Fun Times With a Great Friend

 Wendy and I

I went to pick up my daughter Amanda and her friend Lea and then we went over to Wendy's house to spend some much needed time together and watch her daughter "C" play volleyball!

 Amanda and her friend Lea

 Nice "C"!!!!! Great form!

We had so much fun watching her play volleyball. I really like that sport too!

 Anticipation

 "C" was able to make 6 points just with serving!

 "Britty" enjoying the BLT  pizza from Jet's. Awesome pizza!

Love that smile Britty!

See how Nummy it looks?!!!!

"Mander" and "C" wrestling! I think "C" was actually asking for a take down. LOL

Manda is always ready to accept the challenge!

So, as you see, it was a fun time had by all!

It doesn't matter how many miles are between friends. It doesn't matter how much time/years have passed, there is always time to spend with a friend.

If you haven't made time for a friend lately-make time! You won't regret it!

Best Friends means different things to different people. Some insist that you can have only one best friend. Others assert that they have best friends for different aspects of their personalities. Whatever the precise definition, your best friend is the person who gets you. They understand who you are and what you are saying. The greatest distance cannot separate best friends. You will always feel a kinship with them, and be able to instantly continue the friendship even after not talking for many years.

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
CS Lewis

Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

 



Frederick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Michigan

 The chrysalis:

a protecting covering : a sheltered state or stage of being or growth.

 Caterpillars can be just as fascinating and colorful as the adult butterflies.  Each species has a characteristic coloration and pattern, which can change as it grows.

 The Common Morpho 3-5" wide.

Common morpho butterflies have brightly-colored, blue metallic upper wings. Their undersides, visible while the butterfly is at rest, are cryptic camouflage featuring 4 sets of "eyespots."

 Small Postman 2.5-3" wide.

Carol and I taking a snapshot while observing the butterflies. It was warm in there and I was 

sweating so much! Spring-here it comes, or are we skipping spring and heading directly into summer? 

 Small Postman

 Great Mormon 4-5" Wide

 Small Postman (these come in various designs).

 I loved the design on this Small Postman

 Frederick and Lena Meijer and I

Fred Meijer was born in 1919 and began working in his father’s grocery store at the age of fourteen. After high school, Fred joined his father full time in the business. In 1946, Fred married Lena Rader whose parents were farmers. She also worked in the grocery store as a clerk. Meijer, Inc. grew into a multi-state supermarket chain, and Fred and Lena became major philanthropists in Grand Rapids, Michigan, especially toward medical institutions and nature preserves.

Fred Meijer

 Love this picture that I captured of this waterfall. I was playing with the settings on the camera and I actually conquered what I set out to do! YAY ME!

I think I am going to head back out here when things are more in bloom.

Had a very nice time out at the Gardens and I would recommend this to anyone who likes to do things like this. So, if you are ever in the Grand Rapids, MI area, head on out to the Gardens.

Time Well Spent with a Friend

Last Friday I was able to meet up with one of my great friends from High School.

The weather was nasty out but Sue made it down even with the slick roads. She had to go pick up her Sister's kids for the weekend and we decided to get together since she was coming down.

I am sitting in the parking lot at Uccello's waiting for her to arrive and I thought I saw her pull in but wasn't sure and then ten minutes later I get this text, "I'm here". LOL So, I went in and the hostess couldn't remember if someone came in. I said, "she's this tall (holding up my hand to about my nose area-lol and has brown hair. Nope, I said how about a Sue? Oh we have one over here, yep, there she was, sitting at a table waiting patiently.

We had  a great time catching up and good food as usual. Sure did seem like that time flew by too fast! Yet, I am thankful for the time that we did get to spend together.

Love ya Sue!

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast

Ingredients:

Strawberry Syrup:

• 3 cups sliced strawberries

• 1/4 cup sugar

•1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, divided

•  2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Makes: 6 Servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

French Toast:

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons nonfat milk

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (NeufchÂtel)

• 1/4 cup fat-free ricotta

• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

• 12 slices reduced-calorie wheat bread, crusts trimmed if desired

• 1 cup sliced strawberries

• 2 teaspoons butter

• 2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions:

To prepare syrup (may be done up to 3 days ahead; store in refrigerator): In medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of the lemon zest, and the juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the strawberries are soft and the syrup is thickened and reduced by 1/3 in volume, 12-15 minutes. Set aside and let cool to room temperature before serving. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Cooks' Note: If a thinner syrup is desired, strain the hot syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container and let cool.

To prepare the French Toast: In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla.

In a small bowl, gently combine the cream cheese, ricotta, sugar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest, just until blended. Spread on 6 bread slices and top with the sliced strawberries. Top with the remaining 6 bread slices and press around the edges to seal.

Melt the butter in the oil on a griddle over medium heat. Dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture for a few seconds on each side, draining off the excess. Place in the skillet and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with the strawberry syrup.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 sandwich with 2 tablespoons strawberry sauce): 300 calories, 12 g fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 310 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber.

Thelma and Louise Road Trip

This is Thelma (Faith)

I am Louise!

(Thelma is a crazy woman driver)

This is the Ludington Lighthouse that we stopped at first.

The Dune grass is so pretty in all seasons! It is so nice to see it the way the wind blows and it flows so gracefully.

We have had such an unusual winter here in Michigan this season. It feels like spring most of the time. As you can see on the above picture there is very little ice built up when normally it is hard to walk on!

Thelma is a bit chilly!

Man that gust of wind was cold!

Louise being her crazy self!

Thelma not driving anymore which is a good thing.

We are on our 1.8 mile walk (one way) to the Big Sable Lighthouse. We did not realize it was tucked way back in. The walk was very nice and good exercise.

This is the Big Sable Lighthouse which is located off of Lake Michigan in Ludington Michigan.

Sure is strange not to see any snow or ice build up along the shoreline in January.

Here's Thelma again. Man that stump is almost taller than her. The funny thing about this stump is that it says, "How old am I?" and points to Thelma. On the other side where Thelma is, it says 127 years. Amazing!

I handed Thelma my camera while I had a potty break and this is what she took.

Great shot Thelma! And that is not a shot with the gun!

In Ludington, while Thelma was trying to find her way out and the way to Pentwater, this is what I spotted. Pretty cool!

In Pentwater, we stopped at the Bitchen Kitchen. This is a cute little store that has all kinds of unique things in it. Mostly things you would want for your kitchen.

So, as you see, Thelma and Louise had a nice day adventure and Thelma did not drive us off of a sand dune and into Lake Michigan. So, we are safe and sound and will probably have to take another adventure some day!

Crystal Bowersox - Up To The Mountain (3rd song) (American Idol 9 - Top ...

This was one of my favorite performers on American Idol. She has a unique voice that I really enjoy. I like the raspyness. This song is great too! Enjoy!

God's Winter Beauty

Barns in My Neighborhood