Hear ye! Hear ye! April Cornell News!

Good news! The Tablescaper won the professional category of April Cornell's tablescaping contest and I won the standard category. Congrats to us, lol! We have not received any official email yet but it is posted on her website at http://www.aprilcornell.com/ and her facebook at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490532027762&set=a.59794617762.70021.57658262762

Below is what is posted on her website:

Talented Tablescapers
"Our Decorating Contest was so much fun! It is so wonderful to see how you are using our linens to create beautiful tables and settings for your home. We asked and you delivered! We received your lovely tablescapes and be assured - it was a tough call to choose just one in each category! Congratulations to Alma A., who won in our Professional category and to Christine W. in our Standard category! Thank you to all who entered, you all did a beautiful job setting your tables with our linens!! "

I was so excited to see the news. And to think that I hesitated from joining, thinking I had no chance to win because there are so many talented tablescapers. Besides, I did not have a lot of April Cornell linens except for a few candles and a tablecloth. But then, I figured what have I got to lose when I already have a table set for a party,right? So, I gathered a lot of courage and sent a few pictures. I am so glad I did!

Congrats again, Alma (and me, lol)!

Fire and Water!!

Last Sunday, John and I decided to go to Baton Rouge to get another one of the boxes for the garden hose. We bought one last week and it works great. After watering the plants, I just have to switch a lever and it pulls and rolls up the hose by itself. I will have to blog about it to show you. It's pretty impressive. Anyway, we decided to get another one for the other hose. After Lowe's, he wanted to stop by Target. He likes their sushi.

But before I continue with my story, I would first like to acknowledge our hostess for Outdoor Wednesday, Susan of http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

I am also linking with Watery Wednesday at http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/.

Please visit our wonderful hosts and the other participants.

Anyway, Target is next to Ross so I told John to drop me off at Ross while he goes to Target. And IHOP is in front of Ross. This is what we saw as we turned to go to Ross. IHOP was on fire! It looks like only the entrance part was on fire and the firemen were already there.

As you can see, they started hosing the building with water.

There was black smoke everywhere.

And OMG, it looks like the restaurant just opened. I felt so bad for the business owner.

Now the fires's in the back of the building too. Do you see the broken windows below? They weren't broken in the previous pictures.

I would have moved that car so fast if it were mine. I don't know why it is still parked there.

Do you see the water go through the back wall? I can just imagine the pressure of that H2O.

Look at that! The water went through the back wall.

I was trying to capture the whole thing by shooting diagonally. I was too excited that I forgot to use the panoramic capability of my camera.

We parked across the street and just watched for a while.

When we left, this is how the front looked.

In case you are curious as to what I bought from Ross, it's everything in front of the white table: wire shelves that I used to put plants near the fountain (my next Tabletop Tues. post). a set of 4 placemats, a faux orchid in a vase, a patriotic candle holder (getting ready for Memorial Day and 4th of July) and a white candle, 2 dragonfly stepping stones, 2 plant stands with stone inlay and a garden accessory and all of that for $89.28. I love Ross!

I hope nobody was hurt in the fire and I hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for coming!

And thanks to our gracious hostesses for these fun memes.

Attn: Mississippi Magnolia Southern Belles

It's time for another get together. At least 6 of us (so far) are willing to have a get together in Natchez on June 5th. I do not have a complete list of all the belles so Lady Katherine, please provide one for me and I would love it if you all make an announcement on your blogs. I am thinking of having lunch at home and then we can drive around Natchez (which is very small) and then tour at least one of the antebellum houses (your choice). Then, maybe we can walk around downtown and browse through the antique shops. We can go back to the house for some tea and pastries later on if time allows. You can even go swimming if you want so bring a bathing suit.

Of course I am open to suggestions as far as activities go. These are all tentative. Please email me if you are interested in attending. It will be fun for sure to see each other again and to meet new ones that we have not met.

I am hoping to hear from you all!.....................................Christine