Santa just visited many houses.
Here's one in Florida: (Gabriel, age 7)



My littlest Santa is found in New Jersey:(also known as Nathan, 4 months)
Isn't he cute?


Here's Scarlett early on Christmas morning:



And here's Scarlett singing with Mary Jo and Ann Marie:




Christmas morning at Tom and Kelly's house:

Scarlett had an important event today!

These are my dear friends who I worked with for many years. We've all been retired now for awhile, and many of us are feeling the years. We get together for lunch every two weeks and every one who is able comes.

I'm excited because I'll be away for the next couple of weeks helping Tom and Kelly with the new addition to their family of three active little boys.

I crocheted some "Angry Birds" or I prefer "Happy Birds" for Scarlett to play with.



Tuesday was the first day of school and here she is ready for first grade, so excited and happy.



Scarlett has learned to tie her shoes and is so proud of herself!




We had a lovely Labor Day weekend as Steve, Marta, Gabriel, and Alejandra came to visit us all the way from Florida. Saturday we went to the zoo.



I didn't take enough pictures! I need a picture of Marta here! Marta, do you have one? If so, please send it and I'll add it!

Welcome to the world, Nathan Stephen, born August 26, weighing 8 pounds 11 ounces. Adored by his big brothers, 4 year old Matt and 2 year old Tyler.

Scarlett got a new bike 5 days ago. The first day we had to hold on to her as she wobbily tried to ride. Every day she gets better. This video shows her as she practices on our street under strict supervision.

My garden on June 9, 3 weeks after the previous post.

We began to work on the garden about 10 days ago. Then we had several days of rain. I had started cucumbers and leeks inside about six weeks ago. The leeks appear to have survived all the rain but the cucumbers had to be replaced. The eggplants and cucumbers as seen in the video were planted today.

Mary Jo and Ann Marie had a piano recital today. We enjoyed going to it and they played very well. We're so proud of them!

We made a little trip to Steve and Marta's house last week, especially to see Marta's grandmother, Juana who is visiting from Spain. Juana is an active and aware 89 year old wonderful lady and it was a pleasure to see her again.

Alejandra now is 2 years old and has a glowing smile.

Steve and Marta are a cute and devoted couple.

We were able to go to a Japanese festival at the beautiful Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens near Boca Raton, Florida. It was a perfect day and here you can see Gabe posed in many sites at the garden. Gabe is almost 7 years old now, and a real delight to talk to and spend time with. I am a happy grandmother, especially when I am with my grandchildren.
Here is Gabe in the Japanese school room at the museum.

Marta is in the tatami room.

There was drumming.

Beautiful gardens with Gabe.
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The Writer

Scarlett loves reading and writing. She makes her own books by drawing all the pictures, then dictates the words for us to write. Some recent titles include "The Chicken Makes a Noise" and "The Worm".

This was a long weekend because of the President's Day holiday. Cathy and Scarlett arrived Friday evening and we had a nice time together. Saturday was sunny, cool, and windy, generally feeling like spring might be on the way. Then Sunday afternoon came and the snow began. It was wet and heavy snow, almost sleet, freezing on the road and on the car windshield. Then today, Monday, more snow began to fall. Spring teased us just a little but winter is still here.
Cathy and Scarlett left this afternoon for the long drive home, so I'm hopeful the driving wasn't too bad for them.

Just this week we came home from Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We like to go to a warm beach when the February cold and snowstorms come to Michigan. It was a lovely week of relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, eating too much, and just having a nice time. We came home well rested and ready for the last few weeks of winter knowing that spring will come in a few weeks.

My second winter trip was a visit to the New Jersey home of Tom, Kelly, Matt and Tyler. Kelly had a get together with high school girlfriends in Atlanta so I went for the weekend to help Tom with the boys. It was so fun and very busy! There was a lot of snow that Friday with mild temperatures so the boys enjoyed playing outside.






Matt and Tyler were happy to get Mommy back!

We've been very lucky to do a lot of traveling these last few weeks. First was a visit to South Florida to see Steve, Marta, Gabe, and Ale.

Gabe was surprised with a new bike from his mom and dad. Now he has very good skill with a two wheeler. In January in South Florida it is the perfect season for bike riding.


We enjoyed a visit to the beach. I love to see the ocean, walk in the sand, and feel the water on my feet. It is quite amazing to know that there is heavy snow and frigid temperatures in Michigan but people are enjoying the beach in South Florida.

This is the view from our front window today:

The Salad from Peru



Friday evening was our last night in South Florida so Steve and Marta took us to a sensational Peruvian restaurant. We had a wonderful dinner with all kinds of seafood. One of the dishes was a fabulous salad which I instantly tried to figure out how to make myself. Tonight I tried the recipe which is the result of my delight in this salad and my analysis of it. Basically it is a large plate of fresh greens mixed with hot lightly sauted vegetables, sprinkled with feta cheese, dressed with tomato vinaigrette dressing.

First I made the dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil, one sixth cup balsamic vinegar, plus garlic, one tablespoon tomato paste and 1 teaspoon honey and 4 basil leaves chopped.I put all the ingredients in a jar, covered, and shook until well mixed.


The salad greens are placed on a salad plate with a chopped tomato.


Meanwhile quickly stir fry various vegetables such as portabello mushrooms, zucchini, sugar peas, green onions, or any other vegetables as desired. When the vegetables are hot and fried maybe 5 to 10 minutes, mix them with the salad greens, top with the dressing, and sprinkle with feta cheese. Serve with crusty bread which can be dipped in the salad dressing at the bottom of your serving plate. Yummy!

We just spent many lovely days with our family in South Florida, a refreshing break from the cold and snow in Michigan. One morning after a short drive we enjoyed some hours in the sand and sun on the beach. A three hour plane ride away from ice and snow can take us to such a warm and beautiful place where people are swimming in the ocean and enjoying the sunshine. We so enjoyed our beautiful grandchildren as well as spending time with their parents.