My Cousin

Our tea party!

Allison and Julia

Abigail and Abby

Abby, Abby, Allison, and Julia ;-)

Michael and David

Since my last post, my cousin, Cara, and her three little ones came to visit us. It's been years since we last saw each other. When I was a little girl, I remember coming to Bremerton to visit my Aunt Holly and Uncle Tom and cousins, Cara and Brienna. Who would have thought that one day the tables would be turned and as adults they'd have to come to Bremerton to visit me?! We had a great time. Naomi prepared a tea party with egg salad sandwiches, carrot sticks, and blueberry cake. Our girls got along wonderfully. Her oldest and Julia are just about the same age and have very similar interests. It was so nice to have them and extra nice since I had furniture to sit on! (since I didn't have any when she got a hold of me to ask if they could stop by!) Here are some pictures of our day together.

Oh for the love of Petey.....

I mean, I believe in taking care of our pets, but really?!

Our Living Room.....{Yay!}

The living room

The living room from the dining area

"My" corner ;-)

The couch with the beautiful photo of George Washington

Here are some pictures of our "new" living room! I'm so excited! It is soooo beautiful!!! We just need to get an area rug now and then we need to finish placing pictures and such on the walls, and it will be complete. Our dining room chairs come in tomorrow....16 of them! And then our table will be getting done around Thanksgiving time!!!!!!! I feel so absolutely blessed and spoiled, and I don't deserve it at all!

God's Provisions......Oh the Goodness of It!!!

Just one basket of our apples

The three bags we have left of our blueberries...already frozen

Prep for applesauce

A little water, sugar, and lots of cinnamon!

A little bit of the applesauce already done

Apple or blueberry?

Blueberry muffins are such a delight!

We are having a fabulous crop of blueberries this year! I LOVE blueberries, and love having them all year long. So far, we have had three pickings and already got over four gallons!!!! Needless to say, we have enjoyed God's provision as we have partaken in blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes, blueberry pie, and blueberries in our oatmeal. YUM! I enjoy picking them as this affords me quiet time outside. However, yesterday there were so many blueberries that I decided to get help.....at $.25 a bucket. Suddenly I had helpers all around! We also have a large amount of yellow transparent apples on our tree.  The children will also get paid $.25 a bucket....a five gallon bucket filled with apples. Yellow transparent apples are ready in August and make the best applesauce and apple pies ever! The smells coming from our kitchen are incredible! No need for candles for now! ;-)

A Little Wisdom.......

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee......" Proverbs 2:1-11

Beautiful words to live by!

What's Been Keeping Me?

The finished beam

The beam from the other side

Samuel nailing the trim around the beam

Sanding the floor

Zeke vacuuming the dust

Well, posting has been put off for a bit as we have been (and still are) under construction. Who knew that a very generous gift of a new dining room table would end up as a complete remodel of our house?! A wall needed to be knocked out, flooring needs to be patched, sanded, primed, and then painted, walls also need to be painted, as well as the trim work and ceiling! We are still in the early stages, though the wall is down and the new beam is in place. I am looking forward to the finished product, and I'm afraid I'm a bit impatient! I love the planning and the then I'd LOVE to just push fast forward and have it all done.

A Day of Fun....

For our anniversary, Craig found a great, FUN place to eat! The Hi Lo's 15th Street Cafe is not only fun, but has delicious food!! We spent the day just hangin' out and had a fabulous time! The graffiti was done with encouragement from the staff~ they have a box of markers for customers to leave their "mark" at the only table that requires a reservation. I always enjoy time with my hubby!!!!!

Groovin' at our table! :-)

Amazing Moon biscuits & gravy!

Graffiti.....with permission!

coolness!

A happy couple