My Flowers and Veggies

 I love that the Morning Glories climbed up our tiki torches. It just may make them hard to light!

 This white Butterfly Bush planted itself. 

 I planted this tiny little rose early in the spring, but the dog sat on it and I thought, killed it. I planted squash in the flower garden on either side of where it had been, and look, it grew back! 

 Purple Lantana amongst the squash plants.

 Zebra Zucchini and Summer Squash.

 Piracantha (spelling?) Bush.

 Purple Butterfly Bush.

 Pumpkin flower.

 Ugly wire fencing to keep dogs out. :)

 Melons.

 Pepper.

 Marigolds planted around veggie beds.

 Yellow Cherry Tomatoes.

 The first of my red tomatoes.

 The first mellon! So cute!

Morning Glory mixed in the Cosmos.

Growing Up

My son has grown up. He started out as this tiny, sweet little thing, always sucking on his fingers. 

 

 Then he grew into the boy that was like the labrador retriever puppy- always knocking things over and overly excited to do anything with anybody.

Now he is a high school graduate. He worked hard and overcame many obstacles. 

 I am very proud of the young man he has grown into. I love you, Nicholas! Congratulations! 

The Blessings of Homeschooling

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Yield two loaves

Preheat oven to 350°F

Sift together:

3 1/2 C flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp ground cloves

In large bowl, beat until light and fluffy:

2 2/3 C sugar

2/3 C soft shortening

4 eggs

Beat in:

2 C cooked or canned pumpkin

Now add the dry ingredients in three additions alternately with:

2/3 C water or milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Do not over-beat between each addition. Fold in:

2 C coarsely chopped nuts (slivered almonds are good) opt.

1 C chocolate chips (or can use raisins or chopped dates for variety)

Pour batter into two greased loaf pans, lined with wax paper on the bottom, and sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar.

Bake about one hour or until done. (When loaf has shrunk from the sides of the pan and/or sounds hollow when you thump the bottom of the loaf.)

For other tasty treats, check out the Sweet as Sugar Cookies blog and see what she has cooking! Fun! Fun!