Around Here

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind! I had a short week because hubs and I were leaving to go to a trip to the Bahamas. More to come on that later... But I was trying to cram everything I normally do in a week into three days. That makes for some hectic times! And on top of that, I was in the office every day because I was holding a configuration session for a new software product my company is implementing. I love those sessions because of the team work efforts you go through to configure a system, but at the same time, it was a bad week for me. The drive time alone takes time out of my day to get stuff done! ugh. But once I hit the beach... all was good!

Hi, Bahamas. I love your pretty blue waters and always 70ish degree air! And it's just me and hubs...

Besides the Mommy-Daddy trip we had, we also got our new flock. These little guys have been so much fun! I have lots to update you on about these little girls!

And while on vacation, I had conversations with our breeders about our new pup that will be coming our way mid-April!! My little Will is so excited about his new dog-dog!! He will be a Brittany Spaniel and will be very loved by our family. Really excited! Here is the proud Mom and Dad!

But of course when hubs and I got home from our trip, the kids got sick. Nothing like trying to take care of your sick babies while digging through the piles of work email that compiled while gone. The life of a working parent is never easy! Heck, the life of any parent is never easy!! 

This virus has been brutal on my littles! One threw up all over my bed Wednesday night and then the other started running 103.7 fever and then when I thought the first one was better, the fever started with him. They have logged some serious sleeping and TV watching hours this week! Thank goodness I do have the luxury of working from home so I can keep them here when they are sick. While they are sleeping, I get my work done. And when they are awake, I just try to hold them. Poor things!

Nonetheless, it has been a long couple weeks making it all juggle without dropping any balls. Thank God for beer or I might not make it through some days! Blessed through it all though!

More fun stories of all the exciting stuff of vacation, chickens, and dogs to come though as I want to make sure I don't lose the good stuff!

With love,

Reynie

Weekend Review

This past weekend was a typical weekend around our house. The highlight was taking the kids to their cousin's birthday party at the bowling center. Have you ever been cosmic bowling? The kids loved it, but I've decided I'm too old and too blind for that stuff. I've got to have lights to see where the ball is going! I can already predict I'll be grumpy when I'm old(er). Regardless, it was a big hit for my young bowlers even if I couldn't see in front of me! And happy birthday cousin, Addy!

Saturday morning, pre-birthday party, we started the day off with a big breakfast. I have fond memories of my Daddy always making these big breakfasts! Makes sense that the man now owns a Huddle House restaurant that serves breakfast 24 X 7. So I guess I came with the big-breakfast gene naturally. This week it was a fixin' of bacon, homemade biscuits, and eggs. We also had a few blueberries--my son's favorite!

After the birthday party extravaganza we stopped at Tractor Supply Co to purchase some items we will need for our new baby chicks (that's another post!). While shopping on chicken supplies my children feel in love with this plush, red barn chicken coop. After explaining that we were not taking the chicken coop home, they settled for the consolation purchase of a new kid-sized rack and shovel. Off to the garden we went to try them out.

This was the end product of our Tractor Supply Co shopping trip... My baby chickens will arrive soon! This Momma bird is prepared! (i think).

While the kids were occupied with digging in the garden, I planted my new raspberry bushes. I think once they get a little size on them, I will transplant them to my "orchard" (my husband laughs when I say "orchard" as all it consists of right now is three blueberry bushes, a half-to-almost-dead grape vine, and a fig tree... but soon enough it will be a big, bountiful collection of fruit trees and bushes that the Garden-of-Eden would be envious of!!). 

And this guy... still making such crisp, green collard leaves! Yep, we ate some of that for dinner on Sunday!

After some hard garden and yard work one deserves some homemade pizza and beer. Well, beer for me and milk for them. You can't tell in the picture below but that pizza had about four different combinations to it. The one thing about making pizza from scratch is that you can jazz it up anyway you want to and hopefully please everyone!

Sunday was a little lazy. It started out raining so we skipped church. I had the ongoing earache issues that I seem to be suffering with this season so I needed some down time and an extra cup of Joe. (note to self: look into the essential oils to try to find something to help my stupid earaches.)

 

After a few cups of coffee I went to work in the kitchen. A few weeks back I had tried to make a batch of rolls for dinner and they failed to rise properly. I ended up using the dough for pretzels which turned out okay knowing what I started with. I had to redeem myself (and my confidence) so I went at it again. This time I opted for bread loaves vs dinner rolls. And it turned out beautiful! Ahhh, the smell of fresh baked bread on a Sunday is so comforting. Good stuff, kids!

 

Sunday afternoon Kimmie and I started work on the kids homework area. I shared how I have a Pinterest board for all my ideas to make this area more efficient. I finally put some of those ideas to work. We made a good run at organizing the craft supplies (and Lord knows there is a magnitude of craft supplies!) but we have many more details to complete. I'll post a after picture once it all comes together.

I'll say though that I love this sort of time with my daughter. It is so rewarding getting to spend time with her working on some sort of project and watching her work through the ideas in her head. I know the time will come too quickly where she doesn't want to spend her Sunday afternoon doing projects with Momma so I try to soak up the goodness while I can!

And this guy kept a watchful eye on me all weekend! My cat loves his kitty window seat so he can observe all things going on in the kitchen. He's a curious fella but at times I feel like he is sitting there thinking, "she ain't doing that right!" Look at his face... You know how cats are... judgmental little beast.

The weekend overall was a nice one and now back to the grind! Blessed to have a grind to go back to though!

Here's wishing you had a nice weekend and great week ahead!

With love,

Reynie

Valentines Special Dates

Since my sweet Kimmie was about two years old her Daddy has always taken her out for a special Valentine's dinner. Just the two of them! I think the first year I arranged it for them. I saw an ad for a "Daddy-Daughter Date Night" at Chick-fil-A. They had a special section for the event and had the cow coming for a visit. At the time, that's all it took to get my Kimmie because she loves the playground and the cow. 

But then times changed. She discovered Olive Garden. She loves the bread sticks. I can't disagree with her on it. I mean really, who doesn't love those things? And the salad? Really? Love for real!

So for the last few years Daddy has taken her to the Olive Garden. It's the freakin' cutest thing EVER! 

I try to get her all excited by taking her shopping for a new dress (just a note--you can get cute after Christmas sales on red dresses that work perfect for V-day date night). Then I curl her hair and get her nails done. Daddy gets all dressed up in his best blue jeans and boots (such a cowboy)! He always buys her a corsage. I didn't suggest that--he came up with that on his own! Go Daddy! And this year she made him a special card. She loves him! Her first true love!!

In years past Will and I have chilled at home. We get a take out pizza and would watch some TV. But this year he is old enough that I decided we needed a date night, too. I tried to buy him a fancy shirt but he is his father's son so he refused it for a more simpler red shirt. Go figure.

My two little loves! (no chance of ever getting them to both look at the camera at the same time!). And note that Will refused to take off his "play" jeans for his fancy jeans, but I figured it was his date night so why argue. A cowboy in the making!

I think my favorite part with little man was when I asked him what he wanted me to wear--a pretty dress or jeans?? He was matter-of-fact with "jeans!" And then he kept it really simple by choice of restaurant--"Sharpsburg Takeout" (a local favorite!) for a hamburger! Gotta love a simple man!

Daddy went all out this year with his corsage for Kimmie. Sometimes I have to try to rain Daddy back in because when it comes to his baby girl, only the best will do! Lord, help him! So her flowers were hot pink with some sort of glitter and sparkly things on them... please say a prayer for me because I know this will only get worse... chu-ching!!

Off they went and off my little man and I went! We made it back home way before they did. We made some homemade pies in the wood burning stove (another post, another time on that one!). And then snuggled in Momma's bed for some TV time. I know I only have a limited amount of snuggles left from this little boy so I truly appreciate them all.

Love these kids to pieces!!

1 Samuel 1:27-28 "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:"

 

What a great time all around! The special time little man and I had together was priceless and I know Kimmie loved her time with Daddy. If you could see her smile as she climbed up in his truck... truly priceless!

Daddy and I celebrated this past weekend together with steak, lobster, and the rest ain't your business! (wink, wink). Grandmommy kept the kids on Friday night so we could have a great Valentine's celebration together (see my instagram for the photo opps!). Can I just say that Grandommy is a Saint??

Remember God's love on this special day!

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-15

With Love,

Reynie

Around Here

I love the calm and peace that January seems to bring to my household after the mad-rush of the Christmas season. It's too cold to go outside so my family stays inside, hunkered-down in the house, snuggled-up and relaxing. Ahhh... Makes Momma happy!

Here's what we've been up to during this down time.

Around My Garden: After the "blizzard" of last weekend, we had some warmer temperatures this week that got me excited about the thoughts of spring. Spring=Garden! So why not start planning for my spring garden?

During the winter months I have been engrossed in conditioning my garden soil. My make-shift composite pile is looking good! I went out to the garden to turn the soil and found all these happy earth worms! Yeah for my soil. Read here why these fellas are great soil conditioners. 

Every year I try to add one new veggie to my garden that I have not grown before. This year it will be purple potatoes. I started these guys from purple potatoes that had started to seed in my pantry. They grew very fashionably in their red Solo cups on my kitchen window sill. Once they got some size to them, I transplanted them to these larger pots. They'll stay inside for a bit longer before moving outside. 

Around the house: We have a wood burning stove in our house and absolutely love it during the winter months! It supplies great heat and sets a warm and inviting tone around our house. Come, sit by the fire with me.

Around Pinterest: Spending some much time in your house gives you amply opportunity to asses what needs to be changed. And this winter, I've been doing that. One sore point for me is the area in my kitchen that is designated for my kids space. They have a table with little people chairs, cabinets for their toys, and baskets for craft supplies. I feel like it is in continual chaos. I'm committed to making it more functional! I've been pinning some great ideas on how to set up a space as a homework/craft/eating spot. Multifunctional! Check out my board to see what the people of Pinterest have come up with for me! 

Around the porch: And last but not least... Our cat, Mittens (aka "Country Cat" affectionately called by my son) has been doing a lot of huntin' lately. He loves us and brings us nice "gifts" all the time. 

Be prepared... this could be graphic... It's a half a squirrel. Yep. A gift from the cat left on my front door mat that I almost stepped on. Nothing says, "I love you!" like a half dead squirrel. #woodlandcreaturealert

Nothing too exciting--but then again, that's the luxury of the winter months! Stay warm, friends!

With Love,

Reynie

Snow Day

Sometimes God knows when you need some down time... some family time... and He sends you... SNOW. Even to the little old Southern state of Georgia.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

My two littles were thrilled with the small dusting of snow we got on Friday night. First thing Saturday morning they were up and at it to play with the small amount we got. Their smiles and fascination of it took me back to when I was a child and my own fond memories of snow days.

I went outside about long enough to get a few pictures and I headed back inside. I'm not a cold weather kinda girl. When the temps go below 72, I'm bundling up.

Back inside, with my warm coffee, I had to thank God for this day as I knew already it was gonna be a great one. To my standards anyway.

Psalm 143: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

The morning was begging for a big, warm home cooked breakfast and of course, an extended pajama day! I remember as a kid my Dad would fry doughnuts from time-to-time for breakfast and it was always such a cool thing to me as a kid because the process was awesome to watch and the end product was incredible! I have been tossing this adventure around in my mind but have been a little nervous about it because of the entire hot grease thing with active kids around. But today was my day... Doughnuts were going to be concurred!

So, the doughnut making began...

I pulled one of my cookbooks out and referenced a apple-spice doughnut recipe (Thanks Junior League of Atlanta cookbook!). Sounds perfect for a cold winter morning. Started mixing... Wet ingredients and then alternate dry ingredients with milk. Kimmie loved running the mixer (and she loved licking the mixer blade in the end!).

After a good mixing, add the vanilla and applesauce.

Warm the grease. I love my mini cast iron dutch oven pan. It's perfect for this adventure.

Why the grease slowly heats to 350, drink coffee... Slowly... And enjoy the fact that the kids are watching cartoons and hubs is tending to the fire. And you have two seconds to enjoy the morning--by yourself.

Drop the dough in by heaping spoonfuls and let them fry up!

When they are done, let them dry for a moment on a paper towel lined plate. While they are still hot, transfer them to a paper bag with powdered sugar. Shack... vigorously... sorta like you're mad... but you just had your coffee and it's still morning so you are really not ready to be angry.

And pile them on a plate because a small mountain of home cooked doughnuts looks awesome to a four-year old! And then fry up some sausage on the side. I always have deer sausage in the freezer (aka "venison" to proper folks).

Make sure you sneak one for yourself before everyone else runs in demanding one... or two.

After I cleaned the dishes from breakfast, it wasn't long before the littles wanted lunch... and then I started a pot of chili for dinner. I was in the kitchen most the day but it's my happy place so no complaints. It was only after my son got shipped off to Grandma's for a sleep over with his cousin and the other girl cousin joined my daughter here at our house did I have a moment to sit down and reflect. I reflected that it was a good day. Thank you, Lord for I feel rested!

I hope you enjoyed your snow day as much as I did!!

With Love,

Reynie

Sunday Reflections

Sundays are good for several things: gettin' some Word, guilt-free naps, and a filling Sunday Southern dinner! I like to take a little time at some point in the day and reflect upon my blessings from the weekend. It helps me get my mind right for the coming weekend (although I'm lucky enough to have another "weekend" day thrown into this one as MLK is tomorrow and the kiddos and I have the day OFF!)

I started the weekend with my husband leaving me for his other girlfriend--the boat and the fish (that's multiple loves, isn't it...). I got the kids to bed for a "sleepover" and then cooked myself up a nice little dinner. Whenever hubs is gone I try something that I know he won't like. This weekends special was a tuna marinaded in soy sauce, brown sugar, and EVOO. Hubs highly opposes fish or meat with a sweet sauce. Me, not so much. 

 

Saturday started with having my little man help me make some chocolate-chip muffins from scratch. He loves to help in the kitchen. It adds a little stress but I try to work through it as I so want my kids to learn to cook and love it as I do!

What I love about January is the "nothing to do" season! December always feels so crazy that it is nice to have nothing going on. We took the time for a visit to the local library. Afterwards we fed the ducks and wondered around the surrounding park. Those fellas were hysterical--funny how tame these guys are and the ones at my house won't let you within a mile of them.

We ended the weekend with a great church visit, chili for lunch, and a nice nap. 

I love weekends like this. It just calms the soul to have close family time! #blessed

This is a hymn we sang in church this morning... always a favorite!

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
   
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

I wish you a peaceful and wonderful week!

With Love,

Reynie

New Year, New Blog

I’m a goal setter. I’ve always been. I like the idea of telling myself that I can achieve something, setting forth a plan to do so, and then working hard to carry it out. The best part is to check it off! And of course achieving the goal, but I really get gratification out of a “check”—it’s done!

In the past I’ve set goals at the New Year but it seems like since I’ve had children that my goal-setting has turned more into “1. Survive”…. My children are getting a little older now and I find I’m actually coming up with a few extra minutes in my week to do “me” things so I think I’m ready to throw my hat back in the “goal-setting” ring. Here goes:

1. Faith: I’ve always talked to God and read my bible, but I feel like I’m desperate for our relationship to grow more. I want to depend on Him for everything so the trust needs to grow there. The only way to do that is submerge myself into Him. I plan to have more time reading, praying, talking, sitting, listening… all of it. Just find more of it in this coming year. For me, for Him, for us.

Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

2. Good Health: I’m a foodie and love learning about good nutrition and lifestyle. I try to make the best food choices for my family and demonstrate the importance of exercise to my children so that they grow up healthy and strong. And I just feel better when I get a little exercise in my day! I plan to add two new things to my arsenal this year: 1. Make homemade bread and stop buying the store-bought stuff (better nutrition) and 2. Get my kids out walking with me more.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

3. Creativity: I consider myself artistic but not a photographer by any stretch! I love using any creative outlet I can find time for and it seems that I spend a great deal of time snapping pictures of my family so why not expand on that possible creative outlet? I plan to learn the mechanics of my camera and how to better edit the pictures I take. I know there is a great deal that I just don’t know and I’m curious to find out more and make improvements.

Exodus 35:31-32: And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze,

4. Family: My husband is my rock and my children are my heart! I fail miserable at being a good wife and a good mother on a daily basis. Thank goodness they forgive me. I strive to be better all the time and this year will be no different. I plan to give them more of me. More time dedicated to them where I play, I draw, I listen, I ask questions about his fishing stuff that I usually have no idea what he’s talking about but is so very passionate about… More of all of that for them.

Titus 2:4: And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

5. Me: I try. I really do, but I am far from perfect. I need improvement in so many ways. I know my pain points that seem to haunt me in my soul. I plan to work on them this year. Not for anyone else but for me to be a better person. Me to be able to live with myself without guilt, and sadness, and regret, and always second-guessing myself. Sometimes, it just means closing your mouth and changing your thoughts. I will work on this for me.

1 Peter 2:1-25: So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

That seems like a lot to tackle right there. Whew, I’m tired just looking at it. But I will do it! I will try because I’m challenged to be a better person than I am for my God, for my family, and for myself.

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

With Love,

Reynie