Live love laugh

Pumpkin soup

2011-10-26T11:28:00.004-04:00

I just finished baking some very yummy soft pumpkin cookies. But, first let me tell you about the dinner. Pumpkin Soup. Delicious, creamy, buttery...mmmm. The 17 year old gave it 2 thumbs up and did not tell me to pack my knives and go! The husband loved it, but I figured he would.
Here it is:

Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped (I used garlic salt/powder as I didn't have garlic)
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
1 can (14 1/2 fluid ounces) chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can (15 ounces) Pumpkin
1 can (12 fluid ounces)Evaporated Milk
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions

Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and sugar; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until soft. Add broth, water, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, evaporated milk and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Put mixture into a food processor or blender (in batches, if necessary); process until smooth. Return to saucepan. Serve warm. (I think a dollop of sour cream would be nice as garnish-I had riccotta, so I went with that and it was good!)

Totally Skipped Summer and Enjoyed Every Minute!

2011-10-13T09:29:00.000-04:00

Well, Autumn is here and I haven't posted since June! My youngest is off to college and spent the summer getting ready...Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.! He is settled and very happy. I hear from him everyday but he doesn't talk for too long, which means all is well!! Second son got a job right out of college as a teaching assistant at a wonderful school for children with developmental disabilities. He is doing great!

Please go to Petit Coterie.......Michelle had a wonderful giveaway which I was so fortunate to win, My prize? Her beautiful pillows! I have 4 out of 6 so far! I can't tell you how amazing they are! Here are pics:

This is her latest post at Petit Coterie and please go to her online shop having the most beautiful items!!!
The months are just flying by as evident by my last blog post. We have just had so many exciting things going on and one of them is our new cutting boards. Of course we had to take one of our original pillow designs, the Cafe de Madaline and add it to a beautiful maple board. We are now offering these boards as custom wedding gifts, with the bride and grooms name and date of their wedding as well as anniversary and house warming gifts. I think it's great when you can customize a gift.

We are also offering our Burlap Christmas stockings and our holiday pillows so please stop by our website.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week ahead.

Something very special about these pillows besides the beautiful workmanship and fabrics, are the little medals she attaches to the corner...a blessing for me and a sweet addition for others....and her simple tags and a surprise in the box!

I cannot thank her enough for these lovely pillows and I do hope you will pay her a visit!!!

Please go visit her and when you do please say "hi" for me!!!!

~Nancy

Absent with Excuses

2011-06-01T13:59:00.000-04:00

Yes I have been absent since Valentine's Day...and before that-Christmas. My intent in February was to start up again. If I have the time, I have been visiting, leaving as comment here or there, but mostly reading up on all of you. Too much has happened in this house to tell...pretty bad and then good, so I will just jump to the present.

Our older son just graduated from college with a BA in English-his hope is to become a special ed teacher ~so off to start the Master's degree. He had been interested in Physical Education when he started, but changed his major-and ECSU did not have a Special Ed degree. He did get his wish to play college baseball and we enjoyed many games. He works with autisticchildren during his college breaks and will continue there while he gets his degree. He is a very special guy and we are sooo proud. He is the one on the far right...with his college budddies.

More to come ~but I must send a huge thank you to the beautiful Michelle at Petit Coterie.

While reading my google reader one day, I came upon her blog and a giveaway for gorgeous pillows...so i entered...never dreaming I would win....so I was so luck and I did! With my luck -not so lucky lately, it was a blessing!

The pillow arrived and it is so much more perfect than you can imagine! The workmanship is unbelievable! The fabric is strong and sturdy yet looks so delicate!

This picture does not do it justice! I have visited all of these places on Cape Cod and couldn't believe it when it arrived! It was wrapped so beautifully and a secret little medal is sewn in the corner. A sweet little burlap wrapped scent was included, too. How lucky am I -extremely!!! I want everyone to go to her blog and especially her Etsy shop and get one for yourself!

She also has the most beautiful catalog of work!!!! Go to her shop catalog and feast on these beauties!

Her pillows were recently seen on Martha Stewart and if that is not a positive accolade

-what is?!

Michelle says, "We pride ourselves on our workmanship as well as having the ability to offer our customers custom designs. Our primary fabric, burlap has been a huge success allowing us to have flexibility in the designing process. Our grain sack fabric is a medium weight cotton/ linen blend that has also been extremely popular. We have now added bedding to our line as well as tea towels."

Please spread the word!!!!

her button!!!

Thank you, thank you!!!!

~Nancy

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:00:00.001-04:00

Just in to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day! Still no posts....I visit all of you,but haven't been writing....but I would make you these...

and bring you these!

And I wish my favorite

a very Happy Hearts Day!

Love,

Our Christmas Card

2010-12-01T18:27:00.000-04:00

Traditional Damask Red Christmas

Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Go to Shutterfly and have fun making a beautiful card! I store all of my photos there and feel safe because my computer could go at any time! You can also make photo books that are better than a photo album. I also made a Season's Greetings version and you can do great montages. Now to write the envelopes!
~Nancy

Almost Too Hard to Start

2010-11-22T09:58:00.000-04:00

     My youngest is a senior in high school this year. As if that is not hard enough, right away the guidance dept. wants you to start the application process. With many schools having early action (if they accept you, you have an answer by the holidays and its a non binding agreement) you really need to get going and have it done by November 1. The problem is, everything is on line and you spend hours on the computer. My son did a lot, but I helped out with filling in the forms as he also has to go to school and the AP classes are pretty rigorous and time consuming after school. We also had Football season in there! That is why my blogging got shelved. It was too much time on the computer! I even had a really bad problem with my neck, sitting hunched over the computer which cut a week out of my life, also!
          If I go to my Google Reader, I spend time reading and I enjoy visiting all of your blogs and then have no time to write! Then with these applications, I hardly got to read any blogs...I missed out on a lot and now find it hard to get back in. It also seemed that every weekend we had a full house with my college son and moved-out daughter to go to my son's games and then big dinners..Those are the days I love when we are all together so I had to put the blog away and concentrate on my real world! I am so thankful for my family and all the fun we have and I also enjoy visiting in on your lives that I feel I have friends all over the country! It will take some easing back and some moderation, but I will try to fit all of you in, also!
             When I took this photo, it reminded me of the O Henry story "The Last Leaf" so my son said take a picture and put it on your blog....so here it is and the story is on the link.

Well the last leaf is there, but of course I paid more attention to Logan!

So, the leaves have fallen and the applications are in and now we wait with fingers crossed! I'd like to hold on to every day of this year and slow it down! I do hope to visit your blogs a little more and try to write...we'll see!

~Nancy

Now Summer feels like it is over...

2010-08-27T18:07:00.000-04:00

My oldest son goes back to college tomorrow..... After a very cool week it feels like summer has come to an end. My youngest has been at pre-season since last Monday. Since then we have tried to cram in all the things we wanted to do before it all comes to and end. (Vacation will be another post!)

I love summer. This week my son took out the kayak for the last time here and the 2 "boys" took turns going out in it. There is a nice cove with a beach on the North Shore where I can sit and they can go out without me getting too nervous!

When he takes it up to school, I can only imagine what he does! There are beautiful lakes in CT and he says there are always lots of people out in their boats...We also went "out east" to the Hamptons and Montauk for the day. It can take about an hour and a half, but it is worth it as you feel as if you have been away! We go to Southampton to a pretty park to break up the trip...

to the many shops,

then hang on the beach in Montauk (one of the prettiest places in the world-to me),

eat a a place called "The Lobster Roll"

and finish up with ice cream in East Hampton.

Tonight I am making the requested last meal! Tomorrow we will go to an early football scrimmage to start off the season. My youngest plays center, field goal defense and is the long snapper (I think that's right?)-don't get me on my lack of football knowledge. I finally understand the game!

"The End" (a Long Islander's inside joke)

Mark Me Absent-but Grateful!!

2010-08-06T00:57:00.000-04:00

I have been very delinquent this summer and I'm sorry! Too many people coming and going-just the way I like it! With older kids, your days may still start very early, but they definitely go very late! I don't even want to acknowledge that it is August-this summer is flying by! Have I mentioned that I love summer-I think I have. I do not complain of heat, humidity, and bad hair-I don;t want it to end!

What am I grateful for? Well, many things, but in particular, that I WON a wonderful market basket! I came from the blog The Pennington Point ! This family blog is just wonderful! Lisa is so funny and tell the best stories about her husband and their 9 children-she is a terrific writer! If that isn't enough, she is very creative in her home and her crafts are beautiful! In her etsy shop you can get your items monogrammed-(you know how hard that is to find!) and purchase her items monogrammed to your liking! There is jewelry, clothing, baby items, towels, purses, pillows and.....Market totes! How lucky for me that I have won one monogrammed by Lisa! I left it up to her and she designed this:

How perfect!!!!

Don't you love it? I dooooo!

The name if my blog!

Thank you, thank you!

It is my little secret with the blogging friends. Only my family knows I have this blog!

It is also a saying I have loved since a child. I received this pendant at 16 from my parents!

So take a look at this very special family blog and check out that etsy shop!

Leggo of those Legos!

2010-07-24T21:55:00.000-04:00

Third child is 16 years old. He has always loved his legos-the hand me down (do you believe I even have my old first run legos?) from sister and brother, Duplos, his first sets, Star Wars, Western,boats, racing sets, etc. The favorite of all are the Harry Potter sets. On Christmas, He would open the set and he was done...it didn't matter if there were other presents to open! He loved sorting the pieces as much as building with them. When he finished, he would play with the set for hours, BUT, he would not take it apart and do it again. I thought that would be fun-he had done that with previous sets but not HP. They were put together and stayed together. Then the models were put on shelves and dressers and displayed. I asked him to take them apart many times-but no....Look, I loooved the Harry Potter days of reading the books together and going to Barnes and Noble to the midnight release parties and dressing up as Harry for Halloween, so I really understood. Then they stopped making the HP sets...(Star Wars was back) or else I couldn't find them...

Now, he needs a bit more room in his space. He decided to take them apart and put them away....Fine -good idea....

NO-now I am the one who can't let go! I guess I feel these are the last "toys" he played with and as long as they were there, that little boy was, too.

           So, I said calmly,
                   "Why don't you fix them up (blow the dust off) and put the sets into ziplocs and we will keep them for other kids?"
                    (am I thinking grandkids?)

Then he makes my day, by saying that it's a good idea and he fixes them up and takes photos of each then puts them into the bags! How great was this!

I got to see him surrounded by his legos again and keep that picture in my mind! It took a few days!!

Yes, pretty sad that I can't LEGGO, but this is the baby....senior year in the Fall-and I just can't believe it, I guess...

Anyone else going through this? September -take your time!

Cute Find at Big Lots!

2010-07-18T10:52:00.000-04:00

I found this little rack at Big Lots- $2.00. I figured I could put it somewhere for that investment! Well, it ended up on my counter-even though it has been my mission to put less on the counters. I found a little spot and loaded it up with breakast dishes....

The mugs are from Target last year...such great colors!!!

These are my beloved Anthro bowls.....making Cheerios happy every day!!!!

These candle were $1.60 at 75% off and I could kick myself for not getting more!! I was in a rush and grabbed 2 not knowing they were sooooo inexpensive! They came in green and turquoise, too! Why didn't I grab them?? I knew the yellow would be great with my dishes, but the others could have been used anywhere and later as glasses! Be on the lookout BL shoppers!

So everyone likes taking breakfast dishes off the cute rack....not so much unloading the dw and putting them back on...Hmmmm.

FREEBIES

2010-07-09T15:13:00.000-04:00

These are some freebie’s I found today…

Back to school (groan) offer from Ziploc-before July 30, 2010. Fill out the form here and perhaps you will be one of the 10,000 recipients!

Each gift pack contains:

• One box of 50-count Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bags

• One box of 25-count Ziploc® Brand Storage Bags

• One package of Ziploc® Brand Containers

For a sure deal-freebie, go into your local 7-Eleven and receive a free small Slurpee on this Sunday, July 11, (7-11). This happens to be 2 of my 3 children’s birthdays! Lucky day and a free Slurpee for all!

Thanks to all who missed me :) or wished me well!!

My Go-To Gift for Grads

2010-06-27T12:09:00.003-04:00

Whevever a friend's child graduates from High School, I try to get the same gift. We have been doing this for years and it seems to be a hit. I get a great bath towel monogrammed for them to take to college. I always do the block letter arrangement in the color of their college choice! Villanova -Navy, Fairfield- Red, Siena -Gold, Eastern Connecticut-Navy, Syracuse-Orange, Cortland-Red, Fordham-Maroon, etc. Sometimes, I do he towel in the color, if available, and the monogram in white or the secondary color of the college. What also makes it fun is that I have to go to the website of the college that they have chosen to find out (make sure) of the color. In that way, I look around a bit nad find out more about their future college. I can write something that I have learned in the card or talk about it when I see them. I had been going to Fortunoff's for a long time, but they recently went out of business. I would get a luscious Ralph Lauren or Nautica towel and they monogrammed and wrapped for free! This year, I used Land's End and was very pleased with the towel and the monogramming, which was free for a few weeks! Here is the finished product...

So, this towel (and usually a check!) makes for a happy grad! Nothing says hands off my towel better than a monogram!

Was Feelin' a Little Tipsy...

2010-06-23T23:29:00.000-04:00

    No, I haven't bee drinkin'. I had the craziest thing. In May, I felt I had an allergy thing going on...the usual....but then I felt as if I couldn't focus. I thought my eyesight changed almost overnight. I felt as if the floor was not under my feet and I couldn't read. The worst was the computer screen. I kept shaking my head to focus! I had my eyes checked and they were pretty much the same. Got new contacts, thinking mine were damaged. It was clearer, but out of focus! I was still subbing, but getting anxious! One day, I couldn't read the Teacher edition of the Soc book. When I had to walk the class out I was feeling very weird on the stairs. I went home and took a nap...Every day I felt I needed a nap! And soooo nauseous! Then I felt as if I was walking on a slant. I couldn't walk a straight line! Finally, I went to the doctor...I had a sinus infection and my ears were so full of fluid that I had pretty bad vertigo-I mean, I was holding onto walls, people, chairs -anything- to walk! Antibiotics and clarinex? It took a month for me to feel somewhat normal. I am not a complainer, and I never go to the Doctor, but this was really causing havoc in my life! I had so many events to go to for the end of the year for my son and family- visits, parties, etc.-Driving was out of the question-I could hardly walk so I certainly could not drive- I couldn't even find the car door handle! Even cooking was hard because the counter would be swimming under my nose! I felt pathetic.... and worst of all -I could not blog!!!! I tried to visit a few of you, so you would not forget me, and because I love all of your blogs so much, but I was so tired after reading one, that I could fall asleep in a blink! At least, I did some gardening and will have picks up soon.
         So, I am sorry for this tale of woe, but I am finally feeling better! I think this thing took its sweet time, but I think I am almost back to normal! I am really very healthy, but since having the flu this past year, I never felt 100%! These past 3 weeks, I think there has been something almost every day! SATs, ACT, SATIIs, Regents classes, concerts, final HS sports events and dinners. Now we have the prom (my son is a Jr. but going to the Senior prom) and several friends have children graduating on Saturday. That is when summer starts! I am thankful for that! Blogiversary came and went... I will get on that, too!
        Thanks for not abandoning me! Will be back in the swing of it now! I have been trying to keep up with all of you, but will read "back" now that I can!
        If you left a comment, that I can't read, please try again-or is that spam when it has boxes instead of words? These are the things I still don't know!

Love,

Happy Mother's Day Video and #7 of BB

2010-05-07T17:00:00.005-04:00

#7. M y favorite thing about me is that I am a mom. Simple and true. It is what I always wanted since I was a little girl. No high ambitions....little did I know that it really is the highest. My mom is gone 5 years and my MIL, too. It is so hard not to have them to go to. I still need my mom to run things by and make decisions, I only hope that she is thinking that I am doing okay. Funny, that I never thought Mother's Day was for me until there wasn't a mom for me to honor on that day!

Every day, I try to slow time and it does not work. My kids and husband say, "I wish it was Friday." and I say "Don't rush my life!" I want to hold on to every day. We have been blessed with 3 wonderful, sweet and loving children-who love eachother above all. My prayers are for them to "stay safe, healthy and always happy." and to live, love and laugh.

So grab a tissue and watch this...

Happy Mother's Day to all of my friends who I meet here in blogland.

Here is the link for "The Gift of an Ordinary Day" by Katrina Kenison .

Thanks kids!!!xoxoxo

(almost forgot this kid!)

Delinquent Blogger!!! and # 6!

2010-05-06T01:10:00.000-04:00

So, I got a bit overwhelmed and backed off the blogging...I have been subbing a lot and since there is no routine or pre-arrangement, very often I am not prepared to be running out to sub. Then it's Kindergarten or 6th or Music or Library and I am a little over-extended! Today was a half day, so I was able to recharge a bit...yes, I finally got to go to TJ Maxx for a few minutes! I applaud all of you who work full or part time and have the kids and school and meetings, etc. I think that is what did it...so may PTA and other school meetings and bake for this and that and run and get the shirt for the concert...and the fact that none of my clothes feel right...ugh.
I also am in the middle of my beautiful blogger and feel as if I have an unfinished homework assignment...So, here I go again!!!! Grab a cup of tea for this one!

6. I LOVE transferware. I started when I found my first plate at a cute shop. It was brown and I fell in love.

                               It just says English Ironstone England on the back.


            Then I discovered Spode and Old English Castles by Johnson Brothers. First I will tell you a bit about Transferware......

Transferware is the term given to pottery that has had a pattern applied by transferring the print from a copper plate to a specially sized paper and finally to the pottery body. While produced mostly on earthenware, transfer prints are also found on ironstone, porcelain and bone china. Most transferware, around 90%, was made in the Staffordshire county of England, but it was also made in other areas of Great Britain such as Leeds, Liverpool, Swansea and Scotland.

At first the patterns were copied in style and detail from the Chinese. As transferware became more popular it was anglicized and many patterns were copied directly from prints and etchings that were popular in the early nineteenth century.

Transferware first started appearing on the market in the late 18th century, and exploded in popularity in the 1820s and 1830s. Although the styles of the transfers changed over the years, it has been made continuously since then. It is only since the 1990s that the pottery industry has moved its production off shore and out of Great Britain.

Although more blue was produced than other colors, colored transferware became popular in America in the 1830s and was exported in red, pink, purple, cranberry, brown, black, green, yellow, gray and various combinations of these colors.

Here are a few pieces from my collection!

Old English Castle and my lilacs....ahhhh

Old British Castles and Spode

Asiatic platter and Old British Castles plates and teacups

Old British Castles bread and butter or I use it for coins and shells and candles...

The green is Ridgway by Staffordshire. I love the OB Castles, because each one depicts a different castle in England...for example-Blannary, Dudley...

The Christmas plates are Queens (inexpensive) and the white with blue-bottom left- is

Royal Doulton (Classic Rose-LOVE) and probably not transferware-but pretty! The upper left is made by Unicorn (from TJ Maxx <3) in Stafforshire England, and inexpensive.

You can find transferware in antique shops, flea markets, garage sales, Marshalls and TJ Maxx, on line sites, ebay, etc. Pick up a few and you may become addicted!

Next time 7! I'll try not to take so long to post again!

~Nancy

Beautiful Blogger continued!

2010-04-20T00:13:00.000-04:00

7 Things continued!!!

5.T he furthest west I have ever been was Alabama. Our vacation was booked at the Marriott Hotel in the Florida Keys. The bags were packed and we were driving down the next morning. That’s when the news hit that a hurricane ( I believe it was Charley) that would not affect Florida; would. It was set for landfall in the Keys and possible north of that as well. The Keys were being evacuated and no one was going in. The bridge was one way-out! The kids were upset to say the least! After waiting all summer for the only vacation time we could take, we were desperate! Since we were lucky to be using marriot points for our stay, the Marriott was suggesting other hotels in their chain in Florida, but these would most likely be affected as well. Then, I spotted Alabama. We had never been. The drive, we thought, would be the same distance as the Keys-far, but doable. So, off we set for the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. We had to drive a way we had never gone-no GPS -just an actual map! Instead of our usual trip down I-95, we turned off around Charlotte and took I-85 or 65? It was quite an adventure! We arrived in the middle of the night and our room was not available. What was so funny is that we fell asleep in the car in the lot waiting for morning, and when we awoke, all the tennis and golf players were arriving. When we were given our room, we knew we had made the right decision. The place was lovely and we filled our days with kayaking, biking, sunning, swimming, croquet, crafts and tea in the afternoon! It was perfectly serene. Mobile Bay was our beach.

After that, not sure what Point Clear would be like we had decided to go to Pensacola and drive home from there. We drove along the shores of Alabama and could not believe its beauty! Pensacola was a switch from Point Clear, but we were on the Gulf this time. The beach was so beautiful. We could see the fish down by our toes. No disrespect to our own beautiful Jones Beach, but this was gorgeous. We also did not have one bad day! The hurricane had turned and reeked havoc on Florida (not the Keys!) and the Eastern coast. Even at home it was pouring.

How lucky we were! We walked on the famous pier at Pensacola and ate at restaurants on the beach. Very sadly, after we were back at home, and September started, another storm was brewing. This was Ivan….the terrible! It tore apart Pensacola (and its famous pier) and Gulf Shores and ran on through Alabama, practically destroying The Marriot Grand Hotel. What was also sad was that Hotel was quite historic, having been a Hospital in WWII. We actually called the hotel a few weekes later, afraid to hear just a dial tone, and they were repairing and reopening soon after. Not everyone was so lucky after Ivan.

After 5 years of repair, the pier in Pensacola has been reopened.

So, that was my furthest trip west, I have been to Canada-just on the other side of the falls, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, all the way down to North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.-east and west coast. I have only flown to the Bahamas, Bermuda (honeymoon) and Puerto Rico; we have driven everwhere else! So for our trip this summer, if you have suggestions, I would love to visit the Gulf Coast again! Or if you have another place, let me know-please comment!

Beautiful Blogger Award

2010-04-15T10:50:00.004-04:00

Beautiful Blogger Award

        I received and award from Nita  at a Mod Vintage Life. Her blog is beautiful, glamorous, mod and..vintage! Wait till you see her storybook home and what she did with her fireplace is near amazing! She has great style and unique tastes!
        It was so nice of her to include me in her list of beautiful blogs! I am at this almost a year and still struggle! She seems to have it down. Check out her list and then see mine below.
       I'm to choose 15 other blogs to receive the award so I will  share the following bloggers with you. Please visit their blogs, read their posts and you will see why! You can just click on their blog titles to go to their sites. If you look at my blog roll those are also the blogs I visit all the time. And there are plenty more on my reader, which is why I never get to post!!

Designs by Gollum

Coastal Charm

Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration

Knock Off Wood
Blondies Journals

and so many more!

"7 Things You (may not) Don't Know About Me"
1. I love to feed people....

2. I love magazines like Country Living and Better Homes and Pottery Barn,Restoration Hardware Ballard and Art and Artifact catalogs. I can't throw them away. I am in search of Flea Market Style. I very painfully got rid of some Country Living mags dating back to their first year. Ok, Ok...I kept some Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

3. Strawberry ice cream and lemon ices are my choice when not sharing someone else's fav (which I usually like to do)!

4. I am a substitute teacher. I taught 10 years and when my #2 came along I took maternity and never went back. Then, I had #3. I liked being home for the kids everyday and my husband was happy with it, too. I sporadically subbed while the children were little, but sub a lot more now.

I am stopping here and will come back to finish! I spend so much time reading all of your beautiful blogs, that I don't leave my self time to post!

Milk Money $30 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-04-06T15:52:00.000-04:00

Milk Money $30 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Easter Tree and How to Make It

2010-03-31T09:51:00.003-04:00

I saw an Easter Tree in a mag a few years ago and had it stuck in my mind to try-with a little hubby help. Here is how I made it. I won't say tutorial because all of you are so clever and know how to write them up properly!!

You will need 2 1/2 inch dowels and a 2" by 1" piece of wood about 16" long. All dimensions can be changed to your liking. You will also need a base of scrap wood. Mine is 4" x 6". Sand all edges. Add ons-ribbon, grass, eggs, paint, etc.

Limbs-Cut the dowels to 3 lengths-I did 12", 14" , 16".

Trunk-Cut the 1" x 2" to length that you like-I used 16". Drill 3 1/2" holes through the side all the way through. ( I guess you could also half the dowels and use gorilla glue.) Sand hole cuts.

I painted all with white craft paint and lightly wiped it off, leaving a white tint.

Screw base to trunk. Slide dowels through.

I picked up these hanging wood eggs at Pier 1 last year, but I habve seen them around. You can use any hanging eggs, or make your own.

Add Easter grass or moss.

I had my hubby cut this bunny from a pattern I drew, but you can decorate in any way using fun wood things that you can find at Hobby Lobby-but I can't because we don't have one!!

Done!
In case I am not blogging-(blog neglect-I know)-

Have a very Happy Easter!!!

White Wednesday

I Love Candle Jars

2010-03-29T16:49:00.002-04:00

Do you keep the jars that candle come in? Sauce? Jelly? I love jars. I also love coffee cans. Back to jars. I keep them all. I use them for votives and citronella outside in the summer. I keep buttons, shells from all the beaches we have visited, corks, potpourri, rocks, etc. Recently, I took 3 of the inexpensive candle jars from A C Moore and used Kristine Mckay's great printables and mod podged them on in minutes after cutting them out. Check out these numbers here. There's no limit to what you can do!

Loooove them!!!

thepersimmonperch

What Did I Find in the Pottery Barn Outlet?!

2010-03-27T01:11:00.000-04:00

As usual whenever the college son is home-nothing gets done. Well, fun things do and lots of cooking and eating and surprisingly-shopping. Things that he is interested in, at least. For Christmas he received a kayak from us-a big deal and he can’t wait to use it. So off we went to find a paddle and lifejacket, because mama won’t let him go ‘til she knows that he has a life vest on. They don’t sell those things in December around here. I think we got the only kayak around in December, too-and at a good discount! (It was such a nice but chilly day on Wednesday, he did get to try it out....in a fairly calm inlet. He was pretty happy.

He also like his clothes. So, off we went to the outlets in Riverhead, NY.

Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, J Crew, Gap, Pepperidge Farm (gotta have Fish!)….and so many more-

We had lunch and then –Now that he has an apartment-new interest in all things "home"-go figure-remember the days of bribing him on shopping trips to buy curtains and towels...Why not go to the Pottery Barn Outlet? Last time we drove all the way out and it was closed for inventory!!

Not this time! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah! It is huge and full of furniture, lighting, bedding, frames, rugs and rugs and rugs, bathroom accessories…PB Teen, Kids and West Elm, too…Wow. I could hardly see as my eyes were glazed! I really did not see a lot as we were running out of time. I wish I had my camera! Sooooo-Here are the goodies….I had to hold back...when I save some more $$-I know where I'm going!

For his room here-Marked $99

$19.97

No other was marked this low- one little chip-not noticeable-others had broken glass and were higher! This is black and white with a green tint to the grass-love it!

For brother-Marked $69 to $34

reduced to $14.97 SOLD!! then -paid-$11.23!!?

This lamp is really blue to navy-great looking and really heavy!

When I looked at it a lady said if I wasn't taking it she wanted it. She followed us all over the store!

Two goodies here-I could not leave this lamp there-$34.99 reduced to $10.97!!

It is also heavy and perfect!

The wood shelf-$49.00 to $24.99 to ....

$3.97 really

I wish there had been another...or ten others! But I will make due with one at that price!!!

After we paid we practically ran to the car, thinking they would stop us because they made a mistake!

Williams Sonoma was connected to PB, but we couldn’t do it! It was huge, too. I am now planning the next trip….need anything?

I cut some crabapple branches to force and they bloomed in one day! Love them! I had also forced forsythia-and now they are blooming outside already- too soon but so pretty!

linking up to: frugalicious friday

Free cone today at Ben & Jerry's

2010-03-23T16:17:00.000-04:00

Free cone day is today, Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Ben & Jerry's. The ice cream chain is giving away free ice cream all day, from noon to 8 p.m. to thank their fans for more than three decades of business.and you really do get a full-sized scoop. Sadly there are none near me!!!

This year there are three new flavors to choose from, including Peanut Brittle, Maple Blondie, and Milk & Cookies. MMMMMMM!

Anthropologie-got your attention!

2010-03-16T12:00:00.017-04:00

First-Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

My birthday was in February, but I did not show you this-

Have you ever received one? I signed up for an Anthro card-not a credit card-it just keeps track of purchases. I did have to put my B'day on the form. I got my yellow card in a cute little bag-my daughter swiped it-and then gave it to her because she buys more there than me.
In the mail in time for my birthday came this.....

So cute-a candle necklace and 15% off! So, my daughter says-let's go shopping! We did and she got a few things

(gorgeous)

and I got this-

which I love for $1.95-less 15%. It just wasn't a great time for me to spend much $.

When we paid, the person next to us says that her birthday was in February, too, and she didn't get one. The salesgirl said that it is done randomly!
So, I am a lucky one, I guess....or my daughter is! So, next time you are there, sign up and see! I made my daughter get her own....maybe if she'a lucky one, I will buy something a little more substantial...in the meantime -I do like this....there are 5 of us in the family.

Have a Happy Wearin' o the Green Day!

http://www.e-water.net/viewflash.php?flash=irishblessing_en

A Visit to the Jane Austen Exhibit in NY

2010-03-13T20:16:00.001-04:00

My daughter moved to the city a year ago and this is the first time we spent a whole day together -just the 2 of us! First we went to :
A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy
at the The Morgan Library & Museum

225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street NYC
the exhibit runs from
November 6, 2009, through March 14, 2010
This exhibition explores the life, work, and legacy of Jane Austen (1775–1817), regarded as one of the greatest English novelists. Offering a close-up portrait of the iconic British author, whose popularity has surged over the last two decades with numerous motion picture and television adaptations of her work, the show provides tangible intimacy with Austen through the presentation of more than 100 works, including her manuscripts, personal letters, and related materials, many of which the Morgan has not exhibited in over a quarter century.

Only a small number of Austen's personal letters have survived. The Morgan is a major repository of her correspondence, with one third of all surviving letters held in the department of Literary and Historical Manuscripts. These materials—from correspondence to her beloved sister, Cassandra, to a letter to her niece in which all the words are spelled backwards (in her beautiful handwriting) , to "crossed letters" (also known as "cross-hatching," in which Austen, to save paper and reduce postal charges, wrote across the horizontal lines of text at right angles)—offer a remarkable glimpse into Austen's everyday life and relationships, as told in her characteristically witty and confident voice. There are a few lines cut out of letters by cassandra, where Jane probably wrote unflattering remarks about a family member or friend! Some highlights include a letter dated 2 June 1799 to her sister, which includes a drawing of the lace pattern of her cloak, and a letter dated 20 July 1817, written by Cassandra to Fanny Knight, Austen's beloved niece, reporting Austen's death:

"I have lost a treasure, such a Sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed."

Austen reports seeing a painting of how she imagines Jane Bennet, who marries Mr. Bingley at the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice.

"Mrs Bingley is exactly herself, size, shaped face, features & sweetness; there never was a greater likeness. She is dressed in a white gown, with green ornaments, which convinces me of what I had always supposed, that green was a favourite colour with her."

Scholars say that the painting she refers to is the Portrait of Mrs Q by the French portrait painter François Huet-Villiers. Harriet Quentin was a mistress to George IV when he was prince regent. William Blake's 1820 engraving reproduces the portrait. In the same letter, Austen suspects that Elizabeth Bennet, later Mrs. Darcy, would have different preferences:

"I dare say Mrs D. will be in Yellow."

I love Jane!

Circle of Raphael

Adoration of the Magi, ca. 1520
Pen and brown ink, brown wash, heightened with white gouache, over faint traces of black chalk
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1910; IV, 29a

Rome after Rafael

This show was also there and includes great masters of the period, including Raphael, Michelangelo, and Parmigianino, among others. Also on exhibit is the Morgan's Raphael gorgeous painting, The Holy Family.

Then we walked passing the fashion district-clothes, ribbons and buttons and beads, antiques on another street and down to the 20's and had Sushi for lunch-spicy tuna roll, tempura shrimp roll and California roll-yum.
Then went to Gracious Home and Anthropologie and Union Square window shopping and had coffee and tea and a delish cookie at Pret a Manger.

Perfect day!!!

Stuffed Peppers for Foodie Friday

2010-02-26T18:35:00.000-04:00

                Linking up to Foodie Friday!!!
      My Mom used to make these all the time with green peppers, but my family seems to like the red peppers more. You'll need:
     at least a half of a pepper for each person
     a cup and a half of white rice
     a few tbl. of oil
     1 chopped onion
     1 lb. of chopped meat (ground beef)
     1 clove of garlic (or not)
     Some chopped fresh parsley (or dry if you are in a pinch!)
     S and P
     Mozarella cheese ( my fam eats anything with cheese on top!)

Cut the stem end off the pepper. Cut the pepper into 2 boats. Take ou the seeds and white.

Cook the rice (I have been cooking rice in the microwave while doing the rest-1 1/2 cup of rice 3 cups of water in a casserole covered for 10 minutes and then 10 more at half power. Watch it because sometimes it takes more or less)
Put oil in a pan and add chopped onion, parsley and minced garlic cook till onion is opaque then add meat and brown.

When the meat is cooked add the rice to the mixture. Add half of a large can chopped or diced tomatoes. Put some of the mixture heaping into each boat. Place them in a pyrex, roasting pan or low casserole dish. Sprinkle with mozarella cheese and pour some of the tomatoes around the peppers

Cover and Bake a 350 degress for 35 to 45 minutes.

Don't they look good?

I hope you enjoy these!

It's My Birthday!!

2010-02-23T14:54:00.000-04:00

My kids told me to post this...because they have facebook and I do not...because they have facebook-get it? Yes, well, they felt it was only right to have my birthday on the internet just like they do. This was an ambush cell phone photo- Please do not zoom!
"It's my birthday." A few of us like to say that everytime we answer the phone, don't we?

I am going into the city for dinner with #3 to meet up with my daughter and husband at Tony's Di Nanpoli in NYC.

Right now it is cold and rainy and sleety, but that won't dampen our spirits! Ha!

Wish #2 could be with us but he is at college.

All of you have made for a very different and happy year...I feel that I know so many more people around the country (and the world!). Thanks for the fun!

Trash Chair Gets New Life

2010-02-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

I was driving my son to school and went the other way around the block because on my earlier train run, thought I spied a goodie- I did...The chair back had me at cane...This chair was out by the curb and the garbage truck was dangerously close to gobbling it up. ( I wish people would put their excellent trash out for appraisal earlier.) My son jumped out and popped it in the back of the Jeep and off we went.
Now, I know I took before pics, but can't find them.- It looked similar to this as far as color and seat color-gold velvet, well worn.

So as as quickie I present cane back beauty painted black and seat covered

to match this desk!

$25 Craigslist

which now looks like this!!!! I will shabby them up a bit, but right now I like the simple black...

Linking up with:

Saturday Night Special

Frugalicious Friday

Furniture Feature Friday

Transformation Thursday

Happy Valentine's Day! My New Bedroom-I think...

2010-02-13T22:55:00.000-04:00

First, I made this :

from this:

cute! trapped in on the snow day!

I just got back from the movies-Verrrry unusual for my husband and I to go to a movie alone! We usually see a family movie or wait for the video! But, this time I was "asked" to go see "Valentine's Day"! It was very sweet and full of beautiful people! (Ashton, Topher, Patrick Dempsy, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane...oh and pretty girls, too) It reminded me of "Love, Actually", which I do like. Hey, it is not going to get the Oscar, but I laughed and smiled and -so it was good in my book. With the coming attractions, they showed many clips of many of my fave movies set to "1,2,3,4," by Plain White Tees. -When Harry met Sally, Enchanted, Say Anything, Princess Bride, 27 Dresses-cute. It is here as an ad.

before (zenful by BM)

Now for my room. We painted Phillipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore a while ago! I love the color and we will put up crown mouldings-eventually. I haven't hung anything-except the one picture over the bed-while I wait to do this room!

I was waiting to get a new mattress to get new bedding, but it is on hold, too. So, on a one day sale at Macy's with a coupon that actually worked (!!!!) I got a new mattress pad, and a down coverlet.

I just put those on the other day and my husband says it feels like we are in a hotel-a good thing. Then I brought home this from Target

becasue I like this.

But on the bed it looked too undone for me....I like things more conservative/simple. The buttons were shiny. It really was ok but I felt it was a younger look than I should have. I saw a white matelasse coverlet at TJMaxx and the shams called "Cecelia" and I liked. I put it on the bed and I think this is it...what do you think? Simple but pretty?

I got these pillow covers at Pottery Barn on a great sale, and was not sure of the color, but maybe I like it now...A little rosey color for now?
(The embroidered pillow is from Hungary from about 1920 from my grandmother-she came here in 1914 right before WW I and was married here in 1917 she either brought it or it was sent to her. I restuffed it)

Here Hooked on Houses said to show your house a little love and her pics were of homes with a touch of red. I am not a red girl, but I think it looks nice with the white and ok with the blue. Then, I could do blue toile pillows for spring?

Do you like this or look for something with a print?

Have a LOVE-ly Valentine's Day!!!

Funky Junk

Linking up to:

Remodelaholic

Met Monday

.............................................and Pure Style Home- a blog you will love!

Salvaged Baker's Rack-FINALLY GOT TO IT!

2010-02-10T15:38:00.000-04:00

I posted about this rack way back in October. My husband had found this at the curb and brought it home. He knew that I had been eying baker's racks that would run $200 at the least with shipping-if not more-so this was a worthwhile treasure to bring home.

It was shiny hollow brass, but intact and it moved in (after making husband wash it down-as long as he was doing the car...) It immediately began to get loaded up with stuff-surprise, surprise...

Well, after the Ikea couch came in I said it was time to tackle the spare room...yeah, well, not yet...but I did get to work on the rack. The green couch-from a neighbor-went to the basement.

The room is still yellow-an "in" color, but this yellow is a bit intense. I wrote before how this was to be my kitchen, until it went up and I screeched! It was much too vibrant for my sunny kitchen! So, since I am so ~~cheap~~ thrifty, we used the color in the little spare room-craft room-guest room (with no bed at this time) -office-reading room-computer room.

So, I hit it with satin black spray paint and it took nicely.

Logan approves or is searching for missing toy...

My pretty sign by Rita (see my sidebar).

Right now, it is in the family room, trying out its baskets-the top ones are from TJMaxx and are 2 nested baskets. The little ones are cute, but with little purpose. The bottom 4 are from Target. They were on sale and then I had my 10% ("you spent too much money at Christmas") award. They come out to almost the same. The Target baskets make better use of the space as they are not angled. I am not sure if I should do 4 of them anyway. Magazines-which I have too many of-fit perfectly standing up or laying down. What do you think?

Anyway-Free rack, left over spray paint, baskets (about $11 each for the Target) ($9 and $7 for TJMaxx) and storage for tons of mags and Wii games and remotes.

I think it looks pretty good. The top shelf will not have baskets and will hold plants and book perhaps. Right now modeling my sad aloe plant

frame and driftwood and shells to remind me of summer....

Instead of this which we have right now! This is before the worst of it, which begins now at around 2pm! We did not have the last storm which so many bloggy friends had-so it is our turn.

Linking up with:

A Soft Place to Land
It's so Very Cheri
Reinvented
A Picture is Worth 1000 Words
Transformation Thursday
Domestically Speaking
Trash Pickin' Thursday at Finess your Nest
Furniture Feature at Mustard Seed Creations

Foodie Friday-Snickerdoodles

2010-02-05T23:06:00.000-04:00

I an linking up to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum, where you will not believe how beautiful her post is today!!!

Perhaps these have been here before, I don’t know, but these are a favorite in this house. Maybe, this will be a little reminder of this nice simple cookie. They are perfect for last minute baking, as I always have these ingredients in the house (once you have the Cream of Tartar) and they are easy to throw together.

How many times have I heard,”Mom, I forgot, I need something for tomorrow (or now)!” and these are doable! I think that they are nice and old-fashioned, too.

Snickerdoodles (set oven to 350 degrees)

½ cup butter or margarine

¾ cup sugar

1 ½ cup flour

1 egg

1 tsp. Cream of Tartar

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

{1 tbl. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon mixed-to coat}

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar.

Beat in 1 egg.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour adding in Cream of Tartar, baking soda and salt.

Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Chill a few minutes.

Roll onto 1 inch balls and roll them around in the cinnamon

and sugar mixture until completely coated.

Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet

(I still use the parchment or silpat)

Bake 8 to 12 minutes until lightly browned but still soft.

Remove from oven a let sit a minute then let cool on rack.

I get about 3 dozen out of this recipe. This time I had 40 cookies and I usually need 12 minutes for bake time.

Try one warm-yum! These stay soft inside yet crisp outside -but I don’t think they have ever lasted longer than one day on this house to know for sure how long! I would store them in an air-tight container or tin. Mine get left on the plate and disappear.

So, why not try these and enjoy them with a nice cup of tea or coffee or a cold glass of milk!

Anyway, it’s fun to say!

Works for me Wednesday-Free your Fridge

2010-02-04T01:14:00.000-04:00

This may seem silly, but it is a new thing that “works for me”. Whenever I would look into the refrigerator to find something, it was like a scavenger hunt. Whoever was in there would push things around and move them even if they found it was fairly neat. You couldn’t see to the back of the shelf, so push your way back there. I also have pull out shelves, that no one ever uses….just rummage. If you did use them something would go off the back because it was pushes to the edge.

So, I was thinking of those raised steps you can put in your cabinets to see things in the back. No, because it would not be good if you did pull the shelf. So I took a Rubbermaid lazy susan out of my cabinet and tried it in the fridge. I like it! It is so bright in there, that you can actually see things as they go around! So I have one for jellies and jams and peanut butter-some like it chill-others room temp and such. The other has condiments -ketchup, mustard relish, etc. because we have so many salad dressings, these do not fit on the door shelf.

So, that’s my little works for me….and you can still vote and vote again-look at the upper left column, please!

One more thing have you seen this video on how to peel a boiled potato ?...if not take a look!

~Nancy

Crafty Trivets with my #2

2010-02-02T21:44:00.000-04:00

I finally made some pretty coasters using Home Depot tile. I had seen them done here and before my son went back to college, we decided to do this project together. That makes them pretty special!! Instead of paper napkins, I got some $.59 craft paper.

We went to Home Depot and picked up some $.34 plain white square tile about 3 1/2".

Then cut the paper to a little smaller than the tile,

brush with mod podge (sponge brush is great),

apply paper,

let set a bit,

mod podge again,

let dry completely

and spray with acrylic sealer-

I had some-soooo old-still works great. Read the above link for expert directions at Beneath My Heart-a beautiful blog.

Then to Michael's for thin adhesive cork backing. I had my 40% off coupon in my hot little hand, so I got a good deal. I paid less than $5 and have plenty left!

-super thin adhesive cork does the trick!!

Then when the sealer is completely dry press on the self stick cork (Contact brand)

and stack or weigh them down for a little while...It works great!!!

Tie them up as a gift or to diplay them or start to use them!

What I did a little different was that I picked up some 6 x 6 inch ceramic floor tile and made trivets to use on the table. I like that they match my 12 x 12 inch floor tiles that I have in the kitchen and are silmilar to my backsplash. For these, I did use the paper napkins with a botanical print (Home Goods-<3) and peeled them to the thinnest. I am so happy with the trivets-"hot plates"? because I use them everyday! I do, however, like how the craft paper looks better than the napkin and I will do more -there is such a gorgous selection and 2 sheets do 4-unless you can squeeze 4 of them out of 1!

Please check out the upper left and vote for you fav NFL star-I know you may not love-or even like Sanchez, but you gotta love his charity!!! Even if you vote for the other guys-it's a good thing to do!!!

Hope your team wins!!

Pepsi Refresh Project -Be a Sport!!!

2010-02-01T22:06:00.000-04:00

Pepsi Refresh Project

Please vote for Mark Sanchez at http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=refresh-project

The player with the most votes wins 10,000 for his charity of choice. Mark Sanchez has chosen JDRF. You may not love Sanchez as a player, but it would be great for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ! This is a very wonderful charity and will help so many children!!! The cure for Diabetes is close-

Make Your Napkins Showy-

2010-01-31T02:37:00.000-04:00

This was impossible to photograph with everyone in bed and me with my camera under my chin and propped on books...but here goes...

If you want to make your napkins look like the ones on the catering dessert or cocktail tables-

here's how....( how nice for Superbowl! I am sure all the guys will comment on the pretty napkin display!!!)

Take a stack of napkins-the higher the stack the prettier....

Bend your index fingers on both hands like this-

Press down on the napkins-(pressure but not so hard that you rip them!) and pull your knuckles away from eachother. (they are at 9 and 3 on a clock)

Pick up your knuckles and reposition so that you are at 10 and 4 and pull. They should begin to turn a bit.

Keep repositioning around the clock until the napkins have made a pretty spiral

See? Pull away and turn...

So pretty that even these 1000 Season's Greetings cheap nakins look pretty-ish. See?

Yes, I will have these through several seasons of greetings-thanks to Mr. LLL!

The higher stack looks better....Alternating colors is really nice.

So have fun with this. It is like oragami without all that folding!!!

Posting this to:

Funky Junk

Pretty for Valentine's Day table?

Remodelaholic

AND

Show and Tell Friday

Foodie Friday-Bread Pudding-

2010-01-29T02:22:00.000-04:00

I am joining up with Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum.

            My daughter is coming home tomorrow night from the city with a friend and always asks for Bread Pudding-like grandma made- for dessert. How can I refuse when it is so easy and I usually have the ingredients?!

     Bread Pudding

              5-6 slices of white bread-lightly toasted and lightly buttered (Mom says 4-5 but I use more)

Cut the bread into strips

Place them in a lightly buttered casserole dish or deeper pyrex

Place in dish in a cross-hatch pattern.

See my Mom's recipe in her handwriting the lucite plastic frame? I use that when I cook so I don't slop up the recipe card...

Beat 3 eggs and mix in 1/2 cup sugar (I go a bit less)

Heat 3 cups of any milk until scalded and a skin forms on top...

Don't worry if the bottom burns a little, you can strain the milk and leave the burnt part behind

(not that I am speaking from experience! ahemmm)

"Temper" the egg and milk mixture by adding a bit of the hot milk mixture into the eggs so as not to cook them as you would have sweet scrambled aggs!

Pour the egg/milk/sugar mixture over the bread

          Sprinkle with raisins or currrants if you like...press down bread in liquid
          Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
          Bake 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes
               Serve warm or cooled with ice cream or chocolate sauce drizzled. I like it as is.....warm amd yummy!

~Bread Pudding~
5-6 slices of white bread-lightly toasted and slightly buttered
Cut the bread into strips
Place them in a lightly buttered casserole dish or deeper pyrex
Heat 3 cups of any milk until scalded and a skin forms on top...

Temper" the egg and milk mixture by adding a bit of the hot milk mixture into the eggs
Pour the egg/milk/sugar mixture over the bread Sprinkle with raisins or currrants if you like...press down bread in liquid
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
Bake 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes

Hope you like!!

Eddie Ross and the Big Window Challenge (and my Little Vanity Chair)

2010-01-26T15:10:00.000-04:00

Do you follow or subscribe to Eddie Ross? You should!

Right now Eddie is involved in the Big Window Challenge held in Bloomingdale's NY. Yes, right in the window! Three competing designers have recreated an apartment room in a Bloomies' window for your voting pleasure! Go see the competiotion at The Big Window Challenge and here you will read all about Eddie's window-gorgeous-I want to move right in!

You can read all about Eddie here and why you DO know him...(season two of Bravo's Top Design) and "in October 2009, Eddie appeared on the HGTV special Halloween Block Party in which he transformed the classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, into a beautiful, budget-friendly party to remember. Shortly thereafter, he appeared on Celebrity Holiday Homes, another HGTV special in which he decorated Kathie Lee Gifford's house for the holidays. "

So give Eddie your votes and enjoy his amazing blog.

Apartment in a window.....

I am linking to Met Monday at BNOTP!!!

Now down to business!!!!

Now onto to my little vanity chair. This chair was part of my mother's bedroom set (1946) and was one of two.

The other went with her vanity to my brother's house...why? I don't know...first dibs...

So, I am at least left with this one and as my bedroom set is cherry and the trim is white, I decided to leep it close to its original color and spruce it up. I unscrewed the seat and then I used a Minwax Stain in mahogany and just went right over the finish after dusting and wiping clean. It was pretty scratched and the back had a veneer trim that I removed.

I removed a piece of replacement fabric and then traced around the seat and cut out the shape leaving about 3 inches all around. The fabric had been on sale at JoAnn's for $7.99 a yard and I took a yard and a half for future use. I took my trusty staple gun and stapled pretty close to the edge and gathered the corners. I cut away where the chair meets the back and around the screw holes.

Popped it back on and ....Love it! Nice and fresh! I would have liked it in black or antique white but kept it similar ...for now! I can always change! But for now, I have a nice clean place to put on shoes -"Don't sit on the edge of the bed!" (did I say that?) and to show off pillows.

My project is nothing, but I got it done finally! Now to rejoin this chair with the vanity.....

Go to BNOTP for some really wonderful changes!

Some real help for Haiti go to Coins for Comments....

I LOVE Masterpiece Theater!!!

2010-01-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

     Last night, my son walked into the room where I was sitting and asked "What are you smiling at?" Yes, I was probabably smiling for 2 hours. I don't watch alot of television- In fact, for about a month we did not have HGTV or Food Network, so, other than CREATE, I wan't too interested. My college son was home so ESPN and any game going on at the time was on. (Also, the reason for not blogging too much-spent alot of family time and long dinner times!) There was much male bonding-which is good.
         BUT-Sunday night is Masterpiece Theater! An hour or two-no commercials! (which are getting sooo much louder lately!) I love it. I enjoy Masterpiece Mystery and Contemporary, but Classic-ahhhhhh! That is my cup of tea!
         Last season- Dickens and Jane Austin-I was delerious!  For the last month it was Cranford and Return to Cranford.....could I have been happier? Judi Dench-so lovely! For me, it is a "holiday" to the English Countryside!
    Last night-

I have read the Jane Austen book many times.... I like the 1997 version - It starts Kate Beckinsale as Emma and Mark Strong as Mr. Knightley.. I adore the 1996 Miramax adaptations starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam!!

But last night's ....here is a clip

This version is 3 Sundays and last nights was 2 hours of bliss!

You can probably still catch it this week and tape (eww-I am still so out of it! tivo or DVR) It is on in NY PBS tonight -late night 2:00 am and again on Saturday night.

PBS has also offered that You canwatch it on line HERE!! until March 9th. Usually they do it by week -so check it so you will not be disappointed!

From PBS-

SYNOPSIS-Emma Woodhouse (Romola Garai, Atonement adorable!!) was born with the sun shining down on her. The radiant, privileged girl grows into a remarkable talent for matchmaking, as observed by her loving but disapproving father (Michael Gambon, Cranford) and childhood friend Mr. Knightley (Jonny Lee Miller, Endgame-sooo cute!!). When the decidedly less privileged Harriet Smith arrives, Emma meddles with fate to find her a match, until her flawless intuition is called into question. Dissuaded from more matrimonial predictions, Emma nonetheless continues to cheerfully contemplate superior men — and meets one of her own in the handsome, gleaming Frank Churchill. But after being so busy managing everyone else's heart, does Emma know her own? A fiercely funny new version of the Jane Austen novel, Emma was adapted by Sandy Welch (Jane Eyre).

Go to the website-there is a quiz to see what bachelor of Highbury would be your match!!! Mine-Mr. Nightly...but I would not take any less!

So, I hope you take a look -if British accents, English countrysides, handsome men, romance, comedy, beautiful period dresses, handsome men (did I say that?), gorgeous homes and Jane Austen are your thing....give it a try!

I also love Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway....

and Lost in Austen, a modern day take on Jane.

There's also a "Bollywood" Emma in the works, according to BollySpice.com: "Anil Kapoor has announced that he will be producing a version of Jane Austen's 'Emma' for [daughter Sonam] to star in..." Sonam Kapoor herself has publicly mentioned her desire to star in an Emma adaptation on at least one occasion. The Kapoors confirmed the film - titled "Ayesha" after its Emmalike heroine - in February, 2009. The film is shooting as of September, 2009. Have you seen Bride and Prejudice? Pretty cute!

Don't even get me started on my love for Pride and Prejudice!!!! Another post!!!

Foodie Friday- Everyone to the table and eat!

2010-01-09T12:21:00.000-04:00

I am linking up here:

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2010/01/foodie-friday-2-dinners.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DesignsByGollum+%28Designs+by+Gollum%29

Go and see some amazing recipes!!!

I am a little late as I had so much trouble uploading my pics!!! So excuse the little image you see here! The pasta dish is delish and a family fave! We had it Thursday with crusty Italian bread and lots of Parmigiano. We just got one of the cheese grinders from a Pampered Chef party and everyone loves to crank the cheese!

Bucatini with Peas, and Prosciutto

Taken from Lidia Bastianich’s show on CREATE and PBS

1 cup frozen peas defrosted and drained

Salt

1 pound fresh mushrooms (sometimes I make it without)

5 tbl. extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled

sliced prosciutto or chopped bacon

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large can crushed Italian plum tomatoes with their liquid

fresh Italian parsley or dry

1 pound bucatini or percatelli (thick spaghetti)

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or whatever you have!

Heat water for pasta.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Hit the garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife and add them and the prosciutto/bacon to the oil. Cook, stirring until lightly browned. Stir in the mushrooms, season them with salt and pepper, and stir until they are lightly browned and soft, about 7 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes, season them with salt and pepper, and bring the sauce to a boil. Lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer and cook 5 minutes. Stir the peas and chopped parsley and cook until the peas are tender.

While the sauce is simmering, stir the pasta into the boiling water. Return to a boil and cook the pasta cover halfway stirring occasionally until done.

Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and pour in about three-quarters of the sauce. Bring the sauce and pasta to a boil, tossing to coat the pasta with the sauce. Check the seasoning, adding salt and pepper if necessary. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the grated cheese. Transfer the pasta to a warm platter, top with the remaining sauce, and serve immediately.

Eveyone in my family likes this –even the pea-hater! It is so much easier to make than it sounds…just throw stuff into the pan! Very fresh taste!

For more of her recipes-

http://www.lidiasitaly.com/tv-show

"Tutti a tavola a mangiare" -Everyone to the table and eat!

Back to Reality!

2010-01-06T01:15:00.001-04:00

Southern Daydreamer

Well, we are back from our trip to Florida for the Christmas break. We drove from NY to Ft.auderdale on the 26th and very unusual, had the worst traffic you can imagine. I am not a complainer-we were going to Florida after all-but we had rain and cars from the Verrazano Bridge all the way through Virginia! That is so strange! I can only think that the weekend enable travellers an exra 2 days after Christmas so people went visiting! That's a happy thing, right? My husband-not so happy. We can usually do the trip in 23 hours and it took 27. We drive through stopping to eat, etc. We go to WAWA, Scheetz, Kangaroo, Chilis, McDonalds, Stuckeys...most of which are not in NY. We stopped to eat dinner in Fredricksberg, Va. at Chili's, which was great. I like that town and would love to see more than a pass through! Sometimes we stop at exits that have nothing but a gas station...we beg to go to the next one bc these are the only stops! Someday, I will get to see Savannah as I see the sign on I-95. We sing, play "I'm thinking of a ..." , Bingo (yup, still!), Lic. plates, Uno and sometimes Scatagories. My kids are not little and still enjoy the trip...so as long as they will join us-we do it!

I felt as we went down that I passed so many of you! I almost said, "My friend-----lives off here!" My family doesn't really get how I feel about all of you! In NJ, PA, VA, NC, SC, GA, over in AL and down in FL I felt I was passing by your homes!

We left 18" of snow, a decorated house, a beautiful tree my beta, and our dog, Logan behind (my brother watching over things).

AND COOKIES!

It was in South Carolina, that we see the first palm tree...a beautiful sight! It was cold, tho'! It was in the 30's all the way to northern Florida! Then we saw this....

...a bit chilly!

Best Western-just right..got it through travelocity for a great price-clean ...steps to the beach and Los Olas and a huge hot breakfast buffet in the morning. With 2 big boys, the free breakfast is important!

A little cloudy this day-the day we left!Intracoastal.

We had a wonderful time and supposedly it was the best and warmest it had been in a few weeks! We deove down to South Beach. Miami for New Years...We had a wonderful dinner at Hosteria Romano at Espaniola Way and then went to the beach area for the fireworks-which were amazing!! (And I come from NY and we do fireworks pretty good there!)

Happy New Year!!!!

January 1st, 2010!!

Finally Decorated and Mother Nature Took Care of the Outdoors!

2009-12-23T00:18:00.000-04:00

W ell, we have at least 18 inches of snow and drifts two times that! It is very pretty and luckily it was a weekend so there wasn't any work panic! I am so sslow at getting ready this year. I was way ahead, I thought, but this stinkin' flu really hung around and I am still so tired and I still have a cough...hate that!

But, I finally took some pics around the house, so here they are. I decorate a lot. If someone gave it to me, I feel I have to put it out. This year, I gave up after a while, so this is less than usual...and not as carefully placed. It was out of the box-good enough-naptime!

First this- the best decorations in a home!

Now, the house.

I'll take a daylight pic.

My mom made those puffy trees.

I usually put stuff away and then decorate ...not this year..piled it on!

Tree looks better in person..all those kid ornaments.....

countdown panel quilt

"If you like to make things out of wood, or sew, or dance, or style people's hair, or dream up stories and act them out, or play the trumpet, or jump rope, whatever you really love to do, and you love that in front of your children, that's going to be a far more important gift than anything you could ever give them wrapped up in a box with ribbons. And what's more: the last thing in the world you have to be is perfect at it. It's the spirit that gives that kind of gift its wings."

Mister (Fred) Rogers

Click here for a sweet Christmas card.

My Big Score!

2009-12-10T22:55:00.000-04:00

I am linking up here -so go see more featured furniture!

Not that I wanted to do this at this time, but a craisgslist opportunity arose...and I had to go with it. I really saw the ad back at the beginning of the month but the seller was not that easy. First time, after many emails, we agreed to a Saturday morning whaich was changed to 5 PM. Pitch black and raining, but we found the house about 35-40 minutes away. We rang, knocked, called and no answer. We waited and tried again-no. Discouraged and feeling that it was "sketchy", I gave up on it He emailed the next day and said someome was there, had we shown up? Ugh!

He emailed a week later and said he'd be around Thanksgiving weekend. I kind of gave up on it and the family was in so....He said the following wekend. OK..Now, how would we get it home was another issue. We arrived and saw this:

EKTORP!!!

It was in really near perfect condition. We were getting it home!!! We carried it out easily after removing legs and put it right into the back of our Jeep Commander. Our son was with us so I sat in the back area with the sofa!!

The cushions had been taped in moving so I need to get a little sticky off (suggestions?...alcohol?) and it will be fine. I will take pics in the little room when we've painted (ahhhhh!-love paint!) and rearranged. This room is our spare bedroom/room with a desk/ too much gets dumped there/ craft room/ and if a bed still fits, guest room! I want the white covers, but am happy with Khaki and will watch IKEA for deals. I had originally wanted the loveseat but for the price...oh I didn't tell you ..............................

$100!!!!!

and it sells for

EKTORP Sofa

$499.00
Idemo beige

So, pretty good?
I think so! So comfy! Now I sit there with my laptop on my lap and say hello to all of you! YAY!

The Dickens are ready...even if I'm not!

2009-12-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

My favorite thing to set up at Christmas is my Dicken's village. I have been collecting for many years and each box has the year it was purchased. My Mom and I both started-she only had a few and we split them when she died a few years ago. Our first were purchased at A&S -which has gone out of business, along with Gimbels and Altmans and Fortunoffs-all great stores! I stopped collecting houses a few years ago, because of space and price.
Luckily I got this set up becasue after hauling all the Christmas boxes out of the attic and starting to decorate, I got all achy and thought it was the lifting. No, a few hours later 102 and chills and the works. The flu. The worst part is the half done house and the desire, but no strength. I thought I was over it but a short time of laundry or dishes and I have to hit the couch. Very unlike me. Better off now than Christmas week, I suppose. So, here is what I have done so far-and even this is an effort! I couldn't even go on 2 days ago!

I have The Crowntree Inn -one of the oldest, The Toy Shop, The Golden Swan Bakery, Thomas Karsey Coffee House and Maylie Cottage (which were my Mom's), Wheat Cakes and Puddings,The Old Curiosity Shoppe, Fruit and Spice and Booter and Cobbler. I have a few figures that you can hardly see-I will add a daylight picture tomorrow! Sometimes I spread them out a bit, but becasue of this:

I can't! Up high and away!!

I am also a Dicken's lover...and Jane Austen. Did you happen to see Masterpiece Theater last season with David Copperfield ( with little Daniel Radcliffe), Old Curiosity Shoppe, Oliver Twist and the amazing Little Dorrit? My husband watches with me but says he can't understand the British accent! Talk English! I make everyone watch on Sunday nights on PBS. December 20th a new season begins and one of the stories is Emma-my favorite-that's on Januart 24th. I love the Gwyneth Paltrow version, but this one looks great -if you like-check it out!

So tomorrow I finish decoration-I have a lot-so I think I will hold back a bit-no tree yeat. We get a real one and usually next weekend is the time.

While I was watching ELF...

2009-11-30T15:40:00.000-04:00

I saw something like this at J Crew

I had some ribbon and thought I'd give it a try...while watching ELF...which we all memorized!

I made three rosettes out of 1" muted silver satin ribbon and sewed them about 15" inches in from the edge of a piece of 2" satin muted gold ribbon to allow for a bow tie. Measure your waist and about 12" more for a bow. I would demonstarte that but it is Thanksgiving...toooo much waist!!

My daughter wanted it simple, but I could see this in many different shaped flowers and colors.

My next one will be grosgrain ribbon and black jersey knit flowers....I just rummage through the ribbon and fabric that I have.

It will have to wait for later...I am still cleaning up after this weekend of everyone home....and my dishwasher broke....on Thanksgiving....and all the leftovers in plastic containers from yesterday filling my sink....ugh.

Who is happy with their dishwasher? mine is a Maytag and it has been terrible! I love appliances...not fair! Here is another decision I do not want to make. I want stainless, next time I replace....but my fridge is fairly new and my stove is ok except it is an electric smooth top and I wish I could have gas. (Does anyone have propane? )So, do I get a white dishwasher again or go with one stainless appliance??

Too much to think about.....I watched the Christmas Dog last night and loved it and it was so peaceful....OH- because the dishwasher was not running!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving to All!

2009-11-25T23:42:00.000-04:00

Hope you got your bird,,,

And your bird doesn't get to you...

That everything goes as you have planned...

That your loved ones are gathered with you

To give thanks for all of our blessings...

Never forgetting those who made it possible.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families! I am thankful for all the new friends

I have "met" in this blogging world!

I am so happy that all my children are under our roof tonight!!

Love,

Phinally Phantom in NY

2009-11-21T02:01:00.000-04:00

For my son's 16th birthday, we decided to take him to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Number 2 son is at college and couldn't get home midweek, so 4 of us went. I had gotten discount tickets from our library, which made it half of what we would have spent. (Two-fers!) You can also go to Times Square day of performance and try for discount tix at TKTS. There is a new amazing waiting place ( bc you do wait) at TKTS. It is an enormous lit red staircase! I had never seen it before!

The largest load-bearing glass structure in the world, the new TKTS booth in Times Square, supports glass benches atop two-inch-thick windows. Sounds delicate, but it regularly holds 500 foot-stomping Jumbotron watchers

Before the theater, we went to dinner at Tony's DiNapoli in Times Square

on 43rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue. The menu has single portions, but is known for its Family Style dinners. For 4 of us we ordered Rigatoni w/Vodka Sauce and mushrooms $19 and A Chicken Special-Chicken with asparagus, prociutto, mozzarella and ? in a tomato basil sauce. $22. We could have had a nice salad, too, but didn't want to be too stuffed in the theater. Ok-so that's pretty cheap for 4 people (no drinks) water with lemon and lots of yummy bread. The food was so delicious and we were full! There were 3 giant pieces on chicken on the platter and so much pasta...we almost left some...nope!

We walked down Broadway which is CLOSED to vehicle traffic! It was great! We could look around like tourists without fear of taxis running us down! Broadway and Times square are so lit up now-millions of screen and lit billboards and marquis. Too unbelievable-I've seen it so many times, but it always looks different amd brighter! Earlier that day we had walked over to Bryant Park to meet up with my husband who works across the river in NJ and my daughter who works downtown. My son and I walked around Bryant-(where Runway takes place-were you happy with the outcome???)

and there are the cutest shops set up now through the holidays AND ice skating! It is free, except for skate rentals $7? and you can't bring anything on the ice so there are lockers. We want to go back and skate-my daughter has skated there because ypou look up and there is the Empire State Building. That night it was lit for Veteran's Day-a beautiful sight!

So, the real reason for the night was the show and we are still singing a week later! It was breathtaking! (I love the movie-Gerard Butler sigh) but the stage show is a.m.a.z.i.n.g! If you ever come this way I'll try to give you info-although many out of NYers probably know more than me!

I want to see this as soon as possble-next weekend...and I read the Lovely Bones and think I want to see this....but I am a little nervous...I guess I am better at vampires...

Burlap Runner Just in Time for T-Day!

2009-11-17T10:33:00.000-04:00

In my mind I can sew anything...I can plan it out, cut the pattern and run it up on my machine. But, alas, I have no machine, so any great ideas I have need to require no machine sewing. I do some handsewn crafts, but will save up for a machine someday. My Mom had one, but it was so tempermental, I wasn't really allowed on it...and who would want to -it made her crazy. So, I look for things that the magic of hot glue or Stitch Witchey can help me with.

I bought 1/2 yard of burlap at Joann's the other day...So cheap I couldn't go 2 yards? It was 30% 0ff of 2.99. I planned this runner and extra to play with. I like the finished edge of the burlap, so I thought I'd use that as my length.

I cut it at about 15-16 inches because of the unequal fraying. I ironed a hem along each side after removing frayed pieces.

Sorry for the glare!

It just worked out using the fabric line. I then placed my Stitch Witchery in the ironed hem and reironed,

following directions. In a second I was done.

Part of the reason for the runner's length, is this:

I'd rather it extend over the edge about 6-8 onches, BUT-Nothing can hang over the edge or it becomes lab property! She especially loves fabric and chews on dish towels and sucks on her beds...wierd. If I buy a cute dishtowel with embroidery, Logan eats that part out of the towel. My son calls it her artistic talent.

It will work out well along the center of the Thanksgiving table which will be pulled out to 102".

Next, I added detail to it along the lines of drop cloth table cloths in Country Living November page 74.

I will add the pic later! In the meantime, I like the simlicity.

I can't compare to some of your crafts, but it is easy!

I am linked up to Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!

and The DIY Showoff..

Frugalicious Friday Finds IKEA!

2009-11-13T09:48:00.000-04:00

To say that I am ~~cheap~~ frugal is am understatement. I have to debate over the simplest purchase, clip coupons, wait for the sale, drive to the ends of the earth to get the best buy. Then I leave the tags on and test it some more.
On my recent trip to Ikea, to look at and ogle the Ektorp, I went throught the marketplace. These are the glasses I always buy:

I like the shape, the size fits my cabinet nicely, and the price- $.59! They hold up well, since each day, I think every glass in the house gets used and ~~thrown~~ placed in the dishwasher.

Walking a little further, I saw the 100 tea lights for $3, I think, and theses cuties.

They come in different shapes and colors and were $.89! I only bought 2 bc I think it is not a good buy if I buy more. (that's my mom whispering in my ear...she was the Queen of Thriftiness! How I miss shopping with her!!!) They are so cute, tho'!

I put them here...but forgot to take the pic! So imagine -and will use them on the Thanksgiving table!!

Before that, I grabbed a few Mag holders for my too many Country Living and Better Homes. Better Homes, I can part with or pass on to somone else...sometimes. I keep all the holiday...that means Halloween through Christmas. Country Living- I have all...I am beginning to sort through, but I like to relook! So this pack was 3.49 for 5 and I will decoupage them! ....or leave them white.

So, that's my Ikea Frugalicious Friday. Please go to see Jane at Finding Fabulous to see more Frugalicious Friday fun. Hers is a pretty lamp...but I won't tell you more!

This weekend I am looking at a craigslist find...cross your fingers that it is in the condition they say!!! I will give you this hint...

MY FIRST AWARD!!

2009-11-07T18:56:00.000-04:00

I just received my first blog award!! It surprised me and made me so happy! It was the first thing I told everyone at dinner. It came from The Treat Girl. I love her blog and visit each time I see her on my reader. It is like visiting with a friend! She loves her jars and does a Whats In It Wednesday which is so sweet. Take a look!

Hey, how about those YANKEES!!!

So, now I get to share this award with fellow bloggers, which is so nice to be able to do!!!

1.) Thank and post URL to the blog that gave the award.

2.) Pass the award along to 6 brilliantly over the top blogs (blogs you love!) Alert them so they know to receive the award.

I'm nominating these 6 blogs:

1. The White Flower Farmhouse. This beautiful, serene blog posts about a lovely country, antique shop on the North Fork of Long Island and the improvements at her own 100 year old farmhouse (sigh). Can't wait to get out there one day to the shop!
2. Bella Rustica -Just look at the things she makes for her shop and you will see why! She is a very compassionate animal lover and is very involved in lab rescue. If puppies melt your heart, run on over! She is also making a big move right now.
3. Bake at 350- if you go there today, you will see why she is over the top. Have you ever seen such yummies? I told her I would bake my way through her blog-Julia style! Cookies!
4. Beneath My Heart. When I visit Traci, it is like visiting a friend. She does and says the sweetest things. Her craft work is amazing...just see what she does with glue! After she did this, I lie awake at night planning to try it too!
5. Fifi Flowers Her artwork is so beautiful and she is so prolific! Every day something new! She must paint in her sleep! Go see her pretty Paris prints! Reading her blog is a little trip to Paris! We could all use that!
6. Joy Beadworks has a simple and sweet blog that doesn't make me feel inadequate! Nice ideas-clever, pretty jewelry in her shop and fun with her family!

3.) Copy and paste this quiz… Change the answers, ONE word only!!

1-Your cell phone? LG En-V

2- Your hair? overdue

3-Your mother? heaven

4-Your father? heaven

5-Your favorite food? pizza

6-Your favorite drink? diet pepsi

7-Your dream last night? food shopping-

8-Your dream/goal? beachhouse

9-What room are you in? guest/office

10-Your hobby? numerous

11-Your fear? unemployment

12-Where do you want to be in 6 years? financially-secure

13-Where were you last night? home

14-Something that you aren’t? competive

15-Muffin? pumpkin

16-Wish list item? mattress!

17-Where did you grow up? Long Island, NY

18-Last thing you did? cooked

19-What are you wearing? jeans

20-Your TV? on

21-Your pets? lab

22-Friends? sweet

23- Your life? happy

24-Your mood? calm

25-Missing someone? yes!

26-Vehicle? Commander

27-Something you aren’t wearing? shoes

28-Your favorite store? TJMaxx

29-Favorite color? yellow

30-When was the last time you laughed? at dinner

31-Last time you cried? month

32-Your best friend? gone

33-One place you go to over and over? Target

34-One person who emails you regularly? Uncle Vito

35-Favorite place to eat? Chili's

So, thank you again to The Treat Girl for bestowing an award on me and my blog! I will try to be more worthy and post more often!!!

BNOTP Colonial Candle Giveaway!! & Country Music Search

2009-11-04T02:02:00.000-04:00

Go to a very exciting week at BNOTP! Colonial Candle is generously sponsoring a Give-a-Way everyday this week, Monday-Friday, here at BNOTP?! A new Give-a-Way every day this week! Go here and check it out and all the Met Monday fun, too!

My husband wants his ipod updated...I like, but he loves Country and we don't have a Country station anymore. Not very fair, just because we live in NY....Anyone have some new favs that I can get for him? He loves it all!
Anyone see this? Born Again American? The marine should get a contract!

Happy Birthday!!!

2009-10-30T10:59:00.000-04:00

Sixteen years ago, on October 30th at 2:12 am , our youngest was born. We brought him home to the house we live in on October 31st. (They really do rush you out!) His sister and brother came that morning with their Dad, met him and we packed up! We arrived home on a rainy, Halloween Sunday . Needless to say, the doorbell rang every few minutes!

He grew into the sweetest, funniest liitle guy and is a wonderful person. Everyone who meets him says he is so polite, friendly and helpful. He goes out of his way to help the older folks on the street...brings up their papers and pails...amazing. He's a very good student, plays three sports and is on several service groups at school (Key, SPARC,SADD). That's what you wish for...that they grow to be a good person. He has good examples in his sister and brother, too. His dad and I are so proud! Am I bragging? Well, I get this day to do it, right?

Happy Birthday, Todd!!!