We are done with school for today. The kids sang their hymn and copied down their memory verse for the week. They all did language and math. They read their reading assignments. David did some coloring and tracing.
I made some homemade pizza for lunch. It is easy and the kids ate it all up. I put fresh sliced mushrooms on mine. Yum.
Now they are watching “I Love Lucy” and eating popcycles. It’s sunny out today but chilly.
We did go to Crackerbarrel on Saturday, as planned. Rich and I talked on the way, and I took the picture of him. He dressed nice for me. I did not wear those boots. LOL I love Saturdays, because of him.
At the Crackerbarrel, I had what I always have–an egg sandwich on white sourdough toast. It has fresh tomato on it, and I ordered mine with a slice of swiss cheese. I had a side of hashbrown casserole, too. The kids all ordered pancakes/french toast/eggs. . .except David. He always gets cold cereal because he loves the little boxes that it comes in, the cereal and the milk. . .all for him.
After breakfast, I asked Rich if he would take me to my favorite antique store and he agreed. He dropped me off and took the children to get new shoes (white dress shoes for Grace for Easter, new sneakers for David and Caleb, and new black church shoes for Jacob).
I had a great time prowling around, looking at things. . .doilies, old clothes, dishes, jewelry, books, baskets, vases, etc. I found a stack of Country Living magazines from 1989 and I bought those. I’ve had fun looking at them. I also bought a pretty set of Homer Laughlin China.
It’s the “Virginia Rose Colonial Kitchen” pattern. The pictures make the dishes look too yellow, they are really a light, creamy yellow. They have gold edges. There are 8 dinner plates, 8 soup bowls, 8 bread plates/saucers (not sure which, they don’t have the circle indentation in the middle) and 8 dessert plates. Also a covered sugar and creamer (which I will no doubt serve maple syrup in!), a serving bowl, a serving platter, and one lone teacup.
This pattern is SO homey. I really like it a lot.
Not that I needed more dishes. But it’s fun to set a table. And, I have dreams of a spring picnic in the woods, by the stream. I want to pack a basket for 2, and use real china. Maybe Rich and I will go with the kids, but feed the kids first and then watch them play while we eat our lunch by the stream. Then I’ll rinse the dishes off in the running water and imagine I am a pioneer woman. 
I took this picture of Ethan, our 9 year old, oops, I mean 10 year old, this morning. He’s the family guitarist. He came downstairs with his instrument to play for me, “Lightly Row” is the song he is practicing this week. He’s still in his pj’s.
Handsome. Let me just sit here and gaze for a minute or two. . . .
Okay. Now. I know there are some of you who cannot stand looking at a Super Mess. Well, believe me this was NOT fun to clean up. But, what can I do? I at least have to grab the camera and get some small particle of enjoyment from this kind of thing! When I took my shower this morning, I left Caleb with his brothers. They were all building with legos. It would have been fine, if Caleb hadn’t gotten away. . . .
After I was dressed, I sat in the livingroom to read my devotions. Not for long, because up came Caleb, from the basement, looking like this:
More Red Paint.
And here was his partner in crime:
Oh dear dog, how embarrassed you are with your coat of red.
I spent a considerable amount of time, scrubbing red paint off various surfaces. In the basement, I found more evidence of the crime.
this footprint, along with about 4 more just like it.
I am NOT washing the dog. But Caleb did get a bath.
With bubbles. And toys.
Good to be Home 
Oh my… Caleb… I just don’t know what to say about that. He certainly does know how to get himself into mischief, doesn’t he? And the dog… that picture cracks me up.I would love to hear Ethan play sometime…
That footprint is going to be cherished and adored in about 10 years! Keep it for the memories! I love the china, so pretty!
I knew there was a deep, inner connection we had from the beginning… mushrooms on our pizza! LOL Do you know what a vainshing breed we are? š
Sounds like a perfect Saturday… food, family and shopping! I love the china pattern and especially your picnic idea along~side the stream!
Ethan is handsome, and he must be quite talented on that guitar. I am lucky to read most of the notes! Oh, but that Caleb… what a funny little guy he is! I see some of him in Noah, my little explorer. I just put him down for a nap a while ago and I thought he was asleep; little did I know because I found him wandering around the house when he was supposed to be in bed! lol Thank God for our little boys!
I hope you keep that footprint in the basement. Write the date next to it and you’ll always treasure it.
Man, Caleb is such a little monkey. You gotta get the doggie all clean, too! hehe. Very nice china, it’s a cute pattern, I like it. I hope you have a great day.
oh dear.. I love thatt the dog is painted red too! it sure looks like the BOTH had a great time getting into red paint!
I can imagine Caleb growing up to be the face painter at festivals — lol! I love the china, and your dream for a picnic with it.
The pictures are great. As a mother, I think that taking a picture of something like that is a wonderful way to not get mad about the mess that you have to clean up! I think I am going to start antique shopping, it seems like it would be fun. Right now, during the summer I shop at garage sales! Such great deals! Have a wonderful day.
oh Shanda I love reading your blog! I love the china and the idea of the picinic. Your sweet Caleb along with his partner in crime…too sweet.
We have a whole season of “I Love Lucy” DVDs, the girls love themHate to ask but, was that tempura or wall paint? LOL!!!!Yikes . . . my girls are playing with Legos as I type. Better check on them! We have red paint stored that was used to paint two of our den walls! . . .
I love the china! It is so pretty and homey. Your dream of a “crick”-side picnic sounds perfectly lovely! Caleb sure knows how to get into things- seems like he favors red. I need to be better about taking a picture instead of getting upset when we have incidents like that. It is snowing here today. Summer is coming, summer is coming, summer is coming…….
That little one is definitely a mess maker!!! Send the dog out to the pond!
Your dishes are lovely. I’m happy you found them. A picnic by the stream sounds romantic…I’m sure Rich would like that.The painted boy and painted dog….the picture of the day. š
Oh my goodness! I assume that paint was washable ~ what a little monkey he is!! I’m sorry, but I’m sitting here laughing out loud! The dog just cracks me up too. By the way, love the dishes ~
Those dishes were a fabulous find!!!! Yahh for you!!! Have a super great week…Lisa
You are amazing! I think I would be too busy screaming to get the camera! Hope it wasn’t oil base paint!
I LOVE your new dishes but I especially love your dream of a spring picnic by the stream. I laughed out loud at the thought of you being a pioneer woman, very cute. I bet Caleb made the bath water red this time.
I would have been scared out of my wits, it looks like blood, but then of course if he wasn’t crying the reality of it would sink in! Love all the pictures! They are worth a 1,000 words aren’t they?!
your daily blogs and pictures bring me joy. you are amazing! i love sunday posts just because they remind me so much that God loves us no matter what. our service was on how we are God’s masterpieces. it amazes everytime i think about it. well i just wanted you to know that i think you are amazing. may Gods blessing be everywhere this week for your entire family.
A few hours in an antique shop sound LOVELY! It must be neat to look at the older mags and see how styles have changed.
You are so funny! I love the china too, and that picnic by the stream sounds marvelous.
I had to chuckle about David’s choice of food at Cracker Barrel. I have two 18 yr-old boys who will eat cereal and milk most anytime. Going to all the trouble of fixing a special breakfast is usually lost on them! Unless, of course, there is plenty of bacon!
I’ve never seen that china before, and I really like it too! I have a weakness for pretty dishes and currently own sets of four different patterns (much to T’s bewilderment )! I’ve had the same idea about taking an intimate picnic with real dishes by the water. Caleb is hilarious…and I seem to remember this color appearing in the not-too-distant past, as well – didn’t it have something to do with lipstick?
I join the others in just loving those dishes (one of my big weaknesses). I love CrackerBarrel to! I will try the egg sandwich next time. We were there for breakfast this weekend. Your 10 year old is a handsome guy! And dear Mr. RedCaleb you are one fun fella. blessings and hugs in SC
I was drooling a little over the first picture (just kidding) and then I got to the red paint pictures and wondered how in the world you keep your cool. I’m rolling in the floor laughing at the red dog.
OH my goodness!! That red paint!! Haha! That could not have been any fun to clean up! And the dog!!! I love, love, love that china! Oh, it just makes me want to jump into the picture! and I had a night little dream along with you of the picnic by the stream with real china! What a special treat that would be!! They really are just beautiful!
How how did you get that off?! What kind of paint was it? At first I thought it was lip stick! LOL!
So sweet how R. dressed up for you!
shan I missed this post! I have a little of that set too but without the fine design on the edge! I have it packed away in an attic! What a mess Caleb was but very funny! So sorry you had to work so hard to clean that up! Glad you got some pictures before hand though! Oh to be a pioneer woman. I’ve always wanted to go back in time for a little while just to see what it was REALLY like because I know I romanticise it in my mind! . . . .okay I’m back from day dreaming! Love you Lish
Very pretty dishes. š I had to smile at Caleb’s Picasso dog. š Those footprints are to precious. Messy, yes, but some day when he’s a grown man you will look back and treasure that picture. At least that’s what I am told. I will have to post my youngest son’s picture from today. He had a Peanut Butter and Nutella sandwich facial. Yes, you read that right. lolHave a great week
I love Homer Laughlin China. I like so many of the patterns Georgia and Nautical are favorites,yours is wonderful!