Slumberless

December 19, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 3 Comments

It’s Steve’s fault I am down here in the basement reading my favorite blogs: putting my name in the running for a really cool pair of cowboy boots on the Pioneer Woman’s blog, catching up on little EK from Chronicles of a Rocket Surgeon, salivating all over my computer at the cookies and pies Pink Martinis has been making, finding out new stuff and different opinions. After seeing all the catchy titles, I’m now thinking I should change the name of my little effort at a blog. Hmmmmmm.

All this thinking this late at night is Steve’s fault!! He let me lie there this evening after supper in that big cushioned recliner all snuggled up next to him, warm and cozy, and sleep! Probably for two hours. He knows I can’t sleep if I do that.

Yep. His fault.

Not the BUS!!!

March 26, 2013March 26, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 4 Comments

Kate has been wanting to ride the bus for a long, long time. Since our county K-12 school sits out in the middle of nowhere, trying to center it in the county, everyone has to ride the bus to and from school or has to be taken and picked up by family. So my daughter and I have always taken my precious baby girl to school and always picked her up. She’s only in first grade, so we have been doing this for about three years, from Pre-K to now.

Last year she started wanting to ride the bus. In kindergarten!!! She is definitely a free spirit and loves new experiences, but those bus kids learn all sort of things when they ride the bus. And I did not want her learning all those things.

Kate’s first bus day

But she has been insisting, so her Momma finally gave in. She gets to ride the bus home from school.

I got to be at the house her first bus trip home because her Momma had a doctor’s appointments or something. It gave me a great opportunity to get those first bus trip photos.

Lisa

If you look really, really closely underneath all the glare, you will see the reason I am not worried about my precious cargo riding the bus: her bus driver, Lisa.

Do you see that happy smiling face?

Can you tell how competent and caring she is just by looking at that pretty lady?

Do you think she’s laughing at me for taking pictures of my granddaughter getting off the bus?

Hmmmmm.

Kate definitely was not laughing at me for taking pictures of her getting off the bus. As a matter of fact, I think I will probably be banned from future first-time events.

Kate not looking too happy about Gigi in the middle of the road taking pics.

But… she loves her Gigi and doesn’t stay embarrassed too long. I got a big hug after this sprint from the bus trip home.

She sits with a big girl at the front of the bus. We are right there to meet her when she gets off.

I guess it will be okay.

From Romance to Recliners

March 18, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 7 Comments

Twelfth Night Ball on January 5, 2013

That was a fun night. We hadn’t been married just a couple of weeks.

And now… today is March 18, 2013. This is where we went today: the furniture store.

I’ve already tried out my side

I have never had a recliner in my entire life. Nor have I watched much of the following:

Country music videos

Do you see the little logo in the bottom right corner? I’m a hiphop-dance-all-night kinda gal. Not boot-scootin’-boogie.

Or used to be. This could be me reeeeeaaaal soon.

Steve in the new recliners

Awwww, isn’t that cute? And romantic? Side-by-sides, matching pillows, electric so we can save our energy to watch country videos or old Roy Rogers movies (I hear it in the background).

That old Tina Turner song “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” comes to mind.

Looking for Spring

March 12, 2013March 12, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / Leave a comment

I see spring!!!!

Summer is and (I’m fairly certain) always will be my favorite season of the year. I don’t want to miss Autumn or Winter or Spring because they make me appreciate summer so much more. And actually I like those seasons, too. They all have their own unique wonderment.

Today is an “I-can-almost-see-spring” kind of day. The sun is shining, making it a little warmer and brighter, a little closer to gardening or riding bikes or walking, opening the pool, enjoying summer. The Easter lilies are poking up out of the ground, and I’ve noticed new growth on the rose bushes.

Today is also the day I remember birthdays of those I love. And the hardships and passing of those I love. It can’t be helped. It’s all intertwined, like the seasons of the year. But as God does, He walks along with us through the seasons: the cold, seemingly death of winter; the restfulness of fall, no more blooming to do, just resting and preparing for the new births that will come in spring; the hope of spring with its rush to get life going, the realization that life still abounds; the fullness of summer, living life to its fullness, working hard, playing hard.

“This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” 1 John 2:17

And what is God’s will?

“The Lord is pleased with those who worship Him and trust His love.” Psalm 147:11

“Give yourselves to God . . . surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13

“Give yourself completely to God.” James 4:7

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:5

The Schwinn

January 12, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 8 Comments

Ain’t she a beauty?!?! The HHH (Hilton Head Hogbottoms) brought this down to me last night for a little bridal shower my sister asked me to host for myself. I thought that was a little strange. Maybe something new they were doing nowadays. Those shower thingies are always changing in the way they’re done, so I said, sure, ya’ll come.

So I washed and even pressed the tablecloth; got out the cute girlie dishes I had purchased forever ago and had never used; got out my super dainty super fragile tea cups and dishes as well. Out came the Gooseberry Patch Tea Time Book for a great egg salad recipe. It has lots of good ideas, but I only had time for the egg salad (which was very tasty I might add). Next came the Savannah Bee Winter White honey. All I can say is order it now before it’s gone. We ate half a jar of the tallest they sell which is small but still quite a bit of honey for only four of the HHHes. I’m fairly certain it’s not a year-round item; that it’s only available certain times of the year.

waiting on the ladies

Since my paper napkins were just so darned cute, I opted to use them instead of the normal cloth ones. After all, the HHHes weren’t really going to care. It’s more about the dresses and the hats.

the gals in their finery

Every once in awhile the little girl in us just has a conniption fit to come out and play, so we drag out any of our old or new fancy dresses and shoes or go to the Goodwill and buy us a brand-spankin’ used new one. I have a variety of vintage hats, a couple of newer ones, and some gloves. We doody up with make-up and jewels and get together for some girl/woman talk and fun.

We drink delicious hot tea with the grounds caught in a silver tea strainer as it goes into the cup and eat yummy tea sandwiches or other concoctions on fancy little crackers.

having tea with some of my best friendsthe

It’s fantastic!!

So when I saw who I thought was Matilda Hogbottom riding a bicycle down the road toward the house, I couldn’t imagine what in the world was going on. Darla had come to the door and said, “Come on out here, you’ve got to see the girls.” Were they lined up along the drive or what? I was expecting four of them. There was Terah and Darla in all their finery, but where was Geri (turns out she had an emergency) and Lisa? That’s when I saw Matilda riding her bike down the dark road. Perplexed does not even come close to what I was feeling… but I knew it was going to be good.

Matilda/Lisa

Turns out it wasn’t Matilda at all but her alter ego Lisa! And she was on one of those beach bikes I have been coveting ever since the Hilton Head trip last year when I rode all over the place on one of them. I forced all the gals (all but Geri; she stood firm) to rent one, and we rode on the beach, all over. It was great, so they’re all in (except for Geri) this summer to get one and ride again. On one of the bike excursions we ran into the guy who owns them and asked where to buy one because I was definitely going to get me one. Loaded with the information I got on the internet and drooled all over the computer looking at them before I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t justify buying it. After all, I have a good bike albeit skinny wheels, hand brakes, nothing like the one I was coveting.

And here was Lisa riding one!! To the fancy bridal shower!! I was so shocked and excited for her that it never dawned on me that it was rather odd her riding that bike to my house (of course they had let her out just a block up the street). “Lisa! You got one of those bikes!” Sometimes I wonder about myself.

Turns out that wonderful bike was for me! They had been planning it ever since last July while we were still on the island, while I was still going on and on about going to get me one of those, while I was riding all over the place on the rental. My bridal shower gift!!

getting ready to try the little baby out

As much as I love that bike, I love my Hilton Head gals so much more. They are the bomb… especially with a french roll!

elegant french rolls

I am a blessed woman! Thank you HHH gals!!

Lightening My Mood

February 21, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 4 Comments

Ava and Gigi

I love this little pudgy thing… and she loves that little wrinkly thing beside her. We have great fun. And all I have to do is look at this picture to be filled with that warm, fuzzy feeling.

Maddy and me

This is another picture that brings me joy. I have the most beautiful niece, inside and out. She had some fantastic pictures made, but I can’t put them on here yet. Just wait!!

Kate, the princess, all tied up

Kate is the Queen of Pretend. She has taught her little sister all the idiosyncrasies of great pretend play. I can only imagine what a great actress she would be.

Maci... growing up

Maci, aka the Screamer, is growing up waaaay too fast. She had enough hair to braid when she was born, and now it is way down her back. Even though we tease about her bossiness and her, um, loudness, she gets it from her father as did Owen. (He outgrew it and we think she will, too.)

Owen and his new bike

Owen is such a treat. He is growing up into the sweetest, most thoughtful little guy. Except, of course, when he is terrorizing his sister, Maci.

Henry and Charlotte Ann... with Momma

And these two full-of-energy pumpkins are the friendliest little boogers around. Henry would probably have tried to ride alone if Momma would let him. They are both independent!

Jack and Sam Christmas 2011

Last, but no where least, are these two hunks of burning love or energy or mischief. They are the great explorers, always gifted with super powers if the need arises, always finding some great treasure.

And they are all my great treasures. I have to do no more than peruse their pictures to have sweet thoughts and memories come flooding in and washing away any downcast moments.

I so love these guys and gals.

The Day After…

February 15, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 3 Comments

Valentine’s Day has come and gone… once again. And every year there are romantic stories, funny stories, odd gifts, sensible gifts, comfortable scenarios, exciting scenarios.

I’m curious to know what you all did. Was it one of these perhaps?

give or receive flowers

give or receive a pet? spend time with your pet?

shop for furniture together... or by yourself?

take your sweet thing to one of these places?

go on a cruise or other mini-vacation?

get engaged? give or receive a piece of jewelry?

get married!?!?!?!?

take your beloved out for a romantic evening?

plan a, um, uh, romantic evening?

This year right smack dab on the day, I received a lovely card and letters and got to spend time with little Ava. Then I took off with my sis to pick up the dining room chairs Kate and I bought the other day.

Yeah, that’s right. Dar was with me on Valentine’s Day evening. Dave and Darla have been married for, let’s see, almost 40 years. That’s a lot of Valentine’s Days. And they did say Happy Valentine’s Day that morning. At least Dar said it to Dave. She wasn’t sure he heard her. He’s in the middle of working on the house, and his good buddy, Johnny, was coming over for a full day of work, so he was busy getting things ready to go.

Yep, it was just a good Valentine’s Day this year.

It’s Today!!

February 14, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 1 Comment

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Love is patient and kind;

Love is not jealous or boastful;

It is not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its own way;

It is not irritable or resentful;

It does not rejoice at wrong,

But rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things,

Believes all things,

Hopes all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The Love Story of Jack and Charlene

February 12, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 1 Comment

Jack and Charlene

Here, in Jack’s own words, is how the day of their wedding began:

“It was a cold, wet day on January 13, 1947, on a Monday morning that I drove from our home on Eagle Creek to Charlene’s home to get her. Then we went to John and Reba Bradley’s home near Junction. They were going with us to Morganfield, Kentucky, to witness our wedding. I had a 1939 Ford car which had over a 100,000 miles showing. No telling how many times the speedometer had been run back. It was the last year that Ford had placed the shift lever on top of the transmission extending from the floor. For some reason that I can’t remember, Charlene and I went through Equality on our way to get John and Reba. When we went to approach Route 13, I hit the shifting lever to put it in second gear, and the shifting lever came out of the transmission and fell in the floor on Charlene’s side of the car. By this time I was out on the highway. The transmission had shifted into second gear before the lever came out or at the same time. I thought about driving on to John and Reba’s in second gear, then I noticed the entrance to Pekin Coal Mine, so I turned in. I picked up the shift lever and put it back down in the transmission. I held the clutch pedal down and started the engine and gently shifted from second to first gear. It worked okay, so we went on our way. Every time I had to shift, I did it gently.”

Jack and Charlene Martin

Jack and Charlene raised three children together over their 50-some years together. She had a stroke and for many years Jack was a gentle and loving caretaker before she went home to be with their Lord, leaving Jack behind.

Here are Darla’s words of her father-in-law’s care for his wife while she was in the nursing home:

“Jack was always so kind….he loved and cared for her until the end. One day I was sitting in the sunroom at Fountain View with him and her, and he was taking lotion and dotting a Kleenex with lotion, working at getting the dry skin off of her face. It was like time had stopped for a second. And when I looked around, everyone was watching..a nurse, other visitors and residents of the nursing home. It was right then that I knew why she was still here (because at this time in her life she had lost her speech). So others could see Jesus’ love through Jack Martin caring for his wife. “

I loved Charlene Martin and I love Jack Martin. They were one of the best examples of God’s plan for marriage that I have ever seen; as well as two of the best examples of the word Christian.

And they were one heck of an example of a great love story!

My Sis and Her New Hubby… 1973

February 9, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 6 Comments

Darla - March 31, 1973

Way back on March 31, 1973, my sister and her boyfriend were married. Bill Rister was just beginning to try his hand at picture-taking, so he was pressed into service for the photos.

Dad and Darla coming down the aisle

It was a hard-earned wedding since Mom and Dad weren’t particularly fond of Dave. He had long hair and played in a band and lived in Jane Strong’s basement. It must have helped that he cut his hair.

Jack Hall was the minister.

Here are some of Darla’s words about being married:

It was March 31, 1973. I was a senior in high school. The Monday morning that followed that weekend I found myself in Geography class being called on to write my name on the blackboard as an example for some illustration. I didn’t write Darla Rutherford (who I had been for the past 17 years) I wrote Darla Martin. I had gotten married that weekend at the First Baptist Church in Shawneetown. Some memorable things I will never forget: My colors were centered around my best friend’s prom dress that she was going to wear for the bridesmaid dress, my wedding dress was rented, my cake was bought at the IGA bakery, and the person that was supposed to sing cancelled at the last minute and the piano player sang “Color My World”. (As I’m writing this…I’m wondering where my sister was…that is a mystery to me). Now, 39 years later….I love this man more than I did the day I married him. He loves Jesus, loves his wife, and loves his family.

Churnie and Amy Rutherford, Darla and Dave Martin, Charlene and Jack Martin

Nancy Strong was Darla’s best friend… and this is her prom/wedding dress.

Nancy as the lovely maid of honor

Dennis Charleton and Mom

Not sure who the young boy is, but the other two are Dave's mom and dad

My Mom was escorted down the aisle by Dave’s friend, Dennis. As I look at these pictures, I realize my Mom was 53 and my Dad was just 49.

These pics have been in a small album, that is now falling apart at the seams, since 1973. Some of the pictures tore as I was trying to remove them. You can see the ghost-like discoloration on them.

The very next month my daughter, Keely, was born, so I was very pregnant at this time. It’s not like me to keep a low profile no matter how huge I would have been, so I can only surmise that Darla did not want the bulging belly being seen!! But I looked very spiffy in my maternity dress with my hair all curled. Yes, Darla, I was there.

I love the pictures of Dave and Darla feeding each other cake. They look so prim and proper!