Pati's way thru life: April 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

Happy Grandparents Day !

Today is Grandparent's Day
and I'm remembering my wonderful Grandparents.

Antoinette & Louis Russo

My Grandparents have both passed on in the late 90's I miss them both so very much.They both have helped raised me & my sister with my mom.

            My Grandfather is holding me and my sister is on my grandmother's lap

They were always there for me and my family. They welcomed my husband Rick with open arms (well not at first since he was older than me ) and my Grandfather gave me away & walked me down the aisle on my wedding day.

   I will cherish that day always!

My husband enjoyed the many talks with my grandfather Louie...
(Great Referee too- at times he was the glue to help Rick & I mend lil spats)

They both liked to Shoot the breeze....

Notice how the Italians like to talk with their hands !

I miss all the talks on their back porch, I miss the calls everyday (I still remember their phone # 243-0659) just to check up on everyone , I miss the Holidays , I miss my grandfather's singing which drove my grandmother insane, I miss the way they use to argue and speak in Italian tongue, I miss her gardening (my sister took that trade up ) of tomatoes and monsagual (Italian basil and/or margaram) I miss how my grandmother would make chicken soup or egg pastina when we were sick so many many great things I MISS OF THEM BOTH!

They were the best Great grandparents to my son, Ricky . I just know my Grandfather would be so proud of my son being in the Air force and I know in my heart that Ricky looks up to him knowing he is following in his foot steps being in the Military.

Old photo of my grandfather at the far right bottom, served in the Army .

I know in my heart that they are looking after my son too!

                                             They both are an inspiration to me.

I have learned so much from them both. For example of a few lessons learned : Cooking & baking from my grandmother make sure you have your moppine in hand (Everyone wanted to learn all her Italian recipes especially her meatballs) and my grandfather taught me how to drive. (As a child I would sit on his lap and steer .) I remember going to the Italian deli's to get Italian bread, cheeses,olives and meats going shopping to flea markets and thrift stores and always dinner was ready at 4:30 then coffee and dessert at around
7 :00 because we had to watch the news at 6.
   Great memories !

    May they both rest in peace and stay dear to my heart.
                                                       Thinking of you two Always!
                                                                 I love you both !

Pretzel Buttons

I was invited to a Baby shower this weekend and I wanted to do something special for her so I made her Pretzel Buttons.

I got the idea off my friend Jessica who is a pro at making these for parties. She got the idea from Pinterest.(Great website for great ideas for all sorts of stuff-I'm so addicted )

What you'll need:

square pretzels
Hershey's Hugs (you can use Kisses, too, but I think the Hugs taste better and they definitely soften up better!)
plain M&Ms(Choice of color for theme-For this recipe Pink for Girl Baby Shower)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200°

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat and arrange the pretzel squares on baking sheet.

Place the M&M in a bowl.

(It is rough making these when your on a diet- Hold back from eating them! )

Unwrap the Hershey Hugs

(If you have kids have them do this step)

So Many Hugs!

One more left!

Wrappers galore

Place the Hershey Hugs on top the pretzel squares.

Bake for 4-5 minutes until the chocolate is shiny and soft

(Do not melt - they should still hold their shape).

Carefully place an M&M in the center of each hug and press it down to spread the chocolate.

Allow to cool completely (a few minutes in the freezer works perfectly)

Shush ! I had to sneak one ...so hard not to they look so pretty & yummy!

Place the Pretzel Buttons on a tray and wrap with clear wrap so they don't move around.

(Or you can put them in a pretty decorative box)

I placed the tray with the Pretzel buttons in a basket wrapper lined with pink tissue paper and tied with Pink curly ribbon and added a Big Pink Bow .....

Hope they Enjoy these treats at the Baby Shower !

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Keep Calm and Ride on....

I came home from work today and I was thinking to myself what type of exercise was I going do because I like to change up my work out routines so I'm going to choose Biking.

Before I get my bike gear on I have to do a few things around the house.

FIRST - I have managed to savage a Rose from my Birthday Bouquet.

The remaining roses I cut off the buds to dry and place them around my candle in the bathroom.

NEXT- I have bought solar lights to put outside .
Can't wait to see them light up at night.

Butterfly

Humming Bird

Lady Bug

Hope our friend the "Owl" enjoys the light show.

I took these pics the other night I was trying to get up close

& YES I was so afraid that he was going to attack me.

The owl was just chilling on my lounge chair .

Cute & Scary Fellow.

Ok let me take you on my Bike journey ....The scenic route .....

Lets go ! Your in for a Ride !

Oak trees with hanging Spanish moss.

These trees always look so cool to me so I like to take their photos.

(However my allergies don't like them at times.)

This house has a nice garden landscape.

Every time I pass this garden I feel I like I should stop and say a prayer so I did ...
"Lord, Please help me lose weight and get fit so I can feel good about myself . Amen!"

Approaching the park trail.

The trail is 6 miles and I normally go around twice.

It is nice to be able to enjoy the Wildlife and Nature

and get fit at the same time.

I am about to enter the other entrance to the park.

Passing the old houses of Heritage Village there are more than 28 historic structures and features, some dating back to the 19th century, include a school, church, sponge warehouse, railroad depot and store as well as a variety of historic homes.