These are a Few of My Favorite Things!!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes

Silver white winters that melt into spring

These are a few of my favorite things!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember

my favorite things

and then I don't feeel so bad!

It's a good thing you can't hear me singing this song!! You don't know how lucky you are!! I like to really belt it out when I'm alone!

Darb and I have a new obsession Favorite Thing! So she told me to blog about it! It's a line of products at Bath and Body and I just love it. And right now my purse is full of some coupons so I've really been stocking up! With the holiday season approaching, they are having some great deals!

 It's the Aromatherapy SLEEP Lavender and Vanilla goodies!

 

This is the lotion and I keep a bottle in my bedroom, my purse, and at work on my desk! Just a little obsessive, huh?
 

And this is the Body Wash that doesn't last a long time in my shower and now I know why!! Yes, Miss Darb tends to take her showers in my bathroom and has confessed she loves it too!
 

And now for the newest member in my house! The PILLOW MIST! Wowie Wow Wow! It's the hightlight of Darb and I's day!  We can't wait to get in bed and mist our pillows!  We like to believe that it "makes us sleep like a baby". Actually I think when my head hits the pillow, I "drop like a rock", after dealing with fifteen 8 year olds for 7 hours a day!
 
I just had to share! Maybe I'll have a weekly "Favorite Thing!!"  If you have any, I would love to hear some!

Happy Birthday Momma!

Today is my Mom's 74th birthday!  She probably won't read this blog but I still want to "give tribute" and brag on her.  She is currently living in Texas with my sister and her husband.  My Dad passed away of a sudden heart attack on July 3 of this year and because she has Alzheimers, she cannot live alone.  The journey that my family has been on since that day has been hard and emotional.  My mom stayed with my family/we stayed with her for 2 weeks after my Dad's funeral.  And now my mom is quite far away.  This is the first time I haven't been geographically close to my mom (other than my college years!)  It is quite uneasy and odd.  I talk to Mom about every day on the phone but to not "SEE" her is very different.  My mom has always been my "ally". I could go to her or her to me if my sister or my dad had us exasperated! Our relationship is very different now...our conversations are very different. That is not a bad thing just an adjustment.  She is unable to retain the memory that my dad is gone so we speak now as if Dad is still alive. I have mixed feelings about that. She doesn't have to bear the burden of grieving or mourning my Dad gone and I'm thankful for that, but many times I wish I could share MY sadness and grief with her. I wish I could cry to her.  My Mom is a really strong person.  She loves her family very much, particularly her 4 grandkids.  They are her pride and joy.  Mom is not an "emotional" person.  I have seen her cry only a handful of times. My Mom and Dad were married over 55 years. That is a true accomplishment and endeavor! I'm so proud that they stuck together "in good times and in bad, and in sickness and in health." When we broke the news to her about Dad, she handled it so well and so controlled. Her first words were "This is how he would have wanted it."  I said to her a couple of days later, "Mom, why do you not break down and bawl like I do on things?" She simply said, "I just know that if I start, it may be very hard to stop."  I respected that but I worry about her. I have watched the roles of my mom and I reverse.  My mom was always the one who took care of me...the way a mother does.  And now, my sister and I are going to care for her.  She is constantly saying that we don't need to deal out her pills to her, do her laundry, run her bath water, fix her meals, etc.  but that is what God intended and that is what we will do.

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12)

That is what my Dad would want.  That is what I promised my Dad I would do. So....... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I will miss seeing my mom on her birthday, but we will talk and we are sending her flowers. She will say, "You shouldn't have done that!" This is a joyous and happy day for me to celebrate.  We love you and are so happy to have you for our Mom and Grandma!! 

Thank you for allowing me to share my mom's special day with you! 

I Celebrate Your Life

Mom, your birthday means so much to me,
To have you in my life another year,

The time I spent enfolded in your love,

Each day, each moment with you is so dear.

I cherish the very special bond we have.

You lift my spirit in so many ways.

I celebrate your life; I honor you,

And send to you my love and care and praise.

By Joanna Fuchs

Mom, Lace, and I at Lacey's bridal shower in May of this year

My Mom and her brother and some of their grandkids

January 23, 1955

Darb, Grandma, and Grandpa on Halloween quite a few years ago!!

My mom and I

Mother's Day 2010

Weekend Getaway...

My hubby and I took a quick (and I mean quick...approx. 33 hours) trip to Branson on Sat/Sun. We had a free night at a motel on 76 strip so we loaded up the SeaDoo and away we went Sat. a.m. We had a great time...went to our fav place on the lake (Cricket Creek) down in Arkansas and rode around on the water for a couple of hours, went out to eat and did some fun shopping at the Landing. Sunday we went to church and then did some more shopping in downtown old Branson. It was "Fiddlers" weekend so lots of music. I got to do a lot of flea marketing and that was some great therapy! Got a few goodies!!

Hopefully will sit down when a football game is on and embroidery a cute little something on this apron!!

I loved these napkin/bread covers someone had made!! The ric rac sold me!!

I've been watching for some candy/apothecary jars...these were only $2.95.  My Grandma used to have refrigerator dishes and I always loved them. I remember thinking how fancy they were for "LEFTOVERS!"  No Tupperware or Rubbermaid back then!!  And I've never had a lemon juicer so for $3.50 I'm excited!

So it was a great trip and a fun getaway!!  This week I'm motivated....I'm tackling some of those "projects" I've been putting off.  Lace has me inspired...she's working on painting a couple of old chairs and a side table to go in her new school office. Cute colors!!

I have my new cabinet sitting in my garage just waiting to be made over! The list never ends, huh?

Today was a beautiful day!!  I'm not ready to give up on Summer weather yet. But I'm very excited to get my Fall decorations out.  Sept. 1 signals fall to me!! Are you in the mood for Fall???

Have a great Tuesday! God Bless!!

Flea Market Fun!!

I finished my first full week of school with kids.  Whew!  It actually went very well and I'm really enjoying these little people. I have to giggle often through the day at the things they say!! They are very affectionate and sweet and each one is soooooooo unique. One little guy is blind in one eye and was supposed to get his new glasses Friday so he was happy, but informed me that he is also "Death" in his ears.  Now that might be a little iffy.... I also had one little girl who had the most horrifying looking 3" in diameter "wound" on her side (waiting on report as to if it was a spider bite). First day of school and ends up in the hospital for surgery on it.  She is supposed to be back Monday!  I've been praying for her. There are so many kids that need so many prayers and love.

Today, I needed "HOME" therapy. So I lit my candles, turned on my music, had coffee on the porch with Lace and the dogs and got the machines (dishwasher/washer/vacum) a rollin'. Lace and I made a run to Walmart and the flea markets and I made some minor ?? purchases.  I've had my eye on this cabinet, so I "haggled".  Actually I just asked if they would take less! He came down $30.  I'll pick it up tomorrow and post before and after pics about it later! I want to do a distressed look on it.  Not a white white but a "country" white or maybe even on the verge of a linen color??  Any ideas?  I'm hoping to store DVDs and photo boxes in it. 

Then I noticed in a booth some china that was the same pattern that my Grandma Vivien had!!!!!!!!! I literally SHRIEKED out loud! Lace had to calm me and "shhhhh" me down. I grabbed it up quick and took it to the counter for the price of $15. I didn't care if it was $115 or more really, I was SO happy!!  I had been looking on Ebay, etc for it and have never found it. The pattern is Lido W.S. George White. They will always remind me of her!  My Momma inherited Grandma's set when she passed away so it is in a special place at my parent's house.  I remember vividly Grandma always letting me help her set the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She would tell me to go get the special dishes out of the cabinet and I got to set the table. No matter how I set the table, I never did it wrong or was corrected by Grandma. I carried those dishes very carefully and delicately and loved looking at them. Grandma spoiled me 'cause she was a redhead and I was the first grandbaby with red hair...I even got $100 for it clear back in 1959!! I want to dig through pictures now and find some where we used the china. It's hard for others to appreciate the "Specialness" of something from your past and your childhood, but I know you probably have something like that in your life.  I would LOVE to hear about it and the story of it. More than likely your story will bring me to tears! I hope someday one of my girls (or all 3 of them) will want these dishes so they can tell my story of Grandma Vivien.

I also bought some cute little juice glasses.  (5 for $2)

Decorating for Fall has hit me!! I love fall!! (DO NOT LIKE WINTER!!)  I got this pretty afghan, not really a huge bargain but love it on my couch!

On a sad note (Lace will think I'm crazy but I had to tell!), I think my hubby ran over my other pet (Todd the Turtle).  I have been babying this turtle since turtles appear in the spring. Darb and I painted a T on his back and we have always gotten him out of the driveway and to safety.  We would see him down at Lace's house and all over our 5 acres. Even the dogs played with him!  Just last night I moved him out of the driveway, and this morning he was in the dog pen with the puppies.  Then Darb left today and saw a very flattened turtle in the driveway.  She said she could not see a T on the shell but was sure it was Todd. We were both sad! Afraid Daddy was the only one who came up the drive! Yes, Mom's a little saddened. I had to go pick him up and dispose of him...not a pretty sight. Good grief I can't take it!!!

Hope your weekend is off to a great start....Hubby and I are thinking a hot dog on the grill tonight sounds good!! The sun is shining and God is good.!!  Our word for the week in our house was GENEROSITY....With all the generosity that God bestows every day, I have really had it on my mind and heart.

2 Corinthians 9:10-12
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

On one of my chalkboards in my kitchen I have also written:  "It's all about Attitude!!" That was for me!!!  :0)

Have a great Lord's Day tomorrow!

Darb gets to pick the word for next week!!

It's School Time!!

My husband and I completed our week of teacher meetings and the students will begin on Monday.  I was dreading last week...mainly due to just getting back in the swing of it, getting up and out the door, and realizing that summer is over. WHY WHY WHY can't summer be half of the year and then 

s q u e e z e the other seasons in the other half!!! I really love the slow easy pace of summer. We stay up late and love it.  Oh well, here we go. I'm very excited about my new classroom of 3rd graders.  I have 15 on my roster!!! This is my 19th year and I've NEVER had a small class like this!! I cleaned and scrubbed and purged stuff in my room and feel pretty good. I have a new way of thinking (comes with age I believe!). It's called Simplify.  I used to be a "saver"...not a hoarder but a saver. But I bought Peter Walsh's DVD "It's All Too Much". Got me really going and trying to get organized. The "Stuff" can really get a person down and the material "want" can also be a bad influence. Oh, I love to shop and browse and look and buy....but I tend to be a "bargain" "clearance" shopper and I hate to admit it but I have influenced my girls that way too.  My sis in laws, daughters, and I love to hit the flea markets/good wills/salvation army/garage sales/etc to see what trash treasure we can find to transform into something beautiful and unique. They are alot better at it than me!! And I'm not above screeching the tires to pick up something along the road!! Now that about sends my girls through the roof when Mom does that!  I'm always thrilled when bloggers post something they have done with their hands and mind!! I've got my eye on a cabinet right now that I might rescue and redo. I mull things over quite a while before I take the plunge. 

And one last thing....my camera died. It was not an expensive one...just a cheapo digital but I liked it.  Last Sept. when we went on our anniversary/birthday trip to Turks and Caicos, my husband tipped the Hobie Sailboat over TWICE with us on it out in the middle of the ocean (that's another story in itself).My camera was in my hand and I tried to keep it above water. It did pretty good for a while but it has given up. So, do I save up my extra duty pay for a Kitchen Aid mixer OR a new camera???? Hummmmm??? I'm at the mercy of using my daughters' cameras so will attach some pictures soon!! 

Here's a nice picture of a calm ride! (Not us!)

This is moments before we capsized and I feared sharks but kept my camera above water!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!!! I'll let you know how it goes!! I know my feet will hurt!

Pot roast, new potatoes,onions, and fresh green beans going in the crock pot bright and early!

Prairie Flower Farm Giveaway

Stop by and visit Linda at her AWESOME blog!
She is aLoVeLy ChRiStIan PoSiTiVe UpLiFtInG Lady!! She is a inspiration to me everytime I visit her and I know you will feel the same. (Plus she and her girls can cook! You will love her recipes.)

It's Party Time!!

Hello everyone!!!!!!!
Are you ready to have a party? It has been a long time a waitin!!!!!!! I am so excited, because we have much to be thankful over at Prairie Flower Farm.

Low Country Boil Night

Our bro and sis in law (check her out here!) held their 3rd Annual Low Country Boil Night for Family last night.  I think there were about 26 of us. The past two years have been a blast and the food out of this world and couldn't imagine it being any better....BUT...last night they proved ME wrongo!!! My family has had this on our mental calendar all summer anxiously awaiting to hear the date announced!! It really is one of our favorite "treats" of summertime! They are fabulous hosts and hopefully the pictures will give you an idea of what great cooks they are too! I need not say more....the "pictures will do the talkin' ". 

ENJOY! 

It won't be long now!!

Maybe we should eat this way every night!

Newspapers and fingers!!

Lemon and butter...yum yum!!

Cuz Paul and Drakster

Ha wee and P King ready to dig in!!

Auntie L giving it the final touches!!

Butter...butter...and more butter please!!

Newlyweds Lana and Lace (no...not to each other!) Their significant others were chowing down!!

Darb and Naynie

P King and Reedy Bob

Getting ready for Prayer time....God is so good and blessings are abundant!

Roddy and G Pa

G Pa turned 86 in July!!

Bretley loved the corn on the cob!!

Cuz Shanna and Jenna Bear

*What I didn't get a picture of were the breads and desserts which hit the spot too!!

Fresh peaches, ice cream, brownies, cream puffs.....oh good grief!!!

I'm sooooo ready for 2011 ~