And so, it begins .........

It's that time of the year when I go from comfortably busy, slow even, to full-tilt flat-out runnin' for all I'm worth.

I bet that happens to you too. It's the sign of the season, I guess. The pace picks up. And the tendency is, for me at least, to have an attitude of "let's just get it done" so things can slow down and get back to normal.

Of course, in the process of thinking that way, I typically miss out on a lot of fun. And satisfaction. And joy of the season.

This year, however, I have made a promise to myself....and now I'm making it to you (you can hold me accountable)...

I WILL totally enjoy every single bit of the next few weeks.

In the midst of the craziness and busyness of the season, I AM going to experience every last minute of it all !!!

This coming Saturday is the first party of the season -- a MOPS potluck. Followed by an 80th birthday celebration for William's Aunt Irma. We're ordering the fried chicken, but I'm cooking the sides for about 25 at the family dinner. And helping decorate the tables. I woke up this morning at 3-something thinking about those table decorations. Went back to sleep, but apparently my sub-conscious worked on it til 7, cause I woke up and had it all thought out in my mind. I could see the tables decorated and WOW did they look great!

The following day is the Agape Feast. This is a wonderful time of celebrating what the LORD has done in our church and in each of our lives over the past year. It's a time to remember. I have volunteered to recruit a team of decorators to help make the tables pretty - all 80 of them ! My kind of fun !

Then Thanksgiving Day our family is breaking with tradition and staying home, instead of joining William's family at his uncle's ranch. We will have my mother and the kids that can be here, come for dinner, then the Cowboys game, followed by the Aggies game. I'm really looking forward to cooking the meal and having our family gathered together. Later that weekend, the house will be full of kids and friends as we celebrate Dana's birthday with another family meal. Yes, we celebrate with food. Yes, I know!

In another week, we are traveling to visit Dana and her family where I get to build gingerbread houses with Lily Kate. And maybe walk the Jingle Bell Run in Fort Worth. Maybe. I might just watch. :)

A couple weeks later -- we are hosting William's work staff Christmas party.

And that just gets us into early December.

I am so looking forward to every bit of this holiday season. I truly am. I don't want to miss a thing. I just want to soak it all up. And when January rolls in, I want to be able to look back and remember and know I lived it ALL to the fullest.

What does your holiday calendar look like? What are you planning? How are you coping?

Smiles and hugs to you all today ---------

Gwynie Pie

The Weekend

This was the first year Dana, Blake and Lily Kate and Colin and Ronnie

joined us for the 4th of July celebrations

on the Concho River in downtown San Angelo.

Half of us staked out our spot for the evening

while the rest of us went by

Papa John's and picked up 6 pizzas.

Also on the menu - watermelon and cherrys,

Doritos and M&M's,

and

lots of cold water

THIS is how Lily Kate watched the fireworks. She did watch for a while,
but soon had the "when you've seen one fireworks, you've seen 'em all "
attitude.
She was worn out and it was past her bedtime, so
she got comfy with Pops covering her ears and
she just took a little snooze.
The following night at Freedom Fest fireworks,
she brought her stethoscope
with her and it served as earplugs.
Then, she leaned back on her Daddy and took
a little nap.
Too cute !!!

The wait from 5:30 until fireworks begins is quite long, so we
brought along games and activities to occupy.
The girls played a little Fancy Nancy game
and then chased bubbles.

The group

Kidsitting a sweet baby goat named Winnie

for the weekend was really very fun.

Lily Kate loved !!!! the goat.

Feeding Winnie her morning bottle

THIS was too cute!! Lily Kate had already had her bath but

before we could get her into her pjs, she

decided that Baby Winnie, who was crying pitifully,

(all baby goats cry pitifully)

needed someone to sleep with.

Then she wouldn't cry and be sad.

So, Lily Kate gave her one of her own

stuffed bears so she would feel better.

Here she is -- comforting Winnie and telling her

"it be awwight."

We had a wonderful time with family this week.

We totally enjoyed every minute!!!

William and I are both moving much slower this morning,

wishing we could just sleep in a bit,

but...he's at work and I am too -- doing

laundry and dishes and floors.

Hope your 4th was blessed!

Gwynie Pie

Happy Father's Day, Honey !!!

William and our first baby, Dana.

We were so young ! Too young and silly to know we ought to be scared.

What a blessing!

A few years later -- holding our 2nd baby, Colin.

Again, we are blessed!

And just 14 months after -- here's William meeting our 3rd baby, Devin.
Devin was born the day before Father's Day that year-- what a great gift, huh? -- and was of course, only
one day old on that first Father's Day with all
three kids. The next year ------...they gathered around to give him his gifts.

Parenting brings so many challenging and exciting and frustrating
and delightful moments and all the stories and all the pictures
can't be contained in a book
and certainly not on this blog.
We parents keep those precious moments of life
in our hearts
and take them out through the years
and remember.

Here are just three of my favorites of the kids and their Dad ---

William with Devin and some children of Anapara, Mexico.

Devin worked in an orphanage in Juarez for several months

and we went to visit.

Devin was certainly "in his element".

Colin and William

on a mission trip in Juarez.

A very, very emotional Daddy and a very, very emotional bride.

William walked Dana down the aisle to give her away to Blake,

then performed the ceremony.

Much emotion ---- tears and laughter !

That was a beautiful day in the life of a Dad !

I am so very thankful to the LORD who gave me this husband

and

so very thankful that He then gave us our three children.

Only the LORD could have brought us together,

kept us together,

and blessed us

in such amazing ways !

He gets all the glory and all the honor

and all the praise

for everything good in our lives !

Happy Father's Day, Honey !!

I love you so !!

G

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 !

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

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

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

Kinda CRAZY Easter Craft

"Kiwis or eggs?" that was my husband's question. "Eggs!! what would I be gonna do with a dozen kiwis?" Sooooo, what am I gonna do with a dozen paper mache eggs???? Why, I spray painted them with black chalkboard paint, of course........

AND then decorated them with colored chalk. Placed on a bed of hot pink grass in this old tarnished silver bowl, I think they look pretty cute.

I found this idea while browsing some of my favorite blogs (this one from Joys of Home) and couldn't wait to try it. I found the eggs at Hobby Lobby, on sale through Sat., for $2 a dozen (actually 50% off 3 for a $1). You could use paint-on chalkboard paint and have it tinted any color you wanted and that could be really cute. I already had a can of black chalkboard spray paint that is usually around $3.50 a can. The pink grass I found at Wal-mart -- about 50 cents. So cost for the entire project was about $6 and I know we will have at least that much fun with them. I'm planning to use them at each person's plate and set out little bowls of chalk so that after the meal, while we sit and visit, we can all doodle on our chalkboard eggs. Cheap fun !! I think the little kids will really like this.

Sometimes a little CRAZY is a good thing ----

Gwynie Pie

EASTER WEEK

EASTER'S Coming !!!!! I love Easter! It is my very favorite celebration. I sure do hope you have your own Easter celebration plans in the works.

There's been a whole lot of Spring Fluffing going on here for the past few weeks - deep cleaning, rearranging, painting and decorating, lightening-up - in anticipation of Easter, spring and all that it brings.

I'm making lists today (I know, I know --you're shocked !!) and thought I'd just share my plans with you, in hopes that you will share your plans with me.

GUEST LIST -- We are the host home for Easter dinner, so yesterday William and I figured out "the guest list". There's nothing formal about this, it just means who is likely to be here on Sunday. We are figuring there will be between 6 and 19 people here. As the week goes on and everyone knows their plans, we will have the final count.

PLAN MENU -- Pork Loin
Brisket
Potato Salad
Broccoli Salad
Baked Beans
Hot Rolls
Cream Cheese Pound Cake with
strawberries and whipped cream
Tea/Lemonade
Everyone will bring something to add to the table, so there will be lots, lots more before we are done

MAKE GROCERY LIST -- Knowing my part of the meal, I will make a very complete list of everything !!! I will need and then plan to shop as early during the week as possible in order to avoid the crowds. A complete list!! because I can't count the times I've had to have William go by a super-crowded, crazy store and pick up just one thing that is absolutely necessary to a recipe. A complete list before the shopping event sure does relieve some anxiety. AND makes for a happy hubby!!!

DECIDE TABLESCAPE --
Colors I want to use (OR already have available)
Dishes, glassware, silverware
Serving dishes
Tablecloth/napkins, napkin rings
Centerpiece and other table decor

OTHER DECORATIONS --
Front Door -- Welcoming wreath
Flowers for serving table, coffee table

CLEANING AND FLUFFING -- On another list I write down every single cleaning chore that needs to be done before the "deadline" on the day it needs to be done. This year, I want to be completely finished with the inside of the house by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. That way, when William gets home we can have a relaxing start to the long weekend, IN a clean house. And then Friday and Saturday we can spend outside tilling and planting the garden and working in the yard.

I have for years cleaned my house most effectively in this one way ...yes, a crazy way, but it has always worked!! ---nutty as it sounds -- I figure out how many minutes it will take to do a job that's on my list. Then I gather up the cleaning supplies it will take for that job, set the timer and RUN !!! I fly through the room, doing each job listed and crossing it off when finished. The key is to KEEP MOVING !!!! Bad things could happen if that bell sounds before the job is done -- bad things, man!!! I finish one room, move to the next room, reset the timer and move, move, move !!!!
Very effective ! And really kind of fun, too ! And very satisfying when the space gets cleaned and things get marked off the list !!! I am all about marking things off that list !!

BUT ABOVE ALL --- Easter is so much more than eggs and chicks, carrots and rabbits. It's so much more than Spring Fluffing. More than pretty new dresses and white patent Mary Janes. It's beyond good food and fellowship with family. Easter is all about the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is celebrating a love so pure, so deep, so intense for me and for you -- that a man would die in our place and pay the debt we owed. What a great love -- beyond anything I have ever known apart from Him. That's worth a celebration !!!

Well, that's the PLAN here at my house. What kind of Easter week preparations do you do? Are you hosting Easter meals OR do you go somewhere else? AND if you go somewhere and take a dish -- what's the "signature" dish you always take? Comment and tell me about your Easter plans and your family traditions. I'd love to hear about it.....

EASTER'S COMING !!!!
Gwynie Pie

Me and My Peeps !!!!

GOOD MONDAY MORNING !!!!! I went to Walmart this weekend and found the Easter aisle, which usually, I'd have passed by. However, as I glanced down the aisle I saw very, very bright spots of violent spring color and had to go investigate.

Well -- the Peeps were out in force --- and in the most spectacular colors ever. I bought some Peeps chicks and bunnies(in pink) to use on top of cupcakes I'll be making for the ladies group that is coming for coffee and a visit on April 2. I have a whole "pink" Spring theme going on for that event that I think will be very cute.

But, there were also Peeps in the traditional bright yellow, a brilliant orange and also in a couple other colors. So fun! I always have to have Peeps at Easter. I'll have the one in my hot chocolate this morning. And maybe one more. Then I'm done with them. I don't love them. It's just my own personal tradition, I guess....

Anyway, much to do this week getting ready for the ladies group. Really the house is in need of a lot of just sprucing up for Spring and the ladies group coming is just the push I need to get me motivated and up and moving.

So, from me and my Peeps -- have a great Monday!!!!

Gwynie Pie