Easy Blueberry cobbler.....

here's the very easy and very fast Blueberry Cobbler from this month's Southern Living magazine.....very, very yummy!

2 pt fresh blueberries

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

2 (12 oz) cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1 tablespoon coarse sparkling sugar

Cool Whip

1. Preheat oven to 400. Combine first 4 ingredients in a med saucepan. Cook over med high heat 5 minutes or until bubbly and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.

2. Separate biscuits and flatten each into a 3 1/2 inch circle. I just left mine flattened but it is in the magazine to then cut with a 3 inch star shaped cutter...your choice. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet; sprinkle with sparkling sugar, pressing to adhere. Bake @ 400 for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.

3. Place 1 biscuit on each serving plate. Spoon blueberry mixture over biscuit; top with another biscuit....serve with cool whip on the side.

this is quick and oh so good!

later......

Monday, June 28th....

Can you tell Chrissy girl does  not like a bath!!

later......

A lot of things....

here's the ring.....I couldn't post it earlier as Jacquelyn had to have to sized and then wanted to show it off! So I think I'm ok posting it now :)

I do believe that watermelon is one of the best things about summer....at least in the top 5!

And here's another great thing about summer....my hydrangeas!!! I love them so much and have been enjoying them in vases throughout my house!

and see this beautiful woman flanked by 2 of her gorgeous grandchildren....she's our Queen! And she is in need of some powerful prayers as she begins a big old battle against that awful disease called cancer. Please pray for her strength through this. My mom has the best attitude and I believe that with all of the prayers that she will be just fine. So if you believe, please include my mom in your prayers tonight...She's a beautiful woman full of grace and love for her family and I know she would appreciate your prayers. Thanks!

later..........

Happy Birthday Johnny.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my guy......Johnny!!

Top ten reasons Johnny boy deserves a happy birthday........

10. As I've said before, he's one hard working guy

9. Even old men should have some fun....hehe

8. He's the best husband a woman could ever dream of!

7. And ditto.....the best dad to our 3 kids!

6. He cares about people....really, really cares about people and their feelings.

5. He loves his family

4. He spoils me!

3. He's thoughtful

2. He's funny

1. And I love him!!

later.......

Father's Day....

I feel like one of the luckiest people alive........I have such a wonderful Dad and then I went off and married a wonderful man 31 years ago!

My Dad....my hero! Who we all owe so much now for loving our mother and taking such good care of her.

My husband....such a wonderful father to our children who has truly taught them how to live, love and laugh!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!

later....

It is only June.....

and the engagement party that we are hosting for Jacquelyn and Bucky is not until September

But for me, I am planning it already!

And as mother of the bride, the engagement party is the only time I get to toast the newly engaged couple.

so of course, I started typing down a few ideas for my toast......and then I had so many tears in my eyes, I couldn't see to type anymore.


ummm, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do this :)

Maybe Nicole will read it for me!


later.....

Maddox comes to visit....

When Maddox comes over to visit the first thing he does is walk around to observe. He likes to see if I have done anything different. And believe me, he will notice the slightest thing different. When he finds something that I have moved or changed, he looks to me.........like I owe him some explanation as to why. And being the good Grandma that I am, I explain to him and he might give me a grunt or a grin. Next, he may go check out his toys but more often than that he's ready to do some cleaning. This child is a cleaning machine! He loves it........he would rather clean than paly with any toys around or watch TV. So I give him something to do and he's all happy. Here he is on one of his recent visit's.........i guess he decided my banisters were looking a little dusty.

and he is available if needed..........his pay is cheap....a good dinner and a bowl of ice cream and he's good to go!

later.......

More on the lens...

I posted pictures last  night that I took with my 50mm outside, 8:00...to show how this lens is awesome for low light photography. But that was nothing compared to what it does indoors with very little light. The pic below I took at 9:00 pm and only 3 60 watt lamps on in the den. No flash, manual mode....it does give a yellow / orange glow but it has not been touched up in photoshop. This is soc.........so you could edit in PS and get a more natural look. But I just wanted to show how you don't need a flash. I got this lens for Christmas but had to wait until March before Nikon shipped. And that was getting in on the first shipment! And I have not had another lens on my camera since. I love, love this lens.......

And I was holding the camera so not quite as sharp since you will have some movement. On the tripod it would have been a little more sharp. Now look at the pic below of Chrissy girl.....there is a lamp above her so the light was coming down...not as much yellow / orange. Like I said, I've been using this lens since March and I am still so amazed by what it can do!

that's it........it's getting late and I need to get to bed.

later......

Great lens...

I just took this pictures at 8:00 this evening.......on manual setting with no flash. This is why I am in love with my 50mm f1.4 lens

 

this one was taken right after the one above...no flash

then I walked around back and took this one........about 8:15

and the vine is started to climb up the steps now!

anyway, just wanted to show an example of what a great piece of glass can do for you! I can take pics in the house at night with only a lamp on and they come out beautiful. I'll show those examples tomorrow.

I'm looking for a new wide angle lens...any recommendations?

later.......

Mmmmm.....

there will be a good supper tonight!

later......

Day trip...

a group of us from work took a day trip to Tangier Island. The island is located 12 miles off of the coast of Virginia...right out in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. We took the ferry from Reedsville, VA....a 1 1/2 hr ferry ride. Most of the residents make their living crabbing.....

The island is 1 1/2 miles wide and 5 miles long....most of which is marshland. They have 2 grocery stores, a post office, a few places to eat and even a bed and breakfast inn. They are currently building a new medical center...and the doctor flys in once per week. The island is only accessible by plane and boat. They currently have 500 residents.

I just loved these little crab shanties!

It was a fun trip, great weather with great friends!

later......

Here's what I think..........

Wedding planning............WOW WOW WOW

there is a lot to do

but we are going to make it fun!

later......

Tomatoes......

here are the cherry tomatoes....the vines are really getting loaded up

And here are the regular tomatoes......mmmmm, can't wait!

I love to watch the garden grow!

later.....

The proposal....

They were friends first

and have now been together over 6 years

Over a week ago, he came to Johnny and ask for her hand in marriage

and with blessings was told yes

He took her for a walk on the beach and got down on one knee

and she said yes!

Look how happy they are!!

WOW........that was a hard secret to keep! Johnny and I are so thrilled for our daughter Jacquelyn and Bucky.

Needless to say our vacation at the beach was just over flowing with happiness. Bucky's parents also came down so it was just a fun celebration and such a blessing to spend time with them. So honored that Bucky included us in the plans.

later........