New Dresses

We found a new dress pattern we wanted to try.

We had 2 peices of fabric ~ 4 yards each that Mom had given us.

They turned out great and the girls are very happy with them.

Katie sewed her dress~~~~~

It was great to "shop in the closet" for the fabric and zippers ~ a free project.

Now they want a trip to JoAnn's ~ ahhhhhh, the sacrifices I make for my girls!

We are.....

We are....

sewing dresses

making wedding guests lists

getting ready to visit St. Louis & the Cutlers

crocheting

getting projects ready to work on in the RV

cleaning out the RV

having a swim party tomorrow night at our house

getting James' paperwork together for college grants

working on clothes for Orphanage in Haiti

making piles of stuff Greg to take to Haiti

marking fair project entries off the list

home ec grocery budgeting & planning with Katie

 coupon shopping at Walgreen's

anticipating Amy's braces coming off in 2 days

loads of praying for my friend Rosana and her precious baby

thinking of the future and all the changes the Lord has in store for us

We've been busy and its not slowing down.  We are enjoying our long days at home with no "formal" school work.  We will start school on Aug. 1, so its just around the corner.  The kids and I are looking forward to a week at Granny's while Greg is in Haiti. 

Southern-isms

Some southern-isms to share....


GRITS has 2 meanings  1. Girls Raised in the South  (thats me)
                                       2. That wonderful breakfast food made from corn ~ I like mine smooth &                                             creamy with salt & butter

Coke ~ any soft drink in the south is a coke, not pop or soda.  A coke is usually a Coca-Cola.

Y'all ~ singular or plural it means the same "you all"

Fixin to ~ "I'm fixin to go to the grocery store"  About to, in a minute I'm going, etc.

 Snow ~ the white flakes that fall from the sky...doesn't matter how many.  Down here snow is snow.  If it covers the ground and coats the roads ~ everything stops.  When we say it didn't snow last winter, that means we never saw a flake.

Food ~ illness, surgery, death in the family, promotion, new baby, etc. is celebrated with food.   We do it all the time.

Grill ~ cookout, barbeque, whatever you call it.  We do it year round...rain, snow, extreme heat ~ we love to cook out. 

I am sure I will think of others to share....

But right now, I'm fixin to get off this computer.  Bye y'all!

Keeping Busy

Katie's 1st Extreme Couponing Trip to Walgreens ~ paid $3.40 Cash!

Katie, Amy & Emmalynn's Yummy Chocolate Marble Cake for dessert on Wednesday night!

Baby dress for my little friend Lauren! 

Another smocked dress for Lauren!

Yesterday I traveled farther down the road of pressure canning.  We now have 15 pints of canned black eyed peas.  Next I am going to can blueberries and then kidney beans for chili and casseroles.  And why can instead of freeze?  Probably the most important reason right now to me is ~ more jars to enter in the state fair and earn extra money.  I've got the jars, had the beans (frozen), and just needed a $1 box of lids.  Also, if we have a power outage from a tornado, hurricane, or tripped breaker ~ this food

won't spoil!  Its something I've wanted to do for several years, just had to work up the courage

to use the pressure canner (its always been a scary concept to me).

The Lord has richly blessed us this week with rain.  My tomato plants are tremendously happy.

The cucumber and bell pepper plants are thriving also ~ Katie and I are looking

forward to pickle making days!  Greg is thrilled that the rain has filled the pool to capacity +.  And we don't need to run the sprinklers for the trees and garden.  Bonus ~ its cooled the weather down 10-15 degrees during the day.  We've had many 100+ temp days already, and its only June.

Will has been in Memphis all week.  From the sounds of everything, the week is great.

He is part of a mission team from our church ministering to children in inner city

neighborhoods.   He loves children, so this is a perfect fit for him.  He gets home

tomorrow and I am sure we will hear many stories.

Jackson Farms Salsa Recipe

Salsa

8 cups tomato pulp (skins removed and then pulped in the food processor)
4 cups peach pulp (we used frozen peaches & pulped them in the food processor)
1 teaspoon pickled jalepeno*
1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2-6 ounce cans tomato paste
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup brown sugar*
1 teaspoon cilantro

Combine all of the above in a large saucepan and bring to a boil ~ stirring very frequently so the bottom doesn't burn.  After it comes to a boil, cook for 5 minutes.

Ladle hot sauce into hot pint jars and follow your manufacturers direction for water bath canning.

This recipe made 6 pints and one 1/2 pint.

When processing the tomatoes and peaches ~ don't liquify the ingredients, leave some chunks.

*Jalepeno is optional.  It really made our first batch too spicy and we added the brown sugar to cut the heat ~ it worked really well.

In Greg's words ~ mmmmmmmm, I wouldn't change a thing!

Daybook

For today...

Outside my window ~ sunny, hot, possibility of rain which we really need

I am thinking ~ about all the changes that will take place in the next 18 months in our family

I am thankful for ~ Will having the opportunity to attend Street Reach in Memphis, a youth mission trip

From the Kitchen ~ more canning today...I've got tomatoes and some blackeyed peas to pressure can

From the learning rooms ~ its summertime!  Nothing formal, lots of downtime.  Katie is studying for her Western Civilization 2 clep test

I am wearing ~ denim dress

I am creating ~ crafting chaos!  Finished 2 quilt tops yesterday.  Have smocked 2 dresses in one week...now to finish the construction. Made 2 little jumpers for my twin friends.  My "to do" pile is shrinking but my "want to do" pile is growing!

I am going ~ to enjoy each day, they fly too fast

I am reading ~ too many things at once (don't know why I do this)  Book 1 of the Freedom's Holy Light Series (I read this series about once a year), "Money Secrets of the Amish" borrowed from my friend Betsy, "Already Compromised" by Ken Ham, and the Bible

I am praying ~ for the Street Reach team, for our trip to St. Louis the beginning of July, the Haiti Mission Trip, for the Lords continued guidance in our lives & our children's lives, for an abundant harvest from our garden

I am hearing ~ kitchen sounds, cars driving up & down the road

Around the house ~ crafting, gardening, watering, cooking, reading, praying, living, loving

One of my favorite things ~ closeness in family relationshps


A few plans for the rest of the week ~ girls sleepover tonight with EL, bible study, lunch with Rie, Will gets home from Memphis, a fun weekend


A picture to share ~ 

 Jars of our Tomato/Peach Salsa from Saturday....recipe will be posted tomorrow!


Please head over to ~~~~~  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
and visit with other women and read their daybooks!

The Weekend in Pictures

My Darling Hubby on Fathers Day!

mixing up the dressing

Can't have turkey without dressing!

Man, its hot in the kitchen!

My kitchen help busy at work

The Fryer Man and his Sous Chef

Greg's 1st Turkey Frying Experience

The finished Bird!

Happy Thanksgiving ~ oops I mean Fathers Day

My primary colors Log Cabin quilt top

Snoopy quilt top

Happy Fathers Day

Tomorrow is Fathers Day.  What a great day to celebrate the important men in our lives.

My Daddy was one of the most important men in my life.  Daddy died from Lymphoma in June 1994 ~ sometimes it seems like yesterday but most of the time, it seems like a lifetime ago.  My boys adored Daddy.  My nephews adored Daddy.  My Mom, my sister and I adored Daddy.  He gave us everything ~ spoiled us rotten (even as adults), and loved us unconditionally.  He will always be missed!

Another VIP man in my life is my dear husband, Greg.  He is a great husband and awesome Father.  He's got lots of practice in the Daddy department because we've been blessed with 7 children.  All wonderful and all a challenge.  In my 9 years as a widow (I hate that word),  I prayed for the Lord to send me a husband and my children a Daddy.  He answered my prayers in a BIG way.  Never could I have imagined how perfect he would be for us!  And, he spoils us rotten! 

One of the best things about these 2 men ~ they knew each other!  We all fished together, water skiied together, went to the lake together, vacationed together.  We share family stories and history from 48 years ago! 

I wish Daddy were here now to visit us, swim, love on his grandchildren (all 12 of them), share in our joys and sympathize in our tragedies, anticipate the future, and worship our Lord!

Happy Fathers Day!

Biblical Courtship

We've entered the "new to us world" of Courtship. 

So here's a few things we've learned....

Why not date?  Dating has only been a concept for the last 100 or so years.  Before then it was courtship.  Given the rampant promiscuity, teen pregnancy, teen rebellion, etc, I would ask Why not court?  Greg proudly wears his Dads Against Daughters Dating shirt and the girls know he is living by the message on the shirt.

Most people think we are over protective and shielding our children from the "real" world and thats a bad thing.  Duh, we are over protecting our younger children and shielding them ~ have you really looked at the real world lately?

We've heard they can't find Mr. or Mrs. Right unless they date around and have something to compare to.  I would rather the Lord lead them to Mr. or Mrs. Right and not have their hearts and minds involved with many other people. There is less emotional baggage that way.

So here is what this looks like right now in our family........

It looks like a young man asking permission before he presents a gift to our daughter.

It looks like 2 families involved in a caring, loving, protecting manner.

It looks like brothers & sisters that are the "on the scene" chaperones.

It looks like hearts being knit together in the Lord's perfect timing & Will.

It looks like 2 sets of parents ernestly praying for the Lords guidance.

It looks like the young man & woman rising early each day to read & study the Bible together while 100's of miles apart.

It looks like long telephone calls.  Recently these calls have included figuring out budgets for monthly expenses. (What a great, grown up aspect of this relationship)

It looks like a young man, going to school full time and working full time so that he can support a wife and family.

It looks like a young woman sitting at the kitchen table ~ talking about menu's, shopping lists, etc. for groceries to learn budgeting.

It looks like long talks that involve all the parents and the couple.

It looks like this.............

Daybook

For today.....

Outside my window...sunny, hot, muggy, sticky summer day in Miss.

I am thinking...about the future

I am thankful for...a fun weekend with new friends

From the kitchen...don't know about dinner, but we will be snapping beans today that we picked yesterday

I am wearing...khaki skirt, t shirt, slip on tennies, hair is braided

I am creating...way too many things at once ~ but it sure is fun!

I am going...to rely on the Lord to show us His way and His will

I am reading...finishing Isaiah today, also I am going to reread the "Freedoms Holy Light" series set in the Revolutionary War era

I am praying...for the salvation of friends, a friends pregnancy

I am hearing...a weedeater, cars, kitchen sounds

From the learning room...reading, Bible Study, finishing craft projects, putting together jigsaw puzzles, gardening, listening to sermons, swimming

One of my favorite things...company

A few plans for the rest of the week...canning green beans, going to a friends to pick blackberries, crafts, Bible study, finishing the chicken coop, lots of swimming


A few pictures to share....

 The Lord is allowing us to be active participants in the courtship of our daughter Katie.  Its a beautiful, exciting, lovely, sweet thing to watch. 

Katie & Bryant

Amy's big smile with braces....in 2 weeks they will be gone!!!!!

You can read other daybooks by visiting Peggy at 


http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/




 

Multitude Monday 1101-1130

the blessings are overflowing.......

1101.  Young love

1102.  Heart Necklace

1103.  Roses

1104.  Clasped Hands

1105.  Laughter

1106.  talks of the future

1107.  Christian friends

1108.  sweetness

1109.  innocence

1110.  pool splashes

1111.  changed status on facebook

1112. being an active participant in the whole relationship

1113.  lots of games of pool

1114.  talks with Dads

1115.  1st hug

1116.  Parents discussions

1117.  knowing the Lord has brought this relationship in HIS timing

1118.  grilled shrimp & scallops (thanks Greg)

1119.   fresh, sweet cantaloupe

1119.  cold cuts, cheeses, fruits & crackers for lunch (yum!)

1120.  pictures "on the sly"

1121.  plenty of leftovers for Sunday lunch & dinner

1122.  anticipation of our visit July 1

1123.  letting our "little girl" grow up

1124.  long prayers for the Lords continued blessings & HIS will

1125.  the starting formulation of plans

1126.  being old fashioned

1127.  Amy's excitement over getting her braces off the end of the month

1128.  gleaning green beans

1129.  free olive trees

1130.  AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!!!  (We live in Miss. this is really important)

Completed Projects

Here are the projects I've completed in the last 2 weeks.....

Kitchen Towels for a friends Hope Chest

Embroidered Pillowcase for Greg in John Deere Colors

My embroidered pillowcase

Hand Quilted Pot Holder

Machine Quilted Table Runner

New Book Greg bought me ~ it came yesterday!

Gripes & a Praise

GRIPES

I don't have them too often but here goes....

*Just because its summer, doesn't mean you should share your body with the rest of society.  I KNOW its hot, I live in Miss., but cover up.  A skirt, or decent length shorts,or  a top that covers all that a top is supposed to cover (its called modesty folks).  This isn't just for females ~ I don't care for all the men parading up and down the street with no shirts either.

* Don't be putting pictures of your daughters on FB or your blogs in their bikinis.  There are BAD people out there ~ don't advertise that you have beautiful daughters and show them mostly naked.  Use your brain!!!!!

*In that same vein....when did wearing short, skimpy, halter dresses to church become the norm?  This isn't a picnic in the park, or a day at Disney ~ cover up.

*Keep your "little darlings" with you in stores.  Running up and down the aisles, screaming, etc. is not acceptable store behavior.  If an adult did that, they would get thrown out or arrested by the management.

*Know where your little darlings are when you are at home ~ WATCH your kids.  Last night, when we got home from church the little girl that lives across the street from us was screaming in her front yard.  The 3-4 year old was screaming & crying "help me".  I went over there to talk to her (knew who she was because of her white blonde hair).  She was scared to get into the house because of the roaches.  I asked her if she wanted me to hold her hand or carry her ~ she wanted me to hold her hand.  We got to the open garage door and she froze...2 roaches are crawling around.  I picked her up and got her to the door and knocked.  Her brother came to the door, looking at me weird cause I am holding his sister.  I told him, I lived across the street and she was crying and scared of the roaches.  He mumbled thank you and I headed home.  Oh yeah, this was 9:45 last night ~ I never saw mom, no one was concerned that she had gone out to get something.  When did this become normal?

*I am really tired of feminism.  Did it really accomplish anything?  The "I can do it all" mentality is a lie ~ thats probably why so many children are messed up.  Out of wedlock pregnancy has soared (& so has the abortion rate), women are leaving their husbands & children to "follow their dreams", women are "leading" men ~ in the workplace, in churches, in politics, in the military, this isn't the way God planned his creation to work.

*I am getting very tired of arrogant, know it all people who want to share everything with us.  We don't need the enlightening ~ we know we aren't perfect, we know we have struggles every day, we know that people are watching us & critiquing us because of the stand we have taken on education, worship, holidays, courtship, and just living.  Everyone is welcome to their own opinions ~ but you should be able to back it up biblically, scripturally, and/or morally, if you are going to take it up with us.  Sorry if that sounds arrogant, but we are doing the best we can, relying on the Lord and His strength and guidance not man's. 

Enough of the griping.....

Now the Praise~

James will be starting at our local Community Technical College in August.  He got into the Welding Program.  He is excited about this new chapter opening in his life and after the last 10 years, this is truly a blessing from the Lord.  He is going to continue working fulltime and go to school at night ~ I'll have to keep him stocked up in vitamins!

Updates

Marie's surgery went well today & the doctors are optimistic that there won't be anything else needed.  I pray their "gut instinct" is correct.  If all goes well tonight and in the morning, she will be in her own bed tomorrow night~

James car broke down on Sat.  Just fizzled in the road in 104 degree heat.  After the ballet recital, James, Greg & Will went to tow it to the garage.  They were able to fix it today ~ under warranty ~ no charge.  Thats a huge blessing!

The Lord sent us 3 hours of wonderful, much needed rain.  My garden is soaking it up and my rain barrel is filling up.  What a wonderful surprise today.

Over a week ago, our dishwasher broke.  A & K were not thrilled.  The guy finally made it out today and couldn't fix it ~ we thought it was just a broken latch but it wasn't that easy.  Its got a little computerized plate on the front with the different settings and the start.  Well...start is broken.  So they have to order the panel and don't know if we will get if before the weekend.  So we may be eating on Chinet plates while our company is here.

We are looking forward to a visit this weekend from the Cutlers again.  Only the Lord knows where this friendship is leading ~ we are all very interested bystanders.  Lots of fun!

Rob & Sarah have set the wedding date.  Dec. 16, 2012, near New Orleans. Lots of planning going on in that area.  The reception place looks really good and reading the "menu" made me hungry.  Wonder if they need a sampler before then?

We are still amazed and excited about all the things the Lord is revealing to us ~ in his word and through inspired sermons.  The more we learn, the more we know that we can't know everything about our awesome, holy, magnificent Lord.  We are humbled at his love for us.

Marie

For several years, I sat in Miss. with not one homeschooling friend. Now the Lord has blessed me with many, and I am so thankful.

One of my special-est friends is Marie (her blog is - on my sidebar).  She is having surgery tomorrow.  We are praying that the Lord has worked a miracle in her & things won't be as they appear on the test results.  We are especially praying for a biopsy that is totally & completely benign.

I love you bunches girl!  Praying fervently for you and the family!!!!!

Dance Recital 2011

The girls dance recital has come.....and gone for another year.

They were beautiful and get more graceful with their dancing with each passing year (of course, I am biased!)

We had a great time watching all the girls dance ~

Sisters & Best Friends

flowers from Daddy to his ballerinas!

More Dance Pictures

a little "bird" humor at the end of rehersal

When the Mom & Granny sit on the front row & the Mom puts the mega lens on the camera....you get good pictures!

Dance

My daughters love dance ~ ballet & jazz.  This is their 4th recital with this Christian Ballet Company.  This is the first year I haven't liked either costume.  In fact, when they were delivered, the undergarments were added to boost the modesty level some.  I've never seen leggings under a ballet costume but they are wearing them ~ the littlest girlies are wearing bloomers under their outfits.  Recital will be over on Sat. and then the costumes will be tucked away with the previous years outfits.

This is a favorite picture of Katie and Amy that I took today ....  tomorrow is dress rehersal and I'll have dancing pictures then.

Fun Morning

We spent the morning with our twin friends, their sister Emmalyn, & brothers Jonathan & Benjamin.  We had a blast.  And I found out my house IS NOT baby proof.  Just ask the cutesy red headed babies toting around bottles of glue, playing with pom poms, and unloading craft supplies from the shelves.  They had fun...we followed them around taking goodies from their hands or mouths.  However the puppies enjoyed it when cheerios were dropped!  They did not want to play with tupperware bowls, spoons, little rubber animals, or those type things.  They wanted the no-no items.

Their big sister,  Emmalyn along with Katie & Amy were sewing together and making skirts.  They turned out beautifully. The girls did each step with just minor instructions.  Amy even cut out her own fabric (something she does not like).  They have plans to wear them to church on Sunday.  E & A will have to find tops to match their print skirts.

The babies decided that one of their favorite place to play was my bed.  They loved running up and down the mattress ~ we however, were quite busy making sure they didn't fall off.  Keeping up with these 2 is a full time + job!

I've often thanked Rosana for having babies for us to play with.  And the Lord is blessing them with another one in the fall.  I don't know how they get schoolwork done...its just too much fun to play with babies!

**I love watching babies who are just learning to walk.  This morning was 5 steps forward, 1 backward, a couple sideways, and if you are falling grab your sisters shirt and take her down too!  They looked like they were coming off a drinking binge.  They walk faster if they have something they shouldn't be playing with ~ and giggle as they go!