Nichole challenged me, and I was so distracted getting ready for our vacation, I didn’t even know it. I’m supposed to write 7 random things about myself that most folks might not know. Hmmmm?

1. I was an original Duran Duran fan, with posters on the walls and everything. This is a fact about which Mark, Phoebe and many others routinely give me a hard time.

2. Until our beach vacation at Topsail Island last year, I was NOT a big fan of the beach. I don’t like “sand in my shoes” or anywhere else for that matter. But…. seeing the kids REALLY enjoy the beach changed my feelings.

3. I played tennis all through High School and would love to take it up again. Happily… Sam, Sophie and Wils think that they would like to try it.

4. I don’t really enjoy eating out very much and prefer to eat at home. I love to cook and don’t mind the cleanup, but am REALLY happy when Mark wants to do that.

5. I actually own, and use, an iPod. My brother cheerfully pointed out that I’ve only used a fraction of the capacity….. but I do use it.

6. At one time I thought I would go to Med School, but I’m so glad I didn’t do that. I much prefer my current circumstances-no matter how hectic.

7. I don’t like to fly over large bodies of water. So, the chances of my seeing Paris, or Hawaii, or Austrailia are very slim. I’m not sure there are enough sedatives….

Walker Family Vacation….. more to come soon.

It’s been a hectic month and I’m 5 recipes behind posting. They’ve been tried, just not posted. The Creamy Jalepeno Cheese Grits and the Pecan Oatmeal Bars will definitely be repeated. Wonderful!! Here are a few photos of what we’ve been up to in the last month.

Now I know why I traded the minivan in for another SUV. If you have a couple minutes, click this link and watch the clip on You Tube. Too Funny!!! I laughed out loud, hoping not to wake the kids.

Nothing drives like a minivan.

Don’t know to whom I should give the credit for this. I received it in an email and it was attributed to “anonymous”. The thought is lovely.

“A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him to find her.” – Anonymous

What a challenge to teach our daughters!

The Happy Clan – can’t get everyone to look at the camera at once with these jokers, but we did have fun.

The fruits of our labor today. What fun!!!

Please pray for the daughter of our good friends Jake and Kelly Hunter. Their oldest daughter Ashlyn was diagnosed with AML Leukemia on Tuesday of last week (3/27). She is currently at Levine Childrens Hospital at CMC in Charlotte, NC. She has begun an agressive chemotherapy treatment. Please pray also for her two younger sisters, Reagan and Camryn, as they struggle to deal with all the changes they are facing.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12 nkjv

Florida training camps have nothing on us! Wils was so surprised to find out that Mommy knew how to “play ball”.

Sam and Mark spent some time in batting practice.

You can do these so easily. I found this “idea” in the newspaper a few years ago.

Cut a large marshmallow in two for the ears and dip the sticky edges in colored sugar sprinkles. I make mine ahead of time and set them aside to use when I’m decorating. If you want to make a version of these cupcakes that provides less sugar for the kids, you can use sugar free jellybeans for the eyes and nose. Whipped icing has more air “whipped” in, so there’s a little less sugar when you ice the cupcakes. Also, this year I found a cake mix by Pillsbury that was sweetened with Splenda instead of sugar. So, while they’re not completely sugarfree, they’re certainly sugar “reduced”.

After the cupcakes have cooled, ice them with a white icing and then dip the tops in coconut. Use icing to help the marshmallows and jellybeans stay in place on the face. You can use decorating gel to make whiskers if you want to add them. Have fun!