windycorner

Been A While

2009-10-07T19:29:00.008-04:00

Here's what I've been up to...............

Christs Church on St Simon's Georgia built on the site where John and Charles Wesley ministered under the oak trees.

Next is the lighthouse near the pier at St. Simon's where the light was turned off for the first time since WWII so repairs can be done.

Then there's my favorite store in the village...Dutchman's. It's one of those stores that will make you ooh and aah over the gorgeous things for your home. And they have a blog!

The next photo is our very comfortable hotel room at Sea Gate. That's my friend Lynn with her back turned (Don't take my picture!)and the sunrise I saw while walking on the beach.

Last is the new and improved me....still in progress. Now where is that plastic surgeon?

Wistful

2009-08-15T08:44:00.008-04:00

The last daylily of the summer is blooming today. Makes me feel a little bit wistful. Lots of days will pass before I see them again and who knows what changes will occur in my life during that time, but I don't want to get ahead of myself!

The glory bower continues to be glorious.

Peppers and pentas

New coleus - KONG!

Magnolia seed heads turning pink.

Love those volunteers!

Late Summer Garden

2009-08-12T11:49:00.004-04:00

No more of the fresh green of the garden in early June, the relentless sun has faded everything in the late summer.

Only the chartreuse Margarita Ipomoea batatas is brightening dark corners on this hot August day.
As the summer wears on it just can't rain enough to battle the effects of the intense heat and wilting humidity so any bit of shade is not only sought out but battled over.
Witness any asphalt parking lot about two o'clock on a busy day. The heat lightning turns the evening air an unnatural rosy pink which becomes an even more unusual yellow green after the relief of a final downpour.

The wind and the angle of the sun are changing.
Soon it will be time for a Labor Day hurricane to come roaring into the Gulf. Until then there's time to wander around the garden to look for the last of the summer flowers.

Extraordinary Gifts

2009-08-01T12:07:00.010-04:00

Once in a while someone crosses your path who makes you stop everything and pay attention to their incredible talent. Now, I had seen the name Christopher Grigas before because he's the friend of a friend on facebook, but today I saw one of his floral designs for the first time and it stopped me in my tracks. I had to see more! There is a gallery of photos on his website with his creations from weddings, flower shows, and his own collection that is so inventive and stunningly beautiful it made me tear up.

The autumn arrangements with their gorgeous jewel toned gerbera daisys, berries, and orchids, summer garden wedding bouquets of lush pink roses and green hydrangeas, and Easter baskets filled with periwinkle grape hyacinth, pink tulips, magenta roses, and green orchids, will send you running to the wholesale florist to load up on flowers to fill your home.

Visit Christopher's website and blog and soak up some of the inspired creativity.

The Best Wings In The World

2009-07-14T10:10:00.001-04:00

Okay, that's a pretty big boast, but since its son Jack's recipe am I allowed? Just a little parental pride? You'll need a large package of fresh chicken wings, salt and pepper, one bottle Mojo marinade, fresh garlic, Tabasco sauce, one bottle Sweet Baby Rays barbeque sauce, one can unsweetened pineapple juice, a disposable aluminum pan, foil, and a charcoal grill
Start with a large package of fresh wings, about 24 pieces. Season on all sides with salt and pepper and place these in a ziplock bag with one eight ounce bottle of Mojo marinade, three cloves of garlic, and one Tablespoon Tabasco sauce. Marinate for at least an hour but not more than six hours. Place the wings on a hot charcoal grill for 20 minutes, turning and basting with the marinade after 10 minutes. Then move the wings to a disposable aluminum pan, cover with one bottle Sweet Baby Rays barbeque sauce and two cups unsweetened pineapple juice. Cover the pan with heavy foil and leave on covered grill for 45 minutes to one hour. Remove from pan and serve with cole slaw, barbeque beans, and bread. The wings will be falling-off-the-bone tender and have a fabulous flavor.

Barbeque Shrimp

2009-07-05T10:26:00.003-04:00

This recipe has the best of both worlds.....seafood and barbeque....with bacon and Sweet Baby Rays sauce for good measure. Nothing wrong with that!

To serve four hungry adults or a family of six, two pounds of fresh large gulf shrimp is plenty. Peel, devein , and rinse the shrimp them wrap each one with half a strip of bacon. Thread five or six wrapped shrimps on presoaked bamboo skewers and brush with olive oil. Place on grill away from direct flame and cook about three minutes on each side. The result should be firm, pink shrimp and crispy bacon. Serve on plates with Sweet Baby Rays barbeque sauce on top.

To complete your meal add thick slices of Beefsteak tomatoes, cheesy garlic grits and fresh baby butter beans. What could be better than that!

Fourth Of July Love

2009-07-04T22:59:00.000-04:00

I hereby declare my daughter Emily the Best Daughter In The World. I've been suffering from an untimely bout with summer bronchitis and she has come to the rescue. With my sister, brother-in-law, and six nieces and nephews arriving to move in next door and an Independence Day celebration to put on there was no time to lie on my fainting couch. But this lack of oxygen was not letting me get up for more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time. So Emily swept in on Saturday afternoon with an armload of red and white roses, sparklers, ingredients for a Peach and Blueberry Cobbler and Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars for the newly arriving kiddies. There was a flurry of peeling, chopping, measuring, mixing in the kitchen and....voila! a beautiful holiday spread. She served a delicious spaghetti with grilled Italian sausage and garlic bread to the hungry travelers then the fabulous desserts after some vigorous sparkler waving outside. Whew! How in the world can she top this performance? I think she's planning homemade ice cream and watermelon for Sunday after church.

Look Who's Coming To Town

2009-06-20T03:42:00.007-04:00

Due to an incredible set of circumstances and all the tumblers of Fate falling into place, a one-in-a-million chance is about to come in. My sister and her family are going to become my new next door neighbors. It's only for a year but I'll take whatever I can get.

Because of our age difference, we've only lived in the same house five years of our lives. After that we lived in the same town only a couple of years. We talk on the phone several times a week and visit back and forth a few times a year, but it's just not the same as being right there day to day.

Now we'll be able to do neighborly things like borrow sugar, check mail, and dog sit for each other. But my favorite part about this whole deal is having my six nieces and nephews right next door so I can spoil them on a daily basis instead of just on Aunt H visits.
I'm sure my sister won't mind if I ruin their appetites with goodies and let them play Wii whenever they want to. There's lots of catching up to do with random gift giving and baseball games. They'll probably want to go to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island at least once a week, too. Think of all the cute clothes I can buy! This is going to be fun.

English Roses

2009-06-14T12:20:00.008-04:00

Can you blame me for loving the name of this rose? It's Teasing Georgia and besides having a fun name it has gorgeous color, bold fragrance, and can be grown as a climber or tea rose.

Abraham Darby is a brave little rose. For a smaller plant it works hard to impress with a fully double, deep-cupped bloom. It doesn't settle for one color, either, going from apricot with pink edges to yellow as it opens. On top of all that it has bold fragrance and can be a short climber or prune for a more compact plant.

This feminine little lady is Tamara. Another compact plant that would be perfect in a container or as a mass planting with morning exposure. The apricot double bloom has a shallow cup and pink tips. It's fragrance is a very unusual lilac and mimosa blend.

Don't let the name"English roses" throw you...all of these do well in the US. The three that I featured here can even thrive in zones 9-10. Generally, afternoon sun will be too strong for them in these zones and they will need daily watering if it's not raining. Try these beauties and you'll be rewarded for your labor of love.

Cure for the brown thumb

2009-06-13T23:46:00.001-04:00

Who hasn't seen those beautiful rose gardens and wished they could have just a small part of one? Think of roses and visions of spraying, pruning, dead-heading, and spraying some more come to mind, right? In some states the results are just not worth the trouble. If you've wished of having roses without all the bother you've got to try the Knockout rose. This amazing performer loves heat and humidity. It laughs at fungus and red spider mites. It's self-cleaning(not like an oven) which means no dead-heading. No pruning necessary, either. You can stick one right in the middle of a flower border or a pot on the deck. I love them massed in front of evergreen shrubs with thyme planted in front. Along a fence would be nice. If you plant one today you'll have blooms in a week if not sooner. Just be sure to give them a good soak the day you plant and everyday it doesn't rain for about a month. A good trick is to fill the planting hole with moisture retentive soil mix (in bags at Home Depot)then you can skip some of the watering. Just don't let them go completely dry. Clusters of cherry red blooms are your reward for a little bit of time grubbing in the garden. You can't beat the Knockout Rose!

The Night Before

2009-04-09T00:58:00.005-04:00

We hosted a rehearsal dinner for our good friend's son's wedding last Thursday night. It was a group effort by the best friends in the world and a wonderful time was had by all.
There were six tables and each one was decorated a little bit different from the others.

The theme for the decor was birds in spring. Birds, nests, birdcages, and pots of fresh grass and flowers everywhere.

The decadent desserts were set out in the dining room. Betcha can't eat just one!

The happy couple just one day before wedded bliss.

Beautiful Music Together

2009-04-07T11:50:00.004-04:00

Welcome back to windy corner!!! I had to take a couple of weeks off to help put on a wedding for one of my favorite people so am tired but happy. Here's a little clip that sums up the mood right now.

What is it?

2009-03-26T10:19:00.002-04:00

This is a photo taken with high speed shutter and flash of a pellet being shot through four microscope lenses.
For more incredible images go to http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/5049293/High-speed-photographs-by-Alan-Sailer-capture-the-moment-a-pellet-fired-from-an-air-rifle-hits-an-object.html .

What A Difference A Year Makes

2009-03-23T10:47:00.004-04:00

About a year ago I had dreams of a well-organized craft room with a place to sew and a table to craft. Shelves neatly labeled to hold all my fabric, paper, and fluffing stuff. Of course, a big comfy chair in the corner to sit in while I hand sew or flip through books for inspiration is a must. All contained in a bright sunny room with a big oak tree right out the window. That dream bubble burst last year when my sons moved back home from out west. The studio became a boys room instead.
Well, last week my oldest son moved back west to Lake Tahoe so to keep from crying I worked my rear end off cleaning the upstairs like it's never been cleaned before.

Trash cans filled up and closets and drawers emptied. Blinds, windows, walls, and doors got the scrubbing of their lives. Furniture got polished and curtains got washed. Now I've got a clean slate to start up that dream again.

Wish List

2009-03-21T02:59:00.000-04:00

The wish list is the best part of shopping on the internet. You can browse through

beautiful linens and soaps, books and shoes, and then

just add whatever you like to the wishlist.

Ideally , your fairy godmother will check your list from time to time and put all those goodies your heart desires

under your pillow about once a month.

Happy Pink Saturday!!!!!

back to Beverly

Hope For Baseball Fans

2009-03-16T16:47:00.007-04:00

Purgatory for baseball fans is that no-man's land between the Superbowl and March 1. If you're anywhere above the 33 parallel it's probably grey and wet and cold just so you won't forget how much you miss baseball. The only thing on TV is figure skating and bowling.......which are fine sports......they're just not played on a grassy field with the sun shining and shouts of "Cold beer!" ringing in your ears.

So when March finally rolls around, Spring Training warms the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. In places like Tampa, Fort Myers, and Clearwater hope springs eternal.

Fans can watch their favorite teams in stadiums that hold 6,000 instead of 50,000. In the breezy atmosphere, people from New York, Texas, and Colorado form an instant bond in the stands as they talk about who got traded to which team and other fine points of the game.

The Boys of Summer are more playful and relaxed in the spring. They holler and gesture across the diamond to their friends in the other dugout about going to the beach or dinner that night. Jokes and big smiles are shared with teammates and officials as they catch up on news from the off season. There are hardened veterans and fresh-faced rookies pitching the ball around, stretching, and running sprints before the game and giving each other pointers during the it. Some are on their way out while new ones are anxious to move up to the rarefied air of the majors.

It all comes together in a perfect afternoon when the baseball fan can breathe easy knowing that the season is almost here.

Who Needs Coloring Books

2009-03-16T08:28:00.003-04:00

Why you should never leave your child alone with a dog.

Shop With A Purpose

2009-03-02T23:19:00.006-05:00

Last year, a friend of my sister's endured a nightmare you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Her husband and the father of their six children (youngest was a newborn) was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 30 years in jail. She was completely unaware of the secret life he was living until the FBI showed her some of their evidence. She lost their beautiful family home, cars, and everything of value she had but was able to get by at first on donations from my sister's church, her church, family, and friends. She has been relying on the compassion of friends and walking in faith knowing that Christ has been with her every step of the way. Recently, an opportunity opened up for her to start an Ebay store and she has had early success with it. She's not making enough money to completely support her family, but it's a real boost for a stay at home mom who didn't have a career. Please go to Asher's Bunch Boutique add it to your "favorites" and pick up a little something with the assurance that you're helping a family get back on it's feet. Asher and his brothers and sisters thank you.

Grandmother Envy

2009-02-27T19:29:00.003-05:00

I'm in an in-between season of my life....not an everyday mom and not a grandmother. My grown kids are great. They're responsible, hardworking, kind adults who just happen to be light years away from a marriage frame of mind. I'm good with that, but I have lots of friends who are becoming new grandparents with lots of cute photos to share. That also means baby showers and shopping for tiny, cute little
baby shoes and >
socks and clothes. Now, I'm not bitter....oh no.....that's not grandparent envy you detect in my tone. It's just all those
darling pink polka dotted dresses hanging on the rack,

going to waste, when they could be put to good use dressing up a baby girl in my family. That's okay....I can be patient. It's got to happen sooner or later. Right?

Okay, back to Pink Saturday with Beverly!

Valentine Joy!

2009-02-14T09:21:00.004-05:00

Valentine's Day in Georgia brought a rainy day, but sunshine in all the hearts of this house. You can't beat handmade construction paper cards with lots of sequins and hearts glued on to make a fabulous St. Valentine's Day.
I'm visiting my sister, her six children, and six month old Boxador in Kennesaw Georgia this week. We've been to the park, eaten lunch at the Varsity, had a 40th birthday party for my sister and played Bunko with some neighborhood ladies. Today I head up to Hartwell to visit with Mom and Dad for a few days. Not looking forward to getting on 285 then 85 north on a rainy Saturday. I appreciate all prayers for safe travel.

Pirate Invasion

2009-02-07T10:41:00.001-05:00

Every February in Tampa, pirates invade and take over the city. A fully rigged pirate ship sails into the bay with cannons firing to find a flotilla of citizen's boats trying to defend their town. But the pirates are always the victors and are joined by the citizens of Tampa in a festival called Gasparilla which is celebrated with parades, beads, coins, and Krewes in period costumes. Even children get in on the act with the Children's Parade. Little league baseball teams, soccer teams, ballet classes, gymnastic classes, and scout groups become little pirates and march through the streets of Ybor City. A night parade and fireworks take place about a week after the Invasion. Revelers fill the streets of Ybor City to snag as many strands of colorful beads as they can. There are bands performing after the floats have passed by to keep the party going late into the night.

The Invasion is Saturday, February 7 this year. Come on down!

Super Bowl Decorations

2009-02-02T08:09:00.010-05:00

My daughter Emily was given the opportunity to decorate the room for a Super Bowl brunch at a local restaurant on Sunday. Being a supportive Mom, I was more than happy to give her a hand. We did some trial arrangements last weekend and came up with one that featured the team colors from the Cardinals and the Steelers and the blues and greens that the Super Bowl committee used in the official logo.
Red Gerber's and gold Peruvian lilies took care of the team colors. Blue hydrangeas, green spider mums and orchids covered the logo colors, and palms and aspidistra reflected the tropical locale of this year's game. All this was to be arranged in tall trumpet shaped vases.

Happy with her plan, Emily ordered her flowers, bought the vases and put everything out of her mind until time to get the work done.Then one little phone call on Thursday afternoon changed her attitude toward the whole project. Her friend at the restaurant called to tell her that along with all the other high profile guests at the brunch would be someone who might cast a very critical eye on the decorations. Martha would be there!
Emily immediately burst into tears, not of sorrow, but the kind you get when someone larger than life, who you've admired all your life suddenly is right there in front of you. She called me full of questions about whether or not she was up to decorating a room where the queen of home sciences would be brunching. I told her she couldn't out-martha Martha, so just stick with her fantastic plan and make it beautiful the Emily way.

After the initial shock she regained her confidence and got to work on Saturday. The arrangements got done on my dining room table then put in crates.Thank goodness it was a cold night in Tampa because when it was all loaded in my truck, our garage was like a giant refrigerator thanks to the rare freeze.
Sunday morning we set out bright and early with my truck so loaded that I couldn't see out the back or right side window. Don't try this at home, kids! Since it was early on a Sunday morning and I was following Emily in her car, we got there in one piece.

We unloaded and brought everything in through the busy kitchen and the balloon folks came about an hour later and worked their magic.
One last touch was a cylinder vase filled with little bright colored footballs, Super Bowl pennants, and blue plumes and peacock feathers for the hors d'oeuvres table.
Festive Super Bowl decor Emily-style!

UPDATE: Here's Martha's blog entry from her SuperBowl visit. Some of the pictures are from the brunch.

Trippingly Off The Tongue

2009-01-21T15:32:00.004-05:00

Some words are just plain fun to say. Ricky Gervais has said many times that his favorites are "ng" words such as flange and whinge. There is something satisfying about words with a strong "g". Effulgent, burgeoning, and pugnacious are fun to say and coincidentally also describe Mr. Gervais. However, an old friend absolutely hated the word fig and compelled all in her presence to refrain from uttering it.
There are people who love words that end with an "eee" sound like serendipity, flucidity, and conviviality, but there's something a little too cutesy about them for me. They sound like they came right out a of a romance novel that sports especially flowery cover art.
Some words just make your face feel nice like moist and boisterous. That "oi" sound puckers up your lips like a kiss. Speaking of kisses, saying prunes makes you look like you're blowing a kiss and mouthing the word colorful to someone looks like you're saying, "I love you!"
And if it's a pleasing pout you're looking for instead of a pucker, try capsule, nodule, or podule.....anything ending in "ule". It seems the "u" sound gives the face a good workout in any form. Ukulele, uvula, and universe do the trick, too.
Plant names are my favorites. I love to get a chance to say sultana and clematis. How wonderful is penstemon? Or digitalis? Syringa and Hydrangea get back to the "ng" sounds, but verbena, verbascum, and veronica are like a little party in your mouth.

Room 101

2009-01-08T10:31:00.013-05:00

George Orwell famously created the Ministry of Love's Room 101 in his prophetic novel 1984, where citizens were threatened with their worst fears as a form of torture. He reportedly named the chamber after a conference room at the BBC where he had to sit through endless meetings. Room 101 has evolved to represent pet peeves and bug-a-bears that irritates us daily. If only there were a real place to banish these annoyances, we could all live perfectly happy lives. Some things are already there like rude people, cancer, poverty, and prejudice, but what else could we send away forever?
There are three things I would gladly banish to Room 101. First, toasters.

In fact most small electric appliances I could easily do without. The year I was married, HotDoggers and popcorn poppers were all the rage. We got five of each as gifts and I couldn't return them fast enough.

Next would be sideline reporters at football games. Is it hard hitting reporting to ask the coach as he's running off the field what his game plan will be in the second half?
Or if he will be putting in the player that was suspended from starting the game? No, big waste of time.

And lastly, I would banish static electricity to Room 101.
Every time I get zapped on the car door or refrigerators in the grocery store it takes every ounce of self control to hold in the blue streak of cuss words that want to come out of my mouth. Static electricity; what is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Huh!

No Boys Allowed

2008-12-28T00:23:00.008-05:00

The week of Christmas, we three Minton girls got to do something we've been wanting to do since the boys all went to Glacier National Park ......ROAD TRIP. So we packed up our cutest winter clothes and went to Savannah.......that's right...Savannah......just for fun. Our mission was to pay tribute to the Deen family by eating at their restaurants, shop the boutiques of Broughton Street and the antique stores of Abercorn Avenue, and visit as many squares and churches as we could in three days and two nights. First we had lunch at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House.
Even the most hardened tofu eater can't resist fried dill pickles.
Truly cute stuff from @home vintage general on Broughton Street. We loved this collage made from wrapping paper, maps, love letters, and other stuff over the bed. It was surrounded by organza ribbon.

There were lots of very tempting vintage and vintage look Christmas decorations @home too.
Some garland, snowflakes, and houses did make it home with us.

Love the Shiny Bright!

New York store windows got nothin' on us!

The beautiful Paris Market on Broughton.

Not a twinkly light in sight.

Just good ol' RED and GREEN.
On the fence..........

and on the lamp posts.

They just don't build 'em like they used to.

The last night dinner was at the Old Pink House

and it was DELISH!
See ya soon, sweet Savannah.

Tropical White Christmas

2008-12-15T01:00:00.015-05:00

Through the miracle of digital photography, even Sunshine State folks can have a white Christmas. It would be front page news if it really happened.
Snow Storm Hits Tampa Bay

Look how much the roses are loving the cold weather!
Brrrrrr!
Come on in and have some hot chocolate.
Would you like a splash of Irish Cream? How about some whipped cream? Mmmmm good!
Ready for the tour? Let's go!
The centerpiece on the dining room table is made to last all season without watering. Let's go across the hall to see the tree.
I've got most of the gifts wrapped.There are a few more ornaments to go up.
I promised Lucy I'd save some for her to put on the tree when she gets home.
Here are some of the nutcrackers that Wes has been getting for his December birthday since his second. He turned 26 on the 14th so these are just his favorites.
Oh look! It's stopped snowing.

Thanks for visiting Windy Corner this Christmas. And big ups to Boo Mama for organizing this Open House.

Merry Christmas!

P.S.
Can you keep a secret? Here are some elves I videoed down in our barn.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE CHRISTMAS PICTURES? THEY'RE ON THE DECKING THE HALLS POST JUST BELOW.

Decking The Halls

2008-12-10T21:35:00.006-05:00

Busy, busy busy! The tree is up and decorated thanks to a group effort from all the Mintons. Everybody had a hand in it. Even though it's a prelit tree, most of the prelit part didn't cooperate this year so Hubby strung new lights on the dark limbs and perched the angel up on top. After dinner, Number One Son, Emily, and I got busy putting all the ornaments on.
We laughed and remembered where they came from and who gave them to us and sang along with Christmas carols 'til the job was done.

The next day the essential mantel and baluster garlands were hung and festooned with beads and ribbons.

The kissing ball was hung in it's usual spot in the front hall with gilded mistletoe so all visitors can be greeted with a big smooch. Two new decorations this year are the obelisk in the family room
and the garland on the chandelier in the dining room.
I've wanted to do that for a few years and finally worked out the best way . There's still more to do.
Got to get the china in the glass front cabinets and start making sausage cheese balls and sugar cookies to cut out. Then there's the pecan candy and hummingbird cake. Whew! All this activity is tough for us citizens of procrastination.

The Holly And The Ivy

2008-12-10T02:11:00.005-05:00

The Holly And The Ivy is an ancient carol that still charms with it's lilting melody and enchanting lyrics.

Hope your home is filled with music this Christmas season.
Holly and Ivy calligraphy by Rosemary Buczeck for the Gilded Quill

Pink Christmas

2008-12-06T03:29:00.001-05:00

There's nothing like being on your own, the mistress of your own little palace. And what fun to decorate for Christmas the first time. Emily was so excited to get out all the vintage trees and ornaments she's been collecting and gussy up her apartment for the holidays that I just had to share. Here's what she's done so far.

A shoe tree full of Barbie shoes shares space with pink disco balls.

The pink Cadillac is a reminder to Santa.

Marilyn has her spot front and center.

What's a Christmas tree without flamingos?

The silver tree with pink ornaments is in the very girly bedroom.

Now let's peek in the bathroom.................there are bottle brush trees with tiny pastel balls sitting on a snowy shelf.

Here's the vintage tree picked up at an antique shop in Walhalla, South Carolina. It's sitting on an old rattan bar cart in the living room.
Those are real Shiny Bright ornaments just like we used to buy at Woolworth's and a few special new ones, too.

Flamingo lights on the garland.

Even the boxes fit in with the decor.
Merry Christmas from Old Florida!

An Ideal Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T08:45:00.011-05:00

Here's Seven Oaks Farm where it took place.

Cousins

Football is more fun when you play it yourself.

Dogs are a vital part of the group.

Sisters

Shooting clays

Jumpin' in the leaves!

Swingin' in the breeze!

Wish you were here.

Great Gift Ideas

2008-11-12T18:38:00.006-05:00

Have you got some great gift ideas you're just dying to share? We all need tips on great bargains and thoughtful gifts that you've had success with before, so please use this space to share. Starting right away (Christmas is coming!) you can leave a comment or give everyone a heads up of something you've already posted. For instance, Karin at One Perfect Little Miracle has a great idea up for a crochet kit
and Sandi at WhistleStop Cafe has a brand new cookbook that no home should be without. My favorite thing to give last year was a set of monogram hand towels from Horchow.
When I bought them, the towels were half price with a free monogram and free gift wrap and shipping. Right now they have 30% off if you use codeword THANKFUL. Just add a beautiful box of soaps from TJMaxx and you have a lovely gift.

I'm sure there are plenty more great ideas out there. Feel free to use the picture on this post as a link. Thanks and happy gift giving!

Butternut Squash

2008-11-11T07:40:00.000-05:00

Butternut squash is one of my favorite vegetables. It makes the most delicious soup with a little curry and cream added. It comes alive when you roast it in a hot oven with parsnips and sweet potatoes and beets. Butternut squash even makes a good salad if you cube it, roast it, toss it with vinaigrette, and place it on some greens with roasted pecans sprinkled on top.

The smooth golden shell of butternut squash makes it a perfect fall accessory for your home. Put some in a handsome old rustic basket for a centerpiece on the table. Or put the basket on your hearth so you can see them while you're curled up on the sofa reading during a soft autumn rain shower.

Halloween And Beyond Centerpiece

2008-11-10T13:23:00.000-05:00

This has been on the dining room table for all of October and should last through Thanksgiving with the addition a couple of turkey and pilgrim salt and peppers. On Halloween night some scary spiders might show up to crawl around on the table.

Here's the Radio Flyer red wagon with it's load of pumpkins.I intended to put chrysanthemums in it too but wasn't happy with the selection this fall. The paint job will get a more thorough going over when there's a little more time to spend on it.

Pumpkin Cookies

2008-11-10T03:08:00.000-05:00

These are so easy and delicious. They would be a perfect cookie to take to a cookie swap.

Pumpkin cookies yield 6 dozen

1 cup butter

1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup canned real pumpkin(not pie filling type with spices)

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp grated orange peel

2 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 cup chopped raisins

1 cup chopped pecans

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, pumpkin, vanilla, and orange peel and beat until fluffy. Combine dry ingredients and add to batter in three parts. Stir in raisins and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls about two inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes, cool, then frost.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter

1 30z package of cream cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups confectioners sugar

1/8 tsp salt

2 tsp milk

Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add vanilla and salt, and milk and beat well. Frost cool cookies.

Pink Recipe

2008-11-08T00:53:00.008-05:00

This is a delicious dip to serve to company this holiday season. You can substitute lobster or crab for the shrimp and it will be just as yummy.

Shrimp Dip
1 8oz. package cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
dash of salt
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
2 cups boiled, rough chopped medium shrimp

to prepare shrimp: cook in rapidly boiling salted water for four minutes. Watch them turn PINK! Rinse in cold water, then roughly chop and add to all other ingredients combined. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour. Place in beautiful bowl
and garnish with red pepper slice and parsley sprig and serve with savory crackers.

Harvest Home

2008-11-07T07:46:00.000-05:00

Singing this over and over again is the only thing that kept me sane last night. As President Reagan said, "Don't get cynical, recognize that there are millions of Americans out there who want to be a shining city on a hill."
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.
Click on the title to hear the tune, then you can hum along.

We Interrupt This Pink Saturday

2008-11-01T11:27:00.006-04:00

This Pink Saturday post is interrupted for a report from Clearwater Beach.............The winner of this mornings biathlon in her age group is (drumroll please) my darling daughter, Lucy!
The format was a two mile run, third mile swim, then another two mile run. Here we go!
Coming in from the first running leg, she has to go take off her shoes and put on cap and goggles.

Running into the 71 degree Gulf of Mexico. Brrrrrrr! (Afterwards she told me it felt good)

Crossing the finish line. Go girl!

Mom and daughter admiring the winner's plaque. Yeah Lucy!
There's a half Ironman World Championship here next weekend so the man who won this weekends race was from Finland training for the Ironman.

Happy Birthday to you and you!

2008-10-28T01:14:00.007-04:00

Twenty years ago I allowed my husband to take a picture of me, in profile, still pregnant with 7lb8oz and 7lb2oz twins. He promised we'd laugh about it one day. Still waiting.

Jack and Lucy are twenty today and WHEW! what an adventure it's been.

First of all, we were through having children before they came along. Never underestimate God's sense of humor.

Second, it's okay to use the phrase "Hell On Wheels" to describe children if it's true. And they were. My pediatrician said they were, "Vigorous!" A neighbor who had twins a few years older once told me hers just sat on the floor and worked puzzles.

Of course they did.

Of course they didn't pull everything out of the linen closet to make forts in the family room everyday. Of course they didn't quadruple her laundry by changing clothes six times a day. Of course they didn't whisper, "Here she comes!" and take off running when they heard her coming down the hall.

Then there's the matter of two of everything......and I mean everything. Cribs, swings, bikes, cars, colleges.............time flies, you know. Of course the smart, funny, athletic, beautiful, hard-working twins are the joy of my life. I wouldn't trade a minute, the love comes doubled up, too.

Happy birthday, Two Babies!

Fixing My Little Red Wagon

2008-10-26T00:15:00.001-04:00

I'm braving the wilds of the backyard in search of our red Radio Flyer wagon. It's the one we gave Number One Son for his second birthday way back in 1984 when we still lived in Atlanta. It was a landmark birthday because he also got a football and a Georgia Bulldogs helmet that year.
The wagon moved to Tampa with us the following May and carried new friends up and down the street of our new neighborhood and essential toys from the front yard to the back.
The wagon moved with us to our present home and was used to haul rocks door-to-door by Number One Son's younger siblings. Rocks are a rare find in sandy Florida, so when we moved in and the twins found river rocks around the screen porch, they thought they had treasure on their hands. They just knew our new neighbors would agree so they went around to every door and sold rocks out of the little red wagon. Thankfully, our new neighbors were very gracious and found value in the rocks, too..

Now the red wagon is unappreciated and rusting back by the vine covered(and hopefully not snake-infested) shed.
All that's about to change with a little steel wool and WD-40.

Pretty soon that little red wagon will be greeting trick or treaters by the front door with a load of pumpkins and chrysanthemums.

Movie Night

2008-10-23T07:03:00.001-04:00

After many recommendations, I finally saw The Lives Of Others yesterday. One reason I had put it off was because no one would say what it was about or why it was a must see. After seeing it, I understand. Just get this movie. I watched it through the video on demand feature with our Fios service.

Adjectives such as stunning, breathtaking, and touching come to mind but don't do The Lives Of Others justice. It's attention to detail is unmatched. It does for East Germany pre-glasnost what Saving Private Ryan did for D-day. It's something everyone heard about but couldn't understand without living through it. This movie takes you into the lives of comrades who believed in the socialist system and naively thought in being faithful to it, it could never harm them. But the same dishonesty and corruption that can plague any form of government catches up with the true believers.
The Lives Of Others is acted by East German players who lived in fear of the Stasi in our lifetime. It is directed by a man whose parents were both East Berliners and had relatives in the Stasi. He spent one and half years researching and speaking to former Stasi agents and victims before writing the screenplay. What he found is the GDR of 1949-1989 with a government informed by Marxism-Leninism and molded by class warfare.
The Lives Of Others should serve as a cautionary tale to all who think that a socialist form of "philosophy" and government is harmless and non-threatening. Every time you hear the phrase "tax the wealthy to pay for _____" you're hearing class warfare spoken and apathy is the greatest threat to our republic and liberty.
The Lives Of Others has won the Academy Award for best foreign film, Best Picture, Screenwriter, and Actor awards for European Film Awards, and Best Foreign Film from Los Angeles Film Critic Awards.

Back From Visiting Fall In NY

2008-10-19T11:20:00.005-04:00

If there's to be any Fall in my year, I have to go visit it. Fall never comes to see me. This year our meeting was in upstate New York at Cooperstown, Saratoga Springs, and Lake George in the Adirondacks. There was a surprising lack of Adirondack chairs there, but lots of beautiful views.
Looking out the window at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Lake George from Prospect Mountain

Old Hotel at Bolton Point

House in Cooperstown on Lake Otesaga

The maples were incredible! Fabulous, iridescent color!

Standing under the canopy.
This is what fall's all about. Thank goodness someone else is raking up all those leaves.

Hidden Pinks

2008-10-10T19:23:00.007-04:00

When you live in a house full of men, it can be tough to find any pink.

You're mostly surrounded by stuff like this.

And this.

And even this.

Nope. No pink here.

Maybe in the family room?..........no pink.

Surely there's some in here.

Maybe the study.

Come on...........where's the pink?

Maybe up on that high shelf.

Yeah.........this looks promising.

Aahhhhhh.........finally.....pink.
This is more like it.

Angelina can always be depended upon when you need a little pink. Thank goodness for little girls who love to dance.

Jacksonville Mini Break

2008-09-29T10:37:00.005-04:00

It's so nice to get away for a little while, especially when the trip includes time with a darling daughter. We got up early Saturday morning and drove to Jacksonville to visit Lucy and see the FSU-Colorado game. How lucky are we that just when Lucy starts school there, FSU schedules a game in Jacksonville at Alltell stadium! Last year it was Alabama, this year Colorado.
Jacksonville is a beautiful city with the St. John's river running through it and of course the Atlantic Ocean on the east side to make it breezy and cool.............just right for football.
We like to park on the south side of the river and take a river taxi over to the game. Then you can get dropped of at Charthouse, Ruth Chris, or a couple of other terrific restaurants on the way back. We ate at the Charthouse and had a great view of the skyline all lit up.
University of North Florida is one of the best kept secrets of the University system in Florida.The classes are strictly limited in size and only taught by professors. The campus is on 1300 acres of land with only 150 of it developed, so it's very compact and beautifully landscaped. There are miles of trails through the forests and wetlands to explore and run on or just pick out a bench and enjoy the view.

I Do?

2008-09-23T15:44:00.005-04:00

The marriage proposal has become an opportunity for some big time romance. It's the stuff movies are made of and young girls dream about. How many romance novels feature a sweet proposal scene followed by marital bliss? The possibilities are endless for romantic proposals: there's meeting on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. Or a fabulous surprise weekend in Paris.
The beach at sunset is a popular choice as is the scoreboard during the BIG game for asking that all important question.
All brides remember that special day when their sweetheart popped the question. Here's a story from Florida (state motto: It's not like where you live) that tells what happened when a man asked his beloved to marry him.

Movie Night Ghost Town

2008-09-21T17:32:00.013-04:00

Ghost Town starring Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Tea Leoni is not a horror flick. That's what I had to tell my friend when I asked her to go see it. She said,"I don't do horror." Perfect, I told her, it's a romantic comedy heavy on the comedy with a healthy dose of redemption thrown in. Three of us went to see Ghost Town on Friday and laughed til we cried. The banter between Gervais and Kinnear is hilarious and it makes you wonder how they got through a scene without cracking up.
Ricky Gervais plays Dr. Bertram Pincus, a dentist living in Manhattan who can't stand talking to or being around people. The day he goes in the hospital for a colonoscopy his life changes dramatically. Kristen Wiig as his surgeon is very funny with lots of tongue in cheek lines coming from her character.
The dentist has to come to terms with some long buried issues he thought he'd never have to dig up again. As I said, this is a redemption tale but watch out for the twist at the end. This is only the second time I've seen a movie audience applaud at the end, so I guess everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.
Can I pre order the DVD yet? The outtakes on this movie are going to be priceless.

When In Doubt, Include Pink

2008-09-20T08:55:00.007-04:00

It's been so hard trying to figure out what to put in the new China cabinet.........kind of like staring at a blank piece of paper ( or screen) and not knowing what to write.

Should I go seasonal and put in the gold plates and some pumpkins? No, too predictable. How about all white? Ummm.....too boring. All of one pattern? Really boring! But one thing I've learned from all the Pink Saturdays.........
throw in a little pink.
It works.Ppsst!

That pretty, pretty princess box is a little SURPRISE for next week.

ssshhh.....keep it under your hat.

And now, please visit Beverly for lots more Pink Saturday.

A Place For Everything...........

2008-09-16T09:29:00.013-04:00

China! It's everywhere! Purchased china. Inherited china. Gifted china.
China stuffed into every available space. There were grand plans to build a cabinet in the perfectly placed niche in the dining room, but that keeps getting railroaded by things like college and hospital bills.
So the light bulb went off that maybe we should just find a deal on an old china cabinet...........maybe on craig's list! There are always people moving and getting rid of everything in their house, so maybe one of them has just the right china cabinet at just the right price. And there was.

Taa-daa! Here it is!
The nicest people had this one and were moving to Sonoma County, California to grow olives. They are clearing out and guess who was happy to get their cast offs. Now, I don't want to say what I paid for it, but let's just say it was less than a trip to the grocery store.

UPDATE:

Kari and Kijsa are having a sharing day and they want everyone to show a special spot in their home.

My style is mostly traditional, but I like to throw in something unexpected. The most cherished pieces are the ones passed to me from family, like the mirror and the plates on the tea server in the niche picture above. They were my great-grandmother's and it reminds me of her sweet smile every time I see them.

No Kitchen Should Be Without Flames

2008-09-15T06:13:00.002-04:00

Here's the latest thing in kitchen must haves......flames for your mixer.

Customize the boring old white mixer just like your motorcycle.

If you're more of a purple person, there are flames for you, too.

Flames not your thing......here are cow spots for the well-equiped country kitchen.

Shabby chic lovers....and you know who you are.......there's even a decal kit for you. Beautiful pink roses.....this guy thought of everything.

And I mean everything......do you have dreams of being a fighter pilot while making cakes in your kitchen? Dream no more! Live the dream with this shark jet decal set.

If your boring kitchen has kept you from making chocolate chip cookies for your hubby, you can't use that excuse anymore. All these decals and more can be purchased on Ebay and Amazon. Run, don't walk, and get yours NOW!

Pink Wedding

2008-09-13T01:00:00.005-04:00

Welcome Pinkettes!
It's every little girl's dream........Wedding Day.

How about a PINK wedding day?

Pink gingham for the pink bride.

Short and sweet pink.

Fluffy pink ruffles look like cotton candy.

Not sure what's going on here.....is she supposed to be Eve?

A Hello Kitty fan's idea of the perfect wedding dress.

An Elizabethan gown for a fairy tale wedding. And isn't that the little girl's dream...............a fairy tale wedding.

Thanks for visiting on Pink Saturday.........and now back to Beverly.

All cakes from The Cake Shoppe.

Tongue Tied

2008-09-10T22:07:00.009-04:00

With so much going on in weather, politics, sports, etc. you wouldn't think I'd be tongue tied, but my first instinct lately is to keep my mouth shut. My job has been to keep peace, make my home a restful and happy place, and keep everyone fed.

Oh sure, I'm upset about Tom "Terrific" Brady being out for the season and I'm nervous about the Tampa Bay Rays staying in first place through this tough road trip, but I just don't feel like chatting about it. When I watch the Rays I have to remind myself to breath and it's tricky talking when you're not breathing. Stop leaving so many runners on base guys! Who can possibly block out the political scene.......it's everywhere! I used to get very emotional about politics, but that wasn't good for my blood pressure. Can you believe that the top news story has to do with lipstick
and pigs and we're talking about the United States presidential race? What would the founding fathers think? I'm pretty sure they would not be pleased. The best way for me to handle it is ignore all the petty stuff and just vote in November.

And as for weather, well the "cone of uncertainty" the weather fellas have been using to show us they really don't know what's going to happen has given me more than a few giggles this hurricane season. Cone Of Uncertainty?! Sounds like something in a Batman movie. Tampa has been right smack in the center of the Cone Of Uncertainty for every hurricane that has come across the Atlantic from Africa, but ultimately we've been spared any destruction. The worst thing that happened was our lights flickered one afternoon and a few blooms fell off the white crape myrtles.

Anyway, as you can see, I'm having a terrible time expressing myself. Sometimes I'm just as quiet as a mouse and can't think of a single thing to say. (Sighhhh...............hee hee!)

Viewer profile

2008-09-08T00:37:00.002-04:00

We use Netflix to rent DVDs. If you aren't familiar with it, they make suggestions for you based on what you tell them you like. Whenever I check the recommended list or "Movies you'll love" I'm baffled. Do they really think I'll love Dave Attell's Insomniac Tour Uncensored? I caught about two minutes of this guy on Comedy Central once and felt like I'd been assaulted by Bozo on crack. They also think I'll love Hustle:the story of five con artists plying their trade of theft and deception across the UK. The cover shows five unlikely British actors who look like they ply the trade of making commercials. Then there's Crimes And Misdemeanors which should actually be titled Annie Hall VI because they describe this flick as "a fascinating tapestry of interwoven relationships played against a Manhattan setting." No offense Woody but enough's enough. You really should get out more. So what's in my queue, you may ask. Well, there are more television shows than anything, surprisingly enough. There's A Bit Of Fry & Laurie, Extras, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Upstairs,Downstairs for starters. Someone else in the family has asked for Duchess Of Duke Street and The Long Way Around. We've already rented all of Arrested Development. Both versions of the Office have darkened our door, too. Remember when people looked down their nose at TV shows as the lowest form of entertainment? It's beginning to look like the tables have turned.

A Success Story

2008-09-05T05:27:00.002-04:00

There's a button on my sidebar you may have noticed...............
Let me tell you their story. David and Nique Mealey married last fall here in Tampa. In addition to being in love with each other, they share a love of golf and great food, so they put their heads together and came up with this great business idea.....Back 9 BBQ.
David found a fantastic cooker on wheels that looks like a miniature tractor trailer and he can tow it anywhere behind his truck. Their plan was to cater sporting and family events with yummy homemade favorites like barbeque ribs, potato salad, and sweet tea.
Then in a flash of brilliance, Nique and David decided to take some samples of their food to a local radio host. His show is broadcast on satellite radio so people all over the country heard him raving about Back 9 BBQ's fabulous Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Immediately they started getting emails from California, New York and all points in between to ship the dip. It is the best stuff you ever put in your mouth and it's available now from their website. If you think you'd like to try it, Nique and David sell it in 16 and 32 ounce containers for a very reasonable price. Every tailgate party should have some Buffalo Chicken Dip.

On The Move

2008-09-04T02:34:00.005-04:00

The dining room returned today. All the crafting stuff that's been loaded on the table and floor and buffet got moved out of there and lo and behold.......the dining room lives!
Since Lucy went back to school, it freed up a bit of space in her room (don't tell her!), so I set up a table by the window and hauled all the stuff up there.It may take a few days to get it organized, but I've got my space carved out.

Just call me a nomad crafter setting up wherever I can find a spot.

Now, believe it or not, Fall is on the way. You can officially bring out pumpkins, gourds, pine cones, and colorful leaves and not feel like you're jumping the gun.

It's alright to switch out the summer brights for fall heathers and put the wool rugs back on the floor.

You're even okay to put some Fall color on your front porch.
Even if the thermometer doesn't say so, we can change the season.

Wearing White After Labor Day

2008-09-03T06:35:00.001-04:00

DON'T DO IT!!
That's what my mind screams every time I consider wearing a summer outfit or using a straw purse in mid-September. Of course it's 95 degrees outside, palm trees are waving in the breeze and my brain is instructing me to get out the tweed and flannel. I can't shake it even after living in vacationland for 20+ years. It's in my blood. There are favorite sweaters from long ago still imprinted on my memory.
And look at the yummy stuff Nordstroms has already put on their shelves!

And THESE...........

I don't care what Kathy Ireland says.....WHITE is going to have to wait until Easter.

Baby Girl Pink

2008-08-30T04:28:00.004-04:00

What could be better with baby girl pink than pearls and glitter,
bunnies, butterflies, and bows..........
ribbons in rows,
lockets and keys.......
birds and cupid's wings.

And what if the glitter is pink, too?

Everything looks sweeter next to baby girl pink.
For more pink loveliness, visit Beverly at HowSweetThe Sound.

These boxes are on my Etsy.

Changing Wind

2008-08-29T11:53:00.008-04:00

A change of seasons is usually thought of as a riot of color on trees in autumn, acres of pastel blooms in spring, or mountains of glittery snowflakes covering the ground in winter. These jolts to the senses shake us by the shoulders and say,

"Look at me!"

But sometimes there's a more subtle change; a slightly different angle to the sun's rays or a somewhat cooler breeze.

It brings a melancholy with it when one is reminded of the passing time and the happy recent days that will now just be fond memories recalled by fading photo albums.

As the leaves rustle and the sun spends less time in it's journey across the sky, let's have one last Hurrah! of summer. Hope you and your family have a fun and relaxing Labor Day.

It's A Man's World

2008-08-24T20:43:00.005-04:00

It's that time again.......the season when our house becomes "male heavy" and I'm the only girl. We took Lucy back to school over the weekend and Emily's in her REALLY cute apartment (I'm not jealous!) so that leaves Number One Son, Son Jack, Hubby, and me. Me as chief cook and bottle washer, but I'm determined to be cheerful about the situation and look for positives around every corner. Those positive moments are going to be coming at me so fast and furious that it will be tough keeping track. The sons are handy and helpful so lots and lots of Honey-do items will be struck off the list. Think of all the times that a step stool won't be necessary.....just call a son. Kinda reminds me of when Jerry (of Seinfeld fame) had to go to his Nana's apartment to open the ketchup bottle.

I've got three big strong guys to open jars. Just call me Queen Bee.

Natty Nauticals

2008-08-22T08:29:00.002-04:00

The first ever sailor suit was worn by the future King Edward VII when he was four years old. His mother, Queen Victoria, had it made for him to wear during a cruise through the Channel Islands in September 1846. By 1870 the sailor suit became normal dress for boys and girls around the world.
Here's Shirley Temple in her sailor suit.
Sailor suit paper dolls.

1930's Deco sailor suit pattern

School uniforms with nautical influence

Oooolala! Nautical looks on the catwalk look as fresh as ever.

And this was the winning design on Project Runway Wednesday night. It's a long way from little Prince Albert Edward.

Storm's Brewing

2008-08-18T15:12:00.005-04:00

Downtown Tampa from Bayshore Boulevard

It's all over the TV.......undoubtedly your favorite show (or the Olympics) has been interrupted to show you the latest weatherman standing by a seawall in a rain slicker. Fay is on the way. Here in Tampa we pay little mind to the warnings. A major storm hasn't hit here for over a hundred years. It has something to do with the shape of the state or the prevailing winds or luck.

Anyway, I haven't bought three days worth of water and food for my family, not sure where our flashlights are, don't think we own a portable radio. Now before you think what an irresponsible mom I am, know that I have a foolproof plan in place.

The Official Minton Family Hurricane Plan is this:

step one- get in the car.

step two- drive to Georgia.

Florida's Not Like Where You Live

2008-08-10T13:17:00.001-04:00

Here are just a few headlines coming out of Florida this week.

Two more decapitated goats found Wednesday morning

Man tells 911 slot machine stole his money

Grandma arrested for driving with child on roof

The calling 911 thing seems to go on all the time......last week a man in Jacksonville called 911 twice because Subway left the dressing off his sandwich. What kind of person would do this, you ask? Here's the video.

Too Cute

2008-08-09T01:04:00.002-04:00

This blog post is getting a rerun because it fits in perfectly with Pink Saturday. This time I'm including photos of the precious pink slippers (or Babulay Slipelers, as Lucy called them).

I always hesitate to tell "cute little baby" stories about my children who are now adults, for fear of embarrassing them and thus not hearing from them until they start wondering about the will. But I'm going to make an exception because I just read Antique Mommy's story of her Sean starting soccer and it brought back all those signing up memories.

When I was a rookie Mom and getting all the hand-outs coming home from school saying "sign up for karate" or "it's time for soccer sign-up", they went straight in the trash because my daughter was born wanting to dance.

She started ballet at three and had the cutest little pair of pink slippers you've ever seen (they're in a shadowbox on the wall because anything that cute has to be displayed).

Anyway, I thought I should ask her about the softball paper she brought home one day just in case it was a secret desire of hers I didn't know about.
"Honey, do you think you'd like to sign-up for softball?", I inquired.

She paused........and looked very thoughtful.

Then she asked, "What color are the costumes?".
I had my answer.
Here's the shrine to ballet class up close. You can even see her name written on the inside so these wouldn't get mixed up with all the other tiny pink ballet slippers.

Queen For A Day

2008-08-07T17:08:00.007-04:00

Today was the day to splurge on myself. Without going into all the details, just know that the last couple of weeks have been about being Mom and all the sacrificial Mommyness that goes along with that.
First, the fingers and toes got a coat of paint.

While there, the wax worked it's magic, too. No before and after pics, but take my word for it.....big improvement.

Next got the roots taken care of.

After a shopping trip to get birthday presents for Hubby's big day tomorrow, came home to find this on the porch.

Not only the fabulous tassel from Susie Harris, but look at the precious tags she included. See what's on top of that tassel? That's right........ it's a crown.

Before And After

2008-08-02T00:28:00.006-04:00

Yes, this is my Pink Saturday post. I know it doesn't look pink up here at the top, but be patient, scroll down a bit and you'll get the pink payoff. The reason I'm not doing a big PINK SPECTACULAR today is because we're moving Emily into her apartment and that means lots of trips back and forth in the truck and unpacking. Now back to the blog.....

Thankfully BooMama postponed her Before and After extravaganza because right now my house is just a great big BEFORE. Between one daughter home from college and the other daughter moving out on Sunday AND me going crafting crazy in our dining room......well let's just say it's not a good time for company. countertops on the wishlist

My builder friends have been over twice to discuss the extensive updating my house needs and the list keeps getting longer. light fixture for breakfast room

Light fixtures, counter tops, moulding and trim work, caulking and painting are on the agenda for now, but I've also got Emily's cute little apartment on my mind.

The DeSoto, Tampa, Florida

It's an old brick building with interior halls and lots of old building charm like high ceilings, wood floors, and my favorite: black and white floors in the tiny kitchen. The windows are huge with wide glossy white trim that goes with the wide baseboard. She's got to settle on a color scheme, though, because it's only 650 square feet.
The bedroom is definitely going to be black and pink because she already had the linens and pictures to go in that direction. On her wish list is the fabulous Flamingo by John James Audubon. I think this would make a good house warming gift, don't you?

A Few Of My Favorite Things

2008-07-31T23:44:00.013-04:00

From Susie Q's Game via Sandi's Holding Patterns........Favorites (edited because if you knew what music I listen to, you might be shocked:)

SPORT baseball

GAME Catch Phrase
COLOR blue

MOVIE A Room With A View

BROADWAY PLAY I'VE SEEN Death Of A Salesman
" " MUSICAL The King And I

SONG When You Say Nothing At All
Keith Whitley

AMERICAN CITY Chicago

FOREIGN CITY Tours, France

BOOK London, Edward Rutherford
CHILDREN'S BOOK Peter Rabbit
CLASSIC TV SHOW Get Smart

RECENT TV SHOW Extras
ACTOR Jude Law
ACTRESS Juliane Moore

PERFUME Chance
FOOD Pasta Carbonarra
DESSERT Peach Cobbler

CAR BMW M5
BEAUTY PRODUCT OPI nail polish Cherry Red
AUTHOR William F. Buckley
FLOWER Gardenia

BEVERAGE Coke on ice SEASON summer
HOUSEHOLD CHORE cooking (with family)
ICE CREAM homemade vanilla with chocolate syrup
CANDY Mounds bar

ARTIST John Singer Sargent

QUOTATION To hold the same views at forty as we held at twenty is to have been stupefied for a score of years, and take rank, not as a prophet, but as an unteachable brat, well-birched and none the wiser.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Sewing Projects

2008-07-26T23:58:00.004-04:00

Here are a couple of ways to use your yoyos.

These are inexpensive napkins from Target with yoyos stitched over the hem.
Pinned yoyos all over styrofoam balls and put them in a silver bowl.

Sprucing up a well-loved apron made easy....just add some yoyos in a flower shape.

Quilting Corner

2008-07-21T05:54:00.002-04:00

Think this will make a good place to sit and make yo-yos.
Looks like I have everything I need.
Yes, there's fabric, thread, needles, scissors, and a brand-spanking new official Yo-Yo making kit.......wait, where's the iced tea?

I'll be right back.

Pretty In Pink

2008-07-19T04:20:00.006-04:00

Pink is always in style.
Jane knew about pink style.
This little lady took time to be stylish in pink even though she's working hard.
These are the very latest in pink style.
Isn't this the loveliest shade of pink?
Va-va-va-voom! Now that's a hat. I'm sure I couldn't pull off this pink style.
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Remember to get your stuff together for Donna's yo-yo challenge that starts on Monday. I just got back from Joanne's and found some cute fabrics. How will I decide which ones to use?

Time For Dinner

2008-07-17T11:28:00.005-04:00

Last night we had an old friend over for dinner.......he's not old we've just known him for a long time. He's a bachelor and spends most of his time working so a home cooked meal is a treat. It's so nice to cook for someone who truly appreciates it and tells you so. We had pork tenderloin (see recipe under writers block recipes tag) , squash casserole, butter beans, and tossed salad with the yummiest feta cheese. It pays to buy the real thing all the way from Greece. And for dessert....(drum roll please).....

....this absolutely fabulous peach and blueberry cobbler that Emily made. She served it with the only kind of ice cream we allow in our house because we figure if you're going to eat ice cream, eat the best. Anyway, Emily adapted a recipe that's in the current Southern Living and it was out of this world. Some people in our family (who shall remain nameless) even ate it for breakfast this morning. It's okay...I'm going on a long walk later.
The best thing that's happened to me all week is this:

Thank you, Tonja, from Gatherings for this award. Some people may say it doesn't matter, but it is nice to get encouragement with thoughtfulness and comments. It takes a couple of minutes and maybe there are times when that's too dear, but just a quick "Hi, liked this." goes a long way. So thank you Tonja for taking the time to let me and Andi, Teresa, Nancy, and Dianne know that you enjoy our little journals. Tomorrow I'll let you know who I'm passing the award on to.

Necessary Silver

2008-07-15T11:59:00.007-04:00

My grandmother was a saver, so I come by my tendency honestly. She had World War II ration books, clothing catalogs and advertisements, and my Daddy's kindergarten paintings in file drawers well into the eighties. Cleaning out her apartment was like opening a time capsule; so much from stories she told us came alive when we held her precious memories in our hands.
She grew up in a small southern Georgia town where calling on friends during the day and having parties at night were the highlights of her life.

She loved pretty things and her father made sure she was right up to date with the latest jewelry and accessories. He even taught her to smoke when she was seventeen because that's what sophisticated ladies of the time were doing. We heard so many stories of him arriving home from a business trip loaded down with gifts for his three beloved daughters.
These gifts meant so much to her that she kept every one and some of her sister's and mother's, too. When she shared them with me I knew she was passing on that great love.

Barbeque Classics

2008-07-13T19:00:00.003-04:00

We've been grilling out a lot lately to keep the kitchen nice and cool. Here are some of the recipes that have been a hit.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

one packaged pork tenderloin

1 cup Dale Sauce

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Combine all ingredients in a gallon zip lock bag, mix well, and let meat marinate for at least two hours. Place on hot preheated grill and cook until inserted meat thermometer registers 165 degrees. Remove meat, let rest for 10 minutes then slice.

Chicken Kabobs

one bag frozen chicken tenderloins (thawed)

one carafe Good Seasons Italian salad dressing (prepare with red wine vinegar and olive oil)

Marinate chicken overnight with salad dressing in a gallon ziplock bag. Remove and thread chicken onto bamboo skewers then grill until meat is firm, about 12 minutes.

Super Burgers

one pound ground veal

one pound lean ground beef

one package dry onion soup mix

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and shape into patties. Grill on both sides and serve on a bun with onion slice, tomato slice, lettuce, and mustard.

Gilding The Lily

2008-07-10T12:57:00.003-04:00

All the Dresden trims and ribbons and old books and beads that were gathering dust have been put to good use.......DECORATING!
Ships, poets, crown jewels, pretty bunnies......all the things that fairy tales are made of.
These little confections look almost good enough to eat.......................
if you like licorice. Maybe they're hiding the jewels of an ancient empire.
Or the captain's log from a gold laden ship that went down off the coast of Spain.

Quilt Party

2008-07-07T07:53:00.000-04:00

Donna's having a party! You've got to go visit her and see the beautiful quilts she makes. I love her color combinations and even if you're not a quilter you can be included in the party. She's encouraging everyone to make a "Turning Twenty" quilt for July 14 and there's going to be prizes for quilters and those who vote for their favorites. Donna, you throw the best parties!

Watermelon teeth

2008-07-06T06:44:00.005-04:00

On the way to north Florida this weekend , we traveled a good bit through rural countryside. This is the time of year you see pickup trucks so loaded with watermelons that their exhaust pipes are sending sparks out behind them. The fields and roadside stands are covered with watermelon, too. While they are so abundant, there's something special about a watermelon. I've actually given them as gifts as if they were some precious, exotic fruit only found in far off lands. This attitude must come from my childhood when summertime was magical. It's still my favorite season, by far. Back then watermelon was reserved for late afternoon and always served on a redwood picnic table. The table sat in a shady part of our backyard where we got some relief from the heavy Georgia heat. Daddy would bring out the oblong, rattlesnake patterned melon. He would thump on it to make sure it had that hollow sound that told you it would be sweet. Then he would use a huge wooden handled carving knife to cut it in half. The sugary red punctuated by shiny black seeds would elicit oohs and aahs. Juice ran down the table as he carefully sliced each person a serving. We would all wait our turn and comment on how good this one was going to be. That first bite was the best. Right in the middle. Now the juice and sugary redness was all over our faces. We were not allowed to shoot the seeds at each other at the table; that was saved for later. When all that was left was the green rind, Daddy would take out his pocket knife and slice off a thin piece, then cut"teeth" into the whiter portion. He'd slip this in his mouth on top of his own teeth and give a grin. We'd howl with laughter every time. After we'd shot the seeds at each other and just before anyone got angry about it, Mom would get out the garden hose and give us all an outdoor shower. That cold water was just enough to cool everyone off, so with full bellies and happy hearts we'd sail into evening.

Summer Squash

2008-07-02T02:57:00.003-04:00

By now you're probably covered up with zucchini and yellow squash if you planted a garden this spring. You're covered up even if your neighbor planted a garden instead of you. What to do with all that beautiful squash? If you've had enough of steamed try slicing, battering, and frying the yellow squash.

Or...... cut thick slices of zucchini and yellow squash, put it on a baking sheet with sliced red bell peppers, eggplant, and red onions then drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes or until it starts to brown around the edges.
Most children like squash casserole.
Just steam 10-12 small yellow squash with one chopped white onion until tender. Drain and add half a stick butter, one beaten egg, salt and pepper and mash well. Pour into a rectangular glass baking dish and bake at 350 degrees until firm and bubbling-about 30 mins. Sprinkle grated sharp cheddar cheese and cracker crumbs on top and bake 10 more minutes.

Zucchini bread is so yummy and can be frozen ahead for summer company breakfasts.
Zucchini Bread
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups grated, peeled raw zucchini
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
Beat eggs until light and foamy. Add sugar, oil, zucchini, and vanilla and mix lightly, but well.Combine flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and cinnamon, and add to egg zucchini mixture.
Stir until blended. Add nuts and pour into 2 greased standard loaf pans. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for one hour.

Daylilies

2008-07-01T06:11:00.001-04:00

Daylilies are the most satisfying flower. With very little effort these perennial beauties give extraordinary results. There are literally thousands of varieties in colors from creamy white to yellows, apricots, oranges, pinks, reds, and purples. Prices run the gamut, too. Most of mine are from a lady in Bowman, Georgia who moved into a house that had too much lawn. She began planting rows of daylilies so she wouldn't have to spend time on her lawnmower. Over the years her lawn has continued to shrink to about one third of her property. Even her next door neighbor thought it was a good idea. Her yard is also filled with rows of summer colored lilies. All you have to do is drive up the driveway with a shovel and cardboard box and knock on the door. If she's home, she's always happy to walk around back and talk to you about the new additions this year. I'm partial to the large-flowered yellows, so we move over where they are and wedge the shovel in between the crowded clumps. Up comes a generous plant that I'll be able to divide when I get home. Most of the daylilies I've chosen are about three dollars apiece. The box of beauties is crammed into the back of the car for the long ride home. They'll be added to the garden where they can be seen from the kitchen window so every bloom can be admired on their day.

Meet A New Friend

2008-06-29T22:24:00.003-04:00

While adventuring around the internet, I came across a charming blog which just happens to have a great little shop, too. Meet Andrea Singarella and her shop One Hundred Wishes. She creates lovely jewelry and unique paper crafts with new and vintage items.

Here's a photo from one of her recent posts.

Her shop is being advertised in Somerset Life for the first time this month and she's understandably excited about it. There are ribbons, seam binding, Dresden trims, Italian candy treats, and fabulous Coccoina glue(six kinds!) also imported from Italy. The best reason to get the glue is because it smells like almonds...YUM! Just don't eat it like a kindergartner with paste.

She also carries vintage items including jewelry and ledger papers. There are even some dime store trinkets to top off your cupcakes like ballerinas, ice cream cones, and the cutest little pink elephant.

Treat yourself and go visit Andrea and while you're there, make a wish at One Hundred Wishes.

Home By The River

2008-06-29T04:20:00.002-04:00

Required Summer Reading part 2

Home By The River by Archibald Rutledge

This a true story of coming home again. It takes place in coastal South Carolina at the ancestral home of Archibald Rutledge. When he returns in 1937 after a forty-four year absence, Hampton Plantation is over-grown with weeds and deserted. The house is surrounded by two thousand acres of land bordered on the north by the Santee River. It's been in his family since 1686 when a Huguenot ancestor fled France.

Rutledge tells of the river, the other great rice-growing plantations of the region, and the wildlife that thrives in their midst. Because of his families ties to the land that go far back in history, his stories go to ancient times. We hear of Indians, primeval forests, and legendary storms. Rutledge also tells of the gentle and refined social life at Hampton Plantation. This is not a sugar-coated romantic South, but one fleshed out with real people and places.

My favorite tales in Home by The River are about the birds and the forests. Because the aspects of the property are so varied, from swamp to brush to dry woodland, a wide variety of wildlife are found there. Some are migrating species and some call it home all year. The rice fields attract songbirds, game, and water fowl. Rutledge describes the combined voices of all these birds as a "medley rather than a chorus".

The book includes many photographs of Hampton Plantation, it's furnishings, and people who lived there. A parish church and neighboring house are also shown. Archibald Rutledge uses an old southern romantic voice that transports you back to another time. It's a sweet dream to escape on for a summer vacation.

herb gardening

2008-06-28T05:03:00.004-04:00

Herb gardens have been around for a long time. Their recent popularity has herb experts popping up everywhere. You've probably seen articles in magazines and the Saturday gardening section of the newspaper. If you haven't tried to plant an herb garden yet, why not?
Most of these plants were weeds before they gained recognition for medicinal and culinary purposes. They thrive on neglect. Seriously, the more you water and fertilize them, the worse they do. Perfect for containers (must have holes in the bottom) so you can move them around to your sunny spots.

A couple of years ago, Lucy (youngest daughter) wanted to plant an herb garden as a school project. I told her she could have the big area in the middle of the backyard that gets full sun all day. The grass just got beat to death in that spot. She made a circle seven feet in diameter, divided it into four sections, then used brick pavers to outline the circle and make the divisions. A birdbath marks the center. Rosemary, Basil, Sweet Peppers, Oregano, Thyme, Chives, and Parsley made the guest list. Pretty soon she had bees and butterflies admiring her handiwork. Her teacher (me) gave her an A.

Most of the plants can last all year. Lucy and Em cleaned it up and reworked it a little this spring when the gardening bug bit them. The best reward is walking outside on a summer evening and snapping off some fresh sprigs for the salad. Then you get to admire the sunset on the way back in the house.
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For the first time in a long time Hubby and I and all four kids are going to Georgia to visit family. I'm just giddy at the prospect. Anyway.......there are scheduled posts going up while we're gone.......reruns from last summer when blogging was new.
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As American As........

2008-06-23T10:50:00.011-04:00

As you all know, the life of a blogger is not all bright lights and glamour. Sometimes we have to get down to business and get those decorations made for the next big holiday. Since we're going away for The Fourth, those decorations had to get made last week. Except for a few final tweaks, the project was finished before midnight last night. Here are the results....... As American as baseball and apple pie.....where's the apple pie? That's the tweaking I was talking about.

I think I like the boxes better up here. They go with the banner decorated with children playing drums and dressing up in costumes..............
like this little cutie with his sailor suit and sword.

The colors are softer and more romantic than...................
..........the primaries for the breakfast room.
Even the precious Uncle Sam that I won from Sheila came to the party.

Those favor baskets are going to be filled with chocolate kisses for the nieces and nephews we're going to visit. Can't wait to see them,but until then............................... .................................the decor will be right here.

UPDATE: Tweaking done. The box is now complete with apple pie.

Flowers And Chocolate

2008-06-22T12:45:00.002-04:00

A patriotic centerpiece for my sweet family. The roses are made of paper so they will last, however I'm taking bets on how long it will take for that candy to disappear.

Patriotic Crafting

2008-06-18T20:04:00.004-04:00

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue! There's some crafting going on 'round here............in the dining room to be specific. Since my nest isn't empty anymore, I have to craft wherever I can find a spot.
So the work surface goes down, the supplies are trundled in, and the crafting begins.
There are banners and buckets, nut cups and paper dolls all spread out on the table........such fun! And I'm going crazy with the cute ribbons and trims. Not only red, white, and blue, but silver and gold, too.
There are some new little helpers mixed in with the crafts.......see them right there in the middle......in the place of honor? That's right. New glasses. It's amazing what you can see with the right equipment.

Blue Is Back

2008-06-17T13:55:00.013-04:00

The great decorating powers that be choose colors every year that set the taste level for fabrics, paints, ceramics, and all things homey. Pottery Barn Greenwich Sofa

You see them represented in every magazine, catalog, and television show which gets the ball rolling for all of us to start buying this new stuff up and changing our homes all around. Ballard Design Home Office Collection
Since I started keeping house at the end of the seventies (only 6 months left), I got in on the ground floor of chintz florals and silk plaids. Rich navy blue and chinese red with taupe or gold were the fashionable colors and thank goodness because that is right in my wheelhouse. Mario Buatta, the Prince of Chintz

Then a few years on GREEN starting seeping in. My younger sisters in law and my sister have homes that are dominated by the green, red, gold color schemes that have been popular since the nineties. These were lean years for me as every time I needed to reupholster or paint, I struggled to find my preferred colors, but now things are changing. Ballard Design Bedroom Collection
A couple of years ago, I noticed the catalogs were adding blue tones and putting them in the back of the book. "Aha! It's coming back around", I thought. Then the Christmas issues featured blue and silver baubles and bobs..........woohoo! I'm sensing a trend. Then this summer Restoration Hardware had all blue on their cover. It's back! Blue is back! My mom always told me if you wait long enough styles come back around. Of course Mom was right. Restoration Hardware Hampshire Collection

The White Garden

2008-06-15T07:14:00.005-04:00

There are two garden tours going on this weekend....one with Deena at Sweet Annee and the other by The Preacher's Wife. Welcome all!

White Garden at Sissinghurst

White is the absence of color and in the garden it makes all the other colors sparkle. It lights up shady spots. It shines on a moonlit night. It is the fragrant Magnolia, Gardenia, and Jasmine. It is the spectacular Angel Trumpet. It is the demure Stephanotis. It makes the hottest summer day feel cool. Magnolia D.D. Blanchard with lemon scented blooms.
Confederate Jasmine tumbling over a pergola.
Crape Myrtle Natchez with it's long lasting honey-scented blooms.
Oak Leaf Hydrangea thriving under an oak tree.
Sissinghurst

The White Garden at Sissinghurst evolved over the twentieth century to become the epitome of the word. Begun in 1930 by Vita Sackville-West and inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, it was open to the public in 1938 but continued to develop until 1950. Sissinghurst is now a National Trust property and is the most visited garden in England. It has always included greys and silvers as well as white to accomplish it's cool look.
Arbor at Sissinghurst
The arbors were erected in 1970 to replace the original Almond trees where white roses climbed. The roses were so vigorous that they did the trees in. The Chinese jar in the middle was placed in 1937 after being brought back from Egypt. It's a seventeenth century cargo jar from a trading ship.

Now back to Florida...... here are pictures from the day lots of peacocks visited our backyard. They were having their own garden party.
A good shady spot.
Glory Bower blooming under a Live Oak tree. I love the name as much as the flowers.
This container changes every year because it starts with baby plants that outgrow it and have to be moved into the garden. This years crop-Angel Trumpet, Coral Bells, Knockout Rose and some other things.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Please be sure and give a little wave on the comments page. It's been lots of fun visiting all your gardens and seeing how creative you all are. Have a wonderful summer!

Special Birthday

2008-06-13T14:50:00.007-04:00

Little Drops Of Water
Today is my daughter Emily's birthday. She is the oldest and I remember the day she was born like it happened yesterday. After a long labor she arrived about 7 o'clock in the evening. The doctor held her up and said,"Who is this?" We had chosen her name several weeks before so Hubby and I both said, "Emily!" with tired smiles. She was a cotton-topped toddler with rosy cheeks and little rosebud lips and everyone said she was a Gerber baby. Always affectionate with a ready smile, Emily made friends everywhere she went. Emily with co-worker Nikki
Today we call her our entertainment director as she is great at making every day fun. She's still blonde and beautiful (the doctors used to say that the hospital gave me the wrong baby) and the most loyal friend. Happy birthday, darling girl! Emily with friend Christina

The Gardening Bug

2008-06-09T09:07:00.003-04:00

Even though it's way too hot, many people get bit by the gardening bug right about now. It must be all those colorful hanging baskets at the big box stores that draws them in.
It's always a good idea to have a plan, though, so you get the best out of your garden.
Planting on an axis gives good views and walkways from the house through the garden. It keeps things neat and tidy, too. Very classic.
When the work is all done, you can sit back on your porch with a glass of iced tea and admire your handywork.

Hidden Treasure

2008-06-03T23:35:00.005-04:00

The utility room has gotten completely out of control so it's time to tackle the huge monster in there. Years of collecting arts and crafts supplies and items necessary for school has got to be dealt with so this past weekend Hubby and Number One Son pulled everything out and put up some new shelves to light a fire under me. All the stuff that had been like a big leaning tower of craft supplies is now in the dining room like a big object lesson on prepositions; on the table, under the table, around the table, beside the table. So tonight after dinner I started going through it.
Somehow a folder my sweet daughter Em had been saving got in with all the stuff. It was filled with birthday cards and Valentines and letters from her grandparents going back ten years and more. The letters were encouraging notes from when she first left for college and pointed out what a smart and lovely young lady she had become. The Valentines and birthday cards were from friends; some are still close, some have drifted away, but they all expressed love and affection for her. She has always been a loving and lovable girl, even when she was tiny, and the fading cards in the folder hold concrete evidence of that. Thank goodness I get to witness it first hand everyday.

What A Difference A Year Makes

2008-06-02T13:08:00.003-04:00

It's been a year since windycorner was born. Ahhh...the memories of setting up the blog, trying to figure out how to put photos in, getting comments like, "Your blog is too green." Here's the original post. I was suffering from a serious case of empty nester syndrome. What a difference a year makes. All my children are back living at home now and I'm considering moving into a one-bedroom condo at the beach.

Earrings Or Lipstick

2008-05-31T10:34:00.010-04:00

The fashion magazines by the checkout in the grocery store may have different movie stars on their covers every month, but they've been recycling the same articles over and over for years.

10 Great New Hairstyles for ____ (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter).

The Fabulous Fashion Issue.

How To Make Your _____ (Husband, Partner, Children, Boss, Pet) Happy.

Our Best Room Makeovers Ever.

It doesn't take a genius to see what's going on here. They're playing on our need to rearrange furniture and be up to date on make up colors. But my favorite articles are the ones that ask important psychological questions like, What Does Your Car Say About You? and How Many Years Beyond Forty Can You Wear Dangly Earrings?

There was an article once (I'm not making this up) titled Earrings Or Lipstick, Which Is Essential? The author had done a survey about which item you wouldn't dare venture forth without and what it says about your personality. Now, unfortunately, I don't remember what it said about personalities, but it did make me think about it and I won't leave the house without earrings. If I do I actually go looking for a store where I can buy some before I go anywhere else, but that rarely happens. Is this a character flaw? Apparently not. Many women suffer under the same affliction and just as many can't leave the house without lipstick or won't let their husbands see them without lipstick. Not me. I keep one in my purse and in my bathroom drawer, but more often than not I go without. Unthinkable to the lipstick girls just as I wonder what's going on when I see a lady going around without earrings. What was she thinking? Should I offer her my extra pair? Maybe she's on the way to a store to buy some.....poor thing. She should just put on some lipstick in the mean time.

Congratulations Graduates!

2008-05-30T08:29:00.005-04:00

Every year this time the announcements start showing up in the mailbox with photos and invitations to parties. Each one makes a statement about the person who sent it. These are the graduates. One announcement shows a demure young lady wearing a sweet sundress, another a confident woman in an elegant gown. One young man chose to wear a traditional kilt in his family tartan while another wore modern jeans and a vest. These images freeze a moment in time that we identify as the first day of the rest of your life. Time to start living, get on with your life. All the plans and dreams take off now.

Those of us on the other side of graduation day offer our congratulations and advice. We're ready to dispense knowledge from years of experience such as "Live your life to the fullest" and "Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way". These vague directives mean very little to an eighteen to twenty-something year old person as they usually don't recognize those opportunities until years pass and living life to the fullest probably means spending nights in coffee shops and days in bed. These graduates need some very specific direction just like what they've gotten used to hearing everyday for the last twelve-odd years in school.

MONDAY- throw away all the pizza boxes and drink cans from the weekend.

TUESDAY- decide which of your dirty jeans are clean enough to wear this week.

WEDNESDAY- stay up all night to catch up on schoolwork for tomorrow. Thank you RedBull.

THURSDAY- find your toothbrush under the pile of towels and brush teeth before going out.

FRIDAY- use your day off school to catch up on sleep.

SATURDAY- show school spirit at football game by painting your face school colors (body if male) and covering your hair with glitter.

SUNDAY- reflect on your week and vow to use your time more wisely.

REPEAT

Back In The Saddle

2008-05-24T16:35:00.007-04:00

Brain fog - a condition suffered when returning from a long trip then trying to get back into one's home routine.
I've got it bad. Hubby and I spent last weekend and most of this week in Louisville, Kentucky and I just haven't been the same since. Was it all the late nights? The sippin' whiskey and mint juleps? Did someone at the Louisville Slugger factory conk me on the head while I was looking at a Jeff Francoeur bat?
Did one of the horses at Churchill Downs kick me in the head while I was looking at the roses?
Maybe I just had too much fun and my brain is revolting against the sink full of dishes and dust bunnies collecting in the corner. How can I vacuum when the vision of Victorian mansions on St. James Court still lingers?
If I lived in one, there would be staff to take care of these little inconveniences like laundry and weed-pulling. But my brain is slowly coming back around. I'm starting to recognize my family and the stove. My old friend the dishwasher is looking more familiar. The washer and dryer and I are back on speaking terms now that the pile of laundry is down to a managable size.
But we'll always have Louisville.

Cottages And Kings

2008-05-15T07:36:00.005-04:00

"A little cottage is always very snug."
Fanny Ferrars Dashwood

"It's not a cottage, more of a villa, really."
Cecil Vyse

There is room in the smallest cottage for a happy loving pair.
Johann Friedrich Von Schiller
Some of the very best fairy tales begin in a cottage. There's a beautiful girl who's longing to escape her little life and go live happily ever after with a prince in his palace. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Gretel all spent part of their lives in a cottage. Well, if they were as charming as these, I don't know why they'd want to leave.

The Dashwood girls in Sense And Sensibility had to leave their comfortable home to go live in a cottage. It was the envy of every rich young man in the county.
Is that a handsome prince come to carry off a fair maiden? Or an evil wizard with an evil plot on his mind?
These are the condos of cottages......all in a row. There are enough cottages here to hold all the heroines of the Brothers Grimm and Mother Goose.

Personality Test

2008-05-13T06:31:00.003-04:00

According to Type theory there are 16 basic personality types and human behavior isn't random. Your likes, dislikes, career choice, how you get along with others can be predicted by your personality type. Take this quick test to find out where you land on the scale.

Jenna's Wedding

2008-05-12T09:55:00.009-04:00

White House weddings are a rarity. The last one was in 1971 when one of President Nixon's daughters married and before that Lynda Bird Johnson in 1967. Then you have to go back fifty-three years to find the next wedding of President Wilson's daughter, Eleanor.There have only been nine weddings in the White House even though twenty-three presidential children have been married while their fathers were in office.

This Mother's Day weekend, Jenna Bush married Henry Hager at the family's Crawford, Texas ranch. The alter was built from limestone slabs and decorated with white roses and oakleaf hydrangeas.

Jenna chose her colors from the wildflowers that are blooming in Texas this spring. The couple said their vows just as the sun was setting on the lake.
All the details of the wedding were kept secret so the Bush family could enjoy a private moment of joy with their daughter and new son-in-law.
all photos White House photos by Shealah Craighead

With Love To Momma

2008-05-10T15:38:00.006-04:00

Where to begin? How does one begin to thank the lady who carried babies for fifty four months of her life, then many more years worth of carrying with twenty grandchildren ranging in age from 26 years to 10 months old. Grandmother with blessing #20-Emory Ann.

She's always been the first to rush to the side of a needy family member or friend, whatever the trouble may be. She's the first one to want to celebrate milestones with family gatherings no matter how many people are included on the guest list. How does she remember all those birthdays? That's a feat in itself. The sewing, gardening, fishing, driving, cooking, and life lessons have been overseen by her with unlimited patience and humor. Mom, we can never thank you for all your generosity and unconditional love, but we'll try for the rest of our days.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! We love you.

Majesty Of Creation

2008-05-09T13:46:00.004-04:00

Here are some incredible photos of a volcano erupting in Chile.
The mingling of lightning and ash seen above may be a "dirty thunderstorm." The little-understood storms may be sparked when rock fragments, ash, and ice particles in the plume collide to produce static charges—just as ice particles collide to create charge in regular thunderstorms.

The full story from National Geographic here.

Hummus With Pesto

2008-05-09T08:11:00.005-04:00

Hummus has become a necessary staple at our house and buying it in those little bowls from the supermarket is just too expensive. We can get through about six of those a week and that adds up to $20 for hummus. I can make the same amount for about $4 so it doesn't take a genius to see that's the way to go. Starting with dried beans would make it even cheaper. My family likes to dip hummus with chips or carrots and use it as a spread on wrap sandwiches. A half cup serving has 5 grams of protein and is low in sodium and fat and it's delicious.

Hummus

1 19 oz. can chick peas (drained and rinsed)

juice of one lemon

1 teaspoon pesto

1 Tablespoon olive oil (use less for low fat)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

pinch of pepper

1/4 cup water

Blend all ingredients in a food processor with blade. Adjust consistency with more or less water.

Alternate ingredients for pesto: roasted red peppers, olives, capers or all of the above.

Giveaway!!!!

2008-05-08T00:49:00.004-04:00

There's a blog I check in with everyday that's celebrating 100 posts. It's Sheila at pieces of me and she has a wonderful giveaway to mark the day. Those of you who are familiar with Sheila's artwork will love the piece she's featuring and she has news of some other things happening with her clay sculptures.
Please give Sheila a visit and help her celebrate.

Funniest Television Show Ever

2008-05-07T08:28:00.008-04:00

Listening to radio this morning, and the host asked what's the funniest TV show ever. He liked Gilligan's Island which I would say falls under silliest ever. People were emailing in their choices and The Carol Burnett Show got two votes which I remember laughing at because the actors were always cracking up at each other. It happened more on that show than any others and made it look like they had the greatest job in the world....getting paid to laugh. Johnny Carson was mentioned and I remember him getting so tickled at his guests and his great laugh. Think how hilarious some of the scenes were on I Love Lucy. How did they get through a taping without losing it?
Just the looks on Lucy's face would make me laugh out loud, not to mention when she lit her fake nose on fire or tried to get in Ricky's show with impossible-to-manage Carmen Miranda head gear. Jackie Gleason's Honeymooners and his sketch show were guaranteed funny every time. The banter of Gleason-Carney was perfectly timed as was Gleason-Meadows. I can just see Audrey Meadows with her hand on her hip and a look of disdain on her face and the way she said,"Ralph!" you knew the fireworks were coming.
Some people mentioned Jack Benny, Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, and Laugh-In and I agree.....all of these made me laugh out loud and the Celebrity Roast made me laugh until I cried. What about Sargent Bilko, David Letterman, Seinfeld, and Red Skelton? All classic and very funny. Is it possible to choose the funniest ever? Well, you'll definitely have a good time trying.

Lifelong Love

2008-05-05T05:25:00.007-04:00

For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by books. At first it was Mother Goose and fairy tales............................
then Peter Rabbit and Maurice Sendak's Pierre were my favorites.Before the words made any sense I was anxious to learn to read so I could pick up any book and enjoy it.
My grandmother from Columbus, Georgia would read Uncle Remus stories to us in an authentic dialect. It rolled of her tongue as easily as if she was speaking in her everyday voice. She made the antics of Brer Rabbit and Brer Bear and Brer Fox, who were always trying to out smart him, come to life.
My grandmother from Augusta, Georgia would read us ancient mythology and the history of the classical civilizations. When she read from Richard Halliburton's Book Of Marvels, her eyes would light up and she got as excited as we did to hear about the Great Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. Now my bookshelves are groaning under the weight of all the books. Everything from history to gardening and art to sports are covered. Of course there are still plenty of story books and I can't resist John Grisham's new offerings. There are some loves you just never outgrow.

Welcome Aboard

2008-05-03T05:44:00.021-04:00

Aarrr! Welcome aboard, me beauties. Any mate of Miss Donna is a mate of this here ol' bucket. There's a tankard of me finest grog for ye, so drink hearty. It be nigh on twenty grand glorious years we be cruisin' this here water, though it once was the territory of ol'
Jose Gaspar. Any ship can drop anchor now since he lost all his teeth and got fat and happy on cigars and sangria. Avast, me ship is me pride and joy so landlubbers can linger awhile and listen to the cabin boy play beauteous melodies on th' hornpipe.
The deck be swabbed and ready for company, but stay away from that scallywag of a bosun's mate.....he'll rob ye blind.

I see ye left yer cutlass behind so have a peek at me booty that was captured from yonder lagoon.

Shiver me timbers! Yonder caravelle is gaining on us and we'll have to teach them lily-livered bilge rats a lesson.
Raise the Jolly Roger an' stow the pieces of eight!
The scallywags won't touch a single doubloon of this here grand fine ship. Ye sprogs get ready fer some fierce swashbucklin' on the open seas....man the guns and we'll be keelhauling the scurvy dogs!

Thanks to Talk Like A Pirate Day for the language lesson.