Goodbye Summer . . .

It's hard to believe that this is the last day of August!

Even though it will be several weeks before

we see beautiful Autumn scenery

here in Oklahoma we are already enjoying cooler days

and even cooler nights. When you step outside in

the evenings the breeze if refreshing and

has that feeling of Fall in the air.

No humidity!

Fall is my favorite season.

I love decorating the house inside and out.

Once everything is in place it stays out

until Christmas decorating begins

the day after Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your day!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Victory is yours. Claim it!

This doesn't mean the

Christian can never suffer

defeat or experience low

periods in life. But it does

mean that the Savior goes

with you no matter

the problems.

You Know You're Old When . . .

you start remembering things from your high school years

that you haven't thought of in decades.

Don't ask me why, but I started thinking about some of my

favorite songs from the late 60s & early 70s.

I loved tunes by The Association.

Their sound was 'groovy' & mellow.

Cheesy & perfect for teenage girls!

My three favorite songs by The Association were

Cherish

Never My Love

&

Windy

Way back then you had two ways to hear your favorite music, wait until it played on the radio, or buy the record. I didn't have spare money to buy records so I had to tune in to my favorite radio channel in Oklahoma City. It was fun making the drag with my friends & singing along when our favorites played. You do know what making the drag is don't you? After driving around for an hour or two in someone's car we would all chip in a quarter to fill up before we headed home. Believe it or not in 1969 gasoline was $0.35 a gallon!

Thanks for going down memory lane with me. If you want to you can turn up the volume & do some dusting or ironing!

Enjoy your Friday!

S~O~S . . .

Yesterday afternoon I made a trip to the 'mecca' of decorating & crafting . . .

Upon entering the door I was drawn to aisle after aisle of fabulous items for fall decorating! My heart started pounding! Oh my goodness, could I be experiencing

'Sensory Overload Syndrome'?

As I made my way down the aisles loaded with pumpkins, garlands, wreaths, pilgrims, jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows, & candles I knew I was indeed infected with

S.O.S.

Next I came upon the Christmas items. So many ornaments, Santa Claus figures, baskets, bows, wrapping paper, & pre~lit trees. I found the perfect 9 foot tree for our front room, too bad it was priced at $599.00 or I would have bought it on the spot!

After spending almost an hour walking all over the store I put my empty basket back where I found it & made my way to the car. It's always sad to leave Hobby Lobby empty handed, but that's what happens when I'm hit with

S.O.S.

'Sensory Overload Syndrome'

Maybe I'll go back when the tree is 1/2 off!

(Probably not!)

LOL

My Oh My, How Time Flies . . .

It's hard to believe that . . .

this precious little newborn. . .

is now 6 months old !

He's so happy & sweet.
It's a joy to see him learning so many new things!
Happy 1/2 year birthday Ethan!

Also . . .

Start the count down . . .

four months from today! ! !

Tackling Chores . . .

I'm in a

"Maxine State Of Mind"

today!

However, it's time to tackle our home office!

Things need to be sorted, filed, shredded,

thrown away, rearranged,

etc. etc. etc.!!

The closet, filing cabinet, desk, & shelves

are screaming & shouting

for attention & relief.

This monumental job may take all week.

Wish me luck!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Isaiah 40:28-31

28) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.His understanding is unsearchable.

29) He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,

31) But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Father, help us to seek and find the power

that comes to those who

"wait upon the Lord."

Piano Man . . .

Ethan was given his first piano lesson Sunday.

Daddy is showing him how it's done.

Tickling the ivories.


A piano man in the making.

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Wishing you a restful Sunday. . .

Gather Ye Sunflowers . . .

While Ye May . . .

We had severe thunderstorms Monday

evening & throughout the night.

Several of our sunflowers were uprooted or broken off.

We propped them up Tuesday evening.

I cut a few from the broken plants.


They look pretty in this old enamelware pitcher.

Triple D . . .

We are big fans of the Food Network show

"Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives"

starring Guy Fieri.

Bobby & Kari gave this book to Bob for his birthday.

It's filled with interesting info about some of the

mom & pop cafes that guy has featured on his show.

Also, there are many recipes from the restaurants.

Can't wait to read & enjoy!

Happy Birthday Bob! ! !

Today is my hubby's Birthday!

Watch out for those inferno candles!

(excuse the glare on the picture)

Long ago a baby was born in a house located in Pawnee County Oklahoma.

He was the 6th of 7 children born to Verna & Dale.

Bob is truly a one of a kind man.

His newest role of Papaw to Ethan is a joy to him.


" Can you hear me now?"
Bob is always on the phone (notice the two phones) trying to
keep things at work running smoothly.


He's always busy around the house doing this & that.
I have to remind him all the time to take it easy.


This picture shows Bob at his best.
He's a very positive person.



Happy Birthday honey!
Thank you for being a wonderful husband!
I love you with all my heart!

It's That Time Again . . .

School bells will be ringing again next week

in most Oklahoma schools.

I'm sure the weather will be hot & steamy.

Seems to me school always started after Labor Day

when I was in school.

Just a reminder to watch out for school buses

& children walking to school.

To teachers & staff who work so faithfully to educate our children, I will be praying for you as a new school year begins.

You may never know what seeds of learning & love you are planting.
Someone in your classroom this year may be a future doctor,nurse, preacher, teacher, lawyer, construction worker, mom, dad, the list goes on and on.
Every year I taught I tried to remember that I was someone who could make a difference in a child's life. O yes, as you can imagine there were times that this was hard to remember.

It's tax free weekend here in Oklahoma.
Clothing items under $100.00 are not taxed, but
school supplies are not included in the tax free shopping.
I wish the legislature would reconsider this next year.
I know how expensive it can be to buy supplies for one child.
For families that have more than one child it's VERY expensive.



Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

"Okra"homa & Other Fresh Veggies . . .

I have discovered that oven roasted fresh garden veggies are delicious!

I few summers ago I started oven roasting fresh green beans.

They are so-o-o delicious! Very sweet & nutty flavored.

Basically I roast veggies on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam.

Load your sheet with your vegetable of choice. Spray veggies with Pam or drizzle lightly with olive oil & season with salt & pepper.

Sometimes I add other seasonings such as garlic powder or Cajun.

Cook at 425 degrees for 25 or 30 minutes.

Okra is also very tasty roasted in the oven.

The finished product is very similar to fried, but of course much healthier!

Our garden is producing tons of okra so I'm busy freezing some for future use.

I had enough today to freeze a large bag &

also oven roast a batch for dinner tonight.

First cut up your okra in small pieces.

This 8 cup bowl will fill up a large zip-lock bag.

Add a little corn meal. . .

and a little flour.

Don't forget to add your seasonings of choice.

Now, into the freezer!

*Tonight's menu*

Oven roasted okra, yellow squash, & zucchini

Sliced tomatoes & cucumbers

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,
o Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 19:14

A Summer Cold . . .

I can't believe it! I have a cold!

I haven't had a cold in years!

Could I have possibly lost my strong

immune system after only being retired from

teaching one year?

I had forgotten how miserable a cold can be!
The Kleenex box & cold medicine are my best friends right now!

Hope you're having a cold free weekend!

Happy Anniversary . . .

Happy 4th Anniversary

To Bobby & Kari

May each year bring you

blessings and joy!

Garden Flowers . . .

Our sunflowers are in full bloom.

POEM TO A SUNFLOWER

I see you there in glory shining bright,

Following the sun and its path of light.

Standing tall above all others in the field,

You grow, conquer, and do not yield.

The birds take great delight in playing round you,

from day to night.

With your petals of yellow and leaves of green

How very easily you are seen.
But there is more to you than first sight,

More than beauty and grander to delight.

Every beautiful aspect that appears,

Gives praise to the Father dear.
He made you a part of creation,

And you praise him in glorious celebration!

The beauty that within you is expressed,

Gives testimony to his greatness.
Sunflower, how I long to be like you!

Glorifying God in all I do.

Following the Son and His path of light,

To worship Him in His glory shining bright.
I can learn from you, my friend,

With every breath, praise to God, I might send.

With all of his creation telling the story,

Might I, with you, proclaim His glory.

~By Katherine R. Lane (April 19, 1995)~

A Grand Saturday . . .

This past Saturday was a grand day!

Ethan turned 5 months old.

My sister, Susan, & brother-in-law, Mike, were here for a visit. They enjoyed holding Ethan & getting to know him a little better.


Now for another bit of grand news! Susan & Mike had decided a few weeks ago to pass along their baby grand piano to us. They are in the process of selling their home & down sizing to a smaller house. This is the piano that was in our childhood church for many years. It was built in 1934. They purchased it 13 years ago when the church bought a new piano.


We recruited our friend Brad to help unload & set up the heavy piano.
Our old Baldwin piano was moved to Kari & Bobby's house.

The piano looks so elegant & grand in our front room. I discovered that I'm very rusty at the piano playing when I tried to play a few old hymns.

My goodness, it's been many years since I've played! Shame on me!!

I have great plans to practice a little each week until I can play without being embarrassed! Maybe I'll be ready to play some Christmas tunes in December!

Susan found some of my old sheet music that I used to play when I was a teenager. I think it will be fun reacquainting myself with the oldies.



I want to say a big thank you to Mike & Susan for being so generous to deliver & present us with this beautiful piano that holds so many memories for our family. We love you!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Be still and know that I am God . . .

Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!

Psalms 46:10

The Living Bible

Enjoy your Sunday!