Baby Shower

Ok, so I thought this week would be slower....not! The baby shower was a great success. The "come and go" is absolutely the way to go. It solved parking issues and also allowed people the liberty to leave when they wanted without feeling they had to stay for the entire time. There was a constant flow of people for 3 hrs. "Little Mama" got some great gifts. She is so excited it "rubs off" on you. Check out the pictures. Did you notice the blue punch? The punch was a new recipe. It is called Lucky Duck Punch. Blue punch with white clouds and yellow duckies. It tasted great and "disappeared" quickly. Recipe will follow later.

Chicken cuttin and values

The previous blog was a recipe using a whole chicken. Most people now adays don't cut up their own chicken, for whatever reason. Some don't want to take the time, liking the convience of pre-cut. I don't mind cutting up a whole chicken though. When I was around 10-12 years old my dad taught me how to dissect those "yard birds". He taught me how to "ever-so-carefully" handle, thus respecting a sharp knife. Now, I can cut up that chicken in no time. I also remember when I was about 5 years old he taught me how to wash dishes. (No dishwasher machines back then)!! I stood on the chair to reach the sink so that I could wash them. He said, "now, wash them clean the first time cause I will be checking them and if they are not clean you will wash them again". HA!! Needless to say, I washed them clean the first time. Now-a-days "people" would say that was "child abuse"...HA!! NO!! that was just teaching me responsibilty. My dad loved me very much and taught me how to be a responsible adult, productive in my profession, love and respect GOD. I think my brother and I turned out to be strong, GOD fearing, hard working adults. Too bad this kind of childrearing has fallen to the wayside and thought of today as child abuse. I thank God everyday I had parents that valued GOD, love of country, great work ethics, and instilled those values in their children. My dad is no longer with me. He has been in heaven for 20 yrs. I miss him everyday. I will forever be greatful for GREAT PARENTS. I love you MOM>

Garlic Chicken with White Wine Sauce

When I found this recipe, I thought OMG way too much garlic. Not!!! It really is fantastic. My daughter in law (older son's wife...not "little mama") anyway...she doesn't like garlic but she loved this. Trust me, just try it. I know you will like it.

Ingredients:
1 4 lb whole chicken, cut into eight parts
salt and freshly ground pepper
2-3 whole heads of garlic, cloves separated(40 cloves)but not peeled.
Olive oil
1 1/4 c. dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
3 large sprigs of fresh tarragon (I used dried)
3 large sprigs of fresh thyme.

Method:
Lightly smash the garlic cloves with the side of knife, just enough to break the cloves. Leave peel on.

Trim the chicken pieces of excess fat. Pat them dry and sprinkle pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat 3 TBSP olive oil in a dutch oven. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove from pan when browned.

Add garlic and saute until golden brown, about 4 mins. Add the wine and the herbs. Bring to a boil. Add the chicken pieces. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pan, simmer until the chicken is cooked through.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer the chicken pieces to a platter, spoon garlic sauce over the chicken.

Serve alone ( for low carbohydrate option) or with rice, noodles, baked or mashed potatoes.

Serves 4-6.

Yummy, Yummy

Love You Forever

What's up with the books? you might ask. I love books and always enjoyed reading to my boys (that is when I could get them to be still long enough) HA!! Today I was reading one of my favorite blogs, pamperingbeki.blogspot.com, she mentions a new childrens book...I LOVE YOU MORE and immediately thought about this book, LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch. This book was given to me by cousin about 10 years ago. It is a moving story of how a little boy goes throught the stages of childhood and becomes a man.
A young woman holds her newborn son and looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
It is also about the enduring nature of parents' love and how it crosses generations.
I enjoyed this book so much I have bought it for my "adult" children and also like to include in "baby gifts". Be prepared, read this with a box of tissue.

Curious George readings

Bet a smile just ran across your face! Seeing this cute little fellow brought back more memories...taking "big brother" to school my younger son and I would go to the local library and sit on the little kiddie loungers and read stories of "Adventures of Curious George". Remember the yellow hat, the bright yummy bananas, red balloons... Who isn't smitten by this little inquisitive fellow who always seems to get into one scrap after another. I just had a thought!! Maybe my younger son was influenced by "little George's" behavior because he sure was a challenge to his "mama". HA!! (one of those uh-ha moments) HA!! A little late, don't you think???? Well, guess what....YaYa has already started getting ready to teach the twins by reading the same little books to them....(back to what goes around comes around) HA!!! can you tell I am having fun with this little saying??? HA!! tee-heee

Blessed Beyond Measure

My sister-in-law...what can I say? She is the best! However,...here it comes. She LOVES to scare people. There must be something seriously lacking somewhere for this unquenchable
desire to "scare the pants off" anyone that appears unknowing and innocent of her "great past time". When you least expect it
she is there to abruptly bring you back to reality. All in all, she is truly like a sister to me. We have had many laughs together and shared many tears through the years.

SISTER-IN-LAW

Fate smiled upon me
the day you became my sister-in-law.
From the very beginning
I felt "at home" in your presence...
and I knew in my heart
that the two of us would grow closer
through the years.
Now, as I look back in time.
I am reminded
of just how much we have shared,
and I am grateful
that I was blessed
with a sister-in-law
whose warmth, thoughtfulness,
and sense of compassion,
served to make my days brighter,
my sorrows more bearable,
and my life richer in so many ways.
for this-- I feel
fortunate beyond measure.
by Genie's Poetry

(how did she read my mind?)
P.S. This is the motorcycle rider's wife!!

Rats runnin

ok,ok--I know I'm behind on important matters such as my blog..so here goes...

Wow, this week has been sooo busy. I feel like one of those little rats running on a wheel!HA!! I have been slackin on my bloggin or so my "followers" tell me. It has been like running a race and someone keeps moving the finish line. I feel like a dog waggin his tongue to keep up!! HA!!! But hey, as I understand it won't get any better with the arrival of twin grandsons. Today I took my mom and aunt on a all day outing. While out and about I saw two sets of twins. The first set was 3 month old girls. They were so cute with pink and brown bows in their hair and little toenails painted pink with pink flip-flops on. OMG they were so cute. The next set I saw today was 2 1/2 yr old boys. When I told the lady my son and wife were expecting twin boys her immediate response was "GOD BLESS HIM"!! She then said they were alot of fun but could "tear up a house in less than 30 seconds!" She appeared quite serious about that!!!Mmmmm Can hardly wait!!

The twins daddy also painted the nursery this week. Check it out.
Can you tell he is a graphic designer, not happy with solid color walls..had to make it his own design...a work in progress.

Two cribs and a changing table almost consume the entire room.

The next event will be "Baby Shower" coming Oct. 11---will post pictures when available.