Oh, how things grow...

Summer 2008

Summer 2009

Winter 2010

Summer 2011

My cedar tree, which my husband begrudgingly planted in our yard back in 2008, is growing quite nicely. My Aunt Sandie & I dug it up as a small sapling back when I was in college for my undergrad degree. Look how it has grown! (My friend, Laura, is picture next to me in this last photo.)

It's consignment sale time!

My friends with children or who work with children...it's consignment sale time in Tennessee! Why the picture? Well, because it feels like Christmas when you can get great deals on fantastic stuff. (Oh, the sadness...I see that I'm wearing snowman earrings in that picture. I lost one of them around Christmas one year. Why do I always lose the ones that I can't make again? *sob*)

Bow to Toes starts this next week. Cheri Cresswell does this sale, and she is a very sweet woman. She used to run the Jack and Jill sale in Chattanooga. This sale is new to the area, but it has quality items.

http://www.bowstotoessale.com/

Ashley Lauren starts the week of August 22nd. It's always a great selection.

http://alc4kids.wordpress.com/

Jack and Jill is still a while away. It doesn't start until Labor Day. I haven't been since Cheri used to run it, but when I did go, I was always very pleased. HUGE selection.

https://jackandjillsale.com/Home_Page.php

My day

I spent the day at home. It started early. For some reason I woke up after only 5 1/2 hours of sleep. I decided to get up, and I made myself some breakfast (bacon, eggs, cheese toast, & OJ). When I stepped outside this is what I saw. It has been quite foggy up here lately.
I spent the day doing some cleaning & housework. I did end up taking a mid-morning nap which helped with my sleep deprivation. Later in the day, I saw something so cute I couldn't help but grab my camera. Homer is just so precious! ;)


Later in the day I noticed that my friends were back. They must have gotten out again. They wandered close to the house after a while. I got a chance to pet them. As far as I know they are still outside munching on our grass.
Now that it is evening I am blogging, sorting through curriculum ideas, and cutting out laminated file folder items. I'm also filling out my craft fair applications for fall. I'm planning on doing Foothills & Nillie Bipper. I'm debating doing the Cleveland Apple Festival. Has anyone been recently? Do they have a good crowd? I'm back to working on my other stuff.

Scenes from around our yard

I'm amazed at how pretty weeds can be. This one sprung up in our front bed.It must be the season of love for ladybugs because every time I am out at my cucumbers I find more of them procreating. Oh, nature.

Our Black-Eyed Susans are in full bloom.

One of my herbs went to bloom, and it produces some pretty flowers too. I really don't think I'm supposed to let them flower though....oh well.

Reunion

There was a reunion today for Josh's Mamaw's side of the family. It was a lot of fun, and I had the opportunity to meet some of his extended family. And, of course, there was lots of yummy (fattening) food.

Here's my sweet little niece, Christianna, who is is growing up so fast. She'll be one in November. She looks like she's up to something. :)
Here she is with her Uncle Josh.
Being held by her mom, Jenny.
Here's her dad, Jud, talking with Josh. I find their candid expressions amusing.
Here are me & my husband cheesing for a family picture.
I'd post more, but the rest of my pictures are of a lot candid shots of with many people I don't know well, and I would feel kind of weird putting them up on the internet. My parents were there today as well, and they are mixed in with a few of my unposted candid shots.

Anyway, none of us look half as cute as Christianna. ;)

A graduation gift

Our pastor & his wife, knowing how much I love owls, got this for me for my graduation. I'll add the box to my owl displays, and I'll add the necklace to my owl jewelry. ;) So cute! (and maybe a little funny looking.)

A touch of domesticity

I've had some free time since I am out of school but not yet employed. So, I've had the chance to do some house wifely duties.

I baked. This is from a Cinnamon Swirl coffee cake mix from Aldi. Josh went to pick another mix up today to replace the one I used, and they didn't have it. Oh, bother. :( It was quite yummy. Guess I'll have to do the next one from scratch. I have a recipe I want to try anyway.
I cut flowers from our garden & made a bouquet.


And I've tended to our garden. I still have some weeding to do. I must say, the cherry tomatoes have some exceptionally well in Topsy Turvy holders that hand from our front porch. As long as I keep them watered & high winds stay at bay they do quite well.
This will be my last post of the night. I would have posted much sooner but our internet went down for several hours. Fortunately, it is back up & running. :)

I have a potential pre-k job in the works, so hopefully I'll be able to share about it next week. For now, please keep praying for God's timing and that whatever falls in to place will be within His will.