rain?

It rained(?) today. Well so far today the rain we did have you could have gotten wetter running through the sprinkler one time. Crazy.
It has definitely cooled down and I hope it is this cool next week..... Garden here I come.

Chris and his apron...

When we arrived in Bath, Bob put on his apron to serve dinner. It was one with a Welsh dragon. Chris told him how much he loved it. So when we arrived in Abedare to visit more family a friend, Clive, had gone shopping. He bought this apron for Chris. They gave me a dish towel that had Welsh language and they had a pen set for Lara.

Clive and Daisy took us to a fish and chips shop in Abedare where they had very good fish and chips.

Hotels in Europe

Hotels in Europe are not as family friendly as in the United States; however we did get some really nice rooms. The second time we returned to Gatwick this was our room.

Roller Skating

Tonight we took the girls roller skating. Devon is here visiting also with his mom. Devon didn't want to skate at first... then the girls got him to put on some skates and they took him out for a quick spin.... or so they thought.
At first it had to be both girls, then it was just one and then.... you guessed he was skating alone.
He loved it sooo much he wants to go back tomorrow. Well they aren't open tomorrow but they will be on Friday and Saturday. He just can't wait.

It is SOOOO HOT!

Wow am I glad we didn't go to the Indy 500 today... It is so hot. Everyone would have FRIED. The drivers were talking about their boots melting to the gas peddle. That is hot. I have basically stayed inside today. Did venture out once... it was hot early this morning. I guess in my older age I don't appreciate the hot days as much as when I was younger. I attribute that to the fact we didn't have air conditioning most of my days as a youngster. Therefore it was as hot inside, maybe hotter, as outside.

Boys birthday party

 Just got back from spending the day with my grandsons, Austin and Devon. They had a birthday bash today. How fun. Casi and Shane rented a bounce house that had pirates and a cotton candy machine. Katelyn enjoyed a swim.

 

Memorial Flowers

Mother and I tried to finish placing the traditional flowers on the graves of passed family members. We missed some, however it was extremely hot and humid today. I hope mother does okay tonight. She drank plenty of fluids... we purchased large ice teas from steak n shake before we started. So glad we did.
Mother wanted to locate her cousin Ken's grave and her brother's at the National Cemetery. We were successful. So I took pictures of them.
I also checked to make sure our flags were placed in the church yard that I ordered before I left on my trip. They were there.... woohoo.

And this recipe....

I rate this recipe with 5 out of  5 stars.

Sweet and Sour Ribs
3 -4 pounds country style pork ribs
20-oz can pinapple tidbits
2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup thinly sliced onions (I used 1 medium small onion)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green pepper (I used 2/3 cup)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 TBSP Worchestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

1. Place ribs in slow cooker.
2. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over ribs.
3. Cook on low 8 - 10 hours on low.
4. Serve over rice

Makes 8-10 servings
Prep time about 15 minutes
Use a 6-quart size slow cooker.

Guess where this is.

Guess where this is. I bet you can. It was a beautiful day in Paris. Just not enough time to enjoy it all.

Devon and......

Devon and his "German" money.... When I finally got to their house, he was waiting outside for us to arrive. First question, "Where's my Germany money?" I told him I have it right here.
 Devon doesn't understand that the Euro is an European nation money. He calls his money his German money even his British money.
We went inside and we split the money so Austin could have his also. I pulled out a "special" pound with a dragon on it. This is a Welsh coin and you are the only one to have this one with a dragon.
From that point on any time he showed his coins he put his "special" dragon coin in a special placement. I think he looked at his coins for at least 5 hours out of 15 hours. He kept telling everyone, "I have a special dragon coin. No one else has one."

People....

I love these signs in the London area....

Recipes...

Plan:  Try new recipes..... Rate the new recipes....

Robert's new Wheels

Yes the motorcycle fever has hit the next generation.  Robert, after riding grandpa's bike, got a bike of his own.

Graduation....

Last night our oldest grandson graduated from high school. It was a Very long graduation ceremony. The speech were nothing compared to Kristina's when she graduated. Hers was probably the best we have ever heard. The speeches last night, and many I have sat through for 34 years, were all about the student giving their personal memories of high school and not their classes. I guess that is the "me" generation.

God is like.....

Wouldn't this be great if it was taught in every school?

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in 20 ways to communicate ideas about God.

Here are some of the results? Scroll down.

God is like... BAYER ASPIRIN - He works miracles.
 God is like... A FORD - He's got a better idea.
 God is like... COKE - He's the real thing. (This is great)
 God is like... HALLMARK CARDS - He cares enough to send His very best.
 God is like... TIDE - He gets the stains out others leave behind. ..
 God is like... GENERAL ELECTRIC - He brings good things to life.
 God is like... WAL-MART - He has everything.
 God is like... ALKA-SELTZER - Try Him, you'll like Him
 God is like... SCOTCH TAPE - You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
 God is like... DELTA - He's ready when you are.
 God is like... ALLSTATE - You're in good hands with Him.
 God is like... VO-5 Hair Spray - He holds through all kinds of weather
 God is like... DIAL SOAP - Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did? (that one is my favorite)
 God is like... The U.S. POST OFFICE - Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep him from His appointed destination.
 God is like... CHEVROLET - The heart beat of America
 God is like... MAXWELL HOUSE - Good to the very last drop
 God is like. B o u n t y . . . He is the quicker picker upper. . . Can handle the tough jobs. . . And He won't fall apart on you
 God is like.The Energizer Bunny He Keeps Going, Going, and Going

Have so many pictures

I have so many more pictures to share. It will take me weeks to post them all. So bare with me. I have a busy 2 weeks ahead of me. Lots of traveling. Memorial Day weekend. Graves to get flowers on. Wow. I will most definitely be wore out come June.....

Trying to catch up.

I am trying to catch up on all of the TV programs that I recorded while I was gone. Had to take a break. The last episode of "Who do You Think You Are?" made me cry. It was a sad one. I feel pain for folks of the Jewish faith. I realize they crucified Jesus, but please we need to have a little more compassion.

Eunice...

This is my grandmother's cousin's wonderful and delightful daughter, "Auntie" Eunice. She isn't usually up for company, however when she found out Elizabeth's granddaughter was in Wales from America, she wanted a short visit. She lives in a small village in Wales. Along with visiting her we also visited with Clive and Daisy. In the picture is Me, Auntie Eunice, cousin Ann and her husband Bob. We really enjoyed all the visiting we did on this day in Wales. Family is family no matter how many miles or years go by, family will always be family. I miss visiting with them. Can't wait for them to come to America and to go back and visit all of them.

So funny, when Ann knocked on the door and she answered, Eunice didn't recognize her. She then told her that she had put on weight. Good laugh... Ann hasn't put on any weight....

Okay....

Okay, everyone tells me I should have jet lag. I do believe it will hit while I am riding in the car headed to Tennessee. >>>>>>> SLEEP... well I sleep really well last night. I think I am caught up and I feel great.

On the Road again......

Yes I am getting prepared to go on the road again. Isn't this terrible. Got Mom's hair done for her. Car all cleaned out. Laundry all done from my last trip. I will have about 12000 miles on my bum by the time I get done traveling, May 26th..... I am hibernating for at least a month when all is done.

First meal in a British Pub...

Katelyn had her first meal in a British pub while we were in Bath England.

Mother's Day spent in England

Mother's Day I was spending in England with Lara, Chris and Katelyn. I will post site seeing pictures later. We had a wonderful dinner at ~Maze~ one of Gordon Ramsey's places. Prices very high.... You paid for each item individually. Great meal and thanks for the surprise Chris, Lara and Katelyn. LOVED IT!

 The staff were great to us....Katelyn held by them and treated special.

 Our beginners ~ Ribs ~ Chris wishes he had gotten this recipe.

 Cole slaw I ordered. Chris loved it and he doesn't like cole slaw. I can tell this here... He got to go into the Ramsey kitchen and meet the chef.

 Lara and Chris shared this steak.

 My pork chop.

 Lara and I had bread pudding with caramel banana.

Chris' dessert - chocolate ice cream

Happy Mother's Day

To all of my many family members in the USA (and UK even tho yours was last month ~ celebrate again today!  Happy Mother's Day. I am spending a wonderful day with a few family members. Will be a very fun filled day, with lots of history. Love it! Happy mother's day to those that a mom's that are not family members. Have a sun filled day with family and friends.

Sailing the English Channel

White Cliffs of Dover

Ferried across the English Channel. What a beautiful site when we got to the White Cliffs of Dover.