the sun was out......

The entire weekend was sunny, about 75 degrees, no humidity. It rained Saturday night (late) and was sunny again by morning. We really need the sun around here, if I have not mentioned that before.

Saturday morning I spoke to my Mother and Grandma on the phone and I decided to get all of my errands and shopping done near where Ma lives and then spend the afternoon/evening with them. So I made my shopping list and tidied up the house, told Chris what my plans were for the day and left. I cleaned my van inside and out, went to the tire store to have them repair a slow leak in one of my tires, and then went to Rite Aid. I called Grandma to tell her I was on my way. 3 minutes later Ma calls and asks me how far I am from the house and I tell her 10 minutes. She said to hurry up because she thinks Grandma may have had a stroke and proceeded to explain what was going on (911 should have been called immediately, but Grandma snapped out of it in a few minutes and said she was feeling better).

***a bit of history...... Grandma came up for the summer from her home in Fort Myers Fla. to have a lumpectomy so she could be with family until she got better, she is a very healthy woman who has more energy in her right toe than I do in my entire body***

I called Chris immediately to ask him to pray and we talked most of my drive to Ma's house, it helped me keep my mind clear and not cry (as much). Grandma did not look herself and was a bit out of it, but otherwise okay when I arrived. She was able to walk to my van and we went to the hospital. After a million tests they admitted her and suspect her blood pressure dipping to low when she changed position was the reason for the "episode" the CAT scan showed no evidence of a stroke THANKS BE TO GOD! Ma and I left the hospital around 7pm and we both did our shopping. I dropped her and her groceries off at her house and went home. I arrived home around 10pm and unpacked the food, drank a huge mug of herbal tea, and went to bed.

what a day.........

Sunday on the other hand was DELIGHTFUL! Will and I went to church, and Chris went to HIS church (I am getting accustomed to this arrangement, it's not that big of a deal anymore). After church a couple that we have been acquainted with for quite awhile invited Chris, Will, and I to come over to swim (they have an in ground pool with a diving board, Will was sold!) and have a BBQ. I really like this couple and want to get to know them better so I wanted to go. (this is RARE for me. Usually Chris drags me to things like this and I am fine when i get there, but I am simply not comfortable in social situations. This is something I am trying to change about myself. I also have NO FRIENDS that are really close to me, I never have. I would like to change that as well) Chris, Will, and I had a fabulous time. I could not have dreamed of more perfect weather, the pool was so refreshing, all of the kids played beautifully together, and there was good conversation. We arrived home in the evening with full bellies and contented bodies. I settled in while Chris and Will skated the half-pipe for awhile. As I am getting my PJ's on, I hear Chris yell "MAMA!" *that usually means, come and look at the cool new trick I can do* then he yelled, "get a wet towel NOW!" oh boy, I knew then that Will was hurt and bleeding hard enough that Chris wouldn't bring him inside. I got the towel and braced myself. Will was COVERED in blood. Apparently he landed on his face and his tooth punctured his lip. He has a hole on the outside and inside. l-o-v-e-l-y. He is okay. The bleeding stopped and after while he decided to eat M&M's. He looked at me and blood is running down his mouth. His lip sprung a leak for the rest of the evening. He must have crawled in my bed last night. I think the bleeding stopped because the bed is okay and his face is okay.......

This little child has had more stitches, sprains, and broken bones in his young life than anyone I know. He likes to play hard like his Daddy.

how was your weekend??

no parking

I would love to post about my wonderful romantic anniversary dinner, but it did not happen. I'll tell you about it......

All was well. Chris arrived home from work and we had coffee and decided to go out to dinner. Chris and Will went outside to skate the half pipe for a bit and the dogs and I played in the yard and picked at the garden. Chris took a shower and we left for the restaurant. We stopped at the movie store first and found what we wanted quickly. We were nearing the restaurant and there was no parking on the right side of the road, but Chris said "park there" (there was a spot on the left side) I said "I can't!", he said "well, obviously not until you go down and turn around". So we turned around and the once available parking spot was taken. I went up the road a bit and there were a couple of spots to parallel park but I an terrible parallel parking in my van. I am brilliant parking in the tiniest places in a car, but not my van. I said this to Chris and he became a bit on edge, but still very patient and kind. We passed the front of the restaurant again and that same spot was vacant again! I was getting very short tempered so I whipped the van from one side of the road to park it in a spot on the other side of the road in from of a traffic light. I thought I could make it in one motion, but I couldn't. I had to back up a couple of times to get in the parking spot properly. The car that was coming slowed down and the lovely couple in the car screamed swears at me. I felt terrible. I made a real bonehead move and was cussed out by strangers, then Chris looked at me and said, "That was a real asshole move". I started driving way past the restaurant at this point and a bit faster than usual (for emphasis ya know). We drove a minute or two and Chris asked if I would like him to drive, and I said yes. We parked and switched seats. I previously asked Chris to drop the incident, I felt like a real winner as it was. He laughed about it and brought it up again, (no harm here, I think I was just WAYYYYY over sensitive). I screamed at him and said I wanted to go home. (I have not pulled a childish stunt like this in YEARS). We are driving home and that is when the fur began to fly. I voiced many feelings I have been having about our marriage etc etc. Yeah, it was not pretty. We got home and Chris went upstairs to bed and I watched TV for a couple of hours, ate 1/4 of a cake, then went to bed. It is now morning.

*photo taken last night pre-incident*

While I did not capture any of these fun filled events on film, I did snap some pictures of the very first veggies growing in the garden!! Tiny tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini. The green beans have not shown any fruit as of yet, but they are climbing high up the trellis and growing so much every day.

So I am left with a big question mark on my face as to what today will bring. It is an incredibly sunny and warm morning. I want to enjoy every minute of it.

Stay tuned for more drama.

MMMmmmm!

It was THE best German chocolate cake I have ever made or tasted. Chris was in HEAVEN!

(I forgot to take a picture of the cake before it was cut)

As I was photographing the cake/breakfast, the folks from up the road were riding by on their buggy. (yes, I live in the country) Boy howdy

I have a full day in the studio today. I can't believe I slept so late!! I am not sure what Chris and I are doing tonight (today is our anniversary). We will most likely go to our favorite authentic Italian restaurant "Nonnies". I will forgo the meal and eat a million handmade Cannolis, thank you. (kidding)..............................maybe :)

g'mornin

LuLu is perched in her favorite spot on the back of a very comfy chair. She can see out the window perfectly. This comes in handy when warning her sissy (Taz) of strangers walking on the street.


I am enjoying my 2nd cuppa coffee. I will be shipping many many packages this morning, then I will not be in the studio for the rest of the day (I think). I have much to bake and cook for Chris and Grandma Virginia's birthday this evening.

The ingredients (a few anyway) for the coconut pecan frosting.

I did not make my grandmother a ring. I thought better of it and used both of the opals she gave me and made earrings. They are SO HER! They look like little baskets of pretty.

stay tuned for cake :)

One More Day!

I am going to run the $100 ring sale 1 more day, it certainly can't hurt!

It is back to raining and being cold in New Hampshire. I don't think it is meant to last much longer, thank goodness. Chris's birthday is Thursday as well as Grandma Virginia's and our anniversary is Friday. Chris wants a German Chocolate Cake. I will buy the ingredients after the gym this morning. I am having my family here to celebrate both birthdays. I think I may make BBQ chicken/corn on the cob/veggies etc. we'll see. I am making my grandmother a ring using a vintage pink opal she purchased in Rome many, many years ago. They were earrings and she gave them to me because the stones are so pretty and she did not wear the earrings any longer. I will make another ring with the second stone and list it in my shop. I am getting Chris a bible. I know what you may be thinking, real exciting Lisa. IT IS really exciting. All bibles are not the same. I received a leather NIV study bible from my MIL when Chris and I were first married (I never opened it until a few years ago). Chris loves my bible. He uses this HUGE thick architectural bible. It is a terrific bible, but not really user or travel friendly. He will use mine every chance he gets. I was going to get him skate board trucks, but I changed my mind. Will thinks I am very lame.

Side note........

I am so happy peaches are in season!!!!!! It is like having candy in my rolled oats!

$100 RING SALE!

$100 RING SALE TODAY!!!!! ALL RINGS , ALL DAY!

Things are a bit tight at the Hendrick Homestead lately so I am having my 2nd $100 rings sale today. Please await a revised invoice. Your support is appreciated more than you know.

Don't miss out! I had a similar sale last winter and the rings went fast, please help make this sale as successful!

Real good weekend.....

It was a pretty mellow but nice weekend. The sun has shone itself 3 days in a row, I am giddy. Friday night Will's friend Tucker slept over, I made steak tips with this sauce in the crock pot all day and served it over whole wheat wavy noodles with a loaf of home made wheat bread. I had the noodles plain and a slice of the bread (I don't eat steak). Everyone had cheesecake for dessert. Saturday I had what we call at my house a "lazy day". Everyone in the family is entitled to a Lazy Day. Danny and I don't take Lazy Days very often. Will is the KING of the Lazy Day. There are certain things you need to make it an official Lazy Day. A blanket of some sort, the pillow from your bed, at least 1-3 drinks of various nature on the coffee table beside you, a small furry animal within inches of your body at all times, and at least one remote control in your hand. For me, the picture looks a bit different, it usually includes all of the above, but a book in place of the remote control (or maybe my lap top). Oh, and of course, you MUST be in your pj's/sweats. So yes, I had a Lazy Day Saturday. I did get up to go with Chris to rent a movie. We watched Defiance. It was FABULOUS! SEE IT! I am a HUGE WWII buff. I know an obnoxious amount of history and information. I have read countless books on the subject (novels as well as non-fiction). I am truly in awe of the whole thing beginning to end. Anyway, it is a great movie. I have not read the book nor knew it existed. Chris made Italian sausage subs that night with onion and peppers topped with cheese. Needless to say, I did not eat that meal. I had ...........hmmm..... what did I have?? I dunno.

Today we went to church. Chris went with Will and I to Trinity, yeah! It was a wonderful service as usual. I went grocery shopping so after arriving home. I made Broccoli salad for tomorrow nights bible study (new recipe, I'll post it if it's any good). I made Chris and Will breaded pork chops, corn on the cob, and zucchini for supper. (I had zucchini and corn, I was too lazy to cook myself salmon ) Currently Chris and Will are working on the half-pipe beside the garage. If you are not skate board savvy, a half-pipe is shaped like a pipe cut in half. Chris cut it down a bit because it is really "tight" to skate. Tight = steep. It will be much more user friendly and get more use now.

My husband has really big muscles

A little garden update.....