Oh How I DON'T Miss Bowling

Last weekend when we weren't eating cake, we were eating out! Usually when the kids are home I try to cook at least once or twice but I just didn't have it in me this time. I did make Lynn Wades Amazing Cheese Soup for their Easter After Church Farewell Gotta Get On The Road Dinner and it was good and not nearly as time consuming as the typical ham, potatoes, deviled eggs, salad, two vegetable, dinner rolls and Paula Deen dessert kind of meal that I would have liked to prepare!

So it ended up that we were very International this visit.
Wednesday when Steph got here we had Fiesta Cancun. I tried the Tacos Carnita's and it is now my favorite thing there. You just can't go wrong with pork!
Thursday, Elizabeth and Rob didn't get in until later so we went to Chili's before they got here. Friday, after Chris and Kelly got in, we went to Thai Basil. I had the Shrimp and Asparagus and Mushroom Trio and I give it a big thumbs up.
Saturday, after the shower Chris wanted to try a Moroccan Bistro we have in town for his birthday dinner, but we heard some bad reviews so we opted for his second choice San Jose. I know Mexican two nights in one week, but you just can't go wrong with tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Because it was Chris' birthday he got a free dessert and of course he had to wear the obligatory sombrero and so did everyone else that sat at his booth. (We had to sit a different booths because they were so busy.)

Then after dinner, for entertainment we went bowling. Let me fill you in on the root cause of my deep seated hatred of bowling. When Dano and I started dating he was on two or three bowling leagues and either because of his deep love for me or his attempt to demonstrate his masculinity, he always wanted me there. So because I was young, in love, and wasn't old enough to drive yet, I went and sat through endless hours of strikes, spares, splits and pick-ups (bowling pins, not me!). So here I was back in the bowling gallery again. And let me just say that the bowling atmosphere has not changed one iota since the mid 1970's.

It was fun to see the kids trying out their bowling gene's that was passed on to them through their father's gene pool. So with these last pictures, we close the chapter on Easter Weekend '09. It was a fun filled weekend of Baby Showers, Birthday's, Bowling and Blessings!

Dano The Bowling Legend

Liz the Budding Bowler

Steph does the bowling dance.

Chris contemplates what color ball to use next.

Rob takes this next attempt at a spare very seriously.

This is what you do when you can't bowl, you don't have your own car, and you are in love.

Party for the Little Man

Last Saturday was Chris and Kelly's baby shower. It was given by Aunt Liz, Aunt Steph and Cousin Vicci. They did an amazing job....a "Martha Stewart Approved" kind of job. Great Job Girls!

The cake was beautiful, the decorations were adorable and the games were HARD!! But it was fun and Little Man Cantwell got so many nice things. The generosity of our friends and family always humbles me. Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

Here are a few pictures from the party...enjoy!

The Cake



The Diaper Cake
(one of four!)




The Games




Some of The Gifts

The Guests

We Are Family.....I Got All My Sisters and Me

It doesn't take much to pull all of the Cantwell women together for a party!! But throw in cake and gifts and not one of us would miss it for the world!! I will share more about the Baby Shower later in the week.

This picture is a picture of all the women from my husbands side of the family. When I see all of these smiling faces it just blows my mind at how fortunate we are. That's not to say that there hasn't been difficult circumstances in these lives because there has been. There have been some very devastating losses and some serious health concerns. There has been heartbreaks and heartaches. But in spite of the sad times, we have remained family. We have also shared an abundance of joyful times. We have celebrated graduations, marriages, births, new homes, new jobs even new landscaping! (Remember...it doesn't take more than a reason and cake for us to celebrate!)

I count it such a blessing to be included in this group of women. Their strength, courage, kindness and love has encouraged me as much as my own flesh and blood family has.

We don't see each other nearly as often as we should or would like to. But we are always in each others hearts and prayers and never more than a phone call away. I thank God for this group of Cantwell Women.

I love you girls!!

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

He is risen! The tomb is empty! He Lives!!

Christmas in its miraculous splendor was only the beginning, the best was not to be realized until almost 33 years later after three days of great anguish, sorrow, pain, suffering, mourning, and hopelessness. Not until the third day when the tomb was discovered empty and the One who had come to save the world had won the battle over sin's grip on humanity was the reality of what the birth of that baby really meant to the fallen world.

It's the empty tomb that allows me to say I am forgiven. Its the empty tomb that allows me to say the debt of my sin is washed clean by the blood of the one who is no longer in the tomb. Its the empty tomb that offers the hope of salvation to every person willing to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior as a gift of mercy.

He lives...He is Risen....I am Saved.

I hope that today has been a blessing to you. It has for me. My children were all here this weekend and have now all gone their separate ways to their separate homes to live their separate lives. But just for a few days, they were all here together. I don't take these times for granted for one moment.

I have lots to share about all the things we got to do together, but for now I will just leave you with a picture of Easter present!!

April 11, 1980 Was A Very Good Day!

Happy Birthday
Chris!

Put on Your Easter Bonnet

Easter 1963
Me and my basket!

Easter is just a few days away. There is still time to get out and get that extra special Easter frock. I don't know if we were rich or poor when I was growing up. Didn't know if I missed out on anything that all the other kids had or not. But I do know that every Easter we were guaranteed a new Easter outfit. I even remember one my mom made for me when I was 12 or 13.

I continued that tradition when I had children. Every year Chris would get a new suit, the girls would get a new dress, a bonnet, gloves and white patent leather shoes. And of course new hair doos. The pink sponge rollers had to go in about 3:00 Saturday afternoon in order for the hair to be good and dry by Sunday School time the next morning. Oh how I miss those days. But I am sure Chris would rather die than let me pick out his Easter duds. And the hair.....my girls would tie my hands behind my back and put me down with a strong sedative before they would even let me near their hair with sponge rollers. But I am thrilled to have them all home this weekend to celebrate Easter with me. I will take them with their unmatching, non-frilly outfits. I don't even care if they don't wear bows in their hair. I will just remember them the way the were and love them for the way they are.

Easter 1955

Danny's family minus Danny---He didn't come along for another 4 months

Easter 1983
Chris and Elizabeth

Easter 1985
Still only Chris and Elizabeth

Easter 1988
Ta Da!! Chris, Elizabeth and Stephanie

Easter 1989
Will they ever forgive me?

Happy Easter to All!!

Just Doing My Part to Stimulate the Economy!

I have been a shopping maniac this week. When we first found out that my son and his wife was expecting their first baby, our first grandchild, everyone was expecting me to hit the stores and start building his wardrobe right away. But I refrained. From the results from this past week I think that was a very wise decision.

Monday I was at Babies R Us.
Tuesday I hit Target.
Wednesday I was in Kohl's (had a 30% off coupon!!).
Thursday was a trip to the mall and hit several stores there.
Friday was Walmart.
And today I went to the other Target and Kohl's.

I have requested a new debit card because the numbers on mine have been whittled down to just nubs.

I have had so much fun and wish that I could show you all the goodies I bought but I don't want Chris and Kelly to see them until the shower next weekend. I will just have to give you an idea of the amount that was purchased with this picture.



I will have lots of pictures to share after the shower.

Oh, and just so you don't think I have become selfless and turned all my Kohl's Cash over to the Little Man, I picked up a few things for myself! These are my favorites.

A Delay in Construction

I know...I know...two posts in one day! How crazy can I get?

But I just wanted to fill you in on the progress of the waterfall/pond/hole-o-water. Last weekend the weather was so nice and Dano decided to start in and fulfill my heart's desire to have a waterfall next to the gazebo. Well after discussion and compromise, he dug the hole that was to soon be my pond where a small waterfall would trickle into. I was excited!!! We covered the hole with the liner and filled it to the brim with water. After a week of some heavy rain, the hole-o-water runneth over to say the least.

THIS weekend...yesterday to be exact.....he shows up after work with a pick-up full of rock that will need to be strategically placed in and around the hole-o-water. Here is what went down as he walks into the house:

Dano: "You want to come out here and help unload this rock?"

Me: "It's 30 degrees outside."

Dano: "I know, but I got the truck from work and the yard was solid enough to drive on."

Me: "But it's 30 degrees outside. And there is a winter storm warning."

Dano: "Fine, I will do it myself then."

So, in the interest of marital bliss, I donned my ear muffs, gloves, and winter coat and went outside in the wind and the 30 degree weather to help unload the rock.

Now before you get all gushy and think that Dano just wanted to make sure that the hole-o-water transformed into the beautiful waterfall/pond in time for the spring weather hear how the next conversation went down as we are standing outside in the 30 degree weather with the wind whipping around our ears and the cold, cold water is splashing up with each shovel of rock that is tossed into the overflowing hole.

Me: "Why did you decide to do this today when it was so cold?'

Dano: "What do you want me to do? Wait until it is 70 or 75 degrees and do it when there is other stuff I could be doing.....like golf?"

Yes, that's right, there we were working on our landscaping as the sleet and snow began to pepper down and the icy winds blowing right through us and the frigid droplets of water from the hole-o-water splattering us like ice pellets all for the sake of golf.

So where we stand as of right now, we have a snow covered hole-o-rock (he pumped out most of the water so we could better distribute the rock) and a mound-o-rock that is waiting to be spread in and around the soon to be a beautiful, cascade of clear H2O falling with the sound of peaceful serenity into the natural setting of Lake Frozen Toe.

Stay tuned for future updates!

Finally, My Dreams Come True

Yes, God has smiled down on me again and created the Shoe Skirt!

Not since the amazing Ginsu Knife has there ever been a product that every home in America was incomplete without.

Can you imagine? All your shoes stored handily around your bed. Every morning you can throw your legs over the edge and slip into your shoe of choice. Not only will this help with closet organization, but time management as well! Amazing don't you think?

But wait, that's not all, if storing your shoes in pockets all around your bed isn't enough, they will also throw in a Handbag Organizer. However, I don't think this item will be necessary to those who invested in the Buxton Bag. Because who would ever need more than one bag when you own the Cadillac of handbags.

My life is now complete. A place in my purse for everything I own and a decorative way to store my shoes. It just don't get any better than this folks. It just don't get any better.

It Doesn't Take Much to Amuse Me.

I am so bummed. American Idol isn't on tonight. 18 Kids and Counting is a rerun from back in the day when they were only 17 Kids. Toddler's and Tiara's and New York Housewives will be new, but it just won't be the same without the whole reality line up. Big sigh......

But I do have some exciting news. My new printer/scanner/ copier/fax arrived this weekend and I have successfully installed it! YEAH!



It will take me quite some time to figure it out, but oh the scanning fun we will have when I do! Just imagine, no family member, no friend, no vacation is off limits. The entire blogosphere will now be privy to every photo memory I own! I know that you are all just tingling with anticipation to see the way we were.

Well far be it from me to keep both of you on the edge like that so let me share my very first scan attempt.......are you ready?........hold your breath........here it comes..........TA DA!!!!



I know....breathtaking isn't it? And you may be wondering who that 1970's super model is. Well, let me just say that every overweight, middle-age aunt/mom/sister didn't start out that way. We too were thin, trendy and not afraid to bare our midriff.

Stay tuned, cause if I know you, you very well may be next on my "Scan-dalous" stroll down memory lane!

Mirror Mirror On The Wall......

......Who's the Fairest of them all? Amber is!!

I got the most precious gift today from my sweet niece, Amber. She just returned from her Spring Break trip to San Diego. OK....before I go on I just want to know.....Since when did we start getting spring breaks from preschool anyway? I seriously want to know this 'cause I honestly think I was denied several good trips back in my preschool days....wait I didn't go to preschool. That explains why I can't balance my checkbook....I was not educated to my fullest potential. That's just great. Here I sit working for the man while all my friends who got their preschool diplomas are CEO's, Bankers, and Presidential Advisers. Life just ain't fair.

But back to Princess Amber.....she brought me back this adorable princess picture frame with a picture of none other than Amber herself and the most royal princess you have ever seen.
While she was working the Preschoolers Gone Wild thing she got to have breakfast with the Princesses at Disney Land and had some great photo ops with the blue bloods there in the Land of Disney. Not bad for a 5 year old who can barely read and write! Who wouldn't want to have lifetime keepsakes of you and Ariel, Cinderella and Snow White. (I understand that Jasmine was AWOL...tsk tsk even a princess needs some "me" time I guess.)

Thanks for the great gift Amber! Can't wait to see what kind of trips are planned for Spring Break Elementary Style!! South Padre Island or Bust!! Wooo Hooo!

It's A Sad Sad Day in March

Normally I get quite excited about this very special day known as "Selection Sunday." It is the day that college basketball fans live for.

It is the day that for the last 17 years the dynasty known as the Kentucky Wildcats has been seeded somewhere in the field of 65 best college basketball teams in America. Today, however, it is with gut wrenching grief I must report that the once feared, once respected, Kentucky Wildcats will not be dancing this year. Oh how it hurts to say that. Please give me a moment to compose my sobbing self.

What makes this day even more humiliating is that the Minnesota Gophers will be dancing...the Minnesota Gophers that the former UK coach Tubby Smith coaches. But that is not the worst of it, if only it was, no the worst part is the Louisville Cardinals are seeded #1. I must mention for you novice college basketball fans that the Cards are coached by the former UK coach Rick Pitino. I think Rick Pitino is the Anti-Christ. Maybe that is a little harsh, I apologize, ....but if he isn't the Anti-Christ he is at least the well groomed spawn of Satan.

So, if you run into me in the mall somewhere and I blankly stare at you as though I have lost my best friend, please give me a gentle hug and remind me that March will be over soon and that there will be another March next year.

Please take a moment of silence to give honor to my beloved Cats and what they have accomplished and what they will accomplish again......soon I hope!!

Amazing Soup How Sweet It Tastes

Here are the promised soup recipes from the retreat. Enjoy!!

Lynn Wade's Amazing Cheese Soup
1 qt water
1 cup diced celery
2 1/2 cups diced potatoes
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup diced onions
1 cup diced carrots
1 16 oz bag of frozen California vegetables
1 lb Velveeta cheese cut into small pieces (don't use lowfat!!)

Bring water to boil, add all vegetables and bouillon cubes. Reduce, cover, cook 30 minutes till veggies are cooked. Add cream of chicken soup and Velveeta. Cook until melted and warm through.

Makes 10-12 servings


Mama Mia Pat's Italian Sausage Soup
1 lb Italian sausage
1 clove garlic
2 14 oz cans beef broth
1 14.5 oz can of Italian style stewed tomatoes
1 cup slice carrots
1 14.5 oz can great Northern beans, undrained
2 small zucchini cubed
2 cups spinach, packed, rinsed, torn
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

In a stockpot or dutch oven, brown sausage with garlic. Stir in broth, tomatoes and carrots and season with salt and pepper. reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Stir in beans with liquid and zucchini. Cover and simmer another 15 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Remove from heat, add spinach. Replace lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves.

Walking Worthy

Ok, what does cute shoes, walking worthy, scrap booking, AMAZING cheese soup and praise music have in common? They were all part of our annual women's retreat last Saturday.

Every other year our Women's Ministry puts together a retreat for the women of our church. Usually, we do an overnighter with a local speaker or a friend of a friend that will lead us, but this year we pulled out all the stops and was blessed to have author and columnist Rhonda Rhea as our guest speaker.

Rhonda spoke to us about Walking Worthy in Way cute shoes....hence the table decor.



Friday night we had a little get together. Some did a little crafting, some did a little scrap booking and some watched a movie.




Then bright and early Saturday morning we started off with breakfast of yummy home made goodies.

Then it was on to Vicci and the Epips.... aka Ephiphany! Now let me tell you, they led us in some worship music. That led us right up to our special guest, Rhonda Rhea.

Rhonda got real and personal with us. Who knew authors and speakers have droopy bosoms and chin hair issues just like the rest of us?!? I don't feel so bad now! In fact, I kind of feel like....Wonder Woman!!

Rhonda brought us a word from the book of Colossians and laid the truth right out there. Anybody in the room that had an ear open heard the gospel loud and clear!! We were challenged to ask big, spend time with God so we can know Him and know his will, and to walk worthy. Preach sister!!


Then is it was lunchtime. Oh my! Two kinds of soup, salad, homemade rolls, banana puddn', and the cutest little shoe cookies you have ever seen. All made with love and prayers by our very own Pat and Jackie! I promise to get the soup recipes and post them soon.

All in all it was a good day! Food, Fun, Friends and a word fitly spoken.

Enjoy a few more pictures from the day!!
Praise Him in the back of the room!

Praise Him in the front!!

Crystal, Melissa and Bonnie.
(thanks Melissa for keeping the banana pudding IN the mouth!!)


Nancy, the top of Lori's head, Gail, Novella and the back of Kim's head!!



Nikki and Stefani
Yeah!! Stefani won a prize!!


Pat and the Honorable Rhonda Rhea!
Rhonda's the one with the poofy blue sweater.

Me and the Retreat Goddess!

Map Quest

Here's a little geography test for you!! Click here and you will find a blank map of the United States then you will have to drag and drop each state into its proper place. Not as easy as you think. Who knew that Rhode Island belonged there?

Feeling brave? Click here and try it with the European Countries!! Yeah, I'm gonna need some serious GPS help should I ever get the chance to travel to Eastern Europe.

Have fun!! Let me know how you did.