Tuesday, May 28, 2013

today i'm very excited
my Lil Cuz is coming
tomorrow, tomorrow
we are by far the best of cuzins
creative on many levels
&
modest, too
when we are together
most anything can be made
more beautiful

my refrig before
 my refrigerator after
a few days together
magic
we're the best!

~~~~~


Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day
there is a reverence in the day
DFW
i reflect on the times
we as a family
welcomed home
from war
our soldier
i feel so privileged
to have been a part
of the celebration
especially through
the eyes of granddaughters
etched on my heart
i will never forget
moments such as these



these pictures make me cry
everytime
how must it be for the
families that soldier
did not come home?
how hard
please pray for our military
our soldiers & sailors
& their families
pray for their safety
& strength & courage
& for that of their spouses
& children
& parents
Happy Memorial Day
fly our flag

~~~~~


Saturday, May 25, 2013

herb garden & insects
it seems that organic is better
but the ants & bees are
causing a bit of a problem
in the herb garden &
Fern Gully
my Lil Cuz is having some
bee problems at her castle
&
is taking down all the
welcome bee signs
& friendly bee decorations
think i'll try that
BUT
i am going to nuke
Fern Gully
in preparation for the
Angelgirls
fly fly ladybugs
fly away home

Friday, May 24, 2013

the saga of the wilton cake pan

Good Afternoon Becki,






Thank you for contacting us!







Our development team is aware of the strong adhesive that is being used on our labels. They are working with the manufactures to change the adhesive that is being used. The development team is suggesting using a paper towel saturated with vegetable oil and allowing that to sit on the label for about 15-20 minutes and then washing the label off with warm soapy water.







Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance!











Breanne Secrist



Customer Service Representative



Wilton Brands

Really? - do you think i didn't try every known method for removing a sticker.
i will be writing wilton ceo next
i found this response to be
 inadequate & flippant
& think that they should send me a new pan without a sticker
or refund my $
here's my original letter:

Hello. I recently bought a 10 inch cake pan from Michaels. The large sticker about the product that was stuck around the outside of the pan - well, I could not get it off completely. I used all the ways to remove stickers & it will left a residue on the pan. After much flustration, I decided it would not be wise to use it for baking, because I could not get the sticker off completely. So, as an artist I painted it & used it for decorative purposes.


Just thought you would like to know about this, next time I will not buy a wilton cake pan.

Thank you,

i'm also thinking that perhaps
 all wilton products
have this problem
 of not being able to
get the sticker off






Monday, May 20, 2013

as more birthdays are added
to my friends
(& me?)
we seem to find ourselves
giving cards
instead of presents
recently, when celebrating
at my castle
i needed a
presentation tray
to hold cards of well wishes
i decided that since i would be
painting it
i'd buy a good quality one
a 10 inch wilton cake pan
from michael's
well, it was very frustrating to me
to GET THE TAG off
the outside of the pan
it never really came off
& it wrapped around most of the outside
i used all the household remedies
nothing would get that sucker off
so i just painted over it
using black & white checks
custom favorite gold accents
vintage sheet music
voile
it is really wonderful & i love it
tossed in some sequins &
a champagne cork
it's ready for
happy birthday cards

i did write to wilton
telling them that their
labels need to come off
the pans &
that i didn't think
i should bake in it
because of that
so i painted it
wonder if they care?
~~~~

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Beatrix Potter
in her kingdom
 looking for lizards, birds,
& squirrels & other critters
that just might be
 on top of the pergola
& the vine
(coral cross vine)
that so beautifully covers it

 oh, puppy
redo & expansion of
Fern Gully continues
yesterday in the 94* weather
my beloved daughter in law
from the A Team
helped me haul large flag stone
to expand the floor of
fern gully
to make way for the
magical custom teepees
that should arrive next week
for the Angelgirls' visit
this summer!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

before
 paint is good
these porch swings & bench 
(& children's picnic table)
were purchased about 20 yrs ago
from my favorite store
in the whole world
Bering's Hardware
Houston, Texas
 they are well made
comfortable & have
a story to tell, i'm sure
so they needed a big
cleaning & painting
by a professional
painter - thanks to
phillip for adding this
project to 
Brazos Star Homes 
already big work load
 mint is happy happy

living out here
take an Allegra
have southern ice tea
& i'm good all day

preparing for the Angelgirls to
grace this space & that of
Fern Gully
(more pics later)
expanding Fern Gully
as the Angels that play there
has grown to four!
oh, happy day!

Monday, May 13, 2013

working on
refresh & redo
under & surrounding
the pergola
BEFORE:
AFTER:

fresh & cool outside
this fine day
happy monday

Monday, May 6, 2013

hum, woke up today
think i'll paint the gate
whitewash the gate
it is an artistic gate
applied on top of fence
to appear to go beyond the
back yard
into a magical garden
 half way there

 might need another coat
have to see when it ages

a secret garden
indeed
time for lunch

Sunday, May 5, 2013

my favorite herb
old fashion rose geranium
it is getting harder & harder to find
i first fell in love with this herb at
the HillTop Herb Farm
in Cleveland, TX
most wonderful place
i've ever eaten

my favorite pound cake
Rose Geranium Pound Cake
from
Madeline Hill's
Southern Herb Growning
what a dear lady
with her daughter
Gwen Barclay
herb ladies, indeed
~~~
another reason
i love herbs

Saturday, May 4, 2013

i can't wait
to fly these
angelgirls
back to
texas
from rhode island

what fun we're
going to have!

getting ferngully ready
custom tents being made
sugar shack teepees
etsy
mudpies will be for sale
gluten free
oh, the magic of it all!
sweet
~~~~~~

Thursday, May 2, 2013

we are a military family
navy & army
this mother's heart is proud - always
prayerfully concerned - often
missing them & theirs - everyday

thank you for joining us
with your prayers as they
continue to deploy, move,
sacrifice for our country

please don't ask me
"when can they get out?"
they don't want out
it is their career of which
they are highly trained &
specialized & dedicated
to keeping us safe
May God Bless America
&
keep our military safe
& give their families
the strength & courage
they need as they, too, serve