30 Days In

Is it really January 30?  This month is going to be over before I ever get started! I did get some things written down for goals for this year.  Everywhere I look there are posts and articles about many different goals that people have, and all I think is, "Yeah, I should have that on my list."  Seriously, there is not an area of my life that doesn't need help.  For example, let's consider organizing closets. Other years I am like, "I need to rework that..." or with filing I know I need to get the new year in order.  This year I have closets that are bulging with disorganization and I have to completely get paperwork in order.  The kitchen, living room, bathroom, BASEMENT....every single room,  not to mention other areas... weight/health, church attendance, personal development.... oh, it goes on and  on. Am I overwhelmed with all that needs to be done?  No!  Ok, well, maybe a little.  I think I am overwhelmed more with the thought that I cannot get everything done as quick as I'd like.  But I am up for the task!!  I will just need to have my list (of lists) and keep priorities straight.  One of my favorite  recounts from the Bible is the Creation Story.  God didn't create the fish before He created the sea.  He is a God of order and that really speaks to me. There is a way things are to be done.  A way things work best together.  So, I will be leaning on that and His strength to help me not be too hard on myself for not getting everything done by February 1!  Coming back from Florida  I had planned to hit the ground running with the house and my It Works business.... but I didn't plan on having bronchitis! I have never had this before and  didn't realize it would last so long! It is just kinda hard to realize the first month is over and  I don't have one. thing. done.  ~~sighing, leaning, breathing

I like to post my menu for the week.... I love to cook and if you are around me anytime at all I usually ask what is on your menu or what have had new lately.  I am always searching for something new that the family will like.  But I am finding that this new phase in our lives gives menu challenges!  I never know if Larry will be in town for sure or if Ryan will be eating at home or on the run.  So, I think my best bet will be to have a list of menus and have the items needed for them and we will make one of them when one or both of the guys are home! Here are a few I have lined up:

• Nacho Chicken, Salad
• Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans
• Steak and Baked Potatoes, Broccoli
• Deer Steak and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Carrots

Phases in life. Reevaluation. Life Plans.... subjects for another post.  

Let me just say that as a person who likes change, change is sometimes hard. But here's to February being my January and productive days ahead!!

I've always found that anything worth achieving will always have obstacles in the way and you've got to have that drive and determination to overcome those obstacles on route to whatever it is that you want to accomplish.

Chuck Norris

Necessities of Life

Ok, so maybe life could go on without these.  But I feel much better when I have these on hand.  

I have tried different brands.... I just can't feel like they do the best job disinfecting.

I realize they are expensive, and I have considered making my own.

But again, will they do the job I need them to do? 

When I am baking with my girls, I like it when I am cracking eggs and some gets on the counter

 that I don't have to spray bleach that can get in the food or on our clothes.  

I can easily wipe up the mess and we can go on with our fun.  

Again, in the kitchen with spot cleaning.  The Clorox name tells me that it will disinfect like bleach without the damage to our clothing or towels. It works great on stainless.

I keep a container in the bathroom as well.  Quick touch-ups that I can feel are more 

than just looking good, they are disinfecting! 

They get grabbed for spills on the floor, touch-ups in the van, thrift store purchases and many more things! 

Yeah, life could go on without them, but I just feel a little better with them.

Do you have a cleaning supply that you feel is a necessity in keeping your home clean?

(I am just sharing... this is not a paid endorsement.)

I'm a Planner

Most people that know me well would say I am a list maker and a planner.  Even those that don't know me well would probably know that. So, it is no surprise to anyone that I love the New Year! I love beginnings: new year, new season, Mondays! Mr. Fye has accused me of not enjoying the here and now because I am always looking forward to the next thing.  As usual, he is right, and I have been trying to not do that! 

So, here we are at the beginning of 2014 and I do not have one goal list written down! That is so not me!  Getting back to me will be the result of my goal list this year.  It will take a lot of changing, reorganizing, and a good dose of discipline! The last two years have been anything but normal.  I have had physical setbacks that have touched every area of my life.  My daughter and her family have lived with us the last two years, too.  It has not been a horrible situation, but it is always tough to have 2 families living together in such a small house.  Things are changing with them getting their own home this month and I am feeling better finally!!

Here are somethings about me right now:

What I am watching.... Fringe Season 3, Downton Abbey (Season Premiere in 20 minutes!) and The Good Wife

What I am reading... Not A Fan, W is for Wasted, and God's Hands in My Business.

What new things I have cooked... snow ice cream (not really cooking), open-faced lasagna sandwiches and Swedish meatballs.

My view.... a very messy bedroom.

What I can hear... Fringe, Ryan playing the guitar and singing, music from the other room and someone walking through the house.  

So, tonight I plan to watch Downton Abbey and work on my 2014 goals.  One being to blog more!

(I tried to add pictures but there's a glitch!)

"If all you can do is crawl, start crawling." ~Rumi

The Week Ahead

It has been a while!  I would like to think I will be a regular blogger, but only time will tell! I do think about it often, it just doesn't happen. But I have a plan and hope to be able to follow thorough!

I love looking at  others menus. I like to know what people eat, and I like to get different ideas for meals for my family! My family is truly appreciative of the meals I cook. That makes it  easy to cook for them!

On the menu this week:

Lunches:
leftovers
tuna
lunchmeat-cold and grilled sandwiches
sausage gravy and biscuits

Suppers:
Monday- French Dip Sandwiches, Macaroni Salad

Tuesday- Paula Deen's Chuck Roast, Smashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Wednesday- Chicken, Broccoli, Carrots and Rice Casserole

Thursday- YOYO (You're On Your Own)

Friday- Brined Grilled Pork Chops, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower

Saturday- Breakfast Egg Casserole, French Toast Bake

Sunday- Chicken & Homemade Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Cherry Delight

 

 

Some of the most important conversations I have ever had

have occurred at my dinner table.

-Bob Ehrlich

It's Been A While!

I love autumn. The colors of autumn just make me smile, inside and out. The dark orange shades, deep reds with hints of green and a background of deep umber and caramel... ahh, they just make me want to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate! And the tastes of autumn are a special treat! I love all things pumpkin. A new favorite this year is pumpkin coffee cake. I may post about it the next time I make it. Another fall favorite is Harvest Cheesecake Bars. Yummy cheesecake with a cinnamony strudel on top! yum. My kids love it when pumpkin bread is baking in the oven.  Actually, they prefer mini muffins so they can just pop them in their mouth! Another autumn love is all textures that come with the season.  And, of course, that leads to clothing... who doesn't love a good sweater!

This year has been a rough year for me physically.  I may go into that later, but it was just killing me to think I wouldn't get to decorate for fall.  So, I had Ryan bring down all of my totes for autumn decorating... I only have 7!  But I decided to keep it simple this year and not do much.  It is my favorite season and I can get carried away.  When Rachel saw what was done, she said, "I thought you were gonna keep it simple?" ~giggle~ silly girl.... I did!

The top of my dining room hutch was inspired from something I pinned on Pinterest. I already had most pieces. I got the mirror at a yard sale and had to make the banner.  The little pumpkins are just cheap plastic ones I bought and then painted.  If it had been another year I may have spent more time on them and the banner, but I got the look I was going for. 

 

Being thankful for all of our blessings isn't something we want to focus on just once a year.  I want my whole life to be on of thankfulness to God... you see, I have MUCH to be thankful for!

 

 







This is another Pin inspired arrangement.  I did have to buy the pine cones from WM and they are a nice cinnamon scent. Cinnamon really isn't my favorite, but these were subtle enough for me to enjoy.

The pumpkin was also purchased, of course... It was supposed to have the word 'autumn' on it in cardboard letters and three little burlap rosettes, but that didn't happen. Maybe next year!

Again, if it had been a different year these may have been a tad better, but I do like them.  There are 2 monograms because my daughter, her husband and sweet little girl live with us and we couldn't leave them out!!

I thought I had posted last year's fall decorating and I do like last year's fireplace mantle arrangement better, but heaven forbid I do anything the same! The lantern was from a post someone knocked off on the job and so Larry kept it in case the owner wanted it instead of getting a new one.  I was telling Ryan about what I had in mind for that spot and he mention that latern out in the trash! So we pulled it out and there it sits!

Hmmm... for some reason I didn't arrange these very well... we are back in the dining room.  This is the table centerpiece.  I bought the teired stand from a party one time and it is one of my favorite things to use for any season.

 

This goose is another favorite. Don't know why, just is.

 

 

My friend, Shelly, is an interior decorator and she had posted a picture of  teired bowls with pumpkins in it and I remembered I had this one. Hmmm, maybe I owe her dinner or something for the decorating idea!

Last week I walked out of our room and was just awe struck. The house was clean.... believe me that is enough to be amazed.... but all the oranges and autumny goodness was just glowing.  If I knew how to edit properly I could make them stand out. That is something that has already made it to my 2013 Goal List... learn how to take better pictues and edit properly! Thinking I will need a new camera for that!

 

This is looking the other direction.  My other friend, Joanna, loves to paint so I am thinking I need to let her have fun in my dining room! Hey, what are friends for, anyway!

 

 

This is the Superman that lugged all the totes out of the attic!  On Wednesday night they could dress up for youth service as long as it wasn't gorey, scary or evil. Look at those dimples... he's my baby.

One of the desserts for Sunday dinner was Snickerdoodle cupcakes.  They are soo good! I am not for sure where I got the recipe for them, but I first made Snickerdoodle cake last fall. It is now a fall must-have!

Well, I hope to be more consistent with my blogging.  It is easier than it was a year ago.  I do love Pinterest and we do try new recipes almost weekly.  And of course there are all of my Pins that need to be done just for creativity's sake! As well, as all the family fun we enjoy...

Till next time, I will leave with this thought:

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~ Melody Beattie

 

 

It was such a pretty table....

Rachel picked out the inspiration for our Easter table from the newest Celebrate! magazine.

It is more of a casual table for us, but so pretty!

The gold nests were made from a glittered netting ribbon that I crimped and turned into little nests.


The eggs are just decorative eggs that I got from FF. As I was placing them in the nests I remembered that they make eggs that look like that and are edible!!!! Where was my head!!
I wanted to use purple napkins, but couldn't find any. These are from Target.
I used the white dishes that was a gift from my Mother-in-law, my brushed silverware set, and the napkin rings are the ones from the clearance rack of BBB.
They are silver-plated and are tarnishing... I kinda like that look.

I usually use stemware for dinners, but to keep it more on the casual side

I used the swirl tumblers that I got for Christmas.

For the centerpiece I used the large brandy sniffer that Rachel got me for Christmas. I have to admit that I have never been crazy about those glass pieces, but I think it is perfect for this arrangement!

This is one of my favorite tablecloths. It is reversable. The top side for this table is more gold and french country looking. The other side is more formal looking with the satiny cream side with the gold scrolls and border.

Our Easter pictures before church turned out blurry. We invited Brandon's parents and sister for Easter Dinner. They don't have set yearly plans and neither do we so we wanted to celebrate with our new family members! I thought we would take some pictures when they were here, but our plans kinda changed. As you saw, the table was set, the food in the oven and as they choir was singing my Larry got a coughing spell. It lasted a bit and then at one point when it was in full force he got a sudden severe headache and felt something 'pop' in his forhead. The pain was so intense and he thought it would go away quickly, but it didn't so when the choir selections ended he made his way off the platform. I was already on my way out and met him in the hall as he staggered out. Dear friend Sara, a retired nurse, came out also and she took care of him as I got the car and Rachel and I decided which hospital to take him to. Sara rode with us to the hospital in case his sitaution took a turn for the worse... thankfully it did not. His blood pressure was 178/124 when his vitals were taken. They ordered a CTscan, ekg, chest xray and a lumbar puncture. All tests came back negative,except he does have a sinus infection. For that we are soo thankful. They gave him 2 doses of morphine while in the ER and so when we got home he went to bed. Today we had the follow-up appt. with his doctor. He is now on 2 bp meds and some other meds. He still has a headache and has been in bed most of today.

We have discovered that some otc meds he was taking for the chest congestion he has been having probably caused his bp to go up. So we will read labels from now on!!

We feel so blessed that this chapter in the story of our lives had this outcome. It could have been so different. We are looking at it as a wake-up call. Some things just can't be replaced... and Mr. Fye is one of them.

Wild Ride

The last several months have been far from normal and it has been a wild ride for sure! But it was a good ride... Last August when Brandon sat down with us and told us that he wanted to make our little girl his wife we were thrilled. Brandon had already won our hearts. If you know me you know I like lists and planning and decorating and in weddings general, but for my Rachel all that fun was taken up a several notches!! We didn't meet our original goal date for having everything finished, but by March 8 I had everything done that could be done. I had a family and friend shower for her on March 10 and so after that my refrigerator looked like this! As we completed a job we took the paper of the fridge so we could see our to do list become a ta-da! list.

Makenzi could hardly wait to try on her purple dress! Purple is her favorite color so the dress was a hit! Here she is with her very handsome Daddy. My Mom always says Rob is very distinguished looking. ;o)

Here's the Bride and Groom on the rehearsal night. That night and the wedding day deserve a post all of their own. The end result was that we got to witness this man make my baby girl a very happy woman.

They are so in love and it shows. I love that.

On Saturday we met Larry's family at Golden Corral. Not exactly my favorite place to eat... one member of my family wouldn't even go in the restaurant.. the baby was conveniently hungry at that time! This is Larry's Mom and her husband of all of 5 months! He told us last summer that his weight stays the same, but this time he says he has gained weight! He said he found out that if Ann knew he liked something he'd get lots of it. One summer she made Larry 15 reubarb pies because he mentioned he liked them... He finally had to tell her he'd had enough!

She likes to make her family happy!

This Larry's oldest sister, Debbie. Rachel gets her personality from her Aunt Debbie. She is a take charge kind of girl! No grass grows under their feet! Also, in the picture is Milton and Anna.

Crystal is the oldest of the Fye grandchildren. She came up from NC with her Mom. We missed Randy and Steven, but were happy that Deb and Crys came. Mr. Trenton has finally quit closing his eyes when we go to take a picture of him! His Mommy is going to have a baby brother or sister for him and Chloe in October.

In this picture are Curtis (Donna and Milton's oldest) Ryan, Trenton and Donna, Larry's younger sister.

After meeting at the restaurant we went back to the hotel where everyone stayed, since my house was soooooo not up for company! We played games by the pool...

and then later moved in to the breakfast room. We played Phase 10 for hours!!!!! It was so much fun... I love that game. The "kid's table" played Risk and Stock Market.... Fye Family Favorites! Stradegy games.

This picture is out of order but that night when we came back to the house I kicked off my shoes in the kitchen and Kenzi came in and said, "Look Mamaw, I put myshoes with yours!" That was after she ran in the house and said, "Mamaw! Mamaw! I have candy! For me and you!" She was so excited... and I loved it!

Trenton asked me to take a picture of him and Chloe. Aren't they cuties?

And he asked me to take a picture of him "in the hilarious hat!" He's a funny one!

And here's my sweet, sweet Maddison. Aren't baby yawns adorable?

At first I thought she looked just like Kristi's Mom, but she changed in the week she was here. I ended up seeing some of Rob in her and in one picture (my FB profile picture) she looks just like Rachel did as a newborn.

Whoever she looks like she is adorable!

Kenzi in her travelin' clothes... she wanted to help so she pulled this out to onto the porch and then down the stairs and right on out to the car. All by herself. She loves to help with whatever is going on. When Rob put the dishwasher in at Christmas she was right there watching every move!

Uncle Ryan getting in a last snuggle before they head out.

I love being a Mamaw!

Kisses and hugs from Kenzi! (Please don't focus on the mess in the house... but sadly, it still looks like a storage unit!)

Papaw drinking it in... I loved seeing this man hold our babies and now seeing him hold our grandbabies is just extra special.

In March our family grew by 2, we got to see Larry's family, we got to see my family. It was a good month.