Bena Mae’s Kitchen: The Gift of Being Grand

From the moment a newborn swaddled in a pink or blue blanket is placed in the arms of a new grandparent, the grandparent’s life is changed from that moment on.  They don’t know it yet, but they are being morphed into a life of willing servitude for the darling little creature. No longer will the grandparent have a will of his or her own. The grandchild becomes the center of their universe.
After years of going through the trial of raising the grandchild’s parents… measle, mumps, scraped knees, sleepless nights, terrible teens, plus getting them through college and out of the house, it is finally payback time. And the payback is a rich reward. A grandchild that comes with no set strict rules. Someone you can enjoy to your heart’s content.
The bond between the grandchild and grandparent is the strongest bond in the world. Nothing can break it. It’s impossible to describe. You have to experience it, there are no words to explain it. 
I have a grandson whom I adore. We speak the same language, agree on the same things, and have a common enemy… his parents. One night while the family was eating dinner, he was being chastised by one of his parents for not eating his carrots. “Leave the child alone,” I said. “He shouldn’t have to eat his carrots if he doesn’t want them.”
“That’s not the woman who raised me,” my son piped up.
Parents are important in raising and nurturing their children and teaching them proper values. Grandparents are there to love them unconditionally, provide a soft place for them to land. No matter the problem. Grandma or grandpa have the solution and can make it all go away.
Don’t get in the way of Judy Estep when she enters a department store. She has gone from being a fashionista to haunting the children’s department since becoming a grandmother. “Oh, how cute” you can hear her crowing as she holds up garment after garment that would look “darling on little Adelyn,” And “wouldn’t this look good on Blake.” By then her eyes have gotten that glazed-over look.
Ask Don a question, any question, and the answer you will probably get will be “Have I told you the cute thing Adelyn said the other day?”
Point taken.

Peaches and Cream Bars

CRUST:
30 graham cracker squares
1/3 c sugar
1/2 c sliced almonds
6 Tbsp melted butter

FILLING:
12 oz  cream cheese
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

TOPPING:
2 Tbsp cold butter cut into patties
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2     sliced almonds
2T  all purpose flour
1 jar(s) peach preserves

Crust: Combine crackers 1/3 cup sugar and almonds in blender. Process until well blended, pour in melted butter and process until crumbs stick together. Press into greashed 13by9 inch pan Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Filling: Beat together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg addition. Beat in vanilla, remove crust from oven and pour filling over crust. Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and take jar of preserves and stir inside jar to break up. Then Gently spread preserves over the filling.
Topping: In mixing bowl Ensure butter is cold and cut 2 tablespoons into pieces in bowl. Add remaining ingredients and sprinkle over filling. Bake another 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Cool completely before serving.