Isabella has arrived!

On November 22nd we received the most wonderful blessings as we welcomed the arrival of our first grandchild, Isabella Song Stader. She was born at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville at 3:58 pm and weighed 8 lbs. She was born at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville at 3:58 pm and weighed 8 lbs. 8-1/2 oz. She was 20 inches long and had a headful of dark hair. Parents Jennifer and Bo are doing great. Grandparents are thrilled!

She is 5 weeks old today and what a busy five weeks it has been. We spent almost two weeks in Franklin after she was born and three or four days a week since then. We stayed pretty frantic during the holidays, but it was certainly worth it.















Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)



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No Greater Joy

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

This is one of my favorite Scripture verses as it probably is for many parents.  Today was especially joyous for Bob and I as we listened to our oldest son’s testimony on his last day as Youth Pastor at Nashville Chinese Baptist Church.  Bo and his wife Jennifer are expecting our first grandchild, little Isabella, in just a few weeks and he felt it was time to step down in this role he has held for five years so that he can devote his free time to their first child.  It was so inspiring to hear how God has worked in his life.  He quoted Paul’s message in Romans 8:28 as the guiding force in his life these past few years as he and Jennifer have dealt with her illness and how blessed they are that God is providing this miracle baby to them. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

We enjoyed this special morning with our youngest son Scott and Jennifer’s mother, who just arrived from Shanghai to help with the baby for the first year.  And, on Friday night we were overwhelmed by the generosity of the church and the special night they had arranged for Bo and Jennifer.  Delicious food, wonderful comments from the members thanking Bo and Jennifer for their dedication to the youth and then a church-wide baby shower.  More than 75 people attended – over half of the membership.  It was so much fun.  Before the gifts were opened, many offered “baby” advice- all very good and some very funny.  I was so proud and so thankful that we were there to enjoy this special time in their life.

God has blessed us with two wonderful sons- both dedicated to Christ and to furthering the kingdom.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

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Blessings,
Diane 

Technorati Tags: Romans,Scripture,Isabella,Nashville Chinese Baptist Church

Countdown to Bella – 40 Days and a Wake-Up

Isabella Song Stader should arrive on the morning of November 26th and so many people are waiting to love this miracle baby.  Here are a few special memories pre-Bella.  Hope you enjoy!

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Blessings,
Diane 

Technorati Tags: Isabella,Shower,Baby,Bo,Jennifer

The 44 Year Old Recipe Box

Do you tear recipes out of magazines?  Or save the magazine that has a great sounding recipe in it?  Or have 50 cookbooks loading down your cabinet?  I do all of these things and have for all of my 44 years of married life.  And with today’s technology, I am always searching for recipes on the web.
  But, I especially treasure the little recipe box that I received at my church bridal tea in 1966.  It is filled to overflowing with “keepers”; many in the handwriting of that special friend who shared her favorite at a bring-a-dish pot luck event throughout the years.  The first index card in the box read:
“May you fill this little box with many favorites throughout the years.  One of my favorites is the “recipe for happiness” found in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13.”
So I dedicate this first blog post to the wonderful ladies at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church in 1966.  The memories of those days and these sweet ladies are priceless.
And now, from one of those magazines I have saved- Southern Living, January 1999 included the recipe for Hummingbird Cake, and it remains the most requested recipe in Southern Living history.  And it is also the cake that my family requests the most.  One slice and you know why. 

Southern Living’s Hummingbird Cake 
Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients

• 3  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 2  cups  sugar
• 1  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 3  large eggs, beaten
• 1  cup  vegetable oil
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  vanilla extract
• 1  (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1  cup  chopped pecans
• 2  cups  chopped ripened bananas
• Cream Cheese Frosting (see below)
• 1/2  cup  chopped pecans

Preparation
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. (Diane’s tip:  I use parchment paper in my cake pans.) Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. Store in refrigerator.

Nutritional Information - Calories: 642; Fat: 34.2g; Cholesterol: 71mg; Sodium: 312mg

Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 3 cups

Ingredients

• 1  (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2  cup  butter or margarine, softened
• 1  (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract

Preparation

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Nutritional Information - Calories: 71; Fat: 3.6g; Cholesterol: 10mg; Sodium 34mg

I would love to hear your comments if you take time to make this delicious cake.  I’ll bet your family and friends will sing your praises for days after that first piece!
Until next time…..

Blessings,
Diane 

 

Technorati Tags: Hummingbird Cake,Recipe Box

Terrific Weekend! New Baby and the Name Game….

Oh, what a terrific weekend!

All my children were here visiting and we were also blessed with a new addition to our family.  Sons Scott and Bo and sweet DIL Jennifer arrived at various times during the week and we had such fun.  We celebrated (a little late) Jennifer’s birthday- she turned 29 on July 4th, and niece Marcie and hubby Michael’s first child, Easton James Williams, arrived at 5:12 a.m. on July 10.   I cannot believe I was holding this sweet angel just 30 minutes later.  Things have really changed since my fellas were born.  All went well- God is good.  I’ve added a few photos – isn’t he adorable?

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It was so nice having my boys and Jennifer around for a few days.  We ate great and large and visited family and laughed and just had a great time.  It was totally a baby weekend because Bo and Jennifer are having our first grandchild in early December!  And it’s a girl!!! Jennifer is doing great and we are all so excited about this miracle baby.   At Jenn’s birthday get together we all got to “vote” on the name.  Bo posted the “top ten” on a chalkboard and everyone voted for their top three.  Scott assigned a value to each place and tallied the official results.  And the winner?  ISABELLA….with AnnaKate and AnnaBelle coming in 2nd and 3rd.  I guess we all knew that Bo and Jenn’s top name has been Isabella from the get-go and they hadn’t even heard of Twilight when they picked it!   So, as of today and, maybe subject to change, we will be welcoming Isabella Song Stader later this year.  Sweet!!!

Sure hope your weekend was wonderful too.

 

Technorati Tags: Bo,Jenn,Marcie,Michael,Scott,Baby,Isabella,Easton

Snow Dog – January 30, 2010

 

What a nice end of the month surprise!  Over 6 inches of snow in my neighborhood on top of an inch of ice.  Not good for travel, but what a beautiful weekend God created for us.  Everything is pretty much closed down- schools and churches and many businesses.  I know the kiddies are having a ball.  Our 14 year old “puppy” Shelby used to be the ultimate Snow Dog, but not anymore.  She just tiptoes out, does her thing, and tiptoes back in the house where it is warm and toasty.  Here she is in the back courtyard in the snow. Isn’t she a pretty gal?

You may also notice that I haven’t gotten around to removing the Christmas bows from the rosemary plant.  I actually left them on purpose- kinda adds some color to dreary days.  If you look real close you can also see the Christmas lights on several of the shrubs and trees.  The back looked so pretty during the holidays when the lights were on that I just wasn’t ready to let them go.  Maybe when it’s time to trim again…..

I’m also sharing a couple of snow photos of my sweet great-nephew Anthony.  His mom tells me that he has loved every minute of the snow.  We’re so proud of him- he’s in the 3rd grade and so far this year is a straight A student!  He’s always been a shining light in our lives.

 

I hope you are having a warm and toasty day also.  And, as always, thanks for dropping by.

 

Blessings,

Diane