THEME Thursday ~ BUTTONS!

A few glitches but I am in harmony with Blogger again! YIPPEE!!!

I love OLD things and have a very sentimental side. I am NOT crafty in ANY way but enjoy the art and expression of others. My Nana Boo has always done needle crafts and knitting and MANY years ago she did Button Bracelets. Years ago, the little village she lives in used to have a button factory. My grandfather would get handfuls of the buttons and had quite a collection of unique buttons. These buttons were largely used in my grandmother's bracelets. I love this button bracelet so much and have taken to wearing it again! It is stylish and unique and makes me feel a bit exotic when I wear it!
Madeleine wanted to model it while practicing the piano.

I love the old and unique buttons that make up this bracelet!

Nana Boo is coming to dinner this week (she will be 96 years old this month) and she will be surprised that I still have this bracelet, that I wear it, and that I featured it for this week's THEME THURSDAY!!

For more Cute as a BUTTON FUN go to THEME THURSDAY.

BLOGGER PROBLEMS!

I am having trouble posting to Blogger. My tool bar is completely missing. Many complaints on the HELP pages but no answers as to how to fix it yet! ACK! I hope to be back VERY soon!!

Okay...so I cried over it...

My long time blog readers will KNOW that I am a complete SAP when it comes to little ones in danger, animals, sad movies, even Hallmark commercials. My kids will say on a REGULAR basis, "Mom, you don't need to watch that...you'll just cry!" Just hearing the opening theme music to LASSIE: Come home! brings me to tears. Well, with the ONE ZILLION cable channels now available it is possible to see a little bit of everything and the show that my Emma is hooked on right now?? And, I am right there watching (AND CRYING) with her!

Little House On The Prarie


Whew! Momma needs to get away from the Telly!

Gray Cat bird

We had a great weekend...A GULLY WASHER of a rain storm on Saturday...we had plans that were canceled and we were all thrilled to stay in and relax. Brilliant sunshine for Sunday...unseasonably cool temps and plenty of time for some reading on the porch. I like that kind of weekend. We do not have many like that. Sitting on our porch I am intrigued by the call of the Catbird. They are plentiful here. They sound like a cat mewing pitifully. When we moved to The Glen, Emma spent a great deal of time looking for what she thought were abandoned kittens...or even a young child crying. Betsy, from My Five Men is a true lover of our feathered friends and identified this bird right away when I explained its call to her.
I have to admit when given the name of this bird this is the exact image that came to mind!

They are a pretty little bird that like to sit high in the trees...the ones here at The Glen are not as bluish as this one...they are more of a gray shade. Pretty little things aren't they?

I have NEVER been fond of birds until moving to The Glen...there are so many colorful and interesting birds here that I find myself looking at feeders, bird houses and reading books about birds of the Midwest! I have to admit though...I do not want ANY bird flying round my head!!

Bridal preparations!

We have a family engagement, our Cousin Beth will be marrying sweet Tim and there is much to do in preparation for that special day! My girls are thrilled to be included in the wedding and along with that comes visits to the bridal salon! Oh, how they loved trying on the elegant dresses and then critiquing all the gowns that Beth tried on! A little girls heaven...I had fun too!

Oh my...Emma looks MUCH too old in this one...yet so elegant!

Hmmmmmm, I don't know about THAT one!

Emma thoroughly enjoying Beth in her various gowns.

What about this one?

Some SASSY girls!!


Of course, I did NOT include any photos of the dresses chosen...that would not do at all would it!?!?!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Theme Thursday...there was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children, she didn't know what to do;
She gave them some broth without any bread;
Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

I much prefer the more stylish streamlined shoe below don't you?

So, we are building a new house right? This involves a great deal of work, money, effort...etc. And, we are building a new house 'cause we have a big family and the Lord has blessed us with this awesome opportunity to have a bigger house with more bedrooms and BATHROOMS right? Well, why then, will you tell me are we building a bigger house when all my kids are asleep together in ONE ROOM!!!????? AAAAAACKK!!!

First published at LIFE at KILLENY GLEN October 10th, 2007. Killeny Glen is now complete and despite the extra rooms the kiddos still use the Hubbie's and my bathroom the most and often sleep in their siblings rooms!!

For more SHOE FUN go to THEME THURSDAY.

Saying Goodbye to a dear friend.

My sweet girl about a week ago.

Emma took this photo of Cinder and I at my desk..Cinder has been napping on my lap for approximately 80% of my blog posts...a true Bloggin' Buddy.

Ya gotta kiss a lot of frogs...

...to find your true prince! Emma has found a toad that hops up on our porch every evening at dark. She calls him Charming.




At ten years old I know that my sweet Emma's true prince is still her DADDY!!

The Glen is IN BLOOM

When we moved to The Glen I was intrigued and inspired to think I had a BLANK PALETTE and a LARGE PALETTE with which to work when it came to plantings, trees, flowers, etc. I LOVE to work in the garden...I find it VERY therapeutic to get my hands dirty. But, (you knew there was a "but" coming didn't you?) I quickly realized that it is a big job to start with NOTHING and come up with a master plan and make it work! Two things that are against me in my gardening passion...I am NOT patient and I am easily frustrated! But, today as I took my morning walk around The Glen I felt a sense of satisfaction...not in MY work but in the amazing beauty that is offered to me through God's colorful art work. Such pleasure is surely a GLIMPSE of heaven!

This is a new Lily for me...I love the delicate pink.

These buttercups always move with me...they are hearty and forgiving...they came from my Mamaw's garden. She has been gone for nineteen years.

One of my ALL TIME favorites! I love a bouquet of Black Eyed Susans in my kitchen...it just REEKS cheerfulness.

One of the most pleasant parts of my walks...looking behind me and seeing Clarice a few steps behind! She is the BEST company!

Theme Thurday - Life Is a STAGE!

In watching my children (especially my girls) I see in them that each new experience, each new environment is an OPPORTUNITY for play...play that involves, songs, poems, verse, dance, drama, CREATIVITY. All of these things do not need props or multitudes of people, or money or costumes....only IMAGINATION and the endless supply that seems to pour out of their very souls...When you are seven and ten...your life's work is play...in every sense of the word LIFE truly IS a stage...where they will find themselves and their purpose in this world.

The girls (and friends) dug out a handful of handkerchiefs from a dress up box and thus began the second act of their play!




"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players..."
William Shakespeare

Click HERE for more THEME THURSDAY.

Wordless Wednesday

Uh, ever feel like this?

I know ONE thing...I would SOOOOOOO wear those sunglasses!

Photographer unknown

Aaaaahhhhh, refreshing, rejuvenating RAIN!

How we needed rain...and we all waited with anticipation as the clouds moved in and suddenly it began...cool, refreshing...life giving! So welcome!
The swale in front of the house always becomes a little stream running into our spring. The Starlings are THRILLED to find a snack of worms coming to the surface.

The bird bath has been DRY and now the rain is filling it up nicely along with rose petals.

The Minnows and the Crawfish will be plentiful and easy to catch after this storm.

Emma planted marigolds around the bridge and they have not done well without regular watering...they will perk up now!

The garden really enjoyed the LONG rain.

Clarice and Asher continued their POSHY life napping on the porch while the rain poured.

WARNING! WARNING!!

This blog is likely to be lacking in creativity, witty remarks, interesting facts, exciting stories, photos of any intrigue...due to SUMMER. Having my really cool kiddos home full time, all the amazing outdoor activities, having the most PLEASANT weather here in the Midwest, I am constantly lured away from my computer!!

Have a wonderful weekend dear friends and family!

Theme Thursday-Ghosts and a Life lesson?

Check out these cute looking GHOSTS. THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN...brought to our television screens by classic cartoonist Charles Schultz. I adore Charlie Brown and wish there were GOOD, innocent cartoons like these for my kids NOW. But while I listen to my kids HOWL with laughter over the antics of the PEANUTS gang...I am NOW acutely aware of how Charlie Brown was treated and feel the need to lecture my brood on kindness, acceptance and love.

Charlie Brown's classic line, "I got a rock" now makes me a little sad for this sweet little ghost. Poor little guy got his sheet all messed up with too many holes AND only got rocks for Trick or Treat!

As always, it makes me think of the boy in my class in school that the kids were mean to...he dressed funny, had a buzz haircut (when buzzes were NOT cool) and now, looking back, had a horrible home life...I needed to be his LINUS and take up for him. Wonder why I didn't and where he is now? Sigh...one of those regrets in life...

Find MORE GHOSTLY FUN at THEME THURSDAY!

Wordless Wednesday...is that Daddy?

Word on the web is that THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY are looking for a new guy...I mean gal!

Click HERE for more WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

Time just flies...

Not only do we celebrate Sam's birthday in July...we also celebrate the anniversary of his joining our family. What a joy and SPARK this little guy brings to our family!
I am pretty sure this is the first photo we ever saw of little Sam...it hung on our kitchen bulletin board for many months before we found out he would need a Forever Family.

I love this photo of Daddy and Sam...this was our last day in Guangzhou, China. THREE YEARS AGO! (My LCC friends will most certainly recognize the famous or for some, infamous, RED COUCH!)

I took this photo over Fourth of July weekend...Daddy and Sam have continued their love of reading in different places around the world...this time at Killeny Glen!


A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

Chinese Proverb

How was YOUR weekend?

I am basking in a really pleasant and relaxing Fourth of July weekend. Does it have to be Monday already?
Did you know the total of hot dogs Americans are to have consumed on July 4th, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council is 150 MILLION!!!? I am quite sure that we helped contribute to this statistic along with some awesome burgers, bratwurst and LOTS of side dishes!
From Real Simple Magazine


Sparklers are pure pleasure for kids...I love to watch the glee on the kids' faces as they hold them and marvel at the colors in the sparks and how they write in the air if only for a very brief moment. The giggles, the shouts of excitement...it is one of those childhood activities that always stays with you.


Have a great week friends!

Simple pleasures...pure blessings...

Today's simple pleasures:

~FOUR, yes, FOUR Hummingbirds on our feeder...they are SO cute an SASSY!

~Fresh ground beans for coffee made by my sweet hubbie.

~Fresh black raspberries on my cereal.

~Anticipation for an awesome Fourth of July Party tonight with dear friends!

~Blog friends! Best wishes for a great weekend!


I SO ENJOY this photograph!

FRIDAY! FUN! FIVE YEARS OLD!

I cannot let the week pass without celebrating my sweet Sam who turned FIVE this week! To say he was excited about his birthday is NOT ENOUGH...he was caught up in every detail and to watch him was absolutely magical!

This is Baby Sam and although he was and still is a tiny guy...he has changed and GROWN in SO many ways!

Sam and Daddy spent the day together for our traditional DADDY'S DAY OUT and I just love this smile!!! Dimples everywhere!

Sam's favorite Chinese restaurant, with his favorite waitress, eating his favorite foods! Check out the lips for blowing out the candles.

Emma baked the cake and Mitchell, Emma and Madeleine decorated it...Sam LOVED it!

One of his favorite gifts...LEGOS! He can ALWAYS count on big brother, Mitchell, to play Legos with him!

"Sigh." No Nate this week...he has been at camp and having a BLAST...we are all a bit sick for him! Can't wait to have him home!

Have a fabulous weekend!

THEME Thursday ~Won't you take me to...

FUNKY TOWN!!! I know you know that Funky Town is a 1980 song made by the disco band, Lipps Inc. I absolutely CANNOT hear this song and not smile and sing along just a little. I have vivid memories of dancing and singing to this song with friends (and you too Grant!) on MANY occasions and I think, at the time, I really sounded great! I might have been quite delusional!



Find MORE FUNKY enthusiasts at THEME THURSDAY!

Wordless Wednesday

Find more WORDLESS WEDNESDAY photos at Five Minutes For Mom.

We are celebrating Sam the Man today at The Glen! He is FIVE YEARS OLD!!! More about that when I am NOT wordLESS!