Monday, June 29, 2009

Monday Chit~Chat

Water Lily
Our day started with overcast skies and cooler temperatures. We even got a little rain.

Flowers
My water lilies and several other flowers waited for the sun to come out, but we enjoyed a break from the 100+F temperatures.

Blueberry Cake
I baked a Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake for breakfast. Then, in the afternoon there was a surprise trip to a water park.

Thinking ahead to this week, we are having friends over for dinner on Wednesday and a houseful for the 4th of July. What do you have going on this week?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Show and Tell Friday!


Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Dishes and Books
Thank you for the Happy Anniversary wishes! We had a wonderful dinner out and earlier in the day I went to see what treasures I could find at the resale shop.


Dish
I brought home two pretty bowls and a plate.

Dishes

Snack
Perfect for a summer snack.

Book
Several old books that I knew Phillip would love.

Book
He will enjoy reading through them.

Book
Commentary on Luke and John.

Book
A small book for missionaries.

Book

Hymnal
And finally, a beautiful hymnal, from the 1940's.

Book
Thank you for looking at my new treasures! Have a wonderful weekend!


Remember, that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden.
Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your exact show and tell blog post link, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions.

Etsy Shop Update

Good morning! Thank you for your comments on the salad I made. I hope to make some different variations and will share them when I do. Today, I want to share what I've been up to in my Etsy Shop...

Butterfly Bookmarks
I've been making lots of new bookmarks. This time without ribbon at the top and a smaller size for tucking into regular envelopes.

Bird Bookmarks

Bird Ribbon Bookmark
This is a new ribbon version. The ribbon keeps your place and the stamped cardstock comes around to the top of the book.

Paris Bird Bookmark

Personalized Bookmarks
Personalized bookmarks for young summer readers. I can stamp any name or word!

Personalized Bookmark

IMG_0353.JPG
And finally, a favorite new gift tag.

Everything can be found in my Etsy Shop! I will share a card making project next week. Today is my 15th wedding anniversary and Phillip is taking me out for dinner tonight.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Caribbean Jerk Chicken Salad

Salad
We enjoyed a delicious new salad last night for dinner. The best part is that you can use any kind of lettuce, veggies, spices, and salad dressing that you like!

Salad
Romaine, green onions, and red and green peppers.

Salad Dressing
I tossed the salad with Creamy Italian Garlic dressing and seasoned small pieces of chicken with Caribbean Jerk seasoning, as it cooked in a skillet.

Chicken

Croutons
When the chicken was done, I removed it from the pan and heated up some croutons for a few minutes.

Salad
Top the salad with the croutons and chicken. Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Oak Tree

Oak Tree
Our new Red Oak tree was planted yesterday. We are very happy with it.

Oak Tree
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Emily's Birthday Celebration

IMG_0179.JPG
Good morning! We had a fun filled weekend for Emily's 10th birthday...

IMG_0221.JPG
She asked for modeling clay, molds and art supplies.

4syhlsxIaoycfflcS2SeCgIpo1_1280
Watching an indoor surfing competition at a new store in the mall, with friends.

IMG_0177.JPG
We had company for lunch and then Phillip's family came over for dinner in the evening.

IMG_0193.JPG
For our lunch company we had Boston Cream Pie.

IMG_0226.JPG
Emily isn't a fan of tradition birthday cake, so she asked me to make Lemon Meringue Pie. On Sunday, we all went out for a steak dinner for Father's Day and then home for a nap!

One more thing...my friend Gina, from Simply Heart and Home is selling rubber stamps (many of them are retired Stampin' up) on Ebay. Feel free to take a look if you like paper crafting: Country Cottage Blessings

Have a wonderful start to your week!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Show and Tell Friday!


Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Fence
Hello! Today, I am finally sharing pictures of our finished fence. It was well worth the 10 year wait!

Gate
I especially love the top of our gate. Phillip drew the design for them to cut, and it came out perfectly.

Fence
I've had the afternoons to myself this week, so I've spent some time in the gardens.

Garden
I planted my first Delphinium...

Flower

Flowers
Hydrangea...

Flower
And yellow Lantana.

Fence
Thank you for taking a look around our yard. I'll share more next week. Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember, that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden.
Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

If you would like to join in, please leave your exact show and tell blog post link, along with your first name only (this makes the list easier to read). If your link has been removed from Mr. Linky, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Something new...

Portable fire pit
Our neighbor was getting rid of his portable fire pit, so we were happy to take it off his hands.

Portable fire pit

Patio
For now, it's on our patio (as a handy fern stand), but once it cools down in a few months it will be perfect for fall evenings. And s'mores!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Monday, June 15, 09

Breakfast
Good morning! I hope you had a good weekend. Ours was busy and I feel like I'm in the middle of a construction zone!

Tree
Out front, our tree is almost gone. Tomorrow there will be new grass.

IMG_9877.JPG
In the back, they are finishing up our new fence.

Benjamin
And inside, the girls and Benjamin have been busy preparing for Cub Scout/Faith Keeper Day camp. They made some craft foam shapes to trade with friends and pin onto their hats.

Crafting
Their group's theme is Alaska, so we went with snow, ice cubes and snowflakes. Between all of this and a graduation party on Saturday, there wasn't any extra time to go look for a new tree.

This week, I will have the house to myself for at least 6 hours a day, so I will have plenty of time to plan Emily's upcoming birthday party and to catch up with you here in blogland. Have a great start to your week!