Treat Yourself

Treating myself, sometimes that is truly unheard of. I don't get out much and its tough to have time that isn't involved in an obligation, kiddos or my husband. 

The other day my friend and I went with her little boy and got Mexican Food. I hadn't been out all summer outside of doctor visits so this was really nice. It was nice to have good food and it was most definetly nice to have some conversation and friendship. What was funny is I was so hungry. I almost forgot to snag a photo.
When is the last time you treated yourself?

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Spread some Joy

One of my favorite things to do is MOPS. I love being in the nursery and having all the babies for a few hours while young moms spend time with one another doing crafts, fellowship and learning. 

It is such a rewarding program. I can remember the days of being a young mom and it was tough. It was draining and lonely at times. I like that there is a place for these moms to go a couple times a month to enjoy one another, their children and have a safe haven. Support is an amazing thing.
I really love having those babies. Its the best feeling in the world when one decides to take a nap and you get to sit and rock that baby for the duration of the meeting until its mama is ready to go home. 

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Summer Eats

This summer we had such a successful garden, minus our squash. I am not sure what really happened with those. They just seemed to always start in the middle of so much rain we were having. Now peppers we did really well with.

We had so many pounds we were giving them away, then we got smart and found time to can some of it. We made jalapeno peppers that were candied, pickled and even dehydrated some too. 

We made a version of our own with some banana and jalapenos because it will be great with meat and beans. The jalapenos were very hot this year, while the banana peppers were mild. It will be a perfect combination. 

This is my favorite recipe  for candied jalapenos. We pour it over cream cheese and eat with fritos or wheat thins. I love to add it to my cornbread too. 

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My Favorite Thing

Deciding on a favorite item was very difficult, it really depends on if I am cooking, cleaning, helping with kids, doing something for myself or quilting. Since I seem to really quilt a lot  these days I chose a quilting item. 

Fiskars Donna Dewberry Collection Easy-To-Read Ruler

I truly cannot live without this ruler while quilting. In fact I probably buy two or more a year because I use them so much I wear the painted markings right off of them. I love this ruler. It is truly perfect for all the Tshirt and Memory quilts I make. I love using it in combination with my rotary cutter and self healing mat. It makes life so much easier. I have made over 300 quilts in the last 8 years and I can tell you I used one of these rulers on every single one. 

Feel free to browse my shop and check out some of my items. 

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Relax with a Great Book

I read two books this summer. One with my daughter which I actually really enjoyed called Poison Wood Bible. It was for an English assignment - summer reading so I can't really say I was relaxing with a great book but I love that I have the time to spend with her. She will be off to college next year and its these little things that I love, reading to her and discussing what we read then helping her with ideas once in a while when she gets stumped on an assignment. I will miss these days for sure.

This is the other book I read. Its called the Husband Project by Kathi Lipp.
This summer my focus was our marriage, it started back in May. I was looking for ways to build our marriage up because we will sort of be empty nesters next year. Our younger two are seniors this year. I hear story after story about how hard marriage can be once all the kids are gone, how couples are disconnected etc.
Well the dear Lord had a different plan because my husband was injured so the book got put on hold. I did start it a few weeks ago when he went back to work after being off 2 1/2 months. Its 21 days of focusing on him.
For me this could not have been a better time. When you truly care for someone, helping them shower, changing sheets several times a day, their pretty much every need, its very depleting. I really just wanted a vacation. I realized I needed to still focus on him. He is still healing, he is still working through the let down of the summer and some major life changes.
At first he just was really surprised by all the neat ideas, some dates, some helpful situations like doing a pipe order, which is a side job of his, while he was at work, some cooking of special meals etc.
I am not completely done. I had to start spreading it out because he figured it out and it became an expectation. I don't want that out of the book. So now I am doing a couple a week.
I admit it takes a lot of time and planning to pull all of it off. Some of them I had to modify because I don't dress up, wear make up etc. So I changed the project to suit us.
I really enjoy the idea of focusing on him. It helps me from focusing on the wrong things and it really has been improving our marriage because it improves our attitudes towards one another. 

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HomeTown Tourist for Magnolia Texas

I was raised in California, but upon meeting my husband 21 years ago, nearly 22, we moved to his Home state of Texas. We have lived in several cities around the Houston area but have had our home here in Magnolia, Texas for nearly 10 years. I love all its hometown feel and personality.

Our town has some of the cutest Boutiques such as Daphney's.
She carries an array of merchandise from clothing and gift items/housewares. I love the location of her store.
It is what our town calls the Magnolia Stroll. It has several shops and food location 

It opens up for city events such as Renaissance through the Stroll, Corks and Canvas, Hometown Christmas, Depot Days etc.  Now truthfully isn't this the cutest little porch area, she sells these little benches made from bed frames, they are darling. 

Our town is not just about food though, its about giving back, this weekend for 9/11 the county commissioner and another group hosted a lunch for first responders to show our appreciation for all they do. Recently they held a Flag Retirement Ceremony and BBQ for Veterans Day to honor members who have served. We have a Hometown Christmas Parade and Event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and our Magnolia Historical Society. There seems to always be an event to go to which celebrates people, is helping someone in some way or is just for entertainment. 
There are so many ways to get involved from local organizations that truly give back, to so many churches. I think the most unique event was this summer when they held a Men and Women in Blue to support our officers. We need more towns like this in America. 

We have an another restaurant that is called La Magnolia it is amazing. It serves Italian food and it is often a date night on Wednesdays while the kids are at church. You can get a Italian dish from the menu, salad, bread, and dessert for $10. Its so much food we always take the dessert home.

One we visit on Sunday mornings for dates is called Kitty's.

She is open for breakfast and lunch and has the best little menu.

I personally go there for breakfast.

I love our little town of Magnolia, Texas 

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