Thursday, May 31, 2012

Taking a Break

I've gotta take a break from blogging for several days.
We are really busy.

We had keepers all day on Tuesday & then ballet.
Wed. Amy and Will were at the church from 8:30 ~ almost 3 helping set up for Bible school.
Then Amy was back at 5 to practice music for Bible School.
Wed. I was home all day working and watching the guys put in our new door ~ did get some laundry done and 4 loaves of bread baked.
Today is payday ~ AMEN!  And I've got to go grocery shopping.
And do laundry, clean, and iron.
Katie & Bryant will be here around lunchtime.
Granny will be here mid-late afternoon.
Andy & AmyKate will be here tonight or tomorrow.

This is ballet recital weekend for Amy.
And Monday, Amy is getting her hair cut to donate to Pantene Beautiful Locks.
She is ready, its waist length now and by Monday afternoon about 10 inches will be gone.
Friday is a little shopping & ballet recital dress rehersal.
Sat. is ballet & a family barbeque.
 
And Sat. is the beginning of bible school at church.
I'll have pictures to put on here in the next couple of days.

The bathroom remodel isn't completed.  But its getting there.
After all....."tomorrow is another day"!

Menus (plan right now)
tonight is homemade Vegetable Soup & cornbread
Friday night ~ make your own pizza's
Sat. night ~  barbeque pork, baked beans, salad + dessert

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

I was Inspired!

I love to see new ideas!
I love to have friends who can help me with these new ideas~
many thanks to Jennifer for helping me today at our Keepers meeting!
She was very patient and knowledgeable, both of which I needed!

Last week I saw this crocheted water bottle cozy ~ and LOVED the idea.
So I sent out a plea for help to our Keepers moms & Jennifer responded ~ bless her heart!

Here is the original link that came across my computer...

I so wanted to recreate this....
and today with lots of help ~ I did!

I am sure its got mistakes, but don't point them out to me and burst my excitement bubble!
I made this from variegated cotton yarn, thinking the cotton would absorb the "sweating" bottle better than acrylic yarn.  

(This is actually the 2nd one...the first one, my stitches were way too loose, so I started over and used an "F" size hook for smaller stitches.  I didn't complete the first one, just did about 6 rows.)

Time to make another one!

Ready, set, crochet.....

My inner MaMa is emerging ~ it just took a LONG time with me!


Monday, May 28, 2012

Cute puppy pictures


female on left/male on right

they like to scrap with each other


These are our 5 week old Chihuahua puppies.  They will be ready for their new homes in 2 weeks.
If you live in our area and would love a little lap/inside doggie ~ please leave a comment and I will get in touch with you!  The female is very furry/soft, she looks like she is going to be a long haired chihuahua ~ must be some long haired ancestor in her family line.  The male is a short haired chihuahua.  They probably weigh 1 1/2 pounds now ~ should only weigh 5-6 pounds full grown.  They weren't truly cooperative while Amy was taking pictures!  But they did have fun trying to pounce on the camera when it flashed with each picture!

Friday, May 25, 2012

General Maxims for Health ~ American Frugal Housewife

For all of us who want to be healthy & full of life.
A few oldies but goodies~~~~

*Rise early
*Eat simple food
*Take plenty of exercise. Never fear a little fatigue
*Avoid the necessity of a physician by careful attention to your diet
*eat what best agrees with your system and abstain from what hurts you
*If you find your self really ill, send for a good physician, have nothing to do with quacks
*Wear shoes that are large enough
*Wash very often
*Have your bed chamber well aired ~ it is not healthy to sleep in heated rooms
*Too frequent use of an ivory comb injures the hair

Great, timeless advice!  Love the line about having nothing to do with quacks!  

This was written by Lydia Maria Francis Child
in 1832

One of my free finds for the Kindle!


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Recognizing Blessings

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes.
Blessings can be expensive or frugal.
Blessings can be given & received.
Blessings are all around us ~ we just don't recognize them most of the time.
Blessings can be shared or kept.

The Bible records many records of the Lords Blessings on His children ~
Here are just a few~

Psalm 106:7-8
Our Fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.  Yet He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make known His mighty power. (blessing of life)

Psalm 18:20-21
The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He rewarded me.  For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
(blessing of faithfulness & obedience)

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  
 (blessing of His righteousness)

Ephesians 1:3-10
  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.
(blessings on knowing Christ Jesus as our Lord & Savior, His blood covered all our sins, His grace is lavished upon His children, all was done according to His will and purpose, its all Him and not us but was accomplished for us)

For over a year, I counted my blessings and numbered each one on Mondays ~ these can be found under either Multitude Monday or 1000 Gifts.  Now I would like to continue the list.  As stated then & repeated now ~ some of the blessings could be duplicated (recounted) on the list.  But, most will be blessings we are currently receiving/acknowledging.

So the list continues.....with the Lords grace it will never end!

1151. a bathroom makeover
1152. Amy's love for cooking
1153. Will willingness to help/assist
1154. James pulling the stinky carpet out of the bathroom
1155.  clear pool water
1156. children overcoming fear of the waterslide
1157.  watching Amy & Will love on our friends
1158.  fresh tomatoes
1159.  chocolate cupcakes
1160.  homemade bread
1161. discovering the laundry soap bucket wasn't empty afterall (but it is now)
1162.  healthy, growing chickens
1163.  dollar stores
1164.  long, sunny summer days
1165.  picking the first vegetables from the garden
1166.  hugs & kisses
1167.  our little friend running through the church parking lot to greet Mr. Dreg and Miss Donna
(thanks Ragen!)
1168.  rocking chair cuddles with Sara
1169.  funny puppies learning to walk/hop/skip/slide
1170.  unexpected grocery store sales
1171.  cookouts
1172. lots of fabric ~ the possibilities are endless
1173.  air conditioning
1174. easy breathing (I have asthma)
1175.  Gregs new glasses
1176.  anticipating visits from Mom, Katie, Bryant, Rob, Andy & Amy
1177. many visit with Allen & Jennifer in GA
1178.  fresh cut grass & someone to cut it
1179.  completion of homeschool year #16
1180.  Katie's healthy pregnancy
1181. Anticipation of our first grandchild
1182.  friendly faces
1183.  kind words
1184.  yarn & crochet hooks
1185.  having "too" many projects (much better than nothing to do)
1186.  getting new windows
1187.  Roo cups from Kangaroo gas station (after you buy the cup, summer refills for .25)
1188.  sweet tea
1189.  laundry hanging on the line
1190.  blooming flowers
1191.  vegetable plants growing out of their boxes
1192.  extra yard space
1193. being a homemaker
1194. being Gregs helpmeet
1195.  being a Mom to 7 blessings
1196.  being a "mentor" at times
1197. being the menu planner/meal cooker ~ with help from Amy
1198.  being able to read Gods Holy Word
1199.  being a child of God
1200. freedom to worship the Lord, Jesus Christ 
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty"   Revelation 1:8

 It was very easy to come up with those 50 blessings.  Some cost money and some don't.  Some are gifts I've been given and some I can give.  Blessings are all around us everyday.  Even in tough situations, where you thing nothing good could come of it...there is always a blessing ~ it just may take a while to recognize it.  Seeing the blessings is a conscience effort ~ you do have to look, they may not appear to be blessings at first.  But they are there.

You could start with easy ones...
life
breath
family
friends
a pet
food
cold drink  

Have fun counting!  
And I would love to hear about your blessings!

Oh, the numbers are just a fun counting process ~ it should not be seen in any "level" of importance.  My life as a child of God is much more important, followed by my husband, and family than any of the others listed before or after! 

**Scripture from the ESV Bible version.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Garden is Growing, & Soup was cooking

Our garden was great when we left to go to GA 2 weekends ago...I always worry about it while I'm gone ~ I don't know if James if going to water it or is Oreo going to find a way to get over the chicken wire, or is something going to come wipe it all out....all have happened before.  

But not this time...I cannot believe the growth and the general great health of all the plants ~

picked my first 1 1/2 of green beans!

squash anyone?  Today I picked 2 yellow squash!

Tiny cucumbers forming


more tomatoes!
 I've got lots of green tomatoes ~ just waiting for those morsels of yumminess to turn red so I can eat them!  Love, vine ripe, homegrown tomatoes!


check out the size of that cabbage ~ thats a regular, standard size laptop, not a notebook!

Greg's new glasses!
OK, true confessions....I did not grow that cabbage ~ I did buy it at the Farmers Market on Saturday.  The guy was selling these huge things for $4 each ~ how can I pass up that bargain? Thats a 10-12 pound cabbage. It'll make tons of coleslaw.  He said that he had one that was 18 pounds and folks were coming by and getting their picture made with it...then he sold it ~ for $4!  This one will be coleslaw, fried cabbage (Gregs grandmothers recipe) and added to vegetable soup.    What we will do with the rest?  I don't have a clue!

Monday I made this huge pot of chicken noodle soup!  We ate our fill for lunch and then canned 6 quarts for the future.
 I can't give an exact recipe for the chicken noodle soup.  I boiled 4 large chicken breasts and then deboned and cut the pieces up.  I added extra stock to what was in the pan + 2 or 3 cans of cream of chicken, salt, pepper, basil, onion & garlic powders, canned peas and canned carrots.  We cooked 2 boxes of tri color noodles and then added to the soup.  My pot was as full as it could get without overflowing.  It was yummy and I have 6 quarts for future lunches or dinners.

We are about to start a bathroom overhaul.  Our Master bath downstairs had carpeting throughout.  Sunday night, the potty decided to flood on the carpet.  We could not get it dry or get rid of the "dead fish smell"~Amy's description.  James and Will got all the carpet and padding up ~ lets just say, I don't think that was the first flood in there.  We've decided to spruce the whole thing up...new flooring~not carpet, painting the walls and cabinets, replacing the drawer pulls etc.  Greg came up with a beach theme.  We are going with crisp white cabinets, blue walls, and a bleached driftwood color for the floor.  Either a vinyl, wood looking tile or a fake, engineered wood product made for bathrooms.  We've got shells & candles & lighthouses to decorate with already!  Thats our project for the weekend.  I'll take some before pics and then after pics.  Sorry, use your imagination on the red carpet ~ I didn't get a pic of it...couldn't stand the odor. 

I am linking up with

and
and

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Day with a Migraine

It started off with pain.
Would ease for a bit & then return.
Was not a fun day.
Made it from the bed to the sofa.
Lounged all day.
Greg cooked dinner ~ Abners Fried Chicken!
Its better now but not gone.
Praying its gone before morning.
And thankful its only the 2nd one in a year.

Good night all!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Stone Mountain part 2

Lemon Face Bobby

Amy eating sweet potato fries ~

Thanks for the passes Aunt Janet!

The climbers waiting in line!

Jennifer & Allen ~ got the harnesses on, ready to go!

Bethany
Ben

Will


Ben

Love this!  Bobby needed a little helping hand & Allen was ready to help!
 Some of the steps to the platforms were a little too far apart for Bobby's 6 year old legs.  Bobby was a little trooper and made it through 2 of the 3 ropes courses. 
Brenda, Allen, Jennifer, Bobby, Will

Greg & I ~ love this picture Amy took of us!
Amy, Granny, Greg and I were the "ground crew" for all the climbers.  Amy and I were able to walk up the stairs to take pictures of our daredevils~  it was a fun day.  Lots of laughter, pictures, etc.  Thanks family for the fun time!  And a huge thank you to my Aunt for the attraction passes!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

A Day at Stone Mountain part 1

Allen & !

3 of the 7 blessings!  Amy, Allen, Me, & Will

3 + blessings ~ Allens girlfriend Jennifer
My sister Brenda, Mom and I

Carving on Stone Mountain ~ taken while riding the skylift to the top

Al & Jennifer

Bobby looking at the skyline of Atlanta with a little boost from sister Bethany

What a polite boy scout!  Helping Granny over the uneven surfaces.

Our own "School" group!

Jennifer, Allen, Ben, Bethany, Bobby, Brenda, Amy, Will

Bobby & Bethany looking for shrimp in the shallow pool on top of mtn.  ~ and they found one!

cutesy couple!
Daredevil Monkey
this one too!


lots of fun on the ropes course







Brenda had to join the fun!

What a good sport Jennifer was.  At one point she yelled to Amy "you can't catch me if you are taking pictures!"

Allen & Bobby

Hi Granny!
Blogger isn't letting me upload all the pictures at once.  You would think it would be used to my picture uploading by now.  So, more later........

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Simply a Flag & Flowers





massive hydrangea bloom


Massive Hosta

flowers from Allen & Jennifer for Mothers Day

Granny's flowers from Allen & Jennifer

Mom's roses from Greg

my roses from Greg

cheerful geranium
I am linking up with...

http://mysimplecountryliving.blogspot.com/2012/05/country-homemaker-hop-20_15.html
and
http://raisinghomemakers.com/2012/homemaking-link-up-77/
and
http://www.oursimplefarm.com/2012/05/simple-living-wednesday-link-up_15.html