All posts filed under: family

Scalloped Potatoes w/Spam Of Yesteryear 

So I’ve been craving these delish scallop potatoes with spam. My Aunt, through marriage, made them from time to time and boy do they bring back some awesome and delish good foodie memories. The recipe is quite simple actually. Keep in mind this dish is a little different in that the looseness/soupiness of the finished dish is part of it’s extreme goodness. Layering up! Don’t forget the spam man. 😉 Final layer (I added extra pepper) It’s about done Ready to serve One big chunk of the casserole… gone! 😋 So good and quite close to how I remember them. Ingredients 7/8 medium size russet potatoes, scrubbed 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp onion powder 1/8 tsp pepper 1/2 can of spam, chopped (use light spam if you prefer) 1/2 – 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups milk * No salt needed if you are using regular spam, if using light spam add about 1/4 tsp to the seasoning mix Process Preheat oven to 350 Par …

Best Friends Forever Beef Bouguignon

When friends bless you beyond measure… Maybe some of you know what I’m talking about, perhaps you are also blessed with best friends that have been in your life for decades, too many to admit. Lol As far as friends go, these ladies are everything to me. They are the most fun loving ultra-supportive group one could ever ask for, I am beyond blessed to have them in my life. I treasure ever moment spent with them. I wanted to do something special for them as my life has been a complete roller coaster ride for the past year or so and I just haven’t been able to devote enough time to them. So to show my love and my continued sincere appreciation for their amazing friendships recently I decided to cook them one of Julia’s greatest specialties. Beef Bouguignon… And there it is, the star of the meal! It is so delicious. Tasty, warm and comforting. Thank you Julia! 💛 << ecial friends deserve a special table setting too. 💛 I cooked the main …

Kentucky Blues

My daughter, her husband and their children recently moved here to Kentucky. This afternoon my husband and I will head back to California after a wonderful month long stay with them, in this gorgeous state. We will miss our family here so much, but with much hope and plenty of prayer we will keep focused on the good and pray that their experiences here will enrich their lives even more so. They’ve been fortunate enough to live very near the sea in California and they’ve all enjoyed it to the fullest, now to be blessed with a house in the beautiful state of Kentucky, well, all I can do is be joyful for them, with bits of sadness mixed in as well, of course. There’s been plenty of amazingly touching moments, enough to last this Nanna good positive thoughts and wonderful memories until the next visit… On a chilly day while tucked warmly inside, to witness my young granddaughter run over to her backyard window area full of excitement to marvel at the sight of …

In Kentucky 

Arrived a few days ago, loving it already!  Almost home, well for them anyway.  On our 2nd day we took a little hike, wow such beauty in this state.  A bit of December in Kentucky.  Trying out my Ducks. 😉 Nice and warm, comfy too. An added bonus, great traction. I’m impressed.  With our grandkids.  Well my daughter and family are well on their way to getting settled in, we love the area they’ve chosen to live in and could not be happier for them.  I’m looking forward to exploring more as we continue our stay in the great and beautiful state of Kentucky.  Till next time,    g. 

When Grief Goes Towards The Good… 

As some of you might recall from a few of my earlier blogs, my youngest daughter and her husband lost their infant son recently. My 7 year old grandson lost his little brother.  My grandson Dylan James lived just 6 miraculous  weeks. He spent his whole short life in the NICU ward at Kaiser Permenate Hospital in Hollywood California.  Through it all my daughter and son in law endured the agonizing roller coaster like journey of Dylan’s short but impactful life.  It was during this period that my daughter began to understood just what a trying time having a child in a NICU ward (anywhere, under all circumstances) can be.  Bless her heart for turning her sadness into some goodness.  She put out a social media call for Christmas NICU care basket donations for families going through what she and her husband recently experienced.  Before she knew it she had an office room full of loving heartfelt donations from family, friends and her church community.  The items contained in these finished beautiful love-filled baskets will …

Going To Kentucky 

Leaving our comfy California to explore Kentucky for a month. My husband and I will be there through the month of December helping our daughter, son in law and two of our grand kids with their move.  My son in law has taken a new position with a nice promotion attached… They left their beach condo (having rented it out) in Carlsbad California a few weeks ago and have been our home roomies since then.  Looks like this fox is ready to make his move.  It hasn’t all been fun and games, but it has sure been fun! Allergies have been put to the test and are now on overload.  Momma (my daughter) had to make other accommodations for this pretty girl one night as the pet dander around our home has become too much for her over time.  I went to work with extreme dusting and vacuuming, hoping between this and keeping the little hairy culprit pup contained in it’s own room (lol), well I’m hoping it all helps.  An air purifier will be …

Goodbye To You My Love

Of this earth no more Yours a life here short Impactful, true and mighty Brave and loving warrior Boy Rest peacefully sweet grandson of mine Your Nanna will love you forever May we always honor your courageous and loving spirit and spread love like warm and comforting wisps of wind just as you did all the days of your precious life… Dylan James Martinez 7/11/2016 – 9/7/2016 ©️PoemsbyGina Miss you my love… Nanna