Celebrating with Pink

 

 

          As in PINK Lemonade Frosting.....  YUM!

 

Add 1 teaspoon of

 Unsweetened Pink Lemonade Kool-Aid

to one container of Vanilla frosting.

 

(the cake mix box said to add the whole package of Kool-Aid

but I did not.... It had plenty of pucker with 1 tsp.)

 

Stir it up.  Watch it turn a lovely pink

 

Spread on top of a Vanilla-Butter Recipe cupcake.

Add the sprinkles that come with the frosting.

 

 

 

Instantly

A happy feeling will come over you :)

 

 

 

 

Now  find someone to share them with

Create a happy day with the ones you love!

 

 

Easter is just around the corner...

I think these would be perfect for our Celebration.

 

Janita

 

 

Turning SIX !

EMERSON

I can't imagine life without your love .

YOU ARE SUCH A TREASURE!

These are the things I love about you....

you are Spunky

and LOVELY

You ALWAYS make me laugh : )

 You are full of Imagination.

You are Smart , you amaze me ,

and you  are a powerful persuader.

You love your mom and dad a whole bunch

But

Nanny and Opa's house 

is the best place to visit on earth.

Your love for us runs deep

And I love that you love to spend time here.

I love your hugs!

Already there is a sweet spirit of God in you.

You help me to know for real

God's love for me.

seeking buried treasure

I love you my little Miss Sugar Blueberry Pie!

Promise me you will always be sweet and never sassy.

I love you to infinity and beyond.

I think being six will be super fantastic!

God bless you sweet child.

Love ,

Nanny

AMERICAN spirit

Forever be True to the RED, WHITE and BLUE.

Welcome to my home!

Red White and Blue

 Spirit In my sewing room.

snuggling cozy with the stars

american spirit .....blessing others

this quilt will be donated

100 quilts for kids crusade

 Stars and STRIPES forever true to thee.

Blessed be the Brave who fight for these colors.

peaceful spirit

stitching stars

Celebrate!

I finally have some bunting.

RECYCLED American spirit here,

made using some old denim

some old kakai pants

a few old shirts

and some cotton prints.

At home in America.

My flag flys every day.

Why do old buttons create a sweet spirit in me??

Can't live without it spirit........

Make it, Share it and Eat It!

 Strawberry Rhubarb jam we love you!!

Making this is a yearly ritual.

small town spirit

This was Emerson's First year in T-Ball

    and she was cute as can be ....

we were  Impressed by this little American Spirit : )

EMERSON

playing first base

(not playing in the dirt!)

Lets just say that was taking a lot of will power on her part.

the BOLD and Unafraid SPIRIT

You go Girl!!!

This is how she ended the season....

sliding into home plate.

I'll never be an Olympic champion....

but I love my country!

Congratulations to all of the U.S.A.Olympic contenders!

I don't care if you did or didn't get a medal,

if you did we loved watching every moment of it....

if you didn't...you  are still inspiring to me.

Just to get to the Olympics to compete, alone, is amazing.

You have worked very hard

and

you have made us very proud! 

God Bless America, My Home Sweet Home.

Put a star on it!

wishing you a day filled with blessings

janita

HAPPY Birthday Addilyn Grace

We are now entering the age of the TERRIFIC TWO'S

this is Amy, my daughter, when she was two

She is Addilyn's mommy  

This is ADDILYN 

Now she is

2!

the TWO Together

many say she looks like her mommy

I think she looks like her daddy

She is talking all the time.

we are amazed with every word she says

she is SILLY

she is SERIOUS

She loves Blankets

especially HIDING in blankets

Her new favorite thing to do is have her daddy

wrap her in a blanket and then swing and twirl her.

she loves SHOES

and she loves this doggie

Addilyn and Harley

she brings JOY and LOVE to our home whenever she visits

some Birthday Suit pictures

pink and blue

means I love you!

       The belly button from whence you came.

Honestly, you are getting sweeter by the day.

YOU are such a precious GIFT OF GRACE to us.

happy birthday PRECIOUS ONE one.

 I love you with all my heart!

NANNY

better than a box chocolate cake

OK here it is...  the recipe for the

 BEST BIRTHDAY CHOCOLATE CAKE

If there is a request for Cake at our Birthday celebrations
 this is the one we always use.

We always do it in a plain ole cake pan.
Yes my children are deprived of fancy cakes,
 but I haven't heard anyone complain. :)
 One taste and you will be hooked!

Sorry no pictures it is not a fancy in the pan cake
but I promise you ,
you will NEVER bake a box chocolate cake  again
after you taste this cake.

 PROMISE! SO MOIST,  SO DELICIOUS!
YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT!

BUTTERLESS, EGGLESS, MILKLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE
(I try to cut sugar and salt in most of my recipes)

3 CUPS  all purpose flour
2 CUPS  white sugar ( I use 1 3/4 cup) edit ...so sorry I just noticed I left out 1 cup sugar in the above parenthesis the amount 1 3/4 cup is now correct
5 TBS cocoa powder
1 tsp salt (I use 1/2 tsp )
2 tsp soda
2 CUPS  cold water
2 TBS. white vinegar
1 CUP vegetable oil (I like Safflower oil but any will do)
2 tsp vanilla

Mix flour and sugar in a large bowl.  Place cocoa, salt and soda in a sifter and sift until empty over flour and sugar. My cocoa is always a bit lumpy and this makes for easier mixing. If you don't have a sifter, mix cocoa with part of the sugar or flour in a small bowl to remove any cocoa lumps before adding it to the large bowl.

Make a well in the dry ingredients add all of liquid ingredients.  Mix well with mixer or wire whisk. I  mix until all is blended about 1 minute.  I use a whisk.

Grease 9X13cake pan .  Pour batter into pan. Push cake batter up into corners of pan a little bit before baking. (it is my secret to a cake that doesn't bake skimpy in the corners and  thick in the center.)

Bake 350*  35-40 minutes until toothpick tests clean. 
When you start to smell the cake it is close to being done.

Allow cake to cool for 10 min then start making your frosting.

 FUDGE FROSTING
1 CUP Brown Sugar
5 TBS Butter
3 TBS milk

1/2 CUP semi sweet chocolate chips  (I use Hersheys)

 In a medium sauce pan bring sugar, oleo and milk to a full boil .
 TURN OFF HEAT, if using electric stove take off burner
Then add 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips.
Stir frosting until chips are melted.

Now beat 3 1/2 minutes with electric mixer on high speed tilting pan towards you to mix.

Frost cake as soon as frosting is done. Cake will still be warm.  Once you pour it on the cake the frosting sets up very quickly. Make it as pretty as you can as quick as you can.

ENJOY!  Serve with MINT CHIP ICE CREAM !!
love someone today!

janita

TWENTY TWO SMACKAROOOS!

This is Cassie on the day of her birthday.

getting some auntie loving!

(i think it was one of those crazy hair days for you emmy

but your smile is beautiful!)

LOOK AT THOSE SMILES!

they are identical..... I can tell you two were cut from the same cloth!

same cheek bones , same chinny chin chin , same lips,  wow.

isn't God amazing.

He makes family members all look alike!

 just in case you ever get lost.

you can find your way back home!

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

22 years old!

did you notice the two 2's in the year 2012

must be a magical birthday year!

22 years old in 2012!

now you  I can always remember how old you are.

 thanks for helping your old and forgetful mom out!

I don't think I ever put that together before.

if I did.... I forgot :(

next year

23 in 2013

yes it is a light bulb moment!

this is the day we are actually CELEBRATING!

FEBRUARY 12

just a week late..... not too bad.

is it ever like that at your house???

EMERSON  helped me with the party decorations.

let me state that again....

I helped Emerson... she was in charge!

I was just the girl with the supplies!

SO....there were

hot pink and silver sparkles on the table

pink streamers down the center

we are not looking for a tablescaping award.....

 just a little PARTY atmosphere

and some extra love!

EVERYTHING is her idea...

i just smile and help.

The boy chairs got blue crepe paper TIES

the girl chairs got pink crepe paper BOWS

(going all out here with left over party supplies)

remember the year you felt like a

PRINCESS!

2006 prom

We  just wanted you to know

how much we all love you!

and not much has changed over the years.....

ONCE A PRINCESS

Always a

PRINCESS!

Four days after the party this is what is left..

an empty house with just  me and the dogs

your smile is still fresh in my mind ,

your laughter is missed  

and

2 pieces of the

 BEST  BIRTHDAY CHOCOLATE CAKE ever

crying out for me to eat them!

(recipe maybe later if you want it)

THREE  DAUGHTERS

and now a few boys later.....

it's a wild and crazy life

but it is a good life!

If I had to do it all over again,

 I guess I'd choose to birth girls again :) 

I've leaned on more than a few of

God's promises through the years.

I have just a few gray hairs.....

not sure if

#1 you gave them to me

or(perhaps and more likely)

#2 your older sisters

 may have had a slight role in that

or

#3 it is just cause I"M  older and wiser :)

I'm sure you are all thinking it has to be #3 

because you are all angels now!

today  it doesn't matter

my hair color update yesterday has got you covered :)

You are beautiful Cassie,

YOU ARE A BLESSING,

You are growing up,

and your mom still loves you!!

today I'm thanking God for the precious gift that you are.

have a wonderful year being 22!

xO

MOM

ps I forgot I had a little something else  for your birthday.

that is what happens when you buy it in DEC!

I'll be in the attic sewing if you need me :)