How Does Your Garden Grow?

We had quiet the storm last night! Lots of majestic lightning, lots of rain.....it was wonderful !!! I went out to check on the garden this morning, to assess any damage that was done. None. Lookin' good !!!

Our garden spot isn't huge, by livin' in the country standards. We are trying a garden again this year after several years of not even trying because of our enemy, fire ant.

We are growing cucumbers, yellow squash, spinach, tomatoes and Swiss chard. We wanted to keep it simple so that we don't get overwhelmed by the garden work, since we both have other things in our lives that need tending. Past experience has taught us that the "overwhelmed" stage leads to the "discouragement" stage which quickly disintegrates into the "feghit about it" stage, at which point the garden is done for, "sleepin' with the fishes" stage. Might as well get out the tiller and turn it all under....a sad day of personal defeat for all.

THIS, though, is the "lookin' good" stage!

Here is the Swiss chard. I can not adequately express to you my deep love of Swiss chard. I could eat it every single day!! They sometimes carry it at HEB in the big cellophane bags alongside the turnip, mustard and collard greens. Chard is very mild, doesn't have a spicy bite like mustard greens, and really is more similar to spinach. Here is how I fix chard or spinach or any kind of greens :

* Prep the green by stripping the leaf from the biggest part of the stalk

* Of course wash and wash and wash again to remove all dirt

* In large skillet or pot, drizzle olive oil, maybe 3 Tablespoons, on bottom

* Smash and peel 3-4 garlic, add to the oil and heat. DO NOT let the garlic brown.

Remove garlic and set aside

* Add the chard, stuffing it into the pot -- keep on stuffing it down

* Cook on medium heat until the chard begins to shrink down, then with grabnabbers

(that would be kitchen tongs to all you who do not watch Little Einsteins on a

regular basis) turn the chard over until all is cooked. Takes maybe 7-10 mins.

* Mince the garlic you removed earlier and sprinkle over the chard

* Also, sprinkle with Kosher or sea salt. Any salt will do, but don't overdo, because

chard is naturally salty tasting.

ENJOY!!! It is soooooo good -- good for you, tastes like heaven. I can't wait until tonight when I cook it for dinner again.

OH ---- IMPORTANT -- I started out with a large laundry basket FULL and it cooked down to a half a skillet full. Chard and all other greens reduce down dramatically !! Just wanted you to be forewarned.

And yes, this does "fly in the face" of everything you ever learned about Southern-influenced vegetable cooking. And know this --- I can cook a mean pot of greens, Southern style. You know the kind where you cook them in water for waaay too long, with a slab of bacon or salt pork in the pot. And then eat them in a bowl with all that yummy juice poured over a huge slice of cornbread......oh, yeah! I love those kind too!!!! My recipe however, is much healthier and I'm trying really, really hard to be all about healthy !!

And finally -- a picture of my backyard. Well, the cotton field just beyond the back fence. You can tell how much it rained last night. If you look really closely, you can see the cotton already coming up. It was planted on Memorial Day, just 9 days ago. But it was up and growing at about 6 days. I love !!!! watching this field go through all the changes as the year goes past. I am my Daddy's daughter, after all. A real farmer's daughter!

I am very thankful today for the abundance of my life. There are the big things -- Jesus in my heart, a husband who adores me, children whom I adore, a wonderful shelter to keep me warm and cool, a great church family and many friends. And then there are also hundreds and thousands, millions even, of blessings of abundance that the LORD has given me...not enough space, even here, to list them all. I am just so aware that this garden and this field and the rain that fell last night are all on that list.

Blessings on you today,

Gwynie Pie

Tuesday !!

Here it is 5:53 on Tuesday afternoon

and

I feel like I'm really just getting started

with all the things I wanted to accomplish today.

I've worked all day long at something, but turns out much of my "work"

is not visible to the naked, untrained eye.

It's all been "undercover" kind of work, I guess.

At least that's what I'm claiming.....

Here's just a sampling of what I did today --

* I started off in the kitchen this morning.

There were no less than 2 yards of dishes to wash. I measure this by how much space

they take up on the counter top when they are drying.

Yep,

'bout 2 yards worth.

Just cleaning the kitchen always makes me feel like I'm almost done -- no matter how

much more is left to do.

* Went searching in my closet (the biggest closet in the house) for items for the

yard sale this weekend.

You practically need a passport to go in this thing -- it's pretty cavernous.

It isn't as luxurious as it sounds. :)

Actually, it gives "walk-in" closets a bad name.

My clothes closet holds all our luggage,

2 Christmas trees - no kidding - a 4 ft. tree and a lighted 6 ft. tree.

Of course, it isn't lighted while in the closet.

You knew that!,

the feather beds,

all manner of partly full and completely full paint cans.

I keep the paint cans in the house so the paint won't freeze and

be useless after spending the the winter out in the barn.

There isn't any other place indoors for the paint --- so, my closet, it is.

Also in this closet is all of my clothes, shoes, purses; all winter outerwear;

the footspa and all mani/pedi stuff; AND

a chest of drawers. And that's really just a partial listing.

I really have to psych-up for searching the closet!

I must be brave!

But, I came out with a big box full of

yard sale items. AND the closet is all straightened up

and neat.

* It was "fresh sheet" day yesterday, but that didn't happen, soooo-

today I took sheets off our bed and washed them -

then took them out to the clothesline to line-dry them

in the sun -- ummmmm!

Only just as i got the big, heavy flat sheet muscled over the line and

all spread out and clothespinned down,

an E-nor-mous !!! whirlwind hit!

I probably would have been knocked to the ground

except that the sheet whipped around me, grabbed me up and trapped me!

By that time, I'm talking to myself.

AND to the sheet.

And I just give up,

fight my way out of the sheet,

wrestle the sheet off the line

and take all the wet clothes back inside

to the dryer, muttering the whole way.

BUT ---

being very thankful for my "servant girl",

the dryer.

* In addition to the sheets, I've washed

and dried 4 more loads of clothes today

with a couple more waiting in the wings.

* While cleaning off my desk and computer area today, I stumbled upon a bill from

the electric company.

In my busyness of the last couple weeks, I had neglected paying it on time

and was perilously close to sitting in a dark, hot house tonight.

Oooops!!

I tell ya -- bills and the paperwork that goes with them, that

is my Achilles heel.

I would love someone to teach me a great system

for this on-going, never-ending chore.

Anyway, I paid the bill on-line. It's so quick and easy to do.

But then I was afraid

it might not go through immediately -- you know how things

sometimes go. So -- I spent at least 30 minutes

of my life "on hold" to talk to

a real human, so that I could make

certain they knew I had made a payment.

They knew.

* I folded more white bath towels today than I even knew we had.

I love white towels !!! You can bleach the dickens out of 'em

and know they are truly clean. We just had a bunch of

dirties, I guess!

Not any more!!

* The aforementioned white sheets that assaulted me about the head and neck

are dried and back on the bed. Ahhhhh!

I love white sheets !!!!

AND clean sheet day is just the best !

They will feel wonderful by bedtime tonight.

* I remembered to take the pork chops out of the freezer - yeah !!!

Then pan fried them for dinner tonight. I made brown sugar glazed carrots and

brocolli to go with them.

We are trying to eat "low-fat", counting those

pesky fat grams.

I'm trying to stay around 20 grams of fat each day

and I gotta say --

I'm a tish bit cranky!

You probably couldn't even tell that.

Why, oh why, can't losing weight be easier?????

* In addition to all of this,

I tidied the rest of the house.

Tidy, tidy, tidy

Love that word!

My kids hated that word!

Probably because I was always urging them to

"Tidy up your room."

Tidy, tidy, tidy!

:)

* Now - William is home, dinner is eaten -- very yummy!

and we are heading out to the barn

to drag out stuff for

the BIG yard sale

on Saturday !!!!

Our goal is to make a little money for his upcoming trip to Guatemala

AND

to be able to park at least one car in the

two-car garage

next time there is bad weather

in the area.

SO

If you are in need of something

in particular....

just ask,

I'll tell......

Sure do hope you had a productive day as well !

Whew, I'm kinda tired....

Gwynie Pie

THIS is funny !!!! ,,,and true

I just saw this one another blog this morning. It made me laugh.

A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads: 'Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles. Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts. After months of careful research, MALE & FEMALE Procedures have been developed Please follow the Appropriate steps for your gender.

MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and Withdraw
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.

FEMALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4 Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9 Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.

Memorial Day Fun - part 2

Makeshift flower vase -- Colin picked some flowers for Ronnie on their morning run and couldn't find a real vase. So, he improvised with an old bottle of Lily's --- looks kinda cute, huh?

Jump Watti !!! That's 2 year old talk . It means "get in the pool already !!"

Happy girl !! Even though the water was bone-chilling cold !!!!

It's Memorial Day !! We're gonna swim, doggone it!!

THIS whopper was Lily Kate's second catch of the day.

And THIS is Lily Kate's very 1st catch, EVER !!

She was pretty thrilled. She informed us when we asked

"Where are the fish you caught?" ---

"Dey made me fro 'em back."

Lily Kate leaving for her fishing trip to Dry Hollow -- Barbie fishing pole in one hand, Dora backpack in the other. And here is our grand-dog Jigs with Ronnie -- he's wearing Lily's sunhat. He's such a good sport!

We had a wonderful all-American Memorial Day !!!

We played a little baseball,

played a little football,

went swimming,

had a weinee roast,

made s'mores,

laughed,

visited with family and friends,

and totally enjoyed

this uniquely

American

holiday !!!

Thank you to all who served and are serving this country. Those sacrifices

allow us such freedom.

I never take that freedom for granted.

It cost many, much!

Thank you,

Gwynie Pie

Memorial Day Fun -- Part 1

Fish Fry on Saturday was a huge success. We got the recipe from friends at The Mesquite Bean Cafe in San Angelo. They have spectacular fried fish on Fridays. That along with every thing else I've ever eaten there is great !!! Stop by and visit them. They are fun, sweet folks!!! Anyway --- this fish frying formula is theirs. Coat fish pieces in mustard, then coat with Zatarain's Fish-Fry, then drop in hot grease. DE lish ous !!!!!!!!

I've never ever been a big fan of fried fish. But this --- honey child....I'm craving it even as I type this at 8:45 in the a.m. Yummo !!!! Dana made jalapeno hush puppies, fried potatoes and THE best jalapeno tartar sauce EVER !!! A delicious start to our weekend !

CINNAMON BITES

I just made these spectacular cinnamon bites. I'm not sure where I found this recipe or I would give credit to the source. These are so super easy and tastes waaaaay more complicated than they actually are ------

Canned biscuits - I used 2 can for the bunch this morning. Each can of 10 biscuits makes 30 bites. Snip each biscuit into 3 pieces -- kitchen scissors work great.

On a jelly roll/cookie sheet put about half a stick of butter, cut into snippets.

Place pan with butter into heated oven just until butter melts -- watch it closely.

Then place all the bites on the sheet and coat each bite with butter.

Then roll each bite in a cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.

Place back on the cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 15-20 mins.

THEN-- while still hot and still on the pan, drizzle with icing.

ICING -

2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons brewed coffee
1 teaspoon maple flavoring (even if you think you don't like it, just try it!)

Mix up and if this needs to be any thinner, add a small splash of milk or cream until it is at drizzling consistency.

These are so easy but taste like you spent hrs. in the cinnamon roll process.

Gwynie Pie

Deeee - wish- us recipes

Easy Chocolate Pie

4 eggs
1 stick softened butter
Mix these two items together with a mixer.
Add 1 carton chocolate icing
1 large teaspoon vanilla
1 can evaporated milk
Mix well

Pour into 2 unbaked pie crusts. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


Creamy Lemon Pie

3 egg yolks
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh is best (I use the kind that is in the frozen fruit juice section)

Mix well. Pour into one unbaked pie shell. Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes.


Cherry-Pineapple Dump Cake

1 can pie cherries
1 can (same size as cherries) crushed pineapple
1 butter yellow cake mix
1 stick butter

Spray Pam in 9 by 13 pan. Dump the cherries, the pineapple -- mix together. Pour the cake mix over the top evenly. Very thinly slice 1 stick of butter and dot over the cake mix. Bake at 350 for 30 mins or until golden and bubbly. Delicious warm with ice cream.

Try 'em! Bon appetite!

Gwynie Pie

YEAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

This picture says it all !!! Yeaaaaaaa!!! It's Memorial Day weekend and fun is gonna happen here !

I know it's been a whole week since I last blogged. But this past week was such a busy week. Here's how it went down -

Last Saturday was totally and completely dedicated to the mowing and weed eating of the property. Living out in the country, we really do have an enormous yard that gets bigger from time to time, depending on just how hot it is outside ! And how tall the grass has grown ! Whew ! We worked hard, especially William, and by 8 p.m., it all looked spectacular.

Sunday was busy with worship, small group and a benefit lunch. The lunch was in Miles and the entire community, and then some, turned out in support. BBQ chicken, potato salad, beans and the trimmings. Ummmmm good. We had fun visiting with old friends. It sure did make me appreciate my raising and the small towns I lived in during my growing up years and continue living there today.

Monday was "super clean" the house day. It needed it after the busy week. Then Tuesday, William and I stayed in San Angelo overnight so that we could take care of two little girls whose parents had to both be out of town. Got home late Wednesday and spent Thursday "zoned out" and being fairly lazy. Not much got done. But William called late in the day and asked if he could take me in to get groceries and we could go eat some dinner somewhere. Bless him !

William was looking for a cane fishing pole for Lily. So we checked Academy, finally found one at Wal-mart, of course. Wal-mart has it ALL! And I got all the shopping done in one spot.

We are having a fish fry tomorrow for lunch, along with fries, hush puppies and Dana's jalapeno tartar sauce....yummmm! Can't wait! I'm making some pinto beans and a little potato salad and have made 3 desserts -- THE easiest chocolate pie ever!, lemon cream pie and cherry-pineapple dump cake. (recipes will be in the next post)

Then Sunday includes a brisket and making tamales. Dana swears they will be easy....we'll see. I'll take pictures.

I love Memorial Day. It ushers in summer living -- swimming, vacations, lots of sunshine, family reunions -- all things I love! And most of all, we should never forget that Memorial Day is for honoring the men and women who have served so bravely and selflessly in our Armed Forces.

Have a wonderful weekend ! Be safe ! Have fun !

Gwynie Pie

Bright Ideas

I had such fun getting things ready for the talk I gave Tuesday night on "Use What You Have" decorating. I had been accumulating ideas that I am constantly finding here and there, thinking "Oh, how cute! I need to do that". Well, all of a sudden --- I REALLY needed to do that !! And now, I will share with you. Presenting -- candle ideas.....except, this first one --- NOT a candle. But so could be used to hold a candle. It's filled with buttons collected over probably 75 years. I found two jars of these buttons at my Mother-in-law's house when we moved her to "the Village" and I fell in love with them. They came to live with me !!!! The look of these buttons in jars is one of those things that just so appeals to my eyes. The jars usually are not decorated, but this I had to try. I like it!
I took an old piece of sheet music and cut a length that would reach around the jar. You don't have to destroy music to do this. Just copy onto regular paper, dip in leftover tea or coffee -- both work -- tea smells better. Then smooth out and let it dry completely. Attach to the jar with glue or I attached it with double-sided tape so I can easily take it off and do something else if I want. Then I covered the top and bottom edges with what looks like antique lace. NOT. I bought it in a spool at Wal-mart -- 3 yds. for less than $3. I used the tape here as well. Tie a piece of jute twine around the middle and embellish with an old broach. A clip-on earring would work great too. Or slip a charm of any sort on the twine and embellish it that way. It just needed something kinda blingy, I thought. I really like this look.

Here is a new quart jar with a new piece of taffeta (found at Hobby Lobby) wrapped around, jute wrapped around several times and ties and an old broach pinned on. Instead of cutting the fabric with scissors, I am really liking the look of torn edges. It just is another element of interest. Place a chunky pillar candle in the jar.....lovely. I think a whole row of these on a mantle OR down the middle of a table OR I want to make about a dozen to put on my back porch for summer parties. This is an inexpensive Dollar Tree pillar candle with torn muslin ribbon wrapped around several times. Then a piece of the lace to secure the key and the picture is just tucked in under the muslin. The picture is my grandparents house, the key belongs to the front door. If you look very closely you see my mother, about age 10, riding her bike (right side of the picture, in front of the first porch post). I love this picture!!

To make muslin ribbon --- buy the cheapest muslin you can find. It has the least shape and wrinkles easier than the pricier kind. Then literally rip ribbons of the fabric, tearing across the fabric. Just experiment with it....you'll see what I mean. I'll post more about this soon since I have some more uses for this muslin ribbon.

Here -- a couple of pillar candles embellished with upholstery tacks. Choose your design, choose the type tack you like-- the cross is black tacks, the "R" is antique brass. You can also use thumbtack -- they come in all sorts of colors. Just find your design and transfer it onto the candle using a pencil or a toothpick -- just "trace" the design. This is VERY inexpensive to do, but I've seen embellished candles in stores that are pretty pricey. I left these plain so the design could be seen, but I think something like leather strips tied around top and bottom would be nice. Two antique cheese graters, given me by friend Mendi. I just stood them on end, tied them together with jute twine and no, you can't see it, but behind there is a small canning jar containing a votive candle. It stands in the corner of my counter top and at night looks very interesting. There are all sorts of cheese graters out there. Even a new grater can be spray painted to match the kitchen. You don't have to go with the rustic look like I do. Make it your own.

Well, those are a few sweet and inexpensive projects. None of these took much time and they each have a little, warming effect tucked in here and there in my home. Give it a try!

Blessings on this Friday,

Gwynie Pie

Sweet Day

The Fly Lady (a.k.a. Marla Cilley) was in San Angelo at the Convention Center as the speaker for a Healthy Woman series event. I learned about The Fly Lady waaaay back during my Heart days, when I was part of a group of women who met weekly to live out Titus 2:3-5. The passage begins "you older women teach the younger women....." well, I was an "older women". We covered various topics each week - raising Godly children, respecting our husbands, and being keepers of the home with topics in areas of decorating, organization, de-cluttering AND cleaning the house.

House cleaning can be overwhelming, but The Fly Lady taught us real methods and some skills to make it as quick and painless as possible.
Her first book was called Sink Reflections. The first thing she instructs a homekeeper to do is clean your sink. And not just scour it our with Ajax! Oh no! She says to obsessively clean that sink. Get out an old toothbrush and work on every part of that sink until it absolutely sparkles and shines. I must say when I did practice her methods and keep that sink shiny, my "cleaning chores" really were lighter and much more manageable. She just has really thought through each task you might be faced with. Great book. And now she has another book called "Body Clutter"....oh lawsy !!!! Can I go there?

Soooo, I went to the luncheon today where she was the speaker. I totally enjoyed myself. Sat at a table with some great friends and visited, laughed a bunch and listened to The Fly Lady speak. Marla is so unassuming, so not flashy or glamorous, but just very "real". Now THERE is a Real Housewife who is a real housewife.

Well, right now I can't see the sink for the dirty dishes stacked there. So, I'm going to go remedy that right now !!!

I'm also probably going to post again later tonight....stay tuned. I have a few fun decorating ideas I used in Tuesday night's talk that I want to share with y'all.


Happy sink cleaning,
Gwynie Pie

Mother's Day Festivities

Soooo - this is my mom, GG. She's quite the fashionista--wearing a smart green hat cocked jauntily on her head.
Here is Grammy, William's mom, also wearing a smart chapeau in red.

We got both of our moms little digital photo keychains. They both are picture-carrying great grandmothers and love to show off those pictures everywhere they go. They were pretty intrigued, very confused but really happy with the gift.

Here they are still playing with their new toys.

And here is William, his sister Elaine, Colin and Ronnie and Elaine's grandson, Johnathan -- all decked out in their hats. Charles, Scott, and Jenn were all here today too, they just chose to not wear a hat, so no picture. And NO the hats were not part of our Mother's Day celebration. Johnathan found the stack of hats in the toy closet and soon we were all wearing them. He thought we all looked pretty funny. Really?

It really was a great Mother's Day ! We went to church, then went to our small group. Saw old friends who were visiting at church today for Mother's Day and that was great. Then we came home and ate a delicious lunch of Sam's lasagna, Sam's garlic toast and Sam's big ol bag o salad. My mom made two chocolate pies. Elaine made a German chocolate cake and the best chocolate chunk cookies EVER !!! She also brought Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and I had a wonderful chocolate chunk cookie ice cream sandwich. WOW was it delicious! We sat around and visited for much of the rest of the afternoon. No dishes to wash since we used all throw away so clean-up was a breeze. Loved that part.

Dana called from Granbury. And Devin called from Bryan. And as I've said before -- any day I get to talk to all three kids is a banner day for me. Then throw in that I get to talk with my kids-in-law and the grandbaby and ...well, life is just sweet and good and all things wonderful ! I had a spectacular Mother's Day ! Hope you did too!

Blessings on you today, Moms !

Gwynie Pie

The REAL Housewives !!!!!!!

Okay, I need to say right here at the beginning ---this post is pretty lengthy, BUT once I get out the "soapbox" ... I wrote this several months ago early, early one morning after watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta the night before. I was FIRED UP !!! and had much to say, so I hope you will hang with me as I pay tribute to The REAL Housewives !!!!

Hey there all you Real Housewives of Tom Green County --- I slept fitfully last night and got up at 5:45. I just could not sleep! I couldn't quiet my mind. I was all stirred up. Hours earlier I watched the first episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta. And here's what I am thinking ---

First of all, yes, I know!! Bravo TV does not care what I think about their Real Housewives shows. They just want me(and you) to keep on watching. And yes, I know!! Bravo TV has to be one of the most liberal stations out there. Much of what they do is "pushing the envelope" and is primarily for shock value. I know that. It's all about the ratings. AND yes, I know!! Bravo TV is not looking for Really, Real Housewives -- who would want to watch that?? Not sensational enough, not enough glitz and glamour involved. Just a day in the life of....yawn....I understand. I do. That said, all these Real Housewives shows, Orange County, NYC and now Atlanta -- they are not Real Housewives. A real hoot to watch, just not Real. And that is what has been bugging me I guess....since I KNOW Real Housewives !!!

So, If Bravo came to me and asked --- I'd know right where to find them. Real Housewives. I'm talking real women, daring women, courageous woman, beautiful women, women who live on the edge every day. Those women live right here in Tom Green County, Texas (and beyond). I just want to pay tribute to you Real Housewives today, where ever you live in this world....you know who you are................

I am so privileged to have so many Real Housewives as my friends. I know you. I know your life. I know your struggles. I know how hard it is to stay at home every day, day after day, and take care of a home, a husband, kids, pets, schedules, teachers, lessons plans, bills, appointments, car pools, soccer, baseball and church. BUT you Real Housewives do it with style !!

You clip coupons, watch for sales, shop for bargains, pinch pennies. You juggle every one's schedules and schedule every one's everything. YOU are a Real Housewife !

I know it involves so much more than even your husband will ever know. It's not because he isn't loving and sensitive and caring that he will never know. It's because being a Real Housewife is a "until you been there, done that...you just don't know" kind of job. Unless you've spent time, lots of time, actually "fighting this good fight" you can't really know. He just doesn't fully understand what your life is like on a daily basis. And most likely, he won't ever understand.....no matter how vividly you describe it to him.

I also know there is very little "Thanks" coming your way, at least not in so many words. And, don't want to be a downer, but there may not be much in that area for a while, especially if your children are still under age, oh say, 25 or so. BUT -- there will come a day when as it says in Proverbs 31 your children will "rise and call you blessed". My children "call me blessed" so many times, in so many ways. Bear in mind, my kids are 34, 29 and 28. So, give it some time ladies. Keep hanging in there and holding on by faith to God's promises and His instructions and that scripture will bear out in your life.

Real Housewives are NOT a bunch of self-serving, self-centered, self-important women. They are THE most generous, giving, loving women I know. I know how deeply these Housewives care about, not just their own friends and family, but about the people of this world. These Real Housewives are a phenomenal bunch of women who think of others needs before their own, who love like Jesus loves, who cry for a lost world, who desire to be Jesus to someone every day of their life.

These Real Housewives not only tithe, but give offerings in so many ways, so generously -- of their money, their time, their emotions, their energy, their intelligence, their gifts. These Housewives begin praying to their Father before their feet every touch the floor in the morning. They fix meals for families in need of comfort in times of loss. Some have even adopted into their own family someone else's child and in doing so, show us all what it means to be "adopted" into the kingdom.

These Real Housewives are women who have cooked meals in the broiling heat of a kitchen in Mexico. Women who have slept in tents in the bush of Africa. Women who have served meals to people who were beaten and bruised and running for their lives from vicious storms. Women who have ministered to the lost in the very birthplace of The Savior. Women who know that just because you don't speak the same language, that doesn't mean you can't speak the same language. Women who have listened to other women pour out their sorrow over the sin in their own lives. Women who are willing to sell all they have, give up everything in order to follow His call....even when that call will take them to the other side of the world. And all done just to tell someone who is dying about the One who saves. Women who will testify every day of God's grace and goodness -- sometimes using words, sometimes just by living their life for Him today!! THESE are the Real Housewives that I know!!

So there !!!! I've had my rant. I feel ever so much better. Thank you Housewives for inspiring me every time I see you, even if we don't "know" each other very well or at all -- we Know each other -- we are sisters in the LORD.

I admire you, one and all
With much love and respect,
Gwynie Pie

Welcome to the Redneck Riviera

William worked so hard Saturday mowing the yard, I just had to show you the results. The recent rains have made the grass/weeds/fire ants grow like....well, like weeds. Add to the thick grass the fact that it drizzled all day Saturday and mowing was a slow, tedious, labor intensive process. It looks so good though when newly mowed. You would almost think we had a great lawn. Really, it's mostly weeds with a little grass. Growing a great lawn has never been our thing. There are just too many other things more important to us than great grass...........

Looking out the back door -- the "bell tower" (a bell from an old school somewhere) and our soon-to-be planted cotton field.

The back porch from out in the yard. I love when the plants start greening up and growing and filling in the blank spots around the house.

I just love all the different colors of spring greens !!!

Welcome to the Redneck Riviera !!! We love our big blue pool. In the past 7 years we've been through two pools, the one filling is our 3rd. I just love floating in the big blue pool, looking up at the big blue Texas sky. For me -- this is luxury !!! Having a pool of cool, clear water just feet from the back door is just total bliss !! The pool is also a big hit with Lily Kate who loves to "jump watti". She's quite a little fish.

In the foreground, the fire pit -- the scene of many wienie roasts, marshmallow roasts, story tellings, foot warmings. We had a fire going much of the day Saturday and into the night. Every so often I'd go huddle and warm up before tackling more of the porch. It was so quiet sitting out there later after the sun went down and the work was done. Again, just a bit of luxury. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I belong right here on the Redneck Riviera! I'm just a country girl......

Hugs,

Gwynie Pie

Monday Morning -- It's Laundry Day !!

As some of you know, a recent city-wide search took place for clothesline poles. The ones that used to be here were long gone and I really, really enjoy line drying clothes. Plus, it's just handy to have for non-dryer items like rugs and quilts. Soooo, I put out the call on Facebook and within days, friend Lauri answered and in a few more days, I had my very own clothesline poles. Yippee!!!! Thank you Pops, Blake, Colin and Ronnie for risking life and limb to dig them up, load them up and bring them home. Then Pops dug the holes (I think I saw China!?!), we set them in cement, I painted them dark green, Pops strung the lines and voila -- I'm in business !!! Love them !!! Love all of you who contributed to my happiness -- big, big hugs and kisses !!!

I just wanted you to see the "fruits" of your labor. It's a Monday morning. The sun is shining. The breezes are blowing. Clothes are on the line. More clothes in the washer. My back porch is cleaned and cutesied (def: made cute). And in mere moments while the sun dries my clothes, I'll be rocking on the back porch, Bible in lap, coffee in hand, praising the LORD for such a privileged, blessed, favored life.

You have a Blessed Monday too!

Gwynie Pie

"Let's just sit a minute......"

Tuesday was a productive day. A very productive day. About time, I say!!

My days over the past several weeks have been kinda long and kinda tedious. AND kinda depressing.

I just hate being sick and not feeling energetic.

You know how it is. When you want to get some things accomplished. I can even "see" myself accomplishing much....

But the ability is just not there.

And so...I would just try to keep on pushing...keep on trying.

And then fall back into my nest on the loveseat and "regroup" for a while.

Finally -- I just gave in, stopped fighting the feeling and decided to just "go with it".

Just sitting and "going with it" (when "it" = feeling bad) just goes against everything

in me. BUT, I really sensed the LORD urging me to stop, just stop already!

Do you ever get going so fast, accomplishing so much, checking things off the list so well that you just forget to take care of the most important things first?

Boy, I do!

I guess that is evident when I think back over my activities of the past few weeks.

Lily Kate, my little granddaughter, goes full tilt almost all the time. She is a very busy little girl - full of energy. But recently, Lily Kate has started saying, at the most "inappropriate" times "Hey, let's just sit a minute."

I mean, Dana would be picking her up from school and hurrying out to the car on their way to somewhere else and Lily Kate would ask to "just sit a minute" on the bench outside.

Or

We'd be out playing in the backyard and she'd say "Pie! come here! sit a minute!" and

we'd lay back on the outdoor chaises and just rest -- and discuss things....

the sky, birds, ants, airplanes, trees and the God who made them all --

the REALLY important things.

So cute! But, so perceptive.

Lily Kate sees the value in just sitting and listening and

talking and being still.

And isn't that what I hear the LORD say to me sometimes??

"Gwyn! come here! sit a minute!"

I'm ashamed at how many times I've said "But, I've got a list to check off,

things to do, places to be, people to see."

I believe the LORD will let us run. And let us run at our own crazy pace. BUT He will always, always !! rein us back in when we start putting

other things, other interests, other pursuits

in front of Him.

He is jealous for us!

He desires time with us!

He desires to be the author of our plans,

not just our sidekick.

He desires our fellowship with Him.

He wants to spend quality and quantity time with us - not just a "devo".

I'm very convicted about how busy I can get doing the "fun stuff" and forget about the really fun stuff. How DOES that happen anyway???

SOOOOO - yesterday I gave my day, my self to the LORD. I asked Him for His desires for me that day. I told Him what I felt like I needed to do.

And I listened to what He felt like I needed to do

and together we set some goals.

My Tuesday was blessed so profoundly!

so amazingly!

I accomplished so much -- not crazy stuff -- just the things

I actually NEEDED to accomplish

in order to maintain my home (and my sanity).

I would hope and pray this is a lesson learned.

But, experience has shown me -- I'm prone to wander.

The words of this great, old hymn sum it up pretty well and becomes a prayer for my day:

"O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let thy grace, Lord, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, Lord, Take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above."

(Come Thour Fount of Every Blessing, Robert Robinson, 1758)

Blessings,

Gwynie Pie

Frodo No More

Frodo No More -- I think that's Latin for "Hey, look at that, my feet are soft again!"

I laughingly have referred to my horribly cracked dry feet as

Frodo feet -- and they've really taken a beating this winter

with the extreme dry weather we experienced.

Of course, it doesn't help anything that I go around barefoot

almost year round (hillbilly).

Ronnie had told me about Heel of Approval and how good it is. And then I saw

it "featured" on two other blogs right after that. So, the other

day when my feet cracked so badly I could almost

not walk, I decided to get some and give it

the "acid test". William graciously ventured into Bath and Body

in the mall and bought for me Heel of Approval and another product that

was highly recommended called Tough Love.

It was on a Thursday night when I first used the products

and by Saturday morning, my feet were completely healed ! For reals!!

This is monumental !! Right up there with jeans that fit and a bra that doesn't bite! This is a real "find"!!!!

THEN, a few days later, William brought me a

Ped Egg on a stick with a little pumice buffer pad and

WOW !!! My world, as I have known it -- changed!!! As I said in an earlier post -----it's "my precious".

Seriously, in case I ever have to quickly evacuate that little Ped Egg on a stick is comin' with me!

Just wanted to share this earth-shaking info with ya !!

Happy Feet!!

Gwynie Pie

Back on Line

Hey friends !!! I've been out of commission for almost two weeks now. I was sick with some wicked bronchitis and then when I got feeling good enough to blog again, my computer completely and totally crashed! We had to take it to the dr. and get it cleaned up and now we are back in business.

Dana and Lily came in this afternoon, followed by Ronnie and Colin, so we are just going to have a fantastic weekend playing, visiting, eating.....
I'll post again very soon....I've so much to tell you....

Soon,
Gwynie Pie

Life Happens

The other day, while taking the pictures for and writing one of the previous posts on decorating, I asked myself this question: "You aren't being arrogant in your decorating opinion of yourself, are you?" And I've given it much, much thought since then. THE VERY LAST thing I wish to do on this blog is to discourage or frustrate you. AND I never want you to think that I think I am the "goddess of good taste and fine decorating" and that I'm going to teach you a thing or two !!! And I so want you to know this : all the good stuff I do in my decorating, ALL the really good stuff, you know? I stole it!!!! That's right! I saw it somewhere and stole the idea. I may have embellished the idea and made it my own somehow, but the original thought????? NOT my own !!! I have had only a very few original decorating ideas in my whole life. But, I know a great idea when I see it and I can run with it. So there! OK then ! I'm better now having said that...... I just so want to share my great "stolen" ideas with you, show you how they worked out (or didn't work at all) here in the laboratory (my house). And then.....I like to know if you used the ideas and how they worked out in your lab.Okay, so the above --- NOT a stolen idea -- this is an original! Tuesday morning!!!! after Easter. Exactly NO progress has been made since Sunday p.m. By this morning, however, there has been some small headway. It'll happen !!! Not to worry.....I'm making a comeback.

Oh lawsy, there on the loveseat and coffee table -- my lair -- surrounded by everything a sick girl needs (except for the Dr. Pepper which I seriously wanted but gave up cold turkey about 3 months ago and haven't had one since but have asked for and my man says "NO! I'm being a Grinch about this!, I won't bring you a Dr. Pepper!" - oh well) At least I have my quilt, a pillow, my Lubriderm, my Bible, my journal, my tissues, various pills and capsules, some nice pink Easter grass minus the big fat yellow duck, and my Ped Egg....my precious!!!!! (stay tuned for future posts about said Ped Egg)Pile of dirty clothes, waiting to be sorted for washing.....still waiting on me today......just lovely. Nice touch!! I'll get to it. It'll happen!! Not to worry.......I'm making a comeback.

Just wanted you to see some pictures of "real life" here in the laboratory and not just the glamour shots. I'm pretty much laughing hysterically at this point. And you know what they say -"laughter is good medicine" ---and it is cause I'm feeling better already.

Have a Great Day !

Gwynie Pie

We had a really wonderful Easter !

We had 11 people here for lunch after church Sunday and the meal was great !

William was in charge of the brisket and it was

superb! I made potato salad,

deviled eggs and fruit salad

and some bread and

some other stuff. Don't really remember now.

OH, and some de-lish-us ! coleslaw!

I had no clue what I was doing, coleslaw wasn't even on the menu but when I went to the fridge to gather everything

up I grabbed a bag of shredded cabbage and

made some "killer coleslaw". Mind you, no one else even commented on it.....SO, it may have been yuck

BUT ......I loved it !!!

I was a bit delirious though, so my "facts"

might be a little off.........

Here is where I should tell you that I have been pretty sick for

the last 6 days, complete with fever, chills and all that

super exciting stuff that totally missed me back in the

fall and winter. And here is the thing with me

and fever --- a little

fever goes a long way.

Even a small amount of fever makes

me kind of loopy, goofy, a tish bit delirious --

just not thinking straight !!

(and THAT explains the random bag of cabbage!)

As soon as I spray painted those paper mache eggs Weds, I knew I was in trouble.

By Weds. night I was in full blown bronchitis mode, sucking on an inhaler, downing the Airborne and Mucinex

and praying, praying, praying I hadn't really just messed up

the whole Easter weekend.

I missed church, which I just hated to do, because I especially love Easter services!!

AND prior to that I had a pretty good fever brewing and THE WORST coughing you have ever heard !!

No kidding !!! So painful I thought I might have

cracked ribs or punctured lungs or busted arteries!!

I'm laughing now, BUT

I have learned my lesson about spray painting ! and here it is:

ALWAYS

wear protective breathing gear when

spray painting !!!

ALWAYS

I have felt pretty awful, but I'm recovering today.

If I was a braver woman, I'd take pictures of the absolute "carnage" in my kitchen and dining room !

It's a far cry from the cutesy, neatsy, sweetsy

(well-staged) pictures I usually post of the house.

William wanted to do the dishes last night but I whined and cried (whoo-boy, I'm rotten when I feel bad!)

until he came and sat down by me for a while.

I needed him beside me far more than I

needed or wanted the kitchen clean.

It'll get there !!

When all was said and done -- it was still a really Great Easter!There's nothing anyone could ever do to

mess that up.

Happy Tuesday, y'all !!

Gwynie Pie