Drying Chamomile

If you were to walk in to my kitchen, you would probably notice a big bunch of this hanging by the window above my sink. It grows in great profusion all over our gravel driveway, and makes for some very tasty tea on chilly nights. I am thinking of drying some lavender to go along with it, as I recently tried a lavender chamomile blend of tea that was absolutely delicious! I'll have to let you know how it turns out.......... if I succeed in getting it done, that is....

I am still planning to post the recipe for the Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake. Things have just been so wonderfully busy around here that I haven't had a chance. So don't give up on me. I will do it, I promise;)

The Feast of the Sacred Heart

I was very blessed to be able to celebrate my birthday on the feast of the Sacred Heart this year! What a privilege!! And I must say, that aside from several huge thunderstorms (we lost power for several hours, and had flash flooding in our area) the day was pretty much perfect! My dear husband showered me with gifts that he and the kids wrapped together. New shoes, several books, dark chocolate ........mmmmmmm.........am I ever spoiled!!!

Below, you can see the lovely apron that my mother made for me. Isn't it cute? Have I mentioned before how much I love aprons?



Then my dear husband took me out to an early dinner at The Olive Garden. It was quite romantic. After that we walked around the mall, and he bought me a really cute skirt.

When we got home I assembled this Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake. I'll have to post the recipe when I get a chance. It was very delicious -and quite fitting for the feast day, as the strawberries, when cut across, look very much like hearts!




I don't know how much posting I will be able to fit in the rest of this week, as we are heading off to Minnesota on Thursday to witness the ordination of a dear family friend to the priesthood.

And after that, my husband's folks will be coming to visit for about a week! I am so excited!! So that is what I will be busy preparing for and enjoying if you don't hear much from me over the course of the next week!

My Little Fisherman

Here is Big Brother standing next to the blue gill (can't really see it in this shot) and large bass that he caught the other night. He is always hooking the big ones, and Daddy has to help him reel them in. Wish I could find some pictures of the huge catfish he hooked last summer. The kid's a natural! And the fish he catches are soooo tasty.....;)

Preoccupied

Yes, I have been quite preoccupied lately. Mostly with my little Miss Posy and a fever that seems to go away, but then comes back! It has been quite frustrating, but now she is taking some stuff that seems to be working quite well. I am praying we are through with it. A few ladies at church said that their kids were down with an intermittent fever for over a week also, so it seems to be going around....... A little bit of a comfort, to know that their kids had it too, and made it through. I am just hoping that Big Brother and Boots don't catch it. They seem to be fine so far.......I'll just keep on praying, right?

Fighting a Fever

After fighting a fever these past two days, it seems that Miss Posy is finally on the mend. The house has not been the same without her sweet little smiling face. I gave her a fresh pillow case and sheets this morning, and now that her appetite seems to have returned, I have a little pot of homemade chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove. Now I am really feeling like I need a nap -the past two nights of having to be up with a restless little girl are starting to catch up to me!

Memorial Day

Remembering all of those brave soldiers who gave their lives in service of our country.

May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.

My Grandma's Roses

For those of you who may not know, the house in which we live was first inhabited by my maternal grandparents. Actually, it's nickname "the cabin" was originally given to it by my grandmother. Out front are two lovely rose bushes that she planted and tended. They were gifts from her children. Grandma loved roses, and they seemed to love her too, as they always bloomed beautifully under her loving care. I have many memories of going to visit her as a little girl when she lived in town. Once her roses were blooming she would always send me home with one; the stem wrapped in a dampened paper towel. How special it made me feel!

A few weeks ago, the five year anniversary of her death passed. I miss her very much, and feel so privileged to be able to tend these lovely roses that she left behind. But as lovingly as I may tend them, I think they still are blooming just for her.



And I wouldn't have it any other way.