What's Punkin up too?

The last time I stayed with Punkin this is what she was doing!

A new toy? Not.

Begging for snacks constantly.

Being Miss Independent! Although she did feel bad.

 What happens when Sydney barks.

 What are you doing Punkin?

 Sydney shut up!

 Feeling too bad to walk?

 I love my grand-babies and wish I could see the others more. Me and PePaw are planning a trip as soon as possible to Indiana and that makes me smile!

Thanks for visiting ya'll, come again soon.

My Christmas

This has been a fun Christmas holiday, living in a new neighborhood there has been so many new things to do. We were able to do a lot of them but we only scratched the surface. I'm already looking forward to doing even more next year.

Here are a few photos to show what all has been happening this last month.

We attending two different concerts "A Visit with the Chapman's" and "Chris Tomlin's Christmas Tour" they were great. We also attend a few MSU basketball games and a "New Orleans Saints" football game.

We took Punkin to breakfast with Santa. She enjoyed the pancakes but she didn't care much for Santa maybe because it was past her nap time.

We attended several parties and a cantata which were all lots of fun also.

For Christmas Honey and I went to the farm to be with our younger children. We missed our older children sooo much but hope to spend next Christmas with them!  We left the hills on Thursday so that we could get the camp house cleaned up some before my Dad arrived to stay with us and also so that Ash and I could do some cooking.

So here is our Christmas on the farm!

Punkin just wanted to eat on Thursday night, well eat and open presents. We had to watch her really close so that we had some presents to open on Christmas morning. Ash received a package in the mail so they opened it and Punkin carried it all to PePaw, never mind that it was "Mother Love" products that PePaw could never use, it's the thought that counts right?

Papaw Thacker joined us on Friday morning and  Punkin entertained him. She read to him and talked his ears off. Papaw says she's speaking Chinese, we'll sure be glad when she converts it to English so we can understand her.

Then Christmas morning finally appeared and you can tell we had one happy little girl.

 

Sydney even got a present and Punkin couldn't understand why she wouldn't take it.

I was awful with my photo taking this year. When writing this blog I realized that I didn't take any of food or our fun activities. Ben and Ash both got new Wii games. I enjoyed playing Monopoly but when it came to war and dancing I just set on the sofa and observed. We had a fun lazy day and spent most of it eating and sleeping.

Friend I hope you have a fun, lazy Christmas too!!!

To see more photos click HERE!

Excitement fills the air and I can't wait!

Syd is staying with us while Ashia and Ben are away for the weekend. We just got through taking a bath and she is asleep now in my lap. When she takes a bath she has a robe at home she wears because she is very cold natured. I didn't have the robe so I used her sweatshirt and wrapped her in a good thick blanket and she was fine.  Now that it is over I think she feels much better!

While in Indiana Mary told me of a new store in town and that it had a large selection of Gluten-Free items. Steve and I went and checked it out and I bought a few things that I needed wanted. I have already tried the Ian's Cinnamon Bun bars and I think I like them better than the Apple Pie ones. I can't wait to try the others.

We enjoyed our time in Indiana so much. Thank you George and Mary for always making us feel at home and for sharing your family with us!

Here are a few more photos that I took before we left.

 

  

  

  

Josh had Pepaw time often!

My girls have transferred from McDonald's to the Mac book. That's scary they are growing up too fast!

 

Just like Emma we had a hard time getting going on Thursday morning. We always enjoy our visits and hate it when they have to end.

Honey has been in the field today so I feel planting is just around the corner. In a way I look forward to it, again I love watching things grow. This year will be different; I have a lot of things going on and will be busier than normal. I sit back and wonder how can this be but then I think of the future and excitement fills the air. I can't wait!!! Keep tuned in so that you will know what is going on in our household in the near future.

The visit of our children.

What a great week! Our girls and their families, except for son-in-law Eric, were home for a few days and we had a blast! Well most of us had a blast our two grand-daughters Alayna and Emma were sick most of the time so it may not have been a blast for them. The aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents had fun visiting each other and with baby Austin.

We also worked in a little celebration, Alayna's 8th birthday was the 14th so we had her a small party with her grand-parents on Sunday afternoon. Then we had the local Good's over (pardon the pun) to visit with the girls and their families, some of them managed to get in some Austin time too. I'm not sure what Austin thought of all the attention, she acted as though she enjoyed it.  It was so funny Alayna was excited that so many people came that day just to celebrate her birthday. 

My Dad came and spent a few days to see everyone and he had a little Austin time also. Our next guest are to be some more of Austin's adopted great-grandparents, we're excited to see them again and to show Austin off once more.

Steve had to leave in middle of our visiting and return to the Delta to try and finish up harvest there. Ben has been popping in and out and working late nights here. I'm sorry that I was the one able to spend most of the time with Mary, George and the girls NOT!!! :)

Here are some photos along with a recipe for a "Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf" that I want to share with you!

Ashia or Austin received more gifts from the family! 

Aunt Sarah enjoyed bragging to a cousin about where she was and who she was holding while Dad checks out the all natural huggies.

I tried to spend time with ALL my grand-children and grand-dog. LOL

Sarah having more Austin time.

Emma with her Austin time.

Alayna and Dad watching a little TV.

Alayna's Austin time.

Party Favors

Wow a tomato you can throw. She liked this better than her real gift!

The Princess Sitting pretty at the party.

The cake

Pop having a little Austin time.

My poor sick girls they spent the day on the sofas.

Alayna

Emma

Emma had extremely dry hands so we gave her a hand treatment. She's using my socks to cover the wrap. She doesn't look happy does she?

 We also had a baby shower for the baby due in December. All four family members opened gifts for baby Joshua.

 

Emma opening her gift.

Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf

Source: Gluten-free is Life

Ingredients
1 ¼ c. GF baking mix
¼ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar; packed
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ can (7.5 ounces) pumpkin
¾ c. chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease loaf pan.
Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; blend well.
Once mixed, pour batter into loaf pan.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until top is firm and toothpick comes out clean.
Allow to cool for 15 minutes; dust with powdered sugar (if desired).

I hope you enjoyed visiting with my family. Have a good weekend.

A Helpful Hint From My House to Yours

Allergies, headaches and surgery

As I've mentioned before I'm getting ready for a procedure on my stomach valve this next Monday so I am off all aspirin products. I have had a head ache for three days now, it may be lack of caffeine so I've have been drinking coffee. I really think it is something in the air. On our trip to Indiana I did great and had no headaches. I swear to you the minute we drove back into the deep south Steve and I both had a headache. What is it about MS that is so different? I hate the idea of leaving this Magnolia state but sure wish my head would feel better.

As for my stomach now that the procedure is scheduled and my part of it is already paid I feel better, go figure! I guess I need to go and let them check me out anyway and the only way they can do this is a scope down my throat I've never had this procedure done that it wasn't closed or had a pea size opening. I mentioned not going to Steve and his reply was, "Grace, you have been sick for a month now and you have two good days and want to cancel the procedure umm no"!


My Family

Steve has been in the Delta and is home now and I'm so glad I hate staying by myself. I have had Sydney here, Ben and Ashia's dog, but she just wants to sleep. The minute Steve walked through the door she was full of energy and seemed to be full all night long.


When Sydney sleeps she gets cold and stays right under me but if I wrap her up she'll sleep for hours. Notice her paw over her nose.


I don't know if you read Ashia's blog (find the link in the right hand margin) but she is very pregnant. She goes back to the doctor on Monday. We still don't know the sex of our Indiana baby but we should know in two weeks, I can't stand the suspense! Both Ashia and Mary are doing very well.


Helpful Hint From My House to Yours

While at Mary's last week my girls and I made gluten-free brownies from a mix I had taken with me. I had made these brownies before and they seemed a little dry but not this time. While Alyana mixed them I added a large tablespoon of sour cream (I use Daisy all natural) to the mixture and they were great. George, my son-in-law, didn't realize they were gluten-free. I use sour cream or mayonnaise (Hellmann's) in a lot of baking gluten-free with mixes it always makes the item moist.



Something new I tried while at Mary's, if I eat at night the food just sets there and I can't sleep so I was looking for something I could drink at night. I bought this at Kroger and it was really good, it would have been better if I'd put a few potatoes in it. The neat thing is that they have soups such as this in many different flavors. UMMM

Feeling More Like a Grandma Everyday!!!

It has been so hard to find time to blog lately. Ashia and I just returned from Jackson where she finished the last of her baby registry. She registered at Wal-mart and Babies"R"US. The baby showers will start soon and we are excited, to say the least. In the meantime I have been shopping for our baby in Indiana. I have bought a lot of diapers so far, more will be purchased as soon as we know the sex. I just feel it is a boy and you don't know how many times I have almost purchased something for a boy, but I have been a good grandma and waited, as of now can't promise what I may buy on my trip!



This photo is of Sydney resting on baby Austin on the way to Jackson. While we were gone Sydney got to meet Sam and I think she's going to be just fine. I was holding him and she started jumping up even with his body so I went and set on the sofa where she could see him. She sniffed him all over and then jumped down and went her merry way. Maybe it will be the same with Austin when she arrives.



Ashia recently colored and cut my hair. I love it, it is so easy and cool, which means a lot with this hot weather we have. Also with shorter hair I don't look so much a grandma although I feel more like one everyday!

I went to my Gastroenterologist, today the opening of my stomach has blocked off again so they will do the procedure to open it back up on July 27. At this time I feel awful and can hardly eat, although I am trying to embrace this time because I have lost a few much needed pounds. After it is over I will feel so much better and for now I have to eat small meals during the day and drink something nutritious at night.

Another exciting thing in my life, Steve and I are praying we can leave on Wednesday for a much needed vacation. We have not been anywhere apart from a quick trip to see our kids in four years. Steve had told me that as soon as it rained we would go somewhere. I saw a rain passing through the Delta on TV this morning but figured it had missed us, as it always seems to, but when I arrived to pick up Ashia for our Doctor appointments Ben said that it was raining in the Delta and his Dad was coming home. I still didn't think about taking a trip as farmers NEVER get their hopes up, but Steve called and asked how soon I could leave. I can't explain to you the excitement I felt and still feel. I will be spending the next few hours packing and getting ready to go!!! In the midst of it I need to think about traveling "Gracefully Gluten-Free"!

Oh, one more thing. I made gluten-free sandwich bread with my bread machine last night and it did fine. I guess as stated in an earlier blog I did jump the gun and I'm thankful for that.

Mississippi Delta Sweet Corn

I'm so thankful that our son and daughter live close by and were able to be with Steve on Father's Day, I was home in bed. Yes, another migraine! I went swimming and out to eat the night before and looking back it could have been several things that caused the headache. At the restaurant we ate at I sent my steak back because they had put bread on my plate and they said that I got a new steak. Now I wonder if maybe they just took the bread off and served it to me anyway. Also there is corn pollinating all around the house that we swam at so that could have been my problem. When I got home that night I took my usual Benadryl and went to bed. I take one Benadryl every night to help me with my allergies the next day. I woke up at 1am with a sinus headache so I got up and took some Advil and returned to bed. (Always a mistake!) By 4am I was up and thought I would die. I took my pillow to the recliner, heated my sinus pad (thanks again Sarah) and tried to rest a while. It didn't work so I got up and took 1-Excedrin migraine and headed back to the recliner. Around 6 I gave up, got up and took a relpax. After napping I finally got over it and was able to fry fish and fries for Steve that night, gluten-free of course and it was great.

Steve left on Monday afternoon to return to the Delta and I followed on Tuesday morning.

I had a short stay in the Delta this time but it was different as Don and Jan (Steve's cousins) came for the day on Wednesday and we ate at my favorite restaurant "Crystal Grill". I am always pleased with the food there, a lot for your money!

We bought this sweet corn while in the Delta, we were told that many people don't like it because it is too sweet so we had to buy some to try. I can't imagine Sweet Corn that is too sweet and I was sooo correct. It is wonderful, it is some sweeter than the type we raise here in Macon but to tell you the truth I like it better. I ate my share and promised to eat more in the NEAR future!!!!

I am home now with Sydney again. Ben and Ashia are working at a golf tournament in Jackson and will return home later on. I have spent some of my time cleaning house since no one was here but Syd and I. Syd has done well but anytime I open my bedroom door she runs in searching the room over for her favorite person (Steve)!

Steve got in LATE Friday night. Syd goes to bed from 9 to 10 but I tried keeping her up. When Steve drove in she knew the truck, she had a fit and was up for a while playing. Steve sat down to eat and the photo above shows her sitting on his leg watching him. I know she was begging for food but she doesn't leave his side when he's home.

Syd playing with Steve, she waisted no time. She usually sleeps late but not today she got up early and started kissing Steve on the ear etc until he got up too. She was ready for some playing time. I tell you this dog is too smart.

I hope to cook more soon and share my experience with you. We travel so much these days that there's no time for a lot of cooking and to tell you the truth it's just too hot. I did bake a roast to go with the sweet corn last night and now I have to think of something to go with it tonight. UMM maybe a simple green salad!