Another addition to the Family!

One of Ashley's college friends called Ashley and said her grandmother had to give up her Westie. Ashley then called us and asked if we would take him in. At first we said, no and then later, we changed our collective mind and said yes. So, here is...Wilson! and the one who thought this was a good idea.

Autumn Breakfast

I am planning an autumn breakfast for a select group of friends who have helped and supported me through all kinds of stuff in the past few years. I did this once before and had a grand time! I'll be sending out homemade invitations using ragged edged paper and old world calligraphy and tied with raffia. I love using raffia on cards! I am working on the menu. I am planning on serving: Baked Oatmeal (a huge favorite at the last breakfast I did) 1 3/4 c water 1 cup rolled oats 2/3 c milk 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 c packed brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt Butter a 1.5 qt casserole. Bring water to a boil and stir in the oats. Bring back to boiling, then reduce the heat. Simmer until cooked as you like them. In a small bowl whisk together the eggs and milk. In another bowl combine the sugar, baking powder and spices and stir into oatmeal. Fold the egg mixture into the oatmeal and pour in the casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 30-40 min

A Momma Brag!

The best part of having a blog is getting to tell the world about your children! My daughter Ashley, who graduated from Stephens College in three and 1/2 years with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Management and Marketing, has recently learned that she has been named a teaching assistant for the University of Missouri. Woo Hoo! (Looks like she's rather fond of things gold...) This means that she will receive a healthy stipend and free tuition! I am so glad she does not have to take out any student loans to get her masters. For her healthy stipend, she will help a full time college professor with her undergraduate classes, either teaching a class or two, grading papers, or research materials for class. Bob and I take a strange bit of glee from the fact that Ashley will be teaching, as this is something she said she was never going to do... (Bob and I were both teachers at one time...) Bob has three degrees from the University of Missouri, so Ashley is now following in hi

Is it just me or do....

you antagonize over simple decisions too? For literally months I have debated about what color to paint my front door. Originally the door was a deep cranberry which I really loved. As doors will do, it faded over time and I needed to repaint it. Then came the moment I dread... I had the notion that I didn't have to paint it the same color it was. So, I quickly narrowed the choices down between black and cranberry. (This was in July, I believe). It has taken me until this weekend to make the decision and I did, today. The door is black. And, I love it. But WHY does it take six or seven weeks to decide what color to paint the front door? Why am I so undecisive about things??? I would appreciate any support out there from Undeciders Anonymous members like myself.

School Starts Tomorrow!

Another school year begins tomorrow! I am all about the beginning of school. Seeing school supplies at Walmart makes me shiver! Packages of paper, crayons and Ticonderoga pencils are just waiting to be purchased. We are ready for our students. Here are some photos of my office and the front of our school. Note the darling sunflower wreath!

Neighborhood Picnic

My friend Kristen (Scrappin' My Bliss) has a wonderful neighborhood picnic and I have always wanted to go to one, but didn't want to plan it. Evidently someone in our neighborhood actually wanted it and wanted to plan it because we were invited to our neighborhood pavilion by the lake this past Sunday. Many of our neighbors who came to the picnic were new to the subdivision. It was fun to meet them. We have a lot of nurses (good to know), a few physiciatrists (good to know, hard to spell) a couple of lawyers (always good to know) and a lot of handy people (very good to know). One of Bob's teachers lives across the street. She is a blast to be around. Ashley has heard us talk about her (all NICE, Susan!) and wanted to meet her. She loved her too! We bbqed, grilled, and brought a dish to share. We are also very good cooks (good to know!) Here is a little glimpse into our neighborhood fun!

Missouri State Fair

Yesterday Bob, Ashley, Eric and I all got into the car and headed to the Missouri State Fair. We had tickets to see Josh Turner and wanted to visit our favorite places at the Fair. Ashley worked yesterday and so we didn't get to leave until 3:30. So, we drove in, catching up on zzzzzs for Ashley and listening to the Cardinals on the radio. We parked, and headed into the Fair. We stopped at the University of Missouri building (big fans, in case you didn't know) and got Tiger Striped ice cream, which is Ashley's all time favorite. The ice cream is made on campus and has a limited distribution. Next we headed to the dairy building but it was closed! I didn't get to see the 600 pound butter cow this year and Ashley didn't get her chocolate milk. Next year we will get there earlier. Next we toured the Varied Industries and the Commercial buildings, which are vendors set up to sell various items. We bought a cool hose holder (we hope). Our next stop is the Mi

Early breakfast

Ashley works a schedule that few but the young could do. She works at Ann Taylor nearly every day from 6 til closing and at Victoria's Bridal on Wednesday-Friday from 1-5 and on Saturdays from 9-3. She and Bob love to go to breakfast together on Saturday before she goes to work. I find it very difficult to drag myself out of bed, but today I managed to do so, and luckily, my hair didn't look too bad. Today Truman got to make the trip, since we were sitting outside. Ashley just loves her little brother, in case you can't tell! We dined al fresco at Cafe via Roma, a little coffee house by the Capitol building.

Garden Harvest

I am a tomato snob. I love tomatoes, but only if they come out of the garden, preferably in late July. Here are some late tomatoes from our garden, having been harvested just today. I am making Bob some bacon and tomato sandwiches when he finishes mowing the lawn. I just finished slicing up the cucumbers to make cukes and onions which are brining as we speak. I plan to take them to the neighborhood picnic Sunday. I think garden produce is more evidence of God's love!

West School Book Club

Thirteen years ago or so, I started a book club at the school where I taught as part of a professional development plan I had to do for my personal growth as a teacher. My principal, Mrs. Heberle, thought of the idea and asked me if I would like to implement it. I was thrilled to do it as I was leading literature groups in my classroom and wanted to "experiment" with adults to see what new strategies I could try with my students. Well, let's just say that adults are different than kids. Our first meeting we read Snow Falling on Cedars. Of the twenty plus that came to my house that night, only six of us read the second book. It seems that Snow may have been a bit too literary to choose for our first book. All of us that have stuck it out for all these years still think of it fondly! We meet monthly at a local restaurant and discuss not only the monthly chosen book, but books we have read and want to read. Next month we are reading The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agenc

Wien Picnic 2008

This is what a Catholic church picnic looks like in Missouri in the summer:

Suzy's Game

I love a good challenge! ~Susie Q's "My Favorite Things" Game~ (You can only name ONE per category) Sport: College footfall Game: Pictionary Color: Red Movie: A Walk in the Clouds Broadway play I have seen: 42nd Street Broadway Musical I have seen: Rent Song: Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy American city I have visited: New York City Foreign city I have visited: London Book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Children's Book: Heidi Classic television show: I Love Lucy Recent television show: Food Network Star Actor: John Travolta Actress: Meryl Streep Perfume: Chanel #5 Food: A well grilled steak Dessert: Crème brulee Chain Restaurant: Olive Garden Local Restaurant: Madison's Car: convertible Mercedes! Condiment: Mayonnaise Kitchen Appliance: hand held blender Home Appliance: DVD player Beauty Product: Mascara Piece of clothing: Jeans HGTV Show: Decorating Cents Food Network show: Rachel Ray's Tasty Travels Author: Cynthia Voight Male Songwriter: John Rich Female Songwri

I'm a Winner!

I was the winner of the 200th post giveaway at Backporch Musings , a delightful blog written by another Missouri blogger! I wanted you to see the darling gifts she sent. First, let me tell you how beautiful the package was! She wrapped each gift in pretty tissue and then tied the tissue with satin ribbons. These ribbons were striped in greens and yellow. Lovely. I received two books on gardening, two bookmarks, a set of notecards of Pat's photos of her roses and a delightful bird, which you cannot see in this picture because it is sitting on a lamp downstairs. Thank you Pat! Next time you are in Jefferson City, give me a ring and we'll meet at Central Dairy !