So, Bunny challenged us from her blog to share a Holiday recipe.  I have one that is particularly special to me - it’s my Papa Red’s gingerbread recipe. So, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I thought this one would be perfect!

Papa Red’s Gingerbread Recipe

2/3 C Shortening            1 C Boiling Water

1/3 C Maple Molasses      2 Eggs (unbeaten)

1/3 C Dark Karo Syrup     2 C Flour

2/3 C Sugar                   1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Baking Soda        1/2 tsp Baking Powder

2 tsp Ginger                   1 tsp Cinnamon

***************************************************

§ Add shortening to mixing bowl

§ Pour boiling water over shortening and let stand until shortening is melted

§ Add molasses, karo, sugar, and unbeaten eggs

§ Stir until the sugar is dissolved

§ Sift Dry ingredients into mixture

§ Beat until smooth (batter will be thin)

§ Pour into a greased and floured 9”x13″ pan

§ Bake at 350^° for 30 - 40 minutes

Mmmm - I love this stuff!  My mom recalls that even when times were really tough for them, Papa would make this in the winter time after he was done working in the field.  So, there you have it, a lil bit of history.

Have a fabulous Friday and an amazing Weekend…and for Papa, hug someone you love!

Shannon

Ok, I told you there were LOTS of new goodies at DSO.  Mindi was kind enough to gather links and pictures (THANK YOU) so I could easily share with you (click the previews to head to the stores).  First up is my first paper pack - inspired by my Nana and her courageous fight with breast cancer.  She’s a 2-time survivor and the strongest woman I know.  She is truly amazing and if I can be half the woman she is in my lifetime, I will have done well.

Next up we have Jazzy’s new WordArt sets - she’s been busy now that her computer has been repaired.

Darlene has been busy too - she has 3 news kits in her store - 2 winter/holiday themed kits and one fun “coffee” theme kit.

If you missed Andrea’s latest freebies, they’re available in her store now - along with a new kit that will be perfect for your Thanksgiving memories.

Livia has released really cute buttons - inspired by the emoticons that are so popular in the online community.

Kim has revealed her latest grab bags, with too many products to list - all of them amazing (I snagged the bags).  The preview goes to Kim’s store where you can check out all of her new items.

And lastly, in addition to the items I showed you yesterday, Mindi also has a 2nd QP set available for you!

Wow - I told you we’d been busy lil Designers!

In response to a question in one of my blog comments, Tumbletime is a Mommy and Me pre-gymnastics program offered at one of the local establishments.  They also offer swimming and dance programs.  Nadya was eligible to participate starting at 13 months, but I didn’t pursue it until she was 18 months.  I wasn’t ready to introduce her to all of the “social” germs when she was that young and we were in the middle of summer vacations and planning a move, so the timing wasn’t as good for us.  Although I can definitely tell which children have been participating for a long period of time, I’m glad we waited.  Nadya is mobile and stable on her feet and is really interested in exploring her world, so she really enjoys the activity.  I may pursue a Kindermusik class in January too - we’ll see how it things go and what our budget looks like.

Alright, it’s time for me to head to bed.  Have a great Friday!

Shannon

I thought I’d pop-in quickly before heading to Tumbletime with my daughter.  There are so many new goodies available - I can’t possibly show them all to you! Let’s start with Kristine’s new collab kit with Diane aka Carjazi, Winter Wonderland. I love the color scheme and it’s so versatile - perfect for winter, Holiday, or just about any other occasion LOs of anyone or anything!  This kit is HUGE  (38 papers,  3 alphas and too many elements to mention) and it’s on-sale until the 18th - you DON’T want to miss this!  Click the preview to visit the Wench’d Grafix Store.

Up next is Mindi - and she’s been BUSY!  All of these goodies are ON SALE, but not for long!  Click the previews to visit her store.

I’m running out of time this morning, so I’ll be back later with more goodies and general chit-chat.  Have a great Wednesday!

Shannon

I’m sure there are plenty of you who are really excited about the outcome of the US election last night, but I am NOT one of them.  I sincerely hope that Mr. Obama can come through with all of the “promises” and rhetoric WITHOUT turning us into a completely Socialist society.  I must admit that I have been concerned for some time now regarding the direction things have been trending, now I am WORRIED!  “Share the Wealth” and Universal Healthcare sound great in theory, but there is no such thing as a free ride and the government taking from some to give to others sounds frighteningly like Socialism to me.  Plus, having worked for the Government, and seeing the convoluted and paper-work driven (or ridden) system they work under, I don’t want them involved in making my healthcare decisions or deciding how my paycheck should be spent and let’s not get started on Government owned insurance and banking…  I hope there are enough moderates in both parties that can keep things from going completely crazy and that we can survive the next 4 years without any major catastrophes.  I guess the bottom line is that I believe if you don’t work then you don’t get paid and if you don’t contribute you don’t get anything back (read social security and medicare here - if you don’t contribute then you aren’t entitled to benefits)…and I don’t want my children and grandchildren paying the bills for debts that aren’t theirs.  Anyhow, I guess time will tell and hopefully set my worries at ease.

In other news, have you visited DSO lately?  Most of the November challenges are up and there are some new goodies in the store.  For instance, Bunny has 3 new alphas that are awesome and Lynn’s new kit, Adorably Sweet, is just that - adorable!  Click the previews to visit their stores.

And lastly, feel like giving back a little?  DSO is sponsoring a Friends for Food drive and you can enter to win a FABULOUS goodie basket! Checkout this blog for more info.

I need to run - today Nadya starts tumbling! Have a great day!

Shannon

I can officially say October has been a month I’m glad I don’t have to repeat!  Technically, I guess it all started back in September with the offer letter debacle and my dear Papa Red’s (my grandfather) knee surgery.  To summarize the offer letter/relocation status, we aren’t moving.  The company FINALLY decided on October 9 to call and tell us they weren’t going to honor the offer letter we received nor would the entertain the counter offer we sent to try to work with them…they would only honor the offer letter HR had - which was NOT the one we received or accepted nor was it anywhere near as completely awesome as the original.  I was really disappointed - that’s an understatement really, but on that particular day I didn’t have the time or energy to deal with them.  Rewind briefly to September 16, my Papa Red went in for knee replacement surgery - his knee was giving out and he was rapidly reaching the point of being unable to walk, so the surgery was a must even though he was also fighting signs of dementia and associated ailments.  The loss of his mobility would have meant the rapid loss of his being able to live at home, so after visits and consultations with several doctors, everyone agreed the surgery was the best option.  Between Nana and the surgeon, an excellent rehab/physical therapy center was located and everything was set.  He had the surgery without any complications and seemed to be ok, other than the anesthesia aggravating his dementia.  He didn’t receive exactly stellar care at the hospital post-surgery as it appeared the staff didn’t want to take the time to get him up and have him walking and moving about like he should have been, but that’s beside the point.  He was transferred to the rehab center where he developed a nasty fever, so he was sent to different hospital for treatment (antibiotics etc) for what appeared to be a kidney/bladder infection.  He went back to rehab and was doing ok, not great but ok - they had him up moving around and taking a shower.  Then on Tuesday, October 7 something happened…we still don’t know exactly what.  Nana and one of my cousins went to visit him midmorning and he was slumped over in a wheelchair and couldn’t be awakened.  The Nurse indicated he’d done fine at breakfast - eaten well and chatted - but there was obviously a problem now.  So he was transferred via ambulance to the hospital again (not the one where he had surgery, the one that treated the fever/infection). He was obviously in A LOT of pain and in/out of consciousness (mostly out).  By Tuesday night it was apparent to the Doctor that he probably wasn’t going to recover, but time would tell.   On Wednesday Nana met with a Hospice facility and he was transferred to a very nice care facility, the best I’ve ever seen in the US.  Thursday morning my mom’s cousin called me and said she really thought I needed to be there, so I called my mom and we left (this was the same day the other company called and said they weren’t going to honor the offer letter).  We made it to Nana’s late Thursday evening (it’s a 7 hour drive or so) and went to see Papa early Friday morning.  He could hear us and would squeeze your hand, but was technically not conscious by that point.  It broke my heart to see him that way and poor Nadya didn’t understand why she couldn’t get on the bed and sit with Papa (although she did say his name a couple of times - a first for her).  My dad and sister (along with her kiddos) headed over early Friday morning and arrived mid-afternoon.  Friday evening we had a little celebration as it was Nana’s birthday.  It was also the first time all 7 of their Great-Grandchildren were together.  We did get a good picture of the kids together and it was quite entertaining to have 4 17-month olds in the same house - when you add a 5 year old, a 27-month old, and a 3-month old Nana had a house full!  Saturday morning 2 of my cousins and their kids headed back to their respective homes as they’d been at Nana’s all week, so we were down to Ricky, Nadya, and the twins as far as little ones went.  My uncle called as I was about to get in the shower and said we’d better come on to the facility, so I skipped the shower, dressed Nadya and myself rapidly and off we went (with my Mom)…Dad and Amanda followed with the other kids.  We got there around 10:00 am and gathered around his bed.  We sang his favorite hymns and told stories and around 1 pm he slipped away.  I was holding my sleeping baby and my Papa’s hand.  It was truly very peaceful, but so heart breaking too! I don’t know that I was really emotionally prepared for being there when he passed, but I am so glad I was.  He had an amazing send-off from this life and an even more amazing reception in Heaven.  My heart still hearts, but I just take things day by day (I was very close to my Grandparents - even living 7 hours away as I was only 2 hours away for a long time and they were instrumental in my completing college and pursuing my career prior to starting my family as well as always being supportive and providing sound advice and lives that anyone could use as examples to live by).  My dear, sweet, wonderful husband came over on Sunday and even stopped over in Alamogordo long enough to pick-up my younger brother (who had to work) and my sister’s husband (who also had been working).  It was both Yasha’s and Monte’s first introduction to all of our family at once - poor guys!!!  I must say having my husband there was a huge relief for me - I needed his strength and his support - and Nadya was definitely happy to see her Daddy!  In a final twist, my poor Nana was struck with a horrible stomach bug to the point she was unable to get out of bed - so she was unable to attend the services that Tuesday and my mom didn’t want her to be alone, so she stayed home with her (unfortunately that same bug hit most everyone in varying degrees and at different times).  All family drama aside, the services were amazing - the best I’ve ever been to as far as those sorts events go.  It was beautiful - a real tribute to who he was and how he lived his life.  I can honestly say he will be missed and they just don’t make ‘em like him any more!!!   If you want to read a little about him, here’s the online memorial.

I must say, I’m glad to be home and so blessed to have had my Papa Red for as long as I did and to still have Nana - who is such a strong and amazing woman.  She is such an inspiration on so many levels!!  I’m also extremely blessed to have married the man I did and have my beautiful and healthy baby girl!  Papa was so proud of us, and so grateful for his family, that I’m choosing the focus on that too!  Being grateful for all that I have and all that I have been given…

I hope you guys are all having a fabulous day!  I’m getting a little weepy, so I’m going to close for now, but I’ll be back in a bit with more news only this time it’ll be happy! :)  Thanks for reading!

Shannon