Name That Movie

Name That Movie…

“Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live”.

Happy Memorial Day!

The new American flag is waving and it is a beautiful day in Florida.

I spoke to my parents and all the family graves have been tidied up with fresh flowers on each.

We do not have any known family buried near us so we go to a dear neighbor’s who passed away in summer of 2004. He was in WWII so we put two American Flags on his grave and tidy up a bit by pulling weeds and putting down fresh mulch. It’s a rural non-perpetual care cemetery that needs some attention now and then. His widow does not live nearby so we feel it is an honor to remember him, our friend and neighbor forever, Fount Nichols.

This morning, DH is trying to fish from the dock; he really misses our boat (thank you hurricane Frances).Then, we will drive to St. Augustine to visit and have lunch with cousins then off to the Spring Park Memorial Day celebration which ends with fireworks at 9:00 p.m. See you there!!

Ahhhh… Cooling down in the River

I hope you enjoy the pictures of Salty Dog taking the plunge. It was a little warm today so it was a good time to cool off. Plus, a little exercise never hurt the boy(s)!

Quilt Squares Are Still Arriving

We must be close to 60 squares now. This one just came in from family. Thank you Gloria and Joan!

I have received so many very thoughtful wishes from all our blogging adoption friends that it will take me hours to upload all the pictures – but I will do it.

Check out Lizzy’s quilt squares link to the right.

Thank you again! If you wish to swap or donate fabric for the “Lizzy” quilt, just email us and I will help with all the details.

Another Dessert! Italian Cake is great for Summertime!

Italian Love Cake

I do not know how this cake received such a title but it does have ricotta cheese in it and it is a decadent, heavy, sweet cake. This is great to serve at informal dinner parties and family gatherings as a small piece goes a long way! I received this recipe from a friend a year ago and it has quickly become a favorite; most everyone asks for the recipe once they have tasted it. It is easy to make too!!
I can send you the electronic file if would rather not cut/paste from the blog.

The Recipe:

1 Box Fudge Marble cake mix (need the ingredients on box to make this cake)

In addition:
2 lbs. ricotta cheese
¾ Cup sugar
4 Eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Box (3 ¾ oz.) instant chocolate pudding
1 Cup milk
1 Carton (8 oz.) whipped topping (Cool Whip)

Mix cake as directed on box (using ingredients required: additional eggs, oil and water). Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. In separate bowl, combine ricotta, sugar, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Spoon over top of unbaked cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour (do not over bake). Cool.
Mix pudding with milk; fold in whipped topping. Spread over cake. Refrigerate.

Delicious! Serve with love…

CCAA Referral Update

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before September 30, 2005.

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before June 15, 2005.

Elvis Is Alive and Living In Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Sun’s lost to the Mississippi Braves last night 4-3.

Still, all was not lost as we got to help celebrate K’s birthday. We had a pre-game snack at the Amsterdam Cafe, had our boxseats behind homeplate complete with a menu and waitstaff. Oh, and not only did we get to meet the mascot(s) up close and personal, we also had a close encounter with none other than Elvis Himselfis…

Oh yeah, you had to be there to capture the “full” nuiance of our shortly before his death personafication of none other than the King himself. Ladies and Gentlemen. Children of all ages. We present for your viewing pleasure.

The one. The only
ELVIS!

Saturday Night All American Fun!

It is Saturday already and we have not heard from the kids (nor have we called them!). We hope to have some plans with them next weekend but with multiple “parents” it can make scheduling difficult. We all love to meet and visit together, just a matter of everyone agreeing on some common time. Next weekend is also the Blue Crab festival which makes the town very crowded and boy can it ever get hot.

If we all meet separately with the kids, too often they end up having to run around to different homes all weekend not leaving much private time for themselves.

So maybe we can all get together..(Hint – Hint) Maybe it’s partytime! Our house?

Tonight, we are going to a baseball game. This is the first time we have gone in many years. In fact, the City of Jacksonville built a brand new baseball stadium for the “Suns” AA team two years ago. This will be our first time going! Years ago we went and watched a young pitcher named Randy Johnson and a promising hitter by the name of Larry Walker play. You just never know. We will be out with friends K & P and it is K.’s birthday. With the Florida sun creating 90 plus degree heat, an evening game will be welcomed!

Beat those Mississippi Braves! We will let you know how it all goes!

“Good Things” List For Lizzy, Kilee & Alivia! Thanks Mia!

What a great and sweet Sister-IL!!! Mia is an “experienced” Mom and is sharing her neat stuff with me. I am so “out of it” when it comes to babies so I asked her for any help she could send!!!

With grandbabies, nieces/nephews and Lizzy, we will have quite the fun learning experience – think we have a chance at “staying young” with all the babies around (well, maybe “acting young”)?

Mia’s site listings and comments:

http://www.robeez.com/

I love these shoes! They are pricey but I can’t resist. Baby M. has a couple then I buy the knock offs at Target. The quality is not as great but they are still adorable. I am dying to buy M. the Princess robeez.

http://www.onestepahead.com/

This is a nice catalog. It has several items I like and have bought. The travel section is neat. Believe me it is a chore to travel with little ones. Whew! Do what you have to in order to make it easier on yourself!

http://joyzjewelz.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=2

You might be confused on this one. There are several companies out there. I just wanted to give you the idea. M. and MA have one. I am thinking along the line of teething for Lizzy. I think it is a great idea and adorable to wear. I wonder if I would still be a nail biter if I have something like this to chew on?!?!

http://www.melissaanddoug.com/index.shtml

I love these toys too! They are durable and fun. Especially, those toys with the velcro for cutting and putting back together. They are educational too. MA is rough with his toys and even though these get nicked up, they will last.

http://www.pooltoy.com/swimdiapers1.html

I bought store swim diapers with MA but with M. I bought a swim diaper. It is nice as I never run out.

http://www.harriscomm.com/

Here is another catalog for sign language stuff. I saw they have bean bags with the sign to show the color. Um…pretty neat the stuff that is out there.

“Good Things” List For Lizzy, Kilee & Alivia! Thanks Mia!

What a great and sweet Sister-IL!!! Mia is an “experienced” Mom and is sharing her neat stuff with me. I am so “out of it” when it comes to babies so I asked her for any help she could send!!!

With grandbabies, nieces/nephews and Lizzy, we will have quite the fun learning experience – think we have a chance at “staying young” with all the babies around (well, maybe “acting young”)?

Mia’s site listings and comments:

http://www.robeez.com/

I love these shoes! They are pricey but I can’t resist. Baby M. has a couple then I buy the knock offs at Target. The quality is not as great but they are still adorable. I am dying to buy M. the Princess robeez.

http://www.onestepahead.com/

This is a nice catalog. It has several items I like and have bought. The travel section is neat. Believe me it is a chore to travel with little ones. Whew! Do what you have to in order to make it easier on yourself!

http://joyzjewelz.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=2

You might be confused on this one. There are several companies out there. I just wanted to give you the idea. M. and MA have one. I am thinking along the line of teething for Lizzy. I think it is a great idea and adorable to wear. I wonder if I would still be a nail biter if I have something like this to chew on?!?!

http://www.melissaanddoug.com/index.shtml

I love these toys too! They are durable and fun. Especially, those toys with the velcro for cutting and putting back together. They are educational too. MA is rough with his toys and even though these get nicked up, they will last.

http://www.pooltoy.com/swimdiapers1.html

I bought store swim diapers with MA but with M. I bought a swim diaper. It is nice as I never run out.

http://www.harriscomm.com/

Here is another catalog for sign language stuff. I saw they have bean bags with the sign to show the color. Um…pretty neat the stuff that is out there.