A Birthday Celebration For Martha

Today is my friend, Martha's birthday.

I've know her since Ashley was an infant, so we go waay back!

She is the mother of eleven children: plus me.

She has been my mentor for many years, although I exceed her in age by one.

Sawyer wanted to give her a birthday present, but all he had was his old, worn-out pair of boots.

(Daddy had just the day before gone to TSC and bought him a new pair).
Only Martha would enjoy such a gift given by a little boy!

Martha had a picnic at her house yesterday to celebrate her birthday. It was the Kendalls and us, so we were so happy to help celebrate. The boys all had a great time!

Here's Avery. Notice that Sawyer is wearing his new boots!

Aren't they cute?

These words are on the wall over Martha's dining table in her new house.
These words describe Martha's life~ strengthened. . . blessed. . . peace. . . filled.

Such feminine beauty graces Martha's soon-to-be-finished kitchen. What a memory for you, Martha.

She's everyone's Marmee.


Happy, happy birthday, my dear!

Bridal Showers

How blessed we have been with wonderful friends.
How we love the ladies that have been part of our lives.

The ladies at church were the first to give Ashley a bridal shower.
We enjoyed a lovely evening with these dear friends.

Here we are!

The second shower was given by the Kendall ladies of Greenville.

Everything was beautiful.

Christiana made most of the food. It was delicious.

Many of these ladies we hadn't seen in a loooong time.

Bethany (with Haviland peeking from behind her), Ashley, Christianna, Chelsey.

Christiana made a beautiful monogrammed pillow worked in shadow work.

Celebrating The Next Generation

 As a small child, my play always included dolls and homemaking. My neighbor friend, Janice and I, would spend hours together playing with our buggies and dolls. She had a huge basement full of really great stuff to play house, as well as to play dress-up. No one made us play like this. Both of our Mothers ruled their own domains of home, and we never considered doing anything other than that. Our hearts were by nature, homemakers.
As a young woman, making decisions about career and college, I had conflicting ideas going through my mind. Everyone around me migrated out into the work force; it seemed to be the expected thing, so I thought I was supposed to do the same. However, somehow I just couldn't get excited about any career, but I had this yearning to be a wife. How I longed to make a home for my husband and take care of him. I wanted to spend all my time in domestic pursuits. In my way of thinking, what you "do" is what you "are".

There are so many "perks" with this "job".

How wonderful the "fruit" is!

This is little Isabella Grace being held by Uncle Hamlin.
She came into the world April 23.

Granddaddy knows how to take care of babies!

Our son, Trevor knows what is important. He is a faithful, loving husband to Thelma,
and he adores his little girl.

Here is our hope for the future; one branch in our family tree that we pray will continue to bear fruit that will last through all eternity.

More Update

Welcome dear friends. I'm giving you some more pictures that were taken during my nine month siesta! I hope you enjoy them!

Life can be so much fun! It's really in how you look at things.



Here's Mrs. Pelc and I earlier this spring up in Missouri.
She's a REALLY funny gal. We always have such a hoot when we're together.
You should hear her sing!


Dreaming . . . .

We had some new additions to the family. Ducky Doodles!

These little balls of fluff belong to Sayre. He ordered 6 Pekins, 6 Mallards, and 6 Rouens (sp?).
He ordered a straight run.

May was such a lovely month this year. This clamatis is growing just where I found it, at the foundation of the new addition. I don't know how it got there, but I nearly pulled it up thinking it was a weed!

Isn't it lovely!

Here's little Hamlin.

"New Dawn" was simply covered with roses! I invited Marmee over to see it after church, and she just couldn't believe her eyes!

The strawberry patch beckoned again ~ and of course, we succumbed.

Sigh. . . . another last time.

Wedding Bells In The Air

The wedding of Ryan and Ashley quickly approaches. The biggest project has been her bridal gown. I've been anticipating this project for a number of years, and it has been with joy that Ashley and I have been able to work on it together. I can't tell you how bitter-sweet this time has been.

Cutting out the lace.

Remember to always pin perpendicular to the cutting line and diagonally in the corners..

The lace on the dress had to be sewn down by hand.

For about two weeks, we had a daily rendezvous in the sewing room!

The fabric is Duchess Silk. It was wonderfully willing to obey!

We sewed the hem in by hand. We had to make the finest pricks in order for the stitches not to show on the outside.

We sure enjoyed working on the gown together, but were sure glad when it was done and we could admire our work! We decided that the gown looks it's loveliest when it is on Ashley. The hanger is a sad model.

I'll post pictures after the wedding so you can see the gown.

Oh My Goodness! Has It Really Been Nine Months???

It is with great embarrassment, and I do hang my head in shame, that I write this "latest" blog post. This must be some kind of record for Blogspot. No one has ever neglected her blog the way I have. But I have a good excuse . . . . just like you, I've been busy.
Let me fill you in on some of the goings~on.

Ashley is engaged to Ryan Pelc, of Columbia, Missouri. This is a story in itself.
After their wedding, he will be whisking her away to live in Missouri. He has been building a house in the country for the two of them to make their home together.

You know I'm going to miss this girl! I've had her all her life! The past 26 years have been spent with her either under my feet, or by my side; but always dear in my heart.

These following photos were taken on Ashley's birthday, March 7. Here is my Dearest, and Sawyer.

Two of my young men. Haaaand---some!

This is truly a rare moment.

Sweet....

Ashley asked for a cake roll this year, but as you can see, I still don't have a plate long enough to accommodate one. Nor is it very pretty. Neither did I have 26 candles. But boy was it good!!!!!

Ashley took this picture. She always has a knack for being in the right place at the right time with a camera in hand.
I just love little boys!