Spring is Here.

I made this springy, easter-y wreath yesterday out of clippings from a boxwood bush. It's hard to see the little bunny.

You like?

I Love Them.

See these kids?

                                  

They're mine and I love them. Each one with his own unique talents. Sweet, smart, hardworking. I feel blessed.

Finally, It's Done.

So after lots of sanding and priming and painting and more sanding I finally got the bookcase into the living room.

I tossed a few pictures and things in there to get the idea of what it will look like on display and WA-LAH!

                                             

I had to reattach the trim on the side after I put the doors back on. As I hammering I left some dings in the trim. Josh said "Good thing you're going for the distressed look." I agree. I don't think I'm meant to have flawless furniture.

Wonder what Brian Brown would think of the refinished bookcase?



He's Big and Hairy.

Guess who's staying at my house for the next two weeks?

That's right. Mr. Brinkley is here while his mom goes to California.

Mom. The Go-To Person.

Last night my mom and I visited on the phone. I wish we lived in the same town so we could have face-to-face visits over coffee and cake. Anyway, she told me that a 17-year-old neighbor girl showed up at her house in tears the evening before needing someone to talk to. That's pretty cool. A teenager turned to my 80-year-old mom.

Mom was worried she might have said the wrong thing to the girl, but I know she didn't. Mom did a couple of simple, but important things. She gave the girl a hug and listened. Never underestimate the power of a hug and a compassionate ear.

Here's a picture of Josh practicing the hug technique on his GMa.

I plan to give him a big hug when I see him this evening at dinner.

Little Tree - Little Boy. Big Tree - Big Man.

Eighteen years ago a friend planted an Arizona Ash tree in the backyard to celebrate the arrival of Joshua Alan. I say tree, but it really looked more like a stick - maybe an inch and a half in diameter. Each year I have taken a picture of Josh in front of his tree. The first picture is of me holding newborn Josh and then a  picture of him next to or climbing his tree. It's fun to see how he has changed over the years.

 I wish I had the photo of him as a newborn to post here, but that would require time to look for it and my schedule didin't permit that this morning before work.

All I can say is time has certainly gone by very fast. How did Josh get to be all grown up?

Uh Oh...The Primer Isn't Working

Last night I went to the garage to do some final priming on the Brian Brown bookcase and I discovered the  bleed through. Darn!  This is what I saw last night.

Can you see the yellowish color? Maybe on this photo?

                                                 

So instead of finishing the priming stage I went back and re-primed the bookcase. Boo hoo! I was hoping to get the paint on it last night.

Hope tonight it looks better.

DIY in Progress

This is what I've been working on for the last few days. This is a tv stand that Allie had in her apartment and an old bookcase that Nancy gave me. Lots of sanding and now the priming. I'll finish up with the priming tonight and then tackle the painting tomorrow.

This bookcase has so many corners it takes forever to prime. FOR-EV-ER!

Both pieces will get painted white. Hope to have completed photos by Thursday.

The House Is Very Quiet

I'm feeling kind of lonely today. With Josh in San Antonio for the week, it's just me and the dog. Although Jack is a comfort to have around, he doesn't say much.
This morning I put some clothes in Josh's room and it hit me hard. When he's off to college the house will be much too quiet. This is what an empty nest will feel like.

What Was She Thinking?

So why did I name this blog Wildflowers and Waffles you may ask? Well, I like all kinds of flowers. Roses, orchids, lilies. You name it, I like them, but I especially love wildflowers. They seem to be the least pretentious flowers out there. Wildflowers manage to make it without much care and fuss. That's me.

As far as the reference to waffles, I do like waffles. But for me waffles mean so much more. They mean love. Warm, buttery, syrupy love. I started making waffles or pancakes for my children every saturday morning when they were very young. They preferred waffles, especially the boys, and so I made waffles. They may think I am simply making breakfast, one meal a week out of so many, but waffles always means so much more to me. Waffles represent how much I care for the people I love. I know it sounds silly, but I love to feed people. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than cooking for someone I love. Knowing I am providing nourishment for a body. Sitting with my children at the breakfast table eating waffles will always be one of my favorite memories.

Happy Birthday Josh!

Today my baby turns 18. It doesn't seem possible that he's now old enough to vote! I remember the day he was born and his head full of soft curls.Soon he'll be headed off to college on his own. What a fine young man he has turned out to be.

Today Josh will celebrate his special day with his father in San Antonio and when he gets home next weekend we'll have a little party here. Happy birthday sweet boy. I love you.

What on Earth am I doing?

So today I decided to start my own blog. Crazy, huh? I have no idea if anyone will want to read this or if I'll have the time to keep it up. Guess time will tell. Meanwhile I'll post about things I'm doing with my house and kids.