A shoulder....

{Let me preface this by saying that I know that I am MORE blessed than I deserve...I have a strong faith, a family that loves me, my health, and a job.}

I know that many people go to blogland because it is a break from the real world...but today, I just need to vent to anyone out there who might be listening.

Did you ever have one of those days? Things started out really well, but as the day progressed, things piled up and you just got deeper and deeper into "whatever"?

Today was just one of those days...

Thanks for listening...

I feel better.

Silly Blue Monday...

I'm joining Smiling Sally's Blue Monday. Be sure to check out her site for all things blue!

Here in Houston, we're wrapping up the summer season, keeping our fingers crossed that the hurricane season passes without any named storms. They say Hurricane IKE was probably a 100 year storm...hopefully it will be another 100 years before our area sees a storm so devastating.

My pictures are from a little tourist spot between Galveston Bay and Clear Lake,  a place called The Kemah Boardwalk. It's a fun, relaxing place to take your friends and family, with something sure to please all ages. 

This guy gets his picture taken all the time...

 

...and this blue star is magic. Do you know what it does? Look closely for a couple clues...

If you guessed "surprise" water...you were correct!

 

This little one is trying to figure it all out.

 

And these guys just make me want to splash around stand and admire them.They're huge!

I hope you have enjoyed a little trip to SE Texas. Enjoy your Monday!

Terrific Talavera!

I'm participating in Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to stop by to see all the gorgeous tables!

Here in SE Texas, Mexico is a relatively quick trip. Growing up, we enjoyed vacationing at South Padre Island and then crossing to the small border towns to shop markets for treasures.The people were so very friendly and eager to sell their wares. Since I was born in The Valley, it's like a second home. Here in the Houston area,  Mexican food is a weekly staple. We have many local restaurants that serve excellent TexMex food.

The colorful dishes are Talavera, handmade pottery purchased from Mexico.

If you ever have the chance to purchase any pieces and plan on using them for food items, be sure they are lead free. If they are, they will be clearly marked on the bottom. If they are not marked, use them for decorative purposes only.

My chargers are from Marshalls Home Goods Store. The blue plates are from IKEA. The napkin rings I made using different stones purchased from Michael's. I strung them on elasticized chord so they could be easily slipped around the napkins. The blue goblets I purchased at Garden Ridge.

The centerpiece is a thrifty find. It was a little more than I wanted to spend, but being a Monday, it was discounted 25%. That was the deciding factor...sold.

I really like its shape.

I hope you enjoyed my tablescape. Enjoy your Thursday!

A couple little thrifty projects...

I'm participating in Susan's Between Naps on the Porch, Metamorphosis Monday and Rhonda's Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Monday. There are amazing things to see, be sure to check them out!

I have a few little transformations for you, all thrifty treasures: a thrifty silver plated tray ~ before...

  ...now ~ after... holding a vintage set of combs and brushes. It's placed in my bedroom, just for "looks"

 Another silver plated tray ~ before

~ after... as a gorgeous centerpiece for my table.

This little wooden tray ~ before...

...now ~ after...It was spray painted flat black. I like it so much better. It's sitting on thrifty easel in my kitchen. I used card stock from my last thrifty find, printed Welcome, and glued that to the bottom. It's a cozy little corner.

Enjoy your Monday!

WATCH OUT!

I just wanted to put this out there... to anyone who is reading today, to take the time to change your clothes when spray painting. I am oh so guilty of multitasking and thought I would quickly begin painting a project while taking a break from my work. I just wanted to put one coat on a basket, just to start the layering of paints.

I knew which paint I wanted to use, I just had to find it. So, I went to my the garage {my husbands domain} and starting going through all the different cans of paint. I'll admit, I wasn't being too careful when one slipped to the floor and began spraying. At first, I thought it was just spraying from the nozzle, but upon closer inspection, it was punctured and was spraying all over everything {including my husband's golf bag! Oh NO!} I quickly grabbed it, trying to cover the puncture, and ran with it outside. By this time, I was dripping paint ~ it was a fairly new can ~ go figure ~ and I was looking for something to put it in. Can you say Lucy and Ethel? I felt like Lucy, running around, saying choice words, and was frantically trying to stop the paint from getting all over everything in sight! Then I spotted a recycling bag ~ perfect ~ I threw the can in and tied it shut. Whew! I then glanced at my hand and it was completed covered. OK, I was thinking, I really think this is water based paint, I should be OK...and then I looked at my capris {work pants} and thought, thank goodness for water based paints!

I went to my kitchen sink and the darn paint was NOT coming off...I knew I was in trouble...it was not going to come out of my pants or off the golf bag either. I had to use mineral spirits for my hands, but my pants were now demoted from work capris to "painting" capris. Shoot! I hate that! Next, I went to my husband and told him of my tale and thankfully, he was fine ~ this was his "old" golf bag. Whew again!! Lesson learned...take the time to get properly dressed for painting projects and leave the multitasking for another time...can that be done? Hm...as women can we not multitask?

...poor capris...and they were so cute and comfortable...

Special Little Boy...

Today I'm participating in Kelli's Show and Tell Friday. Stop in and see some very special treasures!

This little guy is truly a treasure. He was a birthday present from my mother and was purchased in Munich, Germany.

In 1985, she and my father were on a once in a lifetime trip to Europe to visit relatives and to see places my father was stationed during the Korean War. They had a wonderful time and brought back so many special memories.

 

This Hummel was purchased on their trip... I love his colors and intricate details.

My father has since passed away. He is greatly missed, however, each time I see this little one, I'm reminded of him and it makes me smile to remember...

...all the wonderful times.

Enjoy your Friday!

I Just Couldn't Wait!

Last week my sister and mother took a week vacation to Florida. As they were traveling, they visited several thrift stores along the way. During the week, I would call to check in and just about every time I phoned, they were thrifting. Boy, was I jealous excited for them! I was back in Texas, working  and wishing I was along for the ride, enjoying the sites and visiting all the great shops. To see some of their bargains, click here.

After seeing all their treasures, I just couldn't wait to get back to my favorite shops. Well, today was the day! As soon as I could, I high tailed it over to my first stop. I found a pretty silver tray and wicker magazine holder. The tray had such a pretty border, I just couldn't resist.

The magazine holder had some issues, but I think I can make it work. Not too sure exactly what I'll do, but I definitely have the books and such to fill it up!

 

Then I went to another store and found several things...I think the best buy was a Longaberger basket for $0.79! No kidding!

I picked up several other pieces to use here and there... fall candles and candle rings...

 ...gorgeous cardstock...

and another basket as well as a small tray.

I was feeling better.

For great treasure shots, be sure to visit Leigh at Bloggeritaville. There you'll find all kinds of neat thrifty finds at her Thrifty Thursday.