A Baby Shower

 My absence from the blog in many ways can be explained with this statement..."I am unable to say No."

Those words just won't come out of my mouth, even when I know full well I am overcommitting. I need therapy --- just kidding.  I really do need to practice saying that word. I will not bore you with the details of all that has kept me too busy to even read blogs which I TRULY love to do. I will, however share a baby shower and promise to come back very soon and do a "catching up" post minus all the things I didn't say no to that kept me out of sorts. I will also do a stitching post...oh yes, I am so close to the end of that heron that I can taste it and when I am done with this post I intend to finish that little heron.

I had 2 lovely friends who offered to give Katie a baby shower, but Katie is just not used to things being done for her and declined. I think she then thought it over and agreed to letting Lindsay and me do one at my house. Now, she is lucky in that Lindsay has had 2 boys so she is getting lots of good stuff, but one can always use a few more things as it all adds up quickly.

This is to record a sweet day for Katie.

Lindsay and I had a tough test this week with time and babies being sick and all. Do you ever feel like when you are trying to do good that you get hit with so much stress? Either way, we persevered and we thought it all turned out so nice. I would be remiss if I didn't just say that my husband deserves the "Husband of the Year" award. He is amazing and we make a good team of getting things done in a pinch. Remember, I said we had a lot of little things that just lined up against me. Devil, get behind me!!!

I almost forgot to take pictures of the decorations, but thanks to my girl, Lindsay we have some to share.

First up, Paul Allen and Katie arrived a little early. Paul Allen and Jeff were in charge of babysitting duty downstairs. Katie's sister has a little boy just a few months older than Tucker who came as well. They had a blast and I think babysitting took care of itself as Palmer slept through a good portion of it.

We took a few family pictures during that time...

The hostesses.

The guest of honor and babysitter.

If only we could have put Lindsay in on this one.

Parents to be who are ready I think.

I feel I must brag a little more on Jeff. He helped me pull off setting up everything after I was pretty much unable to get anything much done on Friday. Again, I am not sharing the stuff of life that gets in the way, just the good stuff. He hung banners, helped me cook, and got up early to blow off the drive way and mow. Just a side note about the odd spring weather and blooming schedules. It is a common spring occurrence for Floridians to be picking up leaves in the spring rather than the fall. Our live oaks drop their leaves in the spring and almost like clockwork they drop their little fuzzy worm like blooms by the 3rd week of April. It is almost like a rite of passage, but this year they are falling like snow as I type. EVERYONE I know has been talking about the lateness of this event. I guess I am officially old as I am talking about weather and things such as this. Jeff was up early trying to get them up so that they didn't track in with guests. Oh well...he was a huge help.

Here are few of the food tables and decorations.

Well, first is our theme.

Lindsay found this cute invitation and game on Etsy. I printed both out on my computer and saved quite a bit by doing so. The greenery served as our theme since it was so Katie. Lindsay is really good at finding things that really match a person's likes and personality.

Another Lindsay idea - to put out some baby pictures of Katie and Paul Allen.

These beautiful cookies have a little fact in them that was new to all but the Palmers. 

Do you see that little baby's name? It is going to be Miles. I will tell you more about that in a minute. We knew his name from Tuesday night when we celebrated Katie's birthday. They told us then. Well actually, I knew even before the others because Paul Allen shared it with me one day a couple of weeks ago. I was so shocked because he never shares much at all. I was ecstatic over the news.

The table before I added the cheese grits. We had a brunch so sausage and egg casseroles, cheese grits, pigs in a blanket, pound cake, homemade whip cream and fruit. 

I used my glass plates that I am lucky enough to have room to store. It saved money again. I bought napkins and the banner you see on the table. Oh and some flowers from Walmart. Honestly, it was one of the most economical showers ever and oh so cute.

I am crazy about the name. I mentioned one night some names from the family tree and my great granddaddy (Mama's granddaddy) and his father were named Myles. Now, they spelled it with a "Y". I have no idea why,  but it could be because the last name has a prominent "Y" in it. Either way, Katie liked it and I think she convinced Paul Allen. 

I loved my great granddaddy. In fact, everyone did. He was an amazing man who really left a huge legacy to me. I have shared before about him here.

He would be so honored and I love that someone who meant so much to me is getting his name used again.

Next up is a banner Lindsay made years ago and it has been used many times. It says Welcome Baby on little onesies.

These are out of order because I don't feel like fooling around with that blogger thing:)

This is the side table in the dining room simply done with some beanie babies taken from our very own collection.

Then there is the beverage counter.

I hadn't used my punch bowl in ages.

In fact, I almost got rid of it, but I decided I had room to store it and let some of those newer decanter style containers go instead. I am so glad I chose to keep the punch bowl. I have used it twice in the last couple of months. I had water and coffee as well. 

Let me go off topic for a punch story. For years, I served Hawaiian Punch in a pretty bowl or decanter. I would add fruit to make it look festive and homemade and I can not tell you how many people would just rave over it. I mean y'all, Hawaiian Punch is really good. You know why? It has enough high fructose sugar to kill you. I almost always 'fessed up to the real recipe:) As many of you who have read my blog a long time you know that I have a much stricter diet because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I stay clear of many things - one of which is HFCS. I decided as much as I love punch there had to be a better solution, so I pulled out my old recipes from the good ole Southern ladies from home who taught me the way in hosting. I found one I thought was good, but it contained Sprite. I haven't had a soft drink in 8 years!!! I decided to experiment and I think I came up with a better solution. Now, is it perfectly healthy? No, but it was far better for a fruity punch.

I used frozen juices. I haven't bought one of those in ages...you know the ones in the freezer section. One orange, one lime, one lemon and then some unsweetened pineapple juice (not a full container - I would say about 12 ounces). Then I added seltzer water ---just a wee bit to give it that kick. No added sugar at all. It still got good reviews. Yippie..

The chair Katie is sitting in was a gift from her mother. We brought it in and she used it to sit in for opening presents.

Just a little view of the room. 18 in attendance. You know it is a good party when no one leaves. I had most everyone stay and just visit. That is what I always strive to achieve. People feeling comfortable enough to just be themselves and to stay and relax. We often work so hard on details when the only real detail that is important is to make people feel welcome.

Also a good sign is when little boys have had so much fun that they fall asleep on the way home.

I am throwing my feet up and about to stitch on my heron. Jeff is out fishing so I have some good uninterrupted time. He is so close. Stay tuned.

This is how we celebrated the upcoming birth of Miles Carson Palmer.

Stitching, Flowers and Family

 I have a small stitching finish to show. It is not my best finishing. Sometimes I think I have it all figured out and then you have some that just don't turn out as you envisioned. I think the last two flats have had a little to do with the linen I used. 

This used up the last of this linen so I guess the next finish will determine if it was the linen or my lack of patience. Either way, this one was done for Lindsay. It will be her May Flowers ornament. I really only have to do a back to school one for her and her collection for the months will be complete.

I have been stitching nightly on 3 of my 4 large stitches. I will share some progress in a couple of weeks.

I see that cold weather is holding on to places to the north of me. The pictures of snow in April this week after Easter were a shock to me. I can only imagine to those who live in those places. I know it is holding on because here in North Florida the mornings can still be cool for us. I have enjoyed it knowing what is coming. 

I usually get outside between 6:30 and 6:45 AM to check on flowers and water if needed. I am eagerly awaiting all the things. I know sometimes it must be boring to see my flower pictures but for me it is a journal of what blooms when and first and all that. 

The second daylily to bloom was the newer ones called Bayou Bride.

I realized in looking back at some daylily posts of the past that I once had a pink daylily just to the left of these. I had forgotten about those. They only bloomed one year and then they didn't come back the next year. That is rare. I think they were too close to the house and just didn't get light in the summer, but I am sure the cold got them as well. 

Always interesting to look back.

The geraniums are just so happy right now, but that has to do with the cooler temperatures we are experiencing. 

My lone rose gave me 2 pretty blooms.

Oh and the amaryllis that I put out after Christmas 2 years ago bloomed this year. It is so pretty too.

Jeff and I refreshed the flowerbeds with pine straw on Saturday. Things are looking good. Now, it is just sit back and watch it all come to life. 

I have had a fun thing to watch. I noticed the past two weeks that a pair of cardinals were hanging out in my front flower bed. I have had a bird bath there for a while but no takers. I was so excited when I realized they were hanging out near it, so I have been faithfully adding water to it. 

Then I noticed that the female was hanging out in the bush next to the garage. It has not been pruned yet and has taken to sprouting like crazy. The extra limbs were attracting them or so I thought. Then I noticed they would fly from the birth bath to the fence across the driveway and just watch. They deemed Gus no threat.

Well, I think I have it all figured it out. I am thinking there is a nest built in the top of the overgrown shrub and they are visiting because of that. SOOOO. the shrub has to stay shaggy for now. 

The cardinal was hanging out on the birdbath and the chairs in the garage today. I think there just may be some babies. I am keeping a watch by going to the front bedroom to look out the window LOTS.

The next picture was from inside today and you can see Mama Cardinal on the birdbath.

Oh the fun I am having checking on all this.

Easter was quieter than usual here since Lindsay and family spent it with Tyler's parents in Atlanta. 

We did eat on the deck after church with Paul Allen, Katie and Mama. We had the most nontraditional Easter meal ever. I worked both services Sunday morning (we went to church on Saturday evening). Jeff cooked jambalaya while I was working. The rest went to the second service on Sunday and he had it ready for us. I had told him to put a tablecloth on the outdoor table and put the bunny from the dining room on the table so it would be festive. He had done just as I asked and it was all most delicious. I had made the strawberry pretzel salad for dessert since it is a favorite of Paul Allen and Katie.

I think we may have a new tradition. It was so much easier. A one pot delicious meal was a yes for me.

Here is Paul Allen and Katie on Sunday.

And Tyler and Lindsay in Atlanta...

AND no pictures of Jeff and me. Just didn't get around to it, but we did enjoy the Easter meal on the deck.

Monday evening, Tyler, Lindsay and the boys joined us on the boat for a tribute to the Doolittle Raiders here in Fort Walton Beach. They trained for the Doolittle Raid that began on April 18, 1942. For the 80th anniversary, the Air Force did a Flyover of planes on the beach. The B25, the Raider plane led the way and probably flew by about 10 times. We went by boat to see this. 

Tucker said we were having a picnic. I ordered pizzas and Jeff picked them up on his way home. I packed us a quick supper and we dashed out in the bay across from the beach. The planes left Hurlburt Field and flew east along the coast. This was right up my alley and I am doing my best to pass my love for all things space and aviation to my grands.

My only picture from our outing.

The local college had a special tribute to the last Raider who recently passed away. The mascot for the college is the Raiders and it is an airman with an aviation jacket. The Raiders are a BIG DEAL here as honestly their presence in the early 1940s put Fort Walton Beach on a growth chart and on the map.

That is all the notable news from my world this week. 

Let's Get Spring Started

 It has once again been a busy week. I really think this past week I was not in charge of any of my time. I told Jeff after church yesterday that I simply had to recharge my battery. He is the Energizer Bunny sometimes, and I am NOT. I retired to the couch much of Sunday. I am better for it today.

The children and grandchildren will be most of my post once again:)

First though is spring garden notes. Finally, it is showing up after a slow start. It was cool again Saturday morning and as I have always said it was the "Easter cool snap." I heard it all my growing up days....you would have a cool snap before Easter and then it will warm up after that. I have had many Easters to prove it with having to buy a sweater or pants for the kids.  Lindsay had a job fair to work on Saturday morning and she said one of the ladies in her office that is my age said the same thing to all the young girls talking about how cool it was Saturday morning. She said she instantly thought of me. I think I have passed it down to her as well. 

My day lilies are all above ground and the Stellas have been the first to bloom. I don't know if that is how it will be or if they are just the oldest and most established, but a few of the others are starting to have buds. 

I am so eager to see everything come to life again. It seems a wee bit late this year but probably not as I am just an eager beaver. The live oaks are in full on leaf drop mode. I think the little wormy blooms should fall this week and then it will just be full on good stuff coming. 

We took the kids over to Paul Allen and Katie's while Lindsay was working Saturday morning. Where was Tyler? Oh the boy got to go to the Masters'!!!  Not a practice day as he, Jeff, and Lindsay managed one year but the full on real day. A friend he went to high school with is actually a member of the place. I can't even imagine. Anyway, he had 2 extra passes in his cabin and for "Saturday", so Tyler and his brother flew in and went on Saturday. He had many tales to tell of life most of will never EVER see. I still have more to listen to. He flew back home on Sunday morning and met Lindsay and the boys at church. He said it was quite an experience.

Back to the kids and the visit to Paul Allen and Katie's.

A ride in the wheelbarrow with Dansby.

A view of the back with PaPa and Palmer sitting. Katie and Tucker in the hammock.

A view of the side. An orange tree is finally taking off and tomatoes and peppers are in the buckets.

A little more of the family.

If you haven't seen too many cute kids on Palm Sunday carrying their palm leaves I will share a few more:)

I took this one as they were coming out into the lobby.

Could he be any cuter? 

The children's director texted me this one later in the day.

Oh how precious!

Lindsay and Tyler had a friends' egg hunt yesterday. 

I snitched the next one from Instagram. These little ones you have heard about on the blog. They are daughters of long time friends of Lindsay's.  The one in the middle, Lindsay and her mom met in kindergarten and I taught her mom in 3rd grade while Lindsay was next door. The one on the right - her mom met Lindsay at the start of high school. You may remember they lost their home to a house fire a couple of years ago. It has worked out they are closer now in Destin to Lindsay and the other mom. Much more fun for them now.

Speaking of good friends. Well- we have a new baseball team to root for. Now, I am still a dedicated Braves fan and love baseball season so bring it on, but now we have a friend who has made it to the Big Leagues. 

Lindsay met her longest and dearest friend in the crib at their babysitter's house. "Carol" only kept teachers' kids and lived close to the school that they would eventually go to and that both of us moms would teach. Chelsea and Lindsay became friends as they grew together. 

Lindsay and Chelsea on their first day of preschool. 

They would go to preschool together at the vocational school where Chelsea's granddad was the principal. When they got old enough for that I would drop Lindsay off at Chelsea's, and her dad would take them to school and the grandpa would drop them back at Carol, the babysitter's where little brothers, Paul Allen and Bryan would be. Cathy and I each taught the other's kids. Little Bryan is all grown up and has been in the Leagues for awhile. He got called up at the end of last season to the Blue Jays. Cathy and Steve hopped onto a plane and made it to see him pitch a no hitter. He is now with the Baltimore Orioles and pitched on opening day which is a while different level of pay and all. I have learned a lot about all this. Anyway, we are super excited for Bryan and his whole family. He is a top notch young man and I enjoyed him as a 4th grader. Super smart and well behaved. We will love following along and cheering for him and so happy for the Baker Family.

It is just so good to see young people who worked so hard and are such good kids do well in life. Trust me, he will do well no matter if he plays a lick of baseball.

It has taken me nearly all day to get this post typed. Lots of interruptions and as I mentioned at the beginning of the post I snoozed Sunday. Much needed. 

Gus is at the groomers' today. The house is way too quiet without him. He was getting pretty shaggy and the weather has warmed so he wants to swim a lot. Shorter hair is easier to dry. I will share a picture of him soon.

I have been reading and stitching. I haven't read a book worth really noting although I have been back in reading mode. I do have a stitch to share soon.

OH and I have a day trip planned for Jeff and me in May. I can't hardly wait to go. I will share more later.

Happy April and spring...Let the flowers bloom, the grass green and let baseball commence.

Dog Gone Good Days

 Kids and grandkids are the focus today. 

We will start with my youngest child who has grown up, and his story amazes me so much at times. My little faith would be big in that story. Oh, he still has room to grow, but a baby coming in July will probably propel it forward at lightening speed. He and Katie have taken a little home with a giant yard and with every project make it cuter. I know to them it seems slow, but to me it is just a heartwarming process to watch.

Katie is still painting doors and adding such sweet touches. She creates ideas and I think Paul Allen is her muscle at times. This is their dining /living room. She created the mirror.

Every time I go over she has done something so cute to this little house.

They have been working on the baby room. I only one have 1 picture and it doesn't do the room justice. I promise to share more when she is finished. She painted 3 walls a gray and one room a dark green. I didn't get the combination of the walls which is just beautiful, but here is a picture of the focal wall.

Katie found the crib on FB Marketplace for a $100. She is a deal finder.

AND in looking at my pictures I do have a picture straight across from the crib. Her dad took the sliding doors off the closet and put in folding doors. He did a smashing job.

You can see Dansby, the Bluetick  giving his seal of approval of it all. You can also see the stained old doors from the 70s and they have slowly been painting all of these in the house and adding trim which I have shared before. 

They also got one of Uncle Danny's dressers and painted it white to make a changing table on top. Lots more to share.

They got some new patio furniture for their back porch. I am sharing 2 pictures but I will share more of their backyard later in the summer. They have a large backyard that I have shared when Paul Allen first got this house. The fence around it was in need of a new one but that would be a huge expense so he has been slowly redoing it. There was a county easement behind their fence and the county has deeded it to all the property owners so he has torn down the back fence and extended it 10 feet. It was amazing to see how much more it added. He has been hard a work for weeks.

Here is their new patio furniture.

Now, let's visit my daughter's home. I have stitched Lindsay several seasonal small ornament like things to hang from a knob on their TV cabinet. She stores them in a drawer. Tucker got them out and hung them all around on the other cabinet and around and told Lindsay he was decorating for Christmas. 

It is those little things like that will be just the sweetest memories. 

Y'all know I am a space fanatic and as we approach the new trips to the moon and the preparations for all that I decided it was time to raise my grandsons up right. I have purchased the first patch of Artemis for Tucker, Palmer, the one coming in July and even an extra if I have another one:) I am going to start them a scrapbook maybe or just collect them to they can frame them. I am thinking on that.

Artemis I's mission is similar to Apollo 8's mission.

Also thinking about that space love, Tucker loves my Snoopys. I have two that have an astronaut helmet and some on bookends in my little sewing room. He always notices them. I have come to realize my Snoopys are expensive. I tried to find him one on eBay like the ones I had and my stars ---apparently they are quite the collector items. 

SOOOO, I ordered Tucker a Snoopy shirt which is way too big. It was the smallest they had so he will have to wear it as a sleep shirt or beach shirt and a little Snoopy thing to hang on his backpack. I have given him the t-shirt. I am holding the backpack hanger for a later gift. He very much liked the shirt. Who knew? What is about Snoopy that makes you just love him?!

Little Palmer has learned to crawl. I had quit putting him in the walker because he was too fast for me and into things - well now, he is crawling everywhere. He got into Gus's water bowl before I could get him. I have my work cut out for me this next week.

We sent Mommy a picture of him and his waiting for his clothes to be washed.

Oh April, I am so happy to see you. The question is with Easter so late, will you behave and act like spring? I have planted my vincas in place of my pansies. Those are the only pots I change out. All my other pots have things that unless we have a once in a great while cold winter - they will make it. I occasionally have to slide them over to shelter or cover them, but mostly they survive.

They have already really hopped up since I took this picture, so I am loving that. I am waiting on all those day lilies I planted last year to pop too. They are all above ground and some with buds. I am watching daily to see which one blooms first.

I have so much outside work to do, but I enjoy that. It will get done in time. I didn't get much done this weekend due to some other obligations and I have been fighting a spring cold this week. I have not enjoyed that at all. I think I am going to beat it though without a doctor visit so I am looking forward to next week.

That is about all I have for this week. 

Hopefully enough positive and good to keep the mind off the crazy in the world.

Looking up,

Sandy