Blackberry Lemonade

Yesterday for Cliff and Pam's shower, I made Blackberry Lemonade. I found this recipe at Taste of Home. It was SO good and pretty easy to make, so I thought that I would share the recipe with y'all...sorry that I don't have a better picture of it, but I didn't think of it at the time...and it went pretty quickly! I doubled the recipe since we had a large crowd coming over. Hope y'all enjoy it as much as we did!

Blackberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water, divided
• 1 cup Granulated Pure Cane Sugar
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 to 2 drops blue food coloring, optional ( I omitted this step)
  

Directions:

In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups water and sugar to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon peel and remaining water; cool slightly.

In a blender, combine 1 cup of lemon mixture and the blackberries; cover and process until blended. Strain and discard seeds. Pour blackberry mixture and remaining lemon mixture into a pitcher; stir well. Add food coloring if desired. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice.

Yield: about 1-1/2 quarts.

helping out a friend

This morning, shortly after I had gotten up, I received a frantic phone call from my friend Skye...it seems that today she had a crazier day planned even than her day yesterday. This week, at the local Christian School that she teaches at, they are doing mission week. This means that all of the kids at the school do some kind of service oriented project from 1 - 5 everyday. On top of her responsibility to teach and to chaperon a group of kids from the school at their community service opportunity, she also had to set up an art booth at an art show featuring art work from all of the local schools at the forum downtown. And, she only had a few hours today to be able to set it all up. So, she had called me frantically this morning to see if I could come and help her out...of course, I said yes!

In an attempt to make the day more fun and less stressful, we decided to wear aprons while getting all of the artwork ready for display. Skye came over to my house and I answered my door already sporting my patriotic apron...little did I know that Skye lurked behind the door with camera poised to take my picture...and so our adventure started. We started off the day with some left over cupcakes from the shower that I threw last night...we needed some extra energy and so cupcakes seemed a logical choice! :)

Skye tearing out of our neighborhood and rushing over to the school.

We went to the school to label and prepare the artwork for display at the forum. Then we started to pack it into "Big Blue" to transport to the forum. Skye had to get a Sub for her class so that she would be able to go and prepare for the art show tomorrow. Her sweet sub (who I know because she goes to my church) brought a box with a KFC chicken in it...little did we know what a blessing that chicken would turn out to be.

I had to get a guest pass to help out over at the school.

Skye giving her sub directions on what to teach that day.

Labeling Artwork

Starting to get a little frazzled

Skye and I took the KFC chicken and art work to the forum. Once we got there, we (surprise surprise) discovered that we needed some other supplies. So, we headed over to Michael's to get all of our art needs met! It was then that the realization that we had had little more than cupcakes to eat all day...so, we realized that we had KFC chicken with us and we decided to pick it apart and eat it...I think that it might have been some of the best chicken that I have ever eaten...then, after getting a good laugh at the way that we were tearing off pieces of chicken like ravenous wolves, we decided to call our dear friend Embo and sing to her about our day...I think that we might have been delirious at this point and that we might have smelled too much glue and paint...but I hope that our antics brought a smile to Embo's face!

...Skye, rushing dramatically to Big Blue to go to the forum...note the large smug of charcoal on her face...

Skye weighed down with Art.

Some of the remaining chicken after we had torn into it.

We finally got back to the forum and rushed to place all of the art work up on these massive cardboard triangles...only to realize that Skye had to be to meet her group of kids over at a local church at 3, and it was 2:55...so, we jumped into "Big Blue" and proceeded to get every red light red as we raced toward our destination...as we screeched to a grinding halt in front of the designated place, we ran inside to find out that the kids had finished all of the projects that had been assigned to them earlier than expected, and so, their other chaperon had already taken them back to the school...so, we took a deep breath and did what anyone else in our situation would do...we went and got some FOOD!!! Yay! We went to a little bakery and I got a sandwich and a smoothie, while Skye got a LOAF of 3 cheese bread (which she stated that she imagined must be what Manna tasted like) and a smoothie of her very own! We then headed back to the forum to finish the job that we had started earlier in the day...despite all of the stress, we ended up having a great time goofing off together (being VERY silly) while being productive...

Skye with her bread and smoothie

ok, I know that art is in the eye of the beholder...but really?!
The green and red one looks a little like Santa was rolled over by a giant ball! ...
I don't undertand...

Baby shower for Cliff and Pam.

Well, tonight was the shower for Cliff and Pam, and I have to admit to you that I was a little bit stressed out about it! With Hector and Christy's baby shower, I had been thinking about it for a while and had lots of ideas...I had a theme to go on, but with this shower, I kinda felt at a loss. So, it had been really stressful for me, because I wanted it to be a really nice shower for Cliff and Pam...
So, last night I came to a breaking point and I had a little mini break down! ...poor Zack! He has to put up with his slightly neurotic wife.

But, thankfully, God is so amazing and He has blessed me with wonderful friends! Our dear friend Christy was helping me with the shower and she did an AMAZING job of making food and coming over today and helping with the last minute stuff. Also, today, while wandering the aisle of Micheal's desperately trying to come up with some kind of table scape...I ran into my friend Skye...she was having an equally crazy day and so, we were swapping horror stories of all of the things that we had to get done before the day was over! Anyway, at about 4:45 p.m. I got a call from Skye and she asked me if I was at home...which, of course I was (running around like a crazy person) so, Skye said..."I am coming over to your house to help you...don't even think about saying 'no' ...just come up with a list of things that I can help you with!" ...and then angels started singing and there was great rejoicing in Heaven! ...ok, so there was rejoicing in my heart...but still...I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have Skye some over and help me out! It was an answer to prayer...because there is NO way that I was going to be able to get everything done that needed to be done before everyone started to show up!

Because Cliff and Pam do not know what they are having (boy or girl) I only had the color scheme of the bedding that they are using in their nursery to go on. It is a blue, brown, green and white stripe fabric. So, that is what I used for inspiration for the shower.

I already showed you a picture of their invitations, but here it is again if you missed them. I was really happy with how they turned out.



The flower arrangements were white hydrangeas, blue lilacs, and green willow branches. The one on the main table had sliced limes around the base. I think that it turned out really cute. (I stole the idea for the limes from the flower arrangement that I had seen and fallen in love with at my friends bridal luncheon a few weeks back.

The menu was really stressful for me this time...I didn't want to make exactly what I had made last time...but I still wanted it to be good...so, I was stressing myself out about it all!

Our menu ended up being really good. Christy made a really nice fruit tray and dip, really good quesadillas, rotel dip, and sugar cookies with little "T"'s on them (SO cute!!).



I had decided to make:

Meatballs in plum sauce
pulled pork sandwiches
chocolate covered pretzels
cake balls
blackberry lemonade


I ordered cupcakes again from the same place that I had gotten them for Christy and Hector's baby shower...and I was again disappointed. I had given them the benefit of the doubt since I had asked them to make pretty elaborate cupcakes last time...and I thought...who could mess up polka dots?! Well, apparently they can! I had given the bakery a swatch of fabric that had the colors that I wanted the frosting matched to...and when I went to pick them up this is what I found!

UGH!!

I had made the gifts for them months ahead of time. Pam had asked me to make her a nursing cover. So, I made her a matching nursing cover and diaper bag...and then I also made a cute little reversible bubble.

I think that everyone had a good time tonight and Cliff and Pam got a lot of cute things for their little baby Tappan.

Forrest and Kevin and their "pregnant" bellies

Trip to Birmingham

Sorry friends that I have not written for a few days...ok, more like a week, but I was in Birmingham a few days last week and then just had a couple blah days...but, I am back!

I found out last Monday that Zack was going to be going to California for a conference with work...and it worked out perfectly for me, because my dear friend Beth, who lives in Mobile, was going to be in Birmingham visiting her parents. I have not seen Beth for about 8 or 9 months. She was pregnant at the time and now has a BEAUTIFUL 6 month old little blessing named Kate, whom I had not gotten to meet!

So, since Zack was going to be heading out of town...and since I HATE being home alone, I went to Birmingham to spend time with Beth and her family. I had a great time! I got there a little after lunch on Wednesday.

Self portrait that I took on Beth's porch as I waited for Beth and her parents to get home from running some errands.

We went to the botanical gardens and walked around.

little baby Kate...isn't she a doll?!

Then, we were able to leave Kate with her parents and go to dinner and catch up. It was SO nice to be able to catch up with Beth about all of the things going on in her life! It is always such fun to hang out with her! (and Beth was excited to get to go to dinner with a friend and not have to worry about Kate getting fussy). We went to a little Greek restaurant called the Olive Branch..it was REALLY good (we both LOVE Greek food). Beth got Lamb kabobs and I had gyro. They brought out our food in 11X7 Pyrex dishes...which we got a kick out of.

Beth showing off our delicious Greek dinner!

Thursday, we went for a walk in the neighborhood in the morning and then we went out for Mexican for lunch! My favorite! We split 2 entree's between the three of us (Me, Beth, and Beth's mom) and we had TONS left over! After lunch we headed out shopping. Beth's mom loves to sew too and so we had lots to talk about! She took us to a couple of sewing stores in the area. We went to one that was closing so all of the fabric and patterns were on sale for 50% off. I was REALLY excited about that, and I got some new patterns that I am looking forward to trying out one day soon....

Our morning walk

Our yummy Mexican Fajitas

Beth realized a little too late that feeding Kate a whole jar of baby food prunes was not a good idea! :) lol yucky!

We went back to Beth's parents house for dinner. Beth's mom is an AMAZING hostess and she made us dinner and banana pudding! ...it was REALLY REALLY good! After dinner, we headed down to her parents dock and went out in their boat for Kate's first boat ride! She was fighting sleep, but she was SO cute in her (slightly too big) life jacket.





I headed home on Friday morning so that I would be home when Zack got back from California. I had missed him..because of the time change, we hadn't really gotten an opportunity to talk. I sent him texts throughout the day...but it's just not the same as hearing his voice. But, it was SO good to get the chance to spend time with Beth. I miss getting to see my PA girls! They are some of the dearest friends! And, it was such a blessing to meet Kate! She is beautiful and is the sweetest little baby girl! :) ...of course, I am not biased at all! :)

Me and my sweet "Niece" Kate!

While I was waiting for Zack to get home, I decided to go running. It was my long run day, and I have to tell y'all...I am SO excited. I am up to 6 miles. I ran a total of 18 miles this past week! Yay!! Granted I am slow....but it is SO nice to see that mileage going back up! Aren't y'all proud of me?!

Zack got home around 8 and we went to dinner with a guy that Zack's company is thinking about hiring. We went out and had BBQ at our favorite little BBQ place. We had a pleasant dinner and I got to ask my little non-work related questions, like "how old are your little boys?" and "do you think that your family would like to live in a small town?" while Zack and he talked about computer codes and servers...way over my head! It was a pleasant dinner, but Zack and I were both really tired after our last couple weeks of seemingly endless going, going, going.

Annie has arrived!!

This morning, at about 2:30 a.m. I got a text from my friend Julia and her husband. They have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of their precious daughter Annie. Annie was delivered via c-section at about 2:00 a.m. this morning. She weighed 8 pounds and 10 ounces....Julia is not even 5 feet tall. I have NO idea where all that baby could have been! :) But, she is here and she is already a blessing to her parents! I cannot wait to see some pictures of this beautiful little one!

Julia and I went to PA school together. She and her husband live in Texas now...so, we don't ever get to see them, but they are still such dear friends! I am so excited for them as they begin this new chapter in their lives!! What an amazing blessing from God! God is awesome and He is worthy of our praise!

***Update!***

She is too cute! Thought that I would share a pictures of little "Texas Annie"!!!

I finished my first real order!

About a week to 2 weeks ago, a girl contacted me to make a jonjon for her little boy. After emailing back and forth a couple times, she decided what fabric she wanted and that she wanted her little boy's name and initial on it. I was really excited about this order, because it is the first thing that I have made that wasn't made either as a gift for a friend or for a friend. YAY!! My first "real" order! I think that the jonjon turned out pretty cute. I hope that she likes it! I am hoping to put it in the mail tomorrow!

Snacks for small group

I ended up trying a new recipe tonight. I made peanut butter cake bars to take to small group tonight. I seem to have had issues with all of the brownies, Blondie's, and bars that I have made lately. They look nicely browned on the outside and the toothpicks come out clean...but they are not done...so, I took these bars out of the oven after putting about 6 toothpicks in them to make sure that they were done. I let them cool on a rack and then when I went to cut them, I was frustrated to find out that they were NOT done!!! UGH!! I only had a few minutes before we were about to leave for small group, but I put them back in the oven! They were still a little soft when I took them out so that we could leave for small group, but I think that they still ended up tasteing pretty good. I'm not sure what I am going to do about my doneness dilemma!! ugh! I guess that a little chewy is better than burnt!

Another busy, fun-filled wedding weekend

This past weekend, our friend Joy got married. We had the blessing of having Joy stay with us for several days before her wedding. It was so nice to get a chance to catch up the first night that she was here. We only got to see her briefly in the morning and evenings on the other days of her stay, but that is to be expected with all of the preparations and last minute errands that she had to handle. Joy got to our house on Wednesday night. Then each night after, until the wedding, we added one or more brides maids/friends of the bride. It was fun having all of the excitement of the wedding buzz going on in our home...and it was SO great to see Joy just radiating happiness! I am so excited for her to have found someone that she can feel so much love and respect for.

Joy and Matt met in D.C., where Joy currently lives. She ran with Zack in college and when she moved to D.C. she continued to run....a love that she and Matt share. Matt saw Joy running and decided to give her one of his business cards so that she could call him sometime. She did end up calling him and asking him to pick up her race packet for a race that she was going to be running that weekend...so, their first date was to a race...so, it only seems appropriate that the morning of their wedding day, they ran a race together! Matt won running around a 15 minute 5K...and I think that Joy ran about her goal time.

The bride's Maids ended up getting ready at our house...all 8 of them! :) So, instead of stay and witness the chaos going on in our home (there were girls EVERYWHERE! :) lol) Zack and I went and met his parents at a local high school where his youngest brother was running a track meet. It was fun getting to see Zack's brother run...we don't get to see him run often because we don't live close by each other. So, it is a treat when we do get to see him. He didn't run his race as quickly as he had hoped, but I thought that he did a great job. He ran a mile in about 4:14. They had already raced 2 other times that week....so, all in all, I think that he did a great job...and he looked really strong while he was running...I would have taken some pictures of him, but in my hurry to get ready to go, admist the chaos, I left my camera at home.

We ended up getting back to our house before all of the girls were finished getting ready. Zack and I just kinda hung back and let them do their thing. I was able to get into our room and bathroom with enough time to get ready for the wedding.

The wedding was beautiful and they were married by the same pastor that married Zack and I, which is kinda fun! We had so much fun getting to catch up with old friends and act crazy! We had cow bells to ring to encourage the couple to kiss. We also were given glow sticks to wave while the couple ran past on their way out (I don't know that I have ever seen that done before at a wedding, but we had a lot of fun with it!)

This little guy was too cute! He was the ring bearer.
He was helping sweep out the Chapel after the ceremony was finished!

The microphone made an appearance again this weekend. Here is Jody serenading Paul

Zack and I.

Friday night dinner

I was able to try a new recipe tonight. I made Maple-Glazed Pork chops and Vegetable Rice Medley. They were both really good and had tons of flavor. Zack really liked them and he even went back for seconds on the rice. These recipes definitely make it over to the make again pile!

They are done!!!

My friend Christy and I are throwing a baby shower for our friend Pam whose little one is due in about a month! I have been working on the invitations for a several weeks now...other things kept coming up that had me pushing these little invitations to the back burner....but, with the date of the shower looming ahead of me, I finally made myself sit down and finish them! I think that they turned out really cute.

Cliff and Pam are not going to find out what they are having...So, it made things a little more difficult, but they are using brown, blue, green, and white/off white in the bedding fabric. So, I had a color scheme to work with. This is what I came up with!

Now I just have to figure out the menu and decorations for the actual shower...any suggestions?

Another full day!

Last night, our friend Joy got to town and I had such fun sitting up and talking with her...until REALLY late! So, I was a little groggy this morning when the alarm started going off. Joy was going to run 12 miles this morning, so she was planning to get up and go run around 7, but with our late night of talking, that didn't happen. I think that she ended up leaving to go run around 8:30. I got up when Zack left and did my Bible study and tried to figure out what I needed to get done today. I decided that since our evening was FULL, that I would go ahead and run in the morning because otherwise I might not find another opportunity. It is weird how your body gets used to certain things. It was SO much harder to run in the morning than it seems in the afternoon....not sure why...probably 100% mental!

I had lunch today with one of my friends. She is on spring break and so it was a nice treat to have the opportunity to spend some time with her. We went to this amazing little restaurant downtown and had such a good time sitting and talking! She is about 6 months pregnant, so we were able to sit and talk about all of her plans for her nursery and other fun baby stuff! :)

Zack on our church softball team, and they had a game tonight at 6:30 so we had to rush over there when he got home from work. They had a REALLY bad first game loosing 10 to 0...ouch! not a fun game. Tonight's game seemed to go much better. They won...so, that is always a plus. Zack has been pretty frustrated with his hitting, but I am sure that it will improve as the season goes on....you just have to get your timing right with slow pitch softball.


After his softball game (while still wearing his nasty stinky uniform), we went straight to one of the local colleges to hear Tony Dungy speak. I have to admit to you that I had NO idea who he was, but Zack was really excited about hearing him and he had gotten tickets so that we could go. I am glad that we went. Tony Dungy is man of great character and strong faith! It was definitely an enjoyable evening!