She's Four!

Ash is now 4!!! She is such a creative, loving girl! And loves to 'fix' people's hair- hair is always "even cuter, Grandma Dee" with more clips!

She really LOVED her party this year . It had streamers and balloons!

And she so loves to have fun with her sisters!

Love you, Ashtyn Dee!

A Great Woman!

Sue is a great woman!

Our family was so fortunate that my father chose to marry Sue- and that she was willing to join in our family!

Sue has always been there at all of the fun times, challenging times, and just every day kind of times- and I know she always will be there!

She is such a great example to me of what a mother, grandmother, sister and wife should be... I am so blessed to have this great woman as a part of my life!

Baking my Call family recipe...

Stuffed Zuc! (Luke's favorite)

Stuffed Zucchini Call Style!

serves 6-8 with *large* squash (half: see directions)

*try some chili powder in it.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix together:

 chunks of cheese

 small chunks of onion (or "instant" minced)

 crumbled raw hamburger

 chunks or small slices tomato

 seasoning, *especially salt*, garlic salt, seasoned salt, etc

Split zucchini lengthwise, scoop seeds and pulp out of cavity:  
use half for 1 meal, save half to stuff another day.

Spoon mix into squash cavity.  Bake, wrapped and sealed in foil,
at 375 degrees for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

*Deanne’s alternative  stuffing (vegetarian)

1 cup of leftover quinoa (spiced to taste)  

1 cup cooked and seasoned black beans

3 eggs, whisked

1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

Chunks of cheese

Chunks or small slices of tomato

And of course leftover zucchini means Chocolate Zucchini Muffins... and making them with oat flour is divine!

4, 3, 2, 1..... New Little!

So this happened yesterday!

Our 5th granddaughter! And she is so precious!!!

SO we have a 4 year old,

a 3 year old,

a 2 year old,

a 1 year old,

and our new Rylee Sue!!!

We are so very blessed!!!

Summer of 10000 Staples Part 2

Lest you think 10000 an exaggeration- just imagine how many staples came out, then went in, for this:

It's done! And I am so glad to be done!!!

It was quite the challenge. But I'm VERY happy that the seat is so soft (and safe- no wires sticking up) now. I won't have to worry that the littles will get hurt when doing this:

The finished product is not quite as elegant, but the material is thicker, and I added green trim!

the before

If I ever need to redo this one, I will probably pay to have it done...

But it was a good experience with a hopefully comfortable sofa as a result.

She's Four!

Claire is growing up so fast! She is such a joy!

And loved by all!!!

I am so blessed to be her grandma!

Summer of 10000 Staples... Part 1

new upholstery

10000 may be a slight exaggeration- but not by much by the time the summer is done...

2 stools and 6 kitchen chairs - I think they turned out very well.

1 of 6 chairs

before for stool- VERY dirty!

before

and a little cafe chair...

Almost forgot to take the before pic.

A lot of work but VERY satisfying!