Hope for America - the only way!

Just can't get this costume off this little boy.  My little grandboy just loves dressing up as Batman!
He's my superhero and some days he says I can be Cat Girl, but I want to be Wonder Woman!

I sure enjoy his company!  Today when I was working on the computer, he climbed up in my lap and asked for "baby songs"  I am delighted to hear him sing, and we watched some children's Sunday School songs and videos.
 I just put Sunday School Songs Maranatha on You-tube, and there are plenty to watch.  Lots of cute songs with gestures and dances.  Hopefully he'll get a little bit of positive "faith education" from this fun music experience

I love spending time at my daughter's!  Am I "living vicariously" ?  Maybe!
Julie bought this lovely wrought iron shelving unit at Hobby Lobby.
 One more section is on order.
I have all sorts of plants to share with her!
She doesn't know that I've been rooting and repotting some houseplants
just for when she would purchase this etegere!

My grandmom's favorite plants were African Violets.

 Later,I went next door and watched a special
uninterrupted broadcast on TV with Doris.
 We had anticipated it for weeks.
 It was a tribute to Billy Graham, on his 95th  birthday!

Billy Graham's photo in the Decision Magazine,  publication of the Billy Graham Ministry

Follow on Facebook,    Facebook.com/Decisionmagazine

Happy Birthday Billy Graham!  

He is still preaching the same message of hope,
that if you come to Jesus by repentance and faith, he will  forgive you,
change your life and heart,and  give you everlasting life.
  I was so excited to watch this  very special  program,
 My Hope America on Fox News, with my  wonderful neighbor.
  What an honor, this  very special  tribute to this wise, beloved man!
  I  so enjoyed the  chance to see him preaching one more time.
This famous evangelist  usually speaks in stadiums, and at 16,
with a youth group,   I went to see him in 1970, in New York City.
 His son Franklin said, " He  has a message he wants to share",
  and because he is  frail, he recorded this program in  his log cabin home,
  in North Carolina.

 He is the "most trusted man in America".
 Billy said  he wants to tell people about the meaning of the cross,
that we have to talk about the cross,which makes people uncomfortable,
because it confronts people, but this is a confrontation we must face.
 It is the only way to eternal life, to salvation.
 He said  that our country is in great need of a spiritual awakening,
 the world is in such terrible danger, and the only answer is through Christ Jesus.
 He declared that "sin is a disease in the human and it affects the will, the mind, emotions,
every part of our being.  The way  of the cross will demand a new life style,
break the bonds and make us new creatures."
 More information, www.FindingMyHope.org       call  877-772-4559

He was followed by a panel  discussion.
 Dr. James Dobson, founder of Family Talk, said,
 "He hasn't changed the message one bit, he always emphasized forgiveness,
 and gets straight to the cross."
Lauren Green said his message has been about hope, a fundamental need of everyone.,
and his grandson Tullihan Tchividjian, also a preacher,  said his grandfather
 is a most humble man who  has always lived his faith.

I wanted to share this with you, because there is nothing more important to write about!
 My grandchildren are my reason for taking all this so seriously!
 They're the reason!   I want to give them this hope.
I'm very concerned about their future,  and America's future!

Thank you Billy Graham for your message of  Hope for each of us!

 Thank you for praying for all of us, for America!  

Won't you pray with me and Billy?  

  Love, Linda

October Blessings

My daughter's new home has the most beautiful views. 

 I've started slipping out into the backyard, after everyone leaves for work and school,

as I wait for  little Thomas to awaken, to watch the sunrise and say

 "Thank you for this new day"

. 

Most evenings, Tommy and I go out front  to watch the gorgeous fall sunsets.

I feel so blessed and contented to spend the days at her lovely home

 with Thomas, on the days she works.

We are getting settled in, and it's really starting to feel like home.

Her new home is ginormous, and since my family is large,

 my daughter is looking forward to entertaining and making her house

 the family "party place".  It will be wonderful, being able to accommodate

 our enormous, rambunctious crowd for the upcoming holiday gatherings.

 Her kitchen  is roomy and efficient, a great place to cook.  I'm in heaven!

My mother and all her kids at my sister's home, where we grew up!

         I have six younger siblings. My niece recently had an engagement party,

 and for the first time in years, all of my brothers and sisters were able to be together.

 Mom was quite pleased!

My little grandson Tommy is now 3 yrs. old and insists he is Batman.  

We were grocery shopping and he got to ride in this attached car 

while I pushed the cart.  He frightened a couple old ladies! 

I've been practice driving with my older grandson lately too, as he just turned 17!

 I recently took him to get his driver's license!  Woo-hoo!
  Lots of excitement around here lately, with Gary's birthday, new job, new car,
the new house- new rooms to decorate and all!

Brand  new driver!  Gary's behind the wheel!  

And there's a beautiful yard  too,  paradise for me!

I've assumed the responsibility of tending the landscaping and just
 finished trimming the barberry bushes.  Ouch! They are really full of prickles!

On chilly mornings now, Tommy likes oatmeal with apples and cinnamon.

Toddler Apple-Cinnamon  Oatmeal

Simply dice up some apples, place 1/4 cup oats, apples, and 

1/2 cup water, in microwavable bowl with high sides so it won't boil over. 

Stir,  Cook for 1 minute.  

Add honey and cinnamon to taste.  

I had  to make him another serving, he gobbled it down so well.

Make your own fall arrangements!
It's so easy to gather fall leaves, berries and whatever is still growing 
in thegarden and use your imagination with various containers. 
 Free flower arrangements!   
Julie has  lots of mums in the garden and  Burning Bushes with berries
 so, I like to keep a fresh  arrangement on the kitchen island.
Look at the pretty green marble counter top she has!
 She brought me the  pretty mug from a recent trip to Florida.  

There's my girl, Julie

My girl, Amy

We carved Jack O"Lanterns and painted pumpkins last weekend!

 Make your own pureed  pumpkin!
I took the cut-out  pumpkin flesh, cut it into 1 1/2" chunks,
 and baked it in a foil-covered baking pan,
 while a roast was in the oven .  When tender, I cooled it,  pureed it,
then stored it in 1/2 cup portions, and placed  them in the freezer.
 Later,  I  will thaw it for making pancakes and waffles, and muffins.

I  have heard about  many different ways to preserve your cut pumpkin, 
and the best way I've found is to use a cleaner with bleach, like Clorox Clean-up.
Just take it outside and spray with this product, let sit upside down to drain and dry.
 It may slow down the mold  that grows on your Jack O'lantern, and make it last longer. .

So many conflicting events on  my weekends!  But I didn't  miss the birthdays!

Last weekend, I  shared  special birthday celebrations with two granddaughters,

 sisters  turning 4 and 8.

Cupcake Cake, at their Princess Party

 I'm so  blessed to have all these precious young people to love! 

  Grandchildren are the best part of growing older! 

Then there was my baby sister's 50th birthday!
Lord have mercy!  Can you believe she is 50? 

Bev makes the coolest cakes!

Lots of incredible food at my sister Beverly's home. She is the best cook!
 Her parties are so much fun!
  Have you tried the fluffy pumpkin dip everyone's talking about? So delish!

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

1 can  (15 ounces)   pumpkin puree, 

 1 Pkg. instant vanilla pudding,

 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 

Mix together, then fold in  1  (16 ounces) container Cool Whip.  Chill until serving. 

 Serve with graham crackers, spiced wafers, or fruit for dipping.  Yummy! 

 

 But anyway, the sunsets back  at Julie's have been amazing!
  Thomas likes to tricycle down the street at dusk,  and we enjoy
 the colors in the sky and collect fall  leaves.

 You know, I was secretly worried when my daughter talked about moving a few months ago.
  I was afraid she would move further away, that Thomas would go to nursery school.
 I felt sad thinking she wouldn't need me anymore to stay with him.
  Then it all happened fairly quickly.  They found their dream home and had a quick settlement.
 Turns out, the new house is even closer to my home than the old one was!
  In late August,  I helped with the  big move.  We've been really busy for several weeks,
 getting settled in.  I feel that I helped make things go smoother for them.
 I've been thrilled to help decorate and set up the new home.  I am so happy !
    Much to my delight, I've  found that she needs me now more than ever!
I've been cooking most every night, doing housekeeping, weeding, pruning shrubs, and laundry.
Julie assured me that she'll still need me even if Tommy eventually goes
 to pre-school, because she works 12 hour shifts.
  And now, I know they need me, because ..................
  (I'll tell you a secret!) 

 New House, New Baby !

Yes, we are expecting another precious gift from above! 

So,  this grandma is extremely satisfied,
 to be doing the most meaningful work, 

and feeling like I can truly make a difference
 in this little family's lives.  
 It just keeps getting better! 

Love, Linda

Down the Shore

      I spent my last days  of summer at Wildwoods, about one hour away from
my home, where they have the biggest, best beaches in New Jersey.
They are the widest, safest and FREE beaches.
This is the place  where doo-wop began, where many rock and roll legends got their start,
 and where there are more "google" doo-wop style motels than anywhere else.
       I was at the convention center selling auto literature at the  Classic Car Auction.
 Every year we participate in this fantastic,  fun event where they park hundreds
of cars on the boardwalk.
      The  Irish Festival  is also a big hit, this same weekecnd, and you'll see
lots of green beads and hair, funny hats etc.
 They have Irish  music, dancing,  contests and performances.

WildwoodsNJ.com

 One morning ,I went to the Wildwood Historical Society museum.

The museum has old amusements memorabilia,

 Tons of antiques and vintage Wildwood stuff!

50's record player, like I  once had!

Chubby Checker  became famous in Wildwood!

Sign from a famous restaurant, once  in Anglesea, the northend of Wildwood.

Mario Lanza's family had a place here in Wildwood.

 Some  ship's antiques, an old barrister and  an oak captain's chair.

 An original  carousel horse from one of the amusement piers.

Boardwalk Rolling Chair

You could hire a ride in this wicker chair, 

 an be pushed from one end of the boardwalk to the other.

Old bumper cars from an amusement pier.  

These creepy passengers must have come from the " spook house"!

These and other great exhibits at the George F. Boyer Museum

Wildwood Historical Society

 3907 Pacific Avenue

Wildwood, New jersey 08260

E-mail: wildwoodhistoricalsociety@hotmail.com

Then on to a thrift shop, looking for vintage.

Megan is finding some super 60's fashions at Cheap Charlie's on Pacific Avenue

    I enjoyed meeting up with my new friend Megan and her fiance.
  She's a young chick who came to my yard sale wearing vintage,
  shopping with her grandma,and we got talking vintage!   Discovered we're both bloggers!
 Check out her pretty vintage clothes on her blog, Overpowered by Funk  
She's an expert at finding cool fashions,  and introduced me to some nifty thrift shops here
 and all over south Jersey!

These  vintage dresses  are at What Goes On,. a cool shop full of posters,
 vintage clothing, used books, and rock and roll stuff.

Now I'm walking back to the Car Auction

A pretty street with newer condos, rental units, 
 just one or two blocks  from the beach.
I must get back to the boardwalk and work at our car literature booth!

  Back on the boards were these adorable micro-cars that you rarely see!

And some really amazing custom cars

muscle cars 

General Lee!  Remember the  Dukes of Hazard?

The  beautiful Convention Center is located at 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, N.J.
 There are many events scheduled including Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce
Fabulous '50s & Beyond Weekend, October 18-19
For lastest updates, please visit WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800.992-9732

'57 Chevy

 Cute tray on a 50's car

 Inside at the Auction,  a cool VW Bus/Camper

 '47  Cadillac Limo

Crosley

 And here's our booth, a traveling library..  See, I really do work!
We sell back issue auto magazines to car guys and gals.
 What cars do you need articles about?  I'm sure I could find you something.

It is the most fun, seeing all these incredible classic cars on the boardwalk
with the gorgeous background of the sea, dunes and huge beach.

'55 Chevy

'58 Chevy

   But I just have to get 'down the shore', at least once during the summer,
 and hear the surf, feel the sea breeze, feel the sand in my toes!
   It sorta puts everything in perspective, like the song says,
  "I hope you still feel small,  when you stand beside the ocean."
 I usually sing goofy songs  "Down by the sea",  "Under the Boardwalk", as I stroll along,
 Then I begin to comtemplate the wonders I see, and I can't help but think and sing,

 "How Great Thou Art".  

It's an amazing experience, when I'm down here alone,
 just me and the shorebirds, and my Lord.
 Just a little time away from the noisy commotion on the boards,
  and  I'm fully restored.

Now I am ready to let go of summer, and embrace autumn.  So glad to turn off the air conditioner!
Hoping Tommy's pumpkin turns orange soon!

Back home, back to work, I saw these mums growing near my daughter's new home.

Happy Fall, Ya'll! 

 Love, Linda

For more cars pictures, and Wildwood beach shots, see my last year's post, www.grandmalay.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html