Grandma's Cucumber Salad

This is a salad that has been made in my family for many, many years.  Maybe it's not that uncommon, I don't know.  It always reminds me of my precious grandma though. You will always find this on her dinner table during the summer time.  It's a very simple and good recipe. I'll give you the recipe that makes a lot, but I would say a family of four would probably want to half-it. 

 All you need:
7-8 Cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 Small Onion, preferably red, sliced
1 Cup Miracle Whip
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup White Vinegar

Just slice up your cucumbers and onions.  Notice the edges on the cucumbers pictured below.  Grandma taught me how to do this when I was very young.  All you do is peel the cucumber, then take a fork and score it all the way down the length of the cucumber.  It just gives it a little pizazz.

In a separate bowl combine the Miracle Whip, sugar and vinegar.  Mix it well and then pour it on top of the cucumbers and onions.  Stir.  That's all there is to it!

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Blessings

Last week there were two different ladies who really blessed me.  One of them was a woman who called because she knew that Red Shoes would probably be having surgery soon, and she remembered that our baby was due soon too.  She left a message saying that she had been remembering our family during this time.  When I called her back we had a nice conversation.  She's such an amazing woman.  She broke her hip last winter and could choose to focus her attention on herself, or her needs, but instead she wanted to make sure we knew she was thinking of us. 

The other was an elderly woman that my husband and kids ran into at breakfast on Saturday morning.  She gave the kids M&M's.  Whenever she sees them she always asks if they can have them.  Anyway, I had errands to run that morning & my husband knew I needed some "alone" time.  When I arrived home there was a message from her wondering when Red Shoes' birthday was and how old he is.  She wanted to be able to send him a card for his birthday when it comes around.  When I called her back we talked about Red Shoes' upcoming surgery.  She had asked my husband earlier that morning if she could put him on the prayer chain at her church.  He was happy to agree.  When I talked to her she said that Red Shoes was on the prayer chain at three different church's.  We will gladly take all the prayers we can get. 

It is so cool when people step out in faith to lift you or your family/situation up to God.  I want to strive to do the same.  It really doesn't even take that much.  I think many times I talk myself out of doing anything, because I try to turn it into too much.  It doesn't take a lot to make people feel loved and cared for.  Phone calls in this situation...and I'm still thinking of those women who really moved me, and how they have cared for me and my family. Pin It

Margherita Pizza

You must try this!  Wow, one of the best new recipes I've made recently.  You can find the recipe for the pizza crust here.  This has become my "go to" recipe for a quick and easy crust. 

Margherita Pizza Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
8 Roma tomatoes, sliced (or just use what ever kind you have available)
pizza crust (see above)
8 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
10 fresh basil leaves, washed, dried, minced
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:

• Mix together olive oil, garlic and salt; toss with tomatoes, let sit for 15 minutes.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Brush pizza crust with some of the tomato marinade.

• 
  
  Sprinkle pizza with Mozzarella cheese

• Place tomato slices on top of pizza, then sprinkle with basil, Parmesan and Feta cheeses.

• Bake in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Enjoy!

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Summer Goodness

The kids and I went out and picked some tomatoes this morning.  This was the first day that all of our varieties were ready. Up to this point, all we were getting were Cherry tomatoes and Lemon Boy tomatoes.  I was so excited to pick our first Black Krim. 
Here's a picture of all of them.  Beautiful!

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I Don't Get It...

 So, I had to go to the doctor this morning because I found a tick on me last night.  Ewwww!  Normally I wouldn't be concerned, but since I'm pregnant, I thought it was better to be safe than sorry.  I'm visiting with the doctor and he says, "how many (kids) will this make for you?"  I told him that this would be our third.  He said, "you know we have medicine for that".  I wish I was quick on my feet...but I'm not.  If only he knew all the medicine we've taken to have our babies.  Babies that we have wanted to be part of our family. Babies that we have hoped and prayed for...and continue to do so.  Babies that we have seen the heartbeats of, but never been able to hold. 

Since when did it become undesireable to want or have more than two children?   I think it says a lot for what our society puts its value in. I suppose those individuals wouldn't get me driving a 1995 Toyota Camry either. 

I love my kids, and I'm so glad God has blessed me with them.  They are all so precious, and I couldn't imagine life without them. Pin It

Meet my new baby...

Isn't he precious?  A little too big for his brothers bassinet,

but precious all the same!

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Vacation 2010

We had a great summer vacation.  We went to the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, MO.  The kids had a few firsts...bowling, bumper boating, and a ride on a big boat.  Happy Feet was a great little bowler. 

I asked Red Shoes what his favorite part of vacation was and he said the "num, num".  That's food.  That's my boy!  He was cracking me up...by the end of vacation he was placing his napkin in his lap for our meals. 

Happy Feet started telling us when she had to poop!  She's got it down I think (that part anyway).  For parents who are having another baby soon that's a wonderful milestone!

Here's some photos from our trip:

Think she could get any more comfortable?

Our happy little score keepers

The family bowling shoes...

They loved the water slide!

On our boat ride

Peering out a window on the boat

Playing with bubbles on our balcony.  They loved this.  They have such a fun dad!

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