Miscellany Monday

1. i decided that i would try to do my "random thoughts" in all lowercase today to honor carissa and it's very hard for me. it puts me outside my "comfort zone." ~chuckle~


2. i'm almost ready for our branson trip. We are leaving on wed. morning and will return next sunday.  we do love branson and this time we're going with my dad, stepmom and my  brother and his family. we have a 4 bedroom,4 bath condo, so everyone should be very happy. and, to think, this time next week the trip will be history and  nothing left but fun memories.

 3. i found a sippy cup behind one of my couch pillows earlier today. my precious grandson had put it there yesterday  and it had milk in it. need i say more?


4.i think this picture of my  brother and his family looks like a postcard. they were vacationing in colorado last week when this was taken.

 5. i know it's silly, but i love opening the mail every day and throwing half of it in the trash. i also love getting a new magazine and going through and tearing out all the little bothersome order blanks before I ever sit down to read it. weird, i know.


6. not sure why, but hubby and i were not accounted for in the recent u.s. census. we never got the form in the mail and no one ever knocked on our door. shucks! and, we've lived in this same house for 29 years, so it's not like we have a new address.


7. i guess the 4th will be a little more noisy once our "grans"  are old enough for fireworks. ~smile!  for now we just enjoy the neighbors from a distance.

i hope everyone enjoyed a great 4th and for more great miscellany monday, click here.

 

Celebrating Our Daughter

Good Morning Girls! Do come in and let me share with you about our "second born" and last child, our daughter.  She will be celebrating her 31 st birthday tomorrow.  And, you know that I was only 12 when she was born. ~chuckle~

Minutes after her birth in her Daddy's arms

As usual, here in Louisiana, it was a very hot and humid summer. I was miserable, to say the least, and since my due date was June 28th, I was more than ready by July 3rd.   She entered the world weighing 8lb. 8oz. Just the cutest little bundle of joy you ever did see.

7 months old and all dressed and ready for church

We had an almost 3 year old son at the time of her birth and so we were just delighted that we now had "one of each." Bridget entered the world a very happy baby and has pretty much been that way ever since.  

A "die-hard" thumb sucker from day one.

I had so much fun dressing her in "frills and lace" and "bonnets and bows."  She wore it well and she seemed to always draw a compliment whenever we went out.         

Dance Recital at about 8 years old

Playing with her brother and his friends

                                                         

A cute little Pilgrim in Preschool

Junior High Cheer Leader

It seemed we only "turned around twice" and she was college bound.  The house was suddenly very quiet.

After her college graduation she and I took a trip to New York City.  This celebrated her graduation and my 50th birthday.  We made some of the most fun memories of all times.  It was a most special  "mother daughter time."

Downtown NYC

Enjoying some "silly time" in our hotel room in downtown NYC

After college graduation Bridget headed off to Dallas, Texas to begin her teaching career.  Little did she know that her life was about to take another "big turn."    Through a dear friend of hers, she had a blind date with a cowboy from Oklahoma.  It wasn't long until she came home to tell her Dad and I that "she was in love."

Engaged

Their courtship began in May, they were engaged in July and then married in December.  Talk about getting it in "high gear!"

Bridal portrait taken by Kevin Beasley in Ruston, LA.

They began their lives in Dallas but in a few short months, they headed to Oklahoma to begin their lives there.  Bridget had never been around horses in her life, but it wasn't long until it appeared that she had grown up on a ranch, rather than the "prissy, city girl" that she was.  

Doesn't she look like a "natural?"

About 5 1/2 years later, she and her husband blessed us with our first Grandchild, a little boy. 

An indescribable moment

Yes, it seems just yesterday that Bridget entered our lives and what a blessing she has been.  We are so proud of all she has accomplished and what all she will continue to accomplish in the years ahead. God has blessed her with a contagious spirit and she is using that spirit to touch lives in her day to day walk and in her life's calling - teaching.


Bridget, I salute you and am so proud to call you "my daughter."  I pray God's continued blessings upon your life. And, never forget, you'll always be our "favorite" daughter. ~smile~

 For more Company Girls, check out Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary.

Simple Woman's Daybook - June 29, 2010

 

 Outside my window....it's a bit stormy looking and we're hopeful that rain is on it's way.  We need it desperately!
I am thinking....my Dad, step Mom, my brother and his family and Hubby and I are going to have so much fun in Branson in a  week and a half.  Surely it will be cooler there!
I am thankful for....the Holy Spirit's conviction in my life and pray that I will always be sensitive to His leading.
From the kitchen....it was bacon, lettuce and fresh tomato sandwich for dinner tonight.  Since I don't eat tomatoes, mine was just bacon and lettuce.  I added some chips and we were "happy clams."  I love the ease of summertime meals! ~smile~
I am wearing....a pair of navy blue lounging pj's, my "uniform" for evenings at home.
I am going....not anywhere special this week, just the usual errands and over to friends on Sunday to celebrate the 4th. 

I am reading...."Take One" by Karen Kingsbury. It is the first in a series of four and I'm just getting started and it has already peeked my interest.

 I am hoping....that the speeding ticket I got this morning will not cost me a small fortune.  I had just entered a construction zone on a major highway and the speed dropped from 65 to 45 very suddenly and I didn't slow down soon enough and was ticketed going 58 MPH in a 45MPH zone. Just really hurt my feelings. ~sigh~
I am hearing.... the rumble of thunder and the NCAA College World Series on the TV.
Around the house.....the usual clothes to be folded but other than that, things are really in good order. Makes me very happy!
One of my favorite things...is a small bowl of vanilla ice cream in the evenings. Yummy!

 Something I'm looking forward to....I'm having the gals in my Sunday School class over for dessert Thursday afternoon to visit with one of our class teachers.  Her husband passed away two weeks ago after a long battle with cancer.  I thought this might be a nice gathering for her and we'll all certainly enjoy being with her.
A picture thought I'm sharing....my Grandson as he watches Wonder Pets. ~cute~

For more Simple Woman Daybooks, click here.

Miscellany Monday

1. I'm "wanting" an IPad but am wondering if something similar with even more features may be "just around the corner." Seems there always some new "technical gadget" on the horizon.

2. I'm a big fan of American Family Radio (AFR) but this week have found myself listening to Back to the Bible (BBN) and the old hymns of the faith are just hard to beat.  I bet some of you "younger" readers have not even ever heard of BBN. ~smile~

3. It makes me sad that many of the young adults today will never know the great hymns.

4. I decided this week that brown eyeliner has a better look on me than black (despite what a "makeup expert" told me)

5. I stepped out of my "box" this weekend and wore a wild printed skirt, with a handkerchief hem, to my 40th year class reunion. 95% of the time I wear nothing but solid colors. Not sure what this says.......

6. There's something to be said for a friendship that has spanned 43 years.  We could write several books. ~chuckle~

7. I'm praying I will be able to find just the right ladies to fill the responsibilities of the Women's Ministry Council of our church for the upcoming new church year.

8. I've just about totally quit watching the national news. I don't want to be ignorant of what's going on in the world, but I've grown tired of all the distressing news.  

 9. I've just discovered that the "real" bacon bits sprinkled over cheese toast is yummy, yummy.  


10. I am just sure that the Lord never intended for the humidity to be as high as it is in Louisiana, just like a steam sauna. ~chuckle~

11. Our family is rejoicing that our daughter and son-in-law's house in Oklahoma sold on Saturday. This was truly an answer to prayer. And, an added bonus was that they got more than they ever expected to for it. God is so good!


A special thank you to Carissa for hosting Miscellany Monday each week.  You really need to check out Carrissa's blog, click here to do so. You will be glad you did!

Strawberry Cake and Lucky Bamboo

Good Morning Girls!  If you want to put your "chompers" in something really good, then come on in.  I have the most delicious Strawberry Pound Cake  on the cabinet and I'd love to cut you a slice.  I've made this particular cake 5 times since the first of May.  I've had  various occasions that needed a cake and this one has just proven to be a favorite and I urge you to try it. 

It's been a fun and busy week around our household and this week-end promises to be "the icing on the cake." (no pun intended)  I will be enjoying my 40th high school reunion.  Tomorrow night is a "Girls Gathering" and then Saturday evening will be the reunion.  So, be on the lookout for more to follow about this.

I am not very "artsy" but I do enjoy letting my "creative juices" flow.  This week I had some fun with "Lucky Bamboo."  I've had some growing in 2-3 different containers inside our home for several years.  It's what you might call "maintenance free."  I put together some small glass containers of it and then used it as the tablescape on our dining table for now.


First, I purchased the needed items, clear glass containers, colored stones and of course, the Lucky Bamboo.  I purchased the stones and containers at Michael's for about $16.  The Lucky Bamboo came from a discounted store  here  and it was $5.50 for the bunch.

There's not much to putting them together.  Take the bamboo apart, put a few stones in the bottom of the container, place the bamboo on top and then hold it tightly while you place stones around it to hold it in place.  I like using the clear containers because I think it adds to the beauty when you can see the colored stones.  But, I did put one bunch of bamboo in a decorative container and used a pea gravel type stone in it.

I made enough to give a couple of the containers away as little "happies." (what we call gifts in the South) ~chuckle~The others I placed on a mirrored runner on my dining table and thought it had a nice "summer look" to it.  If I use my dining room to entertain, I can add some fresh flowers in small containers to go between the containers of bamboo for an added touch.

  It is a great decorating idea, but it is also a very inexpensive way to make several gifts.  I made 6 containers and spent $21, so that comes out to around $3.50 each.  What great gifts and remembrances at a very affordable price.  So, if you need several "happies" at one time, you might want to get some Lucky Bamboo and let your "creative juices" flow.

Happy week-end to each of you and be sure and find the time to check out  Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary for more good "blog hopping."

Miscellany Monday

I am so excited about participating in Carissa's "miscellany monday's."  It's always fun to occasionally be random, especially for me, since I'm seldom random.  I'm what you might call, highly organized and structured in most everything I do,so this gets me "out of my box" and that is good for me. Enjoy!

1. I was so pleased with the flowers that a local floral designer did for me.  They were placed in our church this morning in honor of my Dad and in memory of my husband's Dad. I even thought they had a "masculine" look to them.

2. I will never understand as long as I live why folks see the need to use ugly four lettered words in their conversation or writing.  Just a sign to me of a very "shallow mind."


3. I am so thankful for women, such as the two pictured below, that the Lord has given me the privilege and honor to know. I want to be just like them when I grow up. ~big chuckle~

4. I'm just "plum excited" about my sweet potato vines and the way they have grown up the trellis'. I've never tried this before and didn't really know if they would grow up them, but as you can see, they did.  They make such a dynamic showing!

5. I'm so thankful to be married to a man that has truly been the greatest Father to our two children and is now a great Poppa to our two Grandchildren.


6. I'm grateful to serve a God that has never given up on me, forgives me, loves me unconditionally and is ALWAYS there for me!


7. I can hardly wait for this next week-end. My classmates and I will be celebrating our 40th class reunion.  I just do not feel old enough to have been out of high school 40 years. Yikes!!

Haven't Senior Pictures changed in the past 40 years??????

A happy, happy week to every one and a big thank you to Carissa for hosting Miscellany Monday among her many other duties.  What a gal!

My Dad

Born, November 9, 1929, in Mansfield, AR.

In elementary school

Dad on his LaSalle Bicycle - notice puppy in the bag on the back

Senior Picture

Gulf Juan, France - while in the US Navy

Ordained to the Ministry - June 1, 1960
He retired in 2000 but still enjoys preaching any and every opportunity given him.
And, might I add, he IS one of the BEST!

1976 - Dressed in colonial costume for a church celebration

 Dad has always been a gifted wood worker and here he is pictured with the Hound Dog he carved out of Dedora Cedar. He then mounted it on a tree stump near the road for all to see.

 Pictured above is some of Dad's more recent woodwork, a cross and candle sticks for our local Episcopal Church.  Even if I do say so, it is perfectly beautiful.

This is his shop where his beautiful wood crafting takes place.  He spends many happy hours here.

In 2008 Dad wrote his autobiography, "The Fields of Yesterday." It was truly a "labor of love" and what a treasure it is to me and my brothers.  It was published professionally and is available through Amazon and other major book companies on the internet.  He gave me his first signed copy.

 Last November Daddy celebrated his 80th birthday and I made sure it was done in "grand style." What a blessing he is in my life and I would not be the person I am today if it were not for him. I thank the Lord for him and pray that he will be blessed with many more years of good health and vitality.

I delight in calling him "Daddy."