My First Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Okay...I am going to attempt to join in on Scavenger Hunt Sunday. I need to let everyone know that I've been a point and shoot gal all my life. Back in February I finally got up the nerve to buy a Big Girl Camera but have been too afraid to go off the auto setting. I finally enrolled in a basic Photography class and have been to one session. I honestly have no idea what I am doing...but I'm excited to learn. It was fun playing with different setting, even if the results weren't the greatest.

Here goes...

1. Pattern(s)

This fence goes on and on...like a big zig-zag

2. Machine

I looked all week for something that I could "shoot" and came up empty...this was my feeble last minute attempt to complete the assignment. 

3. Signs or Logos

The Sheetz logo is an icon in my neck of the woods. I can be found carrying a Sheetz coffee cup on most days. 

4. Rocks or Stones

I actually have a photo of some rocks in my yard but I was moving these rock-like bags of applesauce to a different freezer and couldn't help but smile when I looked down into the box. My niece helped me make the applesauce and decorated the bags. She's a girl after my own heart! 

5. Sparkle

My favorite photo of the week...hands down! I wish it would have been a little clearer but the subject in the photo makes my heart go pitter patter. I love my Freddie and the "sparkle" in his eyes! 

Well that's it. My first attempt. I can honestly say that things can only get better the more I learn and practice. This was fun!

Time Out

I'm not at home this week. I'm up north with the men I love, I'm spending some quality time at our home away from home. It's been different from other trips. I usually spend my time running here or there, or I bring someone along with me and we make trips to Martha's Vineyard, Boston or any number of other places. Not this time, this time I am hiding out. My guys are working night shift (7pm-5am) and I am trying to keep their schedule. They leave for work and I head to my room, just me and the dogs and settle in. I wear the same ratty old black sweater and some really comfy striped pajama pants, I'm sipping sweet tea, pinning until my hearts content, making Christmas lists, (finally) learning how to crochet a granny square...I have a pile of them to prove it, watching Gilmore Girls and daydreaming about the day we get to travel to a faraway place to bring our little girl(s) home. It's a time out. A time to rethink things, reconnect with my family and spend some precious alone time with my God. It's been good. No, it's been great. I'll go back to the regular routine next week. I'll count down the weeks until my guys get to come home for the winter months and I'll obsessively check my email on an hourly basis...hoping to get word that it's time to move onto the next phase of this long adoption process. I can't help but think...life is good and God is great!!!

My {Soon to be} White Picket Fence Garden

This spring we realized a longtime dream of having a white picket fence garden. We planned and saved for what seemed like forever. I was so excited when the fence company showed up and started work. 

The progress was quick and my excitement was growing.

They left as quickly as they came and then it was our turn. This is where we stepped in. My son Jared drew up some plans and we made a trip to the lumber yard. After emptying our pockets of some more cash, we  headed home to build the raised beds.

We had a little help from our favorite Amish guy. Everything came together nicely.

A little (okay a lot) of dirt and and some work on the walkways and we're ready to plant.

Peek-A-Boo...Fred sees you!

 There's still a lot to do. We need to wait until spring to paint it white (although I have to admit I'm loving the natural color) and then we'll landscape around the outside of the fence...lots of galvanized buckets of herbs, raspberry bushes, some hydrangea, and a few other surprises.

I'm still pinching myself...I cannot believe I get to garden in this lovely little piece of paradise!

I'm thinking I'm back...and with news

Hello friend,

I'm thinking that I may give blogging another try. It's been over a year and I'm starting to get the blogging bug...if there is such a beast.

A few things have been going on since I last posted, but I'll hit the highlights and bring you up to speed.

• We finished our dream garden...well almost. The fence is up and the beds are built. We had a pretty successful first season. I'll share pics and info in another post. 
• I've been studying for an upcoming test for work. Blah, blah, blah. I'll be so glad when that's over. 
• We moved my mom to a new apartment. She lived with us for almost 10 years. Talk about an adjustment!
• What else...hmmm, let me see......................we're adopting!! We are so excited! It took months of paperwork and lots of prayer but we are officially registered for an international adoption! Yikes! I'll fill you in on those details soon too! 

September 1

I've been absent. Haven't blogged about anything practically all summer. That's okay. I've never really been consistent at anything, including blogging. I still consider myself a newbie to the blogging world. Why am I not consistent? I think I have adult ADD, or maybe I have so many things I want to do that I am a jack of all trades but master of none. It could be laziness. I guess it could really be just about anything...like enjoying my summer but not taking the time to pause and document it. Yep, I bet that's it.

I've had a nice summer. It's gone by way to quick. I know it's not officially over, but it's officially over for me. When the calendar turns to September, it's all about fall in my world. Autumn is so enchanting. I adore everything about it!!

I have plans for this fall...

• first and foremost, i plan to soak up each minute of the beauty that comes with the season

• i want to relax in one of our hammocks as much as possible (we picked up another hammock at a yard sale this summer...it is a stand alone model) a girl needs options

• nesting, I'm big into nesting...you'll find me fluffing my nest, canning and freezing food for the long winter, planning meals full of comfort food, and making sure our home is comfy cozy

• i have several new recipes i've been saving for the cooler weather...so you'll find me in the kitchen...a place i love to be.

• we're still putting our yard back together after mayhem and chaos took place this past winter. we are just about ready to plant grass and build our dream garden. i'm so excited!!

• i'm also looking forward to bike rides (now that the weather isn't so hot and icky), boat rides, picnics and i'm still hoping to go to the drive-in theatre. i love the drive-in!

Happy Fall Ya'll

For The Love of Anything Galvanized

It's true. People are attracted to different things. Different personalities, different types of food, different hobbies, different decorating styles...the list can go on and on.

One thing I've been attracted to for a very long time would be galvanized items. It doesn't matter if it's a watering can, a chicken feeder or a cute little cake pedestal. I LOVE anything and everything galvanized. It's the first thing I'm drawn to at a yard sale or flea market.

Here's a little galvanized eye candy to make you drool...

Source

Source unknown

A galvanized watering can with chippy paint ='s love

This was a steal of a deal for 2 bucks at a barn sale

I'd love to have these beside my bed

I just bought a tub like this the other week for a couple of bucks. I think we'll use it for our christmas tree.

Old wash tubs make excellent planters...

...they are also great to fill with ice and serve bottled or canned beverages.

Daisies and Fruit Loops

Last week our church had a bake sale to benefit a little boy and his family. The little boy had been burned in a camp fire accident. His family needed some help. Our youth also had a bike a thon. It was fun. It was for a good cause.

I usually concentrate on the yum factor of a sweet treat and not the cuteness. This time I decided to try for both. I made cookies and cupcakes.

The daisy cookies...

...they were inspired by this awesome lady . She made similar ones on her show a few weeks ago. I used my own vanilla bean sugar cookie recipe and her idea for the daisy.

Then I made cupcakes. A plain white cake from a box and my all time favorite frosting. I used some adorable cupcake liners from this place and some fruit loops cereal. So easy. So cute.

Fruit Loop Cupcakes...

I will definitely make both of these treats again sometime.