Trying to Get Fancy?

Trying something new today.  Tried my hand at Photobucket last night and this is my first attempt.  I think this could be quite fun but I need to do lots of practicing with trial and error.

My Story of Anchor Hocking Dishes

Thought I would hook up with Leigh on Thrifty Thursday and share my story of how I came to collect Star of David pieces by Anchor Hocking.

Several years ago I had a few pieces that I had thrifted along the way for a few reasons:
1.  I like the pattern
2. They are easy to find at thrift stores and antique stores
3. Most importantly they are found at a reasonable price

Oldest daughter Michelle stopped by one evening and showed me a piece she had gotten at a yard sale and told me how much she liked it.  She asked me if I didn't have the same pattern?  So I took her to the china cabinet and started pulling out pieces that filled two boxes and I sent them home with her.

Later youngest daughter Danielle gets married and she wants to start collecting pretty dishes too so I open the china cabinet again.  She really likes the Star of David.  "But" I tell her, "your sister collects that now.  How about you taking this Sandwich glass and we will build on all this?"  No Danielle wanted the Star of David.

So for several years I have added to both girls collection and I think they have pretty much everything available.  With that in mind I decided to start collecting it again too since I had given all mine away.

On vacation I found a set of snack plates in an antique store still in the original box at a good price.  Maybe one more set will complete my collecting.  Because it is so readily available I have been able to get all the pieces for my daughters and all the ones I want to use too.

So now you know : )

Why I Love Being a Mémère

 Pépère and Thomas (TLC#4) sharing a chorro at Disneyland

(the crumbs give him away)

Got a call from Trent (TLC #1) this morning with his sister and 2 brothers in the backround.  "Mémère, we don't remember the song about the little light and we are trying to sing it." 

On the way to California with the four littles I sang "This Little Light Of Mine" and they chimed right in and we sang it over and over.  Thomas (TLC #4) at 16 months remembered the part "oh no!"  So I sang the song again to Trent today and then of course he wanted to know if I could come over to his house today.

Makes a Mémère's heart smile and sing all at the same time.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

When my daughter Michelle mentioned having lots of zucchini in her garden I immediately thought of my recipe for Zucchini Bread which motivated my choice of recipe to share on Lisa's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

This is a recipe I received from a precious older lady in a bible study I attended a number of years ago when I was young - now I am the older lady : )  Each Thursday Sister Lillie would bring an amazing bread or sweet dessert to share with us.  I have such sweet memories of this special lady with the big heart and wonderful baking skills.  

Sister Lillie’s Zucchini Bread

2 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups coarsely grated zucchini

1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixer, beat eggs. Add oil, sugar, and vanilla; continue beating mixture until thick and foamy. With a spoon, stir in the zucchini and pineapple.

2 In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. A third at a time, add dry ingredients into wet and gently stir (by hand) after each addition. Add the walnuts and blend gently.

3 Divide the batter equally between 2 greased and flour-dusted 5 by 9 inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in to the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly.

Makes 2 loaves or a couple dozen muffins.  This is really a family favorite and one I always use for company.  The addition of pineapple to the bread makes it very moist.

Glad To Be Home

 The look of excitement!  Danielle and Taralyn waiting to see the princess at Disneyland.

Precious Husband and I had a delightful two weeks and returned to our abode on Kristal Lane Friday night.  We had a wonderful time but boy does it feel good to be home again.  Definitely no place like home I am happy to state!

We started out with our youngest daughter, son-in-love and 4 grandchildren on Saturday.  By the time we reached the beach it was nearly dark but we all ventured into the water and had a great time curling our toes into the sand to keep erect.

Sunday we enjoyed the fun at Knottsberry Farm and Monday and Tuesday we took in "part" of Disneyland.  Wednesday the kids returned to Arizona and Precious Husband and I headed north.  We had a wonderful family reunion on Saturday with my father's side of the family and then on Sunday we did the same thing with my mother's family.  About 45 people both times.  Cousins I had not seen in a number of years.

Spent two nights with my mom and then one night with my brother and his wife.  Left there and headed to beautiful northern California where we stayed two nights with my sister and her husband.  When we left there we were blessed to enjoy the beauty of Yosemite National Park on our way home. 

The best part of Precious Husband's vacation was being able to visit both Reagan and Nixon's libraries.  

Lots of laundry and unpacking to do and a house to clean.  Jason house sat for us but need I say more . . .

Had a wonderful time and enjoyed our family visits so much but I am glad to be home.

Every little girls fantasy.  Taralyn was just speechless!