Ms Apron meets a friend

Last night Ms Jadabear stayed over with her Gigi and Popi and she was super excited to introduce Ms Apron to Little Miss Princess Apron (her idea completely) so we decided to work together to create the perfect All-American dessert....Rice Krispy Treats!
J does quite a lot of cooking with her Granny (my mom) and with her Maimaw (her dad's mom) so Little Miss Princess Apron gets a regular workout. J is no stranger to the kitchen and can measure, mix, roll, etc with the best of them...no cutting or chopping allowed yet though.




Here we are introducing the Apron ladies and collecting our ingredients (we cheated just a bit and used Organic Brown Rice Cereal to make them just a bit healthier and J is none the wiser..;)







Ms Apron and I are doing our part working with
the stove and all things hot and Little Miss Princess Apron and J are doing their part with the mixing and patting....not to mention the licking of the spatula, of course.

















And last but not least...here we are, enjoying the fruits of our labor. ummm ummm good!

Just another day in paradise here...Hot paradise I might add. Cold supper tonight and Rice Krispy treats for dessert!

Ms Apron in Hotlanta!

Hello Sisters from the HOT, HOT state of Georgia!
Ms. Apron made her appearance here today and already looks a bit wilted in the heat. Hopefully she brought some of that cool NC mountain air with her to bring things down a notch or two around here.
Its a bit of a quiet week here at my house since my youngest daughter got married and moved out 2 weeks ago, taking my granddaughter with her and my mom decided to travel to her sister's house for a long visit,.... very quiet indeed. Having Ms Apron come for a visit certainly will perk us up a bit.

It was just hubby and me tonight so let me show you the meal we prepared for Ms Apron...the kind of dinner we usually have around here.
With hubby's illness our menu is pretty limited but also pretty healthy and tonight was no different...we start with a couple of steaks, some baking sweet potatoes and a mix of fresh veggies...tonight cauliflower and broccoli. We rub a little seasoning salt on the steaks along with a delightful potion called Dale's Seasoning ( which comes from a restaurant born in Alabama and located in our hometown for 50 yrs. We have been using on everything for years).



Then on to broil the steaks ( I prefer to grill but we are out of charcoal tonight)...so hubby dons the apron and does the broiling honors. He's a pretty good sport.. :)..and a pretty good cook...if only I could talk him into doing ALL the cooking!


Literally within minutes we are done...simple cooking doesn't take very long...and ta da...here we are...add a dollop of butter and some sea salt to potato and veggies and its ready to go.

Dinner for two...coming right up...oh yes and Ms Apron enjoyed it as well.




Note the glasses of iced tea standing by? No Southern meal would be complete without them...and you know I'm Southern! Also..notice how MY glass at least three times the size of my hubby's?? I told you I drink a lot of iced tea! ;)






My glass is a fabulous Tervis Tumbler
given to me by my sister. It holds 24 ozs. and I usually keep it full of iced tea. :)
(I have no idea where these underlines came from or how to be rid of them )

I can't wait to show Ms. Apron off to Ms Jadabear...she is looking forward to introducing Ms. Apron to Little Miss Princess Apron which we will get to one day this week. Who knows what the four of us will cook up. Til then...
Night All.

Good-bye Sister Apron

With one hand clutching a tissue, the other
the knob on the door, Sister Apron bids us
a fond, albeit teary, farewell. On to the next
dear sister.

A Farewell Dessert

This evening we decided to make one of
our favorite desserts for Miss Apron since
she will be moving on to the next sister
tomorrow. We have really enjoyed her
visit. Unfortunately the rain kept us from
venturing out more but we still had a good
time together.

This is the dessert we made, fruit salad. It's simply
organic vanilla yogurt and whatever fresh fruit you have
on hand. Tonight we used purple grapes, gala apples,
blueberries, blackberries, bananas and walnuts. No
recipe is necessary as you just cut up your fruit  and
stir it into the yogurt and top with nuts.

Miss Apron really liked hers and asked for seconds!

I hope to get some parting shots in the morning before
we head off to the Post Office.

Around Our Town

Well, today Miss Apron, my son Seth, and I
hurried downtown in between rain showers
to snap a few pictures. Seth actually took all
of these pictures with his terrific Nikon D60.

This picture is of one of the oldest
buildings in our town. It's the Battery
Park Hotel but recently has been
converted into apartments for the
elderly. It is absolutely beautiful
inside.

This is the Grove Arcade, an enormous
building that houses many different shops,
restaurants, museums, galleries, etc. It was
built in 1929. In the last few years it has
become one of Asheville's main tourist
attractions.

This is one of our oldest and most
beautiful churches, The Basilica of  St.
Lawrence. I have never been inside but
my brother and his wife, who was of the
Catholic faith, attended this church when-
ever they visited us. Both have since gone
on to be with the Lord.

Front view of the church

 Silly little Miss Apron thought this statue
 of a cat on a pole was the real thing and
tried her best to rescue it!! We told her it
wasn't a real cat, but no, she wouldn't
listen. Seth had to force her to get down
and continue on our walk with us. At
least we know her heart was in the right
place.  Seth and I really love cats, too.

Asheville has several trolley cars that travel around
town giving guided tours. This one was in an historic
district of town about eight minutes from our house
called Biltmore Village. I guess people all over the
world have heard of The Biltmore House and Gardens.
The entrance is just around the corner from where
this shot was taken. Unfortunately, the cost of
admission to the enormous mansion of George
Vanderbilt has gone up (last I heard $60.00)
and we just couldn't afford to go. I would've
loved to have shown it to you. I'm went there
once many years ago. I'd like to go again as they
have opened many new rooms recently.

Biltmore Village is an area of town where
all of the stores are in houses that George
Vanderbilt's employees once lived in. Most
are very expensive upscale shops.

This entire area flooded about five years
ago and a few of the shops have yet to
reopen. This used to be a barber shop
that my dad frequented from time to time.

This is a fairly new building but still had to be built in
the old world style conducive to all the other structures
in the village. I think it's an investment firm.

Everything about the village is in keeping
with Vanderbilt's era. The street lights are
not modern but look like the one above.

Here is the entrance to The Biltmore Village Company,
a store of beautiful home furnishings. It was built in 1925
as the town drug store. I understand the original marble
counter tops of the pharmacy are still in the store today.
It has been a while since I browsed there. Notice I said
"browsed". There is little in Biltmore Village that I can
afford, but that's okay. I am a blessed woman because
my God supplies all my needs.

This is The Olde World Christmas Shoppe.
I have been in here more than any other shop.
It is decorated top to bottom in all Christmas
decor year round.  Starting in November all
the shops in the village have the tiny clear lights
twinkling every night until a few days after
New Year's. Each shop is outlined in lights.

 Well, not a very good shot but it's of one of my favorite
restaurants in town, The Corner Kitchen. The food here
is incredible. I love the salmon and sauteed spinach
plate. Heaven!

Can you believe as young as she is,
Miss Apron became tired of strolling on
the old brick sidewalks and sat down?
Here she is, completely pooped, on a bench
outside my favorite restaurant. Poor girl must
be out of shape!


Well, hope you enjoyed seeing some of my
town. Who knows what we'll do tomorrow!

Grocery Shopping and Cooking

Today Miss Apron and I went grocery shopping
at one of the stores right up the street from our
house.

We just had a short list today and she was
eagerly waiting in the van for me before I
was even ready!

It was a lovely day with the temperature hovering right
around 78 degrees, which is perfect. We didn't need the
air on and Miss Apron seemed to enjoy letting her arm
just flap in the breeze. We turned some praise and worship
music on and we were set to go.


Once inside, Miss Apron wanted to push the cart and
so I gladly let her.

I felt so close to her that I put my arm
around her shoulder as we walked and
talked. It's nice having a sister.  :-)

For reasons beyond me we got lots of
strange looks from people in the store.
Imagine that! Just two sisters out doing a
little Saturday morning grocery shopping.
Whatever!

Maybe it was because Miss Apron was
feeling particularly energetic and suddenly
jumped upon the front of the cart for a
freewheeling ride! Now that got some
looks from the older folks!

We had fun! Wheeee!!

This evening we decided we wanted to make
something simple for dinner so we got ourselves
into the kitchen and made a chicken quiche. We
made two, in fact, and they were gone in a flash!

Here's our recipe:

Chicken Quiche

4 Tbsp olive oil
3 1/2 cups shredded raw potato
2 cups grated cheese of your choice
3/4 cup diced cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced green and/or red bell peppers
1 cup half n half
2 free range eggs
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Mix together in two 9" pie pans:  olive oil and shredded
potato. Press into the pan evenly. Bake at 400 degrees
for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes begin to brown
a bit. Remove from oven.

Next layer chicken, onions, peppers, and cheese.

In a bowl mix together: half n half, eggs, sea salt, and
ground pepper. Pour the egg mixture over chicken
mix. Return to 425 degree oven for 30 minutes. An
inserted knife should come out clean. Let cool down
for at least 5 minutes before cutting.

I'll try and post this recipe on the cooking blog tomorrow
if I have time.

Hope you enjoy it!  We always do.

Our Day

Today Miss Apron and I had planned to
go sight seeing in and around Asheville.
However, the much-needed rain did come
and we had to stay inside.

We didn't do much, just talked and laughed
and got to know each other.

At one point we did go into the garden and
pick a few nice veggies for tomorrow's salad.
Miss Apron was kind enough to carry some
of the veggies into the house for me. She is
such a dear! She is not only lovely but kind
and helpful as well.

Just look at how much she carried in from the garden!
She told me she loves a good tomato sandwich so
tomorrow we're going to make ourselves one for lunch
after we come home from the grocery store. I might
see if I can get Miss Apron to try peanut butter on hers.
Yum yum!


I just finished the dishes and went back into the living room
to ask if our charming guest would like anything else before
we hit the hay but I couldn't find her anywhere.


To my surprise, when I came into my bedroom this is what
I found.

Our dear girl fast asleep in my teddy bear's lap! I guess
our slow day here in the South just bored her right to
sleep! I promise a more exciting day tomorrow Miss
Apron.


Nighty- night...

Welcome Miss Apron!

Well, as one and all can see, the infamous Miss Apron
arrived safe and sound at our house late this afternoon.
Thank you, Diane, for packing her ever-so-carefully
and also for the lovely cards!

I was surprised to be how every petite she is. Somehow
I had imagined her to be a much larger apron. She is
quite small and oh so pretty!

She was a bit tired from her trip so I invited her to sit
for awhile on the love seat and enjoy a cup of hot
lemon ginger tea with raw honey, which is a favorite
of mine.

We had a nice long talk about life, love, and the beauty
and awesomeness of the Lord. She is quite the good
conversationalist!

Seeing as we retire early most nights here in this
household, I showed her to her room for the evening
and we said good night.

Tomorrow, if the rain holds off, we have plans to do
some sight seeing around our beautiful mountain town!


Sandy & Miss Apron

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT

Since our Birthday greeter/coordinator is off in her little red car traversing around the countryside of Canada, I thought maybe I would step in and post a

Happy Birthday Greeting for our precious and lovely sister, Pat. 

And what better way to do that, then to swipe this picture right off of Terry's blog....have to admit I got kind of a rush sneaking over there and swiping it without her knowing it..  ( now I know why she gets such a thrill out of this stuff...) :):):)

 it took me a long time to get all these cupcakes made.....which is why the post is so late

then I decided to make Pat a special cake....

Isn't that just simply gorgeous....

just like our birthday sister, Ms. Patty 

(as Terry would call her)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT !!!

Inflight Enertainment for Ms Apron

While Ms Apron is airborne, I thought I 'd provide some in flight entertainment by sharing this article I read in the newspaper.

On an average a woman changes her hairstyle 104 times in her lifetime, according to a survey in Britain. Between the ages of 13 and 65, Women undergo several hairstyle changes from layering, shortening or colouring at least twice a year. Most women try out at least three colours over the years - dark brown being the most popular - and at some stage they peer out from under a long style with a fringe. More than two thirds of women try this look at least once, Daily Mail reported citing a survey conducted by hairdresser Andrew Collinge. The main reason a woman lets her hairdresser loose is plain old fashioned boredom. The next most common reason is the end of a relationship, a time of new beginnings and a matching brand new look. The survey of 3,000 women found 44 per cent changed their hair style or colour simply because they were bored, while 61 per cent expressed it as "just wanting a change". Another 25 per cent went to the hairdressers wanting to "re-invent" themselves while 38 per cent thought it would make them feel more confident. There were 17 per cent who admitted dashing to the salon in emergency mode after spotting the first streaks of grey. "Women have always used their hair as a way of altering their appearance as it often has the greatest impact visually," Collinge said. But, most women change their style "little and often" rather than doing a dramatic overhaul, the survey said. "You can add modern texture without altering the length just by adding some layers or by drying and styling differently --think Jennifer Aniston," he said. "Hopefully, with the help and advice of their hairdresser they are making these smaller changes to a style which already suits them --hence reaching almost 100 styles." He said fashion and celebrity trends played a large part in the looks women dream of for themselves. "In my salons we certainly see women bringing in pictures of the latest look which inspires them," he added.

(this article is copied from The Times of India)
I' ve only had 3 styles. Long, short and very short.

What about you?

PRAYER REQUEST

While I am writing this post let me ask you to pray for me. I have a nasty very painful boil/sore on my back. They usually surface after my hospital duties. And Aunt Virginia was hospitalized I went in there quite often these past 2 months.

it was a tiny thing and thought it would heal by itself, but last night it developed into a hard pustular lump. Its very painful. I feel feverish too. I am taking antibiotics.

Oh I hope it drains soon otherwise I am in real trouble.

POSTED BY AMRITA

FLIPPING MY SWITCH

I have been "Missing In Action" over here at the Sisterhood but I now you gals will forgive me. The latest on my Mom:
She has had her staples removed and the Surgeon said she has healed beautifully. She still has pain but that is from the tumor and not her surgery. The Surgeon said she has a LOT of healthy colon which really boosted her spirits. Yesterday they met with the Oncologist and on Monday she'll return for an orientation as well as a PET Scan. This imaging will help them to pinpoint the areas for chemo so that they will work against the cancer directly rather than in a random wide-spread pattern. She has had a lot of anxiety anticipating the chemo phase so the Doctor prescribed meds to ease her mental state. She has very little taste and hasn't had much of an appetite. I didn't want to tell her once she starts the chemo it'll only get worse. In all liklihood, she'll begin chemo by the end of next week....

Some days I feel like a sleepwalker. It's like being out of my body and watching myself move around, doing the "normal" things that I always do but feeling disconnected, detached even from myself and my life around me. In the time that I was up in St Louis I realized that I had become emotionally bankrupt. I had JUST enough to give to my folks, Dave and my children but nothing more than that. I still feel that way and it's a foreign concept to me. I guess if I took the time to read some psychology type books it would confirm what I know in my heart: I have been wounded and this is my mind's way of coping with everything; conserving its emotional reserves and healing my spirit within me.

I am forever grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit during this time. I never knew that complete surrender to Him in dealing with these 2 major life-changing events in our lives could be so exhausting. I think I am experiencing the let down of the biggest adrenaline rush of my life. If someone were to have secretively made a video of me during my time in St Louis, I wouldn't recognize myself in it! I am in speechless amazement at the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in all of this.

By nature I am a very emotional person! In fact, this is an understatement! When Dave and I were in pre-marital counseling we took one of those personality tests. We were SO in sync with each other in every category but one. I was on the extreme end of the spectrum in emotion and Dave was on the extreme end of the spectrum in reason and logic. It's made for some lively interaction over these many years in the Hopkins Household! We've learned to balance one another quite well. I have learned not to react as easily and Dave has learned more sensitivity to others' feelings. In spite of that, our basic personality traits are still there! My feelings get wounded very easily, I cry in movies, I can't even watch commercials for the Humane Society and so on...

I realize that I had to emotionally detach myself from the situation of Mom's cancer diagnosis not just so I could cope with it but so that I could be strong for her and Pop. I wonder now if I can ever turn that switch back on? The person I am right now is a stranger to me and not one I feel comfortable with. It's like the movie, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers",
I look in the mirror and see myself but something is missing....

Dave and I leave tomorrow for vacation in Montana. Montana has felt like "home" since the first time I ever set foot there. I feel so close to God when I am there in those "shining mountains" and I have a sense of urgency to get there. I will always remember this particular hike (picture below). As I soaked in the unbelievable mountain vistas around me Revelation 4:11 came alive for me.
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.


In that moment my heart and God's heart were the same, taking pleasure in the wonders He has created!!

Counting down...

Hiking the Garden Wall with Heaven's Peak behind me. Glacier National Park Montana

Wild Goose Island, Glacier National Park, Montana
(Photos by Dave Hopkins)

Farewell to a Friend

I had such big plans for today's big send off...but, life happens! I had such a great idea (and I'm not sharing it cause I might have need of it in the future!)but it rained cats and dogs here today and my plans needed sunshine! :(

So, I had to send Ms. Apron off on her next adventure with no fanfare whatsoever. I had a lovely time with her and look forward to the fall's new adventure! I hope Ms. Apron will have a joyful visit with the next sister and that the sister will enjoy her visit just half as much as did I!

I love you all and want you to know how much I love being a part of this Sisterhood!

Farewell, Ms. Apron. You were the perfect house guest and I will miss you!!!

(Sorry about the recycled photos, my camera is till having technical difficulties!)

Aprons.....................

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few. 

It was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material. 

It served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.  And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow bent over the hot wood stove.  Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.  After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.  I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.

And now we can add to all that shared love the love and prayers embodied in our own Traveling Apron!

I will make one last post early Monday morning before sending Ms. Apron on her way to the next Sister and another adventure!

Caught In The Act!!!!!

Well, I learned an important lesson today...even very nice and seemingly trustworthy girls cannot be trusted around the cheesecake!!!

Daddy was getting ready to head off to bed and said "Someones in the kitchen".  Well, I thought that couldn't possibly be.  I mean, it's just the two of us, so who could possibly be in the kitchen?  I forgot about Ms. Apron!  Seems she has a sweet tooth and a yearning for a bedtime snack to go with it!!!  Caught red handed!!!!  LOL!

Ms. Apron has been such a treat as a house guest.  Unfortunately, I haven't been well for a couple of days and couldn't share our exploits here.  I actually cooked a meal tonight and used a recipe!  So, I'll share that recipe with you here.  It's just a simple meal I concocted many years ago.  Terry always enjoyed it so I thought I'd try it out on Daddy too.  Here goes:

AUNT DI'S COWBOY CASSEROLE

1 lb. ground beef                       15 ozs. whole kernel corn *

1/2 cup chopped onions            2-3 tsp. chili powder
2 cups water                             2 large, thinly sliced potatoes
2/3 cup ketchup                        2/3 cup milk
2 T prepared mustard               15 ozs. ranch style beans *
1 tsp. salt                                 2 cups rice
1/4 tsp. pepper                         shredded cheddar cheese

*This is the size of a standard can if you prefer to used canned veggies to make it simpler.  I sometimes did that if I was in a hurry.  Typically though, I would cook the beans before hand and have them in the fridge for use in the casserole.

1) Brown ground beef and drain fat, pour ground beef into stock pot;
2) Add all ingredients EXCEPT rice and shredded cheese, cover and simmer till potatoes are tender;
3) Stir in rice and cover with shredded cheese;
4) Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

It's really simple and has everything needed in one dish, and it stores well for left overs later in the week!  I always served a green salad with it for Terry.  Daddy is like me, he doesn't process raw green veggies well, so I left the salad off.  I served cornbread muffins with it.  Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures.  My camera has been acting up and would not work when I needed it to. 

Later, when I picked it up again, the silly thing worked just fine!  It did the same thing to me a couple of weeks ago when I visited with my new grand niece.  I do not like undependable electronic devices so I think Ms. Camera will be finding herself replaced very soon!  I was so frustrated with my camera that I didn't even think that I could have used the camera on my cell phone! 

Well, time for me to go to bed now too!  Good night Sisters!  I'm looking forward to tomorrow and my last day with Ms. Apron.  I wonder what we'll get into tomorrow?!!!

Hello Everyone

As your friend and mine, dear Mrs. Mac, has said, my
name is Sandy and I am honored to have been invited
to be your new sister.

I have been following the blogs of Mrs. Mac, Terry,
and Cindy for a while now. In fact Cindy and I are
also "snail mail" pen friends. I am not acquainted with
any of the rest of you to my knowledge, but I do
look forward to getting to know you.

I live in the beautiful mountain town of Asheville,
North Carolina where I was born and raised
and have raised my two sons. Shaun is 24 and
Seth is 21. I am very happily married to a truly
lovely man, Kim McPherson, from New York.
Our son Shaun is autistic and almost totally
dependent upon us for his care. Seth is in one
of our local colleges and plans on working with
mentally and physically challenged people when
he graduates in two years. I adore my family!

The Lord Jesus is our Light and our Salvation.
In Him we have all we need!

Thanks for coming by and reading my story.

Richest blessings,
Sandy
(Psalm 116)

Welcome

We have a new sister joining the ranks; her name is Sandy.  She will be making a post soon introducing herself.  In the meantime, you may drop by her blog "Faith Hope and Love" to pay her a visit.  She's sure to be a blessing to the group.  There will be more openings coming this fall .... stay tuned.

To the hospital we go.............

My third day with Ms. Apron had a somewhat somber beginning.  As you all know, today was the day Daddy had his tests run.  Poor guy was just so weak and staggering that he could barely stand and walk this morning.  It took both me and my sister to help him into the car and then into the hospital.  Once we got there, we found a wheelchair for him.  He was so tired and so ready to get it all behind him.

Ms. Apron is such a sweet and caring little lady.  She would have it no other way than take her picture with Daddy as he lay waiting for the tests to begin.  Don't worry girls, I'll make sure she's clean and pressed before sending her onward.  I never trust what types of germs may be lying in wait in hospitals!

I told Daddy as he lay there with Ms. Apron draped across him that he should think of her as the embodiment of all of you as you lifted him in prayer this morning.  That made him smile!

Seeing him smile made everyone else in the room smile as well.  The nurses were so interested in hearing about our Ms. Apron and her adventures.  I think every nurse stationed in our 'pod' was in the room at one time or another wanting to hear our story!  I asked them to have their pictures taken with Ms. Apron, but they declined, saying it was just too special and that Daddy should be the one with his picture!  We had a great team and they took exceptional care of Daddy before, during and after the tests were completed.

After getting Daddy home and settled in, I decided it was time to begin thinking about supper.  Ms. Apron and I puttered around the kitchen trying to decide what to prepare and coming up with few ideas.  We had a good visit and I learned some interesting things while we chatted.  I'm tellin you girls, DO NOT tell this girl your secrets!!!!  I'm sure glad I learned all about all of you before telling off on myself!!!!  ;)

We laughed till I was ready to cry and then laughed some more!!!  What a wonderful afternoon we had!  Daddy finally woke from his nap and told me not to cook much because he just couldn't eat very much.  He said maybe some mashed potatoes, broccoli and some cornbread would be all he wanted.  Oh, and a piece of pie or cake!  My Daddy LOVES anything sweet!!!!

So, Ms. Apron and I got busy and cooked mashed potatoes, broccoli and a skillet of cornbread.  I'm not including pictures because I have no 'recipe' for any of these things.  I just make them like Momma did; that's the only recipe I know!  I promise I will cook something before the week is over and publish a real recipe with it!!!

Having eaten his vegetables and cornbread, Daddy was ready for a piece of that cheesecake in the fridge.  Ms. Apron hopped right up and got him a slice.  She is one accommodating girl!!!  We had a good day all in all and are so thankful things went well for Daddy and this is now behind him, at least until the next time.  Thank you all for praying for him today.  His tests found a couple of problems, but nothing major and nothing we didn't expect.  Again, all in all, a good day and one to praise the Lord for!

***Bet you girls were wondering just HOW many pictures of myself I was going to post today, huh?!  Promise I'll do better!!!***