Sunday Morning Musings - Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing women out there - especially to those who have been a part of my life.  You mean the world to me - and I hope your special day is wonderful!!

This has been a tough week for me - really missing my Mom in heaven this Mother's day!  Life is a bit overwhelming and what I wouldn't give to be able to sit and have a cup of coffee with her to discuss it all.  She was such a wise woman.

Also, missing my daughter Heidi, son-in-law and grandkids in California.  But I am fortunate to have hubby, daughter Jenee and her kids here with me - so am counting my blessings as I get to hug them.  Here they all are - sans son in law Aaron - he was probably hiding.

I'm so behind in life right now that no one got hand-made Mother's day cards from me this year (except Paul's Mom) - but I was able to do some stamping with the kids yesterday, so they could make cards for Jenee.  

They had such a good time - and are good little stampers.  I know their Mom will love the cards and their creativity.  Now on another note - you all know my addition to coffee - well - I guess my daughter's do too - here is part of what they gave me for Mother's day!  Heidi sent me the one on the left and Jenee gave me the one on the right this morning :)  They are just too cute!

My lovely goofs - Heidi and Jenee!

On a final note today - if your Mom is still alive - I ask that you please honor her.  It is a thankless job in so many ways (paying off with hugs and kisses) - but it's so nice for them to know that you appreciate all they do.  So now's the time, while you can - an extra call, card, flower, hug or kiss - do it!! Happy Mother's Day y'all!  ~Maureen

"Honour thy father and thy mother"

Sunday Morning Musings -

The house is really quiet this morning as Jenee and the kiddos are off for a week of vacation plans during Spring break.  So - it's just Paul and I - although I miss them all - it's kind of nice :)  This is Jenee's mug I'm using - it so fits her personality.  But since they're gone - for this week - I'm Queen of Everything - lol!

So here's my thoughts for this Sunday - Spring is a coming!!!  My ornamental plum tree is full of these beautiful blossoms and it just makes my heart smile.  Also, all my iris plants have sent up their wonderful green leaves - can't wait till they are in full bloom. 

Here's a picture of three of my lovies - Zamarah, Prince and Paisley - in front of that tree this week.

And then had to share a picture of my other four lovies - Kyan, Makai, Zavian and Kamili - at their house, ready for Dr. Suess day at school.  Heidi actually made those costumes out of felt and puff paints - truly amazing.  I am so blessed with these seven amazing grand-kids!

Now Paul and I are off to church and a few other errands and then having a relaxing Sunday together.  Yesterday was crazy getting laundry and packing, etc. done for the crew.  Plus she had a photo appt. for the kids and I had an open house for my stamping classes at the local Joann's - all after a couple weeks of  me being sick - so a day of rest is just want I needed.  See you soon! Have a blessed Sunday! ~Maureen

Man how time flies!! - Personal Post Monday with an APPLE CRISP recipe!

Okay - so an entire week flew by and here it is Monday and time for a personal post.  I was going to post about our Wisconsin trip - but I haven't even uploaded those pictures yet - so instead you get Halloween - lol!!  But be sure to go to the end of this post for an amazing Apple Crisp recipe - it is my FAV!!

So here are pictures of my grand kids on Halloween night - it's the first Halloween ever that I think we have not spent with at least some of them :(  But my girls were sure to send me pictures -

Paisley, Prince and Zamarah as Minions!

Kamili as Bat Girl and Makai as Wonder Woman!

Zavian as Captain America and Kyan as Iron Man!

Here's the entire crew lined up and ready to hit the streets for CANDY!

So - I had apples in the fridge that I had purchased before our trip and they needed to be used - so I decided to make Apple Crisp.  Hubby loves anything with apples - but this recipe is so simple and soooo delish!  I used my Pampered Chef Apple Peeler-Corer-Slicer - which makes prep so quick!

 

Here's a picture of the pan  - this makes a small cake pan full - this pan was 7" x 11" and is what I used the recipe below for. If you are using a regular size cake pan - you'd probably want to half it again or even double it. You can fill the pan to the very top, as it cooks down some as it bakes.

And I meant to show this ala-mode picture before I started eating it - but my appetite got the better of me :)

I also took the peelings - a cup of water and some cinnamon and simmered it on the stove - it make the entire house smell amazing and I was able to do it again the next day with the same pot of peelings before having to throw them.  Such a warm, cozy feeling in the house when you do this.

So finally - here is the recipe - please let me know if you try it and what you think.  I like it best when it is still warm out of the oven with vanilla ice cream.  But it is good cold too!  Not that it lasts long around here.  Enjoy - and stop back soon!  ~Maureen

Apple Crisp - YUMMY!

5-6 big apples (I'm biased towards Granny Smith, but Granny Smith and Honeycrisp mixed are great too.)

1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup water mixed

ground cinnamon  

TOPPING -

1 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 stick cold butter sliced into about 8 pats

Peel your apples, and slice them into a buttered casserole dish or cake pan. 

Pour the lemon juice mixture over apples.

Generously sprinkle cinnamon on top - use as much or little as you wish - I love cinnamon - so mine were covered pretty well.

Combine flour, brown sugar and butter into a pretty bowl with your fingers till crumbly. You could also use a pastry cutter for this - but I like using my fingers for this step.

Pour crumbles evenly over the top of apples. 

Put in the oven at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until nice and golden brown. 

EAT AND ENJOY!!

Paper Pumpkin with the Grandkids

Paper Pumpkin - that's right - Stampin' Ups! Creative Kit that is complete, ready to go, and delivered right to your door.  It is sooooo much fun!  Below is a picture of the May 2015 kit and it was amazing!

And right now SU! has an even more amazing special so you can try it out. 

If you haven't tried Paper Pumpkin, now is a great time to sign up and get 50% off your first two months. With a deal like this, you'll want to invite everyone you know to give it a try too!
Offer Dates: May 12-June 10, 2015

Offer Details: Use the code SAVE50 to join Paper Pumpkin before June 10, 2015, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included).
The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.
• Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• You and your customers need to visit PaperPumpkin.com to join.
• Enter the Promo Code, SAVE50 when you sign up.
• New subscribers must join by Wednesday, June 10, 2015; 11:50 PM (MT).

So my May kit came right before a trip to Prescott, AZ - so I brought it with me to stamp with my grandkids and it was a hit! Here I am with Paisley, Prince and Zamarah - having a stamping party!

The one glitch - I forgot my clear block for the stamp (you will receive a block with your first Paper Pumpkin kit that can be used for that and subsequent kits - just remember to bring it with you when your kit travels with you - lol).  But never fear - we put our heads together and came up with a solution.   We used the clear cover from my IPhone and it worked perfectly.  Here it is with the Happy Birthday stamp clinging to it.

And you can see Paisley checking it out before stamping below.

So - success - here are the three of them with their finished projects -

Paisley

Prince

And Zamarah with the "thumbs up" - great endorsement :)

They all did great - and Zam who is only 5 - was able to make the projects with very little help.  Just such a fun crafting experience with your kids or grandkids each month.  Reasonably priced, all inclusive - perfect for an hour or so of CREATIVE fun and every month is a surprise!  So what are you waiting for - try it now during this great special and sit back and wait for June's kit to arrive!!!  ~Maureen

Personal Post Monday

My most recent Gramma Day was last weekend - this time I got to spend the day with the lovely Miss Kamili.  We had such a great day together.  She wanted lunch at the Cheesecake Factory - and she is such a "foodie."  She ordered the kid's bowtie pasta with Alfredo and said it was good but mentioned how much better it would be with mushrooms and shrimp - lol!

Here's a picture of the two of us that we were able to get a kind gentleman to snap just outside the Mall.

Then it was off to do some crafting - she painted this cute little LOVE sign for her bedroom.  After it dried the entire thing was coated in clear with glitter and it came out great!

Finally - finished the day with some yummy Frozen Yogurt before heading back home where she journaled in her Gramma journal and brought a little gift back to each of her brothers and her sister.

We really did have a great day together - she is just a delight.  I love hearing about her friends, school and all the things she likes.  She shared that when she grows up she thinks she wants to be a teach for kids with special needs - and I think she'd be just amazing at that.  Can't wait till our next special day sweetie!! ~Gramma

Personal Post Monday - Gingerbread Man decorating

So those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that we have an annual tradition of gingerbread house decorating.  This year the kiddos voted to do gingerbread men and women - so we did!  Here they all are with their creations :)

Paisley

Prince

Kamili

 

Makai

Zamarah

Zavian

Kyan

Even the big girls got in the act -

Jenee

Heidi

It was a really fun day with Turkey Dumpling soup for lunch and then finishing with the annual picture with Gramma - which gets crazier and crazier each year - take your pic :)

Memories - that's is truly what we're making :)  ~Gramma

FAMILY TIME

Just to let you know - today's post is ALL about grandkids :)  I love these 7 little ones sooooo much - and just can't get enough of them.  The beginning of July Jenee was home visiting so we tried to all spend time together.  Took the five middle kids to Chuck E Cheese's for a fun time of play, pizza and ice cream

Zavian, Zamarah, Kamili, Prince and Makai

 Heidi's kiddos spend the night - here they are coloring and creating!

Kamili and Zavian

Pudgy little Kyan with his sling for his broken collarbone.

Makai

Then we had Popcorn and juice and a movie night -

Makai and Prince

Kamili and Zavian

Kyan finding all the dropped pieces :)

Paisley and Zamarah watching the movie.

 While here Paisley and Jenee had a special day at Magic Mountain to celebrate Paisley's moving up to middle school  She brought back these capes for herself and siblings.

Paisley, Prince and Zamarah

Paisely, Prince and Zamarah - looks like Zam is going to have to grow into hers.

Great time - great fun - great kiddos.  Love them so.  ~Gramma