Summer Journaling...

The unofficial start to summer is here.  School is out and the weather is warm.  It feels and looks like summer here in Mid-Missouri.  We just have a few plans this summer.  We hope to do a lot of outdoor activities like fishing, swimming and picnics.  I hope to be able to pull the boys away from riding bikes and skateboards and hanging out with friends and do a little journaling with them.  They both like to write and enjoy taking pictures so I'm hoping we'll be able to work it in this summer.  If nothing else, I hope to fill my own journal with thoughts, dreams, photos, magazine cutouts and sketches...just like I used to do as a young girl.

However, I'm not a young girl anymore as my 25th high school reunion is this summer...GASP...how can that EVEN be possible?  With age...and responsibilities like kids, a job and a house to run it's harder to feel those carefree summer feelings that I had when I was younger.  Summers were magical and really seemed to go on forever.  I hope to capture some of that in my journal this summer.



Here are some summer journals that are inspiring me...

Summer Planning...

Great Idea For The Boys...

Garden Journaling...

And Writing...

---jackie

Early Spring Backyard Birds and Blooms

I took a walk around the backyard this weekend in between rain showers and caught a few shots of plants blooming and birds nesting and feeding.  There has been a lot of backyard action in the last few weeks with our early spring here in Missouri.  I realized in the last couple of months during my blogging hiatus that I am inspired to write after I take photos and usually NOT the other way around. I have missed writing and look forward to spending more time with my journal in the next few months and hope to have a few more posts here as well.  

I hope you enjoy my views from my brief walk...

Until Next Time,

Jackie

Our Hummingbirds returned yesterday!

Gerbera Daisy and Marigold...

Chatting about how they wish I would leave so they can get to their house on the deck...

This one is getting more brave and getting a little closer to me...

Potted Hydrangea and Broken Dish...

Clematis Spilling Over Wooden Box and Old Desk...

Old Glory...

Newly Potted Petunia...

Clematis After RainShower...

Fading Lilac...

How I'm Using Pinterest This Weekend...

Hello Friday!  It's been a long week and I'm so glad you're here.  We have a busy weekend planned starting with going to see a local high school production of Grease tonight.  This is the high school where my boys will go someday and their musicals are always fabulous so we're all looking forward to it.  I told my boys that I know Every Word to Every Song in Grease.  They weren't impressed!  The only comment I got was, "Mom, PLEASE don't sing"!!  Oh, Alright I won't.  Geesh!

So, after a night out with the boys, what am I going to do for the rest of the weekend?  Pinterest projects, of course!  The Pinterest projects this weekend will mostly be cooking and assembling a gift for a new Mom who has had some complications after her C-section.  Baby is doing great...Mom is struggling.  Our office is putting together meals for her for next week after her Mom-In-Law goes back home.  Below is what I'll be working on and if you click on the photos you'll go to the Pinterest links for more information.

Box of Sunshine

Since new Mom has been having a hard time this week, I'm assembling a Box of Sunshine for her.  I've been collecting some yellow items and I'll box it up and deliver it with the food next week.  This is such a cute idea and I hope it brightens her day a little.  I also featured this on Project Encourage.  I'll be telling you more about Project Encourage next week.  You can click on the link for more information or see the photo in the sidebar to go the site.   

Several of us are preparing food items to deliver to new Mom so I've decided comfort food is what my contribution will be...

Buttery Rolls

These rolls are so good and easy because I make the dough in my bread machine and then roll out the dough, shape the rolls and place in a pan.  Super easy and delicious. We'll be eating these rolls this weekend too since the recipe makes 24 rolls.

Baked Ziti

This is one of our favorite recipes and this time I'll be doubling the recipe so I can give one to new Mom and place one in our freezer.

Cherry Bar Cookies

This is a new recipe for me so hopefully they turn out. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Until Next Time,

Jackie