Denton's Poem

Denton recited this poem to me the other day. I loved the way he told it to me and wanted to capture it to remember. It was so cute!!

Peppermint Stick

I took a lick of my peppermint stick
and thought it was yummy.
It used to be on my Christmas tree
but I like it better in my tummy.

Gingerbread Tradition

We had our annual Gingerbread Man Cookie Decorating Party. This is the 2nd year. The grand kids seem to enjoy this event. I finished the aprons they wore last year by sewing the buttons on. Even the adults get involved. The kids still have short attention spans and were totally engrossed in the decorating for about a half of an hour. I feel that traditions are important. Traditions help solidify us together as a group of people. Christmas time gives us an opportunity to enact those traditions. As a Grandmother, I feel it special to be able to offer certain family traditions to bring us all together. I hope this event is something that these kids will always enjoy.

Gingerbread Cookies

½ cup shortening
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup dark molasses
1 egg white
½ teaspoon vanilla
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon baking powder

1. Beat shortening, brown sugar, molasses, egg white and vanilla in large bowl at high speed of electric mixer until smooth.
2. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger and baking powder in small bowl. Add to shortening mixture; mix well. Cover; refrigerate about 8 hours or until firm.


Easy White Fudge Frosting

1 cube butter, soft
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 c. confectioners' sugar

Mix butter and granulated sugar. Mix milk and vanilla in. Add powdered sugar slowly. Add more milk or powdered sugar depending on desired consistency.

Our Rock Stars

Talk about a following! These kids have the biggest fan base there is. We are true groopies. This was Landon's birthday party. The theme was "Rock Star." As this picture was being taken, I was watching their mothers trying to get the kids in some sort of acceptable pose. That never did happen. We loved watching their movement. The older boys got into it, of course! The girls just followed along and the babies ate anything they could get their hands on. We love being around these little people. I think of rock stars beginnings...garage bands. Having our own kids were like those garage bands years...rusty and inexperienced. These kids are the product of years of trying and endless experience developing. Chuck and I never dreamed we would be in so much love with them! We would never miss any of their performances!

Man's Best Friend

This is Amber. Have you seen the movie Marley and Me? She is the female version. We have never seen a happier, more outgoing, ADHD dog ever!! We didn't think she would be as big as she is because her mama was a smaller Golden Retriever. Her dad must have been a larger Yellow Lab. We're really glad she has kept the color of a Golden Retriever, hence the name Amber. She is a member of our family now, but she stays outside. The dream of a manicured lawn has indefinitely been suspended. We enjoy her though. Well, not everyone. The grand kids are terrified of her because she is successful at tackling them and licking them to death. Training is definitely in her future. Amber has a way of making even the dullest day bright. Her best friend is Tim. I have never seen a dog more attached to anybody. As soon as she enters the house, if Tim is not the one letting her in, she runs straight upstairs to Tim's room. I guess dogs really are man's best friend. Or at least man is dog's best friend.

Halloween

I like getting the Halloween and Fall stuff out. I'm picky about the Halloween decorations. I like them to be "crafty" Halloween instead of "scary" Halloween. I don't think the little kids are all that impressed. Maybe as the kids get older we'll grow with them and decorate more scary. Then I'm sure grandpa will scare them with his wild elephant call on Halloween night! It's one family tradition that I can't seem to understand. The only trick-or-treaters we have are the grandkids. We are kind of off the beaten path. We look forward to the costume parade each year. Actually, it's usually what's left of the costume parade by the time they arrive at our house. Maybe they will come visit grandma at work this year since I need to be there on Halloween???

A great flick!

Yesterday Chuck and I went to go see the movie Bright Star at the 45th Guild in Seattle. One, I love Landmark theaters because they're older Seattle theaters. You know, the kind without drink cup holders. Second, I love era films. This one is set around 1820 England. Love the clothes and the hats!!! The movie was about the love of John Keats and the girl nextdoor, Fanny. It was based on some letters from his biography. The cinematography was really good! Some of the shots were so simple but really spoke. It was a true PG rated love story. WOW, imagine that!

Welcome Fall!

I love Autumn. I love the crisp feel, the vibrant colors, and the sounds. I haven't always liked the fall. Unwilling to give up the summer sun I suppose. Or maybe it was knowing that the gray and drizzle was soon to approach. I have learned the hard way that we need not chase away our todays by worrying about our tomorrows. Ok, the truth be had, I sometimes forget what I've learned and worry anyway! I really have to come to cherish the shortest season. Enjoy Fall!

Seattle in the Summer

This summer Tim and I went to Seattle. It happened to be the record-breaking hottest day!! We still prodded our way through the city to see some of our favorite sites and Tim established a few new ones. We had to visit the Gum Wall. Yes, we even have a picture of gum graffiti. Tim did a great job capturing our day.