Summer Break

At last, Summer break!!! Such big plans: waterpark, horse shows, swimming, fishing, canoeing on the river. Can't wait!! What are your plans for the summer?

Prom Princess

Here is proof that you do not have to live in Britain in order to be of "royalty". One of her favorite things to do when she was little was to dress up. We even had a prom at our house when she was 8 because she was so fascinated with watching her teen neighbor leave for prom. It consisted of formals from her mom's and my "past", dancing, a "limo" (really a Lincoln town car), punch and cookies.

Our princess at her first real prom=BREATHTAKING.

P.S. You will get to go next year Sunshine!!

Where You Lead Me

Where you lead me, I will follow. One of the most fascinating things within motherhood for me has been observing the interactions of my children with their siblings. Our order goes girl 16, boy 13, girl 9. The brother acts more like the "big" brother with his protective nature. The 9 year old follows the 16 year old and wants to be just like her. This statement is beautiful from both sides; wanting to be like someone and being so that someone wants to be like you.

A PERFECT Day!!

Every once in a while there are days that are perfect all around; the weather is good, we feel good and all seems good. Yesterday, which happened to be Mother's Day was one of those perfect days. My three amazing children each made homemade cards (the best kind if you ask me) complete with their own thoughts, art work and penmanship.
After church we went to a town not too far away, walked around the local university's campus and then to a park in the downtown area. At this park was a beautiful white, horse drawn carriage complete with a cowboy in a tuxedo! Of course we rode!!!! I even received a pink, long stemmed rose as part of the ride.
It felt so good to have all three safe with me, happy to be with me and having a good time with me. PERFECT.

Dogwood Winter

The older generation calls this time of year Dogwood Winter. It is named because after a period of sunshine and warmth in the early Spring, and the dogwoods bloom, we will have a period of cooler temps and rain. Early Spring weather gets us excited for warm sunshine, but don't put your long sleeves away just yet!

Spring Twirly Skirt

This simple skirt is so cute for Spring. It is elastic waisted and is fully lined with unbleached muslin. The bias trim is hand made to coordinate with the fabrics. The matching tee is store bought and appliqued with coordinating fabric. I love making these. This one is for sale. Size 5-6.

Frugal Friday

Sometimes being frugal does not pay. This is the case at my house with flour. I bought a 25# bag of no name flour, to be frugal, but the biscuits were terrible and the gravy was unspeakable! My family thought I had lost my ability to cook. Never again will I do that. My family deserves great biscuits and gravy!!!! Brand name flour-here I come.

Another Birthday

We celebrated yet another birthday this week. This one was a huge milestone (in her eyes). Sweet 16, driver's permit in hand, full of knowledge and wisdom, ready to take on the world!!! I want her dreams to come true!

Navigating on her new Kindle.

Birthday time

It was birthday time this weekend at our house!!!! The youngest turned 9. Here she is with her polka dot gifts. Children are such fun creatures. At the end of the rug shown in this photo is the spot where we have put our Christmas tree every year since we moved in. My children always put their birthday gifts in the spot as they would be under the tree for Christmas. I guess to them it is the "gift" spot. Sooooooooooo precious!

The Tree House

This is the tree house that my son had dreamed of forever! Well, it is sort of a "treeless" house since we do not have any trees in our yard mature enough to hold a house. It sets between two trees for the effect of being in a tree.

We had enough lumber left over from a barn addition. He and I set the posts and he designed the entire thing. We got a friend of ours to construct it and put the roof on. I must say it is a fancy tree house.

My son envisions covering the outside with license plates from all across America. He has a good start!

It is his refuge and source of such joy. How I wish we would have done this years ago!!

Embellished notebooks

These are photos of my newest craft project. Steno pad notebooks embellished with ribbons and cut outs. This is an easy project. First you must remove the wiring from the notebook. Then cut paper (I used cardstock) to fit the cover. Return wire and cover to notebook. Embellish. The possiblities are endless!!

I have blues and browns. This one has a tag that says "Happiness".

This one is black and white with dainty pink ribbon holding a flower cut out. It is a pocket sized notebook. $2.00

This one has different shades of blue wistera type flowers with pink satin ribbon wrapped around and tied in a bow.

These make great gifts at $4.00 each. I have many other styles, some with matching pocket sized notebooks and bookmarks. Email me if you wish to order or they may be viewed locally at Tammy's Closet.

Frugal Friday

We needed some roofing shingles for a small project. While at the lumber yard, I noticed a pile of shingles with torn packaging. I inquired about the price, they were one third the original price!! BINGO-tree house roof completed on a frugal budget! Pictures to follow one sunny day soon.

Pillowcases

Full/Queen 100% soft cotton; $15.00 plus shipping

I have been craving French seams and pillowcases are perfect for them. I have become addicted to French seams.

I have these for Spring and they are for sale. I am now selling stuff locally at Tammy's Closet and I plan to put them on ETSY. These are $15 per pair or two pair for $25. I am in love with the cream and green ones with the tiny leaves.

These are Queen size, 100% cotton (has the feel of percale).$15.00 plus shipping. (I will calculate shipping to where you live, so you will not pay more that it costs me)

Bunny (Speckles)

If you are looking for the Cadberry Bunny, I think he lives in our barn! This is speckles and he is trained for a leash. A bunny on a leash is funny!

Quotes-George W. Bush

"The passage of time allows passions to cool, results to clarify, and scholars to compare different approaches."--George W. Bush: Decision Points

Frugal Friday

How many cleaners do you currently have under your kitchen and bathroom sinks? In years past, I would have many different types of cleaners for different jobs. I have discovered that plain, warm water will clean so many things. After all, water is the universal solvent! We have all hardwood flooring and tile in our home and when we built it, the manufacturers recommended no chemicals, just water. So I decided that this could be the case for many other cleaning jobs! I do use a soap scum cleaner in the bathrooms and some bleach in the kitchen sinks but that is pretty much it. This also saves a great amount on the grocery bill.

Frugal Friday

I so enjoy the foam handwashing soaps in all the fragrances and attractive bottles. However at $5-6 per bottle this can get expensive, especially when you cook 3 meals per day and a couple of snacks. I discovered a way to save a great deal of money. I use dishwashing liquid. For an 8 oz bottle, put 1 tablespoon of d/w liquid in the bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with warm water, gently swirl to mix well and there you have foaming handwashing soap. There are many fragrances to choose from. So the label doesn't necessarily match the contents, no big deal!

Great Pyranees

This is the greatest dog in the whole, wide world! His name is Boston and he is a Great Pyranees. He is the size of a small calf in stature but has a heart of a puppy. The breed originated in the Pyranees Mountains in France. They are used for guarding herds of sheep and have been used in war time. They have a thick undercoat which is used to make sweaters (I haven't tried this yet)and he has the most gorgeous black eyes.
They are protective by nature, possessing an unparalleled ferocity. This breed has been known to take on bears, yet are wonderful dogs for children. By the time he was six months old, he was protecting our home and farm and children. Their loving personalities are mysteriously compelling. The only flaw that I can find in him is that he is such a protective home body that taking him to the vet is a difficult task. It usually takes 2-3 of us to load him in the truck.

Frugal Friday (belated)

This is my favorite "after Christmas bargain". I purchased this comforter set, king comforter and 2 pillowshams for $12.00!!!! It was considered Holiday merchandise but I love the reds and greens and I plan to use it for awhile. The green suede pillow was $3.00 on clearance.

Did I mention that the comforter set came in this nice tote? I plan to take it apart and make a couple of window treatments. I need another snow day!!
The chair under the tote is a blue color, which did not match the comforter. I love the chair and so I pulled, out of my keepsake trunk, this creamy afghan made and gifted me by me sweet Nana. Voila'!!! A room makeover without painting or spending much money.

French Coconut Pie

This pie is to die for!! I could eat the entire pie and have actually come close. It is so easy and attractive when finished. However, if you are a calorie counter, you should put away the calculator because you do not even want to know. I entered this pie in the local county fair one year (1st place) and the extension agent figured the calories, fat, cholesterol and all those depressing facts. Let's just say, I did not keep the info! Try it, you will love it.

FRENCH COCONUT PIE

One unbaked pie crust (I like the deep dish)
1 stick margarine or butter (unsalted)
3 eggs
1 TBSP white vinegar
1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. coconut (I add a bit extra)

Soften (do not melt) the butter/margarine. Add eggs, sugar, vinegar, and vanilla. Wisk until well blended (I use my wisk attachment on the electric mixer). Add coconut and stir with spoon. Pour into crust and bake at 350 degrees until top is golden brown (around 45 minutes)

Let me know what you think!!

**I discovered powdered vanilla a couple of years back. It is the most wonderfuly thing! Use the same amount as liquid. I make a great amount of bakery icing for cakes and cupcakes and the powdered vanilla keeps it snow white and adds great flavor.