she will be loved

WORD OF THE DAY- CLAQUE: A group of fawning admirers.

what you have all been waiting for.... a blog about the beautiful twins. they are sooo sweet. cadence is the sweet little girl in pink. constence is the sweet little girl in white.

they came over to visit with their mom, dad, and two brothers. while the big kids played in the pool the wee ones hung out on a blanket in the den.
here is cadence fast asleep after her feeding. the quality of picture isn't great sorry.
constence being a wee bit melodramatic. both pics were taken on my phone, so the quality is lacking, but hey i have tons of pics anyways.
Thursday we went and hung out with the pattilicious clan. it was wing night at applebees. then Friday is pizza night, so we went and hung out again. eventually they will tire of us i fear. Saturday they had plans, so we hung at the house. the hubby and i made apricot butter. one is just plain, but one of them is amaretto flavored. mmmmm the hubby has taken to calling it "nectar of the gods." we canned roughly 44 pints of the yummy apricot goodness on Saturday.
Sunday we had 5th Sunday potluck at our church. monkey made a volcano cake for the get together. my phone is being angry at me and won't let me retrieve the photos of it. it was a chocolate bundt cake. then you fill the hole in the center with whipped cream, top it with cherry pie filling, and chocolate sprinkles. the cake was beautiful and tasty. i am so very proud of her. did i mention that my sweet hubby put in a call to my stepmother on Saturday? well, that's a blog for another day.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT- IN THE WORDS OF Robertson Davies "A happy childhood has spoiled many a promising life."

you say your life was sad, but you lived it anyway

WORD OF THE DAY- ACCLIMATE: to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.

just a note about the playlist, most of these songs have a good deal of sentimental value to me. i'll be sharing as the blogging goes. sit back listen and enjoy.
yes, i know it isn't thursday, but in my defense i spent all day yesterday with the awesome pattylicious. also, wednesday wasn't so good for me, so i really wouldn't have put together a very good list. well without further ado. i am thankful for....

1. bubblebaths- my wonderful hubby drew me one on wednesday night as a "i hope this helps." it was nice to just have time to relax.

2. my hubby- i know i put him on here a lot, but really he is an amazing man. he worked 2-3 jobs while taking 20 hour semesters in college. did i mention he had a wife and child and still managed to graduate with a 4.0. he is awesome.

3. honesty- the more time i spend with children the more i realize that lying is a learned behavior. children's nature, therefor human nature, is to be honest. sometimes brutally so. why is it then that adults have such a difficulty with this concept.

4. loyalty- yeah this kind of goes with the one above it. really is loyalty such a difficult thing that adults just don't get it. i am so grateful for the loyalty of my friends. i had a good friend in high school, who i have gotten back in contact with. she was so amazing. when a group of kids thought it would be fun to make my life a living hell, she stood beside me. did i mention one was her brother? if you're reading this thank you, i have never forgotten your kindness.

5. prayer- i read somewhere that if you pray for the person that you are angry with it is almost impossible to stay angry with them. i have put this in motion this week, and it seems to be working so far.

6. sounding boards- you know the people that let you vent with no repercussions. they rock. hey you two you know who you are thanks.

7. airplanes- instead of one 10 hour day in the car followed by two 12 hour days in the car. we will spend one 10 hour day in the car and fly the rest of the way. go pappy and leah. thanks for the tickets. we can't wait to see you

8. humor- when times are rough i can always count on the hubby or pattylicious to provide a much needed humor break.

9. common sense- i just wish that it was as common as it should be.

10. reconnecting- with myself and friends.

well a day late and a dollar short, but there you go. on the weight watchers front i'm still going strong. i had a .4 gain, but i consider that awesome if you look at what all i consumed this past weekend. i hope everyone has an awesome weekend. i hope to do a post on the lovely cadence and constence in the very near future. take care, and thanks for stopping by.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT- IN THE WORDS OF Mo Udall "If you can find something everyone agrees on, it's wrong."

oh how i wish it would rain down, down on me.

WORD OF THE DAY- LACHRYMOSE:given to causing tears.

yes, it is that time again. time for another thankful list. i've really enjoyed the lists that some of you have put together. keep up the good work.

1. my mom- we have a unique relationship, but the older i get the more i understand. i can not imagine the choices she had to make. i have always said that single moms deserve medals or sainthood. to her i say thanks. she also took the girls, yes both, last weekend. she is an EXCELLENT mimi/grandma.

2. my palm centro cell phone- i know this sounds kind of well snotty, but i really do dig my phone. let's see when i got my phone i realized that this phone was not meant for an overweight dowdy housewife. no, this phone deserves a hot sexy momma. shortly afterwards i dyed my hair and began to lose weight. it really is a great phone.

3. blogs- they are a way for me to connect/see into other people's lives. i get to see that maybe i'm not alone and crazy on "those" days. i get to see that other women have them too.

4. books- i miss reading, but i am glad that my eldest daughter has gotten the joy of reading.

5. strawberries- mmm tasty. i'm hoping to move my patch to a less dog friendly site this fall. hopefully i will get berries next year.

6. being an adult- i don't have to send valentines to everyone anymore. woo hoo. i can set the rules in my house. again woo hoo.

7. central air- do i really need to explain this one?

8. jack and sue- they are a lovely couple from our church. they did the Wednesday night suppers before i took over. they are the reason we still attend the church. they were so warm and friendly to us when we were looking for a church home, that we stayed. they just celebrated their 50th anniversary.

9. weekends w/o children- i know that sounds petty, but we really never have them. this past weekend was great it really gave the hubby and i time to reconnect. i got pregnant 2 months into our marriage, so we've had children almost as long as we've been married.

10. the ability to say NO- when i don't want to i don't have to. that is such an awesome freedom to have and be able to exercise.

i know this will post wed. night, but i will be spending most of Thursday with the cowden clan. i did want to say a big thanks for all the awesomely nice comments about the aprons. i really appreciate the nice words. also i wanted to let all of my loyal readers know that this is a big year for me. i will turn 3 decades in October, and the hubby and i will celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss in December. in honor of these monumental achievements i will be doing a couple of giveaways. don't worry rachel and mzterry your gifts are coming, i move slow from time to time. i will keep you updated on the giveaways, but rumor has it that an apron, washcloth, and bag may be involved.



FOOD FOR THOUGHT- IN THE WORDS OF Samuel Johnson "The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."

strawberry fields forever

WORD OF THE DAY- COUNTERVAIL: to counteract; also, to offset.

yes i know they weren't singing about the tasty food. well here are the pics of the double strawberry cheesecake. my swap partner sent me the recipe from aimee's adentures. way tasty and only 3 points for 1/8th of the pie.

you make the crust from strawberries, so yummy tasty.
my wee helper was in the kitchen helping with the creation, so i let her lick the spoon.
my eldest had no interest in helping until she realized that her sister got to lick the spoon. she very politely asked if she could have a beater. i forgot to tell her that it was fat free cream cheese and fake sugar blended together. she made this horrible face and said "mom this tastes funny." then i told her what was in it.
well how did the dessert go with the family? this face says it all. everyone scarfed down there piece with many "this is really good" sounds.
some of you may have noticed the new blogroll on my page. if you would like to be added or removed just send a shout. my best bud has started blogging again. i'm still waiting on a really long pictorial on the twins.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT- IN THE WORDS OF Elie Wiesel "Man is defined by what troubles him, not by what reassures him."

my father gave me a name

WORD OF THE DAY- PORTENT: A sign or omen.

i wasn't going to do a fathers' day post due to the fact that my dad was M.I.A. for the majority of my life. however, when i saw today's verse i remembered that i have always had a father, just not one that terrified my high school boyfriends. i remember being at church camp when i was getting ready to be in 6th grade. it was the invitation and a bunch of the girls were going to go forward, but wanted group support. i've just never been real big on peer pressure, so i said i'd sit this one out. i thought you were supposed to feel something or hear something before you made that kind of agreement, and i hadn't felt anything or heard anything. well, the next day i distinctly heard a voice say "i am your father come to me and i will not leave you." keep in mind this was while i was living in a children's home an hour away from my closest family. i looked around, but there wasn't anyone there who could have uttered those words. that night at the call i heard the words again, and i knew that i did indeed have a father. needless to say i dashed down to the altar. fathers' day for me is time to honor my husband the father of my children, remember my grandpa who was like a father to me, pray for my earthly father, and and be ever so grateful for God, my Father.
i hope everyone had a great fathers' day. i hope to post pics of the double strawberry cheesecake tomorrow.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT- IN THE WORDS OF Evan Esar "Character is what you have left when you've lost everything you can lose."

i've got the joy, joy, joy,joy down in my heart

WORD OF THE DAY- AMICABLE: characterized by friendliness and good will.
edited to add additional word of the day- paraskavedekatriaphobia meaning Friday, thirteen, and phobia respectively; (alternative spellings include paraskevodekatriaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia) or friggatriskaidekaphobia, and is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, fear of the number 13)

i finished and sent out my apron for the summer apron swap. i hope she likes it. it is almost identical to the first apron i made. i chose the wider bias tape for this one, and i really think i like it better.

i really like how the pockets look. well what do you guys think?
below are the pics of the wonderful things that i received in my swap package.
these are place mats. aren't they awesome they roll up and tie. they are perfect. she even included blue flatware in one and green in the other. this is brilliant because green is monkey's favorite color and her highness tends to lean towards blue. aren't the strawberries on the pockets adorable.
this is the apron. i was soooo excited i opened the package at the post office and put it on. by the way alisha, the postmaster thought it was wonderful. i think that it is so much more than wonderful. i can't explain how thrilled i am. seriously, i can't stop grinning. she also included 3 recipes with the lovely apron. they are all WW friendly recipes that i can't wait to try. the double strawberry cheesecake sounds heavenly, i'll post pics. one of the coolest things is that this wonderful package came all the way from austria. it was like getting a pen pal only cooler. i never had a pen pal as a kid, but this is way cooler. the apron is so much prettier in person i just can't tell you. i'll be sure to use it this weekend as i'm making apricot preserves. mmmm.
i hope everyone has a great weekend. we're heading the booger town to pick apricots this evening. i'm looking forward to gifting people with yummy goodies, aprons, washcloths, bags, and pin cushions for Christmas this year.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT- IN THE WORDS OF THOMAS EDISON "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

thank you, thank you, thank God for you

WORD OF THE DAY- Phantasmagoria: a shifting series or succession of things seen or imagined.


well, i got the tire fixed, but that was an ordeal. now on to thankful thursdays.

i am thankful for....

1. a loving God- i know that he is also just and jealous, but i'm really glad that he is loving and merciful.

2. dad's- now these aren't just fathers, but those men who go above and beyond what is required. those step-dads that never treat the step children differently than their own children. those grandpas, uncles, cousins, and other men that take children under their wing to show them a good role model. a big thanks to you guys.

3. flowers- how awesome it is to see all of God's amazing power in such a fragile and beautiful creation. what else can brighten even the darkest day as well as flowers?

4. weight watchers- i am at the thinnest point i have been in roughly 8 years or so. i don't feel as though i'm being cheated out of the foods i love. i am relearning how to eat. i am learning that although i want the whole package of oreos, i am satisfied with just a few.

5. books- i have always loved to read. now my eldest shares that same love. she just finished eragon, so we bought her the movie as a treat.

6. retirement funds- my hubby got one yesterday at work and we're looking at having quite a nest egg when he retires.

7. love- it really does make the world go round you know.

8. a good job- yeah the pay isn't so hot, but the benefits are great. sometimes my employers get a little cranky, but they always feel better after a good nap. i am very thankful that i am able to stay home with my girls.

9. kenya- i was looking at photos the other day, and i don't think i have ever been happier than when we were there. the people have a different way of life. everything moves so much slower.

10. freedom- i am SOOOO THANKFUL for the many freedoms that i enjoy in this blessed country. i know it has some faults, but there really isn't any other place like it.

well, take some time to find somethings that you are thankful for.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT= IN THE WORDS OF Henry Adams "No one means all he says, adn yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous."

you're no good, you're no good, baby you're no good.

WORD OF THE DAY= COLLUDE: to act in concert; to conspire.


don't you hate it when.... you are seriously 2 inches from finishing an apron when you realize you just ran out of bias tape. you'd go to the store, but you don't have the spare 2 bucks until payday, which is today. or how about when.... you realize you have a slow leak in the passenger front tire on your car. no fear you think, i bought road hazard on those bad boys. in to town you drive to get the tire fixed. only no go that nail isn't covered by warranty????? let me explain. sunday was the dear hubby's birthday. our preacher and his wife took our sweet little family to dinner in town after church. i was stoked. the hubby and i decided that he would go deal with the charming people who work at the walmart tire and lube dept. in canyon. i have nothing against people who work at lube places my brother and several of his friends worked at one in college. however, i hate, i do mean HATE, the people at the one in canyon. what gives you the right to talk to me like an idiot. i can change my oil, i simply think it isn't worth my time, sorry. anyway, we usually do a really deep clean on the office on sudays because we have plenty of time. i told the hubby that i would clean the office until he got back with the new/fixed tire. well, i didn't expect to clean the entire office by myself, but the poor guy didn't get back until i was finished. he doesn't look real happy so i ask "were the girls good?" apparently they were awesome, but the wonderful people at the lube/tire center not so much. the manager explained that we had 2 nails in the tire. one of which was located in the sidewall. since they can't repair the sidewall the tire is deemed nonfixable. this means too bad so sad. did i mention that because the nail is in the sidewall it isn't covered by road hazard. now when i hear sidewall i'm thinking the side of the tire, right. not quite, this nail is in the last set of tread on the tire, i don't consider this the side wall. anyway, we go home on the slow leaking tire. the next day the hubby calls the walmart tire center in amarillo where we bought them, to see what could be done. they say bring her on in we'll replace it under warranty so sorry you've had trouble. well, monday evenings are my weight watchers nights. my hubby said not to worry he would take the car in have it fixed meet me at the office then head home. i'm thinking wow, this is working out great. silly, silly girl. i get a phone call during my meeting, i ignore it thinking you have a college degree figure it out. when the hubby calls the second time i begin to worry, so i answer it. well, when he got there some rude lady that was apparently the nice guys boss is screaming at the nice guy, "no more tickets, we're not taking anymore tickets". to which the nice guy apologizes to my dear sweet hubby and tells him to come back tomorrow. did i mention that he made it there 1 1/2 hours before they close? while reloading the girls into the car my poor, dear, sweet husband gets a phone call from our friend joe. he is terribly apologetic, but someone just knocked over the motorcycle and busted the windshield on it. it was a long few days put together. today after the girls awaken from their naps we're headed back into amarillo to get the tire fixed. at least i hope we are. as far as weight watchers goes i have lost 15.2 lbs. in 6 weeks. woo hoo to me.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT= IN THE WORDS OF Oscar Wilde "Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow."

the answer my friend is blowing in the wind

WORD OF THE DAY= SERE- Dry or withered.

the problem with the answer blowing in the wind, is that the wind is blowing to hard to get the answer. yes the word of the day does describe my yard thank you for asking. the beautiful roses are begging for relief. argh. well thursday seems like a good day to do a thankful list. in fact i think i may make thursdays, yes all of them, thankful thursdays. a time for me to reflect on the good things, and not on the fact that if the weather continues unabated i will dry up and blow away. here we go...
I AM THANKFUL FOR.....
1. babies, there seem to be lots of them lately. my niece had a girl, rayne. my sister in law had a boy, philip. my best bud had 2 girls, constence and cadence(not sure i spelled them correct). my friend krista is expecting. babies are the embodiment of God's love, hope in a human form.

2. rain, we just haven't had any lately.

3. forgiveness, without it, well, the future would be bleak.

4. friends, the real deal ones. i can live w/o the rest. i count myself blessed to have the ones i do, and to realize that some in the past are not what they pretended to be. i'm very tough on my good friends, i expect a lot out of them.you know things like honesty, loyalty, and love. they are the ones that are more family than just friends. thanks to you guys.

5. family, both chosen and birth.

6. my pool, so nice to swim.

7. my church, sometimes the small town mentality frustrates me, but they are a great group of people.

8. my children, although they can drive me to the brink of my sanity, they are the best thing i have ever been a part of.

9. my health, sometimes i take this one too lightly.

10. my life, the whole thing good, bad, and often ugly. i am content with the life i have.

take some time realize what you're thankful for. tell the people you love how you feel. don't worry about the haters, they will always find someone or something to rage against.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT= IN THE WORDS OF W.H. Auden "NO opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible."

hot time summer in the city

WORD OF THE DAY= BRACKISH- somewhat salty; also, distasteful. this is such a fun word to say, go on say it. see wasn't that fun.


well i don't really live in the city, but yesterday i took this picture to remind myself how much i love summer. what are my solutions for this sweltering heat you ask well......


we got the big one so that there is plenty of room for anyone who would want to join us. did i mention finch is making beer this summer?
i figured we could get dressed up and go to town for ice cream, or just make our own.
we could also get plenty of rest out of the hot afternoon sun.
we woke up one morning last week to that sweet picture. she decided that she would rather sleep in the dog kennel than her bed. go figure. now i know you have all been anxiously waiting for swap pictures. here you go.....
these are from the sock swap over at smiling infidel's blog. these were sent from lola again. the socks are happy cowboy socks, aren't they awesome (i would have posted pics sooner, but i had to get them out of the laundry.) she also sent an adorable little bag w/a sweet bird on the front. how did you know my hubby's fave color was blue? then there is the pin cushion. i love it. i participated in my first swap last year and got a wonderful homemade pin cushion. this is my second homemade pin cushion, and i am beyond thrilled. i immediately put it to work holding the pins for the apron swaps i am participating in.
here is the apron that i sent off this morning to renee in utah. i hope she likes it.
this is my first apron ever to make. it has darts on the bodice, pleats on the tie backs, and bias tape all around the apron. did i mention that i had never used bias tape before. i am making another one almost identical to this for the other apron swap. the only difference is, i will be using the wider bias tape.
last, but certainly not least is the initial swap i did over at princess mindy's blog. st. cass sent me an adorable little bag (how do you guys know that i love bags?) she also sent a ring with lip gloss in it, crocheted lace, a sweet book, a book mark (i can never find one when i need one), a necklace, and a package of beautiful vera bradley pencils.
we got a surprise visit from finch's mom last week. we had a great visit with her. she went with us for wing night at applebees with the cowden clan. she only stayed for about a day and a half, but the girls were thrilled to see her. pattylicious' twins are due tomorrow. i hope things are good for all of you.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT= In the words of Ludwig Wittgenstein "Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language."