Christine's Home and Travel Adventures

Best Christmas Presents in the Pink

2012-01-26T21:05:00.003-06:00

Rochelle and Derek did not take their Christmas tree down right away.Even though the twins were born on Jan.10th, they wanted to take their pictures by the tree. And so after all the excitement and hecticness of their birth mellowed down a bit, we finally took pictures.

My youngest daughter, Tina also had a baby girl on Dec. 26. She and the twins are my best Christmas presents ever!

Here are the twins, Halle and Rea.

Here is the picture of Halle that I took for their birth anouncement.

And this is Rea's.

It seems like Halle is whispering something to Rea in the photo below and Rea says "Hmm, let me think about it".

This is Reese, my granddaughter who was born the day after Christmas.

I took a lot of pictures of her so I can pick for my Valentine party post but my model got so tired and sleepy after posing so much, lol.

I love that big red bow!

I hope you don't get tired of seeing my new grandbabies. I cannot get enough of them. I have to take advantage of taking lots of pictures while I am still here. After I leave, months will pass before I see them again and they will be much bigger. You know how fast babies grow!

Thanks for stopping by. I am forever grateful to our hosstesses below. I hope you get to visit them and their other participants too.

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Sat at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

CJ's R & R Weekend Party at http://inandoutmynest.blogspot.com/

Mary's Mosaic Monday at http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday, Natasha!

2012-01-24T23:37:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday, I decided to go to Homegoods since Tina's hubby was home for the weekend from the seminar so he can help watch the kids. I was also starting to know my way around plus, I had my vehicle with me which I drove from Rochelle's house. John and I have left a vehicle here so that we would always have something to use when we are in town. I bought a few home stuff, which if you know me, I have a hard time resisting,

It's a good thing I bought some table items because Tina was preparing for a dinner party to celebrate Natasha's birthday, and everytime I asked her if she has this or that, she always answers "No", lol! I guess she did not take after her mother's obsession.

You probably have read me talk about Tina and Scott's German neighbors, Chris, Natasha and their cute son, Jan. They have gotten so close to each other even though they are only in this country for part of the year. It was so nice to witness their closeness because it gives me peace of mind knowing that they are looking after each other. Natasha is always so nice coming over almost every night, just to help hold the baby and Chris is always taking care of the boys.

Anyway, it was Natasha's birthday on Friday and Tina decided to cook dinner for them and invited another family, Jen and Scott and their 2 adorable kids, to join us.

I was itching to do a tablescape and luckily I had what I could use in my shopping bag.

And so I created this yet another simple red and white table.

I bought the red tablecloth with 10 matching napkins included, for $14.00. I already have a red tablecloth at home but I do not have one this long and I thought that price was pretty good considering that it included 10 napkins.

A simple table for 7 with not even a placemat or a plate charger.

I bought the vase with faux gerber daisies from Homegoods also.

And you probably remember my little orchid plant that I bought from the farmer's market a few weeks ago. It's growing very nicely.

This is a kid friendly tablescape. See the 2 boys playing in the background?

Chris is always happy, always joking around, here trying to make fun of Tina's height.

And you will see the guests of honor below.

When it was time for Natasha to blow her birthday cake candles, we had to light them up again because Nathan beat her to it, lol.

And below are the kids. While the adults were socializing in the family room, the kids were having a jam session in the boys bedroom. Isn't Brendan and Kaylin so cute visiting with Baby Reese?

They had their own table and they had a great time too.

Tina made eggplant parmigiana and baked ziti and I baked a mocha cake. I wanted to bake something else for a change but Tina insisted on having this cake. Jen brought some garlic bread but I forgot to take a picture. The food was all delicious.

Happy Birthday again, Natasha! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Thank you all so much for stopping by.

I am linking with

Bunny Jean for Bunny Hop Wednesday at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan's Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting, ladies!

Florida Cranes and Canals

2012-01-21T14:28:00.001-06:00

Last Monday after taking Brendan to school, Tina and I with the 2 younger ones went to a coffee shop in Matlacha, a part of Pine Island. It's a small local coffee shop that offers free refills of coffee and they have various flavors, so I tried them all. They were all so delicious.

Notice all the shadows in the water and all the blues!

We were joined there by their beautiful German neighbor, Natasha.

As soon as we got out of the Expedition, these Florida birds, I think they are cranes, greeted us.

Notice the shadow of the vehicle and crane in the 3rd photo of the mosaic and of course the shadow of the trees in the water on the 1st and 2nd photos?

I love palm trees and you can see shadows of them in the water here.

and here.

Tina said she does not know anybody else who takes pictures of palm trees as much as I do.

But then again. I just take a lot of pictures of anything, after all, I am a dedicated blogger, aren't I?

This is what I ordered, a crab with asparagus and mushrooms omelet. It was really good but it was so big so I only finished half, took the rest home and enjoyed it the next morning.

And here is the gang, isn't Natasha lovely? I do believe my daughter is too but I know I am biased. But I am not the only one who thinks that. Do you see that guy in the background behind the counter? I bought some coffee grounds and he said my daughter is very beautiful. In fact, he gave her a glass of free iced coffee, lol.

And my 2 grandchildren are precious!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I always enjoy your visits.

I am linking with Shadow Shot Sunday,which is hosted by the awesome trio, Magical Mystical Teacher, Rose a.k.a chubskulit and Gemma Wiseman at http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

and Sally's Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting, ladies!

The Youngest Dental Patient Ever!

2012-01-19T15:13:00.000-06:00

The twins are doing very well. Halle looks bigger here but it's only because her photo was taken closer.

I said they were doing very well but had some anxiety the last 2 days, which actually affected all of us. You see, Halle was born with 2 baby bottom teeth. It happens though it is very rare. They are called Natal teeth. I believe it is 1 in every 3000 babies and they seem to have bothered her the last 2 days. You know how much pain a toothache can cause so she has been crying, which distresses her twin sister too, which naturally was also upsetting their mom and dad, and all of us. But that is all over now, because early this morning, the pediatric dentist pulled both teeth out. They were loose and endangering Halle into aspirating them.

Only 9 days old and already had teeth extraction. Poor baby! But she did so well.

All the other dentists and staff swarmed around to witness the clinic's youngest patient ever to be treated in that clinic. Halle was a celebrity! They were taking pictures too, lol. The poor baby, but she was a toughie though! It's good daddy was a toughie too and he was able to hold her cause her mom couldn't, and she was hiding in the corner behind the assistant. The staff was checking up on her more than the baby, lol.

I felt so bad because I couldn't be there. I am presently with my other daughter, Tina, whose husband is presently away for a job promotion training and she needed my help with her 3 little kids. I was so relieved when Rochelle called this morning telling me that it was all over and it went fine. The babies are finally sleeping well again.

How about a big smile from Halle?

So content being held by their Tito Jed.

And just as happy being held by big sis, AJ and Tita Becky, my DIL.

They sleep like angels.

And Ate AJ is crazy about them.

Look at Halle with a big smile on her face again.

Look at Rea's eyes wide open!

Just thought I'd share these dresses that I just got for the twins. They were on clearance at Gap Kids. Still too big for them but I know how fast babies grow.

I love the material and the color.

The twins are very much alike in some ways. Here they were asleep but they had very similar positions and then they held hands. How cute is that?

And not to forget about my other newborn granddaughter, Resse, who is also growing very well.

And my step grandson, Wren, who is now more than 3 months old. I finally got to meet him last Monday. He looks so much like his dad but he definitely got his grandpa's head, lol, except for the color. He looks like he is going to be a redhead like his dad. They came to visit us in Natchez after Christmas but I was not there since I have been here in FL for my granddaughters' arrivals. But I was able to stop by their house on my way to Tina's. I am glad they were able to stay with John during my absence, at least he was not alone the whole time I am gone.

And my other 2 grandsons, Reese's big brothers, Nathan and Brendan, who were busy checking out some library books here. We all went to story telling time in the library this morning.

John's older daughter, Kerri have 3 children so that brings our grandkids to a total of 10.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing our joy while our grandkids multiply rapidly.

I am linking with

Katherine's Corner's Thursday's Favorite Things at http://katherinescorner.com/

Honey for Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

CJ's R&R Weekend Party at http://inandoutmynest.blogspot.com/

Thank you girls for hosting!

The Simplest Ever!

2012-01-18T14:16:00.001-06:00

While I was at my daughter Rochelle's house, a few days after she and her twins came home from the hospital, my son Jed called and said he will bring groceries and cook for all of us. Jed is a very good cook so naturally, we all looked forward to diinner. I told Rochelle that I was missing doing tablescapes and she told me I should do one and just use baby gifts for centerpieces and so I did!

The 2 water globes were sent from the twins aunt on their father side all the way from Pennslvania. They came with plates that I was supposed to take to Things Remembered for personalization but I forgot them at home when I went to the mall.

The flowers were given by friends who came to visit in the hospital.

I looked around my daughter's kitchen cabinets for plates that will blend with pink and I found these black and white dishes. I did not even use placemats because I could not find any matching ones. We used paper napkins.

I saw this little flowered ceramic figurine with 2 little mice on it and thought I'd add it to the centerpiece.

And there it is, my simplest tablescape ever! At least it served as my tablescape fix for this week, lol.

My son cooked Seafood pasta, steamed asparagus, braised beef with potatoes, grilled shrimp. My daughter in law, Becky, made some Spanish rice. And we also had some grilled chicken.

And here was my dinner plate. Yum! I miss my son's cooking now that I am at my other daughter Tina's home. She was the one who had a baby the day after Christmas. I drove here to accompany her for the week cause her hubby went out of town for a job related training.

Thanks a lot for stopping by and thank you to our lovely hostesses.

Bunny Jean for Bunny Hop Wed. at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Kathy's Home and Garden at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Michael Lee for Gollum's Foodie Friday at www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

From a Family of 3 to 5 with Pink Babies

2012-01-13T17:43:00.001-06:00

A family of 3 suddenly becomes a family of five one morning. How about that for a metamorphosis?That's because of the arrival of my twin granddaughters, Rea and Halle.

Here is the before with just Rochelle, Derek and AJ.

Yesterday, they were released from the hospital so I bought this raspberry cake with cream cheese icing from Publix to welcome them. Yum! I miss Publix cause we do not have it in MS and we used to have one just around the corner of my house in FL when I still lived here.

This was taken in the hospital.

Their big sis, AJ likes to hang out with them.

And here they are, all dressed to go home.

How many big ones does it take to buckle up 2 little babies in their car seats? Hospitals do not release newborn babies without car seats. LOL!

And here they are all comfy in their porta twin crib.

I thought this picture is funny cause they both have their arms up the same way at the same time.

And don't forget, I still have another pink grandbaby, Reese, who is 15 days older than the twins.

I am linking with Beverly's Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Susan's Met Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Marty's Tabletop Tues at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you sweet ladies, for hosting.

A Happy Home!...The Twins Are Born!

2012-01-10T21:10:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, my daughter Tina and I drove with her 3 little kids to Rochelle's, my other daughter's house. She was scheduled early the next morning to have a C section to deliver twins.

I took a picture again of the nursery and it is all ready to welcome the twins home.

The next day, Rochelle who was having the twin girls went to the hospital with her hubby, Derek, at 5:30 AM. Tina, I and Rochelle's 13 year old daughter AJ, followed at 7 because OR was scheduled at 7:30 AM.

Below are the 2 sisters taken before Rochelle was taken to surgery.

As soon as they took her, the 3 of us went to get something to eat. After a while,Tina went to check

on her and then came back to tell me they are allowing one member of the family to observe in that restricted area. Of course, the husband was already allowed inside the surgery room.

Tina said she would love to watch but she will be nice because she knows I would love to go in

so she will let me go instead. Of course I jumped on the opportunity.
I went in and then the anaesthesiologist brought AJ in too and told her "We can't have the big sister not see her baby sisters be born!".

And so there is AJ and me watching the whole procedure from the window in the observation room

AJ got so emotional and started crying.

And the babies were born. First was Rea Jaelyn with lots of black hair at 6 lbs, 5.6 oz and 19 inches long.

Then Baby B followed. We call her Halle Joselyn at 5 lbs, 12 oz and 18.75 inches long. She has very little and very light hair.

I have pictures of them being born but I deleted them cause they might be too graphic for people who are not in the medical field.

First picture with mom and dad. Too bad big sister AJ could not be in the picture.

And here are the twin girls all cleaned up and bundled. They are not identical twins but it is very hard to tell them apart when ther heads are covered.

I think they both look like Derek, especially with their eyes closed. He could not get enough of them, always holding or touching them. He is a very proud daddy for sure!

Actually, we all couldn't get enough of them, lol. They are really so cute and so precious!

Tina and Halle

And as most of you know, Tina just had a baby girl too last Dec. 26. I am definitely in grandkids heaven. We put baby Reese in between the twins, lol. We call them the Triplets!

Mom, big sister and Rea.

Rochelle was groggy most of the day because of the anesthesia but started getting more alert by late afternoon.

AJ just loves the babies! We all do! We were always racing to get to them first. Good thing there were 3 baby girls there cause Reese was there too.

4 granddaughters and me!

What a wonderful feeling to have them all at the same time.

Thank you so much for stopping by to join me during this very special day.

I am linking with Bunny's Bunny Hop Party at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Sat at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Coming Home for the First Time

2011-12-31T00:16:00.011-06:00

I received an email from CJ inviting me to join her brand new fun weekend meme called R & R Weekend. Thanks for the invitation, CJ! I don't think there is any better way to revive my spirits than to hold my precious new granddaughter. Please join her also at http://inandoutmynest.blogspot.com/.

Kathy is also starting a new blog called A Return to Loveliness at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/ , to celebrate loveliness coming into our lives and homes. It sounds like a fun meme so why don't we all join her too?

As some of you know, I left home for the holidays to welcome the arrival of 3 granddaughters. The first one, Baby Reese arrived the evening of Dec. 26, just missed a day of being a Christmas baby. Both baby and mom were doing so well that they only got to stay a day and 2 nights in the hospital and came home on the 28th.

Tina and Scott's German neighbor, Natasha, came the night before to decorate the house to welcome them. That was so sweet of her! Tina and Scott are sure lucky to have very nice neighbors in Chris and Natasha, even if they are only here a few months a year. Their son, J, is the perfect playmate for B and N because his age is right in between theirs.

And here is our little bundle of joy as she enters the door.

Her brothers were so excited when they saw the vehicle pull up to the driveway. They couldn't wait to see her.

They kept piling up toys on her, lol.

And here is our little princess so comfy in her home now.

Can you see one of her dimples here?

Thank you so much for stopping by! I really appreciate your visits and comments especially during this very busy season. I hope you are all blessed with a new year that is full of love, good health, peace and prosperity.

I would also like to link with

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Open House Party Thursdayhttp://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Home Sweet Home Frihttp://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much, sweet ladies for hosting all these fun parties!

Japanese Christmas Party

2011-12-28T15:00:00.004-06:00

I do not really know how the Japanese celebrate Christmas but I know how to decorate a Christmas table and a Japanese table too. Would merging them together make a Japanese Christmas table? Anyway, the day before I left for Florida, my friend Debjani decided to have a luncheon at her house serving Japanese food. She told me to come early to make the sushi, help her fry the tempura and to add a "Christine touch" on her tablescape.

When I got there 2 hours before the party started, the table was mostly set but I added my Asian touches to it. I brought some Japanese warriors and little oriental umbrellas from home and I also brought some cuttings from our holly bushes and Christmas napkin rings to add more holiday cheers on the table.

If you have not seen my brand new granddaughter, please scroll down to see her after this post.

And here is the outcome!

Debjani's cute Santa and snowman S & P shakers. It's funny but I had one on my table at home too when I left.

Crystal candle holders I gave her for her brithday one year. See the tiny umbrellas? They are actually for drinks but I just spread them around the table.

I like Debjani's poinsetta tablecloth. It's so pretty.

Come to think of it, I gave her this set of dishes one Christmas also. I am glad to see that she is using them.

Japanese warriors ready to guard the table.

To complete the Japanese atmosphere, I even picked an Oriental style top to wear.

Shrimp tempura cooked to perfection!

Edamame and California Maki. I am getting to be an expert rolling these.

Debjani served warm Saki. I asked for only one tiny bit and I could not even finish it. It was so strong.

We also had miso soup and teriyaki chicken.

Macaroons...yum!

My desserts: macaroons and a sweet Indian drink called falooda. Both were so good!

The happy bunch doing our signature pose, lol!

I am going to miss my sweet friends.

Merry Chrismas to all!

I am linking with Susan for Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Open House Party Thursdayhttp://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Frihttp://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Gollum's Foodie Friday at http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

She's Here, My Precious Brand New Grandbaby!

2011-12-27T17:37:00.008-06:00

After 5 days late, she finally decided to come out. I guess she just wanted Jesus to have His special day before having hers. The day after Christmas, Tina woke me up and told me I should take a shower already cause I might have to take the boys to the hospital because she thinks "Today is the day". And so I did and all day long we were just waiting patiently for her contractions to progress. They eventually did and this adorable precious beautiful girl is the proof. Her name is Reese Kristina.

This is her first picture that Scott, the dad, texted us. It was so surprising because they have only left more than an hour ago for the hospital by then. In fact, I had just texted him to ask if they admitted Tina yet and the response was a baby picture already, lol. Tina said her water broke the moment they got to the counter of the hospital and as soon as the doctor arrived, she was fully dilated on the very first exam and Reese came on the next contraction. I guess that is the way to go, lol. She was in the hospital an hour and 5 minutes before having her.

She might have delayed her arrival for 5 days but when she decided, she came fast and there was no keeping her in there.

an 8 lb. healthy baby girl and if you have seen her mother, you would wonder where she stayed for the last 9 months. Her mom is barely 5 ft. tall and is not even 100 lbs before pregnancy.

She has lots of hair, even more than her 20 month old brother has.

She is 21 inches long.

I can tell big brother Brendan is going to take good care of his baby sister.

I am not too sure about this boy though. When he saw the bassinet empty, he kept pointing at it saying he wants to go "ni-night". After all, he is just a baby himself, just turned one last February.

Such a good feeling cuddling a grandbaby for the first time.

The happy growing family.

She looks like she is already smiling, doesn't she?

She is such a sweetie and I just love her so much. I am so thankful that she and her mom are doing well. I would like to thank everybody who offered prayers for them. As you can see, the prayers really worked. They are coming home tomorrow and I can't wait to hold the baby again.

My other daughter's twin girls should be arriving within the next 2 weeks. Please pray for them also. Thanks!

Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing this glorious event with us.

I would like to link with Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
Beverly's Pink Sat at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Boy to Girl Nursery

2011-12-25T15:00:00.002-06:00

Tina's baby is not here yet, at least, at the time I created this. She is already 2 days delayed at this point and we are just anxiously waiting. For the meantime, her nursery is also waiting for her which is what I am going to share with you today.

This used to be N's bedroom and you will see the "Before" towards the end of this blog entry. N is pretty much still a baby too. He just turned 1 last Feb. but he was forced out of the nursery into a big boy bed in his brother's room. He is still having hard time sleeping on the bed as he would climb up and fall asleep by the door but he is slowly getting there.

Anyway, this is how the nursery was transformed to since the new baby will be a girl. At least that's what all the ultrasounds and doctors pointed to.

Since Tina knows she is not really going to use the comforter on the baby, she just hang it above the crib as a wall decor.

I think it looks pretty up there.

The mirror on the left wall used to be boyish. It had wooden fish appliques which have now been replaced by flowers.

There is mommy on the mirror nesting again.

The crocheted blanket hangin on the crib was made and sent by my sister from Missouri. The colors are perfect.

The baby clothes are also waiting for her. Daddy made those organizer cubes and look at those many shoes? LOL!

Cute boots.

Unless she comes today, the 24th, she won't be able to wear these.

Isn't this cute piggy in a tutu wearing a crown so cute? LOL! Calling Lynn! I hope she sees this.

Changing table.

Below is the "Before" when it was still N's room.

And this is "Now", more appropriate for a little princess.

Thanks for stopping by. I will post an update when the baby arrives.

Linking with:

Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sally for Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Mary's Masterpieces Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Mellow Yellow Monday at http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Santa and Snowman

2011-12-19T15:00:00.003-06:00

I hope you all are enjoying this Christmas season, though hectic it may be. By the time this post, I am already in Florida with one of my daughters and I am hoping at least 1 baby has arrived. But I am sure you will be among the first ones to know.

Before I left, I set this delightful table, maybe John will smile everytime he passes by it, even though he may be missing me terribly. I wish! LOL!

Anyway, I love santa and the snowman so I decided to make them my theme. I think they are both fun. I just bought this sleigh from another booth next to my booth in the store, for $5. I like that it is heavy and feels like bronze. You don't see it in this photo but it has 2 reindeers pulling it. Little snowman name plate holder is taking a ride on the sleigh.

I decided not to use a tablecloth but I used a red and green plaid table runner.
Ceramic chargers with "Believe" and snowflake inscribed. Underneath is a round silver (more like pewter) sequined placemat.

Snowman dinner and salad plates.

My ex co worker, Gwen, who just visited us, gave me a set of these stocking flatware holders. Aren't they cute? I think they give my table a touch of whimsy.

I have them in 3 main colors, red, green and white but I did not use the white ones this time.

Green and red stemware.
snowman placecard holder

I found this from another vendor at the store. It is a big lidded white urn with green grapes and it is a light. I thought it was unusual. The little cute snowman was $1 from St. Andrews thrift store where I usually give donations.

Do you see the gifts on the kitchen counter that I still have to deliver?

Looks like I just captured the blue hour. Look at that pretty deep blue sky outside!

Another shot showing the blue sky.

Here is a better photo of the urn light and snowman.

Do you like my Santa? Isn't he handsome? He is one of the many free Christmas items I got from my daughter's in laws.

ceramic Santa napkin holder

ceramic snowman napkin holder

The napkin holders were another thrifty finds. I bought them last year from another vendor in the store for $5 I think, and there are 6 of them. They are really nice and heavy and I like their shade of green color.

I also bought this big but cute snowman from another vendor in the store, for $5.

And that concludes my tablescape for this week and this should remain until I get back home, possibly in early February. John never takes them apart, lol.

I am glad you all stopped by, Thanks.

Thanks also to our gracious hostesses:

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Susan for Tablescape Friday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Dianns' Thrifty Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Sat at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas y'all!

My New Toy in the Kitchen

2011-12-18T15:00:00.002-06:00

Everybody seems to think that I will be very busy taking care of new grand kids in Florida but I think I will be able to rest there. I seem to keep taking upon projects after projects here at home. In the midst of the chaos caused by floor flooding and packing for a long trip to Florida, not to mention attending parties of friends here since they say they will miss me being gone for so long, I decided to add a lighted pot rack in the kitchen. Don't forget, I am still emptying the office cause tomorrow, they are removing the rug. I still have to disconnect all the computers and printer and have to label the cables so they can be reconnected back easily, but I am still using the computer so will have to do that later tonight. Yes, we decided to go ahead and replace the floor in here too. And so far, 7 boxes of dishes were just delivered from Fedex and were just unpacked, just to be packed in plastic bins. This is the Winter Greetings Christmas china that I just won from Ebay and there are almost 100 pieces.

Anyway, I searched and searched for something I like that would look good above the kitchen counter. Alas, I found it on Amazon and so I ordered it. It arrived yesterday so today, we asked Mitch to come and install it.

The 2 consecutive photos below are the "Before" pictures.

Wow! This picture must really be old. We did not have the TV on the brick wall yet and I still had the black hutch there.

And here is our talented electrician/handyman Mitch installing the pot rack.

It's up! I couldn't believe how closely it matched our hanging light in the breakfast nook and I did not not even try to match it. I must just be drawn to that style, huh! Do you see what I mean? I did not hang any pots yet because the only nice ones I have are Le Creuset but I am afraid they might be too heavy. Does anybody know? Oh well, I think I will search for copper ones. Don't you think copper pots and pans will look good hanging there?

In case you are wondering what that stainless steel control knob on the counter is, it is a built in system for a food processor. I have the attachments under the cabinet but I have never used them. They were there when we bought the house.

I really like how bright my cooking area is now. Maybe it will entice me to cook more often, lol.

I hope you like it as much as I do. I cannot wait to find the right pots to hang from it. I might try some that I already have, tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by. By the time this post, I will be in Florida already, maybe resting, lol.

Linking with

Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sally for Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

See my beautiful blue Virgin Mary? and Mitch's blue jacket?

Mary's Masterpieces Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/
Thanks for hosting, sweet ladies!
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all!

Winter Greetings, 2011

2011-12-13T20:30:00.002-06:00

This is my second Christmas tablescape for this year. Again, I have to do it on the small square table in the breakfast nook. No tablescape on the big dining table this year because I just finished emptying that room so that they can work on the floor whenever they can get to it.

Centerpiece taken at daytime and at night with candle light.

I used my free bling tassels for napkin holders. I got them from my daughter Tina's in laws in Florida. They were giving them away and told me to take as much as I want so I filled a shoe box, lol. That's thrifty, right? I won't even tell you what else I took but between me and my other daughter, we filled a really big plastic bin, the size that one person alone cannot carry.

The napkins are part of an embroidered Christmas tablecloth set I bought from Grand Cayman.

My flatware is mahogany and brass "Siam" from Thailand. My cousin gave them to me. Someone had pawned them in her pawnshop and never collected them back. Their loss is my gain.

Don't you just love this Winter Greetings salt and pepper shaker set? I think it is so cute! The birdhouse, which is the salt shaker, comes apart from it's base, which is the pepper shaker.

Gold mercury silver glass balls and green mercury silver candle holders create my main centerpiece. And I added a wreath made with more holly berries cut from the bushes outside and tied with a bow.
I just realized that I should have hung some of the bling tassels around the candle holders too. I sure do have enough of them, lol.

I also added a small cloche on a tall pedestal and placed more holy berries inside.

I love my Mikasa champagne flutes. I bought them from Marshall's for $3.99 each last year, I think. I love the stems. But my thrifty green goblets were bought for $1 each from another vendor in the store where my booth is. I thought they look pretty together and the red ones make the green look more expensive.

Do you like the christmas tree name plate holders? Now, I can't say that I do not have any christmas trees, lol.

I also mixed more holly berries and rosemary, all from our yard, in a vase as part of the centerpiece.

This time, I used my favorite Christmas china, Winter Greetings. Right now, I have 8 dinner plates, 16 salad plates, 8 mugs and a S & P shaker in this pattern. But I just won a big set, service for 12 of dinner, salad, cup and saucer, bread, soup, luncheon or accent plates, plus extra serving pieces such as pasta, 2 large platters, sandwich platter, 3 relish, veggie and hor d'ouvres from Ebay for $665.51 plus $50 shipping, almost 100 pieces more, so they can be used for my big set next year. I know it is still a lot of money, nevertheless, I know I am getting a good deal because I have been prcicing them and they are very expensive individually. The seller said she paid $200 for 1 platter alone and I believe her. I think I will have a big party next year to make up for everything that I will miss this holiday season. Good thing I won cause I had to get up at 5:30 in the morning to watch out for the end of the auction because there were other bidders, lol. I can't wait to get them. I showed them to John on Ebay and he liked them too so he told me to go ahead and bid and they can be my belated anniversary present. But of course he already gave me an anniversary present, but doesn't that statement leave it open for another Christmas present?

The gold ornate plate chargers are from Horchow from years ago.

Just adding a few "effect" pictures from my camera.

Black and white with red accents.

Black and white with green accents.

Black and white with yellow accents.

Thanks for stopping by. I know how busy you all are during this Christmas season, which I hope you all are enjoying, so I really appreciate your visit.

Linking with

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at

http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan of Tablescape Thursday
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Open House Party Thursday
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Diann's Thrifty Things Friday at
http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/
Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Fresh Cut Flowers Friday
http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com/
Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at

http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Saturday at
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Thank you sweet ladies, for hosting!

Rearranging Mama's Bedroom and Its New Floors

2011-12-11T15:00:00.006-06:00

My mom is 93 years old and she rotates among us 5 brothers and sisters in 4 states, but more often among us 3 sisters. She is with my sister in IL right now but when she is here, this is the bedroom I designated for her.

It used to be carpeted. Before she left in August, her toilet overflowed and by the time we discovered it, the water had already seeped through the walls and damaged the hardwood floors in the hallway and also some carpeted areas including this, her bedroom. We moved all of the furniture from her bedroom into the other 2 guest rooms and her bathroom to prepare for the floor installation.

I had an overnight guest laast night, my ex co worker and her daughter, who would need the guest rooms so I asked the floor guy to do ma's floors first so I can move back the furniture to get the other guest rooms ready for our guests.

Finally this morning, it was finished. I hurriedly put it back together and cleared the other 2 bedrooms of the extra stuff.

The bedroom floor did not get done until 11:30 AM and our guests arrived before 2 PM. So you can just imagine me and the floor guy moving really fast, cleaning, making the bed and putting this room together and getting the other 2 rooms ready for the guests, but we got it done. I saw this opportunity to move furniture around. The bed used to be on the left wall, now it's between the 2 windows, and I moved the armoire on the far right wall.

Carpet is gone and has been replaced by redwood oak hardwood floors. We have a alligator covered trunk that goes in front of the bed but we did not move it back there. I sent for my mom and dad's larger antique woodcarved cedar chest from the Philippines and it just arrived yesterday, so I think I will put that instead but it still needs to be cleaned. The hinges got messed up during transit also so it needs to be repaired first. It was a wedding gift to them by a politician. If my father is still alive, they would have been married for 75 years now.

I also moved the leather chair and ottoman to the left wall. It used to be between the windows where the bed is now.

I left the Norman Rockwell "Mother and Daughter" plates on that wall.

I placed this double hobnail hurricane lamp and moved the little bunny painting and the peacock with feather balls to the top of the armoire.

This is where I do my sewing. My mom always enjoy the company, except I can never get done because she keeps asking me questions, lol. I also like to hang religious items here because she is very religious. She is always touching them and making the sign of the cross.

There's the door to ma's bathroom, where all the problem started. Although there must have been 2 inches of water in there, the tile was not damaged at all.

The big picture on the left table was my mom at 18.

I moved the big bunny oil painting here too.

There is still a lot of work to be done but I feel so much better seeing one room completed. The back hallway is almost done and the big hallway with adjoining bathroom and closet is half done. We are having second thoughts, whether or not, to replace the carpet in the home office. We have all the wood but it will be so much work moving the heavy wall unit, file cabinets and disconnecting 2 big desktop computers, printer and a TV. The carpet does not really look bad at all and it matches the one in the master bedroom that adjoins the room. What do you all think?

Thank you all for stopping by. I am linking with

Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Bunny Jean for Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Thank you, lovely ladies, for hosting. We appreciate all your extra work.

Winterberry Table

2011-12-06T15:00:00.003-06:00

I am thankful that I have this little table in the kitchen that I can still do tablescapes on. At least I can have a little Christmas here at home while the floors are being done and while boxes and furniture are everywhere the floors are not being touched.

Today, I am sharing a tablescape using some Pflatzgraff Winterberry table things. I took the pictures with the lights off with only candlelight and enjoyed enjoyed playing with my new camera.

I tried the black and white setting of the the camera highlighting just the greens. I thought it is pretty neat on how it turned out.

I have black and blue ones too of this flatware set in San Remo pattern, that I bought from Neiman Marcus when it went on sale. Do you think I like them enough? You betcha!
Cardinals S & P shakers

The red and green tablecloth came from Walmart after Christmas sale last year. I think I bought it for about $5 and it is long, fits my big formal dining room table. I just folded it in half to fit this square table.

Since I decided not to decorate for Christmas, I did not take down the many bins that contain Christmas ornaments from the attic so everything I used here is what is easily accessible to me.

A few days ago, I went to donate some clothes to a local Thrift Shop and when I do that, I always walk through the store before I leave. I saw these 2 small gold Christmas trees and bought them for $1.50 each. I like the texture and how they glow with the candle light and they are now part of my centerpiece.

And of course, I like to make use of our own holly berries from the yard. We have so many of them lining the whole long driveway and they are full of red berries.

The red crystal stems were from Homegoods in Pensacola. They are Italian made and had a "La Reine" sticker on them.

I placed more holly berries inside a small cloche to fill the table.
I place some faux crystals held up a chain around it. I have a lot of them and I brought them from Florida. My daughter's in laws were giving them away and I took a lot with the idea of using them for napkin holders and to decorate cloches. I got more Christmas decorations like some crochet Victorian cups, fans, musical tree ornaments, etc, and also Santa and some little girl dolls. I had so much fun going through the bins and although I picked a lot, most of them were left in my daughter's garage because my luggage was already 50 lbs. Anyway, I will get them the next time I go there which is within 2 weeks. I am bringing an extra luggage next time since I am flying SW.

I used Winterberry glasses also.

I used my little potted rosemary name plate holders again, after all, rosemary herbs are evergreens.

White dinner plates are "Bianca" from Neiman Marcus. I also added salad plates from the same set and then layered each place setting further with clear Winterberry glass appetizer plates on top.

I hope you enjoyed my first Christmas tablescape. Thank you so much for stopping by. I also thank the following hostesses who I am linking to:

Bunny's Bunny Hop party at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Sue's Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Susan's Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sherry 's Holiday Dining Party at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Courtney's Feather your Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Sat/ at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Christmas Mantels

2011-12-05T09:48:00.011-06:00

The Christmas Blogger Party over at http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ is going strong. Today is the Christmas mantel party being hosted by Kristin of
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/ and Pamela of http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/. So hop on over there and join the party! When I heard all about these Christmas parties going on in Blogland, I felt some sadness because I thought I wouldn't be able to join since I have decided not to put up my usual Christmas decorations. Our floors are being worked on and I have stuff and boxes all over so there is no room to put up a tree, and no time to do it.

I am also linking with Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

But then I thought I could post my old mantels, couldn't I? And so, I started looking at old photo files and pulled out our mantel pics from past christmasses and here they are.

We have 3 fireplaces in the house. This one is in the family room and it was from 2008.

Same fireplace in 2009

I usually put up a smaller white tree here but not this year.

Same fireplace last year, 2010

Kitchen in 2008. This was even before the TV was installed above the mantel.

Same kitchen mantel in 2009. You can see the white tree in the family room through the wet bar window on the left.

The formal living room mantel in 2008

Same living room mantel in 2009

Same living room mantel last year, 2010

The photo below of the living room mantel from last year concludes the Christmas mantel tour.
I hope you enjoyed seeing them.

Thanks to all our hosts and thank you all for taking a tour of our past Christmas mantels.

Damaged Floors, Why I can't Decorate for Christmas

2011-12-04T12:01:00.003-06:00

I have been talking about this for months now but I have never shown pictures, so I thought I should do just that. Before my mom left to join my sister for a while, her toilet overflowed and she did not tell us. Well, she is 93 years so I don't really blame her. I blame myself more because I did not check on her sooner, which I usually do. John just felt water in the hall which is behind ma's bathroom wall, so he called and asked me why. At first we were worried that the pipes under the house might have burst, which scared us, because we thought they had to break the floor to get to the pipes. We called Mitch, our maintenance guy and a plumber. Mitch went to my ma's bathroom and sure enough, it was flooded. We were actually relieved that it wasn't the pipes underneath the house.

Well, that was in August. I called in the insurance copany and they told me to have a mitigation guy come to clean it up and assess the situation which I did.

The mitigation guy came with this powerful wet vacuum and big fans to dry up the floor and carpets, cleaned and shampooed all the affected floors and carpets. Damaged were carpets in ma's bedroom, in the home office and back hall and the hardwood floor in the big hallway, hall powder room and closet.

We have a $1000 deductible so we paid the guy and he would submit the balance to the insurance company. I worked with the guy and the guys he sent for months to find a matching floor with no success. Our floors are hardwook oak in 3 plank sizes, 3, 5 and 7 inches wide and they have deep grooves but unfortunately, the pattern has been discontinued. After several months of searching with no success, I settled with something close enough.

Below is my mom's bedroom and her bathroom is on the other side of the right wall accessible only from inside her bedroom. The water seeped through this wall to the hall and all the way to the other carpeted hallway on the left side leading to 2 guest bedrooms and another bathroom or at least Luckily, we discovered the water before it entered those rooms.

The wood is warped and looks really disgusting. Some of the planks could just easily be pulled out.

The floors looked good after the guy cleaned them while still wet, but not after they dried.

This happened in August and I just found something I would be happy with in Nov. just before I left for Florida. But even before we ordered the floors, I got busy emptying the cabinets so the workers could move them without breaking anything, particularly my gazillion dishes, lol. Because we could not find a perfect match, the insurance company agreed to have the family room, which is adjoining to the hallway, get sanded and stained to match the new wood. We also decided, at our expense, to get the dining room done at the same time. We decided to upgrade the affected carpeted areas to the same same hardwood floors and we would just pay the difference.
All these furniture below have been moved to the other parts of the house, except for the treadmill. The bookcases in the hallway have been emptied too so you can just imagine the books being all over the place.

Right now, I am working on emptying cabinets in the dining room and there are 5 of them there, all full of dishes. As you can see, the small mahogany cabinet against the back wall is already empty except for the top. The French buffet server is already empty inside but I still have to box up the stemware.

This French provincial cabinet is all empty now except on top of it. I need to bring the ladder in and John has to help me cause on top is a huge very heavy hunt scene Victorian figurine.

This corner china cabinet is almost empty underneath but there are still a lot of dishes on the top shelves. I ran out of plastic bins. John has been buying out the bins from Office Depot but they could not keep up with the demand, but we were able to buy more today.

This one's empty except for the top.

This is my mom's bathroom. We had her toilet replaced.

There's the new one.

We added some extra flooding protection.

Sorry for being too graphic but I promise you, the toilet is brand new and has not been used yet. Mama is not even staying with us now. I just wanted to show you the overyflow protection. See those 3 holes on top?

We also had some mouldings added on top for cosmetic reason and the bottom sides sealed tightly so that water cannot seep through the walls again. I am having the mirror framed also.

Someday, I will repaint the cabinet. The mouldings are too white.

For now, I will just store the big pieces on top of the kitchen table. Can't have any dinner parties for a while.

You see I have been busy packing lots of dishes, figurines and other tableware. The living room is getting overcrowded that is why I cannot even put a Christmas tree up. See the boxes on the left? Those will get higher after I am done.

More boxes all over!

The wood was finally delivered on Friday, not a perfect match but it will do. Coincidentally, the wood came from a company where my other residence is in Florida. I tried to buy it locally but it would have cost me $3000 more for the exact same hardwood floor, the same product number and manufacturer..
I cannot wait for the floors to be installed and get the house in order again. I am begging my 2 pregnant daughters in FL not to deliver yet cause I still have a lot of work to be done here, lol.
I will share more pictures as it progresses.

Thanks for coming by. I hope I did not bore you. I am linking with

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sally's Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com

Thanks for hosting, ladies!

Tina's Baby Shower

2011-12-02T13:16:00.007-06:00

After spending 6 days in FL to spend Thanksgiving with the kids and then host 2 baby showers in 2 days for 2 daughters, I am back home. No, not to relax but to take care of the floors. The hardwood floors were delivered today but that's another story. I already shared Rochelle's baby shower early this week so today, I want to share the surprise baby shower Rochelle and I gave for Tina. We had it at Rochelle's house.

As soon we got home from the park for Rochelle's shower and after putting the baby gifts away, we started decorating for Tina's shower and rolling and wrapping the egg rolls. Luckily, Tina went out with her HS friends or she might have hung out with us, which would have prevented us from decorating. They also stayed with Scott's parents while I stayed with Rochelle. You see, Tina's was planned to be a total surprise and I am glad nobody slipped, especially because most of the guests were also at Rochelle's baby shower the day before.

Isn't that a pretty lake view from Rochelle and Derek's kitchen? It is the same view from the babies' nursery upstairs.

We told the guests to be there by 11 AM (we were serving brunch) and instructed Scott to bring Tina at 11:30 AM, no sooner but no later.

Derek, Rochelle's hubby, went outside pretending to pull out weeds and when he spotted their vehicle, he immediately told us, so we were all ready.

Tina was stunned when she entered the house and saw a lot of people yelling "Surprise"

She said for a while there it did not register, but after realizing what the party was for, she started crying.
Notice the baby enjoying all the commotion.

It took a while before Tina could compose herself. She really had no idea, she did not even

put any makeup on, lol. She was really touched and called later to tell us that she felt really loved. It wasn't easy to keep it from her because before the parties, both of them were pulling me to go grocery shopping with them. Needless to say, Tina won because Rochelle could not say why she needed me to go with her.

We thought we prepared so much food but would you believe that everything was gone so fast? We served bacon, ham and crab omelets, quiche, deviled eggs, egg rolls, hash brown casserole, mini cinnamon buns, rice, veggie and fruit trays, mimosa and coffee and a cake. Rochelle had to make another batch of ham and crab omelets (3 more of each) and my daughter in law, Becky, made one more potato casserole and it was a big pan of casserole (do you see it). All those were gone too. We had almost 100 eggrolls and they were gone too. I think we had about 30 to 35 guests.

The gifts.

Party favors.

This is Tina's younger baby. Can you believe that he will be a big brother soon? Poor baby must have been thirsty and nobody was paying attention to him, so he dragged his diaper bag to give to Tina so she can give him something to drink, lol.

Opening of gifts. I gave the Christmas outfit among other things and told her she better have the baby before Christmas but not before my scheduled flight to go there. She only has a little window, lol.

Some of the younger guests.

Proud Parents to be for the third time.

Cousins, mostly from out of town as far as Washington DC.

My last picture with only 3 grandchildren. By next month, they will double. AJ is Rochelle's and the 2 brothers are Tina's. Now she is expecting a baby girl and we are all so excited.

Some of the guests!

Twins must run in the family. The 2 twin toddlers are Rochelle and Tina's cousin's babies. Now Rochelle is carrying twins. I have a niece in the Philippines who just gave birth to twins 3 months ago.

Aren't these pink outfits just adorable? My niece gave Tina one and Rochelle 2. We call the babies triplets because they are so close together.

Tina is back home too. She and her family live about 2 and a half hrs. away from Rochelle. She texted me these photos today. She said her baby's closet is already full and she still has so many to put away. Unfortunately, her mom is not with her to help.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all these celebrations. Thank you all for coming.

I am linking this also for
Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at
http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com

Beverly's Pink Saturday at
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com

Mary's Mosaic Monday
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Bunny's Bunny Hop
http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thurs
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Rochelle's Baby Shower

2011-11-29T18:33:00.010-06:00

I think you all know by now that I have 2 pregnant daughters. This is Rochelle with her only daughter AJ, but not for long because perhaps by next month, AJ will have 2 sisters.

This has been my busiest weekend. I flew to FL for Thanksgiving dinner and weekend baby showers. Three parties in three days and I am co host on all of them.

Anyway, my other pregnant daughter Tina and I, gave Rochelle a baby shower last Saturday. They had this picture taken just before they left for the park where the party was going to be. Of course, unbeknownst to Tina, Rochelle and I were also planning to give her a baby shower the following day but I will post about that on another day.

The weather was perfect, around 76 degrees and sunny.

Tina created most of the decorations. When they came over and visited us last summer in MS, I gave her my Cricut machine which I hardly used, but she is using it lot.

She made different flowers, butterflies and bees which we used as centerpieces.

I tried to cut slits on the green paper to mimic grass but I ran out of time before the guests started arriving so I just cut where the flowers were.

We had the perfect shelter in the park with a lake view.
We had around 50 guests including husbands and children.

We served classic picnic food such as hamburgers, hotdogs and all the trimmings, broccoli salad that was so tasty, compliments of Tina's mother in law, potato salad, beans, pasta salad, fruit salad and various chips.

I was trying to talk to everybody so sorry, I was unable to take a picture before we started digging into the food.

We had the cake made at Publix

(Oh how I miss that bakery since we do not have it in Natchez). Tina had them replicate the invitation that she created.

We played games and I sucked at them, lol!

We had games for the guys too, a stroller race. They had to stroll a baby doll and when they got to the end, change her diaper and then bring her back to where they started from. It was hilarious!

Of course, I had to take a picture with my girls cause this is the only time my tummy will be smaller than both of theirs, lol.

The proud parents to be

The guests!

Opening of presents. Aren't those 2-piece bikinis so cute?

The party favors:!

Tina baked the flower cookies. Aren't they cute? I found the twin girl tags from Ebay and bought them.

My cute preggy girls comparing bumps, lol! Tina is due in less than a month and Rochelle in another month but because she is having twins, her OB-Gyn said he might deliver her between 34 and 36 weeks, which will be almost at the same time Tina is due, and so the race begins. I am supposed to fly to Tina's on Dec. 18th but I might have to change my plans depending on the situation. They live 2 and half hours apart.

They received so many baby girl clothes. Isn't it so much fun to shop for baby girls? Everything you see in stores are so cute. The closet is full and we weren't even done putting the them away

cause we ran out of hangers. They are already shoe-a-holics like mommy and lola, lol.

Their cribs are ready for them although Rochelle plans to keep them both in one until they grow bigger, so they can continue to bond.

The baby nursery is ready and just waiting for their arrival. Please help us pray for their safe arrival.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

I am linking with Bunny for Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan for Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Beverly for Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Thank you all for hosting!

Blue FL Skies, Shirt and Acrobat

2011-11-28T11:37:00.010-06:00

We had 2 back to back baby showers this past weekend for my 2 pregnant daughters. Rochelle's was at Anderson Park on Saturday and Tina's was at Rochelle's and Derek's yesterday, Sunday. I will post more about them on Saturday.

This was during Tina's baby shower at Rochelle's backyard. AJ got ahold of my new camera and took shots of her cousin Ty doing gymnastics. I think her pictures turned out great so I am sharing them with you. And Ty definitely did a great job too! The weather was perfect, I did not check the temp. but it felt like in the mid 70's.

Good job, Ty and AJ!

And thanks y'all for stopping by!

I am linking with Sally's Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

and Susan's Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Table Setting, 2011

2011-11-23T14:45:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family that is multiplying by leaps and bounds this year. I am thankful for our home and our friends and that includes all of you, my blog friends. One reason I enjoy blogging so much is because of you. I wish you all lots and lots of happiness and blessings.

I am leaving to spend Thanksgiving with the kids in Florida so I probably will not have too much time to blog or visit, but I will join some parties in advance. John will be home so I set up a Thanksgiving table for him to enjoy looking at since I know he won't be eating there. He likes to eat in front of the TV or he just eats for free in the hospital especially when I am not around to cook.

Below is my Copy Cat contribution for

Debbie's Copy Cat party on Dec. 5th at http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

My inspiration is a picture I copied from Southern Living 's Dec, 2011 issue, page 113, pictured on the top part of the mosaic below. My version is the one just below it. I used cuttings from my holly berry bushes instead of white berries, which I do not have. Sorry, it is so simple but I know I won't have time to look for another picture because I am very busy doing so many things. I just did not want to miss Debbie's party.

Well, let me show you the whole tablescape.

I won the set of 7 wild bird game plates from Ebay though I only used 4 here. I paid $16.21 for shipping but I think I got them for a very good price of $13.49 for all. Don't you agree?

They are 9.5 inches in diameter so they could be luncheon or dinner plates.

They have different birds on them.

For the centerpiece, I used holly berries that I placed in a hurricane crystal candle holder, a pilgrim and a turkey tealight candle holder.

The flatware have a hunting dog and deer on the handles.
I used duck ceramic napkin rings and duck knife rests.

Seagrass placemats

See the duck knife rest?

There he is. I won them on Ebay too, a set of 8 (all different designs) and they came all the way from France.

Green bubble champagne flutes and rustic red goblets.

I cut the holly berries from our yard.

I am also linking with Susan for tablescape Thursday at
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
Courtney's Feather your Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/
Beverly's Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Thanks to all for stopping by and to all our hostesses, we really appreciate you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL AGAIN!

A Quiet Relaxing Break

2011-11-21T14:53:00.004-06:00

I was lazy today so I did not do much work. Believe me, there is a lot that needs to be done but every now and then, I feel a need to just relax. I got an email message today about the intake of coffee preventing Alzheimer's Disease. So even though I already had my morning coffee, I thought I would make capuccino for an extra caffeine. This particular lefton tea set was not packed yet so why not use it?

I went grocery shopping yesterday and saw a MS mud pie cake. I went ahead and bought one. It was a perfect accompaniment for my capuccino.

I used a small capuccino crystal cup.

I bought this TV tray for John for our anniversary. It comes in a set of 4. On top are French wine labels with different years. This particular one with 1947 attracted me because it is John's year of birth.

The coffee table is ready to be moved. There's nothing on it anymore but it's heavy cause the 8 drawers are still full of flatware. I don't think I will move them out since they are not fragile anyway. I just realaxed and watched news for a while and those few minutes were enough to recharge me. And then I started boxing up china from the dining room again.

I have a lot of dishes and I am so happy that I was able to organize them in a walk in closet. If you have not seen my dish room and you would like to take a glimpse, please go down one more post.

I am linking with the weekly tea parties.

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Lady Katherine's Teatime Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Sandi's Teatime Tues at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

Teacup Tues, Martha and Terri at http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

WandaLee and Pam's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday at http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Trish' Tea Party Tuesday at http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Bunny's Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Thanks y'all for stopping by and thanks to our gracious hostesses for all their hard work.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

My Dish Room Organized

2011-11-20T17:24:00.008-06:00

Hello all! We are approaching another week, the week of Tanksgiving. I am sure everybody is busy preparing for it.

This past few days, I decided to reclaim a walk in closet and some shelves to create my dish room. This closet is in the garage and it used to be a storage room for our luggage. Some luggage were already moved out when I took this picture.

It is also the electrical room so you will see circuit breakers for half of the house and the other one is for the centralized generator. The other circuit breakers for the other half of the house is in the guest bathroom, on the other side of the building. I also kept boxes of dish overflow here and clothes that I have not sorted and put away since we moved. I have since given 2 boxes of clothes to charity and will be delivering some more this week.

It was quite overwhelming at first.

This is one wall of the closet, on the right side as you enter the door. It already has built in shelves.

John bought all the plastic bins from Home Depot. Twice he has depleted their supplies and we still do not have enough. I like the size because they are not too big so they do not get too heavy when filled with dishes. The only problem is if the set is big, I might have to put them in up to 3 bins, which is fine with me since I just label them as such. They also close securely and stack nicely.

It is starting to look better, isn't it?

John bought this whitewashed pie cabinet from an antique store about 2 or 3 years ago. He would not give it to me to use for my dishes because he said it reminds him of his grandmother's. He used it to store cleaning supplies and garbage bags in the garage instead.

Well, I finally got it because he bought 3 big heavy duty Seville rolling stainless steel shelves for the garage. I guess he has been in the organizing mood too.

I emptied that white cabinet and cleaned it thoroughly and then dragged it all by myself (before John could change his mind, lol) into the garage walk in closet. As you can see, I filled it pretty fast.

I was pretty happy with it at first but then realized that I will have to move a lot of bins if I want to use the dishes that are in the bottom bins. And if you know me, I like to use different dishes every week if not almost everyday.

And so I measured one of the stainless steel shelves to see if it will fit that wall and it did! And I figured we can just roll it out if we need to get to the electric panels. So, I told John to give me one and he can just order more. He asked me to order 3 more. and I tried but I could not believe that they were $25 more in price, so I am still waiting for them to drop to what we paid.

Again, I dragged that shelving cart all by myself into the closet. Before I could drag it in there, I had to take down ALL the bins that I previously organized and take out the folded table that they were sitting on. Too much double work here but I better do it which I was in the mood, lol.
There was so much lifting but it was all worth it. You can see that I have the bins all labeled.

I use this basket to store my organizing supplies, scissors, pen, tape and labels. I also use it sometimes for flatware when serving buffet.

This is on top of white washed pie cabinet.

I placed some overflow plate chargers here since they are too big for the bins and they won't fit in my charger plate closet inside the laundry room. Notice some are yellow, which is my Mellow Yellow contribution.

Do you see that tall green drum to the left of the cabinet? It's a central vacuum system for the house which we never use. I don't even know how it works. It looks so unsightly so I think I will cover it with a curtain. John suggested we take it out but I think it might be a selling point if we ever decide to sell the house. What do you all think?

Now, it is easier for me to pull a bin out since they are only stacked in two's now.

This is the shelf on the right wall as you enter the door and it is also organized now.

I added a throw rug for a warmer effect.

Notice the green wood chest. It used to sit by the wall to the left as you enter the door. I never moved it because it is very heavy and I could not remember what was in it. But I finally dragged it to the right side of the stainless steel shelves.

I opened it and guess what I found it in! Yep, you guessed it right! More dishes and glasses and some placemats, lol!

I love how it looks now! Do you? And I added more bins under the shelving since.

I am really very happy with the way it turned out and it is making me breath easier even if my muscles were all sore for a while. It was definitely worth all the work and I am proud to say that I did it all by myself.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I always enjoy your visits and especially your comments.

I would like to link with Susan's Met Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sally's Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Mellow Yellow Monday at http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

Carrie's Amaze me Monday at http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/

Mary's Masterpieces Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Thank you for hosting, sweet ladies!

Frogmore Cotton Plantation, Then and Now

2011-11-18T00:25:00.011-06:00

I can't believe the weekend is coming soon again. That means I get to show some pinks for Beverly's Pink Saturday and we get to tour for Sightseeing Saturday.

Last weekend, my stepdaughter Kerri and her three kids came for a visit. We took them to Frogmore Cotton Plantation, which is a working plantation in Ferriday, Louisiana. It is only about a 40 minute drive away from where we live. We have been wanting to go there but just never had a chance. It was actually Janie (Blondie's Journal) and Al who told us about it when they came to visit. They wanted to go there but we did not have time, because we had to go to the airport to pick up my daughter and 2 grandsons. Sorry, Janie! If you come and visit us again, I promise we will take you there. But for now, I hope my photos will suffice.

Before we go there, let me show you my pink. Beverly has a Thanksgiving theme for this Sat. but I already put my Fall decor away to make room for all the bins where I am moving my dishes from cabinets inside the house, in preparation for the new floor installation. I already ordered the floor but it will take around 10 days before they arrive. That will give me enough time to unload stuff from cabinets so the workers can move them but, I am going to FL for Thanksgiving. I wish John could do the rest since he is staying home but I know he is busy. And besides I don't think I want to trust my dishes with anybody else.

And so, I am showing you pitchers in our bedroom and my Coach coasters, of which some are pink. Notice my blog books under the pitcher? I print 4 months at a time since the time I started blogging in January of 2009. I finally have the whole year printed so I am moving to 2010 next. I am only almost 2 years behind, lol.

I got a new camera, a Sony NEX-C3 so I was playing with it. This effect is supposed to look like an old film with the background defocused.

And the one below is set on auto without flash. Although I have always used Sony cameras, (this is probably my 9th, I think, this one's a little different so I am still trying to study it.

Ok, it's time to go to the plantation. I had a hard time selecting what photos to share because I have over 300 pictures. I think this is one of the most interesting historical tours that we have taken. I really enjoyed it. I knew my friend Debjani wanted to go see it too so I invited her to come along. Noah and Zoe ran to the fields as soon as they saw it and just knelt there meditating and absorbing everything. It looks like the cotton here have just been harvested.
These were the slaves' quarters.
Hog killing was an event that they always looked forward to.

Inside the quarter, you will see that they used newspapers for insulation and they white washed the walls I believe, to keep the bugs away. You will also see the work clothes of the women. Notice the shoes in the frame. I can only imagine how cold it must get in the winter. The floors are not even solid. They have gaps between them.

Tool shed.

I am so glad they preserved all the primitive tools so that we would have an idea of how they used to harvest and process the cotton.

Below is the cooking cabin. I took a lot of pictures inside it. I wanted to take so many of these kitchen stuff home but I did not want to get arrested, lol.

The tour guide said they bought their groceries from Natchez which is about a 40 min drive by car today but it took them 2 days on a mule. Imagine traveling 2 days just to get some groceries?

The oven was right outside the cooking cabin.

We wanted to experience cotton picking so I went to get a bag. That bag is long and heavy.

And so with Zoe's help, we went to the fields to pick.

They gave us a tour of the cotton gin. and how the cotton was processed in the olden days. I am so glad they had labels on a lot of these equipment or I would not remember anything.

Noah was asked to help demonstrate how they used to do laundry. After they are done in this basin, they take the clothes to the other basin to wring them out.

After the tour of the gin, we were taken to a room to watch a dvd. It showed how they used to process the cabin and how they do it now. They do have modern equipment now. They have 2 big warehouses where they store the cotton before it is delivered everywhere, all the way to Europe and Asia. There's Kerri and our 3 grandchildren.

Here's a modern equipment they use now. I believe it cost $650,000.
I did not realize that cotton is used for food also and not just for fabric. Crisco, for example is made mostly of cotton seed oil.

John really enjoyed the tour too.

Here is a cotton bale ready to be weighed and labeled. A bale weighs 500 lbs.

I hope you enjoyed the tour as I did. Thank you so much for joining me.

I am linking with

Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Tootsie's Fertilizer Fri at http://www.tootsietime.com/

Beverly's Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Thanks, lovely ladies, for hosting!

Playing Artists

2011-11-14T00:45:00.009-06:00

I have been working really hard towards the replacement of our floors while working with my daughters through long distance on baby plans, making travel arrangements, working with the gardener one day a week and preparing my booth for the coming holidays. Debjani has been studying hard in school and so we both decided that we need to do something relaxing and fun.

During Balloon Festival last month, we bought an unpainted plaque with a hot air balloon with the intention of painting them. And so Debjani came on her day off from school and this became our project. It was a nice day so we did it on our project table in the garage, with music blasting from the i phone. The top oval one is Debjani's and mine is the rectangular one at the bottom.

While we were painting, I was baking stuffed pork chops with boudin. This was the first time I've ever had this and it was delicious. I bought it already stuffed at the Vidalia Cajun market.

Debjani brought Mississippi Mud cake for our dessert. mmm, it was so good and moist that I ate all of our leftover, too lol

While I was setting the table, I remembered I had bought some plates from Sur la Table sometime last year that are shaped like a painter's palette.

I wanted to add something colorful too so out came the Spode Emma's Garland tea set.

This table was thrown together for less than 10 min. in between painting and cooking, so there is nothing fancy here.

I love the unusually shaped plates that are so perfect for the occasion.

I used an oval seagrass placemats and a sparkly glass green plate chargers.

No salad plates needed cause we only had rice and pork chops. Besides, I did not want to cover these unique plates.

We took a picture of the artist wannabes just before eating, lol.

Thanks a lot for stopping by. Please visit our hostessess too if you can.

I would like to link with the following lovely ladies:

Susan's Met. Monday for the transformation of the balloon plaques at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sally's Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/
Mellow Yellow Monday at http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/
Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Lady Katherine's Teatime Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Sandi's Teatime Tues at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

WandaLee and Pam's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday at http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Trish' Tea Party Tuesday at http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Susan's Tablescape Thurs http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday at http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting!

Last of Charleston's Photos and Pink Accessories

2011-11-11T15:00:00.002-06:00

Happy weekend, y'all!

Today, for Pink Saturday. I thought I would just post some of my pink purses. The Coach purse on top was given to me by my stepdaughter, whose company BTW, we are enjoying right now, since she is visiting with her 3 tots from Florida.

I am a purse-a-holic too, among other things, lol. I store my purses in an antique armoire my hubby bought me for my birthday 2 years ago, in our bedroom. I keep most of them in dust bags.

See the books on the floor? They belong to the hall bookcases, which I had to empty in preparation for the new floors to be replaced.

Please visit Beverly at
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com to see some lovely pinks!

For Sightseeing Saturday, I am sharing the last batch of our photos taken in Charleston, SC. I hope you enjoy seeing as much as I enjoyed taking them.

The weather was perfect the whole time we were there. This was a square right next to the hotel where we stayed in. It seems like everybody was out enjoying the weather.

This was the flea market right across the hotel which I visited frequently especially when John was at the meeting.

We basically just walked around the hotel where there were so many beautiful spots to see.

I like to peek through iron fences.

Tricycles like this and horse carriages were all over.

There were a lot of churches around too.

Beautiful flowers everywhere.

Horse posts where they used to tie their horses in the olden days.

A view of the Ashley River through the trees.

Multi million dollar homes with spectacular views of the Ashley River.

I love the columns of this theater.

Another church.

This must be the cruise port, right behind the US Custom House. I can see the Carnival ship peeking out on the right.
We start taking our daily walk from the time John comes back from the meetings at around 1 PM until dark or until my feet cannot take it anymore.

I love cobblestone alleys.

We're back in the hotel!

And this concludes our trip to Charleston, which I enjoyed immensely.

Thank you so much for taking the virtual tour with me and thanks Beverly, for hosting another fun Pink Saturday.

The Morning of the Sleepover

2011-11-09T15:00:00.004-06:00

While John was in Florida to visit brand new grandson, I stayed behind because I am going there in a few weeks. But I am afraid of being home alone at night. My 2 friends were so nice to sleep at home and keep me company both nights John was away. We had such a great time, staying up until 4:30 AM and we kept joking that we should send John out of town more often, lol.

I wanted to create something feminine for the breakfast table., after all it was a girls' slumber party.

I borrowed this topiary from one of the guest bedrooms.

Since we ate dinner the night before on the round kitchen table, I thought we would eat breakfast here with a pool view.

The wooden box is from One Kings Lane and I filled it with birds and bird stuff.

Placemats have purple hydrangeas in them. The coffee pot is "Enchantment" by Royal Stafford.

The teacups and saucers are made by Tirschenreuth but I cannot read the pattern anymore because the set has been put away.

I love the combination of the green and lavender. I think it is very feminine and soothing.

I set the breakfast table the night before.

Because we went to bed so late, I had a hard time getting up. By the time I got to the kitchen, Brenda and Debjani were already there getting ready to prepare breakfast. I asked why they did not wake me up and they said they wanted to surprise me. LOL! Don't I just have the nicest friends?

Debjani was introduced to a typical ethnic Filipino breakfast and she loved it as well as we did!
I am not sure what my floral plates are but I think they might be made by Nippon. Again, I already packed them away. As you might already know, I have been boxing up my dishes because I have to empty cabinets so the floor people can move the furniture so they can replace our floors.

The dinner plates are made in Portugal.

The purple glasses are made by La Rochiere. The goblets with a greenish tinge were bought from one of the vendors in the store for $1 each.

I bought this bird and nest sauce server from Charleston. I served vinegar with hot pepper from our garden in it and used it to dip the sausage. We like hot stuff.

Debjani was trying to be creative in trying to take a picture of all of us. I could not find my tripod so pedestal tray servers would have to do, lol.

We had eggs (sunny side up and hard boiled), Filipino sausage (longanisa- so yummy with the spicy vinegar) and fried rice .

These calamondins (calamansi) were growing right outside the window. I use them in place of lemon.

Thanks so much for your visit, it is always very much appreciated.

I am linking with

Susan for Tablescape Thurs at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Courtney's Feather your Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for hosting, beautiful ladies!

Colorful Backyard, Fall, 2011

2011-11-08T14:01:00.004-06:00

I took more pictures of the trees in the backyard today. The colors are getting more intense and I thought I should capture them before the leaves completely all fall off. The golden yellow ginkgo tree is so pretty against the Japanese red maple. Do you see the golden kumquats in the potted trees?

The skimmers cannot keep up in cleaning the leaves out of the pool. And I even help in emptying the baskets and scooping up the leaves.
I think this is my favorite photo.

The ginkgo leaves are almost all gone.
Great view from inside the home office.

Thanks for stopping by this fall y'all!

I am linking with

Susan for Outdoor Wednesday at
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hope Party at
http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Kim's Wow Us Wed at
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Watery Wed at
http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Tootsie's Fertilizer Fri at http://www.tootsietime.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

I appreciate you all for hosting!

Natchez Chili Cook Off, 2011

2011-11-04T15:00:00.001-05:00

We should do something exciting, after all it is Saturday again. I have one more post for my Charleston trip but I thought I would take a break this weekend and post it next Saturday instead.

Every fall, Natchez holds a chili cook-off by the river and it is a small event but fun to go to. John was in Florida so I went with my friends, Debjani and Keka. I will never forget last year's event because that was when my mom passed out from having a very low blood pressure and then, we ended up going to the hospital. She was on prescribed blood pressure pills then and I had given her one in the morning. It turned out that she did not need them and has not taken any since then.

I took this sign on my way to the event.

It is also time for Pink Saturday so let me show you this pink Limoges Coronet Rose-LC teapot and demitasse cups and saucers. I also have some bowls. We are getting ready to get our floors replaced (got the insurance money, Yipee!!) and before they could move the cabinets, I had to empty them. It will be a lot of work because you know, I have too much stuff. I forgot all about this set and saw it as I was emptying the TV cabinet, lol. Before I put it in a bin and move it to the garage, I took pictures to show you. I even have the label for the bin all ready. I think the pink shade of this is very sweet. The set has gold borders.

Go visit Beverly's blog at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ if you want to see more lovely pinks. Ok, here are more pictures from the Chili Cookout.

Debjani and I were enjoying our chilis.
The weather was perfect with beautiful clear blue skies.

There were activities for kids too.

This must have been the booth with the venison chili.

For $5, we were given a small cup and spoon and we could go to any or all of the booths and taste their chili. We were also given a ticket to vote for which we thought tasted the best. They all tasted the same to me so I gave my ticket to Debjani, lol.

The Old South Traading Post is where we usually bring visitors to buy souvenirs.

There was a pretty good turnout.

I would also like to link with The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by and thanks to all our hostesses.

Pajama Party!

2011-11-02T15:00:00.002-05:00

This past weekend, John went to Florida to visit daughter and newborn grandson. I decide to stay home because I know I will be in Florida a lot in the next few months for more grandkids' arrivals. But I am afraid to be at home alone at night, so I asked my 2 girlfriends to stay with me and they gladly obliged. John left on Friday.

I cooked for dinner and set the table for the 3 of us. We decided to just be in our jammies to be comfy.

The tureen is from an estate sale in Baton Rouge. I especially like that it has a matching warmer underneath.

I used my Bavarian Tirschenreuth teapot with an orange flower again because it has fall colors. The tea cups matched the dishes which are marked Ware Bak-in Crooksville 1238. We bought them from an antique store.

Angel napkin holders, cream linen napkins and bamboo flatware

The gold wooden plate chargers are from Horchow from way back and I added golden yellow weaved placemats.

These are photo holders but I repurposed them to hold the place cards.
I made the chicken slow cooked dish that Traci of http://thetracichronicles.blogspot.com/ posted. You can visit her to get the recipe. Both Debjani and Brenda and me of course, really liked it. Even though the dish already had rice in it, I still cooked white rice because we all like rice.

I baked creme brulee for dessert.

We also had strawberry zinfandel.

You see the table in the breakfast nook over there? I had it already set up for breakfast for the following morning.

We had Whittard of Chelsea green tea with our creme brulee.

There's Brenda and Debjani with all smiles for you!

After dinner, we congregated in the family room and sang Karaoke. When we got tired of that, we watched a comedy action movie. We had such a good time talking and laughing that we all stayed up until 4:30 AM.

I am linking with the following memes:

Susan's Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Gollum's Foodie Friday at http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/
Feather Your Nest Friday, Courtney http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/
Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Lady Katherine's Teatime Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Sandi's Teatime Tues at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tues, Martha and Terri at http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
WandaLee and Pam's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday at
http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/
Trish' Tea Party Tuesday at http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for coming and thanks to all our gracious hostesses!

Transformation by Mother Nature

2011-11-01T15:00:00.003-05:00

One morning a few days ago, I woke up to a heavy fog all around the house.
This is the backyard.
And this is the front yard.

All of a sudden, all the colors of the trees started to change. The ginkgo tree is turning golden yellow in color.

All the trees are showing off a beautiful play of colors, from green to yellow, orange, brown, purple and red. Pretty soon, all those leaves will be all over the yard and then houses across the creek will be visible.

I am really enjoying this view while it lasts.

The kumquat trees still have a lot of fruits.

The Japanese red maple behind the ginkgo is soon to turn really red.

And our holly berries lining the driveway turned to red overnight

They will give me lots to decorate for the holidays.

I am sure I will have more than enough to play with.

My plant baskets hanging on the fence still look good.

Thank you so much for dropping by.

I am linking with

Susan for Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Sue's Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Tootsie's Fertilizer Fri at http://www.tootsietime.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday athttp://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting, lovely ladies!

It's Cloche Party Again

2011-10-31T14:30:00.000-05:00

It's time for Marty's Cloche party again. I did not have much time to prepare so I am only sharing a few, some of them I've already had in past posts as part of centerpieces. If you really want to see a lot of creatively decorated cloches, please visit Marty at
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/. You will be amazed how much creativity there is in Blogland. These are my 2 large wire cloches dressed up for fall on our formal dining table.

I bought this glass box from onekingslane.com and filled it with faux ivy and small tea pots and cup. This is a cake plate that used to be kept on top of the book shelves in the hall. Since they still

have to work on our water damaged floors there, I have to keep the shelves empty and this was moved to the kitchen counter. To be creative and to save some counter room, I placed some Polish pottery divided plates inside it.

The insurance company finally sent our check but it still needs to be co signed by the mortgage holder. Then we can start ordering the wood floors. We could not find a perfect match but settled for something that is close enough.

I think I have at least 4 of these white ceramic single butter server cloches. I have 4 clear glass round and 4 square ones too that are kept somewhere.

John picked this up from one of the estate sales we went to in Baton Rouge. I put his low calorie snacks in it.

I bought this from TJ Maxx, or was it Home Goods? It used to sit inside my kitchen china cabinet but I moved it on the kitchen fireplace mantel.

This glass box is another one I bought from onekingslane.com. I decorated it with bird stuff and it is sitting on our breakfast nook table.

I used it as part of my centerpiece for a breakfast tablescape with my girl friends during our sleepover this past weekend. I will show the rest of the post perhaps on Thursday.

This is a very small cloche. I placed a small Infant Jesus of Prague inside it and it fits perfectly, then I added my turquoise cross with it. And do you see a button filled glass behind it? I put all extra buttons attached to shirts and coats when we buy them there.

Thank you so much, Marty, for hosting another fun cloche party

I guess this serves as your Tabletop Tuesday meme?

Thank you all for stopping by. I always enjoy your visits. Happy Halloween and Happy All Saints Day!

Shopping in Charleston and Fall for Pink Sat.

2011-10-28T15:00:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday so it's time for Pink and Sightseeing Saturday! Beverly of http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink-saturday/ is hosting Pink Saturday but today, we can post Fall photos to welcome the season.

My home is welcoming you all. Happy Fall y'all and Happy Halloween!

And so the Charleston saga goes on for Sightseeing Saturday. Today, I will take you along shopping with us. This was next block to the hotel. The hotel occupies the whole block so I should say, this is diagonally right across it. Although Forever 21 is not an antique shop, this is the antiques row. The first antique shop we entered had this pair of iron planters with acanthus leaves in front. I wanted to bring them home. They will look so nice on the front porch.
There were a lot of nice things inside but we could not afford them, too pricey! I thought the plate holder in the center below was very interesting and unusual. I looked at the price and I was shocked although I cannot remember now how much it was exactly, either high 100's or low thousands. I like that secretary too.

I would really have so much fun creating tablescapes with these.

So much eye candy here!

Even John enjoyed browsing in detail.

I want that china cabinet on the left.

Exquisite furniture all over.

John has always been wanting to have stand up desk just like this but I always discourage him because I would not know where to put it.

Ok, that was enough antique shopping. My heart could not take it, lol.

These baskets were sold everywhere. They were making them right there. This was outside the market plate but more were for sale inside.

Our next target was on the other side of the hotel which is the more modern downtown.

I told you, the baskets were all over. Everything inside this shop is tax free because it is a non profit organization.

We get tired of walking and every now and then we sit and buy food. We had a bento box at a Japanese restaurant below.

And then we went shopping again. There's John at Pottery Barn hauling what I bought.
He is such a good shopping companion, because aside from pushing me to buy whatever I want, he offers to carry them for me.

We passed by an Apple store and this was right after Steve Job's passed away. They had a wreath in his memory. It was pretty touching.

This market place was right in front of the hotel so I would go there while John was at the meeting. I had so much fun just walking around while doing a little shopping. The second floor is Confederate museum and I feel bad because I ran out of time and did not get a chance to visit it. I guess we took it for granted because it was right in front of the hotel and we kept saying we will go there "later".

We spotted a fun store selling natural rocks.These salt rocks have a night light inside them. We already have one in the house in the family room but we bought another one for the bedroom. They are supposed to have healing powers. Maybe that's why I have so much energy:-)

Just look at all of these! I had a ball just touching each and everyone of them.

Here is my rock collection at home where I added what we bought, which is kept on one of the end tables in the living room, on top of a Meissen compote. I bought the coral at the Jewelry Convention here in Natchez a few weeks ago.

I love the different colors, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, jasper, coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli, etc., etc. etc.

Thank you so much for stopping by and going on a virtual shopping trip with us.

And thanks, Beverly for hosting!

I am having a girls sleep over this weekend because John is going to FL to visit his daughter and meet his newborn grandbaby. I am afraid to be home alone so I asked my friends to stay with me and they very kindly obliged. It should be fun!

I decided to stay behind because I will be away from home for a while in the coming months, when my daughters' babies are born, to help them out.

I hope you all have a nice weekend!

Not Too Spooky but Cute!

2011-10-26T16:00:00.006-05:00

I am afraid of real ghost but I love whimsical white ones. I even like Casper. When I was in College, I belonged to a group called Spooks. We still reunite every 2 years or so, in fact, we are planning to have another reunion here the summer of next year. One of them is even planning to fly all the way from the Philippines.

This tablescape is dedicated to them.
I was watching TV last week while snuggled into this Halloween fleece throw when I suddenly a light bulb flashed in my head and I thought, "I could use this as a tablecloth!". And so I did!

The dinner plates are one of our everyday dishes. They are plain orange and plain green. The salad plates are Biltmore's "Holland Platinum".

I saw these spider webbed placemats at Homegoods, more than year ago in Fort Myers, when my daughter had a baby.
I used black goblets and green wine glasses.

The plate chargers are mercury glass and have roses around the border.

I have had these plates since I lived in Florida. They are really sturdy. I like their distressed look. They came in orange, green and a white with striped green and orange. I mix and match them and they have been my everyday dishes for years and they are still in perfect condition, and to think that I bought them at a dollar store in Florida.

a ghost tealight candle holder

I brought this fruit basket from our Charleston trip. It was only $5. I wish I had more room in my luggage or I would have bought more to sell in my booth.

I bought the cookies from Homegoods in Pensacola. I think they are so cute and I cannot get myself to eat them, lol.

I have dinner plates matching this black and platinum Biltmore plates but I wanted to add some fall colors on the table that's why I added the orange and green dinner plates.

Thank you so much for visiting. I hope you like my spooky cute tablescape.

I am linking with the following garcious hostesses:

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Sherry's Home Sweet Home Fri at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Sarah's Homemaking Link Up Weekend at http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting, lovely ladies!

Thomson Pottery Birdhouse Tea Party

2011-10-24T11:59:00.000-05:00

One day last week, my friend, Brenda texted me. It's been a while since we got together cause she is always working, so we planned a small tea party on her day off.

We texted Debjani to join us also. The girls said they would bring something so I took out a rustic cake platter for them.

Our gardener gave me these zinnias and I wanted to use them as part of my centerpiece. I just love their deep orange color.

It was sunny and 68 degrees outside so I decided to set the table on the back porch. I made some walnut fudge.

Rustic butterfly napkin rings holding the rustic colored napkins.

Brenda brought some banana cues,. I haven't had this for so long so I really enjoyed them. Yum!

John came home early too so he was able to join us for a little bit.
I love how the pool water reflects on the glass of the wooden box.

We bought the tablecloth from an estate sale in Brookhaven a few months ago.

I like the texture and the colors and the pattern too.

The fudge were yummy!

Debjani baked tiramisu for the first time and it turned out really delicious!

Thank you all for stopping by.

I am linking with Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Lady Katherine for Teatime Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Sandi for Teatime Tuesday at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

Wanda Lee and Pam for their Tea Things Tuesday at http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Martha and Terri for teacup Tuesday at http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Trish' Tea Party at http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday at http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting lovely ladies!

Church St. Home Tour in Charleston, SC

2011-10-21T15:00:00.003-05:00

I have a winner of my giveaway and it is Traci of http://thetracichronicles.blogspot.com/
Congrats, Traci! I already emailed you the gift certificate and instructions
on how to redeem it.

It's Saturday so we get to go on a signtseeing tour today. I am also linking with Beverly's Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink-saturday/
and the Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Whenever we go to an old town, John and I like to tour old houses. Our trip to Charleston, SC was no diferrent, especially after walking around and seeing the charming houses close to downtown. We decided to take the Church St. Home Tour, where most of the antebellum houses are. I took pictures along the way as we were walking from the hotel and passed by this Powder Magazine building. I thought the cannons in the front are very interesting. We did not want to miss our tour so we did not step in the building.

I love window planters filled with pink flowers

and topiaries framing front doors. Beautiful pink and yellow flowers!

The houses lining Church St. on both sides are so quaint and just so charming!

There were horse carriages all over. We wanted to take a tour while in a horse carriage too because I thought it was very reasonable at $22/person but we did not have enough time. We were only there for 3 days and John was in meetings every monring and there was so much to explore and admire.

The descendant of the builder of this home, which used to be a tavern, was the one who introduced poinsettas to the US. Again, I am loving the window planter.

I fell in love with the hanging baskets on the porch, so right after we landed in Baton Rouge airport, we went to a plant nursery nearby to buy some. I stuck a variety of plants and I can't wait for them to fill in. The top photo in the mosaic is a house in Charleston and the 2 bottom ones shows my copy of thier hanging baskets. Just like I said, the plants still need to grow to fill the baskets.

I thought this stone alley was very interesting.

The first house that we toured was Catfish Row. Actually, they did not even tour us inside the house but took us in the backyard with all the pretty fountains. Originally, it was called Cabbage Row. It was where the book titled "Catfish Row" by DuBose Heyward was based, a descendant of one of the signors of the US Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward, Jr. The name was changed to Catfish Row from Cabbage Row because of the book.

Love this cobblestone paved street.

The tour was well organized. There were a lot of people touring but to make it less crowded in each house, we were allowed to choose where to go as long as it is in the list. Tour guides were assigned in every home. This white flag indicates that the house is open for touring.

This house was not included in the tour but I took a picture because I love how it looks. I like the gasolier in front of the gate and the triple lion head fountain in front of the house.

Most of the houses that we toured had a lovely garden too. Unfortunately, we really weren't allowed to take pictures inside the houses and gardens. I was able to sneak a few shots before I found out we weren't allowed. I thought at first that photography inside the house was the only one prohibited.

I stood in the middle of Church St. just so you could get a feel of its charm.

I like the brick pavement at the end of the street.

We don't have a lot of pictures together because we don't have a third person to take it and I do not like to disturb and stop other tourists to take it for us, but I found a broken stone post where I could lay the camera and set it on a timer.

This Verree House was purchased in 1754 by one of the signors of the US Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward. Too bad we weren't allowed to take a picture of the garden in the backyard but it was so beautiful.

If you are in the market for a historical home, this one's for sale I think for about 3 million dollars.

This is the residence of the Sanders. Mr. Sanders is the President of the College of Charleston and his wife Zoe wrote a cookbook and I bought one. Here she is signing it. Don't you just like how the antique car matches the house?

This is the oldest street of Charleston. How do you like that pink house? I do! I like the Italian cypress too.

I hope you enjoyed the virtual tour. I have more pictures of Charleston to show you next week so I hope you will come back.

Thank you so much for joining me and to our hostesses, your efforts are always appreciated!

A Halloween Treat

2011-10-19T11:40:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a Happy Halloween!

Usually when I buy individual pieces, I don't buy the bowls because I hardly ever use them but I like the crown shape of these bowls so I bought them too.

I bought the pumpkin napkin holders the last time we went to New Orleans for hubby's Medical convention. The flatware set is from Neiman Marcus on line. I think the medallion and the swirls go so well with that of the dishes.

I gathered those small stems from the bar cabinet, to wash and sell them. But when I saw that they matched the plates, I decided to keep them again, lol. I used 3 types of stemware here. In addition to the green little ones, I added amber champagne flutes and blue based goblets

I bought the quilted runner while I was visiting my daughter in Fort Myers, FL, at Old Time Pottery for $3.

In case you are wondering why I added goblets with a blue base, it's to tie it together with the bowl.
It's not easy to see but the bowl is actually colored blue and terracota. This Navajo bowl was given to my husband when he worked at the Indian Hospital in Gallup, NM.

"Boo!"

I think I will set one more Halloween tablescape next week and then I will move on to Thanksgiving. I will spend Thanksgiving with the kids in FL but John will be home. I hope you enjoyed this one. Thank you so much for stopping by.

I am linking with

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Bunny's Bunny Hop Party at http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Open House Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Friday at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Break for Tea from Jewelry Making

2011-10-17T18:45:00.007-05:00

I added photos of the jewelry I just made because some of you left a comment asking to see them, so here they are. The first one is a necklace with round and button shaped aquamarine.

I did not make the pearl with lemon quartz stones necklace but bought it from Ross Simmons Jewel Store about a month ago. I wanted a pair of earrings and a bracelet to match it. I could not find any lemon quartz with a teardrop shape so I just bought the naturally cut ones from the jewelry convention last Saturday, and then I made the bracelet and earrings today.

It was last Saturday when we had a jewelry convention in town where lots of vendors sell jewelry supplies. We like to go to this since it is only held annually, to replenish our supplies.

Buying more natural stones, fittings and other supplies got me and my friend, Debjani excited about making more jewelry. So we scheduled a session today.

After creating a few jewelry, we took a break to have some tea and cinnamon rolls.
We had green tea in my Tirschenreuth tea pot. I chose to use this because it has Fall colors. I pulled out 2 flowered bone china tea cups and saucers with similar colors.

I served the cinnamon rolls in a Traci Porter "Artesian"cake pedestal plate. I used small Prima Donna by Jennifer Brinley plates for our rolls. Both serving and dessert plates have peacocks on them.

Aynsley bone china tea cup and saucer.

I don't really know the pattern.

Staffordshire bone china teacup and saucer. They have pansies which is perfect for this time of the year.

But I don't know the pattern name either.

Here's a close up of the Bavarian Tirschenreuth teapot.

Since all our jewelry supplies were all spread on the office desk, we had tea in the family room. I wanted to have the tea outside but Debjani said it was 93 degrees so we decided to stay indoors.

Thanks for stopping by!

I am linking with

Marty for Tablestop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Lady Katherine for Teatime Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Sandi for teatime Tuesday at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

Wanda Lee and Pam for their Tea Things Tuesday at http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Martha and Terri for teacup Tuesday at http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Trish for Tea Party Tuesday at http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday at http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting, sweet ladies!

Charleston Place Hotel

2011-10-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

As you probably know by now, we went to Charleston, SC last week for John's medical meeting. His schedule was really nice because the meetings were only in the mornings so we got to stroll and tour the city every afternoon.

We stayed at Charleston Place where the meeting was held. The hotel was not cheap even after our group discount so we we talked about maybe transferring to another hotel if there is a Marriott nearby, since we are elite members there. The moment the shuttle dropped us off here, I fell in love with the hotel. I love the fountain with bronze horses.

And when we entered and saw this huge crystal chandelier, I was definitely in love.

When we got to our room and saw its charming decor and lovely colors and how everything was so tastefully done, I knew there was no way John could have dragged me out of there into another hotel, even with the help of the horses, lol.

The room was so beautiful and charming! We even had our own veranda. You see how my jacket matched the decor color? I was meant to be in this room for sure.

The full sized triple mirrored armoire was convenient when getting dressed. I love the 2 yellow chairs with a round table in the corner, so southern.

Even the bathroom was beautiful and roomy. I love the shower curtains. Isn't the carpet pretty? I also like that they had 2 matching luggage racks.

The lobby was full of high end shops. Boy! Did I have fun shopping while John was in meetings!

The furniture were all exquisite!

Another beautiful fountain in front of the hotel. The group was given a cocktail reception here the evening of our arrival. All these fountains and greeneries were just so relaxing.

Here are a few shops in the hotel. The hotel is located in the middle of downtown, occupying the whole block, which is surrounded by shops on all 4 sides. I really had a great time shopping but boy, did my legs hurt from walking too much!

Our room location was so convenient. It was on the second floor so we did not even use the elevators. We just climbed these beautiful staircase to get there. I sure got enough exercise during our entire stay there.

I strongly recommend this hotel if you ever get a chance to go to Charleston. I hope you enjoyed seeing a virtual tour of Charleston Place. Thanks for stopping by!