Goodbye September

 

Today is the last day of September, and it leaves me with feelings like none I have had in years.

It was a very busy month, baseball season ended so company is all gone, weekends spent at the cabin with the grandkids, and many changes in the works for my life.  There were many days of cooler temperatures with a harbinger that autumn is just around the corner.   I will miss summer days and summer nights!

Actually the month has been a roller coaster of emotions...up...down...and those of you who know me well have heard all about the perils.  I’m sorry if I put my burdens on any of you…I know we all have our trials!

So I’ll leave it all behind with a few pictures that represent the good days and pray that October will bring peace and serenity into our home once again!

 

 

Philippians 1:9-10

⁹And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment.

¹⁰So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach the day of Christ not stumbling nor causing others to stumble.

So Many Choices "What to Wear?"

Gone Fishin'...instead of just a Wishin!

Cloudy with a chance of Baseballs!

Our Pot of Gold

Did Jack Wear Guess Jeans?

Banana Cream Pie

I know this pie well...

- this pie can be inhaled in a less than 24 hours

- On occasion, this pie and I have shared a 2am rendezvous, with me standing in front of the fridge with mouth watering before the door is opened.

- Ignorance is bliss - I know NOT to figure out calorie count in this dessert!

As you can see, I am very familiar with this delicious pie. Knowing my weak tendencies, I don’t make it very often, because, with the winter season just around the corner, I certainly don't need the extra fat and calorie….. but I could definitely hibernate into oblivion with this pie.

This pie is the reason I have a double boiler pan in my cupboard!   I love this recipe because it’s the way my grandmother and mother both made their cream pies… by slowly stirring the pastry cream over steaming water to get a rich, velvety pie filling. And I loved that little taste of vanilla added just before the creamy pudding is ready to be pour into the pre-baked shell.   

Did I say “I love banana cream pie”?  Well the truth is I love all cream pies but truly banana cream is my favorite. When I make the recipe I’m always concerned with the bananas turning brown. After a little research I decided to try a little fresh lemon juice on the bananas before I put them into the shell….It worked.   See how lovely they still look after a full day!   Okay without delay here is the recipe….mostly for my own benefit so I don’t have to dig through all those recipe cards every time!  

INGREDIENTS:

2 T. butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/8 t salt

2 eggs well beaten

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 t. vanilla

Combine butter, sugar, salt, flour & eggs.   Add milk slowly, stirring constantly while cooking over hot water until thick and smooth.  Add vanilla flavoring just before pouring into a pre-baked shell.

Of course serve it with more beautifully whipped cream!   

Banana Cream Pie

I know this pie well...

- this pie can be inhaled in a less than 24 hours

- On occasion, this pie and I have shared a 2am rendezvous, with me standing in front of the fridge with mouth watering before the door is opened.

- Ignorance is bliss - I know NOT to figure out calorie count in this dessert!

As you can see, I am very familiar with this delicious pie. Knowing my weak tendencies, I don’t make it very often, because, with the winter season just around the corner, I certainly don't need the extra fat and calorie….. but I could definitely hibernate into oblivion with this pie.

This pie is the reason I have a double boiler pan in my cupboard! I love this recipe because it’s the way my grandmother and mother both made their cream pies… by slowly stirring the pastry cream over steaming water to get a rich, velvety pie filling. And I loved that little taste of vanilla added just before the creamy pudding is ready to be pour into the pre-baked shell.

Did I say “I love banana cream pie”? Well the truth is I love all cream pies but truly banana cream is my favorite. When I make the recipe I’m always concerned with the bananas turning brown. After a little research I decided to try a little fresh lemon juice on the bananas before I put them into the shell….It worked. See how lovely they still look after a full day! Okay without delay here is the recipe….mostly for my own benefit so I don’t have to dig through all those recipe cards every time!

INGREDIENTS:

2 T. butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/8 t salt

2 eggs well beaten

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 t. vanilla

Combine butter, sugar, salt, flour & eggs. Add milk slowly, stirring constantly while cooking over hot water until thick and smooth. Add vanilla flavoring just before pouring into a pre-baked shell. Bananas have been layered on the bottom of cooked pie crust.

Of course serve it with more beautifully whipped cream!

Remembering 911

On the ninth anniversary of the horrific tragedy that occurred on September 11th, 2001 I believe it should be imperative that we all take pause and remember what happened on 9/11, to mourn those who were lost that day, and to reflect upon how the events of that day have forever changed our world.

Almost 3,000 people lost their lives that day, plus another 6,000 injured...make that "physically" injured...10,000's more family members and friends of the victims were forever injured on that day. So what do we do now?

Just remember 9/11 and once again all join together to overcome the evil of that day with love and kindness whenever and wherever we get the opportunity! This plate of cookie will be shared with friends and neighbors to remind our family that this verse from the bible truly shows us the way we should live. Romans 12:21 is a simple, powerful guide for anyone seeking to respond wisely to evil: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

How complicated is kindness? How many doors can it open? How many people can it "deflect" to magnify its impact? How many bridges can it build so people can find the ultimate kindness of Our Father in Heaven?
Let’s Scatter some sunshine today! As I walked outside this morning I remember the sky being as bright blue as it was that fateful morning 9 years ago today.

Our Favorite Banana Cookies may brighten someones day today…..a sweet friend brought these by during one of my difficult days! I think I ate everyone of them by myself. She was kind enough to share her recipe with me and it’s just another way to use up those ripe bananas. I think I buy bananas so I can throw them out at the end of the week when they turn brown!

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar

2 eggs – room temperature

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine all the wet ingredients, then add the dry ingredients. Mix well! Spoon cookie dough onto cookie sheet. bake at 350 degrees for 12 –15 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen cookies. Enjoy

Happy Birthday Mommy ~ Ali

Today is my mom's birthday....this picture is of her when she was exactly the same age I am now! I'm not really good at words exactly, but I want you to know Mommy that Heavenly Father sure knew what He was doing when He sent me to you. I would not trade you for anything!

Even though I can't tell you, I know you watch me sleep hours on end. I feel your hand on my chest as you make sure I am still breathing and you are watching it rise and fall. I know you are watching as my nose wiggles and wonder what I am dreaming. I know just how very much you love me because I feel it in your hugs and kisses!

You are an awesome woman! I hope that one day I too will touch the lives of as many as you have done and still do! Many people have already told me about your generosity and your kindness to those in need. I am a lucky little guy who knows that you love me unconditionally and I am truly blessed to be held in your arms.

I love you and thank you for just being my mom!

Love,

Kendry

Summer Days Driftin' Away

3 Month Batting Stats

Little Man's Stats:

Weight 14 lbs

Height 24 inches

Wow we are at the 3 month mark and our how the Little Man has grown. He can do lots of new things:

* Yes he giggled out loud just last week....that was a highlight for all of us!

* he lifts his head up when he is on his stomach....still hates tummy time and usually rolls over!

* he squeals when he is happy and also when he is mad!

* he puts both hands in his mouth

* he concentrates really well on whatever we show him.

* Grandpa likes when he will pull himself up to a standing position and put weight on his legs

Probably our greatest milestone is that he recognizes us when we walk into the room. His spontaneous smile makes our hearts sing! Little Man you’re our pot of gold at the end of our rainbow.

We love you Little Man!

3 Months Today

Dear Family and Friends,

Hi, my name is Kendry...yes we have met...and I am three months old today. I have decided to take over my grandma's blog spot and post about myself because I have a lot to say! Grandma has been doing all the talking here for the last 3 months and I think it is about my turn...don't you?

I am now very busy...I kick my legs and wave my arms in the air constantly. Even in my sleep I move around. I push myself up on my arms and move my legs around but my mommy says I am way to little to crawl. My favorite trick it to pull myself up into a sitting position when I am in some one's lap---only babies lay around and I am convinced that I am big. Grandpa thinks I'm strong enough to stand up...Grandma tells him to stop! And how about all those pictures of me in costume? Wow...Mom and Grandma must miss their paper doll days! They are pretty dang cute if I do say so myself!

I also really, really want to eat food. I watch my mommy eat and practice chewing. My pediatrician said that I am gaining weight just fine and there is no need for cereal until I am six months old. I think that is now fair! I mean, I was only 12 lbs and 22 inches at my last checkup! Now I'm 14 lbs and 24 inches...that isn't off the charts so doesn't that mean I should be given food....that is my opinion anyway. I am still eating every three hours during the day and every four to six hours at night until they give in and try cereal. I may drink a lot of bottles then as well...I really like it!

I really like to sit in my bouncy seat and watch my mommy. She is pretty funny. I laugh at her every time she looks at me. I love her because, she gives me lots of kisses and of course, my food. I think my grandma is pretty funny too. She is my favorite person when I am sleepy. If I am fussy she puts me on her shoulder and I am out like a light!

I also really like the big bed in Grandma's guest room. I like to sleep on my side and I do not like that thing they call swaddling, haven't since I was 1 month old. Talk about torture but Grandma said that I sleep best when I am swaddled, so I am sure they will keep doing it! Grandma Geri made me 5 swaddling blankets just for that very reason! I also think it is very funny that they keep trying to put me in this sling and backpack thing. I scream my head off and get out of it really fast! Auntie Robyn made Mommy but it for me...Grandma said that I used it really well when we went to the big Airport...after all I was only 6 days old then, I really didn't know any better.

Baths are becoming lots of fun. I like to kick my legs and splash. I also blow bubbles and spit when the water gets in my mouth. Speaking of blowing bubbles, I have learned to do that with my drool. Pretty cool, huh? I think I might be teething, but they can't see any teeth yet, maybe I just have some dog genes in me somewhere. I am soaking everything with it. I also like to chew on everything that gets close to my mouth...especially my own hands which sometimes gag me! Then I make this really funny face!

The last thing I need to talk about is my family and friend relationships. Oh, MY! They are squishing me to pieces. I am always being hugged, squeezed, kissed, and sometimes even coughed on. Mommy and Grandma have learned to get over their anxiety that this will kill me and are much more laid back about everyone hacking in my face while giving me kisses. They figured my immune system is going to be pretty strong. After all I've been a very healthy baby!

Love and Kisses,
Kendry

PS....I'm turning this back over to Grandma next month...this is way to much for work for a kid my age!