Decisions, Decisions - Father's Day & 4th of July Prep

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!  It is finally done.  Now off to the framer.

I really can't remember when I started this but, I think it took me somewhere between 6 and 8 months with smaller projects also.  I did have a stitch guide I purchased from Pocket Full of Stitches but made a few thread, stitch, and color changes (very few).  I love, love, love this and can't believe I did it!

Father's Day Success

What a wonderful day despite the rain.  Jim had a visit from all three kids and 6 of the 7 grands!  Here are a few pics of the day!

4th of July Prep

I have been busy shopping, making goody bags for the kids, baking, and trying to keep my head above water!

So far, I have baked the Fireworks Pudding Cookies.  I have been making them for several years and they are always a HUGE hit.  Fireworks Pudding Cookies

 

I can't say enough about how much my grands love these!

Probably next in popularity would be the Kid's Candy Cookies recipe I found in a Food Network Magazine a gazillion years ago.

You can find it at Kid's Candy Cookies-Food Network

While researching how to freeze a bundt cake, I ran across this recipe.  I made it today and it baked up beautifully.  I am particularly attracted to it because our camp is in Louisiana and is the location of our 4th of July extravaganza.  You can find the recipe (and the story) at Take Two Tapas - Louisiana Stranger Cake.  It was so quick and easy!

Currently in the oven is my favorite Pound Cake!  It is oh so easy and super yummy!  I've had the recipe so long, I really am not sure where I got it.  Thankfully it was one of the recipes that was not where it was supposed to be when Harvey took most of my recipes.

I have also made the Sausage Balls (can't ever get away without those), the Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos, and a couple of breakfast casseroles.  I also made some marinara & BBQ sauces that have been canned and transported to the camp!

Reading & Podcast Updates

I am still working my way through War on Peace.  It is insightful narrative on the workings (or lack there of) in the State Department.  So far, I have not found it to be "against (or for)" one party or the other, just a simple statement of the facts.  It is a book, that for me at least, is best taken in small bites.  I recommend it!

So this may seem a bit strange.  The other day I randomly looked up the top podcasts on Itunes - Now I am totally addicted to The Man in the Window.  Stay tuned....

I am also working my way through Dan Carlin's Blueprint for Armageddon II.  So much to take in, such attention to detail, I am learning!

Of course, I am still working through my Novena mentioned on my last post.

So many things to stitch, bake & learn, so little time....

Until next time, wishing you all the best!

Marci

Hogs & Grands

I am still hoping for more frequent posts but so far, no luck.

Stitching Update

I have decided to put all my focus on finishing my Decisions, Decisions by Sandra Gilmore.  I have finished (well almost) the floor leaving the brooms, hair, bracelet, and hat brim decorations.

I am hoping to finish by the end of the week.  Fingers crossed.

In addition, a few weeks ago I did my first fully finished object.  It is a Lizzie Kate 4 Seasons - Summer.  I watched a video by Vonna - The Twisted Stitcher and just imitated what she did.  Of course, mine isn't perfect but I am happy with it and am still learning how to improve.

It is a simple finish compared to many I have seen but, it's simplicity is what I love about it.

Hopefully this week will allow for more stitchy time!

Hogs, Hogs, Hogs

Imagine waking up to this.....

They dug up plants, dug up trees that we just planted, and generally terrorized our 2 acres.  I spent the day putting most things back the way it was before they came.  Praying they stay away, I am to old to redo our landscaping every time they get hungry.



















The next day, we had storms that left plenty of standing water all over the place.  I won't complain as I know later this summer we will probably be begging for rain.

Grands

Some of my favorite shots from the last couple of weeks.

My heart sitting in rings!

Finally got a photo of her.

GROOT

The Camp

The hubs and I visited our camp this weekend to begin preparation for our 4th of July celebration.  It is a full week of fun, family, and friends.  The lake was super rough and really high so no boating.  We left early Sunday morning and drove the 185 miles home only to discover we had left Jim's computer bag and my stitchy bag sitting on the porch.  Let's just say, that made for a very long day in the car. 

The water is almost covering the lower wharf. 

We had a nice sunset.  I wish the purples showed up better!

W

We got another 25 pounds of shrimp from Ms. Jane - as she says, they were swimming last night.  Nothing beats fresh shrimp!

In the 20 years I have been going to the camp, I have never seen an alligator in the lake.  Apparently the lake is so fresh right now (normally brackish) that they are coming out of the swamps.

Reading & Podcasts

I am still working on Dan Carlin's Hardcore History - I am working my way through "Blueprint for Armageddon II".  If you have any interest in the history surrounding WW I, give it a listen beginning with episode 50.

I started the  Mary, Undoer of Knots novena this morning with the "Pray More Novenas" podcast.  It is a quick 5 minutes out of your day, I highly recommend.

 I am currently working on three books, as follows:

Ok, gotta get to work now!

Until next time, wishing you all the best!

Marci

We Have a 6th Grader

I have been putting off my post (only my 2nd) for quite a few days now.  I have realized I need to just set a time and go for it. I really intend it to be more of a journal but without words and/or pictures, it is nothing.

Stitchy Update

Not one single stitch Memorial Day Weekend.  When you read the Life Update, you will understand why.  Oh well, we must live our life first!  When opportunities present themselves, we need to put down the stitching and soak in the love.  Fortunately, I have gotten a few (actually very few) stitches in the past few days - here are the updates.

 Decisions, Decisions - Sandra Gilmore
Making progress on the floor.

Not one single stitch on this one.

Patriotic House Trio - Waxing Moon Designs

Fairly good progress considering the lack of stitchy time of late (see Life Update).

Life Update

On the Friday (or maybe it was Thursday) before Memorial Day Grand 2 "graduated" 5th grade.  It seems to me when I left 5th grade we just said good bye to our friends and teachers then moved on to middle school.  We didn't have all the hoopla they have these days.  I think it is nice that they are able to mark these milestones in a way they will most likely remember for a very long time.

Here is the obligatory pose with the confetti flying.


















  

All the awards with Groot photo bombing!

A girl and her Mom!  Two of my heartbeats!

She might like her baby brother just a little.


















Next, we headed to our Camp for the Memorial Day weekend stopping in on my parents on the way. We took grands 2 & 4 with us.  Soon, daughter 2 called and said she and the rest of her tribe were coming for the weekend (the hubs, grand 6, and the two dogs).  So much fun to spend time with our kids and grandkids.

 Here is Abbie showing off her art contribution to the camp!  We will hang it proudly sweet girl.  Thank you!

We bought 50 pounds of shrimp.  Here are the girls and their PawPaw demonstrating their shrimp heading skills.

 Look who came to see their Nonna at the Camp!

Groot is ready for his 1st boat ride!

 

Now to store the boat trailer - all hands on deck!

 To be continued..........

Reading/Podcast Update

As with my stitching, my reading has suffered in the past couple weeks.  In this case, I guess something is better than nothing.

I started a new book - The Missing Ones - This is my first read by Patricia Gibney.  So far I am enjoying it.

Still working on Dan Carlin's Hardcore History 50 - Blueprint for Armageddon I.  If you are a history buff, give it a listen.

I just got my first issue of the BBC History Magazine.  I will let you know.

Oh!  And Pip wants to know if you want to rub her belly.

Until next time - wishing you all the best!

Marci

Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

First things first - Pip out for her morning walk.

Grands Update

Grand 4 had her 3rd grade awards ceremony (where has the time gone?).  She was awarded the Roar-tastic Reader & Fantastic Facts awards.

Sissy & her teacher

Nonna & Sissy

Groot (grand 6) came to cheer her on

StitchyUpdate

Freedom

Princess & Me - I don't know the name of the canvas.  Almost done though.  Just need to finish the background and add the waste rows.

Decisions, Decisions - Sandra Gilmore

One of my all time favorites.  I am so close...but yet so far.

Reading (well listening) Update

Podcasts

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History - Episode 50 - Blueprint for Armageddon I

Taking this one in small bites.  It is a lot to absorb.

Pints with Aquinas - Episode 159 - How to Prepare for Holy Mass w/Fr. Ryan Mann

Audible

Charles Jenkins - Book 1

Finished this one yesterday.  I really enjoyed his Tracy Crosswhite series so I thought I would give this one a try.  It did not disappoint.

Wishing you all the best,

Marci