Last evening we headed over the river and through the woods... OK, maybe that's not quite the way it was.  We were invited to Aunt Lola Faye and Uncle Bob's for dinner on the other side of town - and town is pretty big these days.  Lola Faye's daughter (Kendall's cousin) Janet and her husband Doyle were visiting for a long weekend.  Kendall's parents are still here from Kansas so we had a really nice family time with the 8 of us around the table.

The table was set beautifully

Our fabulous hosts (and exceptional cooks!) - Lola Faye and Bob

We love these people!

The grilled asparagus and the pork chops were grilled to perfection

Janet and Lola Faye finding the dates for the family reunion in 2013



A Cool and Rainy Sunday

We awoke to the sound of rain gently falling and unseasonable coolness.  It didn't even make it out of the 50's today.  We hear there was a lot of snow in the north country.  Kendall's folks are still in town and we were able to join up with some additional family members for lunch.

Del with Margaret (not pictured)

Kendall's Dad (Larry), Bob & Lola Faye

Kendall and his Mom (Donna)

This afternoon there was a beautiful full, double rainbow.  Of course the picture doesn't do it justice!

Breakfast Rolls

I was in the mood for some cinnamon rolls, but not just my regular cinnamon rolls.  Sooo, I added some raisins and pecans to a set in one pan and in another pan I spread Nutella instead of cinnamon, butter and sugar.  Then, to mix it up even more I frosted them with a cream cheese frosting instead of the caramel frosting.

The regular cinnamon rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting - the verdict is to use the traditional Caramel Frosting with these

Additions of raisins and pecans in this one - the verdict is that they are good with the additions, but again, caramel frosting is the go-to.

Nutella inside, yum!  I love the stuff, so maybe I have a bias.  They are quite tasty and I like the Cream Cheese Frosting with these.  I used a recipe for the frosting that I found on Pinterest (much easier/faster than Caramel Frosting). 

 

How Pretty!

What a pleasant surprise to have this beautiful bouquet on the kitchen table and supper being prepared by my wonderful mother-in-law and her friend Vi.

Spring Training

We spent an enjoyable afternoon with Hesston Alumni at a Chicago Cubs/LA Dodgers Spring Training game.

Jenell and Doug

Doug, Jenell, me & Kendall

There were many others there: Bob & Lola Faye, Larry & Donna, to name a few.



Quiet Sunday

Kendall's parents, aunts and uncle are all here for the annual Spring trek.  After attending the early church service we went out for brunch and then home for a relaxing day.

Aunt Grace and Kendall's Mom

We played several rounds of Quick Scrabble

The sisters - Lola Faye, Grace, Donna Mae

 And here we are still smiling... they make hosting easy

Ice Cream

My friend Jennifer flew into town yesterday afternoon.  She is speaking at one of the Universities today.  Michelle and I met up with her at Mary Coyle, a retro ice cream parlor.  I had a delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream cone - waffle of course!

Michelle & Jennifer

PF Chang

It's always nice to have friends come to town!  Last night we were able to have dinner with Jenell, Doug, Marge, Mara and Marilyn.  Even though we live in the same town as Marilyn, we just don't get together often enough.

Jenell and Mara

Marge and Marilyn

Iced Coffee

I've been looking at variations of Iced Coffee using the cold brew methodology.  I used the recipe from The Pioneer Woman, making a half batch.  I didn't really need two gallons of the stuff!

Straining the grounds took quite awhile.  A suggestion was to use coarser grinds - I think I'll do that next time.

The coffe is fairly strong - another reason to use a coarser grind next time.  I took the recipe for the 'creamer' from Craving Comfort.  It is a mixutre Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk. 

   

The result was pretty good, but I think I may enjoy old fashioned 1/2 & 1/2 just as much or more.

What could make it better?  Chocolate!!  It made for a decent iced mocha.  Certainly worth another try tomorrow morning!



Sunday Dinner

It was nice to spent a lovely Sunday Dinner with Aunt Lola Faye, Uncle Bob and Cousin Jill who was in town visiting from Iowa.  I wish I would have snapped a picture! 

Hockey

Last weekend Kendall's friend Dan was in town with his son Paul.  Paul was skating in a hockey tournament and we were able to catch a game Friday evening.  Kendall returned Saturday to catch them in another win.

Get Well Wishes

This week Kendall received get well wishes from two very special young ladies!

Thank you Emma!

Thank you Rachel!

He's feeling better already.



Gaither Homecoming Tour

We had a great 'date night' last night, heading to Westgate to have dinner and then attend the Gaither concert.  Great music!  A small glimpse of what Heaven may be like with all that great harmony. Joining the Vocal Band were The Nelons and The Martins.



Goodies from Home

Mom sent a HUGE box of chocolates and a fun monkey to Kendall (& me).  I'm sure that will help speed his recovery along!  Thanks Mom!



Recuperation

On Thursday Kendall had his left shoulder and bicep repaired.  We've been laying low allowing the healing process to take hold.  With the trusty shoulder cooling apparatus, good pain medication and movies as a distraction, we've been doing OK.

The sling will be in place for about 3 weeks.

Happy Birthday Kelly

We headed home from a weekend at the cabin to wish Kendall's cousin Kelly a happy birthday at  a gathering for a few friends and family.  It was a cool and cloudy day, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the picnic Uncle Del, Aunt Margaret and Kelly's wife Jayna cooked up.

Bunko Queen?

I won at my monthly Bunko game last night for having the most Bunkos.  That's when you roll all three of your dice with the number that correlates with the round.

I got all the Bunkos at the same table that happened to be located in the living room where a football game was airing.  The football stickers seemed to be appropriate.  One of the gifts in the prize bag was a magnet (pictured on the score card) that proclaims - Bunko Queen.

Christmas Gift put to Use

I was welcomed home to the aroma of dinner cooking as I walked in the house this evening. 

My Christmas gift from back home - just the right size crock pot for dinner for 2!

Chicken Pot Pie

Cover Girl?

I've been involved with a group in the state regarding the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on The Future of Nursing, and the Arizona response.  It's good work that is rewarding.  We met at the old capitol building for a photo op and it was used as the cover of the Board of Nursing Regulatory Journal.

New Years Christmas

In our usual tradition, my family got together over New Years to celebrate our Christmas.  It was a quick weekend for Kendall and I as we flew in on Friday and back home Monday, but well worth it!

Friday evening we all had dinner at the Casselman.

 Phebe's family; with about 25 of us there we took over the small dinning room and several tables.



New Year's Eve we opened gifts - a gift to exchange as well as our Christmas stockings.

The view from where I sat.  Everyone is required to show up in their pajamas.

Chloe loved to pose as was the center of attention (and loved it!).

Rachel and Kristen

Mass bedlam!

Rachel trying out her glowing nose.

Turkey - both roasted and fried - were on the menu for dinner.

Of course naps were in order.

Chloe and Naomi

Emma made it to the Bell Ringing at The Casselman, and even stayed awake to help ring the bell.

Chloe and her Grandma

The Chicago airport Monday on the way home.  The concourse was so pretty!