A great DIY thing to learn

Disclaimer: I'm not a professional at cutting hair. 

 Anyone with more than one boy (who we all know grow at astounding speed), or a Hubby (who has neither the time or expense for monthly cuts) could do themselves a favor and save a fortune by buying a clipper kit and get started teaching themselves how to cut hair while their boys are relatively young and non-judgmental about their hair.  Even with a coupon you're gonna spend $10 a head every 6 weeks.  Multiplied by my three (and I used to cut four of them) that's about $260 a year and that doesn't include the tip. Buy the clipper, and you've saved enough already to put a dent in the back to school clothes.  Think about it!  And, by the way, I think they all look very nice! 

Good job, Rustown Mom.


Gina

 I linked this post to:

Chicken Piccata

Years ago we enjoyed Chicken Picatta at Green Pastures for our rehearsal dinner.  It was such a beautiful place and a great evening, too.  My oldest brother was there, Mark's sister and family, his aunts, my maid of honor,  Melissa.  The table was decorated with tiny glass bud holders with votives

lined up the length of the table. Toasts were made. Laughter and conversation flowed. And we were treated to this:

And I barely remember it because I was so nervous!  

It's been almost 25 years, but tonight, I felt brave and made this recipe . And I have to say, it was so delicious.  I wish I had been paying attention to it long ago.  The sauce was velvety-lemony, with capers.  And the fresh parsley. I added a small amount of flour to the sauce to thicken it up and served it over buttery rice.  I am still happy and it's been a couple hours since dinner! 

10/10 will make again.

Gina

This post linked to this fun blog:

 

Mr. Helpful

Bubbie helped me make this today:

 Our version of the Coca-Cola cake, made with Dr. Pepper and a little cinnamon.

 And then right after that he unloaded the dishwasher. 

Monday, you recall, he helped me with this project:

He was the one who removed most of the hardware so I could paint it.  As soon as I get up from here he has offered to help pull weeds in the yard. Sometimes I wonder what I would do without him.  He loves to be with his mom, so I am enjoying that as much as I can.

Unlike this person who stands at the screen door asking when dinner will be ready, or can I fix her shirt. We could call her Miss Unhelpful, but that would be unkind - she's wonderful in her own way.

Ha!

 Sweet.

The cake, too.

Gina

this post linked to:Chatting at the Sky's "Glimpses of Home"

She's an MVP to us, too!

Last night was The Girl's high school basketball banquet

We are so used to seeing the girls in gym clothes, with hair pulled up and  working their game,  it was nice to see them as they really are - beautiful young ladies who are getting ready to leave high school and go out into the world.

  Seniors 2010

They all seem genuinely to enjoy being together and have played so well as a team this year.  Most of them have played together since middle school, and known each other since kindergarten. They will take separate paths, but probably remain friends.  It's nice that they will have many happy memories
of their basketball days.

 

I know The Girl will miss them all, especially her favorite coach who was also there for her in Cross Country, too.  She made a beautiful DVD keepsake set to music that included interviews with the girls, their teammates, coaches, and parents.  

Our MVP!

We hope she takes from basketball all of those life lessons, always looking forward to the next challenge.

Good season, Coco!

Gina

Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!

I visited my mother in Brenham yesterday to celebrate her 80th birthday, and even though I was still recovering from a bout of food sickness (mental note: skip the Chinese soup next time!) we had a nice visit.  We didn't go anywhere, just hung out around the house; she ran a couple of loads of laundry and hung them while I snapped pics in the yard.  She refuses to use her dryer, but I think it's good for her to be outside.

 

 

 

 

It was a really beautiful morning. We ate a lunch of meatloaf, mac-n-cheese, and broccoli from Central Market, looked at her new quilt projects, even cleaned out a few old clothes she needed to get rid of.  I wish I could spend a whole day there, helping her clean and organize things.

My mother's home is full of lovely things, both indoors and out, and in the yard, and all around her, trees are blooming and plants are budding.  And it's almost time for her to get started on her Spring garden in earnest.

Even the bees and ladybugs are ready to get to work.

I hope my mother has many more planting seasons to come.

Gina