Sunday Dinner

I saw this recipe for Cilantro Chicken on Holly's Blog and couldn't wait to try it.

Cilantro Chicken

2 T lime juice
2 T vegetable oil
1 T honey
4 chicken breasts
1 C finely crushed tortilla chips
16 oz. thick-n-chunky salsa
2 T minced fresh cilantro
1 C shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Combine lime juice, honey, and oil. Dip chicken in lime juice mixture then coat with crushed chips. Place in ungreased 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until juices run clear. Combine Salsa and Cilantro. Pour over and sprinkle with Cheese, bake for 20 more minutes or until the cheese melts.

I served it with Sour Cream and Guacomole as Holly suggested.

We LOVED it!
I forgot to take a picture so I borrowed Holly's.

Thank You Thursday ♥The Best Job on Earth

When a child is born, so are grandmothers. ~Judith Levy

How can this be.....a NANA to 3!
If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time," you're the grandma. ~Teresa Bloomingdale

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the world calls her grandmother. ~Author Unknown

Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation. ~Lois Wyse

There's no place like home except Grandma's. ~Author Unknown

Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author Unknown



Posterity is the patriotic name for grandchildren. ~Art Linkletter


Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown

Grandchildren: the only people who can get more out of you than the IRS. ~Gene Perret



Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

All Sewn Up and a Give-Away

Pineapple Hill has joined the celebration of a new website Launch.

Check it out
HERE

Thank You Thursday

Preston Michael Freeman
.......has arrived!He was born yesterday, May 13th.
7 lbs. 3 oz

What a little cutie!

Thank You Thursday

Two weeks ago we went on a fun trip to Provo, Utah for BYU Graduation. Kayley and Scott graduated on the 23rd of April and were headed to Dallas the 25th. They are so excited to be on to the next adventure .
It is always so fun to go back to that campus. I wish I could say nothing has changed in _?_ years. We won't say how many. It was a great trip. We got to see my brother Kirk and his family and Mark's sister Barbara and her fun group. We had so little time but managed to visit, reminisce and eat at some of our fave spots. Of course Here, Here and HERE (a new favorite Kayley and Scott discovered)....I'm so craving a cookie right now! You guys that live out there, will you have a frosted sugar cookie, and an oatmeal cranberry cookie and a cakebite of course FOR ME? ...... pleeeeeease

If you go again, next week, let me know and I'll put in another order!

A Cinco de Mayo Baby

26 years ago, on May 5th at 5:55 in San Diego California
Mark Partridge Miner

aka Mack was born.

The nurses loved writing the birth stats:
5/5 at 5:55,

oh and Mack weighed 7-11,

his dad's favorite place to get "Big Gulps".

See, he was a cool guy right from the get go!

Happy Birthday

Commissioner Miner!


We love you!

from all your BIGGEST fans!

Happy Wishes

Yesterday we had our little family celebration for Marci and Hope's birthday. I kept part of the Candy Bar up from Preston's baby shower. We had the "Cake LADY" make the cake ... per Hope's request :) We were thrilled with how it turned out. Can you believe the detail?! It was DEEEElishous too.

It was a beautiful day so sweet Aunt Hope took the cuties out on the trampoline for some fun.
Ella, Hope & AddieHurry Hope before Addie jumps off!

We are cute and we know it!
bye for now, I'm off to put that candy away!

Happy Birthday Hope!

13 Years ago, we were blessed with this precious girl!

Happy Birthday Hoperrific

Cute Ideas

... for Mother's Day

Heart-Shaped Sachets

photo credit: Keith Scott Morton

Freshen up drawers with heart-shaped sachets. Cut two heart shapes out of your favorite fabric, place printed sides facing each other, and sew edges, leaving space to add filling. Then fill with potpourri, stitch up, and enjoy!

Decorative Photo Plate

from Martha Stewart Living

A meaningful snapshot can be transformed into decorative objects for Mom's dresser

Learn How to Make This Craft

Mother's Day Menu

photo credit: Miki Duisterhorf

To print a menu on a napkin: Type the menu on your computer in a Word document as you would a printable invitation. Print out the menu using white iron-on transfer paper (easily found at any Staples or Office Max). Iron onto your selected napkin. The transfer will work best on 100 percent cotton fabric.

Fresh Flower Napkin Ring by Matthew Mead

What you will need:
Half dozen Begonia blossoms
Waxed twine
Small water vile
Cinch folded napkin in center with twine. Place fresh blossom in water vile and slip under twine. Hide vile with green leaf from flower.

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was Marci's Birthday

"what shall I wish for....."

I can't believe she'll be my age next year!

The extended fam was in Utah for BYU graduation so we're celebrating

Sunday. A joint birthday dinner for Marci and Hope!

Unanimous dinner request from both is Chicken Enchiladas.

We loved the cake that Melissa made for Marci's baby shower for Preston. It was deelish!

Hope wanted a birthday cake made by "The Cake Lady" (I won't take it too personally, I totally agree).

Back to Marci....she has so many qualities that I admire. Is it possible, I acutally look up to her!

She is beautiful, athleltic & smart. She has determination amd has accomplished so much in her 28 years already. Last year, her friend did the "LIST".

Quote from Marci "You just bold the things you've done...it either makes you feel really cool or really boring :-)" the boring conclusion kept me from participating.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a Meteor Show
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a Mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (what!)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a Lamb(you did, Montessori field trip, in your pre-school book the caption reads, Marci had a little lamb)
26. Gone skinny dipping (WHAT!!!)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (you've been to Idaho...does that count)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglade
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
    

age 1

not too shy (top row 2nd from the left)

Volleyball #6

semester in Uganda

Mike & Marci BYU Graduation
Marci with the cuties, Ella & Addie Preston's on the way!

Happy Birthday Wishes!

On a Ledge

Better Homes and Gardens
Use epoxy to top crown-molding divider blocks with inexpensive plywood, then paint to create these miniature shelves.

Lemon Sandwich Cookies

from Everyday Food

Ingredients:

• 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling
• Creamy Lemon Filling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest, and salt until combined. With mixer on low, add flour (dough will still be stiff); finish mixing with a wooden spoon.
2. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, pat into a disk about 1/2 inch thick. Wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour (and up to 3 days).
3. Unwrap dough; place on a lightly floured piece of parchment or waxed paper. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick (if dough cracks, let it warm up slightly).
4. Cut out cookies with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter (reroll scraps once, chilling of too soft). Place 1 inch apart on two baking sheets; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until barely beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Form sandwiches: Place about 1 teaspoon Creamy Lemon Filling between two cookies, sugared sides facing out; squeeze gently.

Makes 3 dozen

B is for Baby

door sign by Pink Coconut Designs...aka Kayley

... and BANNER!

I found the most adorable banners at EMMIE CAKES.

I e-mailed Tina to see if she would make me a custom banner kit for Preston's room and get it to me in time for Marci's baby shower. I sent her some pictures of his crib set and a few specifications and couldn't have been happier with what she came up with! Tina's a joy to work with and I can't wait to add her birthday banners to my e-store this summer!

The candy bar needed a little banner too. Martha Stewart has this great Alphabet Template.

The Giraffe watching over the candy was at Home Goods (I get high every time I go in that place!) in the clearance bin. His neck folded in half so I did a little surgery and put a dowel in for support. Now he can hold his head up proudly.

Banners are such a fun way to add a little festive whimsy. I'm hooked! Thanks again Tina♥ Everyone adored Preston's banner.