Funnies

Things Andrew told me this week...

"Trust in the Wo-rud (translated Lord) with all die heart, and wing dot (lean not) unto die own understander" Prov. 3:5

Mommy, when you get little like me, maybe you can go down this slide, too.

I already telled you no three times, woman. (note, this was NOT an acceptable response, and was dealt with accordingly, but I laughed about it in private later)

Mommy, Reddie (who is really "Eddie", his fireman doll) is sick (big sigh and forlorn look) Shakes head and says, "I think that it's he's hah-wurt" (translation, "his heart")

Buzz (as in Lightyear) is very sad. He needs me to poo-poo so I can play with him.

Lined stuffed animals/toys up in room, (and his baby sister) and proceeded to tell them "No, no, no, Do you understand me?" "I telled you, I will eat you up."

After catching a cricket and bringing it in ... "I think he needs to go back outside with his mommy and daddy because they miss him"

The mind of a 2 1/2 year old... !!!!

Happy FRIDAY!!
Much love,
Jennifer

Mr. Messy

My husband tracks dirt in the house and I love it. He also forgets to take his clothes out of his gym bag for several days, leaves his tools out, and leaves his clothes right where he takes them off. And I love it.... and for a neat freak like me, that's saying a whole bunch. Know why I love it? Because all of those things that he does mean that he is home. He is here with us on a daily basis. He comes home in the evenings and gives me a kiss, wrestles with Andrew and makes little Anna Kate giggle and giggle. He fills our house and makes it a home. I am so appreciative of this right now, and more aware of it than ever because he is leaving soon. For a place across the ocean called Iraq. And he will be gone for a good long while. And we will miss him more than anything. And I have tears welling up in my eyes right now as I type this. So right now the dirt, the dirty clothes and the messiness are blessings, and I am so thankful for them. For they are the representations of him in all of his wonderful man-ness, and messiness. And they let me know that the tall, unbelievably sweet, kind, blue-eyed husband of mine will be home today.... and I'm cherishing every one.

Happy Thursday
and Much Love,
Jennifer

Queen of Clean

I love to clean. No, really I do. Seriously. Noooo I'm not kidding... okay, go ahead, wipe the smirk off your face. Cleaning is therapy for me. It is a "mindless task" as my mama likes to say- and I don't mean that in a bad way. When I am cleaning, it is not something I have to concentrate on- I just do it. That's why I love it. I can plan, mull over things, go over my "to do" list, pray and just quiet my soul. I am not "being idle", I am being productive, but at the same time it is very soothing to go through the routines, the motions that I've done a thousand times before. I usually have long conversations with my Heavenly Father about anything and everything, have conversations with myself (don't call the psych ward... YET!), and in my busyness, there is a calm. There are always those out there telling us to "take time for ourselves everyday", and while I know that this is ideal, it is often so hard for busy wives and mothers to do on a day to day basis (I know that it is for me). Even when our "quiet time" of the morning seems far away, we can find God in the daily tasks. In cleaning, doing laundry, ironing- those seemingly mindless things- but therein lies their beauty. We can" take time for ourselves" even amist the busyness, hustle and bustle of the day. Time to quiet our minds and hearts and lay the burdens and cares of the day on one whose shoulders are bigger than ours. He is there as we mop the floor, scrub the toilet and clean the toothpaste off the mirror. So, take some time for yourself today - while ironing that stack of laundry... I'm off to make reservations for that massage (hey, a girl can't clean ALL the time!) Have a great one, ya'll !
Much love,
Jennifer

Image courtesy of Lise's Garden

A man and his truck(s)

Little Andrew had a blast outside yesterday evening with his "new" trucks... "new" trucks that were actually daddy's "old" trucks. While visiting the in-laws this weekend, my hubby crawled up into the attic and discovered all of this old trucks and "John Deere tractors"... I think that he was just as excited about them as our little man. Nice to know that the little boy inside never really grows up... Much Love, Jennifer

Mr. Tempermental

Blogger is not my friend anymore. NO SIREE... For the 2nd day in a row, he has shunned me, ignored me and not allowed me to add pictures from my digital cam- ONLY CLIPART like you see at left. (It seems as if he is doing this to others, too!). Well, yesterday, I couldn't add anything, so perhaps he's s-l-o-w-l-y coming 'round.
We are definitely on the outs. Maybe he will be in a better mood later today.... So tempermental, he is! Hopefully I'll be able to post with pics later. Until then...
Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

Where I'm From

I've seen this poem on several blogs, and saw it again on Mrs. Blythe's (www.seekinghisglory.blogspot.com) today (sorry blogger is acting weird and won't let me insert hyperlinks or pictures this morning....grrrrrrrr....!!!!!!!), and I decided to finally sit down and do it while I had a little time. It was so much fun, and I hope others will do it, too. Enjoy.
Here is the website if you care to do it yourself (Again, sorry no hyperlink- blogger is definitely trying my patience today!!!) www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm

Where I'm From
I am from making quilt tents on rainy days, from Ford trucks, John Deere tractors, singing with mama at the piano and homemade biscuits.

I am from the big, rambling white house with high celings, big back yard with the playhouse, and playing on the swingset at dusk, riding bicycles down the dirt road and four wheelers in the field.

I am from gardenia and magnolia, nandinas, and gladiolas.

I am from hamburgers on Friday night, and seafood on Christmas Eve. I am from coffee every morning and evening. I am from black hair and pug noses, from Na-mas, Ma-mas, Mimis and Grannys, from O’Neals and Greens, the Lowerys, Hattens, Chathams and Patricks .
I am from the hard workers, non-complainers, overreacters, and the best cooks in the South, deacons, music lovers and farmers.

From going barefoot in the summer , playing with the fairies in Paw-paw and Granny’s woods, shelling peas on the porch and playing in the hayloft. I am from braces, catching catfish in Paw-paw’s pond, listening to Pa-Pas long lectures, riding in the back of pickup trucks and Confederate soldiers.

I am from Baptists and Methodists. From Heavenly Highway Hymns and baptisms in the creek. I am from salvation by grace and serving others. From vacation bible schools and Little Visits with God. I am from week long revivals, and “There’s Power in the Blood”

I'm from the deep south, Mississippi born and bred for many generations, Chicken and dumplins and fresh turnip greens.

From the man that wrecked a school bus, the high school cheerleader, and the grandfathers (and greats) who fought so bravely, and even gave their lives for our country.

I am from Big Level, Talowah, Petal, Quitman, Gulfport, Lucedale and Hattiesburg. I am from tragedy, heartbreak and unspeakable joy. I am pieces of all of them wrapped up into the package that is me. I could not ask for more.

Happy Tuesday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

SHMILY

The first year that Andy and I were married, we started a devtional book called "Nightlight" by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson. It was a really great book, and some of the devotionals really touched our hearts... but there was one in particular that especially did. Following is an excerpt.

"SHMILY" by Laura Jeanne Allen
"My grandparents were married for over half a century. From the time they met each other they played their own special game. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily" in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was his or her turn to hide it once more". They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour, in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio, in the steam on the bathroom mirror, taped to car seats or scribbled on notes....
S-h-m-i-l-y, "See how much I love you"..........

We both loved this idea, and over the course of our marriage, it has popped up in lots of different places all over our home, too. Under pillows on the bed, in cards, on the fridge message board, spelled out in Andrew's magnetic letters, written in lipstick on the mirror, or even spoken when others are around, and we don't want them to know what we are saying. Once, Andy even spray painted it on the front of his shop for me to see when I drove up. (He was repainting it the next day, anyway!) Let your loved ones know how much you love them every day- and maybe even adopt this idea as your own. We want to use this with our babes, too, when they are old enough to understand what it means.
Doesn't our Heavenly Father tell us this everday, too? Shmily- in the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, shmily- with mercies that are new every morning... Shmily- in our baby's laughter, warm breezes on our face, the miracle of our gardens, flowers, new life. Shmily- in giving his only son for us. May we think of ways to tell HIM today- shmily- spending time in prayer, cuddling our children, fulfilling our God-given roles, obedience to his word. HE never tires of saying it- may our lives always say to him- Shmily.....
I think tonight I'll write it on the side of Andy's tea glass....Shmily- see how much I love you.... Don't ever let them forget ...
Happy Monday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

What would mama say??

I have seen it all. I have truly seen IT ALL after today. After church, we had to run by the grocery store for a few things... I was making a special dessert for tonight and I sent my hubby into the trenches to get my supplies ... Anyway, I digress... As I sat outside in the vehicle waiting for him, the babes fell asleep, and I commenced doing one of my favorite activites.. people watchin'. And after a few minutes, I saw her. I saw HER. This woman (can't even begin to call her a lady!)... she was walking in the grocery store IN HER BATHING SUIT AND NOTHING ELSE... I'm talking 'bout NO shoes, NO shirt, NO coverup.. no NUTHIN'. I stared at her, mouth agape with sort of a sick fascination for a few seconds, and then I saw HIM... her husband/boyfriend/S.O ... IN THE SAME CONTITION AS SHE! And let me just tell ya, neither one of them were the picture of fitness or health, if you know what I mean. So here are these 2 very overweight, middle aged people prancing their business in front of everyone into the grocery store, barefoot, in ONLY THEIR BATHING SUITS... and then, horror of horrors, here comes a line of kids following them in IN THE SAME FASHION AS MAMA AND DADDY. Yes folks. I am describing a line of half naked individuals struttin' into the grocery store on a Sunday, and no one else even did a double take. They must've passed 10 or more individuals walking into the store, and NO ONE seemed bothered by this attire. NO ONE! What has happened to our society? Have we acutally gotten to this point? What has happened to modesty, decency, and taking a little pride in the way you present yourself? Are neatness and cleanliness to be found anymore? Why is everyone so SLOTHFUL in the way they dress? Does anyone even care anymore? Would we have ever seen (or tolerted) this even 30 or 40 years ago? What happened to "no shoes, no shirt, no service?", Does it even exist?
...... As they walked into the store, and I scraped my chin up off the floor, one thought kept running through my mind ... "What in the world would my mama say???"... I can't wait to go call her.

Me and Katherine McPhee?

AHHHHHHH............!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the 5,123,412,320,454 th time I AM NOT Katherine McPhee!!!!!!!!!! I have been asked in the grocery store, in restaurants, at the salon, on the street, at Wal-Mart, and yes, even on vacation where a little girl came over to me by the pool with her mom to see if I was "really" her... (on vacation at an Alabama beach with a husband and KIDS???) I can't get away from it... it's everywhere I go!!!!! I know they are just regular well-meaning folks... but I want my anonymity back.... and I now know why I would never want to be famous. American Idol is for the birds (and not for the faint of heart). I love my normal, suburban, stay-at-home mom, obscure life. And I appreciate it MUCH more. (For the record, I am really nice to everyone that asks- I just smile and sweetly say- "Why, honey, no, actually I'm not, but thanks for that real sweet compliment!... and give my best smile.) I am a Southerner- it just ain't in me to be rude to nice, God-fearing folks. But seriously. Seriously! It does get old. Especially when I'm out with the babes, and struggling to get groceries, etc. in the car and people have NO manners... I mean, totally no manners... didn't their mamas raise them right?
So, to all who may not know........ my name is Jennifer. Not Katherine. Today was really just the last straw. So pretty, pretty please stop asking me (with sugar on top)???
Sorry- just had to vent my frustration.
Thanks for being such great listeners ya'll...
Much love,
Jennifer

Happy Birthday....

Once upon a time, in a far-away kingdom called Mississippi, a little family lived. This family had a Daddy, and Mama and a little 21 month old boy named Andrew. There was much excitement in to kingdom, however, because a new princess was to be born soon! And on June 23, 2005, the blessed event finally happened. Princess Anna Katherine was born into this family at 8:07 a.m. by scheduled C-Section. Weighing in at 7 lbs. and 10 oz., (MUCH smaller than big brother), she screamed her way into her bright new world. All the kingdom was overjoyed to finally meet her, for, you see, she was their tiny miracle... Maybe not as "dramatic" a miracle story as some, but a miracle to the little kingdom all the same. Early in her gestation, the kingdom thought the tiny princess was not to be. Her mama began bleeding, and was told that the baby would be lost. An ultrasound was done, and the tiny baby could not be seen in the little sac on the screen. The kingdom waited for the worst. But, miraculously, her mama's hormone levels soared, the bleeding abated, and the tiny girl began to grow.... and grow.... and grow. Things progressed rapidly until one fateful day, when her mama received a call from her doctor. A call that told her that the baby princess most likely had a condition called Down's Syndrome from the looks of the lab work. Mama and Daddy were devastated at first, but then began to realize that she would be God's precious gift no matter what. Mama was sent to a specialist, and a long detailed ultrasound was done... and found that everything * looked * great... no markers for the Down's was found.... but it would still be a "wait and see" game, because mommy and daddy declined the amniocentesis. The days passed, and the time for tiny girl's birth drew near. The kingdom was abuzz with excitement, anticipation and preparations. There were showers to attend, room decorations to finish, and arrangements to make for big brother's care. And then, the big day arrived. June 23, 2005. The operating room was filled with doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists bustling about, with a very pregnant mommy in the middle... and then the epidural failed... yet again.... just like with big brother. And mommy was terribly, terribly dissappointed. For, you see, she wanted so badly to see her baby be born. But it was not to be. She was put to sleep once again, but awakened to a most beautiful sight-- her tiny, perfect, beautiful baby girl. A perfect little miracle. God's wonderous blessing. Princess Anna Katherine. She opened her little eyes, wrapped her tiny, perfect hand around her mommy's, and all in the little kingdom rejoiced.... and have been rejoicing ever since. The End
Thank you heavenly Father, for our sweet Anna Kate, her beautiful smile and the blessings she has brought to our lives. Psalm 127:3
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!!
Happy Thursday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

Quotes....

These are some beautiful quotes that I came upon when straightening up my bookshelf this morning...

" Well, Georgy, this marriage is--- yes, I will speak well of it, after all; for when I can stop and think long enough to discriminate my head from my heels, I must say that I think myself a fortunate woman both in husband and children. My children I would not change for all the ease, leisure, and pleasure that I could have without them. They are money on interest whose value will be constantly increasing."
Harriet Beecher Stowe to Georgianna May, 1838

"I have had so much more than I deserve, and now I am quite bewildered and overpowered. It is so good to feel that one is loved- the only real riches in the world, and I am very happy in that. I think my soul came to me quite suddenly, when I was about eleven years old, and all at once I realised how precious you were to me-- since then have we not been growing nearer and nearer? When we go the the next world I hope St. Peter will not know which is which."
Dame Freya Stark, (English writer) to her mother, 1914

"One must have a home, you see, to keep one's books in and one's spring sofas in; but the charm of a home is a home to come back to."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning to Mary Russell Mitford. 1850.

Happy Thursday and
Much love,
Jennifer

Broken

Sometimes, things that happen in everyday life teach us "bigger lessons" that have lasting impressions. I had one of those moments yesterday. I was doing one of those mundane little tasks (wiping off stovetop) when I turned around quickly in response to my baby's squeals (she was stuck under a barstool!) and ....*sigh* I broke my Gail Pittman (Mississippi artist) spoonrest (one of my favorite things :-( .... ). Aren't ya'll just LOVING all the parentheses I'm using ;-)... Anyway. As soon as it broke, and baby girl was "freed" she came crawling over at the speed of light to "inspect", of course. And of course I didn't want her anywhere near the mess I'd made, for I knew she'd be hurt or injured by the broken pottery on the floor. I had to have big brother "hold" her away from the scene of the crime, and she didn't understand. Not at all. My almost 12 month old looked at me with arms outstretched, tears in her sweet little eyes and screamed.... and screamed... and screamed. Because she didn't understand. Because she didn't see the danger. Because she didn't know that being "let go" would hurt her, wound her, cause her to feel pain. All she knew was that she saw where she wanted to go, and couldn't get there, and didn't understand why mommy was "holding her back". Little did she know I was saving her from hurt. Suddenly, in that moment, I thought of our Heavenly Father. How many times have we been "held back" by him? We've seen things we wanted to do, "directions" that WE wanted to go, and yet we were restrained, or held back from these things... by circumstance, others, or a myraid of reasons. We didn't understand WHY at the time, and we still may not know the answer. But HE does. The answer is always that it is for our good. Even though we may not "see" it... (just like my baby daughter didn't understand yesterday... everything "looked" OK to her... ) now or ten years from now, we can rest assured that it is for our good. No matter how crazy or hard or ridiculous it seems at the time. His love for us is even greater than the love we have for our children (hard to imagine), and he only wants what is best for his children. Always. Without exception. And many times we can look back over our lives, and see his hand in so many situations. And we praise him now, even though we didn't in that moment. Thank you Father for your eternal love and watchcare over those that belong to you.
Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

My Mississippi

Anyone who knows me well at all know how much I love where I live. My family (and my husband's ) have lived here for generations. I love our great state, her people and her history. And... I love this short little "speech" touting many of its' attributes. It was written by my high school history teacher specifically for me to use for a pageant I was partcipating in while in college. I ran across it again the other day while cleaning out, and decided to post it. Without further adieu, here it is.... enjoy.

"Mississippi Magic"

Mississippi is a place, Mississippi is a people. But most of all, Mississippi is a spirit.

It is a land of enchantment that casts a spell over visitors and natives, both young and old.

Its' scenic bayous, sandy beaches, and untouched small towns are the stuff of which dreams

are made, as well as Hollywood movies. In this one state beats the heart of the Mighty

Mississippi River as it carries steamboats and barges to the Gulf Stream waters.

Wherever I plant my feet in this great state, I can feel the magic of our enchanted land. Standing on the battlefields of Vicksburg with my eyes closed, I can feel the tragedy and

heartbreak of a time best remembered only in history books. As I follow the Natchez trace, I can hear the drums of our American natives as they followed a trail of tears from their land

of magic... only these people know why the the Pascagoula sings, or the Nanawoyhaa reaches to

the sky.

Only in Mississippi does music float thru the air with Elvis' rock and roll, Jimmy Rodgers' yodel and the throaty blues of B.B. King. The books and poetry of Mississippi writers tell of a people and place filled with magic. Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner and

John Grisham have captured the essence of Mississippi enchantment.

The smell of cape jasmine and honeysuckle, the winds off the still waters and the creak of the old porch swing will always keep the magic in Mississippi.

Crayon Decoration

Hallelujah for Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser...........
This was the sight that greeted me awhile ago in the kids' bathroom when I went to check on Andrew "going potty"! ...Off to clean up now.

Things to be happy about....

When I was in college, my sister got this cute little book called "14, 000 Things to be Happy About". I thought it was the most darling thing- just listed lots of "little things" to be happy about. Anyway, I started my own little list, and have added to it over the years, I don't have 14, 000 (YET!) but thought I'd share some of my favorites...


Smell of books
Hot Chocolate
Christmas Lights
Fat dimples on a baby's hands
Home movies
Handwritten notes in the mailbox
Full tank of gas
Laughing until your stomach aches
Evenings by the fire
Velvet
Bubble baths
Breakfast in Bed
Sleeping in
Hometown parades
A closet where ALL the clothes fit
Kisses on the forehead
Big, strong husbands to open jars
Going home to someone
Wedding pictures
Getting flowers
Dressing up
Candlelit room
Tan legs
Front porches on summer evenings listening to the crickets
Bay windows
Hardwood floors
Best Friends
Plaid in the fall
High school football games
Shrimp Gumbo
Crisp Fall Saturdays
Smell of a new car
Old Movies
Slobbery baby kisses
First Steps
Swingsets
Picnic Lunches
Feeling baby move in utero
Being up before anyone else and finally...
Free gift of Salvation

I have so many more, but these are just some of my favorites... I think it would be great if others would do this on their blogs!! If you do, please leave me a comment so I can read yours, too!!
Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

**** 2nd belated post for reasons mentioned below- wrote these on Sat. but didn't publish till today (Monday)

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
Thank you for...
1. Sitting through endless hours of dance recitals, piano recitals, voice recitals, band concerts, Friday night football games, school programs, parades, church musicals and choir programs AND documenting all of it on video so we could laugh at ourselves years later.
2. Putting up with all the drama, hysterics, slumber parties, and silliness of my teenage years.
3. Not killing some of the guys I dated (even though I know you probably wanted to)
4. Always understanding me even when no one else did
5. Praying with us, taking us to church "every time the doors were open", and instilling in me the importance of knowing God and becoming a Christian.
6. Acting silly with us on vacations
7. Waking us up singing "Roll-em" every morning
8. Playing gospel music and "Sunday sing alongs" LOUDLY every Sunday morning
9. Buying stuff mama wouldn't at the grocery store
10. Being the hardest working man I've EVER seen, providing an amazing life for us, teaching us the value of education, hard work and perseverence and for being the BEST DAD a girl could ever hope for.
I Love You!
Jenn

Happy Father's Day!

**** This is belated because things at our house were C-R-A-Z-Y at our house this weekend to say the least, more later****
**This pic was taken when I was expecting our first babe- little Andrew :-)
Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband!
Ten Reasons I love (and am thankful for) my hubby !
1. He Gives baths every night!
2. He lets me sleep late on Saturdays!
3. Working so hard so that I can stay home with our babies
4. Serving our country
5. Making me laugh when all I want to do is pout!
6. Being slow to anger
7. Being such a wonderful godly example to our little ones
8. Leading prayer time with Andrew every night
9. Always being so considerate of my feelings
10. Understanding me like no one else, being patient with me and loving me through all my drama queen scenarios.
I adore you sweetheart!

Birthday Dress

This is the beautiful smocked dress my tiny princess will be wearing for her 1st birthday party this afternoon... Isn't the smocking exquisite? Have I mentioned how much I love classic, heirloom clothing for children??-- haha! We are having her birthday party a bit early, but this was a great weekend because we had family already in town for Father's Day... so this weekend it is! I hope everyone has a beautiful blessed Saturday... Enjoy your families, kiss your husbands and babies and enjoy the day that the Lord has made!
Much love,
Jennifer

A very happy UN-birthday

Today was un-birthday day at our house. I am in major de-cluttering mode, and since baby girl's 1st birthday party is soon, I decided to de-clutter the "birthday stuff"... you know, leftover plates, party favors, bags, blowers, hats.... Well, little Andrew was my main helper (the baby princess was napping) and he got SO EXCITED about all this leftover junk... So mommy decided to have him an un-birthday party (His isn't till end of August). We've eaten on Pooh bear plates, he's wearing one of Anna Kate's new 1st birthday girl hats, has a Pooh bear blower and a treat bag made from a hodgepodge of bubbles, leftover crayon packs, Bob the Builder stickers and shiny notepads... and he is Thrilled!! We even sang Happy Birthday and let him blow out a stray candle I found in the bottom of the drawer (we put it in his muffin!).... and he wasn't satisfied until I put on one of THOSE hats (you know... the CONE HAT- yeah, that one) *Sigh* so... now I'm walking around with the elastic under my chin cutting off my circulation... but the smile on my little buddy's face is priceless... and totally worth it! So, go de-clutter and have an un-birthday party for yourself- your little ones will love it, and I promise it will be fun for you, too~ Now we're off to the craft store to get supplies to make Daddy something special for Father's Day...( I'll let ya know how it turns out) and work on our memory verse of the day (Prov 3:5-6) ... This is something new I'm trying.....Have a great one ya'll!
Happy Friday AND Happy
un-birthday!
Much Love,
Jennifer

Miss Tiggy-Winkle

Our son is in love with a hedgehog.... of the fictional kind! The kind found in Beatrix Potter's sweet old fashioned stories. The kind found in "The Tale of Miss Tiggy-Winkle" (published in 1905). You see, Miss Tiggy-Winkle is a little hedgehog disguised as a washer-woman who is found by our friend Lucie in the sweet tale. We both knew these precious stories as children but we've only recently introducted little Andrew to them, and he is FASCINATED ! ... As we read the aforementioned story before naptime today, his little eyes were as big as saucers, and he kept saying- "Ouch, she will stick me with her needles". We'd never talked to him about hedgehogs before, and so after story time, we had a research session on the little critters. He loved it and chatted away to me until he went to sleep about all the wonderful attributes of hedgehogs. Before drifting away into neverland, he looked at me with big, blue sleepy eyes and said with a sigh- "but mommy I WUV Miss Tiggy-Winkle"... to which I replied "and so we shall visit her again... this time tomorrow." The world of books opens up such wonderful doors in our children's imaginations. Some of my fondest memories are of my mother reading to me. May we never let our children's mind stagnate needlessly from endless hours of senseless programming on television. They deserve more than that... May we never fail them.
Happy Thursday!
Much Love,
Jennifer

Blueberry season

We made a trip this morning up to my Granny's house "in the country" as we like to say around here- she lives about 35 miles north of us- to get some wonderful, delicious, scrumptious blueberries! I came home with 2 gallons, and Gran gave me the recipe for her wonderful, famous blueberry muffins. Yummy! She had some made at her house, and I ate TWO.. hot and right out of the oven! Little Andrew was no slacker, either- he ate 2 himself, and little Miss Anna Kate at 1/2 of one after her lunch. So, dear readers, I shall share this most delicious (and very easy) recipe with you! Have fun, and happy baking.

"Granny's Blueberry Muffins"

Ingredients

2 cups self rising flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup milk

1 cup blueberries

Directions

Combine ingredients adding berries last. Fill Muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 degress for 25 minutes. May sprinkle sugar on top, if desired!

Enjoy!

*** A little tip that I got from Granny today-- if you are going to freeze blueberries, DO NOT wash them first- it makes the skins tough when you defrost them to eat later. So, wash AFTER thawing! Just thought I'd share. Gran is a treasure trove of tips and THE EXPERT on anything to do with the kitchen!

Happy Wednesday dear ones, and

Much Love,

Jennifer

Getting to Know You !

Getting To Know Me
(I got this from Shereen's blog ) and added a few ?s of my own!!

1. FIRST NAME? Angela (middle name is Jennifer).... don't tell anyone!
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Well, Nancy Sinatra named her daughter Angela Jennifer - and my mama read it in a magazine before I was born and loved the name- So I am "Angela Jennifer"
3. FAVORITE "ROMANTIC" SONG? "At Last" sung by Etta James
4. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Yesterday, when we were talking about my husband's deployment overseas :-(
5. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes!
6. WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Thin sliced deli smoked turkey breast
7. KIDS? 2 of 'em .. 1 boy (Andrew), 1 girl (Anna Katherine "Anna Kate")
8. WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes!
9. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes, haven't written in it in awhile, though.
10. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes
11. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
12. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Smart Start
14. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
15. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I guess??
16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Pecan Praline
17. SHOE SIZE? 9
18. RED OR PINK? Pink
19. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? That I tend to be a drama queen- I am also the QUEEN of overreacting!! Sometimes I talk too much!
20. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friends from college- we are scattered to the 4 winds now!
21. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I hope others will fill it out
22. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? Black flowered skirt with lace inset, Black Heels
23. LAST THING YOU ATE? Just got back from a baby shower- so petit fours, cheeseball and crackers, crab quiche, and mints
24. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Rehearsal tape for our "singing flag"presentation at church
25. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple, of course
26. FAVORITE SMELL? The smell of my babies after their baths!
27. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom (30 minutes ago) and hubby (5 minutes ago) He's on the way back from a church softball game.
28. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their smile!
29. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Don't know her personally, but she seems really great through reading her blog!!
30. FAVORITE DRINK? Diet coke. Hands down.
31. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Baseball
32. HAIR COLOR? Black
33. EYE COLOR? Dark brown
34. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope
35. FAVORITE FOOD? Homemade biscuits with butter and muscadine jelly.
36. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy endings
37. FAVORITE HYMN? "I'd Rather Have Jesus"
38. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black with flounces
39. PLAY AN INSTRUMENT? Piano and clarinet
40. HUGS OR KISSES? well both of course!
41. FAVORITE MOVIE? Gone With the Wind
42. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know.
43. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know.
44. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Hidden Art of Homemaking, Bible, A Woman After God's Own Heart
45. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Not using one.
46. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Didn't watch TV last night.
47. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My children playing together. Husband's voice. Sound of the ocean.
48. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, baby. I am my mother's daughter!!
49. THE FURTHEST YOU BEEN FROM HOME? Europe. (Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France)
50. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Singing- have been doing it since I could walk! Wanted to major in music/vocal performance in college, but parents didn't think it was too practical, and since they were paying... I am a Nurse Practitioner~ (now a SAHM)
51. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? April 13th in Mississippi
52. SIBLINGS? 1 brother, 1 sister
53. HEELS OR FLATS? I am a high heels girl all the way
54. SWEET OR UNSWEET TEA? Sweet !!
55. SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE? No- Wish I did!

Butterfly Plant

This is my "butterfly plant" that sits in a corner of my front porch. I grew it from a tiny cutting of a plant from my great-grandmother's house a few years ago, and it just goes nuts in the summer. Every winter, this plant will freeze back to nothing but a brown looking root. I was going to throw it away that first winter, but mom promised me that it would come back- and it did- with a vengeance! So, it is the same story with this hardy little plant every summer and winter.... However, I've tried to find out the official name of this plant and no one seems to know. It seems as if no one else calls it a "butterfly plant", or don't know what I'm talking about when I mention it. All I know is that this is what it is called in our family!! What about all of you out there in the blogosphere? Any ideas? If you know, leave me a comment!
Happy Tuesday!
Much love,
Jennifer

I Pledge Allegiance.....

I've just taught our precious 2 1/2 year old (will be 3 in August) little boy the "Pledge of Allegiance". We have a small flag that I put up over his little "worktable" and he puts his little hand over his heart and recites it... goes a little like this..........
The Pledge of Allegiance (according to Andrew)
"I pwedge Aweegiance to the flag of the United Stakes of America
and to the repubwic ON which it stands (stomps foot)
one nation under God - INDIWISABILE (shouts this and holds hands up)
with wiberty and justice for all (the little performer waits for his applause)
....My cute little patriot....
Much love,
Jennifer

Home again, home again

........ and a FABULOUS time was had by all....... What a wonderful "mini vacation"!! I did not want to come back!! Soooo relaxing. We ate, slept, played on the beach, played in the pool, ate again, napped, watched movies, slept. Did I mention that it was great? I am now in the midst of de-sanding everything (my least favorite part of going to the beach) washing, unpacking and in general getting my little nest back into its' proper order. Our little ones had a blast, and I'm more crazy about my husband than ever..... Isn't that what vacations are for?
More later, but until then...
Much love,
Jennifer

Sunny Shores

.... Oh the sun beats down and melts the tar upon the roof, and your shoes get so hot, you wish your tired feet were fireproof... Under the boardwalk, down by the seeee-eee... Have you guessed it yet? Come on, I know some of you smarties know what movie that song is from.. that's right.. BEACHES!!! .. And that's where we are headed today! We are driving to beautiful sunny shores about 2 1/2 hours away to enjoy the weekend (we'll return Monday). We actually have beaches here where we live (about 8 miles south) but our beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches are an awful mess after a certain visitor named Katrina last August... My sweet little boy is sooo super excited about seeing "where the sharks live, mommmy" (For the record, mommy is praying really hard that we see NO SHARKS!!). I am so, so looking forward to relaxing in the sun with my hubby and watching the babes play in the sand and the pool. It has been such a trying, hectic week that this mommy needs some rest... It's funny and amazing, isn't it, how our Heavenly Father just knows. Knows when we need a break, knows when we need rest, knows when we need time just to be... When we scheduled this little mini-vacation weeks and weeks ago, I had no idea how much we'd need it this particular weekend. But HE knew. He always does. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.... how I love the sweet words of that song. And what a comfort it is to know... he watches me. Thank you Father, for watching me, loving me, saving me.........
Have a super weekend ya'll.
Much love,
Jennifer

Drawer Liners

I absolutely LOVE pretty, scented, feminine drawer liners... you know the kind that make your clothes have the slightest, sweetest, freshest scent? yeah, those! I have my dresser drawers lined with Crabtree and Evelyn's "Spring Rain" liners, and I love it every time I open the drawers. Even my hubby likes the scent! They have several other fragrances, and I highly reccommend any one of them. Clickhere to check it out for yourself and explore their wonderful website- one of my favorites! They can be a little pricey, but another option is to line your drawers with pretty, feminine, flowered liner from Wal-Mart, and lightly spray your favorite scent (let it air out for awhile) and place your items back in the drawers... Heavenly!
Above is a picture of one of my dresser drawers with the Spring Rain liner.
Happy lining!
Much Love,
Jennifer

Baby Dedication

Andy, Jennifer and Anna Katherine (Anna Kate) after baby dedication- Mother's Day 2006 (little Andrew was too busy "chasing" everyone around to have his picture taken!). She has a beautiful heirloom dress on in this picture, compliments of my lovely sister!

Favorite Dessert

This is one of our family's all-time favorite desserts. No one knows where the recipe originally came from, but my Granny (Dad's mom) made it the first time my mama came to their house to " meet the parents" when she and daddy were dating. My sister and I even got in a fight over this dessert. When we were really tiny little girls (about 4 and 6, I think) she refused to eat hers and stated that "she didn't like it"... I then got FURIOUS with her (this was blasphemy in our house, to turn your nose up at ... the blueberry dessert!!) and tried to bully her into eating it, to no avail... she stubbornly refused, and I got madder and madder until mama intervened. The good news is that over the years, she definitely came around, and later claimed "not to remember" the aforementioned incident! My darling husband is now hooked on the stuff, and my son a close 2nd. My Dad and little brother are no slackers, either when this dessert comes around. So, I'll not tarry any more (or torture you with more stories!) Here is the recipe for...

Blueberry Dream Dessert
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 8oz. package Cream Cheese, Softened!
1 stick margarine
1 can blueberry pie filling
2 envelopes Dream Whip
3/4 cup sugar

Melt margarine and mix with graham cracker crumbs. Spread half of the mixture in bottom of 13x9 dish. Mix the Dream Whip according to package directions, then add the sugar and cream cheese to the Dream Whip mixture. Spread half of this over the graham cracker crumbs, then spread ALL of the blueberry pie filling over this. Spread remaining Dream Whip/cream cheese/sugar mixture over pie filling and then top with remaining graham cracker crumbs. Refrigerate overnight (for best results).
*Tip* When spreading Dream whip mixture and blueberry pie filling, it is best to place dollops all over and then "connect the dollops" with the back of a spoon- easiest way to spread!
Happy Cooking AND
Happy Thursday!
Much love,
Jennifer

Little Me

As a follow up to last week's posts about heirloom sewing, here is a photo of me as a little girl (in the mid 1980's) in a French Handsewn dress that was done ...totally by hand... by my mother. There is beautiful embroidery at the top as well (hard to see in the pic) and the slip underneath is also done and embroidered by hand. This dress is now preserved in an acid-free box at my parent's home... in hopes that my baby girl will wear it someday, and have her picture taken in it as well. That is the great thing about heriloom sewing... they truly are heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.
P.S. Thanks to my beautiful, sweet sis-in-law for the "fixing" my photo for me!
Much love,
Jennifer

Kid's artwork

My little Andrew (2 1/2) loves to color and draw. I mean LOVES it. As in would do it ALL DAY... and.. he always wants his "art" displayed. You know, there's only so much room on the ol' fridge, and mommy is a neat freak who doesn't like lots of clutter there, anyway! So, what to do? One solution that I came up with that Andrew LOVES is putting his art in his room. I bought 2 cheap-o frames at Wal-Mart and put them above his bed in his room (see pictures). We put some of his current drawings in there, and change them out pretty frequently. It looks really cute, makes him SO HAPPY, and keeps my fridge clutter free. Problem solved. Another solution we've come up with for "bigger" projects or coloring book pages is attaching some string underneath a shelf in his room and using clothespins to attach the art projects ( I am currently revising this with a different color string- so no pic, sorry). Have fun decorating with your budding artist's handiwork!
Much love,
Jennifer

Favorite things

Some of my "favorite things" are unique vintage or antique items like this GLASS Jergens lotion bottle, and the antique (circa WWI) framed print... with convex glass! The lotion bottle belonged to my great-great aunt, and I really don't know exactly how old it is... but it is so cool, isn't it? The print is one I found at an antique store, and just HAD to have... the caption reads... Duty calls.... It is a soldier leaving his wife at the front gate to go off to war. It just seemed so fittingly appropriate with my hubby leaving to go to Iraq in the near future... Anyway, just a couple of my "favorite things"...
Happy Tuesday!
Much love,
Jennifer

Katrina remembered

As we begin yet another hurricane season, I just wanted to post a reminder of Katrina's wrath here in South Mississippi. This is a photo of our church building, First Baptist, after that awful day on August 29th. Please continue to remember us in our prayers as we rebuild our community.
Much Love,
Jennifer

Scrapbook Idea

This is a great scrapbook idea that I read in a magazine a few years back, and used for my son... If you keep a scrapbook for your child, take a page out, and decorate for birthday guests to sign their names a leave a message at your child's birthday party. Later, you can place it in their scrapbook and it is a great keepsake! I decorated this one for our baby girl's first birthday party (even though we have a little while until her first birthday!). Her party will be a "princess" theme, so I decorated the "guest" page to reflect that. Happy Decorating!
Much love,
Jennifer

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails....

..That's what little boys are made of.... and this is what MY little boy looked like after an afternoon of hot, sweaty "work" in the yard with daddy (I actually think he was making MORE work for daddy, as most 2 1/2 year olds do!!)
Happy Weekend!
Much Love,
Jennifer

Beautiful dress for a tiny princess

This is a beautiful smocked/handsewn dress that was made from the "Babette" (modified) pattern (by Sarah Howard Stone). My incredibly talented mom did this for our baby girl and smocked the matching bonnet for her (different from the one earlier in the week) and she looks like a doll in it ! It is smocked in an ecru geometric pattern, with tiny pink roses and green leaves. So soft and sweet! I love old-fashioned baby patterns and babies that are dressed like... well... babies (and NOT tiny teenagers). I think this is at the heart of my quest in learning all of this "old-fashioned sewing stuff"! Is it easy? No. Do I have alot of "time" for it? Heavens, no! But I just love the results.... and I adore my own little "old fashioned baby". Click
here and here for my FAVORITE traditional sewing links.
Happy Friday!
Much love,
Jennifer

Antique Doorknobs

There are alot of cool things that you can do with antique doorknobs ! About 5 years ago, my daddy made me this great shelf using antique doorknobs and a piece of crown molding from an old home that had been demolished. (We found the items at a flea market). I had seen a similar shelf in Pottery Barn but it was over $100 (and for only 3 knob hangers!). Soooo... he painted the molding white, used dowel rods to attach the doorknobs and Viola! My shelf (and for only about $20.oo ! When our son was born, we put it in his room and now I use it to hang his "fancy" bags on and a few pieces of clothing. I get lots of compliments on it- and want to find the materials to do one for baby girl's room- and this time I have a sweet hubby to do it!!
Mrs. Wilt at The Sparrow's Nest has some GREAT ideas for hanging pics with vintage hardware- gave me inspiration to do this post!

Faded Photographs

I love old sepia tinted and black and white photographs. I really do. Over the years, I've collected quite a few, and have many of them displayed in our home. I have a grouping in our guest bathroom, one on my dresser in the master bedroom, and many on a ribbon board that hangs above my jewelry box. I love looking at the faces of dear relatives, some still living, some gone to glory. They make me smile, they make me wistful, they are memories. For memories are the stuff of which life is made.
Much Love,
Jennifer