Happy Birthday To Our Brown Eyed Boy

June 2008

It is hard to believe that eleven years ago today we were blessed to meet our first child. How exciting it was to find out we had a son. He was the son I had hoped for. The first grandson for my husband's parents. We were all thrilled. I can still hear the shrills of excitement coming from outside the delivery room when my husband said, "IT'S A BOY!" What a wonderful baby he was. I remember the way he would melt into our arms. He was so laid back, and easy going. He still has the same personality. He was such a happy baby, and when he smiled it was as if he smiled all over. He still has a great smile, and a great laugh. I remember what a strong baby he was , and how he began walking early at nine months. He is still very strong, and quite the athlete. What a beautiful baby, and now a very handsome young man. I hear on a regular basis compliments on his behavior. He is very thoughtful, and has a great sense of humor and great personality.He makes friends very easily, and is adored by his younger brother, and sister. What a blessing, and pleasure he is! Happy 11th birthday to our brown eyed boy!

Baby Mine

By Ned Washington

Baby mine, don't you cry./Baby mine, dry your eyes./Rest your head close to my heart,never to part,baby of mine./Little one when you play,/don't you mind what they say./Let those eyes sparkle and shine,/never a tear,baby of mine./If they knew sweet little you/they'd end up loving you too./All of those people who scold you/what they'd give just for the right to hold you./From your head down to your toes,/you're not much, goodness knows./But you're so precious to me,/sweet as can be,/baby of mine./If they knew sweet little you,/they'd end up loving you too./All those same people who scold you,/what they'd give just for the right to hold you./From your head down to your toes/you're not much, goodness knows./But you're so precious to me,/sweet as can be,/baby of mine./Baby of mine.

Moving

1. 1. Rent Storage Facility ( Done)


2. 2. Master Bedroom ( Packed/ Stored)


3. 3. Master Bath ( Packed/Stored)


4. Daughter's Room ( Packed/Stored)


5. Son's Room (Packed/Stored)


6. Hall Bath (Packed/Stored)


7. Linen Closet (Packed/Stored)


8. Living Room ( Packed/Stored)


9. Office (Packed/Stored)


10. Kitchen (Packed/Stored)


11. Dining Room (Packed/Stored)


12. Laundry Room (Packed/Stored)


13. Garage (Packed/Stored)


14. Deck ( Packed/ Stored)


15. Call Doctors, Utilities, Cable, Bank, Mail( Done)


16. Farewell Tour ( Sorry we couldn't fit everyone in.) Enjoyed all the friends that stopped in to let us know we would be missed. Your friendship is a blessing, and we will look foward to seeing you again.) Athens will always hold a special place in our hearts because of you!
    
    
    

Fabulous,Fun, Flip Flops For the Fourth

One simple pair of flip flops........
a little work.........

and you will have these FABULOUS, FUN, FLIP FLOPS for the FOURTH!

What fun it is to have a little girl to dress up. I have seen several girls sporting these cute as a button flip flops, and after getting a few good looks at them I decided to try my hand at creating a pair for my girly girl. They are easy as pie to make, and will add that EXTRA SOMETHING to any little girl's outfit. I have made this pair to go with my daughter's Fourth of July outfit.

You will need a variety of ribbon. I chose red,white, and blue colored ribbon in a variety of designs and widths. A pair of flip flops that coordinate with ribbon, and a pair of scissors.

1. Cut pieces of ribbons of various widths into strips measuring 4 1/2 or 5 inches in length.


2. Tie strips in tight knots around the plastic straps, making sure the strips are close together with no space in between them.


3. Continue alternating pattern and widths until you have the thong part of the flip flop covered.
   
4. If needed, and to suit your style trim ribbons to a shorter length.

In a short time you have created a very cute pair of flip flops your daughter will love. Now that you know how to make these you can experiment with other ribbon choices that will match other outfits that are hanging in your daughter's closet.

One Of The Reasons I Love Summer

Queen Ann's Lace All Dressed Up For Independence Day

July fourth is just around the corner, and as with any holiday my mind has been swirling with new simple decorating ideas for our home. For this table centerpiece all you will need is some Queen Ann's Lace, red and blue food coloring, several glasses, water and rubber gloves. If you are blessed to live in the country ,or have some open fields nearby you should have no problem finding these wildflowers. I found mind along the roadside. The kids will love getting in on this fun project, and will feel excited to see something they helped make take center stage on the family table!

1. Using sharp scissors collect your Queen Ann's Lace by cutting stems at an angle.(I cut them long, and trimmed later.)If possible have a pitcher filled with water with you so you can keep them as fresh as possible.



2. Once home fill three vases with a little water. Add red food coloring to one, and blue to the other. I used quite a bit of food coloring, especially the red. Keep one plain for the flowers that will remain white.



3. Divide your flowers according to how many red, white , and blue ones you want. Cut at an angle to your desired length.



4. Add flowers to vases.



5. Let the flowers stand in colored water for several hours. The colored water will absorb up the stem and be deposited into the flowers. ( The longer you keep them in the colored water the deeper the color will become.)



6. Now arrange them in the vase of your choice. These would look lovely on a buffet table, or as a center piece.They even look nice in several vases lined up down the center of a table.

*The blue will be more vivid in color then the red. In order to reach desired red color you may need to dip actual flower head into red food coloring, and water mixture. Do this near your kitchen sink. Gently shake off access, and gently pat with paper towel.

For more information on these lovely wildflowers click the links below.

http://www.auburn.edu/~deancar/wfnotes/q_a_lace.htm
http://lace.lacefairy.com/Fun/QueenAnnsLace.html

Extraordinary Moments On Clover Hill

"You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:7

When I was a little girl there was a song that we sang nearly every week in Sunday school. I remember it was quite popular, and we had hand movements that went with the words. I remember singing it out in my very best voice and making sure to do the hand movements just right. Of course this same song could really get the boys pretty rowdy and worked up with all the building, and splatting that went on in the song. All us good little girls in the class would pass each other looks of disgust and eye rolls. The good girls knew what these eye rolls meant. Boys are So stupid! Why must they let them come to Sunday school!

Well, what got me thinking about this song was watching my little girl playing with her building blocks with her mamaw on a recent visit. As they started to build, my mom began explaining to her how important it is to have a strong foundation. I couldn’t help but smile because I knew what she was doing. She was taking a simple everyday moment and making it extraordinary by teaching a biblical parable to her granddaughter. She continued to explain to her how the wise man built his house on the rock, and then she began singing the song to her. My oldest son overheard this, and ever since the visit when my little girl gets her blocks out to play he is quick to remind her that she needs a strong foundation. This half an hour of time spent with their mamaw was priceless. It is a reminder to me that it is the EVERYDAY moments that we can teach them the most. That is why it is so important to spend time with our children, and if they are blessed to have godly grandparents, to make sure they can spend time with them. We need to pray for these opportunities and use them to train our children up in the Lord. It is also a reminder to grandparents that they do make a positive difference in their grandchildren’s lives, and especially when they are adding to a godly rearing. It reinforces what they are being taught. I am so thankful that my children have grandparents that are truly interested in adding to the firm foundation that we are trying to lay for them.

© Alana T. 2008

The Wise Man Built His House Upon The Rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock,/The wise man built his house upon the rock,/The wise man built his house upon the rock,/And the rains came tumbling down!
The rains came down /and the floods came up,/The rains came down/ and the floods came up/,The rains came down/ and the floods came up,/And the house on the rock stood firm.


The foolish man built his house upon the sand,/The foolish man built his house upon the sand,/The foolish man built his house upon the sand,/And the rains came tumbling down!/
The rains came down/ and the floods came up,/The rains came down/ and the floods came up,/The rains came down /and the floods came up,/And the house on the sand went SPLAT!

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ/,So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,/So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,/And the blessings will come down.

The blessings come down as the prayers go up,/The blessings come down as the prayers go up,/The blessings come down as the prayers go up,/So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Happy Fathers Day

Daddy and His Treasures

Daddy's Favorite Strawberry Pie

Cherry Delight

"To her the name of father was another name for love." Fanny Fern

I ran across the above quote in a little keepsake book that rests on a bookshelf in our home. I am so blessed to be able to relate to the quote so very well. The only thing I might have changed in the quote is the word father. You see growing up another name for love was daddy, and it still is. My daddy was a wonderful daddy. He made me feel like a treasure. As I have grown older I have read, and heard many times over the importance of fathers to be truly committed to their sons and daughters. I've read how important it is for them to instill a sense of value in them by setting a side time to spend with them, and that in doing so it would help them grow up to feel valued and loved, and not having to seek love in the wrong places.

I couldn't agree more, and am so thankful I had a daddy who instilled in me that feeling of self worth. Thank you daddy!

Now as a wife and mother it has been so wonderful to see my husband also doing it right. I see him on a daily basis building this value in our children . He is so unselfish and giving to us. He always makes time to make memories with our children, and to tell them that he loves them. He is such a great example to the boys of what it means to be a godly man. To show each of them by example how important prayer, and spending time in God's word is. I know this will bless future generations. I know our daughter is learning what it means to be valued and loved just as I did as a girl, and that too will serve her very well as she grows into a woman. Now that I'm talking about my husband I can't forget to mention the excellent example that his father was. I wouldn't have the husband I have if he had not been the loving father that he was. I am so thankful my husband was blessed to grow up in a loving, godly home.

I wanted to honor these men here today, and let them know how much they are loved! Happy Father's Day to three great men!

In honor of you I wanted to share some of your favorite dessert recipes.

My Daddy's Favorite Strawberry Pie ( My husband likes this too!)

1 ready made pie crust ( I like the deep dish crust.)
1lb strawberries ( cut stems off, wash and slice)
1 1/3 cups of sugar

4 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/3 cups of water

1 teaspoon margarine

Bake pie crust according to package directions. Set aside.

In a medium sauce pan add water and sugar.

Mix 4 tablespoons of cornstarch with a little HOT water to dissolve.( I stir briskly with a fork.) Add this to water and sugar mixture, and bring to a boil. Let it boil stirring vigorously until it thickens.

Once it is thick add a few drops of red food coloring and teaspoon of margarine. Stir. Pour sliced capped berries into pan and stir to coat berries with red filling.Pour into baked pie crust, chill until it is set. Serve with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Cherry Delight ( For my husband , and his daddy.)

2 cups of crushed vanilla wafers

1 stick of melted butter (margarine)

1 large pack cream cheese (8oz.)

3/4 cup of sugar

1 cup of milk

2 envelopes Dream Whip

1 or 2 cans Cherry Pie Filling

Mix vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle half of mixture in bottom of a 13 x 9 pan.( it will not cover bottom of pan completely) Cream together cheese, sugar, milk and dream whip. Beat with mixer until stiff. Spread half on crust. Then spread cherry pie filling and remaining dream whip mix on top. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs and chill 24 hours.

* This recipe came from my wonderful mother in law, and is delicious!

Our Flag Day Baby Turns Eight

June 14,2008

Flag Day is a special day here on Clover Hill not only because it is a special day devoted to our flag , but because it is my mom's and second born son's birthday. Seems like yesterday my husband and I met our beautiful second born. He really was a beautiful baby. I heard for several years from complete strangers what a beautiful LITTLE GIRL I had despite the VERY boyish clothes I dressed him in. He came into this world red faced and angry. He seemed quite mad with the whole birthday experience. He is my only child that got his daddy's blue eyes, and is the most like him of all. It is fitting that he was born on Flag Day for he is very patriotic, and loves American history. I will never forget what this little old lady said that used to work at a little antique shop I used to frequent. She came over and was admiring him, and in a very matter of a fact way she said while looking into my eyes," He is going to do great things when he grows up." Still sends chills up my spine. He has been a delight to us, and is loved very much by his brother and little sister. Happy 8th Birthday to our blue eyed boy! What a blessing you are.

Beautiful Boy by John Lennon

Close your eyes /Have no fear /The monster's gone/ He's on the run /and your daddy's here /Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy/ Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy/

Before you go to sleep /Say a little prayer /Every day in every way /It's getting better/ and better/ Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy /Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy/ Out on the ocean /sailing away/ I can hardly wait /To see you come of age/ But i guess we'll both just have to be patient/ 'cause it's a long way to go/ A hard row to hoe /Yes it's a long way to go /But in the meantime /Before you cross the street/ Take my hand /Life is what happens to you/ While you're busy making other plans/ Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy /Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy/ Before you go to sleep/ Say a little prayer /Every day /in every way/ It's getting better and better /Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Beautiful boy /Darling, darling, darling Darling boy.

Clover Hill Crafts for Father's Day

What fun it is to create special gifts for people we love, and since Father's day is Sunday I spent some time with my children creating these wonderful little cards to give their daddy. I have to give credit to Family Fun Magazine for inspiring me. The shirt card idea third from left came directly from their fantastic web site, but the other three my children and I dreamed up. They all are very simple to make especially if you have some extra scrapbooking paper around.

Bow Tie Card

Scissors, Paper, and Glue is all you need for this project.

*Start by cutting a 12"x 3 1/2 " rectangle from the paper of your choice.

* Fold the rectangle in half.

*Now it is time to cut your bow tie shape. Use a pencil to draw a soft guide line that you can follow as you cut. When you are satisfied with your guide lines you can start to cut.

* Your card should now have a bow tie shape. Now cut a 2" x 4" rectangle from your paper. Wrap this piece around the center of the bow tie cover, and secure on the back with glue.

Tie Card

*Start by cutting a 12" x 3" rectangle from paper.

* Fold rectangle in half.

* Now it is time to cut tie shape. You may want to draw some guide lines to follow while cutting.

*Once you have a your tie shape it is time to cut a trapezoid shape for the knot of the tie. Glue this in place. If you wanted you could even buy a tie tack to give as a gift, and attach it to the tie card.

Pants

*You need a 12"x 4" rectangle.

* Fold this in half.

*Lightly draw inside pant leg lines and cut out.

*Use a marker to add pockets, belt loops, and cuffs.

I hope you will try these ideas. If you do let me know how they turn out. Have fun!

Flag Etiquette Refresher

Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.
Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right...The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger...No other flag ever should be placed above it...The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

New Old Glory

Since Flag Day is Saturday we purchased a brand new flag to fly at Clover Hill. My honey was kind enough to hang the bracket for me. I am so thankful that I can call the Stars and Stripes my flag. How blessed we are to live in the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

Clover Chains A Simple Pleasure

My four year old daughter is quite the busy little bee at Clover Hill. She has inherited the crafting gene from several very creative relatives as well as me. She loves to busy herself creating a new masterpiece. We both were inspired by a visit from her mamaw ( my mother) who created clover chain jewelry for her to wear. We have shared some mom and daughter time since mamaw's visit gathering and making these simple creations together. They are very pretty, and so simple to make. There are several methods for creating these chains. I will share the simple knot method mamaw uses.

*Find a patch of clovers with an abundant supply of flowers. Choose two flowers to begin with.( flower A and flower B) Flowers with long stems are the easiest to work with.

*Hold flower A in one hand ,and carefully tie the end of the stem of flower B to the stem of flower A. There is no need for a fancy knot. A basic knot works just fine.

*Before you tighten the knot, pull it up to the base of the blossom of flower A. Now tighten the knot so that it is held in place by the bloom of flower A.

*Continue this pattern for as long as you want. When you reach your desired length knot each end together.

Now you have created not only something beautiful to wear, but beautiful memories as well.

Welcome To Clover Hill

I have been interested in blogging for quite a while now, and now that we are taking a summer break from our formal studies I finally decided to take the plunge. I hope I can make Clover Hill a place many will want to visit. Take your shoes off and sit a spell at Clover Hill.