I have a crafty sister!

This arrived yesterday and I love it!  Thank you, sissy, for your handiwork!
 

It was a Happy Birthday!

We went for a drive on Saturday to Greenville, TN.  The mountains...get me...every time!

Ted took me to a sale barn like he would go to with his Grandpa T in Missouri.  He wasn't sure if it would be the same or not.

It was!  It was a neat experience for this city girl.  Ted enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

There were some people doing some major shopping!  I learned about the different kinds of cows...steers, heifers, cows, bulls, yearlings, weaned, head, etc. Before the animals came through the gate, they were weighed which was part of the starting bid.

This isn't like when girls go shopping!  You have to listen and pay attention!  And you better have the funds to pay for your winning bid.

We found a coffee shop downtown Greenville before heading home to find Alisa in the pool!

We enjoyed the afternoon together floating and talking, while Ted worked with the tractor.

We enjoyed a piece of cake after supper.

Greeting and gifts came from near and far...and I am grateful to be remembered.

 

Trying a new recipe

It is birthday month!  I haven't made a cake from scratch in forever, and I found a recipe I wanted to try.  I had a friend coming over for lunch, so it seemed like a good opportunity to try it out.

It smelled very good!

I trimmed it and cut it into layers.  I made coffee buttercream.

Again...I had to do quality control, so I used the trimmed pieces and leftover frosting. YUM!

So...now...I have leftover cake in the fridge for my birthday!  Happy Birthday to me!
 

I love sharing creative time!

I love to work on making cards.  I enjoy having a space to walk away from and come back to without having to clean up every single time.  I do try to straighten things up when I have guests.  

Sloan and I got to make cards on Saturday.  Another friend came on Tuesday and we made a couple cards as we talked and fussed with the dogs.

 

Tuesdays are for Bible study

We are going through the book of Ezekiel and as I listened, I noticed how intent we all were.  This is a book I have not studied...ever...and barely have any markings and no notes in the margins.  It was convicting to me how little time is given to these OT books.  I have been in church a long time.  Over these last nine months, I have realized how little preaching and teaching I have heard from the books we have been hearing taught in our church here.  I am thankful!  And it has been helpful in many ways!
 

A little errand to share!

I took a little basket of garden goodies to a friend from small group.  She doesn't have a garden and is looking forward to having one soon.  I took that as an invitation to share our extra.  What a blessing to chat and make a new friend!  A little friend was visiting the garden as I picked.

Sights on my drive...

 

August...2026

Zinnias are blooming everywhere!  I love the happy colors.

I enjoyed time with friends for the monthly Bible study.  Pam always makes the time special with unique touches.  We started studying Psalm 119.

It started pouring rain on my way home.  I stopped at the BBQ truck to bring a treat to Ted for lunch/supper.

Sweet tea, smoked pulled pork, and a mac and cheese dish.  Comfort food for a rainy day.

Between rains...we got the solar cover roller installed.  Some nights get cooler, so we pull the cover on to keep the warmth.

We ate the BBQ treat with some other leftovers for supper.  It was yummy!  Now I am ready to smoke some meat.  I think ours has more flavor!

 

Doing something every day

I had a new friend over and we made cards!  I love that God has put creative people in my life here in TN...and she loves dogs.  Oakley knows her now and always wants to play.  A beautiful, creative mess continues!

I had to go to town to return packages to the UPS store.  I meandered through the thrift store.

I hit the grocery store for spices I needed for canning pickles.

I made fresh salsa for supper.

Simple supper but so yummy with fresh ingredients!

First cucumbers...yum!

My potion on the counter!  I am feeding the garden by trying different sorts of homemade fertilizers!  This one...soaking banana peels in water.  Easy...and no harmful products!

Rainstorms moving in...I love hearing the low rumbles of thunder as the storms approach with the good, soaking rains.

UH OH!  Another sighting of a BIG stray dog walking our property.  I am glad I saw him before heading outside with the dogs.  YIKES, that scares me.  Living out here in the country, we have seen a couple different dogs that are known to be strays.  I have to pay attention...every time we go out!

 

June 27

Momma made the best Swedish pancakes!  In the quiet of this morning, I am remembering all the wonderful things she taught me.  I am a blessed daughter!  Momma cared for us so well throughout her life.  I am so thankful for the memories I have of caring for her!  Today is the day...two years ago...that Momma breathed her last breath on earth and her first in Heaven.  I am so thankful for the hope of Heaven!  

We went downstairs to do laundry and craft.  The dogs fell asleep listening to me sing along with hymns on my Spotify list.  I put together 20 cards using parts and pieces I have collected over the years as I spent time crafting with Mom, Mari, and my dear friend Angie.

The weather is gearing up for a storm.  I am thankful for the sunshine and the rain!  Our garden is growing so nicely.  Yesterday, the pumpkin plants popped up.  With all the heat and humidity and more coming, we are catching up fast!

I worked the twine around the poles for the tomatoes and green beans.  A gal from the plant is coaching me on what to do and when and how.  Since I have lots of cardboard boxes...I am using that to help squash the weeds between rows.  There is a bale of straw in the shed...but I am not going to lie...I am afraid of what might be in or under it!

We are figuring it out and learning as we go!  I hooked up the wagon all by myself and get to drive the lawnmower to work on projects.