A Cottage to Me

I have a question?....

2012-02-16T08:22:00.001-05:00

What would you do or better yet think, if you turned on your computer in the morning, opened your email and found this from one of your sisters? She also sent it to our oldest sister at her work place email!

"Hello: Can’t find Melinda’s email address for some reason, so you’re the only one getting this. Got a call from Dad around 5:15 tonight asking where I was. Said was still at work, leaving in about 10 minutes, is everything ok. He said, no. He was shaken. I said are you ok. He said no, I went outside to get the mail and I fell and hit my head and blood is running down my face. I said, Dad, I’ll be there in 10 minutes. Flew out. Got there. Yes, he cut his head open, but didn’t require stitches. He was shaken by every sense of the word. He hurt his wrist area, but not sure how much. I packed some ice and got him settled in and his wrist on ice. I’ll watch it the next couple days to make sure he didn’t jam it somehow. Just a heads up realization that our father is getting old. When I was icing his wrist, he was literally shaking. Not nervously, but just shaking. He’s alone, and like anyone his age, alone, he wants to make sure he call reach someone at any point in time and know that they are there. I’m going to call him in a few minutes to double check on him. I’m sure he would appreciate a phone call. Take care, hope all is well."

Our Dad is turning 82 in April. There are 6 of us kids. A brother that lives in Colorado, 3 sisters and 1 brother that live 10-20 minutes away from Dad and ME that lives 1 1/2 hrs away. Would you Not expect at least a phone call when something like this happens....when it happened? I mean at least then one of us could have made the choice to go be with him or call him through out the evening to check on him. My husband doesn't see it the same way. Of course he's an only child that lives the same distance away from his now alone Dad.

Am I over reacting here? Just asking!

I have something for You....

2012-02-14T09:41:00.001-05:00

They're Fresh from the oven!

Smelling so Blueberry Sweet!

You can see I have plenty....

Your Welcome to as many as you like!

With

without

Butter?

~I say With~

Have a Happy Love~filled Day!

Here we go AGAIN....

2012-02-12T18:26:00.001-05:00

Again, this post is for journaling! You all have felt MY pain with me through this and I Thank You for that! A girl needs to know that there are people out there that Care. And I know you all do!

But, my husband lost ALOT of sleep last night, tossing and turning and finally getting up at 4 a.m. over his car. To have it gone for as long as it was, we expected more then what we got back. You see, his car was purchased "used" on his birthday Oct. 7 ,2011. It had only 30,000 miles on it and the engine was in Like New condition. Pristine for a car engine! He loved this car and took really good care of it, until his accident on Dec. 9, 2011. So to have it gone for 64 days being repaired and to come back in less then pristine condition is....Unacceptable! We are not demanding, obnoxious people. We just want what we had and ask nothing more and surely nothing less! We are very patient ~~although it was EXTREMELY hard for me towards the end~~ people and allowed them to do the work they needed to do to repair our car so it was safe to drive and looked like it should. But, what we got in return was a car with the wrong front end, the wrong grill altogether and parts to the engine that look like they came out of a car that had WELL OVER 100,000 miles on it for sure. A radiator with bent "fins" as my husband called them, a fuse box that the lid won't stay attached, and what's looks to be roof tar or something globbed in areas where it shouldn't be at all. To say we are upset over this is putting it lightly!

Because of the terrible weather we were having on Friday when the car was "ready" to be picked up, we couldn't go until Sat. Needless to say this shop is NOT open on the weekends so there was no one to speak with at that time. Besides the fact that the car itself was covered with snow and ice and it was below freezing out, my husband didn't take a REALLY good look at it until we had it Home. So disappointing! Because now with the condition of the engine parts that they did put in it, we know that there is no way that this car looks or will perform like a car that has only 30,000 miles on it!

It is NOT our fault that they didn't "total" the car, as maybe it should have been. That point was definitely pointed out to my husband when our insurance rep called and said the car was "ready". It is Not our fault that they chose to go the "cheap" route and put junkyard parts in our engine and think we would call it "good"! It is NOT our fault that our insurance company ok'd going the route of over $10,000 + in repairs on our car for the workmanship that they got....WE got in return!

SO....Today, we returned the car to the shop and parked it in front of their front door and locked it. My husband called every phone number that he knew in association to our car and these problems and left messages. He has typed up a letter (4-5 to be exact) and plans on having a little "pow wow" as he calls it with our insurance people and the shop owner! We only ask for it to be in the condition it was in, looking like it DID....like new engine, correct grill, no grease spots in the interior and so on. We don't think that is too much to ask?
Do you?
So, I do not know how much longer I will be without a car! I'm hoping they throw in a rental at least this time!

Ok....So, It's Back....BUT....

2012-02-11T18:20:00.000-05:00

This is mostly for journaling!

So....64 days later our car is "done"....

But, it is another Snowy Day here in Michigan.

A day that get progressively worse as it goes on.

Husband has to work and the car won't "officially" be ready

until after 2:00 p.m.

because they want to "clean it" up

before they give it back to us.

Now, the owner called ME in the a.m. to tell me that

it has been check and double checked

to make sure it was

"okay" to return to us.

I didn't know this but he had asked

my husband if he could

"test" drive it to his home the night before

to make sure all the "bugs" were worked out.

Hubby said, "okay"!

Remember the before picture when the accident happened....

Please pay close attention to the grill of the car....

notice Black really cool

sort of "honeycombed" looking grill????!!!!

Notice the grill we received back....

a standard

run of the mill

most Toyota Camry's have

type grill......

the headlights are

Foggy looking.....

our's were NOT....

they were completely

CLEAR....

This is the grill we should have seen

on our car when it was returned to us....

there are other things wrong also,

under the hood....

that are different.

Men know

what's under

their hoods, ladies....

they do!

I know my

Guy does,

and what he is seeing

is NOT

what was under

his hood, when the car

went in to be repaired

64 days ago

on Dec. 9, 2011

Now on,

Feb. 11, 2012

when we actually picked up the car,

and find that

it's NOT

what it should be

we are not Happy!

This too needs to be fixed!

It came back Completely EMPTY of gas....

GREASE stains in the interior,

on the arms of the door

on the center console.

Just stuff that you know if the shop wanted

to make it right with their "customer"

they would go that EXTRA mile....

I just don't feel that we can

give a decent comment

IF any....

back on this business.

EVEN though

they paid the last portion of

our deductible!

You just expect more

in this day and the way the economy is

out of businesses!!

Just sayin'!

Update to Seriously....

2012-02-09T13:24:00.001-05:00

I just don't know what to believe anymore with this car!

My husband called me and said that he called the shop owner. He was told that they got our car all re-wired and it wouldn't start. So they had to figure out where the problem was. Turns out they had crossed two wires or something. They got that all straightened out, then there was a problem with the heat being mixed up or something. Now keep in mind, He assured me that he has done this a million times in his 25 yrs of owning this shop! I had asked him if he had ever done this before and if he knew what to do....he said Yes!

Apparently they got the heat mix up fixed and took it for a test drive and it didn't go down the road as straight as they would like it to, so they sent it to another shop to get an alignment.....that's where it is today!

So tomorrow the insurance rep. is supposed to go and "check it out"....give his approval, settle the bill
AND THEN.....we should be able to pick up our car!

Excuse me if I am just not totally believing this! I am usually a total~ Glass is half full kind of girl....but, this experience has really made me a 3/4 Empty!

Seriously....

2012-02-09T09:16:00.000-05:00

63 Days....

Sixty Three Days....

60...3...DAYS!

Still NO Car!!!!!!

Sorry, but Seriously....

I ~~was basically promised~~ thought for sure we were on the last day, maybe two, last Friday of getting our car back. I had talked to the owner of the shop twice, my husband talked to the owner once, the shop owner was supposed to call me Tuesday at noon, he promised, but he didn't and the insurance rep. called my husband....To say they were still working on it! NO ONE called either of us yesterday, Wednesday! I just sent my husband an email to call and check on THE CAR....I didn't yell, but I kinda want to! No I'm NOT glued to this house....but the ~~truck full of wood in the back for weight on slippery roads~~ Vehicle I am left with is not one that I can go to far with and do anything but go to the grocery store 6 miles away with. I REALLY am not understanding any of this now! I am grateful that our deductible is being taken care of.....but, Seriously, I just want MY car back!

Sorry for venting!

If you want a giggle....

2012-02-06T09:15:00.000-05:00

This is my oldest daughter's blog! She captured this perfectly!
I've got some ~~complete overhauling to do with my stove~~ cleaning to do today as a result of this needless to say. Thankfully there were only a few on this pan....this is priceless!
http://thepineapple.tumblr.com/post/17122717380/20-minutes-into-super-bowl-and-my-dad-almost

Took me long enough!....

2012-02-05T11:46:00.000-05:00

This is a recipe that I have made just a few times. Then I misplaced the catalog I found it in, which was Through The Country Door Fall 2011 catalog. I found it on-line last month and made them and thought I had saved it "correctly" on my new laptop. But, I didn't and spent most of this morning Google-ing every. which. way. I could think of to find it. They don't even have it in their recipes section for there catalog....go figure! At least I couldn't find it!

But, I looked through some of my saved favorite piles of magazines and WaLa.....found it!
So I thought I would share with you and do a little post and save it and then I am sure to have it, just in case I misplace my catalog again!

Do you ever do stuff like that?

Hello....

2012-02-03T15:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a seldom seen peak into our Home.

This is where we do our

Living!

This would be considered our

Family Room....

this is where

Friends & Family

Gather....

There are 17 rooms in our Home....

but, besides our kitchen & our bedrooms

this is our most used room.

Probably because of our fireplace.

It's warm and comfy in this room!

I took down the last of the snowmen & cleaned up the fake snow I had on the mantel, those 2 white things hold whatever I might hang up there next or I might just remove them, I haven't decided yet!
Yes, my fireplace needs to be cleaned or painted, but having a fire right now is more important here during the winter months....so it will have to wait!

Especially on days like today....

dark & gloomy!

I tend to sit here....

with a soft down pillow behind my back....

and my slanket over me.

Nice and toasty!

Do you have a spot to sit in your home?

I like it because I can look straight at the fire.

This is where my hubby sits....

We both have our favorite spots!

Today seemed like a good day for a fire.

While I did a bit of laundry....

made a few beds....

and vacuumed!

Real Life Living right here!

What did you do today?

Now a little Update:

Still no car back! BUT, just after my last post about this car, the owner of the shop where it's at called. He explained some of the reason it has taken so long and I listened, then I as calmly as I could explained our reasons for being upset. He agreed it has taken too long, but seems the insurance company is ~~the reason totally~~ mostly to blame! My husband later that day talked to our ins. reps. boss' boss....shame you have to go to so many different people....and Long Story short they are paying the bulk of our deductible. Then today, my husband called and spoke with the owner of the shop and he explained to him (as he did to me) that he went thru all the "hoops" our insurance co. wanted him to and the car was not doing what it should electrically, it's a Toyota Camry, and he was not comfortable doing what the ins. co. wanted him to only to possibly have us return in 6 mths with problems. So he insisted on re-wiring the whole car! A part that had to be ordered directly from Toyota and at the cost of $2000.00 (on top of what it already cost for repairs, which the ins. co. ~~were refusing to ok~~ were trying to finagle!) That has been the whole hold up! They wanted him to basically splice wires together! I could go into more detail, but you are probably sick and tired of it so I will spare you. But, then he told my husband he is going to cover the remaining amount of the deductible!!!!! Yeah....finally we feel as though we are being taken care of! He told my husband that the part isn't there yet, but probably will be by Monday. It takes a FULL day to re-wire a car, so it should be done Monday. My husband said, Well, we would rather you not rush this part...we don't want to turn on the radio and have the wipers start working....if it takes until Wednesday, what the heck we've waited this long!

What to do?....

2012-02-01T14:28:00.000-05:00

We've all been there, I'm sure. The kids grow-up and you find you no longer need the stuff that was so needed while they were doing the growing up! You know what I mean right?

For instance this cupboard below....

FULL of all those Disney VCR movies.

They no longer watch them....

They don't seem to want them....

and I'm Pretty Certain,

that by the time I'm a

Grandma.....oh goodness!

There will be a whole new way

to watch these

Wonderful Movies!

And don't even get me started on these....

BOOKS....

And These

Books....

I mean really, do you know how much money

I have hidden in these cupboards?

What do I do with them?

I want to start a new Project in

this room....

No.... I'm Not Sharing

right now!

But, first I need to know....

What do you suggest?

I would like to donate,

but where....

Let me in on what you did?

Updates....

2012-02-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

You guessed it....

54 days

and still not done!

Do you feel my pain??

and the decision is in....

Brad's opinion as well....

BUT,

I'm not going to tell you yet!

I need to buy the paint....

Do you Crock-pot?....

2012-01-31T12:45:00.001-05:00

One of our favorite family meals

this winter has been

Chicken in the Crock-pot....

I especially like to use my

Crock-pot

on days when I know

I won't feel like making a

meal at the end of the day....

I can just put it in

with all the seasonings....

I like to season the

~inside~

with seasoned salt, garlic powder, black pepper

a whole onion

celery

of course....

a few sprinkles on the

~Top~

cover and let it cook....

Filling up

our Home

with all the

Yummy Goodness

of a Home cooked meal!

What's your favorite

thing to cook in the Crock-pot?

You do Crock-pot don't you?

Won't you join me?....

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to making

some Biscotti. I enjoy making it,

it's simple to do....

and it's a nice little treat,

in the morning

with a cup of coffee

in the

afternoon!

It's Fresh from the oven!

But first I need to let it cool....

just for a minute,

then slice it....

and

return it to the oven

to brown it to.....

Perfection!

Mmm....

It smells

Good!

Hope

you're

Not

allergic

Hazelnuts!

Ahhh....

Good Morning!

Glad to see you!

What shall

we talk

about today?

My hearts & a question....

2012-01-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

I don't put out much as far as Valentine decorations are concerned. Just a few hearts. I use to put out more when our girls were growing up.

But, now just a few.

I bought this basket at JoAnn fabric's last year....

in the Spring, I believe.

My husband made my hearts a few years ago....

and painted them too.

Just a few!

Now for my question?? It's obvious this side of our front door needs to be painted. I've been toying with the idea of painting it Black. Just the door, not the trim. But, there is a door to the left of this one that leads into our dining room. That door stays open at all times. I'm just not sure if the Black would be too much! Please let me know what you think....Black or White? I probably should ask my husband too!

Loosey & Delilah or Ying & Yang....

2012-01-28T11:35:00.000-05:00

You tell me!

A bit tired of this....

2012-01-27T11:26:00.001-05:00

You may remember me posting about my husband being in an accident back on Dec. 9 th on his way to work that morning. We were told where "the best" place to take it would be. And assured so by our insurance company!

We were just Thankful that he was okay!

It was supposed to be done in one week!

But that was 50 days ago....fifty days!

Each week, our insurance agent calls....Me, and tells me the progress or lack there of! At first it was like...okay at least they are hopefully doing a good job and not rushing it. Things happened during that time that we could have surely used 2 cars for....would have helped us out tremendously. One being when my MIL was hospitalized...twice within one weeks time. Another was when she passed. My husband had to drive a 45 mins home to pick me up so we could drive down to be with his Dad during all of this. I could have gone myself....had we had both cars.

Those calls from the insurance agent have just gotten ~~funny~~ frustrating now. When I see the number pop up I am not surprised when he tells me....Guess why I'm calling?! He called Weds. around 4 p.m. (it was supposed to be done Monday, he never called that day), it's usually at the end of the day, to tell me that the place ordered the wrong air conditioner clip and that is the hold up. Seems they used that a few weeks ago! How can a place that is so highly recommended "order" the wrong part for a car? So, says the insurance guy, it's supposed to be done Today....or Monday at the latest! Then it will be 53 days....right?

I am the one without the car! I am the one who has to wait until a daughter has a day off or a few hours to spend taking me to run errands. This has been a real life inconvenience, not having 2 cars available everyday!

We have a high deductible too....$500.00! Five Hundred Dollars....and we have been with out our car 50 days. Maybe we should charge them $10 a day for taking so long to fix our car. Then if it is done Today....day 50 we'd be even. Because if I did my math right that would equal $500.00!

Oh yeah, our insurance agent said had we taken it to an @r0%ress(ive approved shop (they failed to say that at the time), it would have had to be done in 12 days!! Twelve Days!!

Honey let's have Chow Mein....

2012-01-25T19:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, time for me to "fess up"....

I cooked this whole meal,

I came up with the recipe,

bought the ingredients,

had it all ready,

When he Walked In The Door....

NOT....

I did have the

"idea"

but that's about it!

Okay,

so I bought some of the

ingredients....

And I'm

Woman

enough to admit it!

So here we go

and it was Delicious too!

This is what he did!

(I didn't get prep pic's sorry)

~Stir frying the Vegetables~

~marinated stir fried Chicken~

w/ a bit of sugar on it....

~give it a Toss~

~a bit of a Stir~

~let it Rest~

~add the Chicken~

~a bit of a Stir~

~and a Toss~

~let it Rest~

~add the Bean Sprouts~

~the Noodles~

~Soy Sauce to taste~

~Rice Wine Vinegar~

~give it a Toss~

~another Stir~

and Serve....

~He likes his with Hot Sauce~

SRIRACHA HOT SAUCE

(preferably)

~Me....Not So Much~

~Oh Yeah....the Noodles We Used~

and Now....

Brad's Recipe

2 carrots julienned

2 stalks of celery cut on bias

6 white mushrooms chunk ed

half of a green pepper cut large chunks

half of a bok choy cabbage sliced thin (if large)

1 can drained and rinsed bamboo shoots

half of a red onion

2 garlic cloves

bean sprouts to taste (I used half a bag)

3 Tbsp sugar

1/4 cup or so of dark soy

1 Tbsp sesame oil

2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Slice chicken thin marinate in sesame oil and rice wine vinegar for at least 1 hr. Stir fry chicken in hot wok/pan then set aside. Boil noodles for 3 minutes, rinse in cold water and let drain. Stir fry all vegetables starting with carrots and onion then add all other vegetables and add meat. Lastly, add sprouts and noodles to vegetables and heat, add soy, sugar and vinegar and thicken with cornstarch and water. Serve immediately and add soy and green onions to taste.

Enjoy!

Pillow Cases....

2012-01-25T06:48:00.001-05:00

Do you IRON them?

I Do IF they're

Really wrinkled!

No fancy laundry room!

We haven't really done anything to this room

but paint it.

Do you like

White sheets?

~OR~

Color~ed Sheets?

There....much Better!
All ironed & folded....

Smelling

Fresh

Clean.....

Mmmm!

My Grandma used to iron everything it seems.

She would iron my Grandpa's t-shirts (he was a farmer),

even his handkerchiefs....

Remember those? Not many men carry Real handkerchiefs anymore!

~I think of her when I iron my pillowcases~

What all do You iron?

or do you call it Press?

Another Snow Day....

2012-01-24T08:15:00.000-05:00

But we don't have Snow!

It all melted when it was 43 degrees and raining yesterday

All Day Long!

We didn't have school yesterday either,

because the majority of our students

live in the country

on back roads

that are dirt

and curvey

So that means they are

Slick and Slippery!

The temps dropped below freezing last night

so all that rain froze

of course.

So I got hubby off to work this morning,

Jobs don't have Snow days,

often anyway....

poured a hot cup of coffee,

turned on The Hallmark Movie channel

and this movie was on.

If you haven't seen it before I recommend it!

I love a good

Sissy Spacek movie!

Wouldn't you love living by a

Lighthouse?

I like her Straw Hat too!

She seems like just the person

I'd want as a Good Friend!

There are lots of great people in this movie.

If you haven't seen it, next time it's on take a look.

Don't you just LOVE a good Hallmark Movie?

Pastry Anyone?....

2012-01-22T10:04:00.002-05:00

Look what my hubby went out and picked up this morning....

I chose the one with nuts....

Mmm....

I've got hot coffee brewing too....

Your turn, don't be shy!

Happy Sunday!

Where have I been?...

2012-01-20T10:14:00.004-05:00

Seriously! Seems I have been under a ~~funk of some kind out of my control~~ Rock somewhere here in blogland.
I have been ~~totally jealous~~ admiring all the cool fonts and stuff on other blogs and even ventured out in that big old scary world of trying to find it on my own world. I decided to ~~totally not "screw" up my blog~~ make some changes around my little blog here and googled How to Change your Font! Actually tried that yesterday and quickly went back and hit delete, delete, delete on 4 sites I had to download on my computer just to get said "Free Fonts" only to find out I had to buy a "package" to a Web Site to "allow" me to get the Cool ~~Free~~ font I wanted. Not worth that Free price to me!

THEN Just Now....

I decide to go and change up my template and started playing around. (Apparently I don't play around enough, wink, wink!) That's when I found all those cool fonts just sitting there waiting for ME to choose THEM!

You really should have told me....
don't you think?

Anyway, I don't remember them being there last I was in template whatever it's called!
Now I know!

Now if I could just figure out how to make my pic's larger....
guess I need to Play around a bit more!

P.S. Just went and played....blushing! Duh....you really should have told me!

Today's one of those Days....

2012-01-19T11:20:00.005-05:00

We got some more Snow over night....

and the temps have dropped to around

17 degrees today

Makes me want to stay right here,

where it's warm and cozy

with my

pretty bird cups

Candle

of course....

BUT, instead I should do

something productive

in this room,

where it is also

Warm

Cozy...

making some of this

Yummy Banana Bread

A cuppa somethin' somethin'

like my fav...

a SF Hazelnut Latte'

and it probably wouldn't ~~kill me~~ hurt

to spend sometime in this

Warm, but

Not So Cozy

room....

doing what we all

have all. the. time. to. do.

You know what I'm talkin' about girls!!

Then somewhere around 5:30 this evening

I ~~have to~~ venture out and go pick up

My Guy....

at the airport.

Let's hope his plane doesn't get delayed from the Snow!

Just Passing Along....

2012-01-18T09:19:00.002-05:00

I've been perusing, that's a word right??, blogland and thought I would pass along a few I thought you might enjoy as well. I am sure you've probably visited some of these at least already! But, I always like it when I find a "new" blog to look forward to each day. Let me know what you think? Enjoy your day, we are getting sun today....so far. Yippee!

http://bucketsofburlap.blogspot.com/

http://missgracieshouse.blogspot.com

http://laurieannas.blogspot.com

http://getcottage.blogspot.com

http://honeycombcreativeco.blogspot.com

http://www.townandcountryliving.blogspot.com/
http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com

San Jose....

2012-01-17T11:02:00.001-05:00

Costa Rica!

that is....

where my hubby is

right now....

with my camera.

Hope he takes some Great pictures for me to share!

Miss you!

Please meet Delilah Duke....

2012-01-16T14:47:00.000-05:00

My girls tell me I haven't posted about her yet. I'm not finding anything so must be they're correct. My daughter Hillary "rescued" her from a co-worker who could no longer keep her. Apparently she wasn't home enough to spend time with her and when she was all Delilah did was cry. So she has been with us since around May last year.

When she came to us she was extremely thin. I would feed her and she would gobble her food down like she may never eat again....and then want to go outside and she would throw-up the food she just ate. Not good! So that happened once or twice before I caught on to what she was doing and then I would portion her food and feed her more often little bits at a time through out the day. Finally she realized, Hey I am going to get fed here! and she started eating "normal" and gaining weight. She was something like 40 lbs when she came to us and about a month later she was 48 lbs, which is perfect for her size and breed (according to the vet).

She came housebroke, so that was good. She is ALWAYS ~~ridiculously~~ happy to see us....at all times of the day she acts as if she hasn't seen us in forever. She has the funniest wiggle butt like she is about to flop down and do flips or something. It did however take awhile for Loosey to get used to Delilah. They had that Alpha female thing going on. But, they now relate to each other just fine. Although, I do believe with the age difference, Loosey is 7 yrs old and Delilah is 2 yrs old (we think as there were no papers with her) that Delilah tends to get on Loosey's nerves on occasion! But, they do pretty good for the most part with each other. Delilah lets Loosey eat first (even though they have separate bowls) and then she will eat hers and Loosey's leftovers. They swap beds all. the. time.! But yet they will be curled up on one sometimes too. She also thinks she is a lap dog and that she should get all of the attention, even if Loosey was there first, she will push her out of the way. Can you see the mischief in her eyes?
Too cute!

I tried a new recipe....

2012-01-14T08:19:00.002-05:00

It's French!

~with Rice~

~Amanda made Focaccia bread~

It's All good!
~Check it out here~

Pure Michigan...

2012-01-13T07:21:00.001-05:00

Well, I guess the Snow held

off as long as it could.

It's really pretty this time of the morning

when I open the door to make sure

my hubby gets out of the driveway okay.

The church is

a direct view from my "back door".

So serene!

Did you get much snow?

For My 3 Girls...

2012-01-12T09:49:00.000-05:00

http://pinterest.com

Love Always,

Mom

Water Daily....

2012-01-11T10:27:00.000-05:00

I find lately that I need water. Something I'm not very good at making sure I get enough of each day. They say at least 8 glasses a day is recommended. I am not good at that! I was a few years ago. In fact I lost quite a bit of weight drinking lots of water and watching what I ate.

Not too long ago I purchased this BPA free, I guess that's what they say, bottle. Thinking I would definitely make myself drink water like I should. I haven't really.

For some reason, I have a hard time drinking water out of a glass for anything more then taking medicine or maybe having a glass on the nightstand.

I do better drinking from a bottle. That's what I did before, when I was drinking water all day long. Only I would use the same bottle, each. and. every. day! They say that's not good, so I stopped. Then I stopped drinking water. I need to start again!

I do drink coffee. Not all day of course.

That has water in it.

But then there are other ways I get my water during the day!

Sometimes it's by simply lighting a yummy scented candle.

Or working on my blog.

Sometimes I get watered while reading a good book. I seem to be doing this a lot right now!

Of course I always get watered looking thru my favorite magazines.

Love doing that!

I've also been trying to watch some of my favorite movies.

Takes me away!

Crafting waters me too. This is one that my Mom started years ago. I pick it up now and then.

My favorite way to water myself is at the end of the day. There's nothing like a nice hot bubble bath to water your soul!

Yes, I need water daily!

I should do that more often.

I am going to try and make that a daily ritual.

Do you water daily?

Feeling unsettled today....

2012-01-09T09:51:00.001-05:00

There are many things to do today....things that have been put aside what with all that has been going on here lately. Things that I should be doing right now. Things I said to myself during the night that I was going to get done today. I have tons of laundry to do, that's never ending right? I desperately need to vacuum as you can imagine with 2 dogs and a cat in the house. Beds to change, a lost retainer to find ( $350.00 to replace if not found), dinner to put in crock pot so I don't have to worry about what to cook at 5 p.m. when I am not so much in the mood to do much. That is if I get all the other things I just listed done....as I planned I would, during the middle of the night!

But, so far just the one load of laundry has been accomplished. Along with finding a new background for my blog. Nothing out there seems right for me right now. Don't know why that seems to be something on my mind that I need to get done today when there is so much more important things to do. But, it is so until then I have picked what you see. I will play around for a bit, between loads of laundry and rooms that may get vacuumed.

What do you have planned to do today?

Update: Found "lost" retainer! My darling girl needs to learn how to ~~actually move stuff, better yet clean her room~~ look around things and she may actually find what she ~~accidentally dropped off her nightstand against the wall~~ lost!

On the road again....

2012-01-08T10:38:00.000-05:00

Today we are headed down to

spend some time with my FIL.

Yes the skies are blue and the sun is shining!

Thanks be to God!

We should be shoveling snow.....

I will not complain!

While down there

we will be making a visitation

as well. My sister's FIL

passed away the night of my

MIL's visitation.

Though more expected!

Hard to believe

it's been 10 days already!

But, today the sun is shining!

And we will soak it in!

Have a blessed day!

Technically Gone Vera....

2012-01-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

As ~~I totally bragged about~~ you may know,

my exciting gift for Christmas

was this computer!

Along with this

Hello Dahlia!

skin....

I'm told it's a larger

laptop, 17.3 inch to be exact, because my eyes

are getting older I'm assuming.

So it takes a larger

sleeve, to transport it anywhere

so as not to scratch it.

I'm learning all those

technical terms:

Skin & Sleeve.

So I was on a mission

on this said laptop

to find the perfect

ahem....

Sleeve

I ordered it

online....

on Jan. 1st.

it was on our doorstep

when we arrived home

Wednesday evening.

How quick is that?!

I looked for

Hello Dahlia!

to match my

Skin

no longer available

again, I assume

as I didn't see it as an

option/choice.

instead I ordered

Buttercup

I love the colors!

As my girls will tell you

I love

browns

greens

well, lots of colors!

Do you Vera?

I do!

Technically speaking!

Mixed Emotions....

2012-01-05T10:07:00.002-05:00

My life as of late has had many mixed emotions! As many of you know, this "holiday" season has been a difficult one for my family. What should be the happiest of season's, unexpectedly, turned out to be a very sad one even though we tried to make things as upbeat and "normal" as possible for our girls. On Dec. 29 th my MIL passed away....unexpectedly. With her passing brought many mixed emotions for me. I personally had already experienced my first Christmas with the loss of my mom. One would think that the season would be a tad easier to get through. It was not! I found that while going through all of the difficult decisions that we had to make at that time for my MIL, I was also grieving and experiencing all over again the loss and pain of losing my mom. My tears were for both of the strong women in our combined families that we had to let go. Confused at times which tears were for whom. Yet knowing they were for both! Trying so hard to not cry so I could be strong for my children and for my husband and for my FIL. Yet, not so strong at all inside!

Being married to an only child I was not sure of my role when something like this was to happen. I tried to just "be there" and support the decisions that were being made. The hardest part for me was seeing the emotions that my husband was experiencing and to see my FIL tear up over a memory that might come to mind. He loved her so and this ~~will be~~ IS extremely hard on him! I gave him lots of hugs, more so then I normally do. I was there....I think that was my role!
Just be there!

Seeing my girls go through another loss of a Grandma they loved so dearly, is very hard! Yet knowing their emotions are normal and healthy. I hurt for them, yet I am trying to be the strong one! I hurt for my husband, losing his mom so unexpectedly. When my mom passed I could not explain why I seemed to tear up so easily. I don't think one can explain. But if you've been through it you know. Unfortunately, he now knows!

Her service was yesterday. Although some of her wishes were overpowered by my husband and my FIL, I think she would be proud of how we as a family honored her! We were told by many how lovely the service was. We had our visitation Tuesday evening with many of their friends. She looked finally at peace! No more pain and worry, losing her eyesight and feeling as though she had to "depend" on people. Something that she would never be able to come to terms with! Her wish was to be cremated. After the service at the church she was taken away. Next we "see" her we will have another service to bury her ashes. Her wish will be honored!

Two of my children are having difficulty with this. My personal decision is not to be cremated, when my time comes. But I understand this is not how everyone believes. I tell my girls that this is what Grandma wanted and we have to honor that. It doesn't make it any easier. I hope one day they will come to understand that when our time comes, we can only hope that the decisions made will be done with respect for the person.
I think we did that!

So, to my MIL, I hope you are resting well and are finally at peace!

Love your daughter in law,

My wish to all of you....

2011-12-31T08:07:00.000-05:00

May you all have a safe and family filled

2012

Another 6:25 a.m. call....

2011-12-29T23:57:00.000-05:00

One that was becoming common

but, was totally

unexpected too.

My MIL passed away this morning

Elizabeth Jean Miller

September 11, 1929 - December 29, 2011

When my husband answered the phone he

wasn't expecting the news his father was delivering.

Of course we rushed down there and spent the day.

Losing her sight and breaking her hip

may have been just too much.

The nursing home believes that

possibly a blood clot developed

and entered her lung.

My FIL spent the day with her yesterday.

They had visitors, she had been in

the wheelchair and seemed

for her condition

"okay"

Only God knows

her time was soon

too come.

She will be greatly missed!

Thank you for your words of kindness at this time.

I had a Wonderful Christmas....

2011-12-26T09:31:00.000-05:00

Thru the years I've never really asked for anything for Christmas!

I am Thankful for whatever I am fortunate to receive.

But, this year I did ask for something....

a laptop

just

for

I must have been a very good girl

because I got one!

and I got a Vera Bradley skin....
Hello Dahlia!

a cooling pad that's gel

an optical mouse

and I chose a cool bird background

to make it mine.

Now I have my own little

blogging station. And the cool

thing is I can finally upload

pictures again!

Yeah!

Hope you all had a Wonderful Christmas as well!

Honey you should take my car....

2011-12-09T12:17:00.002-05:00

and I'll go get you new tires today!

Maybe...

No I'll just take my car he said!

You may not be able to tell

from this picture,

but to left you see a road that is the end of

a hill, which then goes straight across

and down with trees

and electrical poles

and other stuff....

like the van in front of him that

also couldn't stop,

coming down that hill!

And the lady in the suv after him,

that steered clear of them,

and then was on her way.

He's just fine....

alittle sore from tensing up

ready for the impact.

Car wouldn't even start up.

But, they say it should

be ready by the end of next week.

And the guy in the van...

drove away with a bent muffler pipe.

coulda, woulda, shoulda....

left me his the car!

At least he'll be

Home tonight!

Hello Friends....

2011-12-01T09:39:00.000-05:00

I'm still around.
I take a peek at everyone's blogs.

Still no luck getting my pictures to work on

the computer for me. But I am trying to be patient...

hard thing for me to be, patient!

But I am working on it.

Having 3 grown girls and 2 dogs

I have to be patient.

I must admit I am having trouble

getting in the Christmas "spirit" this year!

Don't have the desire on this 1st day of

December to start putting away my
Fall decorations,

and getting out my Christmas decorations.

I still have pumpkins on my front doorstep

& cornstalks on my pillars.

Don't know why....

but, I do!

Although, you may notice

I did change my blog background.

Thought "maybe" it might get

me started....

we'll see.

Update to a previous post

seen here
sadly, my MIL has now
lost her vision almost completely.
She can only detect light.
We had them up for
Thankgiving
and experienced what my FIL
has to live with everyday!
My husband is an only child,
so there is some "talking" that
has to be done on his part.
Very hard for him,
having parents that are
very independent people.
But are now
81 & 82
and live about 1 1/2 hrs away
from us. Difficult decisions
to be made for sure!

Hope you all have a Wonderful Day
this first day of December!
I'll be getting the Spirit I'm sure
for the season from all of your
beautiful blogs!
See you in blogland!

I admit...I'm POUTING!

2011-11-21T07:59:00.000-05:00

Why, you might ask?

Because

can NOT

get

ANY

pictures

upload

our

computer!!!!!!!

And I have sooo many things to show you.

But, by the time I figure out what the problem is

it will be old stuff.

Ahhh.....

Do you feel my frustration?

I'm off to have

another cup of coffee and some

pumpkin bread......

that may help.

I usually don't swear but....

2011-11-10T09:10:00.000-05:00

SNOW....

IS FALLING OUTSIDE MY WINDOW,

HERE IN GOOD OL'

MICHIGAN!

I got a package in the mail....

2011-09-23T09:38:00.000-04:00

I was soooo excited!

It was wrapped in pretty pink

tissue paper!

It was my prize from

Amy@ Keep'n The Sunny Side

Thanks Amy for this fantastic giveaway gift!

Please check out Amy's new etsy shop

when you stop by for a visit to her blog

she's got some cute little acorns that

are perfect for your fall decorating!

Now I'm off to enjoy my new candle.

Have a great first day of fall day!

More Fall Goodness....

2011-09-16T10:21:00.000-04:00

I don't live close to a BIG town.

I'm about 45 mins. to all the

great shopping areas and malls.

Last week I was looking thru my emails

and saw an offer I couldn't refuse!

The sale ended that day....

What's a girl to do....

when she can't get into the BIG town

and go to the actual store and take advantage of

this great offer in person....

on that day!

Well, this girl ordered what she wanted online!

and it arrived yesterday!

Now I must admit....

I am NOT a patient person!

When I want something....

I want it now!

No, not spoiled, just....

NOT patient!

But, for this I had to be

and it was sooo hard.

But, I made it and now I am....

HAPPY!

(Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin)

The offer was

get 2 of the large sized candles

from Bath and Body Works

for $10.00 each with,

$1.00 shipping IF

I spent $25.00.

So I did!

(Pumpkin Caramel Latte)

I have never purchased the large sized

candles before. But, for this deal

I thought, Why not!

(Orchard Leaves)

I have however, purchased the

hand soaps. This one is

the foaming kind. I've never heard

of this scent before, so I thought I would

try it !

Can you guess which scent I'm enjoying this morning?

We dropped into the 30's for temps. last night.

This candle is putting me in the mood

for a trip to the coffee shop!

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful smelling candle

in your Home today!

Better then Christmas...to me

2011-09-14T09:51:00.000-04:00

What could be better then

Christmas you might ask?

Well....

to me, it's opening that first tote

full of Fall Goodness!

and seeing all the fun stuff to

decorate our Home with.

So you're Welcome to

come on in and see what I've started.

First things gotta be, my version of

a wreath on my door.

Can you believe that is one single

bunch of flowers?

and of course I have to have a

Great smelling candle going

to make our Home smell....

well, Homey!

Just a little vignette in our entry.

It's the little things....

like this mini pumpkin,

that I hope welcomes....

to our Home thruout the season?

This is one of my favorite spots to decorate.

A little nook under our staircase.

Hope your having fun decorating your Home!

We woke to 47 degrees, so Fall is definitely in the air!

And I'm Loving it!

I Can't Believe It....

2011-09-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

We had my in-laws up Sunday, Sept. 11th.
It was my mother-in-laws 82nd Birthday.
She, about 2 yrs ago, was told by her doctors that she is "legally" blind.
She says she can't see anything out of her left eye!
She has some vision in her right eye!
She has bleeding behind her "good" eye, sorry I can't remember what they call that. And that is actually what caused her to be blind in her left.

She went friday to get her license renewed.
She said she told them she was blind in one eye.
She said she had to look in that little box for her
peripheral vision test, and she could see.
So they gave her her license!
I can not believe it! You can look at her and see that she is blind or at least has some problem with that eyes!

I ask you to cover your left eye,
wave your fingers off to the side of that left eye,
and see if you can see them!

At dinner she was asking what different things were on her plate. Not because she'd never had them, but because she doesn't see well!
She's not able to read anymore!
She wears sunglasses to watch their flat screen TV!
At christmas time I was sitting not 6 ft across the room from her and she didn't even know I was in the room until I spoke to her. She is on all kinds of medications for other problems. She has a pacemaker, and yet, They Gave Her A License to get in her car and drive! She claims she only makes right hand turns. Which takes her way out of her way to get where she is going....because she can't see well enough to get where she is going. And yet, they gave her her license!

I think my husband's upset with me because I find this a bigger deal then he does! I just can't seem to stop shaking my head!

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest! I just don't get it!

3 of My Favorite Things....

2011-09-08T10:48:00.001-04:00

With the coming of Fall....

which happens to be my Favorite season

comes my favorite things!

A cool magazine

A great smelling candle

and

A great tasting latte'

(this one happens to be the much talked about

Pumpkin Spice Latte')

I highly recommend picking this up if you haven't already!

It is chock full of ~~beautiful~~ gorgeous photos.

I've never seen this one before,
have you?

even the back cover is something to

look forward to.

Definitely a keeper for the coffee table!

And of course with the

Fall air

comes the obsession for a great smelling candle

I chose Salty Caramel!

I could almost eat it with a spoon!

Sorry there's no picture of the latte'

But it sure tasted good!

What things help you welcome Fall?

Art In A Bag....

2011-08-30T14:25:00.000-04:00

A burlap coffee bag that is!

Purchased for just $2.00

I cut it in half

Chose the side I wanted to use

Made sure it fit in the poster frame I already had

Traced around the glass front of the frame.

Cut out the portion I needed.

Sprayed adhesive to the backing of the frame.

And Wah-la....

Kitchen Art!

Plus I have the back side of the bag....

more art or pillow cover....

undecided!

I'm Not Gone....

2011-07-15T11:29:00.000-04:00

Just took alittle break!

Updated my playlist....

Updated my mind....

Hope your still with me!

Things are Happening Here....

2011-04-15T10:14:00.000-04:00

Things that are at times heavy, emotionally that is! Things that I'm not ready to face, but somehow, at different levels are being forced to! Things that are out of my hands...now, and really shouldn't have been mine to handle to begin with! Things that I should have control over, but don't and that frustrates me! Things that can't be shared....but, Oh how I'd like to! Things that I need advice for...but, am handling with my own knowledge and beliefs! Things that are making me not the trusting person I was before!

But, Thankfully, I have a loving husband who is by my side and we are in this together!
That is something I can handle and trust for sure!

Still Tweaking, But....

2011-03-09T09:04:00.003-05:00

as you know, Mallory just turned

16 Feb. 25th. She had a busy weekend planned

with her sister and was

away for the whole weekend.

So there was no BIG Sweet 16 Birthday Party!

And this was all fine with her, because she got to

go to a concert with her sister instead.

So, while she was away we re-did her bedroom.

More updated and appropriate for the grown-up

that she is so quickly becoming!

Nope....no new car for her!

But, I think she's pretty happy with this....

This room use to be her older sisters.

Now keep in mind we live in a Home that was

built in 1879, so it is what it is. But we changed

the room color from a soft yellow,

her sisters choice,

to a Sea Grass green color.

And it changed it up quite nice!

I LOVE words on the walls

~Dream Until, your Dream Comes True.~

Her dream is to become a Singer, songwriter....

move over Taylor Swift !!

The new bedding is from Kohl's....

LOVE the colors and print!

Still need to repaint the chair and her

makeup desk....

Lucky girl has her own bathroom....

who wouldn't love that!

There was the original pedestal sink,

it would have stayed, but the people we

bought the house from used some chemical

must be to clean it and ruined the finish.

So....she got a vessel sink to replace it!

Gorgeous....

I'm jealous!

The faux roses were given to her

by her bff's sweet 85 year old grandpa....

had to use them!

We bought a gallon too much for our kitchen....

so we used it in her bathroom!

(it was turquoise....yuck!)

This is the before....

yellow, purple, turquoise. lime green

and this is the after....

Libby likes it just fine....

And I think Mallory's pretty happy too!

Happy 17th Birthday Tom....

2011-03-07T15:37:00.002-05:00

You came to us alittle scared at first....

but I think you soon realized we weren't that bad!

You adapted quickly....

and weren't afraid to show you had a sense of humor

You inherited 3 sisters....

and they a Brother!

Brad suddenly had a son....

to ice fish with....

and play music with!

You'll never know how much that means to him!

You're a very talented musician...

but you "claim" you don't sing!

We have a picture that says you do!

Ha, Ha!

You're also a very talented artist....

these are just a few examples!

and you LOVE, Love, love...

to skateboard!
And you are a little bummed by all the
SNOW!

The missing at times sister....

thinks your okay too....

She's shows that by giving you a thumbs up!

We hope you know that you have become a part of our family!

Your time spent here means alot to all of us.

It's been a learning experience....

first, by having a "son" in the house,

and also by learning a bit about France from you,

although, I'm not sure any of us would be

able to say a word in french.

We know you have a wonderful "real" family

in France.... because they are sharing you with us!

But, we hope that we will always

be considered your American family,

because we hope you know,

you will always be a part of ours!

Much Love...

From All of Us!

From Bees to Birds~A MAJOR Decluttering....

2011-03-01T10:06:00.001-05:00

First I want to say that I LOVED my

Bee bathroom....for 10 yrs!

But, after awhile sometimes,

you grow tired of certain styles.

I'm sure you know what I mean.

So, grab a cup of somethin' somethin'

and see the transformation.

I am loving it!

~Before~

Nicely done I thought!

With wall magic in the green. You know

that two roller tray thing....

late 80's early 90's. Looked great

compared to the bright lavender that

was here when we bought the house.

I had it crammed full of anything

bee related.

I had the perfect border

But it was time to go and morph into

something a LOT less cluttered

and dated looking!

So the painting began

We did keep the red in the ceiling area though.

And of course those,

what do you do with them, pipes.

I chose Sueded Leather

for the walls. It's a Valspar signature color.

Love this paint!

Added a new ~~use to be Amanda's makeup~~ mirror.

Decided to paint it black instead

Painted the little white lamp black also.

Brought in my TJ Maxx bird plate.

Hubby made a nice maple bench top.

Purchased these great baskets from

TJ Maxx to store the pool towels and

reading material.

Brought in the bird pictures

that we found at our local thrift store:
http://cottagetome.blogspot.com/2010/03/not-just-another-thrift-store-find.html

the mate is over the bench.

So this is the end result!

It is much cleaner looking and feeling.

Not much we can do about the darn pipes

without making the room way smaller.

And they're really not that bad!

Way more ~~grown-up~~ updated feeling!

Then it was on to the cabinet in the room....

It's just a prefab press board cabinet.

Dark and unorganized on the inside.

So I cleared it out and cleaned it up.

Painted it a bright white semi-gloss

for easy cleanup.

Added some baskets for organization.

Purchased from Kohl's clearanced

one BIG basket and one small basket

for $8.90 from $29.99!

And we're finished!

It's funny how a fresh coat of paint and some

major decluttering can make you

Fall in Love with your Home again!

Thanks for taking time out to see my

bathroom transformation...

Next up Mal's bedroom!

Sweet 16 Today...

2011-02-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Mallory!

Dad got up at 6:00 a.m. to make her

birthday pancakes before school. Of course we

had to have a candle to blow out because she's off

to spend a fun filled weekend with her

sister Hillary afterschool today! Concert, skating

and other fun sister stuff!

Our baby's growing up!

Me Being A Proud Momma....

2011-02-18T10:35:00.001-05:00

(Please turn off my playlist if you want to listen to her...I could not figure out how to turn it off myself for you, but if you just click on the pause button it will work ...Sorry)

Her DREAM as long as I can remember, has always been to

grow up and be a famous singer! I know I am her Mom, but

I think she is on her way!

Thanks for listening!

Vintage....

2011-02-16T14:20:00.001-05:00

We've had this little kit for years now.

Never really used it,

but, kept it in the cupboard for memories sake!

It is something my father-in-law got

years ago when he worked at

Post Cereals

in the research department.

He "invented"/came up with

alot of the cereals that go into our

cupboards today!

My husband remembers being

the guinea pig for alot that

worked and alot that didn't!

Looks like he got this back in 1973!

This is the list that was originally inside.

As you can see in the first picture, it needed some

cleaning up. So I got out my handy wipes and went at it!

Almost like new!

Then I packed it up with band-aides, wipes,

gauze pads, tape, clippers, pins, and

cotton swabs.

What a fun little way to store all the

boo boo necessities!

Don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day....

2011-02-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share with you what my

Valentine got me!

If you remember just a couple weeks ago,

we repainted our kitchen. And I showed you

the pictures and talked about how the next

thing "hopefully" to come was a new microwave

and backsplash to finish off the room.

Here is the before.

Old....at least 12 yrs old, microwave.

That believe me when I say was showing it's age!

Also notice the above empty space. That was

done by the previous owners.

We could only guess

what they had in mind and

why they didn't finish it.

But, up until now, it was just not high on

our priority list to fix!

But this weekend....

my husband decided to tackle that

ugly eyesore in the kitchen.

So he built a cupboard space.

Attached it to the other cupboard space above

and to the wall, so he could .....

Put up my brand new microwave!

I was sooo excited, I could hardly wait.

This microwave required it to be

mounted to the cupboard above.

Well, since we had none,

that meant he had to build one.

So I waited and waited all day for

the glue and the stain

and the poly-urethane to dry.

Do you ever get that excited over

something like this? I do! Silly I know!

But, it's True Love to me!

I had to take Mal and a friend to

the next town to a movie

(Justin Bieber)

And he said when I got back we

would put in the microwave.

But...true to my husband's way,

he had it in (with Tom's help) and

ready for me when I

got Home! All decorated and everything!

And silly me, got all excited about this....

Ha, ha....I just had to

take a picture of each word!

I love it!

That's how badly we needed a new microwave!

So here is the view....

Next, the backsplash!

This is THE BEST Valentine's gift for me!

I LOVE YOU Honey!

Thanks!

NOT Missing....

2011-02-09T09:09:00.001-05:00

But, I am working on a new project!

It involves this room.

And I can't show the results until I am

totally finished with it....

That's just how I roll!

What projects are you working on in your home?

See ya soon!

Do You See What I See....

2011-02-02T07:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome, I left the light on for you!

Although, the snow has covered half of my window.

It's a bit "Frosty" out there

so you should hurry in.

Maybe I should have shoveled for you first.

There's about 12 inches to get thru.

And more to come!

They say at least 2 to 5 more inches expected.

Lots of white!

Hubby was up and out to try and get to work.

But, he had to blow the snow first!

You can barely see him!

He's very dedicated!

You can see his path out....

and his path back!

What are you seeing out your door this morning?

My Grown-up Kitchen Re-do....

2011-01-31T14:51:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, hubby and I decided it was time to paint the kitchen!

After all, we hadn't painted it in about 9 years.

We liked the color....

lots of people seemed to, but you know how it is

when you just need to freshen things up a bit.

It was time to rid the kitchen of all of my

cheffy stuff. I had already

started doing so last year.

By removing the chef pictures

that hung along the

big wall of our kitchen and adding a hutch.

Which we both love, but,

because of the size of the room

with 11 ft. ceilings, the hutch seems too small.

But, for now it works!

~Before~

For some reason, I could only find this

old picture with the chef pic's.

So pictures were removed....

and many holes were patched....

and the painting began....

Am I going to like this?

Oh My....

What am I doing?

We started painting at about 7:30 a.m.

and finished at about 3:30 p.m.

Not bad considering all the odd wall spaces

to be painted. But, I was in charge of doing

all the cutting in and edging.

Hubby did all the rolling.

We worked well together for the most part!

~After~

These pictures are alittle dark.

I didn't think I needed the lights on.

It's not a ~~sunny~~ gloomy day!

As for my new kitchen....I am loving it!

We hung just a few pieces from before.

The wine holders on the wall are new....

3 years ago from Ikea, but never got hung.

Of course my Chef statue and my bread board

were definitely invited back!

Hubby spray painted my 3 tier plate stand

black for me, it was gold.

I bought 3 tannish colored plates

to compliment it and loaded it with

fresh fruit!

Next plan is to replace the old white microwave

with the matching stainless steel to go with

our fridge, oven and dishwasher.

The pot rack was re-hung.

And an old steamship menu was framed

and hung above the pot rack.

It's in french....

our french son is the only one in

the house that can read it!

I started collecting dish towels and such

about a year or so ago, with colors I dreamt

of having in my grown-up kitchen. I knew I

wanted to do something in the

brown, mocha and carmel colors.

But, still have some fun colors in there

to use as accents. This towel is one of them.

I bought it at World Market. Love the colors!

Our next project in the kitchen is to do

a tile back splash behind our

stove and microwave.

I picked this up yesterday at Lowe's.

We both love it and it looks great with the color

we chose and the cabinets!

I picked this up at Pottery Barn

in the clearance area.

It was originally $29.00....

I paid $9.00!

Not bad and the colors match and the

peacock ties in with our dining room!

These faux plants are all over the Pottery Barn

store. They are on table tops and under cloches.

This one was in the clearance area because the

terra cotta pot had broken and it was just the

plant in the styrofoam. With pot it was

$12.00....without pot $3.97.

I had a pot!

This is the color we painted our kitchen.

It's called Peat Moss

and it's Valspar paint I believe.

It takes on different shades in my kitchen

as the natural light changes

or the light fixtures are turned on.

I am very happy with the turn out

and have gotten lots of thumbs up from

the family. Now the bathroom off the kitchen

needs updating too! Hmmm.....

what color will I choose?

Label Love....

2011-01-26T11:22:00.000-05:00

I've been updating our kitchen the past few days.

I will be showing you more

pictures at another time.

But, I found these cute little letters....

I think I got them at Marshall's of all places.

And thought they would be cute to label

my canisters in my pantry.

So that's what I did!

~I gathered my supplies~

blue painter's tape

my label's

and of course,

my canisters.

marked them off at the height I

thought looked good

I think they turned out cute!

Now maybe ~~my hubby~~

the flour and the sugar

won't get confused!

Now on to the pasta, cereal, and other containers

in my pantry!

Be Nice To Yourself Today....

2011-01-20T12:59:00.000-05:00

Every once in awhile,

while I have the house to myself,

I take an afternoon bubble bath!

I grab some soft pretty towels....

I run a bath full of bubbles...

and I relax...

and take a moment to myself!

And although it's not the prettiest bottle....

~I suppose if they made it girly, it would cost twice as much~

I like to give my feet a massage after my bath

with this stuff. It does work!

For me anyway.

So what do you do, in the middle of the day,

to be nice to yourself?

The Final Story....

2011-01-18T10:12:00.000-05:00

They went out ice fishing about 11:00 last Sunday...
saying they would return in about 1 1/2 hours.
I was worried to death, when after that time,
no text were being answered....
and no phones either!
Allowing that they were out in the boonies
(as we say around here)
I gave myself until about 3:00 p.m.
before I would either...
go in search of them
(although I didn't know where they were)
OR
call 911
and let them go!
2:52 p.m. my cell rings....
It's my hubby, finally....
They are in the truck, getting warm
waiting for Tom, who was bored fishing "their" spot
and went and found his own across the lake
and actually caught some fish there....
to come off the lake so they could head Home!
LOL, apparently now Tom is....
HOOKED!
and has been out a couple times since,
once with Mallory and once with a guy friend!
Here are some pictures of their
ice fishing experience!

~Dad hooking her up~

~Beautiful sunny Sunday~

~4 holes...have to catch something, right?~

~Waiting for the bobber to bob~

~Not sure Tom's liking it at this point~
Not sure why this pictures is sideways!

~Father & Son~
Notice how they even stand alike!

~Keeping them fresh~

~Hair stuck in braces~
They said it was really windy out there!

~Mal likes to ice fish~
Don't know why this picture is sideways...
can't get it to change...
Oh Well!

~Only other guy out there~
He had a shanty!
I won't show you the pictures of
the fish he speared...
too messy looking!
But, they were bigger fish!

~The day's catch~

They caught about 13 or so fish.
But when all cleaned and filleted,
not enough for a meal for 4 people.
But, they're okay with that,
because it gives them another
chance to go out and
catch some more!

~Dad gets to do the cleaning and filleting~

My hubby has been away on business this week, but has heard all of their
stories of no luck ice fishing. He is convinced they are jigging all wrong.
So I am sure that next weekend....
the 3 ice fishers will be out again!

Just A Tip....

2011-01-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I've posted

about this before or not...

and I'm too lazy to search

my blog to see if I did...

Maybe it was just a thought that I

should blog this little tip...

either way, bear with me on this!

Lotions are expensive!

And there is nothing else that bothers me more...

with lotions that is...

then when you are down to the last of the tube...

and it just won't spit out anymore...

no matter how hard you squeeze it!

You know there's more in there...

so this is what I do!

I cut off the end of the tube...

then I cut down one side...

then I cut around the lid section...

Look at all of that nice creamy lotion

just sitting in there...

possibly about to get thrown out!

Just a tip!

My 3 Ice Fishers....

2011-01-09T11:21:00.007-05:00

It's a beautiful sunny Sunday here in Michigan!

A "balmy" 7 degrees when

we woke up this morning.

So these 3 decided it was a great time

to go ice fishing!

You can see this makes the Big guy happy,

by the smile on his face!

Tom is probably thinking....

What am I getting myself into?

He's never been ice fishing.

Mallory has been before and seems to like it.

Tom tells me he has on his long underwear we got him for Christmas....

I think he's gonna need it!

While they're out enjoying their day,

I am Home enjoying a

cuppa this delicious hot cocoa.

My friend Amy over at
http://keepnthesunnyside.blogspot.com/2011/01/its-hot-cocoa-weather.html

shared this delightful idea for a quick warmer upper on a cold day.

So, I thought I would try it and

she's right....

it's Yummy!

Maybe when these two get back,

they would like to have some.

I'm sure they're gonna need it!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Stay warm with your favorite cuppa warmth!

And So It Was Found....

2011-01-06T09:37:00.009-05:00

My camera that is!

Yep, I was right....

Miss Mallory had it

at school

in her purse.

But, she respectfully

charged the battery for me

before returning it!

Now that I have it in

my possession,

I can post what I

intended to post

yesterday!

So if you don't mind, I thought I would share with you

a few things that I received for Christmas.

I cherish and appreciate everything I got,

but I will show you two that were totally unexpected!

One is this....

a Kindle!

Okay, now this little dealie could

If I let it...

consume my day.

Here's how....

it's a book,

it's a game,

it has music,

it has the web,

and probably more then I even know yet!

Didn't expect it, didn't ever think I would have one

but, I do and I am loving it!

Then came a gift that literally....

brought me to tears and I couldn't even look at it until the

next day, early morning, when I was alone....

A gift from the heart and made with LOVE....

and memories....

to cherish....

By my Hillary!

As I said, all of my gifts are truly appreciated,

but this book made from the heart with

love and great thought

will forever be cherished!

Now I can look at it and not always get

teary eyed, but be Thankful

for the memories that will forever be

captured. Having this shows that

when you think something is lost forever

you know that it isn't, because

someone, like my daughter

has those same memories in her heart

What a wonderful thing to have!

Okay, here come those darned tears again!

Hmmm....

2011-01-05T11:25:00.001-05:00

Now whose got my camera?

Umm....

Mallory??

Okay, so I finally come up with something to blog about....

I finally get the blogging urge rather,

because it has been not only busy this

holiday season, but also hard FOR ME

to even be in the holiday kinda mood. I have to say

I have spent many a moment of late, teary eyed.

I truly am trying not to be....

but, for anyone that has lost anyone that they

loved with all their heart, you know it's hard,

and it takes awhile. And I know....

it's all a normal process.

But, when....

back to the missing camera....

you get the urge or desire to do something,

but you need your camera....

it's maddening. Yes,

it's a small thing....

it's a don't sweat the small stuff kinda thing

But, it's my camera

and it's

not

where

I left it

last....

So I can not do the post

I wanted to do

because

somebody

(you know who you are)

has it....

Please return to the real owner

who received the camera

so she could

BLOG

with pictures!

Thank you very much!

Christmas Cookies, Check....

2010-12-22T09:25:00.006-05:00

Yesterday my youngest daughter and I spent a few hours together making some Christmas goodies. And hopefully some memories too!

~Wreaths~

~Peanut Butter Treats~

~Snowballs~

~Yuletide Toffee Squares~

~All Yummie Goodness~

Today maybe some pie!

What's on your list from the kitchen?

Christmas In The Morning Light...

2010-12-17T11:53:00.004-05:00

~Welcome~

I thought I would snap a few pictures this morning

while I was waiting for the kids to get ready for school.

I love the lights first thing in the morning....

everything is so warm and welcoming!

This year I decided to hang our Christmas cards

from the garland, with clothespins.

And a little peek of our tree!

Tom, our French son, cut down our Christmas tree....

his first Christmas tree to cut! Christmas will be fun

having him here. I am sure he will miss his family

back in France!

Glad your with us Tom!

A Bit of Christmas....

2010-12-14T10:58:00.002-05:00

~In my kitchen~

I love snowmen and thought this little snowman pot was just too cute!

Bought this little $3.00 poinsetta at my local grocery store.

It is the deepest wine color....

that unfortunately doesn't show well in these pictures!

Beautiful!

Poor Baby....

2010-12-03T08:22:00.002-05:00

I guess she wanted breakfast in bed!

I'm Still Here....

2010-12-02T09:29:00.004-05:00

just hanging out by the fire....

while the snow falls outside....

getting my Home ready for....

Christmas!

Do You Believe....

2010-10-29T08:28:00.011-04:00

things happen for a reason?

I do!

Let me tell you why.

As you know, because it's on my mind all. the. time.!

My Mom passed away this past April.

Not a Day goes by that my thoughts would be on her and everything that happened during that time. To the point, at times, that I literally had to make myself shower and get dressed and function as I normally would, even though that is NOT what I really wanted to do. I really wanted to get everyone off to start their day and stay in my PJ's the rest of the day and do nothing. Maybe even just go back to bed. I don't think anyone in my family, meaning hubby and girls, realized that! I wouldn't say I was in any kind of depression, just a huge numbing sadness....unexplainable to anyone that hasn't lost a parent....

a Mom!

But....I had to function, because I have people that count on me everyday to help them function. Whether they realize it or not! As much as they try to be "grown-ups" and think they do not need me anymore....my cell phone rings ALOT some days.

Mostly from this girl....

She is high maintenance these days!

But, something that has helped me more then I remotely thought it would and I can't explain why except that things....

Happen For A Reason
Is this kid!

~Tom~
You may remember me posting about him. He's the exchange student from France that is staying with us for this school year. He is a wonderful addition to our family and is fitting in quite nicely. But, as ODD as it may sound and NO I haven't completely lost it, I believe he is here to help me thru this "first" year! He is no more work then my girls, less so really. But, my mind hasn't constantly been on the loss of my Mom. That's not too say I never think of her, because I do and always will. But, just not as much to where I am constantly,
daily in sadness. Ya know!
Yesterday, Mom's Birthday, could have been a much sadder day for me. I wasn't able to go to the cemetery as I planned. The weather was such that I chose not to drive that distance. But, coincidentally (and I knew this) Tom's Dad's Birthday was the same day as my Mom's. Tom was struggling a bit more then I, not being in France with his family for his Dad's birthday. He needed sometime away from school yesterday, just to Skype his Dad during the day. Because of the time change, they don't get to do that during the week.
Tom needed it....things happen for a reason!
My place was here yesterday to make something happen for Tom. Had I gone to the cemetery, I would not have been Home to pick him up for lunch so he could come Home and Skype with his Dad! I also, chose not to attend the evening meal with my sister's and my Dad to celebrate Mom's Birthday last night. Again, the distance and driving at night....
I don't do that if I don't have to!
It's a good thing because....

this daughter called me at about 3:45 p.m.!
I would have been gone by then....
again, Things Happen For A Reason! She had just been in an accident, rear ended and was actually the middle car of a 5 car accident! She, thankfully, was not hurt, but her car had to be towed away. She needed to be picked up, she was shaken up, but okay. The other 2 here at Home needed rides to hang with friends, both in opposite directions. I had to reach my hubby at work to pick up our daughter. Her car may or may not be fixable, or worth fixing. She now has her Dad's vehicle, he has mine....

I have nothing, to drive that is!

But, I do believe....
Things Happen For A Reason!
How about you?

Today Would Have Been....

2010-10-28T08:27:00.006-04:00

Mom's 80th Birthday!

As some of you may know, I lost my Mom on April 25th of this year.

So here we are with another first!

And it would have been a huge celebration in our family.

A birthday, in my heart, I know we would have celebrated as we did Dad's, the weekend Mom passed away. With everyone gathering and sharing a meal with cake and ice cream.

But, sadly that sort of celebration will not take place for Mom!

Instead, my "celebration" for her will be in my thoughts thru-out the day.
My plan was to go to the cemetery today and take a nice bouquet of flowers
and just spend some time tending her grave and talking to her.
But, the weather is not cooperating with me today with the wind, rain and cold.

Mom would understand I'm sure!

Living almost 2 hrs away makes it difficult to also join my sister's and my father
in an evening meal to celebrate as a family. So on Saturday when the weather is a bit nicer,
or supposed to be anyway, my husband and I will make a trip down and visit the cemetery then.

So here we are at 6 months already!
It still doesn't seem real
that she is not with us anymore,
except of course and always will be
in our hearts!

I'd like to share the poem that was in the funeral announcement:

God saw you getting tired,
and a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around you
and whispered, "Come to Me."
With tearful eyes we watched you,
and saw you pass away,
And though we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best!

Happy 80th Birthday Mom!
I know you are smiling and laughing today,
with your friends and family members
who also passed before you.
I miss you and love you dearly!

ArtPrize 2010....

2010-10-12T08:50:00.037-04:00

You may have heard it on the Today Show's Hoda & Kathie Lee,

if not here's a link:

http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2010/10/kathie_lee_gifford_calls_artprize_unbelievable_and_hollands_evergreen_commons_extraordinary.html

We headed there this past Saturday. Mainly to see the Grand Prize Winner. Of course the line for that exhibit was very long. It started outside of the Art Museum building and wound around and into the building. The sun was warm and the line was long and someone was sleepy....

Finally we get into the building and are on the second level where the drawing is displayed

we hope....

The crowd was very controlled. Although we did have an "older" couple behind us who were a tad bit impatient....

by the sounds of her breath's of air, lol.

At last, the winner....

Definitely worth the wait!

Hand drawn with a #2 pencil....

I believe 84 in all,

and it only took, I heard, 8 months to complete!

You can not even imagine the detail to this drawing....

Right down to the blades of grass under their chairs.

My photos don't do it justice.

Truly AMAZING!

See why it won....

the artist received $250,000

Not bad!

The drawing below was also amazing....

also done in pencil....

colored!

(sorry about the glare)

Then we made our way out of the Art Museum....

after stopping to admire more art....

and it appears

Tom as well!

This was another winner....

Very intricate!

(photo too light)

There were also pianos set up around the city.

For anyone to play....

another form of art!

(lady unknown)

(Guy unknown)

(Mallory known)

There were all forms of art and we didn't even see half of it!

Lots of fish....

made from random things.

a HUGE basket of flowers

A Copper Man....

Is he real?

Yep!

A GINORMOUS greeting card....

that you could sign.

And then there were also the art pieces with a message....

This was titled:

Coughin....

wonder why?

I believe I read it was made from 10,000 cigarettes,

that had been smoked or lit to burn down!

Interesting!

and then there was the Bizarre....

Amanda's head fits perfectly!

Then it was off to see Dad (hubby) play in the next town.

They have a chili cook-off every year!

Dad/Hubby

a.k.a. Banjo Brad!

and the band....

Tracey (bass), Emzy (guitar), Brad (banjo), John (fiddle)

They have a great time every year and the crowd this year

was huge. We didn't get there until almost the end, but it

gave Tom a chance to hear the band play.

Tom has shown interest in learning banjo, so Brad put one in his hands.

Finally someone who shows interest in learning banjo!

Tom has picked it up quite well too!

He is teaching himself Foggy Mountain Break-down.

Good job!

I have tons of pictures of Art Prize.

Too many for one post.

So on occasion, I may show a few more!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Happy Birthday To My Hubby....

2010-10-07T12:40:00.006-04:00

Yep, it's today....

No matter what you do....

It's here!

You can't deny it....

It will be over soon!

But for today....

Just sit back and relax....

Cuz we're going to remind you....

That it's your....

Are you 1....

are you 2....

are you 3....

Oh forget it, that could take forever!

HAPPY

We Love You!

big, biG, BIG News....

2010-10-04T08:37:00.020-04:00

What a whirlwind past 3 days we have had in our household!

After 48 hrs of contemplation, we happily decided to be

the host family for a 16 yr old boy from

France!

I would proudly like to introduce to you our "son" from France Tom.

Our daughter became friends with him at school right away.

Tom is very musically inclined and plays beautiful guitar, as well as other instruments, which we haven't had the opportunity to have him play for us yet in the short period of time he has been with us. Mallory is quite musically inclined as well, and has taught herself how to play guitar.

She has not been playing quite as long as Tom, but with the same interest I'm sure they will have alot of fun "jamming" together, as they put it!

It was quite a busy weekend for Tom as well. Not only did he change host families right after school on Friday, but he also attended only his 2nd football game that night, which was our Homecoming game (sadly we lost)....and also experiencing the whole dynamic of a group of friends coming over the next day, sharing a meal together in our Home, having pictures taken, and then attending only his 2nd dance at a school, only this time everyone had to

"dress-up" for the occasion.

I think fun was had by all!

A few of Mallory's friends met up at our Home to get ready together.

Then we all met at our local museum for pictures. Unfortunately it was

freezing cold and windy out that day. But, they braved the weather to get some really

pretty pictures with all their friends. Notice how we parents are dressed alittle bit warmer!

A nice photo of

Tom and Mallory on the steps of the museum.

Tom has a younger brother back home and Mallory has 2 sisters.

So this will be an experience for all of us!

After all the photos were taken, the whole group headed back to our Home

for a meal prepared by my wonderful husband. He is bar-none a way better

chef then I will ever claim to be and actually enjoys doing it.

Especially for special occasions like this for his family!

We decorated the Dining Room for the kids, we had a group of 8 total

(4 boys/4 girls), the perfect amount for our table. A little candle light

helped make it seem more grown-up and special!

~Beverages~

Assorted French Sparkling Lemonades

Of course, the meal started with the salad first....

~Salad~

Fresh tomato with balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, French salt and fresh pepper

Romaine lettuce topped with red and yellow peppers and an English white cheddar

Sliced sopresata and grilled crostini

Vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, olive oil and Dijon mustard

~Pasta~
Penne pasta with a bolognese sauce, topped with fresh basil,

italian parsley and parmesan reggiano, served with cheese garlic baguette

(The boys had seconds, must mean they liked it!)

~Dessert~

Sugar cookie topped with cookie dough ice cream

rolled in toasted vanilla cookie crumbs,

served on a chocolate fudge sauce

Or as they kids would say they had

Salad, Pasta and Dessert!

~Great group of friends~

Then after their meal, it was off for a night of fun and dancing!

A new experience for Tom. One that I think he enjoyed very much, although,

he claims he can not dance....ha, ha, I bet!

Welcome Tom!

We hope your stay with us for this school year is all that

you hope it to be! We are happy to make you a part of our family!

Pure Yumminess...

2010-09-24T16:27:00.010-04:00

I've been thinking about my Mom alot these last few days. Tomorrow marks 5 months that she has not been with us, in the physical sense. I feel her with me quite often and I know she will always be with me in one way or another. That's how we Mom's are! She's especially with me when I have ripe banana's in my Home. She use to make it alot when I was growing up and she wrote her recipe down for me when I first married my hubby. It's a simple recipe and I will pass it down to my girls when they are ready for it also. Today started out on the very warm side. But as it turned autumn like and got at least 20 degrees cooler then when we woke at 6 a.m. and I saw those banana's sitting there waiting for me,

I knew today was the day!

So I readied my ingredients....

dry in one bowl, wet in another and

smashed banana's in yet another....

Combined them all together

I decided to make one larger loaf for my daughter who lives
away at school and a smaller one for my sister and

then one for her daughter
who I will be seeing tomorrow.

I'm sure we will shed a few tears!

The smell is so comforting....
but, nope not quite ready.

There we go, perfect peaks!
Now patience while they cool for a few minutes.

Ahhhh.....
Yum!

Of course I had to taste test....

perfect, with or without butter....

I chose butter....

What would you choose?

Pumpkin, Vanilla, Praline....

2010-09-23T13:50:00.006-04:00

smells and looks good enough to eat!

Mmmm....yummy!

Perfect for my Fall Table!

and perfect while I sip on my

SF Hazelnut Latte'

and

enjoy my catalogue!

Hope your afternoon is delightful!

My Wire Tree....

2010-09-17T08:24:00.010-04:00

I bought this cute little wire tree a few years ago. I don't even remember where, not that it matters. But, for each season, I try and find a cute way to decorate it with mini decorations. I didn't really have any fall type decorations that were mini. But, I did have a little dish of mini gourds and pumpkins, so I decided to try those. I thought it was really cute, but needed more.

That's how my brain works!

Something can be cute....but, if it can be cuter then I am going to make it happen!

See, it's cute....

but, it could be cuter!

So back in my little leaf shaped dish went the

mini gourds and pumpkins and off to

Hobby Lobby I went.

It was 1/2 off day for "realistic" looking

pumpkins, gourds and such....

gotta love that!

So, I picked out what I thought would look "cuter" on my wire tree.

I got Home and cut them off the stick and began decorating!

Love the little pumpkins, gourds and corn....

the colors are real muted (although some show a bit bright)!

Pumpkins, gourds, acorns, pine cones, leaves, Indian corn....

and a mini basket to....
Gather the Harvest!

Now is that cute or what??

This little wire tree is in our

mini little bathroom off our kitchen.

Hard to get a decent shot in such tight quarters,

but you get the idea.

I have really enjoyed decorating this year for Fall....

hope your making your Home cozy and fall like too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Cute Fall Find....

2010-09-14T16:01:00.001-04:00

My hubby and I went down to celebrate his Mom's 81st birthday with her on Saturday!

Weather wise it was a bit gloomy....pouring rain to be exact. We spent awhile with his parent's and I helped her put up a window scarf she has been wanting up for awhile.

Shame on us for just getting down to do that for her!

Anyway, on the way back we stopped at a shop, not really a thrift store or an antique store, but let's call it a flea market type store. Anyway, I am really into Fall right now and have to have anything that screams pumpkins and such!

My lucky day....

I found this metal Currier & Ives Autumn scene tray.

LOVE it! And it was only $2.00!

It also brings back alot of memories for me! My Mom loved Currier & Ives and had several things, as I remember, when I was growing up. I wonder what happened to them?

I will be asking Dad next time I am down there.