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A Newborn Niece and Spring Mud Puddles
Today a niece was born, not just any niece but my niece. Sure she is a sister, daughter, granddaughter, cousin. But to me she is a niece and I am her aunt. She does however live far enough away that I can’t just “pop over” to meet her. Far enough away that it’s a road-trip to hold her tiny little fingers, marvel at her tiny little toes and most importantly kiss her chubby little cheeks (and tell her all about the troubles her dad caused during my childhood). As a mother of all boys (and oh how I love them and I don’t regret the hand I have been dealt…
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A Minute out of the Norm: Painted Candle Holders
There is something about a candle in Autumn. Even a small flame gives off heat as we adjust to new temperatures outside. Something as simple as looking at a warmly-lit candle can heat me up from the inside out. Temperatures have fallen here in NE Ohio and my neighbor friend and I enjoyed a craft that can be enjoyed of all ages, from 4 years old to 37 and older. What you will need: A glass jar. We used two mason jars that I have used for canning garden veggies in previous years. You can also make smaller candle holders with baby-food jars. This is a great job for recycling…
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Touch Pad Touches Home
Here we are yet in Nashville. Fun city for so many. A tourist attraction. Land of hospitality, southern drawl, sweet tea and genuine warmth. We are here because our Daniel is working on his breathing. Working on getting that heart rate down. Doing Olympic type feats like getting out of the bed, marching down the hall, dragging a pole, pumps, tank all while sporting a back flapping cotton gown. Always the edgy one in the family.The rest of the family are in their homes in Ohio, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut and Florida yet they are in contact continuously. Facebook, iPad, iPhone, instant messages: touch pads. We are letting the…
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Tasty Tuesday: Smells, Sights and Tastes of Summer Potato Salad
I am a sucker for Heinen’s Potato Salad! But purchasing it from the deli can be quite a strain on the family grocery-budget. So I had a mission… make it myself. And I think I did it. It may not be “Heinen’s Signature Recipe” but it is mine now and I love it. Leanne’s Smells, Sights and Tastes of Summer Potato Salad4 to 5 Red Potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled5 slices of baconOne packet of Ranch Dressing Mix (8 oz)1/2 Cup of Sour Cream1/2 Cup of Mayonnaise1/4 Cup of fresh chives, chopped1/2 Cup of vidalia or red onion, chopped1/2 Tablespoon dried-basilCut potatoes into quarters and place in large pot. Fill your pot…
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Disregarding Allergy: A Sweet Sensation
Allergies… disgusting.Disgruntling: scratchy throat, drainageDisparaging: headacheDisrespectful of our happiness!But my goodness seems everyone has an allergy of some type, and at some time.Our household has hay fever, pine pollen, and yucky moldy oak leaves. However, we LOVE being outside. So, will allergies stop us…. no way.So on this Earth Day… it is time to get out and check out the garden for tiny spinach leaves or pea plants that should be poking out.Time for Kleenex, hydration and hot drinks.My elixir is coffee. I know… not the best for hydration, but oh how it soothes and gives me a bit of zip.Dale cuddles his cup of tea. And today, for a…
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A Recipe for Summer: Sun Tea
Sun Tea! My favorite drink. It is sunny skies, warm weather and the sounds of summer wrapped up and packaged in a glass jar. A few years ago I perfected my family’s favorite version of sun-tea and I thought I’d share it with you. 6 tea-bags. (I use Lipton Tea, found in an economy box of 100.)2 quarts of cold water1 two-quart glass jar. Nothing expensive required! Using your glass jar combine the ingredients and let it sit in a nice sunny-warm spot for two or three hours. My deck table is ideal. The longer you let it sit, the stronger your tea will be. So you can play with the time to see…
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Happy (!?) Groundhogs Day
Dang … Apparently Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning. Six-more LONG weeks of winter ahead for us. I’m ready for sunny skies, bicycles, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles. Short sleeved shirts, suntan lotion, and deck chairs. Ah yes, spring and early-summer are my glory. My lifeline. This winter thing in February … March … even April here in northern-Ohio bites the big one. I guess for now I’ll have to be content with fuzzy sweater, warm blanket and cup of hot-tea to warm my bones. Stupid Stupid Traditions … this one ranks up there with ‘May Day’ for me! – Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.combyLeanneonTuesday, February 02, 2010Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare…
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A Simple Gift to Make That Looks Good!
At thanksgiving time, I like to have something set up for folks to do wile either waiting for the turkey to fill the house with that undeniable, wonderful aroma … or to do while waiting for that undeniable FULL feeling to fade. We have put together simple quilts, sewn up patchwork pillow cases, made Santa faces out of magnolia pods and even painted tree ornaments. All were fun and a bit challenging. I think being artistically challenged allows us not to go for perfection… but allows us to be perfectly content! And after a large meal… being content is a good thing! This year we will be putting together a…
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Summer Time!
According to the calendar it may not technically be Summer yet. But according to the laughter, the running, the smiles we are just beginning one of my favorite seasons! So get outside. Bring the camera. Capture the moments & be sure to share them with friends and families in far-away places! Take in the season, set-up a pool (even 30-something-year-olds can enjoy an inflatable pool!), take a bike ride, have a bbq with neighbors, attend a parade, play with sidewalk chalk, go to a baseball game, pour yourself a tall glass of iced-tea. This is the season of smiles. – Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com byLeanneonThursday, May 28, 2009Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare…
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School Lunch
Can I tell you how much I enjoy making school-lunch for my kindergartner? This is a phenomena to me! I hate cooking. I abhor baking. Lunch around here is usually pretty simple; chicken nuggets & fish sticks, cheese-sandwiches or quesodillas. We don’t deviate very much. So I am just amazed at how much I enjoy pulling out *E*’s lunch-box every night and finding good food to put in it for the next day. So here has been our lunch menu so far:Tuesday: Roast Beef Sandwich (cheese, tomato and onion too), Fruit Snacks, Go-gurt, and iced-tea;Wednesday: Left-over Chicken Fingers from Olive Garden, a packet of ketchup, a couple slices of watermelon,…
