Momma

Mrs. J. Hanson and Mr. J. Hanson, February 2010 Crusin'

We are truly blessed to have our mother with us, every day and especially on Mother's Day.  We love you Momma.

Birthday Boys

Mr. Hanson and Mr. Rentschler, kicking back.

We took a Saturday to celebrate our wonderful birthday boys. It had been a really busy week and we had not had any time to buy groceries or make wonderful picnic foods, so we got up super early and made our grocery list. After running to Trader Joes and to the regular grocery store, we had to make salad, cake, and burgers, and pack everything up for the party.

As you might imagine, we were running late.

By the time we got the car packed, it looked like we were heading off for weeks. Good Grief.


We had drinks and paper goods (plates, cups, napkins), folding chairs, bathing suits and towels, wonderful turkey burgers and condiments (cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce, fresh cut tomatoes), a yummy Asian Noodle Salad (recipe from the Pioneer Woman), and a Texas Sheet Cake. We were off to the lake at a good clip. When we arrived most of the family was already at the picnic site. We took three picnic tables to hold all of our wonderful goodies!

As we got things unpacked, we realized that three of us had brought different styles of salad with pasta! Good Grief! Each salad was yummy and different, but we had not expected that we would have a Tale of Three Pasta Salads to tell!

Mr. Bryant got the grill going and we chatted and munched on snacks as the food got ready.

Ryan took the kids down for a quick swim, and by the time they got back to the picnic area the food was ready.

Loaded Turkey Burgers, a family specialty

I can't smile, the sun is in my eyes!

ok, I'll try cause I love you.

Yum Cake!

Mr. McFadden and Mr. Bryant kicking back.

The lovely Mrs. McFadden and Mrs. Hanson

After yummy lunch and happy birthday singing, and the awarding of the gifts, Rosie and Ryan had to skip out to work. Mr. Hanson got a new Kindle and some books (among other things) and Mr. Rentschler got a new wheel barrow and the $$ to buy and Old Truck (among other things)!!!

We all shared more stories and laughed at most of them, and eventually Stephanie and I hung out with the kiddos at the lake for another cooling dip.

It's hot out here!

We had a blast! Thanks for the great excuse to have a picnic, gents. And Happy Happy Happy Birthday! We love you!

birthday parties - two for the price of one!

With ADR and JRR's birthday's being only a week apart, it only made sense to combine parties - what with everyone's busy schedules and so many fun things to do. So we had a combined family party at their house, and WOW did we have fun. There was great food, wonderful desserts, and lots of family fun.

Beautiful JPR! Happy Birthday!

There were princesses....

and presents....

and handmade jewelry....

and plastic glove balloons....

and a pretty pink purse with a "J" - whereupon many with a "J" in their name took a pose....

JPR and the Pink J Purse!

Mrs. Hanson with the "J" purse

:)

and pretzel writing....

and a super happy group celebration!!!

After Family Dinner

After Family Dinner and after walking the dog.

We have been trying to have a great family dinner once a week, when various family comes over and we have everything made from scratch. I have really been enjoying this new endeavor, but I am always so busy that I find I don't take any pictures - if I take any at all - until AFTER dinner is over!

After an auction day, and After Dinner

As you can imagine, I love having the family over and around, and love being with the kids and grandkids and parents and all. So these family dinners are right up my alley. I do want to capture our food and fun occasionally, though! We are only beginning these gatherings, and so far we have had hot sandwiches at several of our dinners, yummy ones for sure, with veggies and salads on the side. We have also had some danged good desserts, starting with Aunt Sophie's Texas Sheet Cake and going on to include Chocolate Cupcakes (perfect for after school snacks) and Chocolate Chip Cookies (perfect for lunches too!).

Last dinner we managed to have something different (as in, NOT sandwiches) - Chicken and Dumplings - and I got a few pictures just as the last bites were being eaten. I found the recipe on the internet here, and it was super duper good.

This week the menu is Roasted Chicken, Green Beans, and Mashed Potatoes. Dessert? Banana Pudding Squares. Sound yummy? I think so.

Texas Sheet Cake and the Verdict On Dinner and Dessert, taken After Dinner!

This week I will try to do better and get some before and during pictures to share!!!

Crochet One, Knit Two

Mrs. and Mr. Hanson, Fall 2008

Mrs. Hanson (of "Mr. and Mrs. Hanson take a cruise" fame) has really enjoyed working with her hands since she retired from the corporate world. She learned to crochet, as her mother had also done, and then she went on to learn the fine knit work that gives her such delight. She inspired me to begin to crochet, and then knit, and now I have gone on to felting and spinning - and I am hoping that mom will be able to use some of my yarns, soon.

As the years have gone on, though, mom is beginning to be plagued by severe arthritis. First she had pain in her fingers, and then in her wrists. She has been taking pain medications, applying heat, and doctoring. There is no cure for this kind of arthritis, so now she is learning to live with the pain. But she is not slowing down much on her crafting. And her work is getting better and better all the time.

Mother's Hands

It is wonderful to have the fabulous work she makes with her precious hands, and we all hold these as heirlooms. We have wraps and sweaters and blankets and even wonderful dish cloths. She has made baby sweaters and gifts and gorgeous ponchos and scarves. Last fall she made a fantastic wrap for Rose – look at the detail work (and happy birthday, Rose!).

Rose's Hand-Made Wrap

And her most recent and very much loved and appreciated work was a “leftover yarn” afghan for ADR. ADR immediately wrapped himself up in the afghan, and wore it like a regal robe after one of our family dinners. He made the mistake of getting up to get a drink, and Mr. Asa took the opportunity!

Asa, all cozied up