Our July 4th! America's Birthday!

It was a birthday celebration for America, and a low key weekend for us! It wasn't to much exciting going on around here. We did go a little running around and that's about it really. Saturday Lil E and I went and had our eyes checked. Daddy was busy around the house. Sunday we actually had a lil storm blow in, that eveing! And it was so awesome!!! Monday July 4th, wasn't to much going on. No fireworks anywhere! It's hot and dry here! Been trip digits for way to long and no rain. Sunday night was the drizzle of rain, but didn't compare to what our areas needed!

Be sure to check out that sweet face of Lil E......

The girls and I headed to town, we were on a mission! To pick up Lil E's glasses! Can you believe it! She looks way to grown up with her new glasses!

Then we took a few pictures on our way home.

That evening we went to the to the Park to see the lazer show on a big screen and hear the symphony concert! You really couldn't hear the concert at all. And the lazer show wasn't anything exciting! But we were all together as a family and that is what matters most! We really missed the old 4th's full of lots of fun! The cooks outs and fun times! Just was way different this year.

We still managed to have some fun!

Happy Birthday America!!! Hope everyone had a good and special 4th!!!

Hugs and Blessings,

A big new Venture for our family..........

I hope that each of you have a wonderfully blessed and happy 4th!!! I hope everyone was safe and enjoyed the day! I can not believe that half the year is officially over! Where did it go? It sure zoomed on in!

I have been so busy this past week, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. No no, we didn't get a 3rd little blessing. (I know many all the sudden think that). But I have started my own business. I am beyond excited and it's doing pretty well in just a week.

I have started Pat-T's Shirts & More. You can become a fan on facebook. (just click there) I will have a blog up soon too.

What does Pat-T's Shirts & More have to offer ~ LOTS! I have bling and screen print right now. Will be having way more to come.

Here's a few examples of some of the goodies there is already.

I had a very hard time just picking a few. But there are more on facebook.

That's my newest venture! We have some craft shows booked, and may even set up to sale in ETSY. But for now, you can reach me through email or on facebook, and of course here too, if you are interested.

Besides individual shirts, we are setting up to do Church Fundraisers, will be donating a portion of each Cancer Shirt sold, and much more exciting things to offer! Once that blog is up and running I will not use this blog for this purpose.

Hope everyone is doing great and may each of you have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

Hugs and Blessings,

Where Did June Go? (lots of pics)

Oh my! Where did June go? I can't believe we are the last day of June, and half the year has gone by! Time really does fly! I am so sorry for the lapse in blogging! We have had a lot going on. And I just can't believe what all has happened. There are lots of changes coming and lots going on around here!

After coming home from surgery, and having to take it easy, I was tired of being inside, as were the kids. So the first weekend in June, it was all about a family day! We took the girls for a picnic and then we fed the ducks and played at the park! It was a perfect day!!! Just what we had needed! The 4 of us really needed some special time together, and some good quality time! It was the sweetest!

So after a nice lunch, it was time to feed the ducks! And there was lots of ducks, birds, geese, and even a couple of swan's!

The girls were having the best time!!! They love throwing bread to the ducks.

I just being able to take God's beauty. It's amazing! Just the simple things like the trees and water are beyond beautiful to me!! I fell in love with this tree! So much we had to have some pictures by it too. *grin*

Then we went for a walk around the park so we could get to the play ground, and on the way to the other side we found this perfect purple butterfly bench! another love! *big grins*

Even lvoed it enough Momma had a picture there too!!!

But look, as we were crossing over the bridge we came upon to Mommy Ducks and their ducklings. It was the sweetest thing ever!!! They were so precious!!!

It was too hot for me to stand by the play ground, but Daddy stayed right there and never let his girls out of his sight! He is such a good daddy! I am so thankful and greatful for all he does and is! He is so loving and wants to teach them so much! It's really something special!

After play time and on our way back to the car, he's the three loves of my life!

It was a super great day and we all had so much fun! It was peaceful and beautiful! Just a bit too hot for me! I am sick of the triple digits! This is beyond crazy! May and June triple digits! I am tired the heat! I want fall and winter!

We have gotten plenty of outside play in though! Thanks to the wind, and cooler night temps we can start the day or end the day outside, most of the time.

Daddy was hard and work and the girls out playing, while i was relaxing! And look what Lil E brought me. Some beautiful weed flowers! But they are the sweetest!!!

We have had some rootin tootin inside times too! Just ask my littlest cowpoke, she is busy riding her "sorsey" (horsey) every day!

We have even caught a few dips in the pool too! But the pool has been really cool.

And we all know that we don't go long without lots of bubbles!!! Grandma Pat and Pops sent the girls some cool 3D bubbles and 3D chalk! It's awesome! We are so blessed to have Grandma Pat and Pops in our lives! I met Grandma Pat years ago online! And we just connected! And she has been one of our GREATEST supporters through the years! She has always loved not only me and James, but the girls too! She treats us like their very own family! It really does mean a lot! I can't thank her enough! It makes me so happy that she loves us so much! We love them too!!! That's for sure!!!

Before we knew it was Father's Day! I'm so thankful that I was blessed with the GREATEST Dad ever!!!! And I never thought there could be another one even near as good as he was! But boy was I wrong! Because he has a tie, and it's my sweet hubby!!! He is not just a great hubby, but the most awesome daddy! He loves his little girls so much! He would do anything he could for them! And he loves so much spending time with them! And he loves to teach them stuff t too! He is full of love and gives them the most unconditional forever love!

Daddy and his girls on Father's Day!!!! The loves of my life!!! They make me so happy!!!

But our Father's Day had a HUGE scare! As most know Texas has been covered with wild fires! And lots of land and structures and even lives have been lost! All the sudden we go outside and this is what is going on!!!! Right by my house!!! And then there was one to the east of us about a mile!

I can't even begin to tell you how scared we were! It was terrible! And I totally freaked out!!!

But you know what, God kept the wind blowing in one direction (which is not common here), he protected us, and kept us safe! Praise be to him!!!!

Then Daddy and the girls went swimming! They had fun. Momma stayed out of the pool. I was still sunburned and didn't want to be in the sun, from earlier that week.

The last few weekends have been spent at the local dirt track watching the races! We all have fun and love it! I'm so glad that Lil Know loves it! It really makes me happy! I was a bit worried she might not really like it! But she does!!!

Last week the girls had some fun in the sprinkler too! They were having a ball!!! It really took me back to my childhood! I loved to play in the water each night when Dad would water the yard.

They had a lot of fun!!!

Last week after this day of play was so busy! I upgraded, well upsized from my little car to a mini van. 45 minutes after leaving the dealership, I had an accident. It was my fault! We are all ok! No injuries! I backed out in front of a truck! UGH!

Then it's been busy busy busy! We have been on the go and I can't even begin to tell you how much! But also have had some good things come too! I am starting my own business! It will be Pat-T's Shirts & More. I will be doing bling bling on shirts, and some screen printing too! I am beyond excited and as the stuff has been rolling in, the more excited I get!

We have booked the chapel for us to renew our wedding vows this upcoming Dec! Plus picking out and finalizing our home school curriculum! And finding a true Church home. So there has been lots going on and lots of changes! But I'm happy to say for the better!

I am going to try to do better about blogging and staying more current. I have some pictures that I want to share from the last few days, but I will get to them in another post.

HOpe everyone is staying cool and having a great summer! What are you and your family doing for summer vacation this year? We aren't doing a summer vacation, we are going on vacation in Dec when we renew our wedding vows.... I can't wait!!! I am so looking forward to this trip!

Hugs and Blessings,

Cooking Thursday ~ Heavenly Hash

I am linking up again this week, to Cooking Thursday hosted by Dairy of a Stay at Home Mom (click there and it will take you over there) . So be sure to check it out for more good recipes.

This week I am sharing one from my hubby's family, and it's so yummy!

Heavenly Hash

2 boxes of Instant Vanilla Pudding
3 cups Cold Milk
8 oz Cool Whip
1 can Pineapple Tid Bits
1 can of Fruit cocktail
1 pkg of Mini Marshemellows
1 - 2 cups of Finely Chopped Pecans

Mix Pudding and milk together. Fold in cool whip. Add in pineapple, fruit cocktail, marshmellows, and pecans. Chill for a few hours before serving.

We have this at lots of cookouts and such! It's really yummy! And so easy!

Hope you and your family enjoy too!

Hugs and Blessings,

Cooking Thursday ~ Creamy Ranch Skillet Potatoes

Creamy Ranch Skillet Potatoes

4 to 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 envelope of ranch dressing mix

1/3 cup sour cream (we use fat free)

2 cups milk (we use fat free)

1 tsp parsely

pepper to taste

Precook potatoes, by boiling them, just to slightly tender. Spray skillet with non stick cooking spray. Over medium heat cook the onions and potatoes until they are browned. In a mixing bowl, mix the dressing, sour cream, and milk together. When potatoes and onions are browned pour over, add parsely and pepper. Stir and simmer until sauce thickens.

Hope you enjoy these! They are super yummy!!!

Don't forget to check out other great Cooking Thursday recipes at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Hugs and Blessings,

Stuffed Bread

I am linking up to Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner. This week it's your favorite appetizer recipes! This is going to be one of my favorites, as I love appetizers! They are my favorite to make and entertain with.

One of my most favorites, and everyone loves is ........

Stuffed Bread

1 pkg of deli sliced ham

1 pkg of deli sliced turkey

2 cups of sour cream

2 cups of mayonnaise

3 bunches of green onions, chopped (1 cup)

2 TBSP of parsley flakes

2 Hawaiian Bread

Chop up turkey and ham into small pieces. Mix together the sour cream and mayonnaise. Add in the green onions, ham and turkey, and parsley flakes. Place in the refrigerator over night for best taste. Pick out the middle of the bread and put the dip in. Save the middle of the bread for dipping. Serve with the left over bread and crackers.

Hope you enjoy!

Hugs and Blessings,

2 great Desserts ~ Show us your Life

I thought I'd have a little fun and link up over at Kelly's Korner for this weeks Show us your Life ~ Desserts. Click here to go there.

So I picked 2 yummy recipes.

Sugar Free Cheesecake

1 8oz block of cream cheese, softened

2 c. milk

2 pkg instant sugar free pudding (flavor of choice)

1 8 oz tub of cool whip free (or lite)

1 ready pie graham cracker crust, sugar free if you can find it

Mix cream cheese, milk, and pudding. Mix well and until smooth. Fold in cool whip. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Optional to garnish with fresh sliced strawberries.

This is not only yummy, but something super special that we made for dad when he was diabetic. To this day it's one of his most favorites. We all love it!

German Chocolate Brownie Pie

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. flour (all purpose)

3 eggs

1 stick of butter

1/2 pkg of baker's german chocolate

1 c. chopped pecans

1 c. flaked coconut

In a medium mixing bowl combine sugar, flour, eggs, pecans, and coconut. Set aside. In a sauce pan, melt butter and chocolate, stirring constantly. Pour chocolate mixture into sugar mixture. Mix well. Pour into a lightly grease 9 inch pie pan. Bake uncovered at 350 for 35 - 45 minutes.

This is so yummy!!! Everyone will ask you for this recipe. And this is the first recipe I had published in a Gooseberry Patch cook book.

Hope you enjoy these! And don't forget to check out the other great desserts at Kelly's Korner.

Hugs and Blessings,