Snow Day!

It's snowing in Lubbock today. Texas Tech classes were cancelled! SNOW DAY!

Josh sent me these great photos.

It's colder today in Lubbock than it is in Minnesota.

Go figure.

The Little Red Hen

I have a little red hen made of glass on my kitchen windowsill.

I remember singing along while my mother played the little red hen song on the piano.

"Kut, kut, kut, kudaket, goes the little hen. See my little yellow chickens eight, nine, ten!"

Not really sure if that's how the song went. That was quite a few years ago.

Anyway, I think I'm a lot like the little red hen. 

Sometimes I ask for help but usually end up doing it on my own. And that's okay. I know I can do things on my own because I've had to for a while now. 

Sometimes when I look at the hen I feel frazzled because I have so much to do just like the little red hen.

But usually when I look at her I think of all she accomplished on her own and realize I am a lot like her in that way too.

Meanwhile I'll just keep clucking along like my friend the little red hen.

Spring Is In The Air!

I decorated the mantel for spring this weekend.

I love the combination of pale green and white.

Isn't the little bunny cute? I found her for forty-nine cents at the thrift store.

Yes, the bunny is a she.

See the cute little eggs in the nest I crafted out of Spanish moss?

Adorable.

Spring is definitely in the air!

Nine Ninety Nine

I've been looking for a headboard for my bed for over a year now since I downsized my mattress from a queen to a full. I saw a few on Craigslist that were nice, but they were either too pricey or sold before I could get to them.

I went to the thrift store and low and behold! I found one that would work very nicely. Thank you very much.

I had to drag it up to the register to find out how much it was and it was then I heard the most budget -friendly words I've ever heard. "That will be nine ninety nine."

That's $9.99.

A steal I tell you.

Sure it was dirty and splotched with paint and old sticky tape, but I saw potential.

So I paid the cashier as quickly as I could and lugged the headboard out to the back seat of my car.

After I cleaned it with vinegar water and sanded it down I gave it a quick coat of primer and paint... and voila!

I have a "new" headboard!

It does its job very nicely. Keeps the pillows from falling behind my bed.

Plus I think it's very pretty.

Now that's what I call a real bargain.

All those in favor of thrift shop finds say aye!

February 24, 1956

My big brother is celebrating his birthday this weekend.

Fifty-seven years old.

He looks good, doesn't he?

Since I didn't get a birthday card in the mail I've decided to post a letter to him here.

Dear Jim,

Thank you for being such a great brother. You are kind to me and give me good advice.

My kids think you're a pretty cool uncle and little Ezra will think that too, I'm sure.

If I had lots of money I'd buy you something really cool like a Maserati or a trip around the world!

Or if I lived in Minnesota I'd bake a delicious chocolate cake for you and help you eat it.

But, I'm on a tight budget and I'm down in Texas. So this letter will have to do.

Just know that I love you and I'm proud to say you're my big brother.

Happy birthday Jim.

I love you,

Mary

Brace Yourself.

This time we'll just look at a couple photos of Ezra.

Such a sweet face.

That's all I can take today.

Check back later for more.

Warning! Cuteness Abounds.

Okay. You've been warned.

This post is full of cute baby photos.

If you have a weak heart, or suffer from over-joyed-ness, then you may need to read this is small increments.

Just look at one or two photos of Ezra and then take a break.

Walk around the room. Get a cup of coffee or a snack. Take a deep breath and then look at more photos.

You have been warned. I cannot be held responsible for what may happen if you overload on cuteness.

You might want to take a break now.

And another right now.

I realize it has been difficult to take in so much adorable-ness, but there is even more.

Brace yourself.

Dimple warning!

We need to stop for now and continue after we've had time to recover.

Stay tuned for more Ezra in a later blog.

Life in the Big D.

I was in Dallas last weekend. I had to attend a conference in Fort Worth, but got to spend a couple days with Peanut.

My sweet girl.

I love her.

I also got to spend time with this furry face.The Brink-meister.

He likes to stand out on the porch, but sometimes he barks at the people below and his mom tells him to hush.

Here she told him to "wait" so I could take his photo.

Such a handsome fellow.

And of course I brought this guy along to hang out in the city while I was conferencing.

Yes, that's a word.

I'm sure of it.

Jack is much happier when he's NOT in the car.

Alex got this sweet, yellow egg crate at World Market.

Isn't it cute?

So bright and cheerful. Is it possible to start your day without a smile when you see eggs in this adorable crate?

I think not.

Alex and I cooked dinner on Saturday. Or was it Sunday?

Not sure, but we made chicken with broccoli fettuccine.

So yummy.

High on the drool factor.

Jack did a lot of this in Dallas. He can attest to the fact that Alex has a comfortable couch.

See the yellow thing in his paw?

That's a toy he stole from Brinkley.

Nothing is safe with Jack around.