Beach Side Fun!

Bay Side Fun!

I Won An Award!

Tonja at Gatherings has awarded me! Thanks, girl! Ya'll go check her out. She just returned from Hawaii and has stories and pictures to share.

Since I'm on vacation, I'm just going to list my award recipients. I don't have time to give you a description of each one; gotta get back to doing nothing:).
(Note: if you receive this award, you are to award 5 others - if you feel like it!)

Here are my awardees:

Life at 7000 feet
Life is Like a Lunchbox
Our House
A Joyful Journey

By the way, I really enjoy reading all the blogs I read. You can find them listed in my sidebar.

First Day of Vacation!

This picture speaks for itself!
This was my view from the screened-in porch this morning.

HOT! HOT! HOT!

The sweltering heat of the deep south has arrived! The last several days have been near 100 degrees in temperature compounded by waaaaaay too much humidity. I dread this time of year for several reasons: really high electricity bill, because the air conditioner runs practically non-stop; you can't step outside for any length of time before there is sweat dripping off every part of your body; and tiny gnats swarm sweaty people. Those are just 3 of the several reasons.So, what's the best way to spend these summers? In the pool or at the beach. And the beach is where we are headed tomorrow! I'm packing up stuff and straightening up the house so we can leave tomorrow afternoon for San Destin, Fl. Yes, on sunny beaches you can stand the heat and humidity, cuz you just jump in the water when you can't take it anymore. And if you get a little tired of the surf and sand (which I never do, by the way), you can move over to the pool to stay cool. Then you go take a long, refreshing shower, sit on the screened-in porch with a good book, grill some seafood, lounge in front of the t.v., go to bed and start over the next day. Can you tell I can't wait? Yep, those hot and muggy deep south summers ARE redeemable, and we do manage to have a good time. The photos featured in this post were taken at a local historical park last weekend. They hosted an old-fashioned ice cream social with games and music and of course, ice cream. Oh! Ice cream is another really good way to survive these summers! Need a recipe for homemade ice cream? Here is one of our favorites.

A New Look!

Thanks to Nan (life is like a lunchbox), I now have a new look! I am thrilled with how it turned out! Now when you come to visit, you can enjoy some cold, sweet tea with me. And if you like lemon, I'll stick a wedge in for you. Thanks, Nan. I appreciate all the work!

Tomato Season Means Tomato Sandwiches

For the first 25 years of my life, I never heard of a tomato sandwich. Then I moved to North Carolina and someone asked me if I wanted one.

"A what?" I asked.
"A tomato sandwich," was the reply in a matter of fact tone as if I should know what they were talking about.
"Do you mean a sandwich that just has tomato on it?"
"Yes, of course," they said.

Well, I wasnt' afraid to try it, because I happen to love tomatoes. And sure enough, a sandwich made up of a couple of good slices of tomatoes and a little dab of mayo was pretty tasty. Now I look forward to the time of year when tomatoes ripen and I can savor the yummy southern, summer delicacy of a tomato sandwich. I took this picture of the one I had a couple of days ago. It was my first of the summer. I did a little jig in my kitchen cuz tomato season is here.

I know that some of you readers from other non-south portions of the world may read this and think we're nuts down here. We're not, we just love our fruits and veggies. I'll let you know how the tomato-and-watermelon salad tastes (I found the recipe in the Southern Living magazine) when I make it next week. Oh, and last week at a VBS family night gathering, someone brought bananna and mayo sandwiches. Haven't tried that one yet. Don't know if I will. :)

More Recipes On My Recipe Blog

I made these 2 desserts recently and they were a big, delicious hit with family and friends. Check out Almond Cappucino Pie and Moon Pie Cake on my recipe blog!

Patriotic Contests!

In celebration of July 4th, 5 minutes for moms is hosting a number of contests. From now til July 4th, you can click on over there to enter each contest. Go check it out!

"Go West, Young (Wo)Man!"

My mom sent me these pictures this week, and I loved them so much that I have to post them and share why she sent them. You see, for more than a year now, my family has been planning a trip out west. While I currently reside in SE Alabama, I am originally from the Midwest. I lived in Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming among other places when I was a child. We visited several places on family vacations including Carlsbad Caverns, Hoover Dam, the GrandCanyon and more. I even worked two summers during my college years at Glorieta Conference Center in Glorieta, New Mexico. Those were awesome summers with lots of great memories which I will have to write about another time. But that was MANY years ago. And while I love living in the South and don't want to move away from it, I do miss the grand vistas and unique landscapes of the West.
So, one night, my Dad and I were reminiscing about some of the above mentionned trips and he said he wished we could take a trip to the town in Wyoming where my brother was born. We've never been back there since we left some 30+ years ago. And that was the beginning of this big trip out west. We have schemed and planned and shopped and scrimped and saved and so much more in preparation for this trip. My family, along with my parents will be driving westward in about a month. We will visit Rocky Mountain National Park, the little town in Wyoming where my brother was born, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. And the kicker: We will be camping! Yes, my friends think I'm absolutely crazy, but I've camped before. I like it. Granted, we won't be roughing it; we'll stay in established campsites where there are bath houses and electricity. And we are ALL too excited! We are going West and we will see the beauty and grandeur of this part of the world that God created!
And that's why my mom has been emailing me pictures. They are pictures she found of "the good ol' days" when we have visitied places in the West. The photo above is of me in the 1970s and was taken at Grand Teton National Park. The one below is my Mother and me at the top of Pike's Peak. (It looks like my parents didn't know it would be cold at the top of the mountain. She's wearing a summer dress and my Dad's sports coat. And I am wrapped in a blanket they had with them.)
Yes, we're going west next month and the "good ol' days" are going to meet the "good new days"!
P.S. I have just one little worry: BEARS! I have nothing against them. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing one from a distance with my binoculars. BUT, I don't want one in our campsite or tent. A recent story in the news has me a little concerned. Ugh!

And Two More Makes Eleven!

That's right. I've lost 2 more pounds bringing my total weight loss since starting this diet on April 27th to 11 pounds! This week is proving difficult, however. My hubby's gone and I can't do my regular bike riding exercise (He stays with kiddos while I ride). I hope the loss continues anyway and I'll be back to exercise next week.

A Special Day!

Guess who the cute, dark haired baby is in this picture?!!? You're right, its me! It was taken just 3 days after I was born! I love this picture because it includes both of my beautiful grandmothers. And they look pretty proud of their new granddaughter don't they? I am posting this picture and the ones below in celebration of my birthday.


Here I am with my Daddy on my 1st birthday. It was a Raggedy Ann party. I believe we lived in Oklahoma City at the time (correct me if I'm wrong, Mother).


This photo was taken at my 5th birthday party. We lived in Anniston, Alabama then. That's my brother, Eddy standing next to me. My sister, Rachel, would be born a month after this picture was taken.


And, this last one was taken when we lived in Illinois. I was turning 8 years old. Thats my sister helping me hold the cake up.

So thanks for letting me take this little walk down memory lane. Try not to laugh too hard. I wanted to show you some pictures from my 20th birthday (I was wearing a homemade hat in Oklahoma City) and from my 21st birthday (I was wearing a sombrero in Santa Fe, New Mexico) but I haven't located them yet. Maybe, I'll get a chance to post them before the day is over!

I Won After All!

As mentionned in a couple of previous posts, I participated in Nan's Apronpalooza last week. In the initial drawings, I did not win anything. However, some of the originally drawn winners did not respond by the deadlines, so a new drawing was held. I WON! I won an apron from Olive Juice & Co. I am thrilled, because this was definately one of my favorite vendors that she featured last week. I can't wait to get my own apron! I'll post of picture of it when I get it!

Odds and Ends

It was a busy week around here last week, and I didn't spend much time on the computer. What time I was on the computer, I was over at Nan's Apronpalooza. Sadly, I didn't win any of the beautiful aprons featured there all week. But, I did get lots of inspiration for getting the sewing machine back out this summer.

In fact, I spent today making a bag. This bag has an interesting story! Every once in a while, I host a Kelly's Kids home party so I can get one or two really cute outfits for my children without having to pay the price for them. You see, this is a one income household, and I can't afford to pay those prices! Well, this dress was so precious and I got it for free after one of my home parties.

Then, one Sunday during Sunday School, my daughter got paint on this dress. (Now that's a rant for another post, but why oh why do teachers give kids paint when they are dressed in their best clothes?!?) I tried and tried, but I was unable to get the paint out. I like to take real good care of the clothes that I buy (or get for free in this case), because when my children outgrow the clothes, I can turn around and sell them at a semiannual children's consignment sale in our area. I can then use that money to purchase equally nice clothes at the consignment sale or at the mall. So, not only does my daughter have one less nice dress to wear, I can't sell it in consignment.

I couldn't bear to throw the dress away, so today I turned it into a bag! I'm pleased with the results...much better than trashing it! Its hard to tell in the photo, but there is a pocket on the front made of the contrasting white with pink polka dot material. The bow is attached to the pocket.

I also can't resist posting a couple of pictures from Bible School. These are of my two kiddos in the t-shirts they made in craft time and of my daughter during Family Night program. They had so much fun last week. Our VBS had record attendance, and we are praying that God will use the week to glorify Himself.


















And, last but not least, I didn't post last week's weight loss. I wasn't too busy to weigh, though. I lost another pound. That makes 9! I'm well on my way to my goal. I just have to keep it up. You'll be proud to know that I ate supper BEFORE VBS each night, rather than eating what was served at VBS. In that way, I was able to avoid the not so healthy selections offered! I haven't been to weigh yet this week, but am hoping I've knocked off another pound or two.

Father's Day Giveaway

5 minutes for moms is at it again. This time its a rocketfish mouse for Dad. My hubby loves anything tech. So I hope I win it for him!

Grandma and Grandpa visit

My parents came for a few days this week. My Dad was preaching at a conference in a nearby town this past weekend and they came a few days early to stay with us. We had a fun time with them, even though it was too short. These pictures were taken this morning before we left for church.

Busy Week

This week is Vacation Bible School at our church. So we are busy preparing for each day. And, we are having lots of fun. I really enjoy everything that comes with Bible School. I am also busy preparing our home for guests. My parents are coming tomorrow for a visit. Everyone in our family is counting down the days in excitement!



You may not see much of me this week as I don't have time to visit or post. I'll be back soon! One thing I am doing in blog world this week is taking part in Nan's Apronpalooza . Get on over there and check it out!