Fun in Grand Rapids

It was so much fun going to Grand Rapids for the weekend.
My brother is going to college there in the fall. We went to visit the quaint town of Rockford. It has a lot of nice shops. There is a waterfall that is nice to go by and sit. There are lots of benches and neat areas to enjoy. It was fun watching people fish. A man caught a big fish right from shore. It was about 18 inches long. Our weather was in the mid-70's so it was great to be out. My Dad and brothers got waffle ice cream cones. They looked soooo good. Unfortunately, milk bothers me.

We went to visit Reed Lake where we used to go for picnics when in the area. It is a nice spot tucked away. It's fun to relax and soak in the sun, read a book, and watch the boats, and ducks go by. We can't leave out the mall or swimming at the hotel as well as the yummy Japanese food I ate for the first time.

Oh, I can't forget the warm cookies awaiting us at the hotel. They were sooo good. It made up for not being able to eat the ice cream in town. Right before we headed home, I begged my parents to please stop for a Krispy Creme donut for my ride home. I have only had these a couple times in my life and THEY ARE THE BEST! We don't have one close to our house. They aren't as good in the grocery store. They must be fresh. Thanks Mom and Dad!

This week I am spending some extra time exercising. I guess it's good there isn't a Krispy Kreme by my house! Lots of salads this week! I do love salads. My family has been on a big salad kick lately.

Have a great day!

P.S. I'll try to post picks soon.
Hannah

Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Friday night I went to sleep over at my grandparents home. Two of my cousins Luke and Levi, stayed over also. Usually there's a lot of younger cousins with us at get togethers so we thought it would be fun to have the three of us together for games. We played ping-pong, rummikub, UNO, soccer, and jumped rope. Grandma played with us too. It was so much fun. My grandma took the pictures so, unfortunatley, she's not in them. Sorry Grandma.

Happy 91st Birthday Great Grandma

Today would have been my great grandma's 91st birthday. She passed away last month. I am so thankful to have had her in my life. I miss her alot.

Happy Spring!

Spring is finally here! One of my favorite things is getting my bike out after a long, cold, snowy winter and taking my first ride through our neighborhood. It is nice to see people outdoors again. My brother Josh and I went bike riding. It was a lot of fun. I know there will be many more rides to come.

Chicken Soup Helps The Healing

My mom has had a cold for a couple days. So I thought I'd make some chicken noodle soup. It's easy and yummy!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
6 ounces boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or to taste
2 quarts chicken broth or chicken stock
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrots, sliced or diced
4 green unions, thinly sliced
2 cups egg noodles, wide variety
1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F
Lay out chicken breast on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil.
Use a brush to coat or preferably coat by hand rubbing oil on meat. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook in oven for 30 to 40 minutes making sure chicken is fully cooked. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Heat chicken stock. Simmer stock in an uncovered stock pot or similar pan on stove top before adding other ingredients.
While broth or stock is brought to a simmer, cut up chicken breast, cutting meat into medium size cubes.
Dice celery, slice or dice carrots, and thinly slice green onions.
Add celery, carrots, green onions, and noodles to broth or stock. When noodles are fully cooked (8 to 10 minutes) , add chicken meat and then parsley. Allow to cook for an additional 4 minutes or until meat is heated and serve hot.

Blog List

I added a blog list of some of my favorite blogs.
I hope you enjoy them too.

Picture Books in Winter

Summer fading, winter comes-
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.

Water now is turned to stone
Nurse and I walk upon;
Still we find the flowing brooks
In the picture story-books.

All the pretty things put by,
Wait upon the children's eye,
Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks,
In the picture story-books.

We may see how all things are
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies' looks,
In the picture story-books.

How am I to sing your praise,
Happy chimney-corner days,
Sitting safe in nursery nooks,
Reading picture story-books?

This poem is by: Robert Louis Stevenson