Five Fun Inspiring things for Friday

 Five things from this past week or two that were fun or inspiring.

1)  I asked my Shug if he would make a little herb garden for me somewhere....

 He did.  I didn't expect anything this fancy, but I love it.

 I'm just starting it.  But I will tell you I used to be totally into herbs.  I taught classes on herbs, I went to herb farms, I went to herbal slumber parties with my sister!  Or I should say she went with me.  Anyway, it was something I was passionate about before this "house life", among other things, took over my life.  I want to see if I still love it like I used to.

 2)  The Indianapolis 500 race.  I do not think a crowd of this many people watching cars race would be fun.  I have never been to the race and I only live about an hour or so away.  However, it was fun watching the start of the race, the "pomp and circumstance," on TV.   You see, it usually isn't aired on TV live here in Indiana, because it usually isn't sold out.  But this year it was!

 Look at all of those people. I know some people in that crowd!  I know I do!

 But THIS....is what I love.  The fly over....the National Anthem....

 The patriotism.....the tradition....I'm a sucker for anything old fashioned and traditional.

 And I couldn't show you race pictures without showing this one.  My favorite picture taken at the Indianapolis speedway of all time.  My Sister with James Garner.  Even though I don't think it was taken ON race day, it was taken during the month of May, at the speedway, years ago of course.  They have events and time trials and such going on the entire month of May, gearing up for the race.  I mean seriously, every kid in Indiana has a Senior Skip Day and goes to the time trials, right?  We did.

 3)  It's berry season.  Strawberry to be exact.  And My Shug and I picked these....

 then I made shortcakes and we had a Memorial day lunch with my Parents and Vickie and Robert.  It was a throw together kind of thing.  Vickie brought leftover pork, I made some beans, we threw in some chips, Mom brought some veggies and dip and we had this yummy dessert!

 4)  I went to crochet this week, which is always fun.

 And here are the blankets I was telling you about.  Debbie's is finished now but I did not get a picture of the finished border.  Here it is though before the border was done and doesn't it look great!

 And here is "K's."  I love them both.  K is doing a lot of neutrals in her house and I can just picture it being so peaceful feeling.  And Debbie's is a gift...but it's a secret to whom...or is it who?

 And 5)  I thought I'd give you a dandelion to blow on and make a wish!

 My wish came true!  I wished I could be done with painting trim.  I feel like all I have done in the last few months is lay hardwood floor and paint trim.  Well last night was the last of my trim!!!  WOOHOO!!!!!

 Still laying hardwood floor though.....sigh....I'm gonna go find another dandelion!

I'm joining the "five on Friday" blog hop with Amy over at Love Made my Home.  If you click on five on Friday you check out other people's blogs and see what they're up to.

Cindy Bee

The week after vacation

You know how it is...the best laid plans and all...

well...the plan was

Mom was getting the girls Sunday evening and taking them to soccer Monday...

I was picking them up...keeping them until Wednesday...

at which time Mom would get them and keep them until Thursday...

then Theresa was coming up Thursday...blah blah blah...

But because of my Aunt's passing, those plans went out the window and the girls were at our house (room) with a few hours after we returned home from vacation.  And they stayed with us all week...and my Shug said he was moving in with my parents.  But he did not move!  And I was trying to figure out what we were going to eat until I could get to the grocery after having been gone 9 days, but my Sister saved me by bringing lots of food with the kids!

So immediately after getting home we starting hunting down something to use for a bed that wouldn't be in the way all week.

Sleeping bags and mats and blankets in the corner worked out just fine.

One morning, when they were not getting up after I told them too, I sent them both a text!

And I was in the kitchen!

Taylor's (my niece) friend Lexi wasn't sure she wanted to stay at first, but I was going for

(crazy sock day at soccer camp)

 

Best Faux' Mom of the Year Award, 

and by the end of the week, 

they were planning  a return trip!

 

  Painting birdhouse gourds

They both love crafting and had one planned for every night of the week.

Polymer clay evening

But Thursday evening...we lost power

and their hair looked like THIS

because it was wacky hair day!

We crocheted (the craft for the evening) for as long as we could see, with Our Lady of Guadalupe candle

then outside they went.

Our well pump out here is electric...

they needed a shower in the worst way...and we still had no power.

Electric well pump...no power...no water.

 I just want to know where they get the energy?!?!!  This is after playing soccer all day!

My cousin suggested I throw them in the pond for a shower, but it was flooded from all the rain the night before.  We finally had power restored around 9:30 and I made them both go get in the shower.

These water balloons were for the last day at soccer camp.  Water fun day.  I also got them a couple of squirt guns.  Best Faux' Mom I tell ya!

 During that week my Shug came home one evening with some strawberries from the neighbor.  I made one batch of freezer jam and froze the rest.

Later that week he asked me if I wanted anymore strawberries.  He said our neighbor was out there with some strawberries for sale.  I said sure, that Dad wanted a strawbarb pie for Father's day.  He brought all of these in and said Kenny needed his little cartons back right now.

 

 I looked at him and said, "seriously?"  I just need some for a pie.

 I should get best wife of the year too!  I was actually still relaxed and in a good mood from vacation.  (except for the day that I erased my entire phone and vacay pictures and went to At&t three times-that day...I just wanted to cry)

Also, on Wednesday of that week, my Sister, Brother and I went to my Aunt's funeral.  It was in Logansport, IN.  When we were kids, we would go to Logansport every weekend. Our parents would play cards with all of our Aunts and Uncles and my Grandpa and us kids would all play.  We spent a lot of time in that town visiting family.  My cousins were my friends growing up.  I miss those days a lot.

 

 So after the funeral, and lunch, we stopped at the custard stand for dessert.  A long time tradition.

The week after vacation was a very busy, tiring week.  Even the Dixie Doodle was tired!


But the good thing was...this 54 year old, menopausal woman slept through the night all week!

Cindy Bee