Saturday, January 19, 2013

Julie & my birthday celebration this evening with delicious pizza from our favorite Pizza Villa!! I made the desserts - yum yum chocolate plus a lemon one and of course, an angel food cake!  That was always our official birthday cake that Mom made for us so had to have one! We had a great time - missed Mark & Dena and Emily & Elena - always hard to get everyone together so appreciate those who do come! We talked about our 2016 planned trip to take the WHOLE FAMILY to ALASKA for our 60th anniversary~!  They're all looking forward to it!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Dwarf Orange Tree 2012
Several years ago after no oranges, Larry determined he would cut down this tree unless it produced oranges. Lo and behold!  The following season and every season since it has been producing - and this year he counted 50 oranges!  For a dwarf tree this was a bountiful crop!  With temps forecasted to be in the 20's for the next several nights, we  picked all the oranges today and are storing them in crates in the garage where it is cooler. He had the tree covered with a light on it at night for several nights waiting for the oranges to attain their juicest flavor!  So here is the results!  We're checking on orange jelly, orange preserves and of course, we love orange marmalade!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Postive Report at Stanford for Gary
What great news as we heard the surgeon, Dr. Stenberg, view the MRI pictures and tell us how everything looks really good!  Gary had some questions and the Dr. explained them all reminding all of us that his surgery was just Nov. 6th so realize that when you cut into your head it does take 6-12 months to completely heal.  So that was very positive and the best news ever!  He expects complete recovery!  So now as Gary continues his physical therapy for balance, and learns to sleep with his sleep machine -it seems very possible that he can return to work by the first part of February with limitations. He is really looking forward to it. God is so GOOD!  We each take so much for granted and now realize how very much we have to be thankful for!  Thank God each day for all your blessings - make a list of them!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Enjoying a bit of the past. . . .

Old Fasioned Potato ricer & Mrs. Smith's deep dish frozen apple pie
When looking in the back of the kitchen cabinets I found the old fashioned potato ricer that we bought at an antique store several years ago. So I got it out, boiled potatoes for dinner and surprised Gary & Larry with riced potatoes!  Gary had never seen anything like it so was real amazed! It works just like I remembered it - so enjoyed them along with leftover roast beef with the gravy & added onions like Mom used to make.
Then when we got the ads for the week, I noticed an ad for Mrs. Smith's deep dish frozen apple pie and I remembered how Bud said that was the best apple pie and one they liked to keep in the freezer for a nice dessert if someone dropped in.So I went downtown and bought a couple - baked one tonight and it really is good!  I added some sugar/cinnamon on top as he said Elaine did and it is the closest to homemade I've ever eaten!  They were on sale for $4.99 at our local canned Food Warehouse.