Friday, December 23, 2011

Our Family is Growing!!!

We recently got together for a little holiday fellowship and yummy food...

I was able love on Granddaughter Harlow, all decked out in red and fur!!!!

Harlow met her 2nd cousin Jake for the first time...
They were born 25 days apart!!!

My Dad met his first Great-Grandson for the first time too!!
The New parents...
Dear Son-in-law, Daughter, Niece-in-law and Nephew
WHERE'S the babies, right???
See below :-)

New Grandma's!!!
My Sister & me
We were entertained with wonderful piano playing

Proud Great- Grandpa and his littles!!

It was a very relaxing evening full of conversation and sharing of memories!  Thanks to my Dad and Jane for hosting this event!!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

We began our Thanksgiving at the airport!

Picking up the new Uncle & Auntie from Seattle...

Responses to meeting their new niece!!

Harlow in all her cuteness...

I was a happy Momma surrounded by my children ♥

Lovely centerpiece sent to us by
dear daughter-in-laws Mom in Seattle!

A bountiful table...

My amazing family...
4 generations
Hubs, his Mother, Baby Harlow & dear daughter

♥ ♥ Happy Grandparents ♥ ♥

I had a wonderful and very thankful Thanksgiving.  I've been off for 9 days and have had my family together every single day!!!  We shared meals and much simple time chatting!  My hearts is heavy today as we took the kids to the airport as they return to their life in Seattle and I will not see Harlow & her parents until the weekend.

I will keep these days close to my heart as I too return to the real world :-)  Gearing up for Christmas and all the excitement of the season...

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Introducing my new Granddaughter...

Harlow Raellyn arrived November 12th and we couldn't be happier!!!




Monday, November 14, 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

Cooking marathon!

Today we spent the morning cooking meals
to freeze for daughter & her husband!

It will be nice for them once the baby arrives
to not have meals to worry about!

We shopped early in the morning

First up was potato-corn chowder

Hubs made blueberry scones

Boiled chicken breasts were shredded

Hawaiian style pizzas

Mexican lasagna

Traditional lasagna

It was a fun morning cooking with hubs and dear daughter -
All dishes were par-frozen and we used seal-a-meal to continue their freezing process!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Baby Shower & Nursery

I'm playing a little catch up!
You have been warned, this post may be a bit long!
Daughter Erin's baby shower

Party favors
"A Star is Born" cookie cutters and a
"Soft Blanket" scented Yankee Candle
Gorgeous dessert cupcakes!
Diaper Cake made by my Sister & Niece-in-Law


Baby Girl Vestal's crib and Momma's rocking chair

Sweet sign for the dresser...

Another view of the crib ♥

Chandelier detail ~

We have two weeks remaining until we get to meet our new baby granddaughter!!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and check back for photos of Baby Girl SOON!!!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

~~* Aloha Friday *~~

    Welcome to Aloha Friday!!!
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is a day to take it easy
and look forward to the weekend.

I'll ask a simple question for you to answer.
Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

You can leave your response in my comments -

If you’d like to participate,
post your own question on your blog
and leave your link here

Remember to visit the other participants!
It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends ~

My question...
Can You Get Work Done While Music is Playing?

My answer is:
Most definately!!! 
I am a huge fan of music and find music to motivating and soothing, depending on the mood.
I grew up listening to music as my Mom loved all kinds of music too.


What's your answer??


Friday, September 30, 2011

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY to our dear Son!!!

This first picture is an oldie but goodie -
Please cut me some slack as 'back then'
I didn't have a nice fancy camera...

Look at you now!!

Last night Bubba and his bride, Little Feet
celebrated by attending the Keith Urban concert!!!
We hope you have a fantastic day Bubba -
You have made us the proudest parents and
we wish you nothing more than continued success and happiness!!!!


Saturday, August 27, 2011

♥ 33 Years ♥

Today dear hubs & I celebrate our
33rd wedding anniversary!!!!

To the love of my life, my best friend,
my confidant and my hero I dedicate this song...


because really... There's No Way ~








Sunday, August 21, 2011

50 something...

Today I am no longer 50, but 50 "something"!!
My 50th year has been an amazing one -

My son married and I gained a daughter-in-law!!


My daughter & son-in-law announced they were pregnant
with our first grandchild, a girl!



and I completed 5 half marathons!!!

Each one of these milestones has taught me
a little more about myself. You would think that
after 50 years you would know yourself rather well.
Notsomuch!!! That is one of the things I enjoy
about life; you never stop learning!!!


I'm sure I will continue to learn more about me!

I'm sure my family will continue to be blessed
with good health and good times ~
My 'Ohana' means more to me than
words can express and I continue to
be thankful for all of them and the
joys they bring me!!!



Sunday, August 7, 2011

♥ Baby Girl Vestal ♥

I had the privilege to do a small photo shoot for
dear Daughter, Son-in-Law and
our little baby belly!
We are now 24 weeks...


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Crack Pie

Since my post here,
I've had a couple of requests to explain
Crack Pie...

The name comes from a craving for more!!
Seriously, this pie is insanely addictive.
An oatmeal cookie crust and a sweet, gooey,
butterscotch-y filling combine to create a
delicious bubbling mess of salty-sweet goodness.
When it cools, you’ll have to fight for your share.
Or you can grab the pie plate, turn your back
and crouch in the corner, stuffing your face like a feral cat.
A feral cat that uses a fork, of course!!



Now, for the recipe:
Cookie for crust

Ingredients

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3 ounces) flour
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar
3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar
1 egg
Scant 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) rolled oats

Method

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder,
baking soda and salt.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Whisk the egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
5. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated.
6. Spread the mixture onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet and bake until golden brown and set, about 20 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack.
8. Crumble the cooled cookie to use in the crust.


Crust

Ingredients

Crumbled cookie for crust
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Method

1. Combine the crumbled cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until evenly combined and blended (a little of the mixture clumped between your fingers should hold together).
2. Divide the crust between 2 (10-inch) pie tins.
3. Press the crust into each shell to form a thin, even layer along the bottom and sides of the tins.
4. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling.


Filling

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar
3/4 cup plus a scant 3 tablespoons (7 ounces) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon (3/4 ounce) milk powder
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
3/4 cup plus a scant 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 egg yolks
2 prepared crusts
Powdered sugar, garnish

Method

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla.
3. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air.
4. Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells
5. Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), about 10 minutes.
6. Remove the pies and cool on a rack.
7. Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.


I hope you enjoy it!!!



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

An Island Life Giveaway

I would like ask that you check out
a wonderful blog that I read daily!

An Island Life
Kailani manages An Island Life ~

Kailani has interesting posts about life
living on Hawaii, her life as a Mother
to three young girls, product reviews
a weekly meme (
Aloha Fridays) and awesome giveaways!!!

Please head on over to
An Island Life and
enter this great
giveaway!!!