Aren’t figs lovely?

Truly mouth wateringly and eye pleasingly lovely?!

I think they are beautiful and exotic- like pomegranates, but more earthy.

They have figs growing on the eastern shore of Virginia, and we bought

several quarts  while we were there.  Most of them we ate fresh.

The rest I brought home and made F.R.O.G.jam.

But look at these appetizer plates and tell me they don’t make you hungry!

The food must be good- the presentation must be attractive- and you have to have the right appetizer for the right people.

Because Luke thought the next plate was the very best h’ors d’ouerves we had-

And , although I agree it is attractive-  I really don’t like my oysters raw.

So I was happy to have MY oysters in a po’boy sandwich the next day!

I DO love appetizers, and I really enjoy garnishing, so I’m going to add some appetizer recipes and garnishing ideas to my blog content in the very near future.  ( As soon as my camera comes in the mail !)

Until then, take another look at the figs.  Aren’t they aesthetically perfect?

I really like them. A lot!

Today is Grandparents day- so I hope all of my friends who have reached this happy state are enjoying memories if not the actual presence of their grandchildren!   And for those whose grandkids are far away- may I suggest Skype?!  It isn’t the same as being there- but it sure beats nothing!

I ran into an old friend at Kinko’s this week.  He has become a step-grandfather and was telling me how great it is.  No kidding, John!  Grandparenting is the very best in Adult/child relationships.  I celebrate Grandparents day every time I get to interact with Aidan!

And today I’m also celebrating cameras and pictures!

Jordan bought me a camera on ebay- another Sony Cybershot 8.1!  YAY!!!!!

Because I already have an extra memory card and battery and computer upload/download card- and (this is the REALLY important part) I already know how to use it!  So I am quite happy!  It is used, but at less than half the price of a new one, and initiated and paid for by my loving son- I am really happy!

And he also helped me to get the last pictures off of the camera that Luke gave me and the Atlantic slurped all over and now won’t work.  So I have the last pictures I took in Chincoteague!   I’m going to post some pictures of Aidan  in honor of Grandparent’s Day- and tomorrow I’m going to share some ideas of lovely appetizers.

Sand and Shells with Mom and Dad.

Sometimes, peaches are SOUR!

Happy Grandparent’s Day, Gramps!

And I am not afraid to admit it, either.  Yesterday was 9-09-09 and there was a lot of talk by so-called Christians about the number of the anti-Christ and last day’s prophecy.  I flew home from Hawaii on 6-06-06 and I heard the same hooplah then.  Plus, lately there have been very loud and obnoxious “Christians” making accusations  against and hoping for disaster to come upon leaders in this country with whom they disagree and for whom they did not vote.  All politics aside, for just a moment, even if you think that the President is not doing a good job- do you honestly think that our Lord Jesus Christ would behave towards His enemy in such a fashion?

I am ashamed that part of the family of God- that fellow Christians would spend so much of their time involved in throwing insults and making dire predictions rather than getting down on their knees and praying for the leaders and their policies.

Brothers and Sisters- spend some time in the scriptures.  Read the book of Revelation and see Jesus Christ in all His Glory.  Listen to His messages to the churches and hear His warnings.  Quit worrying about identifying the anti-Christ and start living lives that point the world to the Living Son of God.

Go back to the gospels and read the good news that Jesus preached.  Look closely at the beatitudes and see if they fit into your world view.  Practice the message of the sermon on the mount.   And most of all, believe that God is in control and that He is sufficient for all of our needs. 

You don’t have to agree with my political views- you don’t even need to know what I think about politics.  I just want to encourage you to speak the truth with love.  This is America and we do have freedom to speak our minds- just please- leave God out when you share your opinion in a less than loving manner.

My intention is not to preach or offend, just to offer an alternative to believers and an opportunity for those who don’t agree with the Christian  Right in their aggressive stance to be heard as well.

Yes, that would be me.

Or it was me earlier today.

I was in such a bad mood.

And poor Jordan and Frank gave me a wide berth.

Because I was really grumpy.

Holidays that are supposed to include family make me feel that way.

Everyone was busy.

And no one had time to even talk.

These are the times when I miss Robin the most-

because she was grumpy when I was and we

talked to each other.

And made plans.

And had tea and scones.

And we just listened and gave each other the gift of time.

Of course I wasn’t really THAT old 11 years ago.

Just on my way.

Actually, My Labor Day turned out happily-

I was just feeling sorry for myself.

-and being grumpy.

I’m so glad tomorrow is another day.

And that my family loves me.

…late morning after a restful sleep

…good coffee

…listening to men’s conversation

…enjoying their comradery- the easy flow of affection

…planning and preparing meals

…dishes and dishes and dishes

…phone calls from my siblings

…prayers and reassurances

…reading and commenting and discussing

…beautiful skies and soft breezes

…watching and waiting

…and reading and praying

….and wondering.

   And rejoicing!

Luke and Willow came to pick up Aidan today.  We had had a full morning, planting the tree, covering the dirt surface with rocks ( that we had washed and sorted the day before), pulling and pushing the wagon around the yard, and walking back Maple Lane and watching our neighbors cut their grass while butterflies were flitting about in front of us.  The sun was shining, the breeze played with our hair and caressed our warm cheeks, and birds, squirrels, tree frogs and crickets were sing-squawk-chitter-chirp-ing all around us. 

When we came back from our backyard trek, Cynthia called and said she was coming over- then Luke and Willow called and said they were on the way home.

So, after Cynthia came, we went into the family room and continued to play- throwing building blocks over our collective shoulder and sitting on top of all the  stuffed animals that we could get our hands upon.

Then- well, then, something remarkable happened.  Remarkable is such a full word- meaning just what it implies.  Something happened that I marked- remarked- and am able to comment about. 

In the midst of our frenzied tossing about of blocks, I had the impression that someone had come into the house- I really can’t say for sure that I heard the front door open- but I thought that Luke and Willow had arrived and was looking toward the kitchen to see their faces when they caught sight of Aidan.

And I saw, no one- nothing, but Aidan bent forward, waved his hand, smiled and said the happiest little “Hi!”.  I looked again- no one.

So, I got up and walked through the house looking for whomever had entered- to find- NO ONE!   But it still FELT like someone had come in- someone loving and happy to see us.

I believe Aidan saw someone- I certainly felt a Presence- maybe an angel came to see us.  In my strange hopeful way, I hope it was the Angel of the Lord and that he brought Robin for a brief moment.  I would like to feel-to think- that Robin could share in the joy of my grandson.

And so- I’m sharing this remarkable little incident with you.  I realize that many of you will think I’ve gone off the deep end.  Let me reassure you- I did that many years ago.  And I think some of you will just smile and say, “heidi has such an active imagination.”  I do.  But for the rest of you who give this some small credence, let me welcome you into my world.

If you are having trouble posting comments- please let me know in my email and I’ll tell my IT guy.

Just checking- I’m having some technical difficulties.  My archives might be out for a while.  Here’s a picture.

Here is a picture of a crab from Assateague Bay!

You may be seeing a bunch of this picture.

I love it!  I really love it!

I love talking and teaching and touching-

I love caring and cheering and clapping-

I love feeding- I love reading.

I love holding them on my lap

and catching them up into my arms

as they run towards me.

I love their smiles and frowns-

quizzical looks-

and that pleased look of

accomplishment

when they did/said

it just right!

I love their small bossiness

when they are

in CHARGE

of the

game.

And I love to

decipher

when all their

words sound

the same.

I think becoming

a grandma

is the BEST

thing I’ve

EVER done!

I learned something while I was at Kingwood Garden Center_ learned that I’m really not a very good walker.

I’m spending a lot of time playing in fountains and wandering down paths.

Yep.

Making Jelly/Jam in the Southern style- FROG Jam.

Figs,raspberries,oranges and ginger.

F.R.O.G.

It smells so good.  And the figs are beautiful when you cut them open.

Delicate and sweet.  And lovely.

The raspberries are overpoweringly fragrant.

The orange juice and ginger pungent and strong.

It smells(I’ll admit to a small pre-canning test) and tastes so good.

I wish I could show you the pictures.

But I can’t get my camera to be cozy with my computer.

They just aren’t compatible.

But, come Fall- I’m putting FROG jam on my scones.

If you have access to figs and want the recipe-let me know in the comments.

I made it low sugar and it tastes just like the jar we bought in Chincoteague,

except more gingery.

And I have been hearing the lids "Ping" as I’ve been typing in here!

YAY!!!  I did it right!