Baby Reveal

I had the honor of making a very special cake for a very special couple to reveal the gender of their baby.  

The mother to be wanted my chocolate cake with chocolate icing......

So with that request, I decided to make a center cream cheese filling to reveal the gender of the anxiously awaiting baby.

I had suggested to the couple if they wanted to learn of the gender along with those at the revel they should have the doctor after the ultrasound write down the findings and seal in a closed envelope.  They decided to wait and be surprised with the cake.  So, I received a message from a very good friend of the couple who was given the envelope. 

Shown below are the pictures of the making of the cake and the final reveal...

Center Filling of Cream Cheese Icing

The Reveal Party

Mother to be with her lovely and sweet Grandmother

I LOVE THIS PICTURE


The picture below tell the rest....

I think they are pleased with the reveal...

The young man in the picture is big brother...he's doing a double check on the color of that middle frosting....Priceless!

What fun it was to be apart of such a memorable and exciting time...!

Happy Fall!

This weekend I'm off to the beach for a girl's weekend...

I'm sure I'll have pictures to share. 

Be safe and much love..

K

Girls Night

My Summer Fun with the Ladies...!  

 

This is a brief posting showing some of my summer fun...

I can not begin to wrap my head around Fall being around the corner.

Pictured are some of my Gals I have known since elementary school, a nursing friend and my BFF.  The picture frame was made and created with a personal item representing each of us.  We will add to as we continue to gather with "New" friends attending and a picture of each gathering. 

  It's so awesome to be in this place of our lives with our children grown and having this time to share, support and have FUN!

September is packed full of continued fun with a Girls weekend to the beach at the very end of the month.  Getting in all I can before those leaves turn and start to fall.

Enjoy your last lazy days of Summer, my friends!

Hugs and Loves..

 

I'm still here...

 

I'm stopping by for a quick "hello"...!

It's been a very busy summer for me and I hope you all are doing well and enjoying this beautiful summer safely and having lots of fun!

I'll have more to share after this busy season.

Lovin every minute of it!

Loves and Hugs,

K

 

He Calls Her "Mother"

Happy Mother's Day....

To All Grandmothers, Mothers, Godmothers and

Aunts....!

Mother's Day has always been so special for me!

As a child I was always so excited to give my Mother and usually my one special Aunt a gift...

After my son was born, the little small gifts he made for me are the most precious to my heart.

Many of Jere's scripts and poems given to me are framed in a shadow box frame which is hanging in our hallway.  It's the first thing I see in the morning after leaving my personal sanctuary (bedroom).

Even at the age of 26, Jere has always made me feel 'special' and very blessed to have him as my Son.

As he has matured into adulthood, I so appreciate him...!  And the direction he has pursued.

I will be pampered along with Jere's Godmother

with a fabulous meal cooked by Jere and

 a day of remembrance of our mothers who have passed with many laughs and a few tears...

I salute all who make their mother feel special..

Should your mother not be close to you for whatever reason, go out and make another mother feel special if it's only wishing them a "Happy Mother's Day" in passing...

You'll be glad you did!

From one mother to another,

Loves and Hugs

K

 

 

A Spring In My Steps....

It's been a very busy Spring...

One of the High-Lights was attending a Gender Reveal Party for my 

Nephew, Corey and his Significant Other, Stephanie.
We found out we're having another little princess :)

We first met Steph and her sweet little girl, Lili on New Years Eve.  I 
immediately felt a strong liking to them both and absolutely adore Lili! 
Lili and my niece's daughter, Aubree have become best buddies..
What one doesn't think of, the other one does.  It's so much fun to watch them interact with each other and not have a worry between them.

I had a gift for both Aubree and Lili, to which I gave to them at the party.
Both girls love Minni Mouse, so with that in mind I gave them each a handmade purse in the shape and design of Minni.  I also made a 'Sock' wallet to match the purse.  It was a winner with both girls..!!

I love family time, especially with the little ones who have blessed our family..
I only wish my parents were still with us so we could all enjoy these precious little ones together.  

I have a few pictures to share of the party and the Minni Mouse Purses with Wallet.  

I placed velcro inside the opening of the purse and socks

Here are the two Little Princesses...

Miss Lili and Miss Aubree

Here I am with Miss Bailee...my youngest great-niece

Lili getting a fancy head band placed on by grandma

I had never attended a Gender Reveal Party, so this was all new to me.
At the half way point of pregnancy, an ultrasound is usually done which will likely show a clear picture of the baby's gender.  For those who are planning a Gender Reveal Party, the ultrasound tech gives the findings to the doctor for review.  The doctor then places the baby's gender in a sealed envelope and gives the envelope to the parents.  The envelope is then given to the person who is chosen to make the Gender Reveal Cake.  They are sworn to secrecy to not reveal the gender.  For this party, my nephew's very good friend made the cake.
We were to wear pearls and pink if we thought it was a girl, for a boy you were to wear camouflage and blue..I, of course wore my Pink!

My nephew had his heart set on a boy...
However, seeing him with Lili there is no doubt in my mind when this little princess arrives, she will have him wrapped just as Lili has..:)
 What can I say, the Girls rule in this family!

 

The cake

Steph explaining how this works

 Doesn't Steph look so cute...!!

My nephew cut the first piece and couldn't figure out if it was 'Pink' or not...

The bottom layer was cut and revealed it is a Girl!

Lili wanted to taste the two pieces cut for the reveal, but mother didn't think it was a good idea to eat those two slices since they were not placed on a plate.

But Lili had a mind of her own, when Mom turned her back...Lili went in for the taste!

I was carrying that piece of cake around and Aubree spied it while sitting on grandpa's lap..

 That's all I have for now...
It was a really fun night enjoyed by all.  Everyone loves a party! right..!?

Thanks for stopping by...
K

SpRinG....

Doesn't the Word "SpRinG" sound wonderful..!!?

I started my planting for this year by adding a few Pansies to an area which Dwarf Daffodils bloom. 

The area will be cleaned up later in the Spring with Fresh Mulch.  We're also planning to remove the Pine Tree to the right.  You can see a few branches...

This Pine Tree was a Christmas Tree from many years ago.  It has grown so tall and starting to lean in towards the house.  Before we have a major issue from the tree falling onto the house, it will be removed...

This is the second Pine Tree we have had to remove due to the over whelming growth and size.  

Here planted at the Oak Tree are some Prim Roses...

This is the tree in which was planted in my Mother's Memory..

She loved Oak Trees!

The Bike I'm refurbishing will be placed to the Right of the Tree.  I'm planning to fill the baskets on the bike with some Prim Roses in the Yellow and Pink colors as well.

You can't see them, but some crocus are getting ready to bloom up against the tree trunk. 

We have so much clean up this Spring and Summer...trying to get things in order.

Changes are coming..:)

Enjoy the warmer temperatures and bright sunshine..!

Thanks for stopping by...

Hugs,

K

Happy Spring...!! 

I am so anxious for this longggg Winter to be done with and having a nice Spring into the long lazy hazy days of Summer! 

This Spring I am doing some major planting of flowers and getting my landscaping in order.  I also have a few projects I am planning to do.

I recently purchase an old bike from an Antique Store which I am going to clean up and paint the body a Bright Yellow.  The seat and along with the wire basket I purchased to hang on the front of the bike will be painted a Bright Pink...!  The basket will be filled with many different flowers that will over flow and cascade down the outside of the basket.  The bike will then be parked against my Oak Tree at the side of my house, near our side door and porch.  I have seen many pictures of old bikes refurbished this way and this year at the Philadelphia Flower Show they had a display of this very thing....I loved it! 

Bike At Flower Show

As I mentioned, I plan to paint the body yellow with a pink seat and basket. 

I may paint the pedals pink, also.  And I must add....My bike is a 'girl's' bike :)

I love how they placed the bike among all those beautiful yellow daffodils.. 

I thought of doing the same, as I am adding a large increase of daffodils to a 

large area we have landscaped which intended purpose is privacy at the side of our home.  The bike would be seen as you drive on to our driveway. However, I have decided to place the bike under the Oak Tree I planted in memory of my Mother.

And, I want to see and enjoy the 'look' of the bike and flowers to which I will be able to more so with it placed under the tree.

I also have a special project I'm working on that will be given as a gift.

I can't say much about it now, but will show pictures after I finish the refurbish stage and have it ready to be gifted.  It will be a while....so stay tuned!

It's all good now, my friends...

Spring has finally sprung!

Thanks for stopping by and until next time...

Hugs..!

K

One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four......

Have you ever heard of a Potato Bag?

Here are my newest Potato Bags I just received in the mail from Barbara in North Carolina.  I came across my very first Potato Bag in a quaint coffee shop in North Carolina on our way to Myrtle Beach a few years ago.  I purchased the bag and brought it home, placed it beside my microwave and sorta forgot about it for a few weeks.  One day I had one of those "ah ha moments" and made my first potato in my potato bag with the microwave.  Barbara had inserted instructions inside the bag and also one of her business cards.  I followed the simple instructions of, washing potato, place inside bag without poking holes, close over flap and bake for 2-21/2 minutes on high.  Gently squeeze potato from the outside of bag. If potato is soft when slightly squeezed, potato is done.

After that first potato made in the forgotten potato bag, it has become one of my very favorite cooking items in my kitchen....

And

I have gifted so many of these since my first purchase in that little quaint coffee shop that we just happened to stumble onto during our road trip.

Not only are the bags a plus, Barbara and I have become friends, also...

The three bags I purchased this time are for gifts also...

First one is a pattern of Cupcakes.  (I may keep this one for myself ;)

The second one is a Kitchen and Baking Pattern

The third one is a pattern of fresh fruit

In my goody package was also a Key Chain Barbara makes...

This was a gift to me, just because!  I love it Barbara...!!

I love gifting my friends and family homemade items that are so useful and made of very good quality.  I have had my share of some really crappy stuff over the years, even some crafting work done by others I personally have known and who I would never have thought would be so careless and not caring how their work looked. 

With that said, if I can't do the work myself I am very  particular on who I purchase from and no more asking others to help me complete a crafting job in an area I'm not as experienced in.....

If anyone is interested in a Potato Bag, send me a message and I'll give you Barbara's Information.

Thanks for stopping by...

Loves n Hugs,

K

Last week with the anticipation of all this snow we have been hit with, I went to Roots Market, a local farmer's market, and stocked up on fresh goodies, meats and veggies.

Tonight I made two dishes using up the last of fresh Asparagus and fresh Spinach.

I made a chicken spinach dish with a garlic and lemon cream sauce and a favorite dish my mother made often, asparagus casserole. 

Firstly, I took some skinless chicken fillets from the freezer, (I wrap about two or three thin skinless chicken breasts in plastic wrap and freeze several wraps together in a sealed plastic bag.  This makes life so much easier when I need some chicken.  I simply pull a wrap from the bag, unwrap the chicken and I have the perfect amount I need for whichever chicken meal I am planning to make.)

I placed the frozen fillets in a large skillet with some butter.  Let the chicken simmer until each fillet is separated and nicely golden brown.  I also sprinkled some garlic salt on the chicken as it simmered.

 I then added some some flour, about a large Tablespoon to the chicken, flipped it over in the pan so the flour was on the bottom and moved each piece of chicken around so the flour mixed in with the butter.  I then sprinkled some lemon juice on top of the chicken and added some light cream.  Mixed this around with the fork and each piece of chicken.  The sauce thicken up very nicely...

I then added the fresh spinach.  I did wash the spinach before cooking with it in a cold water bath.  I had a large amount of spinach, so I placed all of the spinach on top of the chicken and placed a lid on the skillet.  I had to hold the lid down for a few minutes until the spinach started to wilt.  I reduced the temperature down below medium heat.  The spinach steamed down very nicely...

 Here is the completed dish.

It.was.delicious!

While the spinach was steaming, I finished my asparagus casserole.

First I steamed a nice fresh bunch of asparagus.  Toasted four pieces of bread, and earlier in the day I had hard boiled two eggs.

In the dish  your serving in, take the eggs and chop/slice into smaller pieces.  Tear up the four pieces of bread into the serving dish, add the asparagus.  

Now you add some milk.  You can either add cold milk into the dish or warm the milk up first in a pan on the stove top or microwave OR pour cold milk into the serving dish over the asparagus, eggs and bread and heat in the microwave.  Just make sure your serving dish is microwave safe.  Which ever way you decide to warm the milk is entirely your choice.. You can also add some butter if you like.

This is what your asparagus casserole should look like. 

   I have the dish tilted front so I could get a decent picture. You can place the asparagus in the oven for a few minutes also to warm the milk and melt the butter.

I cheat and just warm the milk in the microwave.

So, there you have it my friends....

A very quick and healthy meal with plenty of leftovers!

This is enough food for at least three meals.

More snow here tonight into Tuesday...

Then the temperatures are expected to be in the low 50's later in the week and weekend..! I can certainly handle those temperatures.

Have a safe and fun week

and thanks for stopping by..

Hugs,

K 

What's Your Theme...!?

What a wild winter this has been....as most of you have also been experiencing if you live here in the US from the Mid-West to the East, and all along the East Coast...!  Spring can not come soon enough for this Gal!

So many of you crafty folks are taking advantage of being stuck inside.

I have made several Infinity Scarfs since Christmas.  It's a good way for me to relax in the evenings.  And, my friends and family seem to enjoy and like them.

One of my acquaintances from Facebook is Ruthie.  She is a very good friend of my nieces Mother-In-Law.  Ruthie is from PA and moved to GA several years ago.

Ruthie has been busy crocheting hats.  And not just  your every day hand-made Crocheted hat.  Hats with a theme....

Below are the most recent hats Ruthie has made.

 Click on picture to enlarge. 

Doesn't she have talent!!  If your interested in having Ruthie make you a personal theme hat, you can contact her by Personal Message here

Ruthie

The hat she made for our special little guy, Sam....was a "monster hat" to match his favorite slippers, which he cannot be without when he is home.  

So, Uncle Jere gave him his new Monster Hat tonight after work and before uncle had to head out for his class.  I was hopping Jere would be able to join us for the Spaghetti meal I made, but he didn't have enough time.

Sam in his Monster Hat

Sam checking himself out in the mirror....

We had such a fun visit with Sam and his Mommy.  We sure do love this little guy.

The last two visits from Sam, he did not want to go home.  First time he showed not wanting to leave, he ran back into the Family Room and sat down with his coat on.  On this visit, he really gave his Mommy a hard time, she would put his coat on, he would take it off.  It sure does make us feel good knowing he likes being here.  But not so good for mommy.

Until next time, I hope all is well with you! 

Stay safe and be careful if your in the line of all these winter storms.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

K

Here we are near the end of January...

I honestly can not wait for the next 8 weeks to be over and done with!  I am so tired of the cold and nasty weather and the frigid temperatures here in PA.

My poor body just can't take the freezing cold. 

Fortunately, I've been kept busy.  There is always something I can find in need of attention.  Today was a "Meals On Wheels" day.  It was bitter cold when you were outside, but the sun was so bright and warm coming in through the car windows, I actually had to put my window down a bit with the outside temperature of 9 degrees.  After we finished with our MOW route, we headed over to the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster.  There is an Amish Business I have been wanting to visit that makes homemade Chicken, Sausage and Beef Pies.  I must say, it really was in the back part of the Amish Country....

I  purchased 5 of the 6" Chicken Pies.  The 6" will be just the perfect size for one when we have those days of needing something in a pinch or I am not cooking. 

The business is called "Zook Chicken Pot Pies"

If the smell from the outside is any indication of the taste, those pies will be a winner for me!

Since we were at that end of the county, I planned to stop by and visit with my 90 year old uncle who has recently transferred to a Personal Care Facility at the eastern side of the county.  First we had lunch at the Lancaster Brewing Company in Lancaster.  The building is the original building of the Lancaster Tobacco Company.  Much of the interior is original to when the building was built. 

After lunch we headed over to my Uncle.  The Facility he is at is not far from the restaurant.  I was proud of myself remembering my way around those little streets and Alleys of Lancaster. 

I had promised to bring my uncle some homemade chicken pot pie.  Not the pies made of chicken, but the real deal of rolled dough noodles.  I make my pot pie the way I was taught from my mother and how my mother was taught from her mother.  When I shared with my uncle during a last visit that I was making some, his face lit up and said 'that sounds good'...so I promised he would get some.

The adjustment for my uncle has been a slow process.  He has periods of confusion which causes him to forget where he is and sometimes who one is.  

Today was a day of him missing his wife and feeling lonely.  After telling stories of when I was young with a few tears and many laughs, he seemed to be in a better mind set when we left.  Even though this is the area I have much experience in, its still very difficult seeing a loved one having to go through those changes that make no sense to them or you. 

On a happier note....I'm hosting an Adult PJ Party next weekend.  This is something we have talked about doing and now it's gonna happen!  A night of wine, food, chick flicks and NO MEN!  There will be 5 total in attendance.  My family room will be turned into one big bedroom of  a pull-out sleeper bed, an air mattress and cot if needed.  Those attending will each bring a covered dish.  I'm providing Cocktail and Coconut Shrimp, some adult beverages and breakfast of a Quiche, Fresh Fruit, Moravian Sugar Cake, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. 

Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  We all are looking forward to this 'girl' time!

That's all I have for now....I hope where ever your little corner is, your warm and cozy.  Until next time, be safe and have fun!

Much love and thanks for stopping by,

K

The New Year has been rung in..! What a fun Holiday it was.  I have finally learned the less you stress and really enjoy the moment, the time is truly one to be cherished and thankful for. The past several years my gift to those close to me has been the 'gift of time'.  I am so blessed with loving and supportive people around me and in my life, and realize the true meaning of honest relationships with friends and family. 
Contentment is not always a welcome or easily found, I like to think I have found it!


Christmas was fun...and also the days leading up to the big day and those that followed.
New Years Eve was spent at my Nephew's new home with family and friends.  The evening was very much enjoyed with good food and company.
Starting out the New Year, I cooked the traditional 'good luck' meal of Pork and Kraut on the 1st.

So for 2014, the New Year is full of many possibilities and plans of a full year of enjoyment.

 Wishing you All, my friends... A Blessed and Enjoyable 2014...!

Happy New Year,
K