Photostory Friday: magnolia blossoms

This past winter we had a fairly severe ice storm here in Kentucky. Many people were without power for weeks. Our power flickered on and off, but we never lost it completely. Just when you didn't think it could rain and freeze anymore, there would be another day of it. Hearing the trees limbs moan, groan, and creak with all the weight of the ice was like some horror show. We lost several branches of trees.

Most significantly was this magnolia in the front yard. I seriously didn't think it would come back. One branch snapped right in the middle of the main trunk. Another branch was touching the ground from all the ice on its branches.

So this past spring, I was pleasantly surprised to see these gorgeous blossoms on our little tree.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

tuesday with tommie

WHAT I’M READING: Reading the latest Real Simple magazine.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: whatever is on the DVR....I am almost scared to admit this: Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. Just the sheer pure joy of listening to Bret say "smokin' hot" about those girls is entertaining!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: The wind howling and the rain coming down...

WHAT I’M WEARING: Jammies...one kid is asleep and one is going to be soon.

WHAT I’M EATING: We had this DELICIOUS butternut squash soup with grilled cheese tonight. It was the perfect rainy day weather meal. You roast the butternut squash with ginger and onions....very good!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: This weekend it was almost 70 degrees. We took Husband's convertible out and put the top down. It was a fun little drive....but sad because so many trees were down, snapped in half from the ice storm.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: One of those plug in wall flower thingys from Bath and Body Works. I had it in the linen closet and it must have tipped over....when you open the door, it smells like some one's grandma who used way too much perfume! You know the one, she spritzes it like five times and then wants to hug you. Then YOU stink all day like grandma perfume.

PS, I am kind of liking the tuesdays with tommie thing....though I seriously doubt I can even begin to take a picture of myself every week. Last week I just happen to get a haircut and used the camera on my laptop. I DO NOT like to be in front of the camera. I am much more comfortable with a mongo camera and lens in front of me!

Friday Fill In

1. Please don't tell me I went grocery shopping and forgot butter.....do you know how much butter we go through in any given week..

2. Can you please sleep in in the morning? I don't think the kids got the memo....they are up at the a$$ crack of dawn!

3. The color Nacho Chip (my wall color in my bedroom and living room) makes me want to relax!

4. I have a craving for cheese and crackers.

5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it during those calm quiet snuggle times just after bath before bedtime.

6. Will's Eyes are the lightest blue ever.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to pizza with the family, tomorrow my plans include exchange Livi's ballet shoes and veg and Sunday, I want to sleep in!

PS....here is what our yard looked like during the ice storm. Most of those trees lost several branches. The ice just weighed too much and they just snapped. Very hard to believe that it was 60 degrees here today! Husband even put the top down on his car on his drive home.

Happy weekend, y'all!

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet...

Big Girl Agabell.....and a little ice

I just heard that our babysitter in Texas, "big girl Agabel" as the kids used to call her, recorded a music CD. She is absolutely the best babysitter ever! **Pics shamelessly used from her facebook and myspace page** Anyhow, I am so proud of her!

A little background here.....when I was in college at OU, her parents were my host parents. The church I went to had a program where the members would 'adopt' a college student. Her mom and dad's home became a home away from home for me! I have fond memories of OU. Many of them include time spent at the M household. She had a slew of brothers and sisters. I think she might have been three or four then.

When we found out we were moving to Texas in 2006, her mom told me she was going to school about 15 minutes from where we lived! Whew hoo! I already knew a babysitter. Finding a good babysitter is truly one of the hardest things to do every time we move.

We are iced in today. No school for the kids but Husband had to go into work. What is up with that? I can only hope that we can find enough to do around here without going stir crazy! Kind of appropriate that we made snowballs yesterday! Sure sugar them up, then keep them contained in the house. We'll see how that works for me.

Happy Tuesday, y'all....stay warm.

Snow Day....or should be called Ice Day

Will didn't have school again today. This is what we woke up to.....lots of ice. It continued to sleet most of the day. Finally around lunch time I bundled the kids up and ventured outside. Yep, the rare pic of me. The snowsuit Liv has on is the one Will wore last winter, which reminded me of this next picture.

These were taken in Leavenworth last year. The snowsuit Will has on is the one Livi is wearing today. Who knew it would come in handy here! This sled is stored up in the attic. I seriously don't think we will get any snow, but I still am hanging onto it.
The rare pic of me......

Finally, this is what Will was doing while I was on the phone with Mike. We were having Nutella and graham crackers for a snack. Apparently I didn't make him enough. Heck, I would love it if he could get his own snacks. Yep, he is still in his jammies! Remember it was a snow day....oops ice day!