Up To You

The Summer Wind

"The summer wind, came blowin' in from across the sea
It lingered there, to touch your hair and walk with me
All summer long, we sang a song and then we strolled that golden sand
Two sweethearts, and the summer wind..." -lyrics from The summer wind  by Mercer and Mayer
 

Salted Caramel Frosting

You can frost any kind of cake you like with this yummy frosting. I chose a double chocolate cake (box mix of Duncan Hines Devil's food cake with a box of instant chocolate pudding, google recipes for any number of these cakes). Better yet use your own favorite cake recipe.

Salted Caramel Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
1 c. dark brown sugar
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese softened
1/3 c. heavy cream
3 T. strong coffee (optional)
2-3 c. powdered sugar sifted (add more or less to your desired sweetness)
Additional pinch of salt as needed
Frosts approx. 24 cupcakes or 2 9" layer cakes

Melt butter, dark brown sugar and heavy cream on stove. Allow caramel to bubble and boil. Keep bubbling and stirring on stove for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Do not put caramel in the refrigerator to cool.

Once the caramel is not warm. Beat in the softened cream cheese with 3 T. coffee and sifted powdered sugar.  Add caramel mixture and blend. Can be made ahead store in sealed container in fridge. Bring to room temperature to frost. 

Each Morning

"Wake up and smell the possibility."




"Good morning starshine
The earth says hello
You twinkle above us
We twinkle below" 
Good morning starshine"  Good Morning Starshine" is a song from the second act of the 1967 musical, Hair. 

  

Awaiting The Arrival Of My First Grandbaby

"Not only is your story your truth, 
your story is going to be
the platform and the 
foundation for everything
that's getting ready to happen
in your life." - DeVon Franklin

Some Advice For My Grandchild

You Are Here

On Sunday we were invited to a back yard  family concert of our friends the Sanders.  Five musicians make up their band called "You Are Here".  It was the first time I have been able to attend one of their informal concerts. The band members consist of Tom on drums and Greg on keyboard  (friends of the Sanders family) and the guitarist is Mike Sanders. Mike's two eldest daughters Katie and Emily play multiple instruments and are the lead vocalists.  They play a wide range of music and they gave a completely delightful afternoon concert.  It was such a fun summer afternoon of great entertainment.

 Sisters, Emily and Katie wow the crowd

 We got there early and were impressed with the set-up on the deck. It looked very professional.

We were happy to get seats very close to the stage. Soon the seats filled up to capacity.

"You Are There" performed two 45 minutes sets.  

 

By the end of the concert they had the crowds up and dancing.

 

 So nice to be with the Sander's family. Below the two Mike's who co-coached our girls soccer teams many years ago.  Mike Sanders youngest daughter, Lucy (now living in Hawaii)  went to Middle school and High school with our daughter Aria. 

 We really enjoyed our afternoon backyard concert.  Thanks to Mike, Laura, Emily and Katie Sanders for inviting us to be part of this wonderful event.