The Joys of Fellowship!

~Fellowship!~ We had the opportunity to have a wonderful time of fellowship with our friends, the Calvetti's! This is Joshua, the oldest son. Some members of their family had just left for a mission trip in Zambia, so we thought a change of scenery, and hot meal and some fun would cheer them up!
After a meal of baked chicken, red potatoes with fresh chives and green beans, we had a little time just visiting and enjoying the kids.
Me and Sarah Calvetti....she is so much fun! We always enjoy when she spends time with us....and she knows I love her, even if she doesn't like my kombucha!

This is the DELICIOUS "Hot, gooey butter cake" that Rochelle brought over! I have to get the recipe! It was such a hit, there was none left!

This is Rochelle and her youngest of seven children, Abigail! We were taking pictures and Abigail kept saying " do me, do me!!" ...we finally figured out that she wanted her picture taken, too!

Our "silly Sara"! We have to make sure we say "Sara Catherine" or "Sarah Elaine" when both are together as it gets pretty confusing if we don't!

The "other" Sarah! These girls were taking so many pictures until they finally decided it would be more fun to run around in the dark and swing on the tire swings!

We all had a great time playing 'catch phrase'! History seemed to be the favorite topic of the evening!

Meghan loves the game 'Catch phrase'!

Looks like Joshua is deeply pondering a question! LOL

Abigail and Timothy had fun on the swings.
Rachel in the tree!
How many people can you fit in a tree? Right now, there were three. We had a lot of initials carved into this tree! It started 3 years ago with our friend, Dillon carving his.....last night, Joshua and Sarah both carved theirs as well.

~We had a great time of fun and fellowship last night! I so strongly feel that the Bible teachs us to offer hospitality...to open our homes and our hearts, and that relationships have eternal value. It is so important to foster these relationships...not just for our children but for us as well. Godly friends are precious! Looking forward to a movie and popcorn night some evening soon! ~Sue~

A weekend of Celebrations!

It was a weekend of Celebrations! Happy 47th Birthday to my wonderful husband! Ron being born on the Fourth of July makes that holiday so special for us! It was a weekend of lots of family and family time here...and good friends who feel like family! Here is our weekend in pictures! ~Sue~

My wonderful husband, Ron!
Our good friends from Ohio, Mike and Jolyn came up for the weekend...here is Mike and Ron on the Fourth.
Jolyn and I enjoying our time together...it always seem so short!
Our 3 beauties....they get along so very well...Meghan, Autumn and Sara!
After a yummy dinner of melt in your mouth barbeque ribs, coleslaw and potatoes...we all enjoyed visit with everyone!

Everyone enjoyed the RICH chocolate cake!

We had a wonderful surprise when our nephew Ben (who is in the Airforce) came up to visit with his wife, Crystal, who only has 4 more weeks until their first son is born! How precious it was to be able to spend time with them!!!

Ron with his sister, Maureen, and his Mom!

Our beautiful little "Anna Lydia Peony Lucy"! After our celebration at our house, we all went over Lori and Todd's for fireworks. Each year, Todd buys tons of fireworks and every year it gets better and better!

Lori and Jolyn. They were finally reunited again after 25 years...after being best friends for years before Jolyn moved back to Ohio when they were growing up, then Lori was a bridesmaid in Jolyn's wedding...this was the first time they've been able to see each other. They are both looking forward to more of a quiet visit in the future to spend time together.

And...Debbie! She and our family have been close since 1973! It is always so much fun and a treat to spend time with Debbie!

The Gorecki clan before the fireworks!

Lori, Todd and Ty. It was Ty's first Fourth of July!

Anna and Ronnie weren't quite sure of the sparklers...and I don't think they want to do them next year!

Some of Todd's beautiful fireworks! After church Sunday morning, we all came back for a delicious lunch before Mike treated us to Sarris' s for icecream! Thanks, Mike!

Anna "shared" Jolyn's strawberry sundae...but I think she ate most of it! I know she especially enjoyed digging out all the strawberries..and Jolyn let her!

The three "big girls" enjoyed their icecream, too! What a beautiful place, Sarris' is!!!

Then it was off to celebrate Ty's first birthday!!!
Our birthday boy! Ty Robert Jansma!

Ty's proud parents! I wish I could have taken a picture of Ty with his sister and 2 brothers.
My lovely niece, Tina.

Me and my sister, Pam...Tina's mom.
My beautiful mother and her friend of over 35 years, Barb.
Anna and our birthday boy, Ty. Sara did face painting for over 30 children and Anna wanted to be a dalmation puppy...she helped Ty open all his presents.
Some of Ty's admirers watching him open presents

Some of his favorite presents...we got him a hockey set (because he loves ours!) and he loved his broom (wouldn't put it down!), his truck and drum set.

This is so funny...my step-dad, Ted, on the left and my Dad, Ray, on the right...yes, they get along, and my Dad is constantly fooling around! I am so blessed to have both of them and blessed that they get a long so well!
A very tired birthday boy enjoying his cake! He really loved this and had so much fun with it!

~Well...after a long, busy weekend, we are in slow motion here today! Have to straighten up the house, and get ready to have guests for dinner tonight. A team from our church left for Zambia on a missions trip this morning, and I'm having one of the families for dinner tonight and fellowship. Ron is working at the garage, and her husband and one of her sons left for Zambia, so it will be a nice chance to sit and visit together. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, too...have a blessed week! ~Sue~

Recipe:4th of July Chocolate Fudge Cake

The finished cake! This is so tall and heavy!
Showing the three layers of chocolate goodness...Dayna, your Dad would love this!


~ My dear Husband's birthday is tomorrow...the Fourth of July! This is his very favorite cake, so we make it every year. The recipe is from Taste of Home magazine. I've been making this once a year for Ron's birthday and it is definitely a family favorite! I thought I would share the recipe with you all! I haven't tried it gluten free yet....going to save that for MY birthday in August! (This cake is so rich...you can really only eat slivers and HAVE to have icecream or a big glass of milk with it! LOL ENJOY! ~Sue~

~Fourth of July Chocolate Fudge Cake~

3 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla
2 2/3 cups flour 3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 tablespoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cup sour cream 1 1/3 cup boiling water

~In a mixing bowl, cream brown sugar and butter. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each one. Beat on high until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in bowl. Add alternately with sour cream in mixer on low until combined. Mix water in on low until combined. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes, then turn onto racks and cool completely before frosting.

~Frosting~

1 cup butter softened, 6 squares unsweetened chocolate
6 squares semi-sweet chocolate 10 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups sour cream

~For frosting, in a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Cool several minutes. In mixing bowl,combine sugar, sourcream, vanilla...add chocolate mixture and beat until smooth. Frost cooled cake. Yields 12-16 servings.

Good friends...and farewell!

We had the special opportunity to spend the day with some new friends...who, unfortunately for us, will be leaving for Africa soon! I especially count this visit as a special memory for that reason. I am so very blessed, and frankly, in awe, whenever God sends like-minded friends...with not only lots of similar interests to share, but similar values, goals, and concerns. This is our friends....the Whitlock family!

This is my friend, Dayna and I. We talked for hours and never ran out of something to talk about! Actually....we probably could have talked for hours more if they didn't have to get ready for track! Dayna is one of the only other people I know who loves Kombucha! (don't be surprised if you recieve a package in the mail to make some while you are away!) We share a love and interest in sewing, fabric, quilting, hopechests, FOOD, recipes, FOOD, Nourishing Traditions, homeschooling, FOOD....and of course, our Lord. I am so happy for them that they will be ministering in Mozambique thru the organization Samaritans Purse....but, oh, how I wish they were staying here!!!! I will miss her so much!
This is her lovely, oldest daughter, Caelan (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, sorry!)....She is so sweet, as are all of Dayna's children, and very like minded with my girls...and look at that smile! All of the Whitlock's have HUGE smiles! They are very contagious!

This sweet girls is Morgan...again, sweet, sweet smile! I wish I had thought to take pictures of all of kids together! But....we talked too much! LOL I know Dayna has lots of pictures, so I am hoping to get some of them.

~God bless you, Whitlock family! You all will be in our prayers and thoughts and we can't wait until you are able to come home for a visit. Look for care packages! We love you guys!

~Sue~

Another Graduation Party Picture/Joint Post

We're two/three days late but we FINALLY got this post up! The graduation party was Saturday but Saturday night and Sunday we were just too tired to post. :) This post is going to be a picture filled post as well as a joint post of the most recent graduation party. Sara is going to write a few things and vice versa. :) We had so much fun at this graduation party because lots of our close friends were there! Namely, our 'Maidens' friends. :) We had just seen Michaela and Morgan this past Thursday at commencements and also a week ago today! Loving summer so far, seeing friends so much!! :) Anyway, the graduation party was a lot of fun and I'm glad we took so many pictures to commemorate the day. :) I'm looking forward to mine in two years. :) Here's some recaps about our day Saturday from Sara and I! ~Meghan~

The Conquering Graduate, Courtney!!

L to R: Bella, Morgan, Meghan, Courtney, Hannah, Michaela and Sara

Meghan: We finally rallied the whole gang together for a picture...well, Mum did. :) I absolutely love this picture of all of us 'kindred spirited' friends.

Sara: This picture was fun cause the wall was a wee bit too small for all of us, as I am perched precariously on the edge (yikes)

Sweetest, chubby Alana!

Meghan: She was the prettiest baby there! So cute and adorable-she was passed around by mothers and daughters alike. :)

Sara: I had so much fun making Lanna laugh: all you have to do is wrinkle up your face and coo at her... so sweet

Alana and Bella

Meghan: Alana is Bella's family's foster baby and they are treasuring every single minute with her that they have. We love seeing them at mutual friends' get-togethers. :) Isn't this a sweet picture?

Sara: AH, our good friend Bella... she is just the sweetest and is always so cheerful!

The Mothers L to R: Michaela and Morgan's mom Renee, the 'other' Mrs. W, Mum & Bella's Mom

Meghan: I like this picture too. :) All us daughters are so close as are the mothers. All our visits are NEVER long enough and we say that we need to leave at xyz.....we don't end up leaving until half an hour later after "goodbyes."

Sara: Same as Meghan

The Three Little Maidens L to R: Kenzie (Hannah and Courtney's sister) our Anna Banana and Phia (Bella's sister)

Meghan: I ADORE this picture!!! They're part of the next generation of Maidens. :)

Sara: This picture was a steal because of some camera shy gals (McKenzie!) aren't they so ca-ute!

The Marvelous Morgan!

Meghan: I like to call her 'Morgs' but I thought I should put her first name. This picture is positively beautiful. I LOVE it!!

Sara: One of my bestest friends, Morgs has been with me through everything, good or bad.

Bella

Meghan: I didn't put a 'word' next to her name because her name means 'beautiful!' All these pictures of our friends are so beautiful and their faces shine from the inside, out. :)

Sara: AS I said, she is one of the nicest friends ever to have because of her smiling sunny countenance

The Magnificent Michaela!

Meghan: This is my FAVORITE picture of Michaela!!! I love all pictures of Michaela but Sara captured her natural essence (no, not the green shirt with the leaves) but her overall glow of happiness and joviality.

Sara: AH yes, Michaela... she is so nice and her and I get along famously...

The Four Models of the Day

L to R: Michaela, Bella, Morgan and Meghan

Meghan: I'm getting this picture in a frame one of these days!!! Sara had such creative ideas for all these pictures with the angles and the natural 'props.'

Sara: You may have noticed that I am barely in any pictures (works for me) because I was the photographer!

Another Picture of the Four Amigos (with the 5th behind the camera!)

Meghan: This picture is really neat too. Sara was walking down the steps and I almost shouted (very unladylike, I know) "Hey Sara!! Get a picture of us on the steps!!" :) Sitting at that angle was awkward for me in a long dress and I almost slipped, but the picture turned out adorable!!

Sara: I love this natural prop: a photographer's dream: natural wall/staircase!

Anna Banana and Phia

Meghan: Someday soon these two will be having a dance party at Phia's house (Phia is short for Sophia) In the fall they're both going to be enrolled in Grace Christian Dance Co. and will be in the annual spring show next year. They both LOVE to dance so with Sara and Bella tutoring them in between lessons, they are going to shine!!

Sara: AH, these two remind me of myself and Phia's sister Bella when we were five in our bible study... how sweet!

All Dressed Up!

~Sisters~

Meghan: I'm getting this picture framed too. :) It's so cute of both of us. :) I was kind of tired by this picture but voila! The photographer comes out from behind the camera. :)

Sara: Oh, Megs, I am in alot of pictures (unlike some brown haired blue eyed sister, AHEM) i LOVE THIS PICTURE!

~Wow, I am tired, so goodnight! New Post soon with baked good recipes: normal and GLUTEN FREE! Gutt Nacht dear readers!