Back to School

Every year it is the same thing.

The beginning of summer starts, and I wonder how we will fill up each day with activity.

Then, the next thing you know, there are back to school catalogs in my mailbox.

At that point, I know the summer is over.

This year, it just seems to have gone especially fast.

I really did not have anything planned for our summer break this year.

So, I am pleased with all the things we have accomplished.

~We held a yard sale.

~My son got his driver's license.

~My son has practiced driving alone.

~My daughter has gotten contacts.

~We had a nice unplanned vacation to the mountains.

~My husband had a colonoscopy with no problems.

~My daughter was released from her Vanderbilt doctor for good.

~We had a very successful church Bible School.

~We got a new pastor.

~My sister's and I have enjoyed several nice lunches.

~My brother joined us for a visit to my Lynchburg Sister's home.

~I picked blackberries.

~I attended three summer teacher workshops.

~I opened a new Etsy Shop!!!

I am sure I could add more to this list...

but the fact is

today was my first day back at work.

So, it's back to going to bed early and getting up early...

Packing lunches and completing homework...

Motivating and Inspiring...

School is back in session.

Parmesan Potatoes

The very first time I ate Parmesan Potatoes was at my husband's house when we were dating.  His parents had grilled steaks, and he had made parmesan potatoes.  

Both the steaks and potatoes were delicious.

To make these delicious potatoes you will need:

6 large potatoes

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup butter or margarine

Peel and cut potatoes into quarters.

Combine flour, cheese, salt, and pepper in a bag.  Moisten potatoes with water and shake in the bag, coating the potatoes with cheese mixture.

Melt butter in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.  Place potatoes in a layer in the melted butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour, turning once during baking.

Enjoy!!!

Surprise Lillies

SURPRISE!!!

The lillies have appeared.


Do you have surprise lillies in your yard?

They are so fun and so beautiful.

My Grandmother had these in her yard when I was a little girl.  I loved them.

You never know when they will appear...and then one day the stalk is there and the blooms quickly follow.

Shirt Pillows

What great fun!

This is my latest addition to my Etsy Shop.

Pillows made from cotton shirts.

My Lynchburg Sister gladly let me display them on her beautiful wicker chair.

They can be displayed with buttons and pockets showing... or not...

Aren't these just fun pillows???

And they are now available in my Etsy Shop!

Texting Kitty

Oh my...everyone at my house is into texting. My son never puts his phone down. My daughter begs to use my phone to send messages. My husband is slowly learning how to type short, simple messages. And, even the cat has at times borrowed my phone.


My daughter snapped this picture of our cat, Precious, and it has to be one of my favorite pictures. We entered it in a contest, but we didn't get any response from it.


I have to admit, sometimes sending a text message is an easy way to communitcate. And if the cat is into it, maybe I should try it more often.

LittleFamilyBigWoods Etsy Shop

I have a very special announcement to make.


After much studying, considering, wondering, and playing around...I have decided to open my very own Etsy Shop.  I am very excited to share this news with you.


My shop will include several items that I have made myself...some of which you have seen come together here on my blog. Like this pillow for instance:   http://littlefamilyinthebigwoods.blogspot.com/2010/06/pillow-project.html

I will also offer for sale a few heirloom and vintage items. 

I have been working the past few days getting my little shop ready to open.  I have lots more that I am hoping to post, but it is a slow process for me.

You can visit my shop here:  
http://www.littlefamilybigwoods.etsy.com//

More Inspiration

I just recently have found the blog, Livs List, http://ljo-s.blogspot.com/.  This blogger is from Norway.  She uses lots of galvanized buckets and white flowers in her decorating.  Very pretty combination.  I have discovered a few things around my house to use with the white flowers. (The large bucket with the handles was stored in our barn.  I had forgotten about it until my husband reminded me it was there.)