Fourth of July Photos

My parents stopped by last night, and Dad gave me a CD of photos he had taken at our Fourth of July barbecue. He is the only one that does not appear in the slideshow below:

Projects: Wall, Porch, House Painting

I'm very excited because next weekend, Norm, his brother, and his nephew will begin rebuilding our front porch! This weekend, he's finishing up the retaining wall he built around the back end of the shed next to the driveway of the duplex that was recently built. This is to prevent a vehicle from running into our shed and storage area, as the driveway is pretty narrow and about four feet above our property level. We also purchased the rest of the paint we'll need for the house. Right now my digital camera is unusable; I'm hoping to get a replacement next week so that I can document the work as it is done and post it here for you all to see. It's a tremendous amount a work, and I know that Norm and the others will do a quality job!

Further Updates on My Father-In-Law

Norm talked to his dad the other day, and he's feeling much better...especially since he's allowed to sleep. While in the hospital, he had been woken by nurses every two hours to get his vitals checked, and it wore him out so badly, he couldn't even keep food down. He has spent the last few days sleeping and eating, and it has helped tremendously! He will have to keep it easy for about six months to help prevent more clots.

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts sent his way!

This Week's Family Celebrations

Happy Birthday to two of my cousins--brothers Ted (July 3rd) and Karl (July 7th)--ages 21 and 23 this year!

Happy 5th Anniversary to Norm's niece and nephew-in-law, Jennie & Nathan, on July 6th (their online family photo album can be found in the right-hand menu)!

Another Update on My Father-In-Law

We were away from home most of the day with the holiday celebrations, but received phone messages and e-mails notifying us that Norm's dad was discharged from the hospital today. He's still pretty tired and in some pain, so he could continue to use your thoughts and prayers. Thank you to all of you who've been doing so!

Wave Your Flag Cake

I'll be making this dessert today in preparation for the annual Robbins Fourth of July Picnic held at my parents' log house north of Colville. There's usually a small crowd attending: my daughter and her boyfriend, my son, my sister and her children, her birth daughter and her adoptive family, family friends, and a small crowd of my folks' church friends. Loren is usually in charge of the grill (burgers or hot dogs), and everyone brings a dish or two. Dad makes his famous baked beans (a Robbins tradition...at Robbins Family Reunions in Michigan, you could find dishes and dishes of baked beans on the table!), and supervises the s'mores makings. Laurie often brings her delicious cold three-bean dish. There's always potato salad, chips, and soft drinks. Janet usually brings a peanut butter pie! Pete helps Dad set up the tables, and Mom puts out the red-white-and-blue tablecloths, dishes, tableware, and condiments. While things are being prepared, the little boys will play with Grandpa's train layout. Then Dad will gather anyone around to say a prayer of gratitude for the good food, good company, and our freedoms. We'll dig in, enjoy each other, and go home to watch fireworks in the evening!

Wave Your Flag Cake


(image and recipe from Kraft Foods)

• 1 qt. fresh strawberries (about 4 cups), divided
• 1 1/2 c. boiling water
• 1 8-serving pkg. or 2 4-serving pkg. of red Jell-o (I prefer strawberry flavor)
• ice cubes
• 1 12-oz. pound cake (or I use Sara Lee 10.5 oz. pound cake, and slice it very thin), cut into 10 slices
• 1 1/3 c. fresh blueberries, divided
• 2 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 c. sugar
  
• 1 8-oz. tub of whipped topping (store brand is fine)

Wash and hull strawberries. Slice one cup, set aside. Halve remaining strawberries, set aside.

Stir boiling water into Jell-o dry mix for two minutes until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to Jell-o; stir until ice is melted. Refrigerate 5 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites).

Meanwhile, line bottom of 13x9-inch dish with cake slices. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup of the blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake slices. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with wire whisk or electric mixer until well blended; gently stir in whipped topping. Spread over Jell-o. Arrange strawberry halves on whipped topping for "stripes" of "flag." Arrange remaining 1/3 cup blueberries on whipped topping for "stars." Store leftover cake in refrigerator (hmm...there's rarely any leftovers at our picnic!).

Another Update on My Father-In-Law

Yesterday evening, we had a message from Norm's brother that he had called Norm's dad in the hospital and talked with him, and that his dad said he would like to hear from Norm. So Norm called his dad and talked with him for a little while. Norm was a little shook up afterwards; said his dad sounded just terrible; he couldn't remember Norm's brother calling him; and was confused and kept calling Norm by his brother's name at first. I reminded him that his dad is doped up on pain killers, has some oxygen deprivation (which is why he is on oxygen); has lost track of time; and is fighting some pain after he has had the painkillers reduced. Still, I know it is hard to see (or hear) a parent in a weakened state. It reminds us of our mortality, and how fragile life really is.

Norm then talked to his mother for a while. The doctors are fairly convinced that if his dad didn't have pneumonia, then he has had at least a severe infection. He won't be released from the hospital tomorrow as first expected, because of this infection. It will be a few more days. This has been really hard on Norm's mom, so please continue to keep both his parents in your thoughts and prayers...thanks!