Tyler's 3 months old!

Tyler's look says it all!


Tyler and his mommy have been staying at our house since Monday! His daddy has had the flu, which sent mommy and Tyler packing for grandma and grandpa's house. Tyler was supposed to stay until Wednesday, but on Saturday, grandpa got the flu, then on Sunday grandma...This sent Tyler packing for home. Uncle Jeremy got the flu Sunday night!

I finally made my decision on the kitchen tile and it will be installed on Monday! I can't wait to see how it turns out! As of today, this project has been postponed until Thursday! Guess the contractor doesn't want to get the flu!

I have now entered the world of the Blackberry....which will include internet access while I'm away from the computer....No more missed important emails! Of course I don't know how to use it yet....Jeremy will be working on that with me later. Does this mean I have my own Geek Squad support? After rubbing it in to Joel, that we got new phones today, Joel made me feel quilty, so of course, he'll get his new phone tomorrow.

I'll be able to blog at the lake. Kinda exciting to know I'll have internet access no matter where I am.

Pineapple Smoothie

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 banana

1/4 cup ice cubes

2 teaspoons honey,

optional Pineapple wedges, for garnish

In a blender, combine the pineapple chunks, coconut milk, banana, ice and, if desired, honey. Puree until smooth. Pour into 2 large glasses. Garnish each serving with a pineapple wedge.

Source: Paula Deen

Joel's jumped into the World of Blogging....Please check out his site at:

joelsworld.net

Don't think I'm not rubbing it in...I have 2 sons who majored in Computer Science in College, and I'm the first one to attempt to blog....Without their help too!

This past weekend was our first over-night visit with Tyler!

Whew....Next time he gets a room of his own to sleep in!

I ended up waking up every hour. all night long, checking on him. If he wasn't scooting all over his pack n play, I woke up because he was too quiet!

We did the usual grandma & baby things. Leaned all kinds of new songs, played all kinds of new games and had lots of hugs and kisses!

We're planning on lots of grandma & Tyler time in the future....

The Newest Craft Adventure.....Lampwork Bead Making!

Erica & Me trying to make a basic ball! Sounds pretty easy right? WRONG! I'm not sure we ever got a ball to hold the shape of a circle.

Vickie stretching the glass to make thinner strips to add eyes, dots and lines. Of course, I'm not sure any of the add ons turned out....We're going to need a lot of practice!

Erica melting glass to add onto the wire. Can't wait to see what she creates!

Heheheh...The end result was a creation you've never seen before!

Vickie & Me! Ok, I'm the one who burnt themselves 3 times before leaving the studio!

Any more time and I'd probably end up in the E.R. To think I plan on doing this in my own home! Keep the phone close by with 911 handy!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe from: There's No Place Like Home - blog

1/3 C. butter, softened

1/2 C. sugar

1 egg

1/2 C. mashed ripe banana1

/2 t. vanilla extract

1 C. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1/8 t. baking soda

1 C. semisweet chocolate chips

In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, banana and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto baking sheets coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.

I made these today...Taste a lot like banana bread in a cookie...Picture above was my results.

Fantastic Friday!

Check out Susan Branch to get the Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe below.

I can't wait to try this!

Good-bye Breakfast for Misty @ Bob Evans!

She's going to be missed!

Always remember our FRIENDSHIP!

Help Me Grow won't be the same without you!

Fair Sausage Sandwiches

Ingredients: 2 packs of Johnsonville Italian Sweet Sausage, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 large can of diced tomatoes, 1 stick parkay margarin, salt & pepper to taste.

Dice bell pepper & onion and Saute at medium heat with 1 stick of butter, until vegetables are soft.

Salt to taste!

Pepper to taste!

Stir until vegetables are soft.

Add diced tomatoes.

Add sauges to mixture. Cover, cook over medium to low heat for approx. 45 minutes until sauges are brown in the inside.

Serve on a Hoagie Bun....

Enjoy!

Happy Valentines Day!

Having the last 2 days off work, due to snow and ice, gave me a chance to bake mini brownie bites for my co-workers. Nothing starts the day off better than a little chocolate! Especially, when you have to make up 2 days worth of cancellations.



Why mess with perfection....Love the brownies from this mix.

My first time using mini muffin pan from Pampered Chef!


Love the powdered sugar shaker....

Here's the finished product!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Happy 26th Birthday Jeremy! We celebrated with lunch at Cheeseburger In Paradise...Of course it was my choice we go there. For his birthday Jeremy got a backpack for the trip he's taking to Europe. with his brother Joel! I'm sure you all know, I'm having a hard time dealing with this. Staying in a hostel isn't making this any easier. Erica and my co-worker Trista, have lots to tell me since seeing the movie Hostel! I've come to the conclusion long ago that you can't tell 20 somethings what to do! They live for the day and the excitement! Bob has assured me is getting a passport just in case he has to go find them!

Lampworking class is scheduled for next Saturday! Then Tyler is coming to spend the weekend with me! I'm so excited! Let's just hope I survive it! I forgot to tell all of you that Tyler cried when Erica took him out of my arms.....She put him back, then the tears stopped. HEHEHEHE!

The writers strike is finally over! Does that mean I'll be seeing new Gray's Anatomy on TV soon?

Sour Cream Potato Soup Recipe - Given to me from Vickie H.

1/4 pound bacon diced
2 stalks celery
1 medium onion
2 TB flour
3 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
4 large potatoes diced
1 1/2 cup sour cream

Fry bacon in the pot you are going to cook the soup in. Add celery and onion. Cook til soft. Add flour brown about 3 minutes. Add water, chicken broth and potatoes and cook til potatoes are tender. Take out 2 cups broth and add sour cream to it. Mix and return to soup and cook an additional 3 minutes.

Fun @ Girls Night Out

Friday night was Girls Night Out at the Bead Boutique!

I was excited all week to see what the beads I had Jen design looked like!

Of course, I wasn't disappointed!

When the night ended I had created 4 pendants. Erica completed 4 pendants and 4 sets of earrings. 4 cage pendants and a valentine candy necklace...All were too cute. Vickie created the cutest diva like bracelet and necklace to match! Maggie also gets a special surprise for Valentine's Day... A special candy pendant made especially by Grandma Vickie!

Erica learns how to wrap wire to create a pendant!

Vickie show off one of her diva creations!

The following recipe was shared by one of the women attending. The 3 of us thought it was awesome....It will be on my to do list for the next holiday!

Baklava CHEESECAKE

source: athens.com

Ingredients:

1 12-ounce package sugar cookies, finely crumbled

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 eggs

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, cubed

1/2teaspoon cinnamon

20 sheets Athens Fillo Dough, thawed

1/4 cup butter, melted

Syrup:

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup water

To prepare crust:

Combine cookie crumbs and butter with fork. Press crumbs on bottom and up sides of 9" springform pan.To prepare cheesecake, in large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on high speed for about 10 minutes until fluffy. Add lemon juice, vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Beat until smooth. Pour into springform pan.To prepare baklava, combine walnuts, sugar, butter and cinnamon in bowl and mix until crumbly. To cut fillo sheets into 9" rounds, cut a pattern out of wax paper that is 9" round, and fold in half. Use this pattern to cut through 20 sheets of fillo. Overlap 7 sheets of fillo (using curved edges of fillo to fit along side of pan) to cover the cheesecake filling, buttering each sheet as you lay it into the pan. Sprinkle the remaining walnut mixture over the fillo. Place the remaining 6 fillo sheets over the nut mixture, buttering the sheets.Lightly score into 10 equal sections without cutting all the way to center or outer edge. Bake in preheated 325°F oven for 1 1/2 hours or until golden brown. To make syrup, combine the honey and water together and heat. Spoon warm syrup over cheesecake. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours before slicing.Yield: 10 servings

GENERAL FILLO DOUGH HANDLING DIRECTIONS1. Allow fillo dough to thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature before using.2. Carefully unroll fillo sheets onto a smooth, dry surface.3. Cover fillo completely with plastic wrap, then a damp towel.4. Keep fillo covered until needed. Do not leave uncovered for more than one minute to avoid drying out.5. Microwave butter until melted. This will give you a lighter and flakier pastry.6. Brush each layer of fillo with melted butter, margarine or oil.7. To prevent edges from cracking, brush edges first and then work into center.8. Be sure to brush the last layer of fillo with melted butter.9. Fillings should be chilled and not excessively moist.10. Fillo may be rolled and refrozen to store when not in use.