Wordless Wednesday- Birthday Girl- Sophia

(sigh...:)

Photos by Auntie Brooke C.
(Tim and Brooke flew to Pittsburgh for Sophie's birthday and dedication.)

Works For Me Wednesday--Make Self Rising Flour

Here is a tip that I learned this week ( how did I miss this one all this time?:)--How to make your own Self Rising Flour.

Imagine that you want to make some or these for dinner...

and the recipe calls for...

self rising flour...

and you are fresh out, oooorrr you may or may not have just looked in your self rising flour container and found those yucky mealy worms because your flour was a little old, ooorrrr you forgot to freeze your bag of flour for at least 24 hours when you brought it home.

Okay, that sentence was entirely too long.

Sorry.

Don't worry. You can still make those yummy rolls by doing this!---

Just add:
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

To every:

1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour that you use!

Simple:)

Now you can head on over to WeAreTHATFamily for all kinds of handy tips!.

Our Stay in Indy

About a month and a half ago we attended our nephew's wedding in Indianapolis. I just realized that I never showed you where my hubby and I stayed-- and were very happy with the very reasonable price. Seriously, if you find yourself in Indy, I would recommend the Ramada Airport Hotel. And, nope, we didn't hear any noisy planes take off or land during our stay. :)

The wedding and reception were held at the beautiful downtown Omni Hotel and if you missed me telling about that, check it out here. We had a wonderful time!

It struck me that these posts about hotels remind me of The Pioneer Woman's ( you know her, right?) posts of the hotels on her book tour. Well, the Ramada doesn't quite compare to the four star hotels on her book tour, but we liked it- AND we were able to buy groceries the next week!;)

The Pioneer Woman's Hotel Tours
http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/category/hotel-room-tours/


By the way, did you know that Sony Pictures acquired the film rights to Ree's book Black Heels to Tractor Wheels? Check out her blog if you haven't been there before. She just started blogging 3 years ago. I don't know when the woman sleeps.:)


Again, remember how I told you about my camera being left in the car (under something) and it being really, really cold? Yeah... these pictures are from their website, too:)

The Ramada was very clean and the staff was very nice and helpful.

As you enter the lobby, here is the desk. I'm not sure why they didn't take pictures of it, but if you are standing by this plant and turn around, there is a spacious sunken lobby with a huge beautiful stone fireplace with a cozy fire. Comfy chairs and couches surrounded the fireplace.

Our reservation was for a room like this. But on the day of our trip, the manager called and told us that they had some pipes freeze and break in one area and could they please upgrade our reservations to ...

this... a suite. "Hmmm...Let me think-yes!":)
This is what our room looked like except our room was about another third longer. It was HUGE!

You enter the suite with this room:

The photographer taking this picture is standing in the kitchen area, which had a fridge and microwave, sink and counters. Very cute.
Here you see the dining area and living room area with a tv. This couch is also a pull out bed.

Included in the price --(oh did I mention that the price that weekend was $60 per night?!- remember it was an upgrade, but still a great price:) --was their extended continental breakfast, along with the usual bagels, donuts, juice and coffee was hard boiled eggs, sausage and fresh fruit.

Oh... uh...we didn't see or experience this room...

...Did I mention our room was very nice?;)

So, if you are ever traveling through Indianapolis, you might enjoy a stay at the Ramada Airport Hotel. Tell 'em Linda sent you:)

Look Who's Talking, Smiling, Walking, Having a Birthday

You know that with children or grandchildren, they are always doing something new as they are growing and learning...

Smiling...

Eli is smiling ALOT these days. He is already over 3 months old and his mommy and daddy report that he is such a happy baby. He is easy-going, sleeps through the night sometimes and is now sharing a bedroom with his big brother.

I can't wait to hold him again and be on the receiving end of those beautiful smiles!:)
Grammy loves you, yes I do...


Talking...
Sam is busy with so many things, and recently discovered his belly button! We all love hearing him talk and play, and give his little brother hugs and kisses. One of the new things that he says is not just "I love you' but "I love you so much". (Grammy's heart melting here...:) Jess said recently that they make each other laugh...precious. (sigh:)

No, Sam's feet aren't having a growth spurt! He loves wearing his mommy and daddy's shoes around the house. He puts them on and "goes" somewhere and then "comes back home" So cute:)

Jess made these sweet guitar jammies for Sam. (she is very creative:) Sam just loves music and guitars. He also know many songs by heart...isn't that a funny phrase when you think about it?...memorizing by heart. Daniel and Jess have sung to him since he was a baby, lullabies and also children's church songs. Amanda babysat for Sam and Eli last Saturday and she told me that Sam can sing "O Holy Night"and that she was trying to keep with him:)

Of course, learning electronics is a part of growing up now! And a must for emailing Grammy one of these days:)
I love you Sam!

And look who's saying some words now AND is having her FIRST BIRTHDAY on Friday!
I am lovin' her pigtails:)
Sophia!!

What a beautiful smile:)

Sophie is on her way to walking...

Sophie's birthday celebration is going to be this Saturday in Pittsburgh. We can't do a trip now, but believe me, we will be celebrating also from here!:) Her mommy and daddy are also dedicating Sophie to the Lord on Sunday at church...what a wonderful weekend.

And look who shares their birthdays this week! Yes, Sophia was born on Amanda's birthday last year- what a blessing they both are!!

Happy Birthday Girls-- We love you!!

photos by Lisa C and Jess C.

Sitting at My Computer...

Identifying with Maxine on this Monday morning...hehe...