What and Where

What we're reading, from top, l. to r., Daughter W., Daughter M., Myself, Daughter L.

Where we're reading: in the new hammocks! Farm style lounging.

(This is my 800th blog posting. Friend Nancy urged me to start a blog to keep track of my art projects. Turns out my blog makes a great family diary and is really good for keeping my folks up-to-date, since they live 11 hours away from us. I enjoy the artistic side of it with the photos and layout, and I like to write. All in all, I've enjoyed blogging. Can't believe there have been that many postings!)

Twelve Years Old

Miss M. is 12. When did that happen?

We went for lunch with the big kids after church. Ribs at Chilis!

Chocolatey birthday dessert.

Sweet Corn!

Summer is here. Not our own corn, but still good!

Lazy Days on the Porch

We spent a lot of laid back hours on the newly painted front porch this week. We did needlework, listened to taped books, read, sipped tea, and just lounged. This little wren has babies in the birdhouse on the porch, and it bothered her when we sat out there. She especially hated it when the cats came around. She cussed us out every day.



W. learned to light matches on the Fourth, and had fun "messing" with a candle and matches while we lazed.

Husband worked on his field spraying all week, as well as some Soybean and Pork board issues.


The kitties liked hanging out with us, much to Mommy Bird's consternation!

Our black raspberries cooled us off in ice cream.

M caught a great sunset.

Lori's Corn Salad or Dip

Friend Lori brought this new and unusual corn salad to the Fourth pot-luck. Everyone liked it a lot. Good "as is", or it works great as a dip for corn tortilla chips. Celiac friendly! I'm sure my dad will like this one!

Corn Salad
1/2 cup red onion-diced small
1/2 cup green pepper-chopped
1/2 cup red pepper-chopped
4 cups of sweet corn (or frozen), cooked and drained
1 cup mayo
1 cup shredded cheese
Mix and refrigerate for couple hours.
Before serving mix in 1-2 cups chili flavored Frito chips, crushed

Fabulous Fourth

Always invite Lois, she brings homemade pies!


Line 'em up! Lots of great food! One-hundred-twenty-five guests!


Girls's table, college guys and patriotic babies, team games.


Fireworks hangover.

Apartment Tour

Two pickups and a car load's worth of "stuff" for Daughter A's new place. (Right downtown!)

Entry and up the stairs-name on the mailbox already!

Moving crew, pix byW.


Main room... (Neat woodwork and floors. Ten ft. ceilings.)



Into the kitchen and then bathroom.

It's so cute and all fit well.

Happy Fourth Of July!

Land of the free and home of the brave!

Red, White and Blue Jello

2 small boxes red jello
2 boxes blue jello
4 c. boiling water
2 envelopes Knox gelatin or equivalent, 1/2 c. cold water plus 1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)

Make 2 boxes red jello with 2 c. boiling water only and pour into pan. Chill. Repeat with blue jello and other 2 c. boiling water. Sprinkle 2 envelopes Knox gelatin over 1/2 c. cold water in bowl. Let sit until dissolved. Add 1 1/2 c. boiling water to Knox mixture and stir to dissolve fully. Add can of sweetened condensed milk to Knox mixture and cool, but do not let harden. Cut hardened red and blue jello into shapes or blocks. Scatter in 9 x 13 pan. Gently pour cooled Knox/milk mix over. (If it is warm it will melt your jello.) Chill until firm. Cut into squares or scoop directly from pan with spoon. We cut star shapes and put the scraps on the bottom, poured the milk mixture on top and then laid the stars over the top for this look.

A Triumph for Macbeth

We had a beautiful evening in the park, and were delighted and impressed by the amazing production these kids put on of very difficult material. They spout Shakespeare with ease and make it look fun. No abbreviated versions for them. They loved every minute of the 6 day, 6 hour practices, and the 2 hour performance.

(Below)Lovely audience members wait for Macbeth to begin.
Pre-show poses with friend C.K.

Our own Weird Sister-they were the BEST! And the costumes were great. Between Friend Ana and I, who shuffled the sewing of witch-wear back and forth all week, and the girl's own creativity, they looked beautifully creepy! L.'s friends did the make-up and hair-a really great job of it.


L was also an Englishman helping to "get" the murderous Macbeth.

A collage (thanks to Friend Ana) of the Weird Sisters-all great friends in real life. (Click to enlarge.)

The handsome cast of Macbeth, The Enak Shakespeareans. Director Caitilin in the green dress, center. More pictures at http://www.anabragahenebrysjournal.blogspot.com/