Another year older

Spencer helping with a little hot air.
Thomas invaded our house once again.

YUMMMM ....... CAKE

Smile baby, mom and dad love you so much.

Happy Birthday little man.

(Where does the time go. I can't believe he's 4!)

Hugs, M

I smell cookies

Christmas cookies with Grammy
Grammy Mary brought over a few hair net for Cookie-fest 2009.
Wyatt thought they were sooooo cool. He had to wear one too.

Yummy Hugs, M

I can sing.....

Preschool Christmas program 2009
He was so excited for his program at school.
UNTIL, he got up on stage. Wouldn't sing a word.
Stage-fright.

Hugs, M

Halloween 2009

We did Halloween pictures this year at our local photographer.

He looks so BIG!

"Mom will you quit taking pictures already!!"

SO cute!

Hugs, M

Brillant product

Have you ever made the statement: "I wish I didn't have to waste ____." Or "Man I wish I would have thought of ____. It's such a brilliant idea."

If you're a "canner" and/or preserver, have I found the product for you!

A blog that I follow regularly, Homestead Revival (http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/) recently posted about these revolutionary canning lids.

Please just the Tattler Reusable Canning Jar Lids website. It is packed full of great information about this great product.

My momma and I have been canning together for as long as I can remember. Now she is passing all her "wisdom" to me. (I should be writing it down, as I will never remember all of it. I am constantly calling her to say "hey, what did you say about ____?") We are always on the hunt for that something. The things that you find, and you gasp and say "Whoa, that's cool!"

I think we hit the jackpot with this product.

(I'm going home to night to calculate how many we would need for this years harvest.)

Please go check this product out, its revolutionary.

Hugs-M

Be Strong, Be Fit, Be Healthy!

Ok. So every time I turn around, there is some new fad diet being launched, splashed in our face on the television, radio or Internet. When will the craziness end?? NEWS FLASH not all women, and men, strive to be pencil thin. Dump some plump, yes. Blow away in the wind, yeah no! Been there, tried that, wasn't happy being a skinny-mini.

I have never been someone who follows the "fads." But I have determined that it is time to become healthy. NOT DIET! But a healthier lifestyle, healthier life, healthier body, a healthier mind. Be strong, be healthy, be fit!! So I quit smoking in January. Gave up soda in March. (and have gained about 12 pounds since January 1, by the way. Unreal!)

I follow a few blogs that discuss a biblical diet. Which in a nut shell is a manner of eating foods that are presented in their natural state. Little to no processing.

We have become such a "fast food" generation and society, I feel that this philosophy is grand.

So... All that said, I have had numerous conversation with a dear friend who, in the last 9 months, has gone gluten free and started following the "The Eat Right for Your Blood Type Diet." ( http://www.dadamo.com/) This diet, or a new manner of consuming and looking at food as I would prefer to call it. (Because it's not diet in the sense of losing weight, but can and will, as much as it is changing the types of food you consume.) So, I did it. I committed to it. I went out and purchased the series of books related to this topic. Cooking, Diet, and Living via my blood type. It focuses on how your body (blood and its proteins) interact with foods.

Upon reading these books, I am discovering that it is going to require a serious amount of GROWTH on my part. Holy man. I'm an A+ blood type. The Cultivator. The first vegetarian. Please God, give me strength! I have always been a meat and potatoes gal. Veggies, and I would wrinkle up my nose. Please God, give me strength! What I won't do to be healthy.

That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. Right??!!??

In committing to this, I will keep you all posted. The good, the bad and the ugly. Onward and downward (the bathroom scale I hope) to a healthy lifestyle and body.

Hugs-M

Spring Ideas

I love Spring.

It might possibly be my favorite time of the year.

Everything is fresh. New. Clean.

Flowers awaken from a winter's slumber. To add color and life to a bland landscape, sprout crocus, daffodils and tulips of every color, shape and size.

Here are of few fabulous ideas, I wish I could claim as my own, from one of my favorite magazines, Midwest Living.

Of all the "containers" I own, I am ashamed to admit I do not own a simple white pitcher. But this is a great idea. Simply a white pitcher and artichokes. Would be grand for spring or summer.

All I can say is, I LOVE THIS!!!!

LOVE THIS TOO!!
I think I will adorning our front door with this idea for spring. I might even keep the theme, but alter it for summer.

Everyone has an old watering can around the house that, for what ever reason, doesn't work any longer. What a great way to "re-purpose" it. Absolutely splendid!

Well... what can I say. Just lovely.

If I were hosting Easter this year, this would be my centerpiece of choice.

This is simply made using a large mouth clear container, the article claims to use a large mouth cookie jar. Plastic mini Easter eggs. Bouquet of mixed spring flowers. (I would suggest a couple drops of bleach, so the plastic eggs don't "grow".)

Just lovely!

I hope to have a few of these ideas in our home this spring.
Enjoy.

Hugs-M