Sisterville

 

Hiding out early to Coin. Sisters are celebrating Helen’s birthday. Here we are with our parents. Well, their dust. One day we three will be here too.

Walking

Got to walk with Astrid and Laura this morning. Well, I walk solo because I’m slow. I made it overall a mile and half. I stretched my knees at a mile and then walked back. I spied this Bur Oak Acorn. The Bur Oak is of the white oak family. It has the largest acorns of all oaks. The name Bur comes from the cup holding the acorn. The tree is also called Mossy Oak. It has such a thick bark that is not as susceptible to fire. These trees can live 300 to 400 years. The acorn takes two years to produce. A mast crop or mast year refers to a big crop of acorns.

Astrid is making end tables for her bedroom. She and her Pop made her dresser when she was just a girl. She had an iron bed. Later she made a bed to match and now she’s making two end tables. The next one will have two drawers she said.

It’s been 10 years. Pop autographed the bottom of a drawer.

Clear coat being applied.

Below is the bed she made. Pops tools are still set up for her to use.

 

Twenty Years

Greg and my Erin have been married 20 years today. She had ovarian cancer at age 3. I never thought she’d have any children as she had a major surgery just past her 4th birthday. This event changed me. I never lost my faith in my Lord. He let me keep her. She went on to have three children….not without complications.  Greg is a family first kind of guy. I’m blessed.

Sigrid saw I was making ponchos. She said—Gigi, I like this one! I bought yarn and tried to make a similar one. I’m using the scraps to make a baby boy blanket for someone to have.

Siggie has almost finished a week at UAMS. Here her group is spelling the letters. She’s the mighty M.

 

Visiting

Yesterday I visited my special friend Mary George Standridge. She’s 95 years young and her mind is still sharp as ever. She out remembers me! I snapped this picture of her and Eulis from one on the wall.  She’s 20 years older than me! She’s has two children but they’re out of state attending a Granddaughter’s wedding. My friend Margaret is checking in on her for them. She would have loved attending the wedding but can’t travel for hours now. The wedding is in Iowa.

She was 18 when she married. Eulis passed about 10 years ago. 

Siggie survived her first day of school. The two girls with Sig are girls she already knew. Ada survived day two of first grade. She doesn’t have to sit in a car seat anymore. She’s growing up. She is wearing skorts to school each day. She loves dresses and such. She’s a prissy little girl. Greta was a sporty girl who was always perfect at school. Ada is not always well behaved but she loves everyone. She never stops talking! 

 

Last Start

Siggie starts Pharmacy College today. She’s jittery but after she gets into the realm it’ll be easier. She’ll have confidence like in 2013 with her red hat and gun at her side. She’s thinking about wearing the black outfit. I’m saying little prayers for success. She’s the baby like Ada.

Logan entertained his nephew Kaden with a ride on Comanche. I think Kaden is in kindergarten. Josie came too but she just rode around with Astrid on the side by side.

Ada’s school does a rolling start. She didn’t go yesterday but I think as of today school is every day. Clayton started yesterday and then today he’s back at Walmart from 4 til 8. Today is Eric’s first day with kids. I think this is his 22 year.

Laura sent Ada and me a picture of her dress. She got it when she and Ada shopped for dresses. Ada picked it. We’re a school family. Our lives are focused on learning. 

School Days

A sweet start to 2025-26

Getting off to school on the right foot is important.  Yesterday was the first day of school for three of my girls—Ada, Greta and Laura. Laura and Erin make homemade cinnamon rolls for first day back breakfast. Laura shared with me. Clayton starts later this week.  Praying all children have a great first day as it makes a big difference in the following year. No cell phones this year. Surely more learning will take place with less distractions.

Sigrid starts Wednesday. She’s stressing a little as she can’t figure out some of the things she’s supposed to be doing. When she gets on campus, she’ll get it all done.

I think Ing starts her new job Wednesday too. She’s really loving her new home!

 

First Day

 Astrid brought my supper Friday. I eat early so I saved it for Saturday lunch. It was a layered salad.  The jalapeños, tomatoes and onions came from her garden. It was healthy and so good.

Opie comes to the fence each morning to get her ears scratched. Her mother wasn’t tamed down by her first owners. She’ll let me touch her nose now. Opie being so friendly is helping her be less afraid.

Erin bought cherries at Aldies. Ada loved them. They’re pretty pricey. I’ve boughtvthem once this year. Today Ada starts first grade and Greta first year of high school. Clayton doesn’t go. He is a senior.Their school does a rolling start.

Buckeye

A Buckeye in your pocket is supposed to bring good luck.  They are also poisonous. I saw this Ohio Buckeye yesterday at Lake Dardanelle. It’s Ohio’s state tree and of the horse chestnut family. 

Astrid has added turkeys to her flocks.

Erin bought cherries and Ada loved them. She got another new dress. She loves all girly things. Opposite of her sister.

I’m taking my local paper again. It comes in my mailbox. The news is usually old, but I love the hold in your hand puzzles. I do the crossword and cryptogram in it. I like puzzles. I also work Connections, Wordle and Waffle everyday. Connections is the hardest for me.

 

Dorm Life

Sigrid got signed into the dorm for Pharmacy School yesterday. She got her parking pass and moved things into her room. I gifted her the rug from Sam’s. She was afraid all the black and white tiles might push her over the edge. She came back home. School starts Tuesday. Little Rock has lots of crime. Praying for her safety inthe city.

 

Brown Land

Laura has Surprise Lilies blooming. They announce fall is near.

Along my lane, I noticed the Possum Grapes were ready for the birds and animals feasting. As summer turns to autumn, one season’s flowers become the next season’s fruits. Coon and possums love these little fruits.. They are of the grape family and are more commonly called Pepper Vine grapes. They’re mostly seed, but make a good jelly.  Some make wine from them, too. 🍷

Possum Grape (Wild Grape) Jelly

• 1 gallon fruit, stemmed
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 5-1/2 cup sugar
• Pectin if desired

1. Wash grapes. Pour 1 quart boiling water over fruit. Wrap fruit in cheesecloth or muslin and squeeze as much juice as possible. Alternately you could crush them in a china cap with a dowel, but avoid crushing the seeds. Strain fruit overnight.
2. Take four cups of grape juice and mix with remaining ingredients. Bring quickly to soft-ball stage and skim any foam before pouring into sterilized canning jars.
3. Let boil in hot water bath for 15 minutes.
4. Check seals on lids before putting jars in storage. 

Heating up

Laura gave Ada some hair clips. She likes them and shares with her dolls. I never bought a cabbage patch doll for my girls. Their Mema made them a knock off. I recall they had Strawberry Shortcake and Lemon Meringue doll that was the real thing. 

Sigrid wants this so it’s on my list of projects.

I made this hat for Wanda at exercise. Her hair burned off on one side when she tried to light a gas fireplace. She wears hats. Many are ones I made for her. This one is light yarn and I thought cooler. She’s thin though and says she doesn’t get hot. 

Sister Helen has been disappointed in her tomato crop. Looks good to me as I hav3 none.

Ingrid and Justin are settling in in Alabama. She sent this of her pantry. I think work starts Monday!

 

August Heat

I finished the poncho Ada requested for her cousin. It’s a 7/8 but looks bigger to me. It’s just made of scrap yarn.

Heats returning but it’s August and normal.

Flets brought me a chicken box when she came. I placed it by the 6 chickens my 6 grandchildren drew for me.

Eric and Laura babysat Ingrid’s dog Weasley a few weeks back. Siggie and he look like twins.