Grandparents Day!

Started my day today with the cutie at Grandparents Day! Wow, seems like yesterday I was picking up his big brother at school as I was driving his Mom to the hospital to have him! Wow! The time does go fast.

I had grandparents day at one school from 9:30 til 11:30 and it actually lasted until Noon. Then I scooted up the highway to another school for grandparents day from 1:30 til 2:00 with one child and 2:00 to three with another! Whew...Granma was busy today! LOL Couldn't miss it for anything. They are so special and I am so proud of them.

I was impressed with the number of grandparents in attendance at both schools. One of the teachers commented that you could really "feel the love." There is nothing quite like being a grandparent or a grandchild either! It's such a very special relationship.

Cooking breakfast tomorrow morning for about 20+ - Baked an Extreme Banana Nut Bread tonight...house smells amazing! After serving breakfast in the morning, off to watch my granddaughter run her first triathlon...fun! Busy Granma!

God Bless...and happy weekend to all!

RECIPE IDEA

Have you ever dipped fresh strawberries in Basalmic Reduction? If you haven't ... you must!! It is fabulous...I know...vinegar and strawberries...but the reduction is a little sweet and intensifies the taste of the berries. Incredible dessert idea...

Happy Faces!

It was Spirit Day at the girls Elementary School today. My daughter and I volunteered to help paint the faces of the school children with team logos, etc.

I think we must have painted a couple hundred faces today. The children were all so well behaved and excited. It was great fun. There were children of every age from 5 to 11 or so, and some had an exact idea of what they wanted. Others had to have a little guidance in choosing a team or a color, but one thing for sure, they all enjoyed this special day. We made sure each kid felt "special", no matter what they chose.

By the way, if you ever want to "paint" faces, use the actual face painting paint, not the crayons. The crayons seem to "melt" after put on the face, and smear terribly. The paint works much better. We found that there are "stencils" out there now that you can use with the paint. We used small foam brushes and paint with the stencils and had great success. Hobby Lobby carries all of these supplies.

As we go into this Labor Day Weekend, I hope that you all have some kind of plans with your family/friends. It doesn't have to be something over the top. We are just having a family cookout. My hubby loves "brats" and "kraut"....and I will be happy with just a regular grilled hot dog with all the fixings!

Whether you are traveling for a special Summer "Grand Finale" or just cooking out at home, take time to tell those you love how special they are to you.

I found out today that "Grandparents Day" is taking place at both of the schools my younger grandchildren attend on the same day. Thank goodness, at one school it is from 9:30 to 11:30 AM and the other is at 1:00 PM. Gonna be a busy day for this Grandma visiting all three of the elementary aged children. They grow up so fast. I can remember so many times going to GP Day with Eric, who is 15 now...and will soon be driving. Where did the time go?

Well, just in case you haven't come up with a special recipe for the Holiday this Weekend, here's one for you that won't pack on the pounds!

LIGHT STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

2 Full Graham Cracker sheets, crushed into crumbs
1 Package (8 ounces) light cream cheese
1 Package (8 ounces) light firm silken tofu (YES I SAID TOFU!)
1/2 cup sugar substitute blend
2 egg whites
1 cup sliced strawberries

Preheat oven to 350. Place graham cracker crumbs in a 9" pie plate. In large bowl or food processor, blend together the cream cheese, tofu, sugar substitute blend, and egg whites for about 1 minute or until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust. Bake for 20-35 minutes, or until set. Let the cheesecake cool. Garnish it with slices of fresh strawberries.

Calories per serving 119

Enjoy! and Happy Labor Day!

Happy Faces!

It was Spirit Day at the girls Elementary School today. My daughter and I volunteered to help paint the faces of the school children with team logos, etc.

I think we must have painted a couple hundred faces today. The children were all so well behaved and excited. It was great fun. There were children of every age from 5 to 11 or so, and some had an exact idea of what they wanted. Others had to have a little guidance in choosing a team or a color, but one thing for sure, they all enjoyed this special day. We made sure each kid felt "special", no matter what they chose.

By the way, if you ever want to "paint" faces, use the actual face painting paint, not the crayons. The crayons seem to "melt" after put on the face, and smear terribly. The paint works much better. We found that there are "stencils" out there now that you can use with the paint. We used small foam brushes and paint with the stencils and had great success. Hobby Lobby carries all of these supplies.

As we go into this Labor Day Weekend, I hope that you all have some kind of plans with your family/friends. It doesn't have to be something over the top. We are just having a family cookout. My hubby loves "brats" and "kraut"....and I will be happy with just a regular grilled hot dog with all the fixings!

Whether you are traveling for a special Summer "Grand Finale" or just cooking out at home, take time to tell those you love how special they are to you.

I found out today that "Grandparents Day" is taking place at both of the schools my younger grandchildren attend on the same day. Thank goodness, at one school it is from 9:30 to 11:30 AM and the other is at 1:00 PM. Gonna be a busy day for this Grandma visiting all three of the elementary aged children. They grow up so fast. I can remember so many times going to GP Day with Eric, who is 15 now...and will soon be driving. Where did the time go?

Well, just in case you haven't come up with a special recipe for the Holiday this Weekend, here's one for you that won't pack on the pounds!

LIGHT STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

2 Full Graham Cracker sheets, crushed into crumbs
1 Package (8 ounces) light cream cheese
1 Package (8 ounces) light firm silken tofu (YES I SAID TOFU!)
1/2 cup sugar substitute blend
2 egg whites
1 cup sliced strawberries

Preheat oven to 350. Place graham cracker crumbs in a 9" pie plate. In large bowl or food processor, blend together the cream cheese, tofu, sugar substitute blend, and egg whites for about 1 minute or until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust. Bake for 20-35 minutes, or until set. Let the cheesecake cool. Garnish it with slices of fresh strawberries.

Calories per serving 119

Enjoy! and Happy Labor Day!

Working It! Water Aerobics

Okay, enough of lolly gagging around...I've got to Move It, Move It! Especially if I want to shed the next 27 pounds. My goal is still to be at goal weight by Thanksgiving. That is going to take some serious movement.

So, first thing this morning I headed for The Cantrell Center, in Warner Robins, Georgia. They have a great heated (really doesn't need that heat right now!) pool, and Donna is a fantastic instructor for Water Aerobics.

Now if you are laughing and thinking that water aerobics can't be all that difficult, then you need to come with me some time. Of course you can just kinda lay back and watch and waddle, but if you really DO IT for one hour, you can burn a bunch of calories and firm up some of that flab at the same time.

Today is the first day of my three day a week exercise program to get the rest of this weight off for good! Water aerobics is great because it doesn't stress the joints like running or jogging. You don't sweat! LOL, and somehow it is just more relaxing than the boring treadmill or machines. The music is upbeat and makes you want to keep moving to the beat. Check out a Wellness Center in your town. I think you will find this is an inexpensive and healthy way to get that body back into shape.

I am going to give you a recipe today that you can either make the fattening way, or the "slimmed down" way. Either way, believe me it is absolutely delicious (and no one can tell the difference which is which).

SUMMER STRAWBERRY TRIFLE

THIS PICTURE actually depicts three of my favorite trifles, and I will share those other recipes at another time.

1 Large Box Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (you can use fat free/sugar free)
16 ounces Cool Whip (again, can use fat free/sugar free)
2 pound cakes (can use angel food instead) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 Pound container strawberries, cut up (save a few for garnish)
1 cup sugar (or Splenda or Truvia)
1 can Whipped Cream

Cut up and macerate strawberries overnight in refrigerator in sugar or artificial sweetener.

1. Mix Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix with Cool whip and set aside.
2. Cover bottom of clear bowl with cubes of cake
3. Spoon 1/3 of Strawberries over cake
4. Spoon and spread pudding mixture over the strawberries (you will not that
the mixture has obtained a kind of cheesecake texture)
5. Repeat layers until bowl is full.
6. Top with whipped cream and a few strawberries you have set aside for garnish

This trifle will serve 15 hungry people....and you will get rave reviews! Not only is is pretty to look at, but it is delicious to eat, and simple to make!

Other favorites of mine include a Mocha Crunch Trifle, and a Caramel Apple one.