Happy Birthday "E"

My favorite nephew whose name starts with "E" is having his 12th birthday today.

I am sure for his parents they are thinking HOW can he already be 12. Because I know I can not believe it!

"E" is an exceptional young man. His mind thinks in ways that I can not even explain...brilliant is an understatement.

But, with all the brains he has common sense.

He has a sense of humor that is contagious.

He has such a big heart.

He is always very polite.

and he has Celiac Disease.

A year ago when they were here for summer vacation, poor "E" could not hardly eat anything without becoming sick, and the weight loss that he was having was so scary.

When my sister returned home to Arizona she took "E" to get checked out.

When the tests came back they diagnosed him with Celiac.

I had never heard of it.

But, I do know this...

NO wheat flour or modified wheat flour.

When they came to visit last month, Lene went to buy some of the products that would be used to prepare meals that "E" would be able to eat.

I about had a heart attack when I saw what they charge for "Gluten Free" Products.

'Lene walked out of the store with a small bag of groceries and I had a cart full of groceries I think my total was only $10.00 more!!! That is crazy!!!

I was glad they had treats that "E" could have because I knew the rest of us would have some.

AND we found CREAM OF MUSHROOM Soup, do you know how many things you make with cream of_ soup???

Progresso Soup's are gluten free which is really cool.

and guess what else is Gluten Free

Yep, Good ol' Potatoes!

and I know how to cook with potatoes!

I even made homemade gluten free Potato Soup.

I am sure my sister 'Lene will make a wonderful meal and birthday cake for "E"

and it will all be gluten free.

Happy Birthday Dad

 Today my dad is 70 years old.



picture is aprox 8 yrs old



Happy Birthday!

I do love you.

Happy Birthday Josh!

It is hard to believe it has been 28 years ago that I first got to see Josh's face.

Josh's 1st birthday was celebrated in Spokane, Washington at

Grandpa & Grandma Angle's.

Josh's first birthday cake when we decorated with frosting and not

fondant.

Oh, what a party you had...but that is the way Grandma Geneva did everything...

the biggest and best...

Josh got a cool western outfit for his b-day too.

The same week that Josh's had his first birthday he also took his first steps.

Ro and I were setting on my mom's kitchen floor and off you went.

Happy Birthday Josh, I love you!

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Mom

My mom would be 69 years old today....

She was born in Odessa, Texas

Her mother passed away when she was very young and her father disappeared.

She was taken in by her Uncle and his wife in Arizona... Her Uncle passed away  a few years later and his wife MY GRANDMA (who I though was my Biological grandma until I was in High School)

raised her and her younger brother's with her children (my aunts and uncles)

 

She grew up knowing she was loved.

My mom LOVED to dance...

My mom was BEAUTIFUL

not only on the outside but the inside.

My mom was amazing...she could pretty much do anything...

My mom could cook, bake, craft, clean, iron, and make the best candy ever! 

My mom had  her 5 children "know"  they  were her favorite.

My mom could put a party together like nobody I know.

My mom made the most beautiful flower arrangements.

My mom loved to cater weddings.

My mom loved to share her talents.

My mom loved to do stuff with her friends.

My mom loved being a MOM.

My mom could make you smile on your loneliest days.

My mom loved ice cold PEPSI

My mom was real...

Every bit of her...

My mom had a testimony of her Savior,  Jesus Christ and of our Father in heaven.

She lived it everyday.

My mom's favorite Birthday Cake was Texas Sheet Cake,

 so in honor of my mom, Geneva's Birthday

Here is her Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

 "The Pioneer Woman" uses the same recipe as my mom

she has great pictures to follow on how to make it on her site.

       

       FOR THE CAKE:

•  2 cups Flour
• 2 cups Sugar
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 2 sticks Butter
• 1 cup Boiling Water
• ½ cups Buttermilk
• 2 whole Beaten Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

        FOR FROSTING:

• ½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1-¾ stick Butter
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 6 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions

Note: I use an 18×13 sheet cake pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.
Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Cut into squares and Enjoy

Happy Birthday MOM

I love you and miss you.

and for the record...

I WAS HER FAVORITE!
Yes, my sister lene has her name on all the pictures of my mom..

Ali Is 21!!

My sweet daughter in law, Ali turned 21 years old

on May 19th.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and my phone does not take very good pictures.

 hopefully you will get the idea...

Ali knew we were going to have a party but not an idea of what we wanted the theme to be...

Because none of us are alcohol drinkers...

BUT, We went all out...I mean she is legal!!!

We had cup cakes...all made after different drinks.

I found most of my ideas on The Cup Cake Club.

Though the cupcake recipes are made with alcohol, I was able to adjust with extra cocktail mix or juice.

 Our Margarita Cupcakes

The frosting was SOOOOO good. We added jelly lemon and limes to the top.

Here are the Piña Colada cupcakes with roasted Coconut on top

I am sure you can guess the next one...

Yep, Strawberry Daiquiri

I did not get a picture of the Cosmo Cupcake.
We had fun trying to mix drinks...

The pictures of the following drinks are from Google

The Cosmo...total hit

Made with Sprite, orange juice, cranberry juice and a little ice.

The Strawberry Daiquiri

  made with Master of Mixes Strawberry Daiquiri/Margarita Mix,

white grape juice, lime juice and ice and yes topped with a strawberry and lime slice.

The Margarita

Made with Sprite, Master of Mixes Margareta Mix and stirred with ice.

The Piña Colada

Master of Mix, Ice and Pineapple topped with a cherry & pineapple.

Ali comes from an amazing family. 

They came with finger foods for the night.

It really was fun!!!!

Thanks Ali for becoming legal so we could have a really fun time because

you are finally 21 !!!

Happy Birthday To My Sister

I have the most beautiful sister ever.

No matter her age...

She has just 2 real weaknesses



not the waffles...the chocolates



She is a great wife

has always stood by me...even dressing her girls in Red

she is such a good mom.

She has taught her kidlets to enjoy life and have fun

and more importantly she has taught her family to love their Father in Heaven.

I have always known she will have my back.

I love you Lene....

There is really nothing you could do about me being your sister

I am so grateful you chose to be my best friend.

Disclaimer: I "borrowed"most of  my pictures  for 'Lene's Blog

Hard To Believe

My new heart is 8 months old!!

I have had my donor on my mind so much...

maybe because of the holidays.

I hope and pray that my donors family know how much I truly appreciate them...

they still hold a very special place in this amazing little heart.

I get to share my 8 month mark with my fun little nephew, Ham.

January 14, 2011 he is celebrating his 4th b-day!

He is my sister 'Lene's youngest.

Happy Birthday Ham!

I love you!

Happy Birthday to my brother Bruce

*****If you are easily offended please stop now! YOU have been warned******

Happy Birthday to my brother Bruce.

Bruce and I are 18 months apart in age.

His birthday was always celebrated on Christmas Eve...

because... well it was his birthday!

He was pretty sure that the big family get together each year were

 HIS Birthday Party.

Christmas Morning 1965. Bruce is the one with the red wagon.

 I always thought he was a pretty handsome guy.

He is the only one of my siblings that had green eyes like I do.

 The rest of the family has brown eyes.

Bruce bottom right

Bruce was an amazing auto mechanic. I do not think there was anything he couldn't fix.

When he was very young, I believe it was my mom's toaster that he took apart,

 because he wanted to see how it worked.

He was a hard worker

and would give the shirt off his back to anyone that needed it.

Bruce, definitely heard a different drummer.

and he followed that beat just fine.

From his teen years on he enjoyed his cigarettes, cannabis, alcohol, LOUD music, swearing and all the gestures that some times follow that drummer.

Bruce passed away in 2005 of all things pneumonia.

I miss him a great deal.

Happy Birthday Bruce ...

YOU ARE AN OLD MAN!!!

ALMOST 50!!!

yea...that is kind of what I thought you would say.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Derek

How can my baby be 22 years old!!!

Happy Birthday Baba! I love you!

To read more about Derek just click HERE.