To be so Cute

The bed

So this is it...unpainted. I used a 1/2 inch plywood for the base, framed it's underside in 2x4s and finished it's exterior with 1x8s. I used 5 inch industrial casters. After some dawdling I started the bed at around 8:30 pm and finished it about midnight. I'm embarassed to say that it took much longer than it should have. A few of my 2x4s were 1/8 off which is a whole lot in carpentry. Lesson learned: Don't precut wood. Cut it as you go instead to account for warps and imperfections. Because I hate doing shoddy work I found this quite frustrating. I used paint sticks as shims. Fortunately I was already planning on painting the bed when I was finished. Therefore, out came my favorite can. Water putty saved the day.

Never idle

Been consumed with yard work, tearing down a fence, getting to know neighbors, building a new fence, cutting hair, cutting a hundred finger and toenails, painting a bedroom, staying up all night to do surgery, waking up to cough and cough some more, shopping for wood at Lowes, building a platform bed with huge casters, going to a garage sale next door, finding dishes there, eating lunch, washing those new dishes, upholstering a headboard, more yard work, cleaning leaves out of the pool, taking another trip to Lowes for paint, painting a bed, doing dishes again, putting kids to bed way past their bedtime, going in on Saturday to do surgery, mowing the lawn, and (don't forget) spraying six bodies with mosquito repellent every time you exit the door. I have stiff hands and Ben has a sore foot, but there is nothing quite as satisfying as getting some much needed work done. I love being busy in my home. What a blessing it was for Ben to mow the lawn and the kids to help hammer and paint.

Roadside Partial Cleanup

During the middle of the week we headed out of town a few miles and with old white business shirts flapping and our snow sticks (orange metal rods you use in snowy climates to mark your driveway) and green rubber gloves. We were a sight. All six of us. We picked wild dewberries by the side of the road. After past experience of intense itch from the thorns, our arms were covered and the snow sticks enabled us the push back the thorny vegetation to reach the plumpest berries in the shade. When we came home our shoelaces were purple and our white shirts were splattered with stains. We've been enjoying icecream and berries since.

Strangely, I found a German pfenning in my wallet so you can see the size of the dewberry or a nickel for those who prefer.

Photos Don't Lie

Yes, that is a cookie behind her back.

The Friday Fishermen

So its Friday afternoon approximately 3pm and the weather is slightly chilly and the clouds seem to promise rain or at least discomfort. However to someone near and dear it is the perfect weather to fish. Being drenched with rain and/or salt water matters not as long as the fishing is good. I toss a red windbreaker into the big someone's hands for the smaller someone and wave goodbye. My afternoon turns darker as the rain pounds down and the hour hand speaks uncomfortable truth. It's late. Those at home have eaten supper and been put to bed. About 10:30 pm, my fishermen come home. As I walk into the garage, I can smell the tanginess of the ocean. I scooch the cooler out of the bed of the truck. Daintily lifting the lid, I can see the cooler is proudly serving its man-given purpose. There is a large haul of fish. Alex hooked five ...one is a stingray. And if you have your beverage glass handy, here's to scallops in your soup and fish on our grill.

A Sad Reality

Mosquito attack

A Classic to See

For those who miss the wholesomeness of old movies and the down home charm of the Beverly Hillbillies...this cute romantic movie will entertain. I really loved it.

The Perfect Husband

The Wild Rumpus

The Benannas and the splits






The M&Ms



The A&Ws









We were only missing the PB&Js.

Brownie Goody Bars

Dedicated to the former Brownie herself. Someone brought me this after I had Jane. I made it for my next door neighbors one Christmas and she said her visiting dad got up in the middle of the night to sneak some more out of the fridge.

Brownie Goody Bars
1 pkg (1 lb. 3.8 oz) Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix
1/4 c. water
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs

1 tub cream cheese frosting
3/4 c. salted peanuts coarsely chopped

3 c. crisp rice cereal
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1 bag (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees, Grease 13x9x2 pan.
2) Blend brownie mix with water, oil and eggs. Spread in pan.
3) Bake 28-30 minutes or till prick comes out clean. Cool completely.
4) Frost with frosting. Sprinkle with peanuts. Refrigerate.
5) Measure cereal into large bowl. Melt peanut butter and chocolate chips. Stir constantly. Pour over cereal, stir to coat evenly. Spread over frosted brownies.
Refrigerate and cut.
Approximately 20 brownies

The Tortilla Lamb

When we went to the grocery store today, a husky boy with a crew cut and rosy cheeks told my daughter she was a Tortilla Lamb. I've never heard that expression before. Have you?

He was 7 or 8. Maybe it was a compliment like "you're quite a tomato". For some reason I found it terribly funny. I've always pictured sweet E more the black sheep, but now I'll forever think of her as the Tortilla Lamb Incarnate.