Looking For A Giveaway To Enter?

Here's your chance!!!

My dear sister Abby, is having a lovely giveaway at her blog.

The prize She is giving away is even more gorgeous than it looks in the photo. :-)

So go on over to her blog for more info on her 100th post giveaway!

 I hope you all had a beautiful day! 

Flowers of May...

                    Flowers blooming galore......
               I thought I would share some flowers from our yard... aren't they lovely?

                                             Isn't she cute?

                                                 

                                            

                                          

                                           Stunning wild roses...
             

                                        Sniff... aah, lovely lavender....

                                                      Hello, Mr. Toad!

                   Here is a toad that lives in our yard. We have at least three that have been hopping around.....

I hope you are having a lovely and blessed day in May!!!

April showers bring May flowers....




Matthew 6: 28
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Blessings....

 ....that I am thankful for and have been enjoying, recently...

~Reading 1 Corinthians

~Knitting with bright, cheerful, red yarn

~Warm sunny days, warm nights, and having to use just a sheet for bed :-)

~Playing violin and piano without a recital on my mind

~Watching my brothers' learning and growing...So sweet!

~Spending time with my sisters...Lasting memories!

~Taking pictures

~Reading Preparing to be a help meet by Debi Pearl with my family...

~Wearing colorful clothes and skirts

~Singing hymns and listening to classical music....

~Watching Road to Avonlea Season 2

~ I won my first give away over at Joyfully Home's blog! Very exciting.... :-D

~The smiles and laughs of life...

Many others could be listed... There are many!

What blessings have you been thankful for today? :-)


1 Corinthians 2:9
 ..."No eye has seen,
      no ear has heard,
   no mind has conceived
   what God has prepared for those who love him"...

Mother's Day...

Yesterday was a wonderful day to celebrate our Mothers...

My sisters and I tried our best to show how much we care for our mother. Abby gave her a hand made necklace, earrings and chocolate, Maggie gave her a wonderful and beautiful card, and I gave her a knitted dish cloth and a poem.

My mother is the best woman I would ever want to be around. I am so grateful for everything she has done for me. She has home schooled me, my whole life and has not given up. I know that she loves me if she'll spend each and every day with me with out fail. :)
She spends most of her time not for herself but for others. She is a wonderful wife, great mother and homemaker. She is kind and considerate and very hospitable. She is a sweet teacher and is teaches me cooking, child care, money savers, among many more.

I love her so much and am so thankful for every minute I get to spend with her.

I love you, Mommy!

What special things did you enjoy with your mother yesterday?








Proverbs 31: 28-29


Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.

Corn Fritters...

    The joys of cooking yummy food; especially when your family enjoys it. :-)

On Thursday I cooked meat loaf, peas, and fritters. This is a pretty simple recipe and very delicious.
Our family love fritters. I cooked them in the deep fat fryer instead of in the normal skillet so they don't look quite as lovely as usual. (And this was the first time I have made them. My grandma is usually the one that cooks these.)


I thought I would share this simply delicious recipe.

~2 eggs
~1(15 1/4-ounce) can yellow corn, undrained
~1/2 cup whole milk (nondairy creamer may be substituted)
~1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
~ 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
~1 teaspoon baking powder
~ Vegetable oil for deep-fat frying
~Butter and maple syrup or honey, optional



In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add corn with liquid. Stir in milk. In medium bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix together until blended. Line a plate with paper towels. In a deep skillet, heat about 1 inch oil to 375 degrees. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with butter and syrup or honey for dipping.

(This recipe is courtesy from the newspaper. )  :-)




~Enjoy~



I hope you have a lovely Saturday afternoon. :-)

Awards and Tags!

Hannah grace gave me three lovely awards.
Thank you Hannah grace!!

List Seven Interesting Facts About Me:

1.I love to sing randomly and especially while vacuuming. This gives me a chance to compose my own songs and words with out any one listening to how silly they sound. I know it is quite random. ;)

2. I love love writing. I have two journals (Soon to be three.) going at the moment and this blog. I just can't stop my self from writing a lot!

3. I love taking pictures.

4. I enjoy listening to classical music and 1940s big band music and that is about as far as my taste goes.

5. When I was younger I was a big fan of dolls and now as I get older I enjoy making them more. Including their clothes. I love to create cute little girl dolls with dimpled cheeks and animated faces. So fun. :)

6.I have loved the color pink for almost as long as I can remember. But at the moment I love all colors and I am kind of burned out on pink. Interesting huh?

7. Playing the violin and piano calms me after a stressful day.

Now, award as many people as you think have a Beautiful Blog!

Well, I think I could go on and on...I will stick with a few. I will try not leave any one out.

I award

Courtney

Rachel

Mattie

Kelsey

Taylor

~~~~~~~~

And another sweet award I got from Hannah grace! :)

Here are the rules:

1. Tag at least five of your 'sweet friends' on Blogger.

2. Answer the tag (below) in your post.

3. You may tag the person who gave you this award.

4. Don't forget to comment on the post that awarded you.

Let's get started!

1. You are the ___ in your family:

1st

2. Do you have your own camera?

No, but I use our family camera all the time.

3. List three of your character qualities:

Do I have any?... Maybe I'll ask my sister. Wait a minute...

Works hard, Good advise giver, Calm. Thanks Maggie!

4. How long have you had your blog?

I think since, August 2009.

5. What is your favorite thing to blog about?

Hmm... I'd say homemaking.

Now I would like to award:

Maggie

Lindsay

Joelle

Haley

Mattie

Here are the rules:

1. Post about the tag.

2. Choose 5 bloggers who deserve this award.


3. Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged, letting them know they were awarded.

4. Answer the questions along with your post. (Omit questions you don't want to answer)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


1. Apples, Oranges, or Bananas?

Apples!

2. How many siblings do you have?

Five. Two sisters and three brothers.

3. Do you live on a prairie, woodland, city, or other?

I guess it would be the city, though I hate to say it.

4. What is something you enjoy doing with your family?

Ooh this is a hard one. I enjoy a lot. I love to read books with my little brothers and I love to talk with my sisters and parents before bed. That is when every one is the most talkative and it is always a memorable time.

5. Is your room clean?
Yes, I share with both my sisters and it is usually pretty clean. If you don't keep your stuff organized, you look like a slob comparatively.

6. Italy, Greece, France, Spain, or England?
I don't know. Probably...France.


7. What is the scripture that encourages you the most?

There are quite a lot... but here is one that I like a lot.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13


8. Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans?
Of course, chocolate! YUM!


9. What are your favorite types of books?
Historical fiction and mysteries. Good literature, too.


10. Favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate!!


11. If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be?

Casseroles. : )


12. Are you an outside or an inside person?

I am in the middle. Although I do like outside.


13. Describe yourself in three words.

Umm...I...Oops. ;)

14. What chore do you like to do the most?

What kind of chore?! I love them all!!! Just kidding.
Probably, vacuuming. :D


Now, I’d like to award:

All of my wonderful followers who would like to do this award!



Now here is another tag that Taylor gave me! Thanks! :D

YOU CHOOSE:

• Cherries or blueberries?

Blue berries!

• Dogs or cats?

Dogs!

• Beds or sleeping bags?

Beds!

• Hamburger or hot dog?

Hamburgers...yum.

• Typing or writing?

I like them about the same... Probably writing.

• Day or night?

I enjoy both a lot. I guess night.

• Beach or lake?

The beach.

• Christmas or Easter?

Christmas!

• Math or reading?

Definitely reading! I can't do math for enjoyment. But I can read books for education and leisure.

• Tests or studying?

Tests.

• Pens or pencils?

Pencils. You can erase. ;)

• Caterpillars or butterflies?

Butterflies. :)

Okay, now I'll tag:

Any one who would like to do it. :)

I hope you are having a wonderful day, friends!!!

~Blessings~

Sunday Successes..

~We are happy to tell you our regency gowns are done!

My sister picked a lovely yellow pattern for her dress.

~Together~ Maggie and I

~My dress~ I chose green polka dots







Maggie and I are very happy and glad that they're finally done!

Our recital is done. As I said, I was the last one to play my songs. But I was able to enjoy listening to every one play. I was amazingly not too nervous, thankfully. :)
God gave me peace and confidence. And I "acted" as if playing my songs was no big deal. Inside I was a little shaky. Every one did beautifully with their piano pieces. And I think everybody had a good time. Thank you for your prayers and support, every one! It helped. :)

I played:

~ The Surrey with the fringe on Top as a duet with my friend

~ Prelude in C

~ Getting to know you

~ Allegro


Recital completed.

Relief granted. :D SIGH.



I hope you all have had a wonderful, blessed, springy, Sunday!

What have you been up to? :)

On my mind...

Alas, our dresses are not quite finished. Maggie has a little more to do to her dress. It has taken us a while to get these finished, as we are not expert seamstresses. This only the second garment I have ever made. Except for doll clothing. There are so many steps to making clothing!

I will try to have some photos of us both in our dresses tomorrow. :) Maybe we can coax Abby to a photo shoot.( Ha ha. ) She is not one that likes taking photos.

Tomorrow is our recital. I am a pin cushion of pins and needles. My stomach gets all twinged every time I think about it... I will not fret. My sisters' on the other hand are both very calm and are not even a little nervous. Maybe it will rub off on me. :) I am the last one playing my songs out of 17 other people. Gulp. ( They are organized by age. I am the oldest out of all the students.) I know I need to relax. ( As I keep repeating.)

Any way, I hope that we will have some lovely pictures taken by Abby or our mother tomorrow. ;)

I know it is not the most ideal thing, but could you please pray for my sisters, my friend and I as we have our recital tomorrow? Thank you. :)


~Blessings dear friends~


What have ya'll been up to? :)

More Rambles...

Lately, I have been really uncreative and... oh, the dreaded word...busy.
My sisters and I are practicing, practicing, practicing, for this recital, Sunday. Maggie and I are still sewing our Regency dresses, with the help of a sweet lady from our church. We have done four sewing classes and are almost done. Maggie and I are going to hopefully get them finished tomorrow so we can wear them for the recital. :D
Sewing this garment has really given me confidence and more skill.
I am really nervous with this recital coming up....gulp. I will survive and... I just need to do everything for the Lord and not worry what other people say if I mess up.

I had a fun time with a my friend yesterday practicing our duet and having a nice chat over a walk to the park and smoothie at a cafe' near the park. Yummy.

I have a couple tags and awards already stacking up. Seriously I need to write a list. ;)

Well, My sisters, Mother and I are watching the King and I. ( I am playing Getting to know you as one of my recital songs.) Hopefully I can post the dresses that we will finish tomorrow.

I also wanted to share a funny photo.

Who is it????

Well, the answer is... No one!! My sisters, neighbor and I all stuffed some old jeans and a coat with clothing. Funny huh? :)




~Blessings~

The winner...

I typed up all the names,...
place them in the hat,....
shook it all around,....
closed my eyes, ...
picked one....
and the winner, randomly chosen........

.............is.................




Congratulations, Southern Housewife!
Please comment your address and I will send this vintage hat, to you as soon as I can!
(Your address will not be published.)


Thank you to, all who entered!!

I wish I could give each of you something. :)
But I hope to have another give away pretty, soon. Maybe one a little more popular. ;)


Blessings to you all!

Giveaway closing...

My give away will be closing tonight at 12:00.

So check back either tomorrow or on the 29th for the winner!

:-)


Blessings....

Tags and Awards....

Dear readers,

I have really, really slacked off on tags and awards I have received. I am so, so, so, so, sorry!

I am not sure what to do now that I have so many to catch up on. I will try to remember all that I have gotten and I apologize if I forget any!

I really don't like to hurt people's feelings if I don't award them so I have been considering not taking awards...I will stick with it at them moment and try my best to be a faithful tagger and awarder.

Here it goes!

I got awarded by Lindsay!

Thank you so much, Lindsay. I know you awarded this to me along time ago!

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

• Put the lemonade logo on your blog or within a post
• Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award
• Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude
• Link the nominees within your post
• Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

Mattie
Kelsey
Rachel
Courtney
Lindsay
Taylor
Karis
Jolee'
Abby
Johanna

I know many of you have already done this one. So you don't have to do it again!

Taylor tagged me with the "Friendship Tag"!
Thank you so much, Taylor! I am really grateful for the
sweet paragraph you wrote about me on your blog
and I love being your friend! It's been fun getting to
know you!
...
Here are the rules to this tag:

• Choose any amount of friends, blog friends or real life friends, and say at least two things (Or more!) you admire or like about them.

• Tag the friends that you wrote about.

• If those friends have blogs, be sure to link to them!

Oh, I can't decide!!



I will start with my sister I think. :)


Abby, is my dear sister friend. I am so happy to know her and I am glad that I get to spend time with her and blog with her. She is such a zesty person to be around and she is so funny and can always make me laugh. :D




Mattie my dear friend who lives near me is such a joy to be around. She is kind, sweet, creative and a nice person to be around. She is always fun to talk to and asks the best questions that make you feel special.
I am so glad your my friend, Mattie!


Lindsay one of the first people I got to know from blogging, is such a joy to know. I love to read her encouraging posts and I love that she has a sense of humor in her posts. I glad I have "met" you, Lindsay!


Rachel , another friend that I have met by blogging is such a nice person and I have enjoyed her blog as well. She is so kind, encouraging, and sweet. I am glad to have "met" you, Rachel!




Taylor a the dear friend who awarded me, is also some one I met on blogging. Thank you so much for awarding me I have also enjoyed reading your blog and you are a very kind person. I have enjoyed "meeting" you dear friend!



Courtney, Rachel sister, I found by her blog, I have enjoyed getting to know. She is sweet, encouraging, helpful, and I have loved reading about their story adopting Isaac. I am glad to have met you, Courtney!


My new friend Grace is also a wonderful person. I have known her since about February/March. I have been enjoying both of her blogs a lot. She is kind and thoughtful.I am glad to have "met" you, Grace!


Johanna a dear blogging friend is a joy to get to know. I enjoy reading her blog and love getting to know her more and more. She is full of life. I am so glad to have "met" you, Johanna!



Kelsey a dear blogging friend is such a wonderful friend. Her blog and poems are so inspiring. It has been a joy to "meet" you, Kelsey!


I am so grateful to all of you and I am sorry for any one I did not mention! I enjoy all of you dear readers!

I am not sure why it came out that way on the screen...Sorry!






Also, I got a tag from Abby. It's the Beyond Imagination award.

Rules for the award:

~ List 8 stories or books you'd like to live in.

~ List 8 other bloggers who deserve this award.

~ Comment on their blog and let them know you've awarded them.



Let's see... this is a hard one:

1. The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis
3. Emma by Jane Austen
   
4. Mara by Eloise Jarvis Mcgraw
   
5. A murder for her Majesty by Beth Hilgartner
   
6. The Shakespeare stealer by Gary blackwood
   
7. Mother by Kathleen Norris
   
8. The princess Adelina be Julie Sutter
   

I award...

Mattie
Kelsey
Rachel
Courtney
Lindsay
Taylor
Karis
Jolee'



Thanks, Abby!

Childhood tag

This tag, made by Abby, you have to post something that you made or a story you remember from when you were young.

Here it is! This is one of the first things I ever sewed and embroidered. Yep, it's bad. :)



You have to tag at least five people.

I will tag....


Rachel
Courtney
Lindsay
Mattie
Taylor





One more! Grace awarded me! Here it is!
Very lovely! Thank you, Grace! I would award you too. if you hadn't already been tagged. :)

I will award:
Taylor
Lindsay
Mattie
Kelsey
Courtney
Rachel
Abby


For now.. That is all that I can remember. Again I am sorry for letting them stack up... I don't mind if you don't have time for any of these, friends. But I hope you understand my predicament. I don't mean to leave any one out when I award or tag.


I hope you have a wonderful, lovely, sunny day! I know there has been a lot of rain lately. :)


What have you all been up to? :)