Sunday Rest

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Fabulous Finds Friday

Happy Friday! We are off to West Texas this afternoon on a nice 8 hour drive in the car with 3 small kids. Can you say hell on wheels? I am just praying to the good Lord above that He gets us all through this ( and that I didn't just offend anybody when I just said hell). What's a good mom to do? Well, bribes, movies, surprises, threats of bodily harm (we will stick you outside of this car and make you walk to Snyder), ANYTHING to just get us there in one piece! I am taking Brown Bag Surprises (thanks, Michelle) and going to give those out at different intervals. They are little Brown Bags - lunch sacks - with dollar store goodies inside. I'll also have grapes, crackers, sandwiches and sweets - there's nothing like a little sugar to add to the madness! And oh yes, my favorite - movies! Lots and lots of staring and eye-straining at the little tv in the car, complete with near total silence from the rear. The leapster also garners the same response until one wants it and the other is not quite finished playing. Then, crying and or yelling ensues. Santa is SOO bringing another one for Christmas. Can you say fun times?

Wanted to share with ya'll some finds from recent excursions around town.

Isn't this a cute little Ethan Allen table? It's actually a really nice size and in great condition. I found it at my fave antique store and want to paint it black or do some type of new finish on it. 45 bucks!

A little bees nest (isn't there a different term?) - just 3 dollars!

This is an antique metal newsstand sign. Hubby was born in Abilene and I thought it would go well in his office.

I got 2 of these french chairs on craigslist for 30 dollars each. I need extra seating badly in my formal living room and had to have something small to fit the space. They definitely need some attention! I am kind of at a loss for fabric choices. Any ideas? I love the linen/monogrammed look, but don't know how that would hold up and figure that linen is very seasonal. I would love some suggestions!

Here is an overall shot of the room. It was a little hard to get a good picture in here. The chair sits facing the fireplace, to the left of the piano. It's very tight! I had the hardest time arranging the furniture in this room. I think I moved everything 5 or 6 times and when you move a piano that many times (by yourself)...it hurts! I really didn't want the couch blocking my pretty view, but the piano had to stay and this is the only arrangement that seemed to look ok.

Got me a collapsible tote - love it! I passed by so many of these at Marshall's and could kick myself for it. When I went back, of course, they were all gone! I got this one off of Ebay and want to get it monogrammed. It holds so much stuff and is great for quick trips to the grocery store.

Here are some cute dresses I picked up for K. I could NOT let these go - they were only 7.99 each! I nearly died when I saw the price. Are you able to see the tag that says the original price? 64 dollars, ya'll! They are brand spankin new and smocked...my absolute favorite! One is a 3T and one is a size 5. She is only 17 months, but will be in these before I know it. Aren't they darling?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thankful Thursday

On a day like today - I need a reminder about all the blessings in my life!

I am thankful for:

1. The Lord's goodness: He has brought me through so many hardships and shows me His new mercies and joy everyday!

2. My sweet family - they mean everything to me

3. New friends here in Oklahoma - you are such an encouragement and have made my transition here so much easier

4. Music - it uplifts and soothes my spirit and brings me joy, especially when K dances and sings while "playing" my childhood piano

5. Clean crisp sheets on my bed

6. My hubby's job (he puts people to sleep). He loves doing what he does and for that I am forever grateful.

7. Learning experiences - although not always easy, I certainly grow and learn from them and realize it is one step closer to my full potential as a woman

8. The changing seasons: I love the fall and all the glorious splendor of colors. I love the crisp breeze in the air. I love sweater jackets, pumpkin breads, football, hay rides and fall festivals. I am looking forward to experiencing my first NE Oklahoma Autumn.

9. Mine and my family's health - such a precious commodity we often take for granted

10. My new blogging friends - you are my inspiration!

Hook Em!

Love me some Longhorn football, ya'll.....It's showtime!!!  Hubby and I can't wait.  Neither of us graduated from UT, but we've long-held a sacred place for their football program. I hope someday we will be watching our own boys from the stands as they run, tackle or pass the ball for UT. GO LONGHORNS!!

Rescue Me

I could use a little of this .... stat!

Menu Plan Monday

Here is what I am making this week. I usually only plan for Mon-Fri, but will someday definitely add on Sat and Sun, even though we usually eat out once on the weekend. I am having to take baby steps...a little at a time, people! I have new recipes for Mon and Th that I found using RecipeZaar. I love this site - you can add things to a personal cookbook and it will also add ingredients to a grocery list! I am still in the learning process with menu plans, but it I am really starting to see the benefits of planning for the week. It is so nice to start on a meal in the morning or mid-afternoon and have it done! I am using my crock pot a ton this week - it is so easy! Every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday - hard or soft. I also like to incorporate fish into at least one meal a week. Hubby makes the best darn grilled fish I have EVER had and we have found some really good frozen salmon at Wal-mart of all places. It is "wild catch" and has an excellent flavor.


MONDAY: CrockPot Ravioli, served with fresh steamed broccoli
TUESDAY: tacos - an easy meal and one that is always a hit!
WEDNESDAY: grilled salmon with lemon/garlic/evoo on a bed of rice, served with fresh green beans
THURSDAY: Country Chicken/Veggies
FRIDAY: leftovers, leaving for Texas

"Come unto me all who are weary and heavy-ladened and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28

Foodie Friday

I am totally immersing myself into becoming Miss Suzy Homemaker.
The cooking part ain't going so well (did I just say ain't?). Case in point. I made beans and cornbread last night. It's a southern staple ya'll and very easy. However, if you fail to notice little annoyances such as expiration dates ...your children will be asking you why there's a certain volcanic opening in the middle. Not pretty.






See that little date? I'd say I was about 3 years too late on this one.






I made Mexican Lasagna on Monday night. Ya'll this stuff will make you wanna slap your momma! Delicious! There's a lot of prep work involved, but it turned out really well and made a ton!













I love this little cookbook. It's got tons of fun recipes from the Junior League of North Harris County. Isn't that a fun title? Junior League cookbooks are the greatest!














Step away from the honey bunnies! These are soo addictive ya'll. And I love that they are organic - none of that high fructose corn syrup in these suckers. Such a tasty treat! You can find these at Target. Trust me, your kids will heart these.

A little laughter

This one'll make you choke if you're drinking anything....be prepared! It's so stinkin funny. I sure needed it today!

I'm Southern......right?

Since the day I started this blogging journey, I have perused tons and tons of other blogs. I especially love blogs that have southern somewhere in the title. The other day, I stumbled upon a girl's blog that was really cute, but it made me stop dead in my tracks. This person is from the east coast - I believe from the South Carolina area. Right there on her about me page it states something like "I'm from the TRUE south". Ok, seriously...just what does that statement mean? I really have never thought about this - ever! Does being from Texas imply that I am not a true southerner? Am I too hick to know how to act and entertain like a southern lady? I hope not. I know how to behave graciously and I'm definitely working on the entertaining part. I try extremely hard to treat everyone with friendliness and hospitality when I meet them and they visit my home. I had a discussion about this with my friend and she said that maybe Texans are perceived as too "redneck" and without all the social graces and old southern traditions that people from Georgia, the Carolinas, Tenn, etc possess. I really can't see where this idea originated, but from one dixie chick to another....it is far from the truth.

I found this cute book. The title is hilarious and it was written by a funny, southern girl - of course! You need to check her out.

The Weekend Visit

One of my best girlfriends, Jen came for a visit this weekend from Tejas. We had a great time! So much to do in just 2 days....but, we had a ball. I really enjoy her and appreciate her driving all the way up here to see me. She brought her sweet son, "Smiley" (my nick-name for him) and he was the best baby. He just turned one and is the cutest thing. Here he is on his first birthday - such a doll!


Here is a fun find at my favorite antique store in "Oklahoma's antique capitol". I love this grapevine pumpkin, it's a nice large size - and I am thinking of adding a really cute fall ribbon to it. I can't wait to get all my fall decor out.

I'll be darned if I didn't take any pics of us! We both don't enjoy having our pics taken, so it's not that big of a deal, but we should have done it anyway. Miss you sweet friend!



I love, love, love etsy. I browse the site a lot and really enjoy buying handmade goods - it just doesn't get any better. I have purchased quite a few things from there.

One of my favorite's is a little plaque that I keep right outside my door. It has really cut down on all the afternoon doorbell ringing...However, I do have my limits. I won't be outfitting my kids in any of these any time soon - what. the. heck?

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Two Days and Counting...

Today is Meet the Teacher. I have a ton of emotions going on right now - nervous, excited, happy and sad. Sad that summer is over and another year is starting - in 2 days! Where did the time go? I am very excited that we now have a whole year to spend with B's classmates and teacher as opposed to last year when we came into to the school with about 2 months left before summer. As it turns out, B got an excellent teacher - praise God! I prayed and prayed that He would get someone good and God did it....better than I could have imagined. He also has Miss C in his class, too, which is very exciting. It is so nice for him to already know someone and Miss C is the cutest little girl you have ever laid eyes on. C is the sister of darling boy B, who called K a "carrot" (but, we won't hold that against her).

My dishwasher is on the brink. I loaded the entire thing last night, started it and then drip, drip, drip - all over the floor. This is a Bosch dishwasher - a Bosch! What happened to really good brands lasting forever? I am going to spend a good while today unloading all the dirty dishes and washing everything by hand. I don't have a clue what people did before dishwashers were the norm in kitchens. So.not.fun..

Love me some olympics! I have been soo tired that I haven't been watching each night, but I love me some Michael Phelps, ya'll! This kid is awesome! And, what about that 41 yr old hottie Dara Torres? Are you kidding me? She looks better than half the people I know. This is her 5th Olympic Games - so inspiring!

I have also got to catch up on the women's gymnastics. They are such the competitors .

My new toy...

Got a new toy for my birthday. It is quite overwhelming, but I'm learning to use it. It's a Nikon D60 ya'll and I love it! I am hoping to take a photography class at the local community college pretty soon - I know it will help me learn all the little intricacies I couldn't possibly understand on my own. Why a Nikon? Simply put - it felt the best in my hand. I read and read about Canon vs. Nikon and most argued that you just need to hold it, play with it and get a feel for which camera handles the best for you. It sure does take great pictures and I know once I have all the info I need, I'll be able to produce some rockin photos!

Isn't he the cutest? This is my middle child - L - he is at the sweetest age right now and I love to have him around. We rarely see a day when he isn't dressed in his Spiderman costume. It may be hard to see, but he has the funniest little gray tooth. He fell and hit his front tooth smack-dab on the back of a little plastic chair and that was all she wrote. It died. But hey, thank God it was a baby tooth - not the permanent one!

And here's our baby doll - K. Would you please stop growing? We were at our neighborhood party this weekend, hosted by my sweet neighbor Ellen. Her darling son, B (who is 3), decided that K should be called "carrot". Now, I wonder where he got that from? It was quite amusing, but makes me wonder if we should have named our little red-head K! "K the carrot" is a little too much for me. So, I am apologizing now, K - I am praying to the good Lord above that you don't endure years of the carrot teasing!

I am incredibly sore and tired today. We spent countless hours this weekend cleaning, weeding, mulching and sweating in the back yard. It's not done - have more black ground cover to put down and mulching to add. But, don't it look good, ya'll! I am so happy with the results! Pics to follow..... But, oh, my achin back! I finally got up this morning and hobbled, and I mean hobbled, to the kitchen where I have a row of windows looking out into the backyard. One glimpse at my pretty yard - so. worth. it.

On another note - thanks to all that have stopped by. I appreciate hearing from all my new blogging friends - don't be a stranger!

Getting there....

O.......kla-homa where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain

And the wavin' wheat

can sure smell sweet

When the wind comes right behind the rain.

Can't you just hear it? I can just envision all the actors in their "pioneer" get-up belting out the tunes and dancing their little hearts out. I do love me a good musical!

I have to admit that this state, well, I guess mainly T-town is growing on me. There are many things to do here - water activities (tons of lakes and state parks), an aquarium, zoo, art galleries, neat restaurants, fun antique shops, concerts, etc. It is one of the prettiest cities I have ever lived in. It really reminds me a lot of East Texas with all of the trees and hills.

Do I miss Texas? You bet! Would I move back in a heart-beat? Absolutely! Am I enjoying new places, faces, and scenery? No question! Am I ready to call Oklahoma my home? Not quite yet, but I guess you could say this is a new journey and I know God has some exciting things in store for my family here. I am getting there.....

Hope

This morning, I watched the GMA interview with Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth (picture from Sparrow Records). SCC has long been a favorite artist of mine and of course, my heart broke for them when they lost daughter Maria in an accident this past spring. If you haven't seen the clip, be sure to check it out. They need your prayers...I honestly cannot fathom the grief they are going through. They spoke of hope many times - and it is only because of our Saviour that we have it.

I am so grateful for my birdies...that they are healthy, happy and mine to hold. I am incredibly blessed!

Exactly...

I love this little plaque. I picked it up at Gordman's, the very first time I ever shopped in one. It spells out my philosophy on home to the "t". Isn't it cute?

You have got to go check out this blog. I love the posts she has just written about "things babysitters wish we knew". They are full of pertinent info - I am copying, pasting and printing those suckers out! Seriously though, it is worthwhile to stop in and check it out. From "how much money should we pay", to the "most helpful instructions to write down", it's almost like a Q&A session - just for parents and sitters. And it appears they are really truthful and forth-coming about it all. Good stuff!