show and tell: how 'bout them apples?

Soon, this lovely basket of Gala and Fuji apples will be turned into: apple bread, apple jelly and chunky crockpot applesauce.

It's quite a bit of effort--but worth it. I am known to let out a groan or two when all the baking and pureeing starts, but when I take out a loaf or a pie from the freezer six months later and have the smell fill my kitchen, the only sound you'll hear me make is: yuuuuuuuum.

Is there something you cook or bake that is a lot of work, but you couldn't be happier when you get to sit down and actually enjoy the fruit (ha!) of your labor?

There are others standing at the front of the class participating in Suzy's Show and Tell , so be sure to visit them too!

Show and Tell: Blossom

Every summer, I look forward to this beautiful flower taking over my back patio.

When the first cold snap sets in, the plant dies back to brown twigs and there is nothing left but empty seed pods by the time Christmas comes.

And every spring, I find myself doubting that this magnificent plant will come back to life. But every year, it does...and it's bigger and better than the year before.

Some people know it as a "Moon Flower" because it only blooms at night, and others call it an "Angel Trumpet" because of its shape. I relate to both meanings--I'm a night owl, so I love that its shining moment is after the sun goes down. I love thinking of them as Angel Trumpets because of the abundance of blossoms that were on the plant last summer when I was on bed rest. I'd go out every night before going to bed, and I'd always feel a renewal of faith--that I had made it through one more day.

I will be sad when the blossoms start to whither in a few weeks...but maybe I've learned my lesson, and I'll have faith that they will be back next year. Bigger and better.







See what the rest of the class is showing this week!

Show and Tell: Hole in One

On the 18th hole of a round of mini-golf (or putt-putt as we call it here in the south, ya'll) you typically putt the ball in the hole, and down the shoot it goes...into the collection bin.
(or into the ocean, as I thought as a child)

Except this time, I didn't play the 18th hole, because I needed to keep this ball.

I always go for the green one: it matches my eyes :0) This particular golf ball will be placed in a hall-of-fame shadow box in the Jeans household. For this golf ball was placed on the green of the 17th hole and rolled
ever so effortlessly into the hole.

More details must be added to this story. And if you don't believe in karma, I hope you will after I tell you this.
(I have 7 witnesses to back me up)

The O-man was getting a bit fussy, so I picked him up out of the stroller as we rounded the corner to the 17th hole. I also picked him up, anticipating what was really waiting for me.

The ghosts of July 2008.

On the 17th hole, I started bleeding. This is where I thought I had lost the O-man. The night was spent in the ER, where we discovered that he was in there, but so was a very large hematoma.

So as I held the O-man in my right arm, I placed the ball on the green, made my putt with my left hand (I am right handed) and watched as I got a hole in one on the hardest hole on the whole course. As you can imagine, I started to cry--and with happy tears, I celebrated with those 7 witnesses--who were all with me last year, as well.

As well as the important 8th member of the group...
who was also with me last year, even in my darkest moment.

Brought to you by:








Click on the chalkboard to see what others are sharing this week!

Show and Tell: Creation

On this very day, a year ago, you were only visible
under a microscope.
Today, I hold all 15 lbs of you, and thank God that you were
"born" June 11, 2008.

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See what other's brought for show and tell here.

Show and Tell: Band-Aid

My first Show and Tell...and what an appropriate Sunday to show, and tell...


Earlier this week I had 2 moles removed, and will have to have more skin biopsied this coming week, due to the cells coming back showing basal cell and some squamous cell carcinoma. I was given strict instructions to change the band aid every 4 hours....so I had to dig deep into the depths of my medicine cabinet to find this:


It's amazing what can trigger memories. This large box of Band Aids sat on my bedroom dresser for IVF #1, our FET, and then for IVF #2. After each shot, out came a band aid--and Im guessing I took over 200 shots over the course of all those treatments. Can you see the wear-and-tear on the corner? That's from when I threw the box across the room afer IVF #1 failed...

Wow, I just had to take a moment and re-group.....because I am looking at the box sitting on my table, right next to where O-man is sitting in his bouncy seat.

I remember MANY times wishing that those band aids could cover my heart; stop all the aching and pain I was feeling. Some days were just too much. One of those days was Mother's Day 2 years ago...right before we started IVF #1. It's ironic to me now--I had a Harry Potter reference even back then--and how O-man came to be known as Ron!

Today is a Hallmark-Day...just another day on the calendar. Women: mothers, aunts, daughters, sisters, wives, should be celebrated every day. And of course I have a special place in my heart for the women on the path to expand their families-- THESE women are the strongest, most admirable women on the planet! That's why I loved Liv's idea of OMG You Rock Day! My rockin' OMGYRD partner, IF Optimist, sent me these lovely items:

A rockin' CD of tunes that make her happy, a fantastic home made card, and a beautiful dragonfly necklace.

So as I celebrate my first "Mother's Day" I am certainly grateful for my sweet, precious O-man. He is a long awaited member of the Jeans household--and I will never take today for granted. To all those that are celebrating today, squeeze your little ones extra tight. To all those waiting...I wish I could give you a band aid to ease the pain-but know that you are very much in my heart today...


Brought to you by Mel's Show and Tell. Click to see today's other participants.