Project 365: Week 29

If you've been following along, I'm updating my daily picture project for the summer. I was supposed to post my pictures every week, but it didn't happen. Life happens. I'm catching you up this week so I can get back into the groove of things and connect with Project 365 pals this weekend. Here goes...

Sunday, July 18

This is one of my mother-in-law's famed dinners. It's simple to make and delicious. You can find the recipe here.

Monday

The boys headed out early Monday morning to spend a week in the Bahamas on a Boy Scout Seabase Adventure.

Tuesday

Science Experiment time. The girls and I set up a crystal garden growing kit.

Just two hours later it was already beginning to grow...

Four hours later, a little more...

Before going to bed, this is how far it had come.

Wednesday

We awoke to a beautiful garden ten hours later... (a little more snow on the "grass")

Thursday

It didn't change a lot, but here we are on the third day! Wouldn't time lapse on this project have been fun. Too bad I'm not that technical.

Friday

Katie is my little foodie around here. She took a regular cream puff, one of her favorite treats, and kicked it up a notch with chocolate syrup and powdered sugar. Then she snapped a picture. I have a food blogger in the making!

Random Dozen is Back!

Come join the fun at Lid's 2nd Cup of Coffee. Just cut and paste her questions, share your unique answers and link back to the Random Dozen Meme. It's that simple. You'll have fun, I promise.

1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?

The last time I laughed until I cried was when I saw this video on my husband's IPhone as we're pulling into church on Sunday morning. What a fun way to start the day!

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it?

Tuck it in my wallet and save it for paper, office supplies or chocolate - my splurges. OR, give it to a needy college student - whichever came first.

3. Do you volunteer anywhere?

I've spent the last 3 years setting up a library at church and volunteering as a leader and registrar in my daughters' American Heritage Girl troop.

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it?

Green Beans - Sauteed. See the recipe here.

Love all kinds of fruit - blended in a cold frosty smoothie. See recipe here. And...maybe a cold slice of watermelon. Love that too. (A three for one answer! We like our food around here, what can I say.)

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large?

How subjective! At first, I thought, small. My closest friends are limited, but I have a wide range of good friends. So my answer is "just enough for me!" That'll leave you guessing. :)

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go?

My kids, mom and I attended a family reunion at the end of June. It was a lot of fun; see this post.

7. When you're feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up?

Not much. I usually have to find a way out of the blues myself. Flowers and chocolate help.

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer?

We took a trip to clear out Grandma's house. It did not feel like a vacation. My boys went to the Bahamas. I saw the pictures. I'm hanging in there until our annual vacation this fall.

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time?

Gum. I hate gum, but my girls like it.

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far?

Despicable Me - loved that movie. (I want a glow-in-the-dark minion!) Need to see Inception.

11. Describe a perfect summer day.

One with air conditioning, a cold glass of lemonade and maybe an old movie or good book. Now, if you asked me to describe a perfect autumn day, I'd have the details. I survive the summer. Be gone, hot weather, be gone!!

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!

Peppers at the Farmer's Market. Gorgeous!

Project 365: Week 28

Sunday, July 11

This is a shirt I bought while in the Midwest. I do not wear loud clothes or orange. This shirt is both. I LOVE it. Don't know why, but I would've paid full price for it (but didn't!) We've all got to have something our kids can blackmail us with later. BTW, it was bad lighting/kid operated camera that made my face red - not the color of the shirt. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Monday

The girls were invited by friends to go to a local water park for the day. Here they are waiting just outside the front door. They were ready to go!

Tuesday

I inherited my Grandma's quilting and embroidery materials. Here is part of the embroidery stash. She had thread that cost 15 cents - love that. (I'm guessing I'll have to check for colorfastness.) She also had a set of Farmer's needles. I don't know what half of them are, but look forward to finding out. I love carrying on the traditions that Grandma left behind.

Wednesday

I needed quick and easy meals to cook once I got home. This one is fast and delicious. See the recipe here.

Thursday

Speaking of blackmail...my 8-year-old snapped some pictures of her brother while he was getting his hair buzzed off. I included a pic of him with a full head of hair so you saw the transformation. Why do guys love to fool around when getting a haircut? (Am I jealous? maybe.) Anyway, we got a laugh out of the curly Mohawk, but I think he looks best with a short shave. Perfect for the upcoming vacation.

Friday

We needed to get shoes with non-marking soles for Rhett to wear on the boat in the Bahamas. We went to Sports Authority and the girls hung out under the tent awning in the entry way while the boys made the purchase. The girls pretended to be mannequins and people coming into the store got a good laugh!

Saturday

Eat. some. cake. This one is to die for. See recipe here.

Project 365: week 27

Today is the third installation of my Project 365 catch-up! If you'd like to see what's been happening around here this summer check out any of the Project 365 posts that I've put up in August.

Sunday, July 4th

We didn't go out and see fireworks this year, but watched the National fireworks on tv via PBS. It actually made us cry to see our hometown's spectacular display and miss it. We knew right where Mark, Grandpa, Ashley and Rhett were as they watched the fireworks over the Mall. Although we were homesick, we made the best of the night. The girls collected their own "fireworks" - fireflies! Several evenings they headed out to the backyard to chase the the flickering bugs. Their top score was 30 in one jar.

Monday
Wallpaper. Do you have any memories of your grandparent's or great-grandparent's homes? I remember wood burning stoves, outhouses, wringer washing machines, clocks, quilts, gold painted rooms, but I will never forget Grandma's favorite wallpaper hanging in her kitchen. It just makes me smile because it is "Sooo Grandma!"

Tuesday

This is the last time we'll be at Grandma's house. We may drive by years from now, but it will be like my childhood home - just a memory. It will have another owner's stamp on it. We miss you, Grandma!

Wednesday

We drove to the cemetery on our way out of town. Grandma's grave will be dutifully colored with seasonal flowers thanks to my uncle. I'm looking forward to her getting her gravestone. We say good-bye, one last time.

Thursday

The car is PACKED! jam. packed. Every available space is being used. Even then, our 4 foot Santa, that the girls stipulated "HAD" to come home with us, had to catch a ride in Grandma's car. At first Santa was in my passenger seat, but when we got laughs at the ice cream stand I figured I didn't need Santa riding shotgun thousands of miles across the country. Now that would've been a good picture!

Friday

"On the Road again..." Yes, my mom was listening to Willie in her car and we often serenaded each other over the walkie talkies. It's always so good to reach the hills/mountains of West Virginia. Then we know we're almost home. Love the flat corn fields too, but the mountains have my heart.

Saturday

It's so good to sleep in your own bed after three weeks! I awoke to my girls and husband making animal pancakes in the kitchen. While we were gone, Mark's mom sent him a cookbook that he had used as a kid. They opened it up and provided a fun breakfast.

I spy an elephant and a duck? ostrich? We had many representations of the animal kingdom and they were all delicious!

Project 365: Week 26

Hello, Friends! What a busy summer! I'm sure it's been that way for you too. I'm sorry I haven't been hanging around blogworld that much, but I have been enjoying my family and getting some things done.

Even though my Project 365 buddies are far ahead of me in posting their pictures, I'd like to spend this week catching up. I've got lots of pictures to share and want to have them posted for posterity (and for family far far away...you know who you are.)

Since I left you with a prayer request, I will let you know that the boys made it home safe and sound and had a wonderful time in the Bahamas. Can't wait to share some of those pictures with you too. So stop by each day this week and see what's been happening this summer in my family!

Sunday, June 27th - Family Reunion

My immediate family has never been to one of our family reunions and it has been over 20 years since I've been to one. We had such a fun time! It was so good to see my cousins who were in their early 20's when I saw them last. Needless to say, we've all changed a lot.

FOOD - My son knows that I come from a southern family, but he has never seen so much fried chicken, potato salad, oyster casserole and jello salads in one place before. He said it was a southern feast and it was! Love coming from a family of good cooks!

FAMILY - My Great-Aunt Ellie was holding one of the newest little ones and I knew Tara would be making her move! She can't resist a baby. In the second picture she's gotten her way. Hang on little guy! Ashley got in on the baby-holding and I wondered how many years from now will she be holding one of her own. She'll be a natural!

FUN - My cousin, Ray, brought a game called Washers for the whole family to play together. It's a lot like Horseshoes, but portable. The plywood box has sand or carpet lining the bottom with a center pvc pipe circle for the goal. Rhett got roped into playing and did well. Katie was desperate to try and got her wish.

Monday

My family, my Aunt (left), and my mom (right) all celebrated my Uncle's 60th birthday. The girls gave him dog toys (to play with his dog) and homemade cards. I'm sure it's been a while since he's received such thoughtful gifts! :)

Tuesday

When I was a child this tower was sheer terror for me. I am extremely afraid of heights. I wanted to share the tower with my girls since they don't share my fear and I made it out alive with only yelling once, "Don't lean over the side!"

Tower Background: The Peoria Heights Observation Tower is a one-half million gallon water tower with three observation decks on top. The decks are designed to provide an unobstructed view in all directions. This structure is the only one of its kind in the country.

View of the Illinois River - where I grew up.

My brave observation party!

Wednesday

Some things are best as memories. As I was clearing out Grandma's house I came across these two records. I would lay on the floor by Grandma's record player and play these two over and over again. Lee Greenwood's "Love Song" is my favorite! I just wanted to snap a pic and remember the good times.

Thursday

We had to get out of the house! So I took the girls to the SMALL local library to get some books. Their whole library was smaller than our kid's section back home, but it was good to get out and do a little reading together. Here the girls occupy themselves with toys while I peruse a current magazine.

Friday

One of my favorite bloggers, Traci, at Beneath My Heart, loves Hobby Lobby. There are only TWO stores in all of Virginia (cause I just stopped typing and googled to find out.) Thankfully, one is on the way to my daughter's college. I will be making an extra stop from here on out.

Anyway, I saw a Hobby Lobby while in IL and stopped in to see what all of Traci's fuss was about. Oh, MY! I redecorated my home mentally while I was there. I LOVED Hobby Lobby! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! Words can not describe.... Thank you, Traci, for singing the praises of Hobby Lobby. I will be shopping at a store near me. (or one at least a few hours away.)

Saturday

We held a garage sale to get rid of Grandma's things. It was so hot and I wasn't even thinking of taking photos. However, at the end of the day, my girls climbed into their uncle's truck while we loaded items to be taken to a church for donation. Such a "country" thing to do for two city girls.

Project 365: Week 25

Hello, Friends! What a busy summer! I'm sure it's been that way for you too. I'm sorry I haven't been hanging around blogworld that much, but I have been enjoying my family and getting some things done so I'm ok with taking the time off.

Even though my Project 365 buddies are far ahead of me in posting their pictures, I'd like to spend this week catching up. I've got lots of pictures to share and want to have them posted for posterity (and for family far far away...you know who you are.)

Since I left you with a prayer request in my last post, I will let you know that the boys made it home safe and sound and had a wonderful time in the Bahamas. Can't wait to share some of those pictures with you too. So stop by each day this week and see what's been happening this summer in my family!

Sunday, June 20 - No Picture

Monday - no picture (sorry, frantically packing!)

Tuesday

A field of concrete corn? Read about this sight here. See close ups here. It's near a hotel that's our home away from home!

Wednesday

We don't have Steak N Shake where we live so it's one of our favorite spots on our way to the Midwest...Brownsburg, IN, here we are! This is part of the crazy crew!

Thursday

Not long after parking in Grandma's driveway, we found a little froggy friend. (This with a point and shoot camera; I love my Nikon!)

Friday

After two days in the car we climbed back in and drove four more hours to attend a family reunion. We made a stop at Dairy Queen for lunch where Tara quipped, "Mom, I'm a spoonicorn!" That girl needed some fresh air! :)

Prayer for Safety

My husband and son left at dawn this morning. They are driving to FL to catch a plane to the Bahamas where they will be sailing on a 42' boat - off to have a great adventure participating in a Boy Scout Seabase Excursion.

I am a puddle. I hate when our family is separated. I'm a homebody and I like all the bodies at home with me!

In church yesterday we sang a song about surrender and I just sobbed thinking that my boys may not ever come home. I've teased that I don't want them to end up a Reader's Digest story - "Boy Scouts barely survive storm at sea." Couldn't even think about the story of them not surviving.

They have many hours of driving, a puddle-jumper plane ride twice, and a week of sailing. Ugh. I'm happy they will have this trip as a memory, but I'd really rather not collect any life insurance money if at all possible.

Does anyone else have thoughts like this?

I then thought, "What if they're lost at sea? The insurance company might not even give me the money." Weirdo!

Anyway...

Our pastor has been speaking on idols - anything that takes the place of God. It's amazing how much I depend on my men, but I have to remember that they belong to the Lord. I don't have enough grace to think about losing them. The Lord doesn't give us grace for our imagined fears. He gives us grace the moment we need it.

On the way to church today I was singing along with a Chris Tomlin CD. We were singing, "Your grace is enough, your grace is enough..." It's so true. It's always been and always will be. I just have to trust and leave my loved ones in His hands where they are already safe and sound.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

Father,

Please, keep my boys safe while they travel and sail. Give them something great to share and remember. Bond their hearts together even more. Let them enjoy your beautiful creation to its fullest!

Calm my heart and help me to trust in you. I thank you for the song that reminded me that your grace is enough. It always is. You are amazing, Lord.

Please, protect us (girls) at home. Give us a great week together. May we rejoice in your abundant goodness!

Thank you for my family!

Amen.

Avatar

A little behind the times? Usually!

Last night we watched On Demand James Cameron's Avatar. I liked the movie a lot.

When it was in theaters we heard it dealt with a lot of social issues, and although beautiful cinematically, it wasn't worth seeing. To be honest, I'm getting a little tired of reading movie reviews because there doesn't seem to be a voice out there that has my point-of-view.

Yes, there were social issues and you could totally go off the deep end with the "Save the Earth" bit. I know my mind on the issue and give room for other people's opinions. A fantasy movie isn't going to change that.

It was reminiscent of the Native American culture with some African tribal touches. Although I do not share the same religious beliefs, again, I can certainly be exposed to them without damaging my own faith.

There was bad language in the movie. Before writing this post I went to Plugged In Online, Focus on the Family's movie review site, to see what their reviewer posted. Last December I probably went to this site and read the review and decided to skip the movie. Last night I, obviously, forgot what I had read. There was more language in the movie than I actually heard. I hate how desensitized we can be to our Lord's name taken in vain. I do not recall one instance, but Plugged In assures me there was. I think when military men use foul language in a movie, you automatically dismiss it, especially when they're the bad guy. Not a good excuse, mind you. Just analyzing my lack of detection here.

Anyway, there were scantily clad blue natives and as a woman that didn't really effect me, but it does my teenage son. So I sometimes have to rethink inappropriate dress if we're watching something together.

I took Avatar as a breathtakingly beautiful movie - totally fantastical - love story with a touch of adventure and left it at that. If I had reread the reviews and decided not to watch it, I would have not missed the experience. (Profound, that one, huh!) However, a different choice was made last night and I thought James Cameron made an original movie. With all the remakes out right now, it was fun to have something that captured the imagination!

The movie returns to 3D theaters on August 27th for a limited time. I might sneak away and see it on the big screen. I might not. We'll see.

BTW, last Fall before the movie came out my daughter, Ashley, used a photo editing software to create this creepy picture of her eye. Maybe she was on to something... Ha!

Gettin' Stuff Done

Recently my mom shared this passage with me: Luke 1:29-31

(29)As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. (30)Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. (31)So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

Mom then joked, "Simon's mother-in-law probably thought, 'Look at all the things that didn't get done around here while I was down.'" That cracked me up!

Since I've returned home from clearing out my grandmother's house in IL I've thought about her "funny" and how true it was for me while being gone and leaving my husband and two oldest kids at home. They maintained an acceptable level of living, but I've been cleaning and reorganizing to put my house back into order for me. I was ready to tackle some of my own problems in the house after returning. You think about all the junk you're storing that just needs to go.

Thank goodness, it's summer and I have the time to purge, sort and scrub. What projects have you been able to tackle this summer? My list is long (too long to accomplish), but I'm working on it!

Grandma's China in the kitchen cupboards
Clean kitchen
Mountains of laundry
Put Grandma's Christmas acquisitions in storage room
Choose a container and place for Grandma's quilting supplies
Read/Answer/Delete way too much email
Run errands for supplies for boy's trip
Etc...

In A Stack...Report # 6 & I'm BACK!

Hello, fellow bloggers; I'm back! After spending three weeks clearing out my grandmother's house it is GOOD to be home!

While I was away I did some leisure reading before bedtime. Today I want to share a summary of a book with you that I have a feeling had a much greater impact on me than I actually realize.

The Walk has piqued my interest in a new series by Richard Paul Evans. The author paints a vivid picture of main character, Alan Christoffersen's, loss. If you have ever experienced a time of great loss in your own life, then Alan's emotional responses will more than likely resonate with you.

At a time when survival is a choice, Alan chooses to take a walk. He packs up the essentials and leaves Seattle to begin his journey to the farthest point on his map: Key West, Florida.

The Walk lays the foundation for this new book series. The journey begins by first crossing Washington state where many interesting characters emerge along the way. This book is chock full of great quotes written in Alan's diary. There are many paragraphs throughout where I mused, "I want to come back and think about this!" The quote that opens chapter three continues to resonate with me.

"The assumption of time is one of humanity's greatest follies. We tell ourselves that there's always tomorrow, when we can no more predict tomorrow than we can the weather. Procrastination is the thief of dreams." Alan Christoffersen's diary

Alan's wife implores him to LIVE! I'm reading this book at a time of heartache and great emotion. When you go through a loved ones possessions you think about their life and you also think about the life you're living. What will you leave behind? What will matter to those who inherit your stuff? What does your stuff say about you and your priorities?

My behavior has changed since returning home. I don't really even know if my family has noticed; I imagine my husband has, but I want to LIVE! Daily life is full of routine, but are you ALIVE while living it? Do you look for beauty in the minutia? Do you stop and take the time to truly express your love? Did you allow the interruption so the needy person knows you care more about them than about what they interrupted?

I'm tired of being afraid of what others will think of me so I bought a bright shirt and wore it to church.

I'm tired of being overwhelmed by the daily tasks that are always there so I do what I can and let the messy living room go one more day.

I'm tired of being tired so I worked out at the gym and followed it up by swimming laps at the local pool. Tonight is yoga with a friend.

I'm tired of not getting out of the house because I'm just too lazy so I took my girls to the library at night.

I'm tired of letting the to-do lists run my life so I have shared intimately with my husband more since coming home. I've stopped to read books to my girls and to watch tv WITH them! I've played games with my big kids and husband.

I've tried to ENJOY my family. We don't have that much time left where we'll be a family of six with a junior in college and a senior in high school. Things will change dramatically in the next few years. I want to ENJOY them all right now. Just as the quote admonishes, tomorrow is no guarantee.

Well, I hope that didn't feel like a sermon. It's just been what's been going through my thoughts these past few days.

Back to the summary: I enjoyed this book. Could ya' tell? It made me want to visit the small towns of Washington and maybe even take a long walk...just not to Florida! :)

I hope you'll go LIVE today and enjoy it!