It's "Help Day"

And this help comes at the perfect time,

the time when gardens are fully producing

and fruit trees are one the verge of overloading

us with juicy greatness!

I love this time of year, the days that are

ushering us from the last precious days of summer

into the most glorious time of the year...fall.

 

So I am linking you to thekitchn

and they will fill you with all you need to know

about storing all your fruits and veggies!

 

 

http://www.thekitchn.com/a-guide-to-storing-fruits-vegetables-tip-roundup-176308

 

 

My thanks to thektchn for this information and picture!



Popping In Today

To say that we are unsure of the condition

of our son's apartment or those around it.

It is about 4 blocks from Lake Pontchatrain

but there is a flood wall that was closed for the

hurricane, so we are hoping for the very best!

 

Many are without power and that may be the culprit

that will be what causes the lose of things for our family.

They will possibly loose the food in their freezer and fridge,

and have some yucky smells to deal with,

but if that is the worst of it, they are VERY blessed!

 

God is very good, even in the most frustrating of situations,

and we rest in His protection and comfort.

 

We thank all of you who are praying for our family

and those that you do not even know.

 

This is a picture from The Times-Picayune

of the area in which our son lives. sigh.

 

 

 

Jim Mistretta plays with his dog Jesse on a flooded Gen. Diaz street in Lakeview during a break between bands of rain from Hurricane Isaac Wednesday, August 29, 2012.

JOHN McCUSKER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE



We Inturupt This Blog

For a hurricane!

Yes, our son and his family live in New Orleans

They live about 1 mile from the famous

Canal Street, but on the northern end of it.

They are safely out of New Orleans, but

there are still friends, church members and

dear ones that have chosen to stay.

We are praying for the safety of all those

who are staying to ride out the storm.

Please pray with us for safety of not only

the people of New Orleans but also

for the businesses and churches that

are there, that they will not sustain damage

and will be there for the people who return!



Randomness....

We had a crazy weekend, I know,

that does NOT shock anyone, most of all me!

 

It started out with a lazy snuggley time between

my husband and our sweet Livi and I could not

resist snapping a quick picture of the two of them

watching Angelina Ballerina together all warm

and precious under the blankets of our bed.

 

Way to sweet for words.

 

I am soaking up my son being here....he drove

890 miles on his Harley to meet up with his dad

two hours from our home and ride with him to our house...my niece and her boyfriend road the 2 hours also, and she snapped a picture for me...

Father and Son riding together,

 makes tears come to my eyes!

 

I am beginning my list of "to-do's" for the fall.

Lots to do, and we are hoping for favorable weather here to get things done before it gets to chilly

for life outside our doors...but of course, I have

a list of things to do when that does happen

so as not to make myself feel un-wanted during the

winter months.

 

Do we ever NOT have a to-do list?

I know I always have one. Hmmmmmm

maybe there should be a vacation from to-do lists!

 

I took the best picture Saturday, two boys playing

in a chicken coop! Yes, the chickens were present

and completely un-fazed by the boys, even tho

they had light sabers and ninja swords, yes

true story! I will post a picture soon, when my

vacation from my to-do list is over.

 

Off to work. How did that get on my non-to-do list?



We Had A Big Backyard Party!

And there was lots to do to get ready!

Chairs to be washed....

 

 

And you know, when a child has the hose....

the adults will get washed right along with the chairs!!

We brought out the bouncy house,

can I just say, as much fun as it is to have,

that is one annoying machine!!!!

The noise gets old VERY quickly!

But it is all about the children, so the sacrifice was made!!

Is it wrong when you have the child make their own cupcakes? Child labor? Nah, didn't think so!

 

Spider Man was the theme of the day....

But the Saints colors flew in honor of our Son!

There was SO much food...my husband manned the grill....in his 49ers shirt. The Saints, 49er's and Cowboys were represented....I needed to go and get on my Packers things!!!!!

Family and friends were there to share in the food and fun!

 

Lots of brightly colored gifts were opened.

 

And by far, the coolest super hero ever "flew" in to say "hello"!!!

My daughter's reaction to the Lincoln Logs,

"I didn't know they even made those any more!"

Guess they do!

Corn Hole games were played...

Remember the old game where you put a raw egg on a plastic spoon

and walk with it to your destination?

I changed it up a bit and used water balloons on wooden spoons,

making them walk an obstacle course

it turned into a full blown water war!

All had a blast...pun intended!

We had lots of goodies, from Spidy cakes...

to the Saints colored oreo suckers.

And my daughter made sure the females had

pink Spiderman cup cakes!!!

It was a super day, a busy day, dodging rain drops while watching the sun shine,

enjoying family and eating lots!

When is the next one?

Why this Sunday of course!!!

Don't even tell me what a lunatic I am,

I already know.

Quick Peek

Fulll Post Tomorrow!

Yes, It Is Tuesday

And I promised pictures of the party

(slinks in shame here)

And I DID edit the photos, and they look great!

(still slinking in shame)

But, I forgot to set up the blog post last night!

sigh.

So, for your viewing enjoyment, I have

chosen 3 links to blogs that will give you

inexpensive and fun things to do with your Tuesday!

(I'm so cool that way!)

The first is making an inexpensive garland

for your next party!

The second is making marscapone cheese

with 2 ingredients, and saving you a TON

of bucks on this little luxury!

And last but not least, "sun" drying your

tomatoes to have them all year long.

Keep that summer yum long after the snow flies!

Have an amazing Tuesday!!!

http://designdininganddiapers.com/2012/08/dollar-store-doily-garland/ 

 http://www.tagana-rose.com.au/blog/view/896/homemade_mascarpone_cheese

http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/easiest-homemade-sun-dried-tomatoes-italian-food/

Thank you to these bloggers for their wonderful ideas!!!

Crazy Weekend!

It has been a crazy weekend!

The double birthday party was a success,

despite the three 15 minute rain showers we had

during a backyard party! Yep, it happened.

I am bushed tho, to say the least.

And I am sure the hula-hooping did not help!

I did however get my husband and his Mom

up to teach them how to do the hoop,

neither became an accomplished hooper

but it sure was fun watching them try!

I will post pictures tomorrow of the decorations

food and fun...but in the interim,

this is a bit if what I feel like today!



Oreo Suckers!

This is my take on an Oreo Sucker.

I am making them for the party on Sunday.

I chose the colors because our son

is a Saints fan, even tho he is in New Orleans

and not able to be here for the party,

I still want him represented, silly Mommy

moment, I know.

I started off with Oreo's, of course.

 Next is the white chocolate.

This will be used for 2 purposes.

First, place a small amount in a baggie and

melt the white chocolate in the microwave.

 Cut a small hole in the corner of the baggie.

Open an oreo and place your stick in the center.

Squirt a hmmmm, nickle sized amount onto the stick

and put the other half of the oreo on it.

press VERY gently (yep I learned the hard way

that gentleness is a must here!) and set the

oreo aside to allow the chocolate to harden.

 Ready for dipping!!!

Melt the rest of the white chocolate in a small bowl

and coat the "suckers" in the chocolate.

 Place the coated "suckers" on wax paper to dry.

BUT, before they are dry, that is the time to sprinkle!

You do not have to do this, they look great in all white.

I just chose to sprinkle with black and gold sugar,

because those are the colors of the Saints!

 Now, wouldn't you want treats like this at your next party???!!!!



Another Random Day....

Which started out with a couple of Mom's

and their children coming into my office

this morning and performing a random act

of kindness!!! How cool is that!!!!

They gave me a card that their first graders

made and pretty bag of bath goodies!!!

I feel so blessed and loved!

Today is my Mother In Law's Birthday!!!!

She is an amazing woman who loves her

son fiercely and all of us that have come

along for this wonderful ride!

Happy Birthday Loretta M. Payne!!!

We are preparing for a multiple birthday

birthday party at our home this coming Sunday.

I have been busy making goodies (I will share those

with you tomorrow!) getting decorations made

and planning the food....it should be so much fun!!!

Remember my updates from the spring on

"How does your garden grow"?

Well, mine has been doing pretty well,

we have had to water once a week because of

the drought that has been on going in our area.

But, it has been worth it!!!

Our blessing basket is looking wonderful!!!

This is how our garden has grown....

Can you tell that a 2 yr old and 3 yr old picked my tomatoes!!!!



Favorite Quote Of The Week

Have an amazing weekend!!!!

Oh The Many, Many Things I See,

When strolling in our back yard.

I love the privacy we have, not having

anything but the river behind our home.

I love that we have such diversity of nature

back here, good neighbors, family

and of course, the chickens.

And then there are the herbs,

something so sweet and beautiful

in the petite rather lacy flowers

found on my thyme.

And what brings more life to a back deck

than a child's toy? Nothing, I believe.

Beauty in simple things,

Beauty in the many, many things I see!



Update on the Rock River

Things are not changing,

the water level is so very low.

Boats are sitting on the rocks,

not floating on the water, no where to go.

Things are quiet, no boats are passing by,

wishing that the water would soon

be much more level high. 

At least the turtles are enjoying the

low levels of the water!

Please pray for the farmers and others

who depend on the rain and water levels.

This has not been a very blessed feeling

summer of 2012.

p.s. Please forgive my poor limerick attempt!

I am not a poet, and now I know it!