It's Asparagus Time! Yippee!

I picked and ate at least 18 stalks of asparagus last night. Wholly Cow! It was so delicious and the first of the season, so I couldn't help myself. It was heavenly.



I washed & dried the asparagus and then rubbed it with olive oil and then salted and peppered it and roasted it on a pizza pan in the oven for 10 min. The time will vary depending on the size of the stalks and how tender you want them. Pencil thin stalks would probably take 5 minutes or so. Some of mine were at the pretzel rod size circumference so I left them in 10 minutes.

Okay, so my plate looked something like this. I know, I know. But if you're going to make a pig out of yourself...at least keep it healthy like I did.



Asparagus is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It has no fat or cholesterol and is low in calories. I will be enjoying this super duper veggie until the end of June.

If you want to look up more information on Asparagus try this site.

Grandkids - All together for the second time!

This is only the second time all three grand kids have been together. Last time it was at Amanda's (with Grammie too) and this time at Meghan's.


On the left is my first born, Amanda and on the right my second born, Meghan.



Michael is my first grandchild and he's now 5 3/4 years old.


Ain't this just the cutest pose ever of Michael enjoying the view at the Lazy Q Ranch.


Ava, looks like her Mommy and acts like her Aunt Meghan did as a child.


Ava is 3 3/4 and often thinks she's in charge.


And the baby of the bunch, but not for long (next ones due in Oct) is Miss Sydney.


Sydney is almost 2 1/2 and loves to sing & talk & read & is afraid of nothing.


The cousins having fun feeding the goats.


Group shot! This one is for Gramie LaLa. Smile everybody.


Okay,do this.


Do the wave! Wave at Gramie! Do...something!


The boys (Bill & Derek) taking Michael for a ride on the golf cart.


What we did on our Spring Vacation - Yep! Them there is new bikes!


Thanks for joining me on a short tour of the grand kids together again in North Carolina. Next time, I WILL be there.

Update on "Influenza Porcino"

For those of you unfamiliar with Spanish,that is Swine Flu. With the beginning of the new work week things have moved up a step in Mexico. Today my daughter, Ashley emailed to inform me that 149 people have died, mostly in Mexico City and they have started a country wide suspension of all academic activity until the 6th of May, in an effort to prevent new cases of flu. Classes at all levels, from Day Care to Universities are canceled until then. They have been asked to avoid all places where large numbers of people gather or pass through, such as restaurants, clubs, bars and stadiums. Ashley stated that she probably wouldn't leave the house since she doesn't have to work now, she thinks it would be better that way. She and Miguel teach at the University in Irapuato. Since Ashley has been suffering from morning sickness I know she will not mind the vacation from work.

Swine Flu - What's a Mama to do?

The swine flu in Mexico is all over the news. I don't need to direct you to articles they are everywhere and easy to find.

It's a bit scary when you have a child living there. My daughter, moved to MX in January. Thank God! And I mean that literally - she is not in Mexico city. She resides in Guanajuato, which is 4 1/2 hours northwest of the Ciudad of Mexico. I know cases are showing up all over the world now, so what's 4 1/2 hours away. Well, at least she's not in the thick of it at the moment.

I spoke to Ashley by phone yesterday and they have not closed the University she and Miguel teaches at in Irupato. They have been instructed to take precautions such as not greeting people with a kiss or shaking hands and to wash their hands frequently. Miguel's mom is a nurse and she has the family eating special foods to boost their immune systems. I'm sure Miguel's mother will be watching her like a hawk as Ashley is carrying her first grandchild. Now that's motivation in my book.

My crazy husband says he's not worried about it, because he doesn't plan on kissing any pigs. Oh! sometimes I would like to strangle that man. Pray for him! And on a more serious note; please pray for the people of Mexico and their loved ones who are worried about them.

No Ordinary Grandma

I want to get this book, "eye of my heart". 27 Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Being a Grandmother.

If you go to Amazon.com and enter the word grandmother in the book search, you will find that over 10,000 books are listed. It's a very important time in a woman's life, so naturally many authors have written on the subject. I do not see my grandchildren often as they live on the eastern side of the U.S. and I'm surrounded by the Great Lakes, so I am always on the look out for ideas of special ways to keep in touch and to make memorable times just that, memorable. I want to be that amazing, very-special one of a kind Grandma.

So far I've sent postcards, books, videos, letters & packages. I call and talk to them on the phone and have made them the star on my blog. Last year I made Michael & Ava a birthday collage picture starring the birthday child and for Christmas they received shoe boxes full of goodies, reminiscent of my own childhood. I'm always looking for fun things to do with them and arrive with a suitcase full of clothes, books, & toys that I've collected between visits. I try to tap into their special interests, for Michael that would be bridges & volcanoes. For Ava it was mice and then changed to princesses. You have to constantly keep up on those things. And you know it was hit when the kid has to be bribed to take off the Spider man jogging suit you bought, so it can be washed. It's not all about spending money either, things like glo-in-dark bracelets from Joanne's discount bin, at $1.00 was a huge hit. Paperbackswap.com is a great source for cheap books and I'm an avid ebayer too.

I'm now in the process of collecting Christmas books for Sydney for a new tradition of opening a Christmas book every day of December until Christmas day arrives. She LOVES books and Christmas, so it's sure to be a hit. She was the happy recipient of her very own kiddie ornaments for her very own Christmas tree this past year.

Will this new book have the answers to all my questions? Will it give me great tips? I don't want to be an ordinary grandma, but an extraordinary one. My passion for little ones gives me a head start over many of the other grandma's and the old absence makes the heart grow fonder gives me another leg up. I'll keep doing my research and following my heart and I do believe I'll see you in the winners circle some day. The winners circle of my grandchildrens arms that is.

Wordless Wednesday

The object of Wordless Wednesday I assume is to let the picture speak for itself. I've never posted one before, because as you all know, I stink at being wordless.

Since I'm recovering from gall bladder surgery I thought I'd post a Wordless Wednesday picture while I rest this Pillsbury Dough belly of mine. Comments on the photo are welcome. Comments on my belly aren't.

Chili's Anyone?

Chili's is one of my favorite places to go out to dinner. I like the atmosphere and the food. I recently found a freebie from Chili's I'd like to share with you. All you have to do is join their email club and you receive a free chips & queso.

My mouth is watering already, (can't wait to go and get mine) and being free it will taste all the better.