It's no secret in our house that I just love the "Before and After" shows on HGTV.

Case in point ~~ we have this problem area in our backyard that has poor soil, many tree roots, too much shade...

You get the point.

Not having a lot of money but having a lot of resources, Al turned this barren area into an oasis.

We had much of what you see in this picture. He bought some gravel and with much "elbow grease" he turned it into this:

Care to join us at the fire pit?

One Mama's Tale

I am the "Mama" of a 4 year old rescue dog with many, many issues. Bella will shed excessively if she spots a cat, or a bird, or a fly...You get the picture. Because of this I have to sweep several times a day. While I was sweeping today I noticed a dime. Hooray! I thought. One more coin to put inside our Baby Bottle Fundraising Bank for :
Then I noticed it was a Canadian coin and not really useful here. Instead of throwing it away I stopped and prayed for the Mama and Baby in Canada that need services today, right this very minute. I prayed "Hello Mama, I've been where you are. I love you and your baby even though I don't know you. I pray you will find the perfect answer to your heart cries."

Spring Fever

Everyone seems to have Spring Fever lately. "Everyone" you say?

OK a lot of people, many people, almost everyone I talk to.

These little pink babies are growing very happily on our deck. When I try to hook Bella up on her run I am greeted with their happy faces. After untangling Bella from the tree she continues to wrap herself around I can almost hear them saying "Spring is not far away".

Thank You little beauties. I'm so easily pleased.

Powerpuff Girls

I'm not the stuff of the former generation heroes who could run a household while wearing an apron...
I'm not even the stuff of our modern heroes who can blog, raise a family, write books, lead women....



I'm certainly not a superhero who can leap tall buildings in a single bound. I can and will pray for my family and friends~~ especially through a crisis. I will vow to serve a somewhat varied, healthy dinner to my family. I will strive to be the best I can be with God's help.
The pressure to "be all that we can be" is all around us. While I was reduced to a pile of tummy ache, and tears today, I realized that this is what I am given at this moment. I did get up after a fashion and straighten my shoulders, walk around my house and pray, pray, pray.
The circumstances have not changed. My heart attitude has.

Welcome Spring

I've decided to set out the Welcome Mat for Spring. While I don't have the space or money to put into a beautiful garden such as this one, I can still grow a few veggies, herbs and flowers to bless our home through the next couple of seasons.

Al has already started the backyard process by re-stringing all our trees with white lights. I will make sure to show you pictures in the next few days. What we lack in optimal growing space we will make up for with beautifully scented plants that are pretty to look at and are tasty in our family meals.

What are your garden plans this year?

Arancini

I'm on a quest for Arancini. You know what I mean...those delicately fried risotto balls that just exude the right amount of creamy goodness.

Ah, but first one must find the perfect risotto recipe. If you can join me in this quest and supply a recipe or a source of one...Gracie

Read

My friend Hilary just passed away. I am very, very sad. We shared a love for bringing a student to their utmost potential ~~ regardless of the method. We met with our students in the teachers' lounge during 7th and 8th period every day. We met with the toughest of the tough. They didn't care about learning or school at all. Somehow, over the course of the year we formed a close knit group of "learners". At the end of the year our students knew their times tables hands down. They could play Yatzee on the tournament level. Five paragraph essay? No problem! Table manners? Slumping in their chairs? Progress was even made in these areas.

In fact...when seen in a public arena lately one student asked

"Are you still teaching? I hope so"

I can't ask for anything more. Thank you Hilary for your mentoring.