That Girl Can Cook....

Hi girls...I am later posting this morning ...my sweetie is home today so my schedule is "looser" then normal....we are going to go to a museum in a bit so my post will be short...recently my daughter and her sweetie asked us to come for dinner...a "Comfort Food Extravaganza" is what we were told....

I took some pictures since this was the first meal in their new home...she had everything laid out in the kitchen when we arrived...dessert was already in progress...

I had given A.M. one of Paula Deen's "Lady and Son's" cook books...so she decided to take some of recipes from it ...the fried chicken was Paula's as was the dessert...A.M. chose legs to fry....what's more comforting then a fried chicken leg...

Nothing unless you include mashed potatoes...southern style green beans...and gravy....yum...

This chicken SMELLED HEAVENLY COOKING...

BUT....It tasted even better...the promise of a COMFORT FOOD EXTRAVAGANZA was an understatement...let me tell you ...my baby girl can cook...her sweetie is no slouch either...he made the string beans southern style with bacon...vinegar ...and butter...DELICIOUS...

THIS...is dessert...it may look plain but let me tell you it was AMAZING...the name of this (I think) is Gooey cake also from Paula Deen's cookbook..let me just say ....YOU NEED TO TRY IT...I think if you type that into Google it will pop up...

We had a wonderful time...I hope you all have a great day...hugs and blessings from me to you....till next time...Karena

Sunday Blessings....

Good Sunday Morning girls....how are you this bright fall day....I was thinking this morning about the quiet....peaceful...freedom Sunday .... offers us....the word says the Lord rested on the 7th day...ever since I was little Sunday has been a day of "Praise"...as I was remembering ALL the special Sunday's in my life I found myself getting a little homesick for the Church's I grew up in...so I visited them...on line of course....the picture above is the "Sacred Heart Chapel" the Catholic church in Southern California constructed years ago ...this church was and is so charming...with cathedral style rafters...exposed wood paneling  ...  stone and rock walls... the combination of wood ..stone.. candles and incense created a wonderful scent ....the smell of this chapel still lingers in my mind....

This is the inside...you can see the beautiful stone work...the stained glass windows were wonderful...this chapel was built long before the "Big Church" was built in the 50's...below is "Sacred Heart" the church we really grew up knowing as our spiritual home....my sister was married here...all our children were baptized here...my daughter went to school here...and yes...our parents were eulogized here...it is a lovely church...it's comforting to think back on...

You can't tell from this Picture but the aisle is so long...the ceilings so high...I have memories of kneeling when I was 7 years old staring at the beautiful cross of Jesus...I would look so hard....sometimes.... I believed he looked down and smiled at me...(maybe he did)...one of the glorious things about Sunday's is the urge to spend time outdoors...

Yesterday we had M again for the day....this little angel is so much fun to spend time with...it was a beautiful fall day.... when she arrived we were outside ....she wanted to help us "Garden" so we stayed out front for some time enjoying EVERYTHING....

The first thing M found was this rock...we washed it off to put it somewhere special...she decided sitting it on the high spot in our bird bath was PERFECT....

Her next WONDER ....were the exposed root's from the tree in our front yard...M told me they were bird nests...(we looked at all of them)...

 M wanted to help me plant a special flower she picked from my Mum bush...this was so precious..she brought me the flower so I could plant it...I suggested she was grown up enough to do it herself...she happily agreed...so we "poked" a hole in the dirt...and she planted it "JUST RIGHT"...

She was concerned as she stepped back to admire her handy work....that the flowers were dry...she was focused on helping me water ALL the flowers ...she said "Gigi...they are ALL thirsty...they need a drink"...she reminded me what a WONDER everything is when were small...(and not so small)...I had a wonderful time with her...

 

So girls...how are you going to spend your Sunday afternoon...I hope whatever you do this day is FILLED with LIGHT...the twinkling light that warms your heart with joy... peace...AND contentment....I wish you blessings and hugs...till next time......Karena

Weeping Willows...Don't Cry....(do they??)...

Good Morning girls...I was up early today...before the sun woke up...I was outside with Terza looking around the yard...eventually my eyes fell on our neighbors Weeping Willow tree...I started thinking about how this tree ever received it's name...as I thought I realized the willow tree is a fascinating part of our earthly garden...

The first time I heard the name I was a child...I can remember asking "Momma Willow trees don't really cry do they"...for some reason way back then my heart was protective...I wanted to know about this tree....I was instantly concerned about it's well being..

Marmie ...(I called my mom Marmie)... said I should read about it...ask my teacher...find out whatever I could about how the Willow got it's name... from that moment on It was my FAVORITE tree...I think the Willow is beautiful....it moves  like natures "ballerina"...PEACEFULLY bending...leaning into the wind with her long leafy arms...praising the Creator with every branch...

There's a life lesson  we can take  from our friend the Willow..when the winds of change start blowing through our lives ...big or small...we can choose to BEND WITH THE BREEZE...we can stand strong turn our face towards the sun...or rain...take a deep breath...and bend.....leaning into our circumstances with a special knowing that it will pass...the winds don't blow forever......we can't see what causes it to blow ....still...it can be fun... even if  it knocks us off our feet....

I hope the next time the wind starts blowing in my life...I remember to LEAN IN...RELAX...AND ENJOY THE FEELING...

It was so nice of you to stop by ...I pray you each have a wonderful Friday...a fun weekend too ..I will be thinking of you blessings and big hugs.....Karena

"Happy ....Happy....Birthday..."

Good Morning girls...today I am celebrating the birth of my daughter...my best friend...my angel...Happy Birthday sweet one...thank you for making me a ....MOMMA...I praise God for choosing me to be your mommy 32 years ago today...

I wanted to share with you girls some of the favorites my daughter and I share...first off both of us are "OVER THE MOON" when fall arrives...she is a BIG FAN OF FALL...

She grew up on Yankee Candles....before they ever came in jars...I bought them in cans...Yankee called them "Cannikens"....

We spent many happy days together at Disneyland when you were growing up A.M.H. do you remember...just you and me...the original Gilmore Girls...

You loved to see the new shipments of "Lizzie High's" when they came in when I managed "From the Heart"...

Temperature's in the 70's and below make us SMILE

Nothing made your grandma happier then hearing you play Moonlight Sonata on the piano...you play it so beautifully

This little "chic" should stand out in your memory....she has been in our family for over 25 years...from my days at the "Country Store"....I swear A.M.H.....the best days of my life .....my all time happiest moments... are days that we can spend ...laughing...talking..sewing....anything we do together is always ...BRILLIANT....SO ENJOY YOUR DAY ANGEL...I LOVE YOU.....

Taking Time ....To Try Things On....

When I bought my Net book (I call her Nettie) a year and a half ago...one of the first things my daughter wanted to do for me was find a "SKIN" to have on top to dress her up....we sat looking on her computer at a site that offered hundreds of styles...colors...backgrounds...it was a bit overwhelming....we narrowed it down  when we decided to look at my very favorite thing... flowers...specifically Roses....when I asked her if they had any with pink Roses...we found a Winner right away...she bought this for me  ...I was so excited to put it on ...it felt just right....it was ME....in the same vain.....I have been thinking about my blog...the fact that I'm a Newbie with almost zero computer experience...or knowledge...or understanding of basic skill sets...LET ALONE BLOGGING KNOW HOW...doesn't mean I can't find the perfect fit for.. ME...RIGHT..?..if you have been SO kind in the past 7 months as to follow "A Loblolly Life" then it has been apparent to you that I've been trying new backgrounds....fonts...layouts....writing style's...I have been trying things on to find myself...I want to be me...even when I may feel a little "SCARED"... ..I 've been thinking  recently that as a reader it may be frustrating to stop by Loblolly and find yet another New Look....here's my explanation..I need to LEARN the art of blogging....the only way "I" can do that is to try new things...how to find backgrounds...make buttons...grab text's...etc...etc...You all are so AMAZING with your post's...your insights..talent...it also can be a little overwhelming...similar to the longing we had as teens to HANG OUT WITH THE COOL GIRLS....I wanted to share this with you all to say this....I AM GOING TO EMBRACE this wonderful blogging experience ....I am going to love myself through the learning process...I am going to be smile as I share my heart...I will be brave and dive in....true to the name of my blog ....I will continue to learn even if at times it is off kilter...or Loblolly as I try to find the best fit...my prayer is...that you all will continue to bless me with your visits...comments...and friendship...I am so happy to be here....and very blessed that you all come by to visit..any insight or suggestions you may have would be appreciated........I have included some pictures I thought you might like....I will sign off for now... blessings and  big hugs to each of you.......Karena

You probably can't tell.....but that's me under this pip of a quilt ..."Pondering"...

....SUCH A FACE...

Random Thoughts are OK....Aren't They....

Today has barely started...already my mind is BUZZING....I am all over the place with random thoughts of appreciation...smiles...looking forward to what's coming...I realize the bunny trail I'm on is a little disjointed...but hey aren't random thoughts OK.......if you feel like it come help me start my day...

I loved putting this BOO stake out in the garden this weekend....he didn't scare you ...DID HE....

I told you last week I was going to have my GREAT NIECE.... M...this weekend....I had so much fun with her..at four years old she is a tiny little adult...full of thoughts and ideas of her own...I was enchanted by her all weekend...the minute we went up to the Attic she said.."I'm going to decorate and clean my room"...since we pulled the attic together enough for the fam to share it with us...M has called it HER ROOM...she said "I know not for real GIGI ...but whenever I come to your house it is my room RIGHT...."  M woke up at 5:30 in the morning BRIGHT EYED AND BUSHY TAILED....her first request was to go up into the attic so she could finish her "project"...her words not mine....the  first picture  in this post is of a table  we have next to the bed...she asked if she could decorate it...the only items on the table were the Lamp and the books...she arranged everything else....I took a picture of it because her desire to be creative using her own little artful eye tickled me PINK after she was done decorating the table she found some old Ball jars filled with buttons...such a squeal out of her like she found   gold coins....she asked if she could dump them out on this platter to "ORGANIZE" them...she had hours of fun with the jars of those buttons... we sat on the rug as she showed me each one ......I am so blessed to be her GiGi....

While M was here we moved this wonderful white corner cabinet into the corner of the attic just as you start up the stairs...she tried to help by telling us " THAT LOOKS JUST BEAUTIFUL..IT BRINGS LIGHT INTO THE ROOM"...I think that little one is going to be an artist...

As I woke up Sunday morning the first question my sweetie asked was "Honey do you want to have a fire outside its a perfect temperature for it"....of course my reply was an enthusiastic.... YES....this is my sweetie picking up some leaves    ...as I sat watching the flames dance I started to feel wistful...my mind wandered...upward

The clouds were rolling in...the breeze was blowing...I felt the Holy Spirit landing on my heart...I started counting my blessings ....thanking the Lord for the first fire of fall....for the love of my sweetie....you get the idea...I found this scripture in my devotions that fit my thoughts ....Then the land will yield its harvest, and
God, our God, will bless us, with the beautiful
colors of Fall. ( Psalms 67:7 ) This is because; He has made everything beautiful in its
time. ( Ecclesiastes 3:11 )

The blessing of knowing mother nature has an internal clock is comforting to me ...the consistency of it year after year without fail the seasons fold in and out of one another..reminding us that no matter where we are in our journey...the GREAT I AM...the star hanger....the universe creator is in control...he is passionate about us ...you and I...our family's friends all the faces that belong to us.....THAT IS SOMETHING TO PONDER...I hope you all are starting a truly stellar day ...a Tuesday to remember....I am so thankful you stopped by...I wish you big blessings and hugs ....Karena

Jacket Weather....OH BOY....

ODE' TO OCTOBER...

Good Morning girls.....Well ....I can't believe October is here already it was LOTS COOLER in our neck of the woods this weekend...I even dug my jacket out of my winter trunks it felt SO GOOD...this is a big month in our family...we have my daughters birthday...then mine...all wrapped up on the 31st with Halloween...whew no other month except December "fly's" by as quickly...this time of year always makes me feel like "MAKING SOMETHING" getting creative ...sewing...painting...it is always a month to make a homemade treasure...

I can't take credit for this towel...it was at the "Yankee Candle Co." when I was there recently...but I took the picture of it so I could use it later...it suits my post for today

Sometimes SAVING something homemade is just as important...the chair above was handmade years ago ...probably in the beginning of the last century...we found it at one of our local thrift stores...it's seat was cracked in half...the front legs were almost popped out of their joints...and the cross bar was catiwampus the owner of the store gave it to us when I asked him for a better price...I WAS VERY HAPPY...cause I knew my sweetie could bring this cutie back from the brink of destruction..and  he did...with our friend "Gorilla Glue"....some clamps....and a lot of patience...he mended her beautifully ...now she has an honored spot in our family room...

This picture is a little dark I know but I included it because this throw is something I made last year when I found these chenille rugs at "Dollar General" ...they were so cute I bought one of each design...a turkey....a pumpkin...a cornucopia...and a basket of leaves (you cant see the 4th one)...I sewed them all together to make this throw...it's soft and warm...I love it...the picture above of the books is also something I did a few months ago...I found some old paperbacks for 10 cents at a yard sale..I tore the covers off front and back then grabbed some bits of string a piece of fabric...cut out a picture from a magazine..layered it all together...it looks very sweet sitting on a chair of mine...

This picture of my Cardinal friend has nothing to do with what I have made ....but everything to do with the Creator of creativity...I always look to my heavenly father for inspiration...his handiwork is in everything ...so it seems fitting to close this post with a nod of thanks to him for all he's created...AND for loving us all so much he made us with the gift of thought ...which leads us all to our own creative moments....be blessed today girls...remember you are luxuriously loved...big hugs ..Karena