Family Friday Recipe - Graham Cracker Crisp

This is my cousin Barbara's recipe.  Barb is just the nicest person.  I always think there are two kinds of people: those who can be nice when others are around; you know what I mean, people who show a good "social face."  My cousin Barb is the other type of person:  nice even when no one is looking, probably especially when no one is looking!  Supportive, sweet, generous and always smiling--the epitome of a kind soul and gentle spirit! 

Barb brought a panful of these crisps to our Spring-time open house, probably 15 years ago.  They are so yummy, I asked for the recipe, which she sent in the mail the next week.  And I'll tell you, at that time, I didn't cook at all!  Since then, of course, I've turned into someone who enjoys cooking.  But these are still easy to make and mmm, mmm, good!

Graham Cracker Crisp

--Line cookie sheet with foil, spray with PAM.  Line foil with graham cracker squares.

--Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

--In a sauce pan, melt:
one stick butter
one stick margarine

--Add 1/2 cup sugar.  Boil three minutes.  Pour over top of crackers, spreading and covering evenly. 

--Sprinkle top with one cup chopped pecans or other chopped nuts.  Bake 10 to 13 minutes at 350 degrees.

--Remove from oven.  While still warm, but firm, cut and break into rectangles!
 

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Home on Leave, But Not for Long

"Anj and the Kids"

This photo just came into my possession.  Mom found it in the house, among my Dad's papers and other things.  That's my Dad in the middle.

Mom said she remembers this day "like it was yesterday."  It was the last day of Uncle Joe's leave (he's second from left), and this was taken outside my grandmother's house, where they all grew up, just moments before my dad took his brother to the airport.   

From left to right:

Frank Walter Szymanski, known to us as Uncle Buddy
Joseph Szymanski, in his Navy whites
Agnes Szymanski Stanley
Edward John Szymanski, my dad
Grandma Angeline Szymanski, immigrated from Poland into Baltimore at age 3
Jerome Szymanski
Helen Szymanski Lay

As I studied this photo, I determine that it's probably from the early 1950s;  that's around the time that my Uncle Joe served in the US Navy.  It stuns me to look at my grandma and realize in this photo, she is about the age I am now, mid-50s.  Such a very different life! 

What a great group they all were and are!  Hard working, loyal to family, always laughing at life.  As a kid we don't think of these things, but I surely do realize now what a treasure it was to grow up surrounded by so much love.

 

Welcoming Annabel

Just a few months ago I wrote about the Newest Leaf on our family tree, my cousin Joe's second son, Samuel.

This week brings another joyful addition to the family tree.  Meet darling Annabel, born January 4.  Annabel is my cousin Mark's new granddaughter.  Our common direct line ancestor is (my grandmother) Angeline Gostomska Szymanski, who is Annabel's great-great-grandmother.  (Take note, parents, for future reference!) 

Born January 4, 2012.
My first cousin, twice removed.

Lucky for the rest of the family, Annabel's daddy Aaron is a talented photographer, so we are sure to be on the receiving end of many photos of this little darling.  Aaron, Mommy Julie Ann and big sister Nevaeh welcome Annabel with loving hearts and hugging arms. 

And you can be sure that her many aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins (not to mention this first cousin, twice removed) are just as thrilled to welcome Annabel, and are lining up to bounce her on their knees. 

I wish them all the blessings that Heaven can bestow, now and always.

This is truly an example of the adage "One picture is worth a thousand words," so I'll let the these photos of this New Leaf on our family tree speak for themselves.

Two days old.  

Isn't she just TOO precious!