Dad

Dad was taken to the hospital on Tuesday night with abdominal pain. After several scans, the doctors found an aortic aneurysm, which he didn't even know he had. The doctors don't think it is linked to the trouble he was having with his intestines, of which brought about the trip to the hospital. As of last night, they had taken the tube out and brought him something to eat (liquid diet for now). He is feeling better, but now the doctors want to do surgery on the aneurysm, as the size of it is a concern. If he hadn't had the abdominal pain, I wonder if we would have ever known about the aneurysm, until it was too late. It is a silent killer, and can rupture at any time without warning. Thank you, Lord, for watching over Dad. Having the abdominal pain and having to go to the ER, was a blessing in disguise. For those of you who follow my blog or if you stumbled upon it by chance, I ask that you keep Dad in your prayers as he goes through the surgery. Dad spent his 71st birthday (6/15) in the hospital and will be there on Father's Day too, but at least he's here, things could have been so different. Praise the Lord!!

I love you Dad!!

*** update: Dad got home this evening. He is feeling much better and has an appointment next week to set up the surgery. Continue to remember him in your prayers.

Fill in the blank Friday......

1. The last movie I saw was ··· Hall Pass
2. I want ··· Dad to have a successful surgery and soon come back home!!!

3. Surprises are ··· great, as long as it's like a gift or something nice someone has done for me, but not so fun if we are talking surprise party, etc. I guess I'm not the surprise kindof girl, I like being in control and not being put on the spot.

4. The best accessory is ··· a cute jacket or cardi.

5. My favorite warm drink is ··· definitely hot chocolate!! Is there anything better on a cold {snowy} day!!?

6. My favorite cold drink is ··· Diet Coke or Sweet Tea!!!!

7. Currently loving... work {love, love my job at the b&b}, and summer!

Hoo Are You???? Q's

1. What is your favorite summertime snack? Fresh fruit, especially watermelon.
2. Do you tan at all? (tanning bed, outside, spray, etc) I did the tanning bed a month before we went on vacation in Feb. Then I tanned the month of April. Other than that, it's whatever I get from being outside
3. What is your favorite activity to do outside? go to the beach, although I'm letting the summer pass me by.....need to set aside a little time to enjoy the beach!
4. Do you recycle? No, but I do use my cloth bags when grocery shopping instead of bringing home all those plastic bags!!
5. How hot is it where you live today? 85 degrees, a beautiful day here!!

Meet Me On Monday Q's

Questions:

1. What is your favorite yogurt flavor? Yoplait Key Lime
2. Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured?? Ankle socks....white.
3. How is the weather right now? The temps today dropped to the low 80's, a much needed relief from the almost 100 degree temps last week. It was sunny & breezy-perfect weather today.
4. Are you a fast typer? Not really.
5. Red or White Wine? Neither.

Copy Cat Recipe - Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake

I'm copying this recipe from Jenn's blog over at Eat Cake for Dinner. It is Olive Garden's Lemon Cream Cake. Can't wait to make it!!!
Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake
adapted from: Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2

Cake
1 Betty Crocker white cake mix
1 1/4 c. water
1/3 c. vegetable oil
3 egg whites
Note: Measurements are based on a Betty Crocker cake mix. Using a different brand, the ingredients/measurements might be different.


Lemon Cream Filling
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
3 Tbl. lemon juice
1 c. heavy whipping cream

Vanilla Crumb Topping
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. cold butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract


Make white cake according to the directions on the box. Divide batter between two 9'' cake pans. Bake according to box directions. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pans for 15 minutes. Then, invert cakes to cooling rack and cool completely.
Make the lemon cream filling by mixing cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in lemon juice. Whip the cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until it forms stiff peaks. Fold cream cheese mixture with whipped cream. Stir gently by hand until blended.
Make crumb topping by combining flour and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Add butter and dribble in the vanilla extract. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix cold butter into flour and sugar. Break butter into smaller and smaller pieces as you incorporate it into the dry ingredients. Be sure not to press the mixture together. You want to end up with a very crumbly consistency with pieces no bigger than a pea.
When the cake is cool, spread all but 1/2 cup of the lemon cream mixture onto the bottom half of the cake, then carefully place the top half of the cake over the filling. Spread remaining filling over the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle the crumb topping on top of the cake and press it onto the sides all the way around the cake. Now chill the cake for at least three hours before you serve it. When you are ready to dig in, slice cake into 12 slices. Serve each slice topped with powdered sugar tapped through a strainer. Serves: 12. Keep refrigerated.

Six Word Saturday.......

Only 2 days until summer break!!!!!!!!!

Everyone is so ready for summer break....especially Nathan! On Tuesday, he will officially become a junior in high school. I cannot believe my little boy only has 2 years left before graduation. Where does the time go? {sigh}

Blog Hop Giveaway....check it out

Hop on over to the Blooming Hydrangea for a giveaway!!!!


Ange is giving away a large utility tote from thirty-one!! Stop by her blog and enter!!