Paint N Party and A Little TLC

It's Saturday afternoon and I should be washing and cleaning but it's just way TOO HOT! How's that for a plausible excuse? :) It's soon to be BACK TO SCHOOL time and my cohorts and I got together for a painting party last Monday night. What a fun group of people! That's me on the bottom row, second from the left. Don't you just ADORE my masterpiece? Bet you can pick the art teacher out from this group.... Hers was very Picasso-like and just beautiful. I'm going to hang my canvas in my office to remind me of the lazy days of summer. Doubleclick on the pics for a better view...
Here's a close-up shot. The purple paint was a little runny so I decided to kick things up a notch and add some detail.... Zinfandel brings out my creativity. LOL

Here's a shot (a lousy photo shot) of my new cased family room windows. Don't you just LOVE the way they look? I bought the wood with a primer coat on it and it hasn't been painted yet. I'm going to use the high gloss white that matches the rest of the trim. I'm a little undecided as to whether to leave them the way they are or put up a nice rod and some valances. Suggestions would be welcomed...... I had valances that I made from a Waverly fabric on them for years but grew tired of the navy, burgundy, and hunter green print and took them down. The room definitely looks larger and more open without them....

I NEED A NEW CAMERA!!! My DIL figured out when I got this one and told me that she's had THREE cameras in that time frame. LOL Cheap old me. Do you see my outdoor wicker chairs on my back porch? I've been watching the sales on outdoor wicker all summer and finally caught a good one, 30% off at Big Lots. Will post pics later once I find a cute table to go between them.....

Happy August!!!!!!

Terri

100th Post and Tablescape Thursday

It's time for Tablescape Thursday once again. Special thanks to Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this weekly event. Today's post is my 100th and I can hardly believe it..... Oh, how does time fly.......

On my last trip in to Old Time Pottery, I found this beautiful red and yellow quilted table runner marked down to $4.39 and just had to have it. I looked high and low for coordinating placemats and napkins, but they were all gone, every last one. There was just something about those sunny colors that hooked me and it made its way into my buggy. When I got home, I started looking around for objects that would complement the runner. I had totally forgotten the red canape plates I scored at TJ Maxx for $5.99 a few months ago. They match perfectly, don't you think? The yellow tulip arrangement that usually resides on the side of my whirlpool tub was bought at a garage sale for $3.00...... My only new purchase was the golden yellow napkins from World Market Imports, 6 napkins for $9.99. World Market has just gotten in an assortment of gorgeous colors from yellows to reds, purples, blues, and greens.....and I want em all! That store is quickly becoming my favorite.

I used my Southern Living at Home glass-topped tray to ground the flowers on the colorful runner. The fleur de lis napkins rings came from The Royal Standard a while back. Lil Brookie broke one of them but luckily they were still in stock when I returned, so I was able to replace it. Pllllleeeassse ignore the messy countertop in the next picture. I have developed a severe case of the late summer lazies.... happens every year like clockwork....

The little birdie topiary came from Tuesday Morning. Isn't he cute perched up top of that imaginary bush? Here's a close-up of one table setting....

And here's one last view of my thrifty red and yellow tablescape..... Doesn't it just SCREAM fajitas, chips, avocado slices, and sour cream??????? Ummmm, I think I know what I'm having for supper tonight...

Thanks for visiting and do leave me a comment, please........

Terri

Sun and Sand x 2

Wow, here I am on blog post # 99 and it seems like just yesterday that I didn't have the foggiest idea how to set up a blog much less link up with others.....

It's been a very difficult time in my life even though I have tried to remain upbeat at all times. Attitude is EVERYTHING, don't you think? I am now officially divorced from my high school sweetheart and husband of 30 years. We were rolling along "pretending" at being happily married for a very long stretch of time and one day it became clear to me that life is just too short for such unhappiness. We struggled along financially for many years with both of us working long and hard, always dreaming of better times. And the sad reality is that when my hubby finally got "the big promotion," our dreams were worlds apart. Through blogging I got a glimpse at couples who shared the same vision and dreams and who were actively working at making them happen. I will always love my ex but we were never a good match, worlds apart in temperament, attitude, and life goals. And oh what a slob he was, a real slob. :) But I wish him nothing but the best as he steps into his new life.

Enough said. The time I spent at the beach this summer was so healing, so filled with fun. I am very blessed to have people who love me in my life. Here I am with my two sweethearts, Brooke and Haylee. Grandchildren bring so much happiness to the circle of life.
Here they are loving on their auntie KK. She's so very patient with them and they love her dearly..... She's beginning her sophomore year of college in a few weeks.

My middle child Bryan wasn't able to make the trip. :( He recently graduated from tech school and really didn't want to have to ask for time off since he hasn't earned vacation time yet. We really missed him. Here's the rest of the brood at dinner at The Crab Shack. Can you see how one twin looks just like her daddy and one just like her momma?

Here is my older son Casey and my sweet DIL Angela. Take a good look because he tends to disappear everytime the camera comes out. Do you see his mouth moving? He's saying "MOM, put the damned camera AWAY." LOL

Here's a pic of me with my friend Johnny. What a guy.

Only a menopausal woman who no longer gives a flip about what people think would post a pic of her 54 year old self in a swimsuit on a public blog. Blame it on the hormones. Ha!Here's the two lil rugrats again, about to ride the train at Destin Commons.....They are momma's girls, can you tell?

I cherish the friendships that I've made through blogging and want to thank each and every one of you who have extended a hand in friendship over these last 99 posts. Here's to many, many more posts and new friends........

Terri

Beachy Tablescape Encore

I just can't get enough of the beach these days. Returned from Orange Beach last week and am headed out for Destin early Friday morning, this time with my kids and grandkids. Woo hoo!!!! Time for a celebratory tablescape, don't you think? Be sure to hop on over to visit Susan to view other breathtaking tablescapes when you finish here.



I found these beautiful ocean blue glasses at Old Time Pottery and just had to pull out the fish dishes and do another beachy tablescape.... Aren't the salt and pepper shakers just adorable? When I caught sight of them at World Market, I just HAD to have them... The placemats came from Pier One. I bought the last four, sure wish I could have found two more..... I wanted to incorporate more of that gorgeous ocean blue so I strung the glass beads (Wal-Mart clearance item) to pretty up the napkin rings. And while cleaning out kitchen drawers yesterday I came across the perfect fabric for a table runner. Are you ready to hear the source? I discovered a carry bag from an old patio umbrella that has long since been retired in the back of a drawer. And better yet, the colors were PERFECT for the tablescape. I cut that baby up and sewed up a table runner, easy as pie. How's that for some highly creative recycling, y'all?

Here's another view of the table runner. I used some pretty shells to add some interest.

This tablescape is set for three, me and the two kids who still live at home even though more often than not, they just perch briefly before heading out again.... Oh, to be young again....

I love this fat fish! He doesn't seem to have missed many meals....

I decorated the candlesticks with twine and a sand dollar and starfish. Here's one last view....Look out Destin, here we come!!!!!!

Beachy Tablescape Thursday

I celebrated the 4th of July holiday at the beach with friends. The pretty shell dishes were picked out on a previous trip to Old Time Pottery but my friend Kim recently upgraded her table and chairs and a nice tablescape was just a callin my name..... ;-) The table base looks wood but is made of resin and the chairs are seagrass. Kim was able to re-use the glass top from the previous table and save a little money. The floral arrangement was purchased at Haverty's in Baton Rouge. That's Kim in the background preparing dinner.

Doubleclick on the pics to see more detail. Kim is in the market for new silverware. What you see in the pic is what was in the condo when she and her hubby purchased it. Any ideas on the best place for nice heavyweight silverware at a bargain price???

The condo was about to go into foreclosure when they bought it and they've made some nice upgrades since. Just about all of the furniture has been changed out.

Here's a view of the living area and balcony beyond. Do you see that chair and ottoman in the background? I sewed the cushions for Kim. Not bad if I say so myself..... I will NEVER EVER work with braid that large again because it was a royal pain to sew.

Last summer the condo was booked solid but the oil spill brought about a lot of last minute cancellations. If anyone is interested in rental information, please don't hesitate to leave me a comment.... The condo is located in Orange Beach, Alabama just about 4 miles from the Florida state line.

The roses on the countertop were a birthday gift for Kim. She rolled over into a new decade that will remain unnamed on June 30th..... :) Here's one last shot of the beachy tablescape........ Happy Tablescape Thursday!!!!