Berry Pickin'

I'm not sure where I've been for the last 2 years...but I have never realized that there are wild blackberry bushes that line the property of our church building!  I wonder if these have been going to waste for the last couple of years? 

Well, once I discovered it (thanks to my kids), I went a picked some!  Truli wasn't too happy about me taking her picture while she was picking, and I'm not even sure that Evan knew I ever took his picture, but I was having fun! 

It was about 90 degrees at 9 a.m. when we were picking, and there were wasps trying to attack Evan, but we succeeded.  Below is our reward!  Mmm...

Great Grandma Mathis' Harvest Cake

When I recently found a box of my great grandmother's recipes, I was excited to start trying them out.  To start out with, I made her Harvest Cake with Harvest Icing.  It is a pretty heavy cake that isn't too sweet (it sort of reminds me of pancakes).  It goes great with a cup of coffee.  I had fun making the cake from my Grandma Mathis' handwritten recipe card.  (I was very thankful for my Sunbeam mixer too.  The icing took about 20 minutes to make.  It saved my arm.)

And here is the finished product! 

Good Neighbors

I have wished several times this summer that I would have had a garden.  I didn't ask our landlord, but was pretty sure they didn't want me tilling up their yard.  However, I am getting to eat some great fresh garden vegetables (Thanks to my neighbor and friend, Bob!)  Here is some of the fruit of his labor...

I Did a Little Diggin'

I decided a few days ago that I was going to redecorate my little kitchen.  I was so excited.  Then it dawned on me that I really couldn't make many changes to the actual kitchen.  You see, we rent, and I can't paint, change the cabinets, etc.  I was going to have to settle for scrounging up some new "things" to make my kitchen look different. 

I decided on a 50s theme, and asked the question (via Facebook status) what colors I should use.  I got all kinds of suggestions.   Most of them I loved (with the exception of the chicken wallpaper).  I decided that red was a must.  I wanted another color too, but I couldn't decide.  I started browsing around on the internet, and then it hit me!  I have some of my great-grandma's things in a box stored in my garage.  I started digging through my stash, and I visited a local thrift store.  I decided to share what I have come up with so far. 

I was so excited to finally find my Great Grandma Mathis' recipe box (AND IT'S EVEN RED)!  I have had it for years, and even used it for a while when I first got married.  Somewhere along the way, the "Aunt Jemima" had fallen off and it found it's way into a storage box.  A little craft glue and VOILA!  Good as new.

This is one of my favorite finds.  This old fan (which still works) now sits on top of my frig.  It was my Pepa's garage fan.  When I was just a little girl, I remember him warning me to stay away from it because it would "chop them fingers plumb off".  I think of him and smile every time I see it.

Now these were a deal!  I saw them at our local thrift store.  It's an awful little place that I usually hate going to.  Not because I don't like second hand stuff.  I really do.  I'm a garage sale junkie.  I hate it because the people there are really "proud of their stuff", as my husband would say.  They are WAY overpriced.  When I asked how much these were, the lady said, "Well...gen'rally those cannister things are about $15.  Let me ask Wanda."  I waited patiently as she consulted Wanda (whom I never did see...I wonder if she was really asking anybody).  When she came back, she was still undecided on a price, so I started pointing out every little scratch and ding on them.  I walked away with them for $2.50.  A little bleach and they are as good as new! 

Now this....this was a total accident!  Remember that box of my great grandmother's things?  I happened upon some old recipes.  I don't have a clue why I had put them in a box instead of using them.  This was folded neatly on the bottom of the stack.  I loved it.  I spray painted a frame I already had, and here it is!  Definitely one of my favorite pieces so far.

This isn't actually in my kitchen yet, but I think I'm going to order this fabric to do my curtain.  I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.

I'm excited about my new project.  I'll try to keep you posted as new pieces are added.

Worth Waiting 20 Years For!

In May, Greg and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe how the years have flown by.  About a year ago, we decided that we were going to celebrate this anniversary...and celebrate it RIGHT!  We decided on a cruise!

So, we left our kids under grandparent supervision and on April 24, 2010 we sailed out of Mobile, AL on the Carnival Fantasy.  It was fabulous! 

The first evening was a little "rocky" (Literally...the boat was rocking from a strong storm that moved through that day).  I was a little sick because of the motion...I was so disappointed because I was sure that I was going to be seasick the entire trip.  However, the next morning I was fine again. 

Us...

This was my view of the ocean from the beach in Progreso, Mexico.  We enjoyed a great Mexican buffet, and a private beach at a beautiful resort.

When we arrived in Progreso, we rented a dune buggy and rode out to the Xcambo Mayan Ruins.  It was a really cool place to explore. 

This is our boat docked in Cozumel!

This was taken at a beach resort in Cozumel where we enjoyed snorkeling, lying around in the hammocks, watching the dolphins play, and taking pictures.  It was a beautiful day.

Another gorgeous view of the beach in Cozumel.

 

This was taken at one of our favorite places on the ship.  It was called the Serenity Deck...there were no kids allowed - just hot tubs, cool drinks, and soft music!

The bluest water I've ever seen...

We had a fantastic time.  It was definitely worth waiting 20 years for.

Time Flies!

I can't believe it's been over a year since I have posted. I really have no excuse...laziness I guess. I'll try to do better (if anybody cares). When I have time, I'll sit down and catch up a bit. :)