Baby R is here!

Here's a report that I received from Grandpa Larry:

We are pleased and excited to welcome Baby R into our family, immediate and extended. She arrived beautiful and healthy 7-27-10 at 8:15pm. 7lbs. 2 oz and 19 inches. Laura, Baby and Dan are fine. Rosalie will meet her sister in the morning. We know she will be excited, but she says she wants to go swimming first. She does not realize how her life is going to change. She has been practicing on how to take care of her sister.

We wish we could tell you this beautiful baby's name but only the parents know, and we can't really say that for sure. Many of you have had input on her name and the stories will be told for years to come. After seeing her we know it is not the name that is going to make this baby special. She will make any name special. She has lots of hair and according to Dan good lungs.

Love to all,
Larry & Joyce

And let me just add ... I'm downright happy to be an aunt again! The crowds at the mall better part like the Red Sea so we can get to some more pink! Rhegan & I will be on a mission, via the nail salon.
Love, Aunty Kay

Upside Down Fun & Some Recipes

I found this picture of upside-down Rosalie and thought it was so cute, I had to blog it! Rosalie is about to get a new baby sister very soon. We are soliciting "R" names ... any suggestions?

Sister Joyce just left Norway, and is on her way to Ireland at the moment. Amazing how those cruise boats get from Point A to Point B! Larry is good about emailing me from the ship, but Joyce - not so much! Vacation is vacation, baby! Write that one down in the motto book!

I asked Kevin to pick up a few things at the WalMart for me today, and he was happy to do it. Then he realized what he got himself into when he got inside WalMart! He said he spent 138,000 minutes looking for stuff, and besides, it was hot outside. I'm an appreciated woman for my many trips to Wally World for us!

Okay, so Mrs. Lark asked me for the recipes referenced in my previous post. Ohhhh my gracious heavenly gallbladderless days ... these Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies were w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l, and did I mention they were wonderful? I have a disclaimer, however. The recipe calls for caramel topping, but I just happened to have this scrumpdillyicious Amish made creamy peanut butter (click link to order it - it has marshmallow creme as one of the listed ingredients) so I used that instead of caramel. My brother-in-law ordered a case of it for us! Proceed at your own risk:

Chocolate Peanut Butter (or Caramel) Brownies
(There are many layers of love in these brownies)

3 large eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C butter or margarine
1 C chopped walnuts
1 1/2 C chocolate chips
3/4 C baking cocoa
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C sugar
4 oz caramel (ice cream topping) or 4 oz creamy peanut butter
3/4 C flour

1. Beat butter, white and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add 2 eggs and vanilla, mix well.

2. Gradually beat in flour, cocoa and salt. Reserve 3/4 C of batter. Spread remaining batter into greased 8" square baking pan. Sprinkle nuts and 3/4 C chocolate chips over batter. Drizzle caramel (or peanut butter) over top.

3. Beat remaining egg into reserved batter. Stir in remaining 3/4 C chocolate chips. Spread evenly over caramel (or peanut butter) topping.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely before cutting.


Salsa Cheese Ball

12 oz cream cheese (Yes, that's what I said -- 1 and 1/2 blocks of cream cheese)
4 oz sour cream
2 C. shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
3 chopped green onions
3 tablespoons salsa

Mix ingredients together and serve as dip for crackers or vegies. Or spread on flour tortillas, roll up, slice into 1" pieces, stick toothpick in each. Makes a pretty appetizer!

Gotta go -- I made myself hungry!

I've been busy doing everything. I don't know how it got to be July! Doesn't this quote really hit home with just about anyone? I did me. Today will be an anything post.

I've had a bunch of doses of inspiration lately in the following categories: family togetherness in Amish Country (and yes, I ordered the matching bar stools to the Amish made kitchen table and chairs we got last summer); summer-time Harley riding with hubby & friends; a few new recipes including chocolate peanut butter brownies and salsa cheese ball. Isn't it impossible to pick a favorite inspiration? And I didn't even mention the crafty cards I've made lately! Or Rhegan's twirl (and fall) down the Barbie Doll Runway!

I'm enjoying a new stove and refrigerator. Isn't it wonderful that the kitchen floor "accidentally" got scratched up when installing the new frig ... so we'll have to get a new one? Been looking at floor samples. Oh ... and we just happened upon an updated bathroom sink/counter. I LOVE when one thing leads to another ... in this instance! AND ... a silly crazy wonderful piece of info along these lines is this: we got a true-to-life, bonafide, in-the-flesh handyman! Be still my heart! God sent him. First, He sent him to my neighbor's house, then to my other neighbor's house, and then to mine. (Note: he did not install the new frig! LOL) I love our house, the neighborhood, the location. It just needed a handyman! I see new light fixtures in our future too.

I miss my mom. The days have been ticking by since she went to Heaven. Healing is ushered in over time, nothing you can do to speed it along. Kinda good that God designed it that way, so we don't feel rushed or nothing! Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. Part of my doing "everything" lately includes filling my heart with memories. In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing.

I don't want to talk about life without a gallbladder. I don't need it back or anything. It would probably be totally complicated to do so.

One more week and then we'll be heading to Florida. I just know it's gonna be hot (duh!). The Keatster is having knee surgery, and we're gonna make sure that doctor knows the waiting room is a house of prayer! And then I'm going to take Keaton home and give him drugs.

It's time for a 3-day weekend! Happy Birthday America! What are you most looking forward to this weekend? A hot dog? fun fun fun :)

Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.