Flyboy's Good News

Flyboy received lots of good news this week. He got official notification of Dean's list from last semester.

It takes a lot of studying and giving up a lot of free time, but he's so loving school and the aviation program.

Yesterday he was finally able to take his test with the FAA for his instrument rating. That means that he'll be able to fly in fog, through clouds and at night. He passed with flying colors (wink). We are soo very proud of him!

What do you think of my mini-dress form? This was so fun to make. I'm so glad that I bought Karla's tutorial. I'm planning on making a few of these for gifts.

I've got a lot of ideas on how to make the differently and give them their own personality.

My pink Gerbera daisy is doing really well on the kitchen table. It must be getting the right amount of light. It's 3 weeks old and still looks great! I'm itchin to plant things outside, but I know it's just too early around here. I'll wait a few more weeks and then plant some things on the front and back porches.

Have you planted anything outside yet?

I'm playing along with Beverly this week for some Pink Saturday fun. Be sure to stop over and see what's going on there.

April Showers bring May Flowers and more Birthdays

My brother in law Scott and my MIL have back to back birthdays next week. It's always more difficult for me to create masculine cards than feminine ones. But I really like how Scott's birthday card turned out. I've found many uses for corrugated cardboard lately and love it!
 

Inspiration for my MIL's card came soo much easier. A few years ago all the kids decided to give her lawn service as combo birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas gift. She was not happy in the beginning, but soon came to realize that it was the perfect gift. Especially when it's hot and humid in the summer and all she has to do is walk outside and look at how great her lawn looks.
 

My friend April's birthday is also in  - surprise April. But I won't show you her card or tell you about her gift just in case she happens by. I've been working on some other surprises for Mr OP's 50th - I'm hoping to share them with you sometime soon.


I've been watching Revenge on-line from the beginning and LOVE it! Is anyone else a fan?

Easter's on it's Way

Slowly but surely I've been adding to our Easter decorations. I bought the sweet, vintage little girl and rabbit paper mache egg in Zionsville this past Saturday. The weather has turned cold again this week - going down into the 20's tonight. Brr...

 

We having Easter dinner here although I'm still not sure who's all coming. We'll do a ham and a turkey breast for the main course with roasted kielbasa. I'm making home made potato pirogi, potato salad, pickled red beets and eggs, coleslaw, roasted asparagus, white shoe peg corn,  fresh peas, and green bean casserole. I'm looking to add one or two new recipes so if anyone has any favorites let me know.

 

I haven't decided on appetizers yet, but desserts usually include a cheese cake, pies and home made candy. I'm open to some new desserts too, so bring them on!

We like to eat our meal right after church early in the afternoon. That way it's still early when it's time to clean up. Then we usually have dessert for supper:) Mmm... talking about all this food is making me hungry.

It's too late eat anything now, but I sure could go for something (I'll be good). I'm down one size since my whole fibro thing started in September which is actually one of the good things that's happened. It's coming off slowly but just this past week I had on pants that I haven't worn in a few years! Yeah!!!

I'll be by to visit you all tomorrow and Wednesday (at least that's the plan). Enjoy your week sweet friends!

March Birthdays

Last Saturday, St. Patrick's Day was my Aunt Cathy's birthday and Mum's was the 8th. So Pam and I decided to take them out for the day. We went to breakfast at the Airport Diner near the Lancaster Airport.

 

From breakfast we went to Stauffer's of Kissel Hill. It's a supermarket. Yep, we really know how to party.

I made Mum and Aunt Cathy put on the St. Patrick's Day hats they had for sale so that I could snap a few photos.

 

My Mum loves to ham it up!

 

We stopped at Wilbur's Chocolate factory and bought some Easter candy. And yes, I hid it not only from Mr OP, but from me too. I LOVE chocolate!

 

(Mum, Pam and Aunt Cathy)

We stopped at a few thrift stores on the way home. Pam was looking for an old fashioned walker for Miss Audrey Rose (her grand daughter), the new ones don't roll around like they used to. I guess it's for safety reasons, but how about watching the baby for a bit of safety? Seems logical to me!

Day's like these are wonderful.

A Spring Rudolph Day

For those of you following along - sorry that I've been a bit incognito this past week. I was actually have a good week (fibro - wise) and was doing a lot of things around here that needed doing along with walking every day.





It didn't leave me much time for blogging myself, but I was sneaking around making some visits here and there. Today is the 25th of the month and that means Rudolph Day here at The Old Parsonage. Sorry that I forgot to give a gentle reminder earlier in the week for those of you wanting one.
 

We've had such a great weekend. Yesterday after the market I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies. We gave half to Little Bride to Be's family - they needed a little pick me up. MaryJoe's been in the hospital under going some tests this week and Dennis has been ill as well. Please keep them in your prayers.




While the cookies were cooling, Mr OP and I took a quick trip to Zionsville for a little junquing. I got this sweet little pincushion for $4. I've been on the lookout for one like this, but they've been about $20 and I would never pay that much. This was right in my price range.

 
I also bought the little ironstone platter. It was 30% off and just hopped into my hands:) Today turned out to be a beautiful day (it was supposed to rain all day), so I did a little yard work - cleaning out flower beds and planting my rosemary bush outside in a pot for the season. Even though I washed my hands a few times, I can still smell it - mmm.  I've saved my Rudolph Day to do list for tonight - after Mr OP goes to bed. I'm going to watch Little Women (with Winona Ryder) and look at my cookie recipes. Making the chocolate chips yesterday had me thinking about a few new ones.


I'm also thinking about Easter too. It's just 13 days away and I've got to get my list ready of candy to make and what we'll have for dinner. We won't stray too far from tradition, but I always like to add at least one new thing to the menu.


So, is anyone out there making there Easter plans?

50 Days to 50 Years

Linda told me about a photo that she saw on Pinterest. It was 50 Dum Dums with a sign that said 50 sucks. Perfect for one of Mr OP's 50 Days to 50 little gifts. I changed it up a bit and used tootsie pops.

 I know that Mr OP likes tootsie pops but am not sure about Dum Dums. I showed this to Flyboy today and he laughed. Should get a laugh from Mr OP too!

I've been wrapping all the gifts the same - white tissue paper with red and white bakers twine and then the blue tags. Each gift is numbered  and I have them all coded on a calendar so that I know what he'll open on each day.

 I don't start the gifts until March 31st and the wait is killing me.  He doesn't have a clue and no he doesn't read my blog - he never gets on a computer.

Hope that you all had a great weekend. I'll be back later this week to share my Saturday road trip with you.

Trying to force it

 

 Last week when Mr OP started the tree trimming I couldn't resist bringing in a few branches to force. It sure is taking quite a while for the blooms to come out.

Tonight I noticed some of the white daffodils blooming in the side garden. I may have to snip a few for the house tomorrow. Don't you just love to bring in flowers from the yard?

 

Spring is in the air and the sights and sounds...it's lovely. We've taken to walking on the trail again now that it stays light long enough after work. Sure beats walking in circles around the school campus - not that I'm complaining about that walk but the trail is soo much nicer.

I made another of the Pioneer Woman's recipes - braised beef brisket. It was really good, but pay close attention to when she says use low sodium soy sauce. I bought the regular kind and the brisket was a bit on the salty side.

PW's newest cookbook came out this week. I'm going to be good and not buy it for myself, but I will do some shameless hinting as my birthday approaches:)

Did anyone out there get it yet?

The Fairytale Chapter 2

The kids took us to see wedding venues on Saturday. Can I just say that this place was gorgeous?! They found this wonderful inn where you can get married in front of 2 waterfalls (if the weather is nice). This is a photo of a photo sorry it's grainy. 

They chose June 15th, 2013 so that goes in my calendar. Now we just need our Fireman and My Jade to set a date so I can really start to hyperventilate (just kidding).

It was pretty for this time of year, but it will be gorgeous in June with all the flowers, trees and grass at their peak, not to mention the decorations. If it's rainy they'll get married in front of a huge fireplace in the reception hall.

 

The exterior reminds me of an estate in Europe - I didn't get a photo of the whole building. But believe me it was impressive. Check out the lion below.

The inside was really pretty too. Lot's of hunt scenes on screens and tapestries, gilded mirrors and other fancy schmansy things.

 This was there to block the doorway to the kitchens - see what I mean? This is where they will host the cocktail hour while we're having photos taken.

 

This is a shot of the dining room that over looks the waterfalls and the forest. We won't have to do a thing but show up and look purdy:)

 

Although no one will be looking at us because all eyes will be on these two love birds.

More Planning at The Old Parsonage

Well since I've been a bad blogger this week I once again went back in my photo archives and pulled out a few oldies but goodies. The crocus are blooming throughout the yard, but I haven't been out to snap any photos this year or pick them for that matter. That's one of the things on my list to do this weekend.

 

Flyboy and LBB have decided not to get married in Mexico, so this weekend we are going with them to look at wedding venues. I'm so excited that we are included in the planning, we are the parents of the groom and it's not always so. I LOVE my future daughter's in law just like they were my own children. They make our boys soo happy!


50 Days to 50 Years update: I only need to buy 24 more gifties (small gifts or tokens). People have started sending back the shipping tags for Mr OP's "Remember When" book too. I'll snap a few photos to show you my progress on things.


Enjoy your weekend!

In the blink of an eye

Why is it that the weekend goes by in the blink of an eye, but the work week usually drags on and on? We really didn't do a lot this weekend. Mr OP did a little pruning on our pear tree. It's planted right next to our barn and is really leaning away from it. So he cut a lot of the branches that were making it lean.

We did a quick Costco run $348 in less that a half hour - again a blink of an eye. The cart wasn't overly full, but when I checked the receipt it seems that almost everything was $19 or more so yep that was the correct total. I can't really complain though we hadn't been there since before Christmas and really needed a lot of things.

I made another one of the Pioneer Woman's recipes - Chicken Pot Pie. It was a hit. Now let me tell you, I do a fairly similar version that I made up out of my head that's equally as good, but hers is right up there. The dish is perfect comfort food. I'm am really enjoying her cookbook and all the delicious recipes and know that when the new one comes out I'll be one of the first one's to grab it!


How did you spend your weekend?