Peyton's birthday party!

All of God's Creatures got a place in the choir...

So today is all about the grapes. I can't believe they are already ripe, but they smelled so good every time I walked by the grape arbor, that I knew it was about time. So I'm making juice with some pulp to make jam later on when it's not 100 degrees outside. I'm always amazed at how every year, no matter what, our strawberries, blackberries, grapes and apples grow with no help at all, except from Mother Nature.

Just a few projects that I worked on today.

 This is just an old window we had laying around, I added some metal stars and raffia and put it in the garage sale.

 Bill built this table, but didn't like the way it turned out, so...............

 I stained it and sprayed aqua paint on it, and then took the electric sander to it, really like how it turned out!

And then the FUN begins...

Camping part 2-so we're back to Satruday evening. Bill won the Scrabble game because I got the "Q", and all of the "U's" were used on the board..AND he got a lot of points for the "camping" word. So, the young people had friends that also came to camp. Then another couple showed up, we weren't sure if they knew these other two groups. So the drinking and extreme loud talking began and went on and on...Someone got in a screaming match...we should have gone to the park caretakers then, but it was 11:30, hated to wake them up. However, the last tent people must have called anyway, and the police showed up and escorted them out of the park, but not before the Pit bull tried to attack the policeman....yikes, what a horrible noise that dog made! But then all of the noisy people came back and kept yelling really loud calling "someone" A$$holes...etc..until 2:30 in the morning. Finally they shut up and we got some sleep. We stopped at the caretaker's booth on our way out and they said those people are banned from coming back to the park, and that on top of everything else, they had not paid for their spot, but just sneaked in...such arrogance and horrible kids, and they were the ones that were mad! So, that's my camping story! I hope you have all enjoyed your Sunday!

First night at Forbes State Park......awesome!

Camping part 1- Friday afternoon we headed out to Forbes State park to do a little camping. The weather had been so great, as you all know. So Friday night was awesome. Only the two of us in the primitive camping area. A nice steak supper and only the frogs to sing us to sleep. Saturday, another gorgeous day. Late in the afternoon here comes some young people, drinking beer and a pit bull on a leash. Ok, no problem. The funny thing was the dog owner hooked the leash to their cooler and yelled "work, work" and that pit bull pulled the cooler all the way to their camp site...lol. We drank coffee and played Scrabble. Now what kind of smart alec actually is lucky enough to get all of the letters to spell CAMPING, while you're Camping...well played..Bill Halterman .Stay tuned for part 2...

One of my handsome sons, and his other family.

My name is karma

So it was another gorgeous day today, not like August weather at all, more like October. So, I made 12 pints of blackberry jelly, and finished my penny gazing ball. You remember that huge sunflower head I posted a photo of yesterday? Bill was mowing the grass and it bonked him in the head....if you ask me, that's karma for all of the times he needed it.  :)

Garret's first day of second grade...

Happy First day of school, Garret!

So, mom and I ended up watching "THE BIG WEDDING", which was HILARIOUS! It's strictly an adult film though, so don't try to watch it with your kids, you will be having to answer too many questions..still worth the watch. Thanks for your suggestions, I am keeping the other films in mind, we just wanted something light-hearted today...we went to lunch at Applebee's, and had a really nice day. Bill was gone to an auction again, so I got my supper from the CakeLady, personal pizza...yummy. It was baked in the oven with fresh toppings, $4.50, with a cookie for dessert. Then I was walking around my garden, and hadn't really paid a lot of attention to my sunflowers, ya know, they just grow and grow and I don't bother them....but look at this sunflower seed head, I could hardly hold it up, it was so heavy...some birdies are gonna love those seeds

These are the finished product, but a few weeks back Bill bought a couple of wooden stools at an auction, they were both damaged on top, so tried this thing I saw on Pinterest. I used a really simple design because I painted with wood stain only, and used brushes, and a cloth to blend. It's not the best, and I can see some things I did wrong, artistically, but hey, it's just going back into a garage sale anyway. This is the first one. It's hot and humid and is going to rain, so think I will save the other stool for another day...besides, I have to glue pennies on a bowling ball....you Pinterest peeps know what I'm talking about... 

Iola Old Settlers Reunion and music show

I have had such a busy day, just now had time to get online! I had a great day at the Iola Old Settler's Day Reunion. It was a beautiful day, and of course, the same kids show up every year to get their faces painted...they always look for me and wow, some of them are growing up so fast. BLIND MAN DRIVING is an awesome band, but of course, they are from Kinmundy! So after all of the blue grass and country music we had some good old rock and roll to end the evening.

 This guy lost a bet...lol

Lunch with the Red Hat ladies at Forbes State park restaurant

 Our hostess made these butterflies for us, so pretty.

 Pauline could not believe the size of her salad, it was huge!

 I told them to stop chewing.....lol

 I don't know why this side of the table was looking so unhappy, we were having a great time chatting and enjoying our food...

Winkies, it is!

So on a more lighthearted note: We went to The Cakelady's bakery again and she had all of these beautiful cupcakes. So I asked her what kind they were and one of them was called a "winkie", 'cause it was a cupcake made like a twinkie. Then she told us the story of how the name came to be. She was talking to her daughter and said she thought she would call them Twinkles, and her husband only heard half of the conversation and thought she said "winkies", which is much funnier than "Twinkles", so Winkies it is. LOL. Anyway, they did, in fact, taste like a twinkie, with that fluffy stuff in the middle and had a swirl of frosting on top with some sprinkles as well. I would post a picture, but.....we ate 'em.

A surprise visit from Preston

I had a surprise visit from my youngest son, Preston, today! Well, it wasn't a total surprise since he called last night. He drove all night from North Carolina. He listens to comedians all night on the radio, what a great way to stay awake. Anyway, it was so awesome to see him. I fixed him a steak dinner, with blackberry slump for dessert. He thanked me more than once. What a wonderful time was had. I sure miss my boy, wish he and the family lived closer. He's at grandma's now. Mom was really surprised when he called her today. I hope you all have a great day!