The Fountain of Youth

WATER!!!!!!  I read an article the other day that opened my eyes to the fact that I would feel alot better if I would get off the Mountain Dews and drink more water.  This article said the brain was made up of 74% water, muscles-75%, our blood is made of 83% water and bone is 22%. One of the most common causes of headaches is lack of proper hydration.  Because our brains are over 75% water, when a shortage of water is detected the brain releases histamines which cause pain and fatigue.  In most cases, simply drinking a couple of cups of water and relaxing for 20 minutes will stop the pain.  High blood pressure or hypertension can be caused by a lower blood volume from dehydration.  Our blood is well over 80% water and is therefore very susceptible to changes in hydration because then the body closes off less active capillary beds in order to maintain proper blood flow to the more active areas.  These vessel closings cause a rise in tension inside the muscle mass which we call hypertension. More water causes proper blood volumes and less tension.  Benefits of water are higher levels of daily energy, removal of harmful toxins and waste products, maintaining faster metabolism to lose weight (who doesn’t love that?), healthier and clearer looking skin, shiny hair and improved mental and physical performance.  There were alot more health benefits but I don’t want to bore you too long.  Now I have to show you an AWESOME water bottle I purchased at Target.  I did not know you could LOVE a bottle but I do.  My daughter has one and she recommended it.  I have drank more water than I ever have and this bottle will not spill if you drop it.  It’s by Camelbak and is very unique in the way it works.  You lightly bite the mouthpeice to open it up to drink from the straw.  It can be washed in the dishwasher, too.  It sounds like I’m doing a commercial for them but I’m not; I just love it that much. 

I am trying to lose some weight and I’m doing Zumba (giggle) and I have to replace water in my body so I try to drink 9 glasses of water instead of 8.  I haven’t weighed yet but my friend said I was weighing the wrong way and I have tried HER way and it worked.              

  

Maybe, just maybe, I can look like this with exercise and water!

Hey………..having a POSITIVE attitude and drinking plenty of water can be YOUR “fountain of youth”.   CHEERS!!!!   Debbie

#1 Par-tay!

Sticking her foot in the cake that mommy made

Our grand-daughter turned one last week but the party got postponed till this week-end because she got sick. What a way to spend your 1st birthday, but we made up for it last night.  We had a great night! My daughter-in-law, Sarah, made a video of Aislyn’s first year.  If you have never heard the song, “Let them be little”by Billy Dean,  you need to listen to it.  It will touch your heart. The other songs on the video were Miracle, Mothers Prayer (Celine  Dion), Baby Mine (Allison Krauss), Handprints on the Wall and Thank God for Kids.  I cried while the video was playing because I was thinking how fast this year has flown by. I’m happy that she is healthy, walking, giggling, talking, dancing and lovin’ her life but……………. could you just slow down a little for Nana.  Just to give all of us a little more time to savor.                                                    

Aislyn with her proud daddy

 My son built a sweet shoppe for her party and my daughter-in-law got fabric for the top.  It was so sweet!  (Pun intended)  She opened gifts and seemed to like the cards just as much as the gifts. 

 

The sweet shoppe that my son built

My daughter-n-law made the cake and sweets!  They were yummy!  The letters on the sweet shoppe were made out of vinyl on my Cricut.  The back of the sweet shoppe is loose fabric so I can see some puppet shows and a lemonade stand in her future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My granddaughter had fun at her party!

Look at that face….now you know why I’m the “Happy Nana”.  Debbie♥

Our “precious” is here!

I am like most Nanas and I am getting ready to gush about my new grandson.  So beware……..this could be too much sugar for your system!    Wesley Owen Hill was born on 7-11-11.  He was named after two of his great grandpas.  His mommy is so happy and in love with him.  His daddy thinks hes great and because he was born on 7-11 the 7-Eleven stores will give them free slushies every year on Wesley’s birthday.  How cool is that! 

We can’t wait to make happy memories with this little one.  We now have two “precious ones” and feel very blessed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing all of you precious moments like these!  Debbie (the Happy Nana)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Personal Freedom

On Independence Day, we remember the red, white and blue and the fact that we are SO lucky to live in America where we have freedom of religion.  It always reminds me of when my true independence came about; the Red blood of Christ cleansed my soul pure White when I trusted in Him and obeyed His Word to be baptized in the Blue water. I will always remember the day that Christ set me FREE and I’ll always remember the men and women who fight to keep our COUNTRY free.   Everyone enjoy your freedom tomorrow with family, friends, fireworks, hotdogs and apple pie.  ♥ Debbie

Strawberry Heaven….YUM!

Our friends, Beth & John, had us over for bar-b-que ribs.  Can I say that John is the Bar-B-Que King with his Green Egg?  And Beth……..well……..she is a “Modern-Day Betty Crocker”.  She had a dessert to die for.  Two of my favorite things are strawberries and chocolate TOGETHER!!!!!!!!  She gave me the recipe to share with you and believe me when I say that your family & friends will think you are TALENTED in the kitchen when you bring this masterpeice out of the fridge. Beth got the recipe from The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery in historic Kimmswick, MO.  They say you have to wait in line to get a table at this place. She was even featured on Food Networks ”Road Tasted” with Jamie and Bobby Deen and the Travel Channels “Food Paradise”.   Strawberry Lover’s Pie

1/3 C. semi=sweet chocolate chips       1 T. butter     Pie Crust      1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened     1/2 C. sour cream

6 T. sugar        1 tsp. vanilla extract            1 pound fresh strawberries (about 20-25 medium berries)       

1 container strawberry glaze      2 T. semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted to drizzle on top of pie)         whipped cream

In a 1 cup glass measure, combine the 1/3 cup choc. chips and butter. Microwave high 1 minute; stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.  Spread evenly over bottom and sides of BAKED Pie Shell; set aside.

In large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla at medium speed until light and creamy.  Spread evenly over chocolate layer.  Cover and chill at least 2 hours.  Just before serving, rinse berries; dry thoroughly on paper towels.  Remove caps and stems.  Dip berries in glaze and arrange berries upright on top of cream cheese layer, covering entire surface. Spoon remaining glaze around berries.  (I didn’t use all of glaze, looked like too much to me)  In a 1 cup glass measuring cup microwave the 2 T. chocolate for 1 minute; stir until melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate over top of pie.  Garnish with sweet whipped cream.  Makes 8 servings.

I fixed this last night when my kids came over and needless to say, I forgot to take a picture of the pie before we devoured it.  But this morning I got a pic of the one leftover peice.  It looked a little wilted but I’ll try to get better at this picture taking thing.  I think the next time I make this, I will try milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet just for “GRINS”!     BON APPETIT!!!!!!!!!    Debbie♥

Let’s go fly a kite

I have been looking forward to going to St. Louis to visit with my daughter and her husband.  The last time I saw her was on May 22 at the baby shower we had for her.  SO…….imagine my surprise when we got there and she had grown or better yet let’s say the baby had grown.  Wow!  It was exciting (for me)!  They took us and showed us the baby’s room.  BUT before we got upstairs,  they took down the things that had his name on them because his name is a SURPRISE!  Darn!  If I would’ve known, I could’ve been a “sneaky Nana” and sneaked a peek.  I had made a Kite pillow for my grandsons room and it looks so cute on the rocker.  She said the Big Banana pillow was an “impulse buy”.

REALLY????  Ha!  

the back of the pillow

 

I hope “itty bitty” loves his Kite pillow because it was “made with love by Nana”.

Amanda and me (aka) Nana

 

 

Special Fathers Day!

“Fear has been an emotion  that has moved in on me lately.  Fathers Day was approaching and my dad lives with us now.  He has been having more frequent aging issues.  I have caught myself dwelling on everything negative and that is so NOT me. I turned to the Bible that night and read these scriptures: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you  as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27        For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not Fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13  I suddenly realized that I was so fearful of losing my dad that I was keeping a  sort of “distance” between us. Yes, my husband and I and my dad live together, we eat together, we go to church together Sundays and Wednesday nights but those are our everyday routines. I got myself up off the “pity party” couch and went down to my dads (which is our finished basement).  He got out old picture albums and for the first time in my 55 years, my dad actually shared and expressed his feelings about my childhood.  I always knew he loved us kids but he never expressed his feelings very well so I learned that he thought I was the cutest little girl EVER and that he hated ALL my boyfriends and that he cried when I left on my honeymoon at 19 years old.  It touched my heart!  I am so glad that God helps us face our fears and that we know that He will be there for us when the time comes to “let go” of those we love.  My dad and I had a wonderful Fathers Day and I foresee more one-on-one nights in our future. 

Dad enjoying his grandkids and great grandchild on our deck.