Whirlwind...

Lately it has been a bit of a whirlwind around here. Lots of coming and going and different things happening! Took a very quick trip to Minneapolis last week for Y's final fling before she heads back to China tomorrow! I had found a great deal on Travelzoo* for the Radisson hotel with the big waterpark by the Mall, so K, Y and I headed up for a quick girls trip.

While the two of them enjoyed pizza and a movie and yet another trip to the waterpark, I went and had dinner with my two dear friends and met the new grandson who I was busy knitting the blanket for! Renae (the one in the middle with her grandbaby) and I have been friends since we were 4 years old. Hard to believe that was 46 years ago and that we are now both grandmas. Just doesn't seem possible....




He seemed to like his new blanket.. at least he was dressed in a matching outfit!! I already have more yarn ready to cast on another one!









We weren't home but a few minutes when my parents arrived for the weekend to visit and to help us celebrate little A's dedication on Sunday. They hadn't seen him since he was just a little guy in December! He had changed quite a bit!!!












We took a trip down to the Amana colonies. My folks had a bought a clock here years ago and needed to have it repaired. A great excuse for a fun outing of shopping and lunch at a yummy German restaurant.









They are also famous for their woolen mill. They have the mill open and running so that you can see the large looms in action.











M came along with little A. He is such a great traveler. And he travels in style. From his comfy stroller....











To the Baby Bjorn that is a little easier to navigate the stores with and gives little A a great view. One does have to watch his little hands as he loves to reach out and grab things off the shelves!!














He also was just held and carried by lucky arms that were quite willing to take him whenever!!
















Sunday was a busy day as well. It was Y's final Sunday at church. She wore her beautiful Chinese dress that she has brought from home. We will miss her very much but can only imagine how excited her family is to have her home again!!














R and M had little A dedicated to the Lord on Sunday. It was a wonderful celebration and they were surrounded by many friends and family. Little A really was most interested in Pastor Johns beard however.....









All of the excitement totally wore him out.....

















But by the time we were back at their house for a celebration lunch, he was awake and full of smiles again. He really is the happiest little guy















And I do think he's going to be an early walker.... Loves the feeling of the grass between his toes...
















We ended the evening with a surprise going away party for Y.. which I will blog about in my next post... We are busy getting her packed to head home and Steve packed for his trip to Nigeria. The house is going to be far too quiet by the end of the week!!!

Fortunately the kitchen will still be humming with yummy creations by K. Lately she has been looking to perfect her 'made from scratch' Angel Food cake. Yesterday I think she achieved perfection, but I'm not going to tell her because I really want her to 'practice' a few more times. She may have guessed, however, by the lightening speed by which we consumed the whole thing...

She offered to share her recipe...



Angel Food Cake

















12 egg whites
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar

Directions:

· Measure egg whites to be equal to 1½ cups. Place in mixing bowl with paddle attachment and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

· Meanwhile, sift powdered sugar and flour together three times; set aside.

· Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites. Beat on high speed.

· Gradually add sugar, beating on high speed (#8 of 10) until sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks form.

· Fold in flour mixture on lowest speed or with spatula, ¼ cup at a time. Gently spoon into pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets.

· Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

· Immediately invert pan over a bottle with a couple cans under the sides for balance; cool completely before removing cake from pan.

· Serve with cool-whip and strawberries.

Kirstin’s Notes:

· Cold eggs are easier to divide. Divide one egg at a time. If any egg yolk gets in, don’t use that egg for the cake. The tiniest bit of yolk will color the whole cake.

· Always use a metal bowl

· Keep batter away from any grease!! Never grease the angel food cake pan

· Don’t skip the sifting—gives the cake a nice velvety texture.

· Beware of “mice” while the cake is cooling

Well.. off to get ready for another day.

Until then, a few more excerpts from my '1000 gifts' journal....
#80. Medicines that work...
#83. Knitting needles and the gift of knitting..
#86. Friends and family...

Until Next Time....

'I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.' Psalm 57:9

*If you subscribe to Travelzoo, every week they send you an email of their top 20 deals of the week. It's one of my favorite emails as I love to pour through all of the many possibilities for exciting travel. Just wish I had unlimited time and money to take advantage of more of them!!!

Loving Life...

I am loving this summer already. I know that it is going to go too fast, but I'm going to try to take each day and savor it. I start by savoring my morning cup of coffee.... My friend Sheri introduced me to this new coffee machine. Love it.














I especially love brewing an additional cup in the morning and putting it in the fridge and making an iced coffee later in the day.
Placed inside my favorite Tervis Tumbler covered in Japanese Cherry blossoms.














I also savor whatever K is cooking up for breakfast. Lately she has been experimenting with her Abelskiver pan.









These were filled with cream cheese and then covered in whipped cream and strawberries. I hope she feels the need to practice these often in the time she is home this summer!!











Loving the time that we are having with family. Have been able to spend some fun time with M and little A in the past week. He is such a cute 'thing'... :)















And he is so good to take out and about. We have had several shopping trips lately. Here we are in a new store downtown Cedar Falls.. Sweet Basil Market. Very cute shop. If you have never shopped downtown Cedar Falls, you really should. There are some very cute stores. Yesterday we took a shopping adventure to the Amana Colonies... More on that in a day or two...











K continues to enjoy doing fun nails for friends and family. What a great opportunity to spend some time visiting and catching up. Here she is with a dear friend of mine... I know that she'll be back for future manicures this summer!!







Here is just one close up sample... Aren't they fun? It's amazing how many people comment on them when we are out and about. If you are in the area and want your nails done, just give a call or stop by.... K would be happy to oblige.










Sophie is spending some final time with Y. She heads back to Beijing on Wednesday. We will miss her! It has been so fun having her with us for these 10 months and Steve and I are already planning on visiting her in China as soon as possible. But poor Sophie won't be able to come..













Busy weekend here. My folks are visiting and we will be celebrating little A's dedication tomorrow. More on that later next week.

Until then, a few more excerpts from my '1000 gifts' journal....
#67. Popcorn and M&M's...
#70. Your mercies... New every morning...
#72. Blue skies and sunny days...
#78. Sophies toys scattered around the house with purpose...

Until Next Time....

'Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.' Psalm 136:1

Hello June!

Wow... for so long June has seemed so far away and now suddenly it is upon us. I look out and the leaves are in full bloom; the fields are planted; the dandelions have come and gone. Summer is here. I love summer. One of my favorite flowers is this purple Cematis that grows outside our front door. It is so beautiful.




I decided to celebrate summer I would get a new fun cover for my Iphone. This one grabbed my eye. Loved the color and the fun design. I've only had my phone for about a month and I love it. Steve has wanted one for so long and finally made the switch. He hadn't had his 4 hours before I knew that I wanted one as well. His and Hers. Very fun. (Although he has decided he doesn't need a fun summer cover for his.. black is just fine.) Not sure if you can see my fingernails, but that is K's latest venture....










K is learning how to do fancy manicures to use in her ministry to college women next year. Who doesn't love to have their nails done and what a great opportunity to spend time together and talk face to face. And I told her if she can make MY nails look nice, she can beautify anyones!! She is going to redo them today for me and next post I'll share some that she has done.




Steve is preparing for his second trip to Jos Nigeria which is coming up two weeks from today! I've decided to stay home this year for a number of reasons, but am hoping to go back in the very near future. We met over the weekend with part of the team that will be going. I will dearly miss being able to see the many friends we made last year, but know that for this year being home is the best decision.




Even with the wonderful weather, Sophie chooses to be inside with us rather than outside. This is a very familiar sight as she sits very patiently waiting for us to let her in. She is not a barker. Not even when someone comes to the door.. which I kind of wish she would do. She is a licker, however. Sure wish I could break her of that habit....












And I readily admit that she is spoiled. And I readily admit that I am the key spoiler. Anyone who wonders whether it truly is a dogs life or not just needs to meet Sophie to know that it is....











We are reaping the yummy rewards of having K home with what is coming out of the kitchen. Homemade Angel Food cake; cookies and delicious curry! This is a batch of Masaman curry and I am already watching the clock closely so that when it is a respectable time for lunch I can heat up a bowl. Yum!!!





And so I look forward to June. To summer. To warm weather.

A few excerpts from my 1000 gifts journal:
#67. Popcorn and M&M's..
#75. God's steadfast love...
#76. Naps that refresh...
#85. Painted toenails....

Until Next Time....

Ephesians 5:20 'Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.'