Happy Independence Day

Of course I'm a day late. I had way too many irons in the fire yesterday.

The day started with Mom coming over to help do up a dozen jars of peach jam. This is a lot darker than the other, but just as yummy.

Mom and Annie and her family came over and ate with us. After dinner we went out on the back patio and visited in the rain. I don't know anyone that wasn't wet when we got done. I enjoyed it, even the being soggy part. After Annie and crew left we went and watched the fireworks. Nothing too exciting this year. Low key and relaxed, just the way I like it.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Independence Day.

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all of the mothers out there a very happy Mother's Day. I hope your day has been wonderful.

To my mother, thank you so much for all of your help and encouragement over the last 42 years. I love you.

Happy Earth Day!

Did you celebrate? Do you celebrate? What did you do?

Do I celebrate? Of course! Every day is a holiday around here. I treated myself to the sights at the Old Fishing Hole. I saw sunning turtles...and my favorite migratory bird...the Yellow-headed Blackbird.I also celebrated by planting a tomato plant. I'm looking forward to sun-warmed tomatoes later this summer.

Then I came home and blew the whole deal by using spray paint...twice.

Naked plug surrounded by recycled newspaper.Primed plug surrounded by recycled newspaper.Painted plug surrounded by recycled newspaper.I painted the gas plug in the dining room. Notice the recycled newspaper. LOL.

I'd like to think I redeemed myself when I refused a bag at the hardware store, Wal-Mart, and the grocery store.

I do try to be conscious of what I bring into the house and as a result what leaves as garbage.

Speaking of garbage. Did you know a little old man took my paneling from the living and dining room to put up in his cabin at the lake? It didn't go in the landfill.

The ceiling tiles were tested for asbestos and found to be positive so they didn't go to the landfill.

The plaster is going to be crushed and turned into something else.

All of the lumber is going to be recycled into a greenhouse for me one of these days.

The metal strips from the drop ceiling went to the recycling center.

Part of the carpet was taken for a dog kennel. I didn't know people carpeted dog kennels, but that's okay.

I'm sure I could have done better, but I think I did a pretty good job. Happy Earth Day.

Tomorrow I'll give a house update.

Happy Easter!

I want to wish each and every one of you a glorious Easter. Stay safe and I hope you enjoy your weekend.

If you feel the need...

For holiday decorating stuff, there are some crazy good sales on Christmas decor going on right now.

A few days ago Target was at 50% off. I've no idea what it is now. I bought little wreaths for $1.25 each and this cute little bird.
Mom and I went to Hobby Lobby today and found all Christmas stuff at 80% off. I got a $70 wreath for $14. My front door will thank me. It needs more 'stuff' and then it's going to be perfect.
Wal-Mart, the store we love to hate, is up to 75% off. Ornaments, red bows, and candle-hickies followed me home.

My favorite scoop of all was from Statuary World. Here's what $33 got me.

A sweet snow angel.
Snowman candle holder.
Set of four carolers.
Santa on a spring.
10 piece nativity.
Three mini snowman plates with plate rack.
Snowman that doesn't do anything but look cute.
Another snowman candle holder. That's not all of it. I also got a big star, a couple of cute signs, and a couple of ornaments.
And if that wasn't enough, I went back today and picked up these and a bunch more stuff for $14. I think I can safely say I'm ready to decorate next year. Of course I'll need to start in October just to get it all out.

Before I forget, look what I found in the dumpster last night. I heard it clink when I threw my bag in and I decided to investigate. By investigate, I mean I climbed inside the dumpster in my jammies and slippers.It's a Hazel Atlas Williamsport Square Punch Bowl from the 60s. It weighs a ton. Sadly there were no cups or ladle. Fortunately, I already had 6 cups. Bwahahaha!

For all the trouble I had getting out of the dumpster, I think it was worth it.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful start to 2009. I have high hopes for the coming year.

Today was a busy day and it felt really good. DH is getting ready to go hunting again and so he's been preoccupied with gathering his stuff up so he can leave tomorrow.

I managed to get the tree down and the living room back in order. I still need to muscle the boxes down to the basement, but overall I got a lot done.

We took the kids swing set down and moved it over to my sisters so now my yard can recover and I'll have a new spot for the porch swing this summer.

I got the Christmas quilt top finished this afternoon. It took about 15 minutes. Don't laugh. I may try quilting it tomorrow if I can find my backing fabric. I'll be ready next Christmas. My poor sewing machine didn't remember me and wouldn't cooperate for a bit. We're friends again and ready to sew.

Mom came over for dinner and I filled her up on black-eyed peas, fried okra, cornbread, onions, and tomatoes. For desert we had spiced peached cobbler from the peaches I canned this summer. Good stuff.

Since today is also Thankful Thursday I'd better put it out there. I'm thankful that I get to see 2009. I'm thankful that I have a husband who loves me and puts up with my nonsense. I'm thankful for my mom who also loves me and puts up with me. Overall I'm a very blessed person and for that I'm so very thankful.

Merry Thriftmas

Did you have a good Christmas? Was Santa good to you this year?

I intended to wish all of my blogging buddies a Merry Christmas and plum forgot about it in the enchilada making frenzy. I apologize. I hope you know I treasure each and every one of you.

We had an excellent Christmas. I especially enjoyed my youngest sister being here from South Carolina. The only hangup Christmas day was the collective forgetting to take pictures. We have none.

Now that life is somewhat returning to normal I feel like I can go thrifting again. Yesterday I spotted the most lovely item I'd seen in a while, but didn't examine it closely and walked out without it.

Last night I didn't sleep due to heartburn, the weather, DH getting called out twice, and most of all thinking about the item.

I was dressed early this morning and sitting in front of the thrift store with my little fingers crossed that it was still there and not sporting a 'Sold' tag an hour before they opened. I managed to be the first one through the door with my money in hand and I made a beeline for the item.

My little heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I saw it was still there and not sold. I raced (okay, walked really fast and didn't knock anybody down) to the checkout and plunked down my $40 plus tax and requested a 'Sold' tag.

Isn't it gorgeous! No holes, tears, rips, or otherwise mangled places. The bottom does need a little work, but nothing a staple gun and a little webbing can't fix. The seat has springs and none are poking out or are broken.
The back frame has two repaired places, but the crack doesn't make it to the front. Who's going to see the back anyway? That white line is chalk and will clean right off.
It measures just under 4 feet long and is 36 1/2 inches tall. It's so comfy. I've sat on it off and on since bringing it home. I'm not going to recover it because it's perfect the way it is. I'll dress it up with pillows and a throw for a little color.

Quite possibly the best $40 I've spent in a long time.

Are you ready?

I'm nearly there. The shopping is done. Hallelujah!

I've got the buffet set up, ready for the snack stuff tomorrow. I'm skipping breakfast and going straight for the cheese ball and mini crab quiche. Then I'm moving to the bacon and cheddar pinwheels, deer dip, and fudge for lunch. Mid afternoon, if there's any room left, I'll have a rum ball or two and sausage cheese balls. Can you tell what I enjoy the most? Eating!

For dinner we're going south of the border and having Mexican food. Enchiladas, beans, Spanish rice, tacos, salsa, and guacamole if I can rouse myself to get the avocados before the store closes.

Have a happy holiday!

Back on track

DH shared his cooties with me and now I'm sick. I'm feeling better now that I've taken enough drugs to sink a battle ship.

I have my Christmas cards ready for the mail, except for one. ReRe, I can't email you. Your email isn't in your profile. Would you mind dropping me a line?

The weatherman has been saying a four letter word. He's talking snow for Monday night and possibly Tuesday. We'll see. Just in case I decided to go ahead and put flannel sheets on the bed. Penguins anyone? These are a clearance buy from 2 or 3 years ago. Who can be grumpy sleeping with penguins?

That's all I've got for now. I need more tea. I hope everyone is having a good weekend and looking forward to the coming week.

Happy December!

It's December 1st and I'm excited. There are only 24 days left until Christmas and 30 days left in 2008. Would anyone like to exchange Christmas cards?

I have Annie, SchnauzerMom, Humble Origins, and Beemoosie's addresses.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas

In lieu of the insanely early Black Friday madness, I slept late and stayed home most of the day tinkering with my toys. I'm not a decorator and don't play one on the Internet.

The mantle arrangement is a bunch of wooden spools, a little bit of velum, package garland, and battery operated tea lights. I stole this one from my mom. She did the same thing on her TV cabinet. Very cute.Every year I buy us each a new ornament. DH always seems to get Santa fishing.This is what I ended up with on the treadle. I'm not sure I'm 100% happy with it yet. Since taking this picture I put the rest of the package garland around the base of the hurricaine.
This bucket came from the inlaws. I don't remember where they had it in the house, but I thought it would look okay holding fake poinsettias.
My favorite this year. The candle holder is an old lamp shade made out of heavy glass. The runner is old and smells like starch. Well it should, I starched it. LOL! This mess is sitting on my $2 coffee table (an old tool chest from a garage sale nearly 15 years ago).
Another decoration from years past. I'm not sure if this is one I got for DH or for myself.
Have you started decorating?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is wonderful.

The pumpkin pie is in the oven and yeast dough is rising. I'm ready for some turkey.

I think I'll dance a little jig

It's Monday! Not just any Monday either. It's THE Monday before Turkey Day. It's the best Monday of the whole year. Of course that's just my nutty opinion. Pardon me while I dance a little jig.

We made it back from NM, again. Every time I go it seems like I come home puny. This time my allergies really did a number on me. I felt lousy most of the time and now I've got a fever blister forming right in the middle of my lower lip. Pretty!

I'm done with class for the week and it feels really odd. Another reason to dance a little jig.

I started a new quilt this afternoon. I'm doing the Turning Twenty design #1, but I'm only turning 12. Trust me, it's legal. This is a Christmas quilt and I can't decide if I'm going to keep it or put it in the family gift exchange. I may wait and see how it turns out.

In sort-of-thrifty news (the in-laws gave them to me), I have a couple of really ugly lamps to photograph and share. You're going to love them. I just know it.

I hope everyone is having a glorious Monday!

Fruitcake

Do you love it or do you hate it?

I love fruitcake that has been embellished.

That said, my mother-in-law always orders one from Collin Street Bakery, every year, in October. By the time Christmas rolls around you could use that thing for a curling stone. It's hard and dry. She goes the unembellished route being a teetotaler, which is fine. I hate that fruitcake. Blech!

I've been talking about making one and today finally got the ingredients. Sadly, I've hit a snag. I can't find my embellishments. We cleared out the cabinet over the fridge before my in-laws came in May and honest to Pete, I can't find the booze anywhere. I don't know where we hid it.

Does that tell you anything about our drinking in this house? It's pretty much nonexistent. I cook with it and that's about it.

So far I'm missing a couple ounces of tequila, a good bottle of 14 year old Brandy, and a couple ounces of rum.

I guess I'll have to ask DH when he comes in tonight and see if he remembers. In the meantime I guess I'll go put away the fruitcake stuff until I can find it or replace it.

Update:I found it! It was in the "Oh crap a tornado's coming" room. Because, you know, when a tornado's coming you should get sauced. :)

Happy October!

Shh! I think I'm back in action.

I've decided I can't let my FIL run/ruin my life because he wants to be unhappy in his last years. That's what it all boils down to. He's unhappy and he wants the rest of us to join in his misery. NO THANKS!

Tomorrow I'm decorating the front porch. It's time we got a little Autumn spirit going on around this joint. I have a brand-new old leaf rake, some pumpkins, an old chair, and bronze mums. I'll bet I can scrounge up some more junk if I need it.

After two years of the life-size scarecrow scaring my mail lady, I'm doing something different. Sadly, Uncle Albert bit the dust in the garage over the winter. I think I ran over part of him. Whoops!

I hope everyone is off to a great start in October. I'm sure giving it a shot.

Pop goes the money!

That's what my youngest sister said during fireworks when she was little.









I hope you've had a whiz bang 4th of July.

Happy Independence Day

From my home to yours, I wish you a safe and happy 4th of July.

We're off!

Well, not quite. DH still has to come in, have a shower, and hook up the boat. Then we're off.

We're going to the lake for the weekend and hoping to do a bit of relaxing (me, not him) and a lot of fishing (him, not me). We took the trailer up last night and dropped it and my mom off. Poor mom, abandoned for the night and a day. I hope she's loving the peace and quiet.

I want to wish each of you a safe, happy, and festive Memorial Day weekend. See ya!

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all of the mothers out there a very happy Mother's Day. I hope your day has been wonderful.

To my mother, thank you so much for all of your help and encouragement over the last 41 years. I love you.

Happy Easter

I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a very Happy and Blessed Easter. I hope that you enjoy your day immensely.