School Runs, Jam Session and Thursday's Treasures!!! Who KNEW??

We did some work in the back pond area and watered before we left Wednesday afternoon to do the after school pick up! 

We arrived early enough to park and sit a minute in the car visiting before getting out an positioning ourselves on the concrete wall where we could see the kids coming out the door - and they could see us!

Kailey spied us from inside the corridor and was the first to greet us.

We were a surprise as they didn't know we would be the ones picking them up that day.

Here lately, I've been telling the kids I am taking them to a 'destination' before we go home.

That day it was Aldi! 

Kailey knows how to get a basket using the quarter and we all filed in looking for snacks.

Each child could spend $5 - they stayed in their budget while I spent a bit more.

I got some flavored coffees as I was next to being out at home. Half and Half as I am liking that better than the powder creamer I've been using for years!

Pastries and the odd and end thing I find there.

Amber was at a doctor appointment and then had a few errands to run so we had the kids all to ourselves.

Dinner that night was Tacos and all the fixings!

After the kids were in bed, we watched a TV show - and Louis Dean promptly fell asleep in the recliner. We left him there since he was sleeping so well and I went on to bed since I had an early morning wake up call!

I have to say that I dearly love being there for the morning school run.

Amber was able to sleep in and I had breakfast ready and the coffee made when the kids came downstairs. PLUS I was already dressed with make up on and everything!

Trystan says she loves me being here to get them ready for school and I told her THEY get themselves ready! I'm just along for the ride.

Amber had done most of the lunch prep work the night before so I layered up their thermoses with Spanish rice, black beans, taco meat filling and a sprinkle of cheese! Presto! Taco bowls!

Tortilla chips, guacamole, a banana and juice rounded out their lunch boxes!

Amber is famous for her school lunches!

Good Thursday morning from the Quad Squad!

They arrived at school at 7:29! 

Actually, I realized the car clock is two minutes fast so it was really 7:27!!

I came back and Louis Dean was up drinking coffee so I joined him in one cup and then I went back to bed for a couple of hours!

Mike was in Croatia on business last week and he brought back some honey!

This morning Amber and I had a honey tasting.

Note the different colors of the honey - all from Croatia.

Acacia honey has a mild, sweet, floral flavor.

Chestnut honey is less sweet and more complex in taste.

Because of the tannins in the chestnut tree, it imparts a slightly bitter aftertaste.

The Forest honey reminded me of sorghum - it has a strong flavor and not as sweet.

This honey is not made with nectar but from the sugary solutions the bees collect from the leaves of the trees.

It's fascinating to taste different honeys and even more so when they come from so far away!!

We got home in plenty of time to get ready for this week's jam session!

This time there were 10 musicians and 3 wives listeners!

I have a new friend named Bonnie and she is the one who is responsible for this group!

She requested the use of the room and handles the ins and outs of it all. Her husband's name is Jim and I think we are all going to be good friends.

She and I went just a few blocks down the street to a thrift shop during the first half of the music session.

Texas Thrift is a HUGE store and we had a good time browsing!

I found a nice night dress....

and a Liz Claiborne purse!

I bought this framed Santa print featuring the artist Susan Comish.

I'm thinking I will do this for Christmas this year.

You can see some of her Christmas paintings here..... 

She is an amazing artist and I;m sure you will recognize her art when you see it!

It's crazy how you find things you never thought you'd see!

Jesse used a pot similar to this on Sunday when he made my coffee.

This was just $4.99 so I snatched it right up and Jesse made coffee in it tonight.

This is a bigger size so it made enough for both of us.

Plus I love the color of the pot!

Cocktail hour out in the driveway.

Wine for him.....

and iced mint tea for me.

I have my annual check up on Wednesday morning and I am hoping to get a good report on all my labs!

Tonight I have worked more on taking all the debris out of the dining room and hope to finish it tomorrow! This is a big job but taken in stages, it's not too bad.

I think that's the way it is with most things.

It's easier to take a large project and break it down in sections or steps.

Once you go through one thing and then on to another - it's not long until it's done.

It reminds me of a Bible verse I think about when I have a job to do......Isaiah 28:10

 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Sometimes the dreading of a thing is worse than the doing of it!