Summer is Getting Closer!

Oh boy, have I been slacking on the blog front.  Big time.  Anytime I get busy, or overwhelmed, the blog is the first thing to get neglected.

I've also cut back a lot of expressing any type of opinion...mainly because I've just gotten tired of dealing with all the BS that comes along with it, and, because I just don't trust anyone much these days.

But, to get back on track, I thought I would post a few pictures of some of the neat things that have happened recently!

My little sister got married in May!  It was held in a beautiful garden on a gorgeous day!  My beautiful mom is on the left, my gorgeous sister and her new husband are next, and I'm standing next to my dashing daddy!

I'm quite proud of this little family here!  My handsome husband got dressed up nice just for the wedding!  Flower was the flower girl, and Little Man was quite the attention grabber as the ring bearer!  (And he knew just how cool he looked!)

As the Maid of Honor, I threw a lingerie shower for my sister.  Here is one of my new favorite pictures of my mom, sister and I.

Flower got to go on a trip to South Texas with Nana and Papa for her birthday!  They visited the state capitol, the Alamo, and lots of other historical places.  She had a blast!

Flower in a field of bluebonnets they found on the trip...I'll never get over how gorgeous she is!

I know it takes an eternity for me to get blog posts up, but hopefully over the summer I will be able to devote a little more time to writing!  I have been knitting some, and have quite a few things that I need to show off!  

The Great Texas Blizzard

We are covered in snow!!  Woohoo!!

Texas weather is so strange.  Normally, we don't get crazy, horrible blizzards, just a few inch-or-two snows a year.  But when we do get blizzards, they are off the charts horrible.  This storm was just that type.  They even named it:  Rocky!

We got weather alert warnings 14 hours in advance, that we needed to prepare.  Everyone went to the store to stock up on essentials, but on Sunday afternoon it was nearly 70 degrees!  Flower and Little Man were out riding their bikes in t-shirts, but, around 6:00 p.m. the wind hit, and the temperatures dropped 30 degrees within 5 minutes.

It had just started snowing when Barb Wire Man and I went to bed, and the snowflakes were huge.  It wasn't a pretty snowfall, either...it was snowing horizontally thanks to the 50 mph winds!  I woke up to texts alerting me that school was cancelled!  It was still snowing horizontally Monday morning,and it looked absolutely disgusting outside.  But, Barb Wire Man got dressed and headed out to work anyhow.  Shortly after he left, I learned that the storm was so bad that even the Department of Transportation had stopped operations, and were no longer clearing roads.  "Until further notice, assume all major roads are closed" was their report.  Since Mike drives a semi truck, he obviously was unable to work, so he came home!  

It snowed until noon, and the winds didn't die down until evening.  We spent the whole day cooped up in the house...Barb Wire Man, Flower, Little Man, our huge rottweiler, our schnauzer, and me.   It was crowded and a bit chaotic, but so enjoyable!  Barb Wire Man built a fire, we played cards, smoked cigars up the chimney, played games, made chili and just enjoyed each other's company!  

By noon, school had already been cancelled for Tuesday.  Thanks to the winds, which ranged from 50 to 75 miles per hour, there were 5 foot plus snow drifts all over the place.  Mail didn't even run, it was so yucky!  

My kids are itching to go outside and play in the snow today, but it is still so cold!  I'm making them wait until we at least hit 32 degrees...so far, its only 16.  And honestly, I am as ready for them to go outside and play as they are.  Barb Wire Man made it to work, but operations are still pretty limited because of the road conditions.  I worry about him while he is on the road, so I spend a lot of time in prayer when conditions are like this.  I'm thankful he is an amazing driver....it is all the other idiots I have to worry about!  

Enjoy the pictures of our crazy, Texas Panhandle Blizzard!

This was looking to the south...even though we had over 11 inches of snow, there were still bare spots on the grass, because the wind had blown it away into drifts!

This was looking east, across the street, and one of the rare moments when I could actually see the houses.  For most of the day, the wind blew the snow so hard, I could hardly make out the houses!  On the left, you can see where the snow drift is actually taller than the fence!

This was looking south in my back yard!  My poor little schnauzer couldn't even walk out into the yard or she would disappear!  In fact, it was almost too much for the Rott!

 

Be blessed, and stay warm!  I will post more pictures later!

You NEVER Scream Snake!!

I grew up playing out in the country.  My grandparents lived wayyyyyy out in the country, and we always knew that while we were playing, we had to watch closely for snakes.

Anytime we went out to play, my grandpa would give us a hoe, tell us to watch for snakes, and if we found one, to chop his head off with with the hoe!  It wasn't odd for us to see snakes either, but it was no joking matter.  If we screamed "SNAKE!!!!" then by gosh, there had better be a snake, because Grandpa was going to be running our to kill it with a gun.  He was taking care of us, and didn't think it was a funny joke if we screamed it as a joke.

So, I am not scared of snakes at all.  If I come across one, I know exactly what to do.  However, I hate snakes.  I wish they were all dead.  And really, the only thing I enjoy about living in town is that there are no snakes.

So we thought.

Flower and Little Man were out playing in our backyard.  I was painting (of course) and Barb Wire Man was painting (of course).  Little man came running inside.  "Mama!!  Ders a shnake in your garden! A big one Mom!  Come git it!!"

I looked him square in the eyes and said "We do NOT joke about such things!  Snakes could be dangerous, and you do not tell mommy there is a snake when there really isn't!  Now go back outside and play...don't touch the paint!!"

Not 10 seconds later, Flower comes in.  "MOM!  He isn't joking OR lying!  There really is a snake in your garden!"

Barb Wire Man and I both dropped what we were doing and ran outside.  Here in Texas, it could be a small little garden snake.  Then again, it could have been a giant bull snake.  Or, it could have been a dangerous rattle snake.

Thankfully, it was just a garden snake.  But, it was the biggest garden snake any of us had every seen. After Barb Wire Man let the kids look at it and touch it, he, ahem, beheaded it.

Because I live in town, dangit.

Texas Etsy Finds of the Day!

Everyone and their brother knows by now that I love Texas.  I set out in Etsy the other day to find shops that are right here in Texas.  And there are lots.


Quilting Frenzy - Converse, Texas
I love quilts.  I hate quilting.  Really, I hate sewing.  My Granny tried to teach me to quilt, and I completely understand the how's and why's.  But I can't make my edges line up!

Credit: Quilting Frenzy 

Quilting Frenzy has 5 pages worth of beautiful quilting on Etsy.  This yellow and blue quilt is my favorite.  That color scheme is one of my all-time favorites.  I had a hard time trying to decide between showing this lap quilt, or a white on white pillowcase Quilting Frenzy has.  White on white is another of my most favorite looks!  This month, you can get 10% off any item at Quilting Frenzy by using the coupon code "CIJFRENZY10" when you check out!

The Yellow Roses - Corpus Christi, Texas 
The quickest way to my heart is to remind me of either of my grandmothers.  Just like quilts remind me of my Granny, these remind me of my Grandma.

Credit: The Yellow Roses 

In fact, these remind just about anyone who knew her of my Grandma!  I still have the one she made me 30 uhh, 29 years ago!  In fact, the more I look around at The Yellow Roses, I wondering if she might have known my Grandma!  Anyhow....every little girl in the world needs and Raggedy Ann.  Flower has the one I played with.  There are some adorable little wallets at The Yellow Roses, too!  During the month of July, The Yellow Roses is offering free shipping!

Corky Crafts - Fort Worth, Texas 
Everything at Corky Crafts is made from wine corks...I know a few people who could help Corky Crafts out with supplies.  They shall remain nameless here, but they know who they are!

Credit: Corky Crafts

This topiary from Corky Crafts would look super cute on my mom's patio.  That where we spend most of our time drinking win....uhhh, tea.  Corky Crafts also has some neat little cork tags.  They would look so neat hanging as a fan pull, or as a wine bottle decoration!  (There are also some neat little Christmas Ornaments at Corky Crafts, too!)  If you are in the Dallas area, you can even schedule to pick up your order, rather than paying extra for shipping!

Forever Grace 2 - Amarillo, Texas
My last shop for today, Forever Grace 2, is located a whole 45 minutes from my house!  All I did was search "lace", and this beautiful lace romper popped up!

Credit: Forever Grace 2

This romper is simply gorgeous. How I wish Flower was little enough to wear something like this.  Even if it came in her size, her style is, well, far from mine.   Still, though, I think the "Daddy's Girl" Dress on her shop is the neatest idea ever.  You will have to stop in at Forever Grace 2 and take a look!

So, those are my awesome Texas shops for today.  I have several more lined up that I'm excited to share with you, too!  Please check these shops out.  Remember....the people who own these shops (I'm including myself and 13 Plum Creations here!) really depend on traffic and purchases.  The money goes straight to helping families, which goes straight to helping our economy.  So really.  Go now.  Visit these shops!

Be blessed!

25 Ways You Know You Are From Texas

Next to my God and my children, my biggest source is pride is that I am a 9th generation Texan.  My children are 10th!  It isn't just where I'm from...it is who I am.  My great-great-great-great grandfather and beyond helped fight to make Texas Independent, so keeping the spirit and independence of Texas alive isn't just something I want to do.  It is something must do!  This blog is dedicated to my sweet friend, Lil Miss Texan, who is stuck in yankeeland....

How to Tell if You are From Texas

1.  You know apricot has a long "a", pecan has no long vowels, and you don't even have to think about how to say the word Gruene.

2.  You eat only two types of ice cream: homemade and Blue Bell.

3.  You know that the only thing more important than football on Friday night is church on Sunday morning.

4.  You know to ask someone what specific brand of coke they want.  "You want a Coke?"  "Sure."  What kind?" "Dr. Pepper."

5.  In one day, you wore a sweater in the morning and ended the day wearing a tank top.

6.  Only three colleges matter...A&M, Tech, and UT.  And two of them suck.

7.  Most of the country complains about 100+ degree days as a heat wave, but that is every summer day for you.

8.  You know exactly what to do anytime someone says "the stars at night...."

9.  There's only one drink better than sweet tea on a hot day.  Beer.

10.  When people ask what your family heritage is and the only answer you have is "Texan".

11.  Your man's idea of dressing nice is starching his pants and shirt and wearing "his good boots".

12.  Your first tattoo automatically must have a Texas flag on it.

13.  You can drive through three states in any direction in less time than you can drive from Amarillo to     Houston.

14.  You assume everyone carries a gun, and feel a little sad for them if they don't own one.

15.  You know real country music isn't sung by men in Hawaiin print shirts, flip flops and khaki shorts, but by men like Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Kevin Fowler.  And you cried the day Stevie Ray Vaughn died.

16.  20 mile per hour winds is just a breeze.

17.  You know Texas is still attached to the mainland only because Oklahoma sucks.

18.  You'd sooner fly the Texas flag than the American flag.

19.  You know exactly what this is a picture of, without thinking:

20.  You'd rather drive a pick-up truck you have to use a step ladder to get into than a sports car.

21.  The smell of cow manure and crude make you think of money.

22.  You would drive back to Texas to have your children, just so they can say they are TENTH generation!

23.  You know why Six Flags is called Six Flags.

24.  Your children recite the Texas Pledge every morning before the American Pledge.

25.  You thought these were all funny, and nodded your head in agreement!

And, I'm certain that some of you don't get these.  Bless you hearts.  And some of you might even be offended by them, because you aren't from 'round these parts.  That's ok.  In the words of Davy Crockett:

"You may all go to hell.  I will go to Texas."

Be blessed!

***All photos from "You Know You're a Texan When..."