miss gracie's house

Friday, November 7, 2008

spit and sputter...

Lately, I find myself...

stalled and can't get going.

I have no energy, no creativity, no ambition.

the engine is so revved up-

I feel like I'm going to blow a gasket!

The ideas get swirling so fast

that I don't know where to start.

I found myself in both states today.

Neither is very productive.

Just nice and steady would be nice.

Monday, November 3, 2008

I didn't know if y'all knew

about this cool, free website for photo editing.

My daughter took this photo

and ended here

I haven't used it much yet

but hope to learn more this winter as it slows down.

P.S. I fixed the link:)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Preemies 101...

I had my first session in baby care.

~getting to know Maddie~

As a mother of five,

I have had my experience with babies.

But none like this.

This was my first time with preemies.

Let's just say it was quite un-nerving.

It is funny the things we take for granted,

like eating and breathing,

at the same time.

I had a choking episode with Maddie

and this was one rattled grandma.

Jason jumped right in and took over,

Jason, the calm one,

Jason, the stabilizer.

Since then, he has patiently instructed and reassured me.

Even on diaper changing.

(I think I have that one figured out:))

But seriously,

never in my life have I been so proud,

or so thankful,

of this boy of mine,

of this man,

that is now a father.

My heart is blessed.

Like father, like son!

Monday, October 27, 2008

"special days"

A good friend told me as we *mature*

we get to have special days instead of birthdays!

Well, I had a very special day last week...

The roses (aren't they pretty?)

are from the dear husband.

I've been wanting this movie-I love the mixture of

humor, drama and romance!

It's been fun watching a little segment every night.

My bestest friend, Gayle spoiled me.

She had a little surprise dessert get together.

She has a blog on hospitality-she is hospitality!

Her daughter ( her Gracy) put together this little friendship book-

snippets

of friendship and old lace.

Gayle is truly a sister to me~I am blessed.

Gayle made this collaged hatbox for me- very sweet, dont'cha think?

Then she made me this necklace-I love it!

Pink roses and sparkles!

What else it there?

THANK YOU Gayle!

special days

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Find rest,

O my soul,

in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress,
I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6

OK, I *took* this from my daughter's blog~

I thought it was beautiful.

Isn't God good?

The word speaks to us all, wherever we are.

soo, tonight

I rest,

in my hope,

in my God.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Our babies are ...

coming home!!!

Tonight

Jason and Tasha

will have their practice run

at an all-nighter at the hopital.

Tomorrow Maddie will come home , followed by Cameron in a few days and then Blake next week.I love this photo-it puts their precious littleness in prespective.

I can't wait to hold them,

love them,

and get to know them!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

October delight...

October is a crazy busy month for us.

My husband is trying to finish his exterior painting,

and

I'm frantically trying to get as much of my painting finished

to hold me through the winter.

In the craziness of it all,

I'm trying to enjoy some of my fall favorites.

I just love these last roses:

how they crinkle around the edges as they dry.

I just can't bear to prune right now,

cause when they're gone,

they're gone for a looong time.

A favorite treat-reminds me of my dear Grammy.

Yes, that's a Sunday afternoon football game.

Don't be shocked.

It's perfect

For...

NAPS!

There is nothing like the crowd noise to put me right to sleep!

One of my fall favorites!

Warm gingerbread with whipped cream...

Yumm!

Gingerbread

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

4 tsp. ginger

1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp allspice

1/2 c. unsalted butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

2/3 c. molasses

2/3 c. buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Grease and flour 9" baking pan~Preheat oven to 350~In a bowl, stir together dry ingred.~In another bowl, cream (med speed) butter and br. sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after ea. Beat in molasses.~Add dry inged. in 2 increments, alternating with buttermilk and vanilla.~Beat well until fluffy and smooth yet thick.

Spoon batter into pan and spread evenly.

Bake until top is dry to touch and cake pulls away from sides of the pan, 35-40 min. Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool 30 min.

Have a lovely fall day,

Rene'

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Downtown Treasures...

This is what I've been busy working on

I've had the opportunity to expand my space;
Soo Julie, Ember and I have been hard at work.

We're up and running with lots more ideas to come!

Gayles' dishes

Friday, October 10, 2008

Thanks to Cindy from Cute Pink Stuff

I love your blog, too!

I pass this award onto
One of my *new* favorite blogs

One Shabby Old House

I love it there!

Becky is restoring an old Victorian.

It makes me *homesick*

Check it out!

****I fixed the links****

Saturday, October 4, 2008

my love-hate relationship...

I have to admit,

I was a little relieved

to see the rain this weekend

It is the end of the yard sale season.

I love yard sales...

I hate yard sales...

I love them when I find this:

and this.

I love them

when I can browse and imagine...

"What can this become?"

I hate them
because of how
they make me feel sometimes.

It is a race to the prize.
Who will get there first?
Who will win?

I'm not much of a competitor...oh ya I'll compete...
I'm just not nice while doing it.
It brings out the selfisheness in me.

I hate that.