Thursday, January 26, 2012
MICHIGAN MY MICHIGAN: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
One hundred and seventy five years ago, Michigan became the 26th state of the United States. Does anyone have some extra cake for Izzy and I so we can celebrate?? We like cake. We like cake very much, but my knees are not up to baking yet.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
IN LOVING MEMORY OF THOMAS H. HEINER
Today would have been Tom's 67th birthday. Miss you!! Love you much!!!
Tom loved his hats.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I HAVE TWO NEW KNEES!
I had surgery on January 10th and had both my knees replaced. From the hospital, I went to rehabilitation and will be home in another day. I am so happy to have this surgery done and over with, but I am happiest with the fact that I had both knees done at once. I was either called crazy or brave when people found out that I was doing them both done at the same time. Personally I can't imagine sitting here after having one knee done and looking at the same surgery again.
I would be a multi-millionaire if I had a dollar for everyone who told me that knee replacement is a horrible surgery. Believe me, anyone who is facing this type of surgery already knows it will be difficult. If someone tells you they are having replacement surgery, just say, "Good Luck." They don't want to hear it is a horrible surgery.
I have lived with the pain of bone and bone knees for so long now that the pain after the surgery was not a great deal different from what I dealt with every day. I look forward to being able to go for walks and doing so many things that had become almost impossible to do with my own knees.
I would be a multi-millionaire if I had a dollar for everyone who told me that knee replacement is a horrible surgery. Believe me, anyone who is facing this type of surgery already knows it will be difficult. If someone tells you they are having replacement surgery, just say, "Good Luck." They don't want to hear it is a horrible surgery.
I have lived with the pain of bone and bone knees for so long now that the pain after the surgery was not a great deal different from what I dealt with every day. I look forward to being able to go for walks and doing so many things that had become almost impossible to do with my own knees.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
GO DETROIT LIONS!!!!!
MICHIGAN HAS BEEN SO BEATEN UP BY THE RECESSION, BY THE LIONS LOSING FOR YEARS, AND REPORTS SAYING, "THE LAST PERSON TO LEAVE MICHIGAN, PLEASE, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS" THAT WE NEED A GREAT WIN TONIGHT.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
ICY DAY ON THE BOARDWALK FROM THE GRAND HAVEN TRIBUNE
http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/unnamed-gallery-235
Click on the link above to see the pictures. Then click on each picture to see a larger view. This are pictures my knees would not allow me to get as I couldn't walk out there on the ice. Happy to see them in The Tribune.
Click on the link above to see the pictures. Then click on each picture to see a larger view. This are pictures my knees would not allow me to get as I couldn't walk out there on the ice. Happy to see them in The Tribune.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
MRS. SULLIVAN'S GINGERBREAD CAKE
Yesterday a Northwest wind roared straight out of the Arctic, down and across Lake Michigan, and slammed straight into the cottage bringing bone-chilling cold and Lake Effect snow. Old cottages are hard to heat. Izzy spent the day curled as close to me or in my lap the entire day. I figured it was a good day to heat up the oven, and a good day for a spicy cake.
I asked Mrs. Sullivan if she shared recipes. She whispered in my ear, "Betty Crocker and it is only available in the winter." The Dromedary Gingerbread is a much darker gingerbread than Betty Crocker's. Both are really yummy. I just Googled, Dromedary, and found that the cake mix is still available on Amazon.
I bought some extra boxes of Betty Crocker's mix as I think it would be wonderful with fresh peaches in the summer.
Gingerbread with whipped cream.
A few weeks ago I went to my Grandson Brad's first recital for his students. I took three kinds of cookies for refreshments and the families of the students also brought food. Mrs. Sullivan, whose son is Brad's student, brought her favorite gingerbread cake. 
Brad helping his students before the recital.
Mrs. Sullivan's gingerbread dusted with powdered sugar and second dish from the bottom.
Jera, Brad's Intended, played the piano for all the students.
I have happy childhood memories of gingerbread cake. It was one of the first cake mixes that our neighborhood grocery store sold. I can remember exactly where and on what shelf the Dromedary Gingerbread Cake mix sat in the store. I was really little and was allowed to bake the cake by myself as all you added was water to the cake mix and mixed them together right in the pan. My family always served the cake with whipped cream. Mrs. Sullivan's family likes applesauce with their gingerbread. Such happy memories a piece of cake can bring to mind.I asked Mrs. Sullivan if she shared recipes. She whispered in my ear, "Betty Crocker and it is only available in the winter." The Dromedary Gingerbread is a much darker gingerbread than Betty Crocker's. Both are really yummy. I just Googled, Dromedary, and found that the cake mix is still available on Amazon.
I bought some extra boxes of Betty Crocker's mix as I think it would be wonderful with fresh peaches in the summer.
Ingredients: Betty Crocker Gingerbread Mix, water, and an egg.
Put the contents of the cake mix box in an ungreased 8x8-inch square baking pan. Add egg and mix well with a fork.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool.
I like the cake split in half with lots of whipped cream. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!