Morning Glories

A great way to start the week is to see our first Morning Glory blooms.


I'm sure I planted the blue variety, but the purple is beautiful, too.


Happy Monday!

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.


Hello! My friend Sandra, at Ravenhill Cottage recently shared pictures of her bookshelves and books, so I thought I would join in. The ones I'm sharing today don't include the wall of shelves in Phillip's office!


We have four shelves in our schoolroom for history, geography, science and novels.


I also keep our collection of Wizard of Oz dolls here. We got them at McDonalds several years ago.


This bookshelf is in our hallway. We have more novels, devotionals, art, poetry and children's story books here.


And finally, a shelf in our bedroom for magazines and non-fiction.


There is also a spot for my Matryoshka dolls, found at a yardsale. Thank you for stopping by and taking a look. 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.

Roast Chicken and Blueberry Cake

Last week friends of ours had a new baby, so we took them a gift and dinner.


I made roasted chicken and vegetables. I coated everything with a little olive oil and sprinkled on a spice and herb packet. I don't remember the exact name, but I found it near the dry gravy mixes.


For dessert, I tried a new recipe: Blueberry Oatmeal Cake. I made one for us too, and it was delicious!

I hope your week is going well. School is keeping us busy and the girls and I are getting haircuts this afternoon. Talk to you soon!

Update:  We did not end up getting haircuts.  We got a flat tire instead!  Thankfully, Phillip's brother was able to pick him up, drive to where the girls and I were, and change the tire.  Peanut butter cookies were mentioned as a thank you, so I'll be baking this afternoon!

Back to School...

Good morning! Today is our first day back to school. Grace is going into 6th grade, Emily into 5th and Benjamin into 3rd.

We are using the Sonlight curriculum (core 3 and 5) and the girls are taking a Creative Writing and Spanish class once a week. Boy Scouts and Faith Keepers is also starting back up this evening, so it will be a busy day. Wish us luck!

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.


Hello! Today I am sharing some picture of my Secret Garden. I planted Morning Glories very late in the season, but they have made it up one half of my trellis very quickly.


Some of the leaves are as big as my hand. Once the flowers bloom, they should continue until late October. I guess that is one good thing about Texas. ;0)


Right before getting our new fence a few months ago, Phillip cut down the Wisteria because we didn't want it to ruin the fence. Well, as you can see, it's back!


Every few days I would cut it back again, and did so right before going on vacation for a week. This is what happened while I was gone. So, it looks like there will be Jasmine and Wisteria climbing up the wall!


The rest of my plants are doing pretty well and we even have a bit of color here and there.


Thank you for stopping by for a visit and 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.

Handmade Card Tutorial

Welcome to this week's card making project! Remember that you can use any kind of scrapbook paper, stickers, or rubber stamps.


Gather your supplies. My 10 Top Card Making Essentials list is HERE. You will need:
-5 1/2" x 4" blank note card
-Cardstock
-2 coordinating scrapbook papers
-Ribbon
-Rubber stamps or stickers


Cut 2- 5 3/8 x 1" strips of scrapbook paper. Trim long edges with decorative scissors. Glue to front of card, as shown.


Glue a 5 3/8" x 3 5/8" piece of coordinating scrapbook paper to front of card.


Cut a 4 1/4" x 2" piece of cardstock. Add a rubber stamp image and shade the edges, if desired. Tie a 11" length of ribbon around cardstock, tie a knot and trim ends.


Glue to front of card, as shown.


Cut a 2 3/4" x 2 1/8" oval from scrapbook paper. Cut a slightly smaller oval from cardstock, add a rubber stamp image or sticker. Glue to front of larger oval.


Glue to card, as shown. I also added a small paper rose on the bow. Send to a friend!
More handmade card tutorials HERE.

A few more things I've made...

We are getting closer to September each day and I'm dreaming of fall. I used a scrap of pretty fabric on this card.


Another fabric card, this time for Thanksgiving.


Acorn petite card set.

Everything can be found in my Etsy Shop! Thank you for stopping by for a visit and for your comments on our vacation pictures!

Vacation Pictures

Good morning! As I mentioned last week, the kids and I went to visit my family in Rhode Island. It was a wonderful time to relax and the weather was so nice and cool compared to Texas. I had time to read a few novels, watch movies and we took many drives out in the country and to the sea.






Exploring the tide pools with Grandpa.


Wild roses.




Queen Anne's Lace.


The girls and Benjamin had so much fun with their cousins and I barely saw them all week! They loved going to the lake and park with Grandpa and they got treated to ice cream cones several times.


It was a wonderful way to end our summer and we are going to make it a yearly tradition. Thank you for stopping by for a visit and taking a look!

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.


Hello! I am back from a wonderful vacation visiting my family in Rhode Island, and I have two new treasures to share.


My mom gave me this small dish set with sweet violets. Someone mentioned that it may be a sugar and creamer set.


But I'm going to use it as a miniature pitcher and bowl in my bathroom.


We visited quite a few antique shops in Rhode Island and I had to bring home this teacup because it reminded me of Sunbonnet Sue.


Even the saucer has wonderful details.




Thank you for looking at my show and tell! I will be back soon with lots of vacation pictures. 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.

On Vacation...

Hello! Soon, the kids and I will be on a plane to the east coast. We are looking forward to lots of fun with my family. I'll be back next week!