Home Is Where The Art Is.....

We recently purchaseda sculpting kit from Sam's.

The kit contained cogs and bendable rods to create forms.

It also provided 4 shades of non-drying clay, as well as an informative instruction book, that demonstrates how to form a bust, and a few other types of sculptures.

Eloise can sculpt and resculpt to her hearts content.

All of this was only $8.88.

This is Eloise's first attempt.

It took her 2 hours, but I think it will go much faster, now that she knows how to create the form.

While Eloise was working on her project, I was busy finishing up the one I started a couple of months ago.

It took me so long, because I feel guilty about having fun if all of my household duties are not finished.

The above is a picture of the first item that will be placed in Eloise's hope chest when her father presents it to her on her 10th birthday. The apron swallows her now, but in time it should fit her just right.

Here is an up close shot of me, so you can see what it will looks like on an adult.

Also, you can click on the image to get a closer look at the fabric.

I'm so glad that God has given me a wonderful family and the gift of creativity.

I Can't Believe.....

... another year has gone by!

Eloise received 6 trophies,

 one medal, & one certificate.

She was also the only student to earn a perfect score on the ELA portion of the LEAP test.

Most of the students from church

 did extremely well.

I guess there is something to be said about not owning a television.

The students just had to take one last photo before they part.

This school will not be an elementary campus next year, so this group will be scattered in several schools.

Most of these students have been together since Kindergarten(just months after Katrina).

As you can see, the room is already packed.

Everything must be moved to one of the two new schools.

This should be one of the last transitions in our school system's post-Katrina recovery.

So far, Eloise has had 6 wonderful teachers, but we both agree that this one was the best.

Thank you Mrs. Wood for your patience, support, and enthusiasm.

A Crop Only A Gardener Could Love...

I honestly wasn't going to post about this scrawny mangled produce,

but my daughter insisted that I share this "beautiful" display of nature with you all.

Personally, I'm a little more excited about these guys.

"Eggplant Pirogue" here we come!

Home made onion rings, before hubby did his magic trick and made them all disappear!

We also enjoyed hot roast beef po-boys on fresh french bread.

This was hubby's, that's why it isn't "dressed".

He only likes roast, gravy, and cheese.

P.S. I never really gave my blog a theme, but it seems that most of my posts wind up being about food. I wonder if it's the Lord giving me a sign!?!

;-)

Mother's Day Treats.....

I'll take this as a hint that I am a little high strung at times.

Now I feel powerful.....

....like a real gardener!

Eloise & Hubby locked themselves in the class/craft room.

When they emerged they proudly presented me, these offerings.

They burned me 2 CD's from I-Tunes

and made tickets for hubby & I to go on a date.

Those two are getting quite crafty.

My Favorite Gift Was A Letter:

Dear Mom,
   On this wonderful Mothers' Day, you are the most wonderous Mom in the world. You are special in so many ways, because you make me dinner. You teach & guide me with God's special word. It's a very special blessing that you love me like you do. You're an awesome, wonderful, marvelous, mother. Happy Mothers' Day!

Love,
Your Daughter

I think she's a keeper.  ;-D

I Think It Is Working....

Do you remember the post about the big blue buckets and my attempt at container gardening?

Well, this is just an update on some of the progress.

Above, is a picture of my grape twig that sprouted and is getting ready to take over my patio.

This is my never ending salad bowl.

Look at my baby bell pepper.

I'm fighting the urge to pull these guys.

I'm not sure how long the carrots are under the surface.

The same goes for my beets.

So far it looks like 2 of the 3 pineapple plants are recovering from their transplant into the ground.

This will be Eloise's 2nd actual pineapple.

There may be a 3rd on the way!

For those of you who are unfamilliar with the pineapple story:

scroll back to the top and enter

 Tale of The Stow Away Pineapple

in the search box. 

P.S. I would like to thank "Plain Old Kristi" for giving me the lettuce seeds and God for making them grow.

Well, that is all I have at the moment, but I will keep you posted.

We Weren't Sure What to Expect....

If you are a regular around here, then you know that Eloise won 1st place in a parish(county) wide cook-off.

On Thursday, we packed up the car and headed to Houma for the final round.

The above picture was just one of the lines of students waiting to register their dish.

Above is a pic of Eloise surrounded by a few of the many contestants. As you can see, most of the participants from the 14 other parishes were seasoned veterans. We learned that 4-H is a club that Eloise can participate in all the way through college.

After placing her jars of Bisque by her number, Eloise went to another table to turn in her

"Solar Pizza Box Oven"

for the recycling part of the competition.

Eloise took a group pic with the other representatives from our parish.

I do not recall the results for three of the reps.

The girl to the far right took home a 1st place ribbon for her category (crab).

Even though she didn't place, Eloise received a red ribbon for her category (shrimp).

I have to admit that we were a little bit crest fallen by the results, but after a game of miniature golf, a delicious meal, and a slice of cheese cake, all was forgotten.......

....well almost.....

.....We're already planning for next year....

LOOK OUT HOUMA HERE WE COME!