Enjoyed my Weekend

I love these little chairs made out of the top of champagne bottles - no matter how many times I see them. Luke will make them for me whenever we have champagne. I have had a few tops sitting around here for awhile - and he picked one up today and made a chair - they are so cute! I will have to remember to hang some on my Christmas tree this year.

"There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne." ~ Bette Davis in Old Acquaintance

I had not planned on doing this - but started messing around with some scraps of yarn last night. I am going to keep adding onto it until I have a piece big enough to make a bag. So fun to work with - and really no rules - I've just been making it up as I go. Also a great way to use up some old yarn.
I also used up my scrap yarn by making a beanie For Luke. I was done with it, but had to weave in all the strings on the inside. It is a pain doing that - but I like how they turn out. I finally just sat and finished weaving in all the tails last night - so it was over and done with.
And then of course I made him take a picture with it on - whether he wanted to or not.
One more project finished this weekend - Luke wanted this plain black beanie with ear flaps - after seeing the one that I made for Mikey.

"If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love." ~ Maya Angelou

Over all it was a nice relaxing weekend. Luke, Jake, Kasey, and I stayed up to nearly 3:00 last night. I was crocheting - they were cutting out pictues from magazines and making collages. I reminded me of when they were young and we used to stay up late. Luke decided he was hungry and made up the best sandwiches around 1:30 - using chicken tenders, green peppers, onions, and jalepenos. After cooking that he melted cheese on top and served it on sourdough bread. I wish I had taken of picture of those - they were delicous!

Trick or Treat

The Mad Hatter and Alice.

"No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.” ~ Mad Hatter
Group shot - Vinnie is dressed up as "Jake Smith" - and it wouldn't be a group picture without Jake using this jester -
These shorts are so funny - and even more so because they used to wear them like this. At one point he walked into the house with only the shorts on - ??????
Happy Halloween!
I look short next to Luke - I don't think I have ever seen a picture of myself where I thought I looked short.

Kasey getting ready -
It was a little chaotic getting everyone ready and out the door - but I loved it. It reminded me of when the boys were young - and we were doing all the last minute stuff.
Witch and ghost make merry on this last of dear October’s days. ~Author Unknown

Fresh Cherry Earrings

My neighbor gave us some beautiful cherries - they looked so pretty in the bowl that I almost hated to use them. Luke found a recipe for some cherry crisp. It was great with vanilla ice cream. I may have to look for a cherry tree to plant. I don't really know why he goes along with me when I do stuff like this to him - but he usually does.
Luke made these potato skins. They were delicious!!!!! - better than any restaurant.

Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries

Jacob's Field

Unfortunately Jake's team was eliminated from the play-offs on Saturday. So another season is coming to the end. He will be playing ball this summer - but I hate to see this season end. I love watching him play.

Getting ready to steal second.

This picture is so Jake. He is so competitive - but always seems so relaxed and at ease when he plays. His high school coach said about him once - "He can go 0 for 4, - or 4 for 4 - and his expression is the same. He has a lot of self control on the ball field.
Playing 3rd base
This one was taken while they were warming up. This is my favorite picture - because he really seems to be enjoying himself and I love how you see the ball coming to him.

"Nobody ever said, "Work ball!" They say, "Play ball!" To me, that means having fun." –Willie Stargell

Blood, Bike, Buttons & Beads

Here's a picture of Jake and KC after giving blood. They both needed less than a point to get an A in their Health class and they were able to earn enough extra credit by giving blood to get their grade up.
I will post more pictures of my new bike soon. It is so pretty. But for now this shows my favorite part. The hula girl decal I think was the deciding factor in Richard choosing this bike. This was my Mother's Day gift and I am so excited! Richard and the boys seemed just as excited to give it to me. Later in the day Brent brought over a basket for it as a mother's day gift. So I am all set to ride it to work - which I did this morning. It is only about a mile to work - and the mornings are not so warm that I will get all sweaty riding that short of a distance. It was a little breezy this morning - but it was great. I changed into my skirt and some other shoes once I got here. I have wanted a bike for some time - it is so pretty!!!!!
I made this bracelet last night out of seed beads and buttons. It was easy and fun to make. Although I am a little worried about how it is going to hold up. I think the pattern would make a neat necklace also.
Another picture of the bracelet I made and today's mug. I even had room in my bike basket for my coffee thermos and my cup. Did I mention how excited I am about my new bike?

"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world." ~Grant Petersen

Potstickers - yum!

Luke and I love potstickers! Richard and Jake will eat a few of them - although Richard hates the way they smell while we are cooking them. It has gotten to be a feeding frenzy when we make them - especially if Jennifer is over - she loves them too. We also have lumpia tonight that Reno's mom made.

Siesta

Jacob always seems to find something to buy at Target - that seems unnecessary at the time - but then turns out to be a great idea. His latest purchase was this $25 hammock. It is nothing fancy - but so relaxing and comfortable. It is the perfect place to take a nap.

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."

~ Robert Fulghum

The 80's and Togas

This past weekend was a weekend of parties for Jake and KC. Friday night they dressed up for and 80's party. Jake called be after work wondering what he could wear - not much notice - but he doesn't look too bad. His shorts probably could have been shorter.
Saturday they went to a toga party. It was fun getting them ready for this one.
I think they look more Hawaiian. Maybe should have attended a Luau instead.

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance."

Easter Sunday

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Jesus Christ - John 11:25, 26)

I enjoyed putting out my Easter decorations this year. Here are some eggs I painted a few years ago. I saw a cute idea for some eggs I wanted to make this year - but I was busy crocheting beanies and baking this week. Today I baked a pineapple upside down cake, a chocolate cream pie, and a banana cream pie. We had an untraditional Easter dinner (Ham did not sound good to me). Richard barbecued chicken with a Hawaiian BBQ sauce and I made fried rice and broccoli/beef. I am trying new recipes these days. I am really getting the hang of making cream pies - I want to try a coconut cream next.
Richard thought the boys should dye eggs. We only boiled a dozen - not nearly as many as when they were little. Jennifer and Josh stopped by - so they joined in. It was fun to watch and listen to them. I am glad Richard came home with the egg dye kit.This was a lot less messy than when they were small.

St. Patrick's Day

I had to put the green feather boa to use on St. Patrick's Day. I made everyone take a picture with it on. Some were more willing than others. Richard of course was willing
Jake and Kasey. I think they are so cute.
Luke - obviously very willing. Never one to be shy.
Luke's girlfriend Kim. She is so cute.
Josh and Jennifer.

It was a great St. Patrick's day - Corned Beef/cabbage, soda bread, mashed potatoes. It is one of my favorite meals to make and everything was delicious. Mom told me that my grandma always made green bread on St. Pat's day - so I also made one of my loaves of bread green. It was a fun night. Brent and Ashley, Sarah, Nataleigh, and our friend and neighbor Michelle were also here. I love it when the house is full and everyone is laughing and having fun.

If you're enough lucky to be Irish, you're lucky enough! ~Irish Saying

Luke J.

I love this picture of Luke! He has such a good spirit - this reminds me of that.

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journeys" ~ Stephen R. Covey

Play Ball!

Here are some pictures of Jake at his game last Saturday. This one was taken while they were warming up. This one was during the game. I had missed a few games due to work - so it was great to get out to see him play. Plus it was warm and sunny - It was a day made for baseball. And this is me at the ballgame - eating seeds.
"It is well to remember that a Martian observing his first baseball game would be quite correct in concluding that the last two words of the National Anthem are - PLAY BALL!
~ Herbert H. Paper, in Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 April, 1989

Jake - always texting.

This is how Jake looks most of the time - eyes on his phone - always texting.

"Cell phones are the latest invention in rudeness." ~D.H. Mondfleur

Baseball

Luke watching - Jake playing. These are a couple more pictures from Monterey last weekend. This is how we spent most of our time. It felt great to be at a baseball game again.
"I keep my eyes clear and I hit 'em where they ain't." ~Willie Keeler's famous explanation for his .432 average in 1897.

Jake and I

Here is a picture of Jake and I - taken when he was home at Christmas. I had forgotten all about the pictures he took when he was showing me the camera on his laptop - until he shared this with me today. It makes me happy to see a picture of us together. He will be home in about a month and I am really looking forward to him being home for the summer.
"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings." ~Hodding Carter, Jr.