Empty Nest

Yes, that's right, my little bird nest that I have been watching on my front porch is now empty. I was sitting at my computer this evening, and saw something out of the corner of my eye fly into the window, then I heard it hit. I went outside to check to see what it was (which I had figured it was a bird) and noticed all these Carolina Wrens hopping around and flying around the porch. So I checked the nest, and sure enough the baby birds had flown from the nest and were learning how to fly. They don't completely have the hang of it yet, they can only fly short distances and they keep flying into things. I was sad to see my nest empty, but happy they all hatched and are doing well. They weren't afraid of me and one even flew into my leg. I got some good pictures of them I think. They didn't stay still very long.

Empty Nest

Baby Birds: Carolina Wrens-they are still a little bit smaller than there mom and dad.

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

This afternoon we decided to make some homemade strawberry ice cream. The strawberries are pretty much gone, but we were able to find enough to get about 2 cups of strawberries for our ice cream. We invited Mrs. Katie and Mr. Tim to come over for a bowl. Which we all ended up having 2 bowls of ice cream.

Step 1: Get your electric ice cream churn.

Step 2: Cut up your fruit.

Step 3: Blend all the ingredients together.

Step 4: Pack with ice and rock salt.

Step 5: Put the churn on and plug it in.



Step 6: Dish it out.

Step 7: Eat and enjoy this delicious frozen treat!

Ice Cream Recipe: I used Paula Deen's Recipe (Kevin keep kidding saying since it's Paula Deen's recipe it would call for 3 sticks of butter.)

Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 (14oz.) sweetened condensed (Eagle Brand Milk)

2 (12 oz.) evaporated milk

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

whole milk (we drink 2%, so I used that instead)

2 cups of fruit covered with 1 cup of sugar

Directions:

Blend everything together then pour into the container. Add milk to the fill line. Put the top on and begin mixing together. Enjoy!

Laying Sod

Our yard has a lot of sand and dirt in it, just due to the fact of where we live. We have been wanting to get grass to grow for a long time. So, we decided to till everything up and put down sod, St. Augustine grass. We started working on it Friday afternoon about 5:00. Then we had to stop due to a storm, then we finally finished about 9:15pm. In a few months, hopefully it will take and spread and we will have a nice grassy back yard.

The year tilled up before the sod.





We just got 3 pallets of sod. (Sod is very expensive)

We cut the sod into strips and it should grow and spread together.

This is our most high traffic area, and we decided to do all of one pallet in this area. This is one pallet and this is all it covered. So, glad we cut the other, because it would have of been too expensive to do the whole yard like this. But I can't wait until it looks like this!

Summer is Here!

Yes! Finally, yesterday was the 180th day of school! Which means, no more students! Yea!!!!! I worked today and will work tomorrow and next week Monday-Thursday, and then I will be done. But I don't count the days I work without students. The two half days (Tuesday and Wednesday) were not bad at all. Some told me that they didn't want to go to 4th grade because they wanted to stay in my class...which I'm thinking, oh no, you are going to move on. This has been my toughest year since my 1st and 2nd year. It was a real struggle and challenge. I am so thankfully it's over. I couldn't have gotten through it without your prayers and support and without God's help. He saw me through each day. Mid October to November I didn't know if I would ever see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, again, I am just so glad this school year came to an end. My prayer for the summer is that God will bless me with a well behaved and average academic class for the 2010-2011 school year. And yes, school just ended yesterday, but today we were already at work planning for next year.

I put out my summer flag today to celebrate.

And remember those cute little eggs....well, they have hatched! They had actually already hatched this past Friday. I had peaked in on them, but didn't take a picture. They didn't have any feathers yet, nor did they have their eyes open, only their mouths. However, this evening I peaked in on them, and they have grown up so much in a couple of days.

I was trying to get a picture of mom or dad, but they are very fast. They are constantly bringing their babies something to eat. (The bird's on the chain behind the flower.)

A Charleston Weekend

For Memorial Day weekend, we were in Charleston with my parents. The main reason that brought us to Charleston, was a cousin of mine was getting married at the Citadel. My mom and his mom are very close and we all wanted to go. At first, my parents were just going to drive down to my house then drive over to Charleston for the wedding, then come back. (We are 2 hours from Charleston), but my mom decided that that would be too much, and thought it would be best to make a weekend out of it. I am very glad we did. Here is our weekend: A true Charleston experience...

First Stop: Magnolia Gardens and Plantation

The last time I visited Magnolia, I was about 13 years old. It was very neat to me, having taught South Carolina history-which so much of it revolves around Charleston-I really enjoyed it. I have to say that my favorite part about the trip there, was seeing 2 white peacocks. They were breath taking! I took so many pictures, it's hard to pick my favorites.

The second picture below reminds me of a bride.

This is the 3rd house that has built for the Dreyton family. They considered this their "hunting lodge".

Japanese Beetle

Had this gator made a sudden move, I do believe I would have of run away screaming.


The blue peacock is just as breath taking at the white ones. The color of blue is so vivid. God is an amazing creator. The colors on this bird are just amazing.

Second Stop: Our Hotel (Spring Hill Suites) and Downtown Charleston

We couldn't check into our hotel room until about 4:00 that afternoon. So, we spent the day at Magnolia, then Sunday morning we walked around Charleston.

OUR ROOM

We had a great view of the marina.

Sunday: A stroll around Charleston

Third Stop: Visiting with Friends

My childhood best friend, Rhett, lives in Charleston with his wife Jodi, and their daughter (Addison Grace Harter aka "Addi"). Addi was born in December and is 5 months. I saw Jodi back in October at her baby shower, but I had not seen Rhett since Kevin and I got married. And of course we had not meet Addi yet. She is precious! Seems to be a very good natured, easy going baby. And of course Kevin and Addi became friends right away.

Fourth Stop: A Citadel Wedding

I have never been to the Citadel before or a Citadel wedding. My cousin, Ben graduated from the Citadel about 5 or so years ago. He married Heather, and they will be living in Greenville when they return from their honeymoon. They had a trolley to pick everyone up and bring them back and forth from the chapel, reception, and hotel.

Next Stop....The Citadel Chapel

The picture where both are turned around...it's tradition for the last guard to smack the bride on the behind with the sword.

Our final stop...the most elaborate wedding reception I have yet to attend. You cannot get any better than the atmosphere that they had at their reception. True southern charm and elegance.

They cute the cake with his sword; I guess that's another Citadel tradition.