Rest day-Play day

When I play or rest, I am on my computer...hope your day was as relaxing...

Here We Go Again!

Sorry it has been a couple of weeks since I last posted...I know I say this every the time, but I really was busy...We had a dinner party for some friends we have not seen in a few years-by the way it turned out to be a very nice evening...here is the table setting.

I love to plan a dinner. We had drinks and appetizers out on the deck until the mosquitoes turned us into an appetizer. The day was beautiful, however. Here is to good friends, good conversation, great food, and a glorious summer day!

Next, was my friend's wedding. It was just beautiful! I always cry at weddings. A new life, starting out...no longer separate but Two as One, joined by God and celebrated by all...makes my eyes water even now. Mister "M" knows that I will be wiping away tears so he gently teases me, but holds my hand...he knows that my tears are that of joy for the mew couple and of remembrance of our own life together...

Here is Claire on her way to the wedding...

she was asked to sing the Ave Maria...I tried to upload the video of her singing but I ran into some problems...I will try to have it for you next posting...I need to do some more research.

We ended the weekend by closing down the pool and starting to winter-proof the yard.

Look at this ...another frog picture! This little lovey was hiding under the pool... somehow...and as you all know by now...I just love little frogs.

Look...even the doggies are worn out...

Oh, I almost forgot...the kids started back to school. That took up a week a full week of my blogging time alone! They are both settled in now and back in the rat race... WOW... I just can not believe that summer is over!

Hey I almost also forgot...I am a new AVON Lady...you can view my web site at http://mtoupin.avonrepresentative.com/

Until next time...May God Bless you and Keep you

Mary

Summer Fun

This was our "must not miss "Summer events" weekend!
First, Friday night, we attended the small country fair.

I love taking along my camera... I can usually get some good pics...

Mister "M" loves the tractor pull...here we are in the bleachers hoping not to be spotted by our yung'ns...well, as you can see, Claire sniffed us out...

Poor Mister "M"...his wallet just keeps getting lighter...although, this is a common sight these days...

Here are the kids... Claire brought along her friend on our weekend adventures...

Bright and early Sunday morning, we headed out to the Renaissance festival...the kids wait all year for this day-They have always been wonderfully imaginative children and I think this just gives them an "acceptable" reason (remember, they're teens..) to dress up and pretend.

Here is the Laid-Back-People-Watching-Grumpy-faced-Casual Mister "M" trying not to draw too much attention to himself...at least he is not in his work'n clothes (or tights...thank heavens) ...this is about as dressed up as I can talk him into...

These last two pictures I took in my church while I was waiting for Claire to practice singing the Ave Maria, which she is singing for our friend's wedding in September. I will be sure to post the video when I get it...this is the alter that is so familiar to me-I have been a member of this church all my life and my family has attended this small church for about 150 years...

Here is the Baby Jesus and Mary...

Until next time...Have a blessed week

Mary

New Pages

Here are a couple of new scrapbook pages I was able to finish today.

Until Next time...Mary

A Week Later

Wooo! Busy week. Working-Playing-Living...

The kids have had a relaxing summer so far...taking time to get back in touch with themselves...like they need that! Claire keeps her nose in her books and Gabe has taken to watching the cooking channel...It's bad enough that he is a big kid and we can not keep up with his appetite demands...You know how hungry watching that channel makes you...Last week he painstakingly wrote down the directions for Cinnamon rolls...he worked so hard writing it all down that I couldn't say no even after a long day...

We did it together-mainly him though...he followed my directions and I deciphered his...

Starting to look real good-two hours after we started...

They turned out wonderful! We're keeping this recipe!

This morning, on our way out the door for church...Claire caught the morning light and the colors glowed...

Here she is outside through the door goofing around... It's a bit overexposed but still looked pretty...

Look at this cute little guy...I know every week I show you my frogs and toads...but just look at him...

Now this is a first-your treat for the week...It is ever busy "Mister "M" relaxing... either that or he is holding up the shed... still arrayed in his attractive "work'n clothes"...

Have a great week and many blessings...

Mary

Sunday Afternoon

What a beautiful Sunday Afternoon! A perfect family day...The sun was shining...every thing was glistening and green...and all here on Cottonwood Creek were well and enjoying the day.

Mister "M's" oldest brother (that has been three of them so far this summer) the ever so delightful Mister "G" and his wife "Miss Daisy" were here from the deep South for a visit. "Yall come back now-hear..." . The uncommonly cool days were, we are sure, the reason for Miss Daisy's cold, and when she was not freezing and cuddling with Bindi loo - who just loves Aunt Daisy...she and the "overseer" were monitoring the perimeter of the property on the Golf Cart.




The ever so industrious Mister "M" was , as usual , hard at work planting grass and dropping the seed when the ducks were not watching...They were focusing on not getting run over by Miss Dasiy...





Meanwhile, Gabe Gabe and Teddy Boo went for a dip...believe me he is not a happy Teddy Boo!

I just think this is so cute...the frogs love hanging out under the boat...at one point there were 11 of them sticking their little heads out...

Claire can't go anywhere without all the animals following her...They all love Claire...either that or she is up to something ...maybe Mom should start following Claire too...

Got them together for a brother-sister shot...brave, simple, trusting Claire - going by gabe in the pool...

Hope your weekend was just as great...until next time...Blessings

Mary

A week in Pictures

First, you may have noticed that the name of my blog has been changed...Actually, I always meant to have it Cottowood Creek Journal, but I got a little confused when I started...I am all better now...Not sure how this messes things up, but I am bound to find out soon...

This week was a week of catching up: catching up on sleep, catching up on work, and catching up on play...

It was a beautiful day on Cottonwood Creek, and Claire was off to capture a little nature...

We really do love our frogs and toads... This year we had a bumper crop due to a hard winter, which killed off the larger bass in the pond.

If you let Mister "M" outside, he will find something to do...I found him up on the roof cleaning out the gutters. That's where he found the little tree frog above...I wonder what would happen if I got him a change of clothes? Maybe I will try dressing him up in a little "relaxation" ensemble... see what happens then...

next, the trees needed a little trimming...

These little chores are not on the honey do list...

Here he stands triumphantly looking over his handy work...

Busy at work this week and planning on school shopping next weekend...Yes, school is right around the corner...seems like I was just whining about the long winter and now look , it's almost here again...

Life goes on, doesn't it...I am just trying to keep up. Until next time, blessings to you and yours

Mary