Back-tracking - Our California Trip - Part 3

Oaks Christian School has a lovely tradition the day before Thanksgiving, Grandparents Day. We went four years ago with Cole. This year we were able to go with him (a senior), Jordyn (a sophomore), and Lauren (8th grade). We started off with a continental breakfast with other high school grandparents, followed by a program with various choral groups. We then met Cole and Jordyn and they escorted us to some of their classrooms. The format was repeated for the middle school, where we met Lauren. We also visited Jeff's history class, where he was conducting class with students who did not have grandparents visiting. Such a lovely day!

Jordyn, Cole, Jeff, Lauren

One thing I really enjoy on this campus is the many wonderful quotes painted on walls of the buildings. This one is over the entrance to the History Department. Interesting side note ... the main building of the high school was once an aerospace company. During the Cold War there was an underground vault for top secret communications. The History Department is now located in that area. Isn't that appropriate?!!!

This is the quote that is inscribed over the door to Jeff's classroom.

Rich - always the teacher! At Jeff's podium.

A view of one of the Jeff's classroom walls. Another side note ... see the sign "Jeff Dewey for Judge"??? There was a man running for judge in Wichita in 2008 and when Jeff saw this campaign sign while visiting here he called the other Jeff Dewey's office to see if they could meet (which wasn't possible), but they gave him two of the signs. We have one in our garage.

I LOVE this! Next to the "No Limit" hang one of my Dad's rod and reel, net, and his fishing cap. I knew Jeff had the rod and reel, but the cap and net were a big surprise. It's historic and profound! Dad would have been so proud!

A great surprise was when we bumped into Barbara and Tony. She was the cafeteria manager at Rich's school, now retired several years. They were "grandparents" for some neighbor kids and we saw them at both the high school and middle school. Very fun, indeed!

Favored teachers!

We loved going to Jordyn's photography classroom, where she showed us her photography portfolio.  Great work! She has a great "eye", just like her Dad.

This is a view of the soccer fields. Wouldn't you love to go to school with a view like this??? The Pacific Ocean is beyond the mountains!

The Olympic-size swimming pool. Lauren was on the middle school swim team.

The building at the rear is the middle school. Another side note ... this building housed another aerospace company. In 1977 I was secretary for the engineering department which was located in the corner behind the tress. Oaks purchased this building a few years ago and converted it to a wonderful middle school. They have wonderful athletic fields, to the right of the photo.

So after our time at the high school we met Lauren at the middle school.

She proudly pointed out the award for her soccer team. They were the first Class "B" team to take a championship in their division.

Looks like two students, but don't be fooled. Lauren and a favorite teacher.

After lunch with the girls, we went back "home" to Jeremy and Renee's. She was waiting for me to get back so we could bake together. She had already baked two pumpkin pies and was working on two apple pies. We would bake four more pumpkin, plus little "tasting" pumpkin ramekins. That a lot of pie, but between the Dewey and Lord families, we would eat it during the Thanksgiving weekend! She also made two batches of the most WONDERFUL dinner rolls. No kneading, so light and fluffy that they about flew out of the pan. You can find the recipe here: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/10/worlds-best-dinner-rolls/.

Another GREAT DAY with our kiddos!

Back-tracking - Our California Trip - Part 2

We spent several nights with Jeremy, Renee, and Maddie. One really fun thing was to participate in Maddie's bedtime routine. Books and playtime were very fun and provided laughs for all! Every night this little girl went to bed happily and without any fuss. She's a blessing for sure!

We have a nice little tradition of going to lunch with Katelyn and Allison at In 'n Out! Gotta love being able to eat outside on the patio in mid-November on a warm, sunny day!!!

Maddie's first birthday was November 22. Her party would be on the weekend after Thanksgiving but we couldn't let the day go by without her first cake and candle! She loved it!!!

Her day care teacher made this birthday hat for her.

There's nothing like that first bite of sweet white cake! Yum!

Renee's parents dropped in and so there was a little celebration with both sets of grandparents. Then it was off to bed for the birthday girl.

What a year she's had!! She is such a sweet, cuddly, loveable little girl with a very sweet disposition. God has blessed us all by bringing her into this family!

Back-tracking - Our California Trip

We had a wonderful two-week trip to California in November, basically enjoying our family!

Our first weekend was to babysit Maddie while Jeremy and Renee took a little trip to celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary. This would be Rich's first visit since seeing Maddie as a newborn and it was September when I last saw her so we weren't sure how she would react to us. She never cried, fussed, or seemed unsure of us. What a love she is! Our weekend was spent simply loving, caring for, and playing with her!

Friday evening the three of us went to Jeff and Caroline's for dinner. Jeff was very proud of his veggie plate with a jicama heart - celebrating family love! :)

Love of a grandchild is so PRECIOUS!  Lauren and Papa

Grandma and Allison

Lauren is taking guitar at school and loving it! Lo, do I remember correctly that it is your favorite class??? At school she uses the school-provided guitar, but to practice at home she gets to play her dad's guitar.

Maddie loved carrying her very cute pink Converse tennies and swinging them by the shoelaces!

On Sunday, Cole came to visit Papa, Maddie and me.

Our youngest and oldest grandchildren - a span of 17+ years! Don't you love how Maddie is just "hanging out" with her foot propped up on Cole's leg.

Jeremy and Renee returned home and we all began a busy week. Work for them, we had visiting my Mom and spending time with Kathy doing a final sort of things at Mom and Dad's house, Maddie's first birthday, Grandparents Day at school with Jeff and the kids and, of course, Thanksgiving! More to come!

Grandma's Bake Shop

Grandma's Bake Shop has been in full gear!! My electric mixer has been running on high and the oven has been roaring for days now!

A family favorite is Wreath Cookies. My mom made these back in the 70s and wasn't sure if the kids would like them. Like them??? They are a Dewey family favorite.

And then the other "staple" is sugar cookies, cut out and decorated in all things Christmas. Just as Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a turkey, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Wreath Cookies and Sugar Cookies.

Other family favorites in the kitchen are gingersnaps, peanut blossoms (peanut butter with a Hershey's kiss), and pecan sandies. I made two new cookies this year (at least new to us) - chocolate crinkles and spicy nut cookies. Also made peppermint bark and almond toffee. Other favorites just didn't make the cut this year, but I made several batches of everything, so it's been a sugary (if not sticky!) wonderland! Major clean-up will happen next week after the little girls come to decorate their cookies this Saturday. There will certainly be more sprinkles on the floor then!

Recipe for wreath cookies:

Holiday Wreath Cookies
3.5 cups corn flakes
1/2 cup butter
30 marshmallows
1 scant teaspoon green food coloring
red hots candies

Tear off a strip of wax paper about 20 inches long and lightly butter. Pour corn flakes into a large bowl. In a double boiler melt butter, add food coloring and stir to blend. Add marshmallows and when they begin to melt, stir occasionally until completely melted and blended. Pour marshmallow mixture over corn flakes and stir to coat. Butter all your fingers. Take a "glob", about one tablespoon of mixture and form into wreath. Decorate with red hots.

Some notes:
1. I use more marshmallows, sometimes the whole bag if 34-36 marshmallows in bag.
2. I use more cereal, probably 4.5 cups.
3. Butter your fingers OFTEN!
4. This is a "fiddley" recipe. Not recommended to do with young children.
5. Be patient and take your time. They are worth it!

Enjoy!

Gingerbread House

I decorated my first-ever gingerbread house, actually I'm calling mine a church. There's a cross on the front, "stained glass" at the back, and all those little colorful candies on the sides represent all the people inside.

I purchased the edible kit from a sweet family who was selling them at the bake sale and craft bazaar that our women's ministry held last weekend. The mom in the family is one of our Mom2Mom moms who home schools her third and fifth grade children. She told me they had Business 101 all last week as they baked and cut the gingerbread and put into kits, along with directions and the requisite candies. (I added the few starlight mints). The children "worked the table" and were very competent little sales people. So glad to support this sweet family!

My Christmas baking is in full swing! I have made several batches of six different cookies and they are in the freezer/fridge, ready for me to start baking off. I've tried a couple of new cookies this year, so anxious to see how they turn out. Will also make some peppermint bark and perhaps another candy. When I get started, I get on a roll! I'll post some photos in a few days!

Until then ... enjoy your Christmas preparations!

Bible Study Fun!

Twice a year my Wednesday Bible study has a "fun day". Usually it's shopping and lunch but this year we did something a little different. We spent the last month or so cleaning out our closets and took several vehicles of donations to one of the World Impact Thrift Stores in Wichita. One of the young men from our church left his school food service job to be on full-time World Impact staff. His responsibilities include planning and preparing all the hospitality events for the organization, plus managing their two thrift stores. The stores help support the organization, but even more importantly provide goods for the urban poor. The stories of the customers are incredible. Truly a fabulous ministry.

Mary Ellen, Sandy, Helen and I were in one vehicle loaded with boxes and bags.

Rosemary and Caryn in another loaded vehicle.

Marilyn drove Diane and Janice.


As soon as we arrived, David gave instructions on what needed to be done.

Being the book lovers they are, Mary Ellen and Debby went to organize the book room. Sorry gals, no photo!

Diane began organizing nick nacks. Rosemary and Janice began on a row of clothes. All garments are $1.00 each. What a bargain.

Helen and I worked on a row of clothing, and Marilyn, Deb, and Caryn as well. We were to remove garments that had been on the racks for an extended period of time. They were folded and packed into HUGE tubs and bags to be delivered to a church that is starting a clothes closet ministry where those in need can come and take any clothing they need - free! A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

We worked for nearly two hours and worked our way through all the clothes racks! Then we headed for lunch.

Mary Ellen made reservations a La Galette in the Delano district in downtown Wichita. This is a nice little restaurant that combines the French and Lebanese heritage of the long-time family owners. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and quiches were the order of the day. Plus fabulous desserts. So many choices!!!

We have such a good time together, it's a real joy to carve out this time.

Some of the gals had Christmas shopping to do, others had to return to Newton. Several of us planned to visit the African-American Museum, also in downtown Wichita, to see the traveling exhibit on the Freedom Riders.  When we arrived, the museum board was having a meeting in the gallery and so we could not see the exhibit. How disappointing! We headed back to Newton and all the things we each had to accomplish!

The following scripture verse was inscribed on the wall of the thrift store. What a privilege it was to serve the ministry in this way and to support the staff as they seek to demonstrate God's great love to those who are in great need. May God be praised!