Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Anticipation Grows....

Our Amaryllis continue to grow.. one is an overachiever and determined to our do the other!  LOL!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Snowman Dishes!

I have a lovely set of Christmas Dishes that hubby and I were give by our parents over the first few years of our marriage... we love using them from Black Friday through New Year's.  This year we have a new to us set to use also.  My son's girlfriend's aunt (got that) had some dishes stored in her attic that she wanted to give away. Girlfriend, knowing I love anything to do with snowmen, snowflakes, etc.  snagged them for me! :-)  Here is a plate..



There are cups, bowls, saucers and serving pieces.  It is a haul!  A huge blessing!  And fun!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas is bursting out all over...

Ok.. I know the song is Spring is bursting out all over, but it's not Spring here and I needed a cute blog title... so allow me a bit of poetic license.

As I have probably mentioned here before, my hubby is very artistic and creative and loves to decorate for the holidays... here is a bit of his Christmas magic that has popped up around our house...

Front Door

Close up of wreath hubby made

Dining room

Nativity (there is an angel on the shelf above.. left him out of the picture!)

Fireplace

Tree.. this is my contribution to the decorating

New to us vintage topper hubby found at a local resale store

Breakfast room table.. I LOVE the jingle bells!

on kitchen counter

den door

utility room door

BELIEVE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!!!!!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Anticipation

Years ago when my husband and I were young-marrieds, he brought home a box... in it was a pot with dirt and this odd looking bulb. It was an amaryllis. We did everything it said to do and were rewarded with a lovely red and white bloom around Christmas.  We have grown a few more over the years, but not in a while.

This year we are "amaryllising" again.. 2!

Here they are a week ago teasing us...




I cannot wait to see them full grown and in full bloom.

Ahhh the anticipation...

Tis the Season.... a very different season....

In September my sweet Momma celebrated her 80th birthday. We had a party. Lots of folks came. It was a blast!  In October she got sick... pneumonia.. 2nd year in a row and when it gets hold it hangs on!  Just as she was getting over it.. still weak, but on the uphill swing, she fell.  Falling is never good when you are 80.  She had just finished talking to me and praise the Lord had placed her phone in the pocket of her robe. So she called me back. I was within a mile of her house and able to get there quickly. For that I am thankful!  I hate the thought of anyone alone and in need of help.  911 was called... they were wonderful... off we went to the hospital.  Bump on the head, but no concussion or brain bleed (another praise).  Broken shoulder, but the bone did not separate, so no surgery. (Praise again!) .. her left arm, not right (Praise!)... but there was a problem.  Mother has a pace maker and is on a blood thinner because of it.  The meds for her pneumonia had messed with the other meds. We knew that was going to happen.. the doctor told us ahead of time... we didn't, of course, anticipate a fall.  Her blood was dangerously thin, so no way could she go home.  She stayed in the hospital getting treated for the blood issue 4 days and finally we came home.  Things seemed ok, but not for long. There was pain... great pain... and not in her arm, but her back and side.  After 2 weeks we finally got to the orthopedic surgeon (who is a bit too cocky and rude for my taste).  Shoulder looks good.. will continue in the immobilizer 3 more weeks (not fun)... x-ray showed no broken ribs as we thought their might be, but there is something on the back.. not sure what.. but he wants a better look. So next Monday we go for a CT scan.. yes Monday. I have NO idea why we cannot go sooner... it is a battle that was waged and lost.. so we wait. I do believe the Lord is once again teaching me patience.

My daughter, soon to be 24, has moved in with my mom. She and I are sharing care-giving duties. This would be much more difficult without her.  The grands call my mother, Mamaw, and when my sweet girl was younger we called her Little Mamaw. She looks like her and has a great deal of her personality. And she is a caregiver by nature.. just like my Mom who has taken care of so many folks in her life.  This makes it very difficult for Mother to be cared for.  I have been amused at how it bothers Mother that I have to help her do things, but she is not phased when it is her granddaughter helping. I believe Mom prefers her in fact!  Again.. they are 2 peas (stubborn peas) in a pod!  who have a very strong bond.

Our Thanksgivings are always fairly laid back, but still we have traditions.  My husband loves to decorate tables and such. Our table on Thanksgiving day will be fulled decked with pine cones and walnuts... persimmons... dried hydrangeas... and other goodies from outside.. as well as various things we have around the house and candles.  It is always lovely and a real treat for us and our guests. Usually we have a small bit of family.. my husband and myself.. my mom.. our 2 kids... after that it is a mish-mash. We invite anyone who has no where to go. We have had elderly friends of my mothers... exchange students from other countries... neighbors... you name it!  None of that happened this year. I cooked Wednesday night and Thursday morning... we trucked the food over to my mom's ... ate there and were thankful not only for the food, but for her being ok... even though in pain. In an odd way, I don't feel we had Thanksgiving this year.

No doubt our Christmas season will be different too.  I have spent a number of Christmases differently. When I was a senior in high school I spent Christmas Eve in the hospital as my grandmother lay dying. After being in ICU and coding, she recovered and lived to see 2 more Christmases.... so 2 years later we were there once again and she went home to the Lord in early January.  My other grandmother died a few days before Christmas after suffering a heart attack and stroke during the Thanksgiving weekend... her husband, my grandfather, died several years later at Christmas... and even my sweet Dad slipped into a coma on Dec 26 and died Jan 2, 1997. I have spent many Christmas seasons waiting on someone to die and attending funerals.  Needless to say it has changed my perspective. At one time this season depressed me.. I kept wondering who would die this year.  That last a few years and then God opened my eyes to see that this is a season of hope and strength and He had given both of those in all the difficult Christmases over the years. He is giving that this year.

My mother is doing better... she will recover. I don't think she will be her former self. She has always been very independent and active. I believe this will slow her down and even tether her a bit.  That saddens me.. and yet, I knew this day would come. I just didn't really want it to happen.  I am my Mother's only daughter... we are closer than most Moms and Daughters... I have the privilege of having that same relationship with my daughter.. I learned how to be a mom from the best one I know.

Our Christmas will be merry and bright.. different.. but good.  We will focus, as we always try to, on Jesus.  He has given us a reminder of who He is.. the Prince of Peace... our Savior... Redeemer... Emmanuel!

Traditions will move forward as always (pictures coming)... and some new things will happen (we are doing stockings only for the kids and each other this year)... it is going to be a wonderful season celebrating the birth of Christ and anticipating His return!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

30 Days of Thanksgiving

During the month of November, I tweeted something I was thankful for each day.  Here is the list:


Day 1:  Amazing Grace

Day 2:  A Godly Mother

Day 3: Romans 8:28 .. out of a mess, He brings good!

Day 4: The Word of God... which is alive and active... never ends... leads, guides, comforts, encourages, enlightens and so much more!

Day 5: My sweet husband... no doubt God made us for each other!  

Day 6: My church home... a pastor who preaches the Word with boldness and truth.... a worship leader who knows worship is more than music... a youth pastor who raises the bar... a family of believers who pray and love on each other... a place we can be real... God is at work there and I consider it a privilege and blessing to be a part of it.

Day 7: His mercies are new every morning... Great is His Faithfulness!!!!  

Day 8: the freedom & privilege to VOTE!  &  Day 9: Nature... fall leaves, spring flowers, summer warmth, crisp winter days

Day 10:  Thankful for my daugher, Katherine.  She is my heart...  beautiful inside and out with the most amazing smile! 

Day 11: Thankful for son, Luke.  He is my sunshine... brings music to my life... has taught me what true worship is.

Day 12: Thankful for many sisters in Christ who love & encourage... & provide accountability. 


Day 13: Thankful for a Daddy who loved me unconditionally... supported me... prayed for me ... I miss him so!

Day 14: Thankful for peace in the midst of craziness (another word for life) .... HIS peace.... the only True Peace there is!  

Day 15: Thankful for Emergency Responders who treated my mother with dignity and respect... and for Hospital staff who are doing the same. 

Day 16: Jesus Paid it ALL!

Day 17: Thankful (again) for my mom.. what a blessing to watch her smile through the past few days.. share Jesus with medical staff... and praise Him in the midst of rough circumstances!

Day 18: Thankful I don't have to do life in my own strength, instead my strength come from the Lord! 


Day 19: Thankful for a warm bed and cozy home... praying for the many who do not have the basic comforts I take for granted. 


 Day 20: Thankful for God's provision from shelter & food.. to strength & peace.. He never fails to give me whatever I need!  

Day 21:  Thankful for the beauty of nature... God is the master artist!

Day 22: Thankful for my senses that allow me to enjoy God's creation.

Day 23: Thankful for Rest.. not just physical rest, but true rest... resting in the Lord!

Day 24: "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him."  Ps 103:10-11

Day 25:  My 3 "big" brothers... God gave me a biological brother, a half-brother & a heart brother to love. 

Day 26: My Nieces & Nephews... I have a slew all over the US... OR, OK, TX, NJ, NC, MS, LA... & love them all!

Day 27: “Look, I am coming soon! ... I am the Alpha & the Omega, the First & the Last, the Beginning & the End." Rev. 22:12-13 

Day 28: Warm clothing. Quilts. Heat. Shelter. Many spend winter in the cold shivering while I take for granted warmth

Day 29: Thankful that I do not have to walk this journey alone... Never will He leave me! Couldn't make it a step without Him!

Day 30: Thankful that 30 days of Thanksgiving is the absolute tiniest tip of the iceberg. My thankful for list goes on forever!

If you would like to follow me on twitter, my account is @Barbara914

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Her Children Will Rise Up and Call Her Blessed....

My sweet Momma celebrated her 80th birthday on September 21.  The weekend after was our official celebration.   We had a couple of family dinners and my brothers came in from out of town, but the big do was a surprise party that Saturday afternoon.  We held it at a local center in our town where my mom volunteers.  Hubby and I did the set-up and take down... food, flowers and decorations ... inviting etc. with lots of help from our kids and their significant others.  I have to say though, the vast majority of the work and what kept everything running smoothly was that man of mine!  He is a big ole sweet fella with a heart of gold. Many of Mom's friends thought he was the caterer and commented on needing his name and number.. they might want to hire him.  Hmm...could be a side job in his future.  LOL!

Mother had a great time. We hoped for 50 - 60 folks. Had over 100!  All 4 of her children came with their spouses.  3 of the 11 grandchildren were there with their honeys and 1 of the 10 great-grands.  We are a scattered bunch, so it is tough to get us all together in the same place.

Here are some pictures from the day.....








Monday, October 10, 2011

Young Love...

I have prayed over the years for our children and their future spouses and while no one is engaged at this date love is definitely in the air.  Honestly, we never encouraged dating. That sounds strange to many, but hear me out. There is no reason to latch on to another person and spend lots of alone time with them just for fun.  We felt it better that our kids spend time with friends.. developing friendships.. and when they found someone they had a deeper interest in.. someone they felt God was leading them to.. then they would prayerfully move forward to see where the relationship was to go.

Our daughter wholeheartedly agreed. Not so much our son. He was interested in a few girls in his teen years and did quasi-date them. I say quasi-date because they met through church activities and their dates consisted of going to youth group events or our with family.  All these were extremely short lived relationships.

In the summer of 2009 while at Camp, he met a girl briefly. They linked up on Facebook as kids do and found they had mutual friends.  Over the next few months their friendship grew and they eventually decided they wanted more. That was 2 years ago this December.  My husband and I feel sure that she is our future daughter-in-love and we are thrilled.  They are just so made for each other. Both have a heart for ministry... they lead worship together... they do Bible study together... pray together... it is just awesome to see! They also act silly and laugh and giggle and occasionally get miffed... all those things that come with love.  Our son is in college.. so no wedding bells for a few more years.  He has to be done with school and able to support a wife ... and children!



Our daughter has recently started seeing a young man.  Because he lives in another town, we have not had as much time to get to know him. That will come.  He is a cute fella.... not that looks matter... and the more I see them together ... well, the more I see them TOGETHER.. Know what I mean? They fit each other well. They have similar wants and desires for their futures. I love that he is very supportive and encouraging to her.  My husband says "He treats her well".. that is important to a dad.  (Sidenote... poor guy can never be good enough for her... that is part of the Daddy code) They are a bit challenged by the distance but modern technology helps... skype, emails, texts etc. make us a lot closer than we really are... and both of them know the drive between where he lives and where we live very well!  They are in that early stage of a relationship where they are getting to know each other... pondering the possibility of a future together... no wedding bells there either... but I wouldn't be surprised to hear them coming their way one day.



And so now my prayers are slightly changed. I pray for these possible future spouses by name.. and while some of the things I prayed for in the past are still on the list, there are new things being added as we all get to know each other.

My kids are 4 1/2 years apart... I thought God did that to space things for me... I have a feeling that won't be true with weddings... I expect these 2 will come within a year of each other at most.  Should be a wild ride... just sitting back and waiting for lift off!

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Lovely Bowls....

I love old things... vintage some might say.  My favorites tend to be things that have been passed down through the family... glassware from my grandmothers, quilts they made, embroidered linens, cast iron.... even knick knack type things.  And occasionally I will purchase something "old."

So recently I was drawn to a set of Pyrex bowls at an estate sale. Saw them on Day 1.  Full set.. great color and pattern... loved them... but did I want to spend the $.  Not that day.

Mentioned them to my husband who immediately said "Buy them!"

We went back on day 2... they were still there.. 25% off... nope, just couldn't do it. I decided that if they were there on Sunday at 50% off I would do it!

So back we went after church Sunday and there they sat patiently waiting for me to come and take them home.

Aren't they cute?!



And here is the kicker... these were not cheap... even at 505 off... they are considered collectible by many... so what do I do with them? Are they displayed on a shelf or in a cupboard? Nope!  I USE them! Life is too short to only display the special things!  I am enjoying the heck out of them. The big one is perfect for muffins and cookies.. the next size down is now my favorite bowl for pancake batter.. I love the way the handles are made so that one is a bit wider to act as a handle and the other narrower and tapered to be a spout. Love it! Why don't they make bowls this cute and functional any more!?



Both my kids like these. I think I will keep my eyes open for a set to put up for each of them to have when they start their own home. And I think I will keep my eyes open for more vintage goodies for me to enjoy today!

Barb

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Snowy Surprise

I live in a part of the US where snow is extremely rare... especially real snow. We get excited over a flurry of flakes and if anything actually sticks, well we shut down our businesses and hunker down for the "blizzard!"  Despite the lack of snow here (or maybe because of it) I love things with snow flakes or snowmen on them.  A dear friend, who lives where it really snows!, knows my love of snowy things and sent me the cutest happy recently.  It was truly a surprise and I cannot wait to wear it come winter.



I wonder if I wore it now if I would feel cooler?  Might have to give that a try!


Friday, July 22, 2011

Wrens!

My last post talked about my obsession with dachshunds... well one of my other obsessions is birds.. OUTSIDE birds. I am not a fan of birds inside in cages, but boy do I adore the ones out in our yard who flit here and there and sing, sing, sing!  My mom is a bird nut and no doubt passed the love of our feather friends on to me and I have done my best to pass it on to my kiddos.

We have a small covered patio right outside our back doors and we almost always have a wreath or basket hanging on the wall. Over the years we have had birds.. usually wrens.. nest there. We have watched the momma and daddy flit in and out building the nest and feeding the babies... we have listened to them chirp warnings and such to each other... heard the babies calling for food (boy can they get loud when they are hungry!)... and we are rather use to being dive bombed when we open the door to go outside. It has been a year or two since we have had a nest and I, for one, have been missing those little birdies. So I was super excited to see a nest being built recently and then to hear baby birds chirping away.  I kept wanting to grab a photo, but never seemed to have the time. Last night my husband... who is 6'5" and can peek in to the nest with ease!... said "You better snap a picture tomorrow.. these babies are about to fly the coop!"  So I grabbed a stool and my camera and snap a couple of shots today.  He is right... the bitty babies are not so small anymore.. no doubt they will be leaving soon... I am thinking before the weekend is out. I will miss them a bit... but it is time.  I think I will feel that way when my own nest is empty.  :-)


Those Crazy Furbabies .....

As anyone who knows me or reads my blogs knows, we have 2 furbabies in our home.  I grew up with dachshunds and am totally obsessed with the crazy things!  They are, to me, the best dogs ever! Not perfect... not by a long shot!  But I love pretty much everything about them from their regal snout to their massive need for belly rubs! They are just wonderful!

2 years ago this past May, my husband brought me a fuzzy red male dachshund... a miniature long haired one. I was use to smooth coats, so this fuzziness took a bit of getting use to.  3 months later we went and got another one!  This time a girl... black and tan... another mini and long-haired.  They are as different as night and day at times, but as close as litter mates.  And they provide a great deal of entertainment in our home.

It was obvious early on that Mac was all about playing and toys. He has soooo much energy!  Unfortunately, he loved chewing up and destroying his stuffed toys... which led to surgery and a week at the vets (don't ask about the bill!) so those toys are now banned from the house. He loves to run and fetch and play keep away.  We found these wonderful balls made for dogs that do the trick. They look like tennis balls, but are not that fuzzy texture. They are a fairly hard rubber. This is the only toy he does not chew up!  Mac's ball has become a pacifier. He carries it everywhere!  Even to eat!



How on earth he is able to empty out that small bowl when the ball takes up all that room, I will never know.



But he does!



Mia occasionally snatches the ball. She loves to lay on it and torture Mac, who will just sit and whine for it.  I have no idea why he will not take it from her. Normally he is the top dog... very much the dominant personality. He can bug the snot out of Mia.. jump on her.. wrestle her... but he will not take a toy from her. Go figure!

Overall, Mia is not a toy lover. She can pretty much take them or leave them except when we are gone and put them in their room.  I always toss in the 2 balls and 2 Nylabones (great for pets would chew!).  Inevitably when I return I hear muffled barks... I will find Mac with his ball in his mouth and Mia with BOTH bones in hers!  I so wish I could capture that sound and post it here. It is hilarious!



Miss Mi is always so proud of herself for having those 2 bones in her mouth!  It really is the funniest thing to see. When I take down the baby gate, she will prance out with great pride and then run and hide so Mac won't get the bones. She hates to let them go!



I wonder what I have in my life that is like Mac's ball to me... my pacifier or security blanket... that thing I think I must have to be secure... or what I snatch onto and clinch in my jaws for dear life like Mia and those bones.  I suspect I look as silly to God as the pups do to me. And just as I say things like "You would enjoy that meal better without a ball in the bowl!", I suspect He says the same to me.  And just as Mia's barks are muffled when those bones are in her mouth, I wonder if my prayers are "muffled" when I am chewing on something I should put down?

Ahh those wiener dogs... entertainment and object lessons... got to love 'em!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Has it been that long?!.. and the specialness of today...

I am shocked and appalled at myself!  It has been forever (OK... 4 months) since I blogged.  That is terrible!  And sadly I didn't realize it had been that long. I know I kept saying "I need to do some blogging"  and then I would get busy and think... "Tomorrow"... I just didn't realize how many tomorrows came and went since the last blog.  And so many other links in the journey... more than I can remember and write here.. Mia celebrated her 2nd birthday... Hubby celebrated his day too (a few more than 2!)... our son completed his first year of college debt-free and with great grades... our daughter totalled her car (which she loved) and has been on a 2 month journey to find a new (to her) one (and no, she has not found it yet)... the flowers I love so much in our yard have basically withered and die due to extreme heat and drought in our part of the world... it has been a harsh summer and isn't over yet.... our air conditioning, on its last leg, is being coddled and nursed by our repair guy who plans to replace the whole kit and caboodle (but hopes to make it to fall before he has to climb up in our attic and work!)... much more has occurred... most of it will be forgotten (some already has been!)... the journey has continued, but I confess the joy has wavered some and given way to a bit of weariness and apathy. 

And yet there is a deep abiding joy in my heart today... a thankfulness and love for God and the beauty of His plan for my life.  The summer after my freshman year in college I swore off boys... I was just tired of them... tired of the one at home who took for granted I would always be there when he wanted me to be... tired of the one I had dated that year in college who wanted to map out my life by his terms (I have to laugh.. he told me if we were to marry I would not be allowed to work outside the home. I was furious!  The funny thing is years later I was a stay-at-home wife and mom who homeschooled her children!  The difference? It was my choice.. with God and my husband, but not an order.)... I had lost myself... too busy trying to be who other people wanted me to be. So I set out to find me. I worked full time that summer at my mother's store (trust me, she did not believe in giving her kids a cushy job... I worked!)... I joined an exercise place (this was 1981... no gymns, but there were fitness centers for ladies)... I ate healthy, exercised. worked and started talking to God again... truly talking and listening at times.  I was happy and content with my life.. no need for a guy.. I had God and I had me.. that was enough.

My hometown has a small local theater group... NLT.  Each summer, high schoolers put on a play. The director was a sweet spunky lady named Frances.  I came to help her with props and such and ended up the assistant director.  It was a blast!  We were set to open July 17, 1981 (a Friday night). It would be a short 2 night run... just long enough to show off to all the parents and friends who would be coming.  On July 14, Frances told me I would need to pull the stage curtain between acts. I said fine and went to give it a yank. Ha!  It would not budge for me.  I went back to Frances and told her we had a problem. "Well, you could ask Bill to do it. He is the stage manager for the theater and will be here every night."  "Who is Bill?"  To which she relied... "Bill C.  Don't you know him?"... and then with a smile and a bit of a twinkle in her eye "You should meet him."  She pointed me to a small group of young adults and specifically to a man with wild curly hair.  Even sitting I could tell he was tall (6'5"... 1 foot taller than me!) I went over.. introduced myself and asked him about pulling the curtain for me. He smiled the entire time I talked.. the best smile (I see that smile in his children today)... and said "Sure."  And then I noticed that his eyes smiled. It was the cutest thing (still is!).

I had no idea that this tall fella would ask me out 2 nights later.. and that we would have our first date on July 17, 1981 and get married on July 17, 1982!  Here I had sworn off boys... and God dropped the most wonderful man right into the center of my world! 

It has been 30 years since that faithful meeting (which wasn't really our first meeting, but that is another story!). I would love to say it has been a fairy tale perfect 30 years... it hasn't been.  The first year I was 5 hours away at college... not an easy way to build a relationship and plan a wedding.. long before Internet and Cellphones (oh the phone bills!  But oh the letters.. real ones.. on paper that you had to wait for!).  The 29 years of marriage (which we will celebrate this Sunday) have had lots of ups and downs and twisty turns and loop-de-loops.... hard times.. sad times... happy times... and more blessings and grace than we ever deserve!  I expect the roller coaster to continue, but I also know we will live Happily Ever After because we both know the Lord and know exactly where we will be for all eternity.  Until then, we will walk hand in hand through this journey God has given us relishing in its Joy!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Patiently Waiting....

Mac has an uncanny ability to know when I am talking to my husband or one of the kids on the phone. He also knows when they are soon to be home.  Case in point.... son has been gone for a few days working at a youth retreat out of town. He calls to say he is back in town and on his way to the house.  At some point in my conversation with him, Mac realizes it is Luke and he drops his ball and stops playing and heads for his perch on the couch. Our den door opens onto a covered patio which connects to our garage. That perch provides a clear view to the door and anyone coming in.   Luke has a tendency to give a good bit of notice when he calls.. often as much as 5 minutes.  But Mac, who is normally ADD and a bit hyper, will sit and wait for whomever is returning home. And so he did with Luke:




Mac adores his family. He is happiest when everyone is home where he thinks they belong. If I believed in reincarnation, I would say Mac was my dad in his past life. Daddy was the same way... he would say he liked having all his chicks in the nest.  :-)

Both the chicks in the nest here are young adults. One right out of college and one in college. And both will be flying the coop soon. I use to wonder how I would do once the nest was empty... I think Mac will be there to commiserate with me. In fact, I may end up consoling him more than he consoles me!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Just 'cause....

My sweet husband of 28+ years and I went out to eat Friday night and afterwards we strolled around and did a bit of looking and shopping... among our meager purchases was this...




from Hubby to me.... no special occasion... no making up for making me mad... just 'cause.  "Just 'Cause" flowers (and phone calls and notes and kisses and such....) are the best!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

In like a lamb.....

March most definitely came in like a lamb here. It was one of the most beautiful days. Temps in the 60s, lots of sunshine, soft breezes.... truly lovely. I even saw my first butterfly of 2011 fluttering about the yard.

After being inside all morning, I decided to get out and grab some of this day.  Now normally that would mean something like taking a walk (I had actually done that already) or sitting in my glider to read or at one of our outside tables to eat lunch or read or work on Bible study.. I opted for none of the above. Instead, I donned some jeans and a t-shirt and added a floppy straw hat and my pink crocs .. grabbed a basket and my pink gardening gloves and set out to weed the flowerbed. (Why do we say weed when what we really are doing is de-weeding?)

I have to stop here and say that this is totally out of my nature. I have weeded many times, but I don't recall every choosing to do it!  Normally my husband will say "We need to clean up the beds today"and so I get the task of sitting on the ground and pulling up weeds.  It is not a task I normally enjoy and yet yesterday I did. I wonder what my husband has been praying for me? LOL!

I pulls weeds for about an hour. Here is one area of the bed that is now weedless (ok, mostly weedless... there seems to always be those that turn invisible while you are pulling!)


It may not be the prettiest looking flower bed just yet. We need to add some fresh straw or mulch over the now exposed soil. But earlier in the day you could see none of that brown soil due to weeds. (Should have taken a before shot!)

Here is the result of my efforts:


Not completely full, but about 3/4s.  Pretty good amount of weeds, I say!

I also played with the pups a bit. Mac is getting better at bringing his ball back to me and actually letting me have it to throw again... that is until he is tired of the game or gets distracted.  We played ball for quite a while.  It was a special day for Mac. His 2nd birthday!  He has no idea what that means, but he liked it because every so often I would tell someone "Today is Mac's birthday!" or I would just scoop  him up and say something that included the word "Birthday" and he got lots of attention and love.  So for him birthday means good stuff!

Here is the birthday boy:


And yes, his coat is a soft and silky as it looks!


I love this shot, he seems to be lost in thought. Actually my guess is he is pondering how to catch one of those pesky squirrels that taunt him so.

Miss Mia was, as usual, not interested in posing for the camera. She had bugs and such to hunt:



And finally, here is a shot of me. Oh my!


I decided that I am becoming an Old Southern Woman... hat and all! LOL! At least I am an Old Southern Woman who is choosing to find joy in this journey God has for her.

Barb

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Just a week...

What a difference a week can make. Last Wednesday night kids in our area were praying for a snow day. Keep in mind that I live deep in the sunny south... Mississippi... where snow is a rarity.  Schools had already missed two days earlier this year for snow days .. which ended up being ice days instead, so schools were hesitant to close.  Well we did get snow... a dusting of it... it was a "snow" day but the kids still went to school. Roads were clear, no ice (Praise the Lord!) so off they went.

I didn't take any pictures the days we had ice. Wish I had.. ice is much more dangerous around here than snow and not as rare, but it is also beautiful.  I did, however, venture forth in the aftermath of our blizzard (LOL!) and take photos of our snow.  Check it out...

Mia isn't sure what to think of this stuff....


Here is a bit collected on a crape myrtle.. 


I love the way our Magnolia looks with snow... 


Especially up close....


A week later all the windows are open and the back doors too.  I am barefooted and my son is relishing shorts weather!  The sun is shining soo bright.. there is not a cloud in the sky... the temps are in the mid70s and the humidity has settled down to a reasonable level.  Here we are a week later.... 

Mia is now fascinated by the new green grass and clover popping up... 


Lots of lush clover!


And even a dandelion bloom... 


I noticed that the watermelon crape myrtle has berries all over it. Soon there will be green leaves and then blooms!  When we moved into this house 20 years ago, my husband vowed that he was going to move that tree because it is up against the house and really not visible except from my corner of the back yard (which wasn't my corner yet).  Notice the tree is still there.. and I am happy about that. :-)


Put out a spring banner to welcome all the "greeness"... 


I was even able to hang clothes out to dry today!  LOVE IT!!!!


A few more Mac and Mia shots.. they are loving being outside in the sunshine and they will let me take their pix... my kiddos are too busy going here and there for me to snap them!  







I hope it is starting to feel and look like Spring in your part of the world!  Barb