of graduations, postponed carnivals and grape salad

Last night was our baby girls graduation party.

Yes, I have shed a few tears.

It is hard for me to believe that we are at the end of another child's home school journey.

It is hard for me to believe that she is done.

I truly am not sure where the time has gone.

But it has.

We had a whole passel of special people over to celebrate this landmark
in our precious third child's life. Including a dear friend of hers who flew in from Alabama to spend this special time with her and all of us.

She even got to skype with her bestie from Tanzania.
:)

She is our middle, middle,
Third of Five.
Laid back as they come.

Sweet as pie and twice as nice.
And I don't just say that 'cuz I'm her momma.

You can ask anyone.
:)

Each one of our children is precious to us, for obvious,
and not so obvious reasons.

Our daughter, Candice, is a joy.
She is sweet, kind, lovely, gentle and even tempered.

I actually have a post I am working on, dedicated just to her, along with pictures,
pictures and more pictures.

I have a lot to say to her.

And about her...
and not the time
(or the tissues)
to put it all down right now.

But I have to say how very much we love her, and how very proud we are of her.

I love you, Candice Marie!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, for the postponed carnival

Today our "end of the school year" Home school carnival
was planned to be held at Chasity's and Daniel's house.

It was going to be stupendous.

Spectacular.

Super di duper!

They have both done a tremendous amount of work preparing and creating
fun~filled activities sure to delight!

It was going to be one amazing day.

Alas...the weather had other plans that did not include a fabulosa carnival...

rain,
drizzle,
and more rain.

***sigh***

Disappointed kiddos and adults.

We have all been looking forward to this carnival for weeks; the fun and fellowship,
and then the cook out/ potluck that was to follow.
Not to mention the beginning of summer break.
What?
Home school momma's need a break too!
:)

The good news is, it will be re-scheduled for a week or two from this Saturday,
so all is not lost.
(Small consolation to our little ones.)

The accidental good news is, we get to eat grape salad TWICE...
since I already made if before the aforementioned super duper carnival was postponed, and I will make it again when it's time for the real deal.

This salad is AMBROSIA.
It is a favorite of Chasity's, Shauna's and mine.

yum.

We first had it at a church potluck supper.
None of us thought that it looked good...brown sugar and grapes...
um, I don't think so.

We were WRONG.

You gotta try this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grape Salad
8 oz. whipped cream cheese (Too pricey for me; I just whip 8oz. of regular crm. chz.)
8 oz. sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cool whip
1 tsp. vanilla

1 bag green grapes (not really sure how many that is...I just guess)
1 bag seedless red grapes (see above, and yes I have accidentally bought seeded)

Mix first five ingredients until smooth.
Wash and halve grapes.
Seed them, or see if your sweet graduate and her friend will do it.
:)
Turn grapes gently into mixture.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp. melted butter

Mix together with fork and sprinkle over grape salad.
Press down and create "seal" with topping.
Can be eaten immediately or refrigerated and served the next day.

Sooo yummy!
You don't need dessert with this on the dinner table!

Love to you all.
Have a wonderful LORD's Day.

~m

Tuesday's Tip

A day well begun is half done.

I'm not the author of this quote,
nor do I claim to have mastered the adage,
but I know it to be true.

Starting my day with a cheerful,
thankful,
prayerful,
selfless,
kind and
willing~to~work~heart
has conquered many a busy day,
even those filled with unexpected interruptions,
and a to~do list a mile long...
(so many things to paint...
wiggles eyebrows)

Ahem...Where was I?

Ah yes...

and starting without one
has caused many a flop~of~my~days,
wrought with impatience, frustration and a too quick, too sharp tongue.

Sometimes I think I can see it going down in embers around me...
May Day!! May Day!!!

O.k. a bit dramatic,
but you know those days.

So there is my first AWE INSPIRING Tuesdays tip.

Does it count if it's a tip you already know?
I hope so.
There's nothing new under the sun, ya know.

p.s.

O.k., so here's a yummy recipe for those of you that were less than impressed by my tip.

You know who you are.

This is a treasured family favorite,
a recipe of my beloved Grandma,
and simple ta boot.
You gotta love simple.
And did I mention it was chocolate?

~~Grandma's Peanut Clusters~~

12 ounces butterscotch chips
6 ounces chocolate chips
1~ 12 ounce can Spanish peanuts

That's it.

Melt both kinds of chips in a double boiler
(or the good old stand by we always use, a littler pan in a bigger pan of hot water)
After thoroughly melted, stir in peanuts.
Drop by spoonful onto waxed paper or aluminum foil.
Let cool.
Enjoy!
These are the best peanut clusters ever.

Really.

Important disclaimer:
I do not like butterscotch.
These do NOT taste anything like butterscotch.
You are just going to have to trust me on this one.

Have a great day!

~M.