Seriously

It's been a long haul with our computer trials.

You know what they say,

If it weren't for a little creative outlet,

 

 

 

 

and some baby sugar, 

This BABY oozes happiness!

pictures from Marci's BLOG

...Nana would be a total mess.

I'm back on track AGAIN and I refuse to have another computer problem.  I mean it.

Not waiting for Sunday

Way back, when we lived in Redlands California, some friends of ours invited us over  for "Sundaes on Sunday".  That was their weekly tradition.  Isn't that a fun idea!  I don't know if I can wait that long to try this recipe.  I found it in All You.  Marci's friend, Melissa recommended subscribing to this magazine for the great coupons.  It has definitely been worth it.

Ice Cream Sunday Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 pints vanilla ice cream, softened
• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel sauce
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. fudge sauce
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Preparation:

Use a large spoon to scoop 1 pint ice cream into thin, flat scoops, and then spread on bottom of crust. Smooth with back of spoon. Spread 1/2 cup caramel sauce over ice cream. Freeze pie until solid, 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Remove frozen pie from freezer and top with another 1/2 pint ice cream; spread evenly over caramel. Spread 1/2 cup fudge sauce over ice cream. Freeze pie until solid, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Remove frozen pie and top with final 1/2 pint ice cream. Drizzle remaining 2 Tbsp. each caramel and fudge sauce over pie. Freeze pie until solid, 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

In a medium bowl, whip heavy cream and confectioners' sugar until firm peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a plastic bag and snip off a 1/4-inch tip with scissors. Pipe whipped cream around edge of pie. Freeze until ready to serve. Serve with additional whipped cream, if desired.

Thank You Thursday

 I Scream

You Scream

We all Scream

for 

FREE  

ICECREAM!

Head on over to Cold Stone Creamery (my favorite)on Thursday (9/24) a between 5-8 p.m. for the 8th annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social. Make a donation (no minimum) and receive a FREE 3 oz Sundae.

 This year it’s called “Jack’s Creation” and is ice cream mixed with brownies and rainbow sprinkles and topped with caramel!

Thanks couponcravings.com !

Hi

...just checking in. (from the kid's computer)
Still hoping and wishing and waiting.  I've got
my embroidery machine hooked up down here.
...making do♥
KA

Would you believe

my computer is in the shop AGAIN.  I know.  It is hard to believe.  You know how Windows has those updates...well, after updating, there were instructions to restart the computer, the usual right?  I hit the button to restart and had to run out the door to do a couple of errands.  When I returned, the screen to sign in was not there. Instead the screen was black with the words: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt. system 32/hal.dll.  Please reinstall a copy of the above.  This incident happened last Wednesday.  

Wish me luck. PLEEASE 

I'll get my computer tomorrow

I'll get my computer tomorrow

I'll get my computer tomorrow

It worked for Dorothy....why not!

Marci had a great idea. I just love that girl.I brought my camera over to her house and she downloaded some pictures  for me. Thanks Marci!

Last Friday Ella's elementary school celebrated "Grandparents Day" with an invitation to join them for lunch.

Ella requested Chik-Fil-A ...a girl after my own heart.

Have you had their lemonade? They even have sugar free and it's deeelicious. 

I just found this recipe.  I can't wait to try it.

Here are some pictures, thanks again Marci for downloading them.

Nana, Ella and Kirsten

It was so much fun to watch Ella interact with the other kids and meet her new friends.  Especially, one little blond boy. Evidently he sits by Ella on the bus and told me he sits by the girl he REALLY loves.  He said Ella was a vampire because she has little teeth...the ultimate compliment of course.  

O.K. now don't forget to send those computer wishes♥

I'll keep you posted (no pun intended~LOL)

Where to begin...

Like I said before, I have so much to share.

Today's post is celebrating some WONDERFUL news. Our Mack (aka Mark) has asked Miss Cheryl Joy for her hand in marriage. She is a true to life dream girl. They are so PERFECT for each other and adore each other to the end of the earth. We ♥kind of like her♥, if you were wondering. Congratulations to Mack and Cheryl. Notice how I've added Cheryl Joy's blog(check it out) to my kid's list already. I just couldn't wait. I'm calling her mine now. We have saved the date and we can't wait!

Thank You Thursday-Remember Me?

I'm still here!
This is where I've been:

Would you believe.... my computer's hard drive crashed.

After a week of NO COMPUTER, the devastating news was delivered by this poor computer technician. After all, he really was only the deliverer. He had no idea his job could be so challenging.

So I asked, as he was plugging in all of the chords....were they able to save anything? He sheepishly looked up and sad, No....sorry. I'm sure I must of had a look of horror on my face... ( he looked a little frightened at this point) NOTHING!?! I said as nicely as possible .... no sorry.

I lost EVERYTHING. All of my family pictures, files of talks, lessons, reports ... I mean EVERYTHING.

I felt totally lost! Everytime I tried to do something, I had to download a program just to begin the project.




I didn't just feel lost. I , in fact, was totally lost. All of my contacts and calendar (did I mention, EVERYTHING) I mean everything was gone.

After feeling really, really, really sorry for myself for some time (weeks now), I'm taking a big breath and returning. Mainly because Mack keeps putting on the pressure. He is so good at that. I've always said he's a mover and shaker!





Thanks Mack. It feels good to be back.



So much to say, so little time. Miss Adeline (aka my cute cleaning lady) is coming over, so I best get the toys and puzzles ready for.

I have so much to share~!
Stay Tuned....♥

Hope's Room Makeover....Again

I hope this isn't going to be a yearly event. Last July

This July
.....coming soon!

Thank You Thursday

Tonight when the doorbell rang I wondered "who could this be" as I trotted down the stairs. What a pleasant surprise! It was Amy, one of the sweetest people on the planet. We have many things in common, one of which is that we both heart cupcakes. I was telling her how wonderful "The Sweet Tooth Fairy" Bakery in Provo is and how it was too bad that I wouldn't get to go back forever. She replied with encouragement, "have you been to Sprinkles? There's one in Dallas." I think she was shocked I'd never heard of it. Evidentally, I'm the only one.

This is what she brought.
Sprinkle's Strawberry Cupcakes,
that she made herself.
They are heavenly!

Here's the recipe if you want to make some for yourself.
Thank you so much Amy!

What I'm craving today

Creamy Lemonade Pie

via Southern Living
Recipe: Creamy Lemonade Pie

A Celebration

What a fabulous weekend we had.
Thanks for letting me steal some pictures Marci.

Saturday we celebrated the 4th at Marci and Mike's house.

Marci had quite a spread and we loved every bite.
Marci posted all the recipes on her Cooking Blog:
On My Menu
4th of July BBQ
Hot Dogs
Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken
Potato Chips w/Ranch Dip
Black Bean Salsa w/Tortilla Chips
Craisin and Sugared Pecan Salad
Classic Potato Salad
JELL-O cups for the kiddos (w/red & blue jello & cool whip)
Butterfinger Cheesecake Bites
Patriotic Poke Cake

After it got dark, we had a great fireworks show by the "Scotts".

The Millers joined us for the fun show. Everyone loved it except little Ella.

Nana and Ella went inside and watched from her bedroom window. We had such a sweet little conversation about celebrating America's Birthday and how fun it was to have so many aunts and uncles and grandparents there! Miss Ella is so wise for her 4 years! What a joy to share life with all these wonderful people. We were really missing Mack and Cheryl though:(.

Sunday was wonderful too. It was Preston's Blessing Day. I stole this picture from Chrissy's blog....I just love her pics.


Another picture from Marci's blog.
After wards we went back to Marci and Mike's for an incredible brunch.
Blessing Brunch:
Brunch Puff
Southwestern Quiche
Basic Breakfast Potatoes
Sausage
Fruit Salad
Breakfast Pastries


I'm afraid this weekend might be boring.
Do ya think?

Happy Independence Day

The Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Have you ever wondered what happened to those men who signed the

Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-seven fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.

What kind of men were they? 24 were lawyers and jurists. 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they singed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty his reward.

Vandals or soldiers, or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire, which was done. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and soon after, she died.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist mill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home after the war to find his wife dead, his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

Morris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education. They had a security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight and unwavering they pledged:

"For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"

They gave us an Independent American
Can we keep it?

Primary Documents in American History
* Declaration of Independence
* U.S. Constitution
* The Bill of Rights
* The Federalist Papers
* Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789
* Guide to American Historical Documents Online
* Charters of Freedom from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

One day I came across

this wonderful blog, Crazy Lady on Road 80. Doesn't that title just make you want to know her! I love the way this girl thinks. Jan is truly an American Girl! Last Friday I happened by her blog for a little visit and she had an amazing give-away.


When I saw what it was, I thought of Mack immediately. I shared a little bit about him and she chose him to win the Parchment Founding Document set (constitution, declaration and bill of rights)!

I am so excited! I know he will love them.
Thank you so much Jan!

Thank You Thursday - AMERICA
Land that I l♥ve.

Happy Birthday

Today is Mike's Birthday!Happy Birthday Mike !

Thanks for being such a great Son-in-law. We love you♥

New Items in Etsy

I just added a couple of things to Pineapple Hill Etsy and Pineapple Hill Designs.
There are some fun things at Hearts and Hands too♥
Did I tell you?.......................I heart my new machine!

Happy Fourth of July Sign

from Country Living Magazine
Expect a Fourth of July filled with old-fashioned fun when you create easy, inexpensive decorations with paper, basic craft supplies, and enchanting Victoriana printables. Inspired by turn-of-the-century celebrations, this joyful tribute to red, white, and blue harkens to a time when impromptu hats were folded from leftover newspapers, and marching bands, firecrackers, and lawn games marked the day. "It was a very big holiday," explains expert crafer Melissa Neufeld. "Postcards with patriotic greetings were mailed out in much the same way as we now send out seasonal holiday cards." These projects by Melissa can be made ahead of time to decorate for the holiday, or assembled with the help of family and young friends at the party itself.
To print the the instructions, click here!

Win an Apple iPod Touch

Win an Apple iPod Touch by going here. Isn't this awesome? Devri has a great new twitter background blog. Good Luck!

4th of July Party Recipes

Featured 4th of July Party Recipes from Epicurious.com

White Balsamic Custard Tart with Fresh Berry ToppingBon Appétit | July 2004



The Ultimate Burger

Gourmet | June 2009

Firecracker Favors

Guests will get a bang out of these "firecracker" favors, which can be filled with sparklers. from Country Living Magazine
Wrap paper towel tubes with crepe paper; add favor, then hot-glue a cardboard circle to the tube's bottom. Insert a pipe cleaner "wick"; tie off
I love the vintage postcards.

Print the Victorian postcard images shown HERE

Rock my World

Ella and Addie totally "rock my world".

Look at these beautiful rocks they painted for me to put in the garden!

They went on a fun camping trip with their daddy and Meema, Papa and Chloe. Meema is always doing fun crafts with them. She helped the girls paint these pretty rocks. Thanks for thinking of me Diane! I love them. You are always so thoughtful♥.