Stuck in the Middle with Blue

My middle child is now in Middle School!

Good Luck baby - I love you!

Hidden Beauty

My late summer garden is BORING! The bright pinks and purples of spring are faded. I've had to thin and trim the verdant thyme ground cover back to stems and the day lilies have gone to bed. August demands a closer look to find anything beautiful - there are only glimpses:

Juicy blackberries peeking out at the

sun from behind floppy leaves.





"Morning Glorious": a volunteer treasure with blue, fuchsia and white blossoms that hides behind the garden shed!

Another Blog

Hey friends - I have started another blog. Yes - I am crazy - thanks for asking!
It is all part of my attempt to use the "free" aspects of the internet to shamelessly promote my business. So it is specifically a sewing blog to post pictures, prices, etc. for Cinde Exclusives. It will link from my website so those who are interested can find out more info about my work. You can check it out here.
See Ya Bye!

At Work Today

I should be working or showering or cleaning or something but I am sitting here reading blogs. I supposed this is one of the hazards of working from home...no one to chat with around the water cooler. So I have to daily check in with all my fake cyber-friends who I have never met but who I know that I would have a kickin' good time with if I ever did.

Today, Lysa at Proverbs 31, puts in a good word for Chick-Fil-A. I think it is a good word for any Christian in the business world. Are we going the extra mile to serve our customers? To give them a bright spot in their day? To listen if needed? To have integrity in our dealings? Are they a person to us or just a means of getting that paycheck?

Lysa says, "Our tasks should be a means to an end- not the end itself. Whatever we are doing, we should have spiritual eyes that are wide open realizing not one person who crosses our path is there by happen chance."

Definitely something to think about at work today...which means I'd better get to it!

"Barefoot Cake Wrecks"

The other day I came across this hilarious blog called "Cake Wrecks". Self-described as "When Professional Cakes Go Horribly, Hilariously Wrong". Oh, my word, this site could be my new addiction...it is so stinkin' funny and some of the cakes are so very wrong.

Take this one for example:

Or maybe these seasonal favorites:

Do you suppose someone has created a snufflupagus/reindeer cross? Now those are some crazy genetics!

In the spirit of what would Jesus do, I decided I shouldn't throw cakey-stones or try to get the "cake log" out of my brother's eye without first taking a look at the splinter in mine.

Therefore I bring you: (drumroll) "Barefoot Cake Wrecks"

Now this was Max's birthday cake one year. It is supposed to be a surfboard but now that I look at it, I'm seeing a patriotic squid. See the blue "waves" that Max colored on the cake board? Maybe that was so you'd know it belonged in the water and not Cape Canaveral. Remember, however, I am not a professional cake decorator...just a mom who occasionally plays one on TV.


Okay...moving on...

This lovely creation - sporting a "ghetto shoe" - was for Blue's 5th birthday. I copied the shoe design from her invitations...was supposed to be pink leopard skin. Why is it still in the pan you ask? Easier to carry to the roller skating rink that way - plus mama is busy and it's much faster if you don't decorate the sides!

This little number was for a "picnic" themed birthday. It is supposed to be a checkered picnic tablecloth, complete with ants. It looks more like argyle gone buggy...

And now for the Grand Finale I bring you the "CCC". On the official "Cake Wrecks" blog, the "CCC" stands for Cupcake Cake and man do they ever get some heat.

Here are the "Barefoot Cake Wreck" versions: This one isn't too bad. I think you can tell it is a football sitting on the field at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. You can tell that right???

Ummm, this is what you call "Mom using the computer to generate pieces of Spongebob that she can slap on some frosted cupcakes...because she also has to make crabby patties and keep 10 little 1st graders entertained."

However, please remember, I am not a professional...but the person who made this was:


Thanks for joining me in "caking" fun of myself today! Love ya'll!

Checkin' In with Random Stuff

Buford is in Baltimore.

Kids had Parent/Teacher Conferences tonight. Awesome reports - doing great.

Sewing biz is hopping. Will have to sew into tonight and most of day tomorrow to get caught up.

New fave song...



If you like kitties, check out this hilarious blog...

I dare you not to laugh!

Permission to Nag??

My parents stayed with us a couple of nights this week while they were participating in some activities at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. My house is only about 30 minutes away, cheaper than a hotel, plus their grandchildren live here...might be a bonus??
Buford, my dad, and I were talking about the busy schedule this week and how wives have to keep their husbands informed and reminded all the time. My dad said, "We need some nudging and guidance from time to time."
I said, "Dad, do you realize that the acronym for Nudging And Guidance is NAG?"

We had a big chuckle over that one and then I generously thanked him for the permission!