A Yummy Summer Treat

I made lemon bars at the beginning of the week.  Ian said that they are his second favorite dessert now.  (cheesecake would be his fav.)  I have been watching the food channel too much.  I had the idea to "plate" the food.  (which basically means to stage it), then snap a pic.

Since we had to bring recipe cards to stamp club last night.  I made everyone a copy of the pictures along with the recipe.  

So, if you're reading this...... consider your taste buds lucky.  This is one mighty fine treat!!!!

Lemon Bars

Prep: 27 minutes Cook: 50 minutes

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind (optional..... but yummy)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

powdered sugar

Combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar; cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly.  Spoon mixture into a greased 13 x 9” pan; press firmly until crust is lightly browned.

Combine remaining 1/2 flour and baking powder; set aside.  Combine eggs, 2 cups sugar, lemon rind, if desired, and lemon juice; stir in flour mixture.  Pour over prepared crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and set.  Cool on a wire rack.  Dust lightly with powdered sugar; cut into bars.

Yield: 2 dozen

I could seriously take a picture everyday of the lily pads on our pond.  

First of all.... how did they get there?  They didn't show up until last year.

Second.... unless I did it in my sleep, I'm pretty sure that I didn't plant them.  

That's OK, I'm not complaining.  LOVE THEM!!!

Chester spends most of his day sleeping.  I've noticed that since Gus has joined our family a year ago, he lives on higher ground.  The floor isn't safe anymore.  I even had to put their food dish on the counter in the laundry room.  

This is a face that only momma could love!!!!

I finished my first week of my Esther bible study.  You cannot imagine how it's speaking to me.  Without being mystical, God is revealing some pretty big things to me.  Things that I haven't uttered to a soul.  Hope that I can tell you someday.  Until then, I'm going to be patient and wait.  

(that wasn't very nice of me to dangle bait in front of you, was it?)

Gracie finished her season last night with two smash hits.  Rick helped her pick a lighter bat and that made ALL the difference.  Way to go, Gracie!!!  Rick wiped the dust off the video camera and caught some of it on film.  We plan to compile a summer baseball DVD.  Watch out future girlfriends/boyfriends, you WILL see this someday!!!

Heirlooms

Soon after Rick and I married it seemed like his family started dwindling.  First to pass was his Gr. Grandma Bohne, then Grandpa Smith, Grandpa Evans (within three weeks of each other), Grandma Evans, and Granny Smith.  In the span of 5 years, Rick lost all his Grandparents.  

He didn't come from a wealthy family but the things they passed to us were priceless.  Many of the things Granny gave us were simple things.  Things that Rick remembered playing with as a child.  Or things that he remembered in the kitchen (where you would always find Granny).  They've never been valuable to anyone else but us.  I've always wanted to photograph these items and label who they came from and why we have them.  Until recently, it's just been a passing thought.  I've been in a reflective mood lately.  Thinking alot about my Grandma and Rick's Grandparents.  I would love to honor them with this, so I've made it a priority.  As much of a priority as sealing the deck or painting the garage.  Below are just a few of the things Rick's family left us.  

Granny's cookie jar that always sat in the kitchen.  That's where I keep it to.  It stores all of my cooking utensils.  Some of which are hers.

Once again, nothing valuable.  Rick made this for Granny when he was young.  It's a round-to-it. Get it!!!!  (when I get a round to it)

This is a little scary looking.  It's no bigger than my thumb.  The goal is to get the ball bearing out of the mouth only using your thumb and fore finger.  I remember Grandpa Smith trying and trying.  He never could.  I'm not sure why, but I can pop it out every time.  

Grandma (Juanita) Evans left us this honey pot.  I am going to research where this was made and by whom.  I do know that it is very old.  As noted in the piece of paper, Grandma Farce was Rick's Great, Great Grandma.  She passed before Rick was born.  Grandma Evans wrote the note.  

This isn't a heirloom yet as Rick's Aunt Alta Lou is still alive.  She gave this to Gracie last Christmas.  It was hers and she knew how much Gracie loved horses, so she passed it on.  It is Waterford Crystal and very valuable.

This was Granny Smith's.  Rick has more information about it than I do.  The key is attached around his neck.  You wind him up from below.  Last time we tried, he worked.  

This is Mr. McGregor.  One of my very favorite pieces.  Granny purchased this from a traveling salesman.  I remember her telling the story like it was yesterday.  He stands up, puts the cigar into his mouth, then blows a puff of smoke.  It's been two or three years since we have done it, but the last time we tried, he was still-a-puffin'.  

I keep Mr. McGregor behind glass.  This is a close-up of his face.  The smoke comes out the nostril holes and lips.

We went to see Transformers 2 last night.  I give it a 6.  The boys probably would give it a 9.  Too much action for me.  Gracie spent the night with Haley Rucker.  She would have been bored after 10 minutes.  The movie was over 2 1/2 hours.  (yawn)

I better get truckin.  Lots to do today.  

I am always thankful for the coaches who give up their time to teach my children.  I know what a sacrifice it is because Rick coaches many of my children's teams.  

I thought that I would make a little token of my appreciation for the three men who coached Gracie this season.  

Inside the vellum bags is two Hershey bars, a package of graham crackers and a bag of marshmallows.  I also made a matching card for Gracie to sign.

Tomorrow will be her last game so I will let her present them afterwards.

I made the baseball and shadow with my cricut.  Then stamped the pennant using PTI stamps and SU ink

This is another picture of my hydrangea.  

Gracie went for a walk with me last night  I captured a cute little smile. 

I wanted to take pictures of the lily pads on the pond, so I took off with the camera.  As usual, I was sidetracked by all the wild-flowers and pretty weeds.

My family calls this "Queen Anne's Lace".  Not sure if we are right or not.  But the name seems fitting.

Another "Queen Anne's Lace" in full bloom

Not sure what this beauty was.  Probably the reason my allergies are raging!!!!

Some think that thistles are a pain.  I think they are beautiful!!!!!  

Wild blackberries that the bunnies have nearly devoured!!!!

Notice the small bee on the lower flower

We have Kill Deer all over our property.  They build their nests in the ground.  I sure wish they would let me tell them where to build it, because it's always in the front yard.  Don't they know that we mow our yard at least once a week?  Four of five eggs were tossed out of the nest and cracked.  :(  So sad!!  

It cracks me up how the mommy and daddy carry-on when you get close to the potential babies.  They squawk and squeal.  

Our 4th of July

Our holiday weekend was jam packed.  It began with our 16th wedding anniversary.  Rick arranged his cousin to watch the kids for the night and he wisked me off to the city.  We each planned half of the mini trip.  Rick got until 6:00 p.m.  and I got from then on.   Our first stop was a nice salon where I was able to get a cut and color.  I've been wanting that anyway.  He must have listened, like he always does.  Then him and I went to the spa for a hour and a half couples massage.  That was such a treat.  Our only problem was, we both felt like butter afterwards and could have fallen asleep.  It took at least an hour to get the cob-webs out of my head.  

I made reservations at the Hotel Savoy Bed and Breakfast.  We weren't super impressed with the accomodations.  I had also made reservations at the Savoy Grill for dinner.  After seeing the hotel though, we cancelled and went to M&S Grill on the Plaza.  We had such a great time and the weather was perfect.  I wish that we could get away more often.

We had family (the Kays) come up on the 4th.  They aren't allowed to shoot fireworks where they live.  Since we live in the country, there are no fireworks laws.  The kids shot fireworks from the time they got here till they left the next day.  We also had fun riding four wheelers and cooking hamburgers on the grill.  A very relaxing holiday.

Carrollton has a city fireworks display every 5th of July.  They also have a free concert.  Since Rick was already working in Carrollton at the E.R., we decided to head south.  Things didn't really work out as planned however.  When we arrived an ambulance pulled into the hospital and Rick had to see the patient.  He told us to go grab a bite to eat and head to the football field (where the events were taking place) and he would meet us there.  In the meantime, a night nurse came into the E.R. with chest pain.  He was 39 years old and the son-in-law of Rick's receptionist.  He coded and died.  So Rick wasn't able to join us.  

 

We were at the park listening to the concert.  Gus was freaked out by all the bottle-rockets being shot off.  Ian and Gracie were bored.  No fun for mommy.  I let Ian and Gracie get a funnel cake that we all split.  We ended up getting food poisoning in the night.  Gracie vomited all over Rick's side of our bed.  I ended up sleeping on the couch, sick to my stomach!  Fun times!!!

Ryan and Ian played catch with a football in the park during the concert.  

I forgot to mention that Gracie also had cotton candy.  Maybe it wasn't food poisoning, it could have been sugar overload.

The boys playing basketball after we got home from the concert.

The headliner for the concert was John Conlee.  He sang "Rose Colored Glasses", "Lady Lay Down", "Friday Night Blues", "Backside of Thirty" and my favorite "In My Eyes", ages ago  Remember him?  It sure brought memories back to me.   Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson.  True greats of the 70's and 80's.  

Before the show, four parachuters came onto the field.  Impressive...but crazy

Rhino resting after a quick game of toss with Ian.

We were sitting next to a large tree that was great for climbing.  That was fine until ALL the other children also discovered it and crowed around our spot.

Gus Bus not enjoying the firecrackers.  He thought he was hot but the temp was in the 80's and we were in the shade.  He is such a wimp!!!

Trey lighting smoke bombs on the 4th

Colten and Ian

A very small portion of the explosives

another small portion

Nate and Gracie bouncing on the trampoline

Eric and Heather's two dogs, Duke (above) and Murphy (below)

Baseball is winding down

We had a busy evening yesterday.  Ian had guitar at 5:00.  Ryan had a practice game against Trenton at 6:30.  Then Gracie had a game at 7:30.  Needless to say, we weren't home much yesterday evening.  

This was the first game that we were able to play on a "regular" field.  Until last night, we played on the t-ball fields.  There were lots of rain-outs and the older teams took the big fields. This felt like a real game!!!

Gracie is in position.  

Ryan is in the dug-out while the Trenton team took infield.  They were being goofy.

Poor Ian.  He had to play for both teams since we were both short.  It wasn't an official game.  He looked so bored out there.  Baseball just isn't his game.

I'm going to cut this one short.  I have so much to do on this deck.  (still not done).