Be Grateful!

Hey There! I'm Still Here....

Sometimes life just gets in the way of itself.  That's when you know to step back, breath, and regroup.

I think I'm regrouped for now....that's great news!!  WOO HOO..

Any way here are a few pictures of whats been happening over the past 10 days:

I got these for my husband for fathers day... it wasn't his cup of tea, "butt"  I'll sure wear them!

Favorite window in the house...

With this kind of view, why wouldn't it be?

Alli and Devin making stepping stones, which will

be placed strategically thoughtout the yard

Alli  making bead strand for our bead tree....I'll share that later.

 Having fun with pretty little Rhea!

Daycare "curtains"

"the Very Hungry Caterpillar" stepping stones

Sum-sum-summer time!

What is more summer than sprinklers?

Fathers Day photo shot

 I found this outside, crafty daycare kids anyway!

Need to make up some more homemade mixes.

I'll make a post about those soon....it's real money saver!

Finally some relaxation.  This is laying under a tree with the kids.

THIS is my private spot in the evenings.....Ahhhhhhh!

So, see what happens when I miss 10 days of blogging? A LOT!  There is never a dull moment.  

Not enough minutes in the day.  

And which of you by being anxious can add 

a single hour to his span of life?

Unexpected Surprise

My tremendously loving husband brought me a gift last evening. I knew right away where I was going to hang it. I look at it and it gives me a serene feeling, thinking of all of life's possibilities. Kevin, I love you.....you and me!

My "Happy Place"

My Happy Place has a name...... Juneyville.  Do you guys have a real or imaginary happy place?  I highly suggest you get one.  You can escape there and no one is the wiser.  in Juneyville, it is peaceful, green, lots of flowers and birds....It is beautiful and serene there.

Today I am willing to share a tiny glimpse of it to all of you.   Here's a peek:

My favorite window, above the kitchen sink, looking out over the yard, aka, my retreat, sanctuary, Juneyville, serenity....

And here is the view I get.  The land goes beyond the furthest trees, I even have a nature trail set up.....it's named "Happy Trails", of course!

So this is what makes me happiest, calms me down, and gives me peace.

What Did You Do This Weekend?

Here is a glimpse into my weekend:

Fun in the sun with the twins, and their oldest cousin, Alli....whe was helping me with the kids this weekend....THANKS Alli, aka numerouno!

What I would like to be doing right now.......Still sleeping!  

Things That Make Me Happy Today

Bunnies in the backyard....

Laying under a tree with children....

And a cup of afternoon Chai tea!

How can I NOT love my life!?

Pretty Up your Kitchen Aid

I've been noticing around the web, pretty Kichen Aid Mixers.  Hmmm....how'd they do that?  You can buy decals, specifically for your mixer!  WOW!  It does look very nice, but with the price tag, they are out of my budget.

With my ever creative mind I thought, "I could go to the Dollar Store and get some of their vinyl decals, but I want it now!"  (like I generally do..instant gratification)  I got all my stickers out, which is a vast collection, and found the perfect ones!   So, I went to work placing them on my mixer where I thought they would look best, and wah lah!  I love it!   And just think of the possibilities, switching them out whenever you felt like it!  (and with me, that might be often)

So, here's a picture of mine, followed by a link to get more ideas:

Amazon.com Kitchen Aid Decals

Off to the kitchen to use my prettied up mixer now!  

Batch Cooking, and Mix Making Day!

I like to have things ready for a quick dinner.  You know, the nights you don't feel like cooking, or you are to busy.  Eating out isn't an option for someone who lives 45 minutes from the nearest restaurant, which is really a good thing.....fast food....YUCK!

I also like to cook from scratch.  Americans think we have a huge selection of foods available, but did you know most of the "inner aisles " at the grocery store are not even food..NO FOOD in the product?  TRUE.....a lot of it is man made, chemical laden food "product".   There is an awesome movie "Food, Inc" that will enlighten your views on food.  It's available on Amazon Prime, rental, and is also a book. 

Here are a few things I've made this AM, later I will turn a big ol' package of ground beef into precooked taco meat, precooked sloppy joes, hamburger patties, and meatballs.  That way, come dinner time, this lady is ready for a 5 minute meal!  OH YES!

Click a link below for the recipes:

TACO SEASONING

WHITE SAUCE

I don't add the butter to this mix, until I am cooking it.

PANCAKE MIX

Lightest pancakes, ever!  Try making pancake bites, place the pancake "dough" into

mini muffin pans and bake, or (like I do) use your handy dandy cupcake maker gadget!

You can make a big batch and freeze them for later!

Thanks for visiting today, have a great Wednesday!

Busy, Busy Four Days "Off" Work?

Was I really off work for four days?  It definitely did not feel like it!  It's the ol' proverbial, go back to work to get some rest!    I got in a bunch of doctor appointments along with Kevin, yard work....which by the way takes a while when you have 3 properties, one business, and several acres to manicure!

The playground looks good....for today.....and the fence along the front of the playground is very nice for summer, and the summer holidays.

I did have a lot of fun creating and crafting, which is probably why NO house work got done.   I planned to catch up with the laundry, before it catches up to me, no luck with that.  I planned to do some batch cooking, no luck with that either.  In fact I was lucky to get Kevin and I fed and watered.

This morning came to soon, and there will be a houseful of little ones today.....eight today.  Summertime child care is always "iffy".  Some days are busy, some days only a few kids, c'est la vie!

Enjoy the pictures of some of my busy work from the weekend:

See you tomorrow!

Hopping on the Burlap Bandwagon!

Burlap is everywhere this spring!  I had to try my hand at it, of course.  So,

I bought a roll of it and went to town. I've prettied up the kitchen counter, the daycare

lunch table, and added some to a couple wreaths I have made (I'll talk about those 

tomorrow!)

With bits and pieces from around the house I went to work.  My measuring

spoons are in an old jar, but is seems so much more appealing "dressed". 

An old plastic container serves as a snack jar, it doesn't look quit so

cheap wrapped in burlap.

And the daycare table is much more lively than haven a boring old towel

with plated just sitting there.  Now it is organized and beautiful.

What I'm Reading This Week

This first book is just for my pleasure.Thank you Karlin 

for mentioning this book to me!  So far so good.  

Bitter Harvest, by Ann Rule

GIFTED WITH A BRILLIANT MIND, BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY -- AND CURSED WITH A DESTRUCTIVE MADNESS 
In this harrowing New York Times bestseller, Ann Rule is at her masterful best as she winnows horrific truths from the ashes of what seemed like paradise in Prairie Village, Kansas. Rule probes the case of Debora Green, a doctor and a loving mother who seemed to epitomize the dreams of the American heartland. A small-town girl with a genius IQ, she achieved an enviable life: her own medical practice, a handsome physician husband, three perfect children, and an opulent home in an exclusive Kansas City suburb. But when a raging fire destroyed that home and took two lives, the trail of clues led investigators to a stunning conclusion. Piece by piece, Ann Rule digs beneath this placid Midwestern facade to unveil a disturbing portrait of strangely troubled marriages, infidelity, desperation, suicide, and escalating acts of revenge that forever changed dozens of lives.

The second book is interesting to me, but it's for work.   

A good read, is a good read though!

The Great Outdoors, by Mary S. Rivkin

ABOUT THE BOOK

New delights and opportunities for learning await each time children venture outdoors. This updated and expanded edition of The Great Outdoors will inspire teachers to make it possible for children to spend more time outdoors, have safe environments, and be free to learn through exploration. This book Reviews why outdoor play matters for children, especially when it involves nature Explores the historical and contemporary inspirations and foundation for nature education Discusses ways to keep children safe outdoors, including minimizing sun exposure and other dangers Highlights the importance of nature experiences for children’s spiritual development Explores the necessity and challenges of creating child-friendly cities and environments Each chapter ends with action items to improve children’s access to safe, clean, and interesting places in your community and is packed with resource ideas for further exploration. The Great Outdoors will enable you take up the challenge to advocate for enticing outdoor spaces for children.

Merry Monday, and All is Good!

Yummy cranberry/walnut scones about to go in the oven.  Now the dilemma of whether to have tea or coffee with these little delicacies!

Prettied up the lunch table with a Dollar Tree kitchen towel, and embellished the basket with stuff sitting around just waiting to be used.  I LOVE how it looks, cheerful and summery.

Kids a cooking'!

The three little guys love to play in the Camp Fire/Forest room!

MERRY MONDAY to all!