Last weeks progress in the kitchen

I am really loving it. We are planning to paint the wall behind the cupboards a deep red. The color we like this week is Claret by Martha Stewart. The other walls are still under discussion.

A month of Graduations

We had a very busy June, graduation wise. I am very proud of each of my grands for their accomplishments. Two finishing their formal public education and moving onto other things.

Darian, #2105 graduated from High School. He will be attending a Community College, where he auditioned for and was accepted into their very prestigious music program. He was awarded a small scholarship. Not enough, but it will get him started.

Brandyn #4104 graduated from High School, receiving a high school diploma as well as an Associates In Arts Degree from the Local Community College. He was the recipient of a $5000 scholarship. Brandyn is an Honors Graduate and is on the Deans List. He is planning on attending school this fall at one of the State Universities.

Cooper Daniel #5216, graduated from Kindergarten in Dillingham, Alaska, where he excelled at hanging from the monkey bars and dazzling the young ladies. He did participate in a little academia too.

Olivia #3317 graduated from Kindergarten. She is just beginning her journey into the realm of education. Olivia mastered the fine art of reading while in Kindergarten.



Last but not least is Jonah #6518 who managed to charm his way through Preschool. All I can say is look out Grade School, here he comes!!

Of course gramma is most proud of each of them for their fine accomplishments. New journeys are beginning and I know they will all conquer every challenge they face in the coming years.

This weeks knits.

I absolutely love these little longies. They are made from some yarn that Debby sent me. Knit Picks yarn. I had never used it before. It knit up fairly even. The green is some stash that I have had and used on other projects. I am thinking I have enough of the fuchsia to crochet a little flower to put on the side of the hat.These longies are proving to be pretty popular. I get the yarn at my local yarn shop. It comes in huge hanks. When it is wound into a ball there is as much yarn as two smaller hanks of yarn.

I am able to get a pair of large longies and shorts or medium and small longies from the yarn.
You know, sometimes you need a set of needles and just can't find what you are looking for.

One of my friends wants me to knit a hat she saw on another blog. In looking at it, I saw it was knit on needles that were much larger than any I had, so I took a little trip down to Michaels. They did not have the size I wanted, and what they did have started at $12.95 a set. Thinking if I found the size I needed, and based on the price of the smaller ones, I probably would not be able to afford them. So, I went over to the craft side and purchased a package of pre cut dowels for $2.16 including the tax. Gina took them home with her since she had access to a pencil sharpener that would sharpen the ends. Today, I sanded them down a mite and dulled the tips just a little so they will not split the yarn, and walla!! New needles in just the size I needed!!!

Getting much closer to beginning that project Karin:)

High School

I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.

The progress is slow

But

Steady

This dang constant rain is a problem. We need to have the windows open for ventilation, but it is so cold. Had a few hours on Saturday that he was able to paint. He will not be able to do any more before Thursday, probably. Maybe by then it will be Summer!!!

Family Photos

My older sister, who is the keeper of the pictures, just posted this one. This picture was taken just before my eldest brother left for the monastery. My mother had 12 children, but two have gone home. I am in the plaid shirt with my hands on my baby brothers shoulders.

For anyone interested, names are: Very back, Erin, Back left to right: John, Theresa, Daniel, now Father Nathaniel, Larry, Jacque, Me, Kevin. Front: Susan, Mother and Philip.

Taken in downtown Snohomish at Mardini's restaurant.

Missing are Patricia, who died when she was 19. Fell over a waterfall. And Megan Marie, our Downs Syndrome sister who left us when she was 34.

Thursday Recipe Swap

My friend Therese at Musings of a Mom is hosting a recipe exchange. Theme this week is summer desserts. I thought I would share one of my favorites with you. This recipe came from my grandmother, and possibly from her mother. I am sure it is in the vicinity of 100 years old. There have been minor changes made to accommodate today's ingredients and measurements.

This recipe is a trusted standby when I am having company and have not planned far enough in advance to make a cheese cake or any other dessert that I want to dazzle them with. Good served warm with ice cream or cold. I, however, prefer to eat it warm.

Grandma Hunt's famous Rhubarb Crisp

(sorry I don't have a picture. You will just have to trust me on it.)

1 cup flour

3/4 cup uncooked oatmeal. I use old fashioned. Always have and cannot guarantee results with any other type.

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup melted butter. I never use margarine.

1 tsp cinnamon

4 cups rhubarb Sometimes I use 1/2 mountain blackberries and 1/2 rhubarb.

1 cup sugar

2 Tbs corn starch

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

Cook sugar, corn starch and water until thick. Stir constantly. add vanilla.

Mix dry ingredients and melted butter until crumbly.

Press 1/2 mixture into a greased 9" pan.

Cover with rhubarb then the cooked sauce and top with the rest of the crumbs.

Bake @ 350 degrees for one hour.

Serve with ice cream, whipped cream or plain. Enjoy:)