TIME OUT

So many great things are going on at home and at work.....things that require more time from me....so, I wanted to let you know that I will be taking a "Time Out" from blogging for now. I have been thinking of how I can continue to blog and do my best here--and at work-- and it was stressful even "thinking" about it. That's not supposed to happen! I didn't want to stop for now and not tell you why. Nothing bad.....ALL GOOD but I'm getting my priorities straight. I will continue to read and comment when I have the time (and I will post again), but at this time I will take a "Time Out" from posting. Thanks for understanding.

MARRIAGE RETREAT

We're about to leave for a Marriage Retreat that our church is sponsoring. It is a night away at a BEAUTIFUL area to relax and have some time to spend with the one we (should) love most on earth. We sometimes allow our schedules to get our priorities switched around. Hopefully, this will be a time for the 54 going on the Retreat to remember God first, spouse second, .........., ............,.............,............, I will be sure and make pictures for you to see from the Retreat.

REMINDER FROM A DAFFODIL

One thing about living in central Alabama is the variety of weather on a daily basis. I know that some of you who have had snow for weeks might appreciate this. Yesterday it was sleeting ( I still am hoping to see just one snowfall this winter), and today the temperature is in the mid 70's. This afternoon I got outside and walked around in my yard looking at everything that needs to be done before I actually begin planting. I have a fence in the back that separates our yard from the wooded area. Last summer we had the area cleaned so I was not expecting any growth there. When I looked behind the fence I saw these daffodils....we call them buttercups in Alabama. They were absolutely beautiful and I had done nothing to help them grow. Immediately I remembered the verse in Matthew 6:28 where God is telling us not to worry or be anxious. " Look at the lilies (buttercups)and learn how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,but even Solomon was not arrayed like one of these." God spoke to me through these buttercups and reminded me that He takes care of His creation. Several times these past weeks I've been reminded to be still/quiet and listen. I heard God speak and I had to bring them inside to remind me again tomorrow (lest I forget). So.....I put them in a jar and they are on my kitchen table. God is so good!

GUESS WHAT'S COMING

For quite some time I have admired Kimberly's work....especially her quilts. She is another one who must never sleep! Before Christmas she had an open house where many of her beautiful creations were for sale. If I lived close by I would certainly have been there. I love the stitcheries she does and she always lets us know where she gets her patterns. Last week she posted about a new blogger (who happened to be the very person who creates many of these patterns). Of course I go and visit this new blogger and my heart is pounding because I want to learn how to do all these wonderful projects. I almost ordered a book right then, but the price was in Canadian dollars and that did it for me.....I had no idea how much it would be.....gave up without trying to find out more. WELL......that night Kimberly left me a comment telling me that she felt like I could learn this and that's all it took. Today I finally made contact with Cheryl at Country Quilts and ordered me the neatest book that is on it's way! I'm sure it will take it several days to get all the way to Alabama, but I am so excited. I hope to show you one of the projects real soon that I have done. Thanks Kimberly for giving me the push I needed. The picture below is one of the beautiful quilts that Cheryl has made. Isn't it beautiful?

THE TABLE IS SET

Thought I'd give you a preview of my special night with my hubby.....as you know we're celebrating tonight so we can keep the grandsons tomorrow night for their mom and dad to celebrate. I told my husband I'd much rather do something here than go out to eat because it will be so crowded the wait will be forever. So.....he's grilling steaks and we'll have a quiet night here. After my shower, COFFEE, and Bible reading this morning, I decided to go ahead and set the table. See I can get much more done in the mornings than after work. I'm excited about our night.....Yes....even after 36 years I still get butterflies!!!

WHAT I'M WORKING ON

This is the stitchery I've been working on. In fact....I've made three so far. I'm making some that I will be giving to some friends but can't tell you about that right now because some of the recipients might be reading the blog! I plan to frame these little babies. I think they will be perfect to sit on a shelf. Are you planning any thing special for Valentine's for your "special love"? I think we are going to celebrate our special night on Friday so we can keep the grandsons Saturday night for our daughter and her hubby to go out to eat. I'm not sure what I'm getting for my husband but I'm thinking it might be a new Bible. His has pages that are falling out. I know he loves his Bible and has scriptures marked and notes scribbled, but I think it's time that he can begin "remarking". Let me know if you have something special planned for the holiday for LOVE!

BOWLING WITH GRIFFIN

Today is Griffin's fifth birthday. He chose a bowling party and it was last night with his friends. Here he is with his BIG green bowling ball.

I had not been to a birthday bowling birthday party for kids, but it was great. They had them three lanes set up with the pads so they wouldn't get frustrated if their bowling balls didn't go straight. The adults had their own lane ....wished at times there were pads in the lanes for ME....and we had a great time. Of course, there was pizza (which is a favorite). The kids (and moms & dads) ate pizza throughout the night while waiting on friends to bowl.

Here is Griffin (in the red shirt) watching his little buddy, Blake, bowl. Blake's dad is our pastor at church.

CAKE TIME! I made this picture just as Griffin was blowing out his candles. The employees at the bowling place did everything. You can see one of them holding the cake and then she cut it and served everyone. All mom and dad had to do was pay! There were many other children who are not in the picture....sorry!

It doesn't seem like it has been five years since this miracle came into our lives (another post). His mom and dad and two brothers were living with us at the time because they were building a house and it wasn't quite finished. Grandchildren are wonderful....just ask any grandparent. Happy Birthday, Griffin!

EMMA'S ROOM

Do you remember me showing you the wall hangings that I had Kristen paint for Emma's room? Here they are up above her bed and they look just great. I'm sure you are tired of hearing that my pictures do not show the true color....but again I am going to tell you this. In her bedding, which is Pottery Barn's "Happy Daisy", the colors were green, yellow, blue, & pink. Kristen had to pull the bedding up to see a picture of the colors and she matched them perfectly. Since Emma's walls were pink, she used pink only for the initials. Mom & I decided the two older girls will need hanging for their rooms later so Kristen will have more to paint. By the way....if you need some painted contact her.

Tomorrow is my youngest grandson's birthday party. He will be five, and for his party he chose to go bowling. We'll be there with his friends tomorrow night so you will have to see more birthday pictures this weekend.

THE LETTER "C"

Tammy assigned me the letter "C" for naming things I love. I had previously named things that I love but this was completely different being I had only one letter for each. I have read several of your posts (from different letters) and have truly enjoyed them. Here are mine. I am sure there are many more, but these were the first that came to mind.
1. CHRIST - I believe this should be at the top of everyone's list. Without Jesus in my life, I am nothing.
2. CHILDREN - my children (Amy & Chris). I bet Amy thought Chris would be one of the ten things beginning with "C" that I love, but I love both my children equally. They have always brought me so much joy and now their children are adding to it.
3. CHRISTMAS - this is my favorite holiday. I love the reason for the holiday....the decorations....the excitement....the food.....the giving.....the parties....and on and on!
4. CHIPS - yes, this is a weakness. I'd rather have chips than sweets most days. I like regular, bbq, sour cream & onion or chips with salsa...you name it!
5. CABINS - I love log cabins. My husband and I have the plans for one that we almost built. I'm happy in my home, but I still love a log cabin.
6. CHEESE - There's always cheese in my refrigerator. I like it any way.....with macaroni & cheese, grated on top of casseroles, nachos, sandwiches, or just to eat!
7. CANDLES - Most of the time I have candles burning....even during the day when I am home. I love the smell they give your home. I used to always buy Yankee Candles but my favorite right now is the Paula Deen Fried Skillet Apples.
8. CORN - from the garden in the summer....cut off the cob and fried in a skillet with butter...oh, my! I'm a country gal and you can tell it. Of course, I love it on the cob too. I've noticed that I have listed several "food" items....tell you something about me??
9. COFFEE - must have my coffee....first thing in the morning. In fact, I go straight to the kitchen to turn my coffee pot on before taking my shower. I wish I only could say that I love coffee in the morning. However, I drink it during the day at work, too.
10. COUPONS - this is a new love for me. I have just gotten serious about couponing and if it is done right there is money to be saved. My daughter taught me the tricks to this.

I know I'll think of many more "C" loves, but these came to mind first. If you'd like to play, leave me a comment and I'll send you a letter. It's fun! Have a great day.

WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend with our birthday girl in Louisiana! Does it get any better than this? Granddaddy was caught in Emma's room reading to her (or whatever she wanted to do at the moment). I tell you...this is one sweet, little girl. When it is time for a nap or to go to bed at night, you just put her in her bed and she goes to sleep. I never knew that it could be so easy. Mom & Dad deserved her because sister just older STILL doesn't like to go to bed at night.

Emma's party was at the neatest place where there were all kinds of fun things for small children to do. I had a hard time getting a picture of her when she wasn't jumping or climbing, but here she is as she is thinking of what she can do next.

Big sister, Breanna, is here. It's hard to believe she will be eight years old in May. Breanna loves her sisters and takes good care of them.

This precious girl on the right is my middle granddaughter, Maddie (3 yrs.) and her "best friend"! She is something else but look at that smile and you can see why. I was able to go with her to her dance class while I was there. This best friend is in her class and when it was time to leave they both thought that Maddie was going home with her. It caused a complete meltdown for both. It didn't matter if Gigi was in town....best friend's are hard to beat. After a little while she settled for me and we had a fun night.
The party place had a bubble making machine and a couple of times during the two hour party, they turned the machine on and the kids (all 30) danced and had a blast with the bubbles. You can see my son holding Emma as they tried to catch bubbles. The party was great....Emma had a Dora cake because she LOVES Dora. There was ice cream and pizza too. I have MANY pictures but only know how to post five at a time. I will show you at another post the wall hangings on her bedroom wall.

I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend....we sure did.