TRAINING A COUNTRY GIRL GRANDDAUGHTER

My older grandchildren, boys and girls, know how old fashioned, square, country, non-techno, uncool, non-movie watching, ipodless their Nonnie is.  I think that about covers it.  The two youngest still just love me the way I am and think I can do no wrong. 

This week our just-turned-11-years-old granddaughter Amber spent several days with me.  We decided to do some different things together and had so much fun.  We spent a couple of hours one afternoon in a local consignment store.  A new adventure for her.  She really has a pretty good eye for what she likes and is a fair price.  She has Bieber Fever, so of course we were in search of something purple to use in redecorating her room.  Amber was a bit pleased that I know who JB is and that purple is "his" color.  I guess I can understand her infatuation, my first real star infatuation was Paul Peterson.  Wow, that really dates me doesn't it?   Anyway, she had a wad of money ($15.00) in her new purse from Paris that Aunt Paige sent for her birthday.  She was ready for business and determined not to go home empty handed.  The picture frame was just the thing to put Justin's picture in and cost only $4.00 and was purple.  Perfect! 

Next we went to an antique store.  She loves old fashioned stuff and is very interested in the great depression; not the one now, but the one in the 40's.  She enjoyed looking at everything in the store and was plum full of questions about everything she saw and then she saw it - a bling, flat-bill cap.  Love at first sight and it was only $6.00.  The whole thing was covered with sequins and beads and had a zebra/leopard pattern.  I must admit it was very cute on her and went perfectly with the duct tape bracelets she was sporting.  Amber is our little "Amelia Bedelia" and sometimes wears some of the strangest get-ups you have ever seen. 

All week we have been enjoying our meals on the back porch in the swing with the new cushions.  We watched the birds and butterflies through my binoculars and tried to get pictures of them.  We even trekked through the woods to check out the game camera - nothing but raccoon pictures on it.  Here are two of the big butterflies we watched, a monarch and a zebra swallowtail, I think.  Getting a good picture of a butterfly is really hard.

AMBER MAKES AN OREO PIE

Note the duct tape bracelets.  Don't you wish you had thought of colored/patterned duct tape?  Me too.  The kids love it and have spent a young fortune buying every color and pattern they make.  They stick it on everything imaginable, no matter how much it costs.  We all know that duct tape sticky never, ever comes off.  Is it duct or duck, anyway?

Amber loves Oreo Pie and I talked her through the recipe.  She made it all by herself with her own personalization - colored sprinkles! Of course we had to lick the beaters and spatula!  You can get the recipe at nonniesgoodeats.blogspot.com. 

All you grandmas out there, go enjoy a grand kid.  They will be too busy with their own social life to want to spend much time with you before you know it.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Save the leftover juice from your cooked vegetables to use this winter in making homemade soup.  It is already seasoned and makes a wonderful soup base and it is free.  I start out with a fairly large container and add to it until full.  This winter I'll put the frozen juice in the crock pot with other ingredients, craft or shop all day, and supper will be ready when Johnny gets home from work.