Monday, July 30, 2007
The "Aunts" and History
The "Aunts" and History - I love them both, and this is the only photo we have of the three of us. At this point, we were dripping with sweat (So was everyone else in Charleston for that matter!), and I dubbed us "The Glistening Ladies" to which my Aunt Kathy quickly renamed us "The Slimy Sisters." Yuck! How undignified. I stick with my title! :-)
Speaking of History - I was thrilled to see this church building still in existence. It was the first Meeting House erected in 1681 to gather the original colonists dissenting from the Church of England. I get chills just thinking about that amazing group of people! What stories these walls could tell. . .
The grave site of one of the Constitution signers was in that church's cemetery. That man probably had no clue how much he was shaping a nation.
I enjoyed strolling beside Rainbow Row which represents the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the US. The earliest structures were built in 1680. I love imagining the original owners bustling in and out of these doors.
Had to laugh at this sign in front of one of the private Charleston homes. Forget parking here, you are not even allowed to think of it! :-)
Of course, all of you would know how happy I was to tour a plantation home! The details of the structure are more amazing because of the personal craftsmanship involved. Love, love, love the color!
And how many of you would object to stepping out on your top balcony and viewing this each morning?!Now, I can tuck a lot of Southern History into my mind. Thanks, Joan and Kathy, for letting us tag to Charleston. :-) Growing up in SD, I saw firsthand much of the Old West History, so it was exciting to see where some of it began.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Catching Your Ultrasound Eye ~ Part 2
Finally - some pictures that actually have distinguishable characteristics! I do believe this child will be another biggie. (I seem to birth three month olds!) The latest ultrasound done on July 20th moved the due date up to November 26th. I am sure it has to do with the size. I especially love the bottom photo - the baby was reaching down and grabbing its leg with its hand. It was very sweet to see. I also heard the heartbeat for the first time; yes, at 20 weeks. That's because this was my second doctor's visit. :-) Enjoy the photos.
P.S. In case you're wondering. . .no, we did not find out what the baby is. My last labor was horrifying, so I need the "surprise" to help me be excited about the birthing process! And if we did know, Troy and I wouldn't tell a soul. :-) We are such stinkers, aren't we?!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
With a happy heart,
I would like to announce that the piano works!!! Thank you, God, and thanks to all of you who prayed!
On another note, I do not think I will ever again be fond of the scent of a cinnamon toast candle. Bad memories there! I also found out that I am able to move a lot faster than I think I can; it just takes an emergency. :-)
Friday, July 27, 2007
A pianist's nightmare!
My day must have been going a little too well! With company coming tonight, I was right on track - house is ready, food is almost done, getting ready to work on the centerpiece, kids were quietly resting, and I had even had the time to take a power nap!
And then it happened - -
After blowing out a candle, I accidentally knocked it over and spilled hot wax all over my piano! Yes, me - the one who wouldn't let the President himself set a glass on my piano, sent hot wax all over the poor instrument. (BTW, the candle was on a ledge in the kitchen - not on the piano.)
I do not know if the piano still works; I have not had the nerve to push the ON button. I think I will wait until my company leaves. No sense in them having to suffer my drama with me! If it doesn't, I think I will have the hardest cry I've had since. . .well. . .since my Grandma died four years ago. After all, this would be like losing one of my best friends! You pianists can understand, I am sure!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Just for Heather D
With all of her baking adventures,was the first person that popped into my mind when I saw this recipe! :-)
This was found on the warship we toured. These were made to give the soldier boys a "taste of home."
This is what the ingredient amounts would look like.Happy baking, Heather! :-)
Monday, July 23, 2007
The Aunts came marching one by one. . .
and hauled us off to Charleston. (Us = Seth, Ethan and me. Troy had to stay and work.) Being a huge American History fan, I thoroughly enjoyed touring
Drayton Hall Plantation
Taking a boat tour of the harbor and getting a viewof the Atlantic. (The boys' favorite.)
Gazing at the ocean and touring Ft. Sumter.
My little Ethan - Rocks+water=big splashes.
He was so excited to throw rocks "in the ocean."
We visited Patriot's Point where we saw warships,
planes, submarine, etc. . . This was very fascinating since
three of my four grandparents served in the Navy.
For the Bible school students who think they have it rough,I had to include this snapshot of bunks. :-)
I get claustrophobic looking at them!
I was not up to my normal speed,
so we took frequent breaks.
Yes, the dead cat was there, too!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Catching Your Ultrasound Eye ~ Part 1
Yes, I finally went to the doctor last week. You should have seen them trying to catch up about four visits in one! They did a "quick" ultrasound just to check the status of the baby. (The "official" one is next week.) I can typically understand a few things during this procedure, and I saw a beautiful profile when the baby turned. Did the nurse print that picture? Oh, no, she sent this one home. My boys were a little confused at the only existing picture of their newest sibling.
The above picture reminded me of this comic. I love the expression on the faces of this couple! Enjoy. :-)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
A Tale of the 4th. . .
There once were four neighboring families that did four fun things on the fourth day of July:
1. Food
2. Fellowship
3. Flinging water balloons
4. Fireworks
1. Food
2. Fellowship
3. Flinging water balloons
4. Fireworks
The end.
Friday, July 06, 2007
After we've downed the rolls,
we slice into this fresh loaf of banana bread straight from the oven. Mmmmm. My late night piece was smothered in loads of real butter. Sigh. . . With a big glass of milk, my stomach was so content!
Stop by my house today, and I'll give you a slice! :-)
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Real Men of 1776
The Price They PaidHave you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed, and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in Congress without pay, and kept his family in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemies jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist mill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died of exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They gave us a free and independent America. . .
~Author Unknown
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Same song ~ second verse
Stanza 1 ~ 2006
Stanza 2 ~ 2007 What is it with us and patio doors?!
Monday, July 02, 2007
It is my humble opinion. . .
that bread makes a meal,and it really isn't a meal unless it has some of these! :-)
(Never mind how many I ate yesterday!)
Name:
