countrylane's Blog

Another wonderful weekend
Feb 26, 2009 | 8:52 PM PST

...with hubby home! We all had a truly wonderful and blessed time with him! Kind of tough to see him leave Monday morning, though! He took me out to eat, in celebration of my birthday last week, to the Olive Garden. I had something that was soooooo good! I would love to know how they made it. I'll have to check out the recipes online. It was a four cheese ravioli, with shrimp, in a white sauce that was so creamy and "dreamy"!

The boys had a lot of fun with daddy home, too. They talked his ears off! #3 son has been so sweet lately. When we are getting ready to go somewhere, he comes up to me and says, "Mommy, you look so beautiful!" My heart melts and he gets a big hug and kiss! :)

#1 son (and I) have decided what he will be doing for 4-H, besides a Lego project. Recycling and a rock collection. I'm trying to spark an idea in his head about what to do with an old plastic bottle or glass jar; something that he will want to do. This will make him think and reason.

Yesterday, the boys and I were able to get outside for awhile. The weather was so nice for this time of the year. Lady got to dig for 2 hours and was very happy to do so. The boys, after they picked up all the sticks in the yard and helped me with picking the driveway rocks out of the yard and back in the driveway, played on top of an old shed that has fallen down. The roof is still intact and makes a great place to climb and slide and pretend all sorts of things. I kept myself from doing too much stuff in the garden beds by bringing out my book and reading in a sunny spot. It was very relaxing!

Mom took the boys and me out to buy the rest of my birthday present: a king-size comforter! Yea! It's beautiful and something I've wanted for a few years. We all had a great time with her. I ask the Lord to bless her and thankful for her willingness to "cart" us around and for her generosity! She's a wonderful mom and I love her so much!

More birthday smiles!
Feb 16, 2009 | 6:08 PM PST

Hubby sent a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers to me this morning! Wasn't that so sweet of him?!? It sure brightened up my day, to see those beautiful flowers, though it makes me REALLY wish for spring, now! :) The weather today was wonderful, for middle of February. THe boys and I, and Lady, all went to play for a few hours this afternoon. I had to refrain from cleaning up the beds, for it is way too early. So I ended up grabbing my book and a chair and read on the south side of the house, soaking up the sun and listening to the kids playing.

#1 son's first 4-H meeting is tomorrow night. It's a bit late to start the meetings for this year, but the leader has so much "on her plate". I have to decide what son is going to do, besides Legos. Mom suggested electricity, but I don't know yet.

Had a nice time at mom's yesterday for my birthday supper. Brother was there and we all played "hand and foot". Then later, we all just had a good time talking and laughing. Was a really nice time. Aren't families wonderful? I am so thankful for mine. :)

plants and fun
Feb 14, 2009 | 9:22 AM PST

Received two wonderful cards from hubby today! (He sent them Tuesday) One for Valentine's and the other for my birthday. So sweet of him! Yesterday, my mom-in-law and I went to a historic part of Indy that they are trying to revitalize. We ate at a cafe, walked through two antique stores, then to the main event...Boca Loca Bead store! What do you look at first??? It was great! She paid for what I picked out, that being my birthday present! Later, she had me and the kids over for supper. It was a great day and the kids had fun with my mom...they made valentines cards for Lady, Mamaw (my mom-in-law) and me! Lady's cards had doggie treats glued to them :)

I talked over with my hubby about growing more fruits and veggies on our little "piece of Heaven on earth". He's all for it. We have one apple tree, which I would love to get a few more planted. We also have some blackberry vines, which will bloom either this year or next. I have ordered 50 strawberry plants, and some bush cherry plants. We have one little cherry tree. I would love to also get some raspberries, and plant these peach pits from a friend's peach tree last year.

I am also planning on having an herb garden located close to the patio. Close to the door, and will be beneficial to those enjoying the patio. And, of course, lots of veggies and flowers. :)

Just catching up
Feb 11, 2009 | 4:55 PM PST

It has been a long while since I've written an entry here. Hubby's job with Mawson & Mawson is doing well. He stays busy driving loads across country. And with the economy, he doesn't feel that he should turn down any loads. So this means he is gone for about two weeks at a time. We all hate this, and are praying and hoping that this will not be this way forever. He accepted a load to take from Toledo, OH, that needs to be delivered in Orlando, FL, this coming Friday. This means that he will be gone again this weekend. This sucks, as it is my birthday this coming Sunday. He feels really bad about it, but I told him that it's really just another day, and that providing for the family/business is way more important. He has promised to spoil me when he gets home next. I'm going to hold him to that! :)

We have a new member to our family. A sweet long black-haired dog, that we have named "Lady". She has a little white "ruffle" on her chest and some white toes. She came to my in-laws' house right after Christmas and we "adopted" her right after. She is now registered in our name (she was "chipped" and her previous owner was contacted several times, but never called back). She a wonderful addition to the family. She's great with the kids, putting up with all their shinanigans, and very loving to all of us. She must have been an inside dog before, for she knew exactly what to do inside (we brought her in when it got really cold), and she's been in ever since. She knows some tricks and is learning "stay". She'll be 3 this March and is a "field spaniel".

Many people have voiced their interest in a spring/summer jewelry party and I have decided to ask a few if they would like to host one in their home, with the incentive that they would receive a free bracelet/earrings, etc. I have been working on some beaded bracelets, that would look really nice with a watch face incorporated into it.

Homeschooling is going well. The twins are starting to read and one of them has picked up on all that quickly. They are also working on printing their letters/numbers. #1 son is doing well and we have started working on Indiana history and doing laundry. :)

I have been pouring over the new seed catalogs and am planning to have more herbs in the garden. I've been reading up on "urban homesteading", though we don't live in the urban area, but rural. But we only have an acre and so we are not able to do what some could do if they have 5 or 10 acres. I would really like to build up the fruits that we could grow in our yard, along with herbs and, of course, veggies.