KITTENS, OUCH!

I had no idea that being mom to kittens was so much work. I'm feeding them every 4 hours and then I let them play for an hour in a dog corral because I still think they are to small to let them play around with my dogs. Chiquita goes round and round outside the corral while the kittens run around inside. It's really very funny. Oreo likes climbing to the top of the scratching post to sit and Chiquita just stares at him not taking her eyes off him as if she is afraid he will get hurt if he jumps. She will look my way and then back at the kitten. Another thing that makes Chiquita nervous is when the kittens play rough with each other. She gets a nervous look in her eyes,starts shaking and then barks at them, which I think is her way of telling them to stop. I really had no idea my chihuahua would take such a liking to kittens. The thing that is not so funny is that I already have what looks like 100 scratches on my arms and legs from the razor sharp nails on those kittens. Yesterday morning they were really hungry when I took them out of their kennel and when I was putting their milk into their bowl Oreo actually jumped on my calf and then I felt his nail dig into my flesh and when I turned to look I saw him hanging on by just that one nail. OMG, it hurt so bad I screamed and and I think that scared him even more because he then tried to hang on to my arm and hand. I am covered in scratches, anyone who sees me will think I cut myself. Oh, and then this morning I was kneeling on the floor feeding Oreo when I felt Cotton climbing up my back, so I'm there on the floor trying to feed one kitten while trying to get one off my back all the while feeling his nails. I was actually laughing just imagining what I must have looked like.LOL! There hasn't been a dull moment in my house since those little kittens arrived.

Raising Tiny Kittens

The reason I haven't blogged lately is that I'm raising kittens. My son who works at a Home Depot found these two babies in a pot in the garden department. He had noticed the mama once in a while but the kittens really couldn't move around. Being the caring softy my son brought them home before another employee called the SPCA. I have no idea how old they are maybe 4 weeks and I have no idea if they are boys or girls but I am in love with them. I'm feeding them milk replacement and have them in a box but take them out to play after every feeding. Soon after that they have no trouble going to sleep. One of my chihuahuas is acting like a mommy. She runs to the box every time she hears them cry, and then comes to get me wherever I am. It's so funny to watch. The first twenty four hours that the kittens were home, my Chi didn't sleep a wink because she sat by the box the whole night and didn't let me sleep because she kept wanting me to go to them every 5 to 10 minutes. My other Chi couldn't care less she just stays away from them.I'm feeding them every 4 hours and watch them while they play. I forgot how much time animals babies require. I'm loving it though. Anyway, their names are Oreo and Cotton.

How Cute Is This

When I went to Barnes & Noble this past weekend I went into the kids section to find some books for my niece’s daughter. It was actually the first time that I went into that section. I had a great time seeing all the books that are available to kids now. I saw this little bake set and just couldn’t pass it up. The muffin pan is pretty small and just so cute. It’s got lot’s of cup cake papers and frosting tips and recipes. I was lucky to be there when I was because this bake set was the last one left, so I guess I was meant to buy it. HA!

Another thing I found was a chef set, which I’m pretty sure goes with the bake set. It’s unbelievably cute, especially the chef’s hat. It’s got a small wooden spoon and rolling pin. I think I’m saving this for my first granddaughter. Anytime I find something cute I’ll buy it and put it in a special box. Am I crazy or what ?! If any of you do any baking and have little granddaughters you might think of going to Barnes & Noble and buying either one of these sets. They also make a perfect cupcake party gift.

My hubby and son have been working on an old El Camino and hubby asked if I wanted to go to Hancock’s to look for some Nufoam (sp?) for the car seats. I was actually shocked to hear my hubby say he wanted to go to Hancock. I didn’t hesitate to say yes since I do like Hancock and I hadn’t gone to that store in a long, long time. The first thing I saw when we walked in was this little sewing machine by Janome. It weighs 5 pounds and is of good quality. I paid $50 bucks for it. It’s perfect for little hands. The only thing it doesn’t have is a handle, which it could use. Not that it’s heavy or anything, but you get a more secure hold on it with a handle. The book next to it is a medium size paper back book and the machine isn’t much bigger. Way cute!

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Wasn’t Expecting This!

Ever since my son and hubby have been working on an old El Camino I have found all these car parts in my house. UPS keeps bringing boxes of different car parts. One time I opened the entry closet and I was greeted with a big long box which had door panels. The latest surprise was me walking in the house and stepping into the dining room and seeing this car seat on the table along with tools, wires and other car stuff. Hubby and son thought it very convenient to work on the car seats on the table. No oil stains anywhere thank goodness. I have warned them not to do this again or else. I know they’re excited but, come on. The thing is they don’t see anything wrong with it. I’m sure I’ll have more surprises before this El Camino is fully restored. MEN!

The Best Apple Pie

Yesterday was my oldest son’s last day at home so I asked him if he would like for me to make him a Chicken Pot Pie or an Apple Pie, and he decided on Apple Pie. I was really cutting it short because I started the pie at 1 pm and we had to leave the house by 3:30, be at the airport by 5:30 for his 6:30 flight. I gathered my ingredients as fast as I could and hoped I wouldn’t mess up. I knew that if the pie wouldn't come out right it would be my fault and not the recipe itself because I always use the one that I got from a friend who is a baker and it’s the best ever. Here I am mixing the pie dough. I always add the same amount of water, no more, no less and it’s always perfect. You can find the recipe on the bottom of this post.

I sprinkled some flour on the table, which by the way is very old and has had lot’s of cookies dough,pie dough, and tortillas rolled out on. I love that table. Anyway, I always use a rolling pin sock other wise the dough would stick to the rolling pin and that’s not cool. I roll out the dough about one inch bigger than the pie plate. If you use this recipe I promise you’ll never have another pie dough sticking to your rolling surface again. Just add very little flour on the bottom of the dough every once in a while.I always fold the dough in half before placing it on the plate. It’s easier to get it centered that way. I just make sure there are no air bubbles on the bottom by gently pressing the dough with my fingers all over the dough once it’s on the plate. Remember, the dough for the bottom is always bigger so you can turn the sides onto the top dough.

I then place all the apple slices onto the dough making sure I get every little last drop of the juicy syrup that the apples create. I’m allergic to cinnamon so I only add nutmeg to the apple, but you can add whatever spices you like for example: cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, or whatever you prefer.

I flour the bottom of the ball of dough and roll it out just big enough to cover the top of the apple slices.Once the top dough is rolled out I fold it in half and place the center on the center of the apples.

Once the top dough is on the apples I seal the top and bottom edges together so the juices from the apples won’t seep out.I brush egg white on all the top and sides then add about two tablespoons of granulated sugar on top. I don’t like a plain pie top so that’s why I add the sugar. I place some foil paper under the pie plate when I place it in the oven to catch any juice that might accidently come out. But I don’t make vents on the top of my pies so that doesn’t happen to often. I just prefer a round top.You can make air vents so the steam can escape which will also give you a flatter top.

This is what the pie looks like once it’s done. I always let it cool for a while so the syrup and apples have a chance to settle and not run out as soon and you cut into it.

Here is the end result. This is such a good pie especially when there’s the extra ingredient of love. my son loved the pie and had a big slice before we left for the airport. I thank my baker friend every time I make a pie.

Apple Mixture

5 Golden Delicious apples peeled and sliced 1/4 thick.

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoon all purpose flour

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

1 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter cut up

granulated sugar for top

Pie dough for a two crust pie

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 sticks cold unsalted butter cut up

3 tablespoons very cold shortening

1 egg yolk set egg white aside for glazing top of pie

1 tablespoon white vinegar

5 tablespoons ice water or more if your dough is very dry

Mix together flour, sugar, salt, egg yolk and vinegar. Add butter and shortening and cut into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Add water and knead into a ball just until all the mixture is incorporated. Divide into two balls in for the top and one for the bottom making sure the ball for the bottom is bigger. Roll out bigger ball of dough and lay onto the bottom of the pie plate. Add apple mix into dough covered pie plate and then roll out second ball of dough and seal edges. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

Best Cookies So Far

I have been enjoying my son's visit tremendously, since he's been here, and I always try to cook or bake his favorite meals and desserts, so, he put in a request for chocolate chip cookies last night, and I made these from a recipe I had not tried before, and boy, were they a big hit with everyone. My husband and two son's told me the cookies were really good right after the first bite. My son who is visiting, is such a health nut that he says if he's going to eat cookies they have to be homemade, and yes, he does cook and bake, but he doesn't have time for baking. I am going to keep this recipe as my main Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. I had been baking the same CC cookie recipe for years, but this new one just bumped it down. I'll have to make him some stuffed pizza and chicken pot pie before he goes back to California.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature 1 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup white granulated sugar (plain sugar) 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or more if you like

In one large mixing bowl mix butter, sugars, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add eggs and beat until smooth and fluffy. Sift dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients and mix by hand until well mixed. Add chocolate chips and mix well. Scoop heaping tablespoon of mix and place on large cookie sheet about 3 per row and 1 inch apart. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are light brown and cookies are puffy. Cool on wire rack.

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Love This Profile

I was taking pictures of my girls a few days ago and was lucky enough to get Chiquita's profile. I love a Chihuahua's profile, it's so dainty yet sharp at the same time. This little girl has a hard time being still long enough for a picture. I took this one right after she had woken up from a nap. She's been on full speed and high alert since my son has been home. My son says Chiquita acts like a Doberman in a tiny body. I agree with him 100%. Chihuahuas are the best little guard dogs and they are very loyal and really take care of the person they bond with. Once you have one you'll soon realize you can't have just one.

Hand Quilting Tutorial #3

I have put up the 3rd Hand Quilting Tutorial on the left side of my blog in case you want to see it. Hopefully I'll be done within the next two weeks. I really wanted to be done before my son came home since I always quilt in the living room and once he's here it's where we spend most of our time. I guess if I push it I can be done with it. I'm pleased with the way it looks, very retro like. I have an idea for the next quilt I want to piece even though I have several that need to be quilted first. I just like piecing quilt tops. I like the creative process of the whole thing. I like choosing the design, fabrics, and putting it together but the best part is putting on the binding which is the very last thing to put on a quilt. Once I start putting on the binding there's no stopping me until I'm done. The sad thing is I want to do so many things and I don't have enough time. I would actually stay awake till 4 or 5 in the a.m but my body will react very badly if I did that.

I'M GETTING A SPECIAL VISITOR

Oh, I'm going to be getting a visitor within the next week or two. I'm going to pick up my niece's daughter, Sonia. She is 6 years old and has two way older brothers and I have no girls so we are both looking forward to it. She knows I have lot's of fabric,scissors of all kinds, stamps, brushes, papers and lot's of time so she can't wait. She called the other day and told me, "Come get me right now because I'm tired of the boys." I told her I was 8 hours away but she doesn't quite understand that part yet.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY MAKE IT A SAFE ONE

We must never forget who Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be eternally grateful.

Thank You Gloria

I have to thank my friend Gloria from Viva la Vida for giving me the One Lovely Blog Award. I know lot's of people don't like to display awards but I do it proudly. You made my day Gloria.

Almost Burned The House & Reached A Goal Today

Remember I mentioned my son was cutting the headliner for his car.Well, I got after him for not cleaning up the tiny specks of old spongy foam which were all over my cutting table. I told him to use the vacuum and to make sure he got everything. Well he plugs it in and turns it on and I hear this very weird sound like if there was something stuck inside the vacuum. It was still working so my son kept on using it then he very calmly tells me to go and look at what was happening so I go look and the vacuum is smoking really bad. I told him to run and unplug the darn thing which he did and ran outside with the thing. The smell and smoke were bad. I mean it stunk so bad I had to open all the windows. When hubby came home son told him I almost burned the house. Hubby then asks me, "Did you put a bag in it because it didn't have one? Did you check the bottom to make sure there was nothing stuck?" I said no and then wondered if he probably knew there was something wrong with it and didn't tell me which wouldn't be the first time. UGH!!! My reached goal was, no, I didn't lose weight, but I walked 4 1/2 miles on the treadmill today. LOL! I had been walking 30 to 40 minutes at a pretty fast speed but by the 30 minutes I was pretty much done and would usually just reach about 2 1/2 miles. Well, today, I walked at more comfortable pace but for 1 hour and was able to walk the 4 1/2 miles and burn more calories. I don't know why I hadn't done that before. I guess I thought that walking faster would burn more calories. I've been reading the book, STEP UP, which has some fantastic tips. I usually walk till night time sometimes at 11 p.m. I know it's crazy but I just get too hot during the day. We finally got some rain today and I'm so thankful. My plants and the foundation of the house got some much needed relief. It also kept the temperatures from reaching 100.

Update On Sister-In-Law

Boy, it has been a while since I've posted. Anyway, my SIL who had the stroke will be going home today. She has been in rehab for only two weeks and I don't think she's anywhere ready to go home but since she's on Medicare/Medicaid for her mental disability it's all the time they allow her in rehab. Can you believe?!?! Her sister, who will be caring for her has been told she has to make sure she walks her several times a day using the walker and belt because she has no balance, she shouldn't let her nap for more than one hour at a time, she has to eat pureed foods so her food won't go into her lungs, and she has to make her practice her speech because all she says is yes and no when she is asked something. She must be told what to do in order for her to do something. Sounds like the problem solving part of her brain was affected severly by the stroke. The 95 year old father who is on oxygen is feeling quilty thinking that my SIL helping him is what made her get the stroke. Doctors told him that wasn't true. Even though my SIL had the mental capacity of a 4 year old she would help her dad a lot. She would put on his socks, give him water, talk and argue with him, add sugar to his coffee,watch t.v together and laugh at their favorite shows.. My FIL really misses the daughter who was able to do that. They have a caregiver that is provided by the state but from what I saw the last time I paid a surprised visit I caught her napping on the couch. My other SIL who has been in the hospital staying with the stroke victim faces the decison of quiting her job to stay home and care for her sister but will than have finacial problems. My poor SIL has given up her life caring first for her mother, her mentally disabled sister since she was very young, and now both sister and dad. She has never married because of this. All four brothers went on to marry and have a life except for her and she is the youngest of the family. It's a very sad situation. Well enough said on this subject. I will appreciate any input from you that I can relate to my SIL.

Prayers Needed Sister-In-Law Had Major Stroke

I have two sisters-in-law, one is 51 and the other is 60, and they are both my husband's sisters. The 60 year old has been mentally challenged since the age of 4. She had a major stroke on Monday and I just don't know what to think of the decisions the doctors are making. After the first round of MRI's the doctors said she had bleeding and swelling in her brain and that she was in critical condition. The doctor said that even though she can move her arms and legs, respond and answer questions with a yes or no the patient may start to deteriorate with paralyzes and cardiac arrest. They did a swallowing test and I guess she passed it so she has been given purred food and water with Thick It so she won't get any liquid or food into her lungs. Doctors said that if liquids or food start going into the lungs she can develop pneumonia. On Thursday she developed a fever which comes and goes, then yesterday she was moved to a rehab hospital and was made to walk with the walker and do some exercises. Saturday she had a bad day with gagging, not eating much and shaking hands. I just find it hard to understand why she was moved out of the hospital so quickly if she is still considered critical. My 51 year old sister is under so much stress right now with having the 94 year old father who is oxygen dependent waiting at home worrying about what's going on. We live 350 miles away so my hubby flew over there to help out for the week. Luckily there are two brothers who live close by who will have to help. I just hope my stressed out SIL won't end up sick herself. AY AY AY!

Time To Exercise :(

I invited my hubby to go check out the treadmills with me on Saturday and right after I told him which one I liked he said, “ O.K, let me get one of the guys to get it for us”. I was really surprised he was so complaisant so I’m thinking maybe he wants me to lose weight to but just won’t tell me. He’s smart he’s learned what not to say to me.LOL! It took him hours to put the darn thing together. I tried it out for the first time on Monday evening and I told him to film me so that I could put a small video of me on the blog. I set up the camera on the tripod and told him all you have to do is push the red button, so, I get on the treadmill and he can’t figure out where the button is and I try to stand on the side rails and I didn’t do it fast enough so one of my feet starts sliding backward and I’m trying to hold on to the handle bars. Luckily I was wearing the stop key and the treadmill stopped otherwise I would have really taken a bad fall. My husband looks at me and he’s doing his best not to laugh and says,"Can you do that again babe because that can be great on film”. It was pretty funny actually.LOL! I use to walk in my neighborhood but the pounding on the pavement was hard on my lower back so I stopped which was the reason I gained 30 pounds. I noticed that walking on the treadmill is much better. Anybody want to want to walk along with me at the same time and then post your progress?

Can’t Get Into Blog.Insomnia Monster Comes Calling

I have been having problems posting on my blog because I haven’t been able to get into my blog. I had to load foxfire to do it which is crazy. I wasn’t able to see Gloria’s blog and several others either. What gives IE?! I guess I’ll have to go through Foxfire to do my posting for a while. I’m trying it out and so far it seems o.k. but like everything else that’s new in life it takes a while to get used to.

I have been feeling like crap lately. I thought I was conquering the insomnia monster but it’s gotten a hold of me again. I don’t get sleepy until 3 a.m and then wake up at 6 or 7 am. I’m fine for 3 or 4 hours but after that I just crash and start falling asleep every where. I usually take a 1 or 2 hour nap to function but then I’m wide awake again by midnight. At that time I can do housework go walking and it’s usually when I do my quilting. You know I have two Chihuahuas and they don’t fall asleep until they see me going to bed. Well, they are beginning to sleep all day and become like energizer bunnies at 11 pm. They start dropping their favorite toys at my feet so I can play with them. I want to do so many things but don’t have the energy during the day. I refuse to take sleeping pills so I will start drinking some Sleepy Time tea that has chamomile, passion flower and the disgusting Valerian. I’ve had it before and it does make me sleepy but I was trying to avoid it. I do read at night but then I get so into the book that I don’t want to put the book down. Oh well. I’m going to go shopping for a thread mill today and hopefully IE can mix their blogging problem pronto.

Mother’s Day On Sunday,Gardening On Monday

I didn’t do much on Mother’s Day because Saturday we did most of our celebrating. I had breakfast with hubby and son on Sunday morning and after getting calls from my son in New York and son in Los Angeles and other people wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day hubby and I went out for a while. I can’t help be a little sad every year though because my mom is no longer with us and I would always make a big deal for my mom on Mother’s Day. I’d start about three weeks early just looking for the right card,gift,cake and flowers. I tend to get teary eyed through out Mother’s Day. But all in all it was great day.Hubby did take a picture of me that day.

On Monday I was out in the yard pulling weeds,weeds and more weeds.I hate pulling weeds! I dead headed my roses, fed them, watered them and tied back some too long stems of some climbing roses and in the process I got poked and scratched by the roses defense, thorns. I had to do this at noon to avoid the mosquitoes later in the day so with the high humidity I must’ve sweated gallons. I’m beginning to feel it in my neck. Some of my roses.

Our cat Smokey likes to follow me around whenever I’m working in the yard.

New Books,Dreams,Movies,Quilting

I started a new book yesterday and it’s been interesting from page one so far. WOMAN OF A THOUSAND SECRETS is a story in pre Columbus time. Tonina is a nineteen year old girl who goes through many difficult adventures. You can read a little more in the What I’m Reading Now section on the lower left side of this blog. I can tell I’m really going to enjoy this book because it has everything I like in a book.

I have been having some pretty weird dreams lately and it seems I’m the only one in my family with weird dreams. I’ve heard that sometimes hormones can cause this. My latest dream was set in a beautiful open area with green grass. I was standing on the grass smelling fresh air and water. I could see the ocean to one side and when I looked to my left I saw sheep wearing green skirts, yes, skirts and jumping off a cliff. It was a place like Scotland which I have never been to. I’ve dreamt I am having a baby, that I’m fighting evil, and I have many many dreams of a baby girl. Go figure.LOL! I just saw The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and I really liked it. Of course I was so curious as to what an old baby would look like that that’s what actually made me see the movie. It wasn’t because Brett Pitt was the starring actor. I really didn’t even think of Brett until he actually becomes a young looking Benjamin. I didn’t realize it was a long movie until I saw the time length on the dvd cover. I really recommend this movie and you can watch it with your kids if you have any.Well it does have some naughty words though. I am still quilting the Dick and Jane quilt, or is it Tom and Jane.I like the quilting on the quilt and now that mly hands and fingers have gotten used to quilting again I’m quilting pretty fast. I was wondering if I should’ve used a white quilting thread because the multi colored thread is very visible on the off white blocks. Well I guess there’s no use in any should haves since I’m not ripping out stitches. I’m thinking about the next top I’ll be quilting. I’m thinking of the grape quilt for my sister in law or just finishing up the sunbonnet sue blocks for a twin size bed. Since I’m using a polyester batting on the quilt I’m working on now I had forgotten how easy it is to hand quilt with it compared to the cotton batting.

Hand Quilting Tutorial,Reading,and Gardening

I am still working on the Dick and Jane quilt and made a hand quilting tutorial video’s. The first part you can watch on the left of this blog in The Video Of The Week section and the second part you can see by clicking on the link under the video which will take you to my YouTube channel. I had to film it early in the morning when my Chi’s were still sleepy and kind of quiet. They can get very loud though out the day LOL. Hopefully you will enjoy the video’s.

I have been spending quite a bit of time outside now that all of my rose bushes are blooming. With the jasmine and roses in full bloom the back yard is the perfect place to be everyday. Well maybe not perfect because the mosquitoes are very bad right now. We have to apply mosquito spray and have mercy on you if you dare go out in shorts which is what I did last week. I had bites on both arms and legs and couldn’t stop scratching.Back to my roses,the problem I am now having with some rose bushes that some are beginning to develop black spot with all the rain that we had but the roses have never been bigger nor more beautiful. I will soon post a video of them for you to enjoy.

I am still reading The Red Tent and once I start reading I can’t stop. I really didn’t get into the book until the second chapter. I had started the book about 3 years ago and just put it away after reading about four pages but this time I gave it another try and it’s been great so far. I just sent a copy of the book to my sister in Indiana along with The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle which is another hard to put down book. I also sent her The Other Boleyn Girl along with the movie. She’s going to love it being a big fan of The Tudors. Luckily we like the same books so we’re always sending books to each other.

Multicolor Quilting Thread

I have started quilting the crib size Dick and Jane quilt with multi colored cotton thread which I had never used before. I like the way it’s looking I like the way it hides within the fabric with it’s changing colors. The only thing is it’s expansive at $7.00 per spool. I know I was shocked at the price to. I will post pictures of the quilt as soon as I’m done. It won’t take me long since I am pretty fast at hand quilting.

Raining Cats and Dogs In Houston

Wow, was the rain we got in Houston saturday crazy or what! Those were some severe thunderstorms with tornados. We live in a high place so when our street and back yard get flooded it means we have gotten way too much rain. I couldn't believe how hard and fast the rain was coming down. I heard we got somewhere like 8 inches of rain in a small amount of time. There were trash bags floating down our street. I have seen it get like that three times first time was back in the early 90's during a tropcial storm and then during the bad flood here back in 2001 and then again yesterday. We have a shed in the back yard and if it would've rained one more inch the water would've gone into the shed. I'm sure many houses got rain inside because like I said we live on a pretty high spot so when our street gets flooded it gets pretty bad in other places. Today, Sunday, is a beautiful day and most of my roses are blooming.

Award From Gloria

I'm so happy to have recieved this award from my friend Gloria over at http://glorv1.blogspot.com/ . This award is for enjoying our times spent together and having turned Blogland into a great place to spend time.Thank you my friend I will post it proudly. I will than in turn give this award to other people.

I’ve Been A Busy Bee

For the last two weeks I have been pretty busy. My two older son’s are coming to visit and I have been busy cleaning and making room which means moving lot’s of my stuff from where I usually have it. My oldest son is coming in from Los Angeles and whom I haven’t seen in two years. The second son is coming in from New York city and they are both coming in the same day and at the same hour so it will be great picking them both up at the same airport. The oldest and I share the same birthday and haven’t celebrated one together in 8 years and when the second son found out his brother was going to be home for our birthday he decided to come to. I am so happy and excited I can hardly wait for Thursday.

I have also been busy quilting the Dick and Jane quilt which I have only been doing in between cleaning and organizing. I’ve been working quite a bit in the garden. I have bought two new rose bushes, Mary Rose and The Dark Lady. I just fell in love with The Dark Lady roses they are huge crimson flowers with about 100 petals each and smell so good. Mary Rose has big pink flowers also with lot’s of petals and it smells even more beautiful. I have gotten herbs and will be adding more soil to the herb garden which is something I do every year. Here are a couple of pictures of my plants and my little chi strapped in her car seat while on a trip to Galveston. Now she’s not driving me crazy standing at the window parking at the cars.

The Dark Lady

mary Rose

My little girl in her car seat. Had to put her in a car seat after she destroyed the padding on the door.