Changes ......

Steve and I have been busy over the past few weeks and I'm ready for a break. First, I drove several hours to Michigan two weeks ago on the weekend of Memorial Day was a bridal shower that I catered, then Memorial Day itself was more bbqing and cooking for a 81st birthday party for my dad. At the same time, Steve stayed home and attended the high school graduation party of his cousin that was junior bridesmaid in our wedding. Tina, who went thru commencement this past weekend left for boot camp. Tina has been in the National Guard since December and had enlisted in the Army. They delayed boot camp until after she went thru commencement. While I am proud of this 18 year old, and I wish her well, I worry that Tina's made the right decision and will be safe.

Last weekend, we had to say goodbye to an old friend. Steve inherited his father's Australian Shepard, Roscoe, a few years before we got married. Roscoe, passed away last weekend in the middle of the night. It's always hard to say goodbye to a member of the family. It's so quiet around here without him. He'll be sorely missed.

While cousin Tina's commencement was going on this weekend, Steve and I drove to Michigan to attend our nephew's wedding and to go to our niece's dance recital. I don't think there's anything that can put a smile on your face any easier than a 5 year old in a tutu strutting their stuff. It was a hectic tho, we had only an hour in between the recital and the wedding.

I have never been to an outside wedding, and it was beautiful. The wedding was at the bride's sister's home in the country that looked like a castle and was catered by a local country club. I had never been to a wedding that had bagpipes played instead of piano's, organs, or violins. The bagpipes were perfect for the castle setting.

After briefly attending the reception we said our goodbyes and congratulations and drove the six hours home so Steve could go to work the next day. We were both exhausted when we got home, and I don't remember going to bed. With all of that behind us, we're looking forward to some other changes. But for now, I'm looking forward to a few quiet weeks at home sewing, quilting, and crafting.

Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day is I believe the kick off for the backyard barbecue for most of this country. Let's not forget the reason behind this National Holiday and remember those soldiers that have fought and are fighting for our country. Every year my family visits the cemetery to honor my uncle and brother, and Steve will be doing the same here planting flowers in memory of his parents and lighting a candle. This will be the first Memorial Day that Steve and I won't be together in Michigan since we met and it'll seem strange that he's not manning the barbecue with my nephew-in-law and father but I have a bridal shower in Michigan and he has to work until Sunday so it makes no sense for both of us to drive 5 hours for the day. So I'll do a little cooking before I leave so he'll have something in the fridge and won't have to go to McDonalds for the day. I think I'll even try Barbara's black bean and corn salad, it sounded yummy.

So, have a happy and safe Memorial Day for those that are traveling. Are any of you doing anything special?

Cookin Time AGAIN ....

Well, it's that time, again. My nephew and his fiancee are having a bridal shower next Sunday and my dad's 81st birthday is on Monday so it's back to the ole stove to bake and cook what I can and put it in the freezer so it'll travel well. I can't believe how I get volunteered for this since I have two sisters, a brother, and adult nieces and nephews with families of their own but I do. I guess I'll be rolling dolmas tomorrow and get a few appetizers in the freezer. The cakes, cookies, desserts, salads, and other tidbits can wait until next week. It seems to take a whole day to make the dolmas so if i get them done early I won't feel so rushed. Driving several hours with food all by myself doesn't sound like fun. I'll be hungry...ugh

There goes my diet again!!

Happy Mother's Day

For all those hardworking moms and that includes those that have children now or hard at work to bringing children home, Happy Mother's Day. I hope that you have a wonderful day.

A Huntin We Will Go.....

I've tried to keep busy this past week, and hope to do the same this week so I'll stop feeling sorry for myself. My nephew helped. He sent me this picture of his six month old daughter, himself, and their turkey. He swears you can't "start 'em too young" when it comes to huntin..... I can't imagine what the nephew and his daughter will be doing in another six months..... fishing maybe?

Heaven help her, we've gotta get that girl some dresses, quick!!!!

Easter Time

As I think I told you previous, Steve is Eastern Orthodox and this coming Sunday is his Easter. So, over the next few days I'll be baking, cooking, and roasting. Right now I have an antipasto salad and two cakes (lemon poppy seed and a carrot cake) cooling so I thought I'd take a break before I went back in the kitchen. Tomorrow I have to dye eggs and do desserts leaving Saturday to bake bread and salads, and Sunday to do vegetables and meats. Tammie, would you believe I finally get to take down Easter decorations next week?

I have noticed something, every time I try and eat healthy a holiday creeps up on me, and I spend about 75% of the week in the kitchen. I haven't yet figured out how to cook and bake without tasting, darn it. I hope I just don't gain weight this week. I'll have a week off from holiday cooking then will have another Serbian family holiday on the May 6th, a catering job for the 24th, my father's birthday at the end of the May, and my nephew's wedding on June 7th. I think this is family sabotage. How does anyone diet and eat healthy when so many holidays center around food?

These Boots Are Made For Walkin

I promised to post pictures of things I was making for my little ones. I couldn't resist getting out the old crochet needles to make these adorable cowboy boot booties. I'm planning on making a few pairs for gifts, and will even make a pair in pink and cream. Aren't they adorable?

See what I get into when I'm bored? lol