Aunt Bonnie's 91st

Yesterday was a special day for a special lady.  Jane hosted a celebration at her house in honor of Aunt Bonnie who turned 91 years young!  She really is unbelievable. She is still in what I think is good health. She lives at home where she cooks and cleans for herself.  She has a memory that far exceeds mine. And to be quite honest, she has better complexion than I do.

Aunt Bonnie got to visit with many family and friends today that all consider her a blessing in their lives!

Jane had a beautiful table of refreshments just perfect for an October birthday celebration!

Party Girl

Glory's 4th birthday party was yesterday afternoon. The princess was a cutie patootie!

Happy Birthday, Jenna!

Happy 7th Birthday, Jonah!

Happy Birthday, Keelie!

Glory...Glory!

She's three on Sunday.

Happy Birthday, little princess. Nanna and Papa love you!

Happy Birthday, Jenna!

Happy 6th Birthday, Jonah!

We love you very much!

To Rick

Our "Winter" Break!

Who says our little school district didn't schedule a winter break? We certainly have gotten one whether scheduled or not. Today is our fourth consecutive day of no school because of bad weather! That's incredible for our area! (It all started on Monday night with sleet.)

People keep asking if I have gotten bored yet. That's a big NO WAY!

Tuesday I spent reading on "The Patriarchs" bible study as well as the bible (doing the "One Year" plan). I made a pot of soup and cornbread for dinner as well as cooked some meat in the crock pot.

On Wednesday, I cooked a roast and the trimmings then did some reading. I had to cancel our ladies' bible study that night (sniff).

Yesterday, I made two buttermilk pies, a chocolate pie, and a banana pudding. WAIT...I didn't eat all this. I was cooking for Justin's birthday meal and was to deliver dessert to a friend. Justin and the kiddos ate lunch here with me, and then Jonah stayed the afternoon to entertain Elly and me. Keelie made some amazing chicken fried steak and gravy for the birthday meal last night. Marilyn added some yummy potatoes.

Last night, after we went to bed, at some point it began snowing. It continues as I type. This morning I have just done laundry. The fire is still going, and I am enjoying God's blessings.

Happy Birthday, Justin.
We love you!

Rock Star's Party

We celebrated Glory's 2nd birthday on Saturday. It was a "build-your-own brownie sundae party." What more could she have wanted than her own scoop and bowl? Her mom and dad had all the fun stuff.....M&Ms, hot fudge sauce, pecans, pretzels, cherries, whip cream, etc. Look at that cool pinata, too!

Wish you could see her little black patent shoes. Hope you don't mind this Nanna saying she's such a cutie! Happy Birthday, Glory!

Birthday Party at the Lake

Caught this cutie's reaction as we sang "Happy Birthday" to him during his party Saturday at Lake Ray Roberts.  It was a fun party with all the things he wanted---including cupcakes and cousins. (His mom made those great cupcakes!)

Yes, it was his party, but shhhhh...............

don't tell Glory!

My Birthday on the Road

My birthday was yesterday. Rick, Jenna, Ashley and I spent the afternoon walking around downtown Gruene. Finished it off with a birthday meal at The Grist Mill. Thought I would share the afternoon with you, too. We will be back in a couple of days. Have a good week.

A Birthday and A Busy Ant

Happy 29th Birthday, Justin!!

Justin is at the station today. But we wanted to wish him a great birthday. We have a party planned for Friday. We love you!

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Water wears away stones. — Job 14:19 NIV

Where would you like to be in six months or a year? And how will you get there? Just as the ant picks up one grain of sand and moves it, then the next one, then the next one—and because of its long obedience in the same direction builds a city—one year from now, we will all be different. We don’t get to stay the same, but we do get a choice in how we will have changed, whether it’s for the better or not.

In your spiritual lives, too, as you “play the movie forward,” where do you want to be in a year’s time? If you want to be growing in your faith, closer to God and bold in your prayers, then day by day follow the example of the little ant and set your face in that direction by spending time in God’s Word and in worship and prayer every day.

Everything that has value is worth intentional, daily commitment and obedience. I know that it’s not easy, but just take the first step, then the next and the next, and before you know it you’ll be much further down the road. Understand it can take time. All good things do. But that’s okay, because the journey is worth it.

— Sheila Walsh

Excerpted from Get Off Your Knees and Pray © 2007 by Sheila Walsh. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson.

Keelie's 30th Surprise Party

(This is my first posted collage. It's rough, probably has too many pictures, and the size needs to be adjusted. But I just couldn't decide which ones to use. Look at all those happy faces!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEELIE!

SEPTEMBER 25--A BIRTHDAY AND A FAIR

Rockin' Biker Babe! Happy First Birthday, Glory.

(Mute the playlist.)

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The State Fair of Texas opens today and runs through October 18. So if you are in the Dallas area (or not) you might want to head this way. Check out this site for special discounts on admission.

A Few Words from Glory and Jonah!

Hey Everybody............Just a reminder about my birthday party!

Yeah, that's right. I'm "ONE YEAR OLD" Friday.

.

Bring on the cake and goods!

WOOHOO--a Party! Don't forget about me.

I AM the big brother!

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Hope your day is filled with

New Cake Recipe

When I read this recipe on a new friend's post, I told her I would have to try it. She had just gotten the recipe from another online friend. So here's the cake...........Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce.

Wait!! Don't leave me yet. I know apple cake sounds really boring. But this caramel sauce is to die for. I made it for a ladies' gathering. They loved it! 

I have decided even if I'm not hungry, I'll just get a straw and drink the sauce!!


Cake:
3/4 c. butter
2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 c. all purpose flour
2 t. ground cinnamon
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
1/2 t. salt
4 cups peeled, finely chopped apples (Granny smith or McIntosh)
1 t. vanilla

Sauce:
3/4 c. butter
3/4 c. granulated sugar
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. heavy cream
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

Bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 inch cake pan. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift together dry ingredients and add to egg mixture alternately with apples. Stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Cool in pan for 5 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm......oh yes by all means!

Sauce: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Immediately remove from heat and spoon over individual servings of warm cake.

**Just a side note. I added a little extra cinnamon and vanilla. I so love both of these!

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Then........

Now........

Love you, Jenna!

Happy 4th Birthday, Jonah!!

Love you!

Favorite comes to Dallas Fair Park!

“Practically perfect in every way” describes the most extraordinary nanny ever to float with the wind into London, parrot umbrella in hand.  Disney’s Mary Poppins is a musical treat telling the story of the lives of Jane and Michael Banks, and their straight-laced father.  The music will send you soaring high as a kite.  You’ll be humming “Chim Chim Cheree” and “A Spoonful of Sugar” as Mary, Bert and their amazing friends kick up their heels.  The show runs September 24 through October 18.  It features Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee in the lead roles that we are so familiar with. Wonder if they will be as good as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke? I'm sure they will transport us to incredible adventures, too! Anyone want to go?

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Hey, Keelie (Red Writing), here's my wreath I am going to repurpose!