Friday Five - 1.27.12

1.  In my last post, I shared a photo of one of our gorgeous Camellia blooms.  Here is a pic of the entire Camellia shrub.  Isn't it lovely?  I think I need to research how to prune and maintain these beautiful shrubs so that they continue to thrive.

2.  As I've mentioned in previous posts, my mom is teaching me how to sew.  When I'm in Tulsa for any length of time, we often tackle a sewing project since my mom has a sewing machine and I do not.  (Actually, I "have" my late Grandma Johnson's sewing machine and cabinet, but we have not yet transported it to SC.)  Over the holidays, my mom and I made several burp cloths to give to my friend, Laura, and we made them differently than the ones we've made in the past.  I think they turned out really well!

3. For my 30th birthday, my mom gathered a ton of old photos of me, and we really enjoyed looking through them.  Here's one from Christmas morning many, many years ago...26 to be exact.  :)

4.  This is random, but it was so helpful that I have to share.  I don't know if any of you have smooth top stoves, but we do and I have had a hard time getting ours completely clean.  I've purchased the specialty cleaning products and followed the instructions exactly, but they haven't removed the faint cooking stains that come from liquids sizzling on the surface.  While looking for something at Walmart recently, I stumbled upon this cleaning tool and I was happy to see that it was safe for glass and ceramic stove tops.  I gave it a try when I got home, and it worked (without scratching the stove top)! 

5.  I attended a baby shower recently, and I saw something I've never seen before...a diaper tricycle!  Isn't it clever and adorable?!  I had to take a quick pic with my phone so that I could save the idea for future reference.



Friday Five - 1.20.12

1.  I received a very special birthday wish from South Carolina while we were in Oklahoma, and it came from this precious cutie-pie. :)  Thanks to his momma at The Newman Network for sending this sweet photo!

2. My heart melted again that day when I received this video from one of my favorite toddlers.  It's the sweetest version of "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard! :)  Thanks for sending it to me, Kee!

3.  While we were in Tulsa, Kevin and his mom found his high school letter jacket!  Check him out. :)

4.  Last weekend we went bowling for a friend's birthday, and Kevin scored a 246!  He knocked down all but like 3 pins during the game...which is CRAZY to me since he doesn't play that often.  I guess he and his buddies played quite a few times during the deployment but apparently he never did this well.

1. I had nothing to do with the nicknames.  2.  No, I will not identify my score.

5.  This is our first "winter" (if you can even call it that when it's 66 degrees outside) in our new home, so I am just now discovering that our two shrubs produce beautiful blooms this time of year!  Thanks to Al, who knows way more than I do about gardening, I've learned that they are most likely Camellia shrubs.  (Our builder planted them.)  Here's a completely unedited photo to show you how gorgeous and vibrant the color is.  This shrub is covered with blooms right now, and I am loving it! 

The big 3-0

I didn't blog last weekend because I was busy turning THIRTY years old!!!  Instead of a Friday Five this week, I thought I'd share some party pics.

My sweet husband and wonderful parents threw a fabulous birthday bash for me last Friday night, and I so appreciate all of our friends and family who came over to celebrate (especially the ones who came from out of town!!).  I am an extremely blessed 30 year old.  Unfortunately, I don't have photos of everyone who came, but here are some photos from the party. 

Susan & Laura

Gorgeous flowers from Susan!

Vern & Belinda

Rick & Toy

Laura's baby Ava, Kimmy & Caleb

Mom

Gina, Laura's baby Ava & Laura

Thank you family and friends for making me feel so loved!