Friday, May 27, 2011

~AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

O beautiful for spacious skies


for amber waves of grain,


For purple mountain majesties


Above the fruited plain!


America!  America!
God shed His grace on thee,


And crown thy good with brotherhood


(my dad ~ 1942)

From sea to shining sea.


I pray you & your family will remember
 those who are fighting for our freedom
and for those who have.

(this picture was taken through the leaded glass on our front door)

Joining the others for

Saturday, May 21, 2011

~oh, what comfort


I'm joining the others today
at
Spiritual Sundays and over at
Katie's for Scripture & Snapshot



Friday, May 20, 2011

~be nice & share

Remember those words "be nice and share".
Well, that is just what I'm doing today!
~~~
It's not too often that I get to visit (face to face) with a blogging buddy.
 How about you?

But, I'm given the privilege with this girl. :)
  She and I attend the same church.
We get to visit and chat about the blogging world.
  We both agree, that people who do not blog think
 "we are crazy".
  But hey, as she and I both have come to the conclusion
 "it is ther-a-peu-tic"!
Just wonder how many of you will agree?
~~~
These are the words she has chosen to describe herself:
I'm a huntin & fishin, TOMS wearing, photo takin',
 southern talking, God-loving, loud laughing,
 American supportin',
 red-headed, freckle-faced Mississippian
 who adores her family & friends! 

My description:  She's a sweetie!

You must stop by and pay a visit.
 And while you are there,
get in on her great giveaway.
Here's her address:  http://shutteredsmiles.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway.html

Hey, I will let you in on something,
 one of her great photos was chosen on
 Pioneer Woman Photography's Contest.

Click & visit, you will be glad you did!

Monday, May 16, 2011

~Welcome Back

The "hummers" are back in full force.


We have only placed one feeder,
 but this week I will be adding another.
What a relaxing time watching them at the feeders.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Cookies & Milk + Blanket & A Nap



The recipe reads
 "Best Sugar Cookies in the World"
 and the title holds truth!

I wanted to share it with you.

This recipe was tried in my kitchen for the first time,
approximately six years ago
and it now is my stand-by!

The batter is so light and fluffy.

This cookbook is from our former church
and great recipe is included.
I must say the cookbook had two publications,
such a "big seller".


I drop mine in the little yellow bowl
 containing the sugar and roll them around.
I don't make them "perfectly round & smooth". 
  I like the fact "mama's fingerprints" can be seen.

  Do not let them turn brown,
I must say this is the secret to a soft sugar cookie.
The cookies will firm as they cool.

~~~
"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap." Barbara Jordan

~~~

 

I had fun preparing these for my guys this past weekend.
My nest was full for Mother's Day!

Our boys having fun with dad.
Mother's Day 2011


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Light @ the End of the Tunnel

I can see the light at the "End of the Tunnel".

The computer chair hasn't been occupied too much lately
for a couple of reasons.  I feel as if I should play catch up.

This post is dedicated to "my hard labor".

I will not bore you with a tutorial. :))
And I really would like to forget the aches & sore muscles.

But, I would love to share with you,
PLEASE WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS -
BEFORE BUILDING A DECK
~High Maintenance~

We treat our outside area as another room of our home.
So up-keep is a must!
The deck & gazebo area is a little over 900 square feet.


The "fruit of the labor" is beginning to be enjoyed.
I will be adding accessories & flowers in the next few weeks, the excitement of starting to place accessories could not be restrained!

I began this project following the storms here in the south.
My "helpful husband" was completely wrapped up
in his work due to the need for electric poles.
His helping hands were not free to help
 with the staining & sealing.

SO DETERMINATION BECAME MY FRIEND!

The plants are soaking up the beautiful sunshine.

 The birdbath has been re-purposed, such a great place to sit
 "your glass of ice tea".
I placed our collected seashells in sand
 and covered it with a round table topper glass.
You can purchase the glass at Wal-mart.
  Fit just perfect for my size birdbath.
This makes an interesting conversation piece.


I don't know about you
 but, I've been longing for something "blooming".
The geranium & candleholder are sitting
 on top of a glass topped buffet.


The gazebo area is my perfect break-time from housework.
I'll be sharing more pictures as time allows of my "getaway" spot.
I am now spending a few hours each week working outside the home, another reason the blog posts and visits
 have been few & far between.

We are enjoying beautiful weather here in Mississippi.
40's at night & 70's in day
Beautiful blue skies after the devastion.

Please continue to remember those whose lives have been affected by the terrible storms.  Our small county lost three ladies, which
was in five miles of our home and lots of destruction.