Utah, Babes, Peaches

Another quickie trip to Utah. A precious grand to be named and blessed and kis and other grands to hug and kiss. Here's delightful Graham.  Dear A2K gave him as a middle name the same as this grandpa. How kind kids.

Many of the loving women in Graham's life.  I was glad to notice Javi's face by me. Good dog.

The men.

 

On the drive we stopped in Santaquin at The Red Barn hoping to get Utah peaches.

Our fortune.

The long drive is my opportunity to crochet.  This tri-colored blanket is for the next grand to be born in January. 

Home now and determined not to waste a peach. Blanching.

Cooling in an ice bath.

Peeled, pitted and sliced.

Ready for the freezer.  Maybe this will be a cobbler this winter.

Kitchen all cleaned up so on to the next chore and its a biggie. I'm cleaning out an old desk that has been a catch-all for waaaay too long.  Wishing you a happy day, msk

A Little Trip to Utah . . .

. . . so I could give love and kisses to this newest grand. Graham, welcome to our family. 

I was rather in love.

Grands playing in Millcreek Canyon. It was beautiful, cool and the s'mores were very enjoyed.

Love this father and son picture. 

Big brother with new brother. Such tenderness and love from all the kids for Graham.

I taught these cutie cousin/grands basic crocheting.  Learned very quickly and made necklaces repeatedly.

I got to take grands to swim practices and meets. I really get caught-up in the races and our three grands did very well.

Tennis practice for little P who proudly wore her crocheted necklaces and Coach requested one.

I'm so thankful that I hitched my ride with daughter Trevlyn who was taking her 3 boys to BYU campus for EFY . . . Especially For Youth. What a fantastic week they had and my heart is thrilled for them. 

  

Well I'm home to the heat and loving grands long distance.  I love being Grammy!

Wee One

This newest grand in the arms of one of his brothers. 

 I'm not the only one thinking this big brother looked much like little babe when he was born.  

Isn't it fun to see our wee ones grow, develop and become their own great selves.  

Still cannot wait to make a trip to give some hugs and kisses topped off with lots of cuddles...

...not just to this babe but to his sister and 2 brothers.

There's A New Man In Town...

...Unfortunately not my town . . . or state.
This new "grand" has stolen my heart already.
Born May 29, 2013.

 This Grammy cannot wait to cuddle and kiss him.

Sweeties and Syrups

I was delighted to get this photo of my PA sweeties at the Warner Robins (Georgia) Air Force Base Aviation Museum. I was there many years ago and Jesse remembered my love of this Stearman on display. Papa, my dad flew one as a crop duster in Idaho in my childhood and I have such fond memories just looking at this restored bi-wing.
But even more delightful are the smiling faces I get to see in this picture. I'm sure they had a great Georgia Christmas with Christie's family.

Now, for the record, some syrup recipes so we can find them easier (yes, Becca, thinking of you).

Coconut Syrup

7-8 T butter
3/4 c buttermilk
1 c sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1 t coconut extract

Place butter, buttermilk and sugar in a sauce pan. Over medium heat stir until sugar is dissolved and butter melted. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and add baking soda and extract. It will bubble up - just continue to stir and give it a few minutes for the "fizz" to reduce before serving.

Cinnamon Syrup

1 c sugar
1/2 c light corn syrup
1/4 c water
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 c whipping cream

In medium sauce pan stir all ingredients together EXCEPT cream. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cream. Cool 30 minutes, Syrup will thicken as it cools. Serve warm.

Hanging with . . . Part 2

Since I was in PA for the big 11/11/11 date Christie and I decided to raise our arms or in my case my fingers at 11 a.m. to celebrate. I don't think Beckett had any idea what was going on but we have included him and this will go down in history...maybe just family history.

Christie made it much more fun for him.

We went "downtown" for a little shopping/thrifting and parked under this gorgeous tree. Remember, I'm from AZ and autumn trees are a BIG DEAL to me.

I was thrilled that once again Christie drove me over hill and dell or is the dale to the Farmer's Market. I LOVE that place. And wouldn't you know I forgot my camera. This carrot shot I had Christie take with my cell phone. I don't even know if this picture really captures just how gigantic these carrots were!
And yes, as usual I was my chatty self and adoring the Amish man and wife at the cheese counter again this year. Christie told me of him a couple of years ago and he did not disappoint. Blonde hair cut just the the Dutch Boy on the paint can. Pale skim with intense rosie cheeks and in his full tradition clothing, hat and all. And he knows his cheese and I asked him all sorts of questions and I sample almost everything his has to sample. Don't worry, I didn't shame the family but bought much also. Jesse and my favorite is the horseradish cheese and Christie likes the smokey cheddar and we all enjoyed the mild baby Swiss. I hope they remember the asiago I left in the refrig to compliment some buttery pasta.

I chatted with another Amish about cooking today and found out that she too makes beef and noodles with beef shank and serves it with horseradish. She topped me though when she said she grows her own horseradish and makes her own sauce. That is such a favorite old-time dish Mom use to make.

Precious family all ready to leave for church. I'd say we had about a 20 minute drive to church, in the beautiful countryside much of it along side the Susquehanna River. Rather historic church-wise.

I took this book and cd set with me to PA. Pumpkin Soup, read a review here.
We read it together many times and it is delightful. I loved the illustrations. I hope they are playing the CD in the car as any trip seems to be some distance out where they live and I hope this story will remind the grands of my love.

Hanging with . . . Part 1

This is my PA bunch of grands.

We think we are so funny . . . and fun . . . and we are!
L to R: Ella Grace, Asher Jensen, Grammy/me, Beckett Charles, Jackson Ashby, Parker Addy.

Before the silliness began.
Aren't they just adorable.
Noticing how Asher just puts his arm around Beckett on his own. Such love.

Parker turns 10 later this week! So very smart and hard working. Happy Birthday sweet Parker with love. Hope Mom remembers where she put that present I left behind.

Eight year old Ella with her daddy's brown, curly hair and loving nature. Such a cuddler and affectionate girl.

Jackson is 6 and though the coloring is not like his daddy...his demeanor and compassion is just like my son, his Daddy-Jesse. What a strong and righteous boy.

Asher is 4 and lives with gusto and enthusiasm. He's the one that ran at full speed and planted a big kiss right on my mouth...just about knocked me over...really! Wouldn't that melt any grammy! He along with Ella and Jackson were the early morning cuddler's in my bed.

Beckett "the baby" will turn 2 the first of the new year. I haven't been in his life much so I was really working to win him over. Made much progress. He let's you know he is a big part of this family and that you hear him. He is so worth hearing too.

Oh my, just posting this and adding my comments has me all weepy missing them. I can hardly stand it until next summer when Jesse's 5 long, long years residency program for Ear Nose and Throat is over and he's a practicing doctor out west and we can all be together more.
May the time fly quickly and safely for all.
Grammy loves you grands.
Big hugs and kisses.

Snowmen on a 96* Day

I've spent the week with the local grands while their parents have fun in New York.

What a great time I am having with them...and sleeping well at night.

We made these little fun snowmen out of mini powdered donuts. Found the idea on Pinterest.

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