I was asked to make a cake for an event! Some friends from church were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and their daughter (also a friend) asked yours truly to make a mini-wedding cake. The event had a fall theme and their wedding colors back in 1984 were burgundy and silver. I have been told by many that I should open a bakery. I do love to bake, but have NO desire to ever own my own business again! Making one special cake every 6 months…now that is great fun.
Sherri’s Bakery. October 23, 2009
so…… October 23, 2009
I was sitting in the dining room this evening catching up on some ever-so-important online news. The children were off playing in Greta’s room. I could hear them laughing and laughing. Then Miles came to visit me like this-
I’m actually surprised that Greta was willing to share her tutu!
Miles updates. October 21, 2009
Well, we have a few updates from the last couple of weeks. We recently met with Dr. Legge (Ophthalmologist) and set up Miles’ eye muscle surgery for November 19th. It will be nice to have this out of the way. It will be the last of the planned surgeries. With a shunt, there is always a chance of an emergency surgery, but so far- so good.
On last Wednesday, one of Miles’ physical therapists decided it would be best not to meet anymore for awhile. Most of these sessions are spent with her trying to get Miles to stand and play, and Miles trying (and succeeding) to get away and explore. The result is that we are making the whole standing thing a very negative experience. She doesn’t want to see Miles until he is standing a lot more.
Then, yesterday- Miles’ other physical therapist and I figured out why Miles has been so wishy-washy with pulling up to stand. Before his big cranial remodeling surgery, he was pulling up to stand a lot. Then it stopped. We realized that we had started his dilation drops around the same time. He has recently been pulling up to stand a lot again, but last week, stopped! It was also last week that we stopped using the dilation eye drops…hmmmm. We are pretty sure that the changes in his vision are causing him to be less confident and to back track in this area 
It will be nice to have the surgery over with and quit messing with his eyes!
Miles continues to do great in his Speech therapy sessions. He now has close to 50 words and is starting to put 2 word phrases together! His favorite words this week are: “church”, “floor” and “see”. His therapist no longer wants to see him twice a week, only once.
And, finally, on Sunday we moved Miles from the “crawler” nursery at church to the “toddler” nursery. Even though Miles is not yet “toddling”, we felt he would fit in a little better in that environment. He did very well and one of my friends even said that he made friends with another little girl and had to be closely supervised in the tent 
fancy day. October 21, 2009
Greta announced to Daddy over the phone the other day that she was “having a fancy day”.
Does anyone recognize this adorable hat??
Inside my kitchen cabinets. October 21, 2009
The fruit of the Spirit is…
I do have this verse committed to memory, but have found that I need to be reminded of each fruit separately…and daily would be good–so here is my solution!
*sorry for the not so great photos, it is a gloomy day*
it’s that easy. October 14, 2009
You know that lovely, luxurious foaming soap? I love it! But, did you know that those foaming soap containers are reusable? You simply fill the container 1/3 full (or less!) with regular liquid soap and fill to the top with water. Give it a little shake and there you go! I used my Dr. Bronner’s soap (you could even use antibacterial if you must). Speaking of Dr. Bronner’s…it is pretty cool stuff. You can use it for practically anything! Just don’t try to read the label My wonderful mother-in-law was kind enough to donate 2 foaming bottles to the Lee household and we have been fabulously foamy ever since.
Happy 90th Birthday. October 14, 2009
My Grandmother, Marie turned 90 years old today! She is my only remaining Grandparent. I have so many memories of Grandma Hain. She always had a kitchen stocked full of candy! She also had the most beautiful jewelry. When we would go visit, my sister and I would work up the nerve to ask Grandma if we could have a piece of jewelry before we left. I remember being so nervous to ask her, even though she always said “yes”. Grandma was a fabulous cook and baker! She always had baked goods ready to go just in case someone stopped by to visit.
I think my all time favorite memory of Grandma Hain was from when us kids went to stay with her one summer. Grandma has a Czech accent and when one of my siblings asked, “Grandma, can we go to the pool today?” she replied, “could be!”. So cute!
Grandma always made a big deal that our birthdays were both in October. It was kind of like our little shared secret. She even gave me her baby ring that has the October birth stone.
Another thing I am proud to share with Grandma is her hazel eyes. She is a beautiful woman and even though she is in a nursing home and unable to make dumplings and sauerkraut and care for all of her beautiful plants- she is still lovely to be around. Happy Birthday, Grandma Hain. I love you!
daniel son. October 14, 2009
This summer my brother Eric was staining the deck at my parents house. Greta just had to help Uncle Eric. She ended up helping him for a really long time. Uncle Eric is so good with kids! Greta would occasionally start whining or crying when she would get frustrated. Eric responded by getting on her level and gently telling her, “remember, if you want to help- there is no crying”. Not too bad for a bachelor!
I’m not sure what the bandanas are all about, maybe Eric was pretending to be Mr. Miyagi?
blackberry glazed salmon. October 13, 2009
quick. easy. healthy.
Here is a recipe for an elegant dinner that is ready from start to finish in literally 15 minutes.
Blackberry Glazed Salmon
4- Salmon steaks
2 T. blackberry jam (I like habenero blackberry jam!)
1 T. soy sauce
1 T. olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Preheat broiler. Mix jam, soy sauce, olive oil and garlic in bowl. Spoon glaze over salmon and broil for approximately 10 minutes (depending on thickness of steaks) until the meat flakes and is no longer translucent. Voila!
