God shed his grace on thee . . .
It’s officially summer on the Homestead. The girls are here, the days are full, and so is grandma’s heart. With the addition of the littlest mermaid this year – summer gardening has come to a near halt – but to see the joy in the face of this little mud muffin – it’s all worth it. There will be other years, other gardens – but this day will never come again. So here’s to America, summer, apple pie, homemade ice cream, mud muffins, and next year’s garden.
Kathy
2017 has been an interesting year for us. The year began with the passing of my dad. The return of health challenges for me – and Dave taking work out of state have rounded it off to this point. In between, there have been trips to be with family, a house full of guests, weddings and events to host, planting, weeding, pruning, baking, weeding, mowing, weeding. . . . If there is anything I have learned during my life, it is that life is made up of a series of changes. Each day, each moment brings it’s own unique events and opportunities. . . and while there are times that are easier than others, each day brings us the chance for growth, joy, and expressions of gratitude – even the hard times. None of us will escape hardship, heartache, or difficult times . . . . the secret to a happy life is to recognize that God loves us enough to give us opportunities to grow – and embrace the gift. . .
. . . . And that brings us to summer. It is here already. The winter and spring rains and cool temperatures have given way to heat and humidity – and I am trying to find the joy in that. In a few days, the loves of my life – my four young granddaughters will descend upon the Homestead for the summer – a day that they (and I) have been looking forward to all year. There will be laughter, giggles, hugs, snuggles, campfires, movies under the stars, dinners cooked over the fire pit and under the sun. There will be homemade ice cream in many flavors (I’m betting Candy Cane is their first request), homemade bread, many, many, many batches of cookies, pancakes and oatmeal (porridge is the 6 yr old’s favorite food), lots of salads and a truckload of watermelon; berries, peaches, apples and pears from the orchard – and – I have seen blooms on the ‘cookie trees’ this year.
I am sure that there will be lemonade stands and bake sales. There will be chalk art on every inch of pavement. Chicks will hatch under very careful supervision. All of the young chickens will have names, and most will be performing in the annual chicken theatrical performances. There will be tree swings, bicycle shows, flashlight hide-and-seek, and the annual watching of grandma and grandpa’s meteor shower. Somewhere in the middle of all of this there will be weddings, showers, family visiting for summer vacations and a trip or two to the ‘magic kingdom’.
There will be jars of grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, and every manner of creeping thing – on the nightstands. There will be swimming, sand castles, sunburns and very tired girls (and grandma). . . . but most of all there will be love – for that is the key to a happy life. To love, and be loved – unconditionally – is the essence of true joy.
Whatever your summer brings – find joy. Make memories with those you love – and find joy.
Happy Summer,
Kathy
Spring. Just the word congers up images of blossoms and bunnies, eggs and chicks. . . . and catalogs filled with tableware, linens and all the fresh spring color imaginable. . . . so when my spring edition of the Pier1 catalog arrived – I was immediately drawn to devour every page. The dinnerware, table settings, linens were, in typical Pier1 form, a wonderful feast for the eyes. 
But, there was one thing that especially drew my attention. . .their adorable folded napkins – especially the little bunnies in the upper right corner of the page. The catalog directed readers to log on to their website for instructions – which I immediately did.
Upon arriving at the page, I searched for the Bunny Fold 
and found this. I grabbed some cloth napkins (which happened to be from Pier1) and, following their directions, began folding. It only took me to the 4th step to figure out that there was a real problem with the directions – they were rolling from the wrong side of the napkin. . . and by the final step – it was unmistakable.
I had created this. I took an unfolded napkin and the directions to my husband – who, as a builder, reads instructions for a living . . . and his response was immediate – these are not right. They have rolled from the long side and not the point – and used directions for a granny knot. It needs to be an ‘overhand’ knot. (50 plus years of scouting – he should know his knots!)
After making a few simple changes – rolling from the point and using an overhand knot – the finished product looked like the one in the Pier1 picture. Success! 
And so, as much as I LOVE Pier1, no one is infallible. I have done my own set of instructions, including pictorials, for your use should you be wanting to try these little treasures. Such a simple way to dress up a spring or Easter table.
Just Click Here to go to the instructions. Happy Spring!
Enjoy,
Kathy
Established in 1989, the Homestead at Bridle Creek has risen from acres of oaks and scrub brush to a [Continue Reading …]
