My Other Blessings

The month of October proved to be a good month for me because I was able to spend time with all four grandchildren, though not together. Because they live in different states it is not very often that all are under the same roof. But when I am able to be with all four at once, it is a wonderful type of chaos. The four of them were born in a three year period almost to the day.

I recently did a post on Pass Christian, MS rebuilding after Katrina. It was on that trip that I spent time with my son Hastings’s two boys, Peyton and Parker shown in the first few photos below. 

^I introduced Peyton and Parker to water balloons.  For two days I filled the balloons with water and tied them off. Peyton and Parker had so much fun throwing them at each other and just busting them on the driveway.  Here is a photo of Peyton, who turned four years old in July with his balloons.

^Above are my grandsons who are brothers. Parker will be three in February and Peyton turned four in July.  Although my daughter-in-law does not sew, she does find great fabric from which to have matching shorts and pants made for  the boys and then has embroidered designs complimenting the fabric sewn on their shirts. As you can see in the photo below, their shorts have tractors on them so this tractor embroidery compliments the fabric.

^Parker on his riding toy at his home in Ridgeland, MS which is in the Jackson, MS area.

^About two weeks ago, Parker came to visit me in Nashville. Peyton was going hunting with his dad, so he did not join him.  We went to the park to feed the ducks and geese. He had so much fun throwing the bread into the water and watching them eat it. To be honest, I had fun as well.

^Parker saw this fish at the park and decided to climb aboard! 

^In an old-fashion park swing.

 

Two days in a row we went to the gym so he could play basketball. He is obsessed with playing basketball. He shoots hoops all the time at home- both inside and outside! Although the goal is quite a bit taller than him, I was amazed at how often he made the shot (35% of the time).  He is so determined and so focused. After an hour of constant shooting, I had to bribe him to leave.

^Looks like two points to me!

I plan to be getting back to my posts on designing your dream home and spiritual and inspiration quotes real soon.  Please keep checking back.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing all of my grandchildren “blessing”.   …susan

Counting My Blessings!

Well, I am back in Nashville after spending several days with two of my grandchildren- my daughter Suzy’s children. While working out this morning a friend asked me what was making me so happy- noting that I appeared to be glowing. I quickly replied- “I just spent a few days with my grandbabies and that always fills me up with love and happiness!”

Below are my two youngest grandchildren, Blake and Allie. They are modeling their new tote bags before heading to school. Their fraternal grandmother made these for them. Lucky they have Robyn, as sewing is not a talent of mine. Robyn has taught my daughter to sew. Suzy made Allie’s dress as well as Blake’s matching pants.  In the pumpkin farm photos further down, check out the monogramming/embroidering on their t-shirts. Suzy bought a monogram machine and is having a great time personalizing their clothes.  She said Allie’s monogramming took 23 different thread color changes!

Blake is 15 months old and Allie is 27 months old. That equates to one year and two days apart in age. Allie insisted on wearing her red rain boots even though it was not raining. She looks so cute in them!

Blake is so proud of his bag with all kinds of balls on it.  He has not yet had his first haircut.

With big sister Allie is leading the way, they headed for all of the action going on at the pumpkin farm.

I am actually hiding behind Blake holding him up so he can peer through the Cool Bus window.

There were lots of homemade creative activities for the children to do. Allie loved jumping on the tire tube.

Blake made some new friends at the pumpkin farm.

He loved sitting on the pumpkins moving from one to another.

You can pick apples from apple orchard.  Allie sure enjoyed hers.

My daughter, Suzy, and her daughter, Allie.

Grandmommy and Blake!

Grandmommy and Allie!

Yes, I count my blessings- Allie and Blake being two of them!  …susan

Traveling

Hey there! This past week has been a whirlwind. Besides having the most precious visitor in my home, my grandson, Parker, (I will be posting photos), I was able to present a television show idea to the Scripps Network in Knoxville, TN which produces HGTV, GAC (Great American Country), DIY, and other television programs. The presentation does not involve me, but a friend who is an incredible talent. Though the TV show is a long shot, the presentation yielded some “homework” to do and a follow up meeting.  After leaving Knoxville, I headed to Charlotte, NC for the weekend and ended up in Greenville, SC earlier today to spend a few days with my daughter and her family.  I am hoping to get a post on my blog but with a fifteen month old grandson and and 27 month old granddaughter, it will be a challenge.  Blessings.  …susan

A Tidbit on Monday: What Swine Flu Precautions Have You Noticed?

Welcome! This post is a departure from the usual DESIGN content of my blog.  Today and in the future, I plan to post a TIDBIT here and there as it comes about.  I hope you will enjoy whatever it might be.

I attend an Episcopal church. Yesterday, before giving communion to the congregation, which involves receiving the round wafer and then sipping wine from the chalice, my preacher mentioned the swine flu fears. He reminded those who would prefer not to sip from the chalice that they could dip their wafer into the wine instead.  I thought that was interesting.

Then, this morning after my wonderful yet grueling workout, I stopped off at my favorite bakery to treat myself to some decaf coffee mixed with a couple of hits of the cinnamon hazelnut caffeinated coffee. Taped on the wall of the glass cabinet which has warm and delicious blueberry, cranberry, banana nut, chocolate mocha, and chocolate swirl muffins behind it…yes, they were all begging me to take them home but my discipline prevailed this time,  was an 8 1/2 X 11” piece of paper with the following message:  DUE TO OUR CUSTOMERS WORRYING ABOUT CATCHING THE SWINE FLU, WE ARE TAKING OUR EMPLOYEES TEMPERATURES WHEN THEY ARRIVE FOR WORK.  I paused and then read it again! Is this more serious than I am allowing myself to believe?

I am curious as to what type of precautions you have noticed in your area?Please leave a comment and tell me.

BTW: here in Nashville, Tennessee where I live we have had two schools decide to close for a week because one school has two suspected cases of the swine flu (one case was just confirmed) and the other school having one suspected case.

Selling your home? Put cookie dough in the oven!

After reading Julia's blog, Hooked on Houses, "Its time to fire your realtor when... "http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/03/31/its-time-to-fire-your-realtor-when/


and then reading Susan Serra's blog, The Kitchen Designer, "Want to sell your house? Clean the kitchen!"
http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/journal/2009/3/31/want-to-sell-your-house-clean-the-kitchen.html


these blogs reminded me of the time I was selling a condominium. I bought a roll of chocolate chip cookie dough and made some chocolate chip cookies. Then, I put some more of the dough on a cookie sheet in the oven and turned the oven to warm, since I did not know how long I would be away. I put the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies on a cake stand with a note welcoming them and offering the cookies. By doing this, you activate the sense of smell which is quite powerful.


Often a realtor will show multiple homes to a client in one day which can be confusing to remember one home from another. The smell of the cookies and offering the cookies to eat always made the client remember my condo.