Lord hear my prayer...

Tonight the house is back in perfect order.  The television in the basement is silent.  Terr is upstairs in his office and I in the Kitchen/Den.  My mother just sent an inspiring forward.   The performers on American’s Got Talent sing and dance.  It’s Tuesday night, Kate and Simon moved on today... westward, to see New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona...I miss their essence in the house.

 Eddie, the painter, calls from Northcroft to report his progress on the cabin…Stonehenge gray.  Kimberly called to share another “God” moment with me.  Shannon thinks we are on the same flight to San Francisco this week end where we will go in love and support of Bethann and Adrienne as they celebrate their commitment to each other .


Mike just sent a text message saying good night with a salutation of love that touched my heart…

God, I pray I am doing right by your gifts.  I am so grateful for all you have given me.  Please, protect my dear family and make Your presence known in their lives, for only You are worthy of praise.  May I love fully and without condition, just as you love me.  Thank you. 

Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday to my first born, Michael...

and to Aidan who shares this special day.

Kate the Painter!

Last week our Kate went from painting signs on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua, to redecorating the garage for her mother, in Atlanta!  Of course she had a little help from her friend...

Simon, a British friend of Kate's who came to check out the U. S. after being on Little Corn teaching scuba diving for three years.  They decided to do something nice at the Heath while staying here so they took everything out of the garage, scrubbed and power washed the oil stained, concrete floor, painted the walls and wainscoting, then put it all back together again!  Now Terr and I have a nice fresh, clean garage to drive our cars into. :)

Thanks Kate and Simon, you did an excellent job!

This is to honor and mark the passing of Mary's mother, Marlene Lockwood on August 8, 2011.
Marlene gave us Mary and we were grandparents together.
Over the years Marlene joined us for all special occasions and became family to all of us.
Mary, Joe and Isabelle spoke eloquently at her memorial service on August 24th, 2011. She would have been so proud.
Marlene will be missed.

First day of school 2011

I enjoyed seeing the bright, beautiful faces of some of my grandchildren as they headed off for their day of school.  I pray all of you have good teachers, interesting curriculum, and a successful year in the extra activities you participate in.  We are so fortunate to be blessed with such smart children and access to good education.

If any of you have a "First Day of School" photo, send it to me.  I would love to post it!

YAY! Three cheers for a GREAT family vacation!

I love you guys and you make me proud.  God is good!

Delicious Dinner Time at Grayton!

1. Grayton Beach Dinners 2011

Pedersen/Kelley Family

Signature Drink:  French 75

Gazpacho, Crab cakes, Arugula and spinach salad, Faux-tatoes with grilled pesto scallops with balsamic reduction sauce, Parmesan French bread!

Strawberry Short Cake

Regas Family

  Signature drink: Cucumber Gimlets

Poor man’s caviar dip with chips

 SHRIMP BOIL with shrimp, corn, andouille sausage and new potatoes

Ice Cream Sundaes with 10 or more toppings 

Sabonis-Chafee Family

Signature Drink: White wine

Grilled Salmon Sandwiches with Tarragon cream/Brown sugar soy sauces topped with crispy fried shallots.

Lettuce wedge with bacon bits and tomatoes topped with bleu cheese dressing.

Hand-cut parmesan/rosemary/sea salt French fries.

Mississippi Mud pie (made by the girls.)

Shannon Croft Family

Signature drink:  Matador (tequila, agave, lime)

Two kinds of chips and salsa

Posole with chicken and hominy

Shredded pork soft tacos with ALL the fixings

Red tequila beans

Lime and butter soaked grilled corn on the cob

Key Lime Pie and No Bake Chocolate Cookies coated in powdered sugar (by: Morgan, Emily and Isabelle)

Kate Croft

 Signature drinks: Jamaica Tea (Hibiscus flowers) and Nica Libres (Nicaraguan rum, coke and lime)

Ginger Grouper (Homemade Chilero on the table)

Curried couscous and quinoa with tropical fruits

Sautéed asparagus

Apple fennel salad 

Banana pudding a la Magnolia Bakery

WOW!   IT WAS  TOTALLY AWESOME! 

"Booty Camp" at the Beach!

Each morning Mary leads the strong and the brave in a workout program that is not for the faint of heart.  You will find no lack of determination and effort from this group of family members.  I'm told their fearless leader is no softy and has no sympathy for the slackers.  (In her mother's absence, Isabelle offered her leadership in water aerobics!)

Take note that neither Grandad or I participated in this heart-attack-inducing regimen...well, somebody had to take pictures and hold the chairs down at the beach!  Okay, so Grandad did play tennis a couple of times.

First Pictures of Family Vacation 2011!