when it rains, it pours...

and I LOVE the rain!*

Not only are Son and his lovely wife having a baby, Evelyn (Evie) in Oct., but now Yoda and R are due in Jan!!!  Two Grandbabies!!! 

* DIL's SIL commented that it's 'raining babies.'

  This is just a little of what I've been doing lately - if you missed it on fb.  A couple of sweater/pant outfits, coordinating and the same size cuz something is going to get spit/pooped on.  A couple of counted cross-stitch bibs - that are only cute, not terribly functional.  Books, books, and more books - 2 or 3 of each cuz Grannie has to have some of the best ones at her house - Beatrix Potter will only be at my house, where I teach them to play in the dirt (unless my mom...).  Moses baskets - the pattern is in my head and on the inside of Christmas gift wrap (template). 

I've been saving the hand print flannel for Yoda.  I've carried it around the world for some 20 years, washed it dozens of times.  Finally got to make her the baby blanket.  She's my bright, vivid, bold...child.  Jumby and Son don't disagree with that.  (she's always been 'full of life' or full of something - depends on who is talking)

Jumby is much more subtle in life.  She seems shy and reserved, a light purple if you will.  But feel free to throw in a bolt of orange.  She can be a firecracker, our soon to be Auntie Em!  She likes elephants - they are grey, seem shy, mourn their dead, and trumpet with joy.

Son, well, he should have an original VW van, or an old hearse.  Sounds weird, but that's Son, imho.  He built crates for his vinyl collection but is afraid to mess up the detail painting in Evie's room.  (garden theme)

Granddaughter has been discussed on fb, so some of you have known for awhile.

Not so with Yoda's bebe.  We found out, but couldn't tell because they hadn't told R's mom, who was in India.  ...   Sitting in MILs livingroom - she didn't know - got an ultrasound text...  Can I tell her now?  OK, but nothing on fb.  They went to visit his great-grandmother a few days ago; then I got to tell my mom, who had been in Europe with a niece.  Now public. 

REALLY, we're NOT international travel snobs...  SIL's mom was in India for work.  My mom takes grandchildren on a trip for high school graduation - she prefers Europe.  (piano teaching money really comes in handy - she's been doing that for some 45 yrs-teaching piano) Mom and niece got upgraded to first class London-Denver!!!!! 

Interesting that R's great grandmother is just 6 yrs older than Yoda's grandmother.  But my grandmothers were born the same year as Companion's great-grandmother - 1893. 

My children will be wonderful parents.  I will, of course, give them advice - wanted or not.  They are wise enough to know to smile, nod, and do what they will do.  Auntie Em is going to spoil the wee bairns as much as I do, but in an Auntie way.  Life is good!!!!!!!!!! 

SO, question:  What is the best, if seemingly odd at the time, gift, you got/gave for a baby? 

I/we got a humidifier when Jumby was born.  Thought it was odd, but wore it out in the UK. 

Blah, blah, pics...other news

Waiting for my pictures to 'import.'  whatever...

I was on a road trip.  Some 5200+ miles, MN to TX via CO.  LA cuz BIL asked... Leaving again in a few days for another road trip.

ooh, pics 'imported'... just the first few days...

Badlands, SD.  Open prairie, Badlands, then the Black Hills* and

 I prefer the Crazy Horse Monument to Mt. Rushmore.  Mt. Rushmore is an amazing place to visit.  I recommend reading

...sorry, "Authority Song" by Mellencamp came on, had to do squats - really, perfect tempo...

before you visit Rushmore.  The Crazy Horse Monument or Memorial http://crazyhorsememorial.org/  is a tribute to all Indians of North America.  And, yes, they prefer to be called 'Indians.'  Wonderful/heart-wrenching history, landscape, feeling, oneness...Go, See, Experience...(and they refuse all government $)

* No pics of the Black Hills of SD.  Sorry, but I was distracted by the awesomeness, truly.  The Black Hills are so named because they are hills (mountains to some), with such dense and lush pine growth that they can look black.  Sadly, the SDBH are currently infested with some tree-killing beetle so prisoners in orange were cutting down trees.  But, there are also WY Black Hills, some 50 miles down the road - not yet touched by the blight...

  Devil's Tower.  I was there; saw it, touched it, still doesn't seem real... Black Hills, valley, boom...

 Wyoming through the front window; the rear window view looked the same.

 My mom in yellow, Garden of the Gods, CO.  Aunt M, her older sister.  I made the blue sweater for myself, took it to CO in case I got cold, Aunt got cold, Aunt has a new sweater...

30 minutes later. 

In other news:  Just call me "Grannie" 

there will be a food question here somewhere...*

We've been here almost a year now, and I have yet to figure out what is in the food cupboard.  You know, that odd can of sardines, etc.  So, today will be clean the cupboard; and if I'm good, I'll even hit the herb/spice cupboard. 

Anyway, I know I have several tins of higher-end hot chocolate mix - not sure about cocoa powder or squares.  Has anyone made brownies using the pre-sweetened powder?  Any suggestions?  On the rare occasion I make desserts, I am told they are good.  I generally don't eat dessert - not opposed, just don't eat them.  I'm also thinking about making my 4 layer chocolate cake w/meringue whipped in - if I don't add sugar to the egg whites that should cut down on sweet, right?!? 

Any help would be appreciated!

* later, update... found 2 unsweetened squares!  now to lug the expired stuff to the trash...

Welcome new friends - Start with a chicken...

 This will be soup in a few hours.  (Whole chicken sans guts, Spanish onion - skin on for color, leek greens, squished garlic, unpeeled chunked carrots, chunked celery, bay leaves, rosemary, S&P, water - simmer for several hours.  Pitch veg., set chicken aside to cool, strain broth through paper towel or cheesecloth [newbies - put a colander in/over a large bowl, line colander w/paper towel or cheesecloth, strain liquid, fold back corner of paper/cloth to allow some of the good fat through but not the scuzzy bits].  Saute chopped/minced onion, celery, carrot, etc. in olive oil in soup pot. Stir in herbs and spices - thyme, S&P.  Return broth to pot.  Strip chicken and add as much as you want - share with your quadripeds.  Throw in some noodles.  Simmer.  Enjoy - or at least feel better!*)

I have the 'ick.'  I get sick every few (like 5 to 7) years. 

Funny, my children know how to make this but say that mine always tastes better. 

* I have nothing against canned chicken soup, boxed broth, skinless/boneless chicken parts, etc.  I like to cook and, probably more importantly for many, actually have time to cook.  I also like the way the house smells when I cook.  OK, except when I par-boil pork ribs in beer before I throw them on the grill - they kind of stink. 

What I know:  I really CAN make this stuff in my sleep  

Food and books are on the agenda.  Any suggestions?  My reading is quite eclectic.  My cooking knowledge is expanding - I don't 'do' pretty, but have learned a thing or two about taste...