~CROSSING THE FINISH LINE~

 

My Mr. AGPMan have been involved in a whirlwind of activity for the past several weeks and it culminated in a huge family celebration over this past weekend!  We proudly watched our beautiful daughter, Adrienne, walk across the stage on Friday afternoon at the University of Central Oklahoma to receive her college diploma.  We are overjoyed for our only daughter and we couldn't hold back the tears as she was handed her diploma.  Her degree is in General Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice.

In 2003 Adrienne graduated from high school and in 2007 she married her beloved, Micah.  They PROMISED they would finish school and indeed they both have!  Micah graduated on Saturday (their class was so large the University had to split the ceremonies into four) with a degree in Criminal Justice.

It's taken our girl and her hubby ten long years to complete their courses of study and to cross the finish line. I'm also thrilled to tell you (with a big, happy grin) they are graduating debt-free.  An amazing fete to say the least where lots and lots of sacrifices were made along the way.  It can be done!

After a large party filled with family and friends we are excited about the future for our kids.  We are blessed...so blessed.

This week I'm going to try my best and refocus now on some work...website restocking (which continues to suffer with empty shelves) and my new booth space at Serendipity Market in Edmond, OK.  Back to life as I've known it.

Hope your week is fab!

Love to you...

~CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS for ADRIENNE~

~STOCKINGS in BERRY VELVET~

You would think with all the Christmas Stockings I make each year that my own child, my daughter Adrienne, would have a pretty pair for their home.  Not so.  What is it they say about Plumbers?  They always have clogged sinks or something like that!???  Actually...I think it's more about her not being able to decide WHAT she's wanted more than me not getting on with making them if you want to know the truth...

~REMOVABLE PIN~

Since I know she's cramming on last minute work for college (she and her hubby graduate in May!!!) I'm pretty confident she's not going to see this Post.  So...I'm sharing with you the "By Special Request Christmas Stockings" fashioned just for her and her handsome hubby.

 ~PIN EASILY REMOVED~

My girl doesn't do WHITE like I do, nor did she do PINK like I did.  She's a fairly traditional girl and favors comfortable and yet classy decor.  Not too frou frou even though she's very girly.  Her Christmas colors are berry (a light burgundy) with silver, gold and soft white.

 ~PRETTY VINTAGE LACES~

Last Winter while shopping at Penney's I found a gorgeous soft berry velvet drapery panel on clearance for $7.  It had originally been priced at $98 and since I loved the color (and so did she) I decided to  bring it home.  At the time it matched the sofa we had in our home.  Well...my girl now has that couch and so I decided to use the fabric to fashioned her Christmas Stockings.

 ~LOVELY TATTED LACES and CROCHET~

 I tucked the remainder of the fabric back for the BABIES I know she's going to have some day...like ONCE SHE'S OUT OF SCHOOL! :)  (I can't wait!)

~INSIDE VIEW~

Just a few more days and Christmas will be here.  Can you believe it?  My Miss K is coming today and we are baking cookies this afternoon and then going to see the LIGHTS in Chickasha, Oklahoma...  Such a fun tradition for our family.

Love to you...

~ADRIENNE~

 

 ~WAITING FOR BABY #2 ARRIVAL~

Visiting Nebraska Summer 1984

(My Eyes Are ALWAYS Shut!)

Had it ever been required, I would have gladly given up any other earthly love for my children.  From the very beginning of their lives they've been my heart's song.  I love them with the whole of who I am and more.

 FOREVER SIDE BY SIDE

Adrienne and Her Daddy - 1984

Today my beautiful daughter, Adrienne, turns 28.  Seems like yesterday I held her in my arms...today she towers over me having grown into a simply gorgeous young woman.  I'm so proud of her.

~A DREAM BABY~

Coming Home - 1984 (Car Seat is in FRONT!)

Can't help but share with you a few photos from our past...so wishing there had been digital cameras back then.  I've added captions to the pictures as I reflect back upon the days they were taken...

~ONE MONTH OLD~

Baby Adrienne and Mommy With Her Eyes Shut (Again!)

Taking this trip down memory lane brings back to my mind so many wonderful moments spent with family...

~OUR YOUNG FAMILY - EASTER - 1985

With Gramma and Grampa N.

Life has a way of scurrying by, doesn't it?  When I think of the blessings upon my life none have been so dear to me than those that surround me becoming a mom. 

~SUMMER FUN~

DADDY'S FAVORITE PIC - 1986

This picture was snapped in front of a home we almost purchased in Yukon, OK.  Brandon was four and Adrienne was almost 2!  If I'm being honest these days were some of my most favorite of all I've lived.  Simple, carefree and broke!

~EASTER SUNDAY - 1986~

Ruffles of Pink

(2nd Favorite Dress I Ever Made Her)

I loved putting Adrienne in PINK!

 

 ~WITH YOUR FIRST FRIEND and PROTECTOR~

With Brandon - Christmas 1988

And in RED!

~CURLY LOO and BRANDON, TOO!~

Summer - 1989

And in BLUE!

~MONKEY GIRL~

Kindergarten Scholar -1989

I'll never forget this day...I turned around and nearly freak out that Adrienne had climbed to the top of the door...

~THE THREE OF US - EASTER - 1991

Adrienne, Rebecca and Rebecca's Hair! (BAH!)

~NO NATURAL CURLS HERE!~

EASTER - 1991

Just in case you THOUGHT her hair was curly on it's own!

~WITH GRANDMA E~

Summer 1993

~BEING GOOFY~

Summer 1993

~MOMMY and HER GIRL~

On Briarwood - 1994

~WITH GRANDPA E~

March 2001

Celebrating my father's birthday before he became ill...

 ~AS CLOSE AS EVER~

With Brandon - Summer 2002

Playing at the lake with big brother, Brandon.  Young fun in the sun!  Missing these days so much!

~TODAY WITH HUBBY MICAH~

Sharing a life with her handsome hubby!  (We LOVE him, too!)  Married 5 years now!  Wow!

~LAST YEAR~

My Girl and I

~~*~~

Happy Birthday, Adrienne!  I hope and pray someday you experience the joy and pride of being a mother for yourself.  My relationship with you has been one of the sweetest I've ever known and you bless me more than I can say.  Thank you for being such an awesome daughter and for the deep love you show your family and friends.  We hope one day to deserve your grace and goodness.

Love you MOST!  HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(Looking forward to a day of fun with you!)

xoxo~Mom

~~*~~

Blessings as you celebrate the lives of those you love.

Love to you...

~CELEBRATING WITH A GRATEFUL HEART~

 A HUGE THANK YOU

TO MY

HANDSOME SON

BRANDON KENT

FOR ALL THE CODE-WORK DONE

ON MY WEBSITE.

HE'S WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES ON TECHIE ISSUES THAT
ONLY SOMEONE OF HIS

ENORMOUS SKILL AND INTELLIGENCE 

COULD FIGURE OUT!  I'VE GOT ONE AMAZING SON...

SMART, HANDSOME, GIVING, GENEROUS

AND ONE THAT NEVER FAILS TO BLESS HIS 

FAMILY...ESPECIALLY HIS MOMMA!

THANK YOU FOR RESCUING ME ONCE AGAIN, BRANDON!  YOU ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU!

XOXO

(PS:  I'm so glad I allowed you to get that Nintendo!)

ANNIVERSARY WISHES ARE IN ORDER FOR MY

GORGEOUS DAUGHTER ADRIENNE AND HER HANDSOME HUBBY, MICAH!

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY TO YOU BOTH!

(PS:  Adrienne...you were the MOST beautiful
bride I've EVER SEEN!)

XOXO

~~*~~

Hope your Saturday was wonderful.  After another night at the Oklahoma State Fair (Friday) and an out of town wedding today and I'm one beat lady!  Off to watch a movie with my Miss K for some down time!

Love to you...

~THE MOST UNUSUAL CAKE EVER~

 Cakes have changed so much over the years, haven't they?  Today you can find cakes made in all shapes and sizes and you can even get them with your picture on the front.  I think my favorite cake-photo is the one you see above.  It's from my 1955 Woman's Home Companion Cookbook, a gift from my mother.  Something so simple and fresh about it!

Both my grown kids (Brandon and Adrienne) LOVE to cook and I'm constantly surprised by the fabulous food and deserts they create.  I'm no cooking schmuck...but they have both surpassed me with their talents in the kitchen.  I love to eat their food and look forward to the meals and dishes they prepare for my Mr. AGPMan and I.

Last week my daughter took an order from a friend to bake an unusual birthday cake.  She really had to put her thinking cap on with this one because they asked her to create something she had never done before.  Can you guess what the cake at the top is going to be?

If you guessed a Margarita Cake then you would be right!  Who would have EVER thought of making such a thing!

The Margarita Cake was flavored with a hint of lime (think key lime) and covered with a homemade vanilla fondant frosting!  I'm lovin' the SLICE of lime she made as an accent!  Adrienne sent a few pictures via her iPhone so they aren't too good.  :(  That said the CAKE was fabulous!  She brought her dad and I a small sampling of it and I couldn't believe how wonderful it was.  Homemade fondant frosting is NOTHING like what you buy in the can! 

Check out the pictures below of the long, long process!

Just had to brag on my girl!  She is amazing...

LOVE YOU ADRIE-GIRL!

~~*~~

Didn't do much over the weekend except catch up on things that have sat idle on my 2-do-list for far too long!  Tomorrow I'll show you the FEW things I picked up junking in my town on Saturday.  Haven't had time to do any SERIOUS thrifting for a while now! 

Love to you...

~~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~~ One Single Thought

 ~I NEED THEE~

"I need Thee ev'ry hour, 

Most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine

Can peace afford.

I need Thee,

O I need Thee,

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Stay Thou near by;

Temptations lose their powe'r,

When Thou art nigh.

I need Thee,

O I need Thee,

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev'ry hour,

In joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain.

I need Thee,

O I need Thee,

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises

In me fulfill.

I need Thee,

O I need Thee,

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need thee ev'ry hour,

Most holy One;

O make me Thine indeed,

Thou blessed Son.

I need Thee,

O I need Thee,

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee."

 (Annie C. Hawks)

~~*~~

I've shared this beautiful old hymn before but today I couldn't resist writing out the lyrics for you again.  When life gets hectic and sometimes overwhelming I'm reminded, ofttimes by those I love, I am always in need of my Savior.

~~*~~

My daughter, Adrienne, is a sweet soul.  No doubt like Annie C. Hawks.  One day last week I was having a pretty stressful morning when I heard an unexpected knock at my front door.

 

  Nothing major was happening...

(just life-stuff)

My house needed attention.

Laundry in the hamper needed washing.

Letters needed to be written.

Product needed to be mailed.

But...that knock irritated me.

Messed up the flow of my work

and concentration.

I had to get up.

Answer the door.

"Go Away!" was the

one single thought

running through my mind.

 When I opened the door an older gentleman with a smiling face stood in front of me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.

"Are you Rebecca?" he said.

My loving, generous, gracious and most beloved daughter sent me beautiful spring blooms...

No reason.

Just because.

  As I closed the door this

one single thought

was running through my mind...

 

 "I need Thee.  O I need Thee."

(Thank you, AdrieGirl. You honor me!)

May your Sunday be blessed.

Love to you...