♥ Catch-Up ♥

Have you ever visited an Amish community? If you haven’t and you get the chance, you should go! We were able to visit an Amish community in Tennessee when we went to my brother’s house for an extended weekend vacation last week. It was a very cool crisp day for the buggy ride through the Amish community. The driver was very informative and stopped at several of the Amish homes for us to visit their shops and purchase wares if we desired.

We watched them make sorghum molasses. We bought delicious peanut brittle that never made it out of the buggy. It was gone before we ever returned to our car! I saw the most adorable little Amish boy in his straw hat that I would have loved to scoop up and hug. I saw a little Amish girl cracking walnuts with her bare feet on her front porch, and eat them. And I had to buy this basket. I have a weakness for baskets in the first place, but this one was made by Amelia, a 12 year Amish girl.

On the bottom of the basket:  Can you see the handwriting -  Made by Amelia age 12

Monday night, we celebrated Jason’s 52nd birthday.

 

And we’re still enjoying the ice cream bar cake. It needs to be gone because it calls to me from the freezer.

 

You don’t get to see Colt (our oldest) very often. I was so glad to have him home for awhile last night, along with Amber. He told Amber he couldn’t believe I only took ONE picture of them. He knows me all too well. :)

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For Sandra’s 31 Days of Fall Challenge, here’s another photo by Joy. She’s keeping me stocked, isn’t she? Mums definitely say fall.

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And last of all, but definitely not least, I hope you’ll join me tomorrow on the sunporch for a chat with Lois of Walking on Sunshine. I’m pretty sure that Lois and I began blogging the same year. She’s a long time blogging friend and I know you’ll enjoy getting to know her a little more! Come join us!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day! :)

Project in the Workshop

Between all the birthday celebrations and life in general, Jason has been working any spare moment he can grab on a cabinet for Amber (Colt's girlfriend) for her station at the salon. Every creative hairdresser needs a nice cabinet to keep her organized, right?

She sent him a picture of the basic idea of a cabinet she wanted. After getting measurements for a perfect fit for the spot she needed, he went to work.

He brought the cabinet out of the workshop so I could get some photos. Here’s a little sneak preview:

That's the stack of drawers to the side of it.

Amber picked out the knobs at Hobby Lobby. I love the little rustic distressed flare to them! I think they will look great on the black cabinet (which will be distressed with a little robin's egg blue).

I can’t wait to see it completed and displayed at the salon. And I know Amber will be glad when it's done! :) I’ll be sure and share the completed project before it goes to its new home!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day! :)

A Most Fashionable Dog

Koda might just be the best dressed puppy around, thanks to Amber’s touch.  :)

Meet Koda.......

Colt gave himself (and Amber) an early Christmas present, compliments of one of his customers from work.

Since he is living in town in an apartment now with his friend and coworker, Tony, Colt drove out here and he and Amber were waiting on us next door at Grandmama and Pop’s house Saturday night when we came home from grocery shopping. We didn’t even notice his little surprise for a few minutes because she is SO tiny that she was hiding under Colt’s baseball cap. It was a few minutes before I noticed the cap moving on his lap. At first I thought he had mama’s little dog, Stinker, under there. Colt and Amber were trying hard to hold back the grins and snickers. He removed the cap and introduced us to Koda. She is a chihuahua and is supposed to be 6 weeks old, but we are doubting she is really that old. She is the cutest little thing. She actually reminds me more of a little wolf in the face.

Boy has she been fussed over. Her feet haven’t touched the floor too much because somebody is always holding her!

Colt told us Sunday at church that she woke him up every hour. Guess he’s getting practice for little ones one day (and pay back for all those nights he kept me awake).  :)   She is eating fairly well, but he's been giving her water and a little milk with a dropper. She’s already doing well with potty training for him too. He did look a little tired on Sunday though. :)

Colt and Amber came out for dinner Sunday night and brought Koda along. Of course, she was passed around again. She is just darling. Despite Colt insiting that she would NOT wear a sweater (after suggestions from Amber, Grandmama, and me), Koda arrived in a (very fashionable) sweater, compliments of Amber. She created it from the sleeve of fuzzy footy baby pajamas! Guess Colt was out voted!

Koda is quite the puppy super model too, except when she was just too cozy and sleepy to cooperate.

Just watching her is enough to make you sleepy!

He’s calling himself daddy to Koda, so does this mean we have a grand-dog? :)

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I just couldn’t wait any longer…….my next post will be a Christmas giveaway! I'm finishing up some crafting tonight and getting it ready to go! I'm hoping for tomorrow evening, but for sure by Thursday! Be sure and stop by! :)

A Color and a Cut (The New Natural) :)

Colt’s fiancee, Amber, recently got her cosmetologist license and is getting her business started at one of “The” places to work (locally), when it comes to hair salons.

I went to Amber for the first time Friday, because I was way overdue for a color, cut, and eyebrow wax. And yes, I color my hair and we may never know my true hair color these days, because I have no plans of seeing the natural (if I can help it). I like to think of it as “the new natural”.

I’ve gradually been growing my hair out after an inverted bob a few years ago (which I did love) because I wanted a change and it’s nice to be able to wear my hair up when I want to do so.

I think Amber did a great job! I was very pleased with the layers she put in it. I don’t know if you can tell by the pictures, but I have very fine and thin hair, so anything that gives it volume, I’m all for! She added some layers and gave me “my red” with blondish highlights for depth and dimension. Guess I love red everything, right? :)

And sorry that the pictures aren't the best quality.  We grabbed Jason's camera instead of mine (which is a small point and shoot camera) and Joy just snapped some quick photos for me.

These photos were taken the day after (today), which means I styled my own hair. Believe me the style looked much better when Amber did it. Doesn’t it always look better when they do it though? I noticed that I have it a little puffy there in the back. Wish I had thought to take the photos yesterday. Oh well….

Anyway, I just had to “brag” on her a little bit here because I am really proud of her. I think she’s going to be great at her work! She is very creative. I think my hair is in good hands. :)

Exciting News!

I have very exciting news to share!  I have to tell you.....I've been dying to share it for the past week but was sworn to secrecy until all family members could be informed first.  But now I have the okay...so here goes!

After over 4 years of dating, Colt and Amber are engaged!  They met 4 years and 5 months ago (I believe) when they were both scheduled to perform at "Meet You at the Flagpole" at one of the local high schools (they both sang and Colt played the guitar).  Music still plays a very important role in both of their lives and is a common bond between them. 

Colt is always acting goofy and Amber always cooperates for photos!  :)

We're very excited!  I can't believe my oldest "baby" is engaged to be married!  He also has a birthday coming up this Friday...he'll be 22!  And she'll be 22 in August (she and I share a birthday month). :)

They haven't gotten far enough in their plans to set a date, but when I know I'll be sure to share. 

  
And remember back in the fall I mentioned this long term project?

Well I'm very happy to say that they have taken us up on our offer to fix it up for them as a first apartment.  I think they are very wise to do this.  They'll only have to take care of the utilities and can then save and put their money into purchasing their first home instead of paying rent.  Plus, since you know how we love to remodel and decorate, this will be fun and hopefully everyone will be involved.  We have a plan laid out for the space already.  And it will begin soon....because it will take awhile since as usual, we're do-it-yourself(ers).  :) 

I'll keep you posted on the wedding plans, as well as their "suite" renovation!  :)  Thank you for letting me share our excitement!  And congratulations to Colt and Amber!  We love you both!

Pumpkin Carving and a Favorite Recipe

Friday night, Colt and his girlfriend, Amber, brought home a couple of pumpkins and carving kits, one for them and one for Joy and Luke.  They set to work carving their pumpkins out on the sunporch while I worked nearby in the kitchen on Jason's birthday dinner dessert.

It was very obvious that our family is not very experienced with pumpkin carving.  :)  However, Amber was a pro.  Colt was Amber's assistant. 

Luke wasn't interested, except for being in the middle of the mess (being a little brother).  Joy stepped into unknown territory, and ploughed right into carving hers....

....with a little help from Colt in cleaning out the guts (as she called it and didn't care for that part). 

She actually did a great job though.

Pumpkin carving is a mess thing, isn't it?

And not exactly done really quickly, either.

Amber and Colt finished their's first.  Their pattern was a very intricate design.......see the owl?  I was impressed.

Joy's took a little longer, but she stuck with it to the end until her little pumpkin guy was completed.  He's got a cute little goofy face, don't you think?

We added "Zero" to the sunporch potting bench.  Luke is a little scared of him and says, "Yucky, yucky."  :)

I talked Amber into taking their's home for her family to enjoy.  

Thank you Colt and Amber for the evening of pumpkin carving and for thinking of Joy and Luke too.

By the time they finished, I had Jason's dessert of choice for his birthday dinner (on Saturday) completed.  This is an all time favorite of his, and so easy.  I thought I'd share the recipe.  I didn't think to take a picture of it and it was all gone by Saturday afternoon.  lol!  But here's the recipe:

4-Layer Delight

First Layer:

1 cup flour
a stick butter
1/2 cup pecans (I use pecan pieces)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Second Layer:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese (softened)

Third layer:

2 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding (could use other flavors I suppose if you wanted).
3 cups milk

Fourth layer:

Large ctn. Cool Whip (I use the rest of what wasn't used above).
Pecan pieces (sprinkled on top)

Mix together first layer and press in bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan.  (I spray mine with a little Pam first).  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes (sometimes it takes just a bit longer until it starts to brown a little....not too much around the edges).

I mix all the other layers in separate bowls while this first layer is in the oven.  Then after the first layer comes out of the oven, let it cool a bit.  Then add the second layer over the crust.  Add third layer over the second layer.  And add fourth layer on top of third layer.  Refrigerate.  (Best if made the night before and sits in the refrigerator overnight).  Enjoy  :)

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Thanks so much for stopping by!  And thank you for the birthday wishes for Jason (he thanks you too). Luke enjoyed singing, "Happy Day Day to You" (many times).  :)

 I've also been meaning to tell you that the little girl, Molly, that I featured on my blog, has found a family!  (There were actually several families interested in her!)  That's one less orphan and one blessed family and little girl!  Now I hope Bart finds his family soon too!

Have a wonderful week!  :) 

Colt and Amber......3 Years

I remember well the evening when Colt slipped in the pew beside me at church and playingly said, "I met a girl today......she's pretty and she can sing!" "You've got to meet her".


I did.


That was a little over 3 years ago.



They first met at "Meet You at the Pole". They were both there to perform music at the flagpole (where students gather around the flagpole on a designated day to pray and sing).....she to sing and he to play the guitar.




And here they still are 3 years later........

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2009

I wonder........could this possibly be a little thing called love?