Here I am! Whew! It's been some busy days around here! The pie? Oh, that? It's strawberry-rhubarb. The strawberries were from Florida, but the rhubarb was from my back yard. I had my parents over Sunday. Kind of a make up for not seeing mom on Mother's Day. We had a feast! Chicken, steak, grilled veggies, pasta salad, tossed salad, orange cranberry muffins, this pie, and a chocolate pie! I had made chocolate cake, but saved it for Monday.

DH has this week off. He's been taking the kids to school and I've been sleeping in!! Isn't that sweet of him? That's part of the reason I haven't been on-line...I am sleeping through my play time! LOL! DH has been working hard! He truly deserves a gold star. He took out a hedge row from the front that was old and nasty, tilled my garden and the former hedge spot, and today he is off to get grass seed. He's been working so hard I don't even mind having to go to work myself while he's on vacation!!

Thank you for all your kind responses to my last post. I was worried about that one! Prayer for our children is our #1 answer. I am so blessed that my daughter is passionate for the Lord, and I pray that her love for God continues. Her two best friends are also Christians, and the moms are two of my closest friends. Friday night was a fun night. DD and her friend E, got their hair done together, while friend S stayed at our house having her hair done by her big sis. Then they dressed and posed in our back yard. The dance was held at the banquet facility of a local living history museum, so I was loving the atmosphere and the photo ops!! The hardest part of the evening was staying awake until 9:30 to go pick her up!!! I can't believe this is the girl I couldn't get out of soccer cleats!!!!

She counted 50 bobby pins in her hair!!

I'm sure there was more I wanted to share this morning. But suddenly it's time to get ready for work!!

Have a blessed day!

This lady is almost "past her prime", but the colors are still glorious! I have some neat pictures on the camera, but I'm experiencing the same problems with a different cord that I had in the past. Aggravating!

I have a lot on my heart today, and if you are not in the mood for writing of the more serious type feel free to skip today. My heart is just breaking for the teenagers I see on a daily basis. Not only am I a parent of two teens, but I work at the school also. I am a "lunch lady", and I'll tell you what, you would not believe what these kids talk about when their guard is down and they are getting their lunch. I'm right there, and they talk about getting drunk, having sex and the parents that allow this to happen in front of their eyes. I realize everything I hear is not gospel truth. Kids exaggerate, but the mere fact that they want to be known for doing these types of things puts them on dangerous ground. I know, I was one of the those teens. I was mostly talk, but I REALLY needed my parents to know what I was up to and tell me right from wrong. No, I wouldn't have liked to have listened to it. I would not have like to have a curfew. I wouldn't have liked to have rules. But I would have probably been saved a lot of hurt.

Two incidents happened this week that really got me thinking of all this. The first was an eighth grade boy and girl bragging around school that they were going to his house after school to have sex. She went to the counseling office and parents were called. I don't know how the parents reacted, but I know they are the same group of parents that sit and party at my son's little league baseball games. Our actions are being watched by our children. What we say and do is REGISTERING, whether we think it is or not. We do not have to be perfect parents, in fact it helps the relationship along most times when we make mistakes and admit it to our children. But we HAVE to be adults! We have a right, an obligation to tell our children no, to give them boundaries, to PROTECT them. We are not going to be their best friends, we CAN'T be during their teen years.

The second incident I witnessed were three eighth grade girls hopping into a car with an eleventh grade boy. Ok, I admit, this could be totally innocent. I just sat there looking at three girls who were less and less clothes each day, and a boy who is kinda popular but has never had a date. He has the opportunity to sweep these young girls off their feet. They are the types who would absolutely love to say they are dating an older guy with a car. Innocent looking situations get awfully hard to handle in a hurry. These kids all THINK they know what they are doing, if their parents don't tell them differently, or make these situations impossible, trouble happens pretty quick. Kids don't always listen. They can still make bad choices when parents do all they can, but parents can't let down their guard. Our children are a GIFT from God, and we are stewards of that gift.

Pray for your kids today!

I want to elaborate a bit more. I had a phone call as I was getting to the end of this post and feel I may have rushed it a bit. Girls getting into a car with a boy doesn't spell disaster, but these girls have already had trouble. I hope I don't sound judgemental really because it is a TOUGH job being a parent and making good decisions. That is why I need God right along side me every step of the way. Seeing those girls get into that car, knowing that they have made bad choices previously, just made me ache for them. It reminded me to be diligent for my own children's sake. I hope if you read this you understand where I am coming from.

This is a miniature bleeding heart. Isn't she sweet. I am getting excited watching all my plants show themselves again this spring. My perennial bed looks good and healthy, but I am disappointed in my shade garden. No signs of my Lilly of the valley or ferns. Bummer. My Irises haven't bloomed yet, but I am anxious to show them off to you and tell you their stories!
Once again it's a busy week, but I have gotten in a lot of sewing. Sanity sewing you may call it!! I've been making tea towels and baby bibs!! Fun, quick stuff, for in between soccer games, tennis matches and baseball! LOL!
My daughter's first semi-formal is this Friday...I'll be a weeping willow if you ever saw one!
Blessings to all of you!!

Isn't that a lovely cookbook? I love the title, Preserving Memories. Sorta what my "farmgirl" life is all about! Not that I live on the farm, because I don't. At MaryJane's forum, someone, maybe MaryJane herself, said farmgirl is a state of mind. To me that means using what I have, being a good wife and mother, loving God, doing special things for others and even myself. Like the aprons, they make the every day special. I don't have to grow a garden and can the produce to survive. I have a grocery store less than a mile from me. But I do it for many reasons, health, frugality, taste and the pure pleasure of it. I received this cookbook from my swap partner Mandi, and I planning on using it with joy this summer.

Friday, Friday....lots to do today. It had a sad start. I went out to start the car this morning (no frost just a heavy dew), and noticed something on the sidewalk, near our bush with the robin's next. Me in my uncaffienated state thought it was merely food that mama robin dropped. I went back into the house, but when the kids came out DD was very unhappy...

"It's a baby bird, and the next is empty!"

My heart sank, something got them last night. I know, it happens all the time. Dummy me named one yesterday. Jasmine, because she slept with her chin flat on the side of the next and her beak up in the air like my dog sleeps on the couch. Wonder what mama is doing this morning.

After that site, I wasn't real pleased to have to come back into the house and play with a whole chicken. I am trying something new in the crock pot, Mexican, lime chicken something another...I'm so good with names!!! Anyways...whole chicken, seasonings, squeeze the lime then put the rinds inside the chicky, with two cloves of garlic and cilantro. I've never done anything with the crock pot that doesn't include cream of anything soup, so I am crossing my fingers and hoping it's a good one. I'm glad I'm not cooking tonight because DD has an away tennis match and DS has batting practice. Tomorrow is not much better, DS has a game in the morning and a soccer scrimmage in the afternoon, and I am teaching 4H in between. May always gets like this...it's my punishment for having summers off!!!

I am finishing up my mother's MOTHER'S day gift. Yes, I know I'm late, but have you seen my schedule?!! LOL! I made a red/white table runner for her kitchen. I am hand sewing the binding then it will be done. It feels good to get something finished around here. I will try to get a picture, I am semi-camera-less again. :(

Hope you all have a blessed weekend, what are your plans?

Yes, I do know there is no picture there. I originally had a picture on, then realized it showed a last name. So I edited the picture (feeling really clever). Now, I can not get the picture to post! (not so clever!)

Silly Little Things

Just a silly post, I won't tag anyone. If you'd like to play along, be my guest! My choice is in bold (hopefully)



Lace or Ribbon




Mountain or Beach




Reading or Writing




Cookie or Cake




Baked or Mashed Potato




Side or Back




Shrimp or Steak




Scrambled or Fried




Orange or Apple




Spring or Fall




Roller Skating or Bowling




DVD or Theater movies




Wood or Glass




Blue or Green



Chocolate or Vanilla



Quilt or Knit




Early Morning or Late Night




Coffee or Tea




Watermelon or Strawberry




Lunch or Dinner



Cold Cereal or Oatmeal




Song or Dance




Carpet or Hardwood Floor



Red or Pink




Cat or Dog



Pretzels or Chips



Iced Tea or Lemonade




Non-Fiction or Fiction



Rose or Daisy



Sunrise or Sunset



Comb or Brush



Pottery or Basket




Bracelet or Necklace




Pen or Pencil




Couch or Chair




Country or Victorian




Farm or ranch


Braid or Ponytail




Cash or Check




Chocolate Bar or Jelly Bean




Coke or Pepsi




Hot Dog or Cheeseburger



Blinds or Curtains



Dress or Pants




Sun or Moon




Adventure or Comedy



Cloud or Star



Lake or River




Half Full or Half Empty




Truck or Car




Bath or Shower



Clothesline or Clothes Dryer




New or Second Hand



Gum or Lifesaver



Email or Handwritten



July or October


Barefoot or Shoes


I picked this up at http://peacefulcorner.blogspot.com/, always a lovely place to visit!

Friends

Allison at http://purpleglasslover.blogspot.com/ put a a challenge to show pictures of our best friends. I am blessed with two "best friends" in my life. It's amazing how God puts people in our lives. If we listen and follow His leading, we can have the most amazing relationships we could imagine. First and foremost my DH IS my best friend. But I am guessing Allison meant best girlfriends so here they are:

Michelle and I have been friends since third grade. That's when I moved to the school I would graduate from. Starting a new school even as young as eight was scary. The "groups" were already formed, and living as far as seven miles from school didn't help me fit in. The summer after sixth grade I remember receiving a letter from Michelle. It said something about she hadn't been a good friend and she was so sorry. Honestly, I had NO idea what she was talking about, but I was up for the friendship. We were inseparable through the rest of high school. We had our tiffs, but we always took care of each other. We have been through so much; the births of my two babies, the death of my first husband, the cancellation of her engagement, the rebuilding of her finances, the purchase (by herself) of her first home, and now the birth of her first child. We may not be in touch much more than a quick e-mail, but if something happens, she's the first I call in the middle of the night. We get the willies when we count how many years we've been friends. But thank God, I just don't know what I would have done without her!

The next picture is of me and my girlfriend Kathy. We joke and say we met in preschool - our daughters were in preschool. Neither one of us new the Lord at the time, gently one by one He called us. Now we are prayer partners and sisters in Christ. There is never a time when either one of us can't pick up the phone and ask the other for prayer, or WHERE is THAT verse in the Bible?!!!! Kathy and her family have been blessings to me and my family!

Your turn! Visit Allison, then tell us all the stories of your best friends!

Book Review/Belated Momma's Day!

Did you know Paula Deen had an autobiography out? Her "Memoirs"? I jumped right back into the Cookbook of the Month Club for that one!! I wouldn't consider myself a fan of celebrities. Most of the actors I enjoy watching were before my time, and if I was "in" their time and heard the tabloid fodder I may not have enjoyed them as much. I do truly enjoy Paula Deen though. If you don't know, she owns a restaurant in Savannah, Ga and has her own cooking show on Food Network. Quite honestly, I fell in love with her accent, and her smile. Some people think it's sickenly sweet, but I am just mesmerised each time I watch! My mom's "people" are from Kentucky, and I have had this wanna be southern streak in me all my life. Paula just speaks to that! Love the food, enjoy her immensely. I don't even watch the show very often. It's on at 4:00 up here and that just seems to be prime time for ball games, dinner prepartions or what have you. But I check in with Paula every once in a while, and have quite a few of the cookbooks.

I have just a few pages left to read in her book. She really put herself out there, "warts and all" as she puts it. Paula had some seriously bad times in her life, and made some bad mistakes, but she kept pressing forward. To me that's what life is about, pressing forward. In the Bible, Paul encourages us to keep pressing forward, forgetting about what lies in the past. Every stupid mistake we have made, "Forgetta bout it!!", the junk people have done to us, "Forgetta bout it"!! Just keep pressing on, doing your best, leaning on the Lord!

Ok, back to the book...if you like biographies, read it. If you like Paula Deen, read it. I will tell ya though, she tells many details in her life, and they are not all pretty. She swears too. If that would bother you even in a biography, don't read it. I wouldn't put up with that in a fiction novel, or even a biography where I was expecting it from a person (say like a comedian who tries to shock you). I truly believe Ms. Deen wasn't trying to shock anyone, just be her real self. I really enjoyed the book. I just came a way feeling NO ONE is stuck in their circumstances if they choose not to be.

Had to grab a couple more of her and her boys cookbooks!

So how was your Mother's Day weekend? Mine was lovely and crazy all rolled into one! I can't believe it's Monday all ready! Early Saturday morning, my DH was up early getting ready for a golf tournament. He doesn't have that luxury very often. I laid there and stretched and yawned, "I should get up and go get groceries early." If I got up early, did the groceries, I'd have plenty of time to set up for the 4Hers coming that afternoon. "Sorry", he says, "G-man has a baseball game at 9:00."

And so it goes! Ballgame, emergency haircut for G-man, cleaning, 4H THEN we got groceries! But was it just groceries, of course not! DD came along to hit a couple stores looking for dancing shoes!! It was a fun day though! The quilts are coming along nicely for the 4Hers. I just have to constantly remind mom's and daughters both that perfection is not what we are aiming for here!! We are supposed to be having fun!

Sunday was full of a Mother's Day Picnic at my niece's. It was a beautiful day with my in-laws (yup, I love 'em!). The weather was perfect and there was plenty of good food. Then I came home to three, count 'em THREE full garbage bags of beautiful fabric that my Aunt was getting rid of! Oh the possibilities that flew through my head as I sorted through my goodies!

Hope your weekend was lovely!

~Blessings

My Apron Swap!

This is the beautiful apron I received from Denise/Levisgrammy, my apron swap partner! I just love it! Make sure you click on the picture and get a good look at the fabric, it is just too sweet! Not only did I receive a lovely apron, I met another lovely farmgirl friend!

Promised Pictures!

Wow, what a week. I think every once and a while God likes to remind me that I can handle alot more than I think. This week was filled with tennis matches, baseball games/practices, soccer practices, eye dr appts. and me as the acting on site manager at the Elementary school for three days. That meant I was at work by 7:00 am when I am used to a 9:45 start! Oh yeah, it was our anniversary Wednesday and we went to a tennis match and a chorus/band concert!! Saturday is a 4H day; more sewing together of squares! And Sunday (Happy Mother's day!) we are going to a family picnic!
I owe you pictures so here are a few! I went book crazy the last week. I don't pay full price, trust me! Some of them were even free.
Oh, yes, my pantry looks a whole lot nicer too!
I have more to show and tell, but alas it's back to work!
~Blessings!

Hey Y'all!

Well Hello there! It's Monday again. Life has been busy! Saturday was "opening day" of Little League baseball complete with parade and opening ceremonies. I watched a few innings of my son's game then headed off to the mall (ew) with my daughter and three of her friends. DD needed a dress, yes, a dress! That was a bad word in her vocabulary for many years, but now times are changing! She wanted a dress for her 8th grade semi-formal coming up at the end of the month. It was a fun day, going here, there, and everywhere in that mall; trying on dresses and so forth. I was completely exhausted by the end of it!
Sunday was rest day after church, although I did clean and reorganize my pantry. That was kinda fun though because I stole some hardly used shelves out of my son's room to display my cookbooks on. They look so much better, and are easier to access. I finished up two swaps and got them ready for mailing today. I made an apron for an apron swap. I received mine this weekend and just adore it. I hope my partner likes hers. (I know, I thinking the same thing...why are there no pictures of any of this? I can't answer that!) I was also in a 5 dollar Mamma's day swap and got that finished off. So putting them in the mail today made me feel much better. I still have stuff I need to finish, like by Mother's Day! But that was a pretty good dent in my to-do list!
I do have some lovely new books about vintage decorating and sewing I'd like to show you, along with my new apron from Denise, but it will have to wait. I have to be to work by 7:00 am (GASP!) for the next three days so my blogging may be a little sparse.
I just wanted to say "hey" and check in with my blogging pals. Time to scoot off to make dinner and head to soccer practice!
Blessings~

Blah Blah Blah

Great title, huh? Just saying hi! to you all and showing off some pretty tulips. They are actually my neighbors and they go all the way down the border of our backyards. Once they get in full bloom I'll take some more pictures.

Sports season is getting in full gear. G-man had his first soccer practice last night with a nice little parent meeting at the end. The parent meeting consisted of the coach passing around a clipboard and telling each parent to choose a "job".
Ok, let's keep a good attitude here. Job, let's pick a job.
Welcoming the opposing team and showing them where to sit? Um NO! I am a hospitable person, but I think I would get laughed out of town for that one.
Something about running here there and everywhere for uniforms. Hmmm, I don't know.
Taking a picture of the team and getting 5x7's for each player. (you will be reimbursed by the parent who chooses the "treasurer" job) BINGO.
I am now the soccer mom/photographer.
Whew! sports season is getting tough!

It's Drawing Day!

And Celebration is in the air! Here's my super duper drawing pouch!


Round one is all the names of the gals that posted a prom picture either on their blog or on MaryJanes Farmgirl Forum. AND THE WINNER IS: SWEET HARVEST HOMESTEAD!
Way to go girl! I will be putting together a celebration package for you and getting it in the post this week!

Now I did say that there would be all sorts of excitement today! (Can you hear it? WooHoo!) And the best thing is there is a 2nd drawing! Yes indeedy, you don't think I would let all those wonderful comments go to waste do you? I wasn't about to leave anyone out b/c "pictures are too old, didn't go to the prom, or you were uncomfortable posting them"! I just couldn't do that. So here we go! The EVERY WOMAN IS BEAUTIFUL DRAWING. This group consists of all the ladies that commented on the Prom Time drawing, but for their own reasons didn't or couldn't post a picture.

So here it goes...drawing #2....THE WINNER OF DRAWING #2 is Kathy (knewslady)!

Congrats girls and thanks to everyone for being the beautiful women you are!

Yes, I'm here!

I hope you all had a sunny, beautiful weekend! Sunday was the better of the two days, and some much needed yard work was taken care of here! It was so nice being out of doors and seeing plants and flowers poking up here and there!

As I mentioned in my last post, Saturday, two ladies from work and myself took a trek to Vidlers 5 & 10. It was a really fun trip! Of course we talked so much on the way there that the time flew! The store was really amazing! We walked in and I could have spent my allotted play money in 60 seconds!! But I was good and perused and came up with some really neat things.
The store had the old fashioned candy section, novelty items and toys, lovely (and nicely priced) country style knick nacks, kitchen dodads, teas, salsas, and a CRAFT section complete with fabric!!! I came away with a small wreath for my front door, fat quarters for $1.00 each, to sets of embroidery squares for quilts, a HEFTY bad of buttons for 2.00, other buttons on cards...and I think that is it. I could have come away with more, but I tried to remain reasonable! Actually, I did pretty well because the fabric has a use already (not often a prerequisite for my fabric buying!) and the quilt squares have homes to go to also! I think buttons have just started calling my name of late!
I just realized I have a month and a half left of work! This is a busy time of year though, so if you think I'm MIA, it's only because I'm trying to catch my breath! Or washing sports uniforms in a frenzy!! This week isn't too bad, a baseball game tonight, and a tennis match tomorrow! The weather is cooperating fairly well, so I do enjoy it!
Have a great day!
~Blessings!