Cut Apron Strings

One of the best things about having married children is that they invite you over and cook for you.



This is our second daughter, CHRISSY







Or, if you prefer....


This is called duo tone. I selected one color for the darks and another for lights. It makes an interesting effect.







Chrissy and Zach have been married 7 weeks










THIS is what it would look like if they had been married in 1912



I am having a lot of fun exploring photo editing options :)






Prior to marriage, Chrissy lived on chips & salsa, golden grahams, bananas and bean burritos.



Then, she met ZACH........ who, can EAT.




BOTH MOTHERS gave them cookbooks for wedding gifts





Last night she invited us over for THIS:


YUMMY sloppy joes and tater tots




..........and for dessert:



Mouthwatering golden butter cake
with chocolate frosting


..........Delicious!



Appetizingly presented at a beautiful table.







Thanks for a perfect evening, Chrissy & Zach !

Adirondack

When we moved into our home over 2 years ago, my artistic eye pictured two ADIRONDACK CHAIRS in THIS spot:








So I could look at this VIEW FROM MY PORCH:





Isn't that just HEAVEN ON EARTH? It is the number one reason I wanted this house. I often add a quick thanks in my prayers for the beauty of the earth. If you think about it, we were coming down here whether it was lovely or not. We could have done all of our temporal "growth" on an ugly planet just as easily as a pretty one. I deeply appreciate the thought given to create something so beautiful that it brings tears to my eyes. HE LOVES US so very much.

Well, I didn't waste any time hinting to my husband that I would love TWO ADIRONDACK CHAIRS so that we could lounge as a carefree couple while we observe deer, squirrels, birds etc.


After 32 years of marriage, I was quite surprised when my hint wasn't enough to cause him to jump into action, but it wasn't. Several weeks went by and I decided a stronger plan of action was needed. After all, the summer would be over soon and we needed to get lounging. So, one day while we were shopping in Garden Ridge, I pointed out the display of Adirondack chairs that came in adorable colors and even had foot rests....all for just $69! Steve nodded and showed appreciation and I was sure his silence meant he was thinking, "I totally forgot to get her those chairs, I will come back for them tomorrow and surprise her".


That summer came and went. No chairs. The next summer started. I have been married long enough to know that it is best to just come out and ask, "Why didn't you ever get me some Adirondack chairs?" otherwise, undercurrents of resentment build up, and that's never good. It was then, he told me the real reason: he thought those chairs looked cheap and didn't want them in our yard. You have to understand this exchange represents a history of Steve having very expensive taste and not wanting to make due with what we can actually afford (like I will - rather than do without it altogether).


This summer, I decided to take things into my own hands. Our neighborhood had a trash day coming up and everyone was putting tree clippings, lumber, boxes, and yes, broken Adirondack chairs in the street to be taken to the dump. I got in the truck and brought home 3 ancient, fractured, paint chipped Adirondack projects that I was going to repair all by myself. Though he said nothing, I am sure Steve was now thinking those $69 chairs looked like a bargain.


Before I could get started on my project, I had a 10 day visit with my folks in Fresno, CA. Little did I know, that my sweet husband was home working feverishly the entire time I was gone to surprise me with the most beautiful pair of CUSTOM MADE Adirondack chairs and footstools I have ever seen.







He was right, these are much better than Garden Ridge's chairs, and the sentimental value is off the charts because he made them just for me, with his own hands.



.......................and THAT'S why it has lasted 32 years:)

Addiction

How long does it take to form an addiction? I have only been blogging for 4 days and I think I need rehab. I don't want rehab;
I like my addiction. Isn't that the first sign of an addiction?




I have been sitting HERE for 4 days:




Remember in my first post, when I was self disciplined and wouldn't read blogs until chores were completed? I haven't left this spot, except to watch The Bachelorette (good ending, by the way) and sleep. Chloe brings me water and Steve prys my hands off the keyboard for dinner.





Blogging is bringing me satisfaction from recording thoughts and events that are important to me. I think I have been hungry for it, and didn't know it. In addition to providing an artistic outlet, it is nourishing something even more basic.

All cultures, since ancient times, are compelled to leave their writings and art for posterity......it is deeper than our DNA, it is our Spirit, yearning to share our mortal experience with others, present and future. Journaling provides introspection that improves us, as individuals and as members of a community. I think I'm beginning to understand why the Church urges us to journal.

No, I didn't get all of this in just 4 days, it was already there; I have just found a forum to release it. It has been a wonderful, unexpected blogging benefit.

My head is full of ideas. I am thrilled that I can digitally save old photos and narrate them. I am sure it will slow down, but for now,

I am truly invigorated.




Newly acquired skills:

-uploading and editing photos from Photobucket
-drafting and saving ideas as they come (lots)
-schedule drafts for future post
-re size photos
-scan photos


Still want to learn how to:

-Put personal cutout photo in my header
-Get LARGE FONTS other than the lame ones in blogger
-Settle on a background I really like
-Figure out why I lose photos when I spellcheck

Distinquished Guests

I have a terrific sister named Jennifer (Jen, to me). JEN IS TERRIFIC because she always, without fail, makes me feel like a million bucks. If I believe Jen, I am amazing. That's why I love her.


Three years ago, JEN married JOHN. Together, they are quite a DYNAMIC DUO. She is a beauty queen and he is, well lets just say, very high in the ranks of his profession (one of the top in the world). Think, James Bond.

This week, John's profession took them to yet another exotic location on assignment for the next few years. Jen flew directly to their new home with half the family and John and Jake (his son) drove through San Antonio with the other half of the family (2 dogs: Dusty & MoJo. Dusty insisted on dominating - and I think you know what I mean- our dog, Rusty. Rusty hasn't been the same since they left, I think he needs counseling).

We were lucky enough to host them for 2 days. We had a great visit. While John casually shared stories that would make great movie plots, Steve and I dazzled him with weather and real estate news. Jake helped Steve learn amazing (translation: legally questionable) computer skills.

Yes, JAKE is a JACK SPARROW look-alike.

We LOVE YOU GUYS; it was a wonderful visit and we hope y'all come back soon! (Rusty requests that you please leave Dusty home next time :)

One of My Favorite People

Friday, one of my favorite people had a birthday....MY LITTLE SIS, SUSAN.



Here are some VERY special people to me, MY SISTERS: Marsha, myself, Jennifer, and Susan.




Yes, she is beautiful. But she is so much more than that. She is one of the kindest, most forgiving, optimists I know. She is funny, well read, and a great mother. I love her for all of that and more.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSIE ! I LOVE YOU!

Today Is The Day

For awhile, I have been toying with the idea of creating a blog. I love reading other’s blogs. Sitting down at the computer to see what my children and grandchildren are doing today (my daughter in law, Marci, is the world’s most reliable blogger) is one of my favorite little self rewards. I tell myself, “if I empty the dishwasher (vacuum, do laundry etc), I get to read blogs”. It is one of the best parts of my day, and the reward system serves to keep my house quite clean:)

My biggest roadblock has been myself. I suffer from a form of perfectionism. I want to be one of those bloggers whose readers anxiously await her next entry because it is so well written, beautifully illustrated, interesting, and most of all….posted often. I just didn’t think I could deliver. But lately I have noticed thoughts creeping into my mind at unexpected moments. Thoughts like, “if I had a blog, this is what I would post about today”.

Another problem is that I am not sure I want to go to all the trouble of learning how to make a banner and what colors to put in the backround and then there are all the links and how do you do a sidebar, ugh. If I want my blog to be a desirable destination for blog stalkers like myself, I WILL have to learn all of these things or my audience will be disappointed. See, this is what it is like in the mind of a perfectionist, we are sometimes frozen into doing nothing at all because our high self requirements are overwhelming.

The number one reason I want to blog: it provides a wonderful record of our lives. Marci prints and binds her blogs and creates the most beautiful books full of memories….I would love to do that. I want to record my memories, that fade all too quickly, and bind them for posterity. I have never been a good journal writer or photo album filler and blogging would take care of that.

I like all kinds of blogs, even the very spare ones. So why not be one of those? I could do that. It would be an excellent exercise in loving myself just the way I am, which is a moderately interesting, occasionally articulate, decent photographer. Those qualifications could take me quite a way down the blogging road. And after all, this isn’t a competition, right? I mean, there are no Blogging Awards held annually in Los Angeles, though I have the perfect dress for the red carpet, should I get nominated.

The question I really need to ask myself is this, "If no one else reads my blog, would it be worth it to me to have a bound record of my life?” The answer is a wholehearted yes! “Even if it weren’t always articulate and beautifully illustrated, or even complete?” Yes! “Are you sure?" Yes. Well, then, it is settled. I am going to do a blog. For me; and today is the day.