I forgot to blog about my birthday

I'm 55 -

The events of my actual birthday celebrations were inspired by the events of this photo.

You ask how?

 On Sunday a friend suggested we get a group together to go out to eat for my birthday. I said that sounds great and I started "inviting" people to dinner the next day. I told Fred what was going on and he said "well then I guess we aren't doing anything?".....I said "oh"..... thinking that I have been to Las Vegas twice, Ross Lake, always spending money somewhere AND we go out to dinner all the time so what's the big deal about going out to eat one more time?" Well then I felt bad....and I think he did too. SO I changed the girl's night out to Tuesday.

This is when my story gets good. I called Fred on Monday morning at work and said "It's my birthday and I get whatever I want. I want to ride the ferris wheel in Seattle today". Fred said okay and arranged to take time off work.

 Here we are approaching the waterfront.

 Ferris Wheel - $13 per adult - maybe 10 minutes in line. Five revolutions. Total time 35 minutes.

 Here's my Fred. I love him.

 We weren't sure what to expect for waiting in line etc.... so we grabbed Ivars on the waterfront. These were our dinner companions. Very Very Noisy. They can sure catch fries mid air!

 Jumbo Prawns for me!

 This is looking up at the ferris wheel. It's white and shiny!

 The gondola holds six people. We were with a young couple from UW on a date and a guy all by himself ?....

 This is a photo of the umbrellas at the restaurant below.

 Water/ferry view.

 Bremerton out there somewhere....

The end.

Sirloin and Cremini Teriyaki

Not the greatest picture because it's from the magazine.....but I made this new recipe tonight. I looked up cremini in the dictionary (1999 edition) and could not find that word....it is the second time in the last couple of weeks that a new recipe has called for a cremini mushroom. I bought fresh mushrooms the last time and this time I used canned because I forgot to buy fresh.

Anyway - this is good. Fred liked it, but he weeds out the onions. He likes the smell and taste of onions, but they do not always agree with his little tummy.

7 oz stir-fry rice noodles

2 T vegetable oil

2 lbs boneless beef sirloin, cut against the grain into 1/4 inch slices

1/4 tsp salt

2 red oinion, sliced (I only used one)

2 sweet peppers, cored, seeded and sliced (I used red peppers)

8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, sliced (I used garlic from the jar)

1 T cornstarch

1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth

1/4 cup sesame teriyaki sauce

2 T rice vinegar

1. Place noodles in a bowl. Boil 8 cups water in a large nonstick skillet and pour over noodles. Soak 10 minutes and drain.

2. Heat 1 T of the oil in same skillet. Season beef with salt and saute' 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate. Add remaining 1 T oil. Add onions, peppers, mushroom and garlic; stir-fry for 8 minutes.

3. Combine cornstarch and broth; add to skillet and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in beef, noodles, teriayki sauce and vinegar; simmer for 1 minute until heated through.

Speechless Grammie

I already posted a few of these photos on my facebook, but there are one or two of you that only see my blog. I really can't find the words to describe how these pictures of Little Buddy fill my heart. Have you ever seen any baby so beautiful? My heart is full!

Grammie's Vegas Adventures

I just got home from 10 days in Las Vegas with Shannon & Little Buddy (LB for short) & Brian too. I didn't take many pictures because LB from day to day looked pretty much the same. Asleep or nursing. I'm not into diaper changing pictures and he didn't like his sponge baths. I took this picutre the morning that I left.

Other than two nights (following Shannon eating Cafe Rio) LB wakes only once a night around 3 AM. Goes back to sleep until 6AMish....in time for Daddy Brian to change him and play while Shannon gets dressed.

Brian is an awesome Dad. He is studying for the DAT.....and his only break is food and coming to hold & feed LB when it's possible. Shannon is nursing & pumping so Brian gets to take his turn at feeding LB.

 I thought I was taking a video and LB was moving and looking around looking so sweet....ding dong Grammie.

I spent everyday watching TV, working on my stitchery kit, and failed at reading. The first two days I was pretty tired...not sure why I wasn't the one getting up. I did stay up late though. In the evenings I would go downstairs to my Grandma Suite and watch movies & TV on my I Pad. It was a sweet deal.

At Shannon's I always seem to eat a lot. They have fun food that I try not to have around home. Oreo cookies, ice cream and bags of chips...also Dyno chocolate krispies.....I did, however, make two casseroles, clean my bathroom, wash clothes, clean their oven, range & microwave. That was the day before I left. Once I got motivated to be productive then I really didn't want to leave.

When we were pulling out of the garage to head to the airport, I was crying a bit. Shannon & Brian have truly been blessed. First to have each other and now to welcome this sweet little baby to their lives.

I can hardly wait to see pictures of LB when he gets his baby fat. He has very large hands with LONG fingers.

So that is it until I get new pictures.

Beluga Whale Quilt Complete

This is the quilt I made for Shannon and Little Buddy. Dodi helped me 100% of the way. Before I went over to Dodi's I thought I would start cutting out the pieces. Well I did it wrong so she had to piece a ton of things and make changes. I am so lucky that she is a master quilter and made it possible to have it turn out so gorgeous and cute. I don't think I am cut out to be a "quilter". I have made a few quilts, but not "quilted". I like the piecing and more simple versions that I can actually read the instructions and make myself. I would have never been able to finish this quilt without Dodi's help.

The Little Buddy Family & Friends

Here is Little Buddy with Scott's wife Cate's big brother Travis. Travis and his wife Erin live in the Las Vegas area and they have become good friends with Shannon & Brian. They brought over homemade cheesecake on Sunday evening to celebrate their birthday with us. Travis & Erin share the same birthdate.

 Here is Erin holding Little Buddy. It is pretty obvious that Travis is a manly man and Erin is a very petite feminine woman.

These are all pictures I took of Little Buddy sleeping on the floor.

 Here is the Little Buddy Family. By the way, Brian is as awesome a Daddy as Shannon is a Mommy.

Frozen Raspberry Pie - Yum

I just got back from my annual Ladies Retreat to Ross Lake. Dodi made us this raspberry pie for dessert one night. It was heavenly, light and refreshing. I''m going to the store right now to buy the ingredients and make it for a luncheon tomorrow with my work friends.

Frozen Raspberry Pie

25 Oreo cookies – crushed 

3 tsp melted butter

Combine and press in pie pan. Bake @ 350 for four minutes.

 

Combine 1package instant vanilla pudding, 2 containers Yoplait low fat Raspberry yogurt and 1 cup whipping cream. Whip until firm. Fold in 1 cup fresh raspberries.

 

Freeze. Thaw 2hours before serving.