Monday Chit~Chat

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


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


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?

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.


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.



I brought home two pretty bowls and a plate.




Perfect for a summer snack.


Several old books that I knew Phillip would love.


He will enjoy reading through them.


Commentary on Luke and John.


A small book for missionaries.




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


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...


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




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




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




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.

Caribbean Jerk Chicken 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!


Romaine, green onions, and red and green peppers.


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.




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


Top the salad with the croutons and chicken. Enjoy!

Oak Tree

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


Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

Emily's Birthday Celebration

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


She asked for modeling clay, molds and art supplies.


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


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


For our lunch company we had Boston Cream Pie.


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!

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 finally sharing pictures of our finished fence. It was well worth the 10 year wait!


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


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


I planted my first Delphinium...




Hydrangea...


And yellow Lantana.


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.

Something new...

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




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, 09

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!


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


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


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.


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!