If anyone is wondering where I am, I’m out visiting our daughter and son-in-law and helping take care of the two grandbabies, cooking some, etc.  If you are a grandma, then you know what I mean when I tell you how much fun I’m having.  I’m helping take care of our 20 month old grandson, Baby J, and our newborn grandson who is two weeks old.  Both are adorable, but there’s something so special about a newborn baby.  Their sweet little newborn sounds, cute faces they make, and the way they move their little arms are so precious.  Baby J is doing and saying the cutest things, has favorite words such as “no” (lol), “uh-oh,” “mess,” “shoes,” and is presently referring to me as ‘Bobba” since grandma is hard to say.  We asked him to say grandpa, and he said something like “Passa.”  So I guess temporarily (?), we’re Passa and Bobba which is adorable to us.

I plan to be heading back home tomorrow.  My husband jokingly told a friend that I had left him for two younger men and then explained about our two grandbabies.  He’s so glad I can be out here to help, too.

We’re thankful that Val’s surgery went well!  She’s the author of Four Foods on Friday.

#1. What’s your favorite flavor of yogurt?

Blueberry
#2. Got a recipe for a smoothie?

Fresh Pineapple Smoothie
#3. Got a recipe for split pea soup?

My mother made a very simple split pea soup that was delicious.  I wish I had asked how she made it.  Seems like she would cook the peas with some diced onion in water until the peas thickened the water to a creamy soup consistency, and then she would add milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
#4. What’s your favorite kind of pudding?

Tie – banana pudding and chocolate pudding

Mix the following in a blender for a tropical smoothie:

• 1 6-8 ounce carton pineapple yogurt, low-fat
  
• 1 cup fresh, ripe pineapple chunks
• 1 banana
• Sweetener to taste
• 6 ice cubes
• 1/4 cup water, if needed

This is a very healthy salad with the dark green, leafy Romaine lettuce which is a great source of vitamins K, A, & C, folate, manganese, and other nutrients.

The tuna and walnuts provide essential fatty acids which the body needs for many things, including healthy skin and hair.

Apples are the best source for the mineral boron which is good for bone growth and a great source of fiber.  Apples are also rich in quercetin, phytonutrients, and flavonoids which may reduce the risk of certain cancers.  The best way to get all of the health benefits of apples is to always eat organic apples with the peeling!

Cherries are considered to be a “Super Food,” containing beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate, melatonin and also fiber.  They help with inflamation and cholesterol as well.

INGREDIENTS:

• Fresh Romaine lettuce or your favorite green lettuce
• Albacore Tuna in Water, drained
• Apple, chopped  (If it’s an organic apple, don’t peel.  If it’s not an organic apple, then peel because of the high concentration of pesticides on non-organic apples)
  
• Dried tart cherries
  
• Walnuts
• Extra virgin olive oil
  
• Salt & pepper to taste

Place lettuce in bowl and top with tuna, apple, cherries, and walnuts.  Drizzle with olive oil and add salt & pepper to taste.

These flowers are from my backyard.  They are not just any flowers…the original bulbs belonged to my grandmother (my daddy’s mother) years and years ago.   My grandparents lived out on the farm, and I’m told my grandmother had these flowers planted by their house.

My mother got bulbs from my grandmother’s garden, and then many years later I got some bulbs from my mother.  I hope to eventually give some to our daughter to plant at her house.  That would be the fourth generation.  What would really be neat would be to take a picture of the grandbabies in front of these flowers that came from their great, great grandmother’s garden.  That would be a special picture!

I’m having the same problem again, for the second time, of an ad being put on my site that I do not approve of.  I am in the process of trying to find out how to fix this problem!

(Hopefully, the problem has now been fixed!)

This is such a healthy recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 medium red onions, cut into 8 sections
• 2 yellow squash, cut into slices
• 2 zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 pound carrots, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, cut into thin pieces (or 2 teaspoons garlic from a jar)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• salt & pepper to taste

Mix above ingredients well and place in a large baking dish.  Bake in a 425 degree oven for about 12 minutes.  Stir.  Bake for an additional 12 minutes or until veggies are tender crisp.

OR

Cook on low in a crock pot for 7-9 hours until veggies are tender.

We have had such an exciting and blessed week.  Our daughter and s-i-l are the proud new parents of a precious baby boy.  Baby J (our 20 month old grandson) seems proud of his new baby brother and loves to point out Baby Brother’s nose, mouth, ears, hair, etc.

It is such a wonderful experience holding a newborn grandbaby, and just as much the second time around.  Such an awesome blessing!

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce

Combine honey, lemon juice, and soy sauce.  Brush half of this onto the chicken and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Baste often.  Then brush on the rest of the honey mixture and bake for 35 additional minutes or until done, basting often.   Makes 6 servings.