Oh, Sweet Marmalade!

2010-09-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

The first day of fall?

...but I'm not ready for summer to be over yet!!!

How could this possibly happen?

I've decided to just pretend that it is still summer---which is easy enough since it is sunny and hot outside this morning. I watered, picked the garden and hung out laundry.

Maybe summer is a state of mind!!!

2010-09-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

I've sat here and uttered prayers.

I've sat here and stared off without thinking.

I've sat here and waited for the burgers to finish on the grill. Today I'll sit here and try to capture a couple more seconds of summer.

3 NEW MOUTHS TO FEED!

2010-07-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

What is it?

"Look-ee! They're baby birds waiting for lunch!"

Aren't they sweet?

This nature moment brought to you by "Doc". He discovered the little trio yesterday and insisted that I capture them on film or "on digital", as the case might be.

"For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me"

Excuse my laziness...

2010-07-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

I've been overcome with summer-itis!!! I can't get on any regular routine! I want to spend everyday on vacation! I can't discipline myself to get my daily chores done! The weeds in the garden mock me while my good intentions are paving a path to "you know where"!! Of course, I'm only kidding about that but I really am having a bad case of lazy days of summer.

SonMarie Sunshine and the babies on the 4th!

The first batch of beets have been pickled!

I'm on a new project to re-do my dining room table and chairs...wish I could get myself started on that. It will look fabulous--someday---but. sadly, not today.

On a sad note--

My love and prayers are with my sweet, sweet sister T.K. She and her family have suffered a severe loss with the sudden and unexpected death of her father. Her burden is quite heavy now because of her mother's Alzheimer's condition.

"If He brings you to it ...He'll bring you though it"

I know you are trusting our Father now, as always. Bless you!

What to do in Kansas when it's really, really hot!

2010-06-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

It's been work week in "the yard that is never quite done"!

First I painted outdoor furniture...

"I like everything and anything with a coat of white paint"

Vintage deck chairs "decked" out in white paint and new red striped cushions. I couldn't find narrow enough cushions so I fashioned these using grommets and nylon cording.

How do they look?

Doc wanted to paint the back doors red---so red they are!

Cowgirl-n-Pearls and I, your lovable host, painted chairs and doors, pulled weeds, picked up pine cones, swept up debris, fought wasps and swam. We got great tans and chiggers!

Oh, joy!

For those of you who follow Pioneer Woman Blog, you will recall her tutorial on how to build fence on a working ranch.

Well we have a little tutorial of our own...

"How to Replace Fence When it's 105 Degrees in the Shade"

First: It is important not to start until around noon or so.

Secondly: Leave the new building materials in every one's way so that all work in the immediate area is impeded.

Then: When it is hot enough to fry an egg, start measuring and cutting ... take frequent breaks to jump in the pool.

Lastly (and this is very critical to the process): Screw the lattice securely into place and then realize that the gate bolts have yet to be installed and you'll have to remove the lattice.

Put tools away and start over again tomorrow.

This is my next project: Put a coat of paint on this old light fixture so it can be hung on the back porch.

It has been a busy week around the "casa" this week.
I am aware that most of you have completed your spring projects and are just relaxing and enjoying your backyard spaces now. I only have this to say about that---

"How can you really appreciate your yard work if you haven't about killed yourself getting it done?"

We're off to church and then home again to finish up yesterday's fence project!!!!

That's it for now my cute little lady bugs!

Love, Jammie

I haven't fallen from the face of the earth...

2010-06-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

...and no excuses now, but I just can't seem to find enough time in the day to get all my fun squeezed in. Each 24 hours has been a beautiful gift lately. I've have been extremely selfish, doing whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted for days now. It has been blissful. I'll make you no promises and I'll tell you no lies... but I'll try to do better in the days to come!

Here's what we did last week...

The Sweet Seasons and I and our spouses took Hi-way 36 west to Estes Park and spent the night in a vintage Motel.

We stopped along #36 to take a few "Americana" photos..

The hometown of Sweet Momma Ruth...Agra

A vintage style (Discovery Lodge) lodge in Estes became our home away from home for a few days. It was idyllic...great views...a fishing pond...great recommendations for dinner!

How do I relax while the love of my life risks his life climbing rocks? 2 words...Life Insurance, Baby!

Our favorite shop in Estes...Cottage Bliss...please check them out if in the area. If you do visit, make sure to ask them who owns the shop. The answer might surprise you. Hint: He owns everything. Thank you Cottage Bliss, you were a blessing to us!

We took a "zoomed to the max" photo of what we thought was a twister touching down --way off south of I-70 --as we tooled along home.

Was it a tornado? We don't know but the wall cloud and tails pointed to tornado weather.

"In God We Trust' --Amen, brother.

Keep on Trucking!"

Finally, back to the little city on the edge of the prairie....

....and the giant windmills that guard our little part of the great big prairie!!!

This week...painting. Painting rooms, painting doors, painting furniture....Painting!

Check in later to see if I actually accomplish anything on my

To Do list!!!

2010-06-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

And they lived happily ever after...

The Bride and Groom are in Mexico this week.

The MOB and FOB of the Bride are with Doc and I exploring country highways

and backwater towns this week. We may even venture as far as the Rockies Mountains.

The weather was wonderfully sunny during rehearsal!

Saturday was a lovely day for a wedding even if it did rain "cats and dogs"...Stacey had a Plan B and it worked

BEAUTIFULLY!!!

Oh, Sweet Marmalade! will be away for another couple of days. I'm planning on having time at the end of the week to catch you all up on the wedding "news".

My prayer for all of us this week...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

2010-06-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Some thoughts I've stolen from others and have been passing off as my own:

"Embrace your inner weird!"

"There's a skinny lady inside me, screaming to get out----I keep her sedated with chocolate!"

"I'd give up chocolate but I'm no quitter!"

So I've been a busy little homemaker...

... a picnic basket all packed up with shade loving plants!!
See the enamalware soap dish on the wall? We got it in Missouri in a great little town called "Greenwood"...Love it!

I finished the second in the Andes series, this one is called "The Peace de La Paz". Translated that is "the peace of the peace". Doc's hometown is La Paz, Bolivia. This is my tribute to that city and to mount Illimani (the blue mountain behind the city).

This little guy lives right by my favorite outside seat!

Doc does enjoy a siesta!!!

I'm using this old fence as a climbing cage for my cukes!! We adopted it last weekend along with the piece on table below.

A treasure found on our Memorial Day jaunt!!

I snapped this wheatfield through the car window

as we whizzed by at 65 mph!

Last night we went to the Rodeo!

Small town rodeos are standard fare around here. We love them and try to go to as many as possible!!

Oops-a-daisy!!!

It was hot...98 degrees at 6:30!
I love this little guys boots!!
...all my little guys wore their boots last night, also!

So, other than trying to teach the pups some manners regarding how to greet guests, that just about sums up the last couple of days! (The pups and I are exhausted from our new "Manners Program"!)

Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler...we'll see!!

Here is some of my inner weird....sometimes when I see the countryside on a hot summer evening...I just want to cry...I don't know why...just part of the inner weird that I am learning to embrace!

View from the car window...

2010-06-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

This past week has flown by as did the scenery along the highway on a little jaunt we took over the Memorial Weekend (or Decoration Day as Sweet Momma Ruth always calls it).

Doc and I took the opportunity to drive around Kansas a little and I was able to snap these pics as Doc kept us flying along!!

The Best donuts in the world according to Dad-in-law Donald!

It's almost time for harvest...Great photos to be had during harvest!!!

Bet ya couldn't tell that we spent our travel time off the interstate, right?

Next week is my niece's wedding in Ozland...We can't wait!!!

May the God of heaven and earth bless you, now and always!

To State the Obvious...

2010-05-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

I'm home from Arkansas and finally getting around to updating my blog.

Eureka Springs is such a lovely little holler. It rained on the only full day we were in town but that didn't prevent me from snapping a photo or two.

The Passion Play wasn't in production on Wednesday but we visited the Christ of the Ozarks anyway.

We never figured out how to get over to this.. ...home?...hotel?...castle? We headed out of town--- in what we thought was the right direction---never found it.

How can something so big be so hard to find? I guess us flatlanders are useless in the mountains.

We found a winery with blue bottles...naturally we had to buy a blue bottle...we didn't really care what was in it...just so long as it was blue. The poor saleswoman didn't know quite what to do with two flat-landers who didn't really care about the wine but really, really, really cared about a blue bottle! So we bought two!

We visited the Amish furniture store and feel head over heals in love with a bunch of furniture that we couldn't afford!

We went shopping at a really great "thift" store and I found all sorts of treasures that I couldn't live without!

As I turn these treasures around I'll try to post photos of them. Stay tuned!!!

I think this is an egg bucket...don't quote me on that, though...I found it at a little spot where we had lunch. I planted it as soon as I got home on Friday!

I went crazy for this little planter that I found at the thrift store...

I was a very happy shopper!

On Friday and Saturday, Johnny Mike and Cowgirl N Pearls did yard work for me. I was a real task master. They worked their little behinds off and made a huge difference "out back".

(The wagon was the kids'. They used it almost everyday to haul dirt, tote lumber, to play "refugees " and to carry the tools they used to build a raft. I can't stand to part with it so it holds a place of honor in Doc's rose bed.)

We had a great little road trip...

we hadn't even gotten back home and we were playing our next one!

I came home inspired, relaxed and happy!

The summer has officially started and I am officially caught up in having summer fun. I may not get around to this blog as often as I should and I haven't even read any of my favorite blogs for over a week. There just isn't enough time in a day!

Until I return...

Love,

Jammie

Road Trip!!!

2010-05-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be away from this blog for a few days. My BFF and I are taking a road trip! A Vay-Cay! We're packing up our cute little overnite bags and heading out! We're leaving our families to fend for themselves and we're out of here!

We decided for our Birthdays this year we would go somewhere. Just the two of us. Without spouse or kids. Alone--together!

We're heading to Eureka Springs but are planning to stop along the way wherever and whenever we want to explore. Little towns, flea markets and / or country lanes! I don't get to do that with "Doc" cause he is a "purposeful driver". We were not prepared for the firestorm of jealously from our husbands. ("You are going without us?!?") Well, it wasn't exactly a firestorm but "Doc" at least sounded a little disappointed---I think that was disappointment. It could possibly be his sheer astonishment at his good fortune!

So we leave early tomorrow with only a destination but no other agenda...except to talk and laugh and shop and enjoy!

(I just found this little broken page icon at the top on my tool bar and I'm playing with it! Just for fun! I can't see that is does anything to the published post, though.)
Later that same day...oops! I found out what that broken page things does...problem is...I can't figure out how to delete it, now.

On Friday I stopped at a garage sale and found a couple of little treasures...

I'm thinking geraniums in this lidded picnic basket!

The enamel ware dipper is in excellent condition and I love short, fat little pitchers...this green one was a deal at $3.00.

(The baby powder can is only a replica but I think it might be cute in a changing table area, maybe holding Q-tips!)

I'm disappointed with the photo of my vintage apron find...it looks much better in person. The fabric is a very 50's gray and red and a very flattering pattern.

I tried to get Doc to model it---like my brother modeled that other apron--- he declined..."I'm not into my inner housewife"! What a surprise!

I feel guilty because I've been so busy eating cake that I haven't done any blog reading or answering of comments...I hope to get to that this afternoon!

It's been cool and rainy here for at a least week. Yesterday it did stop raining long enough for Doc to mow the backyard with his handy dandy motor-less mower.

In the foreground are some of my raised garden beds.

The garden is doing great with all his rain but now we need some sun!

I'm growing my radishes in my "flower well" and I'll follow the radishes with zinnias, hopefully!

(

(Doc doesn't like radishes...I'm eating as many as I can, as fast as I can...

Maybe I planted too many?!?)

Today's devotional thought: "In worship we take our mind off ourselves and set it on God."

Max Lucado

Put a positive spin on being outside of yo

Let's Eat Cake!!

2010-05-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Since Friday, Doc and I have been partying fools!

Around here it's Graduation time, this will come as no surprise to any of you. It must be Graduation time where you live also. Around here Graduation time means cake. It must mean Cake where you live also. If my pants don't fit on Monday....It will be the fault of

Higher Education!!!

We began "our lost weekend" with a Birthday party on Friday night for the Lovely Lillian who turned 15!!!

The Lovely Lily is not only a dear sweet friend but also our little puppies' baby sitter! So, of course, I had to help her celebrate by eating cake...she had made it herself after all....To not eat a piece would have been rude. So to be polite I ate 2 pieces!!

(go ahead and gasp...any judgment you pass will be deserved...just know---it gets worse before it gets better!)

The Birthday Girl!

Lillian with sister Leah...

Little sis...Lace

Youngest sister, Lael

And last but not least...Lawrence with a family friend

This baby is rocking the blue eyes!!

Saturday Doc and I went to over to the University on the prairie for my niece and nephew 2B's Graduation...More Cake!

As you can see from the photos...Sweet Momma and G'Pa made the journey to witness "Stacey" and "The Guy" Graduation. We are like a bunch of tourists with our cameras...Half the time the subjects don't even know which way to look...so many cameras flashing!

Anyway we suffered through the speeches so we could go eat...wait for it...CAKE!!! Cupcakes this time and were they ever fantastic! So fantastic in fact---I had two! (I told you it got worse!)

Now for the bad news...as if the cake consumption wasn't bad enough!

It rained all day, yesterday! I got left, all by myself, in the rain. Now my family may tell you stories about how I was lost, how I think I know cities better than I do, how it was all my fault and to all of that I say

"Hogwash!"

Moving right along!

We came back to the little city on the edge of the Prairie just in time to go to another friend's Graduation Party! We had so much fun. We laughed and I told my version of being "lost" and we ate meat cooked on our friend's brand new grill! But...sadly...I didn't take any pictures.

Maybe because it was raining or maybe cause I forgot...just like I was forgotten earlier in the day. In the rain. In that other town.

Before Doc and I left...the cake was cut! Yippee! One more piece for the road. It sort of rounded out the weekend, don't ya think?

At least, it rounded me out. As I said earlier "If my pants don't fit on Monday, it will be the fault of higher education!

Heading out to church...I'm not going to eat a donut during community time...I'm not!!!

I'll be okay as long as there isn't any cake.

Please, don't let there be cake at church today...

It appears that I'm powerless over cake this weekend!

THIS IS WHAT..( a visual guide to my day)

2010-05-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is what is sitting on my porch, patiently waiting to be planted in the rose garden. Can 7 rose bushes, 2 of which didn't survive winter, really be called a rose garden? Oh, sure they can. We play fast and loose with the rules around here!!

These are the replacements for the two lilly-livered cowards that gave up the ghost during our latest, mild Kansas winter! These rose bushes have real names but lets just call them peach-y and yellow gold! Works for me...Doc, don't get excited...we know YOU know their real names but....come on!!! You can't really expect us to remember them, can you?

This is what I've been working on today...

...the Amazing Grace plaques that I thought I might get started yesterday. Surprise, surprise, surprise!!! (say that with a Gomer Pyle accent and then giggle!) I got a couple done!

I finally found cheap rectangular frames at "the Wals-mart" ($3). I had all the other stuff...just odds and ends don't ya know?!? Old buttons, muslin, flower stamp and bit and pieces of fabric turned into a nice little gift, I think.

The next one I do may be a flag motif or maybe a God Bless America theme.

This is what the pattern looked like when I drew it up way back in Feb. Now don't look so shocked...I have been known to draw up a pattern whole years before I get around to executing anything!!!

Pardon the funny looking format...I just grabbed this out of my publisher file...If I was what is known as "computer literate" I could probably make this sketch look good...but no such luck...alas, I'm clueless!!!

This is what I'm working on for my son's wedding next summer...

...a proto-type for sunflower table arrangements.

Sunflowers in a blue Lucite glass tied up with a colorful ribbon. Cowgirl n pearls, the lovely "Bride 2 B", liked the idea and we have tons of these glasses left over from the last family wedding..."Make it over, Make it up, Make it do or Do Without"! sort of a family motto! Anyway, their theme is Prairie Wedding, so Sunflowers seem in order! Now, we're just waiting for silk sunflowers to go on sale...real, I mean REAL cheap! Did I mention that I want them to be really cheap?

FINALLY....

(collective sigh)

This is what I read yesterday while I was waiting for the tornado that never arrived....

I'm a sucker for an Amish romance!

Tonight's supper is:

Grilled pork chops
Baked sweet potato
Green Beans
Salad from the garden

and (woe is me)...

sugar free jello

Today's Verse: The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

(I'm running as fast as I can, in every way that I can, every time that I can...to that fortress!)

Thanks for stopping by my lovely little cherry tomatoes!

WELCOME, WEDNESDAY!

2010-05-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

It's drab and wet and cold and...but it is Wednesday and I'm going to lunch with an old friend today!

I'm so excited to sit in the cozy downtown coffee shop with my friend, eat salad, catch up on each other's lives and drink coffee. Sounds like fun, huh? I may even take my new "I'm confused, wait, maybe I'm not!" coffee mug with me...just to show it off and get a laugh...!!! (PS...I'm not THAT excited about eating salad)

Around my yard today....

Doc likes old rusty stuff...(explains our relationship, I guess!)

and he likes carved wooden objects...(can't really make that about me, try as I might!) I like to make everything about me, ya know!?!

Wonder what he's thinking!?!

This corner may need some attention...Look at all of that debris...

This corner is Doc's responsibility, definitely his responsibility, can't be mine...no way!!!

I painted this little church for our feathered friends years ago...I still like to put it out next to my

"sit yourself down and have a contemplative moment" bench!

I'm still (yes, STILL) working on a set of tea towels for my niece, the bride. This is the third one I have done and only have 4 (four!) to go...and...my little sis, LeLe, wants a set...and...I wouldn't mind having a set myself. I never lack for something to put on my

TO DO list!!! Right here would be the place that someone should say "idle hands...."!

I've also got a cute idea I want to work up that I'm calling "Amazing Grace" plaques! I'm just going to bite the bullet and start one...maybe today when I get back from lunch...maybe....

Gotta go my little "love nuggets"!!!

Happy Wednesday and God Bless us, everyone!!!

THE WEEKEND IN REVIEW!!!

2010-05-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Cowgirl TAM

Rancher Ran and Cowgirl Tam went out with us to check on the cattle and the grass!

Sweet Momma Ruth, Daddy and Coach Ron checking out Stacey's "new" love nest!!! It will be ready!!

Speaking of Rancher Ran...here he is modeling the apron that TK made for Stacey!!! I couldn't show you this picture before because we didn't want to ruin the surprise!!! Cute isn't it? And it just fits!!!

Oh, I forgot to show you the Invites when they arrived!!!

Doc bought me this coffee mug for Mom's Day...and I know, I'm not his mom but he knows better than to let the day slip by without any gifts...

I love the mug...It says "I'm confused WAIT, maybe I'm not!" Who does that sound like? I asked him why he bought that particular mug for me. Very diplomatically he replied "I thought you would like the colors" !!! Sure, Doc!

I am modeling a necklace I received from SonMarie...LOVE it!

Doc took this picture of me on Sat. as I was putting out the flag!!

HayBee and Stacey hanging on each other's necks

Ranch Ran...I love cowboys especially when the cowboy is my brother!!!

Our Lovely Baby Lisa

Cowgirl TAM ...I have the best sis-in-laws!!!

Suzy Q and my son-n-law at Olive Garden on Sunday!

SonMarie and The Attorney...also at Olive Garden on Sunday! We arrived at 3 in the afternoon and got seated at 5:30!!! CRAZY!!! How badly did "The Moms" want Italian, anyway? Pretty badly!!

That just about wraps up the weekend. It's raining here today so I'm going to be catching up on my blog reading...

I'm about three days behind!!!

Today's devotion: "What will you leave at the cross and just follow Jesus?"

I'm leaving self-pity and binges.

Blessed be the name of the LORD!

Thanks for checking in, my delightful little sugar plums!!!

Sweet Mommas Day to You!!!!!

2010-05-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

My favorite corner in town!!!

Let me introduce you to my favorite corner in
"the town that sets on the edge of the prairie"
...Welcome to Stutzman's.

This outdoor market sets on a busy corner in town.
It doesn't always look like this though....

Just a few short weeks ago my favorite corner was bare---except
for their famous red & white tent...

Yikes!!!

Look at it now! It's gorgeous!! It's abso-fabo-rrefic!!!!

Just driving by makes me happy!!!

It reminds me of a french flower market

...a french flower market in the middle of Kansas!

When Stutzman's swings into high gear we all know that

summer isn't far off!

Oh, lookie there---french flower gardens all ready for Mother's Day!!! (how does one spell lookie? lookey? lookey?)

My new friend, Jane, runs this corner. Here she is the Queen! It's good to be Queen!!!

Their Radio show is the best...it just comes on a little early ---7:30 on Saturday :)

(I took all these photos this morning in 52 degree weather with the wind blowing 90 to nothing. When I got home and checked the pics I had a great big smudge on the right hand corner of my lense. If I wasn't so blind, I might have seen it earlier...but maybe not...what with the wind and the cold I wasn't noticing much!)

Today Doc and I went on a little shopping spree.

I mean, who could blame us?
He bought 2 new rose bushes---"Lady Emma Hamilton" and "About Face". Otherwise known to us novices as a yellow one and a peach colored one.
I bought a magnificent planter for my mom---sh-h-h-h! it's a secret!!! (Mother's Day you know) and a little french garden for myself and then I bought...

...ten more french gardens, one for each of the wonderful, beautiful, patient, kind women in Doc's office. They are so wonderful and make his life run so smoothly.
Thank you, ladies!

Following are just a few of the lovely women in my husband's life:

Sweet, Sweet Mother's Day to all the sweet, sweet mother's in our lives!!!!

Speaking of Mother's Day...

I just want to say thank you to my "Sweet Momma Ruth"
whose love has never failed me. She won't read this 'cuz she doesn't have a computer but that won't be the case for long. Doc and I are getting her an i-Pad so she can follow the blogs! Now remember, this is a secret so...be careful...she can be a very nosey nellie when she wants to be...
(giggle, giggle--chuckle, chuckle--snort, snort..so lady-like ain't I?)

...And thank you to the brood that call me "mom"! All the kids whom we lovingly referred to as our little tax deductions have flown the coop now, but each and every one of them continues to make me look good! How great is that? My only complaint? I bet you can guess...not enough babies are getting "borned" in this family!!!

And finally...(alright now, I heard that sigh of relief!!! But don't skip this part 'cuz I'm fixing to ask for your help.)

I have some questions regarding BLOGGING etiquette or BLOGGING P's and Q's or BLOGGING know-how.

Like...When I want to thank someone for a comment or to answer a question in a comment, should I do it on my blog or go to their blog? or both?

Is it best to have those encrypted code words? Do you like approving your comments first?

and...How do giveaways work?
Does each blogger make up their own rules?
How do you contact the winner to get their mailing address?
How does this whole giveaway/drawing thing work anyway?

and...How do I get those little pictures with the "you might also like" at the bottom of the blogs?

Is there a book or a site for bloggers with all of these answers? So far, I've been stumbling along, slowly... but not so surely...if you get my drift. I think I have finally figured out "linking" thanks to some helpful hints from you guys.

Last question: I am on Blogspot. On this setup, is there a way to move pictures around without doing it step by little painful step? Sometimes I have a picture that I want at the bottom of the posting and it takes forever for me to work it's way down to where I want it! I try to remember to upload in the reverse order that I want them on the post...but please...I have ADD remember? That takes a whole lot of something that I am mighty short on...patience!

Thank you dear friends for any and all help. As you can tell I am new to all of this and not really vastly experienced with my computer anyway. I basically started blogging as a way to journal and it is so much fun to meet you other bloggers! That took me by surprise! I had no idea it would be so much fun!!
Anyway--- It took me a whole evening one time, just to change my background. Goodness gracious, how sad is that anyway!?! I probably shouldn't admit to such incompetence...but there you have it...the sad, ugly truth!

Happy Mother's Day to all you sweet, sweet moms and please, kiss your momma for me!!

I am what I am and it is what it is!

2010-05-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

Down on the Farm

The following photos are "straight out of the camera" shots from my day in the country.
The Gentleman Farmer and his wife, Dr. M PhD, live a very self sufficient life. They milk, butcher, make butter and cheese, bake bread, raise garden and can produce. They love their little corner of paradise and I loved seeing it all through the eye of my camera!

Bed and breakfast??? Nope...just a little cottage in need of some TLC!!!

Chore time!

My back porch. I threw this in here just to confuse!

Quail eggs and homemade butter! ...oh, and my little pinkie!!!

Baby Spice Cake on my back porch. Rather erratic photo order, I know.

Two of my paintings that hang in their living room. All told they have 4 jamjar originals.
We trade paintings for eggs...It's a sweet deal for me!

Making bread...

Goodbye for now...but I'll be back soon!!

"Done is better than perfect!" I live by this saying these days. In the old days, I thought "if it can't be perfect, why bother?". Not anymore. I'm not sure what happened. At some point I decided that......oh this is deep and maybe you should get some muck-lucks on before I go any further......anyway, I decided that I wouldn't worry so much about what other people thought and just try to accept myself. Not worrying about others and tuning into what God was saying, turned out to be much harder than I had imagined, but it's easier to sleep at night! Maybe this is a journey everyone has to make and I'm just really late to the party. I don't really know...I only know that now that I've embarked on this exciting adventure, I can't turn back!

And I know one other thing: I'm much happier now! I have a friend that is uncomfortable with my new found freedom from inadequacy guilt. I feel very sorry but I can't go back. She'll just have to be a big girl, too, and get liberated from perfection herself!!
I can't go back, no way, no how! Not now. Not after experiencing the freedom of "what I am is good enough"!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17

This has nothing to do with the above photos...I just wanted you to know...

Thanks for listening and thanks for everything else my lovie dovies!!!

Girls just want to have fun!!!!

2010-05-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I got my camera back! I'm sure the way I was carrying on and on about my camera, some of you might have been confused or hood-winked into thinking that I had some invaluable, artistic, professional photos on that camera.
No such luck!!!
But don't I wish!?!
However, thanks to my adoring, er...adorable daughter, SonMarie, for bringing it with her when she came to "the edge of the prairie" on business today!!
I did get pictures of Stacey's Bridal Shower at SonMarie's home. Let me just say that if you think you are a good photographer, just try to take pictures while laughing 'til there are tears in your eyes and your mouth full of scrumptious cupcake!

That's my excuse for the poor quality of some of these photos! or maybe I was just too excited to take enough time I obviously needed to get it right! Remember me? The one with ADD who always is in a hurry? That could be the problem I suppose.

I will attempt to narrate quickly through the photos posted here.

If you are related to Stacey you will undoubtedly be intensely fascinated with these and if you are not related...too bad for you...Stacey is a wonderful person to be related to---all things being relative!!!

We hung the aprons we had received, in the mail, outside as a welcome banner!

At this point, HayBee pointedly remarked that every member of Stacey's family had been frantically trying to locate Stacey and that sister, Baby Lisa, had been left standing in Grandma's driveway!
Oh, good grief!!!
Maybe brother Z isn't doing anything and really wants to take a 45 minute drive!!!
In fact, I'm almost sure he does want to drive Baby Lisa! Sure. No problema!!

These two photos aren't good but they do show the clothesline of aprons!

As soon as we filled our plates we began to hear the whole drama of "How Stacey can't be found, Baby Lisa got left behind and it must be Mom's fault" told to us by HayBee...

and Mom, TK,----We forgot to tell her that "all abuse is heaped on the m.o.b."!

In our family, one chaotic blunder-filled mix-up is good for hours of laughs!!!

Aunt LeLe joining in on the hilarity!
We're a funny, funny family! Now you may ask
"Funny ha-ha or funny peculiar?" and I would just say...
"yes ma'am!"

Even Baby B thought it was funny!

Sister-in-law 2 B

Sister-out-law 2 B...(her description, not mine!)

After everyone arrived we moved the apron line indoors!

Aunt TAM and Sweet Momma Ruth enjoying her cuppa!!
See the aprons above their heads?

The bride 2 B and NayNie...

From Left to right: Jenna Bear's mama, Auntie MiMi, Grandma Sharon, Aunt TAM and
Sweet Momma Ruth during an emotional moment.
"Our favorite emotion is laughter through tears!"

Her self-addressed thank you cards!

"Mother-in-law 2 B" on the right...
...wonder what she is thinking??

the infamous recipe book

Baby B just being Baby B!!! It's what she does best....being adorable!!!

Modeling one of her aprons! It's retro, vintage chic!!!

The ultra glamorous apron Aunt LeLe made Stacey...Click on photo to enlarge and to be amazed!
This is the ultimate of aprons...LeLe has outdone herself, once again!

Baby Lisa made it to the party after all...We love you baby Lisa!!

Picture time!

Sweet Momma and The Girls!

The Hostesses, SonMarie and Cowgirl-n-Pearls with Stacey the Bride!
(I know this is an awful picture! It was even worse, I cut myself out of it!)

Stacey and sis-n-law 2 B!

All right, I have no idea what this is about!
Cue the music..."Sisters, Sisters there were never such adoring sister!"
(If you want to be scared, click on this to enlarge!)

Much better!

LeLe, TK and Jammie...saying goodbye!!!

And now that you've seen the photos I bet you are wondering what the big "deal-eo" was, right?

The only picture we didn't get was me sliding off the bench when one of my darling nieces forgot "THE RULE" and stood up without warning! No harm done though...I've got all kinds of padding!!

Love you much-ly, my little chocolate covered bon-bons!!!

Jammie

I can't believe I did this!!!

2010-05-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

I know that you, my little sweet peas, have grown accustomed to all my little idiosyncrasies (or glaring flaws) but wait 'til you hear this.

I left my camera at my daughter's new house!!!! We were there for a bridal shower for the "Backyard Chic" chick and I walked out without it. My most valuable tool! My camera!!!! I miss that camera like I miss my youth! Hopefully, I'll be more successful at recovering my camera!!!

Sorry, didn't mean to scream, but "oh, the frustration!" I have lots and lots of lovely photos of THE BRIDE and her family and the loot she received...only I can't post them because they are on the memory card..... in the camera.....at my daughter's house.

I can tell you things about the shower that I couldn't share earlier because it was "all a great big secret"!!

#1 Her mom, TK from The Sweet Seasons, had sent all the bride's friends and family a letter asking for recipes and aprons. Stacey loves aprons and wants to learn to cook!
She over-states her lack of cooking skill, I'm sure! No one could have grown up in her momma's kitchen's without picking up some skills! Her mom is a fabulous cook!!!

#2 The resulting 3-inch thick 3 ring notebook is decorated in yellow check and has "Stacey's Recipes" in script down the spine. She also got scads and scads of aprons! Vintage aprons, new aprons, hand made aprons, store bought aprons, aprons that boasted school logos and aprons that were so glamorous they could be used as wall art! (Her Aunt "Peanut Butter Kiss Kiss" made the most luxurious apron any of us had every seen!) Stacey was delighted with them all!! (and I just want to state for the record that I was not trying to sneak out with any of those aprons!!)

#3 I gave her a set of handmade Thank you cards that I had been dying to show you guys but I didn't want to give away the secret! We had everyone write their own address on the card they wanted to receive from Stacey, so her Thank You's are probably all but done by now!

I'll leave it to her mom and sisters to tell you the story of the missing bride and the stranded bride's maid at another time!!! No event ever runs according to plan in our family!!

Only 42 days 'til the wedding...and we can't wait! She will be a beautiful bride. I haven't seen an ounce of Bridezilla in her. Check out her blog at Back Yard Chic.
I am worried about her event's coordinator, though. I've heard some stories about her...wait, I'm her events coordinator...Let's all pray for both the wedding and the event's coordinator!

We received her and THE GUY's invitation in the mail last week. If I had a camera I would take a picture of the invitation and show it here. Alas, the sad, sad tale of the camera-less blogger continues...

I have to get that camera back!!!

...so sorry...I did the screaming thing again, didn't I?

Well, that's it for now my dear little cini-minis and my sweet little sugar frosted cupcakes!!! If I don't get in my car and head 2 and 1/2 hours East, I'll surprise even myself!!!! smile, smile...wink, wink...I think I've got an idea!!!!

(3 hour later)

Well, my idea was to call a friend to go with me tomorrow to a town 2 hours east of here and take my daughter to lunch. I could then get my camera and head back to the edge of the prairie. Turns out my daughter is coming here tomorrow on business and I won't have to make the 2 hour trip. However, being the contrary person that I am, I find myself almost disappointed. I was kind of looking forward to a little road trip and lunch. Doc might be right...I might be hard to please! Yikes!!! don't tell anyone!

Today's your Birthday---Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

2010-05-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

(Christian's birthday is May 3rd. I'm posting this early because of the time difference in Germany)

Christian with braces at age 15!

Today's post is dedicated to Doc-2. It's his Birthday. A long time ago, a tall skinny kid with a goofy haircut and a funny accent came to our family. On this blog I refer to him as Doc-2 because he is in med school. Then we called him trouble!! Only kidding! His real name is Christian. He has a very large piece of our collective heart!

(I'm sure you know the drill by now...but...just in case you don't...CLICK on any photo to enlarge!)

He is tall, funny, smart, hates riding in cars, dislikes nature, loves playing sports, works hard, is a little (ok...a lot) anal retentive and is never, ever grouchy.Count on Christian to be making a goofy face!
The picture on the lower left perfectly captures our three youngest! SonMarie: asleep. Christian: hamming it up. Johnny Mike: imitating both of them!

I have a baby book for Christian. All of the pictures are of him at 15 and older! He is 6 foot 4 inches and 30 years old today and he is still one of my baby boys!!

The summer he came here, from Germany, he had just turned 15. His parents wanted him to come to the U.S. He didn't really want to...If he had to go anywhere he wanted to go to Great Britain. But he was sent to the Kansas. (Where is Kansas, anyway?)His high school picture from his first year in Kansas!

When he arrived in Kansas the family that had promised to give him a home backed out on their promise (Lucky for us...but, wait, I don't believe in luck! A blessing for us!) At school enrollment, I heard of a kid who was in need of a home...the wheels in my brain began to go "clunk...clunk..clunk" (they were a little rusty!) I ran home, asked Doc and the other six kids living at our house that summer, if we should have him live with us. Doc said "Don't ask them, their vote doesn't count. This is not a democracy. I run a benevolent dictatorship!" pause.......listen for the crickets......holding our collective breath......"I think we should have him live here!" the benevolent dictator had spoken!!!

It was an adjustment for Christian. In Germany he was an only child. Here there were so many kids that he had to share a room and even a bed, sometimes! In Germany, he often ate, alone, whatever he found in the frig. Here he was expected at the table every night, no matter if he was hungry or not. In Germany he was his own boss. Here he had to take turns, watch the movie everyone else wanted to watch, get permission before going out and tell us goodnight before bed!

But, surprisingly, he made the adjustment quite easily.

So Christian became a part of our family. He was, alas, a normal teenager. He got braces. Pleaded with us until he got a Driver's License. He liked to argue, missed curfew a couple of times and almost flunked American History. He was a normal teenager and we loved him to bits!

When his parents let us become his legal guardians we were so delighted!!! SonMarie said "Now he will be in our family forever!" We went to Germany to meet them and to thank them and learned their amazing story. They were all originally from East Germany. They all escaped! Even Christian escaped when he was 8 years old. He had never tasted a banana. He had been told at school to never turn on a night light 'cause American missiles were always looking for targets. How sad!

So we brought home our German son, the one with two sets of parents. He found out that lots of kids have more than one set of parents...no big deal...not so hard to explain to people...hardly raised an eyebrow.

Chris, putting on a Monkey Suit for Prom!

The years passed. Christian won a medal at the State swim meet. He went to prom. He played American football. He went to college. He got a Masters in Bio-Chemical Engineering.

Graduating from Dad's Alma mater with honors---did I mention that we're proud of him!?!

Christian and I, the day he left for Med School in Germany!

He decided he wanted to be a doctor, after all, just like 3 of his 4 parents! So he went back to Germany to attend Med School, for financial reasons. He is almost done. We miss him so much. So far he has been home every year, for at least one month each time. Sadly, this year he won't get to come to Kansas. He is in his internship and can't leave.

So, this post is for my baby boy in Germany...we love you very much and can't wait to get you in our arms again!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Son!! I know you hate it when I cry so, I'm not crying as I write this...really I'm not (sniff, sniff...hand me that tissue).

All our love and most of our money,

Mom and Dad

PS...Say "Hi!" to your other parents!! We are forever indebted to them for sharing you with us!!

Knee Deep in Clover!!!

2010-05-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

(In case you missed Thursday's post about future plans...I spent yesterday with dear, dear friends on their farm "in-the-middle-of-nowhere"!)

Knee deep in clover!! I've heard that expression all my life...I have finally found someone who is actually "knee deep in clover"! Dr. M, PhD welcomes me to their little corner of paradise. She's standing in a patch of clover that is to be next year's garden! Green manure you know!

I took over 400 pictures yesterday and so to make this easier for all of us I've decided to work within categories. On today's agenda will be animals. Old MacDonald had nothing compared to this farm!

After five miles down a sand road I arrive at "the middle of nowhere" just where they want to spend the rest of their lives. Have to say it's not a bad idea!

We must leave the comfort of the front porch swing to be introduced to the animals! In later posts we'll get around to seeing the garden, the creek, the river, the babies (animals) and a whole tutorial on making cheese and butter! But for today...Animals!!!

Prepare to be jealous, Old MacDonald!!!

...and on this farm they had a peacock..

No amount of begging from the pig could get the peacock
to spread his tail feathers... Shucks!!

...pigs (with character written all over their faces)

...Horses...
(I know, I know, too cute for words! We'll see more babies in later posts!)

...goats...

...more horses... (not him, he's the Gentleman Farmer)

Dr. M, Phd. talking to the animals...

As an unabashed bird brain...I love all things chickens!

...geese...

...ducks...

...turkeys...Hello Thanksgiving dinner!

Every self respecting farm needs a few good mousers!!

...and what good is a farm without a few dozen of these?

...And then, the bee skeps... bees and clover...I'm thinking someone had better make some homemade bread so we'll have something to spread the honey on!

...Oh, so sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out
...they have cows, also!

...and sheep!!

..These are either the world's largest sheep or the world's smallest cows!

And down by the creek, (not to be confused with the river or the fork of the river), I found this little guy...patiently waiting for lunch to swim by.

(Speaking of lunch...I'm getting hungry so I'm going to post and run! As I wrote earlier, I have more photos for later but today I need to get ready for Stacey's bridal shower at SonMarie's new house.)

I had so much fun yesterday...I could hardly sleep last night because I kept going over all the day's discoveries in my mind!

A Great Big Thank You and God Bless to
The Gentleman Farmer
and
Dr. M, PhD!

Love,
Jammie

Excuse me while I have an ADD moment!

2010-04-29T10:39:00.001-07:00

Let me just say...I was never diagnosed with ADD. I don't think it existed in the 50's. I was basically called high strung! and perhaps...energetic and teachers said I couldn't pay attention...So, you might choose to call me a normal kid. Sweet Momma Ruth gets more sympathy when I write that I have A.D.D.

Now for the ADD moment:

I am always in a hurry. I can't wait to get on to the next thing. I always start magazines and books from the back. I like to make fruit bread but not yeast bread...can't stand to wait the rising time! As a kid I skipped the proofing step in math. All of this to say..."now you know why so many of my comments have typos in them...I never proof!".

Expressions!

While shopping with my daughter and daughter-in-law-to-be last weekend, I found some ladies panties made out of denim. "Who would want underpants made our of denim?" I asked. "Mom, that isn't underwear. Those are shorts." SonMarie calmly explained.

"Well, Good Night Nurse!" was my only response.

Cowgirl 'n Pearls looked at me and then at SonMarie and SonMarie said, while slowly shaking her head,..."Don't ask!"

I say "Good Night Nurse" when I'm at a loss for words. I got it from Sweet Momma Ruth who told me her mom, G'ma Georgie was prone to saying it! Wouldn't it be a hoot if SonMarie someday says it to her daughter?

PS...I also vowed to never utter "Good Night Nurse" and just look at me now!

Future plans:
I'm extra excited today 'cuz tomorrow I'm going south to visit my friend Dr. M, PhD and her husband, The Gentleman Farmer. You can probably guess this but...of course, I'm planning to take my camera. I'm not sure what photos I'll bring back but they should be interesting.

Beside being professionals in the "real" world. These two have Dexter cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, guinea, horses and who knows what else has been added since my last visit!

Dr. M, PhD makes bread, cheese, butter and the best baked desserts this side of heaven! (I'm holding out hope that there are baked products there. Makes it easier to pass them up down here.) The last I heard she was also writing a book. She is a Dean at the local college and more importantly a doting gramma!

The Gentleman Farmer is semi-retired from a law practice, is remodeling their 100+ year old home, has a large garden, tends to all the animals, milks the animals and cans the produce!

When I'm around them I generally feel like a slacker!

If I can't come up with a few interesting pix I'm not worthy to call myself a blogger! Check here on Saturday...I probably won't post on Friday because I'll be too busy having fun "out in the middle of nowhere" with the barnyard animals! Stop that!! I did not just call Dr. M, PhD and The Gentleman Farmer barnyard animals!

And "in the last but not least" category:

This from today's bible study by Max Lucado...

It's not the eloquence of the prayer
but the power of the one who hears the prayer!

Love, love, love that thought!!! and---- I love you my little, sweet potato puffs!

Jammie

2010-04-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

(I added the photo later so to have a reference for myself in the future)

And what do you think of this header picture?

I really like this pitcher. (as in this pitcher in the picture). SonMarie Sunshine made it for me a few Christmases ago. She completely caught me with this pitcher. I love short little pitchers and I especially love the colors of this one!
One of my favorite items to collect are salt and pepper shakers so, this little set of the "blue bird of happiness" and her little "blue bird house" is a favorite spring feature at our table.
Finally, the cobalt blue strainer is a new purchase. I picked it up this past weekend while shopping with SonMarie and the Cowgirl 'n Pearls. It is small and I couldn't think of anything to use it for, but I loved the color. After I brought it home I remembered Strawberries! The perfect way to put a few strawberries out on the table!

I'm thinking that this header photo has more of me in it or maybe gives better insight into the things that interest me.

So, again, feel free to weigh in...I love reading your opinions!

Thanks again my little fruit loops! Blog ya later!

What'cha think?

2010-04-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

(image added for future reference...it's amazing how short my memory is!)

Just a quick opinion poll.

Do you like the new layout/header/background?

I don't know if I do or not. I know it feels like summer and Kansas but does it feels like me? I toyed (obsessed) with it last night until I just gave up and went to bed. I'm looking for something that feels light and airy like "spring". I'll leave it alone for today and see what y'all think. (And as if I needed to tell ya...it's okay to be brutally honest.)

Thanks for being there (or here) for me, my little raspberry souffles. (Souffles are light and airy, right? get the connection?)

Love 'ya,

Jammie

Be warned!!! This post has been edited!!!

2010-04-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

(Rather than do another post today I merely edited this one. I put in some additional comments, but basically I decided to leave this up for another day or so...Jammie )

Before I get to the pictures of the move itself... "Above the Timberline" (in acrylic) is finished and framed and.....ready to go to a new home in a college town in this state.

Just a photo of my "jamjar"...in case any of you didn't believe that I actually signed this way!

Now... all of you sweet, sweet readers who aren't related to SonMarie and The Attorney, will probably want to just skim on down through this posting.

If you continue to read down through this post you might be bored to death and this site carries no insurance so you'll be on your own.
...Okay...You've been warned!
Proceed at your own risk!!!!

That is just to let you know that I took a lot of pictures. I had so much fun helping them move into their first "real" home--meaning not a rental---that I couldn't resist taking a ton of pictures. When I left I even found myself thanking "the Attorney" for letting me come to help!

It threatened to rain all day-but praise the Lord, it never did. It was cloudy though and I, for one, can't wait to see this home in the sunshine.

Their open door policy: Carry something and you're welcome!

"I'm here to help but I'm not actually going to lift anything!"

Suzy -Q, my co-n-law, was already inside ready to work!

Our wonderful son-n-law is the "workingest" guy I've ever seen.
Every photo I got of him all weekend...he was hard at it! Never rested for a minute!
Love that in a son-n-law!

One of their invaluable friends, Chris, who willingly worked hard all day for nothing,
but a piece of pizza!

Katie and Peter came and worked like the true friends they are.

SonMarie and the Attorney are so blessed to have such selfless friends!!

Peter and Katie on the back deck overlooking the basketball court!

Suzy-Q trying to make heads or tails of the mess of boxes!!!
... and Yes, I am the only one who didn't work lifting boxes!! All I did was unpack boxes and get in people's way!

Dad Donald worked himself into back strain!

...Or was that just a way of getting out of work?

the kitchen before Katie, Suzy-Q and SonMarie began the unpacking...

Three hours and three workers later the kitchen looked like this!!!

Front Room...A wing back chair goes where the desk chair is currently sitting.

Johnny Mike was there to help!! He is good at putting things together, like computer desks!

Dad Donald made these bookshelves. He is very handy with power tools!!

Off of the front room is the dining room...it has a rich red wall.

"Well, lookie there, 'Above the Timberline' has found it's new home".

In the corner is the antique hutch daddy "Doc" bought for SonMarie 8 years ago. It has been waiting patiently for a place of honor for lo these eight years!

Added during editing: In the following picture you can get a good view of SonMarie's antique hutch. It is full of glorious wedding presents of crystal and silver and handpainted china that she has had packed away all these months since the wedding. Finally she is able to display their lovely gifts and even use them!!! It was like Christmas...

"Oh, look! I'd forgotten about this vase!" and "Wow, I don't think 'The Attorney' even knows we have these plates!"

Step through the dining room into the family room. The family room connects to the master on one side and kitchen on the other. It is a very easy-flow floor plan.

Sky-dog and SonMarie...taking a break!
It can be very stressful on a Sky-dog to have to move houses!!!!
She needs to stay really close to her "mamacita".

Cowgirl-n-pearls worked her feet off and her fingers to the bones!!!
These are the only pictures we have of her feet!

We found the large clock at TJ Maxx for $12!! It was one of the few things they bought new!
It looks perfect in their family room!
Gotta' love TJ Maxx!

Added during editing: As I look through these pictures I realize how hard it will be for you to truly appreciate what this house represents to this couple.
They have sacrificed many things since they started dating 8 years ago. They have resided in different states for 3 years. They were even in different continents, once!
Neither one of them has ever lived above their pay grade. They decided to forgo an engagement "rock" rather than put marriage off any longer.
SonMarie and the Attorney put themselves through seven years of college each.
Their home for the first 2 years of marriage has been a 700 foot rental that still had dirt in it from the "dust bowl" years! That rental was a 30-something year old house during the "dust bowl"!!! We're talking old, small, cramped...well, you get the picture, right?

I'm not saying that they deserve this house 'cuz none of us ever truly deserve the blessings we receive...I'm just saying that they really and truly appreciate the blessing that this home will be for them!!!

...and now on to lighter comments...
This is what Cowgirl-n-pearls looks like when I say "act natural"!

the Pink bedroom...all ready for a sweet little sweetie pie girl!!! Hopefully!

Main Bath off of front hallway!

The guest room...Little things like headboards and wall art will come later. This bed sleeps great...trust me...Doc and I slept very soundly here on Saturday night! of course we could have been dead dog tired...but wait, I didn't lift anything, remember!?!

Now let's go out back!

Deck with flower boxes ready to be planted!

Swing set and basketball goal came with the marvelous back yard!

Their new yard has many wonderful little spots, like this bird bath area!

Deck off the kitchen

SonMarie happily smiling down on her new domain!

One last picture before we leave to go home...firewood all ready for the fire they will probably need 'cuz the weather has take a turn for the nasty!

Well that's about it for today! They still have lots to do and some things still to acquire but it is very liveable just as it is. Next Sunday, she'll host Stacey's (from Backyard Chic) wedding shower in her new home. Cowgirl-n-pearls and I will go to co-hostess. Maybe I'll take some pictures of the Master bedroom and of the fully finished basement as well as all of the bridal showering.

May God bless this home with love and laughter for many years to come!

What in the world is this?

2010-04-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

It's a close up of raindrops on chives! (Yes, my dear readers, more raindrops!)

Good news: we have lettuce for salads...

...bad news: it's still teeny tiny! How teeny tiny, do you ask?

Well, that's my pinkie in the photo! Fairly teeny tiny, wouldn't you say?

Random thoughts...

Doc says every tomato I grow costs approx. $1.97! This has to be a gross exaggeration--but even if it isn't...they're worth every penny.

Victim hood is the new Status symbol. I'm just saying.

Everyday I'm at the throne of grace, pleading and begging and whining. I remind myself praise first... God must get really tired of me. My tombstone will have to say..."HE just got tired of listening to her and so HE took her on home"!

We're all recovering from something and recovery isn't a piece of cake, though I wouldn't mind having a piece of cake. Actually, I'm recovering from too many pieces of cake!

I'm always shocked when something I grow turns out to taste as good as the grocery store's. We have a saying in our family that goes like this "we do it ourselves even if it costs more and isn't quite as good!"

When the wind blows ninety to nothing, like it is here today, I don't worry about my hair 'cause everybody's hair looks exactly like mine...windblown. That takes off all kinds of pressure!

When push comes to shove I usually get out of the way and head on home...I'm a coward like nobody's business! My dad used to say."I don't want you in any fights...I know you can run fast so you just run on home"...I still do! ---but I don't run fast anymore!!!

And finally, Doc and I are totally incompatible! I wonder if we'll even make it another 30 years! (wink-wink). I don't think anyone but us believed we'd make the first 30 years!

Well, sweetie pies, that's it for today!
We're moving "the girlie-gal"(SonMarie Sunshine) tomorrow. We're praying that the rain holds off.
Monday I'll be back here with photos of the hilarity of our family working and cooperating together to achieve a common goal! or something that loosely resembles that.

Thanks for checking in, my little honey bunnies!

I edited this posting out of concern that it sounded too negative the first time around and I was just thinking outloud--obviously I won't do that again!!!

The Rains came down as the Flood came up!

2010-04-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Remember this song from Sunday school? It isn't actually flooding here I'm just being a wee bit dramatic, again.
We woke up to rain. Pouring down rain. Don't get me wrong...we needed rain it's just that I had planned to work in the yard all day today.
"I should never put off til tomorrow, etc" and again "make hay while the sun is shining" and yet another nugget of wisdom "don't count your chickens until your eggs hatch"---oh, well.
It is suppose to rain for all of today and tomorrow. So I have a morning to catch up on blog reading and to work in the house. Which one of those sounds like more fun?
If I really get ambitious I suppose I could go to Hobby Lobby and lust after something on Sale! That doesn't sound very good, does it? Okay, how does this sound? I could go to Hobby Lobby and see what's on Sale.
I just thought of something fun I can do! I'm going to go stand on the porch and see if I can catch raindrops with my new camera. I don't mean use my camera to catch raindrops but use my camera to capture images of raindrops...you understand, right? I don't need to further explain do I? Didn't think so. Anyhooo! If it works you'll see it here...

Okay. That was harder than I thought it would be. I don't think I caught one drop actually falling and now my batteries need replacing. So what's the secret? I suppose I'm going to have to look this up ...oh boy! I love projects!!! This one names itself doesn't it? Project Raindrop. Perfect. Now I have something to do.

You'll have to click on this one to even see the raindrops on the porch screen. I'm serious if you don't click on this one all you see is a blurry backyard. So click already! Failure #1

Now this one isn't bad of the wood grain but I was waiting for a drop to fall...everytime one did...I somehow missed it. I have about 10 of this exact photo. Failure #2

Next I tried to catch one falling from the iron fret work. I was fretting but it didn't work! Click on picture to see drops forming (or that could be my imagination) but nothing falling. Failure # 3!

My final efforts cause my batteries are low. I waited and waited for this drop to drop and just when I gave up...plomp...down it came!

This is nice cause the drop is just about to let go and the cobweb is interesting. Oh well, as I said, now I have a project "How to capture an image of a rain droplet falling".

Okay, that's all for now my little dewdrops! I'm off to research raindrops!

Yard work springs eternal or Spring yards are eternal work or something...

2010-04-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

Lest anyone think I'm on top of the season...this is the scene that greets me each morning. It continues to remind me that I'm not done by a long shot. I haven't even bought any plants let alone planted them. So today's post is short 'cuz...I have work to do and this photo proves it!!!!

If I remember I'll post the "after" picture but don't hold me to that...my memory is short and my list long!

Blog ya later, my sweet little petunias!!!

How 'bout some Wild Turkey?

2010-04-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

New flag flying from front porch...love the red, white and blue!!

Now I didn't want to mislead you--but if your mind just ran to "strong spirits" that isn't my fault. What we have is really a wild turkey that seems to be "lost". On Easter morning he was spotted in the pampas grass of the neighbor's yard. It didn't take long for someone (no need to name names) to put out feed corn and water for him.

He seems to be pretty content to live out back in the pampas grass and let the kindness of strangers take care of him.

If I'm not mistaken it is illegal to hunt inside city limits....

...of course, living in our neighborhood might bore him to death, in which case we'll be frying us up some turkey!!!

I am home and I have a CAMERA!!!!!

2010-04-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

...or maybe I should say..."I have a Camera! and, by the way, I am home". Either way it sounds like a threat, huh? I am so excited to have this camera that I have already read through the first 124 pages of the 180 page manual. Note to reader: I rarely read owner's manuals but this is a special purchase. I've taken a bunch of pictures on various settings. It's a blast!!! The last few days have been extremely fun!!

Hello my little chick-a-dee!

This is Sweet Momma's and G'Pa's house in Ozland. G'Pa designed and built this house when I was in kindergarten. These pictures were taken in Vibrant Mode.

Sweet Momma went with her friends for a little get-away and G'Pa and I went out to take pictures of the cows and their baby calves.

This is my Lonesome Dove picture straight from the camera in AUTO.
I don't think this one is very crisp.

G'Pa opening the gate shot in P mode without special coloring settings.

Is there anything cuter than spring babies?

I cropped this picture of an angus hereford cross on the hereford mom. See how the hair stands out individually? I like that!

The barn that G'pa and the "boys" built. In Vibrant color setting.

G'pa's "johnny pop" tractor

The above picture was on P with vibrant setting while the one below is in Auto.

I love this picture of the new bull and the little "cowbird" sharing a meal!!!!

The Macro setting in vibrant color setting.

In P mode, macro but not with "Tunsgen" setting.

The wisteria on LeLe (my sis n law) deck. It's the first year it has really bloomed! I shot this in P mode with cloudy light setting with bright blue color setting. It seems a little yellow to me.

G'Pa's new boots...They aren't really shiny enough for him! "I really wanted some shiny alligator boots but they didn't have any".
(taken in auto in indoor setting. It's too pale and of course, the boots aren't shiny enough!!!)

On Saturday we went to a country wedding in Coffey County. Daddy and his people are from Coffey County, so I took my camera and went past the old homeplace. This is the homestead that my dad grew up on. The very last photo on this posting is of an outhouse down the road apiece at the old church. (This was taken from a quarter of a mile away with the zoom extended to it's fullest).

Cowgirl n Pearls went with us. She looks normal enough in this picture but in reality she's sitting there in a pink satin dress and gray sweat pants!

Johnny Mike was a groomsman.

The bridal couple used an old fire truck as their transportation. Here Cowgirl 'n Pearls is hitching a ride!

And finally Doc and me posing in front of the firetruck. The background conversation goes like this...me "get over here closer" Doc "I am close" me "get closer" Doc "someone might think we like each other"...me "be quiet and smile" click...Cowgirl n pearls caught me in mid-sentence.

A very long blog tonight but I'm so wrapped up in taking photos and exploring my camera. I'll try to dial back the enthusiasm in the days to come!

Pix and needles...

2010-04-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

Today I've been sewing up an apron (yes, the one I showed earlier, I'm just getting around to it!) and when it came time to do the handwork I went to my sewing box and took out my needle packet. I've scanned the actual needle packet below. If you can't tell from the scanned image, this packet looks about 45 years old. I could be off on that guess but I do know that I've had the packet for over 35 years.

When I was a child, my parents owned and operated a Gambles Store. They sold the store when I went into the 8th grade but "the store" has always been an integral part of my childhood.
One year, or perhaps many years, the Christmas Customer Gift was a packet of sewing needles. The packet was set up to look like a paint can and opened like a book to reveal sewing needles and a needle threader. I thought it was the cutest thing! I was easily impressed in my early years!
At some point, I was helping Sweet Momma clean out a drawer or cabinet (her favorite hobby) and I came across the packet and asked if I could have it. As kids we were always making sewing kits. "Sure," she said "we have hundreds of those". Well I doubt that there are hundreds of them anymore but there is at least one and I cherish this little needle packet. I really use the needles and the threader (hello, I'm blind as a bat) and I just happened to think you might enjoy this little story.

I have finally decided which camera I want to buy. Here is a scan from Sunday's paper. It is on sale and tomorrow I plan to purchase it! Yippee!!!! I can't wait to take pix again!

I'm going to be away from this blog for a little while. I going to Ozland to be with G'pa while Sweet Momma Ruth takes a little break!!! I'll have plenty of time to figure out my camera and take pix while I'm gone. So, hopefully, the next time I post I'll have pretty pictures to show you!

That's all for now, my little kumquats! I love ya more that leftover Easter candy!!!!

Above the Timberline...

2010-04-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

My latest painting is of a different style for me, which makes it exciting and difficult at the same time. When you look at it you are supposed to see the San Andres high mountains and the sun, remarkably close at 18,000 ft.

I put a mission in the composition 'cuz wherever a person goes in Bolivia, no matter how remote, there will always be a church.

Here again, my camera petered out on me. No I still haven't bought a camera but I am narrowing down the field of choices!

You can't imagine how crazy it made me trying to get the cubic bell towers even.

Doc and I have been laboring in the back yard. We sweep and sweep and turn around and find more leaves, pine needles and debris.

We paid a man to come and grind out the stump of our old apple tree. It is great to have the stump gone but I miss the fragrance of apple blossoms in the spring!

Doc-2 called yesterday!!!! We were so happy to hear from him. He remains terribly busy. He's trying to get through this year without borrowing money so he spends all his spare time(after his 12 hours in internal medicine rotation) working his job. He probably won't be able to come home this year but maybe next April! May 3 is his birthday and I'm planning a photo tribute of him for "Oh! Sweet Marmalade".

Yes, I've been riding my new bike and yes I am a little sore when I sit down but nothing I can't live with if I medicate!!! I am a maniac on that machine! It's a wonder I haven't crashed yet. They say you never forget how to ride a bike but let me tell you I forgot how to stop and get off the bike the first day I rode!

Cowgirl n pearls just called and she wants ideas for a caption for a bridal lingerie shower invite. If you have any ideas leave them in comments.

My Tulips are blooming and My blooming camera has finally gone home to camera heaven!

2010-04-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

My tulips are opening up and they make a very brave show on these cold, windy days!

I'm having camera problems, big time! No new pictures to post today, but like any camera nut, I have a couple of pics from a day or two ago. I'm doing my research on PhotoShop and also on which camera I may want. I haven't decided on either yet. But as always, you, my dear sweet potatoes, will be the first to know when I've made a decision!

Today the weather was much nicer. It was warmer and the wind died down to just gale force. I cleaned house this A.M., did laundry and then played all afternoon. Doc took me out on a lunch date at Chile's (had chicken tacos, no sour cream) and we went for a bike ride in a local park.

These darling little flowers are also in my front bed but I'm clueless as to their actual name!

Oh, good grief, I almost forgot the best part...We picked up the taxes from the accountant and guess what? We don't owe any more money. You do know what that means, yes? That is correct oh wise one, money for me to spend on a camera...I'm doing my happy dance!

And since this is alphabet Thursday...and today is the letter "L"...Here's my "L"!

My dear, dear friends...with 7 "L" kiddos!

I have a very good friend who has seven (yes, I said 7!) kiddos and all of their names start with the letter "L". When I first meet this family I was hopelessly confused! I couldn't remember which "L" was which and sometime just made up "L" names like Lemonade or Lavendar! Now, however, I know which "L" is which and I love them all. So "L" is for these 7 sweetie pies and also for LOVE!

So long from the devastated, camera-less, house-Frau on the edge of the Prairie. If it wasn't for you, my blogging friends, my life would be all too sad for words! Just kidding. I enjoy being dramatic!

Blog ya later, my little chick-a-dees

My Favorite Outdoor Flower Market prepares to open!!!

2010-04-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to "Jane the flower manager" for letting me take photos and giving me the 411 regarding this year's market!

Slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

Jane, your flower corner is absolutely gorgeous.

Now that Stutzman's is open, TK, you will have to plan a road trip! What plants do you need for that garden wedding?

The most beautiful corner in our little city, is at 9th and Cloud, where Stutzman's sets up it's famous outdoor flower market every year. It looks just like a Parisian flower market and such a refreshing spot of color even in the hotest days of summer.

This year promises to be even better and I can't wait to start bringing home the plants!

Okay, summer can start anytime now!

So long, for now my little sugar bug!

Spring comes to the windy town on the edge of the Prairie!

2010-04-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hey there, my little dandelion! What's shaking?

The trees out back are beginning to bloom and I'm just about to dance for joy!

For some unknown reason chaos is reigning on this blog site. I can't get any photo to be where I want it to be. So, since I've never been one to swim up stream, I'll just label 'em as I find 'em.

Bogey's...our local burger and shake place. My sis 'n law, TAM, and I were sitting at Bogey's when Johnny Mike was born...now remember, Johnny Mike was adopted as an infant!

I make dirt in this here handy, dandy black box. The difference between me and God, is I can take things like leaves and grass and make dirt. God, on the other hand, made dirt out of nothing at all...

This ugly photo is of my favorite garden tool. It's my compost er and I love the "black gold" that comes out of that ugly black box and the ugly wired cage behind it, also.

This afternoon was 90 degrees and I planted lettuce, radishes and spinach in the round "well" and green onions and beets in one of the square foot raised beds.

seed packets...I love the colors and graphics on seed packets!

And finally today, I've just about finished Bolivian Village.

I'm struggling with the grass in the foreground. I can't decide whether to go with a brighter, American style lawn or stay true to the arid nature of the village ground.

So I'm going to sleep on it and in the morning when I look at it perhaps I'll know which is better!

And perhaps tomorrow I'll be able to get this blog to cooperate and the photos will stay put without dancing around all over the place!
I'm supposed to be the one dancing, after all, not the pictures!

Tomorrow is Easter! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

2010-04-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

On a Thursday, Satan dared to once again enter a Garden.
On a Friday, God the Son hung on a cross.
On a Saturday, He lay in a tomb.
On a Sunday...He walked out of that tomb.
Today and Forever more He reigns!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Friday I worked some on the Bolivian Village painting.

I like their braids.

Friday afternoon we picked up our bikes and tried to ride but the wind was horrendous.

That's right a purple seat...Eat your hearts out, people!

On Saturday, we waited out front for the Fool's Run to go by our house....

(see how green and tall the lawn is?)

...and there, in the Fool's run, were our friends Laurie and Roxie

...saying hi and bye

...and moving on. 3 miles is a long way to be pushed, huh, Roxie?
(Notice the little, green leaves on the trees in the background?)
I'm getting very happy!

After watching the Fool's Run run past our house,
we moved Doc's old desk out of his office.

Isn't something missing?

Oh, here they are.
The whole kit and caboodle is on it's way to SonMarie Sunshine's new house!

Some of Doc's waiting room walls that Nurse Amy painted!

Cute, ain't they?

Moving in the new desk.

Johnny Mike came home to help.
Teresa and Levi pitched in, too.

Supervising the hanging of pictures.

More supervising.

Can you see the old microscope and the wooden Dr. on top of the hutch?
The microscope is like the one Doc had as a boy --and--
I gave him the wooden Dr. the first Christmas we were dating.

"What'cha doing, Doc? Waiting for Patients? There aren't any on Saturday afternoon, silly. "

Go home and ride that new bike of yours!

Prayer update: Bookworm called today and they got their home loan. The ID fraud is straightened out so they should be able to sign soon on their home!
Praise God for blessings received!

and on that note...
Bye-Bye, Sweetie Pies! Have a Blessed Easter!

Welcome to my back porch!

2010-04-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Hi, Cupcake! Welcome to the back porch. Actually this is my back walkway but, it is almost my back porch. Today I moved the bench back outside.Right by the screen door is my essentials rack (otherwise known as my yard junk!)

I just got new yard tools today and so, of course, I had to hang them on the rack.
P B Kiss Kiss made me the garden apron and Doc wears the straw hat
when he works in his rose garden.

In the bucket I keep clothespins.

The Hobby Lobby was hopping today!

At Dollar general I found some great deals to "spring up" the kitchen. At the Hobby Lobby
I bought a new "Apron" book and a polka dot dust mop with matching dish brush (among other interesting and very, very economically priced items!!!!)
I only buy on sale at the Hobby Lobby but, then again, who doesn't?
And dare I mention, yet again, that I love polka dots?

Our daughter and son'n law have bought their first home and we'll help them move on the 24th! We are totally psyched (not psycho, but psyched) for them. They hardly ever read this blog so I feel safe in showing you pictures of items I bought for their house warming.

The green "Home" sign and the "Home" birdhouse are for SonMarie's new home.

Is it wrong to use them first in my own hallway? Probably, but I'm bad.
Really, Really Bad!

Day 2 on the Bolivian village painting and I was able to start adding detail to the roof lines...

It might not look like I made much progress today but I had a whole slew of bargains to bring home from the Hobby Lobby!

My next step was to start adding trees and grassy areas.

Tomorrow I hope to actually put tree trunks under those trees!

As we go into this special weekend I just want to say---

Thanks to Jesus I am...

Blessed
Chosen
Adopted
Accepted
Redeemed
Forgiven

Eph 1: 4-7
courtesy of Beth Moore

So that's it for today, sugar lips! Happy Easter!

I Love Baby Breath!

2010-03-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

Last evening Doc and I took the little blanket I finished yesterday and went to "love-on" the new little grand baby of friends. Doc had seen her in the hospital but I hadn't and I was extremely anxious to get my hands on her.
As you can see, she is inexpressibly sweet and obviously beautiful.

Sweet, sweet baby girl sleeping away in the little blankie I knit for her.

(Now, I'll pull myself away from thoughts of new grand babies. Rein yourself in JamJar!)

I started a painting for Doc today.
Remember, I am not a professional and I actually have no idea what I'm doing.

(Click on photo to actually see the pencil sketch)

The pencil sketch--
I just get an idea in my head and after letting it perk a couple of days---
I grab a canvas and a pencil and make a sketch.

At this stage I lay in the colors.
I don't know if that is the right term but it's the term I use.
I lay in the approx. colors I want and where I want them.

Next I usually take a break and go to town for a coffee and I did today also.
When I came home I started putting in a little more specific shading and coloring...again
remember I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm just playing around with the paint at this point.

In case you can't tell it is supposed to be a village in Bolivia.

About 5:00 I lost the sunlight coming thru the window I paint by, so I went
and rinsed my brushes.
After which the pups and I went for a walk.
It was 82 degrees and I actually complained about the heat as we walked.
The pups were panting and whining and ...oh wait, that was me.
The pups did fine but I had to pray for strength to make it home again.
(My foot still isn't as strong as I would like it to be.)
Limping can be physically exhausting!!!

I am still using my broken camera and this is a prime example of what is wrong with it.
No matter how many times I tried I couldn't get these little blossoms to stay in focus.
Don't tell me it's my fault 'cuz I refuse to believe it
and
I want a new camera!!!
and
it's not me---
it's the camera!

The Bradford Pear tree by my front door.
In a week or so the front walk will be covered with dead blossom stuff
and...
...the smell will be, what is the technical word? oh, yes...stinky!!!!

Update: Our cute little 12 y/o appendix patient is still in the hospital. She is having difficulty with pain control. Keep her on the prayer list.

Also on the prayer list...
My BF J-- is "down in the back". I'm not sure what happened but this is day #3. I hate that she is feeling so crummy.

PS...Where does the expression "down in the back" come from, anyway?

See you later! (actually, I won't see you but you understand, right?)

I'm giddy with delight!

2010-03-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

The little flower bed out front is beginning to reward me for enduring another winter. I am always a little amazed and a whole lot thankful that I survive 'til spring!

These daffodils were planted by friends of mine one year as a surprise! What an adorable way to bless someone---plant bulbs secretly in the fall and then when spring arrives--- a miracle!

I can thank Dr. M, PhD and The Gentleman Farmer for these lovely harbingers of spring!

I'm am giddy with excitement to report that I have FINALLY finished knitting the little baby blanket. I've been working on it every evening while I watch NCIS! I must say that it isn't a minute too soon as the little bundle of joy arrived last Saturday. I hope it still fits!!!

A little tiny bit of pink tissue to "girl" it up a little !

A handmade card to personalize it up a little!

...and...

We'll deliver it tonight so we can "oh and ah and love on" that sweet baby girl!

Passover and a Prayer Request

Last year we celebrated a Christian Passover with the most delightful family. We had such fun remembering God's deliverance with them and especially with their five children, some of whom were so young that for them to sit and participate in a two hour dinner was remarkable. We read our parts and drank juice and ate bitter herbs, matzah and lamb! We'll probably never forget that night! (the whole point of Passover, after all)
Today the oldest daughter of this family had surgery and I just want to send her love and blessings as she recovers. We always say "The Lord giveth and the Dr. taketh away"! in this case it was an appendix that the Dr. took away. Good riddance and quick recovery!

What I've been eating:
Meat and salad. Both meals Monday and dinner today were meat and vegetables. I actually had a boiled egg at lunch on Monday but basically---meat and vegetables. Sunday was my 2 weeks Anniversary on Phase I and "Doc" couldn't be more excited. It is awfully hard on him when I'm on Phase 1. I'll soon move to Phase 2 but for now it is nothing but meat and vegetables. I can't get giddy enough to be more specific than that!

Verse:
"If the Son set you free, surely you are free." Besides my struggles with food I am also a recovering legalist. I got tired of trying to work my way to heaven and just accepted the freedom He offers.

Thank you for grace. Lord!

Some assembly may be required

2010-03-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

(For some reason I'm having computer difficulties. If no pictures are showing, please come back later...perhaps I'll have resolved the issue by then. I'm always having issues!)

The Before picture...

The After...
Before....
and After....

Got the idea?

I woke up Sunday morning, the sun was shining, there was love and peace in my heart. We left for church and still all was well. We shared in a lovely, moving Palm Sunday service. Afterwards, we ate at Hong Kong Buffet. Still good. (I had my usual innocuous Stir Fried Vegetables.) It wasn't until after we had finished dinner that I made my fatal mistake. It must have been the dazzling sunshine or the promise of Spring in the air that clouded my judgement.
And so, without so much as a twit of insight I said..."I want to stop at Office Max to check on cameras".
For Pete's sake! What was I thinking? Why would I let two males go to Office Max with me? One runs a business and the other wants to run a business! The next thing I know we're loading up a new set of office furniture for "Doc's" office.
The good news...no...the best possible of all news.... It has to be assembled!!!

"Piece of cake!" "Won't take long at all." "What else are we going to do today, anyway?"

Oh I don't know...maybe mow, trim rose bushes or take your darling wife out for a diet cherry limeade.

"We'll do that later, after we put the desk, hutch and 3 chairs together. It shouldn't take more than an hour or so."

Silly me, I believed them!

It must be bad... A man has resorted to reading the instructions!

Spice and I were exiled from the room, banished, ordered out.
They put poor little Spice behind bars just because he ate one little screw. Oh, the injustice!
"Mom, we need all these screws!"
(What kind of a dumb dog eats screws, anyway?)

Team work and seven hours of measuring, figuring, assembling and Voile!! we have a desk...

...sort of, have a desk

"JamJar, we can't finish it until after we move it into my office and we can't move it into my office until Johnny Mike comes back next weekend and we're going to leave it here in the family room until then where it won't be in any one's way."

Well, thank goodness for that. I would hate for it to be in any one's way.

Goodbye, I'm going to my "happy place" now.

(close ups of the flowers "Doc" sent me last week---still beautiful!)

Oh, and by the way, just in case anyone is asking...no, I still don't have a new camera.

Just dreaming....

2010-03-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

R-bob and Puppy hanging out by the pool...I found this photo and just had to post it. Good grief, what cute kids!!!

2010-03-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

The darling buds of spring!!!!

This is the Bradford pear just outside my front door...no blooms yet but the buds are popping!

"Doc" and I buzzed to another large, small town about an hour away to bike shop yesterday afternoon. The sun was shining bright and we were on a mission to find another hobby!

The landscape down and back was just pretty flat, brown and listless so.... I took no pictures along the way.

We went to Harley's Bike Shop located in this lovely older building to order bikes.
Our newest toys!

I love the arches and even the painted bricks.

This is not the bike we ordered but it is similiar, no basket,different brakes, different fenders and different color. Actually, I guess the bike we ordered is nothing like this bike but I needed to take a picture of something.

We both ordered "Giant" bikes, gray for him and (wait for it)...purple for me. Okay, just a little purple trim on silver metallic. My 8th birthday present from my Grandpa and Grandma was a silver bike with purple trim! I'm walking of sunshine!

We said goodbye to Harley's and headed home to have dinner with friends....

Two of my favorite things are eating out and laughing with friends. Last night I got to do both!

Me and Johnny Mike

SonMarie Sunshine's favorite father-in-law and, of course, me!
"I'm checking your blog first thing in the morning to see if my picture will really be there."

"Doc's" partner Dr. B and her husband and me...I'm sensing a pattern here.

"Dr. M, PhD", the other "Doc" in my life, her husband, "The Gentleman Farmer",
and,
yet again, me!

My bf J-- and her husband with, wait, can you guess? yep....me!

"Doc" and Suzy-Q with me butting in!

"Suzy-Q"
Finally a picture without JamJar!
...or could that possibly be her shoulder in the background?

Thank you Suzy Q for taking the pictures. My old camera has been pressed into service again but we work with what we have!

What I ate at my B-day dinner!
1/2 ribeye steak
salad with drsg
baked potatoe with butter
appetizer of fried green beans, onion rings and southwest eggroll
triple chocolate mousse
coffee
and some drinks (2) that weren't diet!
You wouldn't want me to lie, would you?

But this A.M. I am back on program and hopefully I'll be able to report back to you that I stayed on "the wagon" all day today and beyond!

It's cold, wet and bleak today but there's a pot roast in the crockpot and I bet if I begged really hard I could talk "Doc" into starting a fire in the the fireplace before we settle in to cheer on the Wildcats!
Yes, you heard correctly, we are "going for" KSU now! Oh, Sweet Marmalade! ain't life grand?!?

The Origin of Jam Jar and other junk

2010-03-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

First I need your help.
Two aprons to chose from...One of these will be my next sewing project!

click on the apron to enlarge... so you can better help to decide!

Which of these apron kits do you like better? "The Connie" has a rooster and I absolutely love all things chicken however, "The Patty" is checkered and I really, really adore checks. As you can see I have quite a dilemma. So help me decide which apron to make next.

"J " is for Jammie, used to be Jam, nicked Jodi and now jamjar!

Sweet Momma made this and all my outfits on her trusty Singer portable!
She was a wonder at sewing!

Today is Alphabet Thursday and today's letter is "J". "J" just happens to be my letter. Some of you may not know why I'm JamJar so.... (click here to check out Jenny's blog!)

When little Jammie was born, Sweet Momma Ruth took one look at her and declared that she was the Joy of Sweet Momma's life so she got a "joyful" name and a middle name from her aunt whose B-day she shared. My initials were J.A.M. I loved it 'cuz I was Jam, perfect for me with my sweet tooth! I discovered early on that God had blessed me with an artist flair and I began to sign my work "jam".
Enter "Doc", The One I had been waiting impatiently for since my daddy built me a playhouse when I was 4 years old. The only catch was that if I married him I wouldn't be Jam any more. Sweet Momma pointed out, in her ever practical manner..."You might not be Jam anymore but you could be a "jam jar"because "Doc's" last name just happened to start with an "R". Thus JamJar was born and I've been signing my work jamjar ever since.
Parts of this story may or may not be true...I'm not sure that I was ever the joy of Sweet Momma's life...but there you go, I've been known to stretch the truth when telling a story!
Yours truly,
jamjar

Momma sewed on a machine just like this one, sitting at the kitchen table. She still has the machine, all the parts and the case,(this however is not a picture of her's but one I found on the web).

When I was learning to sew I tried to make my brothers some GI-Joe clothes and ran the needle through my fingernail...ouch!!!!! I got better but never as good as Sweet Momma!

Anyway, Sweet Momma, made all my outfits for years and years, until I began to sew for myself. She made frilly pink dresses and such but she also made little blazers with matching bow ties for my little brothers and just scads and scads of doll and Barbie clothes. Wasn't I a lucky little Jammie?

I'm going to try to link this back to Jenny's blog for alphabet Thursday...wish me luck!

Thank you also for all the cheery b-day wishes!!! It made my day even better!

I've been adding color to my recipe doodles. They look a lot happier!

What did I eat today?
B:Coffee with lots of milk
L:steak leftovers and scrambled eggs (2)
S:and for supper...
Your guess is as good as mine, better get busy and figure that out, huh?