Shortcake

On my nightstand. 1928 paperback. Happily optimistic.


Book Courtesy http://www.amazon.com

What have I been up to?

Among gardening, yard and house cleaning and interning I have been enjoying several interesting days.

Saturday

• Enjoyed crepes!
• Garage saling...delicate green April Cornell dress, a red flower long sleeve shirt for everyday, and a chicken print fabric to make a pillow (instead I will make a cozy that can be used for teatime or for keeping biscuits warm at breakfast).
• Antiquing in Dewey... resisted every urge to purchase the spinet desk, jadite tea box, and and retro kitchen accessories (in fact quite easy to do with a non existent budget).
  
• As we antiqued Mum and I discovered a brand new shop on Don Tyler in Dewey that sells fudge and fabric. I say, an idea for ladies!
  
• Rachel H. treated me to savory crepes at Le Creperie downtown. And what a lovely evening viewing cottages and old buildings. I do love what the businessman are doing downtown.

Sunday

• Sunday School, and Church
  
• Thin pizza for lunch from little Haley C's mini-softball fund-raiser
  
• Mum purchased flowers for the backyard and we made out a rough master plan for our gardens
  
• Worked on resume for future job
• Cello
• A buffet stored in the garage moved into our dining room under the Victorian mirror. A place of it's own at last.
• Prayer, Church...and home

Monday

• Interning (Monday through Wednesday this week)
  
• Cello lesson..what nice Rasberry tea and brownie Mrs. Martin
  
• Visit with Betty-Gram. Dominoe's pizza and Paul Pott's CD (Winner of Britain's Got Talent)
• Prayer
• Piano practice
• Chat with Mum before work
• Blog
• ...bed at last!

Happy Congratulations!

To Aiden and Lillibeth on their 10th Wedding Anniversary!
What a beautiful life you have made together!

Painting courtesy http://www.thomaskinkade.com

Retro Dreaming

As I slept last night I had a dream. I was meandering my way through an estate sale with antique, and retro china and furniture...and then I came upon an interesting chest/desk. It was more like a small upright desk, with large door which when pulled down, made a small sewing table and revealed many cubicles for storing sewing items. I wish that I could post a drawing of it. It really was quite ingenious.

More from North Little Rock

We enjoyed a service at noon yesterday and skipped over to Apple Bees for a late lunch. Then to a giant warehouse of garage sale items...very nice indeed, and to Mardel's Christian bookstore. I greatly enjoyed viewing the plaques with calligraphy scriptures and beautiful pictures.
Time for a nap!
At seven the youth were playing basketball and volleyball in the Great Hall. After visiting with our fellow comrads (who are also not talented at sports) we headed for a cruise through downtown. Discovering a Commumity Bakery Cafe at 12th and Main, we stopped in for sandwiches, and pie and sat in the left front window observing the night life of downtown.

In North Little Rock

Rachel and I took a road trip here to North Little Rock, Arkansas for Mid American Youth Conference yesterday through Sunday. We are staying at a lovely La Quinta Hotel (a far cry from the first hotel we attempted to stay in!). Last evening after a wonderful service, we enjoyed a festive Mexican meal. After much visiting, back to the sanctuary at 12:00 midnight for a jam session.
The highlights:
Elizabeth and Nathan's cello and piano duet Nathan had written was incredible
Seth and his friends skit

It is great to be here with our friends and to make acquaintances with other like minded young adults.

Dental Assisting Princesses

Happy Winners!

Elizabeth, Jean, Brandy, Amanda, and Me

Accomplished Tasks on a Sunny Saturday

• Garage saling with our East Indian friends. Found Beautiful Girlhood revised by Karen Andreola, and a great embroidery floss organizer. Total a grand $1.00 for both. Shilpa found a toy barn yard set with animals, and baby sling for baby Jace, and a much needed vacuum. Mum found a large collection of wrapping paper and a framed friendship saying print.
  
• Mowed, and cleared debri from Betty Gram's front yard
• Tended to some tasks at Mill Street Cottage
• Swept the garage
• Grocery shopped
• Cleaned the fridge and kitchen
• Kitchen laundry, and cleaned the utility room
  
• Supper for Mum
• Made a potato soup for tomorrow's lunch
  
• Ironed clothes
  
• Vacuumed

Now for some cello and prayer time and then I'm off to bed.

Title: Laundry Maid, circa 1880
Illustration Courtesy http://www.allposters.com

Highlights of the HOSA Competitions

• Our community Awareness project took 2nd Place in the HOSA State Competitions...and on to nationals which will be held in Dallas, Texas in June. From the judges rating sheet we are clear on what we need to refine.
  
• Met by chance Chris, a young man from Tulsa who is friends with Seth from North Little Rock. Great to meet like minded godly young people amongst the crowd at the HOSA competition.
  
• Visiting the Penn Square Mall. Enjoyed a Gyro and Greek Salad in the food court, and browsed through J. Jill and Pottery Barn Kids store.
  
• Before returning home our bus stopped at the Alfred P. Murrah building Memorial
  

The stress is gone, and I'm glad to be home, safe and quiet. Nothing but the tick of the clock.

HOSA Competitions

Jean, Brandi, Elizabeth, Amanda and and our Instructor Mrs. Lee along with the Health Science students are headed to our student competitions tomorrow in Oklahoma City. Amanda and Elizabeth competing in High School Community Awareness, their project, Dangers of Tongue Piercing. Jean competes in Dental Photography and Brandi and I present our Adult Community Awareness, The Food Pyramid - The Key to Health and Nutrition.

See you back here Friday...and I'll tell you how we did.

Pictures

Why do I not post many personal pictures on my blog? Good question...our computer deleted some way (unknown to mankind) the downloading software which had been installed for my digital camera and so I must wait until my sister comes home at holidays to upload them through her handy laptop. And now as Paul Harvey says, " You know the rest of the story".

Time with Sargeant Joel

• Joel marched while I rode along side him on my retro yellow bike. Wow, I've missed that smile of yours...and big brother to little sister conversation.
  
• Whipped up whole wheat crepes sweetened with honey topped with peanut butter, apricot jam, yogurt, or peaches and served with milk, tea or coffee. Hmm...thanks Amy he says.
  
• Joel if I run up to Wal-Mart and purchase a game of monopoly, will you play it with me? Yep. We play just Mum (scotty dog) Joel (Top Hat) and I (Roadster).
  
• Now how does that gun operate? Made in Austria? Amy, you want me to show you how to shoot it? I've trained many people how to shoot guns...including lots of girls.
• Mum bailed out of the Monopoly when our stomachs started to growl for lunch...salmon croquettes, baked sweet potatoes tossed with olive oil, cinnamon and salt, green beans, and tomatoes with ranch dressing. Delicious Mom, he says.
  
• After lunch the Monopoly totals are in...sorry to beat you by $103.00. Your a good sport Joel. Let's take up where we left off next time you are home.
  

Photo courtesy http://www.flickr.com

Boden

For those of you who have tried to use the link at right for "Boden clothing" and have been led to a strange web-site...it now takes you to the British clothing web-site for United States costumers that I had intended.