Well, it's not HOT in my neck of the woods in temperature (not today anyway) but it's sure been a HOT minute since I last posted. For that I am so sorry but it seems my life has been consumed with doctor appointments, tests, and MORE tests, biopsies, surgery and so much more. One day at a time sweet Jesus is all that any of us can ask for. Wanted to pop in on this beautiful Sunday afternoon to share a little about what I've been up too. Marty and I enjoyed a weekend at the beach before I had breast cancer surgery and took advantage of the time I had in between so many doctor appointments and testing. It was sure a good little getaway. We celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary in September. WOW! Just babies! LOL! We were high school sweethearts. Started dating at age 16. Married at age 18 and started a family at age 20. We celebrated Marty's birthday in October. He says that he's feeling his age these days. LOL! He still works 4 days a week and has a long commu...
I have been enjoying the "Sweet Life" with family. A field trip to "Sweet Pete's" was in store with my granddaughter, Mallory Grace.
Mallory is the tallest one in the picture. She's about to catch up in height with Nana. We enjoyed a luncheon there to begin our day and then we watched how candy was made.
Honestly, I think the field trip was for me. I was intrigued by all the details involved in candy making.We participated in a Science project involving candy and we learned how to make lollipops. We were also given a tour of behind the scenes in the candy making factory. Very interesting to say the least.
We were allowed to carry other family members so two other grandbabies got to enjoy the day as well.
The colors used throughout Sweet Pete's and the decor is amazing. Every kind of candy that you can imagine is available. And just so you know....the Sea Salt Chocolate Caramels are sooooooooooooooooo GOOD!
I am teaching the youngest grandgirl how to put on lipstick. You are never too young for lipstick. LOL!
Even Nana had to make a lollipop.
My niece made this adorable cake.
My granddaughter Kyleigh will be celebrating her 7th birthday on May 16 but with a new baby due in a few weeks we decided to have her party a little early. So we partied like a pineapple.
We had a crowd and everyone enjoyed their time together. Pulled pork sandwiches, chips, dip, drinks, punch, cake and ice cream. Of course the kids enjoyed the water slide, corn hole, trampoline and volley ball. The adults enjoyed visiting.
And if that bottom picture of those sweet kids praying doesn't melt your heart then you need some CAKE and ICE CREAM.
Happy birthday to our fun loving, never meets a stranger, loves everyone, sweetest personality, KYLEIGH.
I promised to show you the latest kitchen wall decor when I was through with it. But, first I must tell you that my sweet friend Kitty was my inspiration for this. Be sure to pop over and visit with Kitty. I call her the baking queen.
http://www.kittyskozykitchen.com/
On a blog post on March 6th I had posted about my kitchen makeover and the things that I was doing. Kitty said, Cindy, I can't wait to see what changes you are making in the heart of the home.
As soon as I read her words it hit me like a ton of bricks. My KITCHEN is the heart of my home. Our family life revolves around my kitchen. Whether it's baking, cooking, harvesting herbs and veggies, feeding my family which is every Sunday after church or merely just talking and oh does my bunch do lots of talking, our kitchen is our gathering place. Not only has a many of dish been prepared in my kitchen, but so much laughter, talks, decisions being made and even tears has graced my kitchen. I decided to design my own Kitchen wall decor that speaks from my heart because my kitchen is indeed the HEART OF OUR HOME.
YES, this speaks truth for my kitchen.
Awesome!!!!!! I just love this post, smiles.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda .
DeleteCindy, wish we had a candy store that I could take my Grans to such as that. That is so, so cute! And, the birthday party, what a cute, cute theme! And, the kitchen sign, how perfect and I can't believe you cook for your family every Sunday. What a labor of love! Hubby and I eat out at the country club every Sunday and sometimes the kids go with us and sometimes they don't. Would love to come and sit a spell and enjoy a visit with you.
ReplyDeleteI would love to sit a spell with you too Lea. Awe it is a labor of love most often I can assure you. I usually begin my Sunday meal on Saturday afternoon and finish up on Sunday morning before Sunday school. There are some Sundays that other things are going on and we can't all be together or that I am out of town but I do miss it when we can't. I decided a long time ago that as long as I was physically able I would have dinner ready for my family on Sundays. I cannot imagine it being any other way.
DeleteYou always have such fun family outings and parties! The pineapple-themed party made me smile. Happy Birthday to Kyleigh!
ReplyDeleteI'm also loving the "heart of our home" artwork. What a great inspiration from Kitty!
Thanks Margie. Kyleigh loved the pineapple theme. Of course having fresh pineapples was yummy too!
DeleteThis post has my vote as the most colorful!
ReplyDelete(Sweet Pete’s is on my wish list!)
You’re right, I know your kitchen is the hub and heart of your home!
Congratulations on a new kitchen!
Thanks Christine. Sweet Pete's is a darling little place to go and take the kids. LOTS OF CANDY! LOL! but we made reservations and had lunch there too which made it nice.
DeleteSuch a "sweet" post..:)
ReplyDeleteAll of you girls are just precious.....
Thanks BJ.
DeleteCindy, there's an awful lot of goodness in this post. I have to tell you, when we were first married and I had just finished college, I kind of resented some of the homemaking things that were supposed to be my responsibility. One day I realized what a blessing it all is and I started loving it. Your poem made me remember that.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Kyleigh!!
Thanks Stacey. I think most often dear friend it takes getting a little age on us to realize the importance of a lot of things in life don't you? I love cooking and baking and I enjoy preparing for my family. Of course my family is growing by leaps and bounds. New baby due end of May. My little immediate family will be 14. YAY. So glad you stopped in to visit.
DeleteIt would be a wonderful day with the grands all the day. Love to see the candy making. Yummy flavored cake! They all look colorful and amazing:)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. The children surely loved Sweet Pete's. Of course who wouldn't? It's a candy store. LOL!
DeleteHappy birthday, Kyleigh!! Sweet Pete’s looks like the perfect place to party! I love ‘learning tours’ and what would be sweeter than learning how candy is made. You and Kitty are so right, our kitchens are the heart of our home. Your chalkboard print is perfect for your kitchen update. Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteThank you friend. I love my chalkboard print because it describes what happens in my kitchen word for word.
DeleteWhat a "sweet" post, my Friend. Your grand girls are so beautiful and like our kiddos growing up way too fast. The sign you made for your kitchen is just perfect. HOPE you have a wonderful week! 💜
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb. Yes those kids grow up too quick.
DeleteCindy, What a wonderful birthday party !!! I know the children enjoyed the candy trip with you. My gosh you look so young for a nana. :) I really loved seeing the children praying. That's a great sign for your kitchen. Blassings to all, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie. Blessings to you too.
DeleteSuch sweet pictures of the sweet life. We went to Sweet Pete's last year with kids. I love the decoration they have there. Looks like a fun birthday party. That's a bunch of kiddos. Cindy, your kitchen chalk print is perfect. I love how you added the hearts. I love it that you hold true to how families used to do many years ago before everyone became so busy in life. There is nothing better than dinner around the table with family.
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
I agree Connie. Nothing better than dinner around the table with those you love so much. Yes, we had bunches of kids but they had so much fun. The blessing was being said when that picture was snapped of those cuties. Just one of those touching moments.
DeleteSo much to love about this post, dear friend...those darling grands, a fabulous cake and decorations for a fun pool party (those precious children praying...oh my), that sweet kitchen sign (wonderful job!) and the precious sentiments of your heart through the words of the beautiful poem. Love you, girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend. One thing is for sure, there is never a dull moment with our crew. Ha!
DeleteAwwwww, dear Cindy, thank you for honoring me, with saying that my words were inspiration for your beautiful framed chalkboard print. I am truly humbled.
ReplyDeleteYou and the grands look so adorable at the candy store! What a fun, fun field trip, and what a fun Nana you are. I'm going to be on the look out for that cute shirt, my friend.
Happy Birthday to your Kyleigh, and what a fun theme! I love seeing your happy times with your loving family, Cindy. The poem at the end is so perfect. You left us with such a special message...thank you! Happy Mother's Day, sweet friend.
A friend of mine made the shirt for me Kitty. I came up with the slogan and she whipped it together. I love it. Yes you did inspire me so with that print. I love it! It speaks my heart.
DeleteWell, the shirt is wonderful! You may have to email me and tell me what all it says, so I can come up with my own!!
DeleteFor the chalkboard print, did you make that?? It's perfect for your kitchen!
Kitty the shirt says, Life is short, Take the trip, Buy the pretty lipstick and the Cute shoes too. (That so fits me) LOL! Yes mam I created it in Photo shop. I found a free chalkboard background that I liked. Then I found some free fonts I liked and a heart brush to use in photo shop. Once I got it like I wanted I sent it to Walgreens to print. Mine is 16x20 but if you want one I will be glad to send you one of any size you want to print. You inspired me so with your words.
DeleteOh, Cindy! I am in tears! First of all, those precious, little girls praying surely did melt my heart! I wonder what they were praying about or if something was wrong? Just SO precious!! Then, hearing your talk about your kitchen and the memories that are made there, that made me cry, too. Then, that last poem...oh, my word, it took me back SO far. I can't remember if my dear mom had that poem or if it was possibly my husband and I who had it years ago, but it surely touched my heart to remember. Life is very different for us now. Our kitchen used to be FULL with so much family and so many friends and entertaining and so much activity and bustle. Things are so different for my dear husband and son and me now, in so many ways, and the dear parents and so many others we cooked for are now gone and passed off the scene, etc. Your post was very moving for me today, and it did my heart good to know of the happiness that takes place in your kitchen. Enjoy it all, sweet friend, and savor the moments. I love your t-shirt, by the way. Sending love and hugs to you today!
ReplyDeleteAwe thanks so much for your sweet words Cheryl. The blessing over our food was being prayed and that's when that picture was snapped of those cute little girls. They were praying grace. But just too sweet of a picture. My thing is Cheryl is that one day I will not be able to prepare meals for my family and so, until then, until things change in which we know change will come, I want to cook for my family and enjoy our dinners around the table. I love my little shirt too. LOL! It suits me good!
DeleteI would love to visit Sweet Pete's, I would be like a kid in a candy store. lol
ReplyDeleteYou would fit right in Miss Mary. LOL!
DeleteYou do such fun things with your darling grandchildren! Love the picture of the kids praying. Happy Birthday to Kyleigh! I like both your sign and the poem. Keep on keeping on with those little girls! Nancy
ReplyDeleteAwe thanks Nancy . We do have fun .
DeleteOMG...What a delightful journey... It's like visiting Willy Wonka.. Your grand children will remember this always...What fun you have with them and such delightful pictures... Thanks for such a happy post, my friend...It certianly put a smile on my face... Thank You...Hugs
ReplyDeleteGlad you stopped by Zaa. Willy Wonka would be a good title for sure. Not sure I have seen so much candy before. And oh so tempting. LOL!
DeleteWhat a sweet post Cindy! I bet the candy factory was really fun not to mention tempting! Your pineapple party is too adorable! Fun theme for a pool or outdoor party!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Thanks Jenna. Yes, tempting to say the least. I did have two small sea salt chocolate caramels though. LOL! SO GOOD!
DeleteWhat a great theme for a birthday party! I have never heard of partying like a pineapple...too cute. LOVE your sign. That frame is fabulous....Walmart?! The sweet saying and the poem is fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann Marie. Oh girl, you gotta party like a pineapple! LOL! Yep found that frame at Walmart and it matched my kitchen decor. I couldn't believe it. Happy Mother's Day.
DeleteOh my gosh....YUMMY! Don't know about you but anything with SUGAR is amazing! Or choc or cinnamon....haha. Looks like so much fun. Loving the chandelier but I would want all clear and not so much color on it. Very cool looking place.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam . Oh the colors there was so typical of all the variety of candies . Really cool . You would enjoyed it with your bubbly personality . .
DeleteYum, the sweet place looks fabulous! Happy Birthday to Kyleigh, she is a doll! Your grands are all adorable, Cindy! I love your kitchen sign. Happy Mother’s Day, sweet friend! Hugs~
ReplyDeleteThanks so much . I hope you have a wonderful mother’s day too .
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! Glad I stopped by here. It brightened my day. Thanks, Cindy!
Thank you for stopping by to visit .
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic place to visit!! Happy Birthday to Kyleigh!!
Love the sign for your Kitchen!! Unfortunately, my Kitchen is too small for it to be the gathering place in our house.......
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks Debbie. It was a fun place to go with the kids for sure.
DeleteHi dearest Cindy! Oh what a sweet (pun intended) post this is! You look so happy with those adorable grands - don't they grow so so fast!?
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day. I wish you all the best. Hugs!!
Thanks Michele. Glad you stopped by to visit dear lady.
DeleteOh pretty Cindy, you are so happy enjoying those beautiful and fun grandchildren; so lucky you have them close by.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable sign in your kitchen and that bird teacup is gorgeous! I'm glad you found a bird lovely from your grandma.
Hugs,
Fabby
Thanks Fabby . Yes i do feel blessed .
DeleteCindy that is the perfect finishing touch for your kitchen it speaks volumes. Happy Birthday to sweet Kyleigh they are all growing so fast. And I cannot believe the littlest grandbaby is wearing lipstick... she is so adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks lady . She loves for me to paint her lips . Of course it’s usually with clear gloss or i just pretend putting some on her 😂
Delete