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Showing posts from June, 2011

For All Our "Superman Daddies"

My good friend Hannah from Crazy Creative Magazine wrote this great post today about her Dad. It made me so happy that I had to share it with you. Enjoy the read, and tell all those superman daddies out there how much you care! While your there, check out Hannah's other articles. You'll find out why I'm a devoted reader and her most devoted commenter! Crazy Creative Magazine: My Father AKA Superman : "My Papa has a problem. He thinks he's superman. No matter how old I get, he's constantly trying to fly to my rescue, fixing this, buying m..."

Peaches, Peaches, Peaches

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Peaches . . . juicy, yummy peaches.  We have an abundance of peaches (half a bushel to be exact) because my father-in-law brought peaches in from his last trip (he drives truck).  We are enjoying these peaches sliced and sweetened with sugar, baked in yummy desserts, frozen for later and best of all - fresh for the eating.   We are going to be enjoying the peaches this whole 4th of July weekend.  Thanks Popaw for bringing peaches for us to enjoy.  What a great summer treat! ~Photo courtesy of Wikipedia http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Flavorcrest_peaches.jpg 

Words To Live By Wednesday -

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you lookout not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." ~ Philippians 2:3-4

If I only had a dog . . .

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I dream of having a dog someday.  If I ever have a dog, I want her to be like this little one.  Take a gander at this little beauty.  She is a dream dog.   She is Popaw and Momaw's baby.  Someday, maybe, I will get to have one too!

Look what I found!

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Big Brother called, "Look what I found!"

Sunday Morning Praise

Holy, Holy, Holy Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! ~Reginald Heber http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/o/holyholy.htm

Big Brother is HOME

Big Brother made it home from his first ever summer camp.  We are all so glad to see him and he is glad to be home.  He did say that, "A second week of camp would be half price."  Since he was hinting at going again, I think he had a good time.  We are praying that the lessons he learned will make an impact on his life.  In the meantime, I am really glad to have my baby (I mean big boy) home!

Friday Blooms - Happy Days

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Daisies are happy flowers.  They look up with smiling faces to greet you and say, "I hope that yours is a happy day!"   

Fun for Brother in the Middle

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One of the great joys of parenting is watching your children have fun.  Today, Brother in the Middle got to have special time and fun with Uncle T.  Uncle T. is introducing the boys to disk golf.  This was Brother in the Middle's first try on a real disk golf course.  After their game, Brother in the Middle had a simple analysis.  He said, "This was fun."  And that it was.

Words To Live By Wednesday - Hit the Nail on the Head

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV This was the basis for my devotion this morning.  How I need to meditate on it.  I have not been letting the peace which surpasses all understanding have a chance in my heart this week.  I will be working on this.

Chocolate, Mom and Mr. Rodgers

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Over at Linda's blog, Encouragement from the Hill  hilltopencouragement.blogspot.com , she blogs about what she is grateful for every Tuesday.  It is an encouragement every Tuesday to be reminded to stop and count my blessings.  One of the things that I am grateful for today is the Symphony Chocolate Bars in my Mom's cabinet.  Mom, if you are reading this, know that we are eating chocolate tonight.  Your chocolate.  We (I) snagged some as we stopped by to drop some things off.  As silly as it sounds, knowing that the chocolate is always there is reassuring.  Chocolate, reassuring?  Maybe it's the sweet taste of chocolate dripping down the back of your throat or maybe is the assurance that things are as expected.  You know, the Mr. Rodgers Effect.  The sweater's in the closet when you come in the door.  The train is ready to go through the tunnel to the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe".  All things are as they should be in the neighborhood. I like predictab

Retail Therapy

Today, I needed a therapy session.  My oldest son left at the crack of dawn for summer camp.  My baby needs tubes in his ears.  I needed a way to deal.  Like a shopaholic, I headed strait for retail therapy.  I intended on buying a swimsuit and an extra outfit for Little Miss M (the little girl that I babysit part-time).  I went to my favorite resale shop, Once Upon A Child.  They are running their 50% off summer sale and I found so many cute outfits for a great price that I called little Miss M's momma.  She was happy that I offered to shop for her (on her dime, of course).  I was thrilled that I got my retail therapy on someone else's dime.  I had a great time.  Little Miss M has a new summer wardrobe.  Little Miss M's momma got great deals without any extra work.  I feel better.  My tip for the day is for any momma who wants to fill her child's closet without emptying her pocket book.  Visit your local re-sale shop when they have their clothes on clearance.  Enjo

Father, Dad, Daddy

There are may forms of the word father.  Each one is important in it's own way.  Father, Dad and Daddy are all names for which I am exceedingly grateful. Father My Father in Heaven, who loves me, has saved me and daily pours his grace upon my life. Dad My Dad, who loves me, has raised me, taught me to ride a bike and then a car (we survived both trials, Dad.)  He walked me down the aisle, supports me in my many endeavors and loves me to this day. Daddy My husband, who loves me, but perhaps more importantly, loves my children.  He is raising them, providing for them, training them, and playing with them.  Daily, he sacrifices his own wants and needs for the needs of his family. Father, Dad and Daddy - without them, I would be lost.  What grace I have been given to know such love.  Thank you for your love and sacrifice.  Thank you Fathers, Dads and Daddies - all the men who sacrifice themselves for their children.  He who lays his own needs before the needs of his family i

Friday Blooms - Tiger In My Woods!

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When we look out our windows, we can see Tigers in our woods.  Beautiful orange Tigers are gathered at the edge of the woods that lines the creek.  What kind of tigers, you say, would be in an Ohio woods?  Why, Tiger Lillies, of course!

Words To Live By Wednesday -

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV

Three Peas in a Pod

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No, you don't need to adjust the colors on your computer screen.  The boys have wild new shirts that Brother in the Middle made with Grammy.  They are very proud of their matching shirts.  Monday morning, Big Brother and Brother in the Middle came downstairs with their matching shirts on and begged that Little Man wear his.  If "three's a crowd", then they are a happy crowd!

Growing So Quickly

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Did you think I meant the boys?  Yes, they are growing quickly, but today, I'm talking about our zucchini!  On Memorial Day weekend, Brother in the Middle and I planted four hills of summer squash.  Two hills are zucchini, and two are yellow crook necked squash.  We are enjoying watching them grow, and can't wait to taste the first fruits of our labor. First, we tilled the soil, then added some from a bag to make a mound. Then, Brother in the Middle poked a hole and planted the seed. Remember, we are not the only ones looking for a good meal! This is our summer squash this morning.  Soon, we'll be posting about our own dinner.

Sunday Morning Praise

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Whiter Than Snow Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul. Break down every idol, cast out every foe; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow. Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ~ James Ni­chol­son "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." ~ Psalm 51:7 NKJV

Funny Boy on Bedtimes

Like all little boys, Brother in the Middle like to press for a later bedtime.  Last night he said,  "Let's not go to be until one, no nine . . . .  I know, let's not go to bed 'til ONE HUNDRED!!!!."   After a long pause, filled with laughter from the whole crew, he tops it of with, "Mom, you can blog this!!!!" Sigh, I have corrupted my sweet boys!

Friday Blooms

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The invasion of Suburban Gardening

Vegetable plants are invading the flower beds of today's suburban garden.  Have you noticed this new trend in suburban flower beds?  Along with the roses, azaleas and petunias are tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.  Drive down a suburban road and look closely at the gardens.  Some gardeners interplant their crops of vegetables into the flower beds that they already have.  Many suburbanites have built square foot gardens in their back or side yard.  You can even spot some country style gardens in the world of suburbia.  The trend comes from more than one source.  The desire to save money, reduce chemicals in the food at the dinner table and the desire to get closer to the food source are some of the reasons suburbanites are stepping out of the traditional flower bed and into the vegetable garden. My own journey into the world of vegetables began years ago.  I grew up on the back of my grandparents farm.  By the time my family moved there, my grandpa was retired and he leased out

Words To Live By Wednesday - The Big Question

He (Jesus) said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." ~ Matthew 16:15-16 NKJV

Extra, Extra, The Tortoise Bests the Hare, Once Again

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We all know how it went down years ago.  The hare and the tortoise started the race, with the odds surely resting on the hare.  After a long race, that hare was shocked that the slow, but steady tortoise beat him at his own race.  Once again, today, at our own house, the tortoise has gotten one up on the hare.  Yesterday, a scathing article was posted on the evils of bunnies and their troublesome antics.  This morning, a loud scream brought attention to  a large snapping turtle digging up young summer squash plants.  The girly scream emanated from the little sissy girl that still lies within me.  I immediately called my savvy sister-in-law next door to come rescue me.  She came with a trailing troop of children who wanted to watch her capture of the varmint.  She valiantly and humanely captured the assailant.  When I lamented that I owed the poor bunnies an apology for my angry rant on yesterday's post, Big Brother had a rational reply.  He practically stated, "Mom,

New Perspectives on Sweet Little Bunnies

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The first time I read the stories of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, I felt sorry for that little rabbit.  Mr. McGregor seemed mean spirited and quite vindictive.  I was happy and relieved when Benjamin and Peter were saved and Mr. McGregor  and his cat were outwitted. Now, this picture of "sweet little bunnies" picking onions for their mother brings a totally different feeling to my heart.  This afternoon, I found two of my little gardens dug up.  Lettuce, broccoli, carrots, peas, cilantro, basil and asparagus were uprooted.  Many tiny baby carrots were eaten. The heads of my tiny first year asparagus spears were gnawed off.  That just burned me up! Hours of planting, watering and weeding just went to waste on some tiny little varmint.  That's right, I said varmint.  There are no sweet little bunnies around here.  There's varmints.  Rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, pesky birds, bugs, groundhogs and raccoons are all now classified as pests, vermin, nuisances,  and

Sunday Morning Praise

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Let All Things Praise the Lord Praise the Lord! Praise God in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!  Praise Him with loud cymbals: Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the Lord! ~ Psalm 150

Friday Blooms - Savvy Sister-in-Law Edition

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My sister in law is savvy.  She is good at whatever she decides to do.  When she gets on the trail of something, watch out, she will get what she wants!  She is a good mom, business woman, photographer, cook and gardener.  I always enjoy looking at her flowers.  Last weekend, she was out of town, and I helped take care of her cat.  While I was there (it's such a long way - next door), I took some pictures of her lovely flowers.  Aunt C., you are one savvy lady!

Little Man Paints With Water

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Little Man now wants to be just like the big kids.  He's fifteen months, and he does not want to be left out.  Who really wants to be left out, anyway?  Not me, for sure!  Yesterday, the big kids got to paint.  Little man watched the whole process, and then worked to pull a chair back from the table, so that he could climb up and join the painting "party".  I got him his own little dish of water, a piece of paper and two big paintbrushes (no paint for little man).  He was happy as a lark.  Most of the time, the paintbrush was in his mouth.  He enjoyed the new experience, but most of all, he enjoyed being treated like "one of the big kids".

Hannah's Frugal Kitchen: It's that time again...

My good friend Hannah had "Breakfast Week" on her blog this week. Being that breakfast food makes up many of my favorite meals, I really enjoyed all her posts! Today, she opened up comments so readers could share their favorite breakfast foods. I shared my current favorite, a breakfast Frittata . (Yes, I am a very fickle girl when it comes to food - my favorite this month, might not be my favorite next!) Go have a look, and while your there, share your favorite breakfast food! Hannah's Frugal Kitchen: It's that time again... : "If you've got any breakfast recipes you'd like to share, post them in the comments today!"

Words To Live By Wednesday

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 This is one of my mother's favorite verses in the Bible.  Every time I hear or read it, I think of her.  I also love the verses that follow it. " Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."  ~ Jeremiah 29:12-13