Slice of Heaven

On Monday my husband drove me down to where we hope to retire one day. This is New Bern, NC.... one of the prettiest towns ever! We dream of being able to retire here one day, but if we never do, I hope God will have this very same view in front of my mansion in heaven! :o)

Accomplishment

I really am trying to get away from the computer, but wanted to show you something. I started and completed this stitchery this week. This embroidery is a year long series of designs by Kathy Schmitz. There is a different block for each month, this being the block for July. I plan to start on the August block right away, so I can change out my piece next month. Okay, back to the kitchen to unload the dishwasher! (I'm also taking down wallpaper this week!)

I will be MIA for awhile!

Okay guys, I'm going into hiding for awhile. I am getting absolutely nothing done these days. Between Facebook and Blogger, I am wasting too much time on the computer. I have so many things I want to do, so I am trying to limit my time here. However, I will be lurking and still reading my friends... so don't forget me. I'll try to pop in from time to time. :o)

Around the yard

Can you identify this flower? Or, is it a weed? We usually cut it down, but this year it looked so large, we decided to see what it might be. It is pretty. The picture below, I think is definitely a weed, that has been allowed to bloom. I love the pretty flowers in the morning, but look at the next picture to see what happens as the sun comes up.

It hides its flowers! Does anyone know what this is?

I talked April and Troy into trying my cherries yesterday. You can tell by her face that they are still a little tart. I did manage to find one that was pretty sweet. Does anyone know how to remove the pit without destroying the cherry? I thought it might be fun to try to make a cobbler if I can find enough sweet ones.

First vegetables!

Okay, it's a stretch to say I have enough for a pan full of squash. Truthfully, I could have let them grow another day or two. But I couldn't resist picking these this morning. This will be just enough for two people. I'll be cooking for my daughter and myself tonight, so we will get to enjoy the first squash from the garden.

I always cook my squash the same way: use bacon grease in bottom of cast iron pan, slice squash and onion into pan, cover with a little water, cover with a lid and cook until soft (mushy and torn apart). Add water as needed but let the liquid cook out, browning some of the squash on the bottom of the pan. Of course, there is plenty of salt and pepper too.

When I was living in the mountains, one lady cooked hers the same way, but added cornmeal into her dish. The cornmeal cooked up all brown and crunchy with the squash. I tried it once, but mine didn't cook up like hers.

How do you cook your squash?

Cherry Tree

Did I ever tell you that I have a cherry tree? If you click on the picture, you can see that it is loaded with cherries this year. They are turning red, but they are usually eaten by the birds before they get ripe enough for us to eat. Anytime we've ever tried them, they are very sour! We can see this tree from our back porch and enjoy seeing the red cherries while we are sitting outside.

Future projects

How cute are these projects? I love yo-yo's and I love dachshunds... so what better project for me? I can't wait to start on this cute little thing.... can't decide what colors, though.

And this adorable Laundry bag!!! After putting so much time into embroidery, you can bet it will not hang on my clothesline for the birds to find. :o) Now, if I can just put my mind to it and get started on some of these things. The weather is so pretty outside and it's hard to sit down long enough to start (or finish!) a project.

The wreath

Well, I made the wreath. It didn't really turn out exactly like I had envisioned, but it came out. :o) It has been a while since I made a wreath and my hands felt awkward and clumsy. It wasn't as much fun as I had remembered. :o( I had seen a monogram wreath recently online and just had to try to make my own. I cleaned up after the little birds who flew away last week and now my new wreath should be able to hang on the door until the weather turns cool. What do you have on your door?

Thank you, God!

Thank you, God!


thank you God that I did not evolve
but was made

thank you that I bear your image
not the image of chance

thank you that my evil is mine alone
not the fault of some unknown other

thank you that though I die, yet I live
and that in you alone I am remade

~by Peter Rhebergen

Happy Mother's Day

Once upon a time there was this sweet, sweet little girl who loved her mommy. She was always a little clown and it was hard to get her to "be serious" and sit still for a picture. I don't know if this was made at school or at Sunday school, but this cute little girl brought this home to me one year for Mother's Day. I found this little treasure while cleaning in my bedroom this week. It, too, is a privilege to be your mommy, April. See post below for Will's gift.

Happy Mother's Day

Once upon a time, there was this really sweet little boy who went off to elementary school to learn all kinds of wonderful things. I'm not sure which grade this little boy was in when he made the following tribute to me, but I'm guessing kindergarten, first, or second grade. I wish I had written the date on the back of this lovely art work, but I didn't. I'm so glad I saved it. I was cleaning in my bedroom yesterday and ran across this.... just in time to display for Mother's Day. Please click on the picture to see my "one" nostril and my pretty blue eyes. Notice how he said I cooked breakfast for him "about" everyday. That's southern for "almost" everyday. I can just "hear" him telling these wonderful things to his teacher about me... in his little boy voice with the long southern drawl that was so pronounced when he was a little boy. This is my little boy... all grown up now. He is 24 years old.... still has a southern drawl, but has learned to disguise it when he needs to do so. He is married to a beautiful, sweet girl that I've been praying for since he was a little boy. God gave him a wonderful wife who truly adores my little boy... almost as much as I do. ;o) (joke, Ashley)

Thank you, Will, for the privilege of being your mother. You and your sister are the best! (I'll post her little Mother's Day tribute tomorrow.)

Don't forget the hummingbirds

I finally remembered to put my hummingbird feeder out last week. My little bird came to visit the same day I put it out. It's easy to make your own hummingbird nectar . Boil two cups of water and add one half cup sugar... make sure sugar dissolves. Red food color is optional, but I do color my nectar red. Let it cool and that's all there is to it! (you may have to make more or less, depending on the size of your feeder. Just remember: 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water)