weekending

the weekend was swim suit wearing

shoe shopping

spending mucho time with the peeps

and with new buds!

pinning like crazy

pondering where I am going

where I have been

spending some time reading

spending some time watching this and this

eating BBQ with my eldest peep coupled with great conversation

helped a sweet friend say goodbye to her dad,

what a brave girl...so proud of her

remembering my mother and the day I said goodbye to her

then I went home and got a hug from Sawyer

now all is right in the world again.

**linking up with the fabulous Amanda

10 right now::

1. rain...its a good thing!
2. this website
3. warm breezy afternoons on the front porch
4. dinner out with besties
5. this song that is on a constant loop on my ipod
6. this Lisa Leonard must have. and this one too.
7. Twitter...@StephFromTexas
8. this cute ensemble...thinking it will be my Summer uniform
9. flip flops
10. blog stalking...this fab one. this too sweet one too. 

what are you digging right now?

weekending

this weekend was
a sleep in kind of 3 day weekend.
we slept way too late Friday & Saturday
but it was oh so needed.
there were egg hunts
lots and lots of softball playing
Saturday afternoon BBQs at the sister in law's house
complete with a long drive contest with the cousins
and basketball games too.
gardening
watching Hangover for the millionth time with my mister
cooking of turkeys...Spring style
roasting of asparagus...straight from my garden (yay!).
Sunday brought a drive to Vinton
my mister's sweet little grandmother
89 years young
along with that turkey & asparagus was my fave rice dressing.
more cousins
more egg hunts
remembering of the sacrifice our Savior made for us...As He bled through every pore.
taking a moment to really ponder what that means.

what was your weekend?

**I am linking up with the ever so fabulous Amanda**

How great

How great the sacrifice.
How great the love.
How grateful I am.

Wishing you all a very happy Easter.

weekending

(photo credit)

this weekend was nice and slow.
the mister had to work all weekend. date consisted of a quick run to the local bbq joint for steaks. but it was a cherished hour indeed.
Saturday started late. slept in to the unbelievably late hour of 8am.
laundry, meals, snacks, and forest fires. yes, a huge forest fire. it has burned over 5,000 acres so far. including some of my beloved Big Thicket. it is terrible.
watched this movie. it delightfully surprised me. the story and characters were more 3 dimensional than i expected. a tear or two might have found their way down my cheek.
spent way too much time on Pinterest. i might be a bit obsessed.
a little reading of this. and a study of Hebrews that i am devouring. learning more about Gideon. pondering that it is not the amount of perseverance that i have, it is what i do with it.
i HAVE to remember that.

how was your weekend?

10 right now::

• Pinterest.com...inspiration!
• photos...especially from this fantastic eye.
• homemade yogurt popsicles
• listening to these guys daily. and these.
• Jackie O sunglasses 
• Chanel no. 5
• heirloom tomatoes...Mr. Stripeys!
• flip flops
• turquoise & orange
• pecks on the cheek

and one to grow on:: dates with the mister.

this moment

one photo ...no words
one i want to savor   to remember always
one that makes me smile

right now: i am...

having the best time with this guy. it has been a joy to watch him grow and mature. 

even though it is his first year in Little League, he has taught his teammates by instruction and by example. a thrill for this LL veteran mom to sit back and just enjoy.

bonin farm daybook

Outside my window... ~the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and a breeze is blowing. it is beautiful!

I am thinking... ~how much better i feel with this weight loss.

I am thankful for... ~that i have my great grandmother's quilts to snuggle under. so loved Nadine.

I am wearing... ~black tee, jeans, flip flops

I am remembering... ~what it was like to be a senior in high school. just how difficult it is to choose a college. a path.

I am going... ~no where, if i can help it!

I am currently reading... ~ Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand  little by little Court!

I am hoping... ~to get more time to read. i have never had this much trouble finding time.

On my mind... ~Summer vacation destinations

Noticing that... ~my sweet Cameron is turning into a man.

Pondering these words...~A true random act of kindness is one where you do not get noticed for the kindness you spread or did. Be kind for each act creates a rippling effect that is endless.

In the kitchen... ~more grilling, lots of lemonade, and board games. in the freezer...3 of our guinea hens and 1 rooster.

Creating...~special moments with each peep.

Around the house... ~landscaping, gardening, and mountains of laundry to be hung on my new clothesline. well new to me sort of. it was my mother's. have been hanging clothes with it since i was a child.

One of my favorite things... ~afternoon snack & chat with the peeps.

A picture memory to share...~

Sawyer holding the game ball he earned at last night's game.

He LOVES his 1st year of baseball.

weekending

Jordan at District Golf Tournament 

Cameron at the District Golf Tournament

this weekend i...
lost mislaid my camera cord...hence the IPhone photos above
watched my garden grow. please hurry tomatoes. i so want to eat you in a sandwich.
read a little. which is a total miracle these days.
went to bed early and awoke way too early.
Saturday's early rising was for a great cause. i took a road trip with my sweet Cameron. we went to the Texas A&M Veterinary School Open House. and i didn't even spontaneously combust when i stepped on to the campus. please would my beloved University of Texas build a Vet School?? in any case, he LOVED it. we saw everything. even a live surgery on a basset hound. very impressive.
on that road trip i saw fields and fields of bluebonnets. so beautiful. so majestic.
while i was gone Sawyer played baseball. thank you Jordan for being the kind of son that i can trust with not even a thought of a worry to take care of your brother. my first baseman is over the moon about his first year of Little League. it has been a blast!
Sunday has brought a serene peaceful day. i oh so heart Sundays like this. mornings with my church family and afternoons with my peeps.
and i am ready to do all again next weekend.

how was your weekend?

since i've been gone

i have been laughing and crying. watching and reading (a teeny bit). pondering and more pondering. and......

• hiking as much as possible
• searching until my eyes are about to cross for homeschool curriculum 
• watching 2 HS peeps play golf
• watching a little peep play baseball
• not making it to book club (i suck!)
• not letting people provoke a reaction out of me
• not sweating the small stuff
• checking out some zoo animals
• checking out Veterinary School with my Cameron
• supporting Jordan in his college choices
• planting Spring flowers
• visiting little Cajun great aunts...boy is she great!
• finding out a great deal about myself
• and loosing 22 lbs. so far. only 18 more to go. ugh!

i have missed you my sweet friends. i needed some time to process some things and be silent a while. hopefully i am back now. 

what has been going on in your world???

a little been gone music for you.

bonin farm daybook

Outside my window... ~sunshine! 

I am thinking... ~i have been away from this space for far too long. i needed to be silent for a while. to just be with my peeps. to just be with myself and my thoughts. it feels so good to be back.

I am thankful for... ~a sweet email from a blogger friend. it meant so very much. thanks Claudine!

I am wearing... ~jeans, green vintagish Schwinn tee, and keens.

I am remembering... ~to judge not.

I am going... ~on a hike with my mister in the morning. 

I am currently reading... ~ ugh! there has been no time to read. it is killing me!

i am diving in The Hiding Place ASAP. and i have been looking at a lot of homeschooling literature...Charlotte Mason is looking like a fit for us. decisions, decisions!

I am hoping... ~to get back into a rhythm in my home. Spring Break threw us off...but it was oh so fun. (spring break post coming soon)

On my mind... ~my sweet friend Marlo. she lost her father only hours ago. i know her pain and sadness and wish i could take it away for her.

Noticing that... ~things always turn out as they are supposed to be.

Pondering these words...~"Let children alone... the education of habit is successful in so far as it enables the mother to let her children alone, not teasing them with perpetual commands and directions - a running fire of Do and Don’t ; but letting them go their own way and grow, having first secured that they will go the right way and grow to fruitful purpose." 

~ Charlotte Mason

In the kitchen... ~lots of grilling. so glad that Spring has sprung and we can enjoy the out of doors!

Creating...~pillows on the sewing machine. balance and purpose on the brain and soul. even deeper love for my mister in my heart and soul.

Around the house... ~SPRING CLEANING! washing, organizing, mending, planting...i love it all. 

One of my favorite things ~my Spring garden. we have started planting! only 5 types of tomatoes...is there a 12 step program for tomato addiction?!

this moment

one photo ...no words
one i want to savor   to remember always
one that makes me smile

from the kitchen:

::honey oat loaves slathered with loquat jelly
::fresh, sweet strawberries...some dipped in dark chocolate
::lots of handmade pizzas...mushroom and asparagus for me please
::tons of clementines...we can not get enough of them
::greek yogurt drizzled with honey topped with walnuts
::strawberry banana protein shakes every morning
::and eggs from my girls...they are laying again hooray!
::banana cake for my bookish peeps

monday
grilled pork chops
baked sweet potatoes  spring peas w/ mushrooms

tuesday
rosemary lemon & garlic roasted chicken
brussel sprouts   broccoli & brown rice
green salad

wednesday
pinto beans
cornbread  cole slaw

thursday
frittatas
*one with asparagus & chevre
*one with bacon & cheddar
heirloom tomato salad   crostini

friday
handmade pizzas
roasted cob corn  green salad

saturday
dinner out @ The Pickett House...yum chicken & dumplings here i come!

sunday
grilled burgers & boudain
oven roasted sweet potato fries
avocado & tomato salad
?what's for dessert??

there is also puzzles being put together, dictation being taken, secret wishes being revealed, paintings being creating, and much love being shared.

what is happening in your kitchen this week?

a walk in the woods

i may not have traveled down the Appalachian Trail with Bill Bryson and his hilarious friend, but i did some hiking today. Though that is on my bucket list. loved, LOVED that book. but i digress.

this morning, Kevin and I hiked a couple of trails in the Big Thicket. it was the most peaceful, serene morning. walking and talking. planning and pondering to the soundtrack of squirrels scurrying, birds calling and woodpeckers knocking away.
it was a perfect monday.
how was yours?

weekending

ET
the great horned owl

this fab lady is 86 years old
travels the country educating us about and saving the raptors.
she was too precious!

if you look close you will see he is checking himself out in the mirror.

 screech owl

crested caracara

okonomiyaki 

this weekend was super full. everything seemed to be happening all at once. oh my did we have some good times.

friday started with Save Our Raptors at the Ice House Museum was fantastic. the cute lady in the picture not only travels the country with her birds and saving others along the way, she sleeps in her van with them...even when she is home. she was a hoot!

saturday morning we picked up trees from our local Arbor Day foundation.

maybe a little antiquing/thrifting along the way.

lots of puzzles were put together. Sawyer and Cameron are masters.

saturday night my sister in law made us the most fab Japanese dinner. can you say yum?! our most favorite couple, Robert & Laura, joined us. the highlight of the night was Kevin showing us his dance skills on their Xbox Kinect. too funny that mister of mine.

sunday was the best kind of sunday. started with a wonderful church service...best music ever! a matinee ballet date with my Sawyer. our local civic ballet company had their spring performance...featuring Snow White. LOVED it. ended the weekend in true bonin fashion. with food of course! we came home to Kevin and the peeps grilling steaks. 

perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

i am linking up with the fabulous Amanda.

what was your weekend like?

this moment

one photo no words
one i want to savor   to remember always
one that makes me smile

bonin farm daybook

Outside my window... ~the front yard is covered in Robins. 70 degree weather with a little sun. we are finally thawing out a bit.

I am thinking... ~about making a change. home schooling seems like the right path for us.

I am thankful for... ~simply put: my life. my relationships, my spirit, and the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.

I am wearing... ~blue shirt, black cardigan, GAP jeans, and zebra flats.

I am remembering... ~a terrific trip to Houston with my sweet sister-in-law Erin last year to Japan Fest. so looking forward to this year!

I am going... ~to have a fantastic weekend with my peeps...SOAR:Save Our Raptors (yay!), hiking the Big Thicket, a trip to the art museum, okonomiyaki at my brother & sis-in-law's home (yum!),     and lots of reading. maybe even the ballet...Snow White.

I am currently reading... ~Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 

I am hoping... ~that my love is received by others.

On my mind... ~education for my peeps. are making the right decisions.

Noticing that... ~God is everywhere if we just look for Him...and listen.

Pondering these words... We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing. 

Louisa May Alcott 

In the kitchen... ~lots of strawberry/banana protein shakes...maybe green shakes this week, pita pizza margherita, clementines and more clementines.

Creating...~peace and harmony

Around the house... ~paints, pastels, dogs, snacks, mud, and mucho smiles.

One of my favorite things ~homemade pizza

From my picture journal...

the heart day

started early for me. 5:30 in the am to be exact. that is when my mister came home with the bag of Chanel. Chanel no. 5 parfum. my oh so favorite. tucked away in the bag was a sweet gift card to Barnes & Nobel of course. because the book he went to get for me wasn't on the shelf. what a dear, sweet man. well, until the "happy pills" were discovered. while at the health food store he spotted them this weekend. naturally he picked them up for me so i was sure to happy this day of love. that's my guy....sort of romantic, ALWAYS a good laugh. 
the day was perfection. thoughtful gifts and a sushi lunch. golf balls for my older peeps. a new camping lantern for Sawyer. chocolate dipped strawberries all around. and even a special heart bentoish lunch for mister 1st grade. 
i love this day of love, hearts, and chocolate. the day we celebrate loving each other. the day of roses and tulips, of hugs and kisses, and of cards with hearts. the day we remember that Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes...




**today was a doubly good day...a package arrived from one of my favorite blogging friends, Amanda. full of fab goodies. thank you Amanda!

this moment

one photo ...a blurry one this week
one i want to savor   to remember always
one that makes me smile

right now, i am

...jumping for joy. i oh so heart Matthew Meade. with the summer issue fast approaching, they did a give away. that's right. i am a winner winner chicken dinner! made this dreary cold day a ray of sunshine. it is the simple things that make me smile.

a well stocked pantry

once again the amazing Amanda has been an inspiration. she listed the foods she could not live without. and boy is she living my kind of life! naturally i began mentally listing what i must have. i mean it is a list and food = heaven to  me.

*avocados...how can you live without them? i don't know and i don't want to.

*grainy mustard

*horseradish

*tomatoes

*homemade bread

*chicken...esp. the perfect roast chicken

*homemade chicken stock...can't waste that chicken carcass from that perfect roasted chicken

*fish

*lemons

*rosemary...oh how i heart my rosemary bush. see photo above^

*basil

*garlic

*onions...yellow please

*shallots

*good olive oil

*eggs...my girls

*honey...with the comb if i am lucky

i need my own bees!

*bacon...ok ALL PORK.

*homemade pizza dough

*mushrooms!

*parmigiano-regiano 

*havarti

*pasta...mamma mia

*walnuts

*pears

*strawberries

*yogurt...greek with honey

*grits

*marinated artichoke hearts

*spring peas

*spinach

*figs...may my trees be abundant this year!

*hummus

*dark chocolate

Sawyer wanted to add his list....

+pizza...especially with roasted garlic & chicken

+donuts

+pancakes

what is on YOUR list?

10 things :: must reads for 2011

i have been considering 2011 for a month now. really? a month has passed? a list of accomplishments i seek, wishes, and so on was taken care of as i blew the candles out on my birthday cake last week. what sweet wishes and warmth i received on that day. thank you!

now it is time for the bookish list. my true love! as most of you know, a list is always in the making with me and usually growing. so here are the top 10 on my list....so far.

::Coop 

::The Dirty Life

::Tender at the Bone

and i haven't read this one yet and think i must!

::Franklin and Eleanor:An Extraordinary Marriage

::The Backyard Homestead

::The Autobiography of Mark Twain

::Sarah's Key

::Unbroken

::The Art of Photography

::A Grief Observed

from the kitchen...

::bread baking...still tweaking the recipe. weigh in if you have a go-to recipe.

::cookbook reading

::secret telling

::many math problems

::some reading aloud too

::menu planning...ugh! what to cook this week??

::granola envy...i need a fab recipe

::soaking up the warmest space in my home 

monday

grilled pork chops (thank you Kevin)

brown rice & peas w/ mrooms  garlic sauteed spinach

tuesday

lemon talapia 

asparagus pesto pasta

romaine salad

wednesday

beef stew

rice  cornbread

thursday

chicken paillard

oven roasted sw. potatoes  broccoli

friday

chicken & roasted garlic white pizzas

cob corn  italian salad

saturday

?????

sunday

??????

lunch box

::graham crackers

::cashew butter

::yogurt & granola

::edamame

::pesto pasta w/ chicken (from paillard)

::beef stew

bread box

::sandwich loaves

::cornbread

cookie jar

::chocolate chewies...back by popular demand.

what is going on in YOUR kitchen this week?

bonin farm daybook

Outside my window... ~the frogs are singing and the birds are chirping, and the first crows of the morning from Mike...my very own symphony of nature.

I am thinking... ~that life is what you make and that i am thrilled i learned that lesson.

I am thankful for... ~repentance.

I am wearing... ~black yoga pants, tiffany blue tee.

I am remembering... ~my book club that met on my birthday. how beautiful they made it for me...complete with my mother's signature cake. can't think of a better bday cake!

I am going... ~for my yearly well check this morning. just might have to stop by the book store on the way home.

I am currently reading... ~Coop by Michael Perry 

Reading Aloud...~ Stuart Little by E. B. White

(Sawyer choice and is LOVING it)

I am hoping... ~Jordan to do well at his golf tourney today. Cameron to have a productive day. Sawyer to continue loving learning.

On my mind... ~finding and keeping balance. being a better mother, wife and friend.

Noticing that... ~simplicity makes me happy.

Pondering these words... In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.  

Robert Frost

In the kitchen... ~bread is baking for breakfast.

Creating...~pillows from bank bags i thrifted and Valentine fun

Around the house... ~all are asleep and quiet. Kevin left for work an hour ago. i am having some quiet time.

One of my favorite things ~snuggles.

From my picture journal...