So Happy to Announce…

…that a new blog has been established by a girl I hardly know, but I know enough about her by just what I’ve read and seen to tell you that she is an amazingly beautiful, fun, sweet, Christian girl that I can’t wait for you all to get to know. Quite frankly, I can’t wait to get to know her better myself!

Meet Samantha!

See what I mean? Stunning!

I hope you all take my advice and start following her blog just like I’ll be doing from here on out.

Go on over to Lemon Fields of Daisies!

Note: This is my second post of the day, so make sure you keep reading to find it =)

Today’s Tidbit

One of the best things about kindergarten that I have discovered lately is when the children are to the point where they begin to write on their own. Now, we begin writing at the beginning of the school year. It’s at this point in the school year though when they are able to “chop” their words apart {or sound out} and put their thoughts on paper.

Their creative spelling cracks me up, but in truth it is many times the way it does indeed sound.

Today’s writing in language arts was about different modes of transportation all around the world. Our reading story is about that, and it shows pictures of many of the ways from car to llama. I instructed the kids to pick a mode of transportation and write anything they wanted to about it. They just had to tell me something about the transportation they chose.

What’s funny to me is that there was an air boat {of all things} in the story! And….one of my kids chose that as theirs.

Here is what I got:

For those of you who may need a translator, it says….

The airboat went to the store.

The erbot went to the stuowr.

USE THOSE PHONETIC SKILLS PEOPLE!

I was impressed by her sentence seeing as how she sounded it out fairly well. I was even more impressed with her picture though. It was so cute that I had to bring it home to show Colby. I feel sure he’ll appreciate it.

Check out the picture. The driver is even sitting up higher than the rest of the crew on board.

And this is why I love my job!

Putting the Pieces Together

My cousin sent me a text the other night requesting my assistance in an upcoming decor project. She’s going to be moving into a different place at college, and she wanted some help in making the place feel a little more like home.

Now, so far, the place they will be living very soon has not been chosen, but it could be as soon as this weekend. I {clearly} have no idea what the place will be like, but she promised to send pictures ASAP.

For now though {since I don’t have a whole lot to go on}, I’ve been thinking of how to put this project together step by step.

What better way than some curtains??? Mistreatments you may say.

I knew immediately I wanted a print, which is weird for me since I won’t ever choose them for myself {non-risk-taker}.

Here’s what I emailed Cate:

Which two would you pick?

50 years

After 50 years of marriage, a couple would seem to definitely say that they have been through the good times and the bad, sickness and health, and for richer or poorer. I’m sure my grandparents would agree with that seeing as how yesterday they celebrated their Golden Anniversary of 50 years!

What a testament that is to couples all around! In our times, couples do not seem to withstand the test of time. They let the bad times, sickness, and being not as wealthy as we would like get in the way of their love for one another. H0wever, I am certainly proud to say that my grandparents {50 years} and parents {25 years} are still holding strong.

In honor of my grandparents, we celebrated their half a century of marriage with them along with many other family and friends last night.

The lovely couple renewed their vows, which meant so much to them. You could see the love in their eyes. I tried my best to capture the moments of the night, so for your viewing pleasure…..

Bridal wreath adorned the entry way and several other places throughout the building. This was the same thing used as their wedding. At their wedding, my grandmother didn’t even think she was going to have flowers until a lady arrived with tons of it to decorate the church with.

The topper on the cake {minus the 50} is from her original wedding cake, which I thought was a sweet touch.

These are the wonderful owners of The Hourglass that my entire family is so thankful for. Truly as nice as they look in the photo!

Their first dance {and certainly not their last} of the night. As a matter of fact, lots of people made their way out to the dance floor to make a few swings around with some 50s and 60s music going on. It was a blast!

My dad probably had the best time of any of us on the dance floor! If you know him, you know this is not out of character for him. If anything, it is maintained! He’s tons of fun to have around to get a good laugh from!

By the end of the night though, we were all pretty tired! We’re so glad that my grandparents had a terrific time and that it turned out to be all that they hoped it would. We all had fun, and I can’t wait until the next time we’re there again to celebrate something else!

To see more of the night, you can see the album by clicking on the link below!

View Full Album

If you click here, you can also view the online album version of the gift my parents will be receiving very soon. I can’t wait to see it and give it to them!

All About the Air Boat

So, if you’re from around here and know us, you know that we are the proud owners of an air boat. After riding in one {which is now the one we own} with our friends, it was a purchase that was made soon after we were married after great debate.

I’ll be honest. Sometimes I love that boat for the simple fact that it is incredibly fun to ride in. It is my husband’s pride and joy and because we now own the boat ourselves, he has taken up yet another hobby, bow fishing.

It seems that the best bow fishing occurs at night, and after going once or twice, I understand his passion for it. It’s pretty fun even for someone who just goes along for the ride. 

On Sunday, we took the boat out to meet some friends at their sandbar on the river.

We put in close to where I lived until I got married. Can you believe I once drove on this road that you can now see will soon be completely part of the river? It’s the result of many, many floods over the years.

It seems that it looks like air boat central when we’re spending time with this group of friends seeing as how two other men own two other air boats…..two much more powerful airboats than ours.

Anyhow…we pretty much just soaked up the sun, the women chatted it up with each other, the men played horseshoes, and the kids had a blast playing.

I must say that the photo below makes my heart sing. He’s so good with children, and I can’t wait for the day I get to see him be a father. He’ll make a great one I’m sure. He’s just going to have to wait a few more years though {since I’m getting my master’s degree}.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are having a terrific week!

Fun in the Sun

My three day weekend has turned out to be just what this tired teacher needed! I’ve been knocking things off my to-do list and have been soaking in the rays that have been plentiful the past couple of days! What makes it even better is that it isn’t over yet!

Colby and I worked to our little hearts’ content yesterday. Blinds were hung. Doors were painted. Trim was painted. Peg board was hung. A few things at a time, and before long we’ll have this list wiped out {for the most part since a list can always keep going}. I’ll share more about our work for later this week.

The fun began today though. My sister and niece came over to run around in the sprinkler {more so my niece}.

If she wasn’t worn out after she left my house, I’m not sure what could do it.

She played until she wore herself out! For once, it was nice to just lay out in the backyard and have conversation without worrying about a thing. The only thing missing was the boys {or Colby at least}. I always miss him like crazy on a fun-filled, sun-filled weekend.

I can’t wait for tomorrow, but for now the sun has drained me! Rest it is!

Give It a Go

My mom has cooked this meal for quite some time, and I love it for two reasons:

1. Tastes great!
2. Very easy to make!

I cooked it the other night and somehow had enough sense left in me after a long day at school to pick my camera up and take pictures to share with you.

Before I give you the recipe, I must say that I can’t wait for tomorrow to be over. It’s been a long and trying week. To top everything off, we have parent-teacher conferences tomorrow afternoon.

I’m so thankful that we have Friday off though! That is the silver lining for sure. Friday is full of projects! Painting, painting, and more painting! Hanging blinds! Putting up peg board in the shed for a bit of organization! Oh, how I love organization! It makes my heart sing!

Okay….enough of that!

Here it goes! I hope you all give it a go and try it! You won’t regret it.

Pork Chops and Rice

• 4 boneless pork chops
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 cup of rice
• 1/2 onion
• 1 can beef consomme
• water
• lemon pepper seasoning

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Season uncooked pork chops with lemon pepper seasoning {or whatever you prefer}. Add pork chops to a griddle to brown pork chops on both sides until almost cooked through.

While the pork chops are being browned, put the rice in a large casserole dish since I’m all great with measurements and everything. Make sure it evenly spread in the pan.

Once your pork chops are lightly browned on both sides, remove from the griddle and evenly place in dish on top of rice.

Then, chop your onion and bell pepper up.

Add it all to the casserole dish.

Once that is added, look at the bag your rice came in. Look to see how much liquid was required to cook the rice if you were cooking it in a regular pot.

As you can see on my bag, it calls for 2 cups of water. Therefore, I have to make sure I have 2 cups of liquid for this recipe, which will be a mixture of beef consomme and water.

Pour your beef consomme into a 2 cup measuring cup. Then, add water to make up the remaining amount of liquid needed.

Once measured, add this into your casserole dish as well.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Add to the heated oven and cook for 35 to 45ish minutes.

Sidenote: I didn’t leave mine in quite long enough, so my rice wasn’t cooked as well as I would like it to be. The goal is to have the rice cooked but not dry it out. You still want some liquidy-goodness.

If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family has over the years.

Thanks Mom!

It’s All About Spring

Around my house lately, it’s been all about the wonderful spring weather we have been experiencing, along with all the sunshine!

Colby and I have been clean, clean, cleaning and work, work, working. That is for certain! Yesterday, we had an outing to what turned out to be to a trip to Lowe’s {along with a few other places}. I’m not ashamed to admit my love for Lowe’s. I could spend countless hours in there dreaming of the projects of the now and of the future.

Right now, the focus tends to be mostly outdoors. After all, who can resist soaking up the sun when you don’t have to be burning up in unforgivable Alabama heat. We have plans for flower beds {adding some and updating some}, decks, sidewalks, and a fence. Now, if it can be made into reality!

As for me this weekend, I brought new life to my planters with some pink bloomed begonias {the same flower that survived me last summer}. If a flower can survive me, then it is one that I require myself to use again and again. Plus, they are a beautiful flower.

I also hung up some baskets {with my transplanted petunias}, washed off the porch and porch furniture, and relocated the cat’s home.

Colby and I will be continuing on this week with planting Indian Hawthorne’s, a hydrangea, and possibly giving the door a new coat of paint before the pollen starts to steadily attach itself to every surface known. 

How about you? Is spring inspiring you to complete or start some projects around your house?

Hopefully, I’ll be able to share some of the new updates this week.

Have an awesome week!

Happy Birthday, My Love!

While I’m at school today, my poor dear love is at home battling some crazy sickness. What makes it even worse is that it is his birthday! That has to top all birthdays as the worst!

I’m so grateful for the man Colby is, and I thank God every day that He has given me the opportunity to share yet another day with this man. Events in the past year have made me realize not to take each day for granted. Instead, we should take every chance we’re presented to express our love to those around us.

Before long, Colby and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary. It seems like we just got married yesterday. The time is definitely passing by before our eyes so quickly.

For today though, I want my focus to be on the person I chose to spend the rest of my life with. I want to celebrate the wonderful man he has grown to be over his lifetime. I want to celebrate the man he will continue to grow to be. In my eyes, he’s one of the best, and I praise the Lord above he led me to Colby, who he saw as my soul mate.

I love you, dear! I hope your birthday turns out to be better than expected!

I Went….

Wedding dress shopping this past weekend! Why, you ask? It’s all because this girl right here…

…is getting married in October at the wonderful place below.

As a matter of fact, I am in two weddings at the same place two weekends in a row. Remember, Erin? She’s the following weekend. It’s all thanks to Erin that Ashley decided to book there, and I’m pretty excited about both of them. We’re talking two completely different styles here, people.

Anyhow…we made a girls’ trip out of it and went on our merry way to check out her options. Ashley’s style is COMPLETELY different than mine, so I wasn’t sure how I would react to some of the dresses, but I have to say that I fell in love with the one she chose.

Since I can’t reveal the girl’s wedding dress before her wedding day, I figured I could share with you the ones she didn’t  choose for obvious reasons and some other moments of the day.

 

I had a fabulous time with my mom, sister, and niece that day! I can’t wait for her to get married, especially since I know she is totally going to rock that dress.