1. prom
2. invisible fences
3. birthday cake
4. His Safe Haven
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scott went to prom last weekend!
it was cute to see him get dressed up and be nervous and then know that he a great time.
prom is such a fun night for all of them… they feel so grown up.
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this is not scott’s car… but it was fun to sit in and take pictures.
there was a huge thunderstorm during what was supposed to be the outdoor “Promenade”
so the car part was kind of a bust… because it was POURING.
BUMMER.
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i have had some questions about our Invisible Fencing system we put in here at this house.
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we bought the Innotek Basic In-Ground Pet Fencing System, SD-2000
and since we have more than one dog we ordered the Extra Collar For Smart Dog 
our yard is bigger than the amount of wire that comes in the kit so we ordered additional wire to go around the whole yard.
PetSafe 500-foot Spool of 20-Gauge Boundary Wire
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my sons and craig put it in in a weekend and it was not difficult.
the dvd that comes with it shows easy instructions to do it yourself.
you put flags up all around the perimeter of the yard to alert the dogs to the boundary.
then you train them for a few weeks in several ways that are all taught on the dvd.
our dogs caught on really quickly.
the collar beeps when they get close to the border so they know to stop.
it also beeps when the battery is dying so you know to change it.
eventually they don’t even go near the edge to make it beep.
the only times our dogs have gotten out of the yard is when the battery has died in their collar..jpg)
even dogs blink when they get their photos taken.
HA!
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i HIGHLY recommend this fence.
invisible fencing has changed my days!
walking a big dog was never pleasant for me… and with two or three dogs… forget about it!
and bathing them when they ran away to find every pond and puddle they could was not my favorite.
and worry about if they were going to come back.
this fence made my life easier and kept my dogs safer.
and i like that!
it doesn’t keep other dogs from coming into your yard but it keeps your own dogs from running away.
our dogs are friendly so if a dog happens to come in our yard it’s like they just met their new best friend!
now if only it would work on chickens…
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i made craig a birthday cake.
it was yummy and i wish i’d only made a half of a cake…. because it’s just sitting there… looking at me!
it’s calling to me from the kitchen!!!
i can see it right now!
i used this recipe from Javacaupcake for the cake.… yum.
(i could not find espresso powder so i left it out)
for the frosting i used:
1/2 cup room temperature butter
1 cup peanut butter
4 cups powdered sugar
3- 6 T milk
Cream together the butter and peanut butter. Then add in powdered sugar slowly and add milk a little at a time until frosting is the consistency that you prefer.
i added chopped Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups to the top.
i like the minis because they come already unwrapped!
the trick… throw the bag of reese’s in the freezer and then when you are ready to chop them up it doesn’t get all messy and mushy. 🙂 🙂 🙂 trust me… i do my research on reeses! i’m no dummy.
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and saving the best for last…
These are some of the foster moms who care for the children of His Safe Haven.
do you remember a few months ago Talby raised money to give to HSH for their housing?
and SO MANY of you gave generously!!
she was able to raise enough for an entire year of housing for His Safe Haven!
THEN Christina sent this picture to Talby and said that with that money they were able to move all the moms to one location to live together!! How cool is that? Now they are a community of foster moms that can support each other! Can you imagine the joy it must bring to have women right next door to help you out… who understand the special needs of these kids? WOW!
God is doing great things with His Safe Haven!
thank you again for helping my Talby raise money for them!
i hope Talby gets to meet all these women someday. 🙂
Leslie - I can’t stop laughing at your chicken picture – they crack me up! I think that should go in your shop 🙂
amy jupin - a couple of notes:
1. scott’s prom date is super cute! they make such a handsome couple!
2. i think your puppers are the cutest. but the chickens scare me!
3. that cake looks divine. i’m drooling. happy bday craig!
and 4. the last pic is just awesome! awesome!
Shannon R - That cake looks so delish. My hubby is allergic to peanuts so I can’t enjoy treats like that frequently. He is out of town for the next four days. I wish you could box it up and mail it to Alabama. My kids and I would gladly eat it.
Andrea - Meg…how in the world did your son grow up so quickly. What a handsome young man….he sure does resemble your husband! I just love to see pictures of your dogs….they are all so cute, but that waffle is adorable! and wowza….your chicken looks a little testy!
Terrie G - 1. Oh, to be young again!! Part of me wants to go back…part of me would dread it! 🙂
2. Those dogs! And Chickens! I Die! Oh. My. Cuteness!
3. That cake…my Dad would love it! Maybe even my son-in-law…and he doesn’t like cake! What?! I know! Who doesn’t like cake? But he Loves cheesecake…ok, he’s back in good graces! 🙂
4. And your daughter! (well, they are all awesome in their own right!!) But So proud of Talby!! I too pray that she gets to meet those ladies someday! How amazing would that be?!
5. Look at that! A bonus comment!! Your stairs! You are killing me with all your color! Will you Please come do my house? I’ll cook for you…and I’d even help! And that chalkboard wall! Fab-U-Lous! Your IG = happy part of my day!
Hugs!
Allison - Oh that cake! I’ll have to keep that in mind for my hubby’s birthday. Yum!!
Rebekah - I am secretly glad that one of my children is allergic to peanuts, such that the presence of that cake in my house would be an actual threat to life. Because if it weren’t… oh, Lordy. Also, my husband, who adores Reece’s cups is on a low-carb diet. All the world conspires against me!
Lyndi - @Kristin S. – I’m one of the #500 too!! I love finding people who love all the same things as me – Meg’s blog, Jen’s book #FortheLove Fixer Upper…so fun!
Tanya H - So, I live very near a “highway” that is also the main road and very busy and packed and 55mph speed limit. I drive it to get my son to and from school and I pass a bunch of chickens that are free to roam who NEVER go into the highway. I finally asked my husband how on earth those people ‘taught’ their chickens to not cross the road and he thought it was the invisible fences people use for dogs. We’re both allergic to everything and not pet people so we don’t know a lot about it but….maybe there IS a way?? LOL!
sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - Cried happy tears when I saw the pb Reese chocolate cake . . Then REALLY cried happy tears when I saw the feedback on Safe Haven.
Thanks for the weekend kickstart!
Suz - Love the pics and am so going to try that cake for my husband’s birthday. He loves,loves Reese’s Cups and oh how divine it looks! As for the foster moms at His Safe Haven, I would love to meet them all but…..especially that one in the middle. She looks like she has some spunk to her – that face is pure joy (and mischief!!).
Tere - 1. Eeek. I see Scott and think of you and Mr. D in your dance picture from high school ….wasn’t it just yesterday?
2. How did I miss you got a 3rd dog?
3. That’s the problem with baking sometimes, I can down a cake 10x faster than my kids. I’ve got years of experience on them.
4. Talby rocks.
xoxo Tere.
Stephanie - I am so in love with the news about His Safe Haven!! Tears spring to my eyes for those women and also for Talby! Great news!!
Ellen B. - Your blog and instagram pictures are a breath of fresh air during my busy, chaotic days! Thanks so much for reminding us of how everyday life, while sometimes hard, is truly a gift to be enjoyed and celebrated.
Elizabeth gleason - Woo hoo we’ve been on the “fence” on what we should get for our yellow lab. The yard has thawed and we’ve been trying to pick what to get. Going to check it out
Ann - I enjoy your blog so much! You are a great mom & wife – we can see how much you love and support your family. Love your thoughts and posts. Love your creative ideas. I want you to come decorate my house! Hurray for Talby and His Safe Haven! What an amazing act of service she has done. I too hope that she has a chance to meet those women. How awesome would that be?
Jenny B. - YAY for His Safe Haven! Way to go, Talby! Also, I am picturing all the chickens wearing the invisible fence collars. Haha! 🙂
Lisa - Dear Meg, I will come and eat the cake with/for you and I would also like to hug and squeeze the pups, especially Waffle as he seems like such a sweet boy. Your faithful blog reader, Lisa 🙂 PS – Way to go, Talby!!!
Kim - You must be famous..someone at my office showed up with this cake today…I’m guessing they saw it on your blog or instagram. I should go find out who it was so we can be real life friends bound by reading a common blog! 🙂 Also, I want a goldendoodle sooo badly! I call every one I see anywhere “Waffle”. Even my husband knows what I’m talking about. k, hope this comment made you smile.
Debby - Great prom pics! So elegant! 35 yrs. ago for mine! Ack!! Of course, I was pretty trendy in my light blue HOOP GOWN lol.
I also love the pics of your sweet pups and those gorgeously attired foster moms! Those bright colors! So cheerful & so happy.
Did not love the picture of that sinful cake!! Made my mouth water & now I want a Reeses!!
Debby, also in KS
Routhie - That is so great for Talby and those women!
tiffany day - hi meg! I have been telling myself for months that i need/should email you and “introduce” myself! I feel a tad stalkerish! i have been reading your blog for – awhile now – i like it – i like you! i want to come to craft weekend as a helper! i follow you on instragram – i think you are funny, smart, easy going, down to earth, a girl after my own heart and someone I wish i could have coffee with! i live on the west coast! I try and blog but find it hard to find a groove. Instragram is good but it definately does not replace blogging – sometimes you need to write and share more, so I am trying!
I am here finally commenting after your instragram of the yummy piece of cake! Hope you have a great rest of the day!
xoTiffany
kelly - totally teary about His Safe Haven…what a gift to those women to have each other for community! thank you for sharing with us here.
Kristin - I thought I’d better comment, since you asked us to on Instagram! I LOVE the chicken photo! Scott & his date look fabulous! The dogs are adorable. I would be eating the cake all day long! And whoo hoo to Talby!
Heidi Durant - Love!the cake looks amazing, your son and his date were so beautiful, and your puppies? Oh so cute. I love the rainbow stairs!I showed my husband and we both agreed our next house will have stairs! Happy Thursday.
chrissi - you had me at that cake with 4 birthdays quickly approaching, but then then the photo of his safe house…..the very best thing i will see today. thanks for sharing it♥
Makila - I’m still reading every post! Keep blogging!!!!!!
Kelly S - We use the same exact fencing for our 3-acre property, and have NEVER had a problem. It works so well on our lab, Dakota, that even when the battery is dead in his collar, he is afraid of going out of the yard 🙂 He has only gotten shocked once at the start of us showing him the ropes with the fencing, and he went too close and got shocked (as hard as it was, it was needed, because he will never forget, and it works on saving his life, to keep him in his yard). It’s so awesome. Like your family, we bought extra since our yard is big (3 acres) and my husband and son put it in and it was super easy. And it was EASY to train our dog, from the DVD that came with it. I also highly suggest it. It works so well on our dog, that he won’t even chase a ball (his favorite thing on planet earth) if it goes out of his boundary. He stops cold in his tracks and barks since he can’t reach his ball. 🙂
Christi {Jealous Hands} - I so second Kelly – rainbows always make me think of Meg! That cake – fantastic! And I’m totally gonna cheat & make one tonight – but using a devil’s food cake mix. I know I’m probably missing some of the fantastic, but hey, we have baseball practice & the icing sounds so amazing I think it’ll make up for it. Loved hearing the update on HSH – that is awesome!
It does not appear that comment on blogs is a thing anymore – but I sure wish it was! xo
Robin - Complying with your IG request for comments. Cake looks very delicious – my family would have devoured it in three seconds flat! Going to look into invisible fencing – this winter with our four feet of snow made going to put the dog out on his lead AWFUL! Keep up the good work 🙂
Kelly - okay, you asked for it… 🙂
1) thank you and thank you for sharing the Hatmaker Podcast
2) I do not thank you for sharing the cake… jk (I’m printing that for my sons bday cake in October)
3) On a serious note, I never got the chance to tell you and Kimberly at HS, but I wanted you to know that finding your blog a few years back was awesome and I so enjoy it, but once IG became a deal– the snippets that you two shared of Jesus calling and the Message bible changed so many things for me and opened my eyes to Jesus and reading and trying to figure things out. I have always felt like an outsider when it comes to church and the bible and all that, but meeting you guys and being able to connect thru IG has been such an awesome thing in my life..
4) Every time I see a rainbow, I think…. Meg!!
Have a great day girl…
Brittany - Visiting from Instagram and leaving a comment like the old days 😉 So glad to hear about your invisible fence!! We have a golden doodle who likes to go tromping through everything that he shouldn’t!! I am thinking maybe this fence will do the trick. I wouldn’t mind sharing a slice of cake :). Thanks for always sharing your happiness. I recently found you on Instagram and you sure have a happy feed.
Diane - I’m going to have to try that recipe for my husbands birthday in June!