I had thought about painting the trim on the shed and garage. Well today I got up early and began, while David was mowing the lawns.
When you first begin putting the paint on it looks pink, Burgundy. As it dries it becomes this beautiful red. It is semi gloss and it is so pretty.
I did complete the job by noon. All I could reach without getting on the garage roof.That will wait until the weather cools down some. It looks amazing.
Now that old work garage has a rustic look to it. That is exactly what it needed. Now I Have to decide what to do with the exterior door. Maybe a nice white or tan. I also have tan on the garage. The garage is same color as the house, ivory, and a tan trim, I left some of the tan to show kin to the home. In addition the gutters are dark brown, so it blends very nicely.
Yesterday Ron brought us a vanity and commode for the old garage. He was redoing his bathroom and had these he took out. (Ron put a Jacuzzi in his new bathroom)
Again I can barely wait until he begins the makeover. He is so handy with tools. He is ripping out the old commode, and a section of the cement floor. He has to put a new vent pipe in.
The old one is in the middle of the room,. Why? I have no idea.
Then he Sheetrock's it and finishes it off. I will then stain the cement floors. He would tile it if we decide to do that but I think staining would be more interesting. We also have to put a new door on the bathroom. The door will be very white.
I am finishing the bathroom in red, as in accent colors like 50s red and white.
I am looking for photos of old cars to post in there. paint the frames red and it will tie in.
If we do tile it I think linoleum tile in black and white. That will be a nice addition.
It is going to be a very nice restroom for a work shop. More of a selling point for the house. I may check to see what is good to cover the walls with, (as in not Sheetrock), but a fiberboard that will take paint. I want it bright in there.
We spent the entire morning outside working and came in at 11:57 to eat breakfast and lunch together. We then took a nap and got up in time to go to Dave and Gwenas for dinner. Very nice dinner, then we played scrabble. Gwena is quite good at this game. I have to brush up.
Now I have to make a list of items to take to Kens tomorrow. Like peas, corn, melons, tomatoes, squash, beans. toys. Lord do not let me forget the toys. I am planning a yard sale next weekend. I may advertise I have lots to sell. As mentioned before too many extras on items. I am even selling my quart jars. I really do not need quarts.
So that is my schemes for the day and days to come.
Good night
He maketh me to lie down in Green Pastures,
He leadeth me beside the stillwaters.
Psalms 23:1-2
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Three Years
I saw this on another blog. I thought I should look back and see when I began blogging.
It was three years ago August 25.
Attached is my first blog. Lets see how time has changed things.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
First Post
Hello, to everyone in Blog land. My name is Sue and as you can see I am Mamaw, but I am often called, Mom, Sis, and Honey and often Susie. My DH sometime calls me Wom short for woman but comes out womb. LOL Not crazy about that one.
Today I am making pickles, anyone want cucumbers? I am so tired of the cukes and squash but cant bring myself to stop watering them, someone may need the food. I do not go to the garden with a small bag, No,I go with a huge laundry basket, I have to make two trips as the basket often gets too heavy to carry back to the house, And you guessed it, that basket is loaded with squash and cukes. In my garden I also have potatoes, corn,melons, beans and beets. I have canned 8 pints of beets, and put 59 ears of corn in the freezer plus 12 bags of cream corn. So as you can see I am a farm girl. Love every minute of it too. Well not every minute but most, especially when I can pull out something I canned or put away and serve it to guests.God made such a wonderful world, All you have to do it look around you and know his hand is in the beauty of each flower and leaf on each tree. So enjoy my post and I will keep you all informed of my world.
So this is where it all began, 435 post later I am still loving my outlet.
I have at times been pretty slack in updating and some are pretty mundane. But it is my thoughts and plans and dreams and schemes and life.
Mostly schemes.
I have added photos of my grandchildren, my children, my husband , my home, my pool, my family and so many other blessings I have been granted.
Through blogging I have met a few friends. I may never see their face but they often cross my mind. Renie and Loretta I am faithful to read. Renie is on my mind when I pick up a book, (Renie writes for several publications) Loretta, is from Arkansas and when I think of Arkansas I think of her along with my family there. She lived pretty much like I did as a child. I read Patty at "Old Lady Lincoln" she has a humorous blog. she gives me my daily dose of laughter.
David will often walk in and say, "What is so funny?" Then he gets a good laugh too.
I am able to keep updated on my grandchildren, This has been the best way to stay in touch without a huge phone bill.
The kids produce videos, (Oklahoma children) and I can see them on a daily basis.
I see my grandchildren on their first day of school. It as if I am there but it is only in photos but I can feel the excitement. I see my new granddaughters swollen gums as her first tooth is about to emerge. I see her walking in her walker and hear her giggle. I see all of them laughing and playing.
The internet if used properly is a great tool.
I can set here and put my deepest thoughts down, and often when I voice a problem I remove it because once it is voiced, it seems petty. Writing gives me more perspective on issues. I am caused to think on my blessings as I sit here pondering what to expound on.
So To all my Blogger friends and Family, This has been a great three years. Hope to have three more.
Thank you all for the blessing and friendship you have enriched my life with.
Sue
It was three years ago August 25.
Attached is my first blog. Lets see how time has changed things.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
First Post
Hello, to everyone in Blog land. My name is Sue and as you can see I am Mamaw, but I am often called, Mom, Sis, and Honey and often Susie. My DH sometime calls me Wom short for woman but comes out womb. LOL Not crazy about that one.
Today I am making pickles, anyone want cucumbers? I am so tired of the cukes and squash but cant bring myself to stop watering them, someone may need the food. I do not go to the garden with a small bag, No,I go with a huge laundry basket, I have to make two trips as the basket often gets too heavy to carry back to the house, And you guessed it, that basket is loaded with squash and cukes. In my garden I also have potatoes, corn,melons, beans and beets. I have canned 8 pints of beets, and put 59 ears of corn in the freezer plus 12 bags of cream corn. So as you can see I am a farm girl. Love every minute of it too. Well not every minute but most, especially when I can pull out something I canned or put away and serve it to guests.God made such a wonderful world, All you have to do it look around you and know his hand is in the beauty of each flower and leaf on each tree. So enjoy my post and I will keep you all informed of my world.
So this is where it all began, 435 post later I am still loving my outlet.
I have at times been pretty slack in updating and some are pretty mundane. But it is my thoughts and plans and dreams and schemes and life.
Mostly schemes.
I have added photos of my grandchildren, my children, my husband , my home, my pool, my family and so many other blessings I have been granted.
Through blogging I have met a few friends. I may never see their face but they often cross my mind. Renie and Loretta I am faithful to read. Renie is on my mind when I pick up a book, (Renie writes for several publications) Loretta, is from Arkansas and when I think of Arkansas I think of her along with my family there. She lived pretty much like I did as a child. I read Patty at "Old Lady Lincoln" she has a humorous blog. she gives me my daily dose of laughter.
David will often walk in and say, "What is so funny?" Then he gets a good laugh too.
I am able to keep updated on my grandchildren, This has been the best way to stay in touch without a huge phone bill.
The kids produce videos, (Oklahoma children) and I can see them on a daily basis.
I see my grandchildren on their first day of school. It as if I am there but it is only in photos but I can feel the excitement. I see my new granddaughters swollen gums as her first tooth is about to emerge. I see her walking in her walker and hear her giggle. I see all of them laughing and playing.
The internet if used properly is a great tool.
I can set here and put my deepest thoughts down, and often when I voice a problem I remove it because once it is voiced, it seems petty. Writing gives me more perspective on issues. I am caused to think on my blessings as I sit here pondering what to expound on.
So To all my Blogger friends and Family, This has been a great three years. Hope to have three more.
Thank you all for the blessing and friendship you have enriched my life with.
Sue
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I did it
Today I did it, I got up early and cleaned out the old well shed. I have all the boxes shoved to the outside and the floor hosed out and wet vacuumed. I bet you did not know you could vacuum with no hose.
I am here to say, "Yes You Can". I did!!
My hose had gone flat. So what can I do? My floor is full of muddy water, (water from when we had the tank replaced and they dumped the old tank on the floor), I need to get that water out as we have no drain in there.
I looked at the wet and dry vac, I thought the wand would fit in the hose hole, It did, it was not as tight but that thing has a lot of suction. So I held it in my hands and struggled to hold it once it was full of water. It worked. Now for a better idea, I propped the unit up sideways on a paint can to have an angle so the wand would touch the floor. It worked. Now I could hose all the muddy water to the low spot and clean it up.
Don't tell a stubborn woman she can't because she will.
The shed looked awesome. I also sprayed for bugs and spiders and moved four bundles of shingles to the shelf, off the floor. (Yes, 50 lb bundles, shh don't tell David.)
I then moved all my paint cans to the shed and then I rested.
What a great accomplishment. Something that has bugged me for ages. I detest bug ridden, messy sheds. Tomorrow I move a few more items and organize, organize, organize.
Did you hear about our fires. When David came home at 3PM, the neighbor stopped him and showed him the smoke. He had driven by the area where the fires were, totally oblivious. (he wanted to get home to me).
We go out and look and could hear popping. We saw the planes and helicopters. So close, Too close for comfort. We put sprinklers out around the shed and work garage. Also the dry grass that surrounds the driveway. We heard several homes had burned. Officially we have not heard anything. The fire began with a structure fire and with our high temps, (110) and hot dry winds it just went wild. They evacuated a golf course community up the hill from us, and closed all access in, You could go out but no one could come in.
We were prepared for the worse. We even discussed what we would take with us if they evacuated us. I said, photos, old clock, lamp and medicine. Forget clothes, I need these things. I would grab my old Bible as we walked out.
All planned, but in an emergency who really knows? Thank God they did control the fire, we kept watching the smoke as it boiled up and the helicopter was pretty close, we could see the buckets of water being dropped. They would pick it up from the river that is only a half mile from us.
This has been a horrible year for fires. In all the 43 years I lived here I never recall this many fires or threats. Yes, in Southern California but not here.
So keep our firemen in your prayers. They had a bad year, I am so glad I got to meet them earlier in the spring. (not under good circumstances) I met a few of them, Like about ten.
I later took them a pan of cinnamon rolls. They thoroughly enjoyed the treat.
Now I think I have to do something when this season is over and they are lounging around the fire house.
Now I will say Good night.
Love to all
Mom, Aunt, Sis, Mamaw, Woman.
Child of a King.
I am here to say, "Yes You Can". I did!!
My hose had gone flat. So what can I do? My floor is full of muddy water, (water from when we had the tank replaced and they dumped the old tank on the floor), I need to get that water out as we have no drain in there.
I looked at the wet and dry vac, I thought the wand would fit in the hose hole, It did, it was not as tight but that thing has a lot of suction. So I held it in my hands and struggled to hold it once it was full of water. It worked. Now for a better idea, I propped the unit up sideways on a paint can to have an angle so the wand would touch the floor. It worked. Now I could hose all the muddy water to the low spot and clean it up.
Don't tell a stubborn woman she can't because she will.
The shed looked awesome. I also sprayed for bugs and spiders and moved four bundles of shingles to the shelf, off the floor. (Yes, 50 lb bundles, shh don't tell David.)
I then moved all my paint cans to the shed and then I rested.
What a great accomplishment. Something that has bugged me for ages. I detest bug ridden, messy sheds. Tomorrow I move a few more items and organize, organize, organize.
Did you hear about our fires. When David came home at 3PM, the neighbor stopped him and showed him the smoke. He had driven by the area where the fires were, totally oblivious. (he wanted to get home to me).
We go out and look and could hear popping. We saw the planes and helicopters. So close, Too close for comfort. We put sprinklers out around the shed and work garage. Also the dry grass that surrounds the driveway. We heard several homes had burned. Officially we have not heard anything. The fire began with a structure fire and with our high temps, (110) and hot dry winds it just went wild. They evacuated a golf course community up the hill from us, and closed all access in, You could go out but no one could come in.
We were prepared for the worse. We even discussed what we would take with us if they evacuated us. I said, photos, old clock, lamp and medicine. Forget clothes, I need these things. I would grab my old Bible as we walked out.
All planned, but in an emergency who really knows? Thank God they did control the fire, we kept watching the smoke as it boiled up and the helicopter was pretty close, we could see the buckets of water being dropped. They would pick it up from the river that is only a half mile from us.
This has been a horrible year for fires. In all the 43 years I lived here I never recall this many fires or threats. Yes, in Southern California but not here.
So keep our firemen in your prayers. They had a bad year, I am so glad I got to meet them earlier in the spring. (not under good circumstances) I met a few of them, Like about ten.
I later took them a pan of cinnamon rolls. They thoroughly enjoyed the treat.
Now I think I have to do something when this season is over and they are lounging around the fire house.
Now I will say Good night.
Love to all
Mom, Aunt, Sis, Mamaw, Woman.
Child of a King.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Water Water
As you read the last post you see I had a bad night. So today when I got up, I was not a lot better. I tried, I sat and ate my breakfast, I turned water on to the pool, (We have a fill pipe directly into the pool), and I made the bed, wrote mail, checked bills to pay. But I was so tired. I tried to focus but at 9 am I went back to bed, wrapped up in a blanket and slept until almost 11.
As you see I turned water on to the pool. I HAD FORGOTTEN. When I woke I lay a few minutes and suddenly the thought of water crossed my mind, I almost shrugged it off and kept lying there. Suddenly I was running out the bedroom door. My pool was FULL. Totally!! to the top!!! I only wanted to add about an inch, instead I added about 7 inches. Now it is great for diving.
Not intentional, since it cost more to add chemicals and we just got it balanced.
When my daughter was here we filled it up on purpose so we could cool it off and play in deeper water. D 13 loved it. D spent so much time in the water. He was nice and brown when he left here. They all were, especially G, He is 8 years old with this wonderful skin that tans nicely.
So today I over flowed the pool and slept too long.
However at 2 o'clock I was ready to nap again.
Wonder why I am so tired. Must be an age thing.
Tonight I shelled beans and peas. Tomorrow I get to process them for freezing, that and eggplant and squash and tomatoes. gonna be a busy day again.
IN addition I think I may go out and empty the well shed early, before it gets too hot. I want to hose it out and get items ready to sell.
Got to work on all that this weekend. David has a long weekend and we may go see his sister (Retha) on Sunday. She is not doing great. She is having a tumor removed from her breast. (She thinks.) They may be removing the breast.
She really does not understand what is happening and she was reading me the orders, She said she thinks she is only going in for consultation.
I don't know, but if she needs she can come here while she recoups. We have the extra bedroom and I will be glad to have her, she wont mess up my routine, I stay home most of the time anyway.
She will only be here while she need help recouping.
We will just See when the time comes.
so keep her in your prayers. She is not well, she is old before her time, How sad.
I love her dearly and she is more like a sister to me. A blood sister. she is kind and generous and sweet.
Kind of grumpy today but I would be too. LOL
I will keep you all posted on her progress and plans.
As you see I turned water on to the pool. I HAD FORGOTTEN. When I woke I lay a few minutes and suddenly the thought of water crossed my mind, I almost shrugged it off and kept lying there. Suddenly I was running out the bedroom door. My pool was FULL. Totally!! to the top!!! I only wanted to add about an inch, instead I added about 7 inches. Now it is great for diving.
Not intentional, since it cost more to add chemicals and we just got it balanced.
When my daughter was here we filled it up on purpose so we could cool it off and play in deeper water. D 13 loved it. D spent so much time in the water. He was nice and brown when he left here. They all were, especially G, He is 8 years old with this wonderful skin that tans nicely.
So today I over flowed the pool and slept too long.
However at 2 o'clock I was ready to nap again.
Wonder why I am so tired. Must be an age thing.
Tonight I shelled beans and peas. Tomorrow I get to process them for freezing, that and eggplant and squash and tomatoes. gonna be a busy day again.
IN addition I think I may go out and empty the well shed early, before it gets too hot. I want to hose it out and get items ready to sell.
Got to work on all that this weekend. David has a long weekend and we may go see his sister (Retha) on Sunday. She is not doing great. She is having a tumor removed from her breast. (She thinks.) They may be removing the breast.
She really does not understand what is happening and she was reading me the orders, She said she thinks she is only going in for consultation.
I don't know, but if she needs she can come here while she recoups. We have the extra bedroom and I will be glad to have her, she wont mess up my routine, I stay home most of the time anyway.
She will only be here while she need help recouping.
We will just See when the time comes.
so keep her in your prayers. She is not well, she is old before her time, How sad.
I love her dearly and she is more like a sister to me. A blood sister. she is kind and generous and sweet.
Kind of grumpy today but I would be too. LOL
I will keep you all posted on her progress and plans.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Cant Sleep
It is 11 o'clock and I should be asleep but sleep evades me. I am so tired and my BP is sky high. I guess that is why I can't sleep, I can feel my heart pound the bed. We all know our hearts beat but we don't want to feel it when we are trying to rest.
The doctor told me it is my anatomy that enables me to feel it.
Right now it does not matter why, I just want to rest. That alone makes my BP high. 154/94. Bad news but I have a lot on my mind.
First I worry about David, He had a test today, and his bladder and kidneys are fine, thank You God. But in doing this he put his stress test off. I knew he would when he first scheduled it but he is his own boss. I can only beg him to take test, and stress myself out but I won't do that any more. I have done it for years and now I just let him make his own decisions. Who am I to tell him what to do, he has better health than I do.
Today had been one of my tired days, I did pick veggies today and did make David stuffed pork chops for dinner with black eye peas and a sour cream coffee cake. Very good. That may be why my heart is racing. I should not eat sweets.
I just took a tranquilizer, tiny one, now I should relax and get my body back in sync.
Right now I am eating a piece of the best cantaloupe ever. It is so sweet. Vine ripened. I am going to miss my fresh fruit and vegetables when this season is over. I will not even like the ones off the grocery shelf.
I have been thinking of the trim on the well shed. My mind is already figuring out what to do once the cooler weather hits. My quilting is already out and sorted for two more quilts to compete.
The well shed. I have a great Red paint, I may paint the trim red. What do you think? Not a lot of trim to paint but if it turns out good, I will do the same to the work garage so when Ron finishes the bathroom it will be show ready. We have to put a new window in it and maybe we can put up something on the walls to finish it off. Ron is so handy and so knowledgeable.
I can certainly see the red on the trim and then I can hang shovels I have painted with little words of wisdom on them, I can hang the old saws above the door and I can paint the work bench around back of the shed.
In addition I need to work on a yard sale to clear out a lot of old stuff. I bet we have more trimmers than any ordinary person should. We do. Really we have at least four and all in working order. We just have a hard time with them. One is hard to start, one is hard to keep wound one has a little 34cent piece missing and one is who knows what . We have two blowers, two mowers, plus the tractor, We have a DR and a long trimmer thing. we have a hedge trimmer, All of which seldom are used. What a waste. We have boxes and boxes of pipe fittings and electrical parts, Maybe Ron can use some of them. I have things I sorted a year ago and it is still in the garage. Now I think I can get to work on that and have a little extra money for who knows what, Who cares?
Just gives me something to think on when I can't sleep.
Let me see what else can I say, I worry about my grandson, he is still in need of prayer but I have to say, I believe God has taken control of the situation and all is going to be well. I just feel it is going to be good.
I worry abut my children so far away. I think of my Moms poem,
So now I will say
Good night sweet ones, Sleep tight, Mommy's heart is holding you secure and holding you in prayer.
The doctor told me it is my anatomy that enables me to feel it.
Right now it does not matter why, I just want to rest. That alone makes my BP high. 154/94. Bad news but I have a lot on my mind.
First I worry about David, He had a test today, and his bladder and kidneys are fine, thank You God. But in doing this he put his stress test off. I knew he would when he first scheduled it but he is his own boss. I can only beg him to take test, and stress myself out but I won't do that any more. I have done it for years and now I just let him make his own decisions. Who am I to tell him what to do, he has better health than I do.
Today had been one of my tired days, I did pick veggies today and did make David stuffed pork chops for dinner with black eye peas and a sour cream coffee cake. Very good. That may be why my heart is racing. I should not eat sweets.
I just took a tranquilizer, tiny one, now I should relax and get my body back in sync.
Right now I am eating a piece of the best cantaloupe ever. It is so sweet. Vine ripened. I am going to miss my fresh fruit and vegetables when this season is over. I will not even like the ones off the grocery shelf.
I have been thinking of the trim on the well shed. My mind is already figuring out what to do once the cooler weather hits. My quilting is already out and sorted for two more quilts to compete.
The well shed. I have a great Red paint, I may paint the trim red. What do you think? Not a lot of trim to paint but if it turns out good, I will do the same to the work garage so when Ron finishes the bathroom it will be show ready. We have to put a new window in it and maybe we can put up something on the walls to finish it off. Ron is so handy and so knowledgeable.
I can certainly see the red on the trim and then I can hang shovels I have painted with little words of wisdom on them, I can hang the old saws above the door and I can paint the work bench around back of the shed.
In addition I need to work on a yard sale to clear out a lot of old stuff. I bet we have more trimmers than any ordinary person should. We do. Really we have at least four and all in working order. We just have a hard time with them. One is hard to start, one is hard to keep wound one has a little 34cent piece missing and one is who knows what . We have two blowers, two mowers, plus the tractor, We have a DR and a long trimmer thing. we have a hedge trimmer, All of which seldom are used. What a waste. We have boxes and boxes of pipe fittings and electrical parts, Maybe Ron can use some of them. I have things I sorted a year ago and it is still in the garage. Now I think I can get to work on that and have a little extra money for who knows what, Who cares?
Just gives me something to think on when I can't sleep.
Let me see what else can I say, I worry about my grandson, he is still in need of prayer but I have to say, I believe God has taken control of the situation and all is going to be well. I just feel it is going to be good.
I worry abut my children so far away. I think of my Moms poem,
"My children are so far away, I know they will return some day,
And say dear Mom we are home to stay.'
The halls are so lonely dark and quiet, where once they rang with laughter and delight.
My children are so far away.
if they only knew the pain and woe they caused their Mom When they had to go.
I know they would turn around and say, Mom we are home to stay"
That was a poem my sister found in my Moms suitcase when we cleaned out her house. It said so much she never said to us, I know when I went to see her, when we left, she would not come outside to see us drive away. I knew it was hard but I never knew how hard.
My Mom knew we had lives to build, if only we could have built them closer to her. But life does that to us sometime. We take what comes and make the best of it and pray it is the best choice. Each choice we make can affect every road we take. Each choice can lead us to a different road.
OK now I am rambling, or as one person said, "What is all that chatter?" LOL I had to laugh at that one, it was so funny. I guess I do chatter on and on about nothing and everything.
All that is in my heart.
Good night sweet ones, Sleep tight, Mommy's heart is holding you secure and holding you in prayer.
Our Father who are in heaven, Hallow would be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespass as we forgive those who trespass against us, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Love of the Earth and Gardens.
The soil of Eden
Our bodies originated in the soil of Eden.
It should not surprise us that they are sustained by food that grows from the soil.
Every source of food ultimately finds its nourishment in the soil,
and that nourishment sustains our bodies.
Likewise, our souls were created by the breath of God in Eden;
it should not surprise us that the Word of God,
which is inspired, or "God breathed," sustains our souls.
If we plan to eat food each day to keep our body alive,
shouldn't we also plan to feast on God's Word each day to sustain our soul?
I often think of how much I love the earth, as in dirt and trees and water and all things beautiful.
Beautiful, even the most homely item on earth is beautiful , because God makes us all bright and beautiful.
I am one of those people that can sit and watch grass grow and sit in amazement how the scene changes with each passing day.
Today I am watching leaves blowing from the many trees around the property.
I picked peas, beans, tomatoes and melons this morning and wondered at how a few short weeks ago, the plants were beautiful and full of life, Producing large quantities of food for our bodies.
Today those same vines are looking sad, dry, withered and barren of vegetables.
They are getting ready for a new season in their lives. We will plow the vines under to replenish the earth of all the nutrients pulled out by the vegetables.
Next season we will begin again. We already have plans for spring. Plans to grow even more.
David said, I think we will buy another freezer for next summer. We will need it.
True ours is full now. And I need to put apples and peaches away.
We would love to be totally self sufficient. All but our meats and dairy . We will not have chickens although I would love to hear a rooster crow in the morning.
There is nothing quite as country as a rooster crowing or a cow mooing.
Today as I worked the garden I caught a whiff of the past. I could smell the rich earthy smell of green vines, fresh plowed earth and peas. It made my heart beat a little lighter and I found myself smiling at the world around me.
I have been given so many blessings, I pray I never lose who I am and where I came from.
I put my trust in God for guidance.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tomatoes
Sweet, Juicy, Beautiful, the sweetest I ever ate.
In this case a picture says a thousand words. They are so sweet, I do not recall ever having a tomato so sweet.
I must put this name in my list of must haves for the garden.
I believe it is an heirloom. Hence the flavor or old time tomatoes.
Food and Fun
This weekend I decided to make a different dinner. I have been watching Rachel Ray, 30 minute meals. (A great idea).
She made stuffed chicken breasts. I decided I can do that.
So on Sunday, I stuffed my breast. I stuffed it with Asiago cheese, (great smokey flavor) squash, (straight from the garden,) peppers,(fresh from garden ) and Garlic, I then wrapped them in Bacon, Baked for 30 minutes and wala they were great.
I also cooked a pot of green beans, (fresh) and made a pan of Homemade rolls.
The dinner was so good and full of health, I removed the bacon, and ate only the breast but it retained the smoke flavor.
David kept saying, "Those rolls are so good. This is wonderful. Thank you for cooking such a great meal."
It never hurts for a husband to thank his wife for the work she does.
We make it a point to thank each other for their commitment. Amazing how it makes you feel. It may be our job but everyone likes to be told "Thank you"
We say "Please and Excuse me," We use the same courtesy's we would with a friend or a stranger.
After all we are each others best friend.
I have been trying to find new uses for squash. I found a great recipe in Diabetic living.
Well two great recipes. You saute onion in a pan, for two minutes, add one yellow and one green squash, cut into cubes, saute for five minutes, add garlic crushed, saute a minute. Add salt pepper and Herbs De Provence seasoning, with 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, place in a casserole and top with feta cheese. bake until cheese melts. Yummy.
It has to be good if David goes back for seconds on squash. I also have loads of tomatoes, I look for uses for them fresh, after all this is a seasonal item.
Cut tomatoes in half, horizontally, scoop out interior and turn upside down to drain, (30 minutes) fill with a bread crumb, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic mixture, Italian seasoning of course salt and pepper. Bake for 25 minutes and again Wala a great addition to a meal with food you have on hand.
ON Saturday David vacuumed the pool and I mopped the floors. They sure needed it, I had been pretty lax lately in my housekeeping.
I have ran a temp for about a week and finally felt fair on Saturday. Think I have been fighting a bug.
When he finished I walked out, with my tee shirt and shorts on and jumped in. It felt amazing. He followed me right in. In his work shorts.
Hey if you have a pool and you are private, and no one can see, you might as well swim in what you want, or nothing if you want. (which I would never do)
Our pool area is very private with all the growth around it, so Sunday we did the same thing. We jumped in the pool with our clothes on. Who wants to take the time to change into a swim suit?
More trouble and more work if you walk back in, and who knows maybe the mood will end if you have to bother with changing.
I am a spur of the moment person, If I want to do it I do it. I have taught myself not to plan ahead too much.
It never seems to work out.
So what is Herbs De Provence? It is a wonderful herb I found at my kitchen store. It is a good addition to most any food you cook. A mixture of thyme, marjoram, rosemary, basil, fennel, sage and Lavender.
As I said they are great on vegetables, chicken, fish and in sauces. Imagine all those spices in one jar. I love each one separate so together they are like POW. Intense Flavor.
And best of all Salt free.
She made stuffed chicken breasts. I decided I can do that.
So on Sunday, I stuffed my breast. I stuffed it with Asiago cheese, (great smokey flavor) squash, (straight from the garden,) peppers,(fresh from garden ) and Garlic, I then wrapped them in Bacon, Baked for 30 minutes and wala they were great.
I also cooked a pot of green beans, (fresh) and made a pan of Homemade rolls.
The dinner was so good and full of health, I removed the bacon, and ate only the breast but it retained the smoke flavor.
David kept saying, "Those rolls are so good. This is wonderful. Thank you for cooking such a great meal."
It never hurts for a husband to thank his wife for the work she does.
We make it a point to thank each other for their commitment. Amazing how it makes you feel. It may be our job but everyone likes to be told "Thank you"
We say "Please and Excuse me," We use the same courtesy's we would with a friend or a stranger.
After all we are each others best friend.
I have been trying to find new uses for squash. I found a great recipe in Diabetic living.
Well two great recipes. You saute onion in a pan, for two minutes, add one yellow and one green squash, cut into cubes, saute for five minutes, add garlic crushed, saute a minute. Add salt pepper and Herbs De Provence seasoning, with 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, place in a casserole and top with feta cheese. bake until cheese melts. Yummy.
It has to be good if David goes back for seconds on squash. I also have loads of tomatoes, I look for uses for them fresh, after all this is a seasonal item.
Cut tomatoes in half, horizontally, scoop out interior and turn upside down to drain, (30 minutes) fill with a bread crumb, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic mixture, Italian seasoning of course salt and pepper. Bake for 25 minutes and again Wala a great addition to a meal with food you have on hand.
ON Saturday David vacuumed the pool and I mopped the floors. They sure needed it, I had been pretty lax lately in my housekeeping.
I have ran a temp for about a week and finally felt fair on Saturday. Think I have been fighting a bug.
When he finished I walked out, with my tee shirt and shorts on and jumped in. It felt amazing. He followed me right in. In his work shorts.
Hey if you have a pool and you are private, and no one can see, you might as well swim in what you want, or nothing if you want. (which I would never do)
Our pool area is very private with all the growth around it, so Sunday we did the same thing. We jumped in the pool with our clothes on. Who wants to take the time to change into a swim suit?
More trouble and more work if you walk back in, and who knows maybe the mood will end if you have to bother with changing.
I am a spur of the moment person, If I want to do it I do it. I have taught myself not to plan ahead too much.
It never seems to work out.
So what is Herbs De Provence? It is a wonderful herb I found at my kitchen store. It is a good addition to most any food you cook. A mixture of thyme, marjoram, rosemary, basil, fennel, sage and Lavender.
As I said they are great on vegetables, chicken, fish and in sauces. Imagine all those spices in one jar. I love each one separate so together they are like POW. Intense Flavor.
And best of all Salt free.
My Baby Boy
On Friday my baby boy turned 41. IMPOSSIBLE!! I am only hummmmm something.
Ken came into this world on August 22, 1967. I was one scared kid. Yes, I was a kid. I already had one son and that birth was traumatic. I did not know if this would be a repeat.
However this time I had a great doctor who was also my friend. He helped me though each stage of the pregnancy and delivery was a snap.
We were so sure Ken was going to be a girl, I did not buy anything but dresses. Imagine my surprise when he said, "Congratulations its a boy"
Whoops got to return dresses. When they laid that angel in my arms I did not even want a girl, I wanted what I had been given. He was perfect. (doesn't every Mom think that?)
He had great coloring, he had dark hair all over his little body. I worried that the facial hair would not go away, He had hair growing down to his eyebrows, It was dark also and I figured he would have this face full of hair, (he did later)
My older sister who was with me, told me that was normal. I did not know what to expect. Lou helped me through my first few days home but I felt so wonderful. I had not idea you could feel that good after delivery.
Ken was so sweet. He looked like a little cupie doll.
As the time passed he was the sweetheart of everyone. He had a winning smile, and a head full of blond curls.Curls I refused to cut until I was ready. Eventually I had to give in, this was 1967.(People were commenting on my beautiful girls hair).
So how did we go from birth to forty one. I am not sure, I went to bed one night and closed my eyes and he was going to Kindergarten then he was graduating high school, then he graduated college then he was married then he had children.
That happened so fast, my head was spinning. As the years passed I did not notice the time passing so quickly.
As the years passed I did pray for him constantly,
One fond memory I have of Ken, (I have many).
I had been sick, I was standing in the kitchen leaning on the breakfast bar. Ken was in High school, He walked in, Hugged me and said "Mom I love you SOOOOO much". That stuck in my memory. I know he said it many times, but this time it was coming from a very deep, sweet place in his beautiful heart.
Another fond memory I have that makes me laugh.
We were driving into town, Ken could not get the seat belt unstuck. David stopped the car, I said, "Ken get out and Jerk" Being a dutiful child, (HA HA) he did just that, he stood on the side of a busy highway and jerked around.
I laughed and laughed. "I meant on the seat belt, silly".
Ken was a gentleman, He had a problem with lots of gas. ALWAYS.
I taught him to leave the room when he was like that because there were ladies present and not very gentlemanly.
One day my sister and son were visiting from Arkansas, Suddenly Ken got up and ran down the hall, (he had gas). Unfortunately he was not out of ear shot, They said it sounded like a sonic boom went off, (after all he was standing in a narrow hall way so the sound ricocheted.)
It was so loud I am sure the neighbors heard him. We still have a laugh about that one.
So see he was sweet, funny, and a gentleman.
So today I am thinking of him,as I always do, I pray for guidance in his child rearing years.
Ken pay close attention, Don't blink too often, they will be gone.
Ken came into this world on August 22, 1967. I was one scared kid. Yes, I was a kid. I already had one son and that birth was traumatic. I did not know if this would be a repeat.
However this time I had a great doctor who was also my friend. He helped me though each stage of the pregnancy and delivery was a snap.
We were so sure Ken was going to be a girl, I did not buy anything but dresses. Imagine my surprise when he said, "Congratulations its a boy"
Whoops got to return dresses. When they laid that angel in my arms I did not even want a girl, I wanted what I had been given. He was perfect. (doesn't every Mom think that?)
He had great coloring, he had dark hair all over his little body. I worried that the facial hair would not go away, He had hair growing down to his eyebrows, It was dark also and I figured he would have this face full of hair, (he did later)
My older sister who was with me, told me that was normal. I did not know what to expect. Lou helped me through my first few days home but I felt so wonderful. I had not idea you could feel that good after delivery.
Ken was so sweet. He looked like a little cupie doll.
As the time passed he was the sweetheart of everyone. He had a winning smile, and a head full of blond curls.Curls I refused to cut until I was ready. Eventually I had to give in, this was 1967.(People were commenting on my beautiful girls hair).
So how did we go from birth to forty one. I am not sure, I went to bed one night and closed my eyes and he was going to Kindergarten then he was graduating high school, then he graduated college then he was married then he had children.
That happened so fast, my head was spinning. As the years passed I did not notice the time passing so quickly.
As the years passed I did pray for him constantly,
One fond memory I have of Ken, (I have many).
I had been sick, I was standing in the kitchen leaning on the breakfast bar. Ken was in High school, He walked in, Hugged me and said "Mom I love you SOOOOO much". That stuck in my memory. I know he said it many times, but this time it was coming from a very deep, sweet place in his beautiful heart.
Another fond memory I have that makes me laugh.
We were driving into town, Ken could not get the seat belt unstuck. David stopped the car, I said, "Ken get out and Jerk" Being a dutiful child, (HA HA) he did just that, he stood on the side of a busy highway and jerked around.
I laughed and laughed. "I meant on the seat belt, silly".
Ken was a gentleman, He had a problem with lots of gas. ALWAYS.
I taught him to leave the room when he was like that because there were ladies present and not very gentlemanly.
One day my sister and son were visiting from Arkansas, Suddenly Ken got up and ran down the hall, (he had gas). Unfortunately he was not out of ear shot, They said it sounded like a sonic boom went off, (after all he was standing in a narrow hall way so the sound ricocheted.)
It was so loud I am sure the neighbors heard him. We still have a laugh about that one.
So see he was sweet, funny, and a gentleman.
So today I am thinking of him,as I always do, I pray for guidance in his child rearing years.
Ken pay close attention, Don't blink too often, they will be gone.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Change
Change is good. I removed the photo of me that was originally placed on my header.
I decided to place one of me, that is more current.
The old one was taken in 1994. Whew that was 14 years ago. I had it made for my Mom for a Christmas Present, I had several made and gave to each of the kids.
However time has changed my looks.
Time has changed my body. My skin now has bumps and ridges and wrinkles. My neck looks like a turkey neck.
I have earned each line on my face. I have always been pretty vain but also part of me wants to just let it all go.
Part of me says, "You must look your best," Heck I am not sure what best is, any longer.
My hair is always in need of work. I have never been happy with my hair. I change it as often as I do my UH UH UH. something. Whatever! Some people stick with one hair style all their lives, Not me. I like diversity.
The photo in my header was taken a couple of weeks ago, while we were in Lassen Park.
I was walking a log. That is my true personality. I love to take chances.
I may be 62 years old outside but my mind says, "You can do it, go ahead, Walk that log, wade that stream, take that raft trip, climb that mountain."
Then I wake up and rethink a few of my decisions.
I could not get David on the log, all we needed was for him to slip and get wet or worse yet, Break something.
Now you have it, a current photo of me and my shorts and my camera, and my log walk.
I walked a bigger log in the lake, I just had to get closer to see what was growing out of the side of the log.
The old log has been in that spot many years, I am sure it was there in the late 60's when we made our first trip to the mountain. I am equally sure my children played on that log. Testing the waters, Testing the cold mountain lake.
A few years ago my grandchildren played on the same log and ran up and down the weathered gray body. They ran where their Mommy ran when she was a toddler and later as a teen.
At one time it was a huge tree, sheltering many forms of wildlife. Today it is gray and weathered and it many limbs are broken off. Like me it was trying its new roots.
It had been given a second chance at life, It was flourishing quite well.
It was taking in the sunshine, the water and giving life to the many organisms taking up habitat in the water and the many crevices in the body of the log.
So, like the log I may be gray and weathered but I still sustain life in my arms, (limbs). I love each moment I have in time.
What a great gift I have ben given, a gift of love and devotion to the ones in my care.
May I never forget.
May you never forget.
I decided to place one of me, that is more current.
The old one was taken in 1994. Whew that was 14 years ago. I had it made for my Mom for a Christmas Present, I had several made and gave to each of the kids.
However time has changed my looks.
Time has changed my body. My skin now has bumps and ridges and wrinkles. My neck looks like a turkey neck.
I have earned each line on my face. I have always been pretty vain but also part of me wants to just let it all go.
Part of me says, "You must look your best," Heck I am not sure what best is, any longer.
My hair is always in need of work. I have never been happy with my hair. I change it as often as I do my UH UH UH. something. Whatever! Some people stick with one hair style all their lives, Not me. I like diversity.
The photo in my header was taken a couple of weeks ago, while we were in Lassen Park.
I was walking a log. That is my true personality. I love to take chances.
I may be 62 years old outside but my mind says, "You can do it, go ahead, Walk that log, wade that stream, take that raft trip, climb that mountain."
Then I wake up and rethink a few of my decisions.
I could not get David on the log, all we needed was for him to slip and get wet or worse yet, Break something.
Now you have it, a current photo of me and my shorts and my camera, and my log walk.
I walked a bigger log in the lake, I just had to get closer to see what was growing out of the side of the log.
The old log has been in that spot many years, I am sure it was there in the late 60's when we made our first trip to the mountain. I am equally sure my children played on that log. Testing the waters, Testing the cold mountain lake.
A few years ago my grandchildren played on the same log and ran up and down the weathered gray body. They ran where their Mommy ran when she was a toddler and later as a teen.
At one time it was a huge tree, sheltering many forms of wildlife. Today it is gray and weathered and it many limbs are broken off. Like me it was trying its new roots.
It had been given a second chance at life, It was flourishing quite well.
It was taking in the sunshine, the water and giving life to the many organisms taking up habitat in the water and the many crevices in the body of the log.
So, like the log I may be gray and weathered but I still sustain life in my arms, (limbs). I love each moment I have in time.
What a great gift I have ben given, a gift of love and devotion to the ones in my care.
May I never forget.
May you never forget.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Me Me
Six Quirky Things Meme:..
Oh, I was tagged. Six Quirky Things Meme, here are the rules:Link back to the person who tagged you (Check)List the rules on your blog.
tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of your own Tag 6 "unsuspecting" bloggers to complete the meme (That unsuspecting part is mine)Pretty simple,eh? Until you get to the 6 unspectacular quirks of your own. That's tough!
1. I have a compulsion. I have to count. Sentences usually come out in five words. When Closed caption is on I go nuts, trying to balance the words.
2.IF I walk into a room and a drawer is partially open, I have to close it, If I walk out without closing it and go sit down, it bugs me until I get up and go back and close the drawer.
3. I sit every morning and get my mail checked, have coffee and put my nitro patches on. If I deviate from this routine, My patches are usually forgotten until I am outside and maybe feel a little weird, then I realize I forgot.
4. I give things away all time, Mostly food. I have a big giving heart, I can not pass a homeless person on the street without sharing my dollar with them and if I don't have one I apologize and whisper a prayer for them.
5. I am very high strung, I can move so fast you see a blur. LOL
I want it now and I want it right and if at all possible, can you do it yesterday?
6. I like things in perfect order. My fabrics are sorted in boxes by color, my Cabinet (at times, This is one I have to stop and am working on it)is sorted alphabetically, It is always sorted by uses, as in veges in one place, beans in one, fruit in one, baking in one. With spaces between each for ease of visibility.
Now onto the tags: Nancy at http://www.nanas-treasures.blogspot.com
I don't know any other to pass to so Nancy this is for you.
I am sending it back to Sheri at http://www.theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/
Oh, I was tagged. Six Quirky Things Meme, here are the rules:Link back to the person who tagged you (Check)List the rules on your blog.
tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of your own Tag 6 "unsuspecting" bloggers to complete the meme (That unsuspecting part is mine)Pretty simple,eh? Until you get to the 6 unspectacular quirks of your own. That's tough!
1. I have a compulsion. I have to count. Sentences usually come out in five words. When Closed caption is on I go nuts, trying to balance the words.
2.IF I walk into a room and a drawer is partially open, I have to close it, If I walk out without closing it and go sit down, it bugs me until I get up and go back and close the drawer.
3. I sit every morning and get my mail checked, have coffee and put my nitro patches on. If I deviate from this routine, My patches are usually forgotten until I am outside and maybe feel a little weird, then I realize I forgot.
4. I give things away all time, Mostly food. I have a big giving heart, I can not pass a homeless person on the street without sharing my dollar with them and if I don't have one I apologize and whisper a prayer for them.
5. I am very high strung, I can move so fast you see a blur. LOL
I want it now and I want it right and if at all possible, can you do it yesterday?
6. I like things in perfect order. My fabrics are sorted in boxes by color, my Cabinet (at times, This is one I have to stop and am working on it)is sorted alphabetically, It is always sorted by uses, as in veges in one place, beans in one, fruit in one, baking in one. With spaces between each for ease of visibility.
Now onto the tags: Nancy at http://www.nanas-treasures.blogspot.com
I don't know any other to pass to so Nancy this is for you.
I am sending it back to Sheri at http://www.theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Its a Daisy
My niece began blogging this week, it is http://www.nanastreasures/ , if you want to check it out.
Her first post was about a churn dasher she had found at a junk (antique) store.
This immediately came to mind.
My time with a churn.
In the early 1970s, our church decided to have an auction. Because the money was for a building fund. Everyone donated items to be auctioned off.
My friend, Marilyn, had a churn and many other items. This churn was a special item to her but for the church she donated something she loved.
I do not even recall what I donated but I can guarantee it was nothing like a churn.
Especially one like this, in fact I never owned a churn of my own.
So As the day approached for the auction, I just knew the churn would go for lots of money, as it should.
We sat through the auction and helped out, (my husband was the bookkeeper for the church).
Imagine my surprise when my Five Dollar bid was the only bid out there for the churn.
Yes, I bought this churn for five dollars.
So for over thirty years, this churn has had a place in my home. Every time I look at this churn I think of Marilyn, our fun times together and how I got her churn.
Marilyn was happy it went to me rather than anyone else.
But that is not my first experience with a churn.
Our first churn was an earthen wear churn, Ivory in color with a band around it.
Somewhere in my mind I can see the top had been replaced also. I believe Daddy made a top out of cedar, The original top had broken.
If I am wrong my sister can correct me. I would love to know.
As a child I spent many days pulling that old dasher up and down to make butter.
We had a cow that was loaned to us for the milk. There were eight of us children and I am sure we all took turns churning butter. I was not enthralled with the idea of churning. I was small and the churn was about as heavy as I was. However I took my turn.
Our dasher was made of cedar, My dad had whittled it out and put it on the end of a stick. I am assuming it was cedar also.
Long hours were spent sitting in a chair or standing and dashing the milk. We would raise the lid of the churn to check if we had butter yet and often Mama had to finish the job.
When the butter was separated, she then separated it from the milk and proceeded to make the best butter you can imagine.
That too took a while to accomplish as the water had to be worked out of the butter.
Today I can still imagine me sitting in a chair, skinny arms wearing out from pulling up and dashing down, into the churn, the home made dasher, A dasher my Dad had fashioned from necessity.
The milk itself is a story. When I was about 5 or 6, My mom had milked the cow and put the milk in our icebox. I do believe it was an icebox, as I recall the Ice Man coming to the house.
(Ice Man another story later).
Mama had a set of big bowls, the biggest being yellow. Then a red and teal and green.
the big yellow bowl held maybe two gallons. When the milk was placed in the icebox, there was little room so she thougth she had it secure.
I was the first to open the door. SPLASH, All the milk came spilling out and broke the big bowl. I hid under the table.
I can recall that day like it was yesterday.
I remember Mama saying, "Well it was my own fault, I was the one that tried to make it fit and it was too big."
That eased my suffering a little, that a clean dress, after all I was covered in spilled milk.
Yes I did cry over spilled Milk.
Her first post was about a churn dasher she had found at a junk (antique) store.
This immediately came to mind.
My time with a churn.
In the early 1970s, our church decided to have an auction. Because the money was for a building fund. Everyone donated items to be auctioned off.
My friend, Marilyn, had a churn and many other items. This churn was a special item to her but for the church she donated something she loved.
I do not even recall what I donated but I can guarantee it was nothing like a churn.
Especially one like this, in fact I never owned a churn of my own.
So As the day approached for the auction, I just knew the churn would go for lots of money, as it should.
We sat through the auction and helped out, (my husband was the bookkeeper for the church).
Imagine my surprise when my Five Dollar bid was the only bid out there for the churn.
Yes, I bought this churn for five dollars.
So for over thirty years, this churn has had a place in my home. Every time I look at this churn I think of Marilyn, our fun times together and how I got her churn.
Marilyn was happy it went to me rather than anyone else.
But that is not my first experience with a churn.
Our first churn was an earthen wear churn, Ivory in color with a band around it.
Somewhere in my mind I can see the top had been replaced also. I believe Daddy made a top out of cedar, The original top had broken.
If I am wrong my sister can correct me. I would love to know.
As a child I spent many days pulling that old dasher up and down to make butter.
We had a cow that was loaned to us for the milk. There were eight of us children and I am sure we all took turns churning butter. I was not enthralled with the idea of churning. I was small and the churn was about as heavy as I was. However I took my turn.
Our dasher was made of cedar, My dad had whittled it out and put it on the end of a stick. I am assuming it was cedar also.
Long hours were spent sitting in a chair or standing and dashing the milk. We would raise the lid of the churn to check if we had butter yet and often Mama had to finish the job.
When the butter was separated, she then separated it from the milk and proceeded to make the best butter you can imagine.
That too took a while to accomplish as the water had to be worked out of the butter.
Today I can still imagine me sitting in a chair, skinny arms wearing out from pulling up and dashing down, into the churn, the home made dasher, A dasher my Dad had fashioned from necessity.
The milk itself is a story. When I was about 5 or 6, My mom had milked the cow and put the milk in our icebox. I do believe it was an icebox, as I recall the Ice Man coming to the house.
(Ice Man another story later).
Mama had a set of big bowls, the biggest being yellow. Then a red and teal and green.
the big yellow bowl held maybe two gallons. When the milk was placed in the icebox, there was little room so she thougth she had it secure.
I was the first to open the door. SPLASH, All the milk came spilling out and broke the big bowl. I hid under the table.
I can recall that day like it was yesterday.
I remember Mama saying, "Well it was my own fault, I was the one that tried to make it fit and it was too big."
That eased my suffering a little, that a clean dress, after all I was covered in spilled milk.
Yes I did cry over spilled Milk.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday Monday can't trust that day. Today is Monday for me, As it is for everyone.
However I have had a very busy weekend. Monday means my day of rest.
We invited friends to pick vegetables, and have breakfast with us on Saturday.
All we had to serve them was Homemade biscuits and Fresh Hot plum butter and Jam.
It was pretty good.
While we were eating another friend came over and I had just made a second pan of biscuits so they could share in the bounty.
The Plum Story.
On Davids 70th birthday, Margaret brought over bags of plums. Several bags! I was to give each family a bag. I forgot.
When everyone left I walked into the pantry and there they were, all still piled in the floor.
Darn it, I can not waste food. I could not take a bag to each family, so I did the next best thing. I froze them until I had time to work with them.
That time came last week. I cleaned and cooked them down into a pulp. Then I used a fruit strainer and removed the juice. I then froze the juice, in gallon bags, and began making plum butter and Jam on Saturday morning. It was so goooooooood.
Lots of sugar but good.
We had a wonderful visit with our friends, and we all shared in the bounty God had provided our home.
Now I will be giving each family a jar of butter. Guess that will suffice as giving them their plums. It may take a while but I will see each one eventually. See I feel guilty in keeping them all. Like I wanted that many plums.
Later in the day, I began putting my peas away, Peas I had shelled earlier in the week.
I put 17 over full quarts in the freezer. It looks great to see that freezer full of vegetables. David and I have become more veggie eaters than meat, Plus we do not like to buy fresh vegetables because of all the unsanitary conditions. E-Coli that keep popping up. Who knows what goes on in those fields. I know what happens in mine and believe me it is perfectly clean and sanitary with very little insecticides. I have had to use a little, as I had Black Aphids on my peas but they seem under control now. And my lady bugs are still multiplying out there.
I guess I have not upset the balance of nature too much.
I try not to, I know God created all things for a purpose. Just not sure what the aphid purpose is.
On Saturday Gwena (my daughters, MIL) brought me a basket of apples. That is my chore today, get those cleaned and cut up for pies. They look like Granny Smith Apples. I learned a trick several years ago. Freeze the apples with all the spices in a pie plate, then place them into a zipper bag. (minus the plate) When you are ready for a pie, dump them into the pie pan, Ready to go. Good and not a lot of work. At that time, It sure helps for last minute company.
Right now I have to dress and go into town. I need quite a few things, Mostly necessities. Like dish soap and Milk.
We ran out of milk again this weekend and we both refused to get dressed and drive up the road for milk. We would do without first.
Above is a photo of my freezer, first shelf are the beans, green and yellow, with two bags of plum juice.
Second shelf is the corn, All individually wrapped and sealed. In additon is the cream corn. (looks like a bag of beans made it to that shelf.)
Third and fourth shelf are the peas and peppers and squash. I still have Peppers to put away and will have more peas and beans very soon.
I say Thank God for the bounty.
We give E a 10
Perfect Score.
On Saturday Evan was ten years old. Evan is our grandchild that thinks in bytes, as in computer bytes. He loves computers. So much in fact, when he was 8 he had a prayer request in church.
When the minister asked what he needed from God, He said, "A Laptop".
His mom was mortified and His dad was on the spot.
Did he get the laptop? Yes but it took a while. It took getting all the home work done and making good grades. Sometime when we ask God for something, we need to do our part.
Whatever it may be.
To see More of Evan and his brothers and sisters, go to http://www.calisixpack.com/. Evan is blessed with a beautiful crew that will look up to him, he is big brother.
We are so slow lately, we were slow in calling each grandchild and even slower getting cards out.
But we never forgot.
We have two more birthdays this month and still trying to figure out where the month has gone.
So EVAN A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH
Friday, August 15, 2008
Happy Birthday
My Grandson is 8 today. Where did the years go. I remember the day you were born. Such a beautiful bundle of joy.
Big eyes, cute chubby cheeks.
Never Never lose who you are, as you grow up. You have an amazing sense of humor and know how to play on words.
That is a gift from your Grandfather.
Keep it, use it. Keep us smiling.
Your smile can light up a room.
We love you G, We Miss you so much when we are swimming.
Just tonight I told Papaw, "Hey I gave G rides on the Noodles, He said it was his limo or horse."
I wore out paddling around the pool with him on the back of the noodle, but I loved every minute of it."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Miracle Grow for you garden,
No matter what you have planted I HIGHLY recommend Miracle Grow. I buy it in the big multi packs, and feed my garden pretty often, it takes about two packets to feed the entire garden.
My vegetables just keep on producing and the plants are so healthy. To read more on this product go to www.yardlover.com/Miraclegrow.
If I keep my roses fed, they are full of blooms all season, Right now I should be doing just that but I just came in from the garden.
Here it is 11 o'clock on the 14th of August. The month is about over and it just began. I do not know what I did the earlier part of the month.
It is all a big blur. I know I have picked vegetables and put them away, but as far as socializing I am not sure of, seems I am always saying , "I really don't want to see anyone today."
I just sat down to eat my breakfast, before I begin watching the Monk series, while shelling more peas. Monk makes me laugh so his show is enjoyable to me.
I told you I had to make a trip to the garden this morning, (more black eye peas) Again I picked off one row as many as we picked off two rows on Tuesday evening.
I will be calling friends over to pick. I am picked out.
However guess what I am doing after this picking? Can You? OK hint is in the title of this post. I am feeding all the plants, Miracle Grow.
I just cant seem to stop this, I feel someone will need the food, even if we don't.
I told my sister, I have become my Mom, putting food in the freezer when it is only David and I. Mountains of food. I just take all that is given me and all I can grow and then I keep it growing.
My corn is about over.
Again I made a decision this year. If we are here next summer, I am planting my peas by my corn to grow up the stalks, I saw that in an Asian Garden and thought it was a great idea.
Speaking of Asian, I am not being prejudice but as I was in the garden this morning, Picking my yellow beans. I thought of how I must look. I am small, I had on a big pink floppy hat. I had on shorts and I was squatted down like I have seen Asians do. I see their method all time, they have all the Strawberry fields around here. They squat. I have to agree it is better than bending, I thought as I sat this way, How I so much looked like an Asian working the garden.
So with all that said, I best get to work.
Lots to do.
Have a wonderful day, God Bless all who read my blog, and when you do whisper a prayer for me.
And buy the Miracle Grow.
My vegetables just keep on producing and the plants are so healthy. To read more on this product go to www.yardlover.com/Miraclegrow.
If I keep my roses fed, they are full of blooms all season, Right now I should be doing just that but I just came in from the garden.
Here it is 11 o'clock on the 14th of August. The month is about over and it just began. I do not know what I did the earlier part of the month.
It is all a big blur. I know I have picked vegetables and put them away, but as far as socializing I am not sure of, seems I am always saying , "I really don't want to see anyone today."
I just sat down to eat my breakfast, before I begin watching the Monk series, while shelling more peas. Monk makes me laugh so his show is enjoyable to me.
I told you I had to make a trip to the garden this morning, (more black eye peas) Again I picked off one row as many as we picked off two rows on Tuesday evening.
I will be calling friends over to pick. I am picked out.
However guess what I am doing after this picking? Can You? OK hint is in the title of this post. I am feeding all the plants, Miracle Grow.
I just cant seem to stop this, I feel someone will need the food, even if we don't.
I told my sister, I have become my Mom, putting food in the freezer when it is only David and I. Mountains of food. I just take all that is given me and all I can grow and then I keep it growing.
My corn is about over.
Again I made a decision this year. If we are here next summer, I am planting my peas by my corn to grow up the stalks, I saw that in an Asian Garden and thought it was a great idea.
Speaking of Asian, I am not being prejudice but as I was in the garden this morning, Picking my yellow beans. I thought of how I must look. I am small, I had on a big pink floppy hat. I had on shorts and I was squatted down like I have seen Asians do. I see their method all time, they have all the Strawberry fields around here. They squat. I have to agree it is better than bending, I thought as I sat this way, How I so much looked like an Asian working the garden.
So with all that said, I best get to work.
Lots to do.
Have a wonderful day, God Bless all who read my blog, and when you do whisper a prayer for me.
And buy the Miracle Grow.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
So I think
I spent the day shelling black eye peas. I made an interesting discovery, My husband does not know when peas are ready to pick. So tomorrow I will be in the garden bright and early picking the rest of the peas. I have three gallon bags in the fridge ready to blanch and pack away.
I have to say, in his defense, He has not farmed in years and as far as the picking I don't think he was involved to the extent I was.
As we walked the garden this evening, I realized the green beans and yellow beans are also ready to pick. Hey you can't say we are not getting enough vegetables to eat. We eat them every meal.
Tonight we finished off our meal with a fantastic Crenshaw. To say it was good is an injustice. It was like eating candy. It was so sweet.
I have several in the garden about ready to pick.
They are huge. I will take a photo as soon as I pick it. Later tonight we got hungry again and cut into another cantaloupe.
Once they all ripen we will be loaded with melon. Not a problem, we have plenty of friends to share with.
with all the trauma going on in our family I have to stay busy or become too upset. I find if I stay busy I have no time to think.
Again keep my oldest son and his family in your prayers. The situation they are in could always be worse.
Isn't it amazing how it can be any worse when you feel like the world is caving in? However we have a BIG God. He is in control.
Trouble in so much of the world, The Bible tells us of these days and to be prepared.
I sit and watch the news and hear of senseless bombing, senseless killing, All is senseless. All, I mean in the war also.
How can war be good? So many young lives snuffed out for what? Has anyone really looked at the situation and asked the right question? The question of what will happen when it is over, nothing changes. It never has.
You give a person a fish he has fish for one meal, you teach him to fish and he had food for a lifetime. we are failing to teach to fish, to take control of their own destiny.
Oh well, Not a thing I can do but pray for our men and boys.
It is getting pretty late so I will close and say Goodnight to all.
Sleep tight, dont let the bed bugs bite.
Love you, and this is me tucking you in, covers are nice and snug. As snug as my love for you.
I have to say, in his defense, He has not farmed in years and as far as the picking I don't think he was involved to the extent I was.
As we walked the garden this evening, I realized the green beans and yellow beans are also ready to pick. Hey you can't say we are not getting enough vegetables to eat. We eat them every meal.
Tonight we finished off our meal with a fantastic Crenshaw. To say it was good is an injustice. It was like eating candy. It was so sweet.
I have several in the garden about ready to pick.
They are huge. I will take a photo as soon as I pick it. Later tonight we got hungry again and cut into another cantaloupe.
Once they all ripen we will be loaded with melon. Not a problem, we have plenty of friends to share with.
with all the trauma going on in our family I have to stay busy or become too upset. I find if I stay busy I have no time to think.
Again keep my oldest son and his family in your prayers. The situation they are in could always be worse.
Isn't it amazing how it can be any worse when you feel like the world is caving in? However we have a BIG God. He is in control.
Trouble in so much of the world, The Bible tells us of these days and to be prepared.
I sit and watch the news and hear of senseless bombing, senseless killing, All is senseless. All, I mean in the war also.
How can war be good? So many young lives snuffed out for what? Has anyone really looked at the situation and asked the right question? The question of what will happen when it is over, nothing changes. It never has.
You give a person a fish he has fish for one meal, you teach him to fish and he had food for a lifetime. we are failing to teach to fish, to take control of their own destiny.
Oh well, Not a thing I can do but pray for our men and boys.
It is getting pretty late so I will close and say Goodnight to all.
Sleep tight, dont let the bed bugs bite.
Love you, and this is me tucking you in, covers are nice and snug. As snug as my love for you.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday Trip
Today we went to Lassen, we had to get away. I am not sure it helped.
This is not a place I need to go, in my heart. I am bitter, angry but through all this I have suffered none of the above. leave it to me to wait until it is mostly over to fall apart.
I did that when David had the wreck, in 1967. I was pregnant with Ken, and David was needing my total care. I was in control of all my facilities, I was going to be tough and stay strong. I did too, Until.
One day I walked into his hospital room and he was doing great, he was going home. I broke out in tears and cried uncontrolably .
I walked by the nurses station and could not stop the tears flowing. I cried like someone had died. Long, sad Sobs.
That is how I feel today, Long sobs. I thought a day away would help but it made me even more nervous. " I guess my nerves ain't what they used to was."
So back to Lassen,
We took out chairs to the lake and sat. Soon we both became hungry. As we set the picnic up, here came the geese. Big Geese. I guess they are used to being fed crumbs but I was not feeding a fowl another fowl. (we had chicken).
I shooed and shooed. I finally said, "I cant do this, that goose is sitting by me and watching and I am afraid he will start honking and jump on the table."
( I had heard him at another table honking).
We gathered up our food and packed it away. Then we drove around the camp sites to find a vacant table in a camp spot.
We began eating. The food was cold, the biscuits were cold. the corn was cold. Nothing was good. But we made the best of it, I could not believe it when I heard David say, "Well it serves a purpose, it is food." In 45 years i had never heard that come from his mouth. He usually wants GOOD HOT food, and in a clean environment. I guess he had my dool drums.
We walked around one end of the lake and we began missing our family times. We recalled a day we took D M and G to Lassen and they climbed on all the downed trees, played jump in the tree hole and had fun walking around the lake. We even waded in it.
We recalled a time we took J to Lassen and he did not like the ice, (snow). He tried to play with it but his little hands got too cold. OK NOW I am crying again.
We recalled a lot of the trips we took with our children to Lassen, camping in the cold and sleeping on those cots and sleeping bags.
One child, K needing to go potty so stepping out back of the tent we realized it was not just to do number one. David had to get up, grab a shovel and bury the evidence.
Sheri crying because she hated camping, (she was only a year and a half.)
One thing we recalled was the clothesline we always put up. I began laughing and said "Why did we do that, We did laundry at home but we took a clothes line with us, CAMPING.!" (of all places)
We recalled the griping about the long trips we took, the "Are we there yet? How much further? my feet hurt, I can't carry this any more, Will you tote me, I cant stand that smell, It smells like rotten eggs"
Then David finally stopped his griping and thoroughly enjoyed the treks. LOL
We finally got to Hell. Yes we walked to Hell, Bumpuss Hell. It is a huge area of Sulphur pots that constantly steam from the vents in the volcano.
Charles was with the Colosio boys so he was into something around camp, usually as much dirt as he could find.
But I would not trade those memories for anything.
They bring a smile to our faces even in the bad times.
Photos to follow. (when I feel like it).
This is not a place I need to go, in my heart. I am bitter, angry but through all this I have suffered none of the above. leave it to me to wait until it is mostly over to fall apart.
I did that when David had the wreck, in 1967. I was pregnant with Ken, and David was needing my total care. I was in control of all my facilities, I was going to be tough and stay strong. I did too, Until.
One day I walked into his hospital room and he was doing great, he was going home. I broke out in tears and cried uncontrolably .
I walked by the nurses station and could not stop the tears flowing. I cried like someone had died. Long, sad Sobs.
That is how I feel today, Long sobs. I thought a day away would help but it made me even more nervous. " I guess my nerves ain't what they used to was."
So back to Lassen,
We took out chairs to the lake and sat. Soon we both became hungry. As we set the picnic up, here came the geese. Big Geese. I guess they are used to being fed crumbs but I was not feeding a fowl another fowl. (we had chicken).
I shooed and shooed. I finally said, "I cant do this, that goose is sitting by me and watching and I am afraid he will start honking and jump on the table."
( I had heard him at another table honking).
We gathered up our food and packed it away. Then we drove around the camp sites to find a vacant table in a camp spot.
We began eating. The food was cold, the biscuits were cold. the corn was cold. Nothing was good. But we made the best of it, I could not believe it when I heard David say, "Well it serves a purpose, it is food." In 45 years i had never heard that come from his mouth. He usually wants GOOD HOT food, and in a clean environment. I guess he had my dool drums.
We walked around one end of the lake and we began missing our family times. We recalled a day we took D M and G to Lassen and they climbed on all the downed trees, played jump in the tree hole and had fun walking around the lake. We even waded in it.
We recalled a time we took J to Lassen and he did not like the ice, (snow). He tried to play with it but his little hands got too cold. OK NOW I am crying again.
We recalled a lot of the trips we took with our children to Lassen, camping in the cold and sleeping on those cots and sleeping bags.
One child, K needing to go potty so stepping out back of the tent we realized it was not just to do number one. David had to get up, grab a shovel and bury the evidence.
Sheri crying because she hated camping, (she was only a year and a half.)
One thing we recalled was the clothesline we always put up. I began laughing and said "Why did we do that, We did laundry at home but we took a clothes line with us, CAMPING.!" (of all places)
We recalled the griping about the long trips we took, the "Are we there yet? How much further? my feet hurt, I can't carry this any more, Will you tote me, I cant stand that smell, It smells like rotten eggs"
Then David finally stopped his griping and thoroughly enjoyed the treks. LOL
We finally got to Hell. Yes we walked to Hell, Bumpuss Hell. It is a huge area of Sulphur pots that constantly steam from the vents in the volcano.
Charles was with the Colosio boys so he was into something around camp, usually as much dirt as he could find.
But I would not trade those memories for anything.
They bring a smile to our faces even in the bad times.
Photos to follow. (when I feel like it).
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Prayers of Faith
This minute I am totally kicked back. My feet are up on the desk and the keyboard is on my lap. How is that for relaxing?
This morning we woke early, like 700 AM and had to get to work before it got too hot.
As I walked outside , I considered coming back in for a jacket. Burrrr to me.
I think it said , 57, could be 67 but that was too cool for me. ( we can see a huge thermometer down the freeway).
As I began picking beans I heated up pretty fast. However I had no sweat dripping into my eyes and down my face so I was pretty good.
David began picking the green beans as I picked the yellow. I got a big bowl full and he got two big bowls full.
We then began the rest of the cleaning, I cleaned the garage, he vacuumed the pool. We then finished. It was around noon. We were both so tired and we still had not eaten. NO Breakfast.
As soon as we showered we ate cereal, cold banana bread, melon and milk and coffee.
I was too tired to chew my cereal. I finally dumped my bowl, as I stated , "I cant even chew it is not worth the effort."
When I checked the messages we had a realtor wanting to show the house around 12 or 1. I told her around one was better as we had not even ate breakfast.
She finally showed up at 230. We had given up and laid down to rest.
I am still pooped but know I need to get in the kitchen and start scraping corn. I have over 50 ears to put away.
The beans may just set until Monday, They are iced down so it should be no problem.
After all the ones in the grocery store are there for weeks, on the road, in cold storage, and left in the field house. Who knows how long those "FRESH VEGETABLES" have sat.
Mine are truly fresh as I am particular how long they set.
I think I will run squash over to the shelter. I can in no way use all that. I pick about 10 every other day.
We ate a cantaloupe out of the garden. It was so GOODDDDDDDDDDD.
We have on the counter, two crenshaw, and a casaba. I know a watermelon is ready but not picked yet.
I know the black eye peas have to be ready by Monday, Maybe by then I can be caught up with the rest and begin that process.
Then to make matters worse, or better, (according to how you look at it,) I have lots of plums frozen whole that I need to cook down to pulp and make plum butter.
I have a tray in the kitchen full of peaches, given by a friend and that is going to make a pie. I love peach pies.
Tomorrow we are going to Lassen Park for a picnic. I am packing chicken, water, Cole slaw, sodas and some pie. I already have the picnic basket started with the table cloth, and cups and napkins. Now don't forget plates. I should go put them in now.
We need to get away. We both feel drug out and down.
A lot has happened this week, We have spent the last ten months in prayer for my Grandson, and his family, (My son, wife and two younger sons).
My grandson is fine. He is going to grow so much stronger from the experience of the last ten months,
That comes from putting all your faith in God, the keeper of our hearts and souls.
As I opened my Scripture of the day I read this.
How can I deal with feelings of hopelessness?
"The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:10-11 NLT
Our sinfulness often leads to dismal situations and feelings of despair. But we must always remember that hopelessness does not come from God. God is the author of hope. Even the Exile, with its seeming hopelessness, was part of God's long-range plan for his people. And his plans were good. If you are facing hopelessness, you may be inheriting the results of some other person's sinful decisions and actions. Or you may be reaping your own bad rewards. You may not have really discovered the hope that is found in God's love for you through Jesus Christ. Reject despair and seek out God's plan—and his hopes—for you.
I am pretty good at covering my feelings, (in most cases). Our family has been in Babylon for the last ten months but we upheld each other, We prayed for each other and God had control.
We did not lose faith, although at times, we had to question how this trial could end up good.
So God had a plan and I see that plan fulfilled. And it did not take 70 years.
So thanks to all who prayed the prayer of faith.
Well I am still tired and words are not coming easy. My thoughts are scrambled. I have so much I need to do, and so little I want to do.
I still have to go over my Lassen Picnic list. Want to just relax. I think KFC will do the cooking for me.
This morning we woke early, like 700 AM and had to get to work before it got too hot.
As I walked outside , I considered coming back in for a jacket. Burrrr to me.
I think it said , 57, could be 67 but that was too cool for me. ( we can see a huge thermometer down the freeway).
As I began picking beans I heated up pretty fast. However I had no sweat dripping into my eyes and down my face so I was pretty good.
David began picking the green beans as I picked the yellow. I got a big bowl full and he got two big bowls full.
We then began the rest of the cleaning, I cleaned the garage, he vacuumed the pool. We then finished. It was around noon. We were both so tired and we still had not eaten. NO Breakfast.
As soon as we showered we ate cereal, cold banana bread, melon and milk and coffee.
I was too tired to chew my cereal. I finally dumped my bowl, as I stated , "I cant even chew it is not worth the effort."
When I checked the messages we had a realtor wanting to show the house around 12 or 1. I told her around one was better as we had not even ate breakfast.
She finally showed up at 230. We had given up and laid down to rest.
I am still pooped but know I need to get in the kitchen and start scraping corn. I have over 50 ears to put away.
The beans may just set until Monday, They are iced down so it should be no problem.
After all the ones in the grocery store are there for weeks, on the road, in cold storage, and left in the field house. Who knows how long those "FRESH VEGETABLES" have sat.
Mine are truly fresh as I am particular how long they set.
I think I will run squash over to the shelter. I can in no way use all that. I pick about 10 every other day.
We ate a cantaloupe out of the garden. It was so GOODDDDDDDDDDD.
We have on the counter, two crenshaw, and a casaba. I know a watermelon is ready but not picked yet.
I know the black eye peas have to be ready by Monday, Maybe by then I can be caught up with the rest and begin that process.
Then to make matters worse, or better, (according to how you look at it,) I have lots of plums frozen whole that I need to cook down to pulp and make plum butter.
I have a tray in the kitchen full of peaches, given by a friend and that is going to make a pie. I love peach pies.
Tomorrow we are going to Lassen Park for a picnic. I am packing chicken, water, Cole slaw, sodas and some pie. I already have the picnic basket started with the table cloth, and cups and napkins. Now don't forget plates. I should go put them in now.
We need to get away. We both feel drug out and down.
A lot has happened this week, We have spent the last ten months in prayer for my Grandson, and his family, (My son, wife and two younger sons).
My grandson is fine. He is going to grow so much stronger from the experience of the last ten months,
That comes from putting all your faith in God, the keeper of our hearts and souls.
As I opened my Scripture of the day I read this.
How can I deal with feelings of hopelessness?
"The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:10-11 NLT
Our sinfulness often leads to dismal situations and feelings of despair. But we must always remember that hopelessness does not come from God. God is the author of hope. Even the Exile, with its seeming hopelessness, was part of God's long-range plan for his people. And his plans were good. If you are facing hopelessness, you may be inheriting the results of some other person's sinful decisions and actions. Or you may be reaping your own bad rewards. You may not have really discovered the hope that is found in God's love for you through Jesus Christ. Reject despair and seek out God's plan—and his hopes—for you.
I am pretty good at covering my feelings, (in most cases). Our family has been in Babylon for the last ten months but we upheld each other, We prayed for each other and God had control.
We did not lose faith, although at times, we had to question how this trial could end up good.
So God had a plan and I see that plan fulfilled. And it did not take 70 years.
So thanks to all who prayed the prayer of faith.
Well I am still tired and words are not coming easy. My thoughts are scrambled. I have so much I need to do, and so little I want to do.
I still have to go over my Lassen Picnic list. Want to just relax. I think KFC will do the cooking for me.
Friday, August 08, 2008
My quilt, My Moms Arms
I told Brenda of Aging Wisdom I would post a photo of my quilt.
This is a treasure of mine. It has a long history.
In case my Son reads this, he reminded me where my true treasures lie. It lies in my family, my husband, my children and my grandchildren. So I will say this is my "material treasure".
He is correct, This is temporary, It will not be remembered in years to come but our lives together will.
So here goes.
In 1967 we moved to California, We began going to a local church. The pastor was Coy Yarbrough.
My Mom came to visit, pretty often, She loved California. The weather, the mountains, the ocean, the beach at Trinidad, the Redwoods.She loved it all.
In 1968 Viola Yarbrough had a quilt top she wanted hand quilted. She knew my Mom earned a little extra money to supplement her income by quilting for people.
She told Vi she would do it for $5. Five dollars, Can you imagine. All hand quilted.
That was lots of work. But My Mom was not money hungry, she only wanted enough to get by on, with a few frills but not much else.
so my Mom took the quilts to Arkansas and quilted them for her.
I had either forgotten or did not know.
In 1999, My Mom passed away. It was a horribly sad time.
One year later, we all met at my Moms house to clean it out, there were eight of the children present. My Mom had 7 quilts finished or in the proess of being finished. Most were quilted, but some needed finishing. As in binding. My older brother, was not in the house when all the quilts came out.
I stood and watched as each one picked out a quilt. I knew he was not there to share in this time. I took a quilt and gave it to him. I knew he would want one.
I had quilts so I was not left out, I had the ones she had made for me personally.
A year passed.
On a trip to Arkansas, we stopped at Vi's house, She now lived in Berryville Arkansas.
As we were preparing to leave, she said, "Sue I have a quilt your Mom quilted, I want to give it to you." Of course I was ecstatic.
We began searching for this quilt. We looked everywhere but it was not to be found.
As I was finishing up my packing I opened the bathroom closet. I saw two quilts, One a Texas star, the other unknown by me at the time. I since learned it is called "A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD."
I took them out and walked into the kitchen area with her. She said, "that's it, The blue trimmed one."
We then sat down and she told me this story.
In the early 1960's Mother Butcher and Lola Butcher made two quilt tops.
Mother Butcher is Sam Butchers Mom or Grandma, I am unsure at this point.
Sam Butcher is the creator or Precious Moments.
Vi somehow came into possession of these tops. She was a working pastors wife, and did not have the time to quilt them. She paid my Mom to quilt them for her, by hand.
My Mom was quite precise. In 1968 My mom took the quilts home and finished them promptly and mailed them back to her. the quilts had no binding on them.
Vi picked out a blue binding, and began stitching it on. She had completed one side and was working on the other.
When she gave me the quilt, the pins were still in the binding.
I completed the quilt.
So the quilt was pieced by two wonderful ladies, It was quilted by an even more Wonderful Lady, (MY MOM) and it was bound by my FRIEND and Mentor, only to be completed by me.
When I am feeling bad, I grab this quilt.
It has 50 years of love stitched in and I can feel my Moms arms around me when I snuggle in.
Then I Opened my Mouth
I was scanning for blogs yesterday. I found several that made me laugh, hysterically.
So women of blogland, keep it up. We do have a sense of humor and life has taught us to take things not so serious.
We can laugh at ourselves, our utter innocence is the best weapon we have.
I use my innocence on a regular basis.
Sometimes it is not intentional, OK it is seldom intentional.
I guess I could be called AirHead.
A few years ago my Brother in Law, (who was a minister) was talking to my husband and me. We were all in the kitchen, We were discussing how times had changed and how different ways of life were entering into our world. Even down to the animals.
We began discussing Dogs. Apparently he had read an article on a Cat house.
He began telling my husband, "You know they even have a Cat House for Dogs."
Me and my innocence, (won't call it ignorance) stood there thinking, "Wow that is nice for the dogs but how about the poor cats?,"
I could picture these dogs chasing cats and loving it and the place having perches for the cats to jump on. Cats thinking "Hey I bet you cant climb up here."
Then I opened my mouth.
I do open my mouth at the wrong time.
I said, "I can see that, Dogs do love to chase cats."
A roar of laughter broke out in the room. I just did not see what I had said that was so funny.
Then they told me.
(In case you are as innocent as me, A cat house is where Dogs can have fun any time they want.)
I immediately ducked behind the counter and hid my face. I began laughing and said, "I think that is stupid." I was as RED as a beet.
Embarrassed? YES, but glad I was Nieve, Yes. You bet.
MY oldest son, who at the time was maybe 16 was in the room, he reminded me of that little snafu, He told me I should have put it in my life story.
Life story, Hey that book was only the beginning. I have many More stores to tell. Believe me I will.
When I was a young teen, I was sitting in the back yard. We had trees on the east side of the house, and birds lived there.
One day, (with a yard full of Aunts and Uncles) I saw two birds "fighting".
I opened my mouth.
"Hey look at those two birds fighting. Why do they fight in mid-air?"
My older sister was embarrassed. I heard snickering.
Later she told me they in fact were not fighting they were mating.
DARN IT, Again embarrassed because I opened my mouth.
Neive Sue.
Lately my husband had a birthday party, or a celebration of 70 years on this beautiful Earth.
As someone gave him a gift, My friend walked over to me. She said, "Ron did not know what to get David, He said, David has Sue what else does he need?"
Ron teases me on my bargains I get, I look for bargains and our contractors gave me lots of extra for our home.
David said, "All I need is a Muzzle."
He meant for me.
I laughed and now I believe he is right. I could just shut up sometime, listen and learn.
So women of blogland, keep it up. We do have a sense of humor and life has taught us to take things not so serious.
We can laugh at ourselves, our utter innocence is the best weapon we have.
I use my innocence on a regular basis.
Sometimes it is not intentional, OK it is seldom intentional.
I guess I could be called AirHead.
A few years ago my Brother in Law, (who was a minister) was talking to my husband and me. We were all in the kitchen, We were discussing how times had changed and how different ways of life were entering into our world. Even down to the animals.
We began discussing Dogs. Apparently he had read an article on a Cat house.
He began telling my husband, "You know they even have a Cat House for Dogs."
Me and my innocence, (won't call it ignorance) stood there thinking, "Wow that is nice for the dogs but how about the poor cats?,"
I could picture these dogs chasing cats and loving it and the place having perches for the cats to jump on. Cats thinking "Hey I bet you cant climb up here."
Then I opened my mouth.
I do open my mouth at the wrong time.
I said, "I can see that, Dogs do love to chase cats."
A roar of laughter broke out in the room. I just did not see what I had said that was so funny.
Then they told me.
(In case you are as innocent as me, A cat house is where Dogs can have fun any time they want.)
I immediately ducked behind the counter and hid my face. I began laughing and said, "I think that is stupid." I was as RED as a beet.
Embarrassed? YES, but glad I was Nieve, Yes. You bet.
MY oldest son, who at the time was maybe 16 was in the room, he reminded me of that little snafu, He told me I should have put it in my life story.
Life story, Hey that book was only the beginning. I have many More stores to tell. Believe me I will.
When I was a young teen, I was sitting in the back yard. We had trees on the east side of the house, and birds lived there.
One day, (with a yard full of Aunts and Uncles) I saw two birds "fighting".
I opened my mouth.
"Hey look at those two birds fighting. Why do they fight in mid-air?"
My older sister was embarrassed. I heard snickering.
Later she told me they in fact were not fighting they were mating.
DARN IT, Again embarrassed because I opened my mouth.
Neive Sue.
Lately my husband had a birthday party, or a celebration of 70 years on this beautiful Earth.
As someone gave him a gift, My friend walked over to me. She said, "Ron did not know what to get David, He said, David has Sue what else does he need?"
Ron teases me on my bargains I get, I look for bargains and our contractors gave me lots of extra for our home.
David said, "All I need is a Muzzle."
He meant for me.
I laughed and now I believe he is right. I could just shut up sometime, listen and learn.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Blog Therapy
I think I use my blog for therapy. It can be quite nice to sit and talk to someone without having direct responses. It is thinking out loud. My deepest thoughts, (guarded thoughts).
I am and always have been a very private person, my feelings are usually kept inside. My face can tell the whole story though.
However if you say something about my husband or one of my children or grandchildren, my thoughts are not kept inside. I will respond!! I will not apologize for responding!!!
You are attacking my family and that is something God gave me to lift up in prayer and protect.
I once told my In Laws. "I will come to the defense of my children, so don't ever say something about them but if they ever abuse you, I will be on them. Count on it!"
I will not stand for abuse to anyone. Just ask my Husband.
A little story:
One day a few years ago, we were sitting on our porch. I heard yelling down the street. It sounded close. However all our neighbors were at work. As we sat there it got louder, A man was yelling at someone. I walked to the edge of the porch and saw a Man towering over a cowering woman. He was telling her "FOR ONCE STAND UP FOR YOURSELF". Profanities were flying. All the horrible words you can imagine.
I was thinking, "Now would be a good time to stand up for yourself, Pick up a rock and hit him."
After a few more minutes of this raving, and her not speaking a word, (or if she did it was soft spoken, as in afraid). I walked to the street.
I yelled. "Mam are you all right?"
He responded (bad thing to do). "she is all right we are just having a family discussion."
I said, "I WAS NOT TALKING TO YOU, I ASKED HER,"I repeated my question.
She said "Yes I am fine" I waited and watched. They wandered off down the street to their house.
Can you imagine, standing on the street corner yelling and being so over bearing. I was so angry. David kept saying, "Honey you be careful". I was livid at the man, I was proud of myself.
I asked "What do I do, wait until he hits her or kills her, You know he is pretty angry."
I never saw that lady again, I found out he was a House husband, she supported the family.
I guess he had to show he was a MAN, Which meant nothing to me at that point, he was an abuser, he was three times bigger than me and I stood up to him. I was not going to sit and let a woman be abused.
If she were the abuser I would have done the same thing.
I guess my mind is rambling today, I am trying to relax. I am making myself wilt. I must do that. LOL You know what I mean, start at the toes and move up the body telling those muscles to lie gentle. It works.
I guess I should eat, I have taken my medicine on an empty stomach, I am just not hungry for anthing I see. I was planning on making Banana bread, but I am out of oil. I have a list started but I am not going to town. I am at the moment looking up a recipe calling for shortening or butter.
I keep waiting on a call from my Son, I watch the phone all time. Isnt that rediculous? That won't make the phone ring.
I am listeningto this song, I think I needed it, at this time in my day. Its hard to stand on Shifting sand.
It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night, You can't be free if you dont reach for help, b You can't love if you dont love yourself. There is hope when my faith runs out, Cause, I'm in better hands now.
I am and always have been a very private person, my feelings are usually kept inside. My face can tell the whole story though.
However if you say something about my husband or one of my children or grandchildren, my thoughts are not kept inside. I will respond!! I will not apologize for responding!!!
You are attacking my family and that is something God gave me to lift up in prayer and protect.
I once told my In Laws. "I will come to the defense of my children, so don't ever say something about them but if they ever abuse you, I will be on them. Count on it!"
I will not stand for abuse to anyone. Just ask my Husband.
A little story:
One day a few years ago, we were sitting on our porch. I heard yelling down the street. It sounded close. However all our neighbors were at work. As we sat there it got louder, A man was yelling at someone. I walked to the edge of the porch and saw a Man towering over a cowering woman. He was telling her "FOR ONCE STAND UP FOR YOURSELF". Profanities were flying. All the horrible words you can imagine.
I was thinking, "Now would be a good time to stand up for yourself, Pick up a rock and hit him."
After a few more minutes of this raving, and her not speaking a word, (or if she did it was soft spoken, as in afraid). I walked to the street.
I yelled. "Mam are you all right?"
He responded (bad thing to do). "she is all right we are just having a family discussion."
I said, "I WAS NOT TALKING TO YOU, I ASKED HER,"I repeated my question.
She said "Yes I am fine" I waited and watched. They wandered off down the street to their house.
Can you imagine, standing on the street corner yelling and being so over bearing. I was so angry. David kept saying, "Honey you be careful". I was livid at the man, I was proud of myself.
I asked "What do I do, wait until he hits her or kills her, You know he is pretty angry."
I never saw that lady again, I found out he was a House husband, she supported the family.
I guess he had to show he was a MAN, Which meant nothing to me at that point, he was an abuser, he was three times bigger than me and I stood up to him. I was not going to sit and let a woman be abused.
If she were the abuser I would have done the same thing.
I guess my mind is rambling today, I am trying to relax. I am making myself wilt. I must do that. LOL You know what I mean, start at the toes and move up the body telling those muscles to lie gentle. It works.
I guess I should eat, I have taken my medicine on an empty stomach, I am just not hungry for anthing I see. I was planning on making Banana bread, but I am out of oil. I have a list started but I am not going to town. I am at the moment looking up a recipe calling for shortening or butter.
I keep waiting on a call from my Son, I watch the phone all time. Isnt that rediculous? That won't make the phone ring.
I am listeningto this song, I think I needed it, at this time in my day. Its hard to stand on Shifting sand.
It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night, You can't be free if you dont reach for help, b You can't love if you dont love yourself. There is hope when my faith runs out, Cause, I'm in better hands now.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Gardening and Life
This week I have put 100 ears of corn in the freezer. To that I added 8 pkgs of cream style corn. It is so goooooooooooooooooooodddddddddd.
Does that add enough emphasis?
The smell of fresh peas always bring back pleasant memories.
Today smells like HOME.
I am putting green and yellow beans and black eye peas in the freezer.
When I was growing up, my Mom always "put down" her veggies. She put the canning pot on the stove and we washed and cleaned and packed away the fresh vegetables.
I began learning the art of preserving food the summer I was 12. I had been part of the planting process, the gathering, the shelling and snapping process but not as involved as I was that summer.
My older sister had married and moved away from home. The duties she had were suddenly thrust onto me. I was only happy to learn. ( I would have been happier climbing trees or playing in a make believe fort, but l had a duty to grow up.)
I sat many days on the porch or in the living room, with Mama, and shelled beans or peas. I stood at the table many times packing the food into freezer bags and more often than not, I had the job of checking bags for holes. Yes, we saved our bags from year to year. No waste in our house.
A time of sitting in a Big house, with the breeze blowing through.
The big house fan sitting in the kitchen window to pull the heat out and pull the cool air in from the tree shaded sided of the house.
A big glass of sweetened tea beside us as we worked. Mama making sure we put the right amount of peas and the juice in each bag.
It took a lot of work but it was fun to sit in the living room and shell the beans and peas.
We usually had a big brown bag beside our chair and filled it with our shells and ends.
We often would take from our someone Else's bag or bowl, or better yet, we put our unshelled beans or peas in their stash. Of course we did this when they left the room on a potty or drink break, then we would exclaim on how little they had shelled.
All in fun.
I did that just last evening. When my husband and I were snapping beans, I took his shelled beans and left him with a few and told him "You sure are slow, Look how many I did and you have only a hand full".
Also I have a few tips to make life easier.
I have made a few discoveries this week or so.
One:
I have this huge salad spinner. A Kitchen Aid, Did you know it works great for cleaning beans? Of course that is after a few good washings. I spin and spin and all the dirt and debris come off.
Pretty good idea I think. Has made a world of difference in my freezing process.
Two:
If you let your sour dough starter sit on the shelf in the pantry and you notice a bad odor, it can be the starter. I scrubbed my pantry floor, (which is also my laundry room,) I cleaned under the washer and dryer.
The odor was like musty old water.
Yesterday as I pulled an item off the shelf I saw the jar. Black, black, Mold on top. Guess I did not clean hard enough or I would have seen the starter. (Which my DIL told me about the two weeks prior).
I moved that jar to the garage and now my pantry smells fresh. Again.
Oh the things we learn late in life.
Does that add enough emphasis?
The smell of fresh peas always bring back pleasant memories.
Today smells like HOME.
I am putting green and yellow beans and black eye peas in the freezer.
When I was growing up, my Mom always "put down" her veggies. She put the canning pot on the stove and we washed and cleaned and packed away the fresh vegetables.
I began learning the art of preserving food the summer I was 12. I had been part of the planting process, the gathering, the shelling and snapping process but not as involved as I was that summer.
My older sister had married and moved away from home. The duties she had were suddenly thrust onto me. I was only happy to learn. ( I would have been happier climbing trees or playing in a make believe fort, but l had a duty to grow up.)
I sat many days on the porch or in the living room, with Mama, and shelled beans or peas. I stood at the table many times packing the food into freezer bags and more often than not, I had the job of checking bags for holes. Yes, we saved our bags from year to year. No waste in our house.
A time of sitting in a Big house, with the breeze blowing through.
The big house fan sitting in the kitchen window to pull the heat out and pull the cool air in from the tree shaded sided of the house.
A big glass of sweetened tea beside us as we worked. Mama making sure we put the right amount of peas and the juice in each bag.
It took a lot of work but it was fun to sit in the living room and shell the beans and peas.
We usually had a big brown bag beside our chair and filled it with our shells and ends.
We often would take from our someone Else's bag or bowl, or better yet, we put our unshelled beans or peas in their stash. Of course we did this when they left the room on a potty or drink break, then we would exclaim on how little they had shelled.
All in fun.
I did that just last evening. When my husband and I were snapping beans, I took his shelled beans and left him with a few and told him "You sure are slow, Look how many I did and you have only a hand full".
Also I have a few tips to make life easier.
I have made a few discoveries this week or so.
One:
I have this huge salad spinner. A Kitchen Aid, Did you know it works great for cleaning beans? Of course that is after a few good washings. I spin and spin and all the dirt and debris come off.
Pretty good idea I think. Has made a world of difference in my freezing process.
Two:
If you let your sour dough starter sit on the shelf in the pantry and you notice a bad odor, it can be the starter. I scrubbed my pantry floor, (which is also my laundry room,) I cleaned under the washer and dryer.
The odor was like musty old water.
Yesterday as I pulled an item off the shelf I saw the jar. Black, black, Mold on top. Guess I did not clean hard enough or I would have seen the starter. (Which my DIL told me about the two weeks prior).
I moved that jar to the garage and now my pantry smells fresh. Again.
Oh the things we learn late in life.
Blue Wednesday
I have had a few blue days. I have tried to stay busy but my nights are so fitful, all I do is toss and turn. I have extreme headaches and backaches My feet even hurt in my dreams,
How weird is that. I think it is from all the walking. (walking in my dreams, searching for answers.) When I do get up I have to force my self through the day. Often tears are rolling and I am calling on God for answers.
Now I must get busy on my chosen jobs.
Yesterday I picked beans and more beans. When David came home he picked peas.
What to do but shell and snap them all. I made it though the yellow beans, and the peas but never finished the task. (as in processing and putting in freezer bags).
I did snap about three quarts of green beans but stopped when I was suddenly too tired to do more. This was last night.
Today I should be doing just that but again, I got up at 6 Am , ate and back to bed I went.
I am back on my losing binge too. I have lost 2 lbs this week. Not that I am complaining. I eat cereal at night. I get so hungry about 9 PM I have to eat something.
I wake up expecting the worse when I step on the scales and a few more ounces are gone.
I think it is pure stress causing the loss. Or it can be the tossing and turning. That is exercise.
I just got out of bed again and trying to start the day.
I found out yesterday, Bill has us scheduled for an open house on Sunday. Great thing to know four days in advance. Unless he told me earlier, which I doubt , that kind of thing I would not forget. I must get moving and get ends tied up. Or do I even care? Lots of loose ends in our lives. I must find a post I saw earlier. It sure fit my life.
Who cares when we are gone, how much we accumulated? It goes to someone else, Who cares how much we had, we want to be remembered by how much we loved and are remembered.
I should live by that philosophy, I try but I think I am trying too late.
When we speak words of encouragement it is often taken as a chastisement. Life is all in how we take it, Mostly how we choose to take it. We are the director of our own fate. So today this is not uplifting. Maybe today I need a little extra prayer whispered for me.
So on to work and some thing positive.
God is in Control.
Today I watched Good Morning America and saw the Stephen Curtis Chapman family. They have been through something I can not fathom. They are still trusting God. I still trust God. I guess we all have a right to step back at times and wonder and question.
How weird is that. I think it is from all the walking. (walking in my dreams, searching for answers.) When I do get up I have to force my self through the day. Often tears are rolling and I am calling on God for answers.
Now I must get busy on my chosen jobs.
Yesterday I picked beans and more beans. When David came home he picked peas.
What to do but shell and snap them all. I made it though the yellow beans, and the peas but never finished the task. (as in processing and putting in freezer bags).
I did snap about three quarts of green beans but stopped when I was suddenly too tired to do more. This was last night.
Today I should be doing just that but again, I got up at 6 Am , ate and back to bed I went.
I am back on my losing binge too. I have lost 2 lbs this week. Not that I am complaining. I eat cereal at night. I get so hungry about 9 PM I have to eat something.
I wake up expecting the worse when I step on the scales and a few more ounces are gone.
I think it is pure stress causing the loss. Or it can be the tossing and turning. That is exercise.
I just got out of bed again and trying to start the day.
I found out yesterday, Bill has us scheduled for an open house on Sunday. Great thing to know four days in advance. Unless he told me earlier, which I doubt , that kind of thing I would not forget. I must get moving and get ends tied up. Or do I even care? Lots of loose ends in our lives. I must find a post I saw earlier. It sure fit my life.
Who cares when we are gone, how much we accumulated? It goes to someone else, Who cares how much we had, we want to be remembered by how much we loved and are remembered.
I should live by that philosophy, I try but I think I am trying too late.
When we speak words of encouragement it is often taken as a chastisement. Life is all in how we take it, Mostly how we choose to take it. We are the director of our own fate. So today this is not uplifting. Maybe today I need a little extra prayer whispered for me.
So on to work and some thing positive.
God is in Control.
Today I watched Good Morning America and saw the Stephen Curtis Chapman family. They have been through something I can not fathom. They are still trusting God. I still trust God. I guess we all have a right to step back at times and wonder and question.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Borrowed from my Daughters blog
She was asked by some friends down the road if she would be willing to babysit for a couple of hours a day every other Sunday and on Mondays.
Since it's sort of an "on call" job, and because of the utter convenience she's getting paid a tidy little sum!
Since she got paid for her first two days she's been daydreaming about how to spend the money. A Keyboard? A bedroom remodel? Clothes?
The list goes on. She can't quite decide.
We told her to save it as long as she can and then decide.She's also informed the boys that when she reaches $60 she'll take them all out to ice-cream.
Last night we were teasing her, Mike had to go gas up the car and said "Hey M, want to fill my tank?"
She automatically laughed back at him and said "NO!!"
but a few minutes later she looked at me with teary eyes "Mom, I can give you the money to put gas in the car if you want."
I smiled at her, "Oh no Sweetheart! Daddy was just teasing!!"
She gave me a crooked little smile "Really, I don't mind Mom," clearly she was trying to follow her heart even if it broke in the process.
I hugged her and told her again that we were just joking and that money was hers!
What a testimony this little girl gave (without even knowing it) on doing what is right and loving each other the way God intends us to.
She thought she had something that someone might need that more than she did and was willing to give it up, without a fight (although with a slightly tattered heart) in order to do good. What a blessing she is in our lives.
How she made my heart swell.
My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:12-13
Monday, August 04, 2008
Creamy Peanut Butter
I
love peanut butter,
creamy peanut butter,
chunky Peanut Butter too.
Kiara ate through the middle of her sandwich. She was so cute with peanut butter all over her face, and she knows she is cute. No she is adorable.
Or can you tell?
K is three years old and has this wonderful giggly laugh. She is all girl, ask her the favorite color and she says, PINK, I love it, or purple.
When she walked in my guest bath, (she has seen it several times) She oohs and aah and says, "I love Ma maws Bathroom." It is done in pinks and roses.
When we went to visit a few weeks ago, she was being evasive. (for lack of a better word)
As we talked to her, she would run away and glance over her shoulder and giggle this adorable "come get me giggle"
OK yes I am a little prejudice.
I love the fact that she is all girl, lace and pretties in her life, is her goal.
Is she tough? OH Yes, with three older brothers she can hold her own. She is acrobat, (climbs) she can ride bikes and she is all for attention.
So this is our Kiara, and this picture says it all.
Also you see ET, he is the five year old cousin of Kiara.
ET is my grandson from Oklahoma. He spent three great weeks with us.
When asked his favorite part of the vacation, He responded with "Coming home to see Daddy."
That was an answer from the heart, forget swimming, Daddy takes precedent.
When we asked her to kiss him on the cheek, for this photograph, She was only too happy to oblige. She held the pose until we said, "OK We got it."
That girls knows how to pose for a photograph.
ET loves his cousin, Last week as they were scanning through photographs, his sister came across this photo, she asked him did he know who it was. He said, "Yes that is my Kiara."
His Kiara, Isn't that the sweetest comment?
The children all had a great time together, getting to know each other again.
We pray for many more such times.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Deluge of Photos
Above is my Daughter, Sheri, she is California Blond.
The photo to the top right is my Daughter and her Daughter. They resemble but M looks a lot like Herself. Her own personality and her own looks, She has a wonderful style. Very artistic young lady.
This is Leila, "Isn't she beautiful, Isn't she lovely,
" Layla, you've got me on my knees.Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
When we hear her name we think of this song by Eric Clapton.
She was a Tired little angel. We had to snap this photo.
To the above right is M our oldest granddaughter, 11 years and Leila our youngest at 6 months.
I believe this is Ms first time to hold a tiny baby. She was a little unsure of herself, but that is a lovely photo.
This is our Cay, he is five years old and the Einstein in the family. Behind him you can see the pool fence holding 18000 gallons of water. However the sprinklers are running and we all know sprinklers are much more fun.
(Einstein,) He has taught himself to read and do math. He has no schooling until this month and that was K prep. I am sure he can teach the school a few things. I worry about boredom but he loves loves people. He is definitely a lover of everyone. Smile is built in. He will be great.
Stay tuned more to come.
I finally got the hang of this. YEA
Friday, August 01, 2008
swimming
This is the way my pool should look, however it is barren of people and especially children.I sure miss my swim partners. D and M and I had a lot of times just swimming and testing each other.
M loved to do flips and see how many she could do with one breath.
The day they arrived I told them we would throw toys in the deep end, then see who could get the most.
Both responded with "I can't go that deep," I, never saying "I Can't" told them "Yes you can and I will teach you". I assured them by the time they went home they would be really good swimmers.
As the few days passed their stamina built. Before I knew it they could grab more toys than I could.
D was swimming almost the entire length of the pool in one breath. At first it was difficult for him.
I told him "When you think you cant go one more inch, push yourself, Say 'I can do this"
He did, he is a determined young man.
So as I said I sure miss them, I swam yesterday morning after I finished working in the garden, It felt great to be in the cool water, I figured it would be cold but once I left the deck I knew there was no turning back, (As I dove in). It was not cold but perfect.
The days are warm but nice. I have not had my air conditioner on one time this week, I cool the house off at night then close it up for the day. It has not risen above 80 in the house yet.
I can cool it off now, now that the smoke is gone. At least for this week.
Moving it
Some times you may open my blog and see a post gone. That is the case today.
I am a non-confrontational person. I detest controversy. So I removed the last post.
I asked my husband to read it and he said, "Hon it was good and accurate."
I told him I was removing it and he asked why? All I could say is "Well it does not feel right to not respond and that only creates an air of controversy. So it is gone.
I believe every person has a right to their opinion. I believe at times that opinion should be expressed then you shut your mouth.
That is one thing I taught my husband. Believe me he taught me much more.
He taught me to calm down, Even today he says, "Now honey you need to calm down, you are too stressed.." True I am a high stress person.
He was the all time disagreeer. (is that a word).
When we married he would argue any point, just to argue.
Each word had to be accurate. More often than not, a huge argument ensued. Usually with a family member but often at other functions I could hear him argue, I would walk up, take his arm and gently guide him away.
I often would say, "Yes you are right, but state your opinion then shut up, You accomplish nothing by keeping it going."
As the years progressed he became better at not ensuing his opinion.
I would often make a statement just to get him going, although the statement was so far away from what I really did think. My Son, Ken, more than once would say "Mom" As I smiled at him and began the controvesy.
I guess I loved the great debate, but I was showing him how senseless it was.
One day we were at a family members house. He made a statement, the other family member said "You are Wrong David it is this way." (and this was a family member he always disagreed with,.)
I stopped what I was doing, I just knew it would not stop there.
I looked over, he never stopped clipping his nails nor did he look up, then he said,
"You may be right I will look it up when I get home".
As it turns out he was right and he had gracefully handled the situation.
That day I saw a different man, it was so obvious. He had mellowed.
I knew the mellowing process was in action but that day I was so proud.
Did I tell him? You bet I gave him a huge hug and said "I am so proud of you, you were right and you allowed the other person to state their opinion without promoting an argument."
I remember a day when you better not tell him he was WRONG.
He was very opinionated and he would make his point regardless.
After all his middle name is Wright.
He still reminds me of that, with a laugh. I say "Well I am Mrs. Wright and Don't you forget it."
I am a non-confrontational person. I detest controversy. So I removed the last post.
I asked my husband to read it and he said, "Hon it was good and accurate."
I told him I was removing it and he asked why? All I could say is "Well it does not feel right to not respond and that only creates an air of controversy. So it is gone.
I believe every person has a right to their opinion. I believe at times that opinion should be expressed then you shut your mouth.
That is one thing I taught my husband. Believe me he taught me much more.
He taught me to calm down, Even today he says, "Now honey you need to calm down, you are too stressed.." True I am a high stress person.
He was the all time disagreeer. (is that a word).
When we married he would argue any point, just to argue.
Each word had to be accurate. More often than not, a huge argument ensued. Usually with a family member but often at other functions I could hear him argue, I would walk up, take his arm and gently guide him away.
I often would say, "Yes you are right, but state your opinion then shut up, You accomplish nothing by keeping it going."
As the years progressed he became better at not ensuing his opinion.
I would often make a statement just to get him going, although the statement was so far away from what I really did think. My Son, Ken, more than once would say "Mom" As I smiled at him and began the controvesy.
I guess I loved the great debate, but I was showing him how senseless it was.
One day we were at a family members house. He made a statement, the other family member said "You are Wrong David it is this way." (and this was a family member he always disagreed with,.)
I stopped what I was doing, I just knew it would not stop there.
I looked over, he never stopped clipping his nails nor did he look up, then he said,
"You may be right I will look it up when I get home".
As it turns out he was right and he had gracefully handled the situation.
That day I saw a different man, it was so obvious. He had mellowed.
I knew the mellowing process was in action but that day I was so proud.
Did I tell him? You bet I gave him a huge hug and said "I am so proud of you, you were right and you allowed the other person to state their opinion without promoting an argument."
I remember a day when you better not tell him he was WRONG.
He was very opinionated and he would make his point regardless.
After all his middle name is Wright.
He still reminds me of that, with a laugh. I say "Well I am Mrs. Wright and Don't you forget it."
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