Last First Day of School

So, today is the first day of school and it just hit me, this will be my nephew Ryan's last first day of high school. Where does the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday they moved here and he was starting his freshman year? We look forward to watching him play his last year of football at Smithson Valley...GO RANGERS!

The Junction Boys along with the other MeadowLand kids start their first day at our new charter school. Most of the kids have mixed feelings about attending our new school as many of them wanted to stay in the Boerne schools. It will be interesting to see how it went today. I look forward to my yearly tradition of surprising the Junction Boys with something on the first day of school. Today I will have an ice cream party waiting for them when they get home. Yum!

Gerald dreads this day as the school traffic will back in full force. He has to leave a 1/2 hour early just so he can beat the traffic.

As for me, I am going to get my hair done and eat ice cream!

Apronista

Here's a sneak peek of what I have been sewing. I made this one today which I named "Coming Up Daisey's". I have a stack of vintage/retro fabrics just waiting to become aprons. Too much fun!!

30 Years Ago Today

Gerald and Brenda were married in Owensboro, KY on Aug. 9, 1978. It seems like just yesterday! Over the years, we have been many places, made many wonderful friends, and have experienced so much. We look forward to many more years and to what God has in store for us! We are blessed to have each other and thank God for the gift of all of you in our lives!

Here is a poem that pretty much sums it up for us:

The Rocking Chairs

Two rocking chairs on the porch, side by side,
One is the husband. One is his wife.
Thirty years they have shared and have found...

Many blessings that God has bestowed unto them
And has guided them all through the years;
How to love and endure hardships –
Together, how to conquer their fears.

Troubles have visited them
But, their love prevailed above all,
Showing no signs of weakness;
Refusing to hear Satan’s call.

They have stood close beside one another,
Not once ever mentioning divorce.
Vows they had taken,
No room has been left for recourse.

And, as they sit on their porch reminiscing,
The twinkle still shines in their eyes.
Though the years, now, show on their faces;
Their devotion can not be denied.

Adapted from a poem by: V. Lang

Mini Aprons

OK, so I signed up for this "Mini Apron" swap. It sounded interesting because lately I have been in the sewing mode and have been sewing up a batch of vintage style aprons--regular sized (hmmm Christmas just around the corner, what to do with these?). Apparently these mini apron swaps are popular. Here is how it works; if 20 people sign up then you would make 20 plus 1 for yourself. There is a theme and a deadline, you mail your finished aprons to the "mini apron coordinator", she divides them out and mails them out to everyone. You wind up with 20 different mini aprons plus the one you made. The fun part is you receive aprons from all over the United States. You may be asking yourself; "what does one do with mini aprons?" well, some ladies tie the apron strings together to make little valances to hang in their windows or walls, some have an apron tree in their kitchen that they decorate, etc. I have no clue what I am going to do with my mini aprons, but I'm sure I'll think of something. "Birthdays" is the theme for the apron swap I signed up for. So today I'm off to the fabric store to find "birthday print" fabric. I will post a picture when I finish the little lovelies and when I receive the others. Oh by the way, they have to measure approx. 3" x 5".

Heads up, Gerald asked me yesterday how to sign on to our blog. Stay tuned, I think he may surprise us all with some postin'. :O)

This is a test...

I am playing around with the backgrounds and artsy fartsy stuff. It's going to change a few times until I get the look I want. It could take days, weeks even months. Please bear with me.

Slacking off...

It has been brought to my attention that I "haven't blogged since July 28th, what's up with that?" Well, let see, first I was sick (I'm sure it was just allergies), then I had to work, then we were gone most of the weekend. Saturday and Sunday we left our hill. Yes, Gerald got off his hill, on a weekend, two days in a row. We went to Wimberly Market Days on Saturday and Sunday we went up to Gruene with some friends and ate at The Gristmill. We had a nice relaxing weekend, I am so proud of Gerald for taking a break! Well truth be known, his tractor is non-operational right now, and it has been too dang hot to be working outside. (It's ok to be outside walking at Market Days though, that's different) yeah right...

I have been asked if I will be posting recipes and decorating tips. I hadn't thought of doing so but maybe once in a while I will post a recipe or tip. Tonight for dessert I am fixing Peach Dumplings with homemade vanilla ice cream. So here is the recipe for the dumplings...this one's for you "toots" (she knows who she is)...don't freak out on the Mountain Dew thing, I know it's a little weird, but trust me it turns out really yummy!

Peach or Apple Dumplings

2 cans Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
4 peaches or apples, (if using peaches peel, apples it is optional I leave on) sliced in fourths (16 pieces)
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12oz) Mountain Dew (make sure it is Mountain Dew NOT generic)
1 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 350 lightly grease a 13x9 baking pan.

Unroll cresent rolls and place one slice of peach or apple and seal. I place the slice at the wide end, roll up as you would to make a roll bring up ends and seal. Line the dumplings in the pan. In a medium sauce pan, heat butter, sugar and cinnamon together until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved; remove from heat and add Mountain Dew and vanilla. Pour over dumplings and then sprinklie with pecans. Bake uncovered approx. 35 to 40 minutes. Best served warm with vanilla ice cream. :O)