Neosho, MO for Mothers Day!

We left for Neosho Thursday afternoon so we could attend Project Linus with Ma. Those ladies still amaze me in what they do for children. I was able to finish my first prayer shawl....it's going to go to Luke's Aunt Gayla who has breast cancer.

Me and the Shawl

Mom and Ma

Me & Ma

Project Linus ladies

After Project Linus we all went to Cafe Angelica's for lunch. It was wonderful! We shopped around a bit with Ma and then headed back to her house. For dinner that night, Ma fixed Goulash (or Cavitini as I call it). It was really good! We talked for a while that night and I even got some more knitting in!

Ma & Chuck

Our Dinner

Mom and Dad

Mom, Me, Ma

On Saturday we officially celebrated Mother's Day. It was a houseful! We had Brisket, beans, tater salad, orange fluff, crab rangoons, deviled eggs, cheese dip and chips, and rolls. It was wonderful! We got a chance to visit with everyone. Caleb and Erin brought over their new baby Emmaline. Kyle and Katie are getting married in September and it was so much fun to hear of all their wedding plans. Aunt JJ and I were able to share knitting patterns and ideas. I love my family!

Mom and Aunt Viv

Mr. Camera Man

Kyle & Katie

Alyceson

Dad & Aunt JJ

Uncle Mark and Aunt Viv

Ma holding Emmaline

For Mother's Day morning I decided since I was the ONLY one in the house who wasn't a mother (at least not to humans...LOL) I would fix breakfast. We had scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, along with fruit and carrot bread that Ma made. It was fun to treat Ma and Mom both!

The Spread

Mom & Dad

Me & Mom

Ma & Mom

Downtown Fun with Luke

Luke had Thursday off last week so we headed downtown for some fun. Our first stop was the Clinton Library. We had never been there before and it was really neat! We took some fun pictures and some informational ones too. I loved looking at all the letters in the library to President Clinton. I have always been a fan of his for many reasons. The main one though is because when he was govenor he gave money to start the NICU at Children's Hospital. When I was about 10 years old I gave him an award (mainly because I was one of the premies that didn't have major problems....and I spent a lot of time in that NICU being born 3 1/2 months early at 2lbs!). I even remember what I said, "Govenor Clinton we present this award to you because you're a hero too!" He spent a lot of time that day visiting with Mom and Dad.

After the library Luke and I went to tour the Old State House. I had never been there before either. I also didn't know that at one time it was used for animal and cadaver testing....gross! They had some interesting exhibits there....and best of all...it was free!

After the state house, we headed over to the Flying Fish for lunch. It was SOOOO good! There catfish is wonderful.

We left the flying fish to visit the new Nature Center downtown. It was really neat and informative...and it was free too! We ended our day by getting some dessert at Community Bakery. It was a wonderful day for the two of us!

Prayer Shawl's 1st Meeting!

Some of the ladies working!

Cindy Davis, Vickie Fain, Lori Cate

Lisa & Jodi

Cindy, Jean, Lisa

Jean's shawl....she's simply amazing with yarn!

We had our first official Prayer Shawl meeting at church last night. It was great!!! As everyone was visiting, I sat back and listened to the sound of knitting and crochet needles going to work....what an awesome sound that is! We are starting this ministry at GSFBC to make shawls for anyone who is ill, homebound, in a nursing home, etc. It's really a ministry for anyone who sews, knits, & crochets. It amazes me how the Lord blesses everyone with a talent, and when we come together as a whole to use that talent for His glory....how special and connected we all feel! He is doing awesome stuff with this one! If you want more information about this at church, feel free to leave a comment and I'll get back to you...it's open to anyone!

A fun day in Hot Springs

Not sure about this statue....what is it?

The Springs

The Arlington Hotel

Me at the Fountain

Luke decided to take a drink!...not really!

Our lunch at On the Border

The Happy Couple

Is that the SUN??????

Of course, we had to rescue a turtle out of the road.

Yesterday Luke took the day off. We decided to go to Hot Springs and spend the day. We ate lunch at On the Border and then went to downtown to see the Bath Houses. We did not however get a bath, as we both took one that morning! I just don't think I can do the bath thing there....something about that kinda freaks me out! Anyways. We walked around downtown and even had time for a nap here at the house. We ended the day with supper at McAlisters. It was yummy for sure!

Another day of tutoring!

I picked up my little mentor person yesterday after her lunch. She was all excited to show me her "Women's" size shoes...since they didn't have any in her size in the kids section. They were cute little ballet flats. I remember how excited I was to actually wear women's shoes too! We sat in the library and she pulled something out of her pocket. "I made this just for you, cause my Momma told me too." she says handing me a white envelope. This is what I saw!

It doesn't get any sweeter than that. She was a little embarrassed because her writing wasn't straight, but I didn't care at all. This will for sure go in my scrapbook!!! She said she had a good birthday, but that the cupcakes were a HUGE surprise. We talked about a lot of other stuff, but I have a feeling this birthday is not one she will forget anytime soon. We are still reading our Little House on the Prairie book, which she still says she doesn't enjoy. It's amazing though, when I stop to ask her about something we've read, she just wants to get back to it! Ha! They are taking a field trip this week to the Arkansas Historical Museum...which I'm sure will inspire her to finish our book. I only have a few more weeks left with her...which makes me sad, but to think I've made just a small impact in her life is worth it.

Scrapbooking at the Lake

Debbie and her ducklings

Cheryl, Judy, Me, Pam, Jaime, & Debbie (Margaret wasn't there yet!)

Judy, Cheryl, Pam, Debbie, and Selena

Evan and Lillie, Jaime's kids

Ann setting up her Cricut

Yesterday all my scrapbook ladies gathered up their junk and we headed to Debbie's Lake House. It was pouring by the time we got there, but that didn't stop us. We loaded all our stuff in Debbie's House and scrapped for most of the day! Her house is wonderful!!! It's right on Lake Catherine and is so peaceful. She has a huge wrap around porch that we started scrapbooking at, but the blowing rain and cold pushed us inside. We all brought different things to snack on throughout the day. I was able to get about 2 double pages done...which isn't bad considering we visited most of the day! I even got some pics of the baby ducks Debbie and Jaime have been trying to raise...I sure hope they make it! It was so much fun. I'm so blessed to have these wonderful ladies in my life.

My Salsa

I made Salsa for my scrapbook friends I will be seeing tonight and tomorrow. Everyone seems to really like it, so I thought I'd share it on here!

My Salsa (for this pic I doubled everything below)

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 can rotel

1 can Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes-with garlic, basil, oregano

2-3 Roma tomatoes

1 jalapeno, diced and seeded

1-2 onions (I was able to use Vidalias this time....LOVE those!)

1 bell pepper

1-2 T. minced garlic

salt & pepper to taste

pinch of sugar

1 small handful of cilantro

Pulse all the above ingredients in a food processor. I actually just pulsed the onion, bell pepper, stewed tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, and fresh tomatoes together. Then mixed that with the rest of the ingredients in my bowl. I've learned it ALL won't fit in my food processor! Enjoy!