Hand Knits By Melissa

I'm going on a new endeavor! I'm starting my own side business- Hand Knits By Melissa. I decided since I loved knitting so much, why not share it with others. Check out my new blog/website at:

www.handknitsbymelissa.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think! I'm so excited!

Branson with the Hubby

Me & the hubby

Does this lovely coconut couple favor us?

I'm kinda diggin' the yellow polka dot bikini- LOL!

The Boss of the Sauce- or so he thinks!

Our delicious lunch

SDC Honey Blackberry

Smokin' that meat

BBQ'ers

BBQ and Blue Grass

The past Saturday Luke and I took a day trip to Silver Dollar city. I'm so thankful Luke talked me into wearing jeans- as it was in the 50's in Branson! Luke and I stopped at the Walmart in Harrison to see if we could find some jackets. We scored a sweatshirt for Luke and a $5 jacket for me! At SDC was the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival. We stopped at the Reunion Hall to have lunch. We decided to go for the Silver Dollar City BBQ sauce which was Honey Blackberry. It was really good! Well, good except for the fact that the lady sitting at our table decided to breast feed right in front of us! That made for a fun memory!

We headed on up the hill and heard the Kruger's playing bluegrass music. It was so wonderful!! We walked around and then landed at the Funnel Cake Booth to sample a funnel cake and some hot chocolate.

After Silver Dollar City, we headed on up to Branson Landings. We shopped and walked around. The weather was great, and it was so good to spend quality time with Luke! We ate dinner at Steak and Shake and then headed home. It was a long day- but a lot of fun!

A Grandmother's Shower

The Bible Study Ladies: Debbie, Berta, Michelle, Sharon, Melanie, Diane, Mom, Kaye, Betty, Adelle, and Judy. Sorry we missed Debbie, Pam, and Dana!

Adelle

Sharon- the lovely assistant- and Mom

Mom got a glider!

Sweet Maddie and Pam- love them!!!!

Mom with some bibs- she got a lot of those!!!

The ladies checking out the loot

More bibs

The duck blanket I knitted

This past Tuesday, the Bible Study ladies (and a few extras) threw Mom her first ever Grandmother's Shower. It was a lot of fun, and Mom got some great gifts. When all the ladies started arriving, Mom didn't have a clue. She never noticed all the gift sacks laying around. When Pam, Debbie, and Dana got there, we had to tell her that this was HER shower!!!! LOL
We had King Ranch Casserole, Green Beans, Strawberry Salad, and Cupcakes for dessert!

I guess I should clarify things a bit- this is for my NEPHEW, Luke and I are NOT having a baby. This was a complete surprise to our family, but in late July we expect Chris's 1st son to be here- Kingston Edward- is the name. To say I was completely surprised that my brother will be having a baby of his own, would have been an understatement!!!

I always expected Luke and I would be the ones to have the first grandchild, but the Lord had other plans, and I've had a hard time with that. I always thought that we would have been married a few years- and had a baby. But, the Lord hasn't placed that desire on our hearts at all. I sometimes question- "Why not??? Everyone else is having babies"- But, then I realize that we've never been one to follow a crowd, and I'm so busy with the things I volunteer with, that I don't miss having a baby! So, maybe the Lord's will and desire for our lives is for us to reach out to others instead.

I am tired of the fact though, that Luke and I sometimes feel like there is something wrong with us in not having a desire for children. We know that when the Lord has it in His timing, then we will both feel the desire for it. That timing just isn't now. Sometimes the pressure from others is unreal and disheartening for us both. We feel the need to explain, it's awkward, and it hurts, and really- it's basically no one's business but our own!

All of that being said, I was happy to throw this shower for Mom. It maybe the only grandmother shower she has- but then again maybe not. We'll just see what the Almighty God has up His sleeve. If it's anything like I've already experienced, I think it will blow my mind for sure- and maybe my socks off!! 8)

Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

I am making Chicken Spaghetti tonight, and letting the crockpot do all the work! Actually, I'll use 1/2 of the mixture to make King Ranch Casserole later on in the weekend- so I get two meals for one!!!

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can rotel
5 chicken tenders ( I added mine in frozen)
1 can full of milk

Let cook all day. I'm taking 1/2 of this mixture out and putting it in the fridge, to have for King Ranch Casserole later on this weekend, but when ready to eat the spaghetti (about an hour before) boil your noodles. Add them to the mixture and top with cheddar cheese!

The Craziness of Life

4.20.11 Disney on Ice- Christylee, Mrs. Nancy, and I took Lily to see Disney on Ice Princesses. It was amazing!!!! I surprised Lily with a Cinderella dress, she looked so cute in it. We had the best time, Lily was amazed by all the characters. I don't know who had more fun, me or her! We ate supper at Burger King and then headed on over to see the princesses. It was a wonderful time!!!!! Lily and I went to get popcorn at intermission, we ate all of it! At the very end, Lily was so excited (and maybe a little restless) that she spilled the rest of her snowcone on my lap!!!! It was shocking and cold, but priceless. Later, Lily said, "Sorry Aunt Wissa for ruining your blue jeans." Love me that little girl!!!!

Cinderella and her man

The set was awesome- and the props- wow!!! Of course, that's right up my alley!

The dragon of Sleeping Beauty

Love these costumes- Beauty in the Beast

Mr. Candlestick

The dwarfs!

Mickey

Lily taking it all in

My Lily in her princess dress- and sea shell necklace, although, she thought it was an ice cream cone!!!

Mrs. Nancy, Lily, Christylee, and Cinderella

Cinderella

Christylee and Lily

Me and Lily- Lily with her chicken nuggets- ha!

Mrs. Nancy and Christylee

Lily

Her Cinderella Shoes!!!

4.15.11 Beth Moore- WOW!!!! Can I say what a truly special weekend that was?? She's so fantastic, and I was able to actually write in my Bible!!! She spoke on 2 Timothy 4, and about relationships. The music was awesome, and I'm just in awe of the Lord's love for us!!!

Beth

More Beth

Mom and Martha Sue

Me and Mom

Waiting on Beth

4.2.11 Neosho Week- Amanda, Mom, and I went up for the City-Wide Neosho Garage Sale. It's a blast every year. Amanda was able to meet the family, and we had a great time. It was a sad trip as my grandpa Chuck passed away while we were there. Mom, Dad, and I ended up staying a total of 10 days. It was wonderful to spend quality time with the family despite the circumstances. Aunt JJ and I even found a whole day to knit together- I SOOO enjoyed that!!!!!

Mom and Dad

Me & Ma

Aunt JJ

Aunt JJ and Ma

Uncle JR the BBQ Man

Me and Ma with the Prayer Shawl I made for her- Chuck rolled a TON of yarn a while back, and I took that yarn and made a shawl for Ma. It's colorful and truly special!

The sunset in Sheldon, MO

Dad and Ma

OH MY- love the burgers in Nevada, Missouri

Aunt JJ

Me & Mom

White grill in Nevada, MO

Sam Cellar in Neosho, MO. This is pizza #3 for me- the waiter kept getting my order wrong, so we all ended up with extra pizza at lunch!

Sam Cella

Aunt JJ

Me & Mom

Mom

I'm not sure, but this is uncle JR?!?

Amanda

Sam Cellar

Me & Aunt JJ at the Chinese Buffet

Ma

Aunt Val- it was so good to spend time with her!

Me and Amanda

Mom & Uncle JR

3.15.11 Memphis Day Trip- Luke and I wanted a quick min-vacation and we decided on going to Memphis. We originally wanted to go to the Memphis Zoo, but as you can tell- well, I'm in a boot AGAIN!!! I tore scar tissue in the old broken joint of my big toe, playing a video game at Playtime Pizza. I've been in the boot a month so far. Instead of the zoo, we went shopping and had a great time- of course, all it looks like we did was eat!! Luke found a fabulous yarn store for me, it was so great!!!

Nick's Catfish and Ribs- yummy!!!!


Me & the hubby

Oh baked spaghetti and bread sticks, how I've missed you so!!!

We found a Fazoli's!!!!!

My yarn purchases!!

What a great store!

Look, Luke's Ipad is bigger than Dad's!!! LOL!

Yes, this is an attractive get up- my $141 dollar boot which I wore for 10 days and then the specialist put me in a hard sole shoe for 4 weeks!