Just Us Girls

Last year my sister and I decided we’d try and do an annual “girl’s weekend” somewhere special every year…..no guys allowed!    On our first “girl’s weekend” about a year ago, she took her daughter (who had just found out she was pregnant) and her little grandson, Mason.    I took my daughter, DIL, and two granddaughters and we all went to Panama City Beach, Florida.    You can read all about that trip here.

This past year has been very hectic and life-changing for my sister.    Thankfully, things have settled down for her and her life is somewhat back to “normal” (whatever that is!)

So she and I decided to have a very relaxing, peaceful, stress-free weekend (which meant no husbands or grandkids) and take our mom to the lake for the weekend.     She got off early from work on Friday and after mom got out of the beauty shop (she’s almost 89 and gets that hair done weekly!) we took off for Lake Martin!

My sister’s lake house is not one of the “mega-mansions” and it’s not professionally decorated, but it is so homey and comfortable.

Here’s the view from the top of the driveway looking out at the lake.

Coming around the sidewalk to the front of the house you look out to the deck

 

Sunset on Friday night

This is the lake home of one of her neighbors….an oncologist  (sp?) in Birmingham.   

 

 

Another lake home across from my sister’s…..it looked like they were having a family reunion!

Here’s the room I stayed in….those windows look right out on the lake…stunning view!

  

Saturday morning found my sister and mom checking things out on the deck…..not bad for 88 years old!

Just a few miles from the lake is a neat little antique shop/flea market type place.    I’ve been there a few times so we decided to check it out Saturday morning.

 

For all you locals, this little place is located on Hwy. 9, just past Santuck at the flashing light.

 

This was a really pretty piece but you can see it needed a lot of work.   

I know some of ya’ll will love the size of this birdcage….and a “used” one from the looks of it!

 

I love trays and I meant to go back and pick this one up.    I think it was $12.00!

 

 

Here’s an old-fashioned highchair in that yummy robin’s egg blue so many of us like

 

I wish you could see this front door…it was really pretty.

Before we went inside, I spied what looked to be a secret garden out back and when we meandered down the path, I was not disappointed…..just look at what was back there….

Crusty, rusty, chippy old glider!

 

 

And look at this wonderful ivy covered bottomless chair.    I have a couple of these chairs that I use in my yard but I just put a potted plant in them.  

 

 

But this is what stole my heart…..an old wooden swing, ivy covered frame and for those sweltering afternoons, a fan and light!   

Can’t you just image sitting here with your sweetie, cold glass of ice tea in hand, smelling the honeysuckle, and just a-swinging away!

 

 

Just up the road from my sister’s lake house is the gorgeous horse farm.    While it’s not on the lake, I think it’s setting more than makes up for a water view

 

 

 

Saturday night we went over to Sinclair’s.    My hubby and I love to eat here and we go to Sinclair’s quite a bit in the summer and early fall.    You can ‘drive’ your boat up and walk right in or drive, which is what we did Saturday night as we did not get the boats out of the boathouse…..we needed the fellas for that!

 

There was a wedding reception going on while we were there and I took a few pictures of that.    These last two pictures really touched me…..here’s a sweet little princess walking on the dock with her “paw-paw”……priceless!

 

I have to tell ya’ll that all was not smooth sailing for me this weekend.   Friday night my sister could not get the hot water turned on in my bathroom.   The back part of the cabin is an add-on and it has separate everything.    FINALLY we got it figured out by Saturday afternoon.

THEN, Saturday morning I got locked in the bathroom!    I was hollering and screaming for her or my mom like crazy.    Did I mention that I’m claustraphobic?    I started having a panic attack so I decided to go out the window.    Now this window is not your average size window, just a very small bathroom window, but I got the window open, pushed out the screen and squeezed myself through the narrow window and to the ground.    I now am sporting bruises on both arms and many aches and pains…..it’s funny now, but it sure wasn’t then!

I also want to thank everyone for your kind words on my last post about ‘Mr. Ed.’   

And last but not least, a few weeks ago, I said I would not be blogging as much because my hubby was feeling a little left out, and we can’t have that, now can we?    Since then, we spend at least one night with no TV, no phones, just sitting and talking, having our devotional time, and just enjoying spending time together.    We are even planning a little 3 day get-away….not sure where right now or when, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a trip to Atlanta (think Ikea, Classy Flea, Scott’s Antique weekend, etc.) but the most important thing is, we’ll be having a good time, just the two of us!

Later this week I’ll be posting about an exciting new-to-me blog, full of inspiration!   I think you will enjoy it so don’t forget to check back for that.

Love ya’ll! 

 

 

 

 

A Giant Of A Man

Today I received some news that I knew was coming but had been dreading.      The senior attorney I worked for at the law firm where I was employed some 15 years passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.      He was affectionately called “Mr. Ed” by us girls at work.     He was a no-nonsense man, you either liked him or you didn’t….he could be very intimidating at times but if you got to know him and did a good job, you quickly found out he was just a big ole teddy bear.       He expected a good day’s work for a good day’s pay.      All the attorneys at the firm called him “Chief.”     He was a staunch Catholic and would joke with everyone who wasn’t saying he was going to have the Pope pray for us heathens!       At times, he liked to pull rank over the main attorney I worked for and would have me stop what I was doing and have me transcribe his tapes or finish up some work on a loan closing.        He always ended his tapes by saying “….that’s all honey, clean ‘er up.”      

Mr. Ed was married to the love of his life for many, many years.    He always treated his wife with the greatest respect and I never heard him call her anything but “Honey.”    He and Ms. Gloria would meet for lunch every day and then she would come to the office around 3:00.      He always got happy when she arrived and he made sure she had her Coke on her desk shortly after she arrived.      He would always ask me to drive Ms. Gloria home when one of their cars were in the shop or he needed someone to take her home if he couldn’t.       They ate at only two restaurants for many years and at one of those restaurants, he had his own table and bib (for spills!) and they keep a special brand of ice cream for him on hand.     They even named a sandwich after his wife!

Every year he and Ms. Gloria went on vacation and he always brought back a small gift for his “girls” as he called us.     The last gift he gave me was a set of beautiful napkins they got on a trip to the New England states….I still treasure those to this day.

Mr. Ed loved children.   He kept lollipops in his office for the children of the attorneys or secretaries who came to visit.    

You could set your clock by his comings and goings…..always at the office by 9:00 a.m., left for lunch from 12:30 to 2:00 every day and was at the office long after everyone else had gone home.    He was never out sick, even when you could tell he didn’t feel good.    He moved at a fast pace, he would put a man 30 years younger than him to shame at the speed he moved and worked!

Mr. Ed was a great Alabama football fan who never missed a game until his later years.     There was a story that circulated that he almost ran over a state trooper who did not know who he was and who tried and stop him from parking in “his” place!     I dare say that state trooper remembered this stately gentlemen the next time he saw him!  

Mr. Ed attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Alabama where he received his J.D. in 1947.    He was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1947 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1961.    He held many important positions with the State of Alabama for many years.    He was one of the  foremost real estate attorneys in the State of Alabama and handled millions of dollars of real estate transactions over the years.

Since I left the firm six years ago, I have kept up with him.    I knew his health had taken a turn for the worse after the first of this year.    I saw him in early February at a local grocery store and when I went to hug him, he felt like a bag of bones.     Then just last week, I ran into another attorney at the firm who was on his was to see Mr. Ed in the hospital.     I was told that Mr. Ed had lost his will to live.   

Mr. Ed…..I loved you and will miss you.

Edward J. Azar – October 1924 – April 12, 2009

Sweet Bunnies To Love

I hope everyone had a wonderful and Happy Easter.

We hosted Easter at our house this year and were expecting a lot of family.   At the last minute, my two sisters and their families had to cancel  due to circumstances beyond their control so we only had my two grown kids and their families plus my mom. I always enjoy  seeing my sweet babies (kids) and their babies. I am so lucky that my two in-law children are really like my own….I couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law or daughter-in-law…..

In fact, look what Jennifer (DIL) brought me before church this morning!     Aren’t these some of the most beautiful flowers you’ve ever seen?    She got them from her grandmother’s yard yesterday.

  After church, we went back home to grill out hamburgers and hot dogs.   We decided to just keep it simple instead of having to spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning up and who doesn’t love a good hot dog or hamburger on the grill with all the fixin’s?   

My son (Shane) and SIL (Don) showed up in the same shirts!

Here’s my precious grandson, Jackson, happy with all the eggs he found!

I was so happy my son and his family came in from Birmingham.    We don’t get to see them as much as we do our daughter and her family so I took lots of pictures of them.   

Aren’t they a good looking bunch? What a little Miss Priss!     

And last but not least are the two drama queens looking like little angels!    McKinley and Taylor love to get together and play although there is sometimes a little tension over who gets to be boss!

Also, I can’t tell ya’ll how much I appreciated your wonderful comments and support on my last post when I said I was going to spend a little less time blogging and a lot more time with my sweet husband who has been feeling a little neglected lately from all the time I’ve been spending on the computer instead of with him.     So many of you seemed to relate to how difficult it is to pull away from blogging.     But I really have not missed the hours on the computer like I thought I would because I’ve been spending quality time with my hubby.     Just knowing ya’ll are there for me and understand means so much.

Just a quick hello....

I've been an absent blogger this week for several reasons. One, it's been a busy week for me at work plus getting ready to host Easter at our house this weekend and doing all the cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. that goes along with all of that. But mostly, something happened that really got my attention. My dear sweet husband pointed out that for the last several months, he's felt totally neglected and unimportant since I discovered the world of blogging. While I've been spending time on the computer, he's been feeling left out and alone. This made me sad because he has kept this to himself all this time and I've gone on my merry way, blabbing on about all the wonderful things that I've discovered through my fellow bloggers. While he knows how much pleasure I take in decorating the house and getting inspiration from the blog world, it seems that I've neglected the one person that makes all the wonderful things in my life happen.

I have a wonderful man that wants me.....cooking for him, babying him, appreciating him and just giving him my time.....isn't that what we all want.....someone who wants us just because?

I'll be spending a little less time blogging and a lot more time with my sweet, wonderful husband. I'm not going anywhere.....just making sure that he never feels like anything can take his place.

Foodie Friday

 It’s Foodie Friday again and this week we’re going to eat fresh from the local Farmer’s Market.

Sliced fresh off-the-vine tomatoes 

 

Snap beans (or green beans) and new potatoes

Fresh sliced squash…..

  

 

 

 

 

….cooked with purple onion.    Cook until tender then salt and pepper to taste

Pork tenderloin seasoned with your favorite seasoning.   I use seasoned salt, pepper, garlic salt and a little basil

And you have a healthy, tasty meal…..so easy but so good!

Now any good Southern girl would ordinarily serve made-from-scratch cornbread made in her mama’s black skillet but since we’re trying to watch our weight, I did not make any!    

Now head over to Gollum’s blog and check out all the other Foodie Friday posts!

 

Beauty and the Beast

Can feet be beautiful?    I guess that all depends on the eye of the beholder.    Here in the south we’re getting ready for sandal weather and that means pretty feet!    Call me weird, but I always notice how feet look in those pretty little sandals.      

For a while now, my kids and hubby have called my heels “crusty” .   I just call them “the beast”.     But recently I’ve discovered some amazing products that are taking my heels from crusty to smooth and pretty.

Here are two of the most wonderful products for cracked, crusty or otherwise unsightly heels.     I use the smoothing foot scrub in my bath at night and then follow up with the “heel of approval” cream at bedtime.    To insure the best results, I wear cotton socks.    Over the years, I’ve tried every product on the market, including a $40 Rx from my doctor, that didn’t do a thing!     Now these little wonder items can be bought at Bath and Body Works – two for $20!   I just started using them last Friday and there is a world of difference in my feet and heels already.    (By the way, Bath and Body Works did not pay me to endorse these products).

I’m off for a pedicure using my favorite color -  Cajun Shrimp.  (follow this link to read a hilarious story about Cajun Shrimp)!

Two Cute!

No, I didn’t make a typo….I mean two cute little munchkins!    Here are some random shots I took recently of the twins.   I’m also using the Windows Live Writer to post.     I think I’m going to enjoy this program!

Here’s my little angel in one of her new outfits for church.     She LOVES to dress up and pose…..check out the next picture!

Here’s Ms. Taylor in her softball uniform, and should I also mention she slept in it every night since she got it last week!    Shannon has to pry it off her in the morning and wash it when they get home.    And no, I didn’t tell her to pose like this, she just did it herself!   Shannon calls her “Erkle” cause she pulls her shorts and socks up real high!

  In this pose we were told to “pretend” she was holding her bat cause that’s how they posed her for the team picture.     (It’s real life here….doesn’t everyone have Wal Mart bags in full view with overflowing trash?)

Jackson is just like his daddy…..he strips down to his “big boy” underwear as soon as he gets home.   (I hope SIL doesn’t read that!)

 

Taylor always has to love on her Pop!   (He’s so wrapped!)

   I used a different photo effect on the next picture….I’m having fun playing around with Live Writer!

Here is the little man himself….it takes all of us to entertain him when he gets a “cut-cut”…..he hates to get his hair cut but they had school pictures the next day and Shannon didn’t want him looking like a shaggy dog.

The same night we were at Shannon’s, Taylor wanted to entertain us by saying the Pledge of Allegiance.     Here’s her version:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Snakes of America…….”     Of course, when we told her States, not Snakes, she got all mad and ran off to her room pouting!     Such a drama queen……..

I’m going to attempt to make my office curtains this week.     Also, I’ve got some news on my dining room drapes so stay tuned…….

Foodie Friday

This is my first time participating in Foodie Friday hosted by Ms. Gollum. While my receipe is not creative or took lots of time to make, it's quick and best of all, GOOD!

Check out her blog for other Foodie Friday entries.

Hubby and I both love desserts with lots of fruit - we kid ourselves into thinking they're not very fattening! I found this Berry Cobbler at the commissary one day while shopping with my mom. Unfortunately, I have not found it in any local grocery stores but maybe you can. So, whenever I go to the commissary, I stock up on several of these - they go quick!

It couldn't be easier. Spray your casserole dish with Pam then put in the fruit filling.

Then take the cobbler mix and one egg. Mix that together until it's lumpy.

While you are mixing your cobbler mix and egg, microwave 3/4 stick butter (or oleo).

Top the berries with the cobbler mixture. You have to work at spreading it around a little bit cause it's so lumpy! Then pour the melted butter on top of that.

Bake the cobbler at 350 degrees for 30-45 min. (depending on your oven).

We always top ours off with either non-fat Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream. Either way, it's delish! (wish I had some now......)

For The Love of Toile!

Have you heard about the toile party going on over at the Pretty Organized Palace? I found out about this wonderful party (and blog) this morning and I couldn't wait to get home and post a few pictures from around my home where I've used this wonderful print. Head on over after you check out my pics and enjoy all the ways toile is being used in blogland!

First up is my guest room where I've used toile drapes, plates and pillows. You can't tell here, but the walls are a pretty gold color. This room was inspired by an episode of "Devine Design" where the devine Ms. Olson did a nursery by painting the walls gold and using lots of toile. I figured if it's good enough for Candice, it's good enough for me!

Now let's go to the nursery-turned-office. Here we have a little chair hubby rescued from the curb. Beautiful shape to it, just needed a little TLC, so that's exactly what I gave her. After cleaning it up, I painted it black (natch) then sanded it back and applied a gel stain. Then I recovered the seat in a cream and black toile fabric.

And here's the baby bed turned day bed where I made a little toile skirt and threw on some extra pillows I was using in the guest room. I have enough toile fabric left over that I'm going to try my hand at mistreating the window with some creme and black toile, solid black fabric and a little trim. I'll let you know how it turns out!

It's Time For Another Met Monday!

It's time for another Metamorphosis Monday and I've decided to join in the fun! Please go to Susan's blog and click on my name (I'm #10 on the list) to take a look at my dining room I just completed. Also, don't forget to look at all the other fabulous Met Monday blogs. Enjoy!

Say What?!?!?!?

Hubby's work vehicle is experiencing "mechanical problems" so last night after we ate with daughter and her family, we had to stop at an Auto Zone to pick up some parts. He called before we went by there to be sure they had the much needed part and they assured him they did. Got to Auto Zone, he was in there forever, came out WITHOUT the part and said we had 20 minutes to get across town to another Auto Zone that was holding the correct part!


I really needed to potty (I still say this like I'm talking to my kids) and was VERY WORRIED that I might not be able to "hold" it long enough to get across town. After arriving at the Auto Zone (and I might add this was in a not-too-safe part of town) I saw a McDonald's and figured I could go there after Auto Zone. Hubby runs in, then sticks his head out the door a few minutes later, and hollers "they've got a potty in here if you need to go!" OMG, I thought I would die! Everyone in the parking lot, plus all the people in the store, just laughed as I walked in but I couldn't help it....I had to go that bad!



Good grief!