Book Signing - Just Like Her Mommy!

While at the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival a couple of weeks ago, Mattie attended a book signing at Page and Palette, a cute little bookstore in downtown Fairhope. She has been to other book signings but this was the first one just for her (and her sister who was in the stroller)!

Jumpin' Jubilee is a beautifully written and illustrated book by Angela Erwin, an Alabama author and artist. 

It tells the fascinating story of Jubilee at Mobile Bay. In my Alabama History classes I was always intrigued by this phenomenon and I want my girls to know all about it!

To learn more about Jubilee, click here for a description on Angela's website. You really should, because it's quite interesting!

One day, the girls will appreciate the inscription on the first page of their Jumpin' Jubilee book almost as much as their mommy does! :-)

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Welcome, Spring!!!

I am super excited that Spring is FINALLY here! 

You see, Winter and I don't get along very well. 

I will not miss the jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, socks, tights.....

......dry skin, dry hair, chapped lips, and static electricity that sends a surge through me every time I get out of the car if I forget to touch the glass first!

Even the dandelions and weeds are a welcome sight!

Don't tell my husband I said that! :-)

Pear blossoms are the only white stuff I want to see on the ground!

Renewed hope comes with Spring. 

YAY for Spring!!!

Daniel 2:21 (NIV) He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Wild Hog Talk - Gardening

South Alabama has been given warmer weather for the past few weeks and the hard ground at my parents' house has been plowed for this year's vegetable garden.


They always plant an early garden so that it can be harvested before 100 degree temperatures set in. 


Here are a few of the gardening terms you'll hear in and around Wild Hog: 

okra - oak-ry

tomato - mater

potato - tater

cantaloupe - mushmellon or muskmellon

tassel (as in corn tassel) - tossle 

Due to our family having so many fresh and preserved vegetables, we often had meals of all vegetables and cornbread or biscuits. Stick some freshly sliced maters and cucumbers on the side and you can't beat it! Mmm mmmm!!! 


Proverbs 15:17 (NIV) Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

My Favorite Things - Pints

Just minding my Ps and Qs. 


Make that just Ps....Pints, that is.

They are our favorite every day glasses and are the perfect size for our drinks of choice: iced tea, caffeine free Diet Dr. Pepper, and water! Plus, they help us identify which drink belongs to whom!

We do not care for plastic cups....just doesn't taste right! No offense to all the plastic cup lovers out there! 

This is what we buy for souvenirs when we travel. Our friends and family also buy them for us when they travel! It's so fun to get a new glass for our collection! 


This is our oldest pint, circa 1997. We went to Atlanta for our one year anniversary that year! 

It's always fun to see which glass our friends choose to use when they visit!

Three of my favorite states/cities....

We have broken lots of pints over the years and have a back-up supply in another cabinet :-)


Well, there you have it. Pint glasses are some of our favorite things! 

Matthew 5:6 (NIV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

The Second Time I Met Pioneer Woman

You can read about the first time I met Pioneer Woman here. 


Bonnie was with me this time! Yay! Without Bonnie, I probably would not even know who PW is. She was kind enough to share her blog with me back in the early days and I am forever grateful. My cooking has not been the same since! 


Ree looked great! Not many people can wear knee boots and look this good. She has style!

We arrived early and even though the small seating area was already filled to capacity we were able to score a spot on the front row....who cares if it was on the floor?!? We sure didn't!

There was a brief Q&A session. Brief, because after years of reading every word on her blog we already know everything about her! Bonnie and I even knew the answers to the few questions that were asked....eek. :-) 

Weeks ago, my sweet husband went to the bookstore and purchased our line tickets. We were in Group C and the wait was only about 45 minutes. We browsed the bookstore and chatted with other fans while we waited. 

Then it was our turn! It was Bonnie's first time meeting her and she was more than a little excited to be meeting her "little friend in the computer"!  Here she is professing her love to Ree and thanking her for all that she has taught her over the years!

Aren't they both just beautiful!?! *nodding head*

And here are the three of us....best buds! Ha ha! I simply told her that she makes me look really good when I serve her dishes to my guests! She told me to take all the credit, but how could I? Then, I wouldn't be able to talk about how wonderful she is!

Here is the line to meet Marlboro Man. No line ticket required....just a little bonus!

He is always (I say always like I see him all the time) patient and willing to chat and pose and sign away. 

Again, Bonnie is kind of excited to be here! :-)

We had babysitters for the girls so after the signing we were picked up by my husband and finished off the night with our new favorite food....Thai, followed by a trip to the best little cupcake shop in town. What a perfect night!!!


Philipians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

My Favorite Things - Vintage Keys

Some of my favorite decorative items are bunnies and vintage keys.


Several years ago I ripped out a magazine page that had a picture of vintage skeleton keys hanging from ribbons on the cutest little rack. Then, a couple of years later, I had everything I needed to recreate it in my own way....I love it when that happens! 

It has been a fixture in our home over the past decade. 

I occasionally change out the ribbon to freshen it up a bit. Since my island, bar stools, and breakfast room table are black I went with black and white gingham this time. I just love this grouping and it is definitely one of my favorite things!

Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV) By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

The First Time I Met Pioneer Woman

One of my favorite blogs is The Pioneer Woman and I read it every time she posts something new. When I was first introduced to her blog by Bonnie a few years ago, my days were spent reading every post she had ever written and cooking as many of her recipes as I could!

So, when she published a cookbook and went on a national tour in 2009 I was able to meet her and Marlboro Man (he's not really a Marlboro Man so don't let that bother ya)! 


See? He signed just as many books as Ree (Pioneer Woman)!

My sweet, thoughtful, darling husband drove me two-and-a-half hours from our home to a book signing....and it was his idea!!! I simply provided him with the information and he said, "We're going"! Really! All the lasagna, steak sandwiches, meat loaf, apple dumplins, chocolate cake, and other butter-laden goodies I had been cooking from PW's blog and book paid off!


The signing was at Wal-Mart of all places....ironic, because I do not care for our local Wal-Marts at all! We stood in line for over two hours but didn't mind because everyone was so pleasant. Here's my line friend. She took pictures for us when it was our turn to get our books signed.

Marlboro Man aka MM aka Ladd is genuinely nice and chatted with us as he signed our books. Mattie had a sucker in her mouth and I commented that someone might see the picture and think it's a cigarette and we all know how much trouble that can get you into! MM said, "You've been reading for a long time, haven't you?" It was fun making inside jokes with them and loved that they didn't try to rush us along.  

Then it was our turn to meet Ree. I gave her some chocolates from a local candy shop. Some of them were shaped like little hound dogs in honor of Charlie, her basset hound.

She complimented Macie's cute little Mary Jane socks. We agreed that she needs another baby just so she can dress him/her in Trumpette socks! She had and continues to have baby fever even though she already has four children....that she homeschools....supermom, she is! 

Macie's picture even made it to her blog post about the book tour! Marlboro Man took it while we were in line! 

I figured I'd better write about this meeting before I get to see her again this month. She has written a novel about how she met her husband, their courtship, and first year of marriage called Black Heels to Tractor Wheels and will be coming to our city soon!!! The story up to the wedding is on her blog and the book picks up with the honeymoon. She made a few changes to the on-line version so I re-read the entire thing and still laughed and cried and couldn't put it down! 


So, here you have it....my profession of love for all things Pioneer Woman! Now, go to her blog and get to reading and cooking! You'll thank me! 


Proverbs 31:28 (NIV) Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her

Show Us Your Life - Toddler Food

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner for Show Us Your Life - What do you feed your toddlers/preschoolers?


This is such an interesting topic to me because I need ideas for new things to serve. It seems that I feed my girls (2 and 4) the same things all the time. Most of the things I serve to them are super simple to fix, which is what most of us are looking for, right? Here it is....the good, the bad, and the ugly. 


Breakfast
     * microwaveable French toast sticks (they like cinnamon flavored the best)
     * microwaveable pancakes (sometimes I serve with light syrup, but have never put butter on them....I'm definitely not anti-butter, just don't want to start the habit)
     * bananas
     * blueberry frosted mini wheats with milk (broken in half and only enough milk to moisten   them for the 2-yr-old), or other cereal
     * strawberries or peaches and cream oatmeal
     * I have tried raisin and cinnamon bread but they don't care for it but other kids love it!


Lunch
     * peanut butter and jelly sandwich (smushed together really well for the 2-yr-old so she         won't pull it apart)
     * ham and cheese sandwich (minus the bread for the 2-yr-old....disassembles it)
     * macaroni and cheese
     * steamed veggies (microwaveable bags are great and they love broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, carrots, etc.)
     * grilled cheese
     
Snacks and side items
     * Goldfish or Cheez-Its
     * yogurt
     * apple slices
     * fruit snacks
     * carrot sticks
     * grapes
     * seasonal fresh fruit (cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches, etc.)
     * applesauce
     * granola bars
     * nacho cheese Doritos
     * graham crackers, animal crackers, teddy grahams, etc. 


Dinner
Thankfully, they are not picky and pretty much eat the same things we do. When we eat out I usually get them a cheese quesadilla, grilled cheese, chicken strips, broccoli, green beans, rice, mac and cheese, fries, etc. 


Looks like they eat a lot of cheese and veggies! 


I can't wait to read all the suggestions! Thanks to Kelly for linking us up!


I Corithians 10:31 (NIV) - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

     

Wild Hog Talk - Helping and Hoping

After a friend of mine read this Wild Hoggism she reminded me of another funny thing some people around there say. She's from Mississippi (which is not far from Wild Hog) but had never heard this until she married into a (my) family who lives right smack dab in the middle of Wild Hog!


This word has been on my mind since November because while I was at my parents' house a relative came by and used the same word. Here's what he said....


"I tried to hope him all I could". 


Translation: He tried to HELP him as much as he could. 


Well, I'm really hoping he helped!


NEWSFLASH!!!  UDATE!!!


My really good, smart, southern, novel-writing friend, Ellen, just taught me something very interesting about "hoping"! Here's what she says....


My grandfather used that word.  It's actually "holped" and it's from the old english word "holpen." It always sounded strange to me to hear him use it that way.''


Thank you, Ellen, for shedding a new light on this mystery! It makes perfect sense now!

Two

Happy Birthday, Macie Jane! You are two years old and have grown and learned so much in the past year. Here are some pictures showing how much you changed throughout the year. 

One year ago you could not walk. You crawled and cruised along the furniture then started pushing things around.

You loved being held upside down!

Still trying to walk!

You were 15 1/2 months old when you took your first steps in May 2010!

This was your first time walking on grass.

Just look at how much your hair grew!

Since our Disney World trip every time we ask you what your name is you answer, "Lella"! For some reason you still think your name is Cinderella! 

On January 1 you said your first prayer. We were at lunch and you said, "Mama, DaDa, Mayee (Mattie), Me, Co-ee (Chloe, our kitty) Aaayyymen"! 

You are very polite and have just started saying "Please, thank you" all at once when you want something because you know you'll eventually need to say thank you!


When someone sneezes you always nod your head and say, "Biss yew". 

This week you have been using the potty some....this was even your idea! 

You've had a fun, exciting, and happy year. Happy birthday, sweet girl! Mommy and DaDa love you so much.


Psalm 127:3 NIV - Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.