
THE PATISSERIE - the most exclusive wonderful bakery in the whole area. You just walk into Heaven when you walk in the Patisserie. Not only does the aroma surround you but your mouth begins to water just thinking of their fabulous cakes and cookies.
So Saturday Pat and I went shopping, shopping, shopping and bought large plates and large knives and I started wrapping. I made a nice presentation in a metal basket of six plates - set a price no one can refuse - $12 - and called the bakery. I made an appointment for Wednesday - AND - I am so pleased so say they will be selling the First Serving dishes and knives to customers that are purchasing cakes.
I am so happy to add them to the list of great places that carry First and Second Serving:
The Patisserie in Saginaw
Northwood Gallery in Downtown Midland
Andersen Enrichment Center in Saginaw
Fabulous Finds in Tawas
Earthly Possessions in Grand Haven
OH MY GOODNESS - Click the link:
THE PATISSERIE - the most exclusive wonderful bakery in the whole area. You just walk into Heaven when you walk in the Patisserie. Not only does the aroma surround you but your mouth begins to water just thinking of their fabulous cakes and cookies.
So Saturday Pat and I went shopping, shopping, shopping and bought large plates and large knives and I started wrapping. I made a nice presentation in a metal basket of six plates - set a price no one can refuse - $12 - and called the bakery. I made an appointment for Wednesday - AND - I am so pleased so say they will be selling the First Serving dishes and knives to customers that are purchasing cakes.
I am so happy to add them to the list of great places that carry First and Second Serving:
The Patisserie in Saginaw
Northwood Gallery in Downtown Midland
Andersen Enrichment Center in Saginaw
Fabulous Finds in Tawas
Earthly Possessions in Grand Haven
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Good Season
We sold lots of hostess gifts at the shows. I already signed up for more shows next fall and winter season. I'll probably do nine shows next year. Of course we may need to postpone Christmas because we don't even have a tree yet - but oh well....
Jim and Cindy were so thoughtfull - they saw a Chihully special and ordered the DVD for me. It is about a week in Tacoma where many of the people that have worked on his teams came together and worked on the projects they made in the past 20 years. Over 10,000 people saw them worke together - so - guess what I'm starting to look for - a chance to see a Chihully Team!
I don't have much time tonight - I promise to really update in a few days.
Jim and Cindy were so thoughtfull - they saw a Chihully special and ordered the DVD for me. It is about a week in Tacoma where many of the people that have worked on his teams came together and worked on the projects they made in the past 20 years. Over 10,000 people saw them worke together - so - guess what I'm starting to look for - a chance to see a Chihully Team!
I don't have much time tonight - I promise to really update in a few days.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
We're Ready for Today!
Today is the Keepsake Show at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw from 9am - 3pm. My daughter Joanna is going to help me sell today - that should be fun.
I have so many plates and knives both Christmas and every day and very special plates. These make great hostess gifts for the holidays - just add a cheeseball and leave it with your hostess as a gift. $10 OR 2/$15 - so many to choose from you will have fun looking through the hundreds of plates at my display.
Pat even made two backdrops for me to display 24 plates - I am so thankful he helps me so much.
AND we have lots of big items - cake plates and servers - a turkey platter with a great carving set - a quiche/pie plate with dessert plates and forks and a server - Four Christmas plates with a serving platter and place settings - a plate and serving set and a journal to keep track when someone is a "Star" for a day in your family - A large platter and 8 plates with seafood forks and a large serving fork for serving shrimp - just lots and lots and lots.
Hope you can make it there today - I'll be watching for you!
I have so many plates and knives both Christmas and every day and very special plates. These make great hostess gifts for the holidays - just add a cheeseball and leave it with your hostess as a gift. $10 OR 2/$15 - so many to choose from you will have fun looking through the hundreds of plates at my display.
Pat even made two backdrops for me to display 24 plates - I am so thankful he helps me so much.
AND we have lots of big items - cake plates and servers - a turkey platter with a great carving set - a quiche/pie plate with dessert plates and forks and a server - Four Christmas plates with a serving platter and place settings - a plate and serving set and a journal to keep track when someone is a "Star" for a day in your family - A large platter and 8 plates with seafood forks and a large serving fork for serving shrimp - just lots and lots and lots.
Hope you can make it there today - I'll be watching for you!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
IT'S HERE!!!
I set up at the Grandy Farm last night - I packed so much in my little corner no one will be able to get anything out of it! It all starts tomorrow morning - and the farmhouse is waiting and ready for all of you. Anyway - I am really looking forward to being there on Saturday. Many of my friends have said they are going to see me there.
I'm getting a little worried about the Horizon Show - so I bought more knives today and I'm going to wrap all next week! Pat is working on some cool backdrops that will hold a few dozen plates to have at the Horizon Show.
Busy, Busy, Busy - that's all I can say about the next two weeks.
I'm getting a little worried about the Horizon Show - so I bought more knives today and I'm going to wrap all next week! Pat is working on some cool backdrops that will hold a few dozen plates to have at the Horizon Show.
Busy, Busy, Busy - that's all I can say about the next two weeks.
Monday, December 1, 2008
From Sunshine to Winter Storm Warnings
On Saturday it was so beautiful we decided to take off for Up North. We stopped at several stores and really bought lots in Oscoda where the woman who owns the store was making deals with me that I couldn't refuse. The dishes are so beautiful - little black ones with white flowers that are just right for a little salmon dip that I serve - I don't know if I can sell those! Beautiful dishes that are Cornflower Blue with little flowers on them. Some pretty little milk glass white dishes with a Teal design around the edges. And I am always a sucker for those wheat dishes - so I got some of those too. I can't wait to go through my beads to see what I have to go with them. We stopped for lunch at the Ausable Inn - and our favorite waitress was there - we only go there about once a month and she knows what we want to eat and what we drink. As you watch her she knows all the customers - she is amazing.
We stopped at Barb and Dave's on the way home - such a nice visit with them - Kirsten and her friend were their and Tom made his way over, too. It is always such fun to catch up with them. Their house was a decorated for Christmas and it really got me in a holiday spirit.
Then yesterday, we drove with Pat's parents to his sister's home in Lansing for our Thanksgiving dinner. There was a weather storm warning for 4:00 - but we thought we could get home before it - WRONG - it was treacherous. Instead of one and a half hours it took three and a half. 127 was awful - we thought about going all the way to 20 but when traffic kept stopping and ice on the road was forming we pulled off and took the back way home the rest of the way - it was a bit better - but not much. I have never seen so many cars in the ditches and of course the crazy drivers all around us thinking they could go faster than everyone else. I think I heard Grandma with her rosary in the back seat - that is probably what got us home.
We did have a nice visit with everyone though. We celebrated Mary's birthday with a cake and a song and enjoyed a nice visit.
Well - the long weekend is done - December is here - the shows are the next two weekends - so I'll be wrapping, wrapping, wrapping the next few days. Hope to see you at The Grandy Home this weekend.
We stopped at Barb and Dave's on the way home - such a nice visit with them - Kirsten and her friend were their and Tom made his way over, too. It is always such fun to catch up with them. Their house was a decorated for Christmas and it really got me in a holiday spirit.
Then yesterday, we drove with Pat's parents to his sister's home in Lansing for our Thanksgiving dinner. There was a weather storm warning for 4:00 - but we thought we could get home before it - WRONG - it was treacherous. Instead of one and a half hours it took three and a half. 127 was awful - we thought about going all the way to 20 but when traffic kept stopping and ice on the road was forming we pulled off and took the back way home the rest of the way - it was a bit better - but not much. I have never seen so many cars in the ditches and of course the crazy drivers all around us thinking they could go faster than everyone else. I think I heard Grandma with her rosary in the back seat - that is probably what got us home.
We did have a nice visit with everyone though. We celebrated Mary's birthday with a cake and a song and enjoyed a nice visit.
Well - the long weekend is done - December is here - the shows are the next two weekends - so I'll be wrapping, wrapping, wrapping the next few days. Hope to see you at The Grandy Home this weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)