Yummy treat

Yesterday evening, Mr. Rondeau and I took Goosie and Boomer out to dinner and ran some errands.

When we arrived home, there was a bag hanging on our door.

These Mandarin Oranges were in the bag!

Our friend, Miss Daniela, left them on our door...

Some went in the fridge for lunch the next day... and some just had to be put in my favorite glass vase!

We had some for lunch... I don't think the others will remain in the vase for long...

These oranges are delicious...

As sweet as the surprise!

The Grateful List

On my other blog... which seems to have lost readers and will be shut down soon if traffic doesn't flow again... I had started a "Grateful Journal."

As Mr. Rondeau was sleeping last night, the rain was falling hard on the window next to me and I thought about the day that had come to an end.

The day that ended was wonderful and this is why...

*After dropping Goosie off at school, I took Boomer to the little park across the street and he squealed with joy in the baby swing!

*We came home and were surprised with girlfriends as the door! The first stop for a friend that had just returned from a long journey!

*Mr. Rondeau called twice to chat during the day!

*Goosie and Boomer gobbled lunch and played soccer in the yard!

*Ironing complete!

*Goosie and Boomer napped... not a stir was heard.

*A dear friend called to "chat" :).

*A package arrived... a St. Patrick's Day gift was at the door from Boomer's Godfathers!

*Boomer smothered me with hugs and kisses

*bubble bath for Goosie and Boomer

*Mr. Rondeau talked to a man about a fence!

*There are a pile of projects to be sewn or created... that means gifts are to be given!

*Stories were read... in abundance... and three were read by Goosie!

*We have a roof over our heads, food in our tummy, and love in our heart!

A part never shared...

Last year, I flew home. An emergency flight home because my Grandmother was very sick and facing amputation of her leg.
When I arrived at the airport, my Dad suggested we go right to the hospital. When we walked into her room, she took a drastic change... very sick and a sea of doctors and nurses running down the hall. A vigil began. I didn't want to leave her. I stayed as long as MY body could handle helping with hers. I have never seen this beautifully strong woman so weak...
I remember watching her every move and wiping her beautiful face with cold cloths and quenching her dried lips with cool water. My family would write down everything we could about her medications, progress, and down turns.
We never left her... no one left her... but... I had to leave right after her surgery... literally, I saw her in recovery and then had to fly home to nurture my children and love them just the same.
The past year, I mourned the loss of one Grandmother, the loss of friendships, the loss of my first home as we moved onward in Leo's career... but, in our children... I have always found the strength to make sure that things move smoothly for them through all these changes.
And... I have been reading this. It's amazing how you can find strength through others. I love The Neinei dialogues and I hope you will, also.
And by the way... my grandmother is standing at her PT and doing the most amazing job ever with her recovery. And... we will be heading "home" to see her soon!

A Declaration has been made... and we LOVE it!

A declaration has been made that 2009 is the "Year of the Military Family." Please see article.

The recognition means tons to those of us that are part of a military family!

I'm anxious to see just what this declaration will mean in terms of support for military families.

Cheap or Thoughtful... I WANT your opinion!

This year... I'm starting EARLY!
I have a plan.

I PLAN on saving money and making Christmas gifts this year. I would like to work on items a little each month but then I have to question myself.... over and over.

Will people think we are being cheap or will they actually like getting something homemade???

It is such a hard call. See... we would like to purchase a car this year. We would like to purchase it with cash so we have "buckled down."

So... what is your take on the "handmade" gift? I have over 40 ideas in my "favorites" and I am anxious to start... I promise... it won't be a handknitted reindeer sweater that you will feel absolutely mortified to wear :)

I want country ham, on a biscuit, and I DON'T want it "sugar glazed."

That's right...

I want ham... NO...

NOT JUST ANY HAM...

I want COUNTRY HAM! It isn't to be had here in our little world right now.

Leo tried tracking it down... ONE place had it... and it was sugar glazed. I don't want it sugar glazed... I want it salty and on a biscuit.

Call me hillbilly... I'm okay with that... it reminds me of home. I want a "Taste of Home."
Side of Mac N' Cheese?????????? sure. But, the ham biscuit will do for me.

I'm counting the days till I see West Virginia and I'm headed to the store to get COUNTRY HAM!
I'm probably bringing a cooler... to bring some back... yes, I will haul it back to IL...

Anything regional your craving????????? Share it with me... we can crave together!!!!!!

Spring, Treats, and soon to be... tea time!

With the unusual warm days we have been experiencing, I was just ready to begin thinking of Easter and new beginnings. Goosie and Boomer have been doing their daily Lent readings and enjoying the breeze flowing through the open windows. My dear husband worked all weekend so I had been itching to make some shortbread and took advantage of the time! I can't wait to sit with some tea and enjoy the shortbread and creamy peppermint chocolate mints, too.

I miss the days of the April Cornell Outlet, too... so out came the napkin and down went the three tiered stand that I'm "holding" for my Mom... we have used it MANY times and Goosie loves the look of the colors in the glass.

The "infamous" M&M jar is now holding the Easter treats... it seems to get filled with the color of the holiday and hubby likes the treat as he passes through the living room. It seems as though St. Patrick's Day took a clear second to the Easter trimmings this year.

The dining room is ready for tea and treats with friends!

Creamy peppermint chocolate mints:

1 bag of candy melts

approx. 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil

peppermint extract to taste

favorite candy molds (found at craft stores or WalMart)

Combine all ingredients in a microwave bowl

Microwave at intervals of 30 seconds, stirring after each interval until thoroughly melted.

Fill each mold with the mixture and tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.

Place in fridge until firm and tap mold upside down on counter to remove... and COMPLETE!

The Easy Chocolate Shortbread only takes four ingredients... but a hint... I would make it a bit thicker next time I try this recipe.

I'm thinking scones next... hmmmm...