Random pics from my Saturday...

The day started with making Italian Bread from scratch (for the 1st time!)...long process but worth it. I made garlic bread from it for dinner.





Then we went to the beach in the afternoon...probably one of the last times this season..sigh..so sad about that....





The end of the season is starting to feel a little like my toenails look...faded and not quite so shiny as the beginning..

Blog

----------
Sent from my Verizon Wireless mobile phone

Yummmmmmy yeasty goodness

This week I made up 4 loaves of DELICIOUS bread as well as yeast rolls. I used the recipes that hillbilly housewife has on her website I also love (and so do the boys) her Magic Milkshakes. This is the closest I can remember to what my grandmother used to make (the bread..not the shakes lol) Now..if only I could get my hands on my Aunt Esther's roll recipe....

The 3 little boys helped...

Finally some crafty going on!

I absolutely love this design. It worked up so quick and easy. I purchased this Kitchen Aid Cover pattern from http://revel-designs.com/revelrecipes.asp. I am so happy with it.

added benefit of having birdfeeders

Free sunflowers! Which attract more birds, bees and butterflies....around all 3 birdfeeders I have tons of sunflowers...



The other day while coming back from a walk with the boys I noticed all these butterflies and bees flitting about and I just gave me such a sense of peace and accomplishment that MY garden that I have really worked hard to grow is providing so much for so many of God's creatures.

Eventually (hopefully next spring) I want to put up a picket fence...which will hopefully help to block the view of the neighbor's garbage!

yummmm

Yesterday I made chocolate covered pretzels which I then broke up and put in the basic vanilla base ice cream recipe that came with my machine...ohhh so good!

With the left over chocolate I threw in some rice krispies and marsmallows and a tblspoon of butter and mixed that all up and then put into little mini-cupcake liners. Again...so good.

Thanks Finny!

When I read Finny back in the spring she wrote about eight-ball zucchini. I thought they looked pretty cool so I ordered my seeds and planted them. And look at these babies now! These two turned into zucchini bread-yumm!

Quilty Garden Goodness

I made this little wall hanging back in early spring. I just couldn't wait to have some beautiful garden goodness. This is from the book Quilted Garden Delights by Holly Knott & Diane Knott. I have picked out the material for the next project from this book and I'm seriously getting the itch to start on it.

I freemotion quilted it with beautiful varigated thread and added a hummingbird and dragonfly togive it a little something extra.

this evenings walk in pictures

A garden view or two...

Here is the pumpkin making a break for it....I'm hoping it doesn't grow over the house and engulf us....

Another closer view...don't be scared ...

must be a way

When you go up.....

You get to jump down!

who doesn't love playing in the sprinkler?

One night while I was watering the garden the boys got in on the action....they had so much fun!

Hamburgery happiness

My 10 year old LOVES hamburgers so when I saw this cake that looked like a hamburger I had to pick it up. Isn't it too dang cute!?

Raspberries

These were picked today right. I love being able to just walk out to my backyard and pick these. I was able to get about 2 quarts. This is my 2nd year with this bush and it's really producing. This was given to me by a friend 2 years ago and it is growing like crazy! The little bit of lovliness that the bowl is resting on is a little something I picked up at a garage sale this past weekend...isn't it lovely!?

Ice cream making and eating...

A little of what I've been doing this week...

Watched a whole lot of swimming...and running...and jumping...and splashing...

My favorite spot lately

We have been spending a lot of time at the beach lately....I love it..I'm relaxing..the kids are having a great time too. I'm incredibly blessed this summer.

Sometimes it's all about the food

I haven't really had time lately to do any sewing but I have been feeding my creativity in other ways. I've started putting food in the freezer for the winter. Since my own garden isn't quite producing yet I've started picking up local produce at the Farmer's Mkt. I also made flatbread today that turned out so delicious that the boys devoured it so I have to make more for dh to try. I did use fresh rosemary from the garden and some fresh garlic on 1/2 of it. Kids loved it with cream cheese and plain. I also made a chocolate pie totally from scratch the other day including the crust..yummy. And today I made my first batch of homemade ice cream from my new ice cream maker. (more on that to follow) Chocolate, chocolate chip.....heaven!

What a wild ride!

Tonight at work one of my patients blew his femoral artery. I had to apply pressure on it an ride on his bed to the OR, staying on while they moved him, intubated him and prepped him. At the last minute I was allowed to get off. In total I think I was applying pressure for about 45 minutes. My adrenalin was pumping so I was fine until I tried to move after lol...these old legs and hips didn't take kindly to being in one position so long. I helped to save a life tonight and that feels AWESOME.

Library day

Today we hit the library. Got the boys signed up for the summer reading challenge and picked up some new books. (and paid off the huge overdue fines we had...yikes!) I've implemented a no tv/computer/video game time from the time we leave for swimming lessons until dinner or 6:00 pm..whichever comes first. Mean mommy that I am.....But, all 3 boys read and did other things this afternoon and it didn't hurt them at all. Me however...well...I'm having computer withdraw symptoms lol!

Tonight was D's baseball game...what a perfect night...sunny & warm without being too hot. The boys all ran around and got out energy. I was able to sit and do some embroidery between clapping and cheering....relaxing and much needed.

Great start to the week

Today was the first day of swimming lessons for the boys. Just Sam and Lucas are taking them and D is hanging with mama on the sidelines. Both boys did a great job and had a lot of fun. Afterwards we came home and ate lunch outside on the picnic table and then I surprised them by going to the beach for the afternoon. All 3 boys had a great time. I forgot my camera dang it!

D had his appt with the endocrinologist this morning and he was so brave. I see such an improvement in his stamina, the texture of his skin and his overall mood since he started on the meds.. He also has lost 3 lbs and gained 1/2 inch in height in the last 6 weeks. Makes me one happy mama. He had to give blood and sat there like a little trouper. Totally impressed his brothers. At the beach he showed so much more excitement and willingess to get in and interact which is a huge change from last year.

Today makes my mama heart so happy.

Winding down

It's Sunday evening and a storm is brewing outside. The weekend has been full of being outside with plenty of working and playing. I like that it's dark and stormy outside and we are all inside with cozy lights and a cool breeze. I picked up Scrabble junior today and I think it's time to break it in. After dessert of course!

Fresh air and sunshine

We had such a great day with my sister and her family. Today was my nephew's graduation so we traveled to their home about 1 1/2 hrs away. It certainly helped that she lives in wine country and my two favorite wineries are nearby where she is. (yes...I'm now re-stocked) My sister has a lovely home in the country and the boys ran and played and we spent a major portion of the day outside. She has a big ole porch where the breeze blew all day long. We had a great time and we are all exhausted in a nice way.

where the heck is my hat!?

So...Wednesday was the last day of school for the boys so I decided to have my last little "me" day and get my manicure and get a new doo....oh lordy.......

The manicure was FABULOUS as always....but the new hair...well....let's just say my new hat is my new best friend! It was SUPPOSED to be just loosey goosey curls...carefree and fun for the summer.....can you see what's coming? Oh my goodness...when I saw what she had done....I simply couldn't believe it. My hair was shoulder length and I'd let it grow so I could have the loose curls.......told her exactly what I wanted.....instead I ended up frizzy mushroom head girl.....I tell you it was so bad...I ended up having her cut cut cut trying to make it better. Good golly I have never ever had such a bad cut....."sob"....I did cry when I got to my car....and it was so bad she didn't even charge me except $20......should have been more approx $75. I'm starting to see the humor in it....and thankfully I think I've managed to salvage it a little bit so I don't look TOO horrid going out in public....but thank GOD I have my new hat.....I'm just trying to find a way to be able to wear it to work at the hospital tonight....think anyone would buy that it's the new dress code?

Clematis

The picture on my header is of the clematis in my front yard. I planted it about 7 or 8 years ago and it just continues to bloom more and more beautiful each year. This was one of the first things I planted in my gardens and I love that it's continues to grow stronger and stronger. I basically just leave it the heck alone and it comes back year after year.

Starting fresh

Today is the first full day of out of school for my boys. I used to have a blog over on typepad that I got WAY WAY behind on. So...I've decided to start fresh here with a new blog. I'd like this to reflect and keep track of what goes on here in my little corner of the world. I've lots of plans that I hope to have come true that involve lots of fun with my 3 little men over the summer. Thanks for visiting!