Simply Me and Maggie

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

2012-01-30T22:39:00.002-07:00

Lily and her princess mirror. She is doing wonderfully after her surgery last July. We have had a lot of changes in our lives over the last few months. One day we will be back blogging, if time allows. Maggie and I are taking things a day at a time.

Thanks For The Simple Things!

2011-11-23T22:42:00.003-07:00

A cardboard box provided so many hours of enjoyment for the grand kids recently.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Doing Better!

2011-09-14T10:33:00.002-06:00

Things are changing around here. Lily is doing better from her surgery, a cranial vault reconstruction. Blogging is on the back burner. I may set a record for the slowest blogger.

A Time For Trusting

2011-07-26T14:46:00.002-06:00

Surgery is planned for our little Lily. This week she will undergo crainal surgery to correct a too early fusion of her frontal suture. It has a big name to go with the major surgery she will have. We have been watching it for months. Most of the doctors that saw it told us it was nothing and not to worry. We felt it was something to worry over and continued to search for the answer. Finally, a doctor noticed and off we went to a specialist. He checked her out and scheduled the surgery. It will ensure that her inquisitive little mind will have the room it needs to continue growing. Keep her in your prayers! She is almost 13 months old now.

2011-06-28T10:03:00.004-06:00

Our little Lily is going for a 3D Scan of her head. We are praying the test will give us some answers and the doctors will know what to do for her. Her first birthday is the first of July. She is walking and very interested in everything around her.

Yard Work

2011-06-10T12:28:00.006-06:00

I work this little man in my yard quite a lot.

He works me quite a lot also!

I guess that makes us even?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T15:00:00.001-06:00

Hoping all have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Looking for April Showers!

2011-04-29T09:09:00.004-06:00

My little helper is busy and keeping me busy too. We have several projects going. It hasn't rained in our area in so long we can't remember what rain is like. We are very dry! We are looking for some April showers before April is all done!

These Busy Days

2011-02-11T21:51:00.002-07:00

Our days start early and go late. We will try this blogging thing again soon. Meanwhile, we are enjoying life, grandkids, and friends. Today was a good day. Maggie was given a clean bill of health at the vets. She had been battling tick fever since late last fall. We almost lost her. She is almost back to where she was before this sickness happened. We will still watch her for a while.

Hope your busy days are happy ones!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T10:57:00.005-07:00

We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I must show you this picture of our pug, Phoebe. Coming home from shopping one day last week, we thought we had locked our pug outside by accident. We looked in all of her special spots and she wasn't to be found. My husband just happened to look down at the tree and there was Phoebe! Hiding in amongst the bears, she just yawned and stretched and went right back to her long winter's snooze. ( We don't have presents under our tree because of the grand kids.)

Some Green And Baby Blues

2010-12-19T22:54:00.005-07:00

What a great friend a balloon can be to a toddler!

Pardon the drool, just posting some baby blues!

I am having some fun with the grandkids before Christmas! Hope your all having fun too!

Candy Cane Cookies

2010-12-11T21:43:00.008-07:00

Joining Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam at:

Joining the cookie exchange at:

I have been making Candy Cane Cookies since I was about 5 years old. They are a family favorite. I hope you enjoy this simple recipe! You can frost in a hurry and they still look okay!

recipe:

1 cup butter or margarine

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

2 Tbsp. water

2 1/2 cups sifted flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

Beat butter and vanilla until creamy. Add confectioners sugar gradually. Beat until fluffy. Add water. Sift together flour and salt. Add to the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly. Stir in oats until blended. Dough will be quite stiff. Shape dough into canes. ( I take about a 1 1/2 inch ball and roll by hand.)

Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 min. The bottom of cane should be lightly browned. Let cool thoroughly. Then frost with a confectioners frosting. You can dip the canes in white frosting then let dry before you stripe them with red frosting. Let them dry on a bakers rack with foil underneath to catch the drips of frosting.

It will make about 2 dozen cookies depending on the size you make the canes.

Special Times

2010-12-01T21:25:00.002-07:00

Time with grandkids and my kids.

I think she gave out on us at the zoo.

These two we caught being still for a brief moment!

Walking in the sand.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! All of our children were able to be with us this year. We ate, played games, visited the zoo, went to the park, took pictures, sorted pictures, and went to a state park near our home.

The sand dune may have made you think of the ocean, but this is the only water near it. It is a lovely, quiet little spot.

So much fun over the Thanksgiving holiday! I really hated to see it end and everyone go home!

I hope we can do it all again one day!

Fall Yumminess!

2010-11-13T13:30:00.006-07:00

What do you love to do on a crisp fall day?

I love to bake something simple, that smells wonderful, to take the chill out of my home.

One of our favorite recipes, came from my mother. It is just for an oatmeal cookie. It makes just the right, crunchy amount of cookies for our family or to share with a few others. It is wonderful with a glass of milk, cup of coffee, or mug of hot cocoa!

I wish I could share some with you all! They are part of my childhood favorites! Here is the recipe:

Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
1 cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup shortening
6 Tbsp. brown sugar
6 Tbsp. sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup nuts or chocolate chips, optional

Add salt and soda to flour in sifter. Sift together into a bowl, set aside until needed. Place shortening in large mixing bowl; cream, add sugars a little at a time and cream after each addition until mixture is fluffy. Add egg to sugar and shortening mixture. Add vanilla. Beat mixture until egg and vanilla are well mixed. Add sifted ingredients; mix. Add oats, mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet (or use parchment paper). Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 13 min or until golden brown. Let cool 1 min. and transfer to wire rack. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

Enjoy!

Boo!

2010-10-26T21:34:00.003-06:00

Well, I finally found out some of what has kept me from updating. I have enjoyed just surfing blogs though!

Not Another Proud Grandmother Post!

2010-07-04T16:56:00.004-06:00

Lillian Rose was born July 1, 2010! After many false starts, she was just a few days past due date. ( July 1st was my parents wedding anniversary. My dad would have liked that.) Weighing in at 8 pounds and 14 ounces, she wasn't exactly little Lillian. Excuse the hospital equipment in the background. We haven't had much time for taking pictures yet. Hopefully, more time will be found in the near future.

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Where Have I Been?

2010-05-21T10:19:00.002-06:00

I have been away for a while. The only decorating I have done has been by this little 14 month old. There are toys in every room. My dining room chair has been made into a high chair, my guest room into a nursery, and our office into a make shift maternity ward. Why? My daughter, who is expecting in June, is on bed rest. That makes me, nurse, babysitter, cook, maid, laundress, and many other things. I will be back when all calms down. Got to run now. Naptime is over and the day is just starting!!!!!

What to do?

2010-03-14T21:31:00.007-06:00

This was to be a red, white, and blue theme with bears. The room is our home office, guest room, baby room for the grandchildren, and music room. A multifunction room of the first order! I can't decide what I need to do next. The bookshelves need to have more color and be beefed up some. The blank space behind the bed needs something, but what? Plates? Pictures? The bed skirt is little short. Do I get another one? Add another layer underneath? This is what you seen when you enter the room. It seems cluttered to me. Any ideas? Budget? $50? That isn't much to work with.

I have lots of bears! This is just a sprinkling of them.

Maybe it's the combination of the quilt and the ornate day bed? Maybe I need a new direction altogether.

What to do? Hmmmn........(See, I'm still stuck!)

This post edited to add that I thank you all for your comments and ideas! I will be working on this room soon (I hope). I have been busy watching my grandson and daughter, she hasn't been well (expecting in June) and he has been ill also. Thanks!

Stuck

2010-03-10T21:23:00.005-07:00

Things have been busy around our home. I haven't had the time to think of posting. Felt sort of stuck with so many things going on and so much to get done.

Grandson #1 turned one, the snow has melted, and green things are starting to appear here. Can't say it is spring yet because it isn't yet Easter. We have had snow for Easter the last two years. It really helps hide the eggs! Maybe this year we will just have green grass to hide them in.

Things are looking nicer. Maybe I'll be unstuck soon and get back to trying to learn more about blogging.

Unless getting unstuck should end up like the above picture? Oops! You must be very careful when dealing with pugs!

It's Hard To Stay Beautiful!

2010-01-29T15:14:00.006-07:00

It is hard to stay beautiful with the weather we have had! Maggie has to be rubbed down every time she needs an outside break. She isn't to happy about it all.

My husband's tracks to find the snow shovel. He used the same trail to come back to the house.

My new snow cushion for the garden bench! It might be soft, but oh so cold!

Tried to get Maggie at play. She made this area her run.

Stay Warm!

Just a note: We now have more snow! I think the groundhog saw his shadow. :(

Treats for my Furbabies

2010-01-04T22:47:00.001-07:00

I did try a new recipe for Christmas. It was for my dogs. Found it on the internet. I would post the recipe, but it was from a site that I can't write and get permission from ( or I just don't know how to anyway). It was very easy to do. The dogs loved them. I made them with the smallest cookie cutter I had. (Since then I went to HL and bought a small dog bone shaped cutter and a tiny heart cutter.)

The recipe made about 50 cookies. They were made with whole wheat flour, peanut butter, beef bouillon, etc. It claims to be safe enough for human consumption. ( I don't think I will try them myself, but good to know.)

I gave some of them to a friend of mine for her two "kids". They are normally picky eaters. If it's not jerky treats or real meat, they usually won't eat it. They actually ate these!

Warning, if you find a recipe like this, DO NOT drop one off the cookie sheet by accident and let it burn onto the bottom of the oven! You can guess why!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T16:31:00.003-07:00

Where did all the time go? Christmas went by so fast. I really wanted to savor it a little longer.

Cavin and Corbin had a good time. I LOVED getting to see them together!

Cavin tried his hand at opening presents!

Corbin was just too cute!

Grandkids are the best!

Looking forward to another year of life as Grandma!

Our Simple Christmas

2009-12-16T21:23:00.014-07:00

This has been one busy week! I did want to share just a little of my Christmas decorating. I am really keeping it simple this year. Every Christmas, as long as I can remember, we have had this candy cane on our tree. ( My sister has a red one and my brother a green one.) It won't be where you'll notice it right away. It is usually on the back side. I know it is there. It gives me comfort being there. The memories it holds are priceless to me.

The red flocked balls are from my preteen years. My mother gave them to me when our kids were small. I added the red ribbon. I do love some red at Christmas! I seem to have a thing for red birds also.

I found this ornament at Cracker Barrel. I wish I had bought more!

A few more cardinal's were found at the dollar store and Hobby Lobby. I crocheted the snowflakes about 8 years ago. ( I think I made about 200!)

This is our small Christmas tree this year. We just didn't want to put up a big tree. We have two crawling grandsons coming for Christmas! My star is a little crooked and a wire is showing. Oops! ( I know. The tree is really made for outside.) The next picture is of a small project I did very late one night, using some felt I had on hand.

Are there red doves? I don't think so. This may be a redo soon. I saw someone (can't remember who) posted some cute birds made out of sheet music that had red or gold glitter wings. I would love to try to make some of those!

This is what I am working on now. A red bow for the wreath is my on the way!

This Santa was made by a dear friend of mine. She makes the prettiest rag rugs and crafts! I have a large rag rug and a tree skirt she made for me also. I love them and I love her too!

These poor snowmen belong to my kids. I made them when they were young. They are all in their 30's now!

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

It's Cold Outside!

2009-12-08T15:49:00.006-07:00

We had fog last night. We woke up to this.

It was very pretty, but also very COLD!

Within a short time, we had sunshine. It was so beautiful with the frozen fog!

Then, the clouds came in and it started to sleet, then snow, and the WIND was really getting strong! Gusts of 40 to 50 miles an hour! Sure made it cold! Maggie and Phoebe were even cuddled up on the sofa!

Stay warm! We're looking forward to some balmy 40's this week! Maybe we will finish decorating then!

Soup From The Pantry

2009-12-02T15:49:00.006-07:00

I am getting ready to decorate for Christmas at our house. I like to prepare a quick meal to save having to spend so much time in the kitchen and give me more time for cleaning and putting Fall away. It is really cold here this week! I wanted a good hot soup! 8 can soup was it! Very easy to make! I added a pound of browned lean ground beef to 8 cans of :

Now, isn't that easy??? No spices, added salt, or measuring! You don't even have to buy name brand! If you don't have ground beef, don't add it! This makes almost 4 quarts of hot, tasty soup! Yum!

If you want to really make my hubby happy, make a hot pan of cornbread to serve with it!

We ate this for lunch and we will have it again for dinner! I put two containers of it in the freezer to have at a later date. Do you enjoy making soup on a cold winter day?

Grandkids at Halloween

2009-11-16T22:20:00.003-07:00

Just an update on the grandkids. First is Corbin and his pumpkin. Don't let him scare you now! He is still so small but growing and seemingly healthy. I get to see him again at Christmas, if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise!

Next, is Cavin and his Tigger suit. He is crawling and pulling himself up on everything. We just went to have his picture made for Christmas today.

Grandkids are so much fun!

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T14:31:00.008-07:00

Happy Veterans Day!

My husband's dad served 24 years altogether in the military. He started at 17 in the Navy. He switched to the Army after WWII. He served in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam.

My dad only served at the end of WWII. He was in Japan serving as part of the men rebuilding areas that had been bombed. I'm not sure who the guy on the right is, but the one on the left is my dad.

Both of our dad's were proud to serve our country. They loved the USA as do I and my family! I wish I could tell them again how proud we are of them and their service. Sadly, they have both passed on.

Don't forget to tell a Veteran how much you appreciate their service for you and our country!

What A Week!

2009-10-29T20:33:00.010-06:00

We had some beautiful sunrises this week! It is worth getting up a little early to watch them.

We also had a real surprise this morning!

Yes! That is snow! My poor flowers won't make it I am afraid. We are expecting a freeze tonight.

All I had left were a few cosmos, marigolds, purple salvia. I have been gathering seeds for next years garden. We did an experiment with the cosmos this year. We put a tomato cage around one of the plants. It worked so well, that I will do more of them next year. It fills out around the cage so well you can hardly see the cage there.

I did so want to paint our fence this year. Would love to replace it, but that is on the back burner for now.

High School Reunion

2009-10-27T21:22:00.002-06:00

I relived my past and survived! We were just a small class in a small town. Twelve girls and twenty boys made up our class 35 years ago. I recognized all but one of the 16 members of our class that made it to this reunion. It was fun to see them again. Some of them I hadn't seen since we graduated on that Friday night of May so long ago. I do wish more had been able to come. We invited all that had attended classes with us during our twelve years in school. Some we had lost touch with completely, and some just weren't interested in coming as they live in our hometown still and see a lot of the classmates everyday almost. I wish more had brought pictures of their kids and grand kids. How fun to talk with them and remember all the silly things we did. How serious we were back then and how silly it all seems now. We had some good laughs. The school building we attended school in is no more. They finally burnt the building and dozed what was left down. I would have liked to walk the halls again. It was a rock building with a slate roof. All twelve grades were in the same building. I attended all 12 years of school there. ( I did have one semester of Kindergarten in OK.) My mom attended the same school. She will have her 60th reunion next year. How time flies! I always thought "old" people were crazy when they said time flew. I must be really old now as I say the same thing. Time has flown! Somehow, I changed from a teenager to an old grandmother. I still can't believe it has been 35 years since high school! I have been married 36 years. Figure that one out! I told you it was a small town!

Our high school principal and one of our junior high teachers came to be with us. We gave them every gray hair they have! And to think, they still like us!

Back In A Bit

2009-10-08T00:00:00.003-06:00

Gone for a while. Reliving my past at my 35th high school reunion.

Cool Weather Stew Favorite

2009-10-04T15:33:00.008-06:00

When the temperature begins to cool, my husbands wants either chili, soup, or stew. One of our favorites is "Mexican Stew".

It is not your regular beef stew. Cumin and green chilies give it a different taste. We love it so much that we make it every couple of weeks! I thought you might like to try this recipe too. It is a little spicy. (Depending on the green chilies and variety of taco sauce you use, that is.)

Hot Mexican Stew

1 large onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced ( We love garlic. I put about 1 heaping tsp. of minced garlic.)
2 Tbs. veg. oil
1 1/2 lbs. round steak, cut into bite size pieces
1 1/2 cups water
4 oz. taco sauce
4 oz. can chopped green chilies, do not drain.
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

4 med. potatoes, peeled and cubed

Saute onion and garlic in oil in a large 4 quart pot until tender. Add steak. Cook over med. heat stirring often until meat is browned on all sides. Add water, taco sauce, green chilies, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer with lid on pot for 30 minutes. Add potatoes. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. Stir often.

NOTE:
My husband likes a more soupy stew, so I add twice the amount of water and taco sauce. I don't add additional seasonings, but you may if you want it very spicy.

We serve it with crackers or cornbread and, of course, a BIG glass of sweet tea!

Hope you enjoy this favorite recipe!

Pet Parade at Katillac Shack

2009-09-29T01:00:00.000-06:00

We are joining the pet parade at Katillac Shack, http://www.katillacshack.com/.

We made the Play Strong Scarves to help raise money for pets made homeless by foreclosures. You can learn more at the above website. If you will post your pets and link to Katillac Shack it will help even more! For every link that posts-- Design Gives Back will donate an extra $3.00 to the fund!!!!

Phoebe Faye

We purchased her from a broken home. She is now 9 years old. Don't let her size fool you, she can jump like a goat!

Maggie May

We adopted her from an animal shelter. She is almost 4 years old. She loves to play catch. She loves her housemate, Phoebe Faye.

Something Fun and More!

2009-09-25T21:29:00.009-06:00

Posting about some fun things to drool over!

Homebody is having a one year blog-iversary giveaway. Go and see what wonderful thrifted treasures she has put together to celebrate! She has a wonderful blog. I love to see what she does with the thrifted treasures she finds. I know you'll enjoy looking at her blog too!

Also, check out Free Friday Deals on a blog I just recently found. Love it!

One more week and I get my bandages off and stitches out! My pain is almost gone! How blessed I am! Had a great couple of days at a meeting in Albuquerque, NM! Hope your week went well! Looking forward to a beautiful fall weekend and hugging one of my grandsons!

It's A Pain!

2009-09-18T16:02:00.006-06:00

A few months ago, this happened. Today, I had carpel tunnel surgery. I think I'm a 5 on the pain scale. Hopefully, I'll be back to no pain real soon. I am really wanting to do some crafting! I love fall. It is the time I work on all my special projects for Christmas.

What do you love about fall? Do you make little crafts for Christmas presents?

Would you have any left handed crafts for a one handed crafter?

Out Of The Box,Finaly!

2009-09-11T23:11:00.008-06:00

I posted about the plates below before. I took six of these:

and this picture below:

traced around them on newspaper. Put the newspaper up on my wall. And chose this arrangement to put them on the wall with:

And, now it looks like this:

I took the picture with and without flash but you still couldn't see the print in the pictures. My house is way to dark! The poor plates had been in closets or boxed away for years! ( I think I got them in DE in the 80's.) Have you had something you love stored away for a long time? I want to get my "things" out and use them! Hope you can get your things out too!

Thrift Store Thursday At Homebody

2009-09-10T15:38:00.005-06:00

I'm joining Homebody for Thrift Store Thursday! Go look and see what everyone else has found!

I love a good thrift store. Sometimes, I even like a not so good thrift store. My husband LOVES books. While he is looking for books, I wander around. This is what caught my eye this week. I can't believe the work in this!

There were 11 completed squares. Everyone the blue and green you see here. Notice the price tag?

I loved it!

Lots Of Projects Left To Finish!

2009-09-03T00:00:00.006-06:00

Maggie needs her hair combed! It has been busy around here, but not much is getting done it seems. We're just starting the day though!

Phoebe is napping, as no one is paying her any attention. She is hanging out with her Mr. Fox. She begins napping about an hour after breakfast. Oh, the life of a dog!

I did get my bear stamps (from way back) framed. Found the frame at GW for .99! This is part of my red, white, and blue bear (computer, music, and guest) room. This room also functions as the baby changing station and my husbands' dressing room? How much more can a 10X11 room do?

This is another project not quite done. I have put the picture and plates on the wall, but still working on the platter part. I have a white one up there but wish it were a blue one. I'm still looking for the one I want to put there. I also want to paint the walls sometime in the near future.

I really want to put out some fall decor. I love it when the nights cool down and the trees change colors! I also love fall decorations; pumpkins, leaves, acorns,maize,corn stalks, etc. Fall leads to Thanksgiving and family time. I can hardly wait! What do you love about fall?

Zucchini Bread Made In My Tiny Kitchen

2009-08-26T00:07:00.005-06:00

Today was a little cooler, so I baked some loaves of zucchini bread in my tiny kitchen. These freeze really well. (Forgive the shadows in the picture.) I love to smell things cooking in the kitchen! It really makes the house seem like "home". My mother baked almost every day! She still bakes quite often. ( She is almost 80.) I think I got my recipe addiction from her!

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups zucchini, peeled and grated
1 cup nuts (opt.)
3 cups flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
3 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs until light. Add sugar and oil; beat again. Add vanilla. Mix all dry ingredients, then add to egg mixture. Add zucchini. Have 2 bread pans well greased and bake in 325 degree oven about 1 hour. Test at 50 minutes. Enjoy! ( You may have to adjust this recipe for your area. I live at over 4,000 feet above sea level.)

I don't usually have the dogs in the kitchen when I am cooking. This picture was taken the day before. Phoebe's "daddy" opened a package of cereal to quickly and some fell onto the floor. She ate all she could, as fast as she could! She thinks she may see ( or smell) some more under the fridge. We checked- none there. This little dog is a food manic!

Hope you all have a great week!

Some God Given Beauty and Phoebe Too!

2009-08-18T20:58:00.011-06:00

Wanted to share with you some pictures I took earlier today. We had some more rain and thunderstorms pass by and this is what they left behind for us besides the wonderful rain.

Yes, it is a double rainbow! Look closely to the left and you will see the faint second rainbow. It was so very pretty in real life. It looked like it came right out of the Fairmont Inn's roof and went all the way across town to the main street area. The colors were so vivid!

It stayed around for quite a while. Just west of the rainbow, we had some wonderful clouds I wanted to share also.

These are mammatus clouds. I don't ever remember seeing them before we moved out west. I know what they are because the local weatherman had pictures of some on his weathercast a few weeks ago and explained how they are formed. They usually appear after thunderstorms have passed by.

I took several pictures of them.

You can see that the skies were clearing just behind them.

Phoebe has been on a "no scraps" diet for the past few months. She had gained a little too much weight and it was hurting her. She had a good report from the vet and has lost some of her weight! This is her favorite treat - an almost empty jar of peanut butter! She holds it between her paws and licks it perfectly clean exactly halfway down the jar. You will notice it is reduced fat peanut butter. No need to go overboard here!

Have a great day!

Hail and Rain!

2009-08-11T15:31:00.006-06:00

We had a really good rain! It started with a little hail and then lots of rain ( for us anyway). We had just watered a few plants earlier that day.

The rain sometimes comes down so fast that it fills up the low spots and roadways in our area quickly. This rain may have saved my lawn from being just a brown area. Now it is time to fight the weeds. They really sprout when they get a little water.

Everything does a better with a little water.

Especially, little boys!

We Had Some Rain!

2009-07-30T15:20:00.011-06:00

We had some wonderful rain! Just about an inch maybe altogether, but with the watering we had been trying to do it was enough to make my flowers start blooming! The Althea tree is in full bloom.

The Ice Plant is enjoying creeping out from under the Four O'clocks.

The Four O'clocks are just starting to bloom. I have yellow and red ones planted.

I put out several Zinnia's but not all came up. The ones that did are so pretty!

Blue Salvia and Marigolds ( need a bit of attention I think) are suppose to be more tolerant of our area but haven't done as well as in past years.

The Big surprise was how big the few Straight-necked Squash got this year. We have had lots of yummy squash to eat, but not tomatoes. Sadly,the tomatoes died a few weeks ago.

The Oxiliad ( I think?) we just put next to our porch area liked the rain also.

Mixed in with the Zinnia's are some Moss Roses, Morning Glories, Batchlor
Buttons, Cosmos, and Periwinkles.

That is all that is in bloom for now. Have a wonderful day! Hope your flowers are in bloom too!

Two Guys That Makes My Heart Hum!

2009-07-28T23:06:00.003-06:00

This is Corbin! He is two months old now and about twice the size he was at birth.

This is Cavin! He is almost 5 months old and much more than twice the size he was at birth.

They are different in almost every way already, but both mean so much to me!

I recommend grandchildren very highly!

Growing up!

2009-07-19T13:06:00.000-06:00

Granny's little man is getting bigger. He is really starting to look like his Papa more. Maybe it's just the chair and remote? Couldn't be the fist in the mouth, could it?

I get to go visit my other little man this week. He is over 8 lbs. now! Can't wait to see him and take lots of pics.

Find The Ten Things Wrong With This Picture!

2009-07-15T23:13:00.006-06:00

Remember the fun pictures in Highlight magazine for kids that you found a certain number of things wrong in the picture? This is sort of a not so fun version of that.

There are at least 10 things I want to change in this picture. (1) The white formica backsplash (2) the white formica countertop (3) the old white sink (4) the cabinets (5) the window (6) the window sill (7) the faucet (8) the paint on the wall (9) more indirect sunlight for my violet and (10) replace the little brown vase on the left, because when I was trying to take care of my violet, I broke it into a hundred pieces!

I love colored glass vases in the window or anywhere they can reflect sunlight into my house. A dear lady I worked for in TX designed her house. She had a small window put over her refrigerator instead of a cabinet just so she could put her colored glass vases and bottles on a tray on top of her refrigerator. The sun came in that window in the morning and reflected the colors into her kitchen and breakfast area. It was beautiful! Now, I do this to remember her and have a little lovely color in my tiny white kitchen.

Back!

2009-07-07T08:39:00.012-06:00

We had a great trip to MO. Fast but we got to see some of our family on the way back.

For some reason, we always get a parking lot view at our hotel. It was a nice hotel though. The one quick stop we made on the way was the Oops store.

I don't remember where I heard of this place for sure. I think it was Bless this Nest blog. This one is in Tontitown, AR. We went a little out of our way to get there. There is a lot of shopping in the Northwest corner of AR. We had been to the Springdale and Fayettville area before. I have always wanted to go to Rogers and shop but no time usually. I love the hills in AR! Was a real Razorback fan years ago. (I still have a tag on our van!)

We enjoyed browsing this store. It had a LOT of decorative items from flowers to trunks. It even had food! ( Although, that was sort of weird to me.) Cute building also, though I don't know what it was in it's former life. It had miniature buildings inside at the back of the store.

If you get hungry and are near one of the above(Lambert's) you must stop! We went to one near Branson, Mo. So good and way to much to eat!

Out front of the restaurant, there were benches, a very large checkerboard on the pavement, and these very large footprints. I think they were made by the people that actually ate all the food offered them with their meals. We were going to see if our feet spread out that far after we ate but we were so full we forgot! (By the way, that's not my foot in the pic.)

All in all, we had a good time, but there is no place like home!

Baby pics

2009-06-24T08:04:00.000-06:00

Update on two new grandsons. First one is growing. Need to take more pics. He had been sick with a cough. It has cleared up but still takes breathing treatments. He is a happy boy!

The second grandson seems to be doing well. He is growing and, according to his dad, a very easy baby to care for. I won't get to see him until next month, as they live about 9 hours away.

Just A Little Green

2009-06-22T00:17:00.000-06:00

I haven't been able to work out in my flowers much since fracturing my right wrist. My husband waters and tries to weed for me. I can deadhead with my left hand. Still, I miss getting out and working with my plants.

My lambs ear has taken off this year. It has had some friends eating on it's leaves though.

This is a new lily I planted last fall. Don't remember it's name though. I planted yellow and pink ones. The yellow ones are the only ones that came up. I bought them for a fundraiser for the local high school.

We are on a trip this week to MO. Won't be posting "in person" until we get back. Need a break but will miss the grandson!

It's Bath Time!

2009-06-20T14:10:00.000-06:00

Phoebe doesn't enjoy a bath. She knows when you get her towels and shampoo out that it is time to find a hiding place. Her she is under the bed in the computer room. Hiding behind the many musical instruments my husband keeps. I don't know how she got her fat little body over all of them but there she sits. My husband had to crawl under the bed and get her. Once the water part of the bath is over, she settles down and gets to playing. I think it is the relief that the worst is over. It is for her anyway. We still have to dry her. I don't know if any of you have pugs, but it takes forever to get one dry! They seem to have more hair than a sheep has wool. We start off with towels, at least 4. Then, we follow with a hair dryer. Then, after several hours of her resting on a towel, we take her outside to brush.

She enjoys the brushing. It takes a while though. Thank goodness it is windy usually when we brush her.

This is just a little of the hair that she sheds after her bath. The rest is all over the yard. The birds love to gather it for their nests. Something you may not know about pugs - they shed a lot! They shed all year long. You can brush, rub, buy special shampoo, vacum and dust and you will still have hair everywhere. We have had 3 pugs. They all shedded tons. This is my daughter's beloved pug. She will be the last pug I have in my home. We love them - but, the hair is terrible. If you don't mind the hair, they are very loving and playful pets. Good thing we LOVE Phoebe.

Maggie had her bath also. She loves getting all wet. She sheds very little and dries in about 15 minutes of frisbe time.

She doesn't mind that Phoebe sheds. She loves Phoebe too! I guess we're hooked on our (babies) dogs!

Go to http://hookedonhouses.net/ for Hooked on Houses and see what everyone else is hooked on.

Play Strong Scarf

2009-06-19T12:48:00.013-06:00

I joined Kelee at Katillacshack in decorating scarfs to help lost or abandoned dogs. The deadline is July 6th, if you are interested in participating you will need to hurry! For more information, go to:

http://www.katillacshack.com/

Here is Phoebe Faye wearing the scarf. I didn't do it all myself. My husband helped do the little embroidery flowers on each side of the word buttons, sweet. (My hand wouldn't let me finish, so he stepped in. Hurrah!) Phoebe loves to pose, especially if you have a treat in your hand!

Here is Maggie May wearing the scarf. She is a real rescue dog. We got her in 2006 from the local pound. Look below and see how she looked then. She is such a sweet dog!

We didn't find Maggie on Petfinder ( She was called Sunnie then.) We saw her in the pound when we were looking for a companion for Phoebe. She wasn't in the little dog section but in a cage between two very large dogs. She was also very wet! They had washed her cage out just before we came. We thought they had sprayed her but later found out she loves to chase water and get wet. We fell in love with her right away! Sunny was a cute name but she just looked more like a Maggie to me. A trip to the vet, a good cleaning, and she was our dog! I can't imagine not having her around.

Maggie Loves Her Play Time

2009-06-16T08:01:00.009-06:00

Maggie loves to Play!

She plays,

and plays,

and plays,

and finally, she will take a break before she starts all over again!

Don't mind the grass! We do water and fertilize but it is just so dry here!
( The structure in the background is my husband's office. It's a real man cave!)

Moving Things Around

2009-06-15T20:00:00.004-06:00

Oh, no, we're moving things around in the computer/guest room again! Phoebe wants to be near but has learned that small round older dogs should stay out of the way when boxes come out and things get moved around.

Phoebe is just not sure it is safe to be out and about after all that moving around. Maybe she will get moved around too?

I just moved some books out of storage and I'm wanting to paint the room ( but may not?). I want to do more of a Patriotic theme ( with a splash of bears!). Change is good! I haven't changed this room in a while. It was the main guest room until my daughter got married, then it became the computer room/extra guest space. My husband uses it for his music room also. A lot to ask of a 10X11.5 room isn't it! Now, you see why Phoebe is in hiding!

This,That, orThe Other?

2009-06-11T10:43:00.000-06:00

Can't decide if this plate goes well with this picture. I have had six of these plates for years and have wanted to do something with them. I found this picture at HL on sale. It is smaller than I like but thought maybe with the plates arranged someway around it? Still playing with it.

Sometimes It's Just Good To Share!

2009-06-10T22:55:00.004-06:00

Maggie and Phoebe having a siesta. They were both asleep but the camera woke Maggie. This is where they hang out if I'm on the computer. Their blanket is suppose to cover the bed, but they are using it more as a pillow here. They don't share the bed at night. I'm afraid Maggie has to sleep closer to me. Poor Phoebe can't jump up on our bed. That's a good thing though. She snores terribly!!!!! Maggie stays on the foot of the bed. (At least she does until after my husband gets up. Then, she takes his spot! )

Sometimes it is just good to share isn't it? Thanks for sharing your time with me!

Maggie Getting Sad

2009-06-02T14:59:00.003-06:00

Maggie just wants to go play frisbe. Let's not look at baby pics, be on the computer, or babysit. Let's just go outside and pick one of her FOUR frisbe's and PLAY!

Maybe we will .......................... when I get this cast off!!!!! (Sorry I'm just a little irritated. Excuse my rambling.)

Second grandchild

2009-05-30T21:42:00.002-06:00

Our second grandchild popped in a little early! He was due June 25th but was born last Thursday. Weighed in at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and 17 inches long. Tiny but healthy! Mom is doing well, but in some pain. The baby is in ICU because of his size but is improving daily. He is so alert already! Can't wait to see him again!

A Little Old Fashioned?

2009-05-22T15:00:00.004-06:00

I love old cross stitch and embroidery. I did the one on the top right years ago. The one underneath was found at a yard sale. The cottage was done and I finished the rest. The top left one I bought because of the saying, "Dear Home You Are So Very Small, Just Room Enough For Love That's All". My husband purchased the bottom left one for me. It says, "Bless Our House On Every Side, Bless Our Door That Opens Wide". It may be a little old fashioned to have these in our living room. I have been thinking of moving them to the guest room, as I have more antique furniture in there. I would miss them though.

Something Is Growing In My Garden?

2009-05-21T08:00:00.004-06:00

This is what should be blooming in my garden. It is Mexican Broom. The yellow flowers remind me of orchids. They smell nice also.

This is what I noticed as I prowled around my flower beds. LOTS of gnomes! They are not mine. They have found their way into my yard over time and by the hand of my husband. He seems to have a great fondness for the little guys.

They are hanging on trellis's.

They are in corner's of beds.

Quietly hiding in little unseen nooks.

Hanging on walls.

Swinging in the trees.

I thought that was all but found one in another tree, one in a pot of ivy, and another guarding the back fence, lantern in hand. Hopefully, the flowers will bloom, the trees will fill in, and the gnomes will become "ungnome" by me.

Still Learning

2009-05-18T22:20:00.003-06:00

We are still around. Just trying to learn how to type with just the left hand and a couple of fingers on the right. Taking a few pictures and staying very busy. Maggie is waiting also. It is very hard to throw a frisbe with the left hand and she misses it VERY much!

Carlsbad Caverns

2009-05-13T15:51:00.006-06:00

Carlsbad Caverns National Park will be 79 years old May 14. Loved the ride into the park. They just redid the visitor's center ( They still had portable buildings there when we went.). The scenery inside and out is great.

I can't remember the names of all the formations but each has information posted on the trail. We spent only a couple of hours there. There is so much more we could have done, trails,hikes, staying to see the bats come out at night, etc. Hope to go back again soon.

Picnic at the Park

2009-05-12T10:06:00.003-06:00

Beautiful in it's own way, this is our local park. I grew up with hills, trees, creeks, and rivers. The "lake" in the picture would be a small pond where I use to live. I do love the sky's here. You can really see for miles. We have found there is beauty in every place we have lived. Sometimes you have to look harder for it, but it is always there.

Blogging Break???

2009-05-08T13:06:00.004-06:00

I am new to blogging, but I don't think this is what a blogging break is! It is slow going with my left hand typing. I am very right handed. Had a spill trying to make a fast trip to Hobby Lobby. Didn't know I had hurt my wrist until I tried to push the cart in the store.

I will be reading even more about how to blog and will try to sew left handed to make a pretty cover for this ugly addition to my life. Any suggestions?

New Steeple

2009-05-05T19:03:00.000-06:00

Our church is in a building program. My husband took this picture the day they placed the steeple on the building. We are excited and hopeful to be able to move into the building in June.

It is our prayer to be a beacon of hope to our community.

Favorite bear picture

2009-05-02T23:08:00.000-06:00

Last year for Mother's day my husband had this picture framed for my gift. My oldest son did this with watercolor pencil while he was in college as part of a class project. It was given to me as a gift from him. ( I love handmade gifts!)

Bears are all over our computer room. Some bears live in shelves, on the daybed, and even in the closet. I'm afraid to say how many are living out their existence in storage because I ran out of room for them. Poor bears! I tried giving some away to good homes. For every one I place in a home a few more come into mine.

Blue Willow (Show and Tell)

2009-05-01T22:56:00.004-06:00

I love Blue Willow! Just have a small collection but started with an oval bowl that belonged to my husband's grandmother. I finally put some of my plates on the wall in our guest room. (I used the paper on the wall first method.)

We use an ironstone set of Blue Willow for our everyday dishes. Maybe it's a bit out of "style" to some, but the cobalt blue of the dishes is just the "look" I love. I love to collect pieces of pottery from Marshall, Texas also.

Mommy Rules?

2009-04-29T22:45:00.000-06:00

His shirt may say Mommy Rules but Grandma got his smile! All I said was "You're such a good boy!" (And he really is, not just a new grandmother talking.)

Gardening time

2009-04-27T22:33:00.000-06:00

Phoebe checking out the planting beds.

We have been trying to do a little gardening today. Put out a few tomatoes and peppers. I purchased a few seeds to try this year. Phoebe tried to help me decide what and where to plant them.

She loves to walk in the beds more than work in them with me. I don't know if you can tell, but she is on top of our picnic table. She is a regular goat! I didn't let her jump down. We have to watch that we don't leave the benches out or she will jump up there and try to jump down. ( She did jump off one time to run chase our neighbor's dogs at the fence line and sprained her leg. )

2009-04-23T22:00:00.000-06:00

Are we through babysitting yet?
This has been a busy week! Daughter went back to work and I am babysitting for her. Haven't had time to post or take pictures. Had volunteers come to work on our church's new building. The steeple was put on this week. The first day I babysat, I had 4 pies to make and 3 gallons of tea. Made pecan pie, fudge pie, an ice box pie, and a buttermilk pie. I hope they were all good as their wasn't any left!

Won't be back till next week!

Simply Maggie

2009-04-15T23:30:00.000-06:00

Maggie is posing for this shot. She wants me to tell everyone that pet adoption is a good thing. She was adopted 2 years ago. Three sofa pillows and two rugs later we are having a ball with her. (Or maybe she is having one with us?)

Rescue a dog or other pet today!

Easter 2009

2009-04-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

The little man's first Easter. Camera person a bit off that day.

Egg Hunt

2009-04-13T19:51:00.000-06:00

Our church had an Easter Egg Hunt for our kids. This little one found a "special" egg. She was so proud! (We did take a picture with her face showing but she wanted to make sure we got a good shot of the egg!)

2009-04-09T09:17:00.000-06:00

The sky here is usually so pretty. The sunsets are amazing sometimes. You can usually see for miles! Not today though. I would go out and take a picture but I might lose my camera. It is a windy day. We have gusts up to 60 miles an hour and sustained winds at about 30 miles an hour. What does that mean? Dirt! Dirt flies up in the wind and turns it all brown. You breathe dirt, you dust dirt, you smell dirt, and worse of all, you SEE dirt! I'll come back on a "cleaner" day. Today I am fighting the dirt.

2009-04-06T12:24:00.000-06:00

I can hardly wait until spring really gets to our area. Temps are suppose to be in the 20's tonight. I love geraniums in my husband's grandmother's old washpot. We have had this pot in our yard since we first got married. It has seen many different yards and even went back to my mother-in-laws home for a time. Some years I go pink, but mostly red geraniums as they are my favorite. I first filled it full of moss roses and it was so pretty but a bull got out of his pasture and ate all of them that year. That was the same year my dogs ate my catus garden and a skunk ate my baby chickens. Now I mainly fight the drought and wind in our area. Those red geraniums really make my day though!

2009-04-04T22:18:00.000-06:00

Maggie's favorite game - Frisbe
Maggie's most favorite game - Frisbe
Maggie's very most favorite game - Frisbe

easter

2009-04-03T22:13:00.000-06:00

What do you get a baby for their first Easter? I sent a card, bought a bunny, and fixed this simple basket.

Just getting some sun!

2009-04-01T23:44:00.000-06:00

This is one of our dogs favorite activities. The pug is Phoebe Faye ( my daughter's dog). Maggie and Phoebe have a love/tolerate relationship. When it comes to the sunshine they do share and enjoy it together. This is a morning ritual for them.

2009-03-27T21:15:00.000-06:00

What a cold Friday! Spring is playing hide and seek it seems.

Grandson is up to 9 lbs. Doing great!

First grandchild

2009-03-15T15:05:00.000-06:00

Only waited to be a grandma for most of my life it seems. He was a little early but still a cutie to me.

Maggie may have to get use to being second fiddle to this little guy! She has already inspected him and found him to be tolerable.