Simple Shrug Finished...

I finished the free pattern "Simple Shrug" from the Lion Brand website...it was pretty simple!! You just crochet a giant rectangle of single crochet rows and then do seams along the sides leaving openings for the sleeves...
I used Homespun in #412 Pearls...really turned out pretty...
I did try it on...I think I'll have my mom try it on to see how it fits her and make myself another one and go a little longer making rows...the yarn is a bit stretchy, but so very soft and elegant! Homespun is one of my favorite yarns to work with!

Beer Butt Chicken...

I finally got to try a new recipe...Beer Can Chicken aka Beer Butt Chicken posted by my friend Lidia at her blog. Don't tell my mom, but I "borrowed" one of her beers for this recipe!! It got a little frothy when I added the butter mixture with paprika and the garlic!Here's the poor chicken sitting on the can...
Then smeared the butter mixture all over the chicken!!
Then placed in an oven preheated for 350 for an hour and a half or until temperature reading is 165...
It smelled so good in my kitchen and the chicken turned out so delicious!! I normally don't eat the skin, but it was so crispy this time that I made an exception!! Very easy and successful recipe!!!

80 and still going strong!

We celebrated my parents' 80th birthdays...as the story goes, my parents were both June 14 and June 20 in the same hospital with their mothers practically sharing the same room. Back then you spent more time in the hospital after giving birth than you do now. When my parents met roughly 16 years later, my mom's mom remember the name of Korteland when my mom was telling her about the boy she met. My Oma's response? "Ask him if he was born with a broken arm." Sure enough. Same baby. So above you see a large canvas image of the hospital my parents were born at...my daughter Kara came up with the idea and it was received with much surprise and delight!
We continued on to the Cellar restaurant in Fullerton...what a wonderful place with great ambiance and style...and of course, great food!!
My parents looking very young at their age looking upon their almost grown grandchildren with amazement...
We sat on a large round table which made conversation very easy...we shared old memories.
Kara with her boyfriend Ben...
Peter with his girlfriend Catherine...
My tante Truus also joined the festivities...nice to see her on such a happy occasion.
The entire dining experience was topped off with a delicious souffle! My son Will pouring extra chocolate sauce into his chocolate souffle!! I had the Grand Marnier souffle which was simply to die for! I wouldn't mind having another one right now!
Such a marvelous time!! For more photos, please visit my Flick'r! May my parents have many more healthy years to come!!!