For the chocolate chip cookie lover...

Have I got a recipe for you!

I am always looking through Pinterest for recipes that look like they might be worth trying. Recently, I found a chocolate chip cookie recipe that called for two (2) packages of instant vanilla pudding. They were deemed to be the "best" by the person who posted the recipe online. So I sent the recipe to my son (who loves to bake) so that he could give it a try.

Last night he made a batch. The writer of the recipe is absolutely correct...these are by far the best!

You can find the recipe on Allrecipes...Award Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies!

African Violets...

..while somewhat temperamental, they are still one of my favorite plants. I decided to order four (4) more plants from Lyndon Lyon; a local African violet greenhouse.

To be honest, I had thought about travelling to pick out my own all summer long; but time was not on my side. I knew if I wanted to have some sent in the mail, I only had until November 15 without incurring extra shipping fees, so last week I put in my order and received them last Friday.

Aren't they wonderful? They will add a splash of color in my studio and also keep my orchid and Sabi Star Sahara Desert Gemini Rose plants company.

I have been rearranging my studio and my office to make them both easier to work in; still not quite finished, but getting closer to making my space cozy.

As part of the rearranging, I just added a sofa in my office so that I would have a get-away place to hang out while I crochet or knit. No one in my house understands, but anyone who does either crochet or knitting knows how annoying it is when someone interrupts your counting.

The sofa I picked out is a sleeper sofa so it will serve a dual purpose. It will make a great hang-out space when my daughter visits in December as well as give her a place to sleep at night.

By the way, my daughter should be impressed that the orchid plant is still alive and getting bigger. Yay!

"10"

I can't believe it...my grandson is now 10 years old!

We celebrated his birthday last Friday even though his birthday was actually this past Tuesday. I cooked a ham dinner and Uncle Steve baked a Bugs Bunny cake.

Here he is sporting his birthday hat just like the one that I made his Uncle Steve for his birthday!

    

He huffed and he puffed, and he blew the candle out!

Part of his birthday present was bedding and a rug to complete his Nascar bedroom. He can tell you the names of every Nascar driver...past and present.

Here he is happy as can be in his new "digs".

I know I have said it before, but I just love being a grandma!

Pumpkin Cookie recipe...

Fall is definitely in the air...

This morning was quite crisp when I walked my fur babies, but I actually prefer this time of year over the summer heat.

I just about have all my Halloween & Fall decorations out, but this past weekend, I decided I needed to crochet a pumpkin centerpiece from a pattern I fell in love with from one of the many catalogs I get everyday. I could wallpaper the town with all the catalogs I receive, but I just love looking through them for ideas. I plan to use my latest project right through Thanksgiving so I thought it would be worth the effort to crochet it.

When my project was finished, it looked kind of bare just sitting on my table. Not that I don't have a lot of decorations that I could have placed in the center, but to keep the Lawrence household happy, I decided I had to bake some pumpkin spice cookies using a recipe I found on Pinterest.

The recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen soft, cake-like cookies that are absolutely delicious. My family raved about them, however, I must say that they are still talking about the pumpkin coffee cake recipe I shared in my last blog. I might have to whip up another one this weekend.

However, even though they really liked the coffee cake, it looks like there is going to be a "fight" to get the last one of these cookies since they are just about gone.

The best part is that I only had to use half a small can of pumpkin for these cookies which leaves me with the other half to make a pumpkin bread recipe I found on Pinterest.

I love having a weekends-off diet!

If you would like the recipe for these melt-in-your-mouth cookies, click on the picture to be taken directly to the recipe from "The Recipe Critic".

Update on my Sabi Star Sahara Desert Gemini Rose...

So in May I ordered my plants from QVC and they are actually still alive! Yeah! The nights are getting colder so I decided it was time to bring them into my home under my Gro-Light.

According to the pamphlet enclosed with the plants, within 18 months they are supposed to look like this:

Here they are at 4 months:

Hmmm...18 months might be wishful thinking at this point, but they are growing. The one on the right is doing much better than the one on the left, but they were received with one doing better than the other.

Hopefully, being under the light will help them survive the winter months where sunlight is not always abundant here in upstate New York.

I am also pleased to report that the orchid plant my daughter gave me is still alive and sprouting new growth. It seems to be thriving in my kitchen most likely because of the humidity from cooking.

Just a couple more months before my daughter comes home to visit...stay strong little plant...stay strong!

Croissants...

I love the Fall with the colors of the leaves that make for some great pictures (by the way, the leaves in our area are still green). But best of all is the food. Hearty food that I normally would not make in the warm weather like soups; stews; pumpkin pie and apple pie. I froze some blueberries this summer that will make some great pies and cobblers.

I love from scratch homemade food but, have you tried the french croissants from QVC? I think I have already said that I love shopping on QVC (no they don't pay me for an endorsement); I just love the convenience of shopping online.

A couple of years ago, they had a TSV (Today's Special Value for those who don't shop there) that I just couldn't pass up. Authentic french croissants that arrive frozen and you pop in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. My family went crazy for them particularly my grandson. I have been buying them ever since.

Well, this morning I was wishing for some because I hadn't made them all summer. Here they are:

I didn't even bother to take the time to put them on the plate because they won't last long enough to make it worth it.  They are so good with a cup of hot tea!

Hopefully, it won't be long before I can share some pictures of the fall scenery and tempt everyone with some great cold weather recipes!

Another busy weekend has come and gone!

I'm almost finished with my Mr. Frank N. Stein; just need another day or two:

But I have to tell you about the cookie recipe I tried this weekend...Lemon Gooey Butter Cookies:

These are so soft and lemony; they actually melt in your mouth. They were very easy to make; however, I made a couple of substitutions.

The recipe called for organic all-purpose flour...I just used regular all-purpose flour. I didn't have any lemon oil and frankly with 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and 1-1/2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice, it was lemony emough for my taste. I also didn't use the yellow food coloring...I don't need an artificially-colored yellow cookie to figure out it is lemon flavored.

Other than that this is a cookie that anyone would be proud to serve; I think it will be included in my Christmas cookies this year.

Click on the picture if you would like the recipe from Wicked Good Kitchen.

I know I have been quiet lately, but...

I've been busy working on my latest creation...Mr. Frank N. Stein. Here's a sneak peek:

The pattern is almost ready for publication; just have to re-read the instructions a couple of more times and make him a pair of socks.

We have had a very hot, humid summer with little rain. It is hard to believe that we are in September and my grandson is back in school...in 5th grade nonetheless. He insisted that he had to spend his last couple of days before school started at grandmas for a sleep-over. That kept me busy for sure, but I did manage to get some cookies baked while he was here.

Apple Cookies with Butterscotch Frosting! There were fabulous...so good that I didn't get a chance to take a picture before they were gone, but here is the picture on House of Yumm webpage:

I put them in the refrigerator after they were frosted and everyone in my house agreed that they almost tasted better right out of the refrigerator instead of room temp.

I went light on the frosting so I had some leftover; this weekend I might try one of the pumpkin cookie recipes that I found while wandering the web! After all, I am going to need some "nourishment" while I get my Fall decorating done!

A little cuteness overload...

for a hot, humid summer day.

      

We are expecting thunderstorms later today. Yeah...NOT! 

Hello August!

Well summer is half over...my black-eyed susans are in full bloom. This summer has been hot and humid; definitely air-conditioner weather.

My grandson is visiting today and the "girls" just love the belly rubs! Look at Gracie laying out flat on her back. What a girl!

I made another batch of those lemon muffins that I posted a while ago. They are so refreshing with a glass of ice tea. I am sure that my grandson will be happy to eat some of them with his lunch today to keep me from straying too far off my diet!

I just want to add that my new computer is all set now and I have enough storage space to contain my pictures and files for at least another month or two...just kidding; it should last through the end of the year.    LOL!

The Chili Dog Days of Summer...

Okay, I admit it...I'm being a little silly today!

It's been a hot & humid week in Central New York as it has been in most of the country. Below is a picture I took from my back door about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. Red skies...

Any rate, getting back to my topic. A couple of weeks ago, we had a Pizza Hut pizza party for my mother and aunt, both in their 80s. It brings so much pleasure to the two of them when we have these parties every so often, but last time my aunt said, "The next party needs to be a chili dog from the Patio Drive-In party."

I'm all for that; I love chili dogs and there are none better than the ones from Patio Drive-In.

So today, in honor of my mother and aunt, it is officially the Chili Dog Days of Summer Party which will be held at my mother's house later this afternoon.

Oh, I can't wait...chili dogs and fried onion rings with champagne; doesn't get much better than that!

Pucker Up, buttercup!

This weekend, even though it was hot and humid, I decided to make the muffin recipe that I posted in my last blog.

They were super easy to make (meaning, I didn't have to bring out my mixer!); they actually only took 20 minutes; and they are absolutely delicious. Of course, you have to like the taste of lemon.

I substituted a can of lemon pie filling for the lemon curd and it worked just fine. Other than that substitution, I followed the recipe exactly as written.

Comments from the peanut gallery were quite favorable; my son even thought the muffins would make a nice dessert. I definitely agree, but they would also make a wonderful choice to serve for breakfast, or brunch.

I am definitely going to add the muffins to my holiday menu!

My computer upgrade is about half way done. Yay! I hate disruption, but sometimes it cannot be helped. Still crossing my fingers that I am completely up and running in a couple of days!

Daylilies are in bloom...

...and they are spectacular!

About a month ago, I transplanted some purple and yellow daylilies on either side of my patio.

They are now in full bloom and I can see them from my kitchen window. What a great way to start the morning gazing out the window looking at the beautiful flowers and the birds that visit my yard; it takes the drudgery out of cutting several vegetables to cook in my omelet each morning.

For those of you who like recipes, here is one I plan on trying this weekend. It came across my Facebook feed this morning and just sounds so good given that the weather here is hot and sticky. What is better than lemonade on a hot, humid day?

Click on the picture for the recipe; there is also a recipe for a lemonade milk shake on the same page. Yum! The muffins are definitely on my to-do list for this weekend; the shake I probably will pass on, but I'm betting a tall glass of ice tea will go great with those muffins!

We are in the process of once again updating my computer system because I need more storage space. Besides writing this blog, I also write several other blogs for my online business as well as writing a blog about our town political shenanigans which includes videotapes of each town meeting and that takes a lot of computer space. I am hoping that the changeover to the new system will be this weekend (fingers crossed) so I probably will not be blogging at all for the next few days.

In the meantime, I'm off to my studio to finish creating my latest pattern that I will be releasing early next week. If you are in love with American Girl dolls (I actually have several) or know someone who is, my next pattern may be just what you are looking for!

Hope everyone finds some time to relax and stay cool in the days ahead!

Dog Days of Summer...

..."the sultry part of the summer, supposed to occur during the period that Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun: now often reckoned from July 3 to August 11." (Dictionary.com)

In honor of Sirius, I thought I would share a picture my son took a couple of days ago of my two faithful companions.

Dolly, on the right, is a Cockapoo that I adopted from the Rome Humane Society in 2008. According to papers I received at the adoption she is now 15+ years old; however, she has the spunk and playfulness of a puppy. She is my shadow.

Gracie, on the left, is a Pomeranian that I adopted from the Stevens-Swan Humane Society in 2014. She is now about seven years old. Gracie is a love bug; she is always looking to be scratched for hours on end.

Dog lovers will understand when I say that my furbabies are my joy! Please consider adopting a pet; there are so many looking for a loving home!

After the storm...

It rained...no, actually it poured in New Hartford, New York yesterday afternoon and evening. At times, I couldn't even see across the street as I looked out of my office window.

About 8:30 p.m. last night I looked out my window to see the most beautiful rainbow! The sun apparently decided to come out from behind the clouds just before it was time to give way to the night sky. Truly beautiful!

The rainbow looked like it was right over my house possibly ending in my backyard. I looked, but I didn't find a pot of gold in my backyard!

Luckily, we didn't have any flooding problems near our home. Living in New Hartford, that is actually a blessing almost better than a pot of gold!

However, there were reports of area flooding along with downed trees and wires. Major stormwater issues have plagued this town for years with millions of dollars already thrown at it, but to no avail.

A Peek into my kitchen...

...I have a recipe to share!

This weekend, my youngest son made a banana bar recipe with cream cheese frosting that is absolutely fabulous! I shared this recipe with my son last winter after I found it on the web; we have each made it several times since then.

I like to add raisins to the recipe; but my son used walnuts this time and it was delicious that way too.

My grandmother used to make a banana cake and this recipe brings back memories of sitting on her back porch swing enjoying the most delicious cake ever!

I'm still looking for a recipe to equal the wonderful flavor of my grandmother's applesauce cake. I have tried many that I have found online, but so far none rival my grandmother's recipe. It's fun to keeping trying though!

If you would like the recipe, you will find it on my Pinterest board Recipes from the web that are keepers!

It's Monday, back to my diet...

Ding-Dong...

Nope, it wasn't Avon, but it was the Fed Ex man.

Yesterday afternoon I was in my office taking an online class when the doorbell rang. The man said, "Catherine?" and I replied "Yes?" Then he handed me a tall, skinny white box that I first had to sign for before I could claim it as mine. I hadn't ordered anything Fed Ex; what could it be?

Unfortunately, I couldn't open it right away because I had to get back to class...the class was about marketing on Facebook. Heaven knows I need that information...Facebook isn't the easiest to figure out!

Anyway, when my class was finished, I opened my "surprise" package. Oh my, it was from my daughter who is stationed in Hawaii!

Inside the box was a live orchid plant!

I love plants, but I have never owned an orchid. From what I have read, it is not the easiest plant to grow, but what the heck, I am willing to give it a try! Hopefully, it will still be alive when my daughter visits me in the fall...fingers crossed.

According to the directions I found online, it needs 60-70 per cent humidity to flower. Well, there is my first problem! My home isn't exactly located in a tropical paradise! However, the online information said that I can mist each day and place the potted plant in a dish with stones and a little water. That is probably doable.

The article also suggested that the plant needs fertilizer. I just bought some fertilizer for my Sabi Star Sahara Desert Gemini Rose plants (which by the way are doing very well) so I should be able to use it on my orchid as well.

Other than that, some light and some prayers are all I need to grow my orchid!

Since I love taking pictures, I will document my orchid's progress so I can show my daughter that at least I tried even if her beautiful gift is not still alive by the time she gets here!

Sabi Star Sahara Desert Gemini Rose...

...that is the name for the latest addition to my houseplant collection; Pink Arabian Picotee is the particular color.

Last January, QVC had these plants as a Today's Special Value; oh, how I love QVC!

Anyway, the plants intrigued me so I decided to take a chance and advance order them to be delivered at the end of May.

Last week, the plants arrived at my door. Here they are right out of the package.

They are supposed to be planted in a large, but shallow preferably clay pot. So yesterday I was off to Home Depot to get the necessary pots; soil and stones for drainage.

Now they look like this:

However, according to the experts at Roberta's Gardens, within time they are supposed to look like this:

Don't they look kind of strange and different? According to the pamphlet that was enclosed in the package, by following a few easy instructions, my plants should have flowers by Christmas 2018. I know that's 18 months from now, ugh; I hope I'm not disappointed. I guess only time will tell!

I have always loved plants to add color both inside and outside of my home. For quite some time now, I have been growing African Violets under a grow light that I have on a table in my sewing room. I get the plants locally at Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses. I love walking through their greenhouse and never leave without a couple of plants to add to my collection.

My new Sabi Star plants need to be outside for the summer to soak up the sun and then brought inside this winter; so for now, they will spend the next few months on my patio.

Wish me luck!

Yesterday...

...was my birthday and my family spoiled me rotten.

Look what my son made for dessert; cream puffs, my favorite!

He also brought me breakfast and dinner so I basically didn't have to do anything yesterday except crochet!

Dinner was once again from Symeon's Greek Restaurant. I had Thracian Chicken and rice...so good. He also brought some tzatziki; pita bread; and a salad. The weather was so beautiful we enjoyed dinner on our deck.

I can't believe how the years have flown by!  Here I am with my brother when I was about two and he was three.

We were always together playing in our backyard and looking out for each other. We definitely didn't have any video games and I don't remember telling my mother that there was nothing to do.  We were happy playing cowboys and Indians (not politically correct to say now) and climbed trees with all our friends for entertainment.

Times sure have changed, but I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything!!

...And a great time was had by all!

The weather in CNY was absolutely beautiful for our Memorial Day picnic yesterday! Not too hot or humid, but warm and sunny; couldn't ask for a better day.

I have to tell everyone about the recipe I found last week on the King Arthur Flour website. I had no clue that you could actually make the New England style buns at home. There were actually two recipes; one for cornbread hot dog buns and one for buttery hot dog buns. Of course, I as soon as I saw the recipes, I just had to order a New England style hot dog bun pan.

The pan arrived at my door on Saturday and on Sunday evening I was putting the dough together using the recipes I found.

Here is a picture of some the ones I made:

Oh my, they were so good! The best part is that I know exactly what they were made of...no preservatives!

The dough recipe was very easy and required very little kneading unlike some breads I have made in the past. Definitely, they would be easy dough recipes for a beginner to handle. You could even use a bread machine if you have one large enough to handle the dough; I think one that makes a 2 pound loaf would work.

We grilled some of them as we were grilling the hot dogs so they would be warm and slightly crispy. Both buns were delicious, but I particularly liked the cornbread buns. In fact, I am going to work some of the leftover cornbread buns into my diet this week.

As a side dish, I made a Mr. Food recipe for Hillbilly Beans. I have made this recipe many times and I thought it would be a good addition to the hot dogs and cheeseburgers. If you love using a slow cooker, you might want to try this recipe; it's so easy to do. After you put everything together, you set the slow cooker for either 4 hours (high) or 6 hours (low).

When I make the beans, I always cook on low for 6 hours. I also add those little cocktail hotdogs during the last hour of cooking even though the recipe doesn't call for adding them.

In addition, I made Hawaiian Macaroni Salad; my youngest son made tomato pie, pizza muffins and carrot cake; and my oldest son brought shrimp.

You can find the recipes for the hot dog buns and Hillbilly beans on my Pinterest board...Recipes that I have to try.

Come to think about it...I guess I should make a new Pinterest board for recipes that I tried and loved. All three (3) of these recipes would definitely be included on that board!

A little self-promotion...

I'm finally finished hand-sewing the prototype for the pattern I have been working on. Just have to do a little re-reading and clean-up of the written instructions. Before I make my designs available in my Etsy store, I like to make sure that anyone who sews one of my patterns can easily know what I am saying when they read the instructions .

It has taken me almost a year to get to this point with this particular design. Sometimes my patterns just seem to take shape on the first try and sometimes, it takes many tries before I get what I want. In that case, I put it aside for a while and focus on other projects.

That is exactly what I did with this one. The idea was in my head, but the design just didn't come together to suit me until just recently.

Normally, my passion is to create doll patterns, but for variety's sake (variety is the spice of life, right?) I also like to create other sewing patterns as new ideas pop into my head.

This particular design, depicting one of my favorite quotes, uses wool felt and is typically called a candle mat or penny rug which was popular in the 18th century. It can be used as either a table decoration or wall hanging.

That's it for now...I hope everyone will remember to always...

Throwback Thursday...

Thought I would have a little fun since it is Throwback Thursday. I think I was in 4th or 5th grade in this picture.

Wow...how time flies! It doesn't seem like this picture was taken just 20 years ago (probably because it wasn't).

At any rate, I am just happy to be no matter what my age. Age is only a number!

I woke up with good intentions...

...but my furbaby Gracie had other ideas.

So, instead of working to finish the new pattern I plan to add to my shop later this week, I decided to give in to her wishes. (It really didn't take a lot of convincing on her part!)

Gracie is sporting her new haircut...the teddy bear cut that is popular for Pomeranians. It should be a little cooler for the summer months.

Anyway, a little spoiling is in order because she has to go to the vet today for a check-up. I can finish my new design after we get back home!

Life is good!

Another Week-ends Off...

I first have to share my grandson's picture taken at his concert on Wednesday:

That's my little guy...he was a little tired after singing!

O.K., now I have to share what new recipes I made for dinner last night so that I could sorta stick with my diet.

For starters, I made Greek Lemon Pilaf:

Absolutely, delicious...I found the recipe on Food.com.

Next, I made Skinny Honey Lemon Chicken:

Recipe from Ali Ebright (Gimme Some Oven)...Another winner although I didn't use the sesame seeds. Next time I might add a few cashews and fresh broccoli though.

As a side dish, I cut up some fresh strawberries and steamed some baby carrots. Everything together made an excellent dinner and there was enough left for dinner tonight so I would say you could easily feed four (4) people with these recipes.

If you like recipes (or just want to see what things I like to do), check out my Pinterest!

By the way, you can get the two recipes I shared by clicking on the pictures.

It's getting warmer...

Sunshine today in Central New York; sunny enough so I was able to set up my fountain and it worked! I'm still not sure of where it is located; I may change it once I start planting some flowers.

The fountain has two sensors that need direct sunlight for the water to flow. On dreary days, it will only be a bird bath, but that's o.k. too! Even I work better on sunny days!!

At any rate, here is a picture of it today, with the water flowing...

The forecast in the next few days is for it to be in the 70s; the warmer weather can't come soon enough for me. Perhaps, I will be able to have a barbecue for Memorial Day this year. Usually, it is cold and wet that weekend, but there is always hope!

My grandson is singing in a school concert tonight and I will have my movie camera with me for sure!

Bring Your Most Admired Woman to Lunch Today...

...at my grandson's school. It's a tradition every Spring and in the Fall they have the Most Admired Man.

I was honored to join my grandson for a lunch of his choice (I even stole a kiss on his cheek in the hall; the look on his face was precious!). Of course, his choice for lunch was a McDonald's Happy Meal with some cookies added by Grandma. An unheard of lunch in my day, but I guess times change.

He had to show me his loose tooth which is probably one of his last "baby teeth":

As he was eating, he said, "Do you know why I chose you to be my most admired women?" I asked why and he said "Because I love you!"

Being a Grandma is one of the best things in life aside from being a Mom!

I have to share a recipe...

As I have already said in my first post, I am on a diet...and it is actually working!

Part of the fun is looking for healthy recipes that are also delicious as an incentive to keep on the diet even though I have "weekends off".

Last night I made a dish called "Sauteed Orange Chicken" which I found in the May 2016 issue of Woman's Day.

The chicken was juicy, the warmed sliced navel oranges were to die for and the veggies; fresh asparagus and snow peas...what can I say? I also cut up some fresh strawberries to have on the side.

Since there was more than enough for two people, there will be leftovers tonight which will make it an easy dinner; I will be looking for "easy" after visiting with my mother this afternoon.

The weather in Central New York today is cloudy and cold. Yuck! I can't wait to get outside and start decorating my yard with pretty flower planters. I just received a fountain with cherubs that I ordered from QVC and I am anxious to get it set up, but it will have to wait for another day.

If you are wanting to try the recipe I shared, just click on the picture to go directly to the page on Woman's Day magazine website where you can print the complete recipe.

Have a good one, everyone!

Not quite strawberry picking time in CNY yet, but...

...a FREE crochet pattern came across my Facebook newsfeed a couple of weeks ago and I immediately knew I had to make a few to go with the lemons I crocheted at the beginning of April.

I must admit, I have been eating strawberries all winter, but there is nothing like freshly picked strawberries that I can buy from all the local farmer's markets in June.

I used to make homemade strawberry jam, but I haven't done that in quite a few years. As long as my son is home visiting right now, perhaps I can persuade him to help me make a couple of batches (if I let him take some home with him).

Otherwise, I will just cut up some strawberries and put a little Chobani yogurt on top and enjoy while I wait for blueberry season in July!

If anyone is a crocheter and would like the FREE strawberry pattern from craftymarie, just click on the picture to go to her website.

This is a new one on me!

For Mother's Day, my oldest son, along with his wife and my grandson, gave me a beautiful glass wasp catcher.

I have to say that I have never heard of such a thing, but I do have problems with wasps under the eaves over my back door. So, as I always do when I don't know something, I Googled it!

Apparently, I must be one of the only people that have never heard of a wasp catcher. There are all kinds of reviews left by others who have used them. According to the reviews, these beautiful glass catchers work very well.

The directions say to fill the bottom of the vessel with a sugar water mix; I used the same mix that I make for my hummingbird feeder. There is a reservoir around the bottom of the unit with a small hole where wasps can fly in, but are unable to fly back out. Who knew?

At any rate, if this helps to get rid of these pests, I will be one happy person! If not, I will still enjoy the beautiful gift from my children. It actually looks awesome in the sunlight!

Besides the flowers that I received from my daughter earlier in the week, my youngest son gave me some of my favorite perfume and for dinner last night he ordered take-out for several delicious dishes from Symeon's Greek Restaurant. Those of you who are from Central New York probably have either heard of, or eaten at, Symeon's. Absolutely delicious food!

I am so blessed to share such a wonderful Mother's Day with my children yesterday!

Oh, what a night!

I love having my children visiting and eating at my home. The food was good, and the hat was a success. My grandson asked me to make one for his birthday in October (as if I didn't already have plans to do just that!)

As luck would have it, my son brought out his gorilla hat and my grandson immediately asked if he could borrow it. I guess his school is having "Hat Day" this Wednesday and he wants to be King Kong. I love it!

It is actually a nice day here in Central New York with the sun occasionally peeking out. It is definitely time to get the sugar and water solution made for my hummingbirds.

This year, for Mother's Day, my daughter-in-law and son brought me a very pretty glass wasp catcher to hang in my backyard. I never heard of one, but I am going to try it because we definitely have wasps that like to hang-out over our back garage door. I will be posting pictures when I get it hung up.

Has anyone ever heard of a wasp catcher or used one? I would love to hear about it!