Dad! Doesn't it look good?! Frank tried to talk me into cutting into it! No way! We'll try on Saturday!
Lia was first sung the song "Short'nin' Bread" by Grandpa Grimes when she was just days old. Since then, Jeanne found a children's music CD that has a (shortened) version of it. Lia loves this song, so Jeanne decided to research a recipe for this historic dish. Plans are to make this and bring some to Grandpa Grimes in Florida when we go visit in a week! Here are the lyrics of (at least one version) the song:
Short'nin' Bread (recipe follows)
Put on the skillet, put on the lid,
Mammy's gonna make a little short'nin' bread.
That ain't all she's gonna do,
Mammy's gonna make a little coffee, too.
Chorus:
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin',
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread,
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin',
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread.
Three little children, lyin' in bed
Two were sick and the other 'most dead
Sent for the doctor and the doctor said,
"Give those children some short'nin' bread."
Chorus
When those children, sick in bed,
Heard that talk about short'nin' bread,
Popped up well to dance and sing,
Skipped around and cut the pigeon wing.
Chorus
Slipped in the kitchen, slipped up the lid,
Filled my pockets full of short'nin' bread;
Stole the skillet, stole the lid,
Stole the girl makin' short'nin' bread.
Chorus
Caught me with the skillet, caught me with the lid,
Caught me with the gal makin' short'nin' bread;
Paid six dollars for the skillet, six dollars for the lid,
Spent six months in jail eatin' short'nin' bread.
Chorus
.......Ok Patti, here's the recipe I'm going to make (the other one is butter, sugar & flour, so I thought the following one sounded better)! Sorry about not posting earlier!!! :)
Short’nin' Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup molasses
1 egg, slightly beaten
Combine first three ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend well and set aside. Dissolve soda in buttermilk and set aside. Combine butter and molasses in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the flour mixture. Stir in buttermilk and egg. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10 inch iron skillet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in skillet for 10 minutes and invert onto plate. Slice in pie shaped wedges.
Patti had the bright idea of asking our server if they had a chess set! Frank & Patti played a game together.
It was so nice and relaxing on the sofa! Ends up we were in luck that there were no seats at the bar. There was live music and it was so nice to be together.
Comfy cozy sisters!
We got Lia up on the dance floor b/c we knew she'd love the music (if only she'd wake up!) - she enjoys being sung to and danced with - but try as we did, we couldn't wake her!
Lia happy with her Daddy!
Frank busted reading Twilight! He wouldn't hold it up for the camera! :)
Pretty Patti in her new Pink bathing suit!
Sisterly love! 
Lia and Mommy in bright colors.
Lia's Grandparents really loved being with her and helping out with play time!
Patti took this shot, therefore we are missing seeing her!
But here we captured our Hula Sister sporting this fabulous sexy look!
Jeanne & Lia on the beach, Lia's tasting the wind.
Mom and Dad enjoying their walk on the beautiful beach.
We were loving this weather and our daughter and the family around us!
Mom and Frank fighting over almonds!
Another beautiful photo taken by Patti. She captured a shot with the moon and Venus in the sky. Don't you wish you were here?!
Steamed oysters! Our favorite food here!!!
Patti and Lia!
Here's Patti - it's her last week before making the official big move to LA!!! I know everyone at her school - teachers and students alike - will miss her! We are looking forward to seeing her in Florida!
We always love it when Jim, Jeanne's brother, comes to visit! He's nice enough to stop by when he can, if he's traveling near Cinti. 
"...And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more..."
Mary Ellen came by to generously share some of her ornaments that she doesn't use (b/c she only puts up a super small tree). Here she is holding just 2 - but they are precious! The Scarecrow and Tinman - both home made and absolutely beautiful! She also gave Lia 2 angel ornaments. Thanks Mel! Now our tree is even more beautiful!
Here's our dinner heating up, we had left over turkey and gravy with mushrooms & egg noodles with a side of spinach! Talk about comfort food!
Jeanne & Lia playing when Connie and Chris arrived.
Dancing to Christmas music.
Connie with her yummy Glazed Cranberry Lemon Cake (and Mom's cake holder!).
Here we are with Andy, Colleen, Chris and Connie. We shared a fabulous New Year's turkey dinner together.
