Happy Birthday to My Daughter

October 25, 1976 – Back in “the day” you didn’t know what sex your baby was until “it” was born.    We already had a precious 2 1/2 year old boy at home so I was really hoping for a little girl with  this one.     I call her my “miracle baby” because at 5 months along (and on Mother’s Day weekend) I went into premature labor with her.    I was admitted to the hospital but the doctor didn’t sound too encouraging when he told me that if my labor stopped, I might be able to carry this child to full term.     I prayed all night in that hospital bed and when I woke up the next morning my daddy was sitting by my side waiting with me for an ultrasound to be performed.     I cried and cried when they picked up that heartbeat loud and strong!       At 1:59 p.m. on October 25 , 1976 my sweet girl pushed her way into this world 3 weeks late (and she’s been late ever since!)

Today I can honestly say she’s my best friend and favorite (and only) daughter.    Tonight we’ll be joining her family for dinner.     She is an amazing mom, wife and daughter and I love her with all my heart.

 

              (The Summit – July 2011 – son’s birthday weekend)

My “babies”…..Happy Birthday Shannon, I love you – Mom

Turquoise Pumpkin–Who Knew? (And some fashion inspiration too!)

When I painted my orange pumpkin turquoise, I never thought it would be so well received.    Thank you for all your encouraging and sweet comments about it.    I was contacted by Jenny, a DIY staff member at BlogHer who wanted to feature my pumpkin.   Here’s the link to that.

 

In case  you missed the original post and would like to see how I made this one as well as the white one below, you can read all about that here.

 

 

I was also contacted by Maya at Completely Coastal who let me know she had featured my turquoise pumpkin on her web page.    Please be sure to see all the beautiful blue/turquoise pumpkins over here.

 

 

Thanks ladies!   

 

Can you believe October is halfway over?!   The holidays are quickly approaching and will be here before you know it.    I’m not sure about any of ya’ll, but I don’t think I’m ready for the madness to begin!      This month has been full of birthdays, anniversaries and SEC football (WAR EAGLE!).      Next weekend I’m planning on going to my best friend’s house in south Alabama (her name is Judy too)….I haven’t been to visit her in a whole year!    While we do keep in touch by phone, there’s nothing like spending one on one time in her gorgeous home.      We do a lot of talking, eating, shopping and decorating….but mainly just enjoy being together.    Judy has been my best friend for almost 30 years now.

What gorgeous weather we are having.     Fall has definitely arrived….we are getting down to the 30’s at night around here and it’s finally time to bring out the boots and warmer clothes.    I have done a little clothes shopping but not having a lot of luck.   Of course, the extra pounds I’ve put on doesn’t help!     I did buy a pair of boots at the beach (of all places) when we were in Destin a few weekends ago.       I have found some great inspiration on Pinterest for some ideas on fall outfits.    If you’d like to see some of the things I’m loving this season, check it out here and here.

 

 

I bought some leopard flats, have the jeans and a white top.   I’m looking for a similar bracelet and snood.

 

This is definitely something I’ll be wearing.    I love pairing turquoise jewelry with black.    I don’t have any cognac boots (yet) but I’m looking!   

 

Simply classic look.    I’ve been buying some gold jewelry and just added a gold watch today.   

 

I don’t know how this post went from pumpkins to fashion but I hope you saw something you like that will inspire you!

Our Anniversary

(Previously posted on October 12, 2009) 

October 12, 2003 I took a big leap of faith and walked down the aisle and into a new beginning.      Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes it seems like a l-o-o-o-g time but it’s been an interesting ride!     The story of how we met and how he proposed is pretty neat….you can read all about it here.

At our wedding, my brother read this special verse which is one of my favorite Bible verses:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As far as I know, we don’t have anything special planned.   We don’t make a big deal about birthdays, anniversaries, etc.    It really works out best for me because I whenever I see something I “need” (he says “want”), I just say “that’s for my birthday” or “that’s for our anniversary”….that way I can drag it out all year!   

I just celebrated a “big” birthday in September and got a gorgeous pair of lamps for the bedroom (think Pottery Barn).    I’m really holding out for a complete re-do of the den…just gotta pick and choose my time, right?

Antiquing At The Beach

We just spent a couple of days in Destin.   Daughter, her husband and the twins joined us Friday evening and are staying through Tuesday.   Husband and I shop, eat and go to antique malls….they take the kids and go to the beach!   Two different generations, what can I say?   Of course, we got together for a few hours with them at the beach on Saturday afternoon and ate with them on Friday and Saturday night.    But the highlight of the trip (for me at least) was a wonderful place called Smiths Antique Mall which was recommended to me by my friend Linda at Coastal Charm.    It has got to be one of the best antique malls I’ve ever been to and trust me, I’ve been to a lot!    So this post will mainly be dedicated to photos I took inside.   

The kids had their “boogie boards” and Jackson was in the water with his when we got to the beach Saturday afternoon.    When he’d had enough of the waves not cooperating with his attempts to surf, he decided to get out and play on his DS.

 

He put the towel over his head so he could see his screen better….technology at the beach, who knew??!!

 

Taylor and Pop playing one of those peg games from Cracker Barrel (Taylor said Pop was an “ignoramus!)

 

Now on to the antique mall…

Here’s what I saw when I first entered….

I love this idea!   Branches in a glass vase with hanging starfish….I’m going to do this!   I have that exact vase and will be collecting branches from the yard.  

It’s sitting on an old wooden crate…I have one of those too!    I bought an unfinished one at Michael’s and stained it….I plan on stenciling either some numbers or words on mine, just haven’t decided what yet.

Let’s just look at the pictures without me talking much….enjoy!

This table full of shells was in the same booth as the starfish “tree”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at these burlap covered cylinder vases….how easy would this be to copy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another pillow that would be so easy to make…burlap, painted (or stamped) image, black bow…

 

 

 

 

I really wanted to buy this burlap tote…maybe I’ll find another one

 

I’ve seen this sign at a lot of antique malls….I know they weren’t talking about MY husband!

 

 

Breadboards

White Pottery Barn type sofa and ottoman….I just noticed the pair of gorgeous chairs!

 

I have a catalog that has these lamps….I’ve always loved them

 

 

 

Linen, leather and nail head trim

 

There were huge dough bowls everywhere with huge price tags too!

 

 

 

Loved this old bucket….just take an old metal bucket and paint the outside….fill with ice and use for drinks on the deck

Surprisingly I took most of my pictures at the antique mall.    We had a good time but the trip was way too short.      And can you believe I didn’t buy anything there?   The prices were pretty steep and I just enjoyed all the eye candy and getting some good ideas.   In fact, I overheard two other ladies saying that a lot of what they saw could easily be re-created….they must have been some DIY’ers!

We are having the most gorgeous weather here in Alabama…makes you almost forget the humidity of the summer.     I’m picking up mama at her assisted living home tomorrow and we’re eating lunch at Panera Bread.      I saw an ad for a smoked turkey and avocado Panini sandwich I want to try….what is your favorite thing to eat at Panera Bread?

Turquoise and White Pumpkins

I know that white pumpkins aren’t anything new but how many of us have seen a turquoise pumpkin?    Well, now here’s your chance to see one! 

 

I know!!!!   Don't you just love it!!!??   Since turquoise is my accent color in the sunroom I took some craft paint and painted over one of the cheap orange pumpkins from Wal Mart

 

I even like the way some of the orange shows through….

 

I put it on my chippy turquoise table and love the way it pops against the whites & creams

 

I also wrapped the stem with twine

 

 

 

That’s all I did in the sunroom but I think it makes a HUGE statement…..my neighbor came in and saw it and had a fit!

 

Now there’s nothing new about white pumpkins so I took another one of my Wal Mart pumpkins and sprayed it gloss white

 

I started out painting it with white craft paint but for some reason it just wasn’t working.    So I took it outside and held the stem with a gloved hand and sprayed away!    It took a couple of coats and it’s not perfect, there are some runs (and hot glue strings) but I think its beauty is in its imperfection

 

Get ready for an overload of pictures….I couldn’t decide which way I like it best….

 

On top of an old scale

 

 

or by itself….

(Maybe one of these days I’ll get around to adding pictures to my frames)

 

I added some moss to the “neck” to cover where I got some overspray on the stem

Both of these projects were quick, easy and inexpensive that anyone can do

Best of all, I can use these again next year if I want to or change the color again

I hope my little pumpkins show that you don’t have to go “all out” to get a “WOW” factor!    Sometimes less really is more (at least that’s what I keep telling myself!)

 

Linking up with:

Centsational Girl

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays