I have it thought through. I recieved this this weekend now to pass it on

Nice Matters Award

Well How sweet is this. Talk To Grams Just gave me this thoughtful award. What a nice big hug Dear Lady.
I have some thinking to do.


More information on this award:

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award."

I pass this award on to???? to be concluded... I wanted to keep it fresh. There are so many who could receive this. Wanting to pass the admiration around ... These are a few nice folks I have found out there.

Beaded Creations This Dear Woman beads wonderful creations and helps other women in the process. Jewelers and Bead Workers are often secretive about the skills the posses. Here is a woman with such skill and creations of such beauty I find myself inspired. She shares her knowledge. Apparently she and her circle support battered womens shelters with their gifts of love. I think that is so nice. I understand the hours of work we are looking at.
JD'S Days Here I have found a woman who has given all she is able to be a Mid-Wife and help the lives of mothers and children in the experience of pregnancy and birth. I find that is so nice. How many who walk alone the road and yet this Dear Lady wants so much to be there for others she is making a career of it. I find that "nice."
Fruit in Season Marriage is her mission, How loving is that! Not only are the love lives improved and encouraged, but this has an effect that goes into generations. Love that is whole is the nicest environment for a child to grow in.
Kate's Anthology of Suberban Minutiae This sweet woman has be very nice to me. Even in her trials and "blisters" she remains "nice" looking to the joy of the adventure and not losing the joy in the battle. She and her Mate are raising a loving family. They in turn will effect the future. That makes a world that is a "nicer" place to be. Living vicariously I have hiked 'almost' to the summit. What a beautiful strength she has. It has been "nice" to get to know her. She also has a good humor. I enjoy those belly laughs.

Welcome Home Lemon Aide and Lemon Pudding (soy) Cake

Well that says all !
Dove met two new friends and is awaiting the little girl she saw last night after a long summers absence. Dash Hawk was on wing upon meeting me at the door. He had a good day! Thank you for all your prayers everyone. He met three new friends( shared the names) and even prayed for it to rain with one of them ( may it rain tonight). He tells me my cake was fantastic! The thirsty little souls drank up the homemade lemon aide! Ice crashing into the bottom of the large plastic cups!
Yes that is a BIG SMILE on their faces and tomorrow is a new day that they are both looking forward to .
I am grateful for the day. Much to tend too.
Enjoy life!

First day of school..

My gift tonight at supper from Dash... Too perfect!

First Day of a New School Year. Little Dove is so Happy to go to school She was so grown up at the table this morning as I read over all the school rules. Dash Hawk had his heals set in ,Little by little his attitude digressed. He is ANGRY about going to school! I think it is more likely separation anxiety for him it is more displayed through anger. The old fight /flight he is a fighter. From 10 months on. It was his way of survival in the orphanage and it continues to this day. I did all I could to not let it push my buttons. Man he can make it hare. He has to leave me on a bad note for it to be alright. I wish he ere able not to have to do that when he is afraid. I really care so much for his day. I want him to be approachable. He is very stressed about speaking and having hearing aides. I did my best to be supportive and encouraging. Just breaks my heart...

Dove had lost her patience with Dash and stomped his poor little foot telling him to stop giving me (Mom) a hard time. Just 5 minutes before we were out the door. Then I had two upset kids. I managed to calm them and correct Dove, I thanked her for defending me, but told her that is not an appropriate way to handle it.


Dove had the same teacher she had in the spring. Easy transition. This after 10 years of it not being so. What a difference this year. She is looking forward to school. With a teacher like this woman who wouldn't be? She is awesome!

Unzipping his bag to remove his lunch box.

Dans teacher seams like a sweet heart. She has a good handle on her room. She does not come off as stressed out or anything. I told her we will need to speak. She asked to have a week so as to get to know him better first. He put his lunch in the lunch bin and she was pleased to see he had a water bottle. It looked like he and only one other had one. The teacher was appreciative of it and thanked me.

He was not happy. He turned to grab me and I walked over toward his desk and made comment on all the pictures the kids were doing. He came toward me and we embraced he began argument... then paused and walked toward his desk out of curiosity. I snapped a quick photo and just kept my eye to the teacher and back to him. I walked out and their was no child fit. I walked down the side walk and out to my car.

Any mothers heart becomes instant in intercession when her child be out of her charge. I will spend a lot of my day doing just that. My children are a gift from God and I know that they are within his hands of love and care. I will rest my cares upon HIM, I have set my love upon HIM and so as in psalm 91, He will keep me and mine.

The picture above was what he colored at the begining of his day.

Post script from a reflective Mom;
My boy was afraid, I wish I could have known better how to comfort him. He just pushes away and says angry things. Itried to acknowledge his anger and I over looked his fear. It was a great diversion tactic. I need to be more savvy! Thanks for the feed back via comments and email folks. It takes a village of reflections for a child to be fully seen.
Post ...Post Script... See the wonder of a new year! On the post to follow it was so amazing how great things are going! Thank you for all your well wishes.

Honor Your Husband day #26,27,28,29

Life is a blur...
We have a saying here in our home... "Let kindness be the rule of your heart."
Being nice is an important part of friendship, marriage and parenting.
My beloved is very nice. Today I overheard him wrapping a birthday gift for a party I was taking the children too ( he was actually teaching Dove how to wrap it). He knew I was posting on the dog bath ( it was he who suggested the light spark on the last picture, cute idea) and IT ( I ) MATTERED TO HIM. I think seeing what matters to each other and making it matter too, is a very big part of his nicety toward me. That is a big part of who he is and who I am too. When we are able to make the importance of each other paramount, we are nicer to each other. It is when one of us feels neglected that nice can slip. Being post menopausal surgically, I have not been nice all the time (I know no one ever is... ), but beloved does his best, even when I may not be due to a migraine or daily issues that cause major stress. He tries to be nice about setting strong loving boundaries with me. It is hard to be nice sometimes but I watch him struggle through and succeed in overcoming big obstacle's.
Every day his kindness sets a pace as the head of our home. He is not a perfect man. He is a living man, full of character and at times he is a real character with a humor that sets a light hearted tone.
Soon I shall pack picnic lunches and eat with him in a park that is near his work. It has been a full summer of swift glimpse, loving words on the fly, business meetings over family budgets, and medical stuff for the kids, brief hugs interrupted by chattering children. We visit; but far too often over the issues of parenting and the kids interventions. Business meetings are not the only thing we long to discuss. We shall speak soon of thoughts ideas and dreams, Books he is listening too on CD, walks I will be taking. We do some now, but soon we can just sit together even if it is just in the stillness. We do not leave our kids in childcare and we do not have extended family for them. So with a very few exceptions we parent 24/7. I look forward to our afternoon lunch dates. They are one of the best parts of the school year.

Canine ( Dog ) Wash Day.

Tools of the Trade

The Shampoo and Cream Rinse are acquired via Ryan's Pet Supplies. Mail Order or internet. I spend $25. Per gallon now that will last me well over a year. It is mixed 16parts water/1 part product. These are professional groomers supply's used by breeders. I can easily spend $30. Per visit to a Pet Co. for one dog. I Had to do this during recovery from my knee surgery. The animal was not groomed the way I would of preferred and she was traumatized, exposed to kennel cough.
From left to right
borax used in the laundering of all those towels
Natures Miracle=a great product for any pet owner $ 25 a gal but well worth it it is an enzyme.
Econo Groom Shampoo 16/1 (16 parts water) it rinses clear leaving no residue on dogs skin a big problem for most grooming
Silk Cream Rinse a must!!!!!! I love this stuff mix 16/1 (16 parts water) I use plastic rubber made spout containers with a (NO GLASS). NOW EVEN IF YOU USE OTHER SHAMPOO MIX IT DOWN WITH WATER it will rinse out better.
A white drain guard Keeps hair out of plumbing. Soft grooming brush with handle strap for face and soft under belly of Lab, Black rubber mitt for Lab. Nail clipper (they both HATE THAT) Quick Stop for bleeders. brush for faces. Red slicker for shedding and water slicking. WONDERFUL rubber griped steel comb for Golden's tangles,retractable turquoise stiff brush for Golden's back, Large Steel Tooth for fetters on golden, Small steel tooth replaced now by the rubber handled one. Blue Rake for hind quarters of Golden.
2 large dogs and 1 1/2 hours later.

Here we go, This old girl is an adopted from a rescue group.



lay out towels on the floor and instinctively they rub dry


She wore herself out.

Willy is ever ready!

He instinctively stands up on the tub and the water follows gravity.

Now there you go! Pristine!

Jaye asked " 4 Things"

Four jobs I have had in my life.
1. Gas Station Attendant

2. Aide to Elderly Flood Victims
3. Bank Teller

4. Insurance Agent

Four movies I could watch over and over.
1. Forest Gump
2. Bagger Vance
3. Waking of Ned Devine
4. Indian in the Cupboard

Four places I have lived.
1. Utah

2. Caifornia

3. Arizona
4. Washington State

4 TV shows I watch.
1. Lost
2. ER

3. History Detectives
4. Antique Road show

Four places I have been.
1. Back East, Tenn., Wash. D.C., N. Carolina, Kentucky.
2. Russia, St. Petersburg, Penza and Moscow.

3. I have traveled Arizona extensively.

4. In the presence of God (my favorite place to be).

People who e-mail me regularly(Not work related).
1. Michelle G.

2. Trisha

3. Barb P.
4. Jaye

Four of my favorite foods.
1. Foods from scratch basic ingredients. (Dairy and Wheat free)

2. Asian Stir Fry's

3. Steak

4. Steamed Veggies

Four places I would like to be right now.
1. Mountains

2. My husbands arms.

3. Here where I am.

4. On holiday with my family playing and exploring.

Four friends I think will respond.
1. Jaye

2. Christine B.

3. Trishia

4. a Mystery Blogger :)

Things I am looking forward to this year.
1. Creating more order in my home.

2. Watching my children mature and become more independent (boo hoo).
3. A consistant walking schedule and weight loss.

4. Driving to do lunches with my husband and not being interrupted in our conversations. :)

Denise Update.

Shorty Bear is recovering, painfully. Her eye surgery went well. She has a follow up appointment today( she was readying herself as her hubby and I spoke.) at 2:30 her time. She has been given no pain medications! Whats with that! I called again and spoke with her her husband just now. He had called the Doctor as I requested and was told that pain was normal! Well give her something! OOOO I wish I were back there to fight for her! She is wanting to get back on line but cannot be at the computer. She is trying tho manage her blood levels due to the diabetes she has extra challenges. I am sure she longs for your love and prayers.
Visit her at the above link.

Good Morning world!

It now being 8:45 and I awake only 15 minutes now, I have officially slept in!
Knowing that this will be the last day to sleep in this summer it seems somehow fitting to do so. Sorta like when I was back in school.
I went out last night to celebrate a friends birthday. We had a nice time and we shopped. I got a really cool Large Stone Mortar and Pestle for $8.! A set of New in package White California King Sheets 350 thread count for $15! We walked and talked and listened till late in in night 11:30:)
I am so stirred over all the lives around me in the midst of battle. I stayed up late and just prayed and though about the mothers and children who were struggling, The remnant's of lives that remain after familiar suicides, folks suffering with health cares. I just was over whelmed with the issues so many are facing. I sorta just read and prayed and though. Families with children who are disabled and parents worn to the bone. Siblings who are needing and parents left with so little to give and nothing left for themselves. Oh the battles they all face.
Looking around me I always try to observe all that I can so as to gain understanding of the issues I desire a better knowledge about. Issues that I too one day may face in my own parenting. I think preventively. I found myself so aware of so many mistakes I am making in my parenting and I grieve and wish I would pull it up and do a better job of it now, praying and wishing that it is not too late. We raise our kids with the goal to have wonderful healthy independent adults capable of managing, on their own, in a wonderfully thriving life. Is that what I am accomplishing? I falter so. I must do better for them for their futures.

Photo Hunt, Row

This is my sixth grade school photo all in a Row.
I am front first on left.

Out there at you Jaye!

"just a Mom" has a birthday today. Stop over and lift her up.
It's a little hard for her to get on the table by herself! HA!
Thanks

Friday Fiest

{Featured Flickr Feast by kumquatgirl}

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of pie?

pecan, mincemeats. I love the fillings but not so much the crust. Being allergic to Dairy I can only dream of the other without getting sick. The others would be coconut cream, banana cream with vanilla wafer crusts.

Soup
Name something that made you smile this week.

My Son had his scope, and we do not need surgery for him! He was so courageous and his behavior made the whole event so much easier.

Salad
What do you do to cool off when the weather is hot and humid?

Stay Home. Wear only cotton garments, I use arrow root powder in my silver/crystal shaker (no perfume). I like to do my summer projects sorta like those in the snow during winter. I cook in the early morning and shut off all lights and appliances at 1 p.m. . We do sit still, low energy activities in the afternoons. There are shade screens for the car windshield if we do have to go out. We do our outings in the late evenings or very early mornings. Drink a lot of vitamin water mixed 1/2 with water, and Keep the ice trays filled :) We make every effort to flee from a bad attitude over the heat and have found this to really improve the season.

Main Course
You receive $1,000 in the mail with a letter that says you can only use the money to redecorate one room in your home. Which room do you pick, and what do you buy to spruce it up?

I think I would paint the studio a soft gray. I love beads and in a bead magazine there is a wonderful shelving/drawer unit. drool.........:}

Dessert

Fill in the blank: My _________ says __________, but I __________.

My mind says get up and work, but I listen to my heart that says rest.

Meet the Teacher day, but "I", was their Teacher.....

Homeschooling.... I dreamed of it for 20 years and practiced it for 9 years with Dove from 7 months on and 6 with Dash. I know they have a very strong character background and a circle of global knowledge that just might rival most High Schoolers, but I can not do it any longer and It hurts in my heart to let them go into the main stream. It was last March when I was on my 25th wedding anniversary that after two days of funk it came down to the tearful painful battle with God that I had to let go of home schooling. I had a lot of fear of being judged and fear for the kids out in the main stream( not in that order). When I let go and said Your will not mine, I had a peace that did not measure to my understanding. It was so far out there that it was what I held onto. I watched last spring as the kids transitioned smothly and seamlessly into classrooms. We had some challenges with Dove Social Cognitive stuff and she got attaced to a very unhealth relationship with a very trubbled girl. Dash had to have hearing aids and also learn a social lesson ablut kindness to the sheep goat of the class. He had a hard lesson as to why the child had become an outcast. Hard stuff for a 6 year old who practices kindness to others. (so much his mothers son)
I know; that They are in Gods care, That they are right where they need to be. That they need vocational training, That they will thrive and have many adventures in social experiment (both positive and negative)to become settled in the choice of who they want to become. They are not under my hand, my ways , my mind, our ethics and beliefs. They will be taught things against our belief or different at least . All that is required of me to trust in God to care for them and that I will have the Wisdom to guide them through the course, to not only be gentle as doves but wise as serpents. Oh how I hate to see them see innocence fade into the knowledge of the serpent and its lower case wisdom.
I know most mothers may be celebrating today. I feel a little sad. I am also so tired that I have a little excitement about it too. I feel an inappropriate guilt that by not homeschooling I am lessening my motherhood somehow. I have felt so strong about the importance of home Schooling for so many years, I am following the course that is best for our family. It is a HARD choice. It is the right choice. I will so miss being their teacher. I am so grateful to get to be their Mom. I am so hoping to get the I.E.P. in place so that some of the intervention can be obtained through the school district. Of course I am obligated to join the PTA. I feel so tired even at the thought of it. It is so hard for me to interact with other moms. I am such an old lady. They are all at most 35. I can see the energy difference. Their minds are so sharp and on the spot! I think much more deliberately and slowly. I feel sorta intimidated. I am also intimidated by their physical form. Man I am out of shape! They are so fit and well kept. I am rather earthy. I just thought I am rather foolish too to compare myself. So I'll stop! :)
This will be the last day (of the week) for the voices of imagination to echo through my halls. I will miss them. I will also enjoy the silence. I know I will enjoy their return all the more each day. Homework will let me still teach. I look forward to having lunches to prepare for them too. I will watch them as they venture into the world and trust God to keep them and to have them touch lives around them with the kindness that has been instilled into them. They are a gift to the world around them just like each one of us. I can not go against what I know is the right thing to do. It is very hard though. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Home schooling was a huge sacrifice, I did it well but the price was high. I will let go of my will and obey. There is freedom in that, payment the price of trusting God. It will be an investment in trusting God.

Make it and the oppertunity will come.

Just over a year ago a friend and I traveled ( by force, she lovingly would not let me say no) for a two day Mommies retreat up into the Prescott Arizona Mountains.
Being the gregarious soul that I am I had visited this sweet gallery twice.
I began to converse with a Dear Woman by the name of Myra.
She and I hit it off and the center was immediate for a friendship .
She too had been marked in the world as "unique".
The world is not very nice about that.
My friend Michelle, that had taken me away for the rest, her and I are both novelist.
With hers just short of publishing as we speak. Visit her here.

Myra is unable to read and asked me to read my writing to her.
I told her how my beloved had been encouraging me into the arts of my soul, as to be better balance. For I had poured my life out at that point, to a ruin of my health.
She told me to bring in a few of my items and perhaps I might have a shelf in one of her cases.
A couple of months prior to this, I had a vision ( I saw myself doing it and so I did it) of working all the items possible to pour into a creative outlet all things within me. I did so . I returned to the mountains a week or so later with a large stash of items with me. I thought that she would receive a few things at most.
She continued clear out and to give me two entire display cases. She walked to the front and emptied the one by the door. She received EVERYTHING I made. I spent a quiet day itemizing and labeling everything. I went up to the gallery several times. It gave me an opportunity to rest. I love to drive and to just visit with my Abba Pappa God. I would have my lunch at a little cafe that has a gazebo. I returned home refreshed an accomplished.
Now Myra told me of the Event that was about to transpire. She had set up a Northern State Dyslexia Conference and children's event for two weeks out. We took the children up and enjoyed a great display of various artists and speakers. My friend Myra is in her 50's and has lived with such severe dyslexia all of her life that she was set aside. If you could see the water colored with pen and ink YOU WOULD BE FLOORED!
I have dyslexia and have been set aside in so many ways.
Dyslexia and other childhood challenges have caused me to be so amazingly creative that I don't think I turned out so bad :) I can not keep a work a day kind of outside life thats alright. I never really wanted too. I have the life I always dreamed of, prayed and wished for.

Many of these items are gone now, a few I even kept for myself. I have all the beads that I ("candy store") dreamed for. There are so many more I would love to have. :) Ha!
I have met so many wonderful folks doing my art, whether it be this or soft sculpture, sewing or ceramics or.....whatever moves me to create. It is fun. I am looking forward to perusing it again as the kids interventions settle. Although I am no longer home schooling, I am still very active in their learning process. Like community however If I do not have balance I get empty. I learned this lesson this time. I have so wanted to create again. I have just been too tired. I have made several lanyards for pediatric nurses this summer. The joy of a good opportunity to add a little beauty where ever I tread is a delight to me.

14 hours later....

Wow I just got home. I cant get this font to change I'm sorry.

**NO SURGERY!**
My Dear Son will need to continue intensive therapy to strengthen the palate muscle. With school starting on Monday I just can not do the city next week until I get them situated in school. I have also postponed Little Doves O.T. for now.

"Dash" was so courageous. I also did well , with a few tears of courage on my drive over to drop Dove at a friends, I also got a little irritable from the stress for a few moments but regained quickly. I took "dash" over to the hospital pharmacy and got a bottle of Tylenol and gave him some. I sat near a woman with 5 girls 8years and younger 4 of them under 4 years of age. So wounded as to have vowed to do it on her own. I was able to share the importance of community with her. For her sake and for the children's sake.
This blogging community has been a wonderful support and help to me. The comments are such a fuel to me. The numbers on my counter are like watching stars. They remind me that I am a small part of a much greater epic. It is humbling to know your all out there.
Thank you for the guard at my back today. I felt girded up by all of you.
It was so hard to hold Dash while they put the scope up his nose. It was so painful to hear his scream cry of pain. I held his head still with him wrapped in his best quilt he sat on my lap in the chair he was proud of; because," Mom it is good now, cause you fixed it,... lets do this" He said.
I have a bit of pent up stress because I sorta feel like I need a good cry in the shower.

I took The kids to the movies and it was not showing for an hour so Dash got a hair cut. He can still cover his hearing aides. We went back got our tickets and a heaping spoiling of candy, popcorn and water and just lived it up. We saw the movie Transformers. I pulled in the drive at 7 p.m.
Beloved was a waiting news. We don't do cell phones so without the opportunity to call him, He too just found out. He took the kids to game in his office and told me to go tell all of you the news.
He sees your presence as such a gift to me (us) also. He is grateful and appriciative of all your kindness and prayers.

Dash has his scope today! Please pray for us. Thank you.

Thursday Thirteen Random Thirteen

Thirteen things I collect.

1. Sunflowers: I have a window over my Kitchen sink. I had had a Victorian garden with a hose in our other home for 16 years. I tended the soils and it thrived. So when we moved here I had no garden and my body was finished with the gardening due to end stage endo. I also am not able to bend well at the hip, do to narrowing of my spinal column in my L4, L5 and L6. It was over for me and I grieved a lot over the loss. Well, My love of wild birds let to a spring with an unexpected Mass of the most wonderful self seeded sunflowers . So they, to me, are a very present reminder that God cares about my gardeners heart.

2.Beads: Well if you ever come to know me you will discover a little known fact out there in blogger land. I am a bead enthusiast and Jeweler, I began as a child when an Native American Elder found me working at my parents gas station ( I was 9 years old) she took favor of me and showed favor to me and gave me her tin can of scrap beads. This was a promise she showed in me, the trust for the future.
I have been in a gallery up in the Arizona mountains. I sell some of my work when I have time to, or like the resent lanyards to defray gas costs or I give as gifts. I have an earring collection that would make you drool. I do consignment work from time to time. Prom season I am very popular. It is my hope to have a little more time to set aside and place some of my work in local shops. I have hopes of a web page at some future date. I don't like selling. I however would like to be more helpful to beloved some day earning some extra funds. I haven't showed you that part of me. Does any one want me to post my work? I do not want to be tacky.

3. Willow Tree and Figurines that depict life moments: The lovely little figurines. I really appreciate the simple understated beauty of this artists creations. Others noticed that I did and so over the years I have been given such gifts of generosity. It started with a dove, I saw it in a store. I told God that I loved it and that if any one wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas this was it. I received it as a gift. This has happened so many many times in my walk within His Love.

4. Signs: Words have the power of life or death. So I surround my family and myself with signs, images and words of good character.

5. Fabric: I love textiles, my favorite is cotton. I live in a very hot land so cotton is the best for weather hear. I love silk and trimmings and notions. I am a conasur of COLOR"!... I eat it up!... I love sewing, designing and creating. Not only clothing but anything we might have need of or desire.

6. Quilts: I have made so many quilts mostly utilitarian tied bed linens. However a quilt is the most amazing form of artistry to me because it incorporates story and texture in the most intimate of ways. The large California King Quilts I have made incorporate the textiles of life spent. My first large quilt has cloth from all of my childhood as well as cloth from garments of my husbands youth. His mother also sewed. It is trimmed with left over satin from my wedding gown that she made for me.

7. Aprons and Antique Kitchen Gadgets : Aprons are a life force unto themselves. The story of a womans life is found in her apron. I did not always have such wonderful electric appliances and equipment. I grew up and matured on the old fashioned tools of our fore mothers. If I loose power I know how to do my work. Many of my tools are hand cut wooden spoons ( both very large to the very small) , spreaders, measures and all are full of the crafters' love. Some are the treasures of carvers who have past on now. Things that were made of wonderful hard woods (trees of the forests) given to me as kindnesses.

8. Children's Books: Quality children's books are a must in my home. I am over run with them. I was never allowed books in my youth so I am lavish. I enjoy them as much as the children do . I prefer older ones with images drawn by artist that were as good as the authors . You know the wonderful pictures that set story to memory. I am a writer and this is the joy of it when I watch a child in fascination glow , eyes full of imagination. ( I wonder where my Dove gets it? :))

9. Miniature Books: I find a demure joy in sweet little books. I must have a dozen of them. They are on these types of things on my list. Poetry and prose. Dog breeds, Flower etiquette, Birds, flower meanings.

10. Wild Life Images and Plant and Flowers Images: Wolves, Hummingbirds, Wild Birds, Eagles, Hawks, Doves, Wild Bunnies, Dolphins. All forms of flora and fauna natural in their element. Each has a memory of God's very presence with me when the world of humans was not a safe place to be. It was nature that was my Mother Father Teacher. Our walls are covered in images of life, in realism. I thrive on books with the wonder of beauty as well.

11. Leaf forms: in dishes , beads, cloth, ceramics and trays. I love the leaf. It is life.

12. Cards to give and Write: This is a love in my former life before children. I have a sweet correspondence desk that was right by my front door at the other house. I would always send a card a day when I had my morning tea ( I used to love that too. I once had a tea cup collection it was destroyed when the shelve it sat on was hit into, they all shattered. I never replaced them.) I have stickers to adorn the envelopes too. Perhaps when the children get settled in school.

13.Art Supplies of any kind. I am multi artistic. Everything but yarn. The texture is not pleasant to me. I scrap, paint oil and pastel, water color at little. I enjoy crafting utilitarian and decorative house hold items. All notions, ceramics too. I once had a booth and often had yearly arts/ craft sales in the Victorian Living Room of the old house. I would serve mulled cider and baked goods in my home made apron. I had neighbors all around for blocks and blocks. The affiliation was a great loss when we moved. (they were building the freeway and a casino in my back yard).
I am considering doing a show this holiday at the church I did it in last year. Last years show was all jewelery. Jaye and I had talked about doing some craft sales. I don't know if we will. It is hard with the time spent parenting to craft the way I once did.

Summer Play Date

Well,as you may know, if you have ever been to Arizona in the sumer; We moms calibrate ( started out a typo but I think it fits ) the creative art of indoor play! What you say 5 kids inside or 3 hours!!!!!!!!!!! Well We managed famously. We had foot wrestling on the rug and sofa.

We shared a wonderful lunch my guest shared a feast of ham or chicken salad sandwiches and low calorie apple juice. We amended it with watermelon and of course macaroons. I felt very grateful to not need to prepare any extra food today. I have been a cooking' lately and just am sorta tired for now of it. Though I do need to make a simple supper for the troupe tonight. I had my chicken salad on a bed of lettuce and tomatoes what a treat.
Each contestant pressed into force all the strength they could muster.
After free flay and a time for us Moms to chat a little. The kids busied them selfs with the heat set beads. Dash is still making things for Dove. My shy Lady guest sure has beautiful hair doesn't she.
Now With a Sponge Bob video, they were dancing in the living room, all five! Full of pure joy! I got caught taking this picture by a very sweet little boy with good manners.
Well the play date came to an end and the children were worn and tired. Of course we Moms were not tired not one one bit (sigh, coy smile here).
I think I'll go back to the blog about grinding here. Coffee that is, I am sleepy. Or maybe, I should ,"take a nap!"
I might just slip out for a girls night out. I have a big day tomorrow with Dash Hawks Scope and all. He said he does not mind if I do. I wont stay out too late. It will be nice to see a girlfriend of mine all alone, no kids!!!!!!!! Radical. Post script DIDN'T HAPPEN< Stayed home and rested with my new beading magazine instead.
It was a lovely play date all the children are wonderful little individuals with personalities that range a broad spectrum. What a nice day.

Wedenesday

Good Morning!
After a few hot games of Goldfish the morning chores begin. I got a fresh pot on and a lot of dishes in the sink. Dove and Dash had turns at goldfish with me then they played each other a few rounds while I tidied the baster bedroom and bath. I even ironed a shirt for myself! WOW just for me!
I thought this picture was so cute. Then Dove just came in from the freezer with a mountain blueberry yogurt (I learned to keep yogurt in the freezer) she thinks it is a treat with all the junk in it is sorta is more desert than nutrition . Fist time she tried it, "wow that ain't half bad!" said Dove. Now feeling sorry for Dash who can not have dairy. Dash is also feeling sorry for Dash, and he refused any apple sauce or peaches (woo hoo he just came in with an apple sauce) . Wow he even governed himself. I like this.
I got my apron (the one I made for canning.) on and the kitchen beckons as does the dining/living room. I like the double thickness of this blue flowered check apron. With all the dishes I will keep dry doing the job. POST SCRIPT There done ! woo hoo !!!!!!!!!!!

showin some love

There is a Dear Heart Hurting Today Please Pray for Our Dear Denise. Stop by and uplift her if you don't mind. It would be a personal favor to me. Thank you.

Wordless Wednesday

It was a Two Apron Day!

Well a managers special ... eggs half off. Now you may not notice that these are Organic, cage free, grain fed. When God gives you eggs.......... Well two other dozen were turned into hard boiled and now to make use of these.

In the image I also found two bottles of pure organic lemon juice....(with a good expiration date)
Can you guess it?
I separated the eggs over a third cup. Use care No egg yolk in the whites is important critical. The date was one where each egg had to be checked after I opened them but three out of the four dozen were perfect (you check for the consistency of the white not to liquid must have good clear smell too. If the yolk breaks at opening too old toss it out). Sounds strange, but I learned from a friend who keeps a working family farm. Use older eggs for boiling. They crack and peal clean and easy. New eggs are for frying.

2 cups of the 4 cups of egg white go into "Miss Vanilla Spin"(so named by "dove") she whips them with cream of tarter and vanilla, BIG batch half it into another bowel *as I turn to work other things then return). Now whip more to stiff and add sugar. Use Little sister spin and keep a going on high. Called "Dash" in hear to help. Folded(that is gently done as not to loose the air in your whites) in two bags quality shaved coconut.

Other half added sugar, pure almond flavor and almond slivers two hand fulls or so. Then another for measure.

Using my large scoop for time was an issue with all this raw egg out.
Full trays are fine these stay in mounds as they bake. Other bowl on stand by as I work the yolks.


Did you guess it? Lemon custard. A lot of it, and yes, that is the big soup pot.
I never do anything small. It is just a waste of time.

Do you see my secret ingredient for my crust.
Dang never was any good at keeping secretes! :)
No not the canola oil however that is a more nutritious crust.
This is NOT A HEALTH FOOD!
It is the vinegar. Use it in place of half of the ice water.
It evaporates faster than water. Flaky crust.
All purpose flour is a must here.

And WALLA! A BIG SINK FULL OF DISHES! HA!

No really a big messy counter...:)

Oh! wait a minute two DEEP DISH Lemon Meringue pies.
These are like two pie each. They have a lot of staying power.
Like three days. If folk come over only two! :)
Got one a little toasty, turned my back with the camera opps.
It is not burned though.

A Day!
We had soup for supper.
My kitchen is a well beloved mess.
The monkey piles of file boxes call.
Oh man! A play date tomorrow with a Sweet Baby in to house!
That child will sure have a lot to entertain her! Ha!
Her Momma will be lucky to sit down.
I love my little family of guests that are coming what a Beautiful Momma with her kids.