Pillows & Peaches

Hubby & I did a little garage sale shopping this morning.

I found these like new large, square pillow forms for $4.00 each. They will make great floor pillows for the grandkids after I make some cool pillow covers.

Next, we drove a few miles to Porter to buy peaches at the Livesay Peach Barn & Orchard.

The peach festival is next weekend so we decided to beat the crowds & shop today.

We bought two varieties, Red Haven & Belmont. 

 Can't wait to make a cobbler!

Happy #32

Our son is 32 years old today.  

Yes, he was a big one!  

We celebrated last night.

He requested lemon cake in the casserole dish that I baked so many of his birthday cakes while he was growing up.

Happy Birthday, Bobby!

We love you so much!

2 Days In A Row

Well, I admit to shopping at Hobby Lobby 2 days in a row.  I had to go back to buy another cute backpack for a gift.  Of course, several other items made their way into my cart.  I'll only show you one of those items today.

I have always liked Norman Rockwell pictures.  This is a collection of his 'Four Freedoms' series.

 The large sticker tells the story of how Norman Rockwell was inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's address to Congress on January 6, 1941.  The pictures were printed in the Saturday Evening Post.  Eventually the paintings served as the centerpiece of a massive U.S. war bond drive, raising more than $130 million in sales.

The size is 16X19,  It is all tin.  The price was right.  Marked down to $17.00 from $49.99.  

The 'Four Freedoms' . . .

 Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom From Want and Freedom From Fear.  

I pray these freedoms will never be taken away. 

Lunch & Retail Therapy

I meet my friend, Belva, for lunch yesterday. We had a great time visiting & catching up.  The Cheesecake Factory was delicious!  We decided to go to Hobby Lobby for a little retail therapy.  I hadn't been to Hobby Lobby in months.  Wow, I found so much that I would have loved to put in my cart.  I had to use restraint.  

After all, I went there only looking for sunflowers.  

Well, I did find some sunflowers, daisies & greenery, all for 50% off.  The sunflowers were almost gone.  Glad I didn't wait to shop.

I found this sturdy tray basket for 66% off.  They had a lot of nice things for 66% off.

This girlie back pack was 66% off.  Perfect for, Emma!

 I put these stickers in my cart because I knew the grandkids would like them.  I was pleasantly surprise when I checked out that they were 66% off, $1.02.  Score!

They had a lot of neat burlap ribbon choices, even chevron.

 I chose this cute yellow polka dot for a new wreath I'm making. The ribbon was full price, $5.99, not bad.

Yes, they already have fall & Christmas items on the shelf.  A little early in my opinion.  Oh, well . . . 

Hot & Spicy Recipe Reviews

We like hot & spicy food in our family.

I tried 2 new Pinterest recipes for our 4th of July meal.

Jalapeno Poppers 

12  Med/Large fresh Jalapenos

1 Box of Cornbread Mix (I used the Honey variety for the sweetness)

1 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar (1 cup for the batter..1/2 cup for sprinkiling)

1 Cup Corn..fresh OR canned is just fine

Directions:

Slice each jalapeno down the center and carefully remove all the seeds and veins..set aside

In a medium bowl, mix up the Cornbread batter according to the box instructions, add in the Corn and 1 cup of the Cheddar.

Fill each Jalapeno half with some batter!  Eh-hem, don’t over fill them!

Sprinkle them all with the remaining 1/2 cup of Cheddar.

Place them on a baking rack & sheet pan, bake them at 350 for about 15-20 minutes, or until the Cornbread is firm and cooked through.  They will be puffed and cheesy too!

Let them cool cuz they’re HOT!

I omitted the corn from the recipe.  I must tell you that cutting & taking out the seeds proved to be a challenge.  I started coughing & sputtering from the pepper fumes.  Kari took over & it did the same thing to her!  Note to self . . . next time wear one of those nose & mouth masks that we use for mowing the lawn!  Anyway, it was worth it.  These are delicious!  

Next up . . . 

The Greatest Queso That Ever Lived

1 block (32 Oz. Block) Velveeta Cheese

1 package (8 Oz. Package) Cream Cheese

1 can (10 Oz. Can) Rotel

1 can (10.75 Oz. Can) Cream Of Mushroom Soup

1 pound Ground Beef OR Sausage (or A Combination Of Both)

Brown ground beef or sausage (or both) in a pan over medium heat and set aside. Cut up the Velveeta and cream cheese into cubes and place into a crock pot. Pour in the Rotel and the cream of mushroom soup and stir ingredients together. Place the crock pot on low setting for an hour, letting the ingredients meld. After about 30 minutes, add the browned meat and continue to let cook, stirring as needed.

It was very tasty, but next time I'll use less meat.

Click here -----> Appetizers & Munchies  to see my Pinterest board.

Golden

We attended a lovely reception, Sunday afternoon.

Our friends, Joe & Ann, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

I love their wedding picture.  Ann's outfit is so stylish & Jackie O.  

It was so nice seeing people we haven't seen in a long time.

Here is Hubby talking with our friend, Bob & Ann.

Ann & Joe with their sons, daughter-in-law & grandsons.

What a beautiful family! 

Congratulations, Ann & Joe!  

Words That Inspire

source

 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Wishing you a Sunday filled with love & understanding . . . 

Saturday Snapshots

Clumsy me, dropped my 5 year old camera on the 4th.  

It's broken. 

 Bummer!

Today's snapshots were taken with my iPhone.

Several tomatoes waiting to be picked.

View from the door.

This is true!

Hummer Feeder

Hibiscus Blooms

Left over chocolate cake waiting to be eaten.  

Hubby took this snapshot with his phone yesterday.

View from our garage.  

Happy Saturday everyone!

4th Of July 2013

 Low temperatures & humidity made for a perfect day to celebrate. 

Emma & Ethan had fun riding in the wagon for the subdivision parade.

Thank you Jan Henry for snapping this photo!

Papaw & his pride & joys.

And now, a trip down memory lane.

Ethan's 1st parade in 2009.  4 months old.

Emma's 1st parade, 4 months old, 2011.

Ethan & Uncle Sam, 2011.

2012 with Uncle Sam.

Happy 4th of July, 2013!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 237th Birthday America!

source

God Bless America!

Today's Projects

I've got a lot of projects going on today.

I saw this clever idea yesterday, 

on Between Naps on the Porch blog.

Since I already had some of Hubby's old jeans cut up I decided to make some pocket holders for our 4th of July table.

I cut some strips of fabric with the pinking shears to tie around the pocket.

I'm adding more red, white & blue bling around the house.

You're a grand old flag.

I'm busy in the kitchen baking a chocolate bundt cake, preparing 'Copy Cat Kerntucky Fried Chicken Cole Slaw' for tomorrow's 'Smoked Meat Fest' and making a salad for a neighbor's 3rd of July celebration tonight.  

I guess I'd better get off the computer & get busy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Patriotic Pool Noodle Wreath

I got busy this morning creating a new patriotic wreath for the front door.

When I get crafty I make a mess.

I used strips of denim from some of Hubby's old jeans, fabric & ribbon from my stash, my trusty old Craftsman glue gun & a Dollar Tree pool noodle.

As you can see the wreath is oval instead of round.  I stored it in my hall tree bench hoping it make it easier to tape together with duct tape.  This is my first attempt at making fabric flowers.  Don't look closely.  They are really wonky.  And, you know I had to add a little flag.

 I think it looks good with the red, white & blue flowers pots.  I'll add flags to the pots on Wednesday.

I am definitely rusty with my crafting skills.

My next wreath project will involve sunflowers.

BTW, when I opened up my blog this morning my Playlist had disappeared.  Playlist is changing everything, again.  I'm trying to figure out how the new agenda works.  

Hope you're having a terrific Tuesday!

I'm linking with . . .

Red, White & Blue Dining

I'm getting ready for our annual 4th of July

 'smoked meat fest'.

Thought I'd start in the dining room.

Red, White & Blue Dining

I use lots of flags to decorate for the 4th.

Yes, I know the tablecloth & place mats are wrinkled.  Gives it the casual look.  HA!

My 79 cent plates on white Corning plates.

I'll show you more patriotic bling tomorrow.

Have a wonderful start to your week!

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