WHAT WE DID

Last week my husband and I spent several days keeping our granddaughters while their mom and dad were out of town. We had such a good time and I wanted to share some of the fun we had with you. There are many pictures but you will be able to see just how much fun two grandparents can have with three special little girls.

The older girls had school (and preschool) during the day. Below you will see Breanna as she was ready to catch the bus.

Here's Maddie all ready for preschool. Wish you could see her pink boots she has on.

Granddaddy is getting some good lovin' from Emma. She loves her Granddaddy!

This next picture may tell just why she loves him so.......I was folding clothes and had the girls panties all folded. Emma gets two pair and puts one on Granddaddy's head and another pair on her head. (This picture was made before she discovered how to put them on her head). I told Granddaddy that this picture would be on my blog....don't know if he believed me.


The girls also played "beauty shop" and they each fixed Gigi's hair.

We traced each others hands......over and over and over and over!

Granddaddy stayed in the floor most of the time doing whatever Emma wanted. This is a picture of her telling him they needed to do the puzzle AGAIN.


Emma playing with her toys.

And.........the first thing every morning we played with the cat.


The week was great. It's so much fun being grandparents.

THIS IS IT!!

I have been searching for a homemade bread recipe that tastes like one I had years ago and I finally found it!!! THIS IS IT!!! I remember buying this bread from a sweet lady who sold it for missions at her church. I'll admit that I have tried numerous recipes and none have come close. However, this past week I found a recipe while reading a blog that I enjoy. You must go to The Maddox Family blog and you'll be a regular visitor. I saw her original post earlier in the week and didn't quite understand so I left her a comment with a question. She did another post to make sure those like me had the directions down pat. I will give you the recipe, but when you visit her you will see pictures of each step. I promise you will love it. I have made 6 loaves (since Wednesday) and only given away 3 of them. Add it up.....that means we have 3 for my husband and myself!! I'll also give you the recipe for some DELICIOUS Honey Butter that you will love.

This is a slice of hot bread with the honey butter on it. Oh, my goodness.....THIS IS THE ONE!!!

Mrs. Linda's Bread Recipe:

Starter: 2 cups warm water, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 1/4 tsp. yeast, 3 Tbl. instant potato flakes (not flavored). Put in quart mason jar with little holes in the lid and let stand in a warm place for 8 hrs.

Dough: 6 cups bread flour, 1 Tbl. salt, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1 1/2 cups starter. Mix and cover with a towel to rise for 6 - 8 hrs.

Punch bread down and divide into 3 greased bread pans. Let rise 6 - 8 hrs.

Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. DELICIOUS!!!!

By the way....it's ok if you go over the 8 hrs. by a little. I let mine rise for about 9 and it was fine.

HONEY CINNAMON BUTTER

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup honey

1/2 tsp. cinnamon (more if you like)

Combine and beat until light and fluffy. I leave mine out in a covered container so it will be soft.

SNOW DAY

Last Friday snow began falling here in central Alabama around noon and continued for several hours. I know that some of you have mega snow where you live, but it is a rare occasion here. If there is even a slight chance it is reason to celebrate. Most of the time we only see a few "flurries" during the winter season, or any snow that we might have comes during the night, and we miss seeing it. As you know, I had surgery on Thursday and could only enjoy it while sitting in a recliner looking out the glass door. My husband did go out and make pictures for me when it first started. The one above was from the front of the house.

The birds continued to eat and paid no attention to the snow. I love watching them and they seemed even prettier against the snow background.

Our grandsons walked over and were having a grand time playing in our yard. They even made three small snowmen after these pictures were taken.

This has absolutely nothing to do with snow, but I have to share my great news. My doctor called yesterday with the pathology report from my surgery....NO CANCER. I know that prayers were answered and I thank all of you who said a prayer for me.

HAPPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

The greatest of these is LOVE! Yes, today is all about love. I've always enjoyed this holiday. It was so much fun when I taught school because the children were so excited to open Valentine cards and give them to their friends. I probably have every card my husband has given me (and that's many) each year we have been married. This week has been full of surprises for us. We had no idea the first of this week that we would be spending time in surgery and later home recuperating. Last night I told my husband that I had not gotten him anything. He really could have cared less, but I felt guilty. This morning he had a surprise for me at breakfast making me feel really bad. After church we both spent the afternoon napping, but he had a meeting at church tonight. His favorite dessert is cookies....any kind. I decided I'd make him Valentine cookies but couldn't find the heart cookie cutter. Let me tell you that it's not easy cutting a heart shape from an index card and cutting each cookie from that pattern BUT IT WORKS! I have made prettier cookies but none have come from my "heart" like these. He is the best......if I didn't already know so....I have been reminded of it these past three days. Hope you have received and GIVEN much love today.

GOD SPEAKS

For those who do not know....I had surgery yesterday. Six months ago I had a needle biopsy done on a "suspicious" place in my breast. It came back benign. They told me that they wanted to recheck in six months. So...that's what we did. A week ago they did another ultrasound and the radiologist said it had changed....gotten bigger and there was a new spot. I saw the surgeon on Wednesday and he said we needed to take it out the next day. I asked him what he thought and he said, "well, it looks like it could be cancer." These were not the words I wanted to hear, but after the shock was over I had a peace. Things went well yesterday and the doctor told my family that he removed a golf ball sized mass but it was vague....nothing really conclusive about the way it looked. It will be Monday before we know. I haven't been out of the recliner much today, but feel better now and had to check blogs. I saw where my daughter, Amy, had posted about our dream the night before my surgery. Please go and read her blog because she wrote just how God spoke to both of us. I'll write more later.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

CONGRATULATIONS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!!! YOU ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!! For once, my entire family was cheering for the same team. It sure felt good. During the college season that is not the case. We won't go there now. Anyway.....last weekend our daughter and her husband (and three boys) went to Louisiana to visit our son and his wife (and three daughters). They had a wonderful time seeing two Mardi Gras parades.....which was a first for the Alabama crew. As they were leaving on Sunday, all the guys were decked out in their "SAINTS" attire.

Look at these sweet girls. The two youngest have on their smocked SAINTS dresses and big sister her shirt. There's no doubt who we were cheering for!

YOU NEVER KNOW

You never know when a random act of kindess is just what someone needs to cheer them. I woke up during the night with what I thought was a stomach virus. This morning I still had some symptoms but knew I had an appointment later today that I must keep. My sweet husband drove me to the appointment and I didn't receive the news I was hoping to hear. I told my husband that we were just on another roller coaster ride (like everyone has) and I wouldn't worry. That would be a miracle for me! I never want to say no to people or disappoint them, but some times things are out of our control. My mind was in fast motion with me trying to work things out when someone knocked on my door. My neighbor (who is the closest relative I have on my side of family.....and like a sister) was there with this BEAUTIFUL orchid. The blooms are huge. She brought it for no reason. You never know when a kind act will cheer someone. We spent some time talking and her visit helped turn my "worries" into laughter. I need a reminder every day of Proverbs 3:5..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Make an effort to do something for someone each day....even if it is just a kind word.

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR....

February already....time sure is flying in 2010. Maybe it has nothing to do with the year...but the years of my life. It's been said "the older you get , the faster time goes". Also, "time flies when you're having fun". Either could fit my situation. I don't know why I'm writing about time passing quickly because it has nothing to do with this post. Maybe it does....I'm talking about February....started to write about the one I love (my husband), but will save that for later. Instead, I'll write about friends. I hope that you are blessed with a best friend...can't imagine life without one. Today I will tell you what I love about my best friend.

• She knows every thing about me (good & bad) and still loves me.
• She will buy me something for Christmas and tell me what to do with it....not only tell me, but come rearrange my entire bedroom in doing so.
• She will call and tell me that she is bringing pizza to my house for dinner if she knows I've had a very bad day.
• She will take things from my attic (and any other place) to make my mantel look great.
• She will tell me that I need to add more pillows on my bench (that I thought looked great) and I know that she told the truth.
• She will call me most every day .... just because we have to check in.
• She will meet me at the oral surgeon's office because she knows I'm scared to death of a dentist.
• She decorated my Christmas tree one year. I had just put it up when my aunt passed away....it has never looked that good again.
• She will be able to look at me and know exactly what I am thinking.
• She will take things from my "throw away" pile and use it in her house and make me covet.
• She loves old things (I'm not talking about me).
• She loves me.... no matter what.........................!!!!