Our days

Thanks for those of you who responded to what I should write about...some said more about BRENT, which he whole-heartedly agreed to....but we'll see...

So, I just wanted to share some of us, during the day...

 fresh peas from the garden...

a dip in uncle Steve's pool...

summer storms rolling in...

and my NEW FAVORITE SALAD...(recipe below)

Apple, Walnut, and Feta Salad

12 oz. spinach (or salad mix of your choice)
2 whole apples, cored and sliced and chunked (gala are good, or granny smith)
1/2 c candied walnuts
6 oz. feta cheese
Bacon (your choice)

Candied Walnuts:
Add the walnuts to a non-stick skillet and toast them until the raw smell goes away.  Slowly add in maple syrup until coated.  Add salt to taste.  Stir until maple syrup is bubbling, and then take off heat to cool.  Store in airtight container.

Dressing:
1 HEAPING T dijon mustard
1 1/4 T maple syrup
2 t apple cider vinegar
1/4 c olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Eat and eat, and eat...it's a great summer salad.

Happy weekend ya'll.

I don't know...

What constitutes a worthy blog post?

Is is a great DIY project?  A yummy grocery list/menu for the week?  Or just hearing about someone's life on a daily basis?

This has plagued me since I started writing this blog back in 2010.

I've struggled with, should I take pictures and post them EVERYDAY?  Should I have a DIY project once a week?  A giveaway once a month?

To be honest, I just don't know.

I'm envious of the bloggers with thousands of followers.  I can't help it, but mine are VERY loyal.  VERY.

Who has the time each day to sit down and leave comments on a 100 different blogs a day, or network till I get 100 followers?

I'd REALLY, (without any sarcasm), like to know how that happens and is done.  (PLEASE tell me, you successful blog writers!)

You see, I'm totally addicted to about 6 or 7 blogs a day.  I read them everyday, just to see what is going on in their everyday lives.

Shannan...she inspires me in ways I can't even explain.  Her writing is perfection, and her stories are genuine.  I've met her in person, and she's BEAUTIFUL inside and out, and I'm totally in awe of her.  I feel like she's my next door celebrity.  Where has this shyness come from, I don't know, but I want to hear all about her...EVERYDAY.

Stacey...I've never met this lady, but I visit her town (Chicago) at least once a year.  Her style and mine are exactly the same.  Her house is the coziest I've seen, and I would like to go for a visit.  The ability she has to start up her own business with such ease is impressive.

Ree...well, what can I say...the famous blogger who started with just a little blog, and made it into a household name.  I admit, I have both of her cookbooks, and the book she wrote about her and her husbands love story.  She's addictive, and funny, and her recipes are to die for (some literally with all the butter!)  Her life in the country I can relate to, although hers is on a much bigger scale than mine.  Her husband is dreamy to look at, and her dogs are hilarious.

Leslie...I adore Leslie, even though we've never met.  Whenever I post something new, she usually comments in the kindest way.  Her children are adorable, and her lifestyle is very similar to mine, minus the horses she keeps.  We share the same values, and it's been very inspiring to read some of her posts.  She says just what I'm thinking.  I love her and her quaint little family.

Chris...Ah, Chris.  She does the most beautiful flower gardening I've ever seen.  I want to travel to the Pacific Northwest where she lives and photograph her yard all day.  She comments regularly on my blog, and we share a love of thrift stores.  You give me great ideas Chris!

Meg...she is the color in my life.  She adores polka dots and COLOR.  She inspires me to try new things all the time, and she has 5 kids!  Crazy!  She is a hometown Kansas girl who has my dream job...hosting craft weekends for ladies throughout the year.  It sounds AMAZING if it weren't so expensive!  You HAVE TO check her out.

And lastly,

Rebecca...She has been a loyal follower from the beginning, and we live only about a hour and 20 min. away from each other.  We've never met, but her wee man is the cutest thing I've ever seen.  She is a teacher, and we've shared many discussions about my past job in a school, and her current one.  She completes DIY projects, and  sounds like an incredibly FUN person to meet.  I am grateful for her friendship.

After all this, why is it so hard for ME to post something?  I just read about other people's lives, is mine newsworthy too?

I have much to contemplate, and want to make my blog a blog YOU want to read everyday too...please help me out...tell me what you want to know...

For now, I'll share the fact that yesterday, I cried like a baby all morning.  Both Grace and Evan got baptized yesterday.  Once a year our pastor and his wife host our church at their BEAUTIFUL home for baptism and a carry-in meal.

18 people were baptized yesterday.  We sat under shady trees and watched all their lives be transformed.

At the end of the service, 18 white homing pigeons were released in honor of each person who was baptized.  It was beautiful.

I am forever grateful that I will see my children in Heaven with me.  I am so proud of both of them.

Have a great day!

Renovation

The other day the kids and I were running errands.

Out of the blue Grace says, I think I want to paint the desk in my room.

"OK." I said.  "Um, what color?"  (Her taste is running a little on the ecclectic side lately.)

Her room right now is aqua.  A very BRIGHT aqua that she picked out, and which came out even brighter than I thought it would.

When we got to Lowes she picked out a pale pink.  I was very hesitant as to what the final outcome of these "accessories" in her room would be.

After chores and strawberry picking and a Church meeting for me Monday night, she and I went out on the porch to start painting.

We started with her desk, which led to her desk chair, and a magazine rack, AND a bookcase.

We let everything dry overnight until the next morning, when I heard it raining hard, and ran out to the porch to move everything in before it got damaged.

While I was busy today, Grace (taking a cue from me I guess...) moved everything back into her room and rearranged it as well.

It doesn't look as bad as I thought it might.

While we were painting, I took pictures for the before and after.  She said to me, "So, this will probably be on the blog, right?"

"Yes.  Probably." I replied.  "Are you ok with that?"

"Sure." she said.

Good, cause here it is.