Gram's little helper...

A teething toddler and orchestrating a dinner for twelve....

What was Gram thinking??

Well....that's the problem...I wasn't!

I live in my head way too much and things never seem to work out the way that I've planned.

Yesterday was no exception.

As we've mentioned...Thursday's are our family dinners and any loved ones are invited...

open door...open hearts...open kitchen

(Thanks for the sign, Janet!)

I like to get creative and sometimes in my quest I do not consider the costs.

Yesterday afternoon started with a teething, tantruming, toddler.

She was not a happy camper...more like a clinging camper.

The Clinging Camper

Mam had a facial appointment and typically our lil' Samantha will take a nice nap while Mam is away.  That gives Gram ample time to prep.

Because I was trying two new recipes, the prepping was more time consuming than anticipated.

(Chicken Marsala & Coto Risotto...or "rice surprise" according to Uncle Jon)

Little Sam decided that napping was not on her agenda

She wanted to watch cartoons (educational ones, Mam!) and cuddle with Gram.

Gram would normally LOVE this except all she could see was the dinner that would not be on the table at 6 if she didn't get chopping!  

Somewhere in the midst of all Gram's worry she decided that she needed to REMEMBER her priorities...

And sweet (a bit sour) Sam won out!

We could always order pizza!

After our cuddle time...Mam came home...Sam played (destroyed) the house and the chopping got done.

Gram's lil' helper

Papa came home and he and Sam had a few adventures of their own
(Which Gram and Mam were both very grateful for)

Dinner at 6 for twelve minus one was executed

Laughter was heard...

Stories were told...

children played...

And Gram had a tummy full of joy!

But pizza would have been fine!  Note to self:  Uncomplicate the menu and concentrate on the relationships.  For someone whose love language is quality time...you'd think that I would know this by now....