80 Years!

We celebrated my grandmother's 80th birthday today. Can turning 80 really be like just another year? Think of all the memories accumulated in 80 years. All the people met. All the places visited. All the interesting experiences. I can't even imagine! My almost 28 years seems like nothing in comparison.

We had fun talking about some of the technologies and ways of life that are different from when my grandmothers were children. Outhouses. Bathtubs in the kitchen. Multi-grade classrooms. I wonder what gadgets and everyday processes my husband and I will only tell our grandchildren about.

Records were on their way out as I was growing up. Cassettes were the big thing, and CD's were soon to follow. VHS tapes were the way to watch movies at home. All our telephones had cords when I was a kid. I even remember a time without the Internet. By the time we have kids and they are old enough to remember the memories, what else will have made its way out of popularity? The possibilities are unimaginable!

Breadbasket, Beans, and Berries

What a day!

I tried out a local restaurant with my Grammy for lunch. We ate at The Breadbasket in Newton, KS. It was like a Mom and Pop's Panera Bread. Delicious! We slipped in just before the busy lunch crowd and enjoyed a nice conversation amidst our salad bar munchies. Thanks for the yummy lunch, Grammy!


I finally got to the fresh green beans, a donation from
Mom's garden. I've never cooked fresh green beans before, but I loved them. Yum! And I had plenty leftover to freeze for future meals. Yeah!

Someday, when we own our own house, I want to make sure we have enough space in our back yard to have a garden to grow some of my favorites: green beans, strawberries, watermelon, corn, radishes.


My Grammy gave me a new recipe to try today (from kraftfoods.com). Of course, I got right on that assignment, and let me tell you, it is delicious!

Strawberry Pie
(Serves 8)



You will need:

pt. or qt. of fresh strawberries
2/3 c. boiling water
1 pkg. strawberry flavor gelatin (3 oz.)
ice cubes
1/2 c. cold water
1 tub lite whipped topping thawed (8 oz.)
graham cracker crust (6 oz.)

You need to:

1. Slice 1 c. strawberries and refrigerate for later use. 
2. Chop remaining strawberries and set aside. 
3. Add boiling water to gelatin mix and stir for 2 minutes, until completely dissolved.
4. Add ice to cold water to make 1 c. Add to gelatin. Stir until thickened.
5. Remove any unmelted ice.
6. Whisk whipped topping into gelatin. 
7. Stir in chopped berries. 
8. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until mixture is thick enough to mound.
9. Spoon into crust.
10. Refrigerate 6 hours or until firm.
11. Top with sliced berries.

Needless to say, I did not follow step 8 very well. I think that is the reason I had leftover 'filling' when making my pie. Still, it was delicious... and easy! My kind of pie!

Happy Wednesday!