Kate's party

Kate's 7th birthday party was on Saturday. It was a treat to be there for the festivities!

The girls

The Jersey Ures

The REAL housewife of New Jersey

Hostess gift

7 cents stories

This is what happened.

I went to get soup for lunch the other day. I was in line, standing right in front of the cashier holding my soup and crackers, and she started to ring up the woman behind me who had set her food on the counter. That woman said, "Oh these are mine" and then the clerk told me she was going to ring her up first (I guess that was easier than voiding a transaction). I was mildly annoyed but whatever.

Then she rang up my soup and it was $2.58. A small soup is usually $2.51. I questioned it but at this point I just wanted to eat my lunch. There was a bit of a language barrier between myself and the cashier and then suddenly she reached over and grabbed the little container that people put their extra change in and dumped it into my hand. I was trying to count it and see if it was the right amount and then because there was a crowd of people behind me (and I didn't want to make a scene) I left. When I got back to my office I realized she had shorted me 7 cents.

I went on line and filled out a feedback form. Within 10 minutes I received a call from the manager and today I got this letter with my 7 cents attached.

I have another story about 7 cents. Years ago I mailed my cousin a letter and it arrived "Postage due - 7 cents". When I saw my uncle he gave me a hard time about it (was it that big of a deal?!?). I could have given him a stamp or 7 cents but I decided to pay him back in the most inconvenient way possible so I mailed him a check for 7 cents. The next time I saw my uncle (it was Uncle Lee--I only have one uncle) he questioned why I sent him a check for 7 cents and I replied, "Well, you made such a big deal about it..."

Cousins Club

My cousin Darlene called last week to see if her son Nate could stay with me for a few nights. I think I met Nate 15 or 16 years ago at my cousin Julie's wedding. Nate spent the summer working in Wisconsin, Ohio, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. He's rambling around the country now before going home to the "O.C.". It's been fun getting to know him. And I'm impressed that he took some of my advice about places to go and things to see. He's adventurous! I think Nate is great.

Best apple crisp recipe -- ever!

APPLE CRISP

Mix the following ingredients together and pour into ungreased 9x13 inch pan:

8 cups peeled and sliced apples

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 T flour

1/2 cup milk

1 cup water

Topping:

1 1/3 cups flour

1 cup oats

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter, melted

1 t salt

2 t cinnamon

2 packages dry Butterscotch pudding (not instant)

Mix topping ingredients together and crumble on top of apple mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, approximately 45-50 minutes.

Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!

My new favorite book

I received (my blog friend) Camille's book in the mail today. It was like Christmas! Camille is an amazingly talented quilt/fabric designer and I'm glad to have a copy of her book in my collection.

Hand-me-downs

Yesterday my friend Kristen (Sister) gave me 3 bags of clothes. I've mentioned before that I never got hand-me-downs as a kid because I was the only girl. My favorite item might be the olive green sweater that I'm wearing right now. Thanks, Sister!

Grace's baptism day

I went to Lynnfield this morning for Grace Rebentisch's baptism. She was all smiles and it was nice to be there on her special day.

While we were on our drive...

...Kristen's husband was climbing at the Gunks.

(photo taken by Kristen's brother)

A Saturday drive

My friend Sister and I went for a drive today. I had been talking up the Fall BBQ from last Saturday so our first stop was Red Apple Farm. The corn was better last week but the pulled pork sandwich and beans were great. After lunch we meandered up to New Hampshire and found a few antique shops. I bought a few hankies and books for a dollar. The skies were clear, the air was crisp, and the foliage was beautiful.

Cowboy tote

I had some friends over for dinner a few weeks ago and one of the little boys was enamored with another little girl's purse. He put it over his shoulder and walked all over my apartment. His great great aunt visited him recently and he dragged her purse around his apartment. Last night I had an idea and I made him a cowboy tote and I bought a few little cars to put in it. I'm having dinner at his house tomorrow night and will give it to him then. I hope he likes it!

Homemade coupons

I went to Joanns tonight to buy batting and backing for my latest quilt. When I handed my coupon to the sales clerk she noticed that there was no bar code on it (I had noticed that when I clipped the coupons). She mentioned the "no barcode" and then asked where the rest of my flyer was so she could sew my name on it. I told her I cut the coupons out and tossed it (isn't that what everyone does?). She started to give me a bit of attitude like she wasn't going to let me use it and I said, "I didn't make the coupon", and I told her I wasn't going to get those things without using a coupon (the quilt batting is $10.99/yard). She gave me the discount and everyone was happy. At least I was.

Quilt top: done

I started this quilt in February. I can't even remember when I finished the squares. Finally, last night I sewed all the squares together! I'll ship it off to "the quilt lady" in Iowa on Friday and she will do the machine quilting on it and then I'll bind it. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Thre's something about a dash of red.

May 21, 1959 - September 28, 1998

This photo [oldest to youngest: Robes, Ellen, John, Chuck] was taken in Portland the last time we were all together (1/98).

*****

My brother Robes died exactly 20 years from the day he entered the Missionary Training Center. Here is a story about him that his mission buddy "Barnes" told at his funeral.

In another city, I believe the town of St. Die in France, Robes became acquainted with a member of the church who was no longer active in the religion. The man had a bakery shop, and began baking around 5 o'clock every morning. Even though Robes was committed to tracting (going door-to-door) everyday from 9am until 9pm, Robes and his companion went to the bakery several mornings a week to assist in the baking chores. This was vintage Robes: identifying the needs of a friend and making time, albeit its inconvenience, helping out in any way possible.

At one point during his mission, Robes shared his baking skills with 175+ other missionaries. These missionaries convened for a mission-wide meeting in France. Missionaries traveled by bike, bus, train and automobile. Robes traveled by bakery truck and shared the gourmet pastries he had prepared that morning in the baker with all who attended!

I've said it before and I'll say it a million times: I miss him every day.

Click here to read my post from 4 years ago.

Comfort food

My brother John (who still lives in L.A.) is probably having dinner at Tito's tonight (Robes' favorite restaurant) while I made buttermilk pancakes for dinner.

For the Beauty of the Earth

Don't think I'm a Provo groopie, but I can't stop listening to this. I got it here.

My aged TV

My friend gave me a DVD/VCR combo recently. I was all jazzed up about watching movies as I drifted off to sleep until I turned my small TV (that I've had for years) around and realized there was nowhere to plug the colored cables in.

Before you even ask, here are the answers.

1. Yes, it is a color TV.

2. Yes, I know you can get an adapter box.

3. Yes, Footloose might be the first movie I watch with my new DVD/VCR combo.