Thursday, June 27, 2013

Krispy Peanut Butter Brownies

Or something like that.
It's what happens when you combine all of this
in some manner.

I baked the brownies in a 9x13 pan
to within about 10 minutes of being done then
topped them with cut up peanut butter cups
and finished baking. 
Then I put some globs of peanut butter 
around on top and smoothed them around.
Then I melted a bag of semi sweet 
and butterscotch chips
together and mixed in a couple cups of 
rice crispy-esqe cereal
and dumped that on top of the brownie
peanut butter cup
peanut butter
concoction
and let it set up.

And I wound up with this:
Yum.



Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Pineapple Tree

 I saw this on line and was just waiting for
an opportunity to make one.
Carol's birthday was just my chance!
Val threw the party and was gracious enough to let 
me have my fun.

It was surprisingly easy to make.
This was all it took. 
A dowel rod slightly thinner than an apple corer,
a block of wood and aforementioned
apple corer.

I used three pineapples but the one I saw
on-line used 5, so you can adjust
it to meet your needs.
I cut tops and bottoms off two of 
the pineapples but only the bottom
off the top one.
The corer was a pretty good fit top 
to bottom on each pineapple, 
I guess I just lucked out in getting pineapples
that weren't terribly tall, next time I will
be more aware of that requirement.

I was able to borrow some palm fronds, 
an eclectic circle of friends helps, 
but if I am going to make this a habit I may
invest in some of my own.
Possibly shorter ones.
LOL

Now for a reason to do this!
(ps, not my photo)

Monday, June 24, 2013

Summer Bucket List

I made one for Ava.
It's got about 25 items on it.
You've already seen one of them:
I thought this would be good for rainy days. 
This week may be pretty rainy so
we will most likely see more progress.

I have other items that involve money like,
movies and Chicago. 

There are some that are more
a time commitment like a
nature scavenger hunt.

There are arts and crafts like,
create a Monopoly board, 
make play dough.

Some that having a friend along
will be the most fun like,
water balloons.

And some stuff that we
can do any day/every day like,
the pool or the library.

I have made my life a bit easier by collecting
all the supplies for each of the projects
so that once we choose an activity or
project it's ready to go, 
like lots of salt for salt painting,
and t-shirts waiting to be decorated.

Today it's 
VBS, 
a movie, 
and
mural painting.

Like I said, it's going to be a rainy week. 
Way to put a bucket list to the test!

Friday, June 21, 2013

A Little Maddie For Your Consideration

 Great Grandma grabbed her before Meme got her
request in.
 Todays best smile.
 My first walker.
Meme shares.
 Checking out the bell.
What happens if I put my feet up here?

Saturday, June 15, 2013

I Like To Put Things On Maddie's Head

But, sadly, she has developed an opinion.



You win.

But, I'll keep trying!

Friday, June 14, 2013

This Is Why I Throw Nothing Away

These paint brushes Michael used 
twenty five plus years ago are the same
paint brushes Ava is using today to 
paint her mural. 
Vindication is sweet.

Mural Update

It's coming along.

Sharing Babies

I was looking through old photos of
Shanna because it's her birthday. 
I came across this one:
 And this one:
Those would be birthdays one and two.
I had the first baby in the family.
That would be my sister holding Shanna
in each photo.

And then it occurred to me,
I had the first grandbaby.
 This is what we do.
We share babies. 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

It's My First Baby's Birthday

Look at those babies!
I was barely 21, not quite
16 and pregnant, 
but by today's standards pretty young.

I look at Shanna's little face,
and remember that she was just as 
brand new and dependent on me
as all the babies my young friends are
birthing these days.

There are so many questions.
Am I doing "it" right?
Looks like she survived me.
and in the process she 
grew me up too.



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Whipped Cream

So, this wasn't on our bucket list
but the kid thought this:
 was "real" whipped cream
with this:


as a close second.

I had to school her. 
 Done
and done.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Meme and Maddie

 Big loves to hold Maddie.
 Each visit she asks someone to put Maddie on her lap.
 And we oblige.
 It will be sweet the first time Maddie climbs 
up there on her own.
But till then 
this is pretty sweet too.
 See my mom back there?
I don't pop Maddie in her lap because she can grab
her anytime she wants.
But she looks pretty happy just watching the joy
that is Maddie.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Ava's Summer Bucket List

It's long.
I created it.
I think that was a smart move on my part. 
It's full of 
Merry Approved
activities.
(read; stuff I'm willing to do)

On the list is a garage mural.
We started it yesterday.
Here's day 2:
 I thought she could work on it all summer.
At this rate, maybe a week?