Here's what's cooking...

Most of you already know that I've been immensely blessed to be a part of a recipe blog called Mennonite Girls Can Cook. Lovella Shellenberg started it back in June 2008 and I was invited to be a part of it in July that same year.


The 10 gals who contribute to the blog are as follows:
back row, L to R: Judy, Marg, Lovella
centre row, L to R: Julie, Betty Anneliese, Bev (that's me)
front row, centre to L: Ellen, Kathy Charlotte

These gals have become my very good friends through the blog and through our daily chat via the internet. We not only share our recipes with our readers but we share our everyday lives, our joys and our prayer concerns with each other. I can't describe the love and support I receive from these dear friends.

The MGCC blog has taken off and as of this month we are getting around 3600 hits per day totalling more than a million since we started. It's been alot of fun sharing recipes and we appreciate each person who follows our blog.

We've had some of our readers ask if we were going to do a cookbook.

Well the news is out (check today's post on the MGCC blog) that the cookbook is in editing right now.

We'd dreamed of doing a cookbook based on the blog but agreed that it would only happen if a publisher came to us. This happened earlier this year and since then we have been busy - cooking, tasting and tweaking; then cooking again. Then we had to take pictures of what we cooked and often our families and friends had to wait until the perfect photo had been taken. And then there was the recording and writing and rewriting. Now the manuscript is in the hands of the editors.

Although several of us knew each other prior to the blog, we did not all meet together in person until last month and that was because we had a cookbook contract to sign. We spent 3 wonderful days together doing what women friends do - eat. laugh, cry and talk.

The picture above shows us all toasting the signing of the cookbook contract.

So that's what's been cooking around here and we think it's reason to celebrate!!
The cookbook is due out in May and you can read the news release and pre-order a cookbook by going to the Mennonite Herald Press website at: http://store.mpn.net/productdetails.cfm?PC=1624 Any proceeds realized from the cookbook will go to an MCC project dedicated to feeding hungry children.

There's something cooking...

However, like my two precious grandchildren you're going to have to wait for it!

September in Seattle

After spending Friday afternoon and evening with our terrific grandkids Harv and I drove to the Hotel Vintage Park in downtown Seattle and spent 2 nights on our own. We had a fabulous day exploring Pike Street Market and Seattle Centre Saturday and then spent a bit of time shopping before heading home Sunday evening.

Here are some of the sights we saw!

The Seattle Central Public Library.

Another of Seattle's beautiful buildings.

This working man stands in front of the Seattle Art Museum.

Harv took a number of pictures at this fountain on the waterfront.

The first thing we saw when we got to Pike Street Market was this flower stall.

I love the combinations these talented ladies compose. I wish I could have taken several bouquets home with me. They were only $5 and $10. per bouquet!
More Dahlias!

Looking down the centre aisle of the indoor part of the market.

Outside, the beautiful sunshine drew buskers to entertain and crowds of shoppers.

We strolled streets that were dappled with sun and shade . Then we took the monorail to Seattle Centre where we sat for a long time watching the children (and adults) play "chicken" in the International Fountain. If you haven't been here, the fountain spouts water randomly - often in time to classical music from speakers located around the fountain. The trick is to run up and touch the sphere in the middle without getting wet!

We watched three little girls with blond ringlets - about 3 years old, I'd say, who were running in and out of the spray. They would have made a great ad for Fruit of The Loom in their pink flowered panties. They were so cute.

We had to take one picture to prove we'd been here.

Finally, the Space Needle against a brilliant blue sky. We always enjoy coming to the Seattle Centre park. There is so much to see and do. This time we did more seeing than doing and loved every minute of it.

Friday with the Grandkids

This past Friday Harv and I headed out to Seattle to spend some time with our grandkids. Grandboy B had a birthday this month that still needed some celebration time plus Grandma had been kids clothes shopping lately so we drove down laden with gifts and cookies.

We visited with our DIL and the two oldest while grandboy B finished his nap. Grandboy N and Princess E kept asking their mom when she would go shopping so they could visit with PopPop and Nana. Too funny! When Grandboy B woke up he opend up his gifts ( 3 Duck books by Jez Alborough and a pair of Cheeky monkey pyjamas)

Daddy came home from work early so we had some fun in the yard with the neighbours...Head first down the slide is so much fun!

A little soccer


some vigorous red wagon pushing

And more than a little hanging around upside down.

....before heading out to "Five Guys Burgers and Fries" for supper.

After supper we had enough time to spend a half hour at a local playground before it was time to go home.

Granboy N loved the zip line

Walking the balancing wall looked like fun when Princess E did it so Grandboy B had to try it too. The first time he had a bit of help from Nana.

Mama and Daddy showed us that playgrounds are for grown ups too!

On his own now!

And once more down the slide.

Then it was home to stories and pj's and bedtime.