Good Mornin' Birthday Girl!

Michelle was up early fixing waffles with all the trimmings for Miss Amber's 11th birthday!  We woke her up with breakfast in bed and birthday poppers!

I remember well the morning she was born at Desert Samaritan in Mesa, Arizona where her Mom had been born before her.  Big Brother had been wired for sound all night and I kept thinking surely I can soothe him to sleep but no that never happened.  Needless to say I was glad when Amber's Dad Dallas came to the waiting room to announce her arrival and escort us to the delivery room so Pépère and Tristan and I could take our very first peek.   Amber Michelle is our first granddaughter and second grandchild.  She remains a little miniature replica of her Mom to be sure!

Lots of fun this morning watching her open her gifts.  Amber keeps a smile on her face all the time so it makes for easy picture taking.

Happy birthday Miss Amber.  We love you lots and lots and are so proud of you!

Happy birthday Miss Amber.  We love you lots and lots and are so proud of you!

Inspiration Courtesy of Amber Michelle

Beautiful Kentucky

(Grand-daughters make a good reason for an afternoon nap.)

Last night I got to see the fireflies putting on their light show and then later in the night the sky lit up with an incredible show of lightning.  The lightening was almost like watching fireworks - amazing.  I tried to take pictures but I think my camera is dying : - (

Today I made banana cupcakes that seem to be a "keeper" here in Kentucky too and tonight we will have chicken enchiladas.

I love to cook for my family and it is really nice when they love to eat it .

Our grandkids have grown up so much in the time since we last visited.  Tristan Dallas has become very savvy in discussing politics and I think would be great on a debate team.  Amber Michelle is the little happy bug in the family - always with something happy to say.  Ava Dorothy continues to keep the family on their toes with her charm and the curls she inherited from her daddy.

We are so enjoying being in beautiful Kentucky and having this special time with our kids and grand-kids.

Easy Peezy Ice-Cream

(Side note) No jokes about Mom hitting the bottle, it is actually my homemade vanilla.

After reading about making homemade ice-cream on various blogs and seeing Cuisinarts at a good price at Costco I took the plunge.  Oh my, in 30 minutes from start to finish you can have yummy soft freeze ice-cream.  

My first try was using the recipe below for Fresh Raspberry Ice-Cream.  I made it for Taralynn's birthday party Saturday and it was so good.  It is ready in less than 30 minutes.  Great basic vanilla recipe (minus the raspberries) and you can add what you like instead of the berries.

Fresh Raspberry Ice Cream

1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup half & half
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
half a capful of vanilla

In a small bowl, mash the raspberries with a spoonful or two of the sugar with a fork. In another bowl, stir together the creams and milk, sugar and vanilla. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions. When it gets thick and is frozen but still soft, pour in the raspberry puree. Let it go until it’s swirly, or wait longer until the whole mixture is pale pink.

Serve immediately or if you want it firmer, transfer to a container or bowl and put it in the freezer until firm. 

Linking up with Lisa at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

Try making some homemade ice-cream.  Your family will love you for it!

There Is A Point To My Blurry Pics

We celebrated Taralynn's 4th birthday Saturday.  Of course I took lots of pictures but as I scrolled through them tonight I came to a quick conclusion.  There were more blurry pictures taken than good clear ones. 

 This caused me to ponder about how quickly children move through life.  They never sit or stand still that is why it is hard to snap a clear picture of them.  

Life happens quickly and I am reminded that we must take advantage of every minute as we guide and direct these precious little lives into their futures.

The "guys" modeling their new tee-shirts from Alaska.

Finally I got her to slow down long enough for a quick pose.  

Happy Happy Birthday Taralynn Love Crossman (TLC#3)  

Your Mémère and Pépère love you lots and lots!

Coffee and Exercise

If you know me well or you are a member of my family you will understand!

Enjoy your day while I go warm up my coffee.  You understand that too don't you?

Victoria

The Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia

My mother was the inspiration for Precious Husband taking me to Alaska.  Mom had been a few years ago and told us about sitting on her patio drinking coffee and watching the sea life around her.  That sounded so wonderful to me - so relaxing and peaceful.

So of course the first morning on the ship I had to order breakfast in and have my coffee on my veranda.  It was great even though we never saw any sea life around us (others did though).

The other event that I had looked forward to was definitely Victoria, B.C. and it was beautiful.  Because of the ship's schedule Victoria turns out to be an evening excursion.  We arrived about 6 PM and had to be back by midnight.  The ships are very punctual and we heard that if you are not back on ship in time they will leave you!  We made it a point to be punctual too.

Back to Victoria - it was wonderful.  Because we did not know what to do or see we chose to take a tour by peddle car.  We shared a 4 passenger cart with a couple that we got acquainted with on the ship and we had a young man on a bicycle  that pulled us around the city.  We wanted to tour the Empress Garden Hotel so he accommodated us and gave us a quick guided tour - wonderful.  On a couple of the hills I so wanted to get off and push out of sheer pity for the sweet young man on the bicycle.  Oh my.

This is a city I would enjoy visiting again so we could get off the bike and wonder the side streets in search of a special little teacup or teapot of course.

The gardens we toured were simply beautiful.  See the tree below?  Look closely

I made the picture big - do you see him?

Waldo, did you find him?

Like I said, we had such a good time.

Just Make It Coffee Please

Precious Husband put this out yesterday morning but the best he got was the usual cup of coffee in bed.  We both agree it was a wonderful trip and we had a delightful time but truly there is no place like home for complete contentment.

When thinking about extensive or expensive travel I guess Gladys Taber says it best as far as this Mémère is concerned:

"I would be willing to go around the world if I came back

 in time to light the candles and set the table for supper. "

Home Sweet Home

Hubbard Glaciers

We are in Seattle waiting for flight home.  There really is no place like home and I am so glad I feel that way.  I can't imagine not . . . 

We had a marvelous time and saw amazing sites.  Met many wonderful people and shared lots of laughs with them.  When you are with other people that love the Lord it makes for easy connections.

Chuck Swindoll was such an encouraging speaker and challenged me to live fully and his sister Luci challenged us to live in the moment - very good advice.

Looking forward to being home and seeing all our many kids and grandkids.  Will start up the washing machine and then basically repack the suitcases to go to Kentucky for special time with our kids and grandkids there.  

I know we are just getting back from vacation but I am tired!

Alaska Here We Come

This handsome man in black is headed to Alaska with an overnight first in Seattle.  This handsome man in black is not alone - I am with him! Wahoo!  Can't believe we are going on a 8 day 7 night cruise to Alaska!  Zipped up the suitcases at 1 AM  this morning and KLOVE woke me up at 5 AM but the adrenalin is in full force so I think I will be good : - )

Precious Husband commented about the full suitcases that we wouldn't be able to bring home souvenirs but I think I have plenty of room in my carry on.  I am hoping to find a pretty vintage piece of jewelry or dainty teacup in Victoria, BC.  Such fun.

Thursday Fun

I love to read to my grandkids when we are together and Dr. Seuss is always a fun read.  Last night we read The Cat's Quizzer and this just caught my funny bone: 

What would you do if

you sprouted a daisy?

Would you run and see your dentist?

Would you water it 

and grow more of them 

and sell them

to your friends?

Or woud you try

to grow some roses?

They’re worth a lot more.

The Cat’s Quizzer

 by Dr. Seuss

TLC Wednesday

So it was time to hang out with the TLC's today.  We had a good time making all kind of things with PlayDoh and then it was painting with water colors.  Fun.  

Tomorrow it will be pack the suitcases and water the plants then Friday it is off to Seattle. We will spend the night and board the ship first thing Saturday morning for 7 nights and 8 days in Alaska.  Wahoooo!

Death Is Not Dying

Rachel Barkey

Headed up to "the valley" for our Women's Ministry evening soon.  Tonight I am taking a break from our usual weekly study of Girls Gone Wise In A World Gone Mad to share a testimony of an amazing young woman who at 37 years of age died of cancer.  She left a husband and two young children but also a testimony that ministers truth.  I believe in healing but we will all die someday unless the Lord comes first.

Take a few minutes and listen to Rachel Barkey's testimony http://deathisnotdying.com/

Coffee On The Veranda

Next Sunday morning Lord willing Precious Husband and I will have our coffee on the veranda.  The veranda of the MS Westerdam in Alaska!

I know I know, I can't believe it.  I am so excited and feeling so loved and so spoiled by Precious Husband and blessed by the Lord!!

We are going with Chuck Swindoll of Insight For Living on the Inspiration Cruise Line.  7 nights and 8 days - wahoooo!

Chuck Swindoll is one of Precious Husband's favorite radio ministers.  Nearly 25 years ago he gave me the book you see below. I plan to take the book with me to have Pastor Swindoll sign it under where Precious Husband wrote in it 25 years ago

Neither one of us have ever had a desire to go on a cruise and just really aren't the fancy cruise type. When my mother went a few years ago and told me about drinking coffee on her balcony and watching the whale I thought to myself, "Wow, does that ever sound wonderful."  

Because Precious Husband loves me and spoils me like he does he decided this was the summer to make my dream come true.  We are celebrating his retirement and our upcoming 30th anniversary (November 19th) of having our lives come in contact by the gracious hand of the Lord.

When I shared this morning with Precious Husband about how excited I was he said he hoped it would be everything I dreamed of.  My reply to that is that my only real desire and wish for the trip is for coffee served to me on my balcony Sunday morning and I will be happy!!  Knowing my Precious Husband I think he will make that happen.

Better get busy these little gold heels are waiting to get packed.  I will attempt to put them on feet that may not be touching the floor much.