Sister in law surprise.

Sometimes

when you

least

expect it

an 

act of 

kindness

with great

love

and a caring heart

can put a warm feeling in your heart!

Thank you, sweet Ashley for the beautiful wreath~

Fall~ ing in love

I am Fall~ing in love with the nice cool front that has come our way. Thank heavens!  I actually have my windows open for the first time in a long, long time. This weather that happens to be in lower 70s  instantly picks me up, lifts me, and changes my mood. All of a sudden, I am thinking pumpkin bread and pumpkin spice latte.

 So, in the spirit of cooler weather, I thought I'd share with you this collage of fall around my home. I am proud to say I did not go out and spend a fortune instead, I used what I had and made the most of it. I visit so many beautiful blogs that take my breath away with their elegant style decorating, gorgeous homes, and perfect dishes. And because I am human, it's hard looking over the fence and not feel like a wimpy weenie when decorating my home. I have to remind myself of all the many, many blessings God has given me and when I remember, (cause it's easy to forget when looking over the fence)  I find joy in putting the same candle holder on my table even if its the 5th time around.

Thank you Jesus!

Fall Mantel

I pulled off decorating my mantel without spending one dime. Thank goodness! I used what I had from last year and tried my best to make it look warm and fall-ish even though our temperatures still remain in the upper 80s.. You might remember these white pumpkins from last years fall table. I am so glad I bought them!  I may just glitter them up for next year who knows ...

To be honest fall decorating really is not on my mind these days..

As you already know, we are adopting a baby and its getting closer and closer. We have already painted the nursery twice. Yes, twice and what a chore! I don't think I want to see paint or anything related to paint for a long time. When we bought this house the room was a deep purple you could not help but squint when you entered the room so, I softened it up with a  raspberry pink, but changed my mind after thinking that birth mother could change her mind. I don't want to end up getting stuck with a pink room so, we repainted once again to a powdery yellow. It will just have to stay that way regardless of what happens!

 I am staying positive and praying for the best. I truly believe God will place this baby where she belongs if not with us then with her birth mom. Either way I am grateful God is good!

Parrots.

Look what we found on top of some Live Oaks...

Just hanging out and staying cool

They are just about everywhere 

in the evenings.

In palm trees

on wires

On dead trees.

They are pretty neat to look at when enjoying a warm evening with that nice glass of tea.

We are adopting.

Yes, It is true and I can hardly believe it myself! This amazing blessing has literally fallen from heaven and right into our laps, and we are feeling just about every emotion you can think of.  A few months ago, I got a phone call from my mother telling me about a mutual friend of ours whose young daughter was pregnant and unmarried. She told my mother that her daughter was giving up her her baby to an adoption agency, and asked if we would be interested.

My mother of course said yes, and calls me immediately and tells me to expect a phone call from the birth mother. That phone call happened last month in July and, it was actually a text.  After a few texts, and finally a phone conversation we pulled out of the expensive agency and got the ball rolling with an attorney who is a childhood friend of my husband.

The baby will arrive in November we were told by our attorney that after the baby is born she has 48 hours to change her mind we are praying for the best. I am leaving this in Gods hands, and if it's his will that baby girl will be ours.

In the meantime, I am busy with googling the latest in baby stuff, looking for a pretty name, and browsing though baby sites.  Let me tell you there is a lot of cute stuff out there!  I want to get everything and its hard not to, but I must wait to see what happens.

Please keep us in your prayers.

New roof

This past week we got a new roof and lots and lots of

POUNDING!

5 days of  pounding to be

exact.

I seriously was waiting for a guy to fall though 

my living room.

I really felt bad for these men working in 100* plus weather. 

I gave one guy my husbands t-shirt cause he was wearing a sweater. Yes, a sweater! 

and this guy with a wonderful smile had his truck with his trailer parked in my back-yard  and

another trailer on the side of my house for 

5 days. 

My grass is now in recovery. 

But my roof now looks newer, fresher and cleaner.

so, I won't complain.

Silly birds.

Peek a boo. 

took this shot at a local wild life refuge.

look who's at the hummer feeder.

smart Oriole if you ask me...

Can I play with your neck?

Fluffing up...

Hey, green jays look at me..

Pinterest-ing recipe...

Every once in a while, I come across an easy recipe on Pinterest 

 I pin it then forget all about it.

does this happen to you?

I was looking though my pins and found this one. 

Just two ingredients

No eggs

No oil

No water 

Just mix the two and bake.

with juice and all..

That's it 

 for the topping I mixed crushed pineapple, cool whip and creme cheese (fat free of course :)

then I sprinkled a few coconut flakes 

its very light and perfect for this summer.

Finally...

I finally got a visit from hummingbird Speedy Gonzalez. He was so fast my finger had to be on the shutter button the whole time. I did exactly what some of you wonderful bloggers advised. I got me a cheaper feeder,( like dollar store cheap) hung it from a tree limb, waited patiently with my weenie camera

and 

 Vwa -la~ hummingbirds!!

Thank you bloggers!!

So excited!!

Summer succulents...

I have been busy in the yard pulling weeds, watering like crazy ( trying to keep plants from dying with these HOT temperatures) and I have discovered the easy care of succulents... I love them! They basically take care of themselves literally....I just splash them with a little water here and there and forget about them..

Every time I'm shopping at Lowe's, Home Depot, or a nursery those little bitty sized pots they come in, sitting next to the cash register practically yell at me " Hey you look at me take me home with you"...

I just can't resist their beauty!! I love the rosette ones. Don't you? 

I love this....and simple to do.. I used the dish that comes with the pot, drilled some holes and listo...ready for planting! Easy,breezy beautiful...(From a Cover-girl commercial, I think)

Hummingbirds

Dear hummingbirds,

I don't know what I have done to alienate all of you

Please help me

understand.

I went out in search for the prettiest feeder, looked for the perfect spot to feed you,

bought the most expensive red nectar there was 

and when that got old, and full of ants

I made my own sweet concoction.

I changed the sugar water

once a week, and still  

no signs of you.

I have googled and binged my fingers off

and done just about everything

recommended.

I come by this window and take a peek

every

 morning, afternoon and evening and still I don't see

NOTHING

NADA

ZILCH

ZERO

No signs of you anywhere...

I am waiting anxiously for you to come take a sip

I know once you discover this cozy spot

you will love it!

So,

I am begging you to come fly by take a sip, flap your wings, and enjoy your new feeder

Pleazzzzzzzz

Rajas Poblanas

This is my new favorite side dish.

Don't you just love it 

when

you discover a new dish?

This dish is amazing!!

It goes well with

anything.

I love how the combinations come together.

its

smokey and creamy  

a little

charred and spicy

oh oh so good!

takes just a little work.

but, 

oh so worth it.

Rajas Poblanas

1. Blend the crema, cream cheese, and chicken bouillon in a blender until smooth; set aside.
2. Place the peppers on a large griddle over medium-high heat. Roast until the skin blisters and turns black. Remove peppers from griddle and place in a plastic bag, allowing them to sweat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Peel and discard the outer skin of the peppers; halve length-wise and remove the seeds and veins. Slice into thick strips. Set aside.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook the onion in the hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the corn into the onions, reduce the heat to medium, and cook another 5 minutes. Add the poblano strips to the saucepan. Pour the cream mixture over the vegetables and bring to a simmer; cook at a simmer until hot, about 5 minutes more.

Migrating season...

Its migrating season. Do you have your bird feeder up?... My husband and I have really gotten into bird watching this year, and we are really enjoying watching and learning about all different types of birds. This one here is the summer tanager...

I know this is some type of warbler, but I am calling him the Amish warbler.... doesn't he look Amish?

These pictures were taken behind the South Padre Island convention center ..There were so many, many professional photographers there. I felt like a weenie with my camera . This is the rose breasted grosbeak.

 This is my very favorite!  I actually shook while taking this picture, I thought he would fly off. I was waiting and waiting for this Painted bunting to come fly by, and then BAM he just came and perched on this tree long enough for me to take his picture..

Then he turned... What a show off!!

I fell in love with this Indigo bunting! He is just a really patient kinda bird he let me take lots of shots of him. maybe he was tired after all he has had a long journey.

Here are more...

Hows that for just one day of bird watching?