For Cheri

For Cheri, on her birthday, I would like to offer the wonderful gift of options. I know 7 is one of those ages, one of those times in life, when you feel like options are scarce and the available options are all less than optimal. Here are some options that you will love. I promise, they are all good.

Option A) The Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillo. Oh my goodness. This is really funny. It's about a family that owns a pig as a pet and the funny thing she does and their funny neighbors. My favorite so far is "Mercy Watson Fights Crime."

Option B) The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. Here you have a classic!! I love this book and it's sequal. I loved it when I was 7 and I still love it now that I'm . . . well, never mind. It's about Julian, of course, and the funny funny stories he tells his sister.

Option C) Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman. Do you love Horses? I think you do. You will love Kate and Cocoa. Cocoa talks!!!! It doesn't get any better than that.

"What's so good about these options?," you ask. Well, They're short, they're funny, and there are more where these came from. That's what is so good about them.

Happy Birthday Cheri

Give me a C

At our house C is for cookie. That's what I sing everytime I put a Cookie Monster diaper on little bit. But to day C is for cookie and for Chelsea. Happy birthday Chelsea. Here are some cookies for your birthday. I wish I could be there and make them for you.

Peanut Butter Rolo Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup shortning

1 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teasoppns baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 package of Rolo chocolates (about13)

1. Mix all ingredients together except rolos

2. When dough is mixed well, take a small amount, flatten out in hand and place a rolo in the middle. Close the dough around to form a ball.

3. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Let cool before eating.

Great!!!

Today is my Grandma Jackson's Birthday. We love our grandparents so much, and Matt and I both feel very lucky to live so close that we can visit our grandparents. Although she won't remember, Jill has now met ALL of her Greatgrandparents.

Happy Birthday Great Grandma Jackson.

We love you Great Grandpa Svedin.

See you soon Great Grandma and Grandpa Pack.

WMMMMMMMM

Dear William,

You don't remember your third birthday, but I do. You had a scare over your lip from a tragic, rainy day, park accident and you had just learned how to say how old you were. You would hold your hand up to your mouth like an "O" and very slowly lift up your pinky, then your ring finger, then your middle finger, all the while saying "thhhhhrrrrreeee" with great focus. You would move your hand with three outstreached fingers away from your mouth and down to your side on the "eeee" part. Then you would smile the biggest, crooked mouthed, smile. So cute.

Happy birthday, and happy St. Patties day. Here's a green treat for you and Rebecca to make.

Feta Spinach Dip
(party size)

1 ten oz box of chopped spinach, thowed
1 six oz container of feta chese, crumbled
1/3 cup mayonaise
1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package crackers or bread rounds

Add first 5 ingredience together in a bowl and stir to your hearts content. Eat on crackers or little toasts. (I really enjoy it on toated pieces of sour dough bread. I also added more walnuts that asked for. About a cup, and it was good.)

My Brother-In-Law

I have many, but the one I'm referring to today is Allen. You see, today is Allen's birthday.

Happy Birthday Allen, and congratulations on your new baby. Here is slice of German Chocolate Cake to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Heather

Heather is my oldest sister. Heather is the type of person who loves to learn new things. Dear Heather, here is your present this year:

Click Here!

PS, if you look around this site, you will also find really great sweing and crochet tips.

xoxoXOoxoxoXOOXoxoxooxOoxoOOXOXOOXOoxoxo

Sarah

Dear Claire

Dear Clair-e-bell,

When I came to Grandma Jackson's House to visit last fall, you were there. You were small then, but your eyes were very bright and full of understanding. You knew I was having a little baby girl, and that when you finally get a chance to meet in person, you two will be best friends.

Now you are much older. Practically a lady. Happy Birthday, Clair-e-bell. I hope you like these books.

A. A. Milne's Pooh Collection.

KATE!

KATE!

Does any one else hear that name and immediately hear Ben-Folds 5 in your head as well?

Last year Kate was 8.

That means this year Kate is 9.

That doesn't rhyme quite as well as last year's story, but I'm sure it will be a fabulous year just the same. How can it not be for a girl like KATE!

Oh Kate. Have you read this one yet?

The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks. I loved this book when I was 9. In fact, it was the only book I wanted to read.

Happy Birthday KATE! ( in a few days, that is)

Birthday Boys

Today is such a special day! Tomorrow is a pretty good one too. My two nephews made it that way. Today and tomorrow these two almost twins (except they have two different sets of parents) will be 3 . . . is that right?

Here is a birthday Book for you both.

Who Made This Cake by Chihiro Nakagawa; illustrated by Junji Koyose

Happy Happy Birthday

Eric,

Happy Birthday, and welcome to fatherhood. We love you so much. While trying to think of the perfect gift for you, I stumbled across this . . .

Happy Birthday Bro.