Fall has Arrived!

Fall in Texas means temperatures in the 90's during the day and 60's at night.  And Halloween right around the corner.  The girls went to the first practice meeting yesterday  for the church Christmas play, and they got their flu shots last week.   Time is flying by, as usual.

What we've been doing lately....

Sadie attended a sock hop this month, which she enjoyed immensely.   She is participating in a cotillion program, and learning social skills in a formal setting.   This month's theme was sock hop.   I enjoyed making a poodle skirt for her.  She was in the 5th grade the last time she needed a poodle skirt. 

  I also canned a canner load full of black eyed peas from our summer garden.   They are really delicious.

Goodnight, Sweetheart, It's Time to Go (Back to Your Own Bed...)

Maggie used to sleep in her own room.   How nice that was.  She is going through a phase right now (at least I hope it's a phase) in which she refuses to sleep alone.   In order to get a good night's sleep, I have just started her out in my bed with her daddy the last few nights.  I sleep in her room.  This morning, she came and found me at 5:00 am because Keith had already been up for a while, and she found herself in bed alone.  We have allowed Sammy to sleep in her room, she now has a dream catcher, and she has nightlights and dolls.    Even so, anytime she wakes up just a little, usually by midnight, she comes running downstairs to find us.   I am not sure what is causing this;  Maggie has always been "clingy".  Sadie has always slept in her own room and in her own bed, so this is not a problem we really ever had with her.
Tonight, she is going to start out in her bed.  We created a chart today, and for each night she stays in her bed all night, she will get a sticker.   For every 7 stickers, she will get a reward. 

Finding Our Way to Mayberry

I am very excited to be leading a Bible study this fall at church. based on the Andy Griffith Show.   Everyone is excited about it and we have transformed part of the church into Mayberry.    Our church secretary happens to be from Mount Airy, Andy Griffith's real hometown.       Since our lifestyles today are so fast paced, the slower pace of the show appeals to me, and I think other people, also. 

Back to School

We have successfully made the transition from summer back to the school routine.   These pictures are from the first day of school:   9th grade for Sadie, and 2nd grade for Maggie.    Keith is taking them to school each morning, which makes my morning routine much easier.    I am packing three lunches each morning, which I partially prepare the night before, and I often throw something together for the crock pot to cook all day. 

This last photo shows two aspiring actresses and singers in a moment of hilarity.  The extreme heat we have dealt with since early June is causing some temporary insanity.

A Good, Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social

One of the nice things about our town is that the people here have lovely traditions.  We attended a wonderful ice-cream social recently.  Everyone voted with their spare change for a favorite homemade ice cream flavor.  The funds went to a great cause.  Sadie's favorite was the watermelon sorbet, a recipe by Emeril. 

It's Summertime! Let's Stay Inside!

It was exactly 6 months ago this week that we were housebound due to ice, snow, etc.   We had very low temperatures that week, with the threat of rolling brown-outs due to a high demand on the electric grid for power to warm homes.   Fast forward 6 months.  We are now housebound, with the threat of rolling brown-outs due to broiling temperatures.  

While Sadie has been at volleyball practice, I gathered some cartons for Maggie to use to build a dollhouse.  We raided the recycling bin for items to use for the dollhouse:  plastic caps, packaging, etc.   The bathroom, in the middle photo, has a shower stall made from an empty Crystal Light box.   The bathroom also features a cardboard screen for modesty.    Maggie has been very creative with paper to make rugs, curtains, etc.   Sadie has also helped by cutting out windows and doors.   The last photo shows my thermometer yesterday, with a reading of 114 degrees, in the shade of the carport.