I Heart Saturday AND....pillow covers from mom!

My mom can sew. Me - not so much. But, I have so many ideas that just need a stitch here and there... nothing MAJOR. So, her having a new little machine works out PERFECT for me :)

I wanted to add this fabric somewhere.....I thought covering my favorite throw pillows would be a good use.

My mom surprised me with some really cute touches! She used velcro to attach the one of the sides so that I could easily take out my former beloved pillows.

But, what I did not know she would do was to add these buttons - which were my grandmothers.....

and she picked out this cute ribbon for the inside.....

more buttons...each pillow is different...I love!

saving her dollars

she is keeping track of her dollars - already adding what she thinks she may get for her birthday




then...we will go to Pasadena to pick up Lanie and bring her home

I Heart Saturday AND....nate

Matt took this picture playing with the self-timer on his new camera January 2010.

So, here you are Nate, two days before turning 16 years old.

See how much you are loved.

You make me laugh. A lot.

You have so many interests that are developing and talents that are growing.

I can only pray that your intelligence, humor, your tenderheartedness as a lover of music and art...

will show you more of Him

and be used for Big God things -

things that are unseen here.

'Cause nothing else matters.

It is a blessing to have you in my life.

So here's to the day that we can listen to music loud while you drive and you will not lose your concentration.

another wonderful birthday

January is my family's month for birthdays!
You may have a dad that does not tell you outloud how much he loves you and is proud of you.

I do.

When I think of my dad I think of...

- Enjoying Angels baseball! He taught me to keep score....I always had so much fun

- Sport stats - he knows them all!

- He had a great work schedule when I was playing highschool sports and he was always there!

- He is crazy about my mom and treats her like a queen! As my mom said the other day "they are joined at the hip"...so sweet.

- He loves vacations!

- He is a major GIVER....in time, thoughts, ideas, listening, material things...you name it.

- He gives me green olives....'cause he knows I like 'em

- He really digs is grandkids!

- He loves a good story and he loves remembering the many from his own past 64 years from childhood, his parents, us as kids, lessons learned, his travels and now tales of his simple days with awesome grandkids.

I love you more dad!

the little things

This week, one of my dearest friends bought me this...


This week I am going back here and get to be with my bosom friend - the one I can share my heart and soul with....


Five-star, food, fun and fellowship and all on company money...another unexpected GIFT that He knew I really needed!

I Heart Saturday AND....home remedies!

After pulling my casserole dish full of piping hot sausage filled manicotti's the other night, I laid a towel down on my table and the dish on top. I thought (lame) it would protect my table. It did not.

I lifted the towel and this stain was left. I was so mad. I am so hasty and rough on things. Uggh.

Searched my Home Comforts book and it only mentioned how to repair with sanding and staining. Google brought up this idea:

Hover your steam iron above stain and the stain will be lifted. This worked at first, but then the stain came back after about 5 minutes.

Another said, put a pillow case or white towel over the stain and set your steam iron on it for about 30 to 60 seconds. I tried that and it worked!

Happy me.

(Oh, Renee White - if you see this, that is my new Southern Living cake stand, turned up side down. I love it!)

Mom's birthday

Earlier today we celebrated! French cafe and shopping...my mom is the BEST!

















I posted this picture last year on my moms' birthday. That is when she told me she really kinda hates this picture. Seriously? I love that it is candid and she just looks cool with her long brown hair. So hairspray and everything.

Plus, my brother and I are just cute and serious which is rare even today.....

Well, I am posting it again. So there.

I am taking her to birthday breakfast this morning and will capture her current beautiful self.

Love you mom and I am SO VERY Thankful for y o u!!!

I Heart Saturday AND .....winter cherry tomatoes

still enjoying these from my little potted plant..

also heart honey bringing out his camera more so I can enjoy some lovely photography from Abstract Vision.net

I Heart Saturday AND......my Jen scarf!

my dear friend Jen knits and knits

she looks adorable doing it

she digs diet coke with a splash of cherry with crunchy ice

just like me

she a perfectionist type person

not like me

she carries around her works of art in a lovely bag or basket

she gives them away to friends

and this Christmas

I was lucky enough to be one of them!

a Rennick Christmas morn

it happened one december...

we went to a switchfoot concert

at DisneyWalk...which gave us our first taste of the sites and sounds of the Christmas season...

then she was a toy soldier with her dance group that performed for senior homes and at Vista Murrieta high school....so fun...

and made a new friend in dance class...

we made lots of homemade hot chocolate and drank it in our Christmas mugs by our partially decorated Christmas tree...

snuck out to eat ice cream by the fire while brother was at basketball practice...

this guy played Bob Crachitt in the Christmas Carol, of which I have photos to prove but they have not been edited by Mr. R.....

went to a lovely Christmas wedding....

Christmas piano recital with this dear friend...

played the violin at a rescue center

....met up with favorite neighborhood friends to see Santa at the big white star

saw the house with the 125,000 lights,

wrote letters to Santa and mailed them off at Macy's for the Make A Wish Foundation,

made chocolate covered pretzels for friends,

cookies for neighbors,

ate lots of candy canes,

decorated gingerbread cookies,

read the pop-up advent calendar each night,

watched Charlie Brown Christmas,

the Grinch,

the Polar Express,

Christmas Carol and

Miracle on 34th Street....

sang Christmas carols (and discussed their theology),

shopped and shopped,

wrapped and wrapped,

oohed and ahhed.....

am I done now?

Merry Christmas!

"In all your ways acknowledge Him"

Prov. 3:6