happy...

Thank you for all your wonderful wishes and comments. My little family feels so blessed. I want you to know that I read and appreciate every word you share with me on my humble little blog. I am ever so grateful for you coming to my little corner of the blog world and sharing my little journey with me. I hope I will still entice you to peek more often than not.

from flickr.com

It is my hope that my daughter is able experience true happiness, true love, and exceptional confidence..all the things that make a woman truly beautiful. It is also my hope that my blog family and friends help me accomplish those dreams for her...afterall, you make me feel so happy, so loved, and so confidant.


Cheers~
e

anticipation for 2012

Our lastest project for 2012:

Baby Girl due in May

I thought it would be fitting to post my 1st post of 2012 on the 2nd day..in honor of Baby #2. Hopefully this gives you another hint as to why my posts starting in August were few and far between. :) This Christmas and New Year brought us much anticipation for 2012 and for Thurgood to now share his throne with a princess. It will be an exciting time for us as our little family of 3 welcomes a new baby.

Now for the naming...a project unto itself. :) We have a few in mind, but I am open to suggestions. Afterall when your big brother is named Thurgood, you need a name that is just as distinguished.

Cheers~
e

2nd sunday in july

For me the definition of summer is a good church picnic. Here in Southern Indiana, we have so many, and the season officially starts with my home tri-parish picnic that supports the grade school I went to and the grade school my sister teaches at: the St. Joe Picnic in Corydon, Indiana.

You have not lived till you have been to a church picnic....and mine is extra special. Trust me...after 20+ years of working it and going to other picnics, the St. Joe Picnic is sacred to me. Every sense in your soul comes alive..here is my attempt to capture them for you.

 

The smells & crackling sounds of the Miller family frying the chicken in one of the 4H barns {no doubt the hottest job EVER}. For generations they have been the "top chefs" of the chicken.

 The nostalgic sound of the 80's speakers calling out bingo numbers. The families of the Bierlys and the Babcocks have Bingo down to a science.

The St. Joe Picnic tea is better than any golden arches could ever make. Brewed and then poured into old saurkraut crocks with huge ice chunks floating on top...this tea is pure heaven. To get some, one of the church ladies dips her steel pot into the crocks and pours each pot of liquid goodness into steel pitchers for young children to carry table to table {as I did when I was 9}.

The picnic would not be the picnic without Daddy Don and Rowena (they are my 2nd set of parents and took care of my sister & I growing up.) They made the picnic what it is today. And even though their kids have not been students of St. Joe in over 30+ years..they work every year.

There is something divine about homemade cakes and chicken wire. The two are just meant for each other. Here is my favorite row...the chocolate cakes with white frosting. Yes...they put them in rows by flavors. Each family in the tri-parish makes 2 cakes & 4 pies. I use to make the ones for our family: 2 German Chocolate Cakes & 4 Derby pies.

A craft on the verge of extinction..quilting. My parents have worked in the quilt booth for over 30+ years. My mom is always out and about looking stylish with a hat fit for a Southern belle as she sells quilt chances.  Why did I not get a picture? Argh.

This is the reason people come from Missouri, Ohio,  and the southern parts of Kentucky: the food. Nothing is better. This is just a sampling of the 7..yes, 7 sides that our offered to our guests. I could eat my weight in the dressing {a recipe from my late Aunt Hannah}. And those noodles...they come from Rowena's family. The Bierly women do the noodles and the Bierly men do the Bingo. :) Haha...don't even get me started on the pies. We have everything you could ever imagine.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of what makes summer special to me and my family. I cherish this event and will forever anticipate the 2nd Sunday in July.

What makes your summer sacred?

Cheers~

e

cookies & crackers for breakfast

For the month of December, I love a filled cookie jar {and so does my little family} of homemade goodies. Who knew scrambled eggs and a sugar cookie could be so yum togeher..hehe. Yet as I am working several days at the hospital, the cookie jar often gets overlooked and runs rather low.

I can't do it all..all the time, and I am ok with that. But what I can do.....when I can do it...I do pretty well.

And I can stop at a local bakery like a pro.

And in the end...the look says it all

Remember the moment is who you share it with....enjoy the moment this holiday season.

Cheers~
e

more than a tree

When my parents spent their 1st Christmas together...their tree was rather sparse. From that moment on, my mom wanted her children to always have a tree filled with meaning.

My mom started a Christmas tradition with my sister and I. Every year she would give us each an ornament. Her hopes were that one day when we had are own families, our tree would not be a blank slate but one that is already filled with memories of Christmases past..and a family who has and always will love us.

This year I opted to add a splash of red to the canvas.

What always amazes me though, is how my treasured ornaments add the extra special touch that no sparkle or flashy color can EVER replace.

My own baby ornament

I loved unicorns as a little kid. Funny thing is..this one is my sister's. I had the unicorn with the pink sequin. I laugh though b/c I bring that up every year to my mom.

 

My favorite 3rd grade teacher helped me make this one.

 

My mom continues the Christmas ornament tradition with my son.

Mr. B and I gave these ornaments as our wedding favors with a little note that said: "tis the season to be marry." Of course we kept 1...or maybe 4.

 

I was a big theatre girl..or drama queen in HS and this one celebrates that.

 

I made this one when I was in the second grade. Yes, that is my fingerprint.

 

My oldest and dearest internet friend {from the Nest/Knot} sent me this Christmas of 2003. It is chocolate and brown...our favorite home decor colors.

My mom always topped her tree with a dove. I thought this year with my use of red..a cardinal would be perfect. Plus..Mr. B graduated from U of L...guess what is their mascot?

And my favorite...

My mom gave this ornament to me as I celebrated my 1st Christmas as a mommy. My baby...oh how I LOVED those cheeks.

I invite you to take a page from my mom's notes...and give ornaments as gifts. They will be forever cherished and forever leave a memory of you with them.

Cheers~

e

so thankful - thanksgiving 2010

I loved today....from the moment I woke up to right now. There was just so much to do from the time I rose,  but luckily I had a buddy share my morning with me as I got all our food ready.

My little hiccup in the day was not pulling out the camera and taking a few pics of the day and all the fun we had. I hope your day was full of many blessings.

I am about to head to bed...but let me share with you 3 sweet blessings that will carry me throughout the weekend.

A few leftover Bourbon Ball Cupcakes...MMMMmmmm.

An almost complete Dutch Apple Caramel Pie....double MMMMMmmmmm.

And yes...a WHOLE Derby Pie!!  Triple Mmmmmm....

I hope the blessings of this day continue to bring you joy  & sweetness throughout the weekend and this holiday season.

Cheers~

e 

what a wonderful day

Today was my 1st day off....no rotation...no school...just a splendid day with my little family. And tomorrow -- shall be an even more splendid day. I la-la-love Thanksgiving. Tomorrow at Casa B we will be gathering with family {over 15 of us} in my little abode.

My appetizers are ready for the oven.

My pies are baked.

A few decorations are up.

Is everything perfect? No. I have a few stickers that Thurgood placed here and there in our family room today. And Atticus keeps trying to sleep on my biggest platter.

Will everything be perfect tomorrow? No. I may or may not get the tree up tonight. I don't have a table large enough for everyone to gather at...I will be lucky if I have enough chairs.

And it is ok...because at the end of the day, I will not be thankful if my Derby pie is perfect or if my stockings tilt to the correct side...I will be thankful for my little family {the 3 of us} and my entire family {all 15 of us}.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Cheers~
e

rewrites

I’ve got nothing.  {me speechless...it is shocking.}

Nothing funny, nothing serious, nothing new and exciting, nothing.

It all started when blogger "ate" 2 posts I had ready to go this past week. My Trade Secrets post for Thursday and another one. Argh! Rewriting a post reminds me of HS when I forgot to save my essays in the midst of writing them on my parents computer and then -- SOMETHING {insert anything & everything possible} -- caused me to lose the whole thing. How have I yet to learn this lesson?

Yes I could have rewritten it, but it never sounds the same when I rewrite it that second time.

So this weekend...we spent much of it in our jammies and eating breakfast foods. We made cinnamon rolls Saturday. I would like to tell you I made Pioneer Woman's yummy version.

But I have yet to attempt that culinary delight. I resorted to the can version.

For $2 and 20 minutes, it was yummy enough for my little family and easy enough for me....and let's be honest icing is icing.

So backs to rewrites.

Cheers~
e

happy halloween {and the 2nd part of our decor}

We have had a fun filled Halloween holiday this entire weekend. My little family has enjoyed every second. On Friday, Thurgood and I decorated our door. {We had terrible wind storms this week so I wanted to wait..just in case.}

My design should look familiar. I could not resist. I love it. I think I am going to add even more next year. And just think...I almost painted my door black. {who knows...I still might} I just love the bats. Plus...I am such a good copy cat.

We even had a few bats come inside our home. We have received lots of compliments. The kids love it.

Thurgood was able to trick or treat in our subdivision and at my parents house in the country. He loved every second.

And here is the most adorable little dragon ever. I always have such luck finding cute costumes that are on sale.

I think this is the last year "I" get to pick out his costume.

I about fell over when I told Thurgood to pose and he did this. Mr. B does this when he is being goofy. Oh my...he is such his father's son.

We not only got to trick or treat...but Thurgood got to attend Na-Na's Halloween party. Here he is with his Poppa.

The party had Thurgood's favorite thing too....a bouncey house.

Here is Thurgood's Lola and my Lola {Thurgood calls her Na-Na}. So adorable.

And my most favorite picture of all.

After the party, it was time to take Thurgood's Na-Na back to her room. Thurgood always loves to help "push" Na-Na. It is always so endearing.

I hope you had a wonderful, memorable Halloween.

Cheers~

e

making a list & checking it twice

Thurgood rolling down a hill after a family picnic

So, I remember how several weeks ago it seemed like the summer would stretch out before me endlessly…and then within a blink of an eye...fall is slowly creeping towards me. I saw this sweet 101 things to do in the summer, and I think I’m going to post it to our fridge next year because it’s just about the loveliest of to-dos :) gratefully, my little family including my parents & sister have done pretty well – I think that’s the mark of a summer well spent (insert happy sigh here).

1. Picnic under the shade of a tree
2. Star gaze
3. Fly a kite
4. Set up your own lemonade stand
5. Throw an outdoor party
6. Play in the rain
7. Go to the zoo
8. Surprise someone you love with a special gift
9. Make homemade ice cream
10. Plant a flower, watch it grow
11. Lay on a big blanket outside and read
12. Trace your body and footprints with sidewalk chalk
13. Make s’mores around a fire
14. Go on a treasure hunt
15. Climb a tree
16. Walk to a gas station and get your favorite treat
17. Ride your bike to the supermarket
18. Doorbell ditch a friend with treats
19. Discover a new park
20. Make fruit smoothies
21. Paint something
22. Make chocolate covered strawberries
23. Take a million pictures and make a stop motion movie
24. Rollerblade ---(we opted for wagon rides)
25. Take your conversation out to the front porch
26. Memorize a poem and recite it to someone
27. Camp in the backyard --- (this is a MUST do next year)
28. Enjoy a candle light dinner outside with friends
29. Go barefoot for a whole day
30. Drive with your windows down and sing really loud
31. Study and learn about an ancestor
32. Run through the sprinklers
33. Go to the county or city fair
34. Write a poem
35. Visit a neighbor
36. Play ghost in the graveyard
37. Collect rocks and paint them
38. Do play dough outside – use bark, cement, leaves, grass and sticks to make imprints and patterns
39. Have an outdoor movie night
40. Read story books outside
41. Make an “egg carton” garden
42. Set up a bird feeder in your yard
43. Wash your car in the driveway
44. Make a homemade candle
45. Go on a hike
46. Photograph nature
47. Walk to a park
48. Eat corn on the cob
49. Make boats out of popsicle sticks and race them
50. Sleep out on a tramp
51. Open your windows during a rain storm
52. Bake a loaf of homemade bread
53. Make homemade jam
54. Go fruit picking at a local orchard
55. Roll down a hill

56. Hang up post it notes that say “you are loved” all over in a public place
57. Drink lots of water
58. Throw rocks in a lake
59. Join a book club
60. Turn off the television
61. Play dress up
62. Watch the sunrise
63. Eat at a café that offers live music
64. Keep a journal
65. Blow up balloons, put kind notes inside of them and hand them out to friends or strangers
66. Play in the mud
67. Visit a museum
68. Change up your hair style, even if it’s just a little
69. Paint your nails a bright color
70. Make and fly paper airplanes
71. Make homemade cards
72. Blow bubbles
73. Spend a day at the pool
74. Donate unwanted things to charity
75. Discover some new music
76. Hang white twinkle lights up somewhere in your house or yard
77. Stay up late and dance with lightening bugs
78. Attend an outdoor performance
79. Hang up wind chimes
80. Reconnect with an old friend
81. Sit out on the roof
82. Create and go on a scavenger hunt
83. Make a paper kite
84. Have a water fight
85. Feed some ducks (Haha! Be careful with this one. Our ducks were a bit aggressive.)
86. Drink from the hose
87. Paint a birdhouse
89. Go backpacking
90. Help someone with house or yard work
91. Invent a new dance
92. Read to someone (I do this every night to my little sweetpea)
93. Go canoeing
94. Build a sand castle
95. Make a time capsule
96. Write a song
97. Start a collection (I think I do this every week)
98. Write a fairy tale
99. Arrange a beautiful bouquet of flowers (done AND done for several LOVELY brides)
100. Take a road trip
101. Live in the moment

Cheers~
e

my 100 hour holiday

So I have a secret to share with you. This week...I played hookie and went on holiday with my little family. My father (Poppa), Mr. B, Thurgood, and I packed the van and drove to Ft. Lauderdale for the 28th family reunion on my father's side.

It was the dream of my grandparents that all of their children and their furture grandchildren would KNOW each other so they purchased timeshares for each of their 6 children. Our families come from all over, but as long as I can remember, we have come to these beaches.

There are beautiful beaches all over the world, but this is my home when it comes to dancing in the sand and splashing the ocean over my face.

And now...I have a beautiful little boy to pass on the tradition that my grandparents hoped for. I have missed Florida for the past 2 years due to pharmacy school. It was not going to happen this year.

So I snuck away...

Luckily I got to see Thurgood fall in love with the ocean. (Last year....he avoided it completely.)

I also got to see a father and son catch a glimpse of nature...look closely below and you will see what we saw in the wee hours of the morning.

I also got to capture a special moment or two more...

Between father & son and..

And Poppa & grandson...(note: all people in the pool are family..there are over 40 of us now.)

I also got to witness a "coming of age": Thurgood getting tossed by his Poppa. I LOVED this when I was little.

So much fun to witness!

What a wonderful way to spend 100 hours. It went by so fast. I flew home Tuesday. My family will stay on till Saturday.

I have been under a siege of exams and papers lately. Yet this upcoming Monday and Tuesday I have 2 HIGH STAKES finals.

What does that mean?

Either I pass and go on to rotations or I stay behind...so obviously I have been ever so diligent with my studies. And when I am done with my studies, I will be ready for Poppa to throw me into the pool.

And as I study the days & nights away for my finals..I will think of my 100 hours peering from this balcony and the tiny secret holiday I indulged in with my family and in honor of my father's parents.



Cheers~
e