Happy birthday to my baby boy!!! MawMaw loves you so very much.  You will never know the joy you have brought into all our lives.  I pray for you every day.   There are no words to describe how happy my heart is when you look at me and say those magic words “I love you, MawMaw!”

We are getting snow today.  I am hoping it doesn’t accumulate too much.  Dave, Jess and boys are supposed to come up today for a day visit.  If they get to come, Daniel will have his first sledding experience.  He will have so much fun playing in the snow. 

The girls are outside now playing in the snow.  It is a very pretty snow that hopefully is not sticking to the road.  Can you tell this MawMaw wants to see her boy play in the snow! 

Enjoy your day and God bless.

We start them working young around here.  Daniel was a big helper Friday as PawPaw, MawMaw and Daddy worked cutting wood.  He rode in the “bumpy truck”.  He was a very tired, very dirty, little boy at days end but definitely a very HAPPY little boy.  He had so much fun and I considered myself blessed to be part of his fun day. 

They have been visiting since Thursday and we had a wonderful visit.  Dave and Hubby went to shoot sporting clays Thursday and Saturday.  We worked on the wood Friday.  David will need to go back to work tomorrow to rest.   We have been having beautiful weather here in Floyd.  Friday, when we were cutting the wood, we worked in short sleeves most of the day.  Temperature was in the mid 50′s.  Unbelievable but great.  Temperature today is 40 degrees.  It is a little overcast with some sun and a slight breeze.  So much better than last week (in my opinion).

I think I will go enjoy some of that sunshine.  Take care and God bless.

Also, as my aprons are now being sold in a local store, I thought it would be nice to try out some different patterns.  I had been told it would be nice if I could do matching aprons.  One for Mom (or MawMaw)and one for a little girl.  I found a pattern I like pretty well.  Here is a picture of it.

Not exactly what I was looking for but a good place to start.

This is the material I picked out.  The floral will be the main material and the striped will be the contrasting material.  What do you all think?   I am having difficulties with my sewing maching, so pray I can get it up and running soon.  (Could be the operator, who knows!)  Anyway, I am excited to start a new project and upping my abilities.  I have not made many things from a real pattern.  Usually, its something I just figure out on my own or I alter the pattern so that it fits my abilities.  Sally, our pastor’s wife, has agreed to help me if I get in over my head.  I don’t think I will though.  It looks pretty easy on paper.  I will show you the finished results when done. 

I think I’ll go check out my machine.  Take care and God bless.

This MawMaw’s heart is full to overflowing.  I have had lots of MawMaw time this weekend.  Thank you Lord!  First, a picture of Sam.  It will not be long until this swing is too small for him but he sure does enjoy it.

Daniel and Gilbert taking a small rest.  Gilbert is Daniel’s kittie, an early Christmas gift.  He loves Gilbert very much-sometimes maybe a little too much.  Gilbert is a very good kittie though and takes it all in stride.

Alexius and Branson.   Playing with kitties.  Kittens and kids just go so well together.

Landon-wearing PawPaw’s hat.   We went down to Jessica’s for Thanksgiving.  She had a wonderful meal.  Turkey with all the trimmings.  Of course, we all ate too much.  Then we did a little shopping on Friday.  When we came home Friday evening it was very cold here.  A huge change in temperature.  At her house it was fairly warm but not here.  The wind was fierce with gusts of about 40 mph.  Inside our house it was very cold, 56 degrees.   Needless to say, we hurried up and built a fire.

Yesterday when we came back from practicing at church, we had a message on our machine.  Chuck was coming for a visit!  He lives in West Virginia so we do not get to see him or his babies very often.  It was such a nice visit.  We had canned deer, mashed potatoes, green beans, blackberry cobbler and homemade rolls. 

Today, we will be doing the music at church.  The girls will be playing a congregational each and each will be doing one special.  Hubby and I will-with 3 others- will be doing 2 specials.  Pray that all goes well.  I hope you all enjoy your Sunday and God bless.

He seemed to enjoy himself.  I know MawMaw and PawPaw certainly did enjoy it.

Sam investigating the world from PawPaw’s shoulder.

Just one more picture.  Don’t he look content and happy.

Daniel had a great time with a bottle sprayer filled with water.  All MawMaw’s plants needed a drink and he had a great time giving it to them.

I think this is my favorite picture of the day.  Ain’t he soooooo cute?

What do you think they are looking at?

A frog of course.

My Julie.  The gift my Lord surprised me with at 40.

At 41 my Lord gave me another gift.  Grace.  I never imagined the Lord had more babies for me.  My daughters(all 3) have taught me so much about life and love.    I am such a blessed woman.  Such joy He has given me.  My family is so important to me and I cannot never thank the Lord enough for allowing me to be part of their lives.  God is so good.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

Okay, so our visit went by much too quick.  Monday evening when they first arrived it seemed like such a long time, but now it is Thursday and they are gone.  I miss them already.  We had so much fun. We went to a park here in town.  When the girls were little they called it “the colored swings.”  We, of course, still call them that.  Tuesday was a beautiful day, we packed a picnic lunch and headed into town.  We had a great time.  Wednesday was cool here.  Not much outside activity.  Today however is gorgeous.  Nice and warm with lots of sunshine.

Doesn’t he look like he is having fun!

The girls had a great time keeping up with him.  Well, maybe not a great time but they did have fun.

No fear-no gain.  Tuesday evening while we were outside burning off the garden, Daniel had lots of fun playing Superman.   As I have said before he is all boy.  Time for me to start supper.  I think tonight’s menu will be sloppy joes and fries.  Something easy.  MawMaw needs to rest.  (Just kidding)  I don’t think anything makes me feel any younger than being around small children.  They love so freely and completely.  No wonder Christ said for us to come to Him as a little child.  Take care and God bless.

Here are some pictures of the fun we had last Thursday on Jess and Daniel’s visit.  In the first picture, we are outside playing, the next picture is coltsfoot (one of our earliest wildflowers to bloom).  We took a ride around the farm in “MawMaw’s bumpy truck”.  On the tractor road, we spotted these kildeer walking on the road.  Jess took the picture from the truck.  I think they might have a nest somewhere close as they did not want to leave thier area.  The last picture is Daniel, thinking.  I am not exactly sure but it looks like he is trying to figure out how to get the sawdust in his wheelbarrow.  We had lots of fun!

Tonight’s menu is pork tenderloin on the grill, french fries and corn on the cob-frozen from our garden last year.  I gathered some rhubarb today and plan to make rhubarb dumplings for dessert. 

Rosemary Marinade Recipe

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp minced garlic

2-4 tsp dried rosemary-crushed

Combine all ingredients.  Pour over beef, chicken, or pork. (I use this on all types of meat).   School is finished for today.  Time to enjoy the sun.  We got our bikes out today, pumped up the tires,and oiled the chains.  We rode for a little while.  Long enough for me to discover how out of shape I am.  It will take a while before I can keep up with the girls.  I hope to work some on the garden this evening.  We have some clean up to do before Hubby can plow.  I hope you all enjoy your evening.  Take care and God bless.