Bebop and Friends!

When Bebop was here, Tank and Adventure Beagle also came to visit.  After all, everyone had to bring their peeps for the baby shower, right?

So, without further ado, Bebop meeting everyone, and smiling all the while.

 Jeff, the Dog Charmer (with help of treats, of course)

 Look at that smile!  Bebop is a really happy dude.

 He and Tank became friends, wrestled, and wore each other out.

Happy Monday, everyone!

The Baby Shower

My daughters decided to throw a baby shower for their sister-in-law, our oldest son's wife, who is expecting a baby girl in mid-March.  We found a cute little cafe in Scranton that made great coffee which comes from a local coffee roasting place, and several kinds of tea.  But the best part of the cute factor for this place was that they make mini cupcakes!

Aren't they adorable?  There were red velvet, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate chip, cookies and cream, triple cinnamon and toasted coconut.  I ordered 4 dozen, thinking there would be plenty to take home to the guys.  Nope.  I bought out the rest of their stock as we were leaving.

Of course, these pictures didn't load up in order.  So here they are, scrambled:

Ashleigh opening the bassinet I bought her.

 Presents and party favors.  We invited Shannon's mother in law, who just loves a celebration, and who has no daughters; her present included a lovely tube of lotion for Ashleigh.

 We decorated onesies as a fun activity.  Here the girls are fighting to open the fabric markers, paint and stencils.  (Should have brought scissors.  Oh, well.)

 And these were the finished products.  Everyone was quite pleased with their efforts.

 Ashleigh knew in advance about the shower, but I think she was still surprised and delighted that we held a party for her.  She has a month to go, but I know she's ready for the little one to just get here already.

So there was our happy weekend event!  Next time, I will post more pictures of Bebop, including him meeting Tank and Adventure Beagle!  Happy Monday, everyone!

Weekend Visitors!

This weekend, much of the family is coming home for a special celebration.  Our oldest son's wife is expecting their first child, due in a month.  We are told it's to be a girl!  Accordingly, my girls arranged to hold a little baby shower here this weekend.

Cass came home last night for a long weekend, and she brought her Christmas present from Jeff:

His name is Bebop!  He's adorable!  He was a rescue dog, and he's so affectionate it's insane.  Exhibit A:

Yep, that's Bebop in Ryan's lap.  He's only knee high, but he weighs 58 pounds; he's one solid boy.  Of course, we've been giving him lots of hugs, pats and dog cookies.  It will be fun to see him with Tank, Lily and Natasha later tonight.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I surprised my dearly beloved by spending time Friday and Saturday so that when he got up this morning, he found this on his place mat:

Strawberry pie, with whipped cream puffs outlining the heart.  Of course, he had a slice for his pre-breakfast appetizer, and then another for his post-breakfast dessert.

And, in the surprise of the decade, Saturday morning, when it was 4 degrees out, I had to open the door for these:

I felt bad for the flower delivery man, because the weather was frigid and windy from Friday to now.  But not so bad that I wasn't delighted to get roses for our 37th Valentine's day (and only the second time I've ever gotten Valentine's Day flowers).

I hope you are all staying warm and showering those you love with sweet nothings!

First Real Snow

Last night, it started snowing, just a little bit.  We figured it would be another absolute nothing, just as we have had all season (and for which I have been thankful).  We got up this morning to 3", which was enough to give Mark a 2 hour school delay.

And it's supposed to turn frigid overnight, so it's here to stay for a while!  Hooray for having a roof!  (You never know what you'll be thankful for).

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Jeffrey Came Home....

....because we got the ceiling back up in his room!  OK, he came home for his birthday, too.  But moving his furniture and stuff back into his room was the highlight of the weekend (and I worked to no end to get the room ready after the ceiling was done...washing the walls and woodwork, painting accent walls, shampooing the carpet twice, hanging drapes...I was tired by Saturday).

So, Jeff wanted lemon cake for his birthday, and I created something, since I couldn't find a recipe to exactly suit me.  He scolded me for not decorating the cake.

 I warned him that he needed to blow out his candles before the house burned down...again.

 For a while now, Jeff's been speculating as to when he would no longer be able to blow out all of the candles.

 28 was almost it.  I question whether he will make it next year.  At least he had his father to direct him.

 And what fun is a birthday without your best buddy?

 Tank sure is a good looking boy.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Orange Angel Torte

Sunday the 17th was a celebration; it was the 2 year anniversary of my dearly beloved's triple bypass.  He gripes about my letting the surgeon slice him open; I celebrate every day that he is alive and well.  So to commemorate that date which I remember so very vividly, I made him a lovely, (relatively) heart friendly pie.

ORANGE ANGEL TORTE

Torte shell:

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat the whites with the cream of tartar until foamy; add the vanilla and continue beating, slowly adding the sugar until the egg whites are stiff.  Spread in a greased pie plate and bake at 275F for one hour.  Turn off the oven and don't open the door until it cools to room temperature.

Filling:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 eggs
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk together the sugar and cornstarch in a pan; add the lemon juice and orange juice and cook until it thickens.  Whisk in the eggs and cook for another minute, then remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and allow it to cool.  When it's cooled, spread it in the cooled torte shell.  Top with whipped cream, if desired, or add a little to each slice as it's served.

For a pie, this is diet food.  With only 2 egg yolks, it's pretty heart-healthy.  Mostly, it's just delicious.

Happy Monday, everyone!  Maybe I"ll get back to regular posts one of these weeks!