Sharlotte's Reflections

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T02:00:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to you!

I'm joining Susan of Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

China - Autumn by Lenox
Crystal - Navarre by Lenox
Flatware - Ebay
Peacock Chargers - ZGallerie
Bobeche with crystals - antique
Round/Blue Christmas Ornament - antique
Peacock Centerpiece - local decor shop

Christmas Trees...

2011-12-20T03:00:00.000-06:00

doodles & blooms

I'm really interested in all the Christmas trees out there in Blogland. What kind do you have? How many do you have?

I've been to homes on tour that had a tree in every room, differently decorated. It was amazing.

I've seen Charlie Brown trees,

reindeer trees, tall tree, skinny trees, wide trees, and flocked trees. I think they are all beautiful!

Tis the season, right?

I have two trees...one that is holding my angel ornament collection the other that hold everything else. Mostly it's where the annual shot of my children are hung. It's so much fun to see and remember them at those stages. Since they are older, there is quite a collection. I've also added "just for fun" ornaments...they always make me smile too.

Let me know about your Christmas trees!

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Wrapping Up...

2011-12-19T17:44:00.000-06:00

Are you "wrapping-up" your Christmas buying? I am too, almost finished but I wanted to stop for a minute and show you a really neat idea. I found it on Pinterest at this site.
All you need is a brown paper lunch sack, jute, and your cover.

Quick, Easy, Neat.

I found the "Joy" at Graphics Fairy and printed out the size I needed. With a dip in really strong coffee, the paper was exactly the aged looked needed.

See...easy and very cute!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Merry Christmas!

I'm such a cry baby...

2011-12-18T18:42:00.000-06:00

Yes, I admit it, I'm very tenderhearted.

I cry at the drop of a hat, really.

I tear up when I'm holding babies, or while listening to beautiful music,

or during movies {yep, even some commercials.}

I get teary-eyed when my college aged son texts me or my married son calls "just because."

I get misty-eyed while listening to my mother play the organ at church or

my husband belting out in his amazing tenor voice.

Are you getting the picture?

Is anyone else like this out there in blogland?

If so, I thought I'd share a really great waterproof eye makeup.

It stays on through all my teary-eye sessions - no kidding.

Today was a true test:

my husband and I sing in our church choir and the music today was beautiful and powerful.

When the orchestra played and the organist pulled out all the stops...well...the tears just begin falling - uncontrollably.

I'll bet I teared up through 8 songs.

I had visions of black streamers running down my face and of this striped face projected on the large screen monitors. ugh...was this waterproof makeup working? I sure hoped so.

After the first service I checked the mirror backstage and thankfully my new acquisition worked...

no streaks, no black stripes, no puffy eyes.

Now, I don't have advertisers on my blog, but if I did, I would definitely promote Mally products. They are amazing! Truly, they do NOT come off until you take them off.

And it comes off easily with regular face cleanser!

Really!

Guess where I accidentally found these amazing products?

QVC.

You know...that famous place that has everything you "need" and never knew you did?

So after a really long day

and

as I sit typing this post,

my makeup is still on and looks good as new.

Really!

If you happen to try it, let me know what you think.

As for me? I'm sold.

{I have the eyeshadow, liner, and mascara.}

Winter Whites...

2011-11-27T13:23:00.001-06:00

Love monochromatic decorating with beauties like these...

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

Inspiration...

2011-11-25T12:09:00.001-06:00

After our Thanksgiving meal, looking through beautiful magazines is always a treat.

Traditional Home and Southern Living are favorites.

...great inspiration...

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T01:00:00.001-06:00

google images

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Quote...

2011-11-23T06:30:00.000-06:00

"Trust your instincts. That's were true wisdom manifests itself."

Oprah Winfree

Ready for a change...

2011-11-22T16:22:00.003-06:00

It's finally feeling a bit like fall, I'm ready for a change. My blog is ever changing...and I'm constantly changing my feelings about it as well...wishy-washy? Perhaps.

I began this blog about 2+ years ago...and I've changed and grown.

I hope to make this blog better, stay tuned!

...pinterest...

2011-11-18T19:46:00.001-06:00

Do you have Pinterest on your favorites?

It's fun, isn't it?

Here's a new image that popped up today:

...just made me smile..
Too funny!

Favorite things...

2011-11-17T17:42:00.001-06:00

Clocks and crystal...

...perfect.

I'm joining Cindy over at My Romantic Home for her Show and Tell Friday.

Drop by for amazing sights.

Rustic Sunflowers...

2011-11-16T17:08:00.005-06:00

Welcome to my table, a table of bright sunflowers...with a touch of rustic feeling.

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

Enjoy!

I hope you are having a great autumn season!

How neat is this?!

2011-10-21T19:36:00.001-05:00

What a creative way to use a pumpkin!

I love the seeds to help hold in the bird food,

and

the sticks that give the birds another place to rest!

Gotta love Martha Stewart!

Loving linens...napkins

2011-10-17T13:51:00.002-05:00

I love linens.

They add such versatility to a table, don't you think?

You can take the same dishes and with different linens have a completely different look.

Plus, it's easier to change the linens than purchase another set of dishes, right?

First, let's talk about napkins.

Different purposes calls for different sized napkins:

cocktail napkins are the smallest - 6" x 6"

luncheon napkins - 18"x 18"

dinner napkins are the largest- 22" x 22"

{these sizes may vary}

The following site had basic information:

http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/napkins/

{Below is part of her information.}

Napkin Etiquette

Whether the napkin is cloth or paper, when in polite company, a napkin is to be used with a measure of etiquette, so as not to offend other diners

Rule 1: When you’re given a napkin, use it. Don’t let it sit beside your plate.

Rule 2: Wait for the host to pick up and unfold his napkin before you do the same with yours.

Rule 3: If the napkin is larger than your lap, fold it such that it just covers your lap.

Rule 4: In polite society, movements at the dinner table tend to be small, so don’t make any ostentatious displays like wildly shaking the napkin to open it. Just unfold it.

Rule 5: Don’t wait for the food to be served before you open your napkin. Should your napkin still be sitting on the table when the food arrives, the server may have to create space to set your plate.

Rule 6: Should you have to leave the table during the meal, leave the napkin, loosely folded, on your seat or on the table to the left of your plate. Also put the loosely folded napkin to the left of your plate when you’re done eating, never on the plate.

There are such beautiful napkins displayed in blogland...take a look at yours. I'll bet you have gorgeous ones too.

I have a combination of solids and pattern. I tend to use a lot of solids, however, I'm expanding my collection to add more variety. Here's a sample...

{monogrammed linens are a favorite}

How do you store your napkins so that you can view them when planning a table?

Let me know, I'm always looking for creative ways to organize my treasures!

Here are a few sites in napkin folding:

http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/

http://kitchen.robbiehaf.com/NapkinFolds.html

http://www.delish.com/recipes/napkin-folding/

http://www.butlersguild.com/index.php?subject=44

Napkin rings?

...next post, I promise!

Happy Sunday!

2011-10-16T15:50:00.002-05:00

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday...

and a wonderful week!

Hello Fall!

2011-10-15T22:35:00.024-05:00

What great weather we're having this week...fall is here!

I'm sharing a table that is a bit different from the traditional orange and yellow.

Enjoy!

The tablecloth is really a pashima. I found it and the chargers at Pier 1. The colors are so pretty, a bit muted, perfect for cooler weather.

The utensils belonged to my great-grandparents. They date back to 1918 and were purchased from a hardware store, can you imagine?

The white chargers were from Marshalls, the dinner plates are from Williams-Sonoma Marketplace via Goodwill.

I'm linking to Susan's Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

Happy Fall!

...frumpy...

2011-10-06T20:59:00.000-05:00

...if you're looking for something cute or creative, just click off this post...

you're not going to find it today.

today i'm wollering...ever have one of those days?

...ok a few days?...

today i'm feeling better.

i'll just call it an attitude adjustment.

a fresh new haircut and new makeup didn't hurt either.

;)

It's All About the Linens...

2011-09-28T15:15:00.023-05:00

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop by for beautiful tables!
I'm sharing a table but highlighting linens. They were a very special gift from my cousin.
I'm so proud and honored to have these beautiful pieces.

They were lovingly made by hand many, many years ago.

I added a few of my things:

...my mother's silver pattern...

...and a few plates from one of my favorite sets.

Eike, thank you for this very special gift.

I'll treasure them always.

dishes: Lenox "Opal Innocence"

silver: International "Prelude"

Transportation...

2011-09-26T08:31:00.002-05:00

In our travels through Germany, public transportation was a necessity.

My oldest son was an expert and filled us in on the "ropes" of how to ride the rail.

{The following are his pictures.}

There were schedules...

and stations...

and signs.

Speaking no very little German, we learned to read everything very carefully,

especially train names and times.

There were different trains for different lengths and speeds of trips.

During our stay we traveled on:

city buses

regional trains

IC trains

and

Thalys trains

This station was in Bonn, Germany.

Do you see the two tracks in this section?

You had to make sure you were at the right place at the right time.

My first trip was stressful. I wasn't completely sure we were on the right train.

As it turned out, we were fine and on our way to our destination.

On this particular train, seats could be reserved for an extra fee.

Our seat were not reserved.

We only got booted out of our seats once...

it wasn't bad, our replacements were very nice and showed us their tickets.

We quickly found new seats and completed the trip uninterrupted.

On the Thayls train to Belgium, our seats were reserved. Once we found our "wagon" we were set. The train must have raced across the country at speeds up to 200 mph.

It was quiet and smooth, really very relaxing.

Most times, it was very quiet, with small amounts of talking. A lot of people read or even slept.

On the regional trains and buses, no reservations were taken so you just found a seat.

No worries.

Riding public transportation was quite an experience for us, very efficient.

No wonder it's so popular!

Arnsburg, Germany

2011-09-25T08:01:00.001-05:00

The main reason for our trip to Germany was for my husband's work.

I was able to tag along to see family and to hopefuly see new sights.

Arnsburg was the city in which we stayed in for two days...

he was working, I was sightseeing and exploring.

Our hotel was very modern and located in a forest.

The only thing different from the states was that each room was equipped with a heater...

no air conditioning.

If you needed cooling, you just opened the door.

No screens. No bugs.

Neat.

Luckily the weather was perfect. Cool and crisp.

The surroundings were beautiful, lush and green.

I took a stroll and found a path with a few surprises:

I had never seen bright orange slugs before. This one was quite healthy and active!

Mushrooms were plentiful.

There was growth everywhere.

After walking for a while, I couldn't help but think of Hansel and Gretel...

I was careful to find my way back home!

That evening we went to a carnival.

It was very similar to the states, ferris wheel and all!

However, I think the food was better!

That night we were so tired and slept really well. And of course, it was really nice to have our bedroom open to the outdoors. This was taken from our balcony.

The Rhein

2011-09-24T18:14:00.067-05:00

One of the things I wanted to do while visiting Germany was to take a boat tour of the Rhein.
My cousins graciously went along with us, I'm so glad they were able to make the trip too!

We had a such a wonderful, relaxing day.

Enjoy these amazing sights.

When we loaded the boat, we were amazed at how close the villages and castles were to the river.

There were trails and pathways along the river...what a wonderful way to experience all the beauty.

This is a shot of the top of the boat where most people were seated. The boat made several stops as people came aboard or exited...another form of Germany's transportation system.

We kept our spot up here for most of the trip. It was the perfect place for grand views.

There was even entertainment for small children!

There were a few other modern boats, but overall it was a very quiet ride.

Wouldn't this be a wonderful way to travel for a few days or more?

Village markers

Ehrenfels Castle Ruin

Rheinstein Castle

This is one of my favorite shots...the castle and modern transportation.

Amazing.

Reichenstein Castle

Notice the RV camping trailors...

Sooneck Castle

Furstenberg Castle Ruin

The striping on the hillsides are vineyards or other vegetation.

This gives a perspective of the width of the river.

Pfalzgrafenstein Toll Station

Train tunnels

According to German legend, there was once a beautiful young maiden, named Lorelei, who threw herself headlong into the river in despair over a faithless lover. Upon her death she was transformed into a siren and could from that time on be heard singing on a rock along the Rhine River, near St. Goar. Her hypnotic music lured sailors to their death. The legend is based on an echoing rock with that name near Sankt Goarshausen, Germany

"Lorelei" Encyclopedia Mythica. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/lorelei.html

Her statue is hard to see...she's sitting on the rock.

Rheinfels Fortress

Maus Castle

Marksburg Castle

Stolzenfels Palace

Elector's Palace in Koblenz

Our tour had sadly ended, our stop was quickly approaching.
It was an amazing, unforgettable day.

For more information on the castles along the Rhein, click here

**if you're a perfectionist like me and notice the spacing is off, i tried...for about an hour... for some reason blogger isn't taking my editing...ugh.

Rudesheim, Germany

2011-09-23T20:12:00.004-05:00

We took a river boat ride from Rudesheim to Koblenz, Germany.

The blue line on the map above is the Rhein. Rudesheim is on the Rhein by Geisenheim. We loaded the boat there and slowly cruised to Koblenz. It was a beautiful day.

This post is about the beginning: Rudesheim. It was a lovely little village, set up to serve tourists. It had shops, restaurants, and wine tasting.

It was a joy!

There were even cable cars.

Museums.

This was the famous pedestrian street, laden with shops and restaurants.

Lots of Cuckoo clocks.

Hummels.

Restaurants.

Such attention to details.

Next post: the Rhein and castles.

Stay tuned!

Hallo!

2011-09-18T19:04:00.004-05:00

Just stopping in for a minute to let you know that I'll be posting again very soon. I've just flown back from a trip and I have a bit of "jet lag." Hopefully I'll be 100% after a bit more sleep!

Bonn, Germany

Cologne, Germany

"The Dome"

See you soon!

A Little Transformation...

2011-08-28T16:42:00.007-05:00

Our patio furniture was in need of a little attention:

Look at the bottom of the seat...my son went right through it! When we purchased this set, the salesperson said that the "slings" could be replaced when needed. Hm...

I found a great site online: chaircarepatio.com.

There were very specific instructions for taking off and the installation of new fabric. They even included a video with helpful tips.

In the first picture, you can see that the chair{s} needed repainting. Our area can be a bit windy and these guys have tumbled over more than once.

So Krylon to the rescue. It was so easy and covered very well.

...highly recommended...

Chair Care Patio sent fabric swatches to try and the selection was very close to the original fabric.

Within 10-15 days, the new slings arrived... they were a perfect color for the existing umbrella and a great match with the new paint. {whew!}

Following the directions, my husband was able to install the fabric fairly easy.

I'm linking to Susan's Met Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch. Drop by for a visit for loads of inspiration!

Glossy magazines...on a Friday afternoon.

2011-08-26T16:50:00.001-05:00

I'm sure that glossy magazines aren't good for the environment.

However, they are sure fun to look at, especially on a Friday afternoon.

After a long week at work, sometimes you just have to take a minute or two to breathe.

I won a subscription for Victoria Magazine a year or so ago and love leafing through the pages and all the loveliness.

If had twin boys, I would love this room:

The blues and creams are so calming...

I'm sure it wouldn't stay this way, especially with boys, but it sure looks dreamy.

And do you get this delivered free?

It's put out by Lowe's and has really neat ideas and tips.

Everything they photograph usually comes from their stores.

This front entry looks so inviting, the mums are gorgeous!

And the back patio...I love it.

I'm soooooooo ready for fall and cooler weather!

Bittersweet...

2011-08-25T22:06:00.002-05:00

I'm writing this post as therapy...

My youngest is leaving for college in the morning for the second time.

When he was a freshman, we loaded up our truck and caravanned to the university for their "Move In Day." You know the one...you park about 2 miles away from the dorm and carry everything that your child will need for the next six months. {If you're experienced, you bring a dolly and an extra friend.} The weather is usually102 degrees and the dorm rooms are warm because of the constant opening of the main doors. Then there is the luck-of-the-draw as to what floor they are assigned to and whether or not there is an elevator.

As that luck would have it, our son was on the third floor, no elevator, and after 3 - two mile treks, he had everything needed. Except for a couple of things...of course.

A trip to Target was inevitable...something, I swore I wouldn't do on this particular day.

Ahh...the never ending joy of parenthood.

All kidding aside, it really was fun. It's kinda a rush...brings back memories of my college days.

The Freshman are crazy excited...the parents smile, but you know inside their hearts are breaking as they leave their "pride and joy" to fend for themselves.

I remember thinking...what will he have for dinner?

As it turned out, he had a great experience and matured quite a bit. He did eat, washed his own clothes, and made it fine with out me. imagine that!

Now that he's a sophomore, he's made the transition from dorm to apartment. In fact, it's a 4 bedroom, 4 bath place...and that's fairly standard! Gee Whiz! What happened to bathrooms at the end of the hallway and the expected "flush" to be yelled as not to scald your friends in the shower!

Needless to say, he's very excited. Independence...well, with Mom and Dad footing the bill.

As you might imagine, my house is crazy. It looks a bit like a tornado has hit as he goes through his things and packs. It's fun to see what he's chosen to set up in his new ~~place~~ room.

Our old turntable has been reclaimed and is now the "cool" thing, perfect for a bachelor pad. Too bad we already sold our 4ft speakers. I'm sure that would have been a huge hit...literally.

So it goes...tomorrow morning, he loads his own car and makes the trek by himself. I'm trying to be strong and stay busy, it's still hard. I know I will miss him...he's really a lot of fun to be around. But, I know it's the right thing to do.

He's building his memories and learning along the way.

I'm learning too.

Parenthood...not for the faint of heart.

Refining...

2011-08-23T01:00:00.003-05:00

Each year as I get wiser, I refine my true favorites. I have a lot of "likes" as I'm sure we all do, but I must definitely have a "thing" for textures. As I look around my home, it's the textures that always catch my eye, it's the different textures that always make me smile.

On my last trip to the seashore, I picked up a few sea urchins. They were washing up in droves, but I only took a few. Why? I don't really know why I didn't pick them all up. I wish I would have....they were just going to dry out on their own anyway. {I was very careful to make sure they weren't alive.}

So, the three I took, came home with me. As I was unpacking, only the skeleton was left.

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? Just look at the symmetry. Isn't it amazing how there are two larger columns, then two smaller columns...and looking at the sea urchin when found, you'd never guess that there was such a gorgeous sight underneath all those spines. Add to that the colors: lavender, olive, taupe....who knew?

If you look inside...there is a very special part of the skeleton. I don't know what it is for, but again, very symmetrical.

A few years back I made candle sticks with purchased shells. I didn't appreciate how beautiful they were until I was actually shelling, looking for the "perfect" shells.

They too are so beautiful, unique...

No matter what I change in my home, no matter what season rolls around, sea shells seem to always be a part of my decor. I love them...

Treasures of the Sea...

2011-08-14T08:24:00.002-05:00

One of the best things about vacations is seeing new things. Whether it's sightseeing, shopping, or seeing natural sights, I'm always glad I brought along my camera!

I could so live in this beachy cottage. Love the color!

This sign made us laugh each time we crossed the bridge.

Nauti Turtle...Ha!!

Since we were in Florida, we had to sample the fruit!

Delicious!

Great gift shop too!

...love these handles...

...these would make me smile while being in the kitchen...

So true!

I think I'm still on this time...

I should have brought this home with me...it would make a great centerpiece.

Our next stop was Old Time Pottery. I had heard so much about it in blogland, I just had to see for myself!

It was loaded with items...and didn't disappoint.

Here in Texas we have Garden Ridge Pottery, it's very similar.

We had to stop at the local Home Good store.

...loved these seahorse plates...

...cute...

This almost came home with me!

...so simple...

...great pieces in turquoise...

After our shopping trip, we ended our day relaxing on the beach, our favorite time.

These guys were always waiting for us...

Poor little sea urchin stranded in seaweed...

He was glad we saved him, I'm sure...

Can you see his mouth? Looks like a beak, doesn't it?

More Sea Pork...

and a King's Crown Conch.

...great camouflage..

Now you can see him better. I think he might be a type of Brittle Star.

What a great way to end the day.

Funny little guys...

2011-08-13T09:36:00.005-05:00

I guess one reason why I love the beach is that each day is different.

It's hard to imagine that, but it's true.

I hadn't seen this before, I guessed it was someone drawing in the sand.

But upon closer inspection, I saw who was actually doing all the drawing!

It was a Junonia.

They were everywhere!

Take a guess of what this is...

and his cousin.

Give up?

It's called Sea Pork.They are creatures that house tiny zooids.

However when washed up they are no longer alive.

Want more information? Click here and here.

There was quite a variety of shells...

...and for some reason these guys were washing up.

See the color of the spines?

When it had dried out, the skeleton was lavender.

Absolutely beautiful.

The gem of the day...a little starfish.

I took a quick picture and threw him back so he could grow a bit more...

that way I can find him again on my next trip. ;)

I have to say that my favorite part of each day was watching the sun set.

Truly amazing.

Sunsets...

2011-08-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

I just completed my first week back at work...

...and on quiet nights like these I dream of quiet nights on the beach.

Sunsets that are relaxing...

...and so beautiful

Wrapping up Summer Projects...part 3

2011-08-08T12:17:00.002-05:00

I love working with natural items. Two little projects on this post: glass charms and earrings. They are so easy to make and can be on any theme. The new set of charms is very casual...wooden beads and seashells.

The shells were found on Sanibel and Ft. Myers Beach. The holes weren't drilled, the little animal that used to live there made them.

And the final little project, simple earrings.

It's been a great summer.

Wrapping up Summer Projects ... Part 2

2011-08-07T11:56:00.001-05:00

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Met Monday. It's a great place to see befores and afters. Drop by for a visit, won't you?

I found this purse at my local Goodwill. I usually look only for homegoods but this litte guy caught my eye.

It was clean, in very good shape, and the price was right.

Adding a little jute and seashells found in Florida, I had a new summer bag.

Quick and easy...

Welcome Back...

2011-08-07T00:37:00.002-05:00

If you're here, you made the trip back over to Blogger. Thank you...

I'm not too tech savy and Word Press was a little out of my league...Blogger is easier for me to navigate. So from the bottom of my heart...thanks for following me back home.

Wrapping up summer projects...part 1

2011-08-06T11:20:00.000-05:00

I'm an elementary school teacher and I report to work on Monday. I've had a wonderful summer vacation, one filled with rest, relaxation, and little projects. Here is a little one made from seashells found on Sanibel Island, Florida.

Simple little picks...for decorative use only, right?

Placed in a crystal holder, they add a little sparkle.

Quick and easy...

Have you ever been to one of these?

2011-08-05T10:55:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been to a flea market? I'm sure most of you have, but I hadn't. I admit, I was a little scared to be there with just two of us ladies, but once we were there, it was loads of fun.

There were all sorts of things...

These were made from tires...aren't they cute?

We came looking for a painting...we found one.

No longer will I be leary of shopping here...next time I'm bringing two shopping bags!

Best Friends...

2011-08-05T03:24:00.000-05:00

While in Florida we went to the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. I had no idea these guys were best friends. Throw in Harvey Firestone and as they say, the rest is history!

There was a lot to see, this post will concentrate on the grounds...beautiful. Edison bought the property and wanted to use it for his research. He imported trees and plants to experiment with and set up his winter home too. His wife and children enjoyed the grounds as well.

I think it would be neat to step into your yard and pick an avocado for lunch from your own tree.

Or an orange...

...or mango! There were so many mangoes, they posted this sign:

I can't even imagine!

There were gorgeous flowers...

...and experimenting still going on.

I suppose this small graft would grow into something like this:

There was a small pool Mrs. Edison made for Mr. Edison by his little laboratory...

and a larger pool for the family to enjoy, most unique for the time.

There were pathways for strolling...

...and estates for resting. {More on that in the next post.}

And finally, the most amazing banyan tree. It was the largest recorded in America! Do you see how the branches support themselves?

Stay tuned for part two of three...

Thrift Store Shopping...in Florida

2011-08-02T16:13:00.000-05:00

The girls wanted to check out the thrift shopping while in Florida. We found the stores very well stocked and reasonably priced. Here's a few of the things we saw:

...love the bamboo...

...and these chairs...

...this little guy was in pristine condition...

...thought this was a great idea...love the color.

Thrifty shopping...so many neat things...too little space to haul things back to Texas!

Morning Walk...

2011-08-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

While on vacation, we went for morning walks. Sometimes on the beach, sometimes in the neighborhood next to our condo. It was a quiet place...very nice.

It was humid but I wanted to show these birds. Just waiting, not sure for what, but just hanging out...too funny!

And then we saw this guy...

Yep...he was sitting on the roof by the other two!

Ok...back to the neighborhood and homes...

Beautiful homes...

Great lawns...

The neatest palm trees...

Creative mailboxes...

And tropical accents.

There was even a ~~little~~ lot for sale...a ~~lot~~ little pricey, but it had beach access!

As we finished our walk and headed back to the condo, we saw this newspaper stand...

Ha! ..."sand" paper, too funny!

Thank Goodness for this Stuff!

2011-08-02T14:58:00.000-05:00

It was really a HOT day...so hot that it was almost unbearable. But with an umbrella and loads of sunscreen, we were ready for our long~awaited adventure to Sanibel and Captiva.

We stopped at a shell shop, "...just to see what they had..." and because the name was too cute.

And we visited another shop that had really cute things:

Since it was such a hot day, we had a discussion about the amount of SPF truly needed. When we saw this, we cracked up! SPF of "O"! Really? Not for us!

And this sign was perfect! It was exactly how we felt!

Do you see the red arrow on the far right of this map? That's where we began.

We started out where the working lighthouse was located.

The tide was out, check. The wind was from the North, no check. Well, it wasn't the best for shelling but we had a great time anyway.

Most of the shells we found were homes...this guy was HUGE!

And this starfish was precious! We snapped a few pictures and put him back in the water too. They really do have little suckers on the bottom...felt a little weird on your hand!

The wildlife still amazes me...they really are very tame. They stood perfectly still for me to take their picture.

The next stop was Blind Pass. Here we found shells, in fact they were quite abundant and beautiful.

After walking and shelling a while, it was time to go and find dinner. The Lazy Peacock was our pick and it didn't disappoint! The shrimp was delicious!

They had a neat little game...trying to loop the ring on the hook...it was a hoot to watch people trying their ~~luck~~ skill.

This was one amazing day...and priceless!

Sanibel Island...Captiva too!

2011-07-27T15:45:00.000-05:00

If you've follow iloveshelling.com, then you know about Sanibel and Captiva...sheller's paradise! Even if you don't shell, just being on the island is so much fun, there's really something for everyone...however, I don't think there is a golf course...at least we didn't see one.

Fort Myers Beach.

2011-07-26T16:51:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard of Sanibel and Captiva, but have you heard of Fort Myers Beach? It's a gorgeous place as well.

There will be a wedding Tuesday evening and this is going to be a focal point...I guess it's going to be a sand "cake"? We'll see!

We found amazing shells:

Since they were alive, we snapped our pictures to remember and put them back in the water.

This was found way up on the shore. I'm guessing it's some type of sponge...

...and this too! It's not real...it's a plastic toy. But, it sure fooled us!

It was a lovely walk from the beach. This pond was alongside our condo...egrets were always visiting.

Flowers were abundant...

...and the plants were large and healthy.

And to our surprise, guess who was hanging around for a bite to eat! He was so tame!! These birds were just about everywhere! Some were apparently just like pets.

The next day we made the trip to Sanibel and Captiva. Here's a little peek.

Stay tuned!

Guess where I am...

2011-07-24T08:33:00.000-05:00

...here are the clues:

Yes, a tropical destination, Fort Myers, Florida. We're a stone's throw away from Sanibel and Captiva, a place known for shelling. The shells above were found on our first day here, not really even looking. We just drove in, unpacked and headed to the beach. The fabric too is from the condo in which we're staying. It's great for the beach...actually perfect!

Most of the shells were broken...but I did find this beauty. There was NO polishing...it was just beautiful! It's called a Fighting Conch.

We found about 50 of these shells. They're called Stiff Pen Shells.

These babies were about 8 inches long! Can't wait to see how they look in a crystal or silver bowl...such detail.

We also found Angel Wing, Cut Ribbed Ark, Broad-Ribbed Cardita, Sunray Venus Clam, Atlantic Giant Cockle, and Coquina. Yippee!

Here's a link with a shell identification chart. When I first starting blogging, iloveshelling.com was one of the first ones I found. I've been following ever since! She has loads of pictures and information for shellers. And now, her I sit...a few miles from Sanibel!

Low tide is at 3:15pm. We overheard some locals say that if you head out about 15 minutes before low tide, the shelling is great here in Fort Myers. Well, we will see! I'll keep you posted!

Stay tuned!

On the road again...

2011-07-24T07:47:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post...We headed out on our "official" vacation Friday morning. There were four of us in our vehicle, two more were flying in. It was a long awaited trip...a family vacation to the Florida Coast. It will take us two days to drive...

One of the things we like to do is find neat restaurants. We found one for dinner and enjoyed their humor:

The food was delicious, two of us had seafood gumbo, the others had pasta. They were hosting a reunion, so things were a bit crazy. It was fun just "people watching" for a while.

Next door was a fabulous dress shop. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the dress they had in the window. The shop was named, The Red Raspberry. Perfect dress for their front window!

The shape was gorgeous...the color was divine...

....and with the addition of peacock feathers, this dress was perfect in my book!

Stay tuned!

Empty Nest Room...

2011-07-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

I now have an extra room in my home and knew that it would be a great place for something... I thought about an office, a butler's pantry, or a guest room. Add to this the possibility of moving in a year or two. What to do?

I decided to make it two things: a butler's pantry/guest room. Weird, I know. But I really needed the storage for all my "treasures" and a place for anyone who happens to drop by for the night.

Here are the before pics...

I know what you're probaby saying..."treasures?....really?"

This bedroom belonged to my oldest son and he did a great job painting the walls and shelves...the color is very calming. However, when he moved, this became a guest room and new the curtain and linens were purchased. It was starting to come together, but I really needed a place to store things too. Treasures were accumulating...

I couldn't leave the shelves open, no one really wanted to see all my ~~stuff~~ treasures. I thought about shutter doors...gorgeous, but expensive. Taking a cue from the curtain, I decided to make curtains for the shelves out of king size sheets. Finding single sheets {not sets} was difficult but I ended up using an old stand-by, IKEA. After measuring the width, adding for fullness {width x 3}, three sheets were perfect. Pockets were stitched across the top of each panel for simple tension rods. I hadn't purchased sheets from IKEA before, but will definitely keep them in mind for future bed linens. They are soft and inexpensive. There is a slight sheen too...perfect for this project.

The original bed was a queen but now I only needed a twin. The comforter was just tucked under...kinda makes everything look a little dreamy, right? I sure hope so!

I'm linking with Just a Girl's Show and Share Day and The Shabby Creek Cottage for her Transformation Thursday. Be sure to drop by for amazing sights!

Need a break...

2011-07-17T16:06:00.000-05:00

When I need a break, I look at pretty pictures. It calms me, makes me forget whatever is feeling heavy.

Pictures by Art LaMay:

or this one I found on Etsy

of this one I found at a local shop:

Craftiness...

2011-07-16T16:08:00.000-05:00

I appreciate craftiness and admire people who turn their great ideas into works of art.

Take a look at this:

This beerlier {aka chandilier} was hanging in a new restaurant we have in town. Isn't it the neatest?

Then there's work like this:

Do you have one of these dresses? I've had these types for years...love them...they are so comfortable! I'll bet originally, dresses like these were handsewn. This one might not be, some parts do look like they were done by hand...isn't it pretty? And this next picture is from a top that is perfect for summer time:

Cool and comfy.

And then there's this beauty:

This metal sculpture was over the mantel at a beach cabin we rented. As the day progressed, the piece would look different depending on the direction of the sun. perfect.

Now for just a little craftiness...

...wouldn't this starfish look "fancy" with a little gem work?

Creativity...love it.

Collections...

2011-07-13T05:09:00.000-05:00

It's fun reading about everyone's collections here in blogland. And, to take it a step farther, it's neat too to see collections end up in tablescapes. That's what today's table is all about, a collection about timepieces. Please join me for Susan's party, Tablescape Thursday, over at Between Naps on the Porch.

{The candles were a gift from my son and daughter~in~law. They're beeswax and smell just like honey!}

These plates from Pottery Barn were my inspiration. They weren't sold anymore online and I couldn't find them on Craigslist or Ebay. What's a girl to do? Improvise!

{The plates used in today's table were made from thrift store glass plates. To see the tutorial on making these plates, click here.}

In case you're interested:

Tablecloth: Anna's Linens

Napkins: Marshalls

Napkin Rings: Tuesday Morning

Chargers: Hobby Lobby

Plates: Homemade/Thrift Stores

Flatware: Ebay

Glasses: Lenox, Navarre

Candleholders: Consignment Shop

Clock: Maternal Grandfather

Vintage Mirror: Antique Shop

Thanks so much for dropping by to visit. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Just a little something extra...

2011-07-12T16:06:00.000-05:00

I know I'm way behind the times, but I've never had any glass charms. My friend and I were making them for a fundraiser so I decided that I'd make a set for our home, finally! Just a short list of supplies are needed: earring rings, beads, and charms.

Hobby Lobby has tons to choose from...I went with a sea theme: Caribbean blue and clear.

On a side note, this dish was found with it's siblings at a thrift shop in Llano, Texas...together they form a circle. {I'll bet they were once used for dips or relishes...for now, they're perfect for crafts!}

To make the rings, it's very simple, just string on your beads and charms....you're set!

Quick and easy...happy summer!

Crazy for Clocks...

2011-07-10T05:03:00.000-05:00

I love vintage clocks. My maternal grandfather had quite a collection. His hobby was repairing them and over the years he had acquired quite a few. We have part of his collection, one we're very honored to have in our home. All this to say, while browsing online one afternoon, I saw these plates from Pottery Barn:

Immediately, I fell for them and wanted to add them to my collection. However, Pottery Barn no longer carried them. I tried to find them in all the usual places: Ebay, Craigslist...no luck. The only thing left to do was to try to make something similar.

I was on the lookout for clear glass plates that could somehow be modified. On a recent shopping trip, several different sizes were found at a thrift store. Yea!

Printable clock faces were found online. The original PB plates looked aged with crazing...that was the look I was trying to recreate.

After printing the paper clock faces, they were crumpled and dipped in a strong coffee mixture {for only a few seconds.}

It was working! They were dipped a second time for a darker color...yep...this was it...and they had that crazed look. Yippee!

The middle of the faces looked a little sparse so a little design from The Graphics Fairy was added. They too were dipped in coffee.

After drying overnight, I was ready to tackle the main project. Using the Mod Podge as glue, it was spread over the back surface of the plate. Next the clock face was put face down and more glue was added to the back to seal.

Since Mod Podge dries clear, I was hoping it would give a nice sheen to the faces. It worked! Two more coats were added to the back and the plates were finished.

They are not exact replicas, but similar.

Here they are used in a tablescape.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

What a cutie!

2011-07-09T11:24:00.000-05:00

Just look at this face!

Isn't she just precious? What personality!

Don't you just want to hold her and play? Well, that's what I'm doing...it's like I'm 9 all over again!

I found her on Etsy over at Sew Sweet by Linda Bloom. {If you're not familiar with Etsy, it's an online store for vintage or handmade things. Take a look around, it's loads of fun!}

Parenting...

2011-07-08T03:03:00.000-05:00

Ugh...I thought parenting would get easier.

I was watching the Nate Berkus Show {i just love him!!!} and Gayle King was one of his guests. They were talking about empty nesters and she is going through that transition herself. She said something that really stuck,

"...we raise them to soar."

That is so true. My husband and I have worked so hard to build independence and self~confidence with our sons so that when they reached adulthood they would be "fine, up~standing citizens." Well, that time has come and they are adults. It's been great watching them grow and learn, but oh.so.hard to watch them leave the nest. It's purely emotional on my part ...I know. I have to get rid of those, "they need me," thoughts...or "...what will they eat?where will they sleep?" thoughts. ugh.

So to my eldest: begin that lovely adventure! We're behind you all the way. We love you and can't wait to see all the new things you'll be learning!

And to my youngest...your new adventure is also just begining. We love you too and can't wait to see how things unfold in your life! We're so proud of you! Gig' em!

Angel Lush...

2011-07-07T09:44:00.000-05:00

I love just about anything with pineapple and angel food cake. This recipe was found on the side of a Jell-O pudding box! It's really good and easy on the waistline!

1 can {20 oz} crushed pinapple in juice, undrained

1 pkg. {1.5 oz} JELL-O Vanilla Flavor

1.5 cups thawed Cool-Whip Lite Whipped Topping

1 pkg. {30 oz} round angel food cake, cut into 3 layers

10 small fresh strawberries

Mix pineapple and dry pudding mix with whisk. Stir in Cool Whip. Stack cake layers on plate, spreading pudding mixture between layers and on top of cake. Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with berries.

I'm joining Foodie Friday over at Designs by Gollum. Be sure to drop by for delicious treats!

Tea for Two...

2011-07-06T14:25:00.000-05:00

See, it is really Tea for Two!

I know...this napkin holder should be holding napkins, but I decided to use it to hold my collection of postcards because...I found these cuties!

And of course, we'll need a light snack while going through all the vintage postcards...little tuna sandwiches with cucumbers and red grapes.

So settle in and enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by to visit. I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop by over there for loads of inspiration!

Just in case you're interested:

Dishes: Desert Rose

Napkin rings/napkin holder: Goodwill

For the Birds...

2011-07-03T12:43:00.000-05:00

I love having birds visit my yard. There are a family of bluejays and cardinals who are always flying through on their way to... somewhere. {I love the chirp of the cardinals...they're so friendly, aren't they?} There is also a flock of sparrows and doves, they're my regulars. But they all have one thing in common...they're always hungry! I have a couple of feeders out but wanted to get more...until I saw Yvonne's post over at Stone Gable, {a great place and loads of inspiration!} and thought I'd make new feeders.

I went to Lowe's to get my supplies...copper tubing and end caps. I chose 1/2 in diameter...it seemed to be a good proportional size.

The tubing can be any length you'd like...I chose a 5 foot length and then cut it into 18, 22, and 24 inches.

On my last thrift store venture, I happen to find a set of three cups and saucers for about $3.00.

I glued the cups to the saucers with Gorilla Glue and then the caps to the bottom of the saucers. {This stuff works really great, however the color you see is the color you get when it dries. So for a project that you need the glue to dry clear, be sure to get the clear glue.}

{These caps had a little point to them so they had to be tapped down to make them flat so that they'd sit on the saucers for glueing.}

The instructions on the glue were to "clamp" the pieces together. Hm...that's not going to work for this so I did the next best thing...piled everything I had on hand on top to add some weight.

I know...great picture, right? ;)

After the glue dries, simply put the copper tubing in the caps and put these in your favorite spot. That's it! Simple but cute.

Now I'm just waiting on my feathered friends to find their new feeders!

I'm linking to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

Loveliness...

2011-07-03T00:09:00.000-05:00

I fell in love with houses like these a long time ago.

So each year, we make it a point to go on the historical tour of homes.

We'd line up with the rest of these lovely people who also share our love of historic homes.

I suppose it's the detail of these grand houses...

...or the fact that any structure that proudly displays this plaque was indeed a true survivor of the 1900 storm that hit the area.

Can you even imagine such devastation?

images: Galveston County Daily News, Wikipedia, City-Data.com

If you're not familiar with the story you can read about it here.

Because Galveston sat right at sea level, the entire island was inundated with water from the Gulf and then back-washed with water from the bay. Here's a basic map of Galveston Island:

It was estimated that between 10,000 and 12,000 people were killed during the storm and more than 3,600 homes were destroyed. To avoid this tragedy again, a 17 foot seawall was constructed along the Gulf.

The city itself was also raised 17 feet as well. Needless to say, it was a huge undertaking. Mud was pumped in from the bay...

...and buildings were raised inch by inch...really! People had to walk on wooden platforms just to move around town.

Compare the top and bottom images. The top picture is before grade raising, the bottom picture is the after shot. amazing.

And this is just unbelievable...

Do you see the man standing by the corner of the church? The sheer ingenuity and determination of the people. They were not giving up, they were working together.

Now, I'm not sure why people love Galveston as they do, but I love it because of the history and it's people.

You see, the residents of Galveston today also have a love of history. They purchase these old homes and lovingly restore them to their original beauty. Then they graciously open their homes up to the masses so that we all can enjoy their hard work and determination.

This year I decided to voluteer as a docent. It was truly a treat to share the owner's story of their home.

I shared the stories of heirloom pieces of art, antiques purchased at the Garden District of New Orleans, and renovations done by previous and current homeowners. Between groups of people, I had a minute or two to closely inspect the beautiful details: woodwork, carvings, flooring, and windows. I wanted to soak up everything I could... and... file it away for my dream home.

The Preservation Society usually has one building close to the tour that is for sale...just in case someone or group "might" want to purchase it for themselves. Can you imagine what could be done with this beauty? I can see it as an event center...or lofts...hm...oh the possibilities!

As we were wrapping up our tour, we spotted this little kitty porch:

Can you see his little ears sticking up? What a great spot, don't you think?

And, since I'm one for signs, this one cracked me up!

This yard, with the sign posted, is next to the home with the kitty porch. Can't you just imagine the conversations that could happen between the kitty and the great dane? If only they could talk!

The people who live in Galveston today have the same determination as decades ago, and that's another reason why Galveston is one of my favorite places to visit. Hurricane IKE hit in 2008 and the people once again had to show their true spirit.

If you're ever in the area, take some time to visit, you won't be disappointed!

Small Town USA...

2011-07-02T03:33:00.000-05:00

One of the great things about traveling is seeing new sights, specifically small towns. I love the quaint buildings...

the main streets...

...and their signs...

the entrepreneurship of the citizens...

...and their humor...

the craftmanship...

the friendly wildlife...

and mostly, the American spirit that is proudly displayed.

God bless the USA.

When it's good, it's very good...

2011-06-28T03:13:00.000-05:00

but when it's bad, it's very bad.

That's how I feel about living down by the shore.

We took a mini~vacation and stayed at a friends cabin for a few days. It had been a while since we've stayed at the beach, I had forgotten how relaxing it could be.

I forgot about the breezes, the birds, the water. It took me a day or two to relax, but after that, I was sold once again.

Their cabin is for sale...hm...decisions...decisions...what to do.

It's on a waterway. At first, I didn't think I'd like it. But I do! It was great looking out over the water, it was quiet and calming. The purple martins shared the space with the sea birds...

My heart would say, "this is just what we need...", my head says, "...remember this?"

Trio - Day Two

2011-06-17T19:45:00.000-05:00

Since we didn't know how far we'd drive on the first day, we made no reservations, just kinda played it by ear... We looked for a Holiday Inn on the Garmond, but since the three of us have no sense of direction, we kinda got off track. We were ready to find a place to stop but the selections were getting scarce...until we saw this just over the horizon.

We ended up traveling throught Paris, Texas and landing in Hugo, Oklahoma.When we saw this baby, we were thrilled! Then to top it off...it was a Casino! The room was beautiful, the casino was hopping.

The next morning, we had breakfast and decided to try our luck. My sister, the "lucky" one, showed us all how it was done...she doubled the amount she invested and walked away a happy girl!! I lost. Don't worry though, I wasn't sad, it was all in fun. I lost my dollar on the penny slots, she tucked her newly acquired four dollars in her purse and we were back on the road. I know, I know... we were very impressive gamblers. ;)

We got back on the road and found a couple of really neat shops.

Loved this wicker chair...details, details, details! and the walls of the place:

This place was a hoot! At first we were thrilled, the wooden door was enticing us to go on in and take a look...

but...once inside...we found this! Oh.My.GOSH! You could barely walk through it all!

This pile was behind her front checkout desk. Kinda gave me the heebie~geebies...And to make things worse, she had things priced TOO high.

We also found a rock shop...always a favorite.

There were tables and tables of rock glass. The colors were so bright and clear...

...so pretty! The guy said that they sell it by the tons and make things like this wall.

... really neat.

And finally, we made it to our destination, Kansas. We saw beautiful architecture...always a treat.

Tomorrow, we're staying put for a while. We've got a few places to check out. Stay tuned!

The Trio Travels...

2011-06-17T03:13:00.000-05:00

My mother, my sister, and I took off yesterday morning {really early} for a 5 day road trip to Kansas. My mother has a class reunion and my sister and I thought we'd take the trip with her. And since we all love shopping, we took that back roads so that we could hit all the lovely little shops along the way. We found great places, one~of~a~kind shops that didn't disappoint. We found quite a few thrift stores and antique shops with neat things. Here's a sample:

LOVED this! How cute! This one is going in my "to do" file.

We saw several of these....very creative. I think these were a children's toy set. cute.

Love the fabric used with this screen door. Wouldn't it be a great room divider?

This nativity set was made with pots. Love the camel!

Love this trellis. I guess this is some type of runner? Kinda looks like a ladder...

What a great idea! This keeps the birds and their food nice and dry!

These signs cracked me up!

And for a little dessert...

Doesn't this look delicious?

Love small towns!

Oceans Day...

2011-06-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

World International Oceans Day was June 8. I missed it, darn!...however I can still celebrate, right? and with a table, right?

Today's post is in honor of our oceans and their conservation. Enjoy!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

In case you wanted to know:

large glass fish, fish plates, centerpiece charger - Goodwill

small starfish candle holders, driftwood candle holder, flatware - Marshalls

glasses - Dollar Store

tablerunner and napkins - homemade

Lucky Day...

2011-06-13T15:48:00.000-05:00

It was one of those days, a lucky one in which I found new treasures. One I've had my eye on for quite a while. I found it at my favorite antique shop ... and a favorite booth. {It's quite large, about 14 inches across!}

To seal the deal, she was having a 60% off sale. sold.

I went over to my local GW and found these cuties...

...they were so pretty. I couldn't refuse!

Then I saw these guys...hadn't seen these for a very long time. I use to get them for "trophies" at the end of my year of piano lessons.

And finally, these napkin rings at my favorite consignment shop. I loved the grapevine rings.

It was a good day!

I'm joining Linda over at Coastal Charm for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays. Be sure to drop by for new treasures!

Since I'm on the Subject...

2011-06-10T03:26:00.000-05:00

June through November is Hurricane Season here in the Gulf Coast. My last post was my history with storms...this post is about the 1900's storm. Do you know about it?

I'm really not in to disasters...really I'm not. It's the determination of the people that attract me. Their sheer will to survive.

It all began September

It's that time again...

2011-06-08T12:46:00.000-05:00

I've tried to ignore it, put it simply out of my mind, but with the news stations and their antsy weathermen, it's hard to miss. Yes, it's hurricane season...again. ugh.



I've lived on the Gulf Coast my entire life. I've grown up with the heat and humidity and rarely think twice about it. One adapts. But as an adult and the grown up responsibilities that ultimately come with adulthood, I've become a changed woman.

As a child, I vaguely remember any type of traumatic storms. There were stories of Hurricane Carla in 1961...but, "that was a long time ago," I'd assure myself. I knew of devastation but it simply didn't register.

Then the summer of 1983, Hurricane Alicia hit. I remember sitting at the pool of my first home {apartment} feeling very confident that I had "made it"...had my first job...I was on my own. I was writing a letter to a friend, mocking the newscasters saying that it was, "a bright and sunny day!" Then a couple of hours later, things began to get scary. The wind picked up, the sky began to look strange. Hm...I called my boyfriend {later husband} and his advice was to put all my furniture up as high as possible and place all electronics - you know, those jumbo stereo speakers that could blast you right out of the room - on the kitchen counter...all this just as a precaution. My sister called and wanted me to come to her house, just in case, so I just casually drove over to stay for a bit. Well, it didn't take long for the weather to turn wicked. We all stayed in one bedroom and hovered over a small portable radio. We listened for anything positive but the news was all bad, we were in for a bumpy ride.

As things turned out, my apartment bathroom backed up...toilet and tub...yuck...the carpet was ruined...my furniture was ok, only a little bit damp. The sliding glass doors did their best to keep the weather out, but apparently they bowed uncontrollably by the relentless winds. The inside carpet was smelly and slushy. strike one.

As I'm sure you know, hurricanes are very tempermental. They are extremely hard to predict in which path they choose to take. Sometimes areas that are "sure" to be hit, are spared due to a sudden turn of the storm. Therefore, newscasters do their best to warn everyone in "the path" to be alert. So we watched Hurricane Gilbert and Hugo breathing a sigh of relief for ourselves but praying for safety of those in the path.

I believe it was 1992 when another storm was on its way, Hurricane Andrew. I was married now with two little boys and so the maternal instinct was in gear. We decided to pack up our suburban with the little ones and my grandparents and head for higher ground. As things turned out, the storm chose a different path. We were spared.

Ten years ago there was a Tropical Storm, her name was Allison. She was so named because wind speeds did not reach the magical number of 75 mph. However, she decided that she loved the Houston area and stayed and stayed. In total, approx. 38 inches of rain fell, flooding underpasses and low lying areas. There wasn't much wind, our new home was safe, but we watched the rising waters carefully.

                                          Houston, Texas

The seasons came and went, our region was spared any real storms until August of 2005. Katrina was a major threat but as I'm sure you know, Katrina went in at Louisiana. Levees broke and the area was devastated. Houston became a temporary home for many, a permanent home for some.



                 New Orleans                                     The Astrodome, Houston, Texas

That same year was Rita. September, again. I had just purchased a new Honda and was very particular with it...no eating or drinking...no dogs. Well, as we watched with intent to the news, we were given the command to evacuate - it was mandatory. Mandatory? This was new to me, I had always left on my on, no one ever told me I had to leave. It must be really bad! So I took my youngest son, our two dogs, favorite photos, necessary documents, and headed to my sister's home. We would all be evacuating, each with their own vehicle so that we could take our "priceless" things {and carry all the people that needed to leave.} Little did we know, EVERYONE in the area also headed out of town. Remember my rule about my car? out the window. It was 22 hours of v.e.r.y...s.l.o.w...m.o.v.i.n.g. My anxiety was in high gear...it was like the world was ending. All I could see was a long snake-like trail of red lights of the cars in front of me. My husband was out of town in Dallas and my other son was safe too away at college. There was a caravan of three cars in my family and we tried to stay together as much as possible. Gas was no where to be found, who would have thought? Food was scarce, vehicles overheated and pulled off the side of the road...and bathrooms? Scarcely any to be found! {If you did, there was an intense line and then no toilet paper! No thanks, I'll just hold it.}

Some folks just gave up and pulled off the road. All side roads were blocked, there was nothing to do but stay in the never ending line. I tried to keep in contact with everyone with my cell, but the circuits were so busy, getting through to anyone was almost a miracle. All I could do was pray and hope that the storm wasn't coming our way, or we would all be carried away. Eventually we did make it to Arlington, Texas, stayed with a friend of my sisters and as the roads cleared, made it back home several days later. strike two.

Then came September 2008, Hurricane Ike.

After the fiasco of Rita, we decided that we wouldn't leave again unless the storm was a category 4-5 {wind speed 131 mph or higher}...or if it even looked like it would get that strong, we'd leave early...

Ike was a category 2 - so we decided to stay. Roaming through the neighborhood were teams of workers that were ready and able to board up windows. They were fast and efficient... Our poor house looked so sad all boarded up, but at least she was safe. Reluctantly, we headed out to my sister's house, my mother would be there too, at least we could all be together. The local officials advised all to "hunker down"...no mandatory evacuation this time. We gathered together with all our supplies: water, flashlights, batteries, radios, nonperishable foods, meds, dog food, etc and did as we were asked. The wind began, the rain began...I had that old familiar pit in my stomach...all you could do was pray. Pray for the safety of those around you and the courage to withstand such forces.

As the weather improved, we all came out of our homes to see the damage. Neighbors helping neighbors all comparing stories. We were thankful for the strong structure that we stayed in and were now anxious to return to our home. The area had been hit hard, roads were impassable due to downed power lines and debris...our ride home would have to wait. My brother-in-law and husband had generators hooked up to the freezer and refrigerator to salvage food items...it was just the never-ending roar of the engine that was almost deafening.

Several days later, we made it back to our home and luckily, our structure was in tact. Water had gotten in through one of the front bedrooms, that carpet would need replacing, but all in all, our home made it. We live in a master planned community, each yard has one to two trees, our one large oak was broken. It would survive, but would be misshapened for a while. Our fence was down too, now we could speak easily with our neighbors...a silver lining? yes.

News reports were coming in through the battery operated radio. Our generator was able to handle a few appliances at a time, so in between freezer and refrigerator, we had a few minutes of television for local news reports. Our next concern was our beach cabin on a small pennisula named Bolivar. It was a ferry's ride away from Galveston. My father and mother built the cabin in 1979 and ever since has been our family's weekend get-away. Memory after memory was made down there...did it survive? My daughter-in-law was the first to deliver the news. They were watching news in Dallas and using the internet to gather any bits of news they could and would contact us immediately.

She broke the news...the cabin was gone...it was as if tornados had ripped through the entire street. All the cabins from ours towards the water were gone. strike three.

Memories of our 29 years having the cabin came flooding back...

Our cabin pre-Ike:

These pictures were from flyovers:

The first picture is the before shot for comparison: our cabin, bright yellow and long...starting from the arrow, go over 6 rows. Our cabin is about halfway down the street. In the second shot, the after shot...the entire street is wiped clean. strike four.

When we were finally able to get down to see for ourselves, here's what we found:

Nothing left but some of the posts. 895 Bowers was our place.

These bolts once held the floor for our cabin. Look at the strenth of the water and winds. strike five.

This was a waterway behind the cabin. It was a great place to catch and release fish and watch turtles basking in the sun. Now it was filled with debris. strike six.

I've never seen a war zone, but all along the road we saw sights like this...

This was our downstairs bathroom...

...and a neighbors cabin. Notice that the bed is still in the bedroom. Can you see it?

Slabs were wiped clean.

We found a few things from our cabin. Flatware, tools, a ladder, chair, and remarkablly, a dress. Where was the furniture, applicances, cabinets, beds? We never found them. strike seven.

So it's officially hurricane season again. double ugh. There's not much one can do other than be prepared and pray. So that's what we'll do for two more years. That's right, we're moving. Moving out of the hurricane zone. I don't think I can mentally take much more. I want to enjoy the summer months, not worry constantly about if or when a storm is in our path. So when people ask, "Won't you miss your home, friends, and church," my answer is always, "yes, but..."

As I sit here in my home that we've lovingly raised our two children and get ready for choir at church tonight with my friends, I notice that there's a light wind outside. The newscaster says there's a storm out in the tropics. Oh, boy, here we go again! ugh.

photos: wikimedia, Hurricane Preparedness, Wikipedia, and my sister ;)

Shopping Buddies...

2011-06-06T11:54:00.000-05:00

I have two shopping buddies, my mother and my sister. We know what each other collects and is currently looking for... sometimes there's a bit of friendly competition! It's really funny when two of the three are looking for the same thing: the strategy is to divide and conquer the aisles. Sometimes, it's down right hilarious!

These two ladies can run circles around me. I'm the youngest of the crowd but the first to call it quits. I try to plan...really I do! I wear comfy clothes and choose my shoes carefully. But each time we venture out, they win ... apparently I missed out on the "energizer bunny gene" and got the "shop till you drop" gene!

All this "lack of bunny gene thing" got me thinking about a way to pamper my little feet. I googled bath salts and found several really neat recipes. You can color the mixture to fit your decor, add oils, and fragrances. The sky's basically the limit! I decided to make mine really simple...epsom salt. However, I put it in a couple of new treasures! On the above trip, I found this sugar scuttle.

It was at our favorite consignment shop. Still thinking about pampering, I thought it would be perfect for holding soothing salts bath.

The remaining salt was placed in a decanter I found at Salvation Army. With a few magazines, seashells, towel, and a refreshing drink ... the pampering could begin!

I'm joing Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life for her Table Top Tuesday and Linda over at Coastal Charm for her Nifty Thrifty party. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

Aw...

2011-06-05T15:34:00.000-05:00

If you're an animal lover, you have to view this YouTube video. It's precious!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw4KVoEVcr0&feature=player_embedded

A New Little Tassel...

2011-06-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

I love making tassels for my home and for gifts. I think they are the little things that personalize a home.

I had these saved in my "favorites" because they were so cute! They were different from any thing I've made before and I just happen to have all the supplies {well almost.} Lacie used champagne corks, I only had wine corks.

These are the basic supplies: an old book with pretty pages, corks, jute, and eye screws. At first I thought I could get the champagne cork shape with wooden candle cups, but I really didn't like the look. After a bit of trial and error, I used the plain wine corks. They were already marred from the initial opening, but easily fixed with glue. {For specifc instructions, check out Lacie's instructions.}

I'm joining Cindy over at My Romantic Home for her Show and Tell Friday. Drop by for amazing treasures!

This Little Light of Mine...

2011-05-31T13:07:00.000-05:00

I fell in love with these Night Lights. I saw them on Janis' blog, Rust and Ruffles, about two years ago and knew at once that I was going to try to make one. I saved the post to my "favorites" and began my quest for all the pieces.

I found a silverplated teapot at an antique shop, but couldn't make myself cut holes in it. Plus I was concerned that I'd have to keep it polished and with electrical things inside? yuk...didn't want to chance it. So, on the backburner the project stayed...

...until...this week when I just happened into GW and found an old chrome teapot. How perfect! No polishing, no tarnishing, {why didn't I think of that before?} The lid was attached, however the top finial was broken off ~ luckily, it was rolling around inside the teapot. No worries, I wanted to find glass pieces to fit the opening so that the light could shine through anyway. I found a small crystal dish that was a bit curved. It fit perfectly. Now to find a topper...I spied a little candle holder and the rest is history!

My husband and I bought all the inside parts...

...and drilled a couple of holes.

At this point, the lamp was completed but the extras hadn't been found. I was on the lookout for vintage jewelry and glass prisms. I checked all my usual locations, but wasn't having any luck.

A few days later, I found these pieces at my favorite antique shop.

Studying Janis' pictures, I loved the feminine touches of the ribbon. However, I didn't have any ribbon that fit that bill, so I had to improvise. I knew that this lamp would be put in my office so I wanted to add a coastal flair. I did have jute...hm...the handle did look really worn...

...settled. I decided to wrap it. All that was left was adding the pretty pieces...

I liked it, but there was something missing.

I like it better with the "ribbon". Using fabric, a bit of ribbon, and jute, I think it will be perfect for my office.

Thanks again to Janis for her inspiration!

I'm linking to Leigh over at Tales from Bloggeritaville for her Thrifty Thursday and Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to drop by both parties for loads of inspiration!

A Little Love...

2011-05-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

I love reading everyone's blogs looking for inspiration. When I find something that I truly love, it goes in my "favorites" for future reference. One such post by Meagan over at Simply Stoked caught my eye. It was so simple yet personal. So, in the "favorites" it went. She called it, "Book Heart Art"... and that's exactly what it's all about.

So I took her idea and modified a bit for my home. I also used another blog, Kristen over at Kristen's Creations. She uses a lot of ribbons as accents and I think that extra little touch makes a big difference.

I began with a thrifted frame...

...and an old paperback book I use for crafting. I folded one page and traced half of a heart. Using several more pages I cut out about 7-8 hearts.

Then I printed off a saying, similar to Meagan's, and cut it to fit my frame. {Do you have one of these paper cutters? It makes cutting straight lines so easy.}

The next step was to use double sided tape to place the heart on the paper and then fill the frame. Using ribbon I had on hand, I made a bow for the top of the frame. The final piece was a button.

Very easy, thrifty, and a personal treasure.

I'm joining Linda over at Coastal Charm for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

Summertime, where the livin' is easy!

2011-05-29T17:13:00.000-05:00

Another school year has come to a close...they seem to go by faster and faster each year! It always takes me a while to unwind from my regular routine, but with a table like this, I can already feel that summer is around the corner!

I found this little guy at an antique shop in Llano, Texas. He and his brother were the inpiration for my table, and of course, summer!

Each texture comes from a different place, together they make me feel calm and relaxed.

I'm linking to Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. It's a great place to visit for loads of inspiration!

In case you'd like to know:

Tablerunner: Marshalls

Chargers: Goodwill

Dinner Plate: Williams-Sonoma Marketplace, via Salvation Army

Salad Plate: Lenox, Opal Innocence Carved, via My Tableware.com

Napkin rings: Ebay

Flatware: Marshalls

Stemware: Dollar Store

Just Two More...

2011-05-19T17:17:00.000-05:00

I love seashells.

I have seashells I've collected from various beaches.

I have seashells I've purchased.

I love saying: She sells seashells by the seashore...

I think this could easily be changed to: Sharlotte sees seashells from the seashore...it works, right? I think so...not that anyone else would care but me.

You see I was out this afternoon and found these two seashells and couldn't resist them.

I tried, really I did, but I just get mesmerized by seashells. Each one has its own story, its own unique qualities, just like people. We're all different, all special, just like seashells.

So I picked them up, after all, it's just two more...

{how many times can you say seashells?}

A Little Bit of Country...

2011-05-18T03:23:00.000-05:00

Can I have a little bit of country right smack dab in suburbia?

I'd like to try to make a comfy country table together with bits and pieces found here and there...

To begin, I found this old basket at an antique mall while visiting Georgia a few months ago. It was the details and near perfect condition that caught my eye.

And adding this bisquit jar {which I love} given to me by my mother...it started my quest for more Depression Glass.

I found this small plate at a favorite local antique shop.

Can you believe during the Great Depression, these pieces used to be packed in food boxes or simply given out to people who visited their business?

I picked up these cups and saucers at Goodwill. I don't remember the price, but it wasn't much. They aren't Depression Glass but are the perfect shade of pink.

For Mother's Day, my sister gifted me with this beautiful pitcher. Just by chance, it matches the bisquit jar from my mother!

I wanted the table to be relaxing so I added different types of white dishes and vintage monogramed flatware. The dishes are a combination of thrift finds, online shopping, and Marshalls. The flatware was a antique find. I love it when odds and ends put together make for a cozy setting, don't you?

Well, enough said, welcome to my table for this Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. It's a fun party to join and very inspirational! Drop by to check out all the amazing tables!

A little more information in case you're interested:

Floral Napkins: They were originally a curtain found at a thrift shop. I simply cut them apart and made them into napkins.

Sugar and Creamer: Found at a favorite antique shop.

Glassware: Libby found at a favorite consignment shop.

Thanks for dropping by, I hope you enjoyed my cozy country tablescape!

Day 14 of 14!

2011-05-15T17:10:00.000-05:00

I made it! Fourteen days of a healthier lifestyle.

Now my personal challenge is to stay on track. I feel so much better and those clothes that shrunk? Well, guess what? They fit again...it's the strangest thing! ;)

Thanks for staying with me and your words of encouragement...it made a huge difference in my life. So the flowers today are for you!

Day 13 of 14...

2011-05-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

Oh boy, I'm so late is writing this post...so it will be short.

I made the best decisions I could and stayed on track! Yippee!

Day 12 of 14...

2011-05-13T15:27:00.000-05:00

Regroup, that's what I did yesterday and that gave me strength for today. I'm almost at my goal. That's another incentive.

Today was a good day, my clothes fit better, and I have more energy. Two more days to meet my goal of 14.

I hope you had a great day, enjoy your evening...I'm signing off for today.

Day 11 of 14...

2011-05-12T15:12:00.000-05:00

So close...

The sister of one my students was selling candy yesterday and I just couldn't turn her down {you know, one of those great families...they have five kids and so far I've had 3 of them?} She's precious and when she looks at you with those beautiful little brown eyes, I just couldn't say no to her chocolate covered almonds. So I bought a box and dutifully put it in my purse to give to my "home from college son."

Well, today is Thursday, almost Friday, and I've had a bad hair day and I'm tired and hungry. So to the fridge I went, looking for something to snack on before dinner. Guess what was staring me right.in.the.face? Yep, an open box of chocolate covered almonds. Boy oh boy...did I mentioned I was hungry?

Ahem...did you know that chocolate and almonds are good for you? Well, that's what Dr. Oz says...and if he says it, I'll bet it's OK for me to have just one of those little jewels, right? Well, that's what I was thinking...and yes, it was really good. Then, I looked again in the cool little box, there weren't too many of those little guys left. Hm...we'll if one almond is good for you, five would probably be really good for me, right? ;0

The big question for me was, did I stay on track? Yep, because thankfully I have 45 extra points for the week...but it was close. I was on track with my points for the day, but didn't get in all my foods on the healthy guidelines. But wait, almonds are proteins, right and could chocolate count as part dairy?

All this to say, you have to live and give yourself a break. On the bright side, I could have eaten the entire box, but I didn't. Yippee for me!

Day 10 of 14...

2011-05-11T17:22:00.000-05:00

Quick post...

...work, tutor, meeting, dinner, choir...

If you're following me along this path, remember that it's not a diet...it's a choice. Your choice. Try to choose healthy food items.

For instance, my husband and I have a standing "date night" and love to visit a favorite restaurant. They serve the BEST pizza. It's light and doesn't make you feel like you've eaten a brick. I decided to try to make one myself. It was good, not exactly the same, but I'll bet it was healthier!

Day 9 of 14...

2011-05-10T17:13:00.000-05:00

They say, "...do something for two weeks and it becomes habit." Well, dare I say it? Today was easier...is it because it is becoming a habit? Wouldn't that be great?

I got on the scale this morning and I've lost 3 pounds. It doesn't sound like much but I really feel so much better. This truly is an incentive to keep on this healthy track.

Day 8 of 14...

2011-05-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today was a true test of willpower...

IF I would have had a ~~big~~ bag of peanut M&M's today, this would have been the day that I threw in the towel. Yep...that same villian, "stress" reared its ugly head. I had to really think things through and email my sister. She's a great one to unload on... a great listener...calming.

I made it through the day and then decided I needed more therapy...retail therapy. And...look what I found!

Aren't they cute? All things "sea" related are a sure thing. {They were also in black.}

As far as my goals? Thankfully, still on track. Thanks Susie!

Day 7 of 14...

2011-05-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

One week down, one to go.

I feel healthier...and if you're going along for this ride, I hope you're feeling better too!

Happy Mother's Day!

Day 6 of 14...

2011-05-07T17:21:00.000-05:00

Another busy day. My sister and I treated my mother to our annual Historic Homes Tour in Galveston. The weather was great and the sites were amazing. Pictures to come later...

lean protein {yummy Gulf Shrimp} - check

Day 5 of 14...

2011-05-06T18:02:00.000-05:00

Whew! It's Friday!! Quick post...

In a nutshell

- Wave Pool - 350 kids, great day, sunny and breezy

- Relay for Life - inspirational.

Tired, feet hurt, it's really late.

Stayed on track.

yea.

Day 4 of 14...

2011-05-05T16:36:00.000-05:00

Quick update...still on track...crazy day...meetings...teaching...meetings

Cute projects for teachers...

2011-05-05T14:28:00.000-05:00

Cute, cute, cute!

To all you crafters out there, you might want to file this away for next year!

Day 3 of 14...

2011-05-04T13:54:00.000-05:00

It's a good thing this adventure of mine is out there for the entire world to see or today would have been one of those days that I would have completely given up.

It all began with breakfast, you see, it's Teacher Appreciation Week and my administrators brought in all types of pastries for us to snack on. When you walked in the lounge, the sugary delicacies filled the air! Thankfully, they also had huge bowls of fruit! Whew! I knew I was going to be OK!

Then at lunchtime, I happened to be at a meeting and we were fed wraps. They were delicious and very healthy. I probably could have had several, did I say they were yummy? I tried an old trick, you know; take a bite, put down your food, chew, swallow, take another bite, put down your food, chew, swallow, etc. It worked. I just had to stay focused, drink my water, and it all turned out fine.

After school, we had a wedding shower and there was the usual cake and punch. The cake was half chocolate and half vanilla with the creamiest frosting...ugh. I brought my water, mingled with my friends, and watched the happy bride-to-be beam with anticipation! No problem.

And do you know what got me through this day? My goals I had written down at the beginning of the week. Yep...I had flashes of them as I eyed the pastries, the wraps, the candy on the conference table, and the wedding cake. Take a look at the template and adapt for yourself. I told you...they're nothing fancy...simple...easy.

So cheers for today...I made it! Whew!

A Little Island Flavor...

2011-05-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

My island table began with seahorses...

...simple dishes and themed flatware were added...

...throw in a few natural elements...

...and we were ready for our dinner.

Simple.

Perfect for my family.

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. Drop by for inspiration!

Day 2 of 14

2011-05-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

I slept better than I have in months! I'm not sure why...usually I wake a couple times, but last night I didn't open my little peepers until the alarm!

Today began a little overcast and drizzly...yea...we need the rain. It was nice just watching the flowers get a little drink. Then the sun came out and the wind began to blow! Brrr...is it May 3rd?

Today I'm sharing a drink that helps me through my late afternoon hunger attacks, a fruit smoothie. I use a very ripe banana, 1 cup of milk, a splash of vanilla, and 5-6 ice cubes. This all goes in my blender until it's smooth. That's it! quick. easy.

dairy and fruit - check

If you're following, I hope things are going well for you. Together we can get healthly smoothly!

Day 1 of 14

2011-05-02T14:29:00.000-05:00

Day 1 of 14...

Today I walked 3 miles and it wasn't bad. It was a cool night with a light breeze. I just listened to my favorite music and I was set. We have a large track in the back of our neighborhood and it's a favorite hangout. There are people with their children, pets, or just solo. That was me, solo...well, me and my tunes!

exercise - check

I am keeping with the Weight Watcher's typical plan, tracking and planning. It seems so simple, but it does make me accountable. Now, does anyone know the point value of Deer Sausage. Can't be much, right?

Again, this is nothing new, but I have to put it in print: I'm a stress eater and late afternoon eater. WW has a page at the beginning of the week that has you list your anticipated obstacles and possible solutions. There is also an exercise plan and a place for your weekly goal...all good stuff. simple. easy.

I've always heard that eating a good breakfast is very important. However, I'm really not hungry until about 10am. If I do eat, it has to be early before work {6:30am} and then I'm hungry at 9, 11, and then there's lunch. ugh. It's like my hunger gets a head start and WHAM! I can eat everything in sight. So, here was my idea for today...skip breakfast and have a snack like fruit around 10. As it turned out, I couldn't eat until 11:30am - I was tutoring. double ugh. Instead, I drank my water and tried to distract myself.

If I were to follow WW, I'd have 29 points a day with 45 extra points each week. {That's the same for most people.} I do think that it is very important to eat and not starve, it keeps you from becoming famished and then grabbing anything and everything.

So, today, was a good day. I'm so proud of myself for making it one day. In the past, even one day was hard!

I have to remember too, each day is one step closer to my goal!

Healthy Alternative...

2011-05-01T15:12:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have a habit of eating out once a week. One of our favorite places to visit is a local Italian restaurant with the best pizza. It's light and delicious. However, I'm sure that they used the "real" ingredients and that adds to my +size. So, I decided to make my own and that will curb the urge to eat out.

Want to join me?

2011-05-01T15:07:00.000-05:00

I've decided to get back on track after the dryer made all my clothes one size too small! What is up with that? That darn appliance!

So, here's the big question: Do you want to join me in getting healthier? Please do, I need some support and coaching.

Here's my plan:

drink water

take my vitamins

eat fruit

eat vegetables

eat lean meat

eat whole grains

eat/drink dairy

and exercise

Sounds familar? Yep. I know, it's not anything new...it's basically the new Weight Watcher's plan. Yep. I'm a "lifetime" member, have all the new "stuff", but haven't been back since my first meeting. Why? I wish I knew, I guess just lack of motivation.

So, here's where you'll come in. I have to be accountable...to you, my friends... but most importantly to myself. And...each day that I'm taking care of myself, I'll reward myself with flowers!

I'm going to post this, this evening, but won't officially begin until tomorrow...Monday, May 2. I'm going to set a goal of two weeks and then reevaluate. So it's 14 days to healthy.

Ready? Here are my flowers to share for taking the first step...getting started.

I'm waiting patiently...

2011-05-01T12:55:00.000-05:00

I'm waiting for creativity to hit...waiting patiently. Well, not so patiently, I'm ready to get back into the swing of making really neat things.

But...

I've been completely drained by work.

I'm an elementary school teacher and this is our busiest season. TAKS testing. We have until May 18th {retesting} and then I'm hoping that I'll have energy left at the end of the day to be a bit creative. I've got a few things saved to work on...stay tuned!

You had me at...Hawaii.

2011-05-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

I want to visit Hawaii...it's on my list of things to do.

But for now, I'll just have to make do with a Hawaiian dessert. It's called Blue Hawaii. I found the recipe in a new cookbook I bought, you know, one of those fundraiser books? I know a lot of the women who submitted recipes, so I knew it was going to be great!

Here's what you'll need:

6 oz raspberry Jello-O {I used the large, fat free box}

1 c. boiling water

21 oz blueberry pie filling

8 oz crushed pineapple

8 oz cream cheese {I used fat free}

1 c. sour cream {I used low fat}

1 c. chopped pecans

1/2 c sugar

Dissolve Jello-O in 2 qt. dish. Add pie filling and pineapple - refrigerate to set. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, nuts, and sugar. Spread over top of 1st mixture and refrigerate.

Very yummy!

Texas Caviar

2011-04-30T06:35:00.000-05:00

Here's a delicious recipe for an appetizer or just for fun. It requires a bit of chopping, but well worth it!

1/2 cup chopped onion

3-4 fresh jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1 bunch of fresh cilantro, tops only, chopped

2 cubed avocados

2 chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 1/2 TBS chopped garlic

1/2 chopped anaheim peppers

1 can black-eyed peas with jalapenos, drained

1 can field peas with snap beans, drained

1 can crowder peas, drained

1-2 cans whole kernel corn, drained

1 large bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing - can be fat free

1/2 TBS sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together in one large bowl. Cover and let marinate at least 8 hours. Keeps 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator...probably won't last that long!

Serve with chips of your choice or you can make your own chips from tortillas.

Blowing off a little steam...

2011-04-30T06:10:00.000-05:00

I teach elementary school and our heavy season is from March through June. It's testing season and everyone is completely worn out. If there are any state representatives reading this, you should visit Texas schools during a testing day, it's amazing.Amazing that my 10-11 year old children can sit in one place for 3.5 hours at a time. They are put through rigorous training and then on "the" day, we all hope for the best. Why would anyone ask children to do what most adults can't do? Ratings.

If you aren't familiar with the state reading test, here's a little trivia for you:

3 graders {8-9 year olds} have entries up to 300 words per passage.

4th graders {9-10 year olds} have entries up to 400 words per passage.

5th graders {10-11 year olds} have entries up to 500 words per passage.

I'm most familiar with the 5th grade test, so here's a bit more. There are about 5 passages...approx. 42 questions. Then there is a paired passage - two passages that are similar in some way. We basically instruct the studentsto read one story, answer question for it, read the second story, answer questions for it, and finally answer questions that are about both stories. Then just for fun, the state throws in 8 extra questions that are field test items that neither count for or against the student. However, the students don't know which questions are field test or the actual TAKS questions. Total questions if your keeping track: 50.

Then, when a student finishes and turns in their test, there is nothing to do but sleep or read. Most students option out and sleep.

As a teacher we have strict guidelines: no cell phones on, no computers on. We are to constantly monitor to make sure students are taking the correct test, answering on their scan tron, and making sure they are not distracting other students still testing. Test booklets have to be kept under lock and key when not in our immediate presence and there is absolutely no speaking of the test. It's forbidden.

Ok...I'm done venting.

If I were in charge of the world, I too think that standards need to be met with our education system, however, the testing shouldn't be the only item that should be measured. I think students should be tracked from the beginning to the end of the year denoting progress. As teachers, we know which children struggle. These children always get the additional tutoring as needed. Remember, we're trained. We've been through all the requirements to earn our degrees. Some even have additional degrees. Plus we attending numerous updates, courses, and meetings to keep abreast of all the different situations that arise in classrooms...it's basically required. Yet, we have lawmakers making decision for us that we know in our hearts are wrong? Ugh.

Ok, now I'm through venting.

If you're still following at this point, please thank a teacher. They are hardworking people that go above and beyond the call of duty for their students. They are problem solvers of the highest degree, for you see, they not only teach academics to the masses, but are also surrogate mothers and fathers who readily give out hugs and life lessons. They are usually the people when presented with a problem, work diligently on the best solution.

One final thought, I've always felt that I was on the bottom rung of a ladder. Decisions, mandates and district requirements are always handed down for the "teacher" to deal with...make it work...you can do it, you always do.

But...

...the other day, I called in my supervisor and told her that I didn't appreciated being on the bottom rung, we really are on the top. If we didn't have quality and caring teachers, the students wouldn't be successful. If they are not successful the almighty ratings were be scraping the bottom of the bucket. So, to keep the teachers happy they need to be supported by administration and society. After all, it is true, our children are our future.

PS...I'm retiring in 2 years.

Love this quote...

2011-04-17T15:16:00.000-05:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

– Mark Twain

A Few Neat Ideas...

2011-04-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

This post is a bit random, but I wanted to share several ideas for anyone out there needing really neat ideas.

First, one of my students gave this to me for Valentine's Day. Cute!

And, yes, it was as good as it looks!

Second, while visiting my favorite antique shoppe, I saw this neat storage idea for your extra set of dishes:

...and it made a neat display too.

I really liked this memory jar.

What a great way to keep your treasured trinkets!

And finally, I thought this was a neat way to package mismatched items:

Neat ideas.

A first...

2011-04-11T20:11:00.000-05:00

I entered my first Fun Run/Walk this past Saturday. It was a 5K.

What does 5K mean? {Does that give you a clue as to my knowledge about races?}

Now, I didn't sign up on my own...I was kinda "forced". Well, not really forced, gently persuaded to join the team. So, I did and do you know what?

It was fun. really. The atmosphere was electric, the music was great, and the crowd was huge! I was able to get in my exersize for the day and spend time with my friends. As an added bonus, the weather was P E R F E C T!

And 5K means approx. 3.2 miles.

No problem!

Next 5K, I'm there!

Want to play a game?

2011-04-10T20:43:00.000-05:00

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you do. So here it goes....can you guess what this picture is?

Are you guessing some type of swamp monster's foot? nope.

Need a hint? They live in the ocean and some people even eat them!

Did you guess... oysters? If so, you are completely correct! My son and daughter~in~law took a quick trip to Seattle and brought these back. They are actually called Penn Cove Select. They bought them at Pike Place Fish Market, you know that place that throws fish to its customers?

We have never actually shucked oysters before, so we gave it a try.

You have to have this special shucking tool because a steak knife, screwdriver, or a puttyknife won't work. yes we tried them all. Gloves are also a must, those guys are really rough ~ plus you might slip and cause real damage to your hands!

When you finally pry those shells apart, you find this guy...

I know...kinda slimy, but if you get past that part...and...really look at it, it's amazing!

And I'll bet you're wondering if I eat oysters...nope...but my family does!

Pineapple Delight!

2011-04-10T15:59:00.000-05:00

Here is one of my all time favorite recipes, it's perfect for this warmer weather. It can be eaten frozen or thawed a bit. I usually can't wait for it to thaw, so I cut my piece straight from the freezer.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 eggs separated

1 cup crushed pineapple ~ drained

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup whipping cream

graham cracker crumbs

Combine butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Add pineapple, pecans, egg whites {beaten to for peaks} and whipped cream {whipped.} Line the bottom of 8 x 10 pan with graham cracker crumbs. Pour pineapple mixture over crumbs. Sprinkle remainder of crumbs on top. Place in freezer until firm.

Enjoy!