The Day, They Went on a Train Ride . . .

Today, we kicked off the first day of Spring Break by visiting the North Alabama Railroad Museum.  We felt it would be a perfect day to go on a train excursion, about 10 miles roundtrip.  It has turned cold here with highs in the upper 60s and very windy.


The kids and I were goofing around inside the passenger car.  I had a good time, watching my kids experiencing this moment.  Katie got a little bored after 30 minutes of the ride, but Colton seemed to enjoy looking out the window.  I mean just the thought of riding "Thomas the Tank Engine" or that's what Colton thought we were riding.  LOL!  That's all he has talked about for the past several days, "I wanna ride Thomas."  He may have been bashful when it came to the conductors coming around to each passenger, but overall I think he liked it.


We rode a very old historic train at a very historic railroad depot.  The Mercury & Chase Railroad Depot, we were told, was the smallest of depots in Historic Huntsville Branch of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis railway.  One of the passenger cars was made in 1939 for the Pennsylvania Railway. On our little excursion, we had 2 passenger cars, baggage car that was an ex-Southern Railway unit and is now used as an observation and souvenir car, the dining car that was once an Army hospital car during WWII.  The conductor and engineers running this operation appeared to be a group of retired railroad staff.



Conductors were coming and going, entertaining the passengers and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves.  Below is Conductor Jack and the kids.  He tried his best to get Colton to warm up to him.  He was so sweet and a big jokester.  You can really tell these older gentlemen really enjoyed their job and  telling their stories.  Very interesting and educational.  I hope the children will remember the day, they went on a train ride.



Waiting for the train to depart from the depot.


Waiting to board the train


Not that I've been around several locomotives, but are they suppose to smoke this bad?  LOL!  Our trip was delayed a little because the engineers had to switch engines, in order to pull the cars.  When they started up this engine, the smoke was just pouring out.  We all looked at each other and began laughing.  Peggy was worried if we were going to make the trip or not.  Of course, Doug and I began the snide comments like "oh, it's just 10 miles, we can walk it." "We may not make it 10 miles."  LOL!  Too funny.    Doug feels that the neighboring communities like having the train go past their house because with all the smoke, it might get rid of the mosquitos.  LOL!


Waiting patiently to get this excursion on it's way.





For more information about the North Alabama Railroad Museum, CLICK HERE!

Doug and I were talking about maybe visiting the Chattanooga railway.  They offer 4 hour roundtrip train rides.  What interested Doug was that around Christmastime, they have a special Polar Express ride with Santa.  He thought the kids would love that and I have to agree.  Besides, the mountains should look beautiful at that time.

Don't forget:

• Bloomin' Festival is going on this weekend Sat. & Sun.  at St. Bernard Prep School.  This is there main fundraising for the school.  I really wanted to go this year, but with the cold temps and Colton's allergies.  I'm afraid, we'll have to pass this year.  
• Wednesday, Bo Jackson will be peddling through Cullman. Yes, on bike.  He will be signing autographs at Hibbett's Sporting Goods.  
• April 27th - 1 year anniversary when the tornadoes ripped up the South.  There will be a special concert "Rock the South" at Heritage Park.  Special guests will be Dierks Bentley and Kellie Pickler.  You will also have an opportunity to meet a few former Alabama "Bama" football players like David Palmer and Antonio Langham.  For ticket information, CLICK HERE!

 

Photo Trees with Details

I wanted to repost Leslie Bridal Shower table displays because I was in a hurray the first time.  I had also noticed that Blogger and Photobucket had made some changes that I had to get reacquainted with their tools.  

I made the two photo tree vases decorations for the my niece's bridal shower.  They were very easy to make and were the talk of the shower.  It was a unique way to display all the photos I took of her and her fiancé.  I feel it is a little more organized rather than tables and stacks of framed engagement pictures.  

The theme color was pool, so I had to put on my creative thinking cap.  The vases were loaned to me by my sister, but she purchased them from Hobby Lobby.  The retail price is $27, but she was able to get them half off.  These vases are pretty tall, as you can see.  I needed a heavy filler so they would not fall over, but nothing to easily break the glass.  Whitney and I both were thinking aquarium pebbles.  Perfect! I used a big bag and one half to fill it half way.  

The branches that allow the photos to hang, I purchased from Hobby Lobby.  I used one bunch per vase.  Retail price for the bunch is $7.99, but I paid half price. I had some silver spray paint and painted the branches, after I snipped them apart.  Working with the branches, you really have to just play and make it as evenly fanned out as possible (snipping a little off and repositioning).  I cut strips of wide iridescent tulle and stuck down as I worked with the branches.  

The tulle is used to cover up the ends of the branches.  Once the sticks/branches are in place and where you want them, I purchased a spool of silk matching ribbon (3"). 

Feed the ribbon threw the rhinestone buckles and wrap around the mid-section of the vase, between the pebbles and tulle.  Cut the length of ribbon that you need.  In order to tack the ribbon to the vases, I sprayed a little spray adhesive glue on the inside of the ribbon (will face the vase).  Position the ribbon where you need it.  Make sure the buckle is in the front center and smooth the ribbon down as much as you can.  The ribbon must meet evenly in the back.  You may have to play with it a few times, to get it just right.  Don't worry, the adhesive makes the ribbon tacky.  So can take it apart as much as you need to get it perfect for your vase.  Now your beautiful  photo tree is nearly complete.  Just add photos. 

I cut my black and white photos into 3" circles.  Make sure there will be even numbered of photos because I took two photos after they are cut and glued the backs together.  I made a total number of 18 sets of circle photos (9 photo circle per vase).  It was just right and not too cluttered.  I punched flower shaped holes on the top of each circle and thread some matching ribbon (1/2-1" wide).  Tie a pretty bow at the end because it will be in view.  Hang the small photo circles all over in an even setting.  I found some cascading pearl garland to decorate and I think it added the perfect touch.

My niece loved them and will be using them for her reception at the wedding, which made my day.  I love it when some one really likes my madness.  LOL!    

Simple, Easy and Elegant.   

 

I was also in charge of the fruit platter.  I had planned to do the simple everyday big platter filled with assorted fruits.  That is until I saw a picture of my cousin-in-law's post of her mother's fruit display for a baby shower that Laura was hosting.  Brilliant!  It just so happened that I have an extra large cake plate and a regular size.  I always use them as tiers for my desserts at family gatherings.  I was thinking, this can be done at the last minute.  

What you see above was easily done.  I used a long silver serving tray, small silver bowl and two cake plates (1 regular & 1 extra large sizes).  The silver tray is straight out front with the bowl inside to the left side.  I couldn't put the cake plate inside the tray without it taking up too much room.  I needed all the room I could get because we were expecting 50+ people to show.  So, I stood the extra large cake plate just behind the tray.  The regular cake plate is on top and to the right side of the extra large plate.  I filled up the extra large cake plate first because it would keep things stable.  

I used a fresh pineapple.  Cut it in half, set the top part to the side, put the inside pineapple meat to the side.  Hole out the bottom part of the pineapple.  Make gig-gags along the top.  The fruit I used: oranges, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, seedless grapes (cut into small clusters), cantaloupe, and pineapple.  I placed lettuce leaves down on the plates and tray before setting the fruit out.  My friend, Robin, brought a bunch of material to decorate the table and we thought it would look great threaded around the plates and tray for display.  I'm sorry, but it really added a decorator touch.

Enjoy!  

   

Just Something to Ponder . . .

 

Normally, Katie loves her Fridays.  At school, they have their fun day and NO homework.  Yesterday was a great day for Katie because we drove around trying to find her classmate's house, so she can attend his birthday party.  When we got home, her and Colton played outside, while I cleaned out flowerbeds.  When Doug came home from work, he laid down on the trampoline and let the kids waller all over him.  It wasn't long when our neighbor kids come to pay us a visit.  I had to go do a few errands and when I got back, Katie's friends went home.  She and Colton wanted to go out for some ice cream, so we loaded up again and headed to DQ.  It's great being a kid.  

I picked up a Brain Quest workbook for this Summer, so Katie can keep up with what he has learned this past year and get a head start for next Fall.  I schemed through the books and decided that I needed to get Second Grade workbook because it had everything Katie's learned this past year and just a little more like multiplication, hundreds value placement, double digit addition and subtraction.  Overall, I think we are set for this Summer.  

Katie's been telling me jokes for the past few months.  Between you and me, there not very good.  She tries and I love her for it.  I came across a joke book just for girls.  All last night, she followed us around the house reading us jokes from this book.  HAHA!  I did the same thing when I was her age or older.  I bugged the stew out of my mom and sisters with the jokes.  Now, I can only remember a hand full of them.  Now, Katie can do the same thing.  I just love it that she's reading and having fun with it.  

I heard on the radio that Lowe's was having a sale on their Preen mulch, $3.50 a bag.  As soon as I get my flowerbeds fixed, we plan to get some.  I love the Preen because it helps to keep down the weeds.  I've also been thinning out my beds.  My sister is suppose to come by Sunday and we are going to take some lilies, monkey grass and Pompus grass over to her house to plant.  I've never been an iris lover and I had some in my flowerbed.  I dug them out last night.  When we bought this house, the bed was full of the old fashion orange day lilies.  I love lilies, but not too fond of the orange day lilies.  I love lilies, they are probably my favorite type of flower.  I have Starburst and Calla lilies.  I have plans to replace the old day lilies with other types of lilies and maybe a Gladiolus, which was one of my grandmother's favorite flowers. 

I've got to hurry and get my photography business going because I have plans for my back yard.  Doug and I have been talking and what I have in mind is going to cost a little bit of money.  LOL!  We still need to figure the back patio problem.  Our back patio is old concrete and brick that's all cracked up.  I spend most of my time, spraying weeds that poke up between the cracks.  Ugh!  Doug doesn't want to knock it down and build a new one and we can't put a new deck on top because of the water drainage.  He still has 5 years before I begin my wall bashing party.  I've spoken to a contractor about knocking out some walls and adding a master bedroom, entertainment room, storm cellar, laundry room and bathroom.  Doug has 5 years to find us another house or Robin and I will begin our addition to the house.   We won't have to worry about the back patio again.  HAHA!  

 

Katie's Artwork - 2012

 

Above Artwork by Katie - Spring 2012 

 What a surprise when I found an order form in Katie's backpack for this beautiful picture!?! At first, I thought it was just a sample of someone else's artwork. Little did I know that it was actually Katie's artwork herself. Yes, she created this piece of art with the help of her art teacher at school. I LOVE IT! I quickly grabbed my laptop and placed my order online. I just ordered a bunch of magnets to keep and give away because I know a few family members that would love this on their fridge.

I know Katie has slowly grown an interest in drawing and creating pictures, but never THIS!  I think she got her talent from her mama because I loved to doodle and draw when I was her age.  When I became a teen and involved in other activities, I stopped practicing my drawing and eventually lost interest.  I'll have to sit down with her and see if she would like to do more with this God given talent.  Stay tuned . . .

Easter Day 2012

Easter bunny did good again this year.  The only drama was when Katie's ducky punchball got a hole in it and deflated.  :(  She was so sad, then her baby brother gave his punchball to her to play with.  Now, she's all smiles again.  Colton is such a good little brother.

Easter egg hunt after church

   

 

HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! 

I hope you had a fantastic Easter weekend. We pretty much had a quiet weekend and didn't do whole lot.  

Thursday, being the last day of school for Katie, we wanted to go riding around. I had been wanting to stop by the convent because they have such pretty grounds and I know photographers love to use the campus for their background. I completely understand and would love to go back. If you haven't noticed, I'm starting my venue file for when I begin my photography business. Getting ideas, backgrounds and contemplating necessary props. I just need experience, experience before I start school. Keep in mind, I won't begin classes until Colton starts preschool. I really want this to work and I want to be the best I can be. 

 Here a few photos I took of the kids for their Spring picture: 

 

Hopefully, my next stop will be the Ave Maria Grotto and St. Bernard campus. They have beautiful landscaping and old stone buildings, which would make great backdrops. Bonus:  Bloomin' Festival is next weekend. If you are in town at that time, you'll have to check it out.  They usually have several vendors of all kinds (crafts, arts, food, Spring/Summer plants, metal work, clothing for all ages, something for all ages, etc.).  

Meanwhile, stay tuned for Easter Sunday pictures. . . 

Prayer Request

My mom has a spot on her arm that is in fact skin cancer.  A couple of weeks ago, she had a biopsy done.  That is when the doctor told her that it was cancer and he hoped to have gotten it all.  He cut quite a bit out of her arm.  Well, he didn't get it all.  She has to go back the 17th of April for him to cut out some more.  She is nervous because he told her that it was the same type cancer that was on her nose.  If you don't know, my mother survived skin cancer 25 years ago, but it took nearly half her nose before they were able to get it all.  It went as far back as her brain and she died on us a few times during the operations.  After that she had several reconstructive surgeries to give her back some of her nose.  For years, she was so self conscious of it and watching the faces looking at her weird.  Her family just felt blessed having her still with us.  Now that it's back, she's back to talking about this being her last Easter, her last birthday party with my children, etc.  It's really depressing and I balled her out about it because only God knows when it's time for us to leave this world.  Try to explain this to a woman that's in her late 70s, back in her childhood and has been on her death bed more times than I would like to remember.  :P  She can be such a anvil  challenge.  Please remember her in your prayers and her daughters would LOVE appreciate them as well.  

A friend and Sunday School classmate is going through a very difficult time right now.  He was diagnosed with a  type of cancer, I believe around last Autumn.  He went through all the Chemo treatments and they really thought that they got rid of all the cancer cells.  Richard is not a very big person to begin with and he couldn't handle the treatments well at all.  His strength and encouragement is not good because the doctors told him that the cancer came back.  The doctors warned him the last time that if this type of cancer comes back, it could very well be more aggressive.  They are hopeful that it won't be.  Richard's been so weak during all the treatments that he has been unable to work this whole time.  When they thought that they got all the cells, he had the look of relief all over his face in Sunday School one day because he would be able to go back to work.  Now, he needs our help.  Regions Bank has been gracious enough to have a bank for donations that would go towards Richard to help pay medical bills.  He nor his wife said that they were worried about paying the bills or not going back to work, but you know that they must be concerned.  They are a very faithful couple and know God's will be done.  

I have an update of my past prayer request ~ Clint and Andrew 

Andrew that had the automobile accident is still at a brain trauma clinic doing physical therapy.  He seems to be improving and doing pretty good during the PT and OT, but the parents are still saying that he isn't fully awake.  They are hopeful, he'll wake up and be able to focus on these commands the therapist ask of him.  

Clint that had the hernia/stomach issue is home and doing well.  Last I heard, the doctors do not think that he will have any issues with his stomach despite his hernia not healing as well as they would like.  I haven't heard anything beyond that report.  He did get on his Facebook and thanked everyone for the thoughts and prayers.  Prayers do answer!  

Finally

I really hope this week will be slow and productive because I've got a lot of catching up to do with housework, back to preschool teaching with Colton, preparing lessons for Katie during the Summer months.  I know that sounds crazy, but I didn't prepare until the last part of May last year and I had to hump it every night to get lessons planned.  I've found some awesome websites that will help me with her math.  I'll have to share the link at another time with you.  She's reading chapter books (Level L) at school, so I've got her reading and creative writing skills pretty much planned out.  I've got a couple Science experiments lined up for us, including making Flubber, Microwaving Ivory Soap, possibly Mentos and Soda.  The only camps or lessons I currently have her signed up is swimming lessons.  She really wants to go on a vacation, since we didn't take one last year.  Doug's been working a lot and we just have to see if he can try to get away for a few days.  I would love for the kids to see the mountains.  We'll take it one step at a time.  

Colton's Superhero Birthday Party

Our Birthday Boy 

Our Little Family

Blowin' out the candles ~ Eating his cake


I displayed photos of Colton when he was 7 weeks old and his 3 year old photo.  It's hard to imagine how time flies.


Colton had an excellent birthday and a lot of fun to decorate.  Yesterday, he wanted all the superhero decorations moved into his room.  He is in superhero heaven.  He received several superheroes for his birthday party (Hulk, Ironman, Green Lantern and Spiderman).  He is inseparable with his superheroes, since Saturday.

Honestly, I don't know where the month of March went.  Can you believe next Sunday is EASTER?  I began freakin' out yesterday.  I bought my dress weeks ago, but I thought I had plenty of time to get my shoes.  Hello?  I ran out of time.  In a state of panic, I ran around town and surrounding cities to find my shoes.  When I finally found them and realized how much money I saved, I went ahead and got the matching purse, necklace and bracelet.  :)  I love it!  I did have enough time to stop by The Children's Place and pick up Katie and Colton some shorts outfits and flip flops.  Katie is into these wild headbands and she really liked the one I got her.  I have to find time to make her some more flower clips for her hair, she's driving me crazy wanting them.