Spent more time in the garden this afternoon. I planted beets, and a tomato. I had hopes of planting some Texas Sweet onions, zucchini and sugar baby pumpkins but didn't have time to get to it. There's always tomorrow though.

I was able to take some photos. Belle loves going out to the garden.

Dad's on a kayaking trip but when he gets back I'm going to ask him about adding another plot by the barn. Cause I just have to have more strawberries that's all there is to it! I'm also contemplating planting the asparagus along with some onions, to keep the myriad of bunnies around here from eating up all the asparagus, in the ditch near the gate to the drive way.

I'm hoping to find some old windows to make some cold boxes for growing lettuce as well. That would be so cool to be able to have lettuce year around. We all love lettuce, especially Lela! I have some high hopes of being able to plant some romaine lettuce, our favorite. Have to love a good Caesar, Greek, or our new favorite Fattoush salad! mmmm It's going to taste awesome with lettuce from our own garden! If it turns out well next year we may do our own cabbage too. I want to put out kohlrabi next year too, and collard greens. mmm mmm.

My mouth has been watering for roasted beets, and beet greens! Mmmm, can't wait. And for pumpkin butter, pear butter, mulberry jam, tomato jam, pickled zucchini, fresh watermelon, fresh strawberries for strawberry shortcake oh I could go on and on! It's going to be a fun summer come time to harvest!

Doodles

Just some jottings of things I want to be sure to include in my doodle embroidery on Lela and I's song book covers.

Me-a woman in bonnet with flowery dress, bird in tree singing, grass, butterflies, flowers, sun, clouds, doe. Name on inside cover with flowers, and butterflies.

Lela-tree, birds flying, sun, flowers, butterflies, Russian doll girl, hedgehog, mushrooms, grass, name. Hedgehog & mouse tea party, with cupcakes and tea?

Book, I'm using for inspiration-Doodle Stitching

I'll be adding more ideas when I get the book I'm sure, I'm searching google now looking at what others have been inspired to make due to reading Doodle Stitching, trying to get some basic ideas in my head. I bought the felt already. It took me forever to pick the color felt for myself, I really wanted red! But, I also wanted sophistication and the red felt wasn't giving it, it was too flat, and just something lacking-I wanted similar to the red of our leather Bibles, but there wasn't anything like that there. So I bought a textured sandy/tree bark brown colored fabric. I thought it would work with the woodsy outdoorsy girl in the country singing theme I was going to go for in my embroidery of it. I bought Lela pink and blue felt. Not sure which I will use for which, yet, but kind of leaning towards the blue for the song book, and maybe pink for the study book.

Oh, oh I love this rainbow, I'm thinking Bible Cover for Lela! Rainbow

Yesterday we went to Ah-So. It was my dad's favorite Korean restaurant when I was growing up. The food was still good. However, I was a little sad they had taken Lollipop chicken off the menu. It was always what dad ordered for me. I had planned on ordering it for the girls. The owner said it got to just be too much work. She's older now and been there for decades. And I do know lollipop chicken is a ton of work! Grandma used to make it for me on special occasions and always say what a pain it was! lol And just take me to Ah-So to get it most the time! lol Still was sad to hear of it's passing! haha Belle loved the Mandus though and ended up eating all the Mandus that came to the table! haha All SIX! What was funny though is the owner of Ah-So thought Vince and I were only in our teens. That was funny! She said we looked too young to have children! Funny, funny. However, nothing will ever top when we went to Red Lobster before we had the girls, and they brought Vince a children's menu and crayons. I still laugh about that to this day! haha I mean.....young but......under 10? hahaha Any way, another irony was her son just moved to Jamaica, Queens and is working at Jamaica hospital. How ironic! He just moved there 6 months ago. Apparently he really likes it, and says the people are friendly there. So glad he is liking it. They are such a good nice family. When I was growing up I guess she was soooooo busy with doing all the work in the restaurant she probably doesn't remember me. However, Rick Ming seems to always remember me no matter how old I get. Of course that was dad's favorite Cantonese restaurant and we ate there twice a week my whole life! Even after dad and Rick Ming got in a argument one day, Rick still always seated me at his families table-hey it was good food, the small tiff wasn't keeping me away! Any way, even if Ming's and Ah-So have changed their menus I'm still glad to see they are still open in this economy and seems the locals are still supporting their business. I love the family restaurants so much more then chain fast food!

On a happy menu note, when we went to the drive in the other night, I had Vince stop by Taco Grande, to get some food to take. There used to be Taco Grandes all over Kansas, but now they are down to only two! Neither close to where I live. So sad as that was dad's favorite Mexican fast food when I was little. When I was little I always got the bambino (a baby hamburger bun-about the size of White Castle, with taco meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato). When I was 12 they took the bambino off the menu. I was so upset cause that was my favorite kids meal option! Well, surprise, surprise, surprise after 20 plus years of missing from the menu they brought it back. I was so happy. The only thing is, Lela and Belle like them so much they can eat at least 3 each! lol I was never able to eat more then one when I was their age! hahaha But, yippee it's back!

Haywire

I've been meaning and meaning to update every one, but my browser went haywire and I had to figure out a new browser to be able to get into blogger once again.

Lots of things have happened since my last update.

Vince and the girls got to go to their first drive in movie the first Friday of March. We seen Tangled, and Gnomeo and Juliet. Every one loved it. We were able to go again last Friday as well. We seen Rango and it was so cute. And very good message as well.

March 20th, 2011 was our 10th anniversary.

The Saturday before our anniversary started out on a sad note as it was Sister Mildred Voght's memorial. I have known her since I was 7 years old. She has always been so good to me. When my grandma died she hosted a dinner for my family at her own home. So we had to go. We ended up being late cause it was at a new KH Vince and I had never went to. But, finally made it there. The closing song was of course one of our new ones and was really hard not to cry. However, of course it ended on a good note as we got to see many friends I haven't seen in years. And some of my friends I grew up with parents, so I was able to get their new phone numbers and hopefully will be able to renew our friendships and get reaquanted once again.

We decided that Saturday evening we would go bowling with the friends in our congregation. But, I was sick the weekend before and so was Belle so we weren't able to give much notice so not many were able to come. Especially cause a Kingdom Hall build had just began on that weekend. But, the folks who showed up had fun and it was a fun time. The Woods family are very sweet and it was nice to get to know them better, they have a son Lela's age and a daughter about 2 years old. We took a cheesecake factory sampler cheesecake, a cherry dump cake, and cream cheese mints. We all had a ton of fun and have to go again. The poor little boy who was Lela's age cried when it was over. He wanted to keep bowling! :) His little sister was very happy to just keep eating cake though! hahaha And so was Belle! Julia the 2 year old girl would eat a bite of cake and feed Belle a bite of cake. They will get along swimmingly! hahaha  Every one had a good time!

Sunday we went to meeting, Belle seen Julia at the meeting, and lit up! She no doubt remembered she was the one who fed her cake! hahaha After meeting we decided to go to Le Monde (a Meditarrenean restuarant). Was such yummy yummy food! Vince got a awesome lamb shank! However, the children's meals were not meditarrenean in the least, same ole, same ol'. I refused to pay 5 dollars for a 4 year old to get chicken nuggets. So Lela got the appetizers we ordered for her meal a vegetarian plate, with hummus, fattoush salad, artichoke hearts, and tabouli. We also got the meditarrenean chicken wings. When they came, they gave Lela her line of the day! She seen them and said, give me the chicken wings with out the grass please! hahaha We about died laughing. And then explained to her it was parsley NOT grass! hahaha

It was a lovely day though, 80 degrees. We came home and took a family dip in the hot tub and just had a relaxing fun day outside. Lela dug in the sand on the beach, and jumped on the "jumpaline" (Lela's name for the trampoline!). And spent a good day with the kids. While we were outside, I kept thinking wow it's so warm and nice too bad we didn't invite some friends over for a BBQ! But, it was really a lovely day just with the family. So much fun. And I can't believe 10 years have went by already!

That Sunday we went out for a anniversary dinner to Le Monde's it was soooooo yummy! I had the gyro, fattoush salad and the vegetarian appetizer. Every thing was delicious especially the baba ganoush! Vince had the lamb shank, it was HUGE like Fred Flintstone or something! Belle and Lela enjoyed the french pastry shop biscuits that the restaurant serves and the Mediterranean chicken. Mom gave us a 15 percent off coupon which really helped a lot. Now I'm hooked on their fattoush salad dressing, and hummus. It's soooo good. They don't make their baba ganoush daily though. Which I crave theirs so much, I wish they did.

The rest of the week was warm, sunny, albeit very windy. We were able to spend a lot of time in the hot tub, which was really nice!

The weekend after that I was invited to a sisters home for a small sister get together. I took peach dump cake and they ate it all up saying how yummy it was and wanting the recipe. We watched a DVD of Harry Connick Jr. and really got to know each other well. It was a sweet nice gathering. Will have to do it again. A really ironic thing happened though. A sister I met on a plan trip years ago was also invited and she recognized me. How funny!

Last Saturday Vince had to get the car worked on so I went to Michael's and had a really good time looking at books. There is so many I want to buy now! lol I can't wait to get them. Lots of new embroidery books. Loved them all. I was also able to go through the clearance and buy every one gifts for 5 and 10 cents! Woo whoo! I am so going to make us some book covers for our song and book study books! I found the cutest pattern for them in Cute Baby Stuff book, and have to get it now!

Yesterday we went to a few stores and bought strawberries two from a local seed store, and 10 from walmart. The Walmart ones are supposed to be ever bearing. But, they don't look very healthy, so I'm hoping for the best with them. The ones from the feed store look awesome, and already have tiny berries! I also purchased onions-Vidalias and Texas Sweets, and tomatoes to plant. So far, I have bought 3 heirloom tomato plants, a Cherokee purple, another purple one and beef steak. I want a few more, certainly would like a yellow one, probably yellow pears. I wish I knew the type that a man in Branson grew one year, they were the tastiest tomatoes EVER! I think I need dad to make me a second garden! I need more room! I think next weekend I will ask him if he can make a second plot. The girls had to much fun helping. Belle ate a ton of dirt! And was covered from head to toe in dirt. And Lela had a lot of fun helping plant and water as well. I hope it's a successful garden! We will go shopping this next week for more! I need a grow light though so next year I can start things from seeds. And save a lot of money!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I am thinking...I have a lot to do!

I am thankful for...a working husband.

I am remembering...how good it feels to keep my routines.

I am hoping...to get more clothes sewn quickly-yeah still!

I am creating...recipe blog pages.

On my mind...babies.


Noticing that...I'm making some headway in getting settled in.

From the kitchen...eeek, french fries and burgers.

One of my favorite things...chickens.

Picture for thought I am sharing...

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I am thinking...What are we going to do?

I am thankful for...my healthy little girls.

I am remembering...good friends.

I am hoping...to get more clothes sewn quickly.

I am creating...tracing a ELD nightgown pattern.

On my mind...babies.


Noticing that...there's a lot of snow out there!

From the kitchen...fried chicken, mashed taters, and corn.

One of my favorite things...children.

Picture for thought I am sharing...

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I am thinking...I love my family.

I am thankful for...having a husband strong enough to make a cross country move.

I am remembering...grandma's stories of her youth in the ozarks, and how she met and married grandpa. The irony of how closely it related to Lorretta Lynn's life.

I am hoping...I can learn to sew well, and quickly.

I am creating...nursing turtleneck sweater using a Elizabeth Lee pattern.

On my mind...the best way to train up my children in Jehovah's ways and principles.

Noticing that...we are making progress in settling into our new home.

From the kitchen...chili and corn bread-brrr it's cold outside!

One of my favorite things...snow, which we have plenty of!

Favorite bowl of soup...Denny's Baked Potato Soup, Texas Land & Cattle Steak soup, Panera's Vegetable Pesto and my own Chicken Potpie soup. What can I say? I can't narrow it down to just one. We love soup!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I am thinking...I can't wait to have some people over for dinner.

I am thankful for...for Facebook actually, I've been able to reconnect with some of my oldest bestest friends. Tonight I made Jollof, my good childhood friend Akua's mother's recipe. And then just today I was able to reconnect with another one of my best friend's from Hyde Park. In fact, her and her sister were my first friends that I met when we made the territory change to Hyde Park. I can't wait to see her again soon!

I am remembering...good friends.

I am hoping...to get the house in order with my new three week plan!

I am creating...nursing turtleneck sweater using a Elizabeth Lee pattern-yeah still need to work on it!

On my mind...reconnecting with old friends.

Noticing that...things are getting brighter.

From the kitchen...Jollof-with quinoa in place of rice, and custard pie.

One of my favorite things...Creating

One thing I did over this past week-end that I really enjoyed...Getting caught up on housework. Yup, I really truly did enjoy that. It's been needing done for so long!

Picture for thought I am sharing...

Love that coffee!

Belle did the cutest thing today, she's been watching me give Lela zerberts I guess, so when I gave her a kiss this morning she leaned over and tried to give me a zerbert on my cheek. I laughed so much! She's so sweet and so cute!

Poor Lela was sick most the day though, whiny and said her tummy hurt. She didn't eat much today. However, she's turning into such a big girl. She has been helping me put away her clothes after they are washed and folded, and just today put away the towels by herself after I folded them. She's been helping me put Belle's bibs in Belle's bib drawer for a while. So she's really growing up! I'm glad she's a good helper!

I bought a coffee pot since mine is still in the Pod, and the Pod is still not here. And I bought Dunkin Donuts Coffee, Sam's now sells it. Mmmm it was good. I must say I do miss the Dunkin Donuts in NY. But, surprisingly enough the coffee they sell at Sam's taste just like the coffee they sell in their stores, so that was a plus. I've been experimenting with flavored coffee creamers, and so far am loving the International Delights Chai and Almond Joy! I want to try the Caramel Machiato next. I mainly use almond milk for "creamer" and just a little of the flavored creamer for some sweetness and flavor. I just wish they would make more sugar free flavors, their skinny flavors aren't that much less calories. I can't wait till our next trip to Branson, so I can visit Harry and David and get some Moose Crunch Coffee, that stuff is soooooooo good!

I got a new post card from Needle Nook Fabrics, there's a super bowl party at the shop coming up. I may try to go. I need to get more sewing done. I hope they get a new class schedule out soon, I can't wait to take more classes!

We also received a thank you card from Nick and Megan for their wedding gift. Megan wrote such a sweet note about the girls in it. I am so happy for them. I love my little brother Nick, and it's always nice to gain another sister! Megan's super sweet, and fits in our family so nicely. It makes me happy that my little brother has found such a nice wife.

Fried Chicken!

I was hanging up those decorative stickers, I bought from Dollar Tree, last night. When Belle started wanting my attention. She stopped wanting my attention and instead of investigating that, I continued to hang the decorative stickers. After a few minutes I looked over and she was standing there eating a fried chicken thigh!!!!!!!!!!! I said Belle, where did you get that? And Lela replies, I gave it to her mommy, so she would stop crying. Yeah.......I guess that did work! haha But, then we had to have a talk about why we can't just give Belle any kind of food. Belle was more then disappointed when I took the chicken thigh away!

New Do!

I got my hair cut yesterday, I've been waiting for! I like it quite a bit, I may change it slightly. But, over all I'm in love with it! You should of seen Belle's face when she first seen me, she just kept staring and staring trying to figure it all out. haha It was hilarious! I really liked the girl who did it too. She was sweet.

So here's the unveiling of my new do, and the tee-shirt I made in class last week. I really like both.

Mom's poor diesel truck died the other day, so we after days of trying to figure it out, finally had it towed to a truck shop, and they fixed it in half a day. Sadly it was a expensive fix, something about the case the fuel filter was in, had broke. Well, at least it's fined and on the road again.

We went to Taco Shop Monday and had tacos after wards. Then Vince took me and the girls to Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree has great wall stickers that look like paintings. That I just love, and all for just 1.00! Every where else they are 20 or more dollars. They are awesome. I got enough for the whole house for less then 20 dollars! So cool. I will be putting them up tonight!