German pancake / Dutch Baby

I recently came across a very delicious and simple recipe for breakfast/brunch or even dessert.  It is so easy and looks great all puffed up.  The first time I made it we just sprinkled it with powdered sugar but next time I'm going to try adding carmelized apples or pears.  It is just like the one you can order at The Original Pancake House (which is no longer in Boulder and I haven't checked the Denver location). 
German Pancake
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Mix all ingredients except butter.  Melt butter in casserole dish and pour egg mixture into dish.  Bake for 20-25 min.

Happy Birthday Eric!!

Today is Eric's 29th birthday!  Happy Birthday to Eric, Valerie's boyfriend, Turk and Chops dad.  What a talented and sweet guy!

Are we getting old?

So............last evening I spent 4 hr. in an AARP Defensive Driving Class.  The certificate will get us a discount on our car insurance.  I was the youngest one in the class and could hardly stay awake.  Everyone else seemed to consider the class kind of a social event.  We're good for 3 years now but I think Arn will be taking the class next time!

Life Wisdon

 I found this in an old email.  It's good food for thought.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: 

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

DIY - Park Bench Redo

The last couple of weekends we have been working on home projects.  Our park benches were almost 20 yr. old and looked pretty ratty.  I was afraid the wood would break when someone sat down.  I regret that I did not take a 'before' photo but take a look at the old wood compared to the new wood.  Arn made new slats from redwood which I treated with wood preserver.  I also painted all of the cast iron pieces with rustoleum paint.  It was quite the job putting them back together.......kind of like putting together a puzzle with very heavy awkward pieces.  The job is done and the 2 beautiful benches will be going out to the bocce court.

Happy Mother's Day

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my Mother.
- Abraham Lincoln

Baker's Twine and Washi Tape

 I don't know why but I really 'enjoy' these two items.  I tend to lean on the 'frugal' side and save all kinds of strings, ribbons, etc.  I'm trying to 'simplify' and frequently wrap a package with a brown paper lunch bag secured with washi tape or baker's twine.  I think it gives the gift a simple organic look and it saves money!


Washi tape is typically made from natural fibers, such as bamboo or hemp, but most commonly from the bark of trees that are native to Japan — the mulberry, the mitsumata shrub or the gampi tree. Most washi tapes are strong (as strong as duct tape in some cases!) and functional as well as pretty, making them wonderful for both everyday and decorative use.

Happy Birthday Arn!

Happy Birthday Arn! Arn's birthday is today and he is now 62!  Here you seem him relaxing in his favorite spot................the nest.  It consists of a bean bag, two floor pillows, another small pillow for his head, a double fleece blanket, and of course, the TV remote.

Hiking up above Palmer Lake

Last week before the snow storm we took a hike about 10 min. from our house.  We went up to the 1st Res., took a right turn up 'Killer Hill', and came down thru 'Rocky Canyon'.  It was a good 4 mi. hike even though we thought we were going somewhere else.  The rock formations are beautiful and snow and ice were still on the creeks. We've already got another route mapped out which will head up to 'Rock Dome'. 

Gma is a Tree Hugger!

1st time Visit to Brandon's Tree

Last month was a busy one.  We were sad to see Gma go.  She flew to Atlanta on April 14th and will visit Lisa and Nasser until May 11th when she returns home to Ohio.  Meredith got home for a couple of days and we made a trip to Boulder.  We had wanted to see the tulips on Pearl St. but it was too early.  We did some thrifting, ate lunch, and stopped by Brandon's tree.  The tree was planted out in the field in front of the dorm where Brandon lived his freshman year.  It is planted in his memory.  Tyler stayed in the same dorm room.  We've decided that Co. Spgs. has enough thrift stores with just as many 'thrift score' opportunities.

Wet, Wintery Start to May!

Another snow storm has hit our area.  Temps have been near 80 degrees the last couple of days but today it started snowing at about 6 AM.  The roads were the worst they have been all winter during my drive home today from work.  I think we are supposed to get about 5 inches and the storm should be out of here by tomorrow.  Needless to say, my golf game for tomorrow has been cancelled. We do need the water, but I am so ready for spring!