Spring Fever!

I am not usually a fan of winter. .primarily because I HATE being cold. .and I find it only fun to put on more clothing if I can still keep my arms down at my sides!

The seed catalogs are coming in droves. .and most of them have pages dog-eared and items circled.  I'm thankful for a small respite from anything winter in my greenhouse. .and wanted to show you what's up!

Here's my "row" of tomato plants.  I started them around the first of September. .and should even try a little earlier next year. .though it may be hard to achieve with the height of summer gardening going on then.  We decided to do more of the Black tomato (black seaman) this year, since it was BY FAR the best tomato harvested last winter.  I also started several grape tomato plants.

They are coming along fairly well. The big tomato plants are all blooming and most bushes have several tomatos growing.  The grape tomatos are still small, but appear to have some blooms coming on as well.

In all, there are 12 tomato plants in there. .twice as many as last year. .and I think I can easily get several more containers in next year.  The plants, because they are determinant (only grow so high), don't get really big. .or at least they didn't last winter. .so you can pack them in pretty tight and continue to have good air circulation. I am still in the experimental stages :-)

These pepper plants are the ones I started last March after I baked the first set in the oven. .If you missed that story. .You can find it here

Looks like the varieties will include both red and yellow bells.  Yummy!

I ordered several different lettuce blends last spring. Unfortunately, since the Christmas season was SO busy, I haven't sown much lettuce. I will probably start sowing a patch every 2 weeks for a while. 

We ate a cutting a few days ago blended with some iceberg lettuce from the store (it would take 2 solid greenhouses full to feed my family of 6 a whole salad!!) It sure is pretty. .but then I AM biased! And it makes a nice combo with the plain green lettuce.

This photo shows the north side of my greenhouse. .with my recycled shower doors used as shelving on the same terra cotta brick used in the floor (recycled as well). I have some herbs. .oregano, chives, basil, lemon thyme and lavender on the top shelf. .peppers, lettuce, orange tree and coleus cuttings on the second shelf. . and on the floor is another pepper, some baby elephant ear bulbs and 2 succulent plants salvaged by my friend Jen from the local nursery after they got partially frozen one night.  They are making a great comeback!!  I also saved one small purple fountain grass from my deck and hope to divide it into several plants this spring.

Several of the coleus cuttings rooted in and will need transplanted soon.

And I am enjoying their pretty purple spiky flowers! I also successfully rooted in a couple of passion vine flowers.  You may remember that I tried that late last summer, with a failed attempt!! This time I tried 6 cuttings. .3 in soil and 3 in water.  1 in each medium croaked. .the 2 in the soil have rooted and are putting on fresh growth.  The cuttings in the water are alive, putting on new growth, but have not sprouted any roots yet. . I think I will soon go ahead and try to root them in soil. .and then decide where to plant all these climbing beauties in the spring! What a great science experiment!

I'm still working on learning my new camera. I HATE the fact that I have to make time to open and navigate the instructions on the DVD provided. .I'm a little old fashioned and would prefer to have a little book to flip open! Here's a photo of the red berries that are on my nandina bushes (heavenly bamboo).  I think that some little critter is eating the berries. . but I'm not sure what it may be!

And, is this unbelievable to anyone but me?? This is a flower bud on my red honeysuckle vine. This photo was taken on December 30!! There were 2 buds. .despite the low temps hitting around 8 degrees! IMPRESSIVE!  Looks like I'm not the only one around here to have a little

Spring Fever!!

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year.  Jeremy and I snuck away on New Year's Eve to Wichita. We started out in the morning, but returned home shortly after because of the icy roadways from the freezing drizzle that we had the night before.  But, with ample sunshine, by noon the highways were pretty clear despite continued temperatures in the mid teens. .so we left part of the kids at home and part of them with Granny and took off for the city.

I had an agenda!!

Some of you may remember me talking about the Dave Ramsey financial planning classes that we went to last fall.  At that time, since we were anticipating a huge drop in our income after I went part time, I started diverting money into a system designed to keep funds available for different needs (or in some cases. .wants) I did this primarily to make sure that we had some extra money saved for repairs, vacations, and some restaurant visits. .in case the general fund dipped too low to include any "extras." So, I have been putting money aside for the last 1 1/2 years and finally saved enough to buy an entertainment center that I have been seeing in my dreams!! And with a small bonus from work and a nice gift from my grandma. .I also had enough saved to purchase

THIS. . .

An exciting big screen T.V.

I'm soon to be 38 and have NEVER owned a nice TV.

We had a great time shopping for it. .and the nice salesman threw in a cool Blue Ray player for dirt cheap.

Our lucky day!!

As I dismanteled my Christmas tree on New Year's Day. .I also enjoyed my annual

tradition of watching the Rose Bowl Parade. .

Live. . .on the BIG screen!!

And I'm sure that my hubby, who wasn't completely sold on the idea to start with, wouldn't trade it in after watching a couple of weekend football games on it!!

And the boys were super excited to get the old entertainment stand and TV down in Grant's basement bedroom.

So they could turn it into a game playing man-cave!!

This week finds us back to the grind. .Full force ahead with basketball games and pep band.

The new year also finds me picking up 2 extra family planning clinics per month and 2 new clinics. .so I now serve these needs for 3 counties in Oklahoma. I will continue my other 2 1/2 days of clinics per week. .and I have really been amazed at how busy I can stay on the other 4 1/2 days of the week doing family and volunteer stuff!! The gardening catalogs are coming regularly now. .and I have a good start to my spring order list!! Grant is going to do horticulture as one of his 4-H projects this year. .and I can't tell you how excited I am about that!! I caught some pictures of the greenhouse late last week. .and intend to share some those happenings with you this week. Even though the temperatures have been frigid. .in the single digits several nights, the goldfish are still living and swimming around during the warmth of the day.  The icy pond surface is an ever-present temptation to the kids. .and after days of warning them to stay off the ice. .Grant broke through it yesterday morning before church. .soaking one leg up to mid shin.  Though he and Devin both got repercussions from their dad. .I'm sure that it won't be long before they are at it again. .my boys seem to be fairly slow learners!!

On the radio this morning I heard an interesting piece of advice regarding the new year. .we all make mistakes daily in our lives. .but unless we make changes to do things we have never done. .and read things we have never read. .we will be the same person next year as we were last year!!  Not sure about you all, but I could stand some changing for the better over the next year!!

I'm happy to report that I have only slipped two swear words out since Friday night (and I was REALLY mad both times. .that's a good excuse right? WRONG!) and am thoroughly enjoying some extra reading time. .especially since the extra Christmas activities have ceased!

Any of you girls looking for a good book should check out the one I posted about last week. .For Women Only. .It is VERRRRY enlightening in understanding men. .and their thought processes. .and their needs. .and some of their bizarre behaviors! I am intrigued by it, and occasionally amazed about the perceptiveness of the author. I even found myself identifying parts of the book demonstrated in the movie Bounty Hunter that Jeremy and I watched last night after the kids went to bed (by the way. .a GREAT movie!)

So, here's to wishing you all a great week. .and a SUPER new year. Strive to be better in everything you do!

Adios 2010

This week has filled my mind with reflections. .both of the past year and of the year to come.  The year has been mild. .no major milestones. . but no major trauma either! 

My heart has been heavy though with my ponderings. My good friend called on Christmas morning to tell me that his sister in law had been killed in a tragic, one vehicle crash earlier that morning. .and that has provoked a very profound appreciation for the gift of life.  On January 1, 2010. .if you would have told that family. .and countless others. .the events that they would encounter in the next one year. .they would have never been able to imagine! I think also for the people that I have interacted with over the last one year that have suffered devastating loss of spouses, siblings, parents, and even losses of their own good health.  Some of those losses couldn't even have been fathomed on January 1, 2010.  Some days I am just frightened about HOW quickly and profoundly our lives can change.  BUT. .I am quickly reminded of scripture offered to us to calm the soul. . Such as. .

Phillipeans 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:27
 Can any one of you, by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:34
 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 31:23-24
 Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves
those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.
 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Now, I am not a worry-er by nature, but when I get un-nerved about something. .look out! So this particular passage is very comforting!
Isaiah 41:10
 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Although I don't know what tomorrow holds. .I DO know who holds tomorrow. . and I know that whatever happens in 2011; God will have my back. .which in turns strengthens me enough to help others in the capacity that he has called me to. . .which leads me to some of my New Year's Resolutions!!

Has anyone ever heard the song What Love Really Means. .sung by J.J. Heller?
I LOVE that song!! If you haven't heard it and you have time. .it would be REALLY worth your while to  check it out here
It talks about people dying for someone to love them for who they are. .and not what they are. .or even what they will be!  One of the things that I want to do better in 2011 is to be an unconditional "lover." I often find it hard to love people where they are at. .especially if I don't LIKE where they are at.  Some people (including my kids. .my husband. .my friends. .my patients. .MEEEE) don't always make good decisions. It puts them in bad positions and rough spots in life. I want to practiceTRULY loving these people ALWAYS. .despite the stupid things they do and say. .and wish for the same mercy for myself from others.

A second goal for 2011 is to increase my reading.  I used to LOVE to read. .but as life happened. .it was a luxury that fell away.  Last summer I tried to start reading the bible on a more regular basis.  I'm not doing too badly. .but can certainly improve on it!  I also have several books that are on my list. I really believe that knowledge is power. .and that we can always find room for improvement in EVERY aspect of our lives. I am just finishing up "the Love Dare," based from the movie Fireproof (which, by the way. .I have never even seen! I hear it is great!!). Also on my list are "the Power of a Positive Mom" by Carol Ladd, "For Women Only" by  Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn and a book on Esther called "Hadassah" by Tommy Tenney.  I bought "For men only" for Jeremy to read too.  I read that book last week and highlighted the things about women (me in particular) that I thought he should read twice. I was pretty impressed with the way that they capture how women really operate. .and the research that went into writing the book. I am excited to read about how men think and operate. .and see if I can figure out that gender difference going on!! I hear stories A LOT in my job from both women and men related to the profound differences in our make-ups. .and hope that I can also share some tidbits and advice for them to use as well!! The books you read play a huge part in shaping the person you become!! I can't WAIT to see who I will be when I finally get grown up ;-)

My perpetual goal of the last 7-8 years has been to stop SWEARING!! I gain. .but I never totally succeed. This is the year. .It WILL happen! I blame my husbands mouth and my children's naughtiness. .but really. . it just boils down to one VERY bad habit. .and poor choices!

We have a few house projects on the list for the new year. .a front sidewalk to adjoin the pond where we ripped out the old rock one. .and a bathroom remodel.
We are also hoping for a few trips this year. We are hoping to spend some of spring break in Houston visiting my in-laws before they move back to Kansas. .I also found a great conference on contraceptive technology (I know. .something only exciting to ME!!) held in Boston. And. .my friend Cindy and I are hoping to surprise our men with a fun little trip next fall. . .shhh. .it's a secret!!

Our lives will be what our lives will be. .and what God intends them to be.  God willing. .I will be able to stick to my resolutions and become a better person because of them. .God willing. .my family and friends will remain healthy and happy. .God willing I will be able to make a difference in someone's life weekly. .if not DAILY!  God willing. .YOU all will be equally blessed throughout the next year.
Wishing everyone an abundantly BLESSED New Year!!
Adios 2010. .Welcome 2011!

A Few of Our Favorite Things

Hope that everyone had a great Christmas holiday!! We enjoyed ours. .and find ourselves pretty spoiled!!

My boys started peeking early this year. .as I had to start hollering at them to get back to bed by 2:45 A.M.! Then around five and again at 6! Yikes! Cami and I were finally pryed out of bed at a little after 7 to see what the big guy had left! Oh, and what mom and dad might have left too!

The older boys were more than thrilled to find some new clothes, hoodies, and cologne from Aeropostle. .

So much, that they took turns striking model poses with their new duds!! They've been out of smell good for a while now. .and I forgot what it was like to smell them before seeing the whites of their eyes. EEEK!

My "Justin Bieber" look-alike kid is just a crazy nut. .plain and simple!

And what little girl doesn't like sparkles. .and lip gloss?? Sequined jeans and shirts, along with a new pink sparkly belt were at the top of this girls list!

And the fishin' kid. .got loaded up with a stringer for a shark, a fish scale that would weigh Camille, and some extra large toe-nail clipping string cutters. Hee haw. .he was in heaven!

It always impresses me how Santa just KNOWS what will bring smiles to little faces!!

Some kids I know found some really cool scooters. .

And our house hasn't been the same since. .hurry warm weather and new sidewalk!! My walls can't keep it up much longer!

Now, Santa also brought strawberry lip gloss to one little girl. And that was the best gift EVER!! If you look closely. .you may think she has chapped lips in the above photo. .Nope. .just a good smear of lip gloss. At one time she actually had lip gloss R-U-N-N-I-N-G off her C-H-I-N!! She applied lip gloss to me. .to her dad. .and even papa got to sample some!

We spent Christmas day with Granny and Papa and the greats, and granny's brother and his family.  Lots of food and visiting went on. Granny made these great aprons for the boys. Yesterday I took the four kids and we traveled to Wichita for the fun of it. D and Cami had birthday money I told them they could spend after Christmas. .and the big boys like to shop too!  Everyone was quite well behaved and we really did enjoy our day! We came home with some new fish for the fish tank.  The aquatic frog even came out from his hiding place to see all what all the commotion was about!

As one countdown ended. .a new one began!

The countdown to 2011!!

Enjoy the last week of 2010!

O Holy Night

O Holy Night. . .

The stars are brightly shining. . .

It is the night of our Dear Savior's birth!!!

Long lay the world. . .

In sin and error pining. . .

Till He arrived and the soul felt its worth!!

A thrill of hope. . .

the weary world rejoices. . .

for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!!!

Fall on your knees. . .

Oh hear the angel voices. . .

Oh night Divine. . .

Oh night. . .when Christ was born!!

That's my favorite Christmas carol. . .EVER!!

The second verse, which I don't hear often goes on to say

"led by the Light of faith serenely beaming. .

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand"

I hope that your hearts are glowing as we celebrate His birth this year.

We have baked, and played, we have sang carols to the babe, and have listened to the Christmas story, we have sipped cocoa, and enjoyed the Christmas lights in our town.

Our stockings are hung. .the milk and sugar cookies have been carefully selected and placed where Santa won't miss them. . .and their heads are nestled while visions of a joyous Christmas dance in their heads.

The house is warm. . .and snug. . .and peacefully and serenely quiet. . .

My mind is clearing and breathing deep. . .

and I am thankful!!

I am thankful for that 'thrill of hope'

For yonder. .breaks a NEW and GLORIOUS morn!!

Halleluia!!!

Blessings to you all!

From my family to yours. . .

Wishing you and yours a VERY merry Christmas. .

Love. .Melanie

Home for the Holiday's

It seems that this week has been one party after the next.

As the week winds down, and the quietness of the season's biggest blessing fills my heart, I thought that I would share some photos from our family Christmas last weekend at my folks'.

My mom has gotten us into the ritual of attempting a WHOLE family picture each Christmas before opening gifts. Often times we gather together on the couch. .however it is getting to be a wee bit small for all of us. .So this year, she decided that it should be done outside. Mind you, it was around 30 degrees with a chilly breeze.  Here is part of the family milling around waiting on someone to decree where they would stand.

With my new Canon perched atop my mom's tripod, and the timer button pushed. .

This was the best photo of all 23 of us that we could muster. 

The new baby was swaddled like baby Jesus.  Notice everyone has a coat on except yours truly?? (everyone that is, except my sis in law Steph. .she was trying to make me feel better!) That's because MY gift from my folks included a new black jacket. .so I didn't bring another coat. .and we had to take pictures BEFORE we opened gifts. .that was the stipulation to get everyone to smile nice!

We took 3 timed pictures before everyone suddenly deserted me. .

And I mean sudden. .one second they were there. .and the next second they were gone.

LITERALLY!

HAHAHA. .always a wise guy. .or several around this place!

The photo ops went south from there. Out of numerous grandkid pictures. .this was it!! Someone is

ALWAYS

crying, or looking the other way, or even running out of the picture

Maybe someday. .maybe someday!!

And then to get grandma and grandpa in. .

SOME kids were ready for presents. .PERIOD!

It's much like a very NOISY ant den here anymore. Children everywhere. Amazingly, EVERYONE waited patiently for their turn to open their gifts up.  We start with the youngest and work our way up. It's always nice to send the children to another room with all their goodies before the big kids start in on gifts.

As always, everyone was well spoiled!!

Here's our "share the love" photos. .

my little sister Kristi and her hubby Chris

(or Kris and More Chris. .as Tristan used to call them when he was little)

My little brother Brendan and his wife Tina

(or Aunt Peanut. .as Grant used to call her)

And my baby brother Nick and his wife Steph

to this date. .no one has ever screwed up their names.

THIS one. .always the comedian.  Jeremy's gifts included some antique shop stuff. .like a COOL motor oil can with a perfect paper label sporting an elaborate Indian Chief. .and this oil can with a rotating spigot. .that faintly resembles a beer bong. .Brendan was just checkin' the logistics of making that one work out!!

We spent two great evenings hanging out, sipping cocktails, eating WAY TOOOO much, and visiting.  The kids played well and the fights were minimal! We used to play pitch. .and then moved on to different board games. .but NOW there are SOOO many kids. .and the interuptions are so frequent, that we have nearly given up. .I will be excited if we ever get to that game playing stage of life again. We can play a mean game of balderdash or scattegories!! And it gets pretty crazy!

And while these two love nothing more than for all their kids to be in one place at the same time. .

This is how they looked when everyone went home!!

No. .Seriously!!

Gift Baskets Deluxe

Over the last few years, it has become a custom for me to do some gift baskets to give as Christmas gifts.  As you have probably noticed, I really enjoy making lots of Christmas treats.  When I first started, everything was packaged pretty plainly. As I have evolved, I have changed the little things. .which ultimately amounts to a beautiful looking basket. 

The first thing I do is create little labels on my computer. .printed off on cardstock and cut with fancy scissors. I like to use different fonts, sizes, print colors, clip art and stickers.  They can be as plain or as elaborate as you have time for. I then save my labels and copy and repaste as necessary the next year. .which saves me time!

I'm always looking for something to put the goodies in. This year at Target I found the plain tin pails for $2.50 in the dollar bins.  I also tend to recycle tins that I recieve or that we get at work.  Hobby Lobby and Walmart usually have tins very reasonably priced too. .anything goes! I also use little ziplock bags sold in the hobby stores next to the jewelry beads used to store jewelry pieces. I have found other small cellophane bags and cones on-line and in cake stores.  I bought several kinds about 5 years ago. .and they last for nearly forever!! These come in lots of sizes. .good for holding larger dip mixes, homemade candies, and other sweets.

Check out the after holiday sales for ribbons, tissue paper, and paper shreds. .or anything else festive to put in the bottom of the baskets. .like holiday hankies or Christmas fabrics.

I used tissue paper to fill a larger area and then my paper shreds went a little farther.

After that is done. .you just arrange the goodies into the baskets as you wish.  Little sacks of colored holiday candies or candy canes add a little extra color and are good fillers too.

I stole my friend Becky's idea for cutting holiday paper to go on top of the lid of a canning jar to dress things up. The ring lid holds it in place nicely!!

I usually do snack mixes and homemade candies in the baskets.

This year I made some hot tea mix and added it to a muffin mix.  My homemade pear jams went right along with the theme. Other baskets included salsa, pomegranate jalepeno jelly, jams, dip mixes, and sweets.

Enclose a little gift card. .and there you have it.

Perfect for teachers, church volunteers, bus drivers, neighbors and friends.

'Cause, let's face it. .who DOESN'T like to eat??

Be sure to check out those post-holiday sales to snatch up some things that you can use next year to try out some of your own baskets!! 3 more days until Christmas!!