A Camera Opens Up a Whole New World
My laptop has been overheating and then shutting off for quite a while now. The internal fan appears to be on the blink, never the less, I will be stopping by Best Buy or Comp USA this week to get a
jump drive so I can save everything on the hard drive to it, and then I won't lose any of my work.
I am looking forward to the Ultimate Blog party that Janice and Susan are hosting from
5 Minutes For Mom and hope to get through that, then I will most likely try to take in my laptop in to see if they can fix it.
It is hard to believe that before my daughter, Chrystal and I stood in line, the day after Thanksgiving, four years ago, to get these absolutely incredible buys on electronics, I didn't have a digital camera.
I got my camera for $99. It opened up a whole new world, I love the ease of taking pictures, and then using the one button upload feature the Kodak dock offers. I was shocked the other day when when I realized the number of pictures I actually had on the computer between Picasso, Kodak and Adobe, it's got to be over 2000 pictures. Since getting my camera several incredible camera's have come on the market and one day I hope to splurge and get one but for now mine does what I need it to do.
One day while leaving to go somewhere, I was shocked when I noticed a picture in our entryway that I had printed off two years ago had faded to the point where you no longer could see the faces. I was stunned when I realized it and learned that if the photos were exposed to air for too long, the digital prints would be ruined. Various shows have talked about this and for that reason, I am careful to retain my SD memory cards, disks and prints, so that I have many forms of backup to depend on.
To my surprise, my Mom gave me my Dad's 35 mm Minolta XG 1 camera. It has a flash attachment and a special lens, but she cannot find any instructions or books that go with it. When I look through the lens there are some black lines that seem to be on the inside of the lens where I can't get to. I wonder if someone would be able to take it apart and clean it. It comes in this fancy leather double case that snaps together. I don't have a lot of things that belonged to my Dad and would love to give his camera a shot. Do any of you have any suggestions?
So it's just the two of us hoping you all take care to backup your precious photos and documents as you never know when things are going to heat up and it could all go up in smoke. Hey, that would be a good name for my laptop...Smokey! hehe!
Tales to Treasure
You're Full of Blarney
is a fiction writing contest designed for the Grand Opening of
The Open Window
Which is being hosted by Kathleen Marie, of
Stranded By The MountainIf you aren't sure what Blarney is, she has provided
a helpful dictionary explanation!
Blarney1796, from Blarney Stone (which is said to make a persuasive
flatterer of any who kiss it), in a castle near Cork, Ireland;
reached wide currency through Lady Blarny,
the smooth-talking flatterer in Goldsmith's
"Vicar of Wakefield" (1766).
Smooth, flattering talk, often nonsensical or deceptive
or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey; baloney such as 'he is full of it'.
Kathleen Marie, of Stranded in the Mountains, is having a "Your Full of Blarney Fine Writing contest". If you are interested in the details you may check out the rules
here.
Just the two of us had a pleasant weekend. Our Son, Terrence invited us to have lunch with he and Jenny, his girlfriend. We had so much fun talking with them about Terry's kittens Maggie, and Autumn, and how playful they are to watch. Terry said he would have to figure out how to keep Maggie from clawing her way up his clothes to end up resting up around his neck. Because now he has little claw marks going all the way up his back! Ouch! lol Jenny, said she brought down her Ferret, Gismo, to play with the kittens. I was a gasp at first, somehow I had thought of a Ferret as being in the hamster/mouse family and couldn't imagine them getting along but they say they do so marvelously and if the cats should claw at the Ferret, he can outrun them.
Saturday, the folks popped over to let me know they had been to a garage sale that had some kitchen chairs. After getting directions, I hopped in the car and took a look the table and chairs were in pretty rough condition but the folks had informed me that the young guy having the sale had come down to $20. So I purposely walked past them as the guy spotted my steady gaze right away in their direction. On my return toward my vehicle I stopped and looked around for the forth chair as I rested my hand on the one. He said he was trying to get $35. I said, "humm". He said, "I'll take $15. I said, "sold"! When my hubby came home later that evening from work, I said, "these are not staying". hehe! These are just a "cheap Taco Bell meal when it comes to price, until I find something I love! I let the guy at the garage sale keep the table. My hubby laughed, and said alright.
So it's just the two of us, happy to have chairs around the kitchen table again and hoping you all take the opportunity to go garage sale shopping, as you just never, know what treasures you may find and what a wonderful tale you may treasure!
Saturday Photo Hunters ~ theme...SOFT
It is fun to participate in the Saturday Photo Hunt that is hosted by
tnchick. This week's photo hunt theme is:
SOFT If you would like to play along click on the link below.
Just The Two of Us
would like to share a photo of our new little baby granddaughter
Arianna Corrine...
who was born on our son Kevin's birthday, Feb 20th.
Renee and Kevin brought her over yesterday
so we could hold her and drink in all her newness again.
Arianna is so soft and cuddly.This photo was taken yesterday at 3 days old!
So it's just the two of us whispering softly in her ear,
amazed at how soft her newborn skin is to our touch.
May a soft breeze always be at your back
as you breath in all that life has to offer!
Friday Favorite Ingredients ~ Apple Crepes
Apple Crepes
Total Ingredients: 9
These are light and decadent,
and easy to make.
You may substitute your
favorite fruit such as
peaches, apricots,
or strawberries.
Ingredients:
1 slice white bread
1 T low fat milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp rum extract
1/4 tsp vanilla
Sweetener to = 2 tsp sugar
Preparation:
Combine bread, milk, egg, extracts, and artificial sweetener in a blender. Blend on medium speed until smooth batter is formed. Pour into a hot non stick pan. Cook until bubbles appear on surface, turn and finish cooking other side. Keep warm. Spread with hot apple filling and roll. Top with a
dollop of whipped cream and enjoy!
1 serving Apple Filling:
1 medium apple peeled, cored and diced.
1 T water
Sweetener to = 4 T sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Cover and simmer slowly until apples are soft
Sending out a big *thank you* to
Overwhelmed With Joy for letting me participate in her Favorite Ingredients Friday Super Bowl Sunday Edition recipe exchange that she is hosting. Click on the link to get more great recipes.
If you missed my recipes for:
Funny Cake
click hereBacked Beans
click hereSkewered Shrimp
click hereSwiss Ham Ring Around
click hereCream Puffs
click hereCheesecake
click hereOatmeal Barley Soup
click hereHoliday Recipe Blogger Style/Meringue Wreaths
click here
Iced Pumpkin bars
click hereBanana Pudding
click hereZesty Cheese Asparagus Quiche
click hereDennis and I had so much fun taking little Ben up to my Mom's lake house. He loves the outdoors and so we played peek-a-boo around the trees, chased each other giggling all the way, as his little legs took him running awkwardly through the grass. My Mom and I, sat him between us on the bench swing that looks out toward the lake that just twinkled and appeared to be dancing. He loved swinging and we loved spending the day with my Mom. She was delighted that we came up with him.
When we got home I warmed up the leftover roast beef, potatoes, carrots, onion and celery dinner I had made. He had a ferocious appetite and ate half of my dinner. It makes you feel good when they eat well and seem to be enjoying it. With each bite he took, he had darling little sound effects he would hum and bounce his head to.
Renee's Mom came over and picked up Ben after we visited for about an hour. So, we went up to hospital and spent a couple of hours with Kevin, Renee and their new baby Arianna. They had her dressed up in the brightest little stripped multi-pink colored outfit. They had her picture taken in it and she looked so angelic.
Kevin and Renee brought home baby Arianna late last night. They are all doing wonderful. Little Ben seems to be doing just fine with the addition of his new little sister.
So, it's just the two of us relishing life and breathing in each and every moment, as we try to hold on, so as to capture it all forever! Life is precious, hope you all capture a moment to cherish, as well.
A Precious Little Angel is Born!
We have been riding high as it has been a whirlwind of activities! We told Kevin and Renee that being as th
e hospital called and told Renee she was to be induced in labor at 7:00 a.m., that we would be more than happy to let little Ben sleep over so they wouldn't have to wake him up so early...
What a blessing that turned out to be! Seemed like we no sooner than went to bed when the answering machine came on with Kevin's voice "wake up, wake up, wake up"! I opened one eye and thought that kid...he is never going to cut the jokes, he is absolutely relentless, the gull of him calling at 5:30 in the morning, when they aren't even inducing until
7:00 a.m.
Quickly falling back to sleep, only to tuck in another 5 minutes of blissful sleep, my other eye sprang open, with the realization that "Oh my word, he sounded like he was serious. I jumped out of bed and played the message back only to realize that after the first part of the message, he was saying that Renee was 8 center meters dilated AT 5:30! With a joyful sudden awareness, it dawned on me that Renee had gone into labor naturally sometime in the middle of the night! They didn't have to induce her after all!
Gently, I leaned over the pack n' play and sang Ben awake, he first stretched his little arms and legs out and then his sweet pink little lips curled up in a sweet smile, he quickly lifted his arms up and out toward me and I gingerly swooped him up into my arms. It was hard to imagine any child bringing as much joy and love into our lives, and yet, as the seconds ticked by, his little baby sister was being born.
We were on our way to the hospital, forgetting that we would be smack dab in the middle of rush hour traffic at 7:30 a.m., the beauty of the sunshine mixed with our rapidly rising adrenaline and excitement of witnessing yet, another miracle being born seem to somehow guide us in, as if time just stood still in anticipation.
So here is how it all unfolded, Renee and Kevin arrived at hospital at approximately 3:00 a.m., wondering and I emphasize, "wondering" if she was in lab
or! Renee was not only in labor, but was dilated 8 center meters. They barely had time to get her prepped, when three pushes later, their beautiful baby girl, Arianna was born. weighing in at 8 Lbs 2 oz., and measuring 20 1/2 inches. Renee looked wonderful and was exhausted. She just radiated love and admiration as she held her daughter. She was thrilled that Arianna quickly had taken to nursing and had already found her index fingers to suckle after only being in the word for less than 1 hour! Kevin was beaming with joy!
We were all astounded at the full dark curly head of hair she was born with. Big beautiful eyes, and a cute little button nose.
All I ask, is that you check out little Ben's expression as he looks at his little new born sister, Arianna for the first time!
...Renee and Kevin, you have a gorgeous sweet blessed family! We are so proud of you both! Renee, you did good! :) Thank you so very much for including us and letting us be an active part of your sweet, precious family! May God continue to cradle your young family with love and blessings beyond rapture!
For just the two of us, it was love at first sight! A precious little angel was born! God be willing, may you too, be blessed to experience the miracle of birth and the intense sweet "love at first sight" you feel, penetrate through your heart and soul when holding your child or grandchild for the first time.
Blessed With a Baby on His Birthday!
We love our son Kevin so very much! This being his 26th birthday, he is being blessed with an extra special little gift from God in Heaven. The hospital called yesterday, and Renee was being induced in labor at 7:00 a.m., this morning. So we will have a new grand baby girl very soon.
God couldn't have blessed him with a better gift than that of a child on his birthday! Although, I must admit, he did have us all giggling as he put on quite a show of pretend tears, and saying something like "I'll be put on the back burner", "I'll never have a birthday that is special and exclusively my own", (boo hoo) I told him it was nothing that a quick kick in the seat of the pants wouldn't solve and then a pinch to grow an inch, wouldn't hurt.
Pictured above, Kevin, 11; Chrystal, 9; Terrence, 10 years old. Second photo, Kevin's Senior picture.
The folks invited us over for dinner last night as Dennis' brother Jim, our nephew, Stephen, and a friend of Jim's, Dave were all visiting from Wisconsin. Hitting some of the area golf courses! Busch Garden's, the beach and so on. We had a great time visiting, of course, they all ended up getting a bit too much sun, and time always goes by so fast when you are having fun. Renee had stopped by and dropped off our 14 month old Grand Baby, little Ben, whom little does he know is getting a new baby sister! So we will have him overnight for a couple of days. He enjoyed the grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn. that his Great-Grandma made for us!
Later, after we got home Kevin and Renee stopped by to visit and say "goodnight to their little Ben". As you can imagine, we were all giddy with excitement!
We saw a real feel good movie this weekend called Music and Lyrics, starring Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant! It was darling. Very funny and left you feeling good when you walked out together!
So, it's just the two of us, eagerly awaiting the arrival of our 2nd Grand Baby, a little girl this time and praying that all goes as well as possible, for Renee. As soon as Renee is wheeled into the delivery room, we will be heading up to hold our new little bundle of joy and hope you will join us in welcoming her tomorrow!
"These icon's were made by the Portrait Illustration Maker". If you get a chance then go and make an icon of yourself
here. It was such a riot! We really got a kick out of it! However, being in cartoon form does shave a few years off! hehe! Nothing wrong with that! lol
Photo Hunt Theme...ANTIQUE
It is fun to participate in the Saturday Photo Hunt that is hosted by
tnchick. This week's photo hunt theme is:
ANTIQUE. If you would like to play along click on the link below.
Just The Two of Us
set up a small display of some of the antiques items that
belonged to my Grandmother. Starting on the left is an
antique lady's head. Something interesting are the real silk stockings
which she treasured having in ever color under the rainbow during
World War II. These were especially a treasured item being that they
were silk and she owned them during the depression, silk was also
needed for parachutes during WWII. They are nearly
infallible to destruction. lol I draped the stockings off of the antique
hat boxes, as every hat back then came in it's own designer
box. Then I set out three hats that belonged to her mother
there on top of the hat boxes. One is made of feathers,
one is silk with a broach on the front, and a white real fur hat.
The 2nd photo are post cards, the Semi-Centennial of the
Lincoln-Douglas Debat Oct. 15 1908.
For President of U. S. A., Wm Jennings Bryan.
Then the 1904 St. Louis Fair post card is supposedly valuable,
so I thought you might enjoy a close up of these.
Lastly, my Grandmother's china. On the back it has a shield,
ADMIRATION, MYOTT, Staffordshire England. They are
numbered, and have a crown and under that
Myott Son & Co LTQ, made in England.
So it's just the two of us hoping that if you would like to share
anything about the ANTIQUES we have displayed please feel
free to enlighten us. Some day, I hope to do a little research
for myself. Hope you have little treasures around the house that
are meaningful to you!
Friday's Favorite Ingredients - Funny Cake
Funny Cake
Total Ingredients: 14
The reason this cake is "funny", is because
first of all, it is made in a pastry shell.
Secondly, the sauce that you pour over
the top sinks to the bottom.
If you get a chance to make this I think
you will enjoy it.
Ingredients:
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 C cake flour
3/4 C sugar
1/4 C margarine or Crisco
1/2 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg (unbeaten)
1/2 tsp salt
Sauce:
Place 1 square unsweetened chocolate and 1/2 C water in sauce pan over low heat. stir while heating until chocolate is melted, add 2/3 C sugar stirring constantly, bring to boil. Remove at once from heat, add 1/4 C butter and 1 tsp vanilla, stir until blended. Set aside to cool till lukewarm before pouring over batter in pie pan.
Topping:
3 T chopped nuts
3 T coconut
Preheat oven to 355*
Preparation:
Into sifter mix dry ingredients. Place shortening in bowl; sift in dry ingredients, add milk and vanilla - mix well. Add egg and beat for no more than two minutes. Pour batter into pastry lined pie pan. Pour sauce gently over batter, sprinkle with nuts and coconut.
Bake: 50-55 minutes
Sending out a big *thank you* to
Overwhelmed With Joy for letting me participate in her Favorite Ingredients Friday Super Bowl Sunday Edition recipe exchange that she is hosting. Click on the link to get more great recipes.
If you missed my recipes for:
Backed Beans
click hereSkewered Shrimp
click hereSwiss Ham Ring Around
click hereCream Puffs
click hereCheesecake
click hereOatmeal Barley Soup
click hereHoliday Recipe Blogger Style/Meringue Wreaths
click here
Iced Pumpkin bars
click hereBanana Pudding
click hereZesty Cheese Asparagus Quiche
click hereValentine's Day was really nice. As it was, My Mom and I were working on a little project and asked Dennis if he could come help us. For whatever reason, Dennis called Kevin and Renee and they just happened to be at one of our favorite parks down the street. N
ow mind you, we are all 10 miles or so away from our homes, but only a mile away from each other. So, we drove down and met them at the park. We had so much fun watching little Ben interact with the other children and then play peek-a-boo, or go down the slide with him. Even I went down the slide with him. He thought that was so funny! The park is loaded with these massive Oak trees and has oodles of playground equipment, perfect for a toddler. My Mom took us all out to lunch where we discussed this business of why Renee hasn't gone into labor yet and why the Doctor isn't inducing until the 20th, if need be, which just happens to be Kevin's birthday! haha! Oh, well, patience is a virtue!
So, it's just the two of us spoiling ourselves with a Starbucks Coffee Frappuccino; glad that it is Friday, as Dennis is off the whole weekend again! Woohoo! Hope all is well with you and your loved ones and that if you get a chance, go to the park...you will love it, as it is so invigorating and refreshing.
