My week in pictures

Monday was this:

I received more corn and froze two dozen ears.  This little brush was given to my by my daughter; one she had received as a wedding gift and had no idea what to do with it.  I looked it up and I think the original plan was to use the straw as cake testers to make sure a cake was finished baking.   I have always used it to scrub the silks off my corn... works perfectly.

a trip to Sam's. Peanut butter is on sale this month.

Silver Queen corn from Mr. Donald C.

Tuesday was a day spent on the couch with a stomach bug.  Nothing got marked off my list that day.

On Wednesday I went to Michael's and found a summer wreath for my door.  I spent a little time cleaning the doors and entry way, added a couple flags to my wreath, and Happy 4th of July!  I used to make my wreaths and still hope to get back to that one day.  However, with Michael's 60% off sale, I have learned that I cannot buy all the flowers, ribbon, etc to make a wreath for those prices.  Granted I would have had leftover material to make another, but I tend to rarely use up my scrap ribbons.

I also stopped and bought a fresh geranium and a few perennials

On Thursday I spent most of my day cleaning house.  It was so nice to sit back yesterday afternoon and work on this without feeling guilty because the house was dirty.

Remember in a recent post, I said something about making pretties to use?  Well here I go, embroidering a pretty dish towel for myself.  I stopped by Hobby Lobby on Monday and used my 40% coupon to buy two dish towels.  I had not seen this particular towel design there before.  It feels loosely woven, but oh so soft, so I used a stabilizer on the back.  I'm curious to see how this will wash up and dry in the dryer.

I have plenty of housework that still needs doing, but I tend to ignore my sewing room and my unfinished guest room, that also doubles as hubby's closet for work clothes.  I usually run in there and straighten the room when I know that guests are coming.  This is definitely a near future project, as I am getting serious about wanting a 'put together' room.

my sweet Mama

I have a small collection of Willow Tree angels that always seem to get lost in the shuffle of decorating.  I think I have finally found their home.  The pretty box contains letters from my Sweet Mama and that's her high school picture in the frame.  I scattered the angels around and now I'm ready to collect more!  I sure do miss my Mama.

Happy 4th of July to everyone and stay safe!

A month of grandbabies

Grandma's surprise

A few weeks ago, I planted myself on the couch to take my daily afternoon nap.  Hubby was at work so I knew I had plenty of time for an uninterrupted nap.  I had only been down for a few minutes when I heard the front door open (I thought I had locked it).  I yelled "are you home already?"  I heard the sweet voice of my TN daughter saying "We are! and we are here for two weeks!"  What a great surprise!  I had no idea and they arrived just before Mother's Day.... my April and my Annabelle.  I had not seen them since Christmas, so it was just the most perfect Mother's Day surprise.

It was so cute because Annabelle (now 2 years old) sensed all the excitement in the room, and she danced around and shouted excitement with us!

Then after this little guy graduated from preschool, he called me on the phone one day to let me know he was out of school for summer vacation.  (he is my facetime buddy) He wanted to know if he could spend a week with Grandma.  Of course!! His mom drove for 1.5 hours and I drove for 1.5 hours and we met in Raleigh, so I could bring this precious sweetie home with me for the week.  Papa took us out on the boat, which was really fun.

Before the week was over with Chandler, this big guy called me to tell me he would be out of school later that week.  He wanted to know if he could come home with me when we brought Chandler back to Raleigh the next week.  Of course!!  So I had another fun week with another sweet soul.  

Taken at Chan's  preschool graduation

The little girl in the pink dress (Brinley Kate) hasn't had her turn yet, as her family is heading to the beach this week.  But soon will be her turn to come stay with Grandma and Papa for a few days.

Grandma was actually thankful for the break, because as much fun as it was, Grandma was exhausted!!  God knew what he was doing when he made raising children a young woman's job.  ha ha

Fishing at granddaddy's pond

Supper the first night he was here!

Annabelle left her little pool here, they all enjoyed it!

Mother's Day

Its been a great summer so far!

Testing 1 2 3

Hello out there!  I'm trying a different way of blogging today.  I hope it works, because I miss posting.  I still read blogs most everyday and I love seeing what everyone is up to this summer.

Just a funny Annabelle picture

Since my last post on trying to make lists and get more done, I have to say life has been going better.  I'm not where I want to be, but I have managed to get a few more things checked off my list.  Since I gave up ebaying, I no longer feel the urgency to check the thrift stores several times a week.

I'm trying to keep my 'leaving the house" days to a minimum.  My goal is to only leave two times a week on a normal week.   I feel much more relaxed and can get so much more done on days that I can stay home all day.

I made zucchini muffins this morning using this recipe:  (I hope you can enlarge it if interested)

It's one I found on Pinterest and this is my second time making them.   A nice old timey recipe that is very good.

I made six jumbo muffins and two miniature bundt cakes.  I only have two of the bundt cake pans, but hope to get a few more soon.  These make nice little gifts, especially for single people or couples.

Notice this dish towel.  It's one I embroidered for my grandmother several years ago.  After she died, it was returned to me.... unused.... even though I had told her to please use it.

Once it was returned to me, I thought how silly for us to make pretty things, but never use them.  I have put the towel to good use and think of her when I pull this one from the drawer.  That's another thing I want to do for myself; embroider more pretty dish towels.  I will enjoy them and I know my grandchildren will like them when they visit.

Avery, Chandler, Annabelle, Brinley Kate

Speaking of grandchildren, here they are in a picture we took at Chandler's preschool graduation in May. (He's the cute guy in the necktie)  Annabelle (in green dress) was here visiting with her mom from TN, so it was a rare occasion to get a photo of all my grand's in one photo.

It's been a great summer so far!  I hope yours is going well too.