Monday, August 29, 2011

Check out these blogs

http://decor8blog.com/

I just started peeking around over here, and have to say I'll be back. 
 ~ Probably a lot.  If you need some decorating inspiration, go have a look for yourself!

Here's another one that a friend sent me a link to.....I'll admit I haven't looked around much, but appears to have some good, budget ideas to decorate and such:  http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Food Aid ~ Angel Food Ministries

Not sure how many of you are aware of this organization.  There are NO wage requirements to obtain the food they give out.  Cost is $35/box, per month. You can order online, I believe and most cities have at least one distribution center.  All info. can be found @ their website:  http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Simple Joys

Saturday we had Doug's granddaughters spend the night for the first time since we've been married & moved into this new house.  Glorious time!  We drove over to pick them up, and noticed all of their little suitcases & overnight bags lined up in the driveway----first hint that they were excited. 

We took them to ShadySide park, where all three had a great time at the playground--awesome playground, by the way.  The ice cream truck happened to swing through so naturally we HAD to get snow cones. 




We went for a short walk near one of the lakes, and spotted some turtles and fish in the water.  We've already talked about bringing a picnic to that park next time they stay with us. 


~Read the tree..."Smile, you are beautiful" ~


      









                                                                                                                                                                    

Quality time with me is usually centered around the kitchen, cooking something.  Yesterday I made cupcakes and had the girls decorate them with all sorts of sprinkles and edible glitter, etc. as a surprise to take back and share with their parents.






They did such beautiful work!

                                                       


           











After a dinner of mac & cheese & hot dogs, we settled down to watch a couple of movies.  The girls picked out two of the dumbest, most scary flicks, but I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat because a couple of them snuggled up with ME on the couch. So sweet!  They got big kicks out of the fact that I'm easily scared by such movies, so the youngest granddaughter claimed she'd "protect" me.  She commenced to rub my hand during the rest of the movie.  ~ Melt. 

This morning we opened our bedroom door to find the 3 sitting right outside...lol!   Today everyone crowded into our bed as we drank our coffee.  Makes me smile to think about it.  I made pancakes & sausage for the crowd & just a short while ago we delivered them back to the parents.

I miss them already. 


Doug's two grandsons will surely give me plenty to blog about when they come for an overnight stay soon.  This is just one of the many reasons we chose to move.  We wanted to be closer to family (& friends) and this weekend reinforced it all for us. 


Saturday, August 27, 2011

A day in my life....






One of the boardwalks down to a trail


Took a lovely (2 mile?) walk through Mounds State Park today.  Beautiful weather, just under 80 degrees and nary another soul to intrude on our peace. 


Look how close I am to this deer---awesomeness!

I made 2 banana breads this morning, one to share with our neighbors.  We moved almost 4 weeks ago to Anderson, IN and we have THE nicest neighbors I think anyone could ask for!  They've been gone on a short trip & asked us to take care of their mail/newspapers/garbage cans in their absence.  They arrived back home just a short while ago & I'm looking forward to dropping by with this bread as I know they'll really appreciate it.  They don't know it, but they're in for all kinds of treats down the road---I LOVE to share homemade sweets, not to mention that neighbors like these two are such a rarity in this day and age!

We start each morning by drinking coffee propped up in bed, and have noticed that at least one hummingbird flies past the bedroom window most mornings.  This meant I HAD to buy my first hummingbird feeder and place it nearby, hoping to at least keep the same little guy coming back.  The older I get, the more I find joy in all the little things. 

I love to shop garage sales, flea markets and the like, but until last weekend I hadn't stopped by a yard sale in several years.  It's amazing how far even $35 will go!  I had SO much fun, and we immediately planned to go a couple more times before the cold weather hits.  I've posted a picture of a neat figurine I bought last weekend; I placed some birdseed in his outstretched palms and it didn't take long for the birds to notice.  Love it!!  We've started what will be a huge landscaping project, so you will see pictures here showing our progress.  Right now I'm excited because we planted two hydrangeas (I've never grown them before) and one is just starting to bloom.  Learning new things can be so rewarding!