high horse baby shower

It's spring and we are having a baby explosion in our church. It seems everywhere you look, you see an adorable baby bump, and so all the babies get showered with love. Yesterday, the shower honored a new little guy, so how perfect was it to make it a cowboy theme? We had such fun coming up with ideas.

Whether you call it Buckaroo Baby Shower or High Horse Baby Shower or Six Shooter Shower, you need to name your food! Here's what we did:

Vintage Bandannas for a bit of decoration.

Sheriff Shortcakes

We made biscuits from a Southern Biscuit Cookbook...

 added some sugar to the recipe to convert them to shortcakes...

and gave away the cookbook as a prize.

 

You can't have shortcake without Crack-the-Whip Cream. 

(We know it's really supposed to be whipped cream, but we had a theme going!)

And you have to add Stagecoach Strawberries.

(We forgot to take a picture - but you've seen strawberries before.)

 

Pistol Peanuts were a hit. 

Make sure you find a big cast iron skillet to keep them happy. 

You can heat them up if you want.

Everyone devours Yellow Bellies - especially when they are so yummy!

Sitck-em-Ups with Rowdy Ranch Dip.

Buckaroo Brownies

 Tumbleweed Tortilla Chips with Sharp-Shooter Salsa.

Outlaw Oreos

These look like they were made by a drunk cowboy, but they still tasted great.

We bought a cowboy hat mold for the chocolate hats.

Another shot of these adorable western bandannas. 

kids and cakes

It has been well over a month since I've last been here. I promised myself I would not do that. I wasn't planning a daily thing, of course, but certainly I don't want the feast or famine thing, either.

Since I began this online journal to give my grandkids an insight into my life, should there ever be a desire, I have been wondering the best way to write. Do I write TO them or do I just write? I seesaw back and forth, but I have come to the conclusion that I will just write. Here's hoping they appreciate my efforts!

We have a new blessing! Naomi Grace was born on August 17th. So far, she seems to have a real spirit of contentment, which is a breath of fresh air for a mom of three who already has two live wires!

There is another blessing on the way! In April, we are expecting our fifth grandchild! Can it truly be? Was it not just yesterday that I was begging my mom to let me date before I was 16? Did my brother not just teach me how dive? Can I not even now feel the slickness of the water as I slipped in like a seal instead of splashing in like a big old dog? Am I honestly almost fifty years old?

Has it really been over forty years ago when I first learned to bake a cake? It was from a box - one of the only packaged foods my mom had in the house. This cake mix was my first experience of baking something myself, and ever since, I've been an enthusiastic admirer and consumer of homemade sweets. I love the smell, I love the taste, and I love watching eggs, flour, and sugar become the centerpiece for someone's special day. It just makes me smile.

Jordan, our oldest granddaughter smiling at my 48th birthday cake!

my gift to tom: a bicycle built for two!

I must say that I was so, so, so excited to give this to Tom. I really wanted to come up with something good. I knew I couldn't top his thirty day countdown idea, but I at least wanted to surprise him. He's not easy to surprise, and not easy to find gifts for either. So, when this idea popped in my head, I was absolutely thrilled on a few levels. First: he just had his 6th knee surgery about a month ago, and one of the things he can do is ride a bike. But, how much more fun could it be right next to each other. Plus, if he gets tired, I can do most of the work. Second: it's for an anniversary gift. The symbolism of a bike for two on an anniversary is so perfect! I think it should be the gift for the 30th from now on! Well, maybe a little earlier in the marriage - before knees are hurting. Ha Ha Forget the diamonds or pearls or gold or whatever. The bike inspires togetherness and activity and bonding and love! We can ride to the beach or the woods or take it with us out of town, so we can sight-see together. I can't wait!

one: bracelet

Happy 30th Anniversary to us! We have reached the final day of Tom's ever-so-creative gift to me. What a lot of work it was for him! What a lot of fun for me! Thirty different cards and thirty different gifts. Tom is an amazing man, and he e is the best gift I could ever have. He's my best friend, my knight in shining armor, my loyal protector, my generous provider, and above all, he doesn't just have my back, he is my back. (sigh) He lifts me up when I'm down, he encourages all my dreams, he makes me laugh, he challenges me, and he lets me be me. I know I was blessed beyond anything I could have imagined when God allowed me to be with this wonderful man he created. I am honored and humbled. I love you lots, honey!

two: chicken salt and pepper shakers

Yes! More stuff for the kitchen! Yes! More chicken stuff for the smiles! I don't like to go overboard on chicken decor, but these are awfully cute, and I really didn't have any salt and pepper shakers like these. Practical and adorable - that's a great combination. Only one more gift left....

three: cast-iron grill pan

Tom knows I love a good cast-iron. It is so perfect for cooking, and of course it is old fashioned, so what's not to love? This is a pan for searing meats. I wonder if he's hinting to me that he wants a good, juicy steak? Won't they look beautiful?

four: holly yashi earrings

These are beautiful earrings! When the sun shines on them, they cast glittery sparkles all around the room - like a disco ball. They are really appropriate because Tom used to go crazy over buying these for me in our early marriage - until I finally told him enough of the Holly Yashi earrings. It turns out the company, which was started right in our home town, is also celebrating their 30th anniversary: Extremely perfect!