All posts in category Family

Some Things That Make My Heart Smile

Just wanted to share a few more things that add joy to my life.

Backyard in summer time.  Ready for BBQing and swimming.

 

Backyard hibiscus

Roses in front yard of my son’s house.

 Next cake which is much much better than the last one.

 Flowers we learned in cake decorating class last week.

And my favorite.  This is my great-grandson, 2 year old Deegan and his Daddy, Ryan.

Deegan was misbehaving and is getting a serious talking to!  I love the look on his face, so serious, but listening to every word.

Hubby always tells me that it doesn’t take much to make me happy.  I think it’s because I’ve spent time in both “unhappiness” and “happiness” and  I must say,. happiness gets my vote.  It’s a choice I make each and every day.  Like I always say – Life is ALWAYS Good no matter what might be showing up at the moment.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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11 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on May 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Food, Gratitude, Holidays, Inspiration, Joy, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on May 12, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/some-things-that-make-my-heart-smile/

Mother’s Day Tablescape

I’m very happy to make my Mother’s Day tablescape in honor of my mother.  She has been gone now 25 years, but I can still hear her voice and see her smile.  My mother was extraordinary.  Her life was devoted to her family.  She always tried to make things special for each of her children and grandchildren.  I remember her at the sewing machine for hours on end when I was a little girl, making all my school clothes and clothes for all my dolls.  She also loved the horses, racing that is.  She asked her minister if she could tithe her winnings.  He said yes, absolutely!  My mother was very lucky too, hm… interesting.

I am fortunate to have received her china.  I don’t know how old it is, but I remember it all my life and I’m 62.  It is plain, white with 24 carat gold rim.  Mother like to use color with her white china.  Today I’m using gold.  I picked it because gold is a treasure, just like my mom.

 

I chose a linen while table cloth to cover the table and then a delightful gold smaller table cloth that is so very beautiful.

It is one of my treasure I got from the Goodwill store along with the vase, the napkins,the gold chargers and the stemware.

You can’t really see the label on the dishes, but it says

Royal Continental from Germany.

 Of course I got both sets of my napkins at the Goodwill too.  The napkin rings are from Steinmart.

These gold napkins are simply gorgeous.  I couldn’t wait to use them.

Here is my Mother’s Day cake.  Not perfect by any means, it’s only my third cake since I’ve started cake decorating classes.

I enjoyed making it just the same.

I have been scouring the Goodwills for a beautiful cake plate and haven’t had any luck yet.

In the meantime, I have many beautiful crystal plates that were my mother’s so

of course I used this lovely plate for the cake.

I love fresh flowers on my table, but this time it’s just JoAnn’s fakery!

 They still are very beautiful.

 I’m very proud of my 5th tablescape.  I think I caught the bug!   I’m hooked on tablescapes!  I hope you enjoyed my very simple, but I think elegant table.

I will be celebrating with Let’s Dish at Cuisine Kathleen and

 Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life 

21 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on May 9, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Inspiration, Joy, Tablescaping, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on May 9, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/mothers-day-tablescape/

Hobbies

Well, I promised pictures no matter what they looked like!

On Monday night I went to my first cake decorating class.  I took this same course about a year ago and didn’t do too well.  So I’m trying again.  Tonight there was a lot of instruction on making the proper icing for the cake, for the flowers and for other decorations.  We learned lots of little hints that I didn’t hear about last time, so I’m feeling good about this instructor.

We only used one decorator tip for making stars.  We practiced and then applied our “skill” on cookies.  We were told to bring six.  I bought 12 because I knew I needed a little extra help.  Yes, I said bought.  I wanted them to be round and not the strange shapes my “round” cookies turn into.  We also learned a tip for getting round cookies!

Anyway, here are my results.  I’m so glad I can’t hear you laughing at my mess!

Those top two are my attempt at bunny ears!!

 

 

I tried to make them pretty by putting them under glass. 

Next week we are to bring in a cake (which I will bake) to decorate.

 I might have bitten off more than I can chew though.  Hubby and I are in the midst of taking this great class on prosperity at church.  Since next week will be our 10th and final class, we were asked if any of us wanted to bring a treat for a little party.  I said I would bring my cake that I will be decorating.  Gosh I hope it looks okay.  I’m pretty sure it will taste good though and luckily there will be other yummy desserts too.

A few posts ago I showed you the fabric I got for my spring table runner. It went much faster on my second attempt at quilting. I cut out everything and I’ve completed two of the five squares. I have to sew the other three together. Here’s what they look like so far.

 

 

  It’s really going to be pretty I think.  I’ll take pictures when I finish it and post them.

Since my family is coming in tonight for the week,  I might be too busy to post for a few days.  So, I’m wishing you all a very joyous Easter filled with lots and lots of love, friendship and great food.

16 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on April 4, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Family, Food, Holidays, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on April 4, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/hobbies/

More Easter Stuff

Hubby and I volunteer at church every Thursday.  We are actually called “Service Angels.”  Generally we fold the handout for church the following Sunday.  We usually have about 10-15 people show up so it doesn’t take long.  We have to tri-fold 1500 handouts.  We also do anything else that might be needed in bulk.  We stuff envelopes, well, just all kinds of things.

This week we stuffed Easter eggs for the children’s Easter Egg hunt.

 Some of those darn little eggs wouldn’t close!

 We expect about 500 children so our little fingers were working as fast as they could.

We loaded container after container.  I can’t wait until Saturday to see how the kids do.

 So I already posted my Easter tablescape, but here are some of my little decorations around the house.

I got this cute little Easter tablecloth at the Goodwill (of course).

Actually, I got the basket, the crystal candy bowl and the beautiful  spring candle holder at the Goodwill too.

The Lennox vase we got as a wedding gift.  The little bunny came from Walmart.

 This cute little table is the first thing you see in my entry way coming into the front door.

This shelf below, which I just painted, holds some of my cute decorative plates.  It is just above this little table.

 

 I also wanted to show you my new candle holders I got, guess where from!!!

Yep you are right, the Goodwill!

These are on my counter by my table.

Aren’t they pretty!

 Well that’s about it as pictures go.

I’m so excited for tomorrow because my son and daughter in law, Brian and Linda, are coming for the week.  The Saturday before Easter, another of my sons, David, will be coming for the week.  Their visits are going to overlap so we can all get to spend Easter together.  They are bringing with them three granddogs for the visit.  Sugar and Meeka love it when their furfriends arrive.

 Life is certainly GOOD!

6 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on April 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Holidays, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on April 3, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/more-easter-stuff/

St. Patrick’s Day Table

Posting my second tablescape!  I’m so new at this – I know my pictures could stand a little work and my table, well it could use some work too, but I’m having fun with what I have and that’s all that matters, right?

I set a table for four.  Yes, I know the picture could be better.  I can’t believe I didn’t get it centered.

 My bowls, napkins, candlesticks, crocheted table runner and tablecloth all came from the Goodwill store (and the prices were right.)

My little bucket, flowers, beads and chargers came from Michael’s.

I made my napkin rings from St. Pat’s garland I had.  I added the little buttons because we were having house guests that included two little boys who I thought might like to have them.

I thought the table looked cute.  I made the little bows on the orange candles because I had some St. Pat’s ribbon.

 I made some goodies for the kids, cake pops and candy which they LOVED so that made me happy.

Mmmm, yummy!

I hope you all have a great St. Patrick’s Day.

23 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on March 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Family, Food, Holidays, Inspiration

Posted by Ellen Beeton on March 15, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/st-patricks-day-table/

Cats and More Fun!!

Just got home from California again.  This time Hubby and I both went.  It was a quick trip, but we packed in quite a bit.

Friday night we went to Granddaughter, Summer’s first school play, Cats.

If I do say so myself, she was adorable.

How could anyone not love that adorable kitten??

 

Summer is a student at Encore High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

It is a great school that combines the regular academic curriculum with these types of arts.

Summer is in the 8th grade, so over then next four years we will probably be heading out to California for several plays and concerts. 

Our family took up most of the front row.

An added bonus for me was that I got to see my granddaughter, Melissa who is carrying my great-grandtwins.

Now that’s one pretty mama!!

We spent Saturday at daughter, Karla’s house and played games most of the day which was topped off by a fantastic BBQ.  Yummy yummy.

On Sunday we celebrated daughter-in-law, Shannon’s birthday.  Monday we drove home.

For those of you who might be wondering – Sugar Plum is doing so much better.   We took Sugar and Meeka with us because they love to visit all their fur-cousins.  Sugar played just like her old self.

So today is back to our regular routine which is always welcome – but not for long.  We are having company coming on Friday for the weekend.  We live in the midst of baseball spring training land.  Lots of games to go to next weekend.  Excited because I love baseball.  I want you to know that I really appreciate all of you who come to visit and leave comments.  Until next time….

11 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on March 6, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Joy, Pets, Travel

Posted by Ellen Beeton on March 6, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/cats-and-more-fun/

Doing a little this, a little that.

I feel like I haven’t blogged in so very long, yet it’s only been about 10 days.  Time does fly when you are busy busy!

I made a quick trip to California to visit some of my grandchildren.  I actually went to southern California and picked up our daughter Karla and granddaughter Katrina.

Here is a cute picture of Katrina showing us her new engagement ring!

We drove up to northern California to visit daughter Jan and granddaughters Jessica, Elena and Ghianna.

Here is a cute picture of Elena, Jessica and Ghianna.

 We talked until our voices were hoarse.  So much fun.  It was just a short “girl” trip that was not long enough.

The day after I came home  I had to take Sugar Plum to have her dental work done.  She has not been feeling well.  Notwithstanding the Valley Fever, she has been nauseated and just lethargic and not wanting to play.  I just blogged about it recently.  When Sugar Plum doesn’t want to play tug o’ war, I know something is wrong.

 

 I had been told on her last check up last summer that we should be thinking about some dental work and certainly a teeth cleaning.  I was putting it off because it’s so expensive.  That is a no no!  I found that out the hard way.   What originally was going to take a little over an hour ended up taking about four hours.  Also, what was supposed to cost $375 came to just a hair under $900!  She had to have six teeth pulled, two of which had broken off and the gums had healed over.  The roots had to be extracted and they were so tiny and very brittle.  They kept breaking and were very hard to get out.  She had already lost eight other teeth, so with the six that were pulled I was afraid that she would not be able to eat again!  Who knew that dogs have 40 teeth!  Well, she had a rough time, but I’m happy to say that she is feeling much better today.

So now on to this week.  Believe it or not, we are heading off for another quick trip to California on Friday.  Our granddaughter, Summer is in her school play, Cats.  We can’t miss that.  So I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes.  We will only be gone a few days.

I have another sewing lesson tomorrow.  I will be posting pictures of my project once I get it fixed.  If you remember, I’m making a Christmas wall hanging.  I sewed all my squares and triangles together and we should be putting it together and quilting it tomorrow.  BUT, I somehow sewed in three  triangles backwards or upside down or sideways or something, because they are wrong.  I’m pretty sure I’ll be spending most of my lessons fixing my mistakes.  Oh well, I bet I won’t make that mistake again.

I hope you all have a very blessed week.

19 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on February 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Family, Joy, Pets, Travel, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on February 28, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/doing-a-little-this-a-little-that/

Some Things are Better in Pairs

For instance –

Candlesticks

How about double waterfalls in Washington State

and in Hawaii

 How about cute little kittens

 Maybe two little girls fishing

 Maybe double flower baskets at Banff Springs Hotel

  How about a pair of adorable shih tzus

Even two identical Goofy alarm clocks

Two spires on a church in Montana

 Or in Quebec Canada

Or even two adorable boxer granddogs

Or….. how about the very best pair of all

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!


I know it’s not too clear

But yes, IT’S TWIN GREAT GRANDBABIES!

and they are coming my way in September.

29 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on February 18, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Gratitude, Joy, Life Changes, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on February 18, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/some-things-are-better-in-pairs/

Life Lessons and Other Stuff

I don’t really have any special photos that go with this blog post, so I’m just going to drop in pictures that either make me happy or make me feel at peace.

 I had one of those days Thursday that thankfully come few and far between at this point in my life.  I was just mad at the world.  Nothing was going my way and everything and everybody irritated me.

Even these two little sweeties.

What made it worse is that I know how my attitude for the day affects my day,  and I still couldn’t shake it.

Turns out, it didn’t matter where I went or what I did, a couple of life’s lessons were waiting for me.  Now don’t get me wrong, I already thought I had learned these lessons (she says sheepishly).

I WAS BEING JUDGMENTAL!

I thought I had that one completely under control, ha ha.  But the Universe wanted me to realize that I was completely out of control by putting things right smack in front of me that I needed to see.

 (Ah, now there’s peace to me.  Our front yard in Missouri)

Anyway, I was just running around judging everyone and especially those judgmental folks that kept popping into my life.  I went to a class at church and lo and behold, it was on the perils of being judgmental!

Okay, so now that I’m irritated at everyone, I’m not feeling very loving and kind – which is my normal nature.  I’m even disgusted with myself at this point.  I’m not being very forgiving either.

I tell Hubby, it’s not you, it’s me, but please just don’t speak to me because you irritate me!  He knew it wasn’t him so he just left me alone so I could work this out.  He’s really good that way.  He doesn’t take it personally at all.  Of course that irritated me at the time because I really did want it to be all his fault.  (Oh my!)

(Freshly baked cookies always make me happy.)

Okay, so now I decide to go through the checkbook and I find a $122 error and NOT in my favor.  Well, it doesn’t matter what else happened, just know that it wasn’t a great day.  My attitude was NOT shifting!  I was on the downward spiral and sinking fast!

Anyway, I decided to read and wouldn’t you know it, I picked up one of my spiritual books which was just sitting there by my chair.   Without realizing it, I opened to the section on Love and Forgiveness.  Oh my gosh.  I wasn’t ready to give up my lousy attitude at that point – but I had NO choice!  The Universe was yelling at me!

I succumbed.

I read, I felt myself mellowing.  I was feeling better but yet still bruised and battered from my day.

I told Hubby that I think some comfort food is in order.  He asked me what I wanted because he so wanted me to be happy again.  (Did I say he is great?)  He is naming off things like a big juicy hamburger, maybe some chocolate, maybe pizza?

You know what I ended up getting?  You won’t believe it, McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies.   Before you laugh, have you tried them?  You would think your mother made them.  Really!

I”m feeling much more like myself again.  I have learned, however, that I do not graduate the course “Getting it all Together.”  It’s just an ongoing process that never ends.  You know, that’s okay.  Feeling pretty much at peace right now.

23 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on February 4, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Gratitude, Inspiration, Joy, Life Changes, Pets

Posted by Ellen Beeton on February 4, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/life-lessons-and-other-stuff/

Introducing Chi Chi Marie Johnson

Meet my new great granddog, Chi Chi Marie Johnson – our newest addition.

Yes, she makes quite a fashion statement.

With Daddy.

I love my Daddy.

My Mommy too.

My big brother too.  He shares my bed with me.

Sometimes we just nap on the couch.

Yes, I’m adorable. 

22 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on January 17, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Joy, Pets

Posted by Ellen Beeton on January 17, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/introducing-chi-chi-marie-johnson/

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