MONDAY NEWS : "MY HOW TIME FLIES BY"

                                                             Heather and Lydia

                                                                   Alex and Lydia

                                                             Critter and Lydia

                                                                  Me and Lydia


These are the photos of my Daughter and her long time friends and family. Each one is  going to be in her wedding. From the Maid of Honor,  Bridesmaid and Groomsman.  It is hard to  believe she just had her 23rd Birthday and is getting married in a few months!

They grow up so Fast! sometimes I long for that time when she sat on my lap and I read books to her. Now that she is all grown up, graduated from college with her bachelors, starting her own married life and working in her field of study. Plus she is continuing on for her Masters. My how time flies by!!

This weekend we celebrated her birthday. Her fiance was with us and we had one of her favorite meals, Lemon Chicken and Rice. Plus I made a German Blackforest Pound Cake. We had a good time. Talking wedding stuff  and planning some things. I am looking forward to more wonderful times with her.

Monday News- A Full Start to 2015

Wow.. It's been awhile. A lot has been happening. Mostly My life has been taken over by events. So I will update on My Monday News.

To Start with My Father was diagnosed  with Diabetes. We have been moving from Pills to Insulin to get it under control. we seen to finally have it at a good number. Although we had some trials along the way. I have been going between Virginia and Maryland for over a year. Now I go once a month for a few weeks to help him out. Doctor and health care appointments, and cleaning and doing some house repairs for him.  He is doing better now, coming up on his 83rd birthday. I plan on have a small local family Party.

My Daughter is still in College. Finishing up her Junior year. We have been trying to see each other over the year. She is going in Pennsylvania. We are about 6 hours from her. Between her work and school, we do not get to see her that much. She does get to come home for a short time for time to time. With all the technology I do talk to her everyday by Skype, Texting, cell or Messaging. I keep up on things though Facebook. Love all this technology. How did I ever manage with out it, it seem like I have had it forever now.

Hubby has been working from home for a while now. A bit of change for me. Getting use to him being home and still doing my home business. The weather has taking a toll on him. With all this pollen, it has been hard for him the breathe.

Now for my Nieces and Nephews. Let see there has been three babies born and one still on the way. Two weddings last year. Critter is learning trumpet and he is doing well! Alex is playing Basketball, we got to see her play in Hampton Virginia. Soccer season is starting for Critter and Alex. So, there will be lots of games.

As for me...well... I have  been working on the yard and house. Still managing my business.  Plus been working on some new recipes for the cookbook site. We had some work done on the back yard last fall. looking good this season. I will be posting more on that on the yard and garden site.

As you can see we have been very busy. I hope to do some updates and traveling fun post this summer. Lots of things planned for me. Hope you will come back to see the going ons in my household.

Monday News.. A Busy Household.

Our household has been very busy with Medical issues. Hubby had Surgery last week and is not having a great time. I do not think he realized how much it would effect his life. I have been very busy being a caregiver. I do not mind it however, It is time consuming.
I realized how much he does for our daughter and around the house. He Helps out a lot. I am bless to have a husband like him. So, to say the least I have been very busy no time to blog.

Since last blogged, we have had time with family. Went out to dinner a couple weeks ago with Critter and family. Critter is so funny. I really have fallen in Love with that Boy! Eat at Olive Garden in DC and he was so talkative. We were sharing making a banana dessert. It was a very easy recipe. Take bananas and slice in half longways and then again in half crossways. making four pieces, roll then in brownsugar and brown in a little butter. Melt some dark chocolate in a double boiler. place cooked banana on a plate and then drizzle melted chocolate over then. Sprinkle with some sliced almonds. After given the recipe Critter said " I haven't a clue what you said". We all chuckled and Mike said It sound easy we will try it. Kids really say the darnedest things.

On Tuesday hubby had his surgery. I have been very busy. Can not leave him alone. He still wants to do things he just should not do. I have to run out daily to get ice for the ice machine given to us by the surgery clinic. We need to keep it on must of the time. with the pain meds and the ice, his pain seem to be under control. He can not drive, that means I have to take daughter to work and him to appointments. He has a lot of them. One today with a pulmonary doctor and two on Wednesday (both out of town).

He still needs kidney surgery and possible knee surgery. Now we are just praying that the kidneys do not get in distress before she can schedule surgery.

so that is what has been going on in this household. What been going on with you?

Monday News..Game Stuff and a BD.

Critter turns 8 today, so we had a BD celebration Sunday plus we watched the game.

Family was over for the Game. Wasn't that an exciting Game! I even like some of the commercials. My favorite was the Vampire one. Did you see it. ....The Cars headlight were being featured as Daylight brite. However I loved it when the driver was vanquished. Now I want that car, since the driver is no longer available,he he he.
Here is the video......

What did you that of that one?

So Critter wanted an Oreo cake. I made one for him. The recipe will be on my Kitchen Site Tuesday.
Critter now 8!



The candle was a lotus one that had a sparkling candle in the middle and opened up to 8 candles burning. We had so much fun seeing it.

I add this post to Blue Monday this week, you can see more Blue Photos at Smiling Sally

Monday News..Family Update

Another Monday had arrived. I have been listening to my new MP3 player. It had Golden Oldies on it, 1000 songs already loaded into it. Enjoying the memories back in my mind. Had forgotten some of the song, however the memories of the season flooded back. Oh those were the days my friend.... Oh a song title, hehehe. Do you remember that one? Do you have a favorite oldie song?

My weekend was a good one. First off we have a first snow fall. Not that great but it is the sign of Winter being here. Love the snow, want more of it. We were planning to go to Charlottesville this past weekend. With the ice and snow storm the decision to not go was made.

I made Creamed potatoes and Sweinbraten for dinner on Saturday. Had lots of potatoes in my pantry. Will put the recipe on my kitchen site. it was very good and easy to make. We watched some TV and enjoyed the day.

Sunday was church day. Hubby and I started a Christianity 201 class. This one is on Living a Christ filled life. It is at McLean University, a six week class. We were studying the Holy Spirit. I think the class will be good for our growth.

Once home on Sunday we watch a program about Gator handlers. They are folks that collect the Gators that make their way into the Property of folks in Florida. A Very Interesting show. One of the handlers turn over their overflow gators to a rescue for gators. He told the folks that George was a good friends of his. Now George is a gator. He told the Rescue folks that when he comes back he could call for George and he will come to him from out of the water, No matter where George it at. Now the Folk really teased the handler about this. Saying things like George wrote a farewell letter and had moved on....

The day came to go call for George at the Rescue. The Handler rode his bike to the rescue. Stood on the Shoreline and called for George. The Rescuers laughed and continued to tease the Handler. Low and Behold the Gator started coming. You could see it making its' way though all the other gators. George came all the way and out of the water to greet the handler. All the Rescuers where taken back. How could this be!? Well we saw it and my Husband was shocked also. As for Me I was not. If the Gator had been with the Handler for years and he took care of him, Why would he not recognize his voice. I think this was a great show of Gods Animals and How a Godly caretaker can be. He did profess to be a Believer in God. The Handlers remove all the gators alive and unhurt from properties. They put them in their facilities until the can move them to the rescue habitat.

Sometimes we find a great TV show to watch!

So, How was your weekend? Anything you want to share?

MLK DAY......School out.

Today is Martin Luther Kings Day. I just do not know about this one. Some People still believe that they are not equal. As well as some folks believe they are better off. Mix thoughts make it so hard to understand this holiday. I tend to look at it as a Day for School to be out. The Kids are not all sure what this means to them. As like in History, it will be lost in the history books at some point and he will just be one of the great speakers of old. As it is now it is referred to as MLK Day! One has to know what that stands for. All I am hear across the wave is MLK DAY.

As a child I never knew there was a segregation problem. My school always had a mixture of people and ethnics. My parent never made a big deal about it, we had many friends of all colors. I was raised mostly in the North and we all got along. The only problem we had was with the Bikers at school. They caused a few riots. I always had a array of friends and never knew anyone who was prejudice. In Gods eyes we are all the same, Created by Him to do a good work. I think We all do good works. And if you study Slavery you will see it involve many ethnics not just one Clan.

Now I do believe MLK was a great man and caused a group of folks to start thinking differently. He did start a change to trickle down, and we the world, are moving forward. There are more opportunities for all people than ever before. We had an array of material to read, written by all kinds of folks. We have the ability to have speakers to talk about almost anything. Now this all sound like Americas Freedoms. Even Lincoln was for equal rights.

So back to the thought of this day out of school. I really do not agree with it. Perhaps they should be in school and learning about the Great Speakers of our Nation. Instead of rejoicing for a day off. Just to be able to sleep in and hang out with friends. So maybe today we could ask a couple of kids, across the age group, " Why are you out of school today?".
Will we hear from them about Martin Luther King?

Monday News..Say What!!!!

The weekend was an interesting one. With a teen in the home life can be trying. I think it is hard to be parent to a young person who thinks they have become overnight an Adult. Now at 17, and might I say always adding one extra year on, She thinks we have ceased being Parents.

Remembering back when I was a teen helps me stay grounded. However today's teens have this different view on things. Asking in a statement form instead of a question form. A more demanding tone instead of a kinder one. I think she will work on those Forms and tones.

So on Friday we were told about her plans for the weekend. Movies, Mall, Exercise, overnight stay possibilities among other places to take her. Yep We have become a Taxi service. Taking a back seat to being a parent. Maybe we should start charging taxi prices..... when the taxi service is demanded instead of the asking method.

Anyway, on Friday evening took her to a friends house. Didn't turn out well for her there.. A girlfriends boyfriend competition . Saturday travel to exercise class, drop off and then pick up in a couple hours. Back home, she went back to bed. Awoke, Not happy, wanted to go to a movie. Found someone to go with her. Back in the Car to the Movies, drop off. Come back home.... a couple hours back to pick her up.

Sunday to Church... spend time with family. Had a nice lunch. It was great to see the kids. I haven't seen them since Christmas Eve.
As for my daughter, she went back to bed after we came home... It must be nice to be a teen and be able to just sleep, eat and have a taxi service at her beckon call.

So that was my weekend, nothing really exciting. Well unless you call taking down some holiday lighting and cleaning exciting. I did manage to do some of that work.

Also on Friday hubby surgery was cancelled for this Tuesday. Still not cleared on the Blood clots issue. We are still working through some health issues in the household. Lord willing we will get through these in a healthy way.

How was your weekend, Bland, Kid filled or just too exciting to handle?

Monday News.. A Look back on the week

Boy this was a great week. We went to The Gaylord National on the National Harbor for a few days. Saw some great things there.
This is a show of all ice sculptures. The Temps was 5 degrees. Every thing was made from ice. They handed out parkas to keep one warm as we walked through.

This was a slide made out of Ice.
Hubby and daughter went down it.

We had breakfast with some Characters from Shrek

Then we bumped into some friends and they told us to walk into the town. There we saw big tree.

On Friday we took a boat to Old Alexandra. Had not been there before. I really like it. The was a free King Street trolley. So we hopped on and got to see a lot. Now we know how to get there by the Metro. We will surely go back there for a day.

Next we drove home, traffic was not bad.

Saturday went out to the Mall to return a few things. Not presents just some items I purchased. The mall closed early due to New Years Eve. We came home and rang in the New year There. I can never seem to stay awake on that day. It seems like I can on other days but the New Years Eve. Anyway I did wake up to firecrackers going off in the neighborhood. It is against the law here, but the folks do not care about Laws! I always thank the Lord the homes do not catch fire.

One thing I missed this year was the Rose Parade and game. It was moved to Monday,today, I did not like that! I feel It is an American tradition to watch it on News Years Day. Yesterday felt like a regular day. Now the Kids here will not get to enjoy the parade or game. Because they had to go to school! No Holiday for them only for the Nation! What a mistake our county made.


Be sure to visit Writer Cramps to see more Monday's Miss Marple. You never know when you need that Alibi!
I add this post to Blue Monday this week, you can see more Blue Photos at Smiling Sally

Monday News...Getting ready...

The time is getting closer and the house is lighting up. Every room is lite up with the Joy, spending the Light of the Season. This home is a believer in Jesus Christ, We believe He is the Son of God, sent to the earth to bring us Light and Hope. Jesus Christ is the Messiah promised to us by God Almighty. He is the Great I AM. Lights represent the Light of the world has come and is still very much alive. So, that is why we celebrate Jesus Christ Birth by using Lights.

With that said, we have been enjoying the lights of the season.

Here are a few Blue peeks.

This is what we did this Last weekend...
A harbor Light show.

Loved this one..Yummm

All wrapped up...

Baby, It's cold outside!!

,


If you live close to Baltimore this is a great Light show. Get out to see it.

Be sure to visit Writer Cramps to see more Monday's Miss Marple. You never know when you need that Alibi!
I add this post to Blue Monday this week, you can see more Blue Photos at Smiling Sally

Monday News.. An Excursion

Saturday we had a excursion to the Amish country. I really enjoyed it. First we went to the Wine shop in Manheim. I love the wines there. Every year at Christmas the smell hot warmed holiday wine reminds me of our Germany years. Drinking a cup a Gluhwine by a roaring fire is a great feeling. Mount Hope Winery make a great Holiday wine. You just heat it up and enjoy! I tasted a couple new ones. The honey wine and pear wine were very good.

After the wine stop we went to Jake's Country Trading Post in Gordonville,Pa. We had purchased a rocker a few years back and needed to get a replacement part for the glider. While there we did some shopping. Found these battery candles perfect for the holiday deer. I think they will look great and no flames to worry about. My daughter found a purse.

We continued on to eat at Miller's Smorgasbord in Ronks. Their food is so good and the pies are out of this world. I had a piece of Oatmeal Pie, it had coconut in it. I really need to find out how to make that one. However Dad and I are the only ones who like coconut. I could make it for the holidays.

Daughter wanted to shop at the Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse Pa. I really like that place. purchase a ledge Santa and some instant snow. we will have a blast seeing the kids touching the snow in the villages. While there we had to enter the Kitchen Kettle shop. I believe they do not have anything that does not taste good. I heard a lady said that in the store. Oh yes. I didn't get out of there cheep! Some Christmas gift and some thing for us. Bought a new product for me, Orange Curd. Think of making a Orange Chicken dish with it.

We closed down the shop and headed back through the Amish country. Love seeing the folks preparing the soil for next year. Horse drawn spreaders and old trackers in the fields. We saw a few buggies on the road, however most folks where in the fields. It was a very nice days Excursion for me and my family.

Sunday was a lazy day. I did manage to get some lights up for the holiday time approaching as well as the trees in the planters on the front porch. Is is that time to start thinking holidays, Love this time of the year.

Monday News: Crazy week.

I turned one year older last week. Now I am going to start going backward on the numbers for sure. I really do not feel as old as I am. For my Birthday I receive a surprise visit from my Dad. It was very nice of the family to do that and they really did keep it a secret. Received a Gift card to my favorite place Williams Sonoma from my daughter. You know what that means.... more gadgets! Oh I love it. Saw on of my gadget on the Today Show, Emeril Lagassse used it! I will be featuring that one on my "Kitchen Gadget" post at my Kitchen site soon.

Hubbys' sister drop in from North Carolina for a day. That was great also. She had never been to our home. We had a great time. She went with us to Lyds Cello lesson, got to see first hand how she learns to play. As well as meet her Cello teacher. She left to go see her older brother in Charlottesville. He is not in good health.

Talking about Health, Hubby had appointments to see a few doctors last week. We found out that he has over 14 kidney stones and the cyst on the right kidney. Might be the cause for the blood clots. He will now be undergoing more test to check this out. It seems like they had gotten the blood thinned to the right amount. He is going to see an Pulmonary doctor to take a look at how the blog clots in the lungs are doing. Saw a heart Doctor and it looks like the heart is fine. No clots in it as of now. Will be seeing an allergist to check out the cause for all these respiratory issues. I really think it is something he is allergic to. We need to find out what it is so, we can take care of it. So many issues for him health wise. I am still hopeful for a longer life together. We have been together for over 35 years. We just celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary this past month.

Our weather was a little colder than usual. However it is fall and the weather can have great swings in temp.
We had a generator switch added to the home. this will make it easier to switch over to the generator of needed. Used the pellet stove this weekend, it is working great. this morning the temp was at 29 F. A frigid morning indeed.

Some Blue photos of our trip to the Park a few weeks ago.

Here is the costume Lyd has chosen for today's Halloween activities.

How is the weather in your neck of the woods?


Be sure to visit Writer Cramps to see more Monday's Miss Marple. You never know when you need that Alibi!
I add this post to Blue Monday this week, you can see more Blue Photos at Smiling Sally

Monday News..Family and Fun!

This past weekend we spent time at the Fair and had fun with the family. We took photos of the fun times. So here it goes, take a look at our crazy weekend.

On Saturday we took a trip to Crownsville Maryland for the Renaissance Fair. I love this time of year, the weather is just right and going to fairs are on my favorite trips list. This year a went in Costume and had my hair braided. I was looking forward to getting a honey for my Coffee. Been trying to find a good sweetener for it. The folks really dress up for the Maryland one, as you will see. Anything goes there, one can be transported back to that time and if you stay long enough one will start speaking in the accent and language.






On Sunday after church we went to my niece Birthday party. It was a skating party. Yes I went skating. It has been years since I did this sport. Fell a few times, however I did do better than I thought. the kids enjoyed a glow light party with pizza and cake.

So how was your weekend?

Be sure to visit Writer Cramps to see more Monday's Miss Marple. You never know when you need that Alibi!
I add this post to Blue Monday this week, you can see more Blue Photos at Smiling Sally

Monday News...Our weekend update.

Was suppose to be in Virginia Beach this weekend. However Hubby got very sick and daughter was just getting over a cold. So the vacation was postponed until a later date.

My daughter and I went out shopping on Saturday. We have a bookstore going out of business. She want Harry Potter books and I just went along. Oh but I just can't not look.
Love to cook and so many cookbooks. Don't think many people cook anymore here. Picked up a few books, one on Bread and some on Bunches and Breakfast. Also got ones on Ireland Food and finger foods. Pick a couple for the small kids, Critter and Alex. I do not think I will be going back to that store before they close, even with the discounted prices I spent too much!

Came home and in the mail was a movie I had been waiting for "Mars Needs Moms" ordered it in 3D. We have a 3D television, so I will like forward to seeing it. We watched a Harry Potter movie that evening. I made chocolate ice cream in my new kitchen gadget.

recipe at Auntie E's Kitchen

Sunday went to church. sat with my Sister-in-law and her hubby. Then we all got to see the kids and had lunch together. It was very nice.
Started to feel a little under the weather so I made chicken noddle soup. Watched the season finally of "Falling Sky" a TNT movie. Do not think it will be a continuing series.

Worked on my blogs over the weekend. Daughter asked why a haven't been posting.
So, I started to work on them again. I guess she looks forward to reading them.

So how was your weekend?

Be sure to visit Writer Cramps to see more Monday's Miss Marple. You never know when you need that Alibi!
I add this post to Blue Monday this week, you can see more Blue Photos at Smiling Sally