A LITTLE EYE CANDY
Just a few images to share…they make me happy and remind me of the blessings that I have…..
Chillin’ in the pack and play…..look at those sweet leg rolls!
Trying to eat a new Christmas Ornament…..
Playing with Lucy Jane…….
Looking cute in shirt Lulu painted for him…
Making friends with Snowman….
Beautiful, beautiful boy………
Some scenes of the wooden bridge leading to my house….it is on the only road we have, about halfway down…..it is lit up with tiny white lights for Christmas! Such a welcoming sight when returning home after dark…… I tried to get some pictures at night….but they didn’t do too good. Adam tried a little earlier in the evening and got some fairly good ones. The first ones are his…..
The one above is mine…with some ‘doo dahs’ added ….fair…and below, is a much better picture of the Glory angel…Adam said mine was not clear enough…and he was right…
BLESSINGS
And, so the Thanksgiving Weekend comes to a close. It’s been a sweet one for the Owens’.
On Thursday, we celebrated Thanksgiving…..of course, I told you, Joy was in charge of the feast….
It was wonderful, as we knew it would be, and we all enjoyed it!
Sweet Tara came bringing John Thomas, who is into everything and talking a mile a minute! So precious!
And we were all joined by our friend Danielle and her fiance, Zach. It was great to have them with us, as well.
After lunch…Joy cleaned the kitchen…and we set about decorating Pop’s house for Christmas. That was the part I was in charge of…lest you think I was a slackard and just let everyone else do the work! And, as you see here…I managed to put my whole self into the job…
This is not finished, by the way…but I pretty well was by the time I did this cute little trick two times!!!
While we ladies, including Suzanne and Tara worked…Tommy tried to keep John Thomas corralled…
And, Don tried his best to entertain Levi….
Lori came in a little later she had to work at the hospital today… She helped Joy divide the food that was left…
I struggled to get one picture with Sweet Levi…. Isn’t his shirt cute? His Lulu made it for him…:-)
But all he wanted was his Mama…
And all Pop wanted was another piece of pumpkin pie!
As you can see…after the fiasco with John Thomas and Levi (last post) we didn’t even try any more posed pictures.
Posed or not…the family was together and these pictures show us working together…all doing our part…(Ian got the things out of the attic…Adam will put them back…Will was hunting a deer for another feast)…having fun just being together. All the things a family is supposed to do. What a blessed day!
AND—HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET DAUGHTER IN LOVE! WHAT A BLESSING YOU ARE TO US ALL! I LOVE YOU, MY DEAR!
AND, THEN…on Friday evening, Ian announced that he was cooking a meal for us. He snagged Adam to help him and they went to the grocery store and the butcher shop…they got all the ingredients they needed…and came home to begin the creations. He informed us we were having Roast Pork Loin stuffed with Rosemary, Bacon and Onion…..Spoon Bread…..Pear Crostata and Apple Crostata. And, cook it, he did. Yelling to Adam and Alex to ‘stir’ or ‘turn the heat down’ and to Don to ‘hurry up and grate that cheese’. And, my only contribution was to set the table and fix the glasses of tea. Why, friends, we could have been eating in the fanciest restaurant in Anytown, USA. It was delicious! He did a wonderful job at preparing all three. Just look at these……..(and that was no store bought dough, either)
What was left…
And this was all that was left of the roast pork…
I know you are not used to seeing pics of good food on my blog…but, this was too good not to share!
On Saturday, Ian and Adam did computer work. While Suzanne was out he called and asked her to cook some hamburgers. She adds ‘magical ingredients’ when she mixes up her hamburgers and they are so good. Of course, WE didn’t get to sample them this time! :-)
Sunday was a sweet time at church, and Ian headed out to Birmingham early. This is Monday and Joy and Pop have gone to Birmingham for his first check up since his eye surgery.
Life is full of blessings for us, but we were so sad that Alex could not be with us on Thanksgiving, but he was able to get up for a while to help Ian with his feast. Alex’s health continues to be a matter of prayer for us, and we are content with the fact that God’s hears our prayers. He continues to give us all strength…and we are ever hopeful that we will discover help for him at some point in time. God is good…all the time.
Now…let the countdown to Christmas begin!
THREE GOOD THINGS
Love, love, LOVE these candles! I have told you about them before, but it bears repeating, I think. The pictured scent is my favorite. I can light it in my kitchen and it scents the whole house.
And, the scent lasts all the way through the candle. I’ve learned recently about how some of the more famous candle makers scent their candles on the top only, so that by the time you get halfway down the candle, the scent is gone. Not fair, I say! And, that is why they smell so strongly when you open the lid to smell them. Now, this little candle…WalMart…around $5.oo…is wonderful. There are several scents to choose from, but in all honesty, this one lasts the longest. I have, however, found another one in the collection that I really like, as well, for this time of year. It is Mulled Cider. Very nice, cozy, homey scent…perfect for fall. This is the size I always buy, even though they do come in a larger size with a glass top. Haven’t tried those…so don’t know how the scent holds up. I use the Cranberry Mandarin all year long. And one more good thing…that big sticker on the front…it peels right off (with no gunk left over) so the candle looks presentable any where you may wish to place it. (It’s the little things, isn’t it, friends?)
No, Wal Mart did not hire me to sell their candles. Nor did they pay me to endorse them. I just think if something is good…and makes you smile…we ought to share that info. So, that’s what I did.
OK, you’ve got to hurry if you are going to take advantage of this next goody! This is available for a limited time only…and that’s the truth. I found this two years ago. And, I learned then that it is only sold during the Fall. Last year, I never could find it and after some super sleuth work on my part…I learned it is only sold at Wal Mart. This year, I went early…and there it was! Pretty as you please…right in the frozen food section of Wal-Mart.
This is wonderful! Now don’t go thinking that it tastes like frozen pumpkin pie. It doesn’t. It is very smooth and creamy…with just a touch of pumpkin flavor. And, there is graham cracker crust mixed in. It’s divine! Really! Just one thing…this is a pint, just a little, bitty pint.
I ‘m sorry this is such a bad photo, but…I think you can read it well enough to see that someone who obviously doesn’t enjoy the delight that is scrumptious ice cream, decided that this itty, bitty,little pint holds 4 (FOUR) servings! Four? Are you kidding me? I’ve heard of people who ate the whole pint at one sitting. I don’t know them personally…but I think that it really could be possible.
No, Wal Mart did not hire me to sell their ice cream. Nor did they pay me to endorse it. I just think if something is good…and really, REALLY YUMMY…we ought to share that info. I did. And, you can eat as many servings at one time as you want to. No one is looking. Really. Enjoy!
Recently I shared with you a sweet CD I had bought for Levi before we even knew there was going to be a Levi. And, I’d like to tell you about another one that I found just the other day. It is by Jewel. Are you familiar with her? Well, while I was shopping, I found this and decided to give it a try.
It is titled Lullaby. Jewel has a soft soprano voice, and this CD is beautiful. There are a few classical children’s songs on it, but for the most part, the songs are all original. I put it on when Levi goes down for his afternoon nap. And, we both listen.I have found myself humming several of the melodies. I hesitate to tell you where I got this. But, I will…you know ‘truth in blogging and all that’. It is put out by Fisher Price, and I bought it at Wal Mart. I checked, though, and you can also get it at Barnes and Nobel or Amazon.
No, Wal Mart did not hire me to sell their CD’s. Nor did they pay me to endorse this one. I just think if something is good…and soothing and calming…we ought to share that info. And, so I did.
Friends, I never go to Wal Mart anymore, really. I have to cross the highway to go there and Target is on this side of the highway. I went once a few weeks ago for something specific, and obviously my shopping radar was on full blast. It’s just not a place I go regularly anymore. Though it’s clear to me they have things that have quite an appeal to me! Maybe I should just go ahead and cross that highway and visit there more often. Perhaps when my supply of candles is gone…..or my supply of Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream !
PS
Joy and I are taking Pop back to Birmingham on Wednesday and Thursday to see 2 more doctors about his eyes. They definitely want to do surgery, but Pop is still not sure. So, we are going to see the doctor that does the surgery to get some more information. Then seeing a low vision specialist to see if they have some aids that may help him. Please say a prayer for us as we travel. And, as we begin to make decisions to help Pop’s vision. Also, Alex has had an extremely bad few weeks dealing with his pain. Even his strongest meds are not helping. We thank you in advance for praying for our family.
Hope the weather where you are is as nice as it is here. Enjoy your week!
THE WEDDING BY THE POND…the decor
When Amy began planning her wedding, she had a distinct idea about what she wanted. Searching online, she found pictures of decor she liked for the reception and her cake and the actual wedding decor. Her new hubby was able to put most of the pieces together. He works with wood and so he knew just where and how to get the trees, to cut apart, to cut into circles, to drill holes in, and exactly where to get the little trees that were used atop all this when it was glued back together!
Then we took 3 sizes of clear glass cylinders and wrapped each with a variety of rustic trims…burlap, jute,cords, raffia. These were placed on the larger of the rounds, and each had a white candle of varying sizes. Pods, flowers,etc was placed around the cylinders. Each table was covered with a white cloth and a burlap topper. These pieces were not stained or varnished, but left ‘as is’.
This was the tall arrangement that was on the food table….along with the display around the bottom. There were 5 round tables with the long table in the center, all under the big white tent.
And look at this wonderful piece Blake cut, stained, varnished, for the cake. It was beautiful!
Then under this tree…….
…and in front of this pond…
Tina and Shirley did this arbor…
On either side of the arbor, we filled 2 fern stands with ferns ( of course!). Now, Shirl had learned this wonderful trick to filling these stands to make them look full and pretty, and I want to share it with you. The ferns came in those old, black plastic pots. Shirley pulled them out of the pots and dropped each one into its own plastic bag. We used the bags the moss came out of.
The 2 black pots would not fit in here, but by putting them into the bags, they are able to be molded into the pots, and they have a very full look…
Then fill in all around with moss to hide the bags. You can also push the moss in from the outside, as well.
Add a large bow…and you are done. The bags can be left whole if they will just be used a short time. This will keep all the dirt inside. But, if they will need to stay there for a few days, you can poke holes in the bottom of the bag, so they will drain when watered. They should be OK in the bags for 3-4 days.
At the wedding……..
Oh, we did have a very nice visit from some very special folks on Friday…Suzanne and Baby Levi. I know, I know. He’s just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen! I happen to agree with you!
And, that is all I will show until Amy gets back from her honeymoon. I do not want to publish the pics of the actual wedding without her permission. But, I’ll tell you this…she was a beautiful bride. You’ll see…
THE WEDDING BY THE POND…the bouquet
I have had the privilege, over the past few weeks, of helping my friend, Tina, get ready for her daughter’s wedding. Sweet Amy was to marry Blake…at his very rustic farmhouse several miles outside of town. After Tina and Amy talked and came up with the plan…she and I met and figured out the way to get it taken care of. We have been working on projects all along, so the majority of things we needed to make were done ahead of time. One of the first orders of business for me was to make the brides bouquet. I was anxious to get started, because I like to do this. I made what is called an all-in-hand bouquet,where you start with a flower in one hand and keep adding flowers and turning it and adding flowers and turning…all the time keeping all the flowers in that one hand. Then wrap the stems. Oh, it looked great! But, Amy thought it was too small for her…and I think she was right. So, I set about making another one…still not big enough. OK..I decide to use a form this time. She says she wants it BIG! Big enough to cover her side to side when held in front of her. I got the form and I got the flowers, and I clipped and wrapped and poked and wrapped and poked until I ended up with one of the biggest bouquets that I have ever seen! Side to side, it would cover her. This is bouquet # 3…
Shirl had come down from Moultrie Thursday and she and Tina went out to the house to get the decorating underway. They worked most of the day Thursday and got the front of her house decorated and then moved to the back and got things started there. When I joined them on Friday, we had a discussion about the size of this ‘fistful of flowers’ and agreed that it was too big.
So, I set about removing all the flowers for the 4th time…placed them all into groups…and started over.
Now the danger of making something around a group of people, is that they all have an opinion about how to do it. And, as such…I had 4 voices other than mine. This didn’t annoy me..it just gets a little frustrating. So, I pulled this flower out and put that flower in. Then I took out this flower, and put another one in. Then I’d take out 2 flowers and put back 1. And, finally…finally it was finished. Here is bouquet #4…
I was happy. Amy was happy. Shirl and Tina were happy. Do you see how happy we were? And, all was right with the world. We should have taken that bouquet to a locked vault and put it in and not looked at it again until right before the wedding! But , NOooooooooooo…..we decided that we needed to make one ‘little’ change. Because we don’t know how to leave well enough alone. So, I pulled out a few blooms. And, then…AND THEN !!!!!!!…
…the unthinkable happened…the foam, which was glued to the base, broke loose. The flowers and a small bit of foam went one way. And the handle, with another small bit of foam, went another way. The rest of the foam went EVERYWHERE ! I was shocked! Idon’t understand why this happened …the foam only had 683 holes in it!!!!
And I cried.
Because the nearest store from which we could buy
foam was 15 miles away…and it was already after lunch. Tina and I began to brainstorm a solution. And, somewhere in the house, Tina found a old silk flower arrangement…with dead oasis stuff. It only had 10 or so holes in it. So, I got a piece of tulle, wrapped the oasis all around, and hot glued the mess out of it onto the base. And I made the bouquet for the fifth time. Many of the stems had to be re-wrapped and wired and cut because the shape of the oasis was different. And, it was so fragile already, I knew I could only stick the flowers in one time. It finally came together, and, I finished the bouquet. I did not ask them if they liked it. They had to like it. Because IT WAS DONE !!! And, I was done, too!
Now all that really did happen. But, I loved every minute of it! It’s always the most fun when we are working together. It was an honor to be asked to do the bouquet, and help decorate. All’s well that ends well…RIGHT? Here is the finished bouquet…
And, the bouquet held together. The bride was very pleased with it and she looked beautiful carrying it. It even lasted through the reception.
Next post, I want to share with you some of the decor. We had some really neat things to work with, and I think you will enjoy seeing it. (But, I won’t show any pics of the bride and groom and the actual wedding. She will want to do that in her own time. But, once she does, I will share some with you, too.)
Oh, and maybe by the time Christmas rolls around, I’ll get to finish my posts on Hawaii! 
A DAY OF CELEBRATION
“GOD HAS GIVEN US THESE TIMES OF JOY.” Nehemiah 12:4
Our family and Suzanne’s family have all been watching the little miracle that is Levi as he grows and gets closer and closer to coming to be a part of our lives. God has blessed us so! Now, finally, it’s time for the celebrations to begin…as in Baby Showers. Joy, Tara, Lori and Patty gave the first shower.
And, they decided that the Creek House was the place to hold it…which was just fine! I did not have to lift a finger. BUT…’having’ to and ‘wanting‘ to are two different things. So, I set about doing a little sprucing up. I worked on the mantel to make it more baby friendly. I made a banner with Levi’s name in her nursery colors.
And, I made a wreath for the front door. But, I classify none of that as ‘work’… it was fun! And the other stuff..the real work…wasn’t mine to do. So, at the shower, I could sit down and enjoy watching Suze open her gifts and talk with the guests. It was nice! And, then….THEY did all the clean up, as well! My kind of party!!!
She got some wonderful gifts, lots of the things she had registered for, and other sweet surprises! These are just the gifts that arrived ahead of time! Our friends are so kind and generous!
And, it’s always such fun to welcome them into my home. Some of those attending were friends of Mom’s as well. When they are here for things such as this, it makes me feel as if a part of her is here. She did love to throw a party! I know they loved her and they love me and my family. Their support is like another hug from my sweet Mom! Thank you my friends!
Joy and Tara were at the house on Friday evening getting a few things done ahead of time, and Suzanne came over to see everything. Here is that sweet boy, John Thomas. We were working on trying to slice 4 yards of brown and 4 yards of blue netting down the middle so we could make 2 bows for the front porch. I finally handed this project off to Suzanne. And, once she spread it out on the floor…John Thomas decided to plop down in the middle of it! He was so funny!
Sweet girl did allow me to make a picture of she and Levi before she left. Oh, and a little bit of JT, also.
OK…Don’t you think this is a cute outfit? A little orange polo style romper, and cute little shoes, with orange stitching! Too cute! But, why is Suze cutting her eyes at me like that?
Don’t you love orange? Well, there is a big rivalry between 2 of our universities, Alabama and Auburn…red and orange…she is Alabama red. But, that’s not the reason. I don’t even understand football. Actually, I was thinking of all the orange highlights in my kitchen. And, wouldn’t a picture of that sweet, sweet boy wearing that bright orange romper look great in my kitchen!?!!! Just thinking ahead, people.
And, look at this……
…the next gift she opened was this colorful ORANGE lion…from her mother, Mary. Serendipitous, wouldn’t you say? So I’m thinking Leo should definitely be in the picture with Levi in his cute ORANGE romper!!! I’ll be sure to share it when it comes to pass.
Here is a picture of the table and the mantel decor. OOPS! I think the cloth has a little wave in it!
And, look! Here’s the New Mommy and the New Grand Mommies!
And, so the gifts were all opened and displayed and ‘oohed and aahed’ over. The friends were greeted and hugged and time spent ‘catching up’ with their news. The cute duck cake (which had a serious molting problem…which Tara fixed) was cut…yummy! the other party goodies were enjoyed too…along with the blue punch with 3 little ducks swimming happily! Such a pretty table they set!
Time passed and Suzanne began to pack up the wonderful gifts. The girls all did the clean up, and I took down the banner and wreath and sent them home with Suzanne. Hugs all around…and then…it was over. Suzanne took the gifts and spread them all out so that Adam could see them when he came home. You know, I remember doing the same thing after my baby shower for Adam.
It’s wonderful, bringing a new life into the world. Despite the odds, God decided that Adam and Suzanne would be parents…and they will be fine ones. I’ve thought often about the children that are born into the world that are not wanted, not looked forward to, and not held and cuddled and sang to. It breaks my heart. We are so blessed that God has chosen to send another baby to grace our family. He is wanted by so many family and friends…he is looked forward to by the same…and, oh, how held and cuddled and sung to he will be. God is good…and all praise goes to Him!
“THE LORD HAS DONE THIS. IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES.” Psalm 118:23
About Me
I am a Christian woman who has survived 56 years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons and a dear DIL. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!
My Parents
Me & Don
Gatherings
