It was absolutely wonderful!  I had a week with all my grandchildren and it was the best vacation I have had in a long time.  I can't wait to do that again and hopefully the older two can return for a few extra days before the summer is out.  I learned new things about the personalities of these kids and each one of these four always have something new to surprise me with.

Sunday was my daughter's birthday and we had a wonderful cookout and swim party.  Lot's of fun with family and friends!  Even my 87 year old Dad got in the action, but we couldn't get him in the pool.  He did enjoy some delicious barbecue and Brunswick stew though and even some of those delicious friend green tomatoes!  Sis and hubby got in on the action too.  Mom must have been hiding from the camera.  I can't find a shot of her anywhere! 

 

A local church had a good fireworks display around 10:00 so we all trekked over and watched the sparkles and listened to the booms.   We were even serenaded by the "3 J's" (my daughter-in-law,daughter, and other daughter).  It was a fun filled day. 

When my daughter was a toddler and terrified of fireworks she ask that we don't do the fireworks for her birthday anymore.  On Monday night after their return north this same daughter was taking her children to town to watch the fireworks. 

I hope that you had an enjoyable July fourth weekend and celebrated our declaration of independence with much joy and thankfulness. 

Now on to more work, play and daily living!

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!

Belle

Me and the Bean Bag

I went shopping for some bean bags for the grandchildren for Christmas. I guess my head has been in the wrong place for way too long. The last bean bags I purchased were many years ago and cost me $16.99 each. Not too bad and kids love these things for rolling around on while watching TV. I was looking for something in the girls colors of pink or purple, of course and for one special young man maybe a camo, black or brown, but all definitely needed to be plush. Soft and fuzzy means comfort.

Following my penchant for shopping online, I went to work. Okay, so the first ones I found were not plush, but pleather and the colors were not quite right, but my word these little devils had jumped to $129.99. Where in the world have I been?

I continued on my search and finally found some bags on "clearance" at $59.99, but those colors! And, they were denim! The search went on and on. I found that these wonderful, comfortable little chairs cost in excess of $200.00 and I still could not find my colors.

How hard can a bean bag be to make? I went to work. I wouldn't get them made for Christmas, but I would get them made. I worked my pattern out and found me a piece of fleece - not their colors, but this one was going to be my experiment. Found the pellets on clearance for $17.99. That must be where the cost comes in because the other vendors for pellets started at $37.00. The first step was to make the inner lining, then fill with the pellets, and finally the cozy cover.

The inner lining I made from cotton and adjusted my pattern as I went. It went together pretty well, but was bigger than I wanted. After adjusting I was ready to fill with the pellets. Sounds simple right!? Well, think again. I had left an opening in the top thinking I could just push the end of the bag into the opening, dump the pellets into the liner and stitch it up. Nope! It didn't happen!

Gravity is not stronger than static electricity! (I should have remember those lessons from school, but that was such a long time ago.) Those pellets did not budge, not even one of them! I even tried to squeeze them out - no go. They climbed up the sides of that plastic bag and stayed there. Removing the opening from the liner, I sat and watch those little devils jump around - I think some of them were even laughing! Realizing that there really were not that many pellets (3.5 cu ft) I grabbed a large plastic cup and started scooping them up to pour in the liner. They jumped, slid, and hopped right out of that cup. The trick was out smart these tiny devils! I started to scoop, pause, pour. It worked! I was moving right along until I dropped the blasted cup.

Pellets went everywhere. Plopping down on the floor I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry, but not being much of a crier, I laughed and then laughed some more. Taking a break from the liner filling, I chased styrofoam pellets all over the place. I would get close and they would scramble away.

I spent more time filling the liner than making the whole bag. It was a wonderful project for the day. I am thinking that these will be great for next Christmas and really $59.99 isn't so bad. I would probably consider $129.99. No, I don't think I would cheat myself out of having so much fun.

Be creative! They are not hard to make and can be very entertaining! Until next time . . .

Happy reading!

Belle

Happy and Funny Memories with Cousins

Patching up Mikey after a bike accident

Plowing the garden with a Ford pickup truck pulling the plow because the tractor was down

Helping CW when she picked the beautiful fall leaves that turned out to be poison oak

Sliding on the rocks at the creek

Camping and canoeing at Lake Kerr

Checking the lines for catfish at Lake Kerr

Listening to the tall tales as told by Auntie Sue while sitting around the fire

Always watchful of T-Bow and his sneaky tricks

Deep frying chitlins in the black pot with children riding by grabbing some on the run while Moms are vowing their kids won't eat them

Watching the Superbowl with the guys against the gals

Sitting around a fire on the cool nights of fall - not talking, just sitting

CW and I curled up with a good book while the guys are hunting

Mikey's breakfast - delicious

Listening to Dad's story of Auntie singing opera - "Have a raspberry"

All the skits at the Lodge and the many hikes through the mountains

Good fun, good food, lots of laughs! Always an adventure!