ONE FINE CELEBRATION

Okay so I told you birthday week was last week and I had more to come.  I am hoping I will not wear you out with so many pictures but as one wise person said, "A picture is worth a thousand words."  So here's to thousands of words I can save typing by showing pictures.  :)

This past Saturday was a beautiful sunny, windy day.  Thankfully for us older non-sun worshippers, the wind was blowing and there were tarps and tents in place.  Who cares that decorations were blown over and over and over again?  It hindered not the joy of the day.

The Grandbaby enjoyed a morning nap with The Nana so when noon party time and guests arrived, The Grandbaby was ready to learn to party.  And she did learn well, enjoying her party day to the very end.

Official family members and unofficial family members from Georgia and Alabama came to celebrate.  The party theme was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

The smash cake and the party cake were made by the talented cake baker, The Great Aunt.

What you don't see in this picture is the birthday girl's toes in the icing.  The Photographer was too slow to get that shot.

A happy birthday girl...

...with The Great Uncle and The Great Aunt...

...with The Aunt, the only official aunt....

...with The Cousin...

....with the brand new second cousin....

...with "unofficial" Canton and Auburn families....

Grillmasters....

A happy family of three....

The Great-Grandaddy asks God's blessings on the hot dogs and gives thanks for the bounty of non-food blessings....so, so many are they.

Obviously The Gramma Photographer has not taught The Grandbaby to close her eyes during prayer as The Gramma Photographer has not learned that lesson yet either.

While waiting for the main course, The Grandbaby and her family posed for a picture...."hey"....as The Grandbaby sat in her mama's vintage highchair.

Then she tried on her mama's glasses--without being prompted.  How do babies know these things?

While others ate hamburgers and hot dogs, The Grandbaby had a wonderful peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut like a Mickey Mouse.

The Birthday Girl did save room for the main food attraction.

She did little "smashing" with the smash cake but did discover it's wonderful sugary taste.  Yum...

Then came the presents....yes, she sits like this all the time....

She looks like she could be reading....

Her own baby named same as hers....

...and a gift from The Grandaddy and The Nana...

with plenty of willing pushers around.

There was a drum....

...book reading...

...and bubble machines.

At the day's end, there was lots of posing....

Posing makes one sleepy...

Yes, this WAS the day that the Lord made and we were VERY GLAD in it!  

ONE

It was one year ago this morning that I dressed in my pink sweater and headed to the hospital to await the arrival of The Grandbaby.  Pink was a necessary color of attire as The Grandbaby was to be a girl.  And what a girl she is!

(A good Nana and a good Gramma always wear pink at the appropriate time.)

I remember all the emotions of that day and not a lot has changed in a year.  I still get teary-eyed as I type.  How can one put on paper feelings of such joy brought by a gift from God?  I just don't think I can no matter how hard I try.  Yes, for once, call me Speechless.  It doesn't happen often.  😊

From this day a year ago, now, and all those days in between I give thanks for being allowed the blessing of this child in my life and hope that I will never take that blessing for granted.

So smile on, sweet girl, and have a most happy birthday today!

MONDAY AFTER EASTER

So, the official celebration of the resurrection is past but the joy continues on each day of every week for the Christian.  So yes, Monday holds joy, too.

I did enjoy Easter with sunrise service with birds singing their happy songs, breakfast here at home (yes, I arose in the 4:00 hour to prepare myself and the food), church service, and a quiet afternoon which included a long nap.  I think the Lord would approve.   He knows I always need a nap.  How does that scripture go?  "The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Yep, that would be me most joyful days.  Thankfully, God knows my name and my heart and loves me all the same.  😇

I thought you faithful blog readers, especially you females, might enjoy some pictures of our Easter attire.  The Grandbaby attended sunrise service in her pajamas; however, she did wear her very first Easter frock to church at ll:00.  I thought pictures of the little family of The Girl, The Son-In-Law, and The Grandbaby were great with them looking very nice, handsome, and pretty....and especially happy.  I do like happy.

And here's somewhat of a back view of the cute dress with birds on the skirt....and yes, a hair bow!

I wore the same suit I wore to last weekend's wedding but it was fairly new.  I don't do much in the way of new Easter attire as I age, but this suit will serve me well for many more years to come.  The Husband looked nice as well but maybe the little one in between us made us look even better.

I am looking forward to the week ahead as we in our family will call it "birthday week" when The Grandbaby turns one!  How time flies!  So stay tuned.....more fun and joy to come....

SUNDAY!

...and Sunday IS here!  A day of celebration for the faith I treasure and the Lord I love!  Hallelujah, Christ arose!

And..because He lives, I can face all the tomorrows I will see.  How I love Him!

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said..."  Matthew 28:5-6

A "GOOD" FRIDAY

My faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is my greatest treasure.  I can't imagine my life without Him.   If Jesus not died on the cross for me and my sins, I would be forever lost.

The Friday before Easter is traditionally called Good Friday. Christians "celebrate" Good Friday, remembering how Jesus died on the cross THAT day.  When I read in the scriptures what Jesus went through, my heart is overwhelmed at the love He showed to all people.

Yes, I believe.

I've never quite understood why this particular Friday is called "good" with all the torture and sadness it represents.  As I have aged, I appreciate more and more what this day held for my Savior.

Yes, I remember.  

How grateful I am to be numbered as one of "His" children!

Yes, I am thankful!

One of the most true sayings I have ever heard on this day goes like this:

IT'S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY'S COMING......

All God's people said, "Amen!"

A WEDDING

As a longtime aunt, I have many more nephews than I do nieces.    One got married quietly last summer, another got married this past weekend not so quietly.  As The Gramma, the one this past weekend also involved The Grandbaby so I was sure my faithful blog readers would enjoy some pictorials.

The Niece is the daughter of my sister, The Younger Sister.  She and my now The NIL (Nephew-in-law) were married at an outdoor wedding in a northern mountain town in our fair state.  Here's a few pictures relating to the event and mostly including The Grandbaby, which I know you enjoy seeing...or at least you fake it and tolerate seeing.  😁

Rehearsal was on the eve of the wedding.  The weather was not quite so springish with strong wind and chilly temperatures.  Rehearsal happened outdoors anyways as the wedding was to be outdoors.

The Grandaddy/Officiant prepared.

Scenes of a rehearsing "coming in" and "going out" with The Mother-of-the-Bride and The Grandmother escorted by The Father-of-the-Bride.

Interesting thing in this picture below is the footwear on the bridesmaids.  All wore sandals except The Girl who was smart and wore her winter boots.  She never wanted cold feet.  This picture also showed the view from the hill.

 The Bride and The Father-of-the-Bride practiced "coming in" while The Bride and The Groom practiced  "going out".  The Bride carried her customized rehearsal bouquet.She also wore sandal footwear.

The Husband and The Son-in-Law observed from the porch.

This picture was just a funny one to me.

Here are some rehearsal "windblown look" shots....and yes, The Grandbaby is wearing a hair bow....  miracle of miracles.

Brrr....

A nice photo of The Grandparents.....

The Mr. and Mrs.-to-be relax at the rehearsal dinner.

Wedding day dawned with sun and no wind, thankfully.  It was a beautiful day and one to remember.

The Mother-of-the-Bride, The Grandmother, and The Bride looking spiffy.....

...as well as The Girl and The Grandbaby....and yes, The Grandbaby is wearing a headband/bow....and smiling.

I like to call this picture "Two Men and a Baby".  The flowers add a nice touch.

The Grandbaby enjoyed the wedding meal as children ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which has swiftly become a favorite of The Grandbaby.  Check out the pb and j on that sweet face.  Oh, and did I say The Grandbaby got her first haircut for the event?  Check out those bangs.

There were, of course, some "family" shots....Yes, I'm in THREE of them....wonder of wonders....

and one of cousins.

So congratulations to the happy couple and many prayers for a continued happy life!

YUMMY!

I decided with spring season upon us, some of you who cook (and even those who don't who might) would enjoy this wonderful new recipe I discovered.  The Husband LOVES it and believe me, if The Husband LOVES a recipe, it's a keeper.

Before you cook this yummy dessert, read the simple recipe through and be sure and follow three important things:

• don't use a mixer
• use butter--not margarine
• don't overcook  

These three things make the difference in a superbly yummy dessert and a mediocre one.  These bars are simple lusciousness.



PECAN CHEWS

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 cup pecans
• 2 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2.  Melt butter, add sugars, and blend well by hand (no mixer).
3.  Add beaten eggs, stir well.
4.  Add flour and stir until all lumps are gone.
5.  Add pecans and vanilla.
6.  Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 baking dish.
7.  Bake approximately 40 to 50 minutes being cautious not to over cook.  You want them to remain chewy, hence the name!

I put a few more pecans than the recipe says to put.  I also wonder how the recipe would be with other various delicious ingredients.  For instance, chocolate chips, white chips, those little caramel round chips, heath bar chips....you get the idea.  I am thinking a dollop of ice cream with a smidgen of caramel drizzled over a warm piece wouldn't be half bad either.  Or, as The Husband can confirm, they are good anyway you want to eat them!