Roses Are Red

Today is our 21st wedding anniversary.  I am proud to say that it has been 21 years of love from both sides of our marriage and yes we've had the "for richer, for poorer."  But God has seen us through and blessed us everyday.  Thank you for loving me exactly the way I need to be loved.  You are the precious to me.  Let's do 21+ more.  I love you, Don.
 

Recipe of the Month

Jaime requested this soup recipe be put in writing so I decided to make it so that I could measure the ingredients.

Squash Soup

4 cups coarsely chopped yellow squash
1/2 onion chopped
1 can chicken broth (I use Swanson all natural no msq)
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup whole milk

Cook first 4 ingredients in  medium saucepan covered, medium heat until squash and onions are tender (about 20 minutes)  Cool then puree squash mixture in food processor.  Return to pan add milk Heat until warm but do not allow to boil.  Serve warm.  Enjoy!

I have used this same recipe using fresh green beans instead of squash and it is delicious also.

Is this watching football?

What are your thoughts?  Does this classify as "watching" football or not?

Blogging Without Pictures

Blogging without pictures is like a State Fair corndog without mustard!  Well that is my excuse for no posts in over 2 weeks.  I've tried to find a battery for my camera but am still waiting and hoping that is all that is wrong with it.  So I am going to post with pictures taken with my IPhone.  Most of the things I've been doing lately...sewing...could not be posted anyway since I've been making Christmas gifts.  I'm so excited about all the fun projects.  Hope everyone will enjoy their handmade Christmas as much as I'm enjoying making them

Today I decided to take a break from my all day sewing marathons and do some baking.  I made a chocolate cake and some cream cheese pumpkin bread in my new mini squares pan.

 

Right after the bread was done, Kayla and Leslie came over.  Leslie spotted the pile of pecans that Laney and I gathered from her yard.  I had them laying out curing...but to Leslie it looked like a great place to play.  She must love pecans as much as her mom loves pecan pie. 

A New Smile

Most of my life I have been ashamed of my sharp incisors.  Most pictures of me you will see a strained smile as I tried to hide my teeth.  Recently several students have asked if I had vampire teeth.  As a reward for myself having oral surgery I asked my dentist to file my incisors.  Today he completed the job and handed me a mirror.  I squealed with delight almost scaring my dentist.  We both asked why he hadn't done it for me 30 years ago...he has been my dentist that long!  You should see my teeth in pictures from now on,  It will take me awhile to train myself to smile again.

Christmas Hints

Thought I'd give a little Christmas hint...very little!

My Sewing Room!!!

Laney came over Saturday and helped me clean organize my sewing room.  It looks great.  I think I can actually get some sewing done now.

Lily is Like Her Papaw

Olivia is One Month Old Today

I embroidered this ready made onesie for Olivia. Hard to belive she is already a month old.  I'm looking forward to seeing her in this.

My First "Wadder" in Over a Decade

How you might ask have I gone over 10 years without a wadder? Some may even wonder what is a "wadder?" For sewists all around the world have been producing them for centuries yet I've failed to produce one for a decade. How could I neglect "wadders" for that long? The answer is neglect. The answer lies in laziness and compliance. I've rarely ventured to this land of "wadders." One must face this inevitability as I did today with head held high. To my fellow "wadders" I salute you with respect and appreciation. I, too, am one of you!

Indulge Me as I Reflect

Today is the day that my sister died. I reflect to show my love for her. My sister Marilyn Ann Honeycutt Dempsey died on this day in 1982. It was the day after her 35th birthday. She died of a massive heart attack while getting her children ready for school that morning. That day changed us all...forever.

Marilyn

Mimi

Mim

Loving mother of three

Mother of Christopher Dallas

Mother of Brandi Michelle

Mother of Heather Melissa

Wife of Donald Lee

Middle daughter of Frank and Tess

Sister to Laney

Sister to Philip

Sister of Carol

Loved cousin

Loved aunt

Lover of God

Tiny

Funny

Clever

Spendthrift

Coupon queen

Robe wearer

Horse lover

Tree lover

Periwinkle lover

Yellow rose lover

Best friend to many

Missed

Loved

Never forgotten

I love my job!

I have said that for the past two years. Jaime told me, "Mom, I've never heard you say that before!" Let me tell you what has changed. I have an awesome work partner, Brandi, who balances me very well. Her organizational skills are superb. She is kind and really knows her stuff. See how she balances me? ...organized...kind...smart LOL I am able to help others in this job. If you know me, you know that is my heart. My job is different everyday. That really keeps me on my toes. I get to learn new ways to be effective and pass that info on to classroom teachers. I've always said, "We(teachers) can do it. Just show us what it looks like!" and in my current position I get to do just that for my hard working teacher friends. To all my teacher friends please know that I know you are the hardest working people in the school. Keep up the good work because your students are depending on you! I'm on your side!!!!!

My New Friend Amy Butler

Well she doesn"t even know me but I'm a big Amy Butler fan. No, you'll never see her in concert but you might be seen wearing some of her fabric (after Christmas). I finally bit the bullet and ordered some of her great fabrics. Now I'm gearing up to make this my first handmade Christmas. I'll be following in my wonderful mother-in-law's footsteps. Hilda always makes everyone something for Christmas...such treasures. So as I begin my next sewing projects I won't be able to put them on my blog because they will be presents for the family. Don said, "How are you going to be able to not give them as soon as you are finished?" That is a good question!!!! Maybe I'll post hints and no finished projects. We'll see if I have the self control it takes to have a handmade Christmas this year. It is just 3 months away...I better get sewing!!!

Carter loves his baby sister

So sweet!

OLIVIA IS FINALLY HERE!

Flying High

I got this great shot of Carter today while we were playing outside...flying high in his airplane jacket. Look at those beautiful clouds!

He also loves his play food!

Cater loves playing with playdough....

Carter and Omaw

Carter and Omaw are home waiting to find out if Olivia will be born today.

Happy Birthday to Carter

Today is Carter's 3rd birthday. He helped me make cupcakes this morning. He said "One, two, three crack" each time I cracked an egg.
He got a shopping cart (buggy) with some play food. Jaime said it was a real hit because he didn't even want to watch "tunes."
I'm glad I got to be with him on his birthday. Looks like he won't have to share his birthday with his baby sister.

Waiting

I'm in Colorado Springs waiting for Olivia. Jaime is SO ready. Tomorrow is Olivia's due date. Pray that she comes soon and is a happy, healthy baby. I'll post again when we have news.

Carter's Hat

I made this hat for Carter to match his airplane jacket. I don't think he likes putting it on but maybe he'll like it better when it gets REALLY cold.

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Here is a collage of the sewing projects that I've completed

in the last week or so.

Sewing Project September 2, 2009

I finished this nursing gown for Jaime yesterday. I hope she likes it and I get to Colorado with it before she needs it!

Continental to Houston to Colorado Springs

I'll be heading to the airport on Saturday. I have to go south to go north. I'm sure hoping that baby Olivia waits for me! Carter said he'll come to the airport to get me. I'm excited to see him.

Pray for Laura

Most of the family knows that Laura is in ICU. Please pray for her to recover. She is trying respond. Brian said she shook her head yes today. Pray...pray...pray.

Meet the Author

This past week at work I attended professional development workshops at the School Board Office. They were by the way very informative. The most delightful part was the presenter. Her bubbling New Orleans flair and great personality made the long days fly by. The presenter who prefers to be called Pam had everyone interested and responding with her "Yes, of course, Pam"prompt cards and easy to answer questions. More presenters should model after Pam. Pam is also a published writer which to all who know me well know that I aspire to become the same some day. When I told her that, she simply said "Just WRITE!" Pam had door prizes each day and on the second day, I actually won and was able to get a copy of her book entitled "Storm." It is a romance novel set in the recent historical event of "Katrina." I will say that on lunch break, I read the first chapter and was drawn and hooked by the book instantly. More fuel for my new mantra..."Just WRITE!"

Check this out: Storm by Pamela Leigh Starr, Published by Genesis Press

Recipe of the Month

Well I have totally failed to post "Recipes of the Week" this summer. So this one will have to work for the month. I purchased frozen talapia fillets at Sam's so I was looking for a recipe that looked yummo and easy. The cool thing about the fillets is that they are individually packaged inside the pack so you can defrost just the number you want.

Almond-Crusted Talapia

1/4 cup whole natural almonds
2 tablespoons dry breadcumbs
1 teaspoon Emerril's Essence seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
2(6oz) talapia fillets

Place first 4 ingredients in a food proccessor: process for 45 seconds until finely ground Place crumb mixture in a shallow dish.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brush mustard over both sides of fillets: dredge(coat) in crumb mixture. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Talk about fast...easy...and yummy! It is a great dish to cook when you don't feel like cooking!

Carol's Wednesday Creations

Today I felt creative when I got home from school. I used two of my favorite avenues: cooking and sewing. I made a tiny pair of felt shoes for Olivia...the first of many I'm sure. This was a easy fun project for a weeknight.

I cooked almond crusted talapia...it was yummo! Then I added sides of cheese grits, green beans and fresh strawberries.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

A day of flooding memories.

My mom's birthday.

I miss her so much...

Tears hitting the keyboard as I type.

She was so important to me and to our whole family.

It feels sometimes like the glue is gone.

Words escape as my feelings roll over me.

Family and friends please know how inadequate I feel to be what she was to us.

I used to say "If I could be half the mom she was I'd be happy."

Now I know I am me...

only...

different...

less.....

A loving daughter missing her mother...

missing words............

sad.

Two of my girls!

Sara and Lilly Came to Play

Sara and Lilly brought their parents over to eat supper with us last night. Sara tried on her new outfit I made for her to make sure it fits...I have to take up the elastic. The first thing she said was, "I'm going to wear this to my birthday party." I guess that means she likes it!!!!! Lilly had a great time playing at her little table. We found out that she likes chocolate rice cakes. She even made her daddy wear part of one on the side of his face...but he was a good sport about it!

I wanted to sew today part 4

I also finished this outfit for Baby P. I had the leggings already made. I finished the ruffled diaper cover and added a ruffle to a premade kimono shirt. So cute...I love sewing for my grandkids!!!

I wanted to sew today part 3

Look at this cute trim. Vickie and I found it in St Petersburg in June. It was perfect for Sara's outfit

Wanted to Sew Today part 1

I made myself a deal this morning as I surveyed my messy house knowing I really wanted to sew. I decided that I'd clean the kitchen and however long it took me then I could sew for that same amount of time. So that is just what I did! Now I have a clean kitchen and I made this.

I wanted to sew today part 2

I made this for my granddaughter Sara

New School Year

Well, another school year has started. Teachers have been readying their classrooms. Students return to Caddo Parish classrooms on Monday. I feel so blessed to have my job. I went to an Interventionist meeting this a.m. and found out that many Reading Coaches and Reading Interventionists lost their jobs and have been scrambling to be placed somewhere...some even returning to 1st grade classrooms. I am so blessed that this did not happen to me. Keep teachers and students in your prayers as a new school year begins.

40 Years Later

This is a picture of me taken exactly 40 years later in Jackson Hole Wyoming Aug, 2009.

Jackson Hole 40 Years Earlier

This is a picture of my dad taken in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, June 1969.

The Tetons

Don and I just returned from our vacation to the Tetons and Yellowstone. I've been wanting to take him there for 20 years. It has been exactly 40 years since I've been there. We had a great time and wish everyone would take the time to visit those national parks to see some of God's best art work!

Air Force Academy

The Pantons and I went to the Academy this weekend. Here is a picture of the beautiful chapel!

Cool Colorado

Thinking about Carter moving to a cooler climate I decided to make a jacket for him. I couldn't resist the airplane, helicopter, rocket fleece. All I have left to do is add the buttons!

Benefits of being the "Omaw"

Jaime and Carter have been staying with us for the last few days while Theo has been staying at the house because of the packers and movers. When Jaime left Carter with me, I entertained him. He is a precious grandson!

Great new blog

Check this out www.everydaycelebrating.com

Week at the Beach with Vickie

I just returned from a week at the beach with my sister-in-law, Vickie. We refer to each other as sister friend. It was a wonderfully restful week even though it rained and we had to chase the sun from beach to beach.