Happy Birthday!

Grandson #3 turned 2 on February 17th!


Nate is named after Nate Kaeding the former Iowa Hawkeye field goal kicker who went on to play NFL football for the Chargers and now the Colts. His middle name is Lynn after his Grandpa Bud. Nate is VERY fond of his Momma and will hardly let her out of his sight. He has grown increasingly attached to HIS BROTHER'S blankie! Nate loves animals and sometimes seems to want to be a dog--well at least he wants to spend time in the cage. (Now, really DON'T call DHS, he crawled in there himself!)

He opened his gifts with help from his mom and two brothers. He really didn't enjoy it so much as he wasn't feeling very well. (Went to the doctor the next day and had ear infection.)

Nate is very quiet when he is first around us, or when there are a lot of people around, but he really can be a ham!

****************************************************************************************

Happy Birthday to Brittany (and me)!

My sister had my niece on my birthday in 1982. I was thrilled, but we then began to celebrate both birthdays together. I didn't mind, except for the times she SPIT on my cake blowing out the candles! But as she got older she always said she really didn't get to celebrate HER birthday and no one remembered HER birthday because they were too busy remembering mine. :) Now that she is older we usually meet her along with her husband and baby, my sister along with my brother-in-law and my nephew in CR for supper. BUT BRITTANY ALWAYS GETS TO CHOOSE THE PLACE TO EAT!! Well, that is enough dear niece, it's MY turn to pick the place. After all, it was MY birthday first!!!

Cinnamon Roll Tutorial

I have made this cinnamon roll recipe for many years. I think that I got it from my Aunt Corrine. There are better cinnamon rolls out there, but not easier to make! My DIL wants to learn how so here's a tutorial for her and anyone else that wants to try them!

Easy Bake Cinnamon Rolls

3/4 cups shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 T. salt
Put in large bowl

Then add: 1 cup hot water
1 cup cold water
2 eggs
2 packages dry yeast
2 cups flour


Beat well and add:4 cups flour

Place in fridge for 2 hours(I sometimes leave it in overnight).

Roll and spread with butter, cinnamon, and sugar.

Roll out and cut into 1/2 inch rolls.



Put in greased cake pan and let them raise.

Bake for 20 min. in a 400 degree oven. Then cool and frost with powdered sugar frosting.

Eat and Enjoy!

Irish Blessing

As I'm changing my background from Valentine's to St. Pat's a memory comes to me. I always loved listening to Trina sing. She doesn't think her voice is that good, but I think it is wonderful! I've always wished I could sing, but alas I have the singing talent of my mom and aunts. (We always asked them not to sing!) Grandma had some musical talent, but she didn't pass that to her children. Anyway, this Irish Blessing was in the form of a song the first time I heard it. I think it was in an honor choir that Trina performed in. I have loved it ever since.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Have a Great Week!

Homemade Valentine's Day Cards

Happy Valentine's Day!! Did you buy your loved ones cards and/or candy?? Well, I didn't do so well this year as it really snuck up on me. It seems as if I'm not in the stores to be reminded of the upcoming holiday I just don't think about it until it is right on us. So, sorry Mom, Trina, & Travis I didn't get anything sent in time!

I was reading some blogs and saw a card someone had gotten and thought they were cute, and would go quickly, so I made some. (So if you're reading this blog and it was you let me know so I can give you credit!)


So, if you're in a pinch today, or just want to make a little craft here's how to do it:
1. First you take a small sack--brown or white will do. Lay it flat on the table with the bottom of the sack facing you.
2. Then punch several holes in the left side.
3. Run some ribbon through it and tie.
4. Decorate the front by stamping or glueing something onto it. I used stamps, cut-outs, and buttons.
5. Do some stamping or decorating on the inside and you're done!
6. Slip some cash or a gift certificate into the little pocket on the right. Or, you could decorate some cardstock. tie a ribbon on it and slip it inside.



I hope you have a great Valentine's Day!!!

NEWSFLASH!!! NEW GRANDCHILD ON THE WAY!!!

Yes, we have Grandchild #4 on the way!! The happy parents announced this to us when we had our Christmas gathering January 17th. But, we were not to speak a word of it until after the appointment today. OOOOH, was that hard to do!!

Grandpa Bud has his order in for another boy so that the Juilfs name has a better chance of continuing. There are only a few other Juilfs boys in his family yet to carry on this name. On the other hand, I have my order in for a redheaded granddaughter! It's high time I had the pleasure of buying ruffles and frills! Of course we will be praying for a healthy baby no matter what!

So, now I can tell you what Kerry really sewed at her first lesson--a receiving blanket! It is made out of two pieces of nice soft flannel with sheep on one side and plain colored on the other. It will work for a boys or a girl.

So, I'm not announcing this at work until someone mentions seeing it on my blog! Be the first to mention it at work and I have a little surprise for you!

RV's & Relaxation

Well, we certainly looked at a lot of RVs of all types this past weekend. Friday evening found us in Coralville with Trilby and the grandsons at the Sporting Show held at the Marriott. This show had boats, campers, supplies, and speakers. We all toured the campers and boats and then Bud went to a fishing class to learn how to catch catfish. I'm sure our freezer will be overloaded this spring! The rest of us went to a raptor presentation. It was very interesting, but the most interesting part was when they let the birds fly across the room. We had to sit very still as they swooped just above our heads. The boys were impressed to say the least!

After supper at Texas Roadhouse we headed for home.

Saturday morning we headed for Des Moines to attend the RV show at the fair grounds.

This show only has RVs--from fold downs to expensive motorhomes. We just like to browse, dream, and see what the new features are. Some of these are just unbelieveable--fireplaces, retractable flat screen TVs, five slides, electric awnings & levelers, and convection ovens. Our "big" purchase was a bread cooker-Yes, we will cook bread over the fire. You have to see the thing to really understand it. The bread will look like a big breadstick when its done. We did agree on one fifth wheel that we both really liked--IF we were retiring and could pay cash for it!

We ate supper at Bud's favorite eating place while we were in Des Moines, and we visited several antique places. No major purchases, but a nice relaxing weekend.

The "New" 70!

My friend, and my kids' "adopted" grandma, turned 70 in December. Pat is retired after many years teaching kindergarten. She keeps busy with many volunteer activities including the food pantry, historical village, and her church. In addition she sometimes subs for associates at school. I try to make sure she goes to CURVES three times a week.:) Actually, she sometimes shames me into it! Funny how 70 doesn't look like it used to!

We decided to check out a new and very modern restaurant in honor of this occasion.

One of our appetizers was a flaming cheese served with bread. YUMMY!




My pasta looked better than it tasted. What really tasted good was the strawberry daiquiri that I had, but I slurped it down without taking a picture!


Anyway, Happy 70th Birthday Pat!

Resolutions, Rockets, and Rehab

We are certainly meeting one of my New Year's Resolution--the one where I said I would spend more time with the grandsons. Payton spent the weekend with us again. He is able to ride the bus to Tasha's since it goes right be her house. She was home on Friday, so he played there until we met them in town for supper. Then Saturday morning we were off bright and early to Kathy and Dale's to butcher.
I actually baby-sat with my great nephew, Evan, taught Kerry to use her new sewing machine and how to patch jeans, and corrected papers while they butchered! At the end of the night Payton and Evan had fun together. What would they be--second cousins or first cousins once removed? I get confused with that stuff!

So, on Sunday I spent some time teaching him to tie his shoes. Yes, he is in second grade and had never learned to tie his shoes! He would
have someone else do them, wear his CROCS, or just stick the laces into his shoe. So, after he and I had worked on it, in comes Grandpa and WA-LA--Payton's knows how to tie his shoes! Next, was the project he need for the next day. He needed something about space--could have written a book, etc. etc.--but he wanted a model. So, the three of us worked on that for a couple of hours. We finished just in time for Bud to take him to wrestling and drop his project off at home. WHEW! We were exhausted!

I had my six week check-up at the University today. They checked to see how strong I have gotten, how much I could bend, etc. and we had a group session with the psychiatrist. I was actually pleased to find that I was doing more exercise than most of the others, even though I'm not doing EVERYTHING I'm supposed to do. I get frustrated that I have to do all of that exercise, but guilty because I'm not!

The sun is out and it is supposed to get into the 40's this weekend, so I'm thinking spring--How about you?