New Contest

There is a new contest on Secret's in the Sauce. The cutest purse ever. I certainly want to win. So do me a favor and don't go look. If you do, you will enter and lessen my chances. Yes I am a selfish old lady. I discovered when I turned 60, that I could pretty much do and say what I want. It is fun. People tend to excuse you because you are OLD!!http://thesecretisinthesauce.blogspot.com/

Yes Tricia you did see my

Lemon Cake roll posted a few days ago. I took it down because I did not like the pictures. Here I am trying again.

LEMON ANGEL CAKE ROLL
1 package angel food cake mix

3/4 cup 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, divided

1 package (8 ounces) reduced fat cream cheese softened

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel. One large lemon will do both.

1 carton (8 ounces) cool whip, reduced fat, thawed. Be sure to thaw in the fridge or it breaks down.

12 drops liquid yellow food coloring. I never use it.

Fresh sliced strawberries

Line a 15x10x1 in. baking pan with wzxed paper; coat paper with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.Turn cake onto a kitchen towel lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gentle peel off waxed paper. Dust with 1/4 cup of confectioners' sugar. Roll up cake in the towel, jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For filling, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Stir in lemon juice and peel. Fold in whipped topping and food coloring if desired. Unroll cake; spread with filling to within 1 inch of edges. Roll up again; dust with the remaining sugar. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Cut into slices. Serve with lightly sweetened sliced strawberries. Yeild 12 servings.

I found this recipe about 7 years ago in a Taste of Home publication called Light and Tasty. I use it every time I want to impress someone.

For you WW ladies, made as shown, equals 6 points. You all know that sometimes we have to have splurge on a point or two.

As shown there are 270 calories,6 grams fat and 1 g fiber.

If you use Fat Free Cool Whip and Cream Cheese, you can lower Calories to 221 with 0 fat and 4 points.

I am off to take this to my sister's rededication marriage ceremony. Hope it impresses!

Last week I

found a real neat book. It is called Sew-Easy Designer Bags & Totes. Published by House of White Birches. I bought it because with all of the push to go green and not use plastic bags when you go grocery shopping, I have been thinking of making some bags to use when I shop. I usually resist all of the push by environmentalists, but I kind of agree with them on this one. Before all of you get mad at me I DO LOVE MY PLANET!!!!!

I just do not like someone else telling me when I can cut down MY tree or what kind of light bulbs to use in MY home. Oops I do have a habit of digressing. Sorry. Any how, I bought this book. It has many styles of bags. The first one I made is this one. It is not a style to use for groceries, but I chose it because of the fabric I had on hand. Which were scraps from pillows I made for my yard swing last summer. See I do use up my excess. I did not go out and buy new to make the bag. Not for this one anyway. I thought it turned out kind of cute.

Today, I was suppose to

be leaving for Africa. I have felt very impressed by the Lord to make a trip to Tanzania with my friends Rebeka
and Msoshi. These beautiful people fled the horrible civil war in Congo. Their family, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters have been in refugee camps in Tanzania for at least 10 years. We meet every Monday to pray for the refugees. We also speak around the area at churches who will allow us. Sadly, I am finding out that if you do not belong to that particular denomination, they are reluctant to give you a venue. I never knew God had a DENOMINATION. But I digress.
We had planned to leave today on a humanitarian trip, taking needed supplies as we could carry and just let them know they are not forgotten. They know about Angelina Jolee, and all of the other beautiful people who are making such noise about Darfur. I do not negate what is happening there, but my friends,in the camps, feel forgotten. In order for Msoshi and Rebeka to leave, they have to have permission. They cannot just leave the U.S. and return at will as we can. We have been waiting for their permission to be granted since November. It is suppose to take up to 6 months. The 6 month mark is past, so I am hoping for good news soon. Msoshi has also made the decision to become a U.S. citizen. He has an appointment in late July. Because of that and because they have not been given permission to leave, we will not go now until probably mid August. I really need lots of prayer for patience in dealing with the setbacks. I know the whole plan is the Lord's plan and I am to wait upon Him. I know when all of the doors open I must be ready. I am working to that end. By the way, the YELLOW FEVER shot made me SICK!! I really do not want to ever have to deal with the disease. I thought I was going to die. Really!

New School Prayer

NEW School prayer :
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen


I don't know if a kid actually wrote this but the words are still very correct in these crazy times.

Celebrations

This has been a week of Birthdays and Celebrations. Beginning with one of my favorite S_I_L's on Wednesday. You can go over to It's my crazy life and I love it and wish Dave a belated Happy B-day.
Thursday, Chelsea turned 18. You can leave her a note at Confessions of a High School Drama Queen. As I mentioned earlier she also graduated last week. First in a long line of graduations to come.

Today, my beautiful Abigail Evalina #6415 is 6 years old. Happy Birthday Abby. You are Grandma's sunshine. I love you more than life itself. I love to watch you as you sing and dance your way through life. I pray for you to always make the best choices and grow to love and serve the Lord with your whole being. You can go to A Handful of Life to wish her a Happy Birthday.


Tomorrow, Kris and Joe will celebrate 18 years together. Hop over to Whatch Doin' Now Kris and give them a big congratulations.

In my mind, is an even bigger and more important Anniversary. Kris is reaching her 5 year anniversary in her fight against Breast Cancer. Kris you know you are my hero and I draw so much from you. Your faith throught this battle has been an example for the whole family

A more recent family photo. This one was taken July 4, 2000. Pictured are Sebastian and Gina, Tricia and Dave, Stan, Karyn and Jon, Angie and David, across the back. In front are Bryan, Gramma2many, and Kris and Joe. We were having a great picnic at the beach until Kris and Joe's son fell off a tree stump and broke his arm. Our first family emergency. He wound up having to have surgery and two or three pins inserted in his arm. Am happy to say he healed quite nicely and there has been no problems with it.
I love it when my whole family is together. Lately, it seems we do not get to do it often enough. When we do I treasure every minute of our time together. We are hoping to spend some time together along the Oregon coast this summer. We have rented two three bedroom condo's for a week. Praying for good HOT weather for the week. The last time I was there the wind blew more than I liked, but the scenery was breathtaking. More on the trip after it happens.

I was almost

late for prayer meeting today.This is one reason why. Isn't he cute? This is Darius James #1419. He is my man, the delight of my heart, & my sunshine. While I was getting ready to leave, he was doing this. I just had to take time to photo it to show you. Another reason I was almost late is that I am addicted. I had to check all of my blogs before I could get ready to go.
I meet every Monday with friends to pray for Africa. You can click on my sidebar to see our website. My friends are refugees from Congo. We are hoping to make a trip to visit their family in the refugee camps in Tanzania. We had hoped to be leaving by the 21st of June, but they have not received permission to leave the US yet. Being refugees, they cannot leave at will. We have been waiting for more than 6 months for permission to go. Please pray for our trip and permission to go.

Global Warming

I think this should put an end to the debate. The best, most scientific, proof I can find!

Contest

This is a friend of my daughter Tricia. Very cute! Go look, and of course, Eryn, I want to win!!! Just click on the word Contest (above) to go to her site.

Graduation

She is my "Kindred Spirit," and the delight of my heart. She is #1102 and tonight she GRADUATED!! Congratulations Chelsea Lynn.

"I love you the most"

Gramma

I said I would try to introduce you to all of my family. I am starting with Olivia because I just have to tell you about her song. She is one of the two that I care for during the week. Her daddy is on the worship team at their church so she hears many songs. Today we had to take GG(great grandma) to the doctor. As we were making the 30 mile drive home from GG's house she was singing away in the back seat. When I finally tuned in, this is what I heard."Jesus loves me this I know. He doesn't want to die all alone. I will save him cause I have superpower. Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, cause I have superpower!!!

Since I am going to begin the introductions, you must know something esle about our family. Every one has a number. Olivia is #3317. Decoded it means she is the third child of our third child and our 17th grandchild. No reason for it, just that Papa likes numbers and came up with this code system. All of the older grands have their # memorized. If you look on the backs of many of our things, furniture, etc, you may find someones number attached. What ever has a number goes to whomever that particular number belongs to when the time comes to divide up the spoils.

I have had Olivia since she was 6 weeks old. She is very territorial. This year she has begun to adapt to the others, but up until now I was HER grandma and this was HER house. OHHH the fights, especially with #6518, you will meet him soon. He is just 6 weeks younger than Olivia and the jealousy was pretty bad for about a year.

Gosh, I have so much more to write, but I truly do not want to bore anyone so I guess it is time to quit for tonight. To be continued.......

Spring

With the dismal spring we have had in the PNW, some of us have begun calling this month Junuary, I thought I would post a little sign of new life and proof that it really is spring. These pictures were taken at my friends home. I have not been back since I took them, but I hear the babies have been hatched. Enjoy

High Gas Prices

I think Tricia told some of you that I am very passionate about some things. Here is one of them. HIGH OIL PRICES. There is a link you can visit if you are as concerned as I am. Just go to www.Americansolutions.com where you can sign the drill now petition. If something does not happen, I forsee spending much of my summer at home and I do not want to. How about you?

Correction

Ok, everyone, sorry for the bad date. Thanks Gina for the correction. It really isn't a matter of being right all of the time, it is a matter of confusion. You know the older I get, the more you will have to watch and correct me............so please try to be kind and gentle about it. Remember I have lots of stories, and I am sure I can get most of the details correct when I tell them. Hmmm, I think I better go upstairs and see if I left the burner on before I came down here.

Polyester Family

We call this "The Polyester Family." One of our favorite family portraits. Everyone is here except Gina. #6. I think this must be circa 1974. Pictured are Bryan, Stan, Myself holding Tricia, Karyn, Angie and Kris. Looking at the age of Tricia, Gina must have been more than a twinkle in her daddy's eye. We do look Happy don't we? Don't you love the skinny tie, handlebar mustache, leather coat, poofy hair and dark glasses? We were styling. This was taken while we were living in Alaska. Had to have something to send "Outside" for our family to know we were doing well.
Our next family picture was taken about 13 years later. Will have to dig it out to share with you. That will be a project for another day.

Why the name?

I was thinking I should explain the name I chose for my blog. As I was contemplating what to write, I surfed a few other blogs and blog sites. I found one with the same name I am using. As I read hers, I was reading almost verbatim what I had thought to write to explain my choice.
My husband and I married almost 43 years ago when we were 19 years old. In the following nine years we had seven children. Six are living. We have a son who is 42 years old and five daughters who range from 41 years to 32 years. When we would venture out into public with all six in tow we would receive the usual comments, stares and questions. The most asked: "Are THEY ALL yours? "Yes," I would answer, "they are all mine." To which my husband would always add, "They are all mine also."
I would hear how someone would not be able to have a child because I had had so many. How selfish of me. Or that my children were breathing their air. Come to think of it, the person who made that comment did look like she was lacking oxygen at the time. HMMM I wonder.
Obviously, we did not plan to have seven children in the space of nine years, but we did plan to have six children. Each of our children was wanted and loved for the unique and special child they were and for the adult they have become. Would I do it over? In a heartbeat. I have never regreted nor have I ever been abshamed of my family.
I plan to introduce to each of them in the following posts. I also hope to introduce you to each of my grandchildren. I hope you will look forward to meeting all of us as we progress.
If you want a preview of what is to come, you can click onto my daughters blog address in the sidebar. From there you can visit two of her sisters in their blogs. I hope to have them linked to my blog soon, but until I do you can make connection as I said above. The blog you will visit first is A handful of life. From there you can go to her friend list and click onto Trish and Kris. Happy reading.

Here I am

This is my first attempt at posting. I am a proud grandma. I read so many posts from you cute young things about your cute young things, I thought it was time for a cute old thing to do a little bragging about all of her generations.
I have at last count 19 grands ranging from 18 years to 8 months. I care for two on a daily basis and see the others as often as possible. I have amassed many cute granny stories and need an outlet to share them.
Also on occasion may have some sage advice or great recipes to share with all of you.
Hope you will want to tag along with me on this new journey of mine