Bye Bye Dogwoods

This is what my front path looks like every year as the dogwood blossoms fall to the ground. This was a good year, all the trees were snowy white. Good bye blossoms, until next year! I'll have to spend extra time in the yard smelling my lilac bush that is blooming for the first time ever.

No Peppermint Left Behind

Last week was CRCT testing for kids in Georgia, and there is so much pressure on kids AND teachers for the students to do well they try all kinds of things to motivate and inspire them. My son's teacher sent a note home saying she likes to give the kids a peppermint to suck on when they start the tests because it helps relax them and get them focused and in a good frame of mind. I thought this was a great idea, so I sent in a huge bag of peppermints for the week.

When Eric came home after the first day of testing looking a little frazzled, I asked how was the test and did the peppermint trick work. Well, he said, it worked fine until he swallowed the peppermint almost whole and had to take the synonym section with a peppermint lodged in his throat and boy did it hurt. And now he thinks he will be going to summer school because he probably failed the test. I laughed, because of the irony, but he didn't think it was funny. So now we have a bet that he will not be going to summer school. I know I will win, and I'm looking forward to having my sewing room floor swept for a week!

When is the presidential election? I'm looking forward to a change in policy.

Ducks In A Row

This Mama has been hanging out by our boat and she has all her baby ducks in a row. I wish I was that organized. My blogging has been a little sparse lately but as soon as I get my ducks in a row I'll be better. I promise.

Little Bowl of Blooms

I found this little bowl of blooms on the table yesterday.

Thank you Eric.

Lady Banks Out of Control

Just a quick post in between all the annoying deadlines to let you know my Lady Banks Rose is having another spectacular year. I cut this thing back to almost nothing 2 years ago when I got tired of the postman leaving notes every other day saying "please cut back rose bush" and then a gain when we had a huge storm and it got so wet and heavy it took over the whole dogwood tree it is climbing on. But she comes back every year with more vengeance.

It is a great year for all the Spring bushes around here. Whatever we didn't lose to drought is just gorgeous. Maybe bushes like a little drought every now and then. If I had the time I would look it up in my gardening book, but I really should be sewing. So, on that note, I'm off to tackle chiffon.

National Chicken Wing and Funfetti Day (aka Jordi's Birthday)

For about the last 5 years we have celebrated Jordi's birthday with chicken wings and funfetti cake. ( You know the kind with the sprinkles built right in.)

I looked longingly at the lemon squares, or even the German chocolate cake mix, I was thinking about pie, but nothin doin. Funfetti every year. I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it. I still need to drag him down to the library and have him register to vote. Eeek! He turned 18!

I Really Don't Like Cats

I really don't like cats, but this one stole my heart a long time ago.

New Hats

I finally found a way to use my vintage hankies that kept piling higher and higher.

I'm pretty happy with these, and I'm hoping there will be somebody out there who likes wearing lampshade hats.

Teenager In Training

This is a picture of my little teenager in training. He already knows how to put on the headphones and shout "WHAT?" really loud when I mention things like "time to brush your teeth" or "bedtime." Luckily he is still my 9 year old when we are picking out books to read at bedtime. My Mom gave me a copy of a very strange book named "Uncle" by J. P. Martin, which Eric likes but I'm not crazy about so we have settled on reading a chapter of it and then a chapter of "The Twits" by Roald Dahl which I like.

My other teenager is on a bus hurtling towards Chicago with the marching band for their Spring Break trip. I have no idea how the band teacher puts up with all those cranky sleep deprived teenagers for a long weekend. Go Mr. Phillips! Have a great time! (he he he he)

My Pins Are Now Organized

I had my nieces staying with me for a few days, we had a lot of fun. It is hard to pack that much personality into tiny little humans, but it has been done with these two. Kiera loves to come down in my sewing room and help me sew, which usually involves organizing my pins, and that is just fine with me.

As they were leaving I remembered to give Amelia Eric's magician costume which he has outgrown, so I gathered it all up and was showing it to Amelia, and she asked "where is the magic wand?" Well, I hadn't seen the wand in ages so I told her she would have to buy a new one , when Kiera piped up "I know where the wand is, it is underneath the bed!" Sure enough, she went into Eric's room and pulled the wand out from underneath the bed. She has been here two days and even knows what is under the bed. Amazing. This is why my brother and sister in law say she will rule the world one day. I believe it!