GRACIOUS SOUTHERN LIVING

My Husband Made Me Cry So I Got A Massage (or Two)!

2012-01-24T17:10:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago right after I found out my work load was going to increase I was having a time with trying to decide what to do….quit or try and work around a schedule agreeable with me and the office. I was sitting in a McDonald’s parking lot at lunch talking to my husband on the phone (as we usually do on my lunch hour) crying and carrying on about the situation….on one hand I didn’t want to give up my job, but on the other hand I am not going to work full time (and he doesn’t want me to either). So he just started asking me what I wanted to do and giving me some very good advice….he said whatever I decided to do he was behind me 100% and would support whatever decision I came to. It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders….just knowing I wasn’t in this by myself (and I knew I wasn’t anyway…it just helped to hear him put into words what I couldn’t) has made this change a little easier for me. I then started crying like a baby but they were tears of gratitude that I had someone in my corner during this stressful time.

Of course, two days after I started my “new” hours started is when my mama fell and broke her arm so that took care of the 8-5 hours they wanted me to work and I was able to stick with the hours I originally wanted.

But that night after our conversation, he had arranged for a masseuse to come to the house to give me a one hour massage!!!! And then I got another one the next week…..in fact he wants me to have one every week since I’m so stressed……ahhhhh….(or maybe I should say “meow”) I think I can handle that!

Searching For The Perfect Sofa

2012-01-17T18:41:00.001-08:00

Sofa, couch, whatever, we’re looking for the “perfect” one to replace ours that is about 10 years old. I’m about to embark on a big re-do in the den. Our house was built in the 1980’s so there’s a wood chair rail that will be removed. Also, all the door trim and baseboards will be painted as well. Our den is pretty big, about a 20x20 with a cathedral ceiling. I’d love to have beams added but that probably won’t happen. A couple of years ago we did replace the carpet with hardwood floors that I love. I have a seagrass rug with a neutral color border and have been implementing a lot of Pottery Barn-ish accessories and tweaking my bookcase. In addition to looking for a sofa, the room is going to be painted in a color very similar to the 1st photo below along with creamy white trim. I have an UGLY fireplace that will get painted as well. Further down you’ll see some photos of painted brick fireplaces. What I’d really like is to have a wood “surround” built like in this 1st picture….but we’ll have to see how much that would cost.

Here are some images I’m drawn to for the look I’m going for…

I love EVERYTHING about this room! (Via Milk and Honey Home) I wish I had room on either side of my fireplace to have some built in bookshelves added but I don’t.

The ceiling in this room is much like mine….and I like that sofa too!

I have a chair very much like this one that will be recovered in an old German grain sack….as a matter of fact it looks a lot like the one on this chair! I just have to decide if I want to leave the chair stained or paint and distress it….

I believe Melaine’s sofa is by Pottery Barn….but hubby doesn’t want a sectional

(via)

I’ve been recovering my books with brown Kraft paper like this for my bookcase

Love, love, love this room! I have floors this color and look at those beams on the ceiling, I’d love those too! Plus I love that painted brick fireplace….the wall color is very similar to the one I’ll be using so I think it would look good to paint the brick in the same color with contrasting trim. There are no windows in the den, just two openings on either side of the fireplace that go directly into the sun room so we get light from that source

This is the sofa I’m seriously considering…we saw it last weekend at Rooms To Go. It’s the Cindy Crawford line. Very comfy and I could upgrade it to a sleeper if need be. Price was VERY good compared to PB! It also has good on line reviews. (I would not be using the striped pillows)

This is the JC Penney's Linden Street “Friday” sofa…which I’d get it in the “natural” color instead of red. I actually had put this in my “cart” but the on line reviews aren’t too encouraging. Apparently the slipcovers don’t fit too well and I’m up in the air about buying something I haven’t seen in person.

This is a sectional sofa by J.C. Penney…very reasonable but again, a sectional which hubby doesn’t want.

Here’s the PB sofa….can you tell the difference in this one and the one by Rooms To Go? Me either!

Now for some painted brick fireplaces….I like the idea of painting it the same color as the wall and using a white painted mantel (mine is already painted white) or possibly stain it a dark walnut color

Here’s another painted brick I like…what do you think about painting fireplace brick?

I’d love your thoughts or suggestions on any sofas you have or could recommend.

Feel Good Ham and Potato Soup and White Chocolate Pecan Pie

2012-01-16T16:31:00.001-08:00

If you’re still working on your New Year’s resolution to stay on a diet, this post isn’t for you! But since I’ve had a “little” stress in my life recently, I felt the need for some comfort food.

Tonight I tried two new recipes….one from a friend and one I got from a magazine. So let’s get right to it…

HAM AND FEEL GOOD POTATO SOUP

1 ham bone with visible meat (I didn’t have a ham bone so I used cubed ham and salt pork for seasoning)
1 medium onion, diced
4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds or 1 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 medium red potatoes, cut in 1 inch cubes
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half

1. Place first 6 ingredients in Dutch Oven, bring to a boil over medium heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until meat easily comes off the bone with a fork. (NOTE: SINCE I DIDN’T HAVE A HAM BONE I SKIPPED THIS STEP. INSTEAD, I JUST PUT ALL THE INGREDIENTS IN A LARGE POT AND CONTINUED ON TO THE NEXT STEP).

2. Add diced potatoes and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.

3. While potatoes are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat being careful not to brown. Add flour, stirring constantly until incorporated well. Bring heat to medium/high and gradually stir in half and half until creamy, thick and bubbly, stirring constantly, being careful not to scorch. Once it thickly coats the spoon, remove from heat.

4. When potatoes are tender, stir the sauce mixture into the potato pot over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let simmer until soup reaches the desired consistency. Add milk to adjust if needed.

And that’s it! I added some salt and pepper at the end but it was so rich and creamy. This is a great soup to serve on a cold winter’s night. I was going to make some cornbread but didn’t have any cooking oil so I just made some crescent rolls instead.

Hubby’s favorite dessert is pecan pie and I got this recipe out of a magazine at the beauty shop the other day….this is so easy and delicious!

WHITE CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE

1 9-IN piecrust
2 cups pecan halves
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
3 eggs
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons all purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Layer pecans and chips in piecrust. In a large bowl quickly whisk eggs until just combined

2. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed.

3. Pour over nuts and chips. Bake 40-45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is set in center. Cover with sprayed coated foil after 25 minutes of baking. Cool completely approximately 2 hours. Store in refrigerator.

Mine turned out just a tad dry (I thought) so next time I will take it out sooner. But apparently hubby loved it!

I will be adding both of these recipes to my tried and true recipe files.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

2012-01-15T12:30:00.001-08:00

…and this past week I can say there is no doubt in my mind about that. This past Wednesday my 91 year old mama fell at her assisted living cottage and broke her arm in 2 places. I got the call at work around 10:30 a.m., grabbed my purse and ran out. I called hubby who left work to meet me at the cottage. In the meantime, I called her doctor to say we were coming in because he would have to refer her to an orthopedic surgeon to get his opinion and see what needed to be done. The orthopedic could not see her until 3:30 that afternoon so we got a prescription filled for pain and settled down in her room to wait. Fortunately the pain medicine made her somewhat comfortable so she wasn’t in too much pain until we could get to the orthopedic’s office.

Once x-rays were taken they revealed two breaks, one a clean break and one a jagged break. The doctor said ordinarily he would operate and put in screws and plates but because of her age and condition he did not want to do that nor put her to sleep. The decision was made to put a cast on her and hope for the best (his words). We go back next Thursday to see how things look. As a last resort, he will have to operate.

After getting her back to her room, hubby and I ran out to Wal Mart for some front snapping gowns, a few camis she could slip on easily (to wear in place of a bra), more self-adhesive gauze wraps, a new raised “potty” to set on top of her existing toilet, a bed pillow with arms so she could prop up in bed and read, and some other things. Imagine how life will change for her for the next 6-8 weeks….but she has yet to complain! I go by every morning to see that she gets dressed and take care of bathroom business then back in the evenings to check on her.

Falling and breaking your arm is not a good thing, but think how much worse it could have been.

If you could please say a prayer for her for the next few months that she heals and that we can make her as comfortable as possible I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

New Year Brings Big Changes

2012-01-05T16:53:00.001-08:00

Some of you may know that I’ve been a legal secretary for some 25+ years. Up until about 8 years ago, I worked a typical 40 hour week. When I remarried my husband didn’t want me working full time and I was lucky enough to go to work for an attorney friend 32 hours a week (off on Fridays because we like to travel). Then I had a slip and fall at work (fell down 18 stairs) and was on workman’s comp for 6 months and then unemployment for another 6 months. I knew then I didn’t like being home full time. Then I went to work for a real estate company for about 2 years Monday-Thursday 9-3….eventually that led me to working for the real estate owner’s cousin, who is an attorney, 2 days a week for him and 2 days a week at the real estate company. Eventually the attorney needed me more than 2 days a week and I chose to work for him 3 days a week and left the real estate company.

Fast forward 4 years and last March my attorney “boss” and I took in another attorney, a retired judge. I continued to work 3 days a week which has worked okay but just this week we added another attorney to our little firm! What all of this means is that they need me more days and hours. I take care of my 92 year old mom on my “off time” which is a full time job itself. Not complaining, just stating a fact.

Today we had a little meeting and I was informed they need me Monday-Thursday 8-5….and I’m not a happy camper! Hubby and I talked and he has left it up to me as to what to do. I love my job, I love the guys I work with, I just don’t like giving up my Mondays and those extra hours a day. However, I have decided to give it a try with the understanding that I can be off whenever I need to. Since I haven’t worked full time for the last several years, I have obligations, mainly involving the care of my mom, that cannot be done after 5:00.

I know this new change will probably affect how I blog. I won’t get to do as many projects as I normally would. It’s just going to be hard getting back to the 8-5 grind. I know in today’s economy there are some people who would love to be offered the opportunity I am being afforded but fortunately, I don’t have to have the 40 hour a week job.

So if I don’t visit your blog or comment as much or you don’t see as many posts please know that I have not gone anywhere, I will just have to learn how to balance my time better. And if doesn’t work, then I will just do something else.

Frankly, I’m not ready to completely quit working and be home “all the time”. I love what I do and I’m good at it. I just got spoiled with my perfect days off and perfect hours!

We’ll see how this works out. Once it starts affecting my ability to care for my mom or takes time away from my husband/home, then I know what I’ll have to do!

Best Projects of 2011

2011-12-27T15:49:00.001-08:00

When I started seeing all the “Best Of” parties going around, I didn’t think I could join in because I didn’t remember doing anything “big” this year. But looking back in my old files I did find a few things I accomplished in 2011. Feel free to click on the project heading to read the entire post:

Sheet Music Wreath

Ho Ho Ho Burlap Pillow and Vintage Candles

Monogrammed Burlap Shade

“Fall” Banner

And here’s the mantel after I added a fall garland and lights

Stenciled Adirondack Chair

Starfish Bottle

Turquoise & White Pumpkins (this was a very popular post!)

Moss Covered Monogram

My First Slipcover

This was done before the sunroom got repainted….and yes, I know I’ve yet to post a reveal but I will be sure to do that soon!

DIY breadboard

As you can see, there were no biggie or earth shattering projects, just a lot of little DIY stuff. I guess the biggest “project” was the revamp of my sunroom which I LOVE! I just realized I have never posted a reveal but I will do that soon.

And there you have another year in review. I’ve been working on our bedroom off and on for sometime now and I have to say it’s coming together just like I hoped. So I will try and get that finished up and post pics just as soon as I can.

Hubby’s gift to me this Christmas was agreeing to have our den repainted….I’m also working on him for a new sofa! Plus I have a chair that will be recovered in an antique grain sack…just as soon as I decide how I’m going to treat the chair, either leaving as it or painting or distressing…..

I got the “crud” last week and couldn’t even leave the house on Christmas Day to go eat at the in-laws. I finally got a prescription from the doctor today so I’m hoping it gets knocked out real soon. We are supposed to go down to the gulf this Friday until next Tuesday….hubby’s made dinner reservations at a great restaurant for New Year’s Eve….gotta get well.

Here’s hoping you all have a safe and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T14:20:00.001-08:00

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Church

2011-12-22T16:33:00.001-08:00

If you’ve been following my blog lately, you know I did very little Christmas decorating this year. But while digging through a box full of stuff in my “storage room” I found a little lighted church that belongs to my mom. My son and DIL had given her this church one year for Christmas and she always kept it in her china cabinet. When we moved her to assisted living 2 years ago, she wanted me to have it. I really wanted to use it somehow so I put together a little vignette in our bedroom.

I sprinkled “snow” on a silver tray and put the church on a stack of covered paperback books. I also added the little trees I got at Wal Mart. (See the frame on the wall behind the vignette, I still haven’t got around to filling it with our personal pictures, can anyone out there relate?)

I got the book covers from Olive Rue’s etsy page here. She has some wonderful downloads

I picked up this old timey Santa at Wal Mart the other day….in fact I got two!

Tomorrow I’ve got to finish up my shopping and wrapping. We’ll be staying in on Christmas Eve, then visiting daughter and her family Christmas Day. On the 26th we’ll head to Birmingham for Christmas with son and his family.

I don’t know if I’ll post again this week so if I don’t here’s wishing you and yours a very blessed holiday and Merry Christmas!

Christmas At The Lake

2011-12-18T15:54:00.001-08:00

For the last several years, our family has celebrated our family Christmas on the Saturday before Christmas Day. Nothing fancy, just good food and family time together. Saturday was beautiful but chilly (chilly here in central Alabama means high 40’s!)

Top of driveway looking toward the lake

Isn’t this view beautiful?

Bought these cute candy cane plates at Wal Mart for $1.00 for all the kids

My sweet youngest grandson (eating spaghetti)

One of sister’s grandsons

No, Santa didn’t come early, these are a few of the toys kept at the lake for the kids to play with!

Sister’s hubby gave her this arrangement last Christmas…doesn’t it look real?

My grandson and sister’s grandson learning to “share”

Sister had the kids make these reindeer bags as a craft…here’s my granddaughter McKinley (Cade’s sister) proudly showing hers off

And here’s Ms. Taylor (my other granddaughter) with hers….she sent it home with me since I didn’t get to make one for myself (LOL)!

We had a lot of fun but by 3:00 mama was ready to leave and go back to her assisted living home. She has a hard time hearing and it’s pretty loud and confusing to her. We are so fortunate to have her still with us enjoying all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren….she’ll be 92 in June!

I have a couple more things to share this week (hopefully) and then it will be Christmas Day! Hope your week goes well and you take time to enjoy family!

Pinecones, Wreaths and Pies, Oh My!

2011-12-17T06:49:00.001-08:00

Corny title but it kept running through my head so I went with it!

Made another vintage paper wreath. It was meant to be used on the mirror in the sunroom but I liked the way it looked in the den (actually it looked good over the mantel too!)

Also, last year I saw some beautifully dipped pinecones in a yummy color so I kept that idea in my inspiration file and yesterday I dipped my own! Only problem is they are still kinda wet, hope they dry out before Christmas! I made a whole bunch of them and plan to put them (along with some white sprayed ones) in my big dough bowl in the dining room.

(Color is Underseas by Sherwin Williams #6214)

And finally I made my first egg custard pie! All you bakers out there probably can’t believe that I just admitted this. I always loved the egg custard at Morrison’s Restaurant but I never tried making one. The other night my son called and casually mentioned he wished someone would make him one. So I searched the internet for a quick and easy egg custard pie and found a recipe. I’ll post the recipe later.

We’re heading to the lake house today for our annual family Christmas party. My sister and I decided we’d just do spaghetti, salad and garlic bread with all kinds of desserts.

Happy Weekend!

Christmas Around The House

2011-12-13T16:21:00.001-08:00

I shared on another post that I just wasn’t “feeling it” this year so I decided to scale waaaaay back with my holiday decorating. I put a few things in the foyer and decorated my mantel and that’s about it. I put some decorations outside but haven’t had a chance to take pictures of that yet.

My Christmas color palette has always been greens and reds and while I still love that color combination I decided to go more neutral this year. I was so happy with the way it turned out that I plan on using a neutral color palette next year (unless I change my mind – LOL!)

That fireplace brick has GOT to get cleaned and get painted when the wall color changes. I’ve had that goldish color for several years and it’s not as gold as it looks, it’s really a nice color, but I’m tired of it and I hope to change it soon, along with cleaning and painting the brick fireplace

I got the little chair and Santa Claus pillow on our recent trip to Pine Mountain, GA when we stopped at a favorite flea market in Opelika. I think the chair and pillow were $5.00 each! At the Lodge & Spa where we stayed at Calloway Gardens, they had these wonderful birch logs for the fireplace. I didn’t have any birch logs so I just spray painted some firewood white! (My husband thinks I’m nuts!) I just noticed the garland is a little crooked…that’s because it fell and hubby put it back up….so it’s not very symmetrical on each side!

I found the cute little turquoise frame at my favorite flea market last week and thought it would look pretty tucked in with all the creams and mercury glass. I had already put the green and silver ornaments on the urn and didn’t remove them…I hope they don’t clash too much with the turquoise. It doesn’t’ look bad at all in person.

Still loving my sheet music covered candles!

Now we’ll move to the foyer

This is a yard sale lamp I’ve had for several years. I hung the glittered pine cone ornaments I got at Wal Mart for $2.00 each here and love the contrast between the linen colored shade and white pinecones

Picked up these books at the same flea market in Opelika…I put some of my white, clear and silver Christmas ornaments under a cloche set on a cake place

I forgot I had these sweet little deer so I was glad I found them in my Christmas stash. I also printed off the Psalm 100 from the talented Jenn at Dear Lillie and put it in an existing frame

More glittered pinecones hanging on the foyer table

And finally the only thing I did in my den was put another printout from Dear Lille in a frame on a chest

More books from the flea market and a pair of antlers (still tied together with plastic ties! Am I lazy or what)?

And there you have my Christmas decorations for 2011. I can’t believe how little I did but I’m actually okay with it. It’s so much work for such a little bit of time.

I’m working on another vintage paper cone wreath for my sunroom. I rolled some pages this morning before I went to work! It’s addicting, I tell ya!

Sweet, Sweet Music (Wreath)!

2011-12-11T18:11:00.001-08:00

I love those vintage sheet music wreaths and I’ve been wanting to make one for a long time. I read tons of tutorials and studied lots of pictures before I attempted my own. The best tutorial on how to roll the sheet music came from this blog. After rolling just a few cones, it was a snap! So I gathered all my cones and other supplies and went to town making myself a wreath.

Got myself an old music book at the thrift store for $2.00 and ended up using all but about 2-3 sheets (I think there were around 85 or so pages in the book). This makes a huge wreath but I wanted a big one for the wall it was going on. Be sure to have lots of glue sticks on hand.

Here’s all my cones that I rolled. I also cut out a cardboard circle to use as my base.

The first row of cones went on pretty easy but when I got to the 2nd row, I got a little messed up in placing the cones. But I kept on gluing and gluing until it looked better. I still wasn’t happy so I took some old yellowed book pages that I rolled to use for a smaller wreath and filled in best I could. It’s not perfect, but that’s okay. I also hot glued a cute little pin in the center to make it a little different.

Okay, so here’s my version of the ever popular sheet music wreath:

I put a glass in the center to try and keep the first row somewhat even.

Here’s the backside after I glued all the big cones

Here I’ve added the yellowed pages and the pin. I liked the contrast between the two different colors of cones.

I found the pin in my closet, forgot I had it, had never worn it so this was a good was to reuse and recycle!

I had a blank wall in the kitchen that I needed to put something big on. So that’s why I decided to make a large wreath to go on that space. I looped a ribbon on the back and hot glued it on to hang it with.

Now I’ll just have to roll more small cones so I can make a smaller wreath to put in the sunroom. Like I said, this isn’t perfect but it turned out pretty good for my first attempt.

I pinky promise I’m going to share my Christmas mantel this week! Better late than ever, right?

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’

2011-12-09T19:04:00.001-08:00

Maybe I’m not Nancy Sinatra but I still love me some boots! Granddaughter Taylor has been wanting some cowboy (cowgirl?) boots for a while now so all year I’ve planned on getting her some for Christmas. Couldn’t decide between brown ones or red ones but when I saw these, I knew they were perfect for her cute little self!

Pink and brown, what’s not to love? I found them at Rocky Top Leather at a great price (on sale too!) Just a few more gifts and I’ll be done.

I haven’t joined any of the blog parties this week but I have enjoyed seeing everyone’s homes all prettied up and decked out. Maybe I’ll get my mantel posted before Christmas is over. Tonight my little grandson Jackson came by and said “Mimi, where’s your Christmas tree?” I guess I won’t make that mistake next year!

Tomorrow is my SIL’s 40th birthday, do I ever feel old! Daughter is having a party tomorrow night at their house and I’ll be helping her do some quick re-decorating at her house and getting set up for the party. Don was just 21 when we met him and daughter was 16. He hung around for 5 years and married her one week before her 21st birthday. He’s been a great SIL to us and wonderful husband to daughter and father to their twins.

I would also like to say thank you for all your kind words and prayers on my friend’s loss of her grandson last week. This has been a rough week and there are a lot of dark days ahead for this family.

Have a great weekend!

Short Pause

2011-12-06T15:56:00.001-08:00

I have been working on my post for this week about our trip to Calloway Gardens and the Fantasy In Lights with the family last weekend but then last night I found out the 17 year old grandson of a friend of mine was killed in a car accident Saturday night. Right now I just don’t feel like being all perky and upbeat and posting about family fun, I’m sure you’ll understand.

I will resume posting about that trip and some Christmas pictures around the house later….please keep this family in your prayers. Thank you.

Quick Christmas Projects

2011-11-28T18:52:00.001-08:00

Hubby ran home from work this morning and got down all the Christmas decorations and fall boxes so I could put away the fall stuff and start on my Christmas decorating (such that it is). I was supposed to meet my sister in Birmingham for shopping today but the weather was horrendous and the roads were slippery and wet so we decided we’d do it another time.

I did two quick projects today. A couple of years ago I made this burlap lumbar pillow for my black bench on the front porch which you can read about here.

I got the bright idea to stencil something Christmas-y on the reverse side of the pillow that I can use now and then after Christmas flip it back around and use the fleur de lis side. I grabbed my stencils and black paint and stenciled “Ho Ho Ho” on the pillow.

I just removed the pillow insert and put a magazine between the layers so no paint would seep through.

Now this pillow can serve double duty!

Next, I covered some old candles with sheet music scrapbook paper. I would love to find some real sheet music, either vintage or from an old hymnal, but so far I haven’t run across any. (Please share any sources you have where I might get some sheet music, I want to make a paper cone wreath). So a few weeks ago I picked up this scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby in two sizes. The one with larger music notes will be saved for a tabletop project I’ll start after the first of the year.

I loved the yellowed look of this paper. I think each sheet was something like 57 cents and I didn’t even use an entire sheet covering 4 candles! Plus I got them 50% off too!

Here’s one on the mantel with the scrapbook paper. Took me all day to get the mantel done cause I started out using my reds and greens and nutcrackers from last year and ended up going all neutral which I absolutely love! Even hubby said he likes it! I’ll be back to share my Christmas mantel later on.

I covered four candles with my sheet music paper. This is an easy way to update your old candles. I probably won’t burn them because I’d be afraid the paper would catch on fire but these candles were so old they didn’t have much wick left anyway.

I did a bit of decorating on the foyer table but still haven’t done anything in the dining room. At this point, I probably won’t.

And I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the supporting comments I got from my last post when I shared I wasn’t going to put up a tree this year or do much decorating. I am surprised at how peaceful I feel about my decision and how stress-less I feel.

We’re looking forward to going to Calloway Gardens this weekend for the Festival of Lights and spending time with all the family. We’re staying at The Lodge and Spa which I hear is fabulous. If any of you have stayed there, please let me know how you liked it.

Linking to these parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays here

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays here

Tis the Season

2011-11-27T14:12:00.001-08:00

Yes, the Christmas season is here. And here I sit with my fall stuff still out and no energy to get out my Christmas decorations to start decorating for Christmas. I’ve never, ever been like this. I love the Christmas season and all it represents…the decorating, family time, gift wrapping, and Christmas Eve service at church. So I’ve made an “executive” decision….I’m not going to put up a tree this year! Right now my plans are to decorate the mantel, the dining room and the outside. At least, I hope I can even get that much done. In addition, I’ll be working as well (yes it’s only 3 days a week but that’s time away from home when I could be doing things around the house). And I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping!

The month of December is packed with out of town travel plans and a big birthday party bash at my daughter’s house so we’ll be gone a lot of the time. Here’s what our itinerary looks like so far…

Monday (tomorrow) meeting my sister in Birmingham for shopping and lunch
December 2nd-4th - taking all the kids and grandkids to Calloway Gardens for Festival Of Lights
December 10th – daughter is having her husband’s 40th birthday party bash at her house – I’ll be helping her decorate, cook and getting ready for the party
December 17th – annual family Christmas party at the lake house

That takes us right up to Christmas weekend which we spend going back and forth to visit with family here and out of town.

Today we made plans to go out of town for New Years. We had talked about going to New York with my sister and her husband for New Year’s but that fell through so we’re doing something different.

I have mixed feelings about not going “all out” or not putting up a tree but I just don’t want to feel stressed. Please don’t think of me as the “Grinch”…I just know my limitations!

But I can’t wait to see everyone’s decorations here in blog land.

Iron Bowl Time

2011-11-25T17:17:00.001-08:00

Here in the South we have a saying….”Football – The South’s Other Religion”! And no other game is anticipated more here in Alabama than the Iron Bowl -– played between Auburn and Alabama for bragging rights for a full year. Saturday, November 26th is Iron Bowl time!

Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama

War Eagle, fly down the field!
Ever to conquer, never to yield.
War Eagle, fearless and true,
Fight on you orange and blue.
Go! Go! Go!
On to vict'ry, strike up the band!
Give 'em hell, give 'em hell,
Stand up and yell, hey!
War Eagle, win for Auburn,
Power of Dixieland!

WAR EAGLE BABY!

A Thanksgiving Story

2011-11-24T18:27:00.001-08:00

Today I’d like to share a story I ran across in our local newspaper. I thought about just publishing the story straight from the paper but I’m not real comfortable about giving out the name of this amazing and inspiring woman and her children. Yes, it’s “out there” for anyone to read but I don’t have her permission so I’m going to share what I can without revealing their identities. Below is a synopsis of the story as it appeared:

About 4 years ago Ms. Smith (not her name) was standing in front of the Salvation Army when she was approached by a woman in need of house cleaning services.    With three children at home and having just moved to our town, and with nothing but the clothes on their backs, she accepted.

Not long afterwards, Ms. Smith was able to move to a small mobile home with her children.    By then she had upward of 40 houses to service.   The lady who originally hired her to clean her home was her motivation to go back to school.

Today Ms. Smith has a 3.86 GPA in nursing school and is set to graduate in May.   While she is excited to reach this milestone, it has not been without challenges.

Her main source of income comes from student loans -- about $11,000 a year or roughly $916 a month. She said she also receives $245 from the state Department of Human Resources, $200 of which she uses for living expenses.

While it pains her to tell them no, she rarely gets to treat her children to a meal out, and there is no money for extras on grocery shopping trips. The kids often have to miss field trips and she can't afford to buy school T-shirts or yearbooks.

"The kids are very supportive, for being children," she said. "'Maybe we can do this next year' is something they've been hearing for three years."

She has three children, two boys, ages 12 and 11 and a daughter, age 10.    They live in a home made available through a charitable service organization that provides homeless families with no-cost shelter in a three bedroom, single-family home. Clients aren't charged rent, but Ms. Smith offers a $200 monthly donation to the organization.

"The hardest thing is money and time," she said. "I don't have the money for extras. I take my student loans and stretch it out for six months. Every August and January, I budget $5,500 for six months."

While Pell grants cover about 75 percent of her tuition and fees, she pays for books through the student loans, as well as car insurance, school uniforms for her and her children, toiletries and other basic necessities. She has Medicaid, and pays for food with food stamps. Currently, she has $30 to last her through December.

But the single mom is quick to acknowledge the good things that have happened in her life.

"I want to give back, and God knows that," she said. "He puts people in my life to help me through. He really does."

As a child, Ms. Smith said she often was sick with gastrointestinal and gynecological problems. She had a lot of exploratory surgeries, and remembers the nurses showing her they cared. She wants to return that kindness.

"I want to open clinics for the homeless," she said. "Whenever I receive my loan money in January and August, I head to the Salvation Army and choose someone and take them to McDonald's. Corned beef hash two times a day at the Salvation Army -- you have no idea how good a Quarter Pounder tastes."

Her children – one of whom has ADHD and the other who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism – want Christmas Day to be special for their mother.

"Christmas means giving and making people happy," her son said. "Mostly my mom. To see her use the things I give her ... that's cool. This Christmas, she wants a caddy to put the remote controls in."

On Christmas Day, the family plans to open their stockings, have breakfast and unwrap presents.

And when she does graduate and later enters the nursing field, her goal is to remember where she came from.

"I believe my story is my testimony," she said. "I don't just say, 'Oh, it must be hard.' A few years ago, we were making gravy pancakes ... we mixed flour and water, fried it in a pan and poured gravy over it. That was dinner. We've come a long way.

"I know it's hard," she said. "But I know anybody can do it. You have to want it, and believe it."

Did you get this? According to the story, 4 people have $30 to last them through December! I imagine most of us can go through $30 in a day or two just on ordinary (and sometimes) unnecessary things. Impulse purchases, lunches, tea at McDonalds, etc. Tomorrow I’m taking my grandchildren to the movies, buying then popcorn and cokes, and it will certainly cost me more than $30! Could you get by on $30 for a month? Especially when that month is Christmas? I doubt I could….while my life is certainly not extravagant or excessive, I am blessed beyond words compared to someone like this lady.

But what really got me was when she tells about taking someone out to McDonald’s for a quarter pounder with her loan money –I’m sure this is a sacrifice for her. And her children are supportive of her as well. She must be one amazing lady, to be such an inspiration to her kids too.

I ate a little humble pie reading this story. How blessed I am, and how I don’t know if I could ever make it if I were in her shoes. But instead of complaining, she is grateful what little she does have and wants to give back. I would love to read about her in a couple of years once she has her nursing degree and gets on her feet. What a testimony she will have!

And that remote control caddy she wants for Christmas? I’m hoping to get in touch with her through the newspaper and get her that caddy for Christmas. And while I know it will mean a lot to her, it will be more of a gift to me to give someone to someone so deserving.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T11:58:00.001-08:00

“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.” –E.P. Powell

Mercury Glass, Monograms and Burlap

2011-11-20T17:22:00.001-08:00

What do these three things have in common? Well, for one thing, I think most everybody I know of (especially here in blog land) love any one of them. I was lucky enough to incorporate all three in a quick little project I did this weekend.

Let me back up a little bit….a few weeks ago I had gone to Prattville with daughter while she got a hair cut. One of my favorite flea markets is practically in the backyard of the beauty shop. So while she got “the works” I headed over to kill about an hour while waiting on her. I really wasn’t looking for anything, but “just looking” as they say. I put a few things in my buggy including a cute wicker lamp for $9.99. Why the heck I left it (and everything else I’d picked up) I don’t know. Do you ever get like that? Put something in your buggy and then just leave it in the store? Ever since then, that lamp’s been on my mind. I knew I wanted to use it in my bookcase makeover but couldn’t justify a trip back to Prattville to look for it. (BTW, hubby and I went yesterday and I looked all over but couldn’t find it anywhere at the flea market). Anyway, Friday I was in Wal Mart, again killing time while mama got her stuff (she wants to do her thing without me following her around). I was in the lamp department hoping to find a lamp similar to the one I had left behind. While I didn’t find anything wicker the size I was looking for, I did see a cute little round mercury glass lamp for $9.99!!! I grabbed it knowing what I would do with it when I got home. The shade was plain Jane white but it wasn’t staying like that for long.

My plan was to either cover the shade with sheet music or burlap. I quickly decided on burlap because I really liked the way the texture of the burlap contrasted with the shine of the mercury glass. Got my pattern cut out for the shade and then adhered it to the shade. No tutorials on this, most everyone knows how to make the shade pattern and I just hot glued the burlap on at the back seam. I wanted to stencil something, maybe numbers, but I was using the numbers and writing on my Kraft paper covered books and I didn’t want to over-do that look. I remembered I had a vinyl stencil with our initials I had won 1-2 years ago but never used. I got it out and placed it on the burlap covered shade. Let me say that if it had been any larger it would not have fit. I tried rubbing it onto the burlap using a wooden spoon and even a knife but it would not stick to the burlap. Finally, I just used my fingernail and gently pulled off the sticky paper….not easy but it worked.

Do you want to see how it turned out? I love it!

That’s not hot glue hanging off the bottom…not sure what it is because I just looked at it in person and don’t see it!! Crazy, huh? I’ve started working on covering some of my books with Kraft paper and writing on the spines. It’s hard to write on those books but it doesn’t look bad enough for me to scrap these three.

The No.1 and No.2 books above were inspired by this photo. I messed up by not writing No. 1 on the smaller book…..oh well. I’m going to use a mix of Kraft paper covered books, book bundles and other neutral covered books. I don’t want to cover all of them, I think it’s more interesting to mix them up.

What do you think? I have seen some of these in magazines and they are quite expensive. This lamp project cost me $9.99 as I had the burlap, the trim and the stencil. I’m still working on the bookcases, and these two shelves you see are all I’ve done.

This is our old cheap bookcase I’m working with. I would love to cover the back with something bright instead of all that faux wood. But it is what it is so for now I’m just working with what I’ve got.

I’ve been a busy girl lately! Sometimes I get these energetic spurts and take advantage of it. I’ve been covering books, writing on book spines, made this lamp shade and also made a Christmas present for daughter with an old tray and chalkboard paint. I’ll share that later on.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and you get to spend it with the ones you love.

Linking to: Amaze Me Monday

Big Five-O

2011-11-20T13:25:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday today to my “baby” brother and sister….just remember, I’m still the boss of ya’ll! My sister and her husband are in Las Vegas for her birthday (doesn’t hurt to have a Delta pilot for a husband) and brother is in Kentucky. Hope ya’ll have a wonderful day.

Love Letters

2011-11-14T12:51:00.001-08:00

I’ve received sweet letters from special people over the years. But I got one this past weekend from someone very special….my precious granddaughter Taylor.

Here’s what it says (copied exactly as she wrote it):

Dear Mimi

Can I spen the night with you one friday. And we can have some popcorn. It will be our speicl day. I love you very very very very very very very very very very (this goes on for several lines) much! Love Taylor

I’ve decided to put this in a frame and make a mini gallery wall in the dressing area of my bathroom. Then I can change out artwork and letters that my grandbabies give me. I hope one day they’ll enjoy seeing their little handiwork from years past. (I still have stuff my kids made and they are 35 & 37)!!! Yeah, I’m one of those moms

She spent the day and night with us Friday. We were invited to a friend’s house Friday night for a bonfire. Afterwards, we went to get something to eat and then headed home where she continued to wrap me and her Pop around her finger. She wanted to stay Saturday night but her mama and daddy wanted her to come home. I love that she wants to be with us as much as we enjoy having her. I know there will come a time in the not-so-distant future when the grandkids won’t want to come visit us as much so I’m making the most of my time with each and every one of them for as long as I can.

Got a few projects I want to start working on this week. Here’s a peek at what I hope to get started on….

(source)

I want to re-do my TV cabinet so I thought covering all my books to make them look uniform would jump start what I have in mind. Wish me luck!

Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

2011-11-12T14:16:00.001-08:00

I know Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away but it’s not too soon to be thinking about menu suggestions. This year we’re going to hubby’s family for Thanksgiving so I won’t be cooking at all. But I wanted to share some of my family’s favorites. I’ve made these for years and my kids don’t think it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas without my corn casserole.

CORN CASSEROLE

2 large cans yellow corn
1 large and 1 small package yellow rice
2 cans cr. of mushroom soup
1 package shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Combine the corn and cr. of mushroom soup in one pan, adding water from the soup cans to the corn just to make it soupy and not dry. Cook over medium heat stirring until the soup and corn are thoroughly mixed and heated.

In a separate pan cook the yellow rice according to the directions.

After the rice is done, combine the corn and rice together in a large bowl until they are blended together, then transfer to a glass casserole dish. Top with 1 package of sharp cheddar cheese and bake at 350 degrees until the cheese melts.

Easy as pie and takes no time. Depending on how many people you are serving, you can add or delete ingredients as needed. The above recipe should serve about 8 people.

BROCCOLI SALAD

1 bunch broccoli (chopped with stems)
1 cup raisins (I use yellow raisins)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 sweet onion (chopped fine)
1/2 cup bacon bits

Sauce:

1 cup mayo
1/3 cup sugar
3 tbsp. vinegar

Combine first 5 ingredients in bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the sauce ingredients together, then stir the sauce into the broccoli salad until thoroughly mixed. Best if refrigerated for several hours or overnight.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

Filling:

2 large cans sweet potatoes (yams), mashed
2/3 to 1 1/14 cup brown sugar
1/3 c. butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 to 3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Spray a casserole dish with pam. Mix all of the above ingredients and put into the dish.

Topping:

1 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. flour (can be self-rising)
1 c. pecans, chopped
1/3 c. butter, melted

Mix ingredients together and sprinkle on top of potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

If you are hosting overnight guests, my ham and poppy seed biscuits are wonderful to serve in the morning. You can make them up the night before and pop them in the oven in the morning. My daughter took these for tailgating this year too!

Ham and Poppy Seed Biscuits

Here’s what you need:

Sliced deli ham
Pepper jack cheese (I usually use Swiss but decided to give mine a little “kick” this time)
Small dinner rolls
1 stick butter
Mustard
Poppy seeds

Melt the butter in the microwave

While the butter is melting, slice the rolls in half like this…

Put the bottom half back in the pan and leave the top off

After your butter melts, add a squirt of mustard and a couple shakes of poppy seed. I never measure for this, just use your own judgment, but don’t overdo the mustard or poppy seeds. Mix well.

Then use a pastry brush to brush the bottom half of the rolls (the one in the pan).

Slice the ham (and cheese)

Layer the ham on the bottom half of the rolls

Then add the cheese

Now brush your butter mixture on the TOP part of the rolls

Flip the top over on the bottom part

I had a little extra butter mixture so I just poured it on top. That’s it! You’re done. Bake in a 350 degree oven until the rolls are heated and the cheese melts.

Remove from oven and enjoy! Add some fruit to serve with these and you’d have a quick and easy breakfast

Of course, we can’t forget the sweets! This recipe was very popular when I originally posted it. This is a Weight Watchers recipe so it’s somewhat “guilt-free”! (4 points per serving) But be warned, it’s very addictive!

Easy Pineapple-Orange Cream Cake

1 (15 1/4 oz) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 (18.25 oz) package yellow cake mix
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
Cooking spray
1 (12 oz) container frozen fat-free whipping topping, thawed
1 (1 oz) package sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Drain pineapple, reserving juice, set pineapple aside

3. Combine reserved pineapple juice, cake mix, mandarin oranges, egg substitute and mayo in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Pour batter into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

5. Combine drained pineapple, whipped topping and vanilla pudding mix in a medium bowl, beat at low speed just until blended. Spread pineapple mixture evenly over top of cake. Cover and store cake in refrigerator. Yield: 18 servings.

Hope some of these recipes find their way onto your Thanksgiving table (or served any time during the year). I know ya’ll will be sharing lots of yummy food during the upcoming holiday season. I can’t wait to find some new ones myself!

Surprise Visit At Hobby Lobby

2011-11-07T16:43:00.001-08:00

Today I ran into Hobby Lobby to check out the sales for this week. Coming around a corner I had to stop so I wouldn’t bump into another person’s buggy. You know how it is…you glance up at the other person, say “excuse me” and move on. Well, about that time, I realized I knew the other lady pushing her cart. We both stopped when we realized we knew each other and had a nice long visit in the floral aisle for about an hour! I’ll call her “D” and while I don’t think she’ll read my blog (I did give her the name of it) she says she doesn’t get on the computer very much, I wouldn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “D” and I have known each other since 8th grade. She was a grade ahead of me but we were always friends.

One time in the 8th grade my winter coat went missing from the coat closet. Somehow I found out “D” had taken my coat and hidden it! I told my mama and she sent a note to the teacher and lo and behold my coat reappeared! Now don’t get the wrong impression, we were pre-teens and I guess she thought it was funny, we’d never had words and were casual friends at the time, so I don’t know why she did that. But after that, we became good friends throughout our school years.

“D” dated this one guy throughout junior and senior high school. He was a little bit older than her, went to another school and drove a Corvette! Were were all in awe of “D”’s big city boyfriend. He was so good to her too. They got married a few days after she graduated from high school and had a very successful real estate business here in town. Her husband was killed in a tragic auto accident in 1986. Fortunately, “D” met “S” about two years after that and has been happily married to him since 1988.

“D” was my idol in high school. She was tall & blonde, had perfectly straight hair, big blue eyes, was a cheerleader, beauty queen and homecoming princess. Although she had all those honors, she was very down to earth and sweet to everyone. She was never a snob and had a great personality.

I had semi-straight hair but in the 60’s and 70’s straight hair was the thing to have. Our maid (don’t judge – it was the south in the 60’s) ironed my hair every morning before school. That’s the only way I could get it straight. OR sleep with my hair rolled in orange juice cans!!!

“D” caught me up with a couple of our other friends that I haven’t seen in a while. One of the girls (“P”) husband died several years ago of cancer. Just recently “P” found out she has breast cancer in both breasts. She got a 2nd opinion and her prognosis looks better than first believed.

It’s always fun to run into old friends and catch up. I just hate that we let so much time pass between visits but it seems like we all have so many obligations and busy lives we don’t make time to stay in touch. Right now we’re planning to get together with “P” and another friend for lunch.

I hope you’re lucky enough to still be in touch with your childhood friends. If not, I challenge you to look them up and reconnect.

Beautiful Day at the Lake And Setting The Record Straight

2011-11-07T04:06:00.001-08:00

If you’ve read my blog lately you know we went to my sister’s lake house to start decorating for Christmas this past Saturday. Also on tap was watching the Alabama vs. LSU game. For some reason, some of you thought I’d be pulling for Alabama….let me make it perfectly clear that was not the case!!!! We are Auburn fans through and through and would NEVER pull for any other team. Frankly, I didn’t care who won (probably not a smart thing to say)….my son in law is the only Alabama fan in this family. Now that I’ve cleared that up, here’s a few photos I snapped late Saturday afternoon at the lake.

My brother in law has a green thumb….he loves to work in the yard and babies his plants year round.

The lake water is down some, but not as much as it was this time last year

The water was so pretty and calm

Here’s her neighbor’s place I showed in a previous post

We were shocked to see some folks on a jet ski this late in the year….but they were having a good time!

Brother in law was burning some limbs and leaves

Looking back from the dock at my sister’s place, a little smaller than some of her neighbors!

Tortilla soup almost done!

I didn’t take any pictures of the Christmas mantel….it looks just like the one from last year which you can see here. Actually, neither one of us was in the mood to decorate for Christmas, the day was so nice we sat out on the dock for a long time just visiting. I guess it’s too early to get in the “spirit” for Christmas for us.

Happy Monday!

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas…

2011-11-05T11:32:00.001-07:00

…everywhere you go. And I mean everywhere! A lot of stores have had their Christmas decorations out before Halloween. Our mall and outdoor mall have put out their decorations and a platform is all set up for Santa’s arrival.

Today we are at my sister’s lake house decorating for our annual family Christmas get together which is always held the Saturday before Christmas.

Her neighbor’s lake house

Here’s our mantle last year:

Every year we decorate about the same because my sister and I don’t buy too many new things to use at the lake house….just a mis-mash of whatever’s on hand.

We’re fixing chicken tortilla soup tonight with homemade cornbread. She has a red velvet cake for dessert.

I hope it will be cold enough for a fire while we’re watching football.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend and I hope whatever team you’re for wins!

Apple Dumplings

2011-11-03T18:27:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness, I found this fabulous recipe on a new-to-me blog….The Real Housewives of Bucks County. These girls are uber talented and funny too! You must visit their blog and check them out….tell them I sent you.

Anyway, tonight I made their apple dumplings…it may be that I’m the only one on the planet who never heard of this dish but whether you’ve heard of it or not, you can’t go wrong making this easy and yummy dessert. Here’s what you need:

1 tsp. vanilla
2 tubes of crescent rolls (I used 1 1/2 for two people)
2 Granny Smith apples (or apples of your choice)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
12 oz of sprite (or mountain dew)
2 sticks of butter (I only used one)
Cinnamon to taste

1. Peel and slice your apples into wedges (I bought myself an apple slicer/corer…great little gadget for around $6.00 at Wal Mart – get yourself one!). Roll up an apple wedge in one of the crescent roll triangles

2. Place crescent wrapped apples in a sprayed casserole dish

3. Melt butter, add sugar and vanilla and stir until “slushy” (that’s unmelted butter in the pan…not some wormy thing!)

4. Pour butter mixture over tops of apples

5. Pour the can of soda around the wedges and sprinkle cinnamon on top

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until brown and crispy

7. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream

You can thank me later!

Hello from Me!

2011-11-02T17:53:00.001-07:00

I haven’t blogged in over a week…really not much to tell other than the usual business of my life! I was supposed to have gone to my best friend’s house in south Alabama last weekend but something came up with her family and we decided it would be best for her to attend to that and we’d get together another time. I was really looking forward to spending time with her but we all know family comes first.

We have only two more payments to make on my car! So of course, it seems like everything is going wrong with it at the same time. On October 20th I was rear ended (luckily no one was hurt and my car has only minimal damage); then last Friday we had to get two new tires and this morning when I went out the battery was dead! I’m so happy I have a hard working husband that took care of everything for me….it would be easy for me to have a gloom and doom attitude but I’m just grateful I have someone to take care of things like this for me.

This weekend we’re heading to the lake house to decorate for Christmas….yes you heard right! It’s the only weekend between now and the holidays my sister and I can get together and decorate at the lake. It’s become a tradition that she and her husband and me and mine go one weekend with no kids or grandkids and just have a relaxing time. The guys work in the yard, we piddle around the house (and sometimes do a little shopping!) then fix something good to eat, build a fire that night, and watch SEC football. This weekend is the big Alabama vs. LSU game….while we’re Auburn fans, this is a big game that we’re all interested in. We’re going to have chicken tortilla soup and homemade cornbread. Of course, we’ll sneak in a sinful dessert!

Well, that’s about all the exciting news for now. I hope you’re still awake!

Happy Birthday to My Daughter

2011-10-25T14:51:00.001-07:00

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!)

2011-10-22T15:42:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-12T04:08:00.001-07:00

(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

2011-10-09T16:03:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-04T17:48:00.001-07:00

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

Fall Mantel and Dining Room

2011-10-02T12:21:00.001-07:00

Although I didn’t get to post my fall mantel in time to join a few parties, I still wanted to share it. Better late than never, right?

I didn’t buy anything new except a strand of white Christmas lights. I loaded up the mantel with a fall garland I bought last year (at 1/2 off) at Hobby Lobby and added the Christmas lights. Everything else was already on my mantel so I just worked around it.

If you would like to see how I made my “Fall” banner you can read about that here.

Here’s a close up of the faux garland….berries, gourds, leaves, I love it!

I recently found this lantern at Kirkland’s for $9.99! I thought it would work on the mantel because it’s narrower than most lanterns and fits better on my somewhat “skinny” mantel. Of course, I added more of my PB inspired book bundles

I bought the pair of white ceramic pumpkins a couple of years ago at Hobby Lobby after Thanksgiving. There is also another stack of books topped with a black lantern and a mercury glass pear I picked up at TJ Maxx for $9.99! I’ve been temped to buy the mercury glass pumpkin from Pottery Barn (I have a gift card burning a hole in my pocket from PB) but I can use the pear year round and wouldn’t be able to do that with the pumpkin….plus the price was right!

On the coffee table I just put a candle ring inside my lantern and added bronze and leopard print bows….nothing fancy but I’m trying to simplify…

Sometime last summer I was in a local flea market and found a bunch of gourds….I had been looking for some for quite a while and none of these were more than $1.50! So I bought all I found with the idea to use them somewhere this fall. I just put a Dollar Tree garland in my huge dough bowl and then put some of the gourds on top of the garland….instant centerpiece!

As you can see, in trying to stay true to my “less” is more decorating this year, I didn’t do anything on my sideboard but add two pumpkins to the candlesticks

That about wraps up my indoor fall decorating around here. When I can get some good photos of the outside, I’ll post those too.

I have a busy week coming up….dr. appointment for my mom and dentist and hair appointments for me…but we’re leaving for the beach on Friday with daughter and her family!

P.S. I haven’t forgot about posting the sunroom….just need to do a few more things in there (is anything EVER done?) However, I did add a little fall “bling” in there too….you’ll have to come back next week to see it!

I’m sharing this post over here….

…and here….

…here too!

and over at Coastal Charm

Sunroom Reveal Coming Soon!

2011-09-25T07:30:00.001-07:00

I FINALLY finished the curtain panels for the sunroom. I decided not to put a pair at one set of windows…I think it would start to feel like a tent in there if I did. Do you want to see a little teaser photo?

Right now, this is my favorite room in the house! I love sitting in there….the downside is that I see all the work that needs to be done in the backyard!

I’m keeping my little 1 year old grandson on Monday but I’ll be back with more pics later next week.

Burlap Banner

2011-09-15T16:34:00.001-07:00

Even with all the craziness going on this week with my yahoo account being hacked, I managed to make another burlap banner for my 7 year old twin grandbabies. This is my kind of project, quick and easy….

Now I just have to make another one for my Birmingham grandbabies…..

Please don’t pay attention to that pile of stuff on the chair in the background….more projects in the works!

Hacked E-Mail Alert!

2011-09-13T12:14:00.001-07:00

Apparently my Yahoo account has been hacked into and my contacts in my address books are getting crazy e-mail notices supposedly sent from me! I’m closing out that Yahoo account and establishing a new one so if you get anything from “me” in the next few days that seems suspicious, please don’t open it and delete it immediately. I’ll be putting my new Yahoo account on my blog soon. If you need to get in touch with me just use my AOL e-mail which is jdy277@aol.com.

Thanks!

Happy Birthday To Me!

2011-09-11T16:08:00.001-07:00

Working Out The Kinks

2011-09-10T22:04:00.001-07:00

We just got home from dinner in Birmingham and my new blog look had been installed….however, there are several kinks that are going to have to be worked out. I wanted to keep the 3 columns I’ve had for a few years, there is supposed to be a menu bar (but we’re working on that) and my Blog Her ad box is missing! So please hang in there with me while I work with my designer to get this where I want it to be. How about my new header? I love it!

Lighter and Brighter Blog Look Coming Soon

2011-09-09T13:39:00.001-07:00

I’m excited to announce that my blog is getting a new look! Just like the changes I’m making in my home to lighter, more neutral colors, I’m doing the same thing with my blog. I’ve been working with a wonderful blog designer and I think we’re about ready to install the new look. I’m sure there will be some tweaking going on after the installation. I hope you will like the new look as much as I do.

Have a great weekend!

Early Signs of Fall

2011-09-05T22:05:00.001-07:00

I really wanted to say “It’s Fall Ya’ll” but I’ll save that for another post.

I’ve noticed how some folks are getting out a few of their fall decorations so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and do a little early fall decorating myself. So during the Auburn – Utah State game Saturday, I rounded up some items I had on hand to make a “Fall” banner. Have you seen some of the banners made out of burlap? Gosh, I just love all of them! In fact, I’m planning on making some additional ones as the holidays approach.

Here’s how I made my Fall banner….so easy even a caveman could do it! (I just had to say that)!

Got a piece of construction paper and made a template. I just took a ruler and drew out a triangle shape from corner to corner down to the bottom of the paper

Here’s it is cut out…I’ll keep the template on hand for future banner making

I just laid out the template on my burlap and cut out four triangles

Then I took my letter stencils and black stencil paint and stenciled the letter onto each triangle (sorry no photos of that….Auburn was in a neck to neck battle and I kept having to stop and cheer on my team)….

Anyhoo….after it was all said and done, here’s what I ended up with.

Please note my mantle is NOT styled or decorated at all…..I’m waiting on just the right moment to convince hubby to get the fall decorations out of the attic! I’ll be adding a lighted fall garland and some gourds, pine cones and fall picks to the mantel

The only thing I will do different when I make another banner is to not use hot glue to adhere the burlap onto the jute. It was very messy and my fingers took a beating….I was too lazy to get out my sewing machine to zig zag the jute rope to the triangle. I just folded over a little of the top of the banner with the jute rope tucked into the fold and hot glued it down.

I hate that brick on my fireplace!! When I repaint the den I plan on having the brick painted too. Also, I’m either going to have the chair rail removed or painted out too…..this house was build in the 80’s when all that stuff was the “in” thing to do. I wonder how painting the brick will hold up to fires in the fireplace? I’m sure we’ll have to use some special kind of paint but if you have any experience painting fireplace brick, I’d love to know what you used and if it worked.

We had a lazy Labor Day weekend….Sunday and Monday it rained off and on, and we desperately needed that rain. We went out for lunch on Labor Day and then hubby slept most of the afternoon on the sofa while I watched a “Housewives” marathon….I’m hooked on the Housewives of New Jersey, Orange County and Beverly Hills!

Next weekend, the 12th, is my birthday! It’s a big one too, but I’m not saying HOW big! We’re going to Birmingham on Saturday to eat at The Club (emphasis on “The” is how it’s pronounced) with my sister and her husband.

Ya’ll have a great week!

I’m sharing this post over here and here

Let The Countdown Begin

2011-08-31T18:12:00.001-07:00

Only 3 more days until the official start of the 2011 football season on the Plains and I can’t wait! We are the reigning National Champions and we’re stoked this season to see our Tigers in action. And just in case you want to know who my favorite team is……

Auburn University, we’re No. 1!

So for all my Auburn family…..

Yep, I bleed ORANGE and BLUE!

My Latest “Find” At the Flea Market

2011-08-29T13:21:00.001-07:00

Today after meeting my daughter and granddaughter for lunch, I decided to stop off at my favorite flea market to see what had come in over the weekend. I hadn’t been in there but a few minutes when I saw a couple that looked kinda familiar, even though we had never met. It was Layla & Kevin Palmer of The Lettered Cottage !

Even though we live in neighboring towns and I know we shop at the same flea markets, we’ve never met. So I went up and introduced myself and found out they are some of the most down-to-earth folks around. They are such a cute couple and I’m hoping to do a little junkin’ with them one day. It seemed like we have a lot of the same thoughts about blogging and decorating.

So it just goes to show, you never know what (or who) you’ll find at the flea market! It might turn out to be a couple of cute bloggers who are as cute as can be and just happen to have a fabulous blog!

Birthday Weekend

2011-08-26T17:59:00.001-07:00

Saturday we will be heading to Birmingham to celebrate my Birmingham grandchildren’s birthdays. McKinley will turn 6 and Cade will be 1. Of course, it’s hard to forget your grandchild’s birthday but McKinley’s will always be marked by a major event….she was born the day Hurricane Katrina hit! A couple of weeks ago she was visiting with her other grandmother and I picked her up and took her to lunch.

(None of my granddaughters have any front teeth right now!)

Her sweet baby brother arrived last year on August 18th…fortunately there were no natural disasters that took place that day!

Here he is getting one of his first bath’s at home

Christmas 2010

We’ll be having cake & ice cream with family in the afternoon and then McKinley is having her first spend the night party….we’re not invited to that! Just imagine a bunch of 6-8 year old girls jumping on the beds, playing dress up, primping and doing all things girly!

I also have to share these photos of my other granddaughter Taylor when she posed the other night while we were at their house eating supper.

I have been trying to get a picture of her in the little top I got from this sweet friend so Taylor called me to tell me she had it on and to bring my camera….so of course I did just what she said!

She had to put on all her bracelets and that big green ring! (Love the chippy nail polish and dirty band aid!)

Not really sure what this pose is about but she said “Mimi, take my picture of me doing this”!

I hope everyone in the path of Hurricane Irene takes heed of all the warnings and stays safe.

I’m A Lamp Tramp!

2011-08-22T17:35:00.001-07:00

Truly I am! I can’t go into a store without oogling all the lamps and always find one that would be perfect in my home. But there are only so many tabletops they will fit on so I pass them up. However, more times than I like, a lamp calls my name and I just can’t leave the store without it! A couple of months ago I picked up this lamp at a TJ Maxx in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Then this past weekend I was in the same TJ Maxx and picked up this one…..

Here’s a decorating trick I borrowed from my best friend Judy. She puts lamps, clocks, plates, books, or whatever she can fit into a box on her tabletops. I love that look! I’ve had this turquoise metal box I picked up when shopping with her last fall and decided to use it on my dresser in the bedroom since I’m using turquoise as an accent color in there (as well as the sunroom). It “just” fits and for now it will stay here. Now in a couple of weeks, it might turn up somewhere else!

I’ve seen both of these type lamps in high end catalogs and stores but can’t justify the price. The first one above cost $39.99 and the one I scored this weekend was only $29.99! Now that’s a price I can live with.

Then today when I was browsing through Hobby Lobby getting inspiration for some fall decorating (please hurry up and get here!) I saw this frame someone had apparently hid so no one else would buy it.

But I’m onto those tricks cause I do the same thing! Whenever I’m walking around, I look high and low cause you never know what you’ll find or where you’ll find it. Since frames were half price this week, I grabbed it up and ran to the check out. I was really surprised it was only $23.99 and would have gladly paid that but at half off that….well, you do the math.

Ya’ll remember I’m using turquoise in my sunroom too so this frame was perfect in there and I love the way it has that touch of black & white zebra which goes with my little zebra rug….

And the little chippy turquoise table I got at a local flea market

Here’s another little project I recently did. This is a coffee sack I picked up for $8.00 and put in this huge old frame I’ve had for a while. Hubby actually “installed” it and when he turned it over I saw it was crooked. Of course, he’s not as “anal” as me and didn’t think it needed to be fixed. I’ll get around to that one day but in the meantime it’s just propped up on the sideboard in the sunroom (not sure why the wall color is so washed out, it’s not that wimpy looking in person).

I wish I could tell ya’ll I’ve made some progress with making the panels for my sunroom but I’d be lying. I guess I’m just waiting for the urge to get busy sewing….soon I hope!

My Review of “The Help”

2011-08-15T14:44:00.001-07:00

Really no words can do justice to this movie. Lots of emotions…..so I’ll leave you with my only advice…..GO.SEE.IT! One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I can totally relate. Growing up a child of the south in the 60’s we always had “help”. They were like family members. The audience today were of many colors and I just wanted to go sit by one of my sistas and hold her hand and see if she felt the same way I did. Thankfully I never knew anyone who was like “Hilly”. Most everyone I knew was more like “Skeeter”. However, I just don’t know if I can ever eat chocolate pie again! (you have to see the movie to know what I’m talking about).

My mom really enjoyed herself. She wanted to eat at KFC (one of her favorites – not mine – but today was all about her) and afterwards we headed to the “picture show” as it was called in her day. She said it had been years since she’d been to the movies. The loud previews just about did her in until the movie started but once it did she settled down and was able to enjoy herself. When I picked her up at her assisted living cottage, she informed everyone she was going to lunch with her daughter and then to the movie….nothing like rubbing it in! Then when she got back I saw her in the dining room telling everyone about her adventure! I’m so glad I’m able to do things with and for her that bring her joy. I only hope that if I make it to 91 I’m able to get out and enjoy myself too!

On a different note, we just booked a little beach trip in October for a few days with daughter and her family. Then we are taking all the kids and grandkids to Calloway Gardens for Fantasy In Lights. We plan on going the weekend before Thanksgiving or the first week of December. We’ve never been and we decided that we’d do that for an early Christmas present for everyone. We’re hoping to stay at The Lodge & Spa. If anyone has been, we’d love to hear your experience or suggestions on things to do.

(source)

The Help

2011-08-15T04:15:00.001-07:00

Today I’m taking my 91 year old mama to see The Help. She’s sooo excited! We’re going to lunch first and then to a matinee. If the movie is half as good as the book we’ll be in for a treat. Have you read The Help?

Why I Haven’t Been Able To Finish The Sunroom

2011-08-10T16:08:00.001-07:00

You’d think I should have those curtain panels made by now since it’s been a couple of weeks since the sunroom got painted and all I need to do is sew two pairs for two sets of windows, right? Well, in my defense, let me tell you why that hasn’t happened….

Last Tuesday I had a doctor appointment to follow up on an MRI I had done last October (yeah, it took me that long to finally go back to the doctor!). He said I have arthritis in my back, a bulging disc at L-4 and L-5 and sciatica nerve …oh the joys of aging! So the medicine he put me on is making me sooo sleepy and other side effects I won’t go into but I have no energy to tackle the curtain panels right now. I’m going to give that medicine 4 weeks and if it hasn’t kicked in by then, I’m going to call him back and see if he can prescribe something else.

Then on top of that my little grandson had a request that Mimi and Pop fix his toy box. Last year we reworked the old toy box that belonged to his mama and he has really enjoyed it. Here’s what it looked like while we were working on getting it ready for him to use

But boys being boys here’s what it looks like now…

I had no idea what to do but walking around at World Market (which, by the way is one of my favorite places to browse for ideas) I saw this….

It had a price tag of $179.00 which I would have been willing to pay but then I had a lightbulb moment and said to myself “Self, you can rebuild the top and add a couple of baskets, re-stain the toy box and for a LOT LESS, have the same thing” which is exactly what we’re going to attempt to do.

So Sunday afternoon after the race (which my husband is addicted to watching) we went to Home Depot and got a piece of wood, came home and he measured and cut it to fit which I think he did a darn good job of, if I do say so myself! (Look at those scribbles on the old top, those are from my grown children!)

I went back to World Market on Monday and found two basket to fit in the openings. Only problem is they are about 1/2” too big to fit inside but hubby is going to shave off a little on the sides of the box so the baskets will fit. Then I’ll take over and sand and stain the toy box.

Seems like we always have something to do that prevents us from finishing things around here….is it like that for you? But we don’t mind, especially when it involves those grandbabies. For instance, Monday I had a lunch date with my Birmingham granddaughter who was here for a few days at her other grandmother’s. I picked her up for lunch and we ate at McDonald’s.

Love these times together. Those curtain panels can wait….these babies can’t!

Turquoise Table

2011-08-01T19:33:00.001-07:00

I hate to tease ya’ll with more peeks of the sunroom but honestly, I haven’t had time to finish up my curtain panels. Last Friday we had to remove a bathroom sink in my mom’s house (that’s been for sale for almost 2 years!) and we had to run out and buy one and get it installed today. Saturday I spent at daughter’s helping her do some organizing while her husband was at a guy’s weekend at the lake. It seems I have very little “me” time lately! However, I did find the cutest little side table at my favorite flea market while I was out running errands on Friday afternoon (before the sink fiasco) and it’s perfect in my sunroom….I wasn’t even looking for another table but this one just called my name!

I wish I could say I painted/distressed this little table….it is so “me!”

As you can see I made more book bundles (I’m a little obsessed with them), put out a picture of hubby and me with a cute white lamp I picked up at the beach in April.

The lady’s booth where I bought it had just marked it down to $49.99 and I asked her if she’d take $40.00….she said if I’d take it RIGHT THEN she’d take the $40.00! I couldn’t pay for it fast enough!

Here’s the old chippy tray I’ve showed ya’ll before along with some of those boxed faux plants I picked up recently, and of course more books!

And finally my $8.00 burlap sack I got that I’ve just draped over an old antique frame I have….I think I will cut it to fit inside the frame to hang over my white sideboard.

Well folks, that’s all I can show you for now. I’m really happy with how the room is turning out and can’t wait to get those panels made and show you the full reveal!

Our Vintage Home Love

2011-07-31T21:07:00.001-07:00

Once in a while I run across a new blog that just blows me away. The talented Diana at Our Vintage Home Love has such a blog. Can I tell you how talented this girl is? She can wield power tools like nobody’s business….she builds furniture people!

Don’t believe me? Here she is working away!

Isn’t she just the cutest thing? You won’t believe the stuff she can do!

Here' s the front of her home….don’t you want to move right in?

This porch had me at “painted floor” and drop cloth drapes!

You have to read the story behind her dining room table….so sweet

Look at the headboard she made for their master bedroom….are you drooling yet?

She also made this “island” in her kitchen

She just finished decorating her family room using things she and her husband collect

And she made these cute mini-breadboards and lucky for us….she is now selling them through her etsy shop….she’s sold out now but is making more to sell

I just love this girl! She always leaves me such sweet comments on my blog….I can only hope to be half as talented as she is. But talent aside, she is one sweet lady.

If you haven’t checked out her blog, I urge you to get your hiney over there and check it out….you will not be sorry!

This is just a small sampling of what you’ll find on Diana’s blog. But be sure you have plenty of time to read each and every post cause once you get started, you won’t want to stop!

It’s A Zebra, Not a Cow(hide)!

2011-07-28T18:02:00.001-07:00

When I posted recently about ordering a “cowhide” rug from Overstock, I guess I said that cause I want one so bad but when it was delivered this afternoon and husband rolled it out, he said “that’s a zebra, not a cow” and he’s right! Oh well, I still like it (for the price) so I’m keeping it. I’m going to give ya’ll a little peek of it in the sunroom but don’t want to make a full reveal of the room yet because I haven’t got the drapery panels made and I’m still tweaking things. But I couldn’t wait to show you my cute little zebra rug.

It’s not very big, about a 4x6 (more or less) but I like it’s shape and the pop of black and white really works in that room of neutrals.

Kinda looks like the flying nun (anyone remember that show with Sally Field?)

His tail will flatten out in time….see those dark spots on my slipcovered ottoman….when I was staining something in the room, I got some of the stain on the slipcover…so I just turned it around so no one would see it!

I still want a real cowhide so I’ll just keep looking. Do you like my little zebra? I do!!

Fabulous Finds

2011-07-25T07:05:00.001-07:00

I don’t know about you, but it seems like whenever I’m looking for a specific item, I never can find what I’m looking for at that particular time. Then when I’m NOT looking, I stumble upon what I call “fabulous finds”. In fact, when I had a booth at a local antique mall, that was the name of my business. Last week was a good “fabulous finds” week!

On my way home from a hair appointment last Monday afternoon I ran into a flea market that I used to go to quite often. I found several old coffee burlap sacks that didn’t have a price. I took one to the front where the cashier called the vendor (who owns the flea market) and asked him how much he wanted for it…..$8.00 Baby! Sold!!!

Then on Friday I was in Penney’s returning some shirts for husband when on my way to the customer service desk I noticed an 80% off sale display and there I found some really great boxed faux plants…..for $7.97 each, regular $40.00! I bought the last 4 they had.

I would NEVER have paid $40.00 for this (or even the $19.99)!

On Saturday I ran into a little outlet place that always has wonderful housewares at giveaway prices where I bought a huge lantern for $8.99…..some of the glass was missing but that that doesn’t bother me a bit.

I hate paying retail for anything and I also love the thrill of the hunt. I’d say I did pretty good on all my “fabulous finds” wouldn’t you?

I’ve just got to share these pictures I took of the twins yesterday. We kept them Saturday night and Sunday morning things got really quiet. I found them in the sunroom playing with their DS’s (I think that’s what they’re called?)…..they hadn’t been up long so they have bedhead hair and the clothes on they slept in….priceless!

Check out those expressions!

Then Taylor got ahold of my camera and took her own pictures of her doll, her ankle bracelet (which is something that goes in her hair) and her handwriting workbook

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Dairy Queen & Cowhide Rugs

2011-07-22T16:15:00.001-07:00

Last night after a quick supper of BLT’s, I told hubby I wished I had a waffle bowl from the DQ….he didn’t say anything at first but around 7:30 he said “are you ready” and he didn’t have to ask again! To make us feel better, we shared this one!

After the week I had with the painting situation, I thought I “deserved” this….however, this kept playing in my mind “a minute on the lips, forever on the hips”!!! Alrighty then….moving on….

I’ve been loving the cowhide rugs I see all over and I have been wanting to buy one. After seeing Kelley’s zebra rug I checked on Overstock.com (where I get all of my area rugs) and found one I loved so I went ahead and ordered it. I had a credit with them so I got it at a really good price!

(source)

Here’s the one I ordered. You can find it here

I plan on layering it over my seagrass rug in the sunroom but if it doesn’t work in there I will be putting it in the 2nd guest room (which is also going to get painted soon).

I’ve got some great finds to share with ya’ll next week I found this week when I was out and about. I hope to see ya’ll then.

Sunroom Finally Painted!

2011-07-21T15:38:00.001-07:00

Fortunately I didn’t have to pitch another fit but I gave the evil eye a time or two to the painter brothers. I will say that they did an excellent job and truth be known, it was their other brother who was originally supposed to do this job that deserves my wrath! I’m just glad it’s over!!!! (We have a wonderful painter that we’ve used for years that is fast, dependable and efficient and we only went this route because brother #1 owes us money).

Do you want to see how it turned out?

This is in it’s very raw stage. I had husband roll up the rugs (I had one on top of the other for some reason but only one will be going back down) last night and I vacuumed but I’ll be scrubbing that tile today or tomorrow. Also, I have no idea what the wall color is because at first the paint store mixed it wrong and I had to have it remixed. I can get the formula if anyone is interested. I really do like it!

I would love to hang a gorgeous lantern for the light but we really need that ceiling fan in there. I’ll probably just change out the fan and light cause this one is from the 80’s!

Since painter guy had put the curtain brackets back up on one window, I went ahead and hung them….gotta see the whole effect, right? (I was standing on that chair to hang the curtains) I blurred out the background cause didn’t want you to see those ugly Adirondack chairs that are going to the lake.

These are some of my “custom made” curtains – ha! They are a pair of full size flat sheets from Wal Mart with a 20” border of painter’s drop cloth.

Here’s my TV cabinet. I’ve debated about painting it but really I love the rustic wood. I bought this cabinet over 20 years ago when “country” decorating was real popular. It came out of an old house in Greenville, Alabama and had been used on the porch to store jelly and the like. The top and bottom doors are in storage and the knobs are old spools!

Here’s where it gets ugly…..I’m thinking about applying for an episode on Hoarders!

Am I really showing ya’ll this? This is what it looks like when the husband clears out a room….he just puts stuff all over the place! Plus the grandkids were here for supper last night and they had out their books & toys.

Don’t you love this chippy turquoise box? I bought it two summers ago at the beach in an old timey general store for $14.99! This will be my accent color in the sunroom. (why am I seeing clamps and a bag of grout – geez!)

I hope to get the other curtains made for the windows over the weekend. We’re supposed to keep the twins Saturday for their mama and daddy to go to Aquapalooza on Lake Martin so I won’t get anything done then.

Thanks for bearing with me during this whole ordeal…..ya’ll’s comments made me laugh and believe me, I’ve needed some laughs this week!

I Threw A Hissy Fit And I’ll Do It Again (if I have to!)

2011-07-19T18:39:00.001-07:00

Well, we’ve finally come to the end of Day 1 of the great sunroom re-do but not without drama. Let me refresh your memory just in case you haven’t been following this train wreck. After debating 2 years on what color to paint (and I don’t know why….every color I liked was so much alike you couldn’t tell the difference in any of them) I finally decided on a nice, neutral color. Okay, painter guy (let’s call him painter #1) was supposed to be here Sunday, that didn’t happen, then he was coming Tuesday but on Monday he called and was going to have to send his brother (painter #2) in his place (I’ll spare you the story). So painter #2 comes over Monday evening to see what had to be done but he had no idea the extent of the job which he claimed was bid out too low. I told him that wasn’t our problem, he’d have to take it up with his brother (painter #1 – who owes my husband some money anyway). We finally came to an agreement that he would do all the other work that needs to be done around here for the original quote (it’s a good thing cause I wasn’t going to pony up another $200!).

Then brother #2 calls me this morning saying he couldn’t be here at 8:30 a.m. as we had agreed on at 10:00 last night but would meet me at lunch. That was not good for me but I made it work and met him at 1:00. The paint store had mixed the paint the wrong color so he had to take it back and bring it to my office for my approval. Got home at 3:00, the wood piece to replace some baseboard damage was the wrong piece, well, I won’t go on any more…suffice it to say that he finally got the wood piece replaced and the whole room caulked. He left at 7:00 (after promising he’d have a primer coat on before he left – which didn’t happen either). Now he and his other brother (painter #3) are supposed to be here tomorrow and if it’s not finished by tomorrow evening I will be their worst nightmare. I “acted out” and told him if it had to stretch into Thursday I didn’t care what other arrangements he had to make or what plans he had to cancel it WOULD BE DONE! (I probably looked like that girl on The Exorcist when her head was spinning around when I had my hissy fit)!

Here’s how the room looked this morning after hubby and I cleared it out last night from all the “stuff” – not the furniture mind you, just the stuff….

Look at all that loot piled up in the corner in the den….and that’s not all of it!

French doors going out to the patio/deck area…I plan on cleaning up out there whenever the temps go below 100+ degrees!

I’m going to soak in a nice hot tub now. I might even live on the wild side and shave my legs (cause I just noticed they really need it).

Stay tuned for part 3 of the nightmare at my house…

Quick Adirondack Chair Makeover

2011-07-18T16:41:00.001-07:00

Okay, so Sunday afternoon while the hubs was cutting the grass I broke out my number stencils and paint and stenciled the back of my Adirondack chair.

I know the number is a little small for the chair but it’s the largest stencil I had so I’ll just work with it.

This morning I hauled it from the front porch around back, moved another chair I had, and placed it next to my unresponsive hydrangea bush and in front of my blooming crepe myrtle. (My hydrangea has lots of leaves but has not produced any blooms….I must be doing something wrong!)

I’m going to make an outdoor pillow for it….probably out of either burlap or drop cloth, but I didn’t have time to whip one up last night or today so I just put one of my porch pillows in the chair for purposes of these pictures.

What do you think? I’m pretty happy with how it turned out even if my number is too small!

And again, here’s my inspiration photo. I think I came pretty close to ~~copying~~ replicating it!

Ya’ll know my painter was supposed to start painting my sunroom on Sunday and then he called Saturday to postpone until Tuesday. Well, today he called again and can’t come at all so he sent his brother over here this afternoon to look at the job. I’m just a little put out with this guy but I think the brother is going to do a better job. He’s supposed to start tomorrow morning and be through by Wednesday…..keep your fingers crossed it finally gets done! If I have too many more delays I’m going to start second guessing my color choice and I don’t want to even go there……

Adirondack Chair Makeover

2011-07-16T18:51:00.001-07:00

A little while back I posted about wanting to strip/sand/stain and/or paint my Adirondack chairs. I pressure washed the heck out of those chairs but some of the paint refused to come off! So my idea of staining them was off the table and I’ve been trying to figure out what color to paint them to LOOK like stain. Right now they are sitting on a wood platform in my backyard baking in the hot Alabama sun while I try to get inspired to finish them up. So far that hasn’t happened!

Here’s the inspiration photo I posted that I wanted my chairs to look like:

The other day I got an e-mail from World Market that their Adirondack chairs were on sale for $49.00! I had a store credit for $20.00 so I decided to just go for it and buy one. Here’s part of the reason why: (1) I’ve lost my desire to finish up those chairs; (2) hubby says they are in the way when he cuts the grass and (3) my sister wants them for her lake house! Hopefully I’ll get a number stenciled on the back in the next day or two and this will be a quick and easy project I can cross off my “to do” list.

I got the last one in this cappuccino color and it needs to be cleaned up but I can just see it with a number stenciled on it.

What do you think? Would you have taken the easy way out and bought this chair? For me, it was a no-brainer.

In my last post I told ya’ll that my painter was coming Sunday to start on the sunroom. He called this morning and “something came up” so he won’t get started until Tuesday ! Oh, well, maybe it will be finished by next weekend. He is only available on Tuesdays and Sundays so that limits his time to paint.

See you soon!

Goodbye Mr. Red!

2011-07-14T18:54:00.001-07:00

For many years I had a love affair with red walls in my home. It was warm and cozy and everyone loved it. But starting this weekend the last of the red walls in my home will be gone! I had my sunroom painted a luscious shade of red several years ago and loved it but now….not so much. It’s only taken me…let’s see….2 years to decide on a paint color! If I let myself think about it, I’ll change my mind a dozen times more so I just picked one of my favorite colors and now it’s too late to turn back. The sunroom walls will be painted Canvas Natural. Here it is in Jennifer’s beautiful home at The Old Painted Cottage.

(source)

I’ve been lightening up all the rooms in my home for the last couple of years and I can’t wait to get this room done. The room will be awash in soothing neutrals with a pop of muted turquoise for a little fun! I have a seagrass rug on top of cream colored tile, a sideboard painted white with a dark stained top and another small chest painted turquoise with a dark stained top as well. The TV cabinet is a pine armoire I’ve had forever. I’m making my “famous” drop cloth drapes for the large windows that already have bamboo blinds. I hope it turns out as good as I envision. The prep work starts Sunday afternoon but the painter can’t finish up until next Tuesday. After that I’ll be having lots of fun putting the room together…..I can’t wait to share it with ya’ll!

Now I’ve just got to get the room cleared out so the work can begin….

Changes Coming Soon!

2011-07-13T14:21:00.001-07:00

Please don’t pay any attention to my wonky header and all that white space….I’m getting a makeover from a professional but in the meantime I’ve been playing around with some free photo programs….just be patient with me until I get the blog makeover!

Happy Birthday Son!

2011-07-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

July 11, 1974 was one of the happiest days of my life. I gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy! I can’t believe he’s 37 today! He is still my “little boy” and sometimes I can’t believe he belongs to me. He is the best son ever and is a wonderful husband to Jennifer and daddy to McKinley and Cade.

Saturday we went to Birmingham to spend the day and eat supper. We ate at Chuy’s at the Summit…the same restaurant he chose last year. Outside the planters were full and lush….not an easy task in this heat!

Next to Chuy’s is a store I adore….it’s one of mine and my daughter’s favorite places to shop….Charming Charlie’s.

If you have one anywhere near where you live, I would strongly recommend you go! Lots of eye candy and you won’t leave empty handed.

We had to wait about an hour for our table so I took a few pictures….The Summit is perched high on the mountains in Birmingham with magnificant views

Here’s the birthday boy and his son looking out over the shopping down below

Shane holding Cade and daughter Shannon with her daughter Taylor

Don’t you just want to kiss those cheeks?

The girls love to strike a pose!

My daughter in law Jennifer helping Cade who is about to start walking

I’m the proud mama of these two

Gotta brag a little….aren’t they gorgeous?

Son and his sweet family

Back at the “ranch” the girls had baked a cake and started icing it

I think they might need some lessons in cake baking (and some front teeth)!

Happy Birthday Shane….I love you!

The Land Of the Free and the Home Of The Brave

2011-07-02T15:41:00.001-07:00

I know it sounds trite but I’m proud to be an American! Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy 4th of July!

BLT Wrap

2011-07-01T17:23:00.001-07:00

I found this recipe on this blog. I asked Gina if I could share it with ya’ll and she was good with that. So here ya go….

I cooked my bacon, chopped up some tomatoes and mixed in a little lite mayo and some salt & pepper to taste. Then take some lettace leaves and wrap it up!

Added a honeydew melon slice on the side it made a wonderful lite and tasty meal! Just looking at it makes me wish I had one right now!

Starfish In A Bottle

2011-06-29T15:49:00.001-07:00

I recently picked up this old bottle at the flea market for $5.00

I pried off the top and it left some rust marks even after I ran it through the dishwasher. So I wrapped the neck with some jute twine and hot glued a starfish in the “neck”.

I love the way it turned out and only took about 10 minutes. I stood at the kitchen counter and made it while watching Bravo….yeah, I’m addicted to that channel! (I bet ya’ll watch some of those shows too!).

I have soooo many things I need to work on: finish recovering the headboard in our bedroom, stain and stencil a wooden crate, finish pressure washing the adirondack chairs and paint them, clean off back patio, clean out my junk room so it can get painted and repurposed as a 2nd guest room, and that’s just the tip of the iceburg! By doing a little project like the starfish bottle, I feel like I got SOMETHING accomplished!!!

I know I promised I’d be posting a great little recipe this week and I haven’t forgot….look for it by the weekend.

The Beauty of Books

2011-06-27T13:26:00.001-07:00

No one loves books more than I do….I’m always reading one. But books are more than for reading enjoyment, they are a staple in my decorating arsenal. For years I’ve used them to elevate objects or just display them for their beauty. Recently I’ve been using them in vignettes around the house by tearing off the covers and binding them with twine and/or ribbons. I know many of you have too! Guess we’re in good company because even Pottery Barn uses them in mass in their catalogs…

…and theirs are $39.99 per bundle!

(via)

You can find them in the den….

And since that picture I’ve moved those books and replaced them with this one…

…an old medical book I got at auction…

I love the texture and color of the spine (and yes, I know the other book is upside down but the cover is torn and it’s the only way it will stand up)

Here are more in the kitchen on the 3 corner cabinet…

And on my baker’s rack….

On Sunday I made a set for our bedroom. I’m still working on pulling our room together and slowing but surely it is finally getting there! Lots of whites & creams with accents of robins egg blue. I’m recovering our headboard and I’ve made drop cloth drapes. I want to add something special to our swing arm lamps, just have to find the time. Okay, enough blabbing about that, here’s my dresser vignette..

I printed off our initial and cut it to fit in this Dollar Tree frame

There are so many options when using books to decorate. What is your favorite way to use books in YOUR home?

I’ll be back later this week for a quick but delicious recipe I recently found that is big in taste and low in calories.

Party At The Lake

2011-06-26T21:17:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we celebrated my mom’s 91st birthday at my sister’s lake house. I know how fortunate I am she is in such good health and sound mind. She’s slowed down a little bit but hey, at 91, if that’s her biggest problem, we’re lucky!

We’re all about food whenever we all get together and there was no shortage of anything. I had planned to make my favorite cake (recipe found here) but when we got to the lake, my sister had bought a cake so I didn’t bother. Then everyone fussed because they said they wished I would make the cake but I just thought it would be too much. So I’ll make it next time….

fresh tomatoes and cantelope

fruit “bowl” made by my sister

she used her antique dough bowl

Son manning the grill. My sister’s husband wasn’t at the party because he had to check his mom out of the hospital and take her back to her assisted living home. (When he called the assisted living home, they told him they didn’t admit anyone on the weekends….he said “well, we pay ya’ll $7,000 a month for her care so you WILL take her….and they did!). Yep, folks, assisted living is a great way to get care for your loved one but it ain’t cheap. My mom is fortunate in that she receives VA assistance but she’s still short each month, thus the need to sell her house ASAP.

Barbeque chicken and baked beans…

Mac & cheese…

…tater salad and my marinated vegetable salad (recipe here)

My son and nephew have “twin” red nose pit bulls….both named Ruby! I know pit bulls get a bad reputation but these dogs are so sweet and gentle…

After lunch I went with my son to get his boat out to bring back over to the cabin…

He rents a “garage” for his boat….and let me tell ya, it’s not easy getting that bad boy in OR out of that space.

My son works hard and he plays hard. He loves cars and boats and he was lucky enough to be able to recently buy his latest toy thanks to his hard work paying off. I’m so proud of him!

Once we got over to the boat ramp and put the boat in the water, the boat wouldn’t crank. After about an hour in the hot broiling sun, we finally had to pull it back out and take it back to storage. I don’t think I’ve ever been so hot! When we got back to the lake house, I was wringing wet and looked like a drowned rat! He was so frustrated because he’s only had this boat about a month and it’s a 2011! I’d hate to be on the receiving end of the phone call he’s going to be making to the place he bought it (thankfully it’s under warranty).

Mama was ready to go back to her assisted living place by that time and all I wanted to do was gulp a huge glass of tea and get in the air condioned car. She needed to stop at Wal Mart and pick up some “feminine items” and toilet paper. Hubby was sweet enough to offer to go in and buy it for her because I was just about passed out in the car from being so hot.

I just had to take this picture of my mama and hubby as he walked her back to her room.

Notice he’s holding her purse and all the “feminine” stuff in her bag!

My mama loves David and he is so good to her

What plans do you have for the 4th of July? We will probably go to the lake and try to stay cool!

Happy Birthday & A Recipe

2011-06-24T15:04:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday June 22nd my mama turned 91 years young! I can’t even imagine all the changes she’s seen in her lifetime. We had to move her to an assisted living facility 18 months ago and she has adjusted beautifully. She gets her nails done on Mondays and plays bingo 2-3 times a week….don’t dare try to go pick her up to go somewhere when it’s bingo day or manicure time!

So this weekend we will be celebrating her special day at the lake. My sister and I are furnishing most of the food but everyone is bringing enough chicken to grill and drinks for their family. The only downside is my daughter and her family will be on a pre-planned pre-paid vacation so they won’t be there.

One of the dishes I’m bringing is this tried and true marinated vegetable salad….so easy to make and so yummy in the tummy! I got this recipe from a friend who caters dinners at my mom’s church. Everyone always loves it so I thought I’d share it with ya’ll.

MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD

1 – 11 oz. can white shoe peg corn
1 – 16 oz. can french green beans
1 - 16 oz. can green peas
1 med. onion finely chopped
1/4 c. celery finely chopped
1/4 c. bell pepper finely chopped
1/4 c. pimento – diced

Drain vegetables and mix all together

Marinade

3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Heat well until sugar dissolves. Pour over vegetable mixture and keep in refrigerator overnight.

We’re having BBQ chicken, baked beans, potato salad, marinated vegetable salad, assorted fresh fruits, fresh tomatoes, and rolls. AND I’m making this cake when I get to the lake!

After lunch I’ll be sitting on the dock, sipping a strawberry daiquiri, then taking out the boat for a nice long cruise around the lake!

What are YOU doing?

Wanted–Grain Sacks

2011-06-20T06:25:00.001-07:00

I’m hoping someone can help me find a grain sack to use on the back of a chair. I’ve found a few on etsy but they are quite expensive. Here’s what I need: a grain sack with black writing, preferably in French. The dimensions I need at a minimum are: 26” in width x 27” in length. I want to use it to recover the back of a chair and will cover the seat in a drop cloth (or black denim – thus the need for black writing). The back of the chair (which is not seen) will be covered in the drop cloth. I’d really like to keep the cost of the grain sack UNDER $50.00.

I’ve even thought about making my own out of drop cloths and ironing on an image, but I can’t find a source for that. I’m very open to this idea if you know of a source that sells these downloadable images.

Put your thinking caps on and help a girl out!

Happy Father’s Day!

2011-06-18T18:12:00.001-07:00

My daddy passed away on January 4, 1980. I think about him often and still miss him.

I was the first child of my parents for five years. There might have been a little spoiling going on! I always thought I was his favorite child, although he loved all 4 of us. He called me “monkey” or “monk”….not sure why, maybe because I loved to climb up on his shoulders and comb and roll his hair (in pink rollers no less) while he was watching tv. I was the first daughter to get married and had the first grandchildren. He thought the sun rose and set in my son.

He was a child of the Great Depression. His mother died in a house fire when he was 3 years old. He says it must have been around Christmas time because he remembered getting a toy drum she had hid for his present that year. He and his two brothers, along with their father, farmed. He told me his daddy went to the bank and borrowed $100 to see them through the winter! He joined the Air Force at a young age and rose to the highest rank of a non-commissioned officer. He became a very successful businessman after he retired from the military.

If you are lucky enough that you still have your daddy, don’t forget to tell him you love him and give him a big hug on Father’s Day. I wish I could do the same.