Monday, May 4, 2009

Baby Shower and More


Sunday was the big day. The long awaited Baby Shower. It turned out so nice. Diana's mother, Lori, did most of the planning and most of the work and she did a beautiful job. Since we don't know if it's a boy or a girl, we went with yellow and cream. I would have loved it to be pink because, #1 - it's my favorite color and #2 - I have two brothers, two sons and two grandsons. I would just love to be able to make and buy little pink, frilly, lacey things. But as my grandmother says, "we know how to do boys". She's right, I certainly do love little boys. Hey, real boys can wear pink, right? It would never go over in this family. Anyway, I digress.

There were 75 people and the food was absolutely delicious. It was catered by a local little market that Brandon and Dee used to work for when they were in school. The centerpieces on each table were yellow and cream baloons and a teddy bear. The teddy bears on the gift table were "Brandon and Diane (Dee)". As some of you may know from previous posts, Brandon is in the Air Force.

Lori and her mother, Grandma Bootie, baked cookies for 3 days that were so delicious. I feel a little guilty in that I would have liked to have done more to help, but Lori is very particular and likes to do everything absolutely her way. I can appreciate this since I am very much like that, too, so I could completely understand. I'm so lucky that Brandon's mother-in-law also is a friend of mine. He and Dee have known each other pretty much their whole lives, close to 20 years, and Lori and I the same. - I digress again-

I helped set up the tables, serve food and clean up.

Then the question came up, "Where are all these gifts going now"? Dee is living with us while Brandon is in training in Texas and her parents now live in Pittsburgh, about 90 miles from where we live. So we inherited the baby stuff. When 3 SUV's pulled in front of the house loaded down with baby stuff, my husband, Bob, couldn't believe all this stuff is needed for one little baby. He's now thinking there must be twins and we're not telling him.

The fun continues ---

The SUV's pull around back and unload into our basement, which is a finished family room. All three dogs (my two and Diana's one big one, Layla) come running out to meet us, so excited, along with the two grandsons in stocking feet. Bob was babysitting so that my other daughter in law could be at the shower. He's a great grandpa! Anyway, Layla is so worked up she throws up in the driveway and on the carpeted basement floor. Because of this, we knew that she had been eating poop earlier in the day. Yes, it was a terrible, stinky, gooey mess. Well, three year old stocking footed Landen stepped in it, so off came his socks and pants. He's so proud of his Sponge Bob big boy pants that he didn't mind. Then in all his excitement, he jumped up and turned quickly to run after something and banged his forehead right into the corner of the kitchen counter. He started screaming, Melissa (his mother) started screaming as blood started to cover his whole face, all three dogs started barking and I remained calm surprising even me. After washing his face and the cut on his forehead we determined that it really wasn't that bad and did not need stitches. The bleeding stopped rather quickly and I held him quietly. -I hate to say this, but I'm sure mothers and grandmothers will understand, they are so sweet when they're hurt or sick, aren't they? -
Everyone finally calmed down. Landon put his cowboy boots on and he, Melissa, and brother, Logan, left to go back home. Dee sat to put her swollen feet up, and I cleaned the carpet.
I was exhausted!
Still didn't sleep good, though. What's up with that?

BTW, I've posted a picture of the baby quilt I made on my other site: http://mycharmingcreations.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 1, 2009

Brie Pastry

This appetizer is so good I wanted to share. I made it for my jewelry party on Wednesday night. It's also very good at Christmas time.

1 (8oz) brie
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 sheet puff pastry
1 egg beaten

Slice the brie in half horizontaly. Spread cranberry sauce over bottom half. Sprinkle chopped pecans over top of sauce. Place other half of brie on top. Wrap with puff pastry sheet. (Set brie in middle of pastry sheet and fold up all the corners to the middle) Brush with beaten egg. Bake in 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 1/2 hour before slicing. Serve with crackers and love.
Enjoy!

I wish now I would have taken a picture of it when it came out of the oven to show. It looks as delicious as it tastes.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Why Do I Commit to Things?

I had a jewelry party last night. Now I have to say that it turned out very nice, saw some people I hadn't seen for a while, and I had a good time. But, for a week I was yelling at myself for making this commitment about a month ago to host this party. We were in San Antonio last week and had a wonderful, relaxing time, and my thoughts kepts interrupting my day with flashes of having to get ready for this party when I got home. Then when we got home, I was so tired. Travelling used to be fun, not it's a pain and hassle. - Just the actual getting there and getting back part. - The being in a different place I thoroughly enjoy. Anyway, I was so tired and again, those nagging thoughts kept popping into my head that I needed to clean my house, get a few groceries and cook a few things. Now, I love doing all of those things normally, but not when I'm on a deadline and have to get them done by a specified time. I like to do things when I want to do them. I don't like to be pressured. So now by yesterday morning I was really feeling pressured and thinking to myself, "Why am I having this dumb jewelry party? I just got back from Texas and Sunday is the baby shower for my daughter-in-law, I didn't need this right now."
So is this a lesson for me to not commit myself to things, or is it a lesson on loosening up a little bit and just take it as it comes and enjoy the ride? Probably both. At my age and place in life right now I have admittedly become a little spoiled in that I only want to do what I want and when I want and want to be able to change my mind if I feel like it. On the other hand, I had a very good time last night and actually talked and visited with friends. I've recently become a little bit of a recluse because of the hobbies I enjoy. This old party girl isn't so much into parties anymore, and am much happier being quiet and alone with my authentic self. So balance, and loosening up just a little, seems to be the lesson learned.
Who knew such a lesson could be learned by having a jewelry party?
BTW - got a real pretty necklace! Lia Sophia jewelry.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

San Antonio and "My Boys"

We just got back from San Antonio late Sunday evening. Our youngest son, Brandon, graduated from Air Force Basic Training, #2 Honor Graduate out of a class of 790. We were two very proud parents. Brandon's very pregnant wife, Diana, was also with us, and they were sooo excited to see each other.

Brandon and Diana

Our oldest son, Austin, just left for San Antonio Monday morning to start his 2 month Air Force recruiter training school. His wife, Melissa, and his two sons, Logan and Landen, are going to miss him, and vice versa, but it's all for the good.

Bob and I are so proud of both of our boys. We can think back to when they were 15 through 20 years old and the many hours of grief that they put us through. Now they are 26 and 27 and are wonderful men, husbands, sons, fathers. Being a parent can be such a difficult job, but it is so rewarding when you look at your adult children and are so amazed at the beautiful people they have become. I'm proud of them, but also proud of us for now realizing that we did a good job after all.

Me, Brandon and Bob

You Like Me, You Really Like Me!!


Lily, Thank you so much for these two awards and your kind and encouraging words. Yes, I do love blogging. It is my new hobby and creative outlet. I wish I had more hours in the day. I feel like I've entered a new virtual world of smart, creative, funny and interesting new friends. Also, thanks for introducing me to others through your blog and most recent introductions listed under this award. And most recent congratulations to you on your Blog of the Day award. Outstanding! You so deserve it. Also like your new blog design. http://lillianrobinson.com

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