----------DEB'S COUNTRY KISSES!

Keeping Up With The Jone's

2010-05-06T21:54:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had an idea and a neighbor beat you to it? Below is my neighbor's house, this is not a very good picture of what I'm going to showcasing but I promise that wasn't done on purpose. You see we've had a lot of wind here in Alabama lately.
See that flag pole, well my neighbors use it to showcase flags of all season's and occasions. Cute couple, I don't know where she finds all of her flags but I bet she has a million of them.

See we both put our flags out for independence day last year, (here's mine), and I was going to keep mine up and change out the flags and she beat me to the punch. So quite naturally I couldn't do it too, I would feel like a big old copy cat. So I had to come up with something equally as cute. Do you see the wall there on my front stoop?

It now has a clock and people passing by can get the time. It's my own Big Ben! Cute substitute for a changing flag and when I'm sitting out on the front I always know what time it is. That's Mini Poo, my dog, I had no idea she missed the camera cue.

Or when ever someone comes to the door or if I see something going on in the neighborhood and I look out the front door I know what time it happened. Isn't that cool? I know, I know, I'm such a dork! LOL!!! But I love my porch clock! Deb

Thrift Store and Yard Sale Finds

2010-05-05T05:05:00.001-05:00

Hello everybody! I know it's been a long time! I just want to share with you the latest thrift and yard sale finds that I have. This is my little living room full of what ever I find that has that out- of-doors feel and other things that I like. That desk, I found at a yard sale for 20.00 and the chair that's with it, at a thrift store. I've had them a long time, but still love them.

My plan was to re-finish the desk, but I like it fine the way it is.

This is one of my new finds. Found at a thrift store near my home, and guess what? It was only 24.99!

This is how the backside is made. When I got it I thought of having it recovered, but it matched the colors that I already have perfectly.

See it has taupe, cream and pink also.

I put it in front of this window between the living and dining rooms. I haven't found the perfect table to use in front of it but this will do for now. It's a little table I found at Fred's, I put a TV tray on top.

Then about 2 months after finding the Settee, I found this chair at a yard sale. Got it for 20.00! Isn't it lovely?! I found that pillow at Ross for 6.99.

Just look at the woodwork, only a little dusting cleaned it up!

This is how the chair fits in with my decor.

And how the Settee fits also! They sit at an angle across from the other. I just go in there and sit in the Settee and look at the chair, then I sit in the chair and look at the Settee. LOL!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! Deb

!!What's New @ Deb's!!

2009-10-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Meet the new additions to our family!

This is Big Boy! What started out as a joke has added two dear members of the family! A guy that my husband works with has a chicken farm (is that what they're call?) down in Montgomery AL. My husband told me that the co-worker was joking with a few guys at work saying that they were CITY BOYS and didn't know the difference between a rooster and a hen. LOL!!! Of course my husband had to take it further like he knows it all, and the man told him that he would bring him one. Well two weeks later and to everyones surprise, the guy shows up to work, WITH A ROOSTER!, FOR MY HUSBAND!! AND MY HUSBAND BROUGHT HIM HOME!!!

Isn't he beautiful! My husband brought him home thinking I would freak out but, to his surprise, I loved him and wanted to keep him!! LOL!!!! We first had to tie a little cord with a loop around his leg to attach a leash, so he could be free to roam the yard (we have no enclosed fence). At night for a few days we would use the dogs kennel.

Mini Poo thought she was a sheep dog and that she was his keeper. LOL!!! She would bark if he tried to go anywhere and he would come after her as if he was telling her to get out of the way and shut up! That was too funny!

Now since man can't live by bread alone, we now have Maggie

And Big Boy takes good care of her! LOL!!! If you go into the pen she'll get behind him and he actually guards her. And yes we, have eggs, they both guard them ! LOL!!! Though my husband gets them anyway and eats them. I'm not brave enough to do either one yet! But I do go in and keep the pen cleaned out so I don't have to smell anything. LOL!!! Oh! don't let me leave out that there's a whole lot of crowing going on but, I think the neighbors really like having the built in alarm clock! LOL!!! I asked them if they were bothered by it before we decided to keep him, and they said, "no". And all is well in the neighborhood. It's a Rooster lover's dream!

Sorry I haven't been around much but I work a little job, and though it's only part time, it and my regular house work keeps me pretty busy. I miss you guys and from time to time I do check on you, just to know that everyone is ok. Just a little of what I'm up to.....Deb

A New Project In The Plan

2009-04-13T10:16:00.019-05:00

Remember this? This was my Patio floor project last summer. I was tired of the plain green carpet and painted on these faux rugs. Now I'm sick of it all! My little tropical room is just not doing it for me anymore.

This is a 2006 magazine that I have, I've always admired the look of this outdoor space.

Simple enough to pull off. I don't have this big beautiful door, but I have a chaise lounge like this and two little plants holders that will be ok.

I don't have this fantastic fireplace, but I have enough furniture and a fire pit to make this little seating area. I need an umbrella the wind destoryed my old one. Wood was not a good choice.

I don't have this wonderful courtyard but, I have a section in the backyard with beautiful flower beds that I can put yellow and red flowers in and set up a nice seating area.

I have a bench that can serve as this one, and I'm sure I can find a few lovely pictures to cozy things up.

I have a table a round table with chairs, all I need is to pick up some fabric in reds, and a nice rug and a few other accessories. I love the rug in this photo and have already price one at Lowes but hopefully I can do a little better on the price somewhere else.

Then while in Lowes I fell in love with this set, but the loveseat and coffee table alone, is 240.00. So I will be content with my old (I think) LOL!!!.

Here's the old, I've already put it out into the backyard to get started on painting it black, but we are getting a lot of rain. But I think this will be a good week.

These are a few others that I have and they will have to do as well

This is the floor underneath that green carpet in the first picture, I just plan to pressure wash and seal then add the outdoor rug. This is sort of a big project because last year I spent more time on the computer than in the yard, so I have lots of yard work, plus cushions to recover. Hopefully I can find new cushions that wont cost too much.

All in all I plan to be extra busy for the next two or three weeks. See you then! Hope all my hard work pays off! Deb

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T11:57:00.001-05:00

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Tablescape Thursday ~ A Garden Theme

2009-04-09T07:56:00.011-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday, and BLESS ALL WHO ENTER! I hope you will all enjoy Easter Sunday having dinner with family, sitting around the most beautiful tables. Tablescape Thursday is hosted by our lovely Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Please stop by for a visit as she will have a host of participants with wonderful ideas for a perfect tablescape.

My inspiration this week, is this lovely birdhouse. I purchased it at Big Lots long ago for 24.99. I fell in love with it's ceramic roof.

This started out to be a table for two, but because I only have two of the larger dinner plates shown here, (and as some of you may know I enjoy a fullness to everything); I added a different setting below to accomodate myself. The salad plate you see here is from a set of four, that I purchased at Stein Mart many years ago. In this setting I placed my napkin underneath my salad plate.

In my second setting, I used the salad plates that match the two dinner plates above. I coupled them with these dinner plates that I have four of. I have six of the salad plates to match the larger ones in the first setting, so I kinda spreaded them around. I also used two as candle holders for the pretty green candles. The napkin rings are from a candle ring that I took apart.

The bowl that matches the salad plates, I used as a base for my centerpiece. I only have one. Here's also a close up of the candle and plate.

Center view

End

Overall, I think it turned out well as a mix and match! So when ever you don't have enough of one thing. Couple. Thank you all for taking the time to visit my tablescape as I will be visiting with you as well. Deb

~ Foodie Friday~ featuring ~Barbecued Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples~

2009-03-26T18:50:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Foodie Friday hosted by our lovely Gollum @ Designs By Gollum. Please visit, as she has a host of others participants with tasty recipes for all of us to try!

My contribution for today is:

Barbecued Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples

Here I've gathered are all of my ingredients

I started with my sauce. This sauce is soooooooo good!

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

Then I seasoned my pork, and it's ready for the grill.

1teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
I used crushed red peppers, I didn't have any ground

Smokeless inside grill, always put water in the bottom to keep it smokless. When ever I cook on it, the food is always so tender. Maybe it's because the water in the bottom keeps it moist.

Almost ready for sauce and it smells delightful!

Here I have brushed on that wonderful sauce, I cheated and added a 1/8 teaspoon of dried mustard to my sauce, which made it perfect!

Here's the finish! I also had steamed cabbage, sauteed apples, purple hull peas and cornbread patties. I know a little juice from the apples is on the plate but, that's for the cornbread. YUMMY! Thanks for stopping by my first Foodie Friday, hosted by Designs By Gollum. Don't forget to stop over for a taste of the many other participant's selections. My recipe is listed below.

Barbecued Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

Remaining Ingredients:

6 (6oz) bone-in center cut pork chops

(about 1/2 inch thick)

1teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Cooking spray

Sauteed Apples

Parsley sprigs (optional)

1. Prepare grill or broiler.

2. To prepare the sauce, combine brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl (makes about 1/2 cup). Place 1/4 cup of the brown sugar sauce in another small bowl, and set aside.

3. Trim fat from pork chops. Combine thyme, garlic salt, and ground red pepper, spinkle pork chops with thyme mixture. Place pork chops on a grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray, and cook six minutes on each side, basting with 1/4 cup brown sugar sauce. Serve pork chops with Sauteed Apples and reserved 1/4 cup sauce. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop, 2/3 cup of Sauteed Apples, and about 1-1/2 brown sugar sauce).

Sauteed Apples:

3 tablespoons butter or stick margarine

6 cups sliced peeled Granny Smith apples

(about 2 pounds)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Melt butter in a larg skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, saute' 6 minutes or until apples are just tender. Stir in brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Cook for 1 minute or until sugar melts. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup).

~Sail ~ Sand~ and ~ Sea~

2009-03-25T16:00:00.006-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by our lovely Susan, @ Between Naps On The Porch. Please stop by to see Susan's lovely tablescapes, which are always breathtaking, along with her host of other participants.

Today, I'll call my Tablescape "Sail Sand and Sea". This is a picture I ran across, that I thought I could use in my tablescape but, I couldn't make it work. So I'll just use it as an introduction.

My tablescape was inspired by this lovely platter. It's Homer Laughlin China, and his GOTHIC style. When I saw these, I thought of seafood on the large platter. Each platter was only 3.99.

The detail almost took my breath away. The gloss look, was also pretty.

They even had the smaller plate that I thought could be used for salad or breakfast! They were 2.99 each. They are restaurant plates in surplus, that's why I was able to get them for so little.

I used this napkin ring and a candle ring that I already had. I took the candle ring apart to couple with the napkin ring for the effect below.

Soooooo pretty! This is my everyday flatware. The table mats are from Big Lots for 1.00 each, in the softest shade of blue.

I found these two, joined at the cheek at Ross for 3.99. I thought they were cute and the two fish are my sign. It's also a candle holder and I have a candle glowing inside.

Then I found the lighthouse to match, same price. They both fit perfectly into the scheme.

The large seashells I've had for a while, I got them at Marshall's for 4.99

The centerpiece, is a hurricane, on a wood base, I found it at Ross for 6.99 added a little lift and faux greenery. The cute little gobblets are by Libby, four to a box for 5.99 and I was lucky enough to find two boxes.

Thank you for visiting my calm little table by the sea, as I look forward to visiting you and your beautiful Tablescapes. Deb

~MY WORLD TODAY~

2009-03-24T09:20:00.001-05:00

MY WEAKNESS! A bag of Circus Peanuts! What do they taste like? NOTHING! No flavor that I can determine, just plain sugar! But for some reason I can't pass them up. I think it's something in the way that they chew. This bag, was opened this morning. I have to go out in a little bit and didn't want to burden myself fixing breakfast so, this light went on in my head, and the caption read, "What about that bag of Circus Peanuts, all you need is a little sugar and you'll be alright till you get back". Well the results are what you see above. Now, mind you that it's only about five left, I pushed them in the little window to get a picture, however, they don't fill up the window because it's a large bag.

It doesn't help any to stand here in the kitchen (EATING THEM) and look into the dining room and see this! I had another light go on in my head that the caption read, "If you bring the Ab Lounger upstairs, it will be so much easier to use it because you won't have to go down stairs alone". So, I had my husband go down and get it. That's been two weeks ago and the only time I used it was the day he brought it up!

Well now I want it OUT OF THERE! It's totally messing with my decor. LOL!!! But I hate to hear I told you so, because my husband knew that he would be taking back downstairs again. SO NOW IT'S TIME! Well this is my world today, what's yours. Deb

To Be Or Not To Be

2009-03-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

This is a new posting for Metamorphosis Monday, what I originally submitted didn't go over well but, it was pertaining to things changing.

If I offended anyone, mainly Susan, I apologize as it was not my intent. So I went back into my archives and found this. It is when I first started blogging and I think my third post. So I have an anniversary coming up. I began blogging last year March, 26. I wish I had a before picture of the chair, but believe me, it was a mess.

Metamorphosis Monday, is hosted by our lovely Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Please visit, as there are a host of participants with lovely before and after projects and here is mine.

After losing his mother, my husband and a family member had been doing some repairs at her home which is now his family’s home house. One night he brought home this chair. He said, we were getting rid of some things and this looked like something you would like. I love flea markets and yard sales. I looked at it, it was covered in dust and grime, and had a very unflattering fabric. I said to myself, "cute chair, I can work with this ".

The next day I took out the "Mean Green", for those of you not familiar with this product, it’s an all purpose cleaner and I know for a fact, if used on furniture it will strip away old dirt and "varnish" and for this reason it is advised not to use on wood furniture. But that’s what I wanted it to do. I got the chair cleaned up and after it was dry I painted on a satin polyurethane. I found a piece of gingham fabric that I had left over after making a cushion for the bench at my dinning room table, and recovered the seat.

I stood there admiring how well it had turn out, but then for the first time noticed that it was much smaller than your normal sized chair. I thought to myself, maybe it will work out as an extra chair in an overflow situation. After finding a place for it, I sat in it. It was not the scale of the furniture already in the room, so it looked out of place. It was also not comfortable to sit in because it was so small. I couldn't’t think of any other room that it would compliment.

Then I thought of my husband, he was so sure that I could find a place for it and even though he didn’t say it, it possibly had some sentimental value to him. This is what I came up with, it is now a plant stand and it sits by the window and it’s plants drink up the Alabama sunshine and they’ve never looked healthier. So with a little imagination, something you think you can’t use, can very well turn out to be "quite" useful. Deb
Posted

Tablescape Thursday - The bunny is over here

2009-03-18T19:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! It's hosted by our lovely Susan at, Between Naps On The Porch. Susan's tablescapes are tough to beat, so stop by and see her's, and the host of other participants. They're Growing!

Today my tablescape will start with these beautiful Bordallo Pinheiro plates. I'd seen them around blogland and often thought how nice they were. I'd seen a few in green but, I was blown away when I saw them in YELLOW. I knew immediately that they would make a very beautiful spring tablescape. Mine has a bunny in the center, and little bunches of carrots all around but, I've seen others had a rooster, or a pig.

I coupled them with the white dinnerware that I found at The Dollar Store.

I'm also using these guys, I couldn't remember for the life of me where I got them but I've had them forever. A he and she pair and they each sit on half of a beautiful hand painted egg.

This lovely couple was found at Big Lots back when I could hardly find anything in there that I didn't like. Look, he's serenading her.

Then how about this, on my purchase receipt, they were called panties. Good name, and look at the little chicken feet.

They only had the four and I bought them all for 1.99 each at Ross. They are holding faux eggs.

I'm using my everyday flatware, and linen napkins that I found for 1.99 each for a pack of four. I was lucky enough to find two packs. They are cream colored.

The flowers are from my husband, a just because. I love mixed flowers and prefer them over Roses any day.

See the little bunny on the left, I'd seen him somewhere but forgot where. He stayed on my mind and I had a time finding him again. I was actually shocked when I found him that he was still there. I've forgotten all over again where I got him but, I remember he was 11.00. The receipt said it was a watering can, but it's not.

I used this pedestal to raise the flowers and add height to my table. I used my cake plate to showcase pastries.

And here's the overall view, very springish I think. I'd not found placemats that I loved when I took these pictures, but yesterday I found the perfect ones. Well, re-doing my table was just out of the question, so I didn't buy them. I kinda like the color of the wood table against the other colors anyway.

Thanks for joining me again this week, I really enjoy it when you come by. Please leave comments as I love them too. I also look forward to visiting with all of you. Deb

~What I'm Toying With~

2009-03-16T00:16:00.001-05:00

As you know, I hate to cook! Well, I was in my favorite dept store (Ross) and spotted this spice rack. The rack included 18 spices. I thought how neat, because normally when I find a recipe, it calls for spices that I've never bothered to buy and the thought of gathering all the ingredients makes me not want to try the recipe. So this made me think. I thought, this would be a great way to get started on my spices, and it was only 19.99. So I bought the rack, and these cook books. The one above...

And this one

Bought myself an apron too! I'll keep it right here on this little hook.

Now my first recipe was from neither books above, it was a recipe that I recieved in the mail. Beef and Broccoli and it looked so good. So I tried it. These are all the ingredients that was needed.

And this is the finished product. Well it had a fantastic flavor, and the only thing I messed up was that I didn't use fresh broccoli and my frozen broccoli sort of over cooked but, next time everything will be perfect. As a side, I chose Wild Rice.

Then I tried Shrimp Linguine, it was perfect, only in my picture I had not added the croutons, shredded cheese, and dressing to my salad but, this was a great meal. My husband loved both!

Then yesterday I cooked from my Light Cooking cook book. I made Chicken with Garlic and Lime. This is not the picture in the book but, the recipe is on the same page.

This is what it looked like before it went into the oven. Fresh garlic, ground cumin, oregano, white vinegar, lime juice, and chopped fresh cilantro to garnish. My sides are garlic butter rice, green beans, salad; and rolls.

I set the coffee table, and this is what the finished product look like. It was a great, light, meal, and quite tasty!

I also made Paula Dean's fried apple pies. A very quick recipe made from biscuit dough, apple pie filling, and powdered sugar.

Afterwards, we had a little wine and all in all it was a lovely meal! Now maybe, just maybe, I can join in with Foodie Friday (SOMETIMES)!!!. LOL!!! I don't want to over do it. But I'm sort of excited about something new at meal time. This is what I'm toying with! Deb

Tablescape Thursday ~A Romantic Table For Two~

2009-03-11T20:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday, hosted by our lovely Susan, at Between Naps On The Porch. Please stop by to visit her many, many, other participants as the numbers continue to grow.

My tablescape idea for this week, all began with this bowl. I found two at my favorite store (Ross) for 2.99 each.

I needed something to compliment them, and I found these plates and thought they were perfect together. A jeweled look for myself, and a masculine look for my husband, as I will be using these two together, for an intimate dinner for two.

I've added to the above, a silver charger...

...and to below, this beautiful flatware that I found at Marshall's moving sale a couple of months ago. It's an eight piece service, with serving set. I only paid 42.00 at 60% off.

Here, you see all the silver effects. The table cloth is silver and brown. I found it at Ross for 5.49. The brand name is Berkshire. I love how all these things compliment each other.

A close-up of the main characters...

...and everthing put together. My husband and I always eat in our den, so I set the coffee table so we can dine and do our favorite thing (watch TV) LOL!!!

The stemware is Luigi Bormioli (found them at Ross) they are 20 and 22oz glasses.

This ice bucket was found at a little Antique shop, it has a top that goes with it. The silver tray I found at a thrift shop it's the middle size of a set of three and I paid about 19.00 for all three. I wish I could use them all the time but I would be constantly cleaning them.

Everything here is not perfect as I would like, when I actually do this, I plan to have fresh flowers where I'm using faux. All in all I'm looking forward to this evening which will be soon. I'll tell you all about it.

Here I'm playing around with some effects on my camera. I think it's makes a pretty picture.

Thanks for joining me, as I look forward to visiting most of you! The number of participants keep growing and it is making it difficult to visit everyone, but I'll try! Deb

My Most Embarrassing Moment - Who Can Top It?

2009-03-09T21:00:00.001-05:00

This is a total reenactment of the crime, I keep forgetting to take a picture of Ross everytime I go there, so I had take a picture of the bag. LOL!!! Well it all happened about two months ago when I was on my Hiatus. I was busy about my day, at home, doing a little this and that. When I had this brainstorm. I don't remember what the brainstorm was about, I just know that it had something to do with going to Ross. Well I didn't want my husband to know that I was in there, AGAIN, and I only had about an hour and a half before he would be home. That meant I only had 30 minutes for getting there and back, and an hour to browse. So I grab my most comfortable shoes, and you know comfortable shoes don't always look their best, but neither was I; so I hoped I didn't run into anyone that I knew. Once in the store I rushed around looking at this and that. Seeing a few slacks that I liked, I went to try them on. When I removed the slacks I was wearing, I got a glimpse of my feet, and this is what I saw.

OH, MY, GOODNESS! This isn't the actual picture from the dressingroom but, THESE ARE THE SHOES I WAS WEARING!!!!!! I began laughing so hard, I could barely keep it down, (you know the silent laugh). After trying on the slacks which I didn't like, and could barely see from laughing and crying, I took the things I did want, to the cashier. There was a lady ahead of me and when she was done, she remained a little to the side of me looking for something in her purse. The cashier ask me how was I doing, and my reply was "I don't know". I told her that I was in the dressingroom and noticed my feet (stepping back so she could see them) and we both began to howl with laughter. The lady before me, still standing there, over heard the conversation, looked down at my feet and join in on the laughter.

When I left the store and was at the trunk of my car, the lady from the store was passing from the front of my car. She said, I was so busy laughing at you, that I forgot where my car was parked, and we both laughed about that. As she was walking away she stopped, turned back around and said, Deborah and (my last name). Then I turned and said yes, puzzeled that she knew who I was. Then she said, I'm Sharon and (her last name). We had the same last name. Then I reconized her, we had only seen each other once at my stepdaughter Shanda's birthday party, and she was a very nice person. The lady was my stepdaughter Shanda's mother! We laughed soooooooo hard, hugged, and talked for a while, then went our separate ways.

Now, the moral to this story is: Don't ever again leave the house without giving yourself the once over. Your embarrassing moment may truly be the one that can never be topped in your lifetime! If you can top this one please write about it, and let me know that you did!!!!

P.S. I've just learn that Sharon is sick with pneumonia, her doctor perscribed meds but says that if she's not better by this Thursday, she will have to be hospitalized. Please say a prayer for her, that she's better soon. Deb

An Update & Award

2009-03-06T04:00:00.006-06:00

When I posted my Tablescape I so wanted to include this picture but my husband and I disagreeded on whether or not I should by it. I got it at Ross. He thought not and I thought why not! LOL!!! Anyway I've been hiding it out in the front bedroom closet. LOL!!! Then last night when I was working on my post he was still up so I couldn't whip it out for the photos.

Anyways it fits perfectly with my Tablescape and it's a shame it's hidden away. I will use it one day if I have some ladies over for a lunch or something. It'll just set the scene. It's not hung it's actually just resting against the wall and on the chair. It has all the colors that I used in my Tablescape.

I also want to mention two extra birthday gifts. One was a Ross gift card from my niece,Regina. It's what I used for my purchases of the two bowls and pitchers that are in my Tablescape, you can see it in my previous post if you haven't already. The other is this beautiful birdhouse one the left. It's from my cousin Marie. The one on the right is from Rue's giveaway. I think I'm having a problem with the color setting on my camera or maybe it's my computer. The colors are looking sort of bland to me.

This award was given to me by my friend Melissa over at Little Things In Life. Melissa is a Photographer and does fantastic work. She even has a Photo blog. It's called Missy's Photography. Please stop by them both.

These are the rules:

1. Post on blog with link back to the awarder.

2. Award 5 deserving Dishaholics (they can recieve this award a million times and if you think they are a closet Dishaholic, give it to them for their inspiring taste and display of dishes. The dishes can be displayed anywhere in or around their home.

3. Name your favorite set of dishes/pattern that you own.

4. Name a set of dishes/pattern that you DO NOT own, but would like to own.

5. List a favorite accessory ( stems, silver, flatware, etc.)

This is my favorite set of dishes that I own, it's by 222 Fifth and it's called Gabrielle. I have a service for eight. I found them here and there after Christmas and managed to get all that I needed. I have four setting that are square and four that are round. I have two extra square salad plates that can be pair with white Bone China dinner plates that I found to give me a service for ten.

This is a set I would love to have as a service for eight. I only have 6 dinner plates and 4 salad bowls. I've seen them on the Net but haven't order any yet but, I just love love love them.

I love this stemware. It's by Chris Madden and goes perfect with either dishes above. The goblet holds 18oz's of liquid and the other 9oz's.

This is my second try at this post, my first had and error and would not post, I had to do this all over again. For this reason I will not list five. However if you are a Dishaholic and want to share some of your favorites please feel free to play along. Deb

Thursday's Tablescape

2009-03-05T00:38:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday. Hosted by the lovely Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Susan's participants keep steadily growing and growing and growing and it's so much fun! Susan's tablescapes are always so very beautiful so please stop by her blog to browse.

My tablescape started with this bowl. I'd been shopping around after Christmas and had become quite fond of Ross department store. So while in there, I spotted this bowl. It was so beautiful to me that I just had to have it.

Then I spotted the sugar bowl and creamer. Wow! The bowl was only 6.99 and I was thrilled to find that the sugar bowl and creamer were only 3.49 each. I later found another set (the sugar bowl and creamer) (different day) so now I have two sets like the one above.

Just two weeks ago I was browsing at Ross and stumble upon four cups that match. Well they were 3.99 each but I thought 12.00 is not bad when I have other things to go with it.

While shopping in Marshall's right after Christmas I found this. I had purchased some glasses that mimicked this shape so I had to have it. It was only 6.99. Then I found another one at T.J. Maxx for the exact same price so now I have two.

I coupled it with the bowl and added a little greenery and I think it's turned out to be a very nice centerpiece.

OH MY GOSH! Just yesterday I found these pieces. They are different though. The first pieces that I found were stoneware and these are China. The bowls and pitchers were 8.99 each but the sugar dish and cream were 3.49 each. If you want to know why I bought them all, I will have to say just GREEDY! LOL!!

This picture shows the difference. The one on the left if dressier than the one on the right.

When I found my first pieces, I didn't have a clue as to what type of dishes I would use but, I remembered that I'd seen these red plates in The Dollar Store. I think they work just fine.

The napkins are just paper napkins by Vanity Fair, and the flatware is from Marshall's. I got it at 60% off when they had a moving sale.

I found this coffee pot at TJ Maxx for 19.99, not exactly a steal but, I've seen them other places for a lot more.

This is just a better picture to show off the pitcher. I really love all of these pieces.

Thank you all for stopping by this week to see my tablescape, it was so much fun as always. I look forward to stopping by to see yours and share in your creativity. Thanks again to Susan for hosting all of this fun! Deb

Happy Birthday Treasures

2009-03-03T04:00:00.001-06:00

My day began with this birthday card from my husband, it says: "I Love Being Married To You" Well, I knew that! LOL!!!! Inside there was a big old gift inside too, if you know what I mean? I love to shop for myself unless it's jewelry.

This is the breakfast that he cooked for me, Old Plantation smoked sausages, grits, eggs, toast, and orange juice. Boy I was shock at how good it was. I had told him to make sure my eggs weren't brown and scorched because that's how they've been in the past and he pulled it off. Thanks baby, your breakfast for me was wonderful!

This is my daughter, she stopped by with a lovely gift. If you look closely you will see that it has eight votive candles. She asked, where are you going to put it? So I walked around the house looking for a place but all the spaces were filled. Then I look over the fireplace and inside the mirror, I could tell was the perfect dimension for this candle holder.

See it fit to a tee. I just used a piece of wire and attached it on a nail above, it will also be easy to clean the mirror when needed. I haven't lit the candles yet, I'm waiting for a special occasion.

My sister brought this card filled with cheer!

Left to right: An Angel with wings that are my birthstone with a lovely bible verse, Freesia bath soak, a Garden Rain Reed Diffuser, nectarine blossom foot scrub and spa socks.

This is the gift I received from my Secret Pal, one of the ladies in my club. This lovely green box held,

this lovely necklace and earrings by Erica Lyons.

I took this picture so you could see them but, could show myself, I'm having a really bad, bad, hair day in this photo.

Two of my grand kids mother, brought me a card and this cake. No, I didn't eat all of it, I gave my grandsons some to take home with them.

I got these two rose plants. Camelot in pink, and Golden Masterpiece. I can't wait until Good Friday.

Others just gave me money! I put it all together and went shopping! I bought this bag and shoes

and this bag and shoes. Yes, they both are black but I needed black in somewhat dressy and not so dressy. So these are my little treasures.

The gifts were really nice and all but, really I was just so thankful to the Lord that He'd granted me another year. And I pray that there will be many, many, more for me and for you! Deb

We've Got SNOW In Alabama

2009-03-01T07:43:00.005-06:00

These are all pictures of the back yard from my den window.

I know they don't look like much but, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? SNOW!!!! IN ALABAMA!!!

Well Birmingham, this doesn't happen often. The snow has collapsed the tent that I have up for the boys. These pics are from the window, don't think I'll be going out to take any pics but, who knows. It's still coming down if we get a lot, a lot, maybe I will. Deb

2009-02-23T04:00:00.000-06:00

Hey Everybody! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!

Can you believe that I had/have no party planned? Well it's true!! I'm not a party animal after all! My husband has taken vacation leave from work for my birthday and the two days to follow. I don't know what he has planned yet but, I'm (DOWN FOR WHATEVER)! I'll let you guys know how my day turned out though, whether it was good or whether it was bad. My club members will be celebrating my birthday at this Saturday's club meeting. I'll post about it too. So see ya soon!

Deb

God Bless Us Everyone!!!!!

2009-01-20T14:28:00.000-06:00

I was going to just let the picture speak for it's self but I just can't contain my thoughts! I am so proud of this man for his accomplishments, and just as proud of America as a nation of people who came together and voted for a better future for our great country! God Bless Us Everyone! Deb

No I'm Not! Yes I Am! But I Try!

2009-01-05T11:53:00.001-06:00

But maybe I am, my husband sure thinks so. So maybe it's time I did take a break and try to re-group. Find a better way to manage my time wheres I can still visit with you guys and keep my home up and running. Let me just be frank, there have been times when the only spot in the house that was presentable was the room that I was sharing in my post. LOL!!! Now there's definitely something wrong with that picture. LOL!!!! Anyway, I TRY to stay away some, but, it's so hard. I want to know what each and everyone of you are doing, you're my friends. Addiction? Still I'm not convinced, but we'll see.

Well I've made my list and it goes something like this....

Definately spend more time with my husband, instead of sneaking away to the computer

Yes! I've got to make time for a few fireworks!

A little me time wouldn't hurt, I spent some of my weekend watching old movies that I love. It was quiet time for me and I was able to hang on every word. Good Will Hunting was one of them, I just love that movie! I told you I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Maybe a little experimenting is in order, I'm getting tired of the same ole everything!

Who knows maybe I'll come up with a few things to share, but I digress.

Maybe a little exploring, my husband wants to get away and do things and I've become such a home body.

So I'll be cleaning up my act, adding a few new scenes, but keeping up with the classics

Catching up on some reading

Getting out with family and friends, I rarely visit anyone. I have an elderly Aunt I need to check on, grand kids I need to spend more time with. All of my free time has been spent in front of the computer. So I have to get things worked out, and become well rounded in this New Year! LOL!!! But well rounded in a good way so....

Maybe get into a little exercising again, so I can look like Raxx. I really need your secrets girl LOL!!!! ( I hope you tell me that you've just never had a weight problem). Nikki, I doubt if even your weight loss plan will work for me, but it's on my list because I really don't want to end up like the lady in the next picture.

I love my dog!

So I'm getting rid of these

Going to bed on time so that my husband can

Get rid of these, (he can't sleep without me)!

And spending a little more time on me, because I've noticed that I bear a striking resemblance to this guy LOL!!!!

But not for long!!! LOL!!!!

Friends, I'm breaking for a few weeks! But I'll be back! Hopefully a little more organized than before. I've really enjoyed my time with all of you this past year, and I can't wait to get back to continue our friendship in the new year! Take Care!
Deb

Oh No Nikki Crumpet! Why??

2008-12-31T04:00:00.009-06:00

As most of you may know I was one of the winners in Nikkicrumpets giveaway, she's @ Blah Blah Blah Blog. I know you all know her because I always have to push my way through the crowd to post a comment. Yes, she has been deemed the Queen! LOL!!! I've never seen as many comments on any blog as the numbers she receives and I tell you she will have you howling with laughter. Well yesterday I received my package from dear Nikki.

There was a ring of the door bell, I knew immediately that it was Nikki's package. My husband went to the door and brought it in. I got a knife and sliced into it. There was a card for me.

It had Ozzie and Crumpet on the front, there was a kind note that was signed, Nikki and the boys. My husband and I got a big kick out of that. lol!!

It had this beautiful metal bucket, even the bow is metal. It is so pretty!

This beautiful note pad that matches my kitchen perfectly. It has a magnet on back so I can attach it to the fridge.

There were loads of other goodies too!

This Santa filled with white chocolate and peppermint kisses, He has a zipper in back and Nikki loaded it with kisses. (Oh No Nikki)!

The cutest Santa cup, it was loaded with goodies too.

See! First I went to work on the Reeses cups, then the silver Hershey's kisses, then the Rolo's, then a Rolo and a silver kiss together, and then the pepperment kisses. I was sick :O(

Look! Double Fudge Brownie Mix. (Nikki ! Why)!

Oreo cookies drenched in Belgian Chocolate yum! yum! I gave my husband one. Then while I worked on this post they slowly disaapeared.

Two

One

Zero!

Last but not least, the cutest little snowman ornament! Thanks Nikki! You really know how to pack a lunch! Deb

Our Family Christmas Party

2008-12-28T20:30:00.002-06:00

These are a few pictures from our family Christmas party, we had a great time. It was so good to get the family together for the holidays. It was my family and my husband's.

2008-12-28T20:30:00.001-06:00

Tablescape Tuesday ~ A Child Is Born

2008-12-23T01:19:00.000-06:00

Welcome friends and Bless All Who Enter! This is the eighteenth Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch. Susan is a master at tablescapes, stop by and see hers and a host of other participants. The numbers keep growing every week.

I've made my way back to the kitchen this week mainly because the colors that I'm using in my tablescape are best suited for in here.

This is the center of my tablescape. I've had this centerpiece for about six years. Yes, it came from Big Lots ( back when they had beautiful things, yeah I know you know). I paid 24.99 for it, and I love it dearly!

It's a beautiful one piece sculpture and sits on a wood base. The detail is breathtaking but my camera could not capture its true beauty.

I tried several ideas in this tablescape but decided to keep it simple to magnify that "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season". Only one thing, I could not find paper plates that were suitable this time. I saw a few that had grapes and such but they just didn't have what I was looking for.

Now about a week after my first try at tablescaping, I knew that I wanted to do a tablescape using this centerpiece and had been on the look-out for something to go with it. On one of my trips to Marshall's I came across these plates. I thought the were lovely even though they are stoneware. They are by MIKASA and they're called Countryside Harvest. They only had four and were the great price of 2.99 each. I thought they were perfect because the centerpiece has touches of white in it, so I was happy with this purchase.

They have that little raised detail with just enough added color to bring it out just so. Frantic that I couldn't find any paper plates to go with them, I started to look for other options. Then one day I was in Hobby Lobby and I caught a glimpse of these. I thought they would be perfect because they had the same earth color as one of the robes in the centerpiece.

They came in this color, cream, and burgundy. I really wanted the dinner plates in this color and the desert plates in cream but the dinner plates were 13.99 each and the desert plates were 11.99 each. Well, I went back a couple of days later and they were on sale for 50 percent off. So I thought that since I had the four dinner plates from Marshall's in cream I could make due with just the desert plates in the color above. So I bought four.

They are beautiful! The picture does not do it justice, the outer rim has a metallic finish of some sort. I've never heard of this brand like lots of the others because plates and china and stuff has just never been my thing. It says on the back, Certified International, Karidesign, who's heard of it? No one I'm sure, but whatever it says, I love them.

Close up of setting

I used the napkins and rings that I use year round in my dining room when it's not the holidays and I have the matching place mats (not pictured).

I used my new serving dish that I just got as a gift from one of my club members, I think it fits in well with these colors.

So there you have it, thanks for stopping by to help me celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, with a Tuesday Tablescape in His honor.

After today I will probably be very very busy, that's why I'm trying to visit as many tablescapes before I go to bed. Today I have gifts to wrap and dinner to cook. Then on Christmas Eve I'll be delivering gifts to my grandkids so they'll have them when they wake up Christmas morning. I would like to wish each and everyone of you a Merry, Merry, Christmas and the best of wishes for a Happy New Year! Deb

Living Room Dressed A Little For Christmas

2008-12-22T04:00:00.001-06:00

This is the Living room, not a whole lot going on here as I didn't feel like doing all the decorating in here that I've done in the past. Just a vase of Poinsettias in the foyer, and a few Christmas picks in the centerpiece on the coffee table, and a few red bows in the ficus.

See the desk on the right? I bought it at a yard sale about 7 years ago for 20.00. My plan was to strip it down and refinish it. Too bad, I've not done that yet.

Just added a few Christmas pillows. Oh and my tree I told you all about. There it is down there on the table in front of the window. See I told you it was smaller than the one in the den.

This Cabinet houses a television, for times when the hubby has control over the one in the den and I don't want to go downstairs or in the bedroom. Plus I get to see out the front windows.

The house from the outside. I just used bow and candles. A wreath on the door and if you look closely you will see the lighted topiary . I only have flowers in my bed on that side and they have died back for the winter so I covered the bed with pine straw.

I had to take the picture before it got dark because after dark I kept getting pictures like the one below.

Looks like the windows are on fire! There's the little tree and Chandelier.

Here's my Nativity Scene, I painted them myself eight years ago. I bought the Three Wise Men and camel, but my husband made Joseph, Mary, and the manger for me. The sign reads Wise Men Still Seek Him. Deb

Our Granddaughter Alana's Birthday Party!

2008-12-21T13:25:00.017-06:00

Yesterday our granddaughter Alana celebrated her 11th birthday. The kids had a ball singing and I tell you they knew songs new and old. That's Alana in red, holding the mic. Standing the right is one of our other granddaughters, Tiara.

Sitting at the table with the ponytail in red is our other granddaughter, Kiyah. Also pictured in the fun, are a host of cousins. That's Alana's mom getting the girls going.

A better picture here

This is my nephew Johnathan and Kiyah's mom

Johnathan

Here we sing the Happy Birthday Song and she blows out the candles. Yes, she wanted a Sponge Bob cake but that's okay. She doesn't have to grow up too fast.

Here Alana opens her gifts

Last but not least a little money! For a little shopping later! Deb

For A Limited Time Only ~ Me Singing Redneck Woman

2008-12-19T21:29:00.003-06:00

Unfortunately, it's not the whole song the blogger would only allow a certain number of MB. So, I had to do some tweaking and come in at a certain point of the song. Now I hope all of my regular visitors get to see this because like all of my past videos, this one will soon bite the dust! LOL!!!
I hope it won't be offensive to some, and if it is I apologize greatly. It's one of those songs that was on my list of songs that I like but kinda hate to admit it. Anyway I'm just having a little fun! Enjoy!

I Can't Wait Until Christmas!

2008-12-18T04:00:00.000-06:00

In my club there are nine of us including me! We pull names at the beginning of the year for the Secret Pal thingy. We celebrate each members birthday and the Secret Pal gift is to be the largest gift and the other members give a small token gift. At the end of the year when we have our annual Christmas party, it's revealed who who your secret pal is and we all receive a gift from our Secret Pals, and from each of the other members. . This is the gift I received from my Secret Pal, Sherry, a 50.00 Visa debit card. Wow! I bought a lot of small things that I wanted.

This gift I received from Marie, you can see how large it is in relation to what's in the background of the picture. I may use it in my kitchen and put the picture in my kitchen back in the foyer.

This gift was from Edna, a throw, a mug, and tea.

It's already waiting for a cool evening of TV watching with hot tea and ginger snaps.

This covered dish from Thelma, I really love this and will be using it for my club meetings and or Whatever!

It has two compartments

and fits into a little stand, the picture on the box had spaghetti sauce in one side and noodles in the other

Mary gave me these hi-ball glasses I already have six and now I have four more. I like them!

Mattie gave me this egg dish, I like it too!

Mrs. Jones gave me this vase it has three bulbs of Paperwhite Zlva, it has instructions of how to prepare and it's says its guaranteed to bloom. Mrs. Jones knows that I love flowers.

So this is what they'll look like. Last but not least, I got a card with ten dollars from Carrie, she and Sherry had not arrived yet in the pictures that I took, and I forgot to take get pictures of them after they arrived. So there you have it, I think they all were great gifts, it's a shame I couldn't wait until Christmas to open them, each year I say that I will, but never do. Oh Well. Deb

~Tablescape Tuesday from the Dining Room~

2008-12-16T04:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome! Thank you for stopping in, today is Tablescape Tuesday, hosted by Susan of Between Naps On The Porch. Please stop by her post, as she has the most beautiful table settings, and a host of other participants for you to visit.

This is my dining room. I chose to set the table this time without place mats and used a red table runner. It was purchased at The Dollar Tree. I showed in an earlier post of how I re-purposed my lamp shades for Christmas, so I also added the red ribbon to the shades on my chandelier. See how it was done here. I also added pine foliage and Christmas picks to the chandelier they were purchased from The Dollar Tree over the years.

This was a table for four. I found the bench about 4 years ago at Hobby Lobby for 99.99. It added 2 extra seats at the table. I made the seat cushion myself, I found the gingham fabric at Walmart for 2.00 a yard.

What would my tablescapes be without my trusty plastic. I chose to use no patterns just red and white for the holidays. The red plates are at Wal-mart for a 1.97 for 20 plates and the white plates and bowls, you can find at The Dollar Tree. I used these two at the Christmas party, and I must say they were better there, than here. So I tried something different as you will see as you scroll further down. The napkin rings are from The Dollar Tree and came 10 to a pack.

The basket I'm using as a centerpiece was found at Marshall's, the dried flowers at Cato, they remain in the basket always and for everyday I use silk peonies with them. It is usually on the coffee table, but for Christmas I always swap the dining room centerpiece with the one from coffee table. Then I just substitute with Christmas picks and a single Poinsettia flower. The candle sticks are from Cato, and the jars on top are from none other than The Dollar Tree.

Just a clear jar with a red one inside. An added a tea light candle and there you have it!

I love the tea lights because they are no mess and you just let them burn and they go out on their own. But never ever leave candles unattended! I think it serves the purpose,

the candle holders match with the basket perfectly! Now I told you earlier that I just wasn't satisfied with the plastic place for this week, so I tried my square chargers and these paper goods.

I'd seen these lovely paper plates last week in a local store called Party City. I was there picking up a few items for the Christmas party, so yesterday I ran right over to get them. I just had to redo this table. The plates are beautiful and are called Rustic Christmas. The dinner plate has a beautiful wreath in the center.

The desert plate is sectioned off with symbols of Christmas.

The napkins have a beautiful Christmas tree. I left everything else on the table the same. And it only cost me about 7.00 for the redo and I like this one much better! Do you? So I'm still on board with my paper and plastic and if it doesn't turn out exactly as planned at first, please try again. It can be changed with only "A Few Dollars More".

This is the view outside the dining room window, how I wish it was of beautiful mountains in the distance or the ocean, but it's not. But you can see the bows that I have on my front windows. They are dressed as packages. I'll show them soon. Thanks again for stopping in, as I do enjoy your company. Deb

~Please Forgive Me! I don't have all the pictures!~

2008-12-14T22:12:00.018-06:00

I'm going to share a few party pictures with you, which is all that I have (a few). The party was to start at 7:00pm. The Caterer arrive at 6:30 pm and set a beautiful table. We had pasta salad, hot wings, meatballs, chicken salad to name a few, and even chocolate covered strawberries.

Don't they look delish, and believe me they were.

Y-U-M-M- M- M-M-Y

Everything was so goooooooood!!!

In this picture the Caterer had just set up. I had nothing in the punch bowl yet!

Left to right, my club member Mattie, Cherlyn the Caterer, my club member Marie. Look at my coat racks I think they were in the perfect place. I kept hoping all night that they didn't fall down ( no reflection on my hubbie's work, it's just that a lot of coats ended up there.

The young lady standing in the background is partner to Cherlyn in the Catering business, the two of them, I will use and recommend any place any time, the food was wonderful! My stomach is still polked out now. Dress in the Santa hat is our club President, Ms. Jones, you will see her face in the picture below. Next to is her daughter Edna, and another one of my club members who you will also see below. The guy in the hat is Ms. Jone's boyfrien, and the lady seated next to him is wife of the man you see pictured on the far left.

Edna and Ms. Jones. Here are the gifts for the Dirty Santa game later.

In the red is another one of my club members Thelma and one of her quest, she's early because she rode with Thelma!

Mrs. Key, we lived next door to each other for about 3 or 4 years. I in an apartment complex and she in a house. When our club had our first Christmas party I learned that she was the sister in law to one of my club members.

That's Mary there, in the green. That's her brother and sister on each side of her. They are early because they all rode together. Not all of the club members and quest have arrived yet in these pictures it is about 7:40, there are nine members in all. The clock on the wall is incorrect I keep forgetting to change the battery. And of course that's me in the mirror, taking the picture. That's why I want you to forgive me. After everyone started trickling in, I never thought to take anymore pictures, we really had a great time, and everyone left around 1:00 am. I sang 3 songs, Call Tyrone, Redneck Woman, and Last Name. Marie in the first picture was our Comedian, Edna's son did the Carlton Dance (from Fresh Prince of Bel air) and Edna sang This Christmas. The Dirty Santa game was the sooooooooooooooo funny! This one man tried all night to get rid of the two cans of Sardines he won. Please forgive me for not having the actual party pictures but some of my club members took pictures maybe I can get some from them and then I will share. Deb

Party Over Here!!!!

2008-12-11T04:03:00.000-06:00

Alright I know you get tired of seeing my little party room downstairs but, the savings club that I'm in, is hosting a Christmas party this Saturday at my house. I have been busy getting it decorated and I just wanted to share what I've been up to.

I found these little chain link metallic garlands at The Dollar Store. I thought they would be perfect as a backdrop to the Karaoke stage. I hung them about 4 inches apart. The club members have put together a show for our quest. It will be a lot of fun, one of our members will be doing an act as a comedian. I will be one of the singers. Through out the night any one who likes can perform a song or whatever.

I use an assortment of colors, gold, silver, red and green.

I already had the sequin bows and just use them as I could because I only had 4. This is a close-up of the chains. They kind of have a 70's vibe.

The table decorations are from The Dollar Store also. The silver ones I just added red metallic paper around the base for extra color.

These are views from the stage to the stairs

I tried not to over do it, I just wanted splashes of red here and there

There will be 33 people in all. This large table will have 33 gifts stacked down the center as a centerpiece, that we will be using to play the Dirty Santa game. That way each of our guest will leave with a gift (or a gag).

I had my husband hang these coat racks that I got at Lowes, so I wouldn't have to go upstairs to hang coats every time a quest arrived.

Close-up

In the adjoining room is where the food will be served, I hung Christmas lights over the table and some of the chain garland that I had left. I hung the lights with hooks that I found at Lowes. I used these same hooks to hang the chains on the stage.

Close-up of the lights

The things you see on the table are only there for the picture. We hired a Caterer and she will be bringing the food in her own dishes and picking them up after the party. I can't wait to see how she sets up and I will take pictures when she's done. She will pick up her things after the party. This is a BYOB affair, but we will have chasers for the ones that need them, and the punch will be a non-alcoholic drink.

We didn't order punch from the caterer so I will be making it. I used my cake plate under the bowl and used the greenery to hide the surround.

The plates you see stacked look that way because I'm using two plates together for a set, I just think it looks prettier that way. We are responsible for the plates, forks and such.

This is what it looks like.

There is also room in there for dancing. You can't really tell by the pictures.

My mini kitchen, it has a sink, refrigerator, and microwave. The restroom is beyond that. I'm going to be very busy in the days to come, I have to get my hair done and pick up a few items, do a few girl things. Our party is semi-formal. I hope to share a few pictures with you. I'll be the lady in RED!

~ Tablescape Tuesday - Santa Style ~

2008-12-09T04:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the sixteenth week of Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch. Please stop by her post, she has the most beautiful Tablescapes that I have ever seen.

I was wondering what I would use for my tablescape, and I thought of using something that I really love and I thought why not these Santa's, I love them. I found them some years ago while doing a few after Christmas sales. They look sort of Vintage to me, I think I found them at Marshall's.

I used my cake plate as a stand, and placed them upon it. Then used my cloche to cover them and added a little greenery at the base.

Now on with my trusty paper and plastic. I was in Marshall's Saturday night and found the printed plates and napkins, I thought they were beautiful.

I looked around the house for other things to use, and chose the sleighs, and two old brass deer that I had. I used red place mats that I found the other day at the Dollar Tree. They only had four and I went to two other stores looking for two more but I had no luck. Put it all together and I think it turned out pretty good.

Close-up

Very festive in color

The sleighs I found at Big Lots years ago. I bet you all are saying, " All that woman talks about is Big Lots". Ladies I have found a lot of goodies there (IN THE PAST). There's still a lot more around my house from there that I haven't shared yet.

I really hope you enjoyed my frugal little tablescape as much as I did putting it together, I've learn that you can just about use anything from around the house to set a beautiful table and what's best is, cheap! cheap! cheap! I got too tickled thinking about going around from place to place shopping for paper plates like I was shopping for fine China. LOL!!!! My next tablescape will be pictured in my Dining room along with a few Christmas decorations. Deb

~Cooking Is Not For Me! ~ HOWEVER~ There are exceptions ~

2008-12-07T17:46:00.002-06:00

A couple of days ago my friend Dot asked,"when are we gonna get a good down home Southern recipe from you girl! " When I told her it wouldn't be happening because I hate to cook, she wrote back,

WHAT!!!! Say it ain't so Martha!!! lol lol You're a Southern Bell and don't like to cook????? You must have been born up in Northern Alabama! lol lol

Now don't get me wrong I *CAN* cook, I have to, my husband comes home from work and heads right for the kitchen. LOL!!!! But I hate it enough not to make a sport of IT!!! LOL!!!

I told Dot, that's why I rely on her quick and easy recipes, and I do. Above is her Chicken and Dumpling recipe. Mine is a little different though because hers was thicker but my husband has to have a little juice in his or he thinks it's dry. Go figure! Oh I forgot I did make my own dumplings, ( didn't feel like going to the store) but I did make it again with the bow ties but, forgot to take a picture.

Then I tried her Peach Cobbler, when she first posted it, she posted Blackberry cobbler but she said you can use any fruit you choose.

Boy! Was it good!

Then I tried Pat's Pumpkin recipe, it was very good too! Sorry Pat! I forgot to take a picture when it first came out of the oven.

But here's a picture after my club meeting, the ladies loved it!

So here I am today, and I'm cooking Beer Battered Green Beans for dinner.

Got my Beer! Ladies just pour up enough flour to make enough batter for how many green beans you have and add the Beer. Stir, I did add a little salt, a little garlic powder, and black pepper. Just enough for the amount of batter.

Dip

I dropped them right in the oil from which I'd just fried my pork steaks and.....

Lookie! Lookie! Lookie! They taste Wonderful!

I made a small pan of cornbread, you get no recipe here!

And here's the main deal, my Beer Battered Green Beans and Pork Steaks. I will also have, pinto bean, yams, and coleslaw. The coleslaw will be from Kentucky Fried Chicken, and I made the pinto beans and yams myself. So there you have it.

Donna Marie I will be making your Hot Wings soon, and ladies if I don't try your recipes it's not because I don't think it's a great recipe, it will be because it's too long. I need QUICK & EASY!
Deb

~Re-purposing For The Holidays ~

2008-12-05T21:23:00.002-06:00

Do you ever need something and find a way to get it by using something that you already have?Well I found this little Joy sign, for 4.99 at Ole Time Pottery. It was so small I didn't know how I was going to use it. When I decided to do a table scape, I wanted to use it on my table.

So I removed this frame an tried it on this easel.

But this was u-g-l-y!

So on the back there were these hangers and I needed the sign to be larger.

So I found two little screws, if you look close you can see them, and screwed them in the frame and hung the tin on the frame.

The tin matched the easel perfectly.

And there you have it a re-purpose for the holidays. Now you may say, after the holidays you'll have to little holes in your frame. Well I love it so much I plan to keep it as it is, you don't just have joy for the holidays, you want to have joy year round.

Then, this is my chandelier in the foyer. I wanted this kind because I love the look when shades are added.

I found these shades at Kirkland's about eight years ago. Not on sale though, they cost 7.99 each and I needed ten because I needed six for the dining room. Still not bad they've lasted all this time.

But for the holidays I wanted something festive. So I took some of the ribbon that I use on my outside windows, ( I'll show it later) cut it to size and

wrapped it around the shade. I used a straight pin to fasten it, and it's also no problem to remove when putting things back the way they were.

You won't have to worry about the pin showing because you turn it to the inside of the lamp.

So now you have all new shades

Fit for the occasion. What will you re-purpose for the holidays? Deb

~Christmas In My Den~

2008-12-04T04:00:00.001-06:00

I know I haven't been around lately but, I've been trying to get finished with my Christmas decorations and some other things. I finally got my giveaway items in the mail too. This is my den. This is where my husband and I spend most of our time so I wanted to make sure it felt like Christmas here. I used my Santas in here, I love all the colors.

I decorated my own garland and the stockings I've had for maybe ten years. I bought them at Marshall's, I really don't remember for how much but I'm thinking about ten dollars each.

I put a small tree in here because there's not a lot of room and I didn't want to live cramped until after Christmas.

Here's the close-up, I just added a few sprigs here and there and some of the ribbon I used in the garland. I found the ribbon at Lowes. One hundred feet for ten dollars.

My Santas, I found at Big Lots. Surprised? Yeah, a long time ago, when they really had something to offer and at discount prices. Sleigh, Marshall's! Big Lots and Marshall's were my favorite stores during that time. I used two of the candle holders that I got from Dot, and the mosaic globes I found at family dollar, 2.00 each.

I just love them! I remember when I posted a pic on RMS, they didn't like them. They thought they were scary. I couldn't win! LOL!!!

Too cute!

And don't forget this one, I posted him in my sneak preview, he's the one that sits on the mantle. All from Big Lots, and they all have wings. I call them my fairy Santas.

This Santa is over my computer desk, I found him at Marshall's about three years ago for 6.99. You would have thought I hit a million dollar jackpot when I got him and I just love him. I will be sharing my other decorations although I didn't put up as much as I usually do, I'm done with my outside decorations too. Wait until you see the tree in my living room it's even smaller than the one here. I really tried to cut back on some of the work.

2008-11-29T02:44:00.002-06:00

This is my beautiful Christmas banner, it was made for me by a very lovely person here in blogland. It's Pearl of Pearl's Sentimental Journey. This is one of four that she made for me, one for each season. I had only been blogging for about a month when she surprised me with them. Isn't this lovely? Thanks Pearl, I've been waiting a long time it seems to use this one.

Then my friend Jan at Bold & Free gave me this beautiful award. Jan just had a beautiful new Granddaughter! Here you can read all about it. Congratulations Jan! What a blessing to your family! I wish much joy to you all.

Jan, this is such a beautiful award and I haven't gotten one in a long time. I first want to give this one right back to you, for you are Bold & Free and a Lovely Lady yourself.

I will be sharing this award with others soon. Deb

~In Home Shopping For A Lovely Tablescape Tuesday~

2008-11-25T04:00:00.001-06:00

Today for Tablescape Tuesday I'm going to feature four plates that I have from the Currier & Ives collection. I bought them about 6 years ago and I always find a place to display them for the Christmas season. This year will be the first time they actually made it to the kitchen table due to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch, the hostess of Tablescape Tuesday, you must stop by her blog she has set the most beautiful table ever. Well I bought my plates at Big Lots, this is when Big Lots was really a discount store. Now I believe they're trying to compete with the big name retail stores with all the high price items they have now, but mind you, not a lot items that you would really want. Anyway I was pleased with this purchase back then, I paid 4 or 5.00 each. Everything else here are things I already had but never knew they could be used in a tablesetting until I met all of you Tablescape Tuesday participants. The above plate is called: The Road Winter, it and the others are paired with my same old chargers from last time, because I love them.

This plate is: American Homestead Winter

and this: American Winter Scene - Morning

Last but not least: Winter in the Country- A Cold Morning. Of course they're just for displaying you can't eat off of them, they're toxic if you do so, so what I really have here is two chargers. But, that's not a problem. I just pull out my trusty plastic ware in white, from the Dollar Store and there you go.

See, you still can enjoy a lovely table setting with dinner, in addition I could add a matching bowl or saucer if that's what's needed for my meal. You ask why not use real white plates for this small group? Because I don't have any. LOL!!! I'm really into large crowds and my paper and plastic is all I need.

Clean-up still a breeze! I must say I'm into fast clean-up the less house-work the better. Now if I plan to host a dinner for four and one of the quest is the Pope, I'll use the real thing. LOL!!! No puns intended for the Pope.

I went around the house and picked up items that would compliment the plates and I think it turned out okay but, I'll let you guys be the judge. This is the center view.

Right side

Left side

Centerpiece

Right angle

Left angle, the flatware was ordered from a catalog, I admit not one of my better purchases, but okay for everyday since at the time I ordered them they were to go with the everyday dishes that I ordered.

I know, it won't seat a crowd, but it's dinner for four, and cheap, cheap, cheap.

Gollum's Decorating/Writing Game

2008-11-22T05:45:00.005-06:00

I saw this challenge at Donna's Story and thought it would be so much fun to join in. It was started at Designs By Gollum please go there to see how to play.

Here are the rules to her game.

1. Make up a decorating story that involves this setting:

2. Then watch the video and /or listen to the song. The song with this photo is Windmills Of Your Mind - by Sting

Write sketch about the photo and the song, and use the following words:

French blue
Daylight or (rain)
Cinnamon or (cloves)
Invitation
Smooth or (rough, crinkly,glassy)
Clock
Circle or (circles)
Apple
Keys
Summer
Lovers
You don't have to use all the words just use at least 5.

It was in the heat of summer, and vacationing in Switzerland with his family, was not as I had planned. We'd started a celibate relationship only two months earlier, but he was beginning to change. Intriguing at first, he appeared to be a man of self control. But now the pressure I feel by his wise cracks and his boasting of the number of women that would love to be with him is quite overwhelming. I can take no more of the love he feels for himself. His stroking of his own ego is more than I can stand and I can hardly wait to kiss his back-side goodbye. I will be leaving here tomorrow little does he know, but today I would host a pretend game with members of his family that are just as full of themselves as he.

The invitation was at the spur of the moment and not my idea at all, for if it was, I would have planned to poison them all. Yes, I would pour it right from that bottle of fine wine and into those pretty little rose stemmed glasses that I'd found in the cupboard.

Everything was so good in the beginning, we met at the Airport, he had come from Washington to New York on business and I had just flown in from Chicago. We both were checking our baggage with difficulty and in our wait had struck up a conversation. It wasn't long before our conversation turn into dinner and dinner into a night cap at my place. I had made it clear that that was all it would be and he agreed. I had had my fill of smooth talkers that only had one thing in mind and he'd assured me that he was not that kind.

It was daylight when he left and we made plans for that evening. He was due back in Washington in a couple of days but would return in two weeks. We spent endless hours on the phone together and when he returned endless hours in each others company. At the end of of his last business trip in New York he told me that he'd arranged a trip for us both to Switzerland. It was to visit with his family, and to last a month.

I was reluctant to give him an answer right away but I thought that maybe I could get ideas for the ending of my upcoming book by taking in the beautiful scenery's there. It proved to be the worst move I could have made. He thought that by my agreeing to take the trip I would be consenting to a lovers bout, but he was in for a big surprise. Needless to say that after the first week we had absolutely no interest in each other. I was planning to skip out on this liar and free him up to do what he thought he was put here on earth for, and that was, for his good looks and abililty to lie his way into the under garments of trusting women.

The invitation was to his mother and father, and of course, his brother and his lover. I found that he had also told them of the trouble that was between us because she thought she'd tell me about his little flock of fools that he could have anytime without a doubt. I told her if she thought that her little story would change my mind that she must be in a drunken stupor, I could tell she was a boozer by her glassy eyes and the dark circles that she tried to hide with her gobs of makeup.

All in all I tried to remain the gracious host, though his mother did all the cooking. She thought she should have her own cooking show but I think she ought not to bother. I served them poison-free wine and lit the candles on the impeccable table that I'd set with the lovely French Blue tablecloth. I watched the clock praying for the time that they would all leave. I sat there pretending to be apart of the group but I was really just admiring the countryside that I could see through the window glass. Tomorrow I will be going home.

Update!

2008-11-21T15:45:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to post a little update. Above is the pic I posted yesterday. I asked for help as to what could be done to make this look a little less lonely and you wonderful ladies suggested adding greenery and/or festive statues. Well below are pictures of the outcomes. You ladies are AWESOME!!

The Den is my room that's all about Santa!

Lonely little Canisters - Before

Now a little festive greenery makes all the difference! Thanks Ladies! I've finished my Den and now I'm headed to the Kitchen it will be all about Snowmen! Deb

~ Decisions ~ Decisions ~ Decisions ~

2008-11-19T14:57:00.000-06:00

See this? I ordered it from Through The Country Door. It was ordered before it was decided that we weren't going to be home for Thanksgiving. So, then I thought should I keep it, I won't need it. Then I tried to cancel the order but the day I called to cancel it, was the day that they shipped it out. So I guess it will be next year for this guy. I thought I would send it back but I really like it. What I like about it is that it can be used in two ways.

This way

or this way, isn't that neat? It has a hook so that it can be hung.

Remember my trip to Kirkland's when I got the Cloches for 4.97 each? I thought about painting the bases gold to go festive for Christmas but we'll see.

At that same time, I bought this, I'd not even opened the box, so today I did! I have so many things that I want to use for Christmas decorations but, I'm running out of places to put them or I don't have just what I want to go with them. I wanted to use this on the Den coffee table. I want to really pretty up the den because this is where my husband and I spend most of our time.

Here are the canisters, I could use these here and maybe add a little something else because it seems to be missing something. I could look in some of my Christmas magazines for ideas. If you ladies have any ideas please share them. I thought maybe candy dishes.

But, I tried these little candles and rings but, I'm just not satisfied with them. It really looks like less is more may win here.

Then I have this jar. The table would really be empty with just this.

Then I thought about using the jar here to replace this for the holidays, but I don't know what to put with it here either.

See, very empty! I guess I'll just have to play around with it to see what fits. So this is what I'm up against today. Could be worse, huh? I thank God its not! LOL!!! Have a great day ladies what's got you stumped today? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

Before I go, here's a little sneak preview of what I've done so far, this is the mantle in the Den. I'm copying this from Pat of Back Porch Musings. She did a sneak peek of her lovely blue Dining Room but it's done now and so very beautiful. Go take a look, I posted the link. Deb

Tablescape Tuesday On A Serious Budget

2008-11-18T05:00:00.009-06:00

I've seen a lot of beautiful table settings in Blogland, so beautiful at times I've been green with envy. But not green enough to go out and spend a small fortune on table settings, especially since I always try to invite at least thirty guest when I host a party. The more the merrier I say! Well Susan, of Between Naps On The Porch is the hostess of Tablescape Tuesday. I've really enjoyed looking at the different Tablescapes so I would like to share one of my own. (Cheap)

I'll start with a charger from Hobby Lobby for 1.87, paper and plastic plates, plastic cups, napkins, all from Party City, and cutlery from The Dollar Tree. Which are all good for a quick clean up.

Centerpiece - a candle holder, candle, glass beads, and pine sprigs from the Dollar Tree, and a candle ring from Big Lots.

Put together make for a table setting that's easy clean up, unbreakable, and quite pretty too.

So next time you want a no fuss, inexpensive, throw away, beautiful, table setting. Hop on down to the nearest Dollar Store and take your pick.

Very easy way to host a large party, and you never have to use the same settings. I can't wait to show you my settings and decorations for the Christmas party that the Savings Club I'm in will be having here in December. I used this table setting for a Fall atmosphere, when I had my club meeting early this month. I only set the large table and we really enjoyed ourselves.

I served Chili, with all the fixins, shredded Mexican cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, tortilla chips, Mexican cornbread, sour cream, buttermilk ranch dressing, and for desert Pat @ Back Porch Musing's recipe for Pumpkin casserole. Everything was so good!

Thanksgiving we're going to my husbands niece's house but, we will celebrate Christmas here at our house. Christmas is also my husbands birthday. Deb

AND THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE!!!

2008-11-17T05:52:00.002-06:00

PRIM PACKAGE WINNER IS! - Kady! Life On Bonnie Lane

COTTAGE PACKAGE WINNER IS! - Sweetie! of Sweetie's World

Congratulations Ladies! Just send your information to Debscountrykisses@charter.net and your packages will arrive to you soon! Thanks for entering! Deb

~GIVEAWAY~

2008-11-10T22:36:00.000-06:00

I'd planned to do this for my 100th post but that was several post ago, so here goes.

Well as you know I no longer have my Country Den, so I have a few things tucked away not being used. So I said to myself, "Self, why are you holding onto these things that someone else might love having? So, although I love these candle sticks with heart and soul lol!!!, I want to give someone else a chance to love them too!

Then I'm adding these letters that spell home. Home seems to be a special place for us all, it shows in the homes of all that I've visited here in blogland.

Last, I'm parting with this cute little game board, and I'll call this and the above my "Prim Package".

Below

though not a good picture, this little ensemble, pitcher, vase, and doo-dad. I don't know what its called. LOL!!! I hope you can see the colors clearly, I used my old camera while my battery charges on the other. The colors are black, white, pale blue, and the flowers are pink, and sort of peach. I'm not sure of the style but, I'm going to call it my "Cottage Package".

Please specify which package you want to draw for, one or the other so participants are sure to get the package they wanted. Those who don't want either, soon I'll have something that could go with any style. LOL!!!! Drawing will be one week from today, which will be next Monday! Deb

"I Didn't Vote For Obama" by Kentucky Scott

2008-11-07T10:59:00.004-06:00

Posted by Ladilovely on Sandrarose.com

Which I borrowed from Attorneymom @ Character Corner

This article spoke to my heart and I want to share it also, with anyone who stops in to see me, and it reads...

"I’m a middle-class white guy living in Jacksonville , Florida . I’ve got a wife and two kids. Because the kids had no school today, I took a vacation day from work, and took the kids downtown to vote early. Fifty-nine minutes later, two smiling children and I proudly sported ‘I Voted’ stickers.But I didn’t vote for Obama.

I voted for my ancestors, who believed in the promise of this country and came with nothing as immigrants. I voted for my parents, who taught in the public schools for decades. I voted for Steve, an acquaintance of mine from Kentucky . (Killed by an IED two years ago in Iraq ). I voted for Shawn, another who’s been to Iraq twice, and Afghanistan once, and who’ll be going back to Afghanistan again soon — and whose family earned eleven bucks a month too much to qualify for food stamps when the war started.

I voted for April, the only African-American girl in my high school — it was years before it occurred to me how different her experience of our school must have been. I voted for my college friends who are Christian, Jewish, Mormon, and yes — Muslim. I voted for my grandfathers, who worked hard in factories and died too young. I voted for the plumber who worked on my house, because I want him to get a REAL tax break. I voted for four little angels from Birmingham . I voted for a bunch of dead white men who, although personally flawed, were willing to pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor, and used a time of great crisis to expand freedom rather than suspend it.

I voted for all those people and more, and I voted for all of you, too. But mostly, I voted selfishly: I voted for two little kids, one who has ballet in an hour, and one who has baseball practice at the same time. I voted for a world where they can be confident that their government will represent the best that is in this country, and that will in turn demand the best of them.I voted for a government that will be respected in the world. I voted for an economy that will reward work above guile. I voted for everything I believe in. Sure, I filled in the circle next to the name Obama, but it wasn’t him I was voting for — it was every single one of us, and those I love most of all."

Oh how I love this man!

Deb

Dont Laugh This Is Only A Test!

2008-10-17T20:12:00.005-05:00

Don't laugh this is only a test to see if my new camera will load a video onto blogger and it probably won't be a post long as I plan to delete it.

Sorry I had to delete the video of myself speaking with my lovely Southern Accent, and I'm sorry a lot of you missed it. I'm going to read my manual to see if changing the pixel settings will keep the video from slowing down my computer. I'm going to try again soon!

~The Kitchens Done~

2008-10-16T11:30:00.002-05:00

Okay here it is all done, well I'll have to admit not much changed other than the wallpaper being removed and I took out some of the colorful items and went with a more garden decor to match my dining room. I took the large picture from my foyer I've always loved it, so now I get to see more of it as I'm always in this kitchen. LOL! You'll see it better in the picture below.

I took that little plant stand from downstairs and if you notice I also swapped the out the chairs with some I had down stairs to give a more out of doors feel. Remember the cream bowl that I found at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, that's it sitting on top of the plant stand. I pulled the birdhouse from a box in the garage. And I have embellished the candle holders that I got from Dot with lush greenery. LOL!!!!

I love these little signs, I bought two from a local store for 3.99 each, the other is above the sink area.

This is a view from over by the stove. I thought about doing a mosaic on top of my little make shift island, maybe that will be a project for the future. (Yeah right!) But it's a thought, I also thought about doing one on top of the kitchen table.

Remember I'd said I was going to leave everything the same over here, but after I was done it looked as if I had this dark hole over here so I painted here as well. I have lights under the counter but the bulbs have burned out and I have to get some. I went the other day but forgot to take the bulb with me and didn't know what size to get, they are very small and flat. My husband has some recess lights that he's going to put in the ceiling over by the stove. Let's hope all that is done by the holidays. All white appliances are in here but, I don't think I will be changing them anytime soon the way the economy is now. The only way would be if the stores put on some Mega Blowout sale because they are hurting also.

Over by the sink area, I think it looks so much better that the color of the walls has a continuous flow. Before I started to leave the Formica wall panel that matched the counters but I am so glad I didn't. The plate rack use to be in my country den, so I thought I'd use it here and I searched and searched around different stores trying to find decorative plates to go on it but just couldn't find what I had in mind. Then it dawned on me just this morning to use my everyday plates.

Here is the other sign placed above the shelf over the sink area. The cherub Joy what-nots I've had forever. I bought them for Christmas decorations and never took them down. The Lord wants us to have Joy always, right? Added a little lush greenery and I was good to go. lol!

Closeup of the plate rack and a few decorations in this corner.

View from the dining room, I kept my same curtains, I couldn't find any that I liked better or maybe I will think about adding bamboo shades later. Got to make do besides, the curtains are in perfect condition and I always say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

Last, this is what I chose to do with the cloches, I just love this cow and although you don't find cows in the garden you do find them in kitchens. This cow and a little basket with the milk bottles used to sit on a shelf in the old kitchen but, I think this turned out to be a great spot for them now. I'm sure during Christmas time I will use the cloches for Christmas decorations to make it festive in here. Well I'm done now, I know it's nothing to scream about but with the green counters I'm limited on what I can do, plus I didn't want to have to change my dishes and all my accessories because they would so not go with any other colors other than green or something neutral. And if I ever have to sell the house, the color would already be what they're looking for, at least in the kitchen.

Updates!

2008-10-11T14:25:00.022-05:00

Hi everybody! I know I haven't been around a lot lately and I've had a lot of questions about the paint color of my kitchen, no it's not green. It's what I chose early on which is a creamy beige. When I was done painting it, it for some reason looked to be a light gold. But when I put the paint card against it, it looks the same so I guess it just my eyes but the color is slowly growing on me. I had decided to leave the area by the stove the way it was but I don't like it so today I'm going to paint there also. Then of course I plan to paint my base boards and door trims and the ceiling so I'm not done yet! Then I chose not to put all the decorations I had before and I'm going for the garden look that I like and garden decor is pretty much out of season now. Maybe next week Ill be done. Then I've been out a lot this pass week shopping around, didn't find anything for the kitchen but I found some things for my bedroom which is next on my to do list. I'm posting some pictures of one of my shopping trips, this one I met up with my cousin who lives in Pelham and we both love Kirkland's so these are pictures from that trip.

I fell absolutely in love with this Fleur-De-Lis Canister Set, it has a antique gold finish and swirl glass. Or course I bought it they are nice sizes and I thought it would be beautiful filled with ornaments for the Christmas holidays. So I bought a set, it was 29.00 but I loved it so much.

I loved picture frame, it looks as if the tin was cut and bent back and I just love the colors but it
was 29.00 and I was not on a 29.00 roll.

This was a canister set to match. The colors look slightly different in this picture it must be the lighting. It was 29.00 too, so it's there waiting for someone else.

This was cute little fall centerpiece it's sitting on a cute little accent table that they had.

My cousin Marie, fell in love with this vase and the great fall colored flowers that was in it but...

She bought this chair, isn't it beautiful, and it really fits perfectly in her living room. It really added to it's beauty.

Then I spotted this Cloche, I noticed a lot of you have them and I thought it would be nice to have one for myself because there are so many things you can use to decorate them but get this! There was one in the box and one on the shelf. I looked at the price tag and it said 9.97. I thought I would like to have the other one too, and I thought about painting the bottom to dress it up and I thought it too would be great at Christmas. So when I got the one in the box it had two price tags one for 9.97 and one for 4.97. So I ran to the counter and asked the young lady to check the price for me and she said they were 4.97! Hallelujah! I got them both for 10.00 and they're a really nice size. I'm using them in my kitchen now and I'll show you how when I post pictures.

Then they had they're Christmas decorations out. I loved the little old timed trucks and cars.

Look at this big fat snowman, he's cute. 59.00 cute I also waved so long to him.

Cute Santa pictures were 59.00. I wonder why? My goodness! Seems like 29.00 would have been a great price for these.

Beautiful! nativity scene

Cute little lamps! 9.99

Nice Vanity with mirror 399.00

Beautiful little jewelry holder, 24.99

Here's another still in the box. Very beautiful! Would have been nice to picture for a fashion Friday post but, really! LOL!!! 24.99 I don't think so!

I will be visiting soon maybe later this evening to catch up on what's been going on in your worlds I hope all has been well. Deb

~What's Going On~

2008-10-07T10:05:00.015-05:00

My mind is in total turmoil. I've my begun painting and I'm not so sure I like the color! For some reason it's been so hard choosing a color because of the green counter tops. I hope I can make it through this my husband says it's the color that is on the card but for me I don't think so, and I don't know if I like this. LOL!!!! I may be out for a while, because I may be choosing a new paint color, then I may never put on my painter's hat again! LOL!!! Deb

Now on a lighter note. Remember this bunch? This was before baby Alex as a matter of fact you can see him in the picture.

Well these two, members of the ponytail crew, were oh so content with their hair do's. My son will probably never cut his hair, it's actually longer than mine. Below is a picture of him when he was graduating from high school. I love it this way, but to each his own. Stay out of it, mom!

See, big difference!

And then there's Poogly, when he isn't wearing a ponytail he's wearing a Kramer. LOL!!!!

Okay, fat chance of Kevin cutting his hair, so that's not an issue. Now Master Poogly on the other hand doesn't like getting his hair combed. So Saturday Night! Kevin emailed me this picture!

Hallelujah !!! Excuse the nudity please!!!!! But look ! Master Poogly with a haircut! Kevin cut it. Isn't he handsome! I utterly screamed when I saw this! And he looks like "What just happened here"? I asked Kevin how did he behave while getting the cut and he said, pretty good. Well that's what's happening in my world, hope yours is great too!

Deb

Is It Fashionable To Be Organized?

2008-10-03T00:15:00.015-05:00

I think so, this is my little dressing table. It once belonged to my Grandmother Carrie. I use to watch her when I was a child every night pull out her brush and brush her long silvery hair, part it down the middle and braid each side and pin them into neat coils in the back of her head. It was downstairs in the garage after several attempts to make it be something else, a desk in the grand kids room, a computer desk, now it serves the purpose it was meant to.

There are three drawers on each side

And one long drawer in the middle and underneath and opening for a chair. I really enjoy sitting here putting on my makeup, styling my hair, painting my nails, or picking out and putting on my jewelry.

Most of the time it's really a mess, this is an understatement.

This is how my jewelry drawer use to look, everything all jumbled in this drawer making it very hard to find anything.

And the rest on the table top in this jewelry box, maybe I would find an earring here and the other to match in the drawer on the other side.

Then the other day I was in Walmart looking for foil and my eyes ran across these snack bags. Well I thought they would be perfect to house my jewelry. One hundred bags for 1.38 cents. If one should break I'll have plenty as a replacements but I would probably never run out.

So I did a search for all of my pink jewelry, and threw away the ones that didn't have matches. After getting it all together I put them neatly away in the bags. They have a zip lock top.

Amazingly all of this fit into one bag.

Then I took my burgundy jewelry and did the same. It took two bags because there were large pieces in this group.

Now whenever I need to find something quick, all I have to do is pull out the bag that has the color I need.

And the drawer doesn't look like a tangled mess. I hope you enjoyed Fashion Friday's and I hope you can find a use for these small bags, it would cost only pennies. I'll be back next Friday with more fashion, the kitchen has been more than it's share of work this week and I'm still not done. Deb

New Camera! ~ Minipoo! ~ Meme!

2008-10-01T19:19:00.010-05:00

First I want to say I have a new camera, it's a Cannon Power Shot so, finally I'm able to get a picture of Miss Minipoo. My camera before would do all these flashes and take the picture on the last flash, by then she would have looked away or run away. So here's my little darling, sweetie pie, Pooey, and look I groomed her last night!!! She had a hair hanging in her eyes again that I thought had to be horrible trying to see through so, I took the scissors and trimmed it all by myself. She just held really still so I could do it. And we made it through with no injuries. Isn't she beautiful! Look at those eyes! LOL!!!! Yall know I love my little girl!

Okay, I've been tagged by Jenn @ Bittersweet Prims to do a list of fours about myself. So here goes.

* Four jobs I've had in my life*

Short-order cook
Dispatcher for a wrecker company - all men, it's was horrible the way they carried on with their body functions, gas galore! I think I lasted only a month
Cashier
Claims examiner at a health insurance company

*Four movies I can watch over and over*

Driving Miss Daisy- I loved the relationship that developed between the two main characters.
The Parent Trap - I love this movie and the two below because I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
Coming to America
Diary of a mad black woman

*Four places I've live*

Birmingham, Alabama
Buffalo New York- for two years, I loved it there I always told myself that I would go back there but I guess in another place in time.
Back home again!

*Four TV shows I love to watch*

Everybody loves Raymond- Reruns I know, "Love Them"
Andy Griffith - You gotta love Barney LOL!!
Designed to Sell - I love seeing the transformations!
Fraiser- I really get a kick out of the old ones. I was also a hopeless fan of Bob Newhart, both shows. LOL!! The old comedies take me away from the woes of this world.

*Four places I've been on vacation*

Disney World Orlando, FL. This was the best trip ever! We stayed three days at the All Sports Resort. It was like we were in another world.
Gatlinburg TN.
Atlanta GA.
Mississippi - I know nothing to write home about but, I hate long trips unless I'm going to be gone at least a week then I have time before the trip back. I'll let you in on a secret, I've never been on a plane and at this late date it horrifies me.

*Four of my favorite dishes*

Dot's recipe for Chicken and Dumplings
Fried Catfish, with fried okra, and creamed potatoes
Fried Green tomatoes
My Homemade Chili

*Four websites I visit daily*

WZZK radio station, almost daily- they have a list of last songs played and when I'm riding in my car and here something I like I may go to see what it was if I forgot the name, I can always remember the time it was.
My playlist.com -almost daily
My blog
You tube.com - almost daily

*Four places I'd rather be right now*

I'd rather be standing in my kitchen looking at the finished job.
On my way to the Florida Keys with my husband
Tucked away on an Island staying at a Bed and Breakfast
Slow dancing with him in the moonlight

I'm suppose to tag four, but I won't, if you'd like play along, "PLEASE DO"

UPDATES

2008-09-29T15:19:00.031-05:00

Remember this little guy. Well Hallelujah! He's home! He came home Saturday, Praise God!

And remember this kitchen, no, it's not done but I've started.

This is the beginning, once I tore into the paper, it became a project that has to be done.

I've also removed the green back splash that matches the counter top, I'm keeping the counter top unless the Good Fairy makes an overnight appearance. I wanted to remove the back splash be cause where I paint I don't want any breaks, I want a continuous wall color.

I had to use a box cutter to score the bottom and top of the back splash and peel it away from the wall. As you can see I damaged the wall a little but all I'll have to do is sand the adhesive off and apply a thin layer of sheet rock mud and sand smooth.

I've made it all the way around to the large wall in back. It looks so bland, I can't wait until I can paint.

This is what I have left, the wall going into the laundry room, behind the refrigerator, and I'm also removing the back splash in this area here.

But I'm leaving it here by the stove I figure since the counters will be green over by the sink this area will all look just fine plus I need something I will have no problem keeping clean. I have not done any work in there today, maybe I'll be motivated to continue by tomorrow. I keep getting

distracted.

Saturday night my husband, his brother and wife, and I went downtown Birmingham to the Taste Of Fourth Avenue Jazz Festival. It was a free Jazz Concert, sponsored by The City Of Birmingham, Urban Impact, 98.7 Kiss FM, and the Alabama Jazz Hall Of Fame. This is a picture of the stage, it's sitting right in the middle of 4th avenue and the people you see are standing where cars actually drive.

This picture is also in front of the stage, people were as far as I could see. Vendors were set up selling food, and beverages. Right to the left of this picture in the white shirt is my husband he didn't know he was in the picture. The area behind him was full of people too.

This picture is blurred because the people here in front of the stage were all dancing and having a ball. The music was fantastic! Earlier there had also been a Cultural Parade, they had an Art Village, Children's Activities, and Swing Dancing. We didn't go downtown until about 9.00pm, it was over about 12.00am. I really enjoyed it and will go again next year if the have it.

This is Annie and Sherman, my brother and sister in law. No, I don't have a picture of me here. I don't believe it! It was my intentions to have Annie take a picture of my husband and myself together but, I forgot.

Fashion Fridays ~ From ~ Deb's Closet

2008-09-26T01:27:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Fashion Friday's hosted by Fifi, at Fifi Flowers Design. I love how she's included anything that you may think is fashionable instead of just clothing. This is a post I did a while back as I also hosted a Fashion Friday but it never really took off. I'm so glad that Fifi has organized Fashionable Friday's because now I get to participate in something I think is quite fun!!!!!

Let's start with the accessories, today I'm using Ralph Lauren's Romance, I always use this Par fum for shinny and glittery nights. I'm also using Silver and Pearls as my jewelry selection. As my friend Connie would correct me to say faux Silver and Pearls because they are not real. Okay! LOL! My shoe choice is a Pewter, peep toe, with a buckle for added interest, 32.00 on sale.

Today I'm going to revisit an outfit. It's one of the outfits I bought while in Macy's during my Fashion show and today I'm showing it with the accessories I've chosen. Actually this jewelry is Silver but, I guess it is mirroring the brown in the top, and giving off a gold accent. I have paired the top with my white linen Bermuda shorts. The shoes are also taking on that goldish hue but, that's okay I love how it changes for the outfit.

I couldn't get a good picture of the necklace, it shows as gold, and it's totally silver. I was drawn to this necklace because it reminded me of the coin jewelry from long ago, and I loved how the weight and shape of it shifts to one side instead of being symmetrical.

Do you remember the jewelry that was like nickels, dimes and if I'm remembering correctly it was buffalo head nickles. Sometimes clothing would have chain belts that also had these coins. I can remember having a red plaid skirt that had one of those belts. This necklace and earring set is by Jordi's European Collection.

Here I'm honoring my friend Nikki Crumpet's request to model an outfit this time. Hi Nikki! Just for you!

Here I used my denim shorts shown last week with the pink blouse. The denim dresses it down a little but, not much so this could still be worn on a nice dinner date.

I must confess a weight gain of about 5 pounds but, I'm still trying to maintain the inches I've lost but I'm beginning to feel a tightness in my clothes. Monday my friend Mary in Texas and I plan to start the Slim'n 6 exercise program together. Pray for us. :O( I wish there was something I could love about exercise, I'm dying just thinking about it. Anyway I'm going to eat everything in sight this weekend getting it all out of my system for next week. LOL!!!!

This is a close up of the shoe, I have not been able to find a purse that I think would be perfect with this shoe.

But, I thought that maybe I could get away with this white bag with this out fit because there's white in the outfit. What do you think?

Remember this?

Well, I thought I'd wear this outfit for you, it's also from a previous post.

This concludes this Fashionable Friday's post, I hope you enjoyed it and will join me again soon. I'm finding that that closet of nothing, is really full of many options. Just pick a shoe and search for the things that will go with it. You'll find you have more than you think. Then take a picture of it for future reference because you will forget how you've pair it. Deb

No Friends, You Misunderstood

2008-09-23T21:20:00.004-05:00

No, friends you misunderstood, it was not anyone from blogland but, someone who reads my blog that has to know me personally, because the call was to my cell phone concerning something on my blog. It was meant as a joke but was not at all funny to me. So the message was for that person and not any blogger. I don't even care who it was and I'm sure the matter is settled now by my message that I was not pleased , and so now I'm done with it. Thanks so much for your concern of the matter. Deb

This Message Is For My Prank Caller

2008-09-23T17:54:00.006-05:00

This is for the person that was responsible for the prank call made to me this evening.

1. I don't play those games and I don't know of any person that I would do that to, joking or not.

2. My cell phone number is personal to me and I only give it to people that I feel are near and dear to me. I never would think that anyone of those persons would give my number out to someone for malicious purposes, joking or not.

3. I try to be fun and kind to all but, I have to draw the line somewhere. You better hope that I never find out which one of you did this, because I will be reluctant to ever trust you again.

4. If you enjoy my blog, just enjoy it. Don't think of ways to use it for meanness.

5. Now you go, have a nice dinner and be very pleased with yourself. I will not pursue this issue any further because I don't even want to know which one of you did this, but, know that I don't enjoy pranks and absolutely have no sense of humor when it comes to this kind of thing.

Deborah

Please Accept These Flowers

2008-09-23T07:29:00.005-05:00

Hi everybody! I know I haven't been around much in the past few days but, I've been extra busy. I'm still engaged in removing the wall paper in the kitchen along with a few other things. My intentions yesterday were to go to the hospital to visit with my grand son, he has not gotten his weight up and he's having a bit of trouble temp wise but, I didn't make that. So today he is first on my list. Please pray he'll be coming home soon. He's coming along but, slowly.

Since I won't be blogging much today, with grocery shopping, a trip to the post office, and home depot also on my list, I hope you'll accept these flowers. I know, I know, they're not much and I'm looking a mess but, please bear with me, I'll try and get back soon. I pray everyone has one the best days of life today, and God bless you all.

Fashion Friday ~ From~ Deb's Closet

2008-09-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

Let me begin again with the accessories, this started out to be a little hard, pink being my main color again. Though this time I wanted while it is still warm here, to choose something still fit for the hot weather. I've chosen pink shoes, gold and pink jewelry,and my choice of Par fum is Very Irresistible by Givenchy. A must have, I love it! It has a very playful fragrance.

Here I've chosen to pair a dark blue wash, denim Bermuda short, by dockers, a pink short sleeved blouse; using gold jewelry. Shoes, Sam & Libby. I bought them on sale at Macy's about three years ago for about 16.99. As a rule I hardly ever buy unless it's on sale unless it's for a very special occasion.

Here I'm using, the pink jewelry just to show how all pieces can work the same outfit. Simple pink blouse was found at Walmart for about 9.99.

Here I chose the softening effects of a cream top by sunny leigh, with the same denim short but adding a splash of color by using pink jewelry and shoes. The jewelry doesn't have to be expensive at all. This is some that I've picked up here or there for just about pennies.

Here I'm using the same outfit with gold jewelry to dress things up slightly for a casual evening out. The necklace and earrings were ordered from Avon, and I'm using my everyday watch and a bracelet fit for evening wear.

Here I'm using the same softness from above with the top by sunny leigh, I was drawn to the softness of the sheer fabric used around the neck and as a bow. I could picture the bow blowing slightly in the wind. Here it's paired with linen, Bermuda shorts also by sunny leigh. I love this clothing line because it always fits my body type, what ever that is and manages to hide it's budges and bumps.

Here I'm calling this the unexpected, I'm pairing the pink blouse and linen short and I do find that you can pair just about anything pulling it all together with the accessories. The purse I'm using has a darker color variation of the shorts at the very top and through out, allowing everything to come together perfectly.

I'm noticing that I have quite a few purses from Cato, I don't remember how much I paid for this one but, I'm sure it was under 15.00. It goes a long way with color, there's orange, aqua, and mint green that I have yet to explore. This concludes my Fashion Fridays post, I hope you enjoyed.

My Not Fake ~ But ~ Artificial Plants

2008-09-18T06:30:00.021-05:00

I'll start in the den, I have added a Peony bloom to an existing fake I mean artificial plant that I like. The plant has the garden look that I love. The little gold jar I got at Walgreens as Fall decorations. It was 6.99 and get a second half price. I bought two. They have a candle inside but I'm sad to say that they don't smell very good. Seems like they would have smelled like Pumpkin Pie or something but they smell like that long time ago soap that I hated called, Cashmere Bouquet. Does anybody remember that terrible soap? It was right up there in my mind with another product I hated, Tussy deodorant.

My Artificial fern in my monkey planter, I 'm okay with this too. It's a small planter and wouldn't support the root system of a live fern, so I think artificial is in order here.

The little greenery in this pot, I'm sure hurts no one. I have no direct sunlight in my kitchen, because my screened porch it right off from it, so I don't get the sun needed for real plants. So that's legitimate reason enough for me. See there are reasons we use them, not just because we're fake plant junkies.

I love this orchid, I tried growing a live one once and failed, so this one is fine and think it's perfect for this corner. So it's here because I love them but can't grow them. Good huh?

This was actually a candle round, but I took it apart and place it here to hide the crack between the frame and shelf. It serves it's purpose well. Oh! I have started to remove the wall paper! That's why I've been sort of missing these days, I'll still try and do my Fashion Friday post, but I'll be out of town this weekend.

Greenery in the dining room, I think it adds coziness and that really works for me because I also love the outdoors feel, which is what I was going for. All I added as Fall decoration here are the Pilgrims. The plant that's lower on the left is real, but the taller tree you'll see in the picture below is artificial.

This is a picture I took a while back. Some things you see here are longer here anymore. In this picture it shows the beverage cart in the corner better, it has artificial flowers and the table in the back still has the greenery from Christmas, but the plant up front to the right is real.

I really don't think I have too many, just enough to add a little softness or fullness to the rooms, that's all. Also this picture shows when I had the clock that I now have in the den. I change things around a lot. Below I'll show what's in the dining room now taking the place of the clock.

This is what's in the dinning room now. This camera is killing me! I just don't have time to go back to try and get a clearer picture this one will have to do. I'd planned on getting one as a Christmas gift but, I will have to get a new one before Christmas because I can't take anymore. Does anyone have any inexpensive suggestions?

Here I Go Again!

2008-09-15T10:02:00.006-05:00

I've been tagged by Brown Eyes @ Blinks 'N Winks From Brown Eyes to tell 7 things about myself. I hope this isn't my chance to prove to the world that I'm a lunatic. :O)

1. I'm a morning person, I go to bed at night just bursting at the seems for tomorrow. Day break is just fine with me, I don't want to miss a moment.

2. I have this game that I play with my dog where I chase her around the house saying Minipoo, I'm gonna get you! I'm gonna get you! She runs fast as lightening trying to get away it's hilarious and she loves it.

3. Next game I play with her, I get down on my knees and hide, someplace and call her, when she finds me I make a loud roar or noise to frighten her and then I start to chase her. She loves that too.

4. This morning I think I broke my toe, playing this game. Gosh it hurts!

4. This week I'm finally going to get started removing the wall paper in my kitchen.

5. In the next couple of weeks I will be standing under the bucket getting drenched at our local Amusement / Water Park! WOO!!! HOO!!! Got to get that last trip in before they close the for Winter.

6. I don't have to cook today!!! Yea!!!! I have enough leftovers from yesterday!

7. I'm really hoping that all of you had a wonderful weekend.

The rules are to.....

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2: Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

Sorry I've decided that I'm not going to tag anyone, just play along if you like.

~Fashion Fridays ~ From ~ Deb's Closet~

2008-09-12T11:29:00.022-05:00

First I want to start with accessories, as all of the above items can be paired with the items below. I pick this pair of shoes that I love to sort of show how I would mix and match in order to find the most chances possible to wear them. I chose burgundy and brown jewelry and one of my favorite Par fums Ralph Lauren's Romance. The other items, picture frame, candle and trinket box are just a few items on my dressing table.

Let's start with this jean skirt, I ordered it from Newport News. I guess what I really liked about was the Nautical look. It's a long skirt almost to the ankle. The two front pockets and buttons added interest to me. I could picture it casual or dress it up with the blouse below.

I love the delicate look of this blouse, probably because of the fabric rose which leans to not having to wear a necklace. I have to wear a light weight Cami, because of it's sheerness.

See how it softens and dresses up this skirt

And the burgundy accessories brings it back from dainty to bold. Below I will pair this white blouse with a suit of mine.

Now this is a suit that I love, it's by apostrophe', I bought it a couple of years ago at Sears. I'm often drawn to clothing that is considered timeless.

Here I use the white blouse and burgundy accessories, the rose on the blouse keeps me from having to wear a necklace but, I use the burgundy earrings and shoes. The shoes I had two years before a wore them. I remember when I saw them at Shoe Dept, they were the only pair left and they were my size. I tried them on and the comfort blew me away. They were mark 39.99 and I could not walk away though I could think of nothing I had to wear them with. After watching What Not To Wear I found that you can pair up just about anything but, I pretty much stick with the basics.

This is another blouse by sunny leigh, I use with the grey suit, I love the way it shimmers and the design at the bottom of the sleeves.

It's uses a silky tie that goes through the cuffs, I could possibly use cuff links it I found some suitable for women. LOL!!! My camera does not give the color it's justice.

Here it's shown with the grey suit, here I'm able to accessorize with a necklace

Here I'm pairing the blouse with a brown pant. I love brown. I feel I can get away with this because of this brown and burgundy bracelet that I paid 3.99 for. The earrings shown I paid 1.99. I have brown earrings in the first picture above with the accessories but, I don't know why I didn't think to put them in this pic also but they too were a whopping 1.99 at Simply Fashions.

Here's a close-up of the shoe, yes they are as soft as they look!

Last but not least, another Cato purse. Not designer but a cute 14.99, perfect for the burgundy and brown outfit. This concludes my picks for this Fashion Friday, hope you enjoyed. Deb

HEROES OF AMERICA WE SALUTE YOU!

2008-09-11T09:32:00.002-05:00

I would like to pay tribute to all the Americans and Non Americans (living the dream to become citizens and live free in this country) that lost their lives on that terrible day. I remember exactly how I felt when they announced that our country was under attack. When I saw people trying to save themselves to no avail, I cried like a baby.

My heart and prayers go out to all the families who are left behind with horrific memories of losing their love ones on that horrible and unjustifiable day. My heart and prayers go out to the families of all the women and men that suited up for the cause and lost their lives to protect freedom. September 11th, will always stay embedded in my mind. LET FREEDOM RING FOR EVER AND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE CAN'T FORGET!.

Lord comfort the families that were broken on that day, during this time and always. The Lord has promised to comfort. Oh Lord, blessed the ones that continue to fight for freedom and bring as many home safe as possible, due to your will and purpose. For we know that this is your world and your plan. Amen

BOY WAS I WRONG!

2008-09-09T07:49:00.035-05:00

I often told my children when they were growing up, about the cartoons I watched as a child. I often said to them that the cartoons they watched were too violent and that we had nice cartoons. A few weeks ago my sister and I were having the same conversation. We took a walk down memory lane and came up with quite a few nice cartoons that we use to watch. I surfed the Internet to find photos of them. My post was to be how much different cartoons were in my day in relation to how the are now. Much to my surprise they were nothing like I'd said they were and probably worse!. LOL!!! I found only two Worthy of that praise.

These two, Mr. Peabody and his side kick Sherman, I can't remember a time when these two ran into a fight, or right me if I'm wrong.

Or this guy, but he's started a lot of Road Rage opportunities, but fortunately he was so blind he knew nothing about it and escaped unharmed.

Take this nice family, the Jetsons. I can remember that George's boss Mr. Spacely was quite a meanie and there were also a few unpleasant moments between George and Jane.

This group of friends also had their share of fights among each other. Fred and Barnie and sometimes Betty and Wilma. Fred also had a meanie of a boss. I forget his name.

Popeye had more than a few fights over a woman! My Goodness!, what were they feeding us!

Can't recall any fights with this guy, but he looks as though he's having a fight with the piano. And in the back of my mind I slightly recall him with his fist balled up. All in all I think he was a pretty nice guy. But there was a girl in his life, a fight could have broken out but, I guess I really can't remember too much about them.

MIGHTY MOUSE the beginning of the super heroes, this picture shows that he thought a lot of himself.

Even an ant can get in on the game, Atom Ant!. He had quite a bit of fight in him.

Under Dog, I can't remember what made him the underdog, I think it was that he was like Superman\Clark Kent had and mild side before he turned Super Hero to rescue Miss Sweet Polly Purebread. Oh what a man will do for a woman! LOL!!!

This guy, Porky Pig, he also had quite a bit of fight in him, I can remember him in a fight or two

Speedy Gonzales, he was always annoyingly running around town playing cat and mouse.

Well, well, well, the Hillbilly Bears! I'm still not convinced that there wasn't the insinuation of a little profanity.

Tom and Jerry! The fight was on, all day long. Thinking back I get kinda tired, all the running around. I remember once Jerry hit Tom in the face with a skillet and his whole face was in the shape of the skillet and the skillet was in the shape of his face. I remember as a child wanting to do that to someone. I know, Shameful!

Top Cat! I can remember he was sort of a crook, and a slick. Always in trouble with the police.

Last but not least! The Roadrunner, main purpose to just be an annoyance. He sneaks up behind Wally Coyote and just goes Beep! Beep! He scares the crap out of the guy and so begins a continuous mission to kill, judging by all the deadly weapons he uses in order to catch him.

Wally Coyote and all of his ACME products, being shot out of a bow

He never could come up with one that worked

Hi-Powered Skates?

Dynamite

Bow again

Tied himself to a rocket

And shot himself into the side of a mountain, okay persistence has got to deliver something huh? I often found myself wishing that one day he would catch him LOL!!! I mean he worked so hard! I couldn't be the only one, could I? Let me know if you ever wanted the Coyote to catch the road runner. Well this concludes my show of niceness, I guess there nothing new under the sun.

UPDATE!! My friend Sharon informed me that the award celebrates how lovely someone is! That's a pretty nice award and I'm sure it means inside.

Mrs. B also found a translation of the award on the post below to be. THIS BLOG INVEST AND BELIEVES IN THE PROXIMITY ( proximity> noun nearness in space, time, or relationship).

A New Award ~From~ A New Friend

2008-09-08T09:58:00.010-05:00

I received this beautiful award from my new blog friend Sharon of Sharon Rose - Fashion, Vintage, Me. I met Sharon and a few others since I started my Fashion Fridays Postings. Sharon lives in the United Kingdom and her blog is about great vintage fashions that she finds while thrifting. Sharon is a very lovely and cheerful person and she doesn't mind modeling what she finds. Thank you so much Sharon for thinking of me and including me in this award, although I'm so embarrassed because I have no idea what it says! LOL!!!!!!!!

The rules to receiving this award is passing on this attached message...

They all are charmed with the blogs, where in the majority of its aims are to show the marvels and to do friendship; there are persons who are not interested when we give them a prize and then they help to cut these bows; do we want that they are cut or that they propagate? Then let's try to give more attention to them! So with this prize we must deliver it to 8 bloggers that in turn must make the same thing and put this text.

I would like to share this award with a few of my favorites.....

Mrs. B

Nnairda's Gifts

Blah, Blah, Blah Blog

Farmgirl'in Ga. Style

Donna's Story

Life On Bonnie Lane

a day in the life of bella

Life At Number 17

No Pink Saturday For Me! But Look At What I've Got Instead!

2008-09-05T17:48:00.013-05:00

Remember a while back when I told you all that I had 5 grandsons and that I was finally having a granddaughter and that PINK was finally in order?. Well about a month later after the second Sonar it was announced that we were actually having a boy! Well I had been intending to let you all know but every time I made a post I forgot. Well the due date was set for October but yesterday Hurricane Alex Made Landfall!

Isn't he the cutest, little ball of BLUE you ever did see! He weighs only 3lbs 6oz but just look at our new baby, his eyes are open and he's alert and just as handsome as they come. LOL!!!
The Lord Is Good!!!!!

Look at the little facial expression, he's thinking about something! Probably man oh man! Who are these people? Well all signs are that he's a healthy little ball of joy, and all is needed is a little weight gain, unlike his grandmother, and he'll be homeward bound. Please join us in this Celebration Of Life and welcome Alex #6 into the world. May the Lord bless you my sweet darling. Granny Deb!

Goodnight!

~Fashion Fridays ~ From Deb's Closet~

2008-09-05T00:48:00.002-05:00

Welcome back to Fashion Friday's but, this time it's from my own closet.

Above I just had to share these little reading glasses that I purchased from the Dollar Store. They had about five different colors and since I'm always misplacing mine I thought a few pair would be good to have and the colors would be fun to COORDINATE with fun casual outfits.

As you see here I already paired it with my Savings Club T-Shirt. I don't just walk around with them on though. I just whip them out when needed.

Now this is from my closet, its a sleeveless top that I fell in love with. The colors reminded me of the 70's and so did the style. I wear my brown Bermuda shorts and brown shoes or the ones you see pictured above.

It has a empire waste trim in brown so my choice of brown shorts blends well. The shoes I ordered from Newport News about 5 years ago. It's not often that I get to wear them but, I do like them.

I also picked jewelry that would have been worn in the 70's, I have a few bracelets that I forgot to picture.

Here I'm showing a close up of the shoe, if you click the picture it will enlarge and you can view the beautiful details. Embroidery and beads.

This is a Cardigan that I ordered from Newport News, it had a tunic that I had to order separately. It's pictured below.

It has the same scalloped edges but it ties at the top so you'll have to wear a strapless bra, or keep the Cardigan on. I thought at the time I was ordering, that the shoes above would go with this but when I got them, it didn't and I had no idea what shoes I would wear with it.

Well a couple of days later I was in Walmart, I went to the shoe department and look what my eyes fell upon. This shoe was the perfect match to the sweater set, cheap but, the perfect match. I thought well unless someone is just a stickler for expensive shoes no one will notice and I don't care because I'm buying this shoe!!!!. LOL!!

I don't remember where I found these earrings but sister thought she had it going on in her pink. I wore it one time, but I might wear it again. :O)

Last but no ways least, this is one of my favorites. I actually bought this top from a little store in the mall that my daughter dragged me to looking for something for herself. I saw this little top and I was in love, it was only 19.99. It too reminded me of the 70's. It hung in my closet for about 2 years, then this summer I decided to see what could be done with it.

It has a leather look band and fits just under the breast. First I ran across this turquoise jewelry that would go with it. I have other turquoise jewelry but it was a little too dainty and I was going for this bold look.

Here you can see it better, I found the earrings, necklace, and bracelet to match. It's Monet and I got it on sale at Peebles Department Store, we have one here in Forestdale. It still cost a pretty penny but I got it anyway. And I even have a pair of my little reading glasses that will COORDINATE.

The shoes are Anne Klein, got them at Macy's, Brookwood Village Mall the day I did my last Fashion Show, get this ladies 33.97 regular 69.99. The sales person told me they were having this DYNAMITE SALE because they're making room for their Fall boots. Now mind you don't go messing around those shoes on the Clearance racks, the best shoes are not over there, they're on the back wall and around there. There are all styles and sizes, I bought four pair, all for the same price except one that was 23.99 regular 49.99. I'll be showing them in a later post.

Here is a close up of the shoe. They are suede upper, and so so so comfortable.

I almost forgot this purse, I found it at Cato, 13.99. I love it!!! It's by Cato, but it's so so cute. Well I hope you enjoyed my Fashion Friday post from Deb's closet, let me know if you participated and I'll stop by and see you. Well, I'll stop by even if you don't participate. Deb

Let Me Tell You What A Good Cleansing Will Do!

2008-09-02T21:04:00.021-05:00

Remember I told you I had just loads of things that I should be doing , well this is just one of my projects? I cleaned my clothes closet. This is the before. I had quite a few things on the top shelf, pillows, blankets, sheets, and the shoes were kinda tossed in. I hated it! So I went to work.

Now I just feel better about myself, knowing that I'm not a total sluggard and that I do want to be clean. I'm just the type of person that when I find something that I enjoy, I just enjoy it maybe a little too much, and it gets in the way of what I should be doing. Yes that's a mini fridge, my husband would wake in the middle of the night thirsty from all that (snoring) lol!!! and have to go all the way to the other end of the house for a drink of water, so we just put it right within his reach. I want to add that he's not alone on the snoring, we both work for the same company. I just don't need water. LOL!!!!

Look at the top shelf compared to the first picture above. Yes I know I could have tidied up the clothes but, that will have to be a work in progress. Just like me, Okay!!!

Let me tell you about me. While cleaning out one of my old purses, I found an envelope that had my name on it!

When I opened it, there were two dollars in it. I tried to remember where it came from but couldn't so I just said, thank you Lord, and considered it a blessing!

It was certainly not a lot, but it seems that when ever we find a little that we didn't know we had it always brings a small level of excitement. Well, while thinking to myself that it was a blessing, it brought back the memory of a time before I'd given my life to Christ. I'd gone to the store one day and the cashier gave me back too much change, I'd considered that a blessing too. I can remember saying to someone "girl, I was down to my last ten dollars and didn't know what I was going to do about money til payday, and the cashier gave me back change for a twenty, "the Lord sure is good, He knew that I needed that money, and came through for me". Shameful! to even think that way, I can't believe that I didn't even consider it stealing which was what it was. It was not my money, I should have given it back but, thank you Lord for your GRACE, you could have struck me down and let me die in my sin, but you chose to save me Lord, a long time ago. After I found Jesus, I realized that I was dead wrong for that, among other things I had done. A whole laundry list of things. The devil is forever busy, the word of God says, in 1 Peter 5:8,

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

About two months ago I was in Walgreens, the cashier gave me back the amount of the bill instead of the change. I said excuse me but you gave me the incorrect change, at first she looked at me with anger as if I was telling her that she owed me money but, when she looked at the receipt and saw that she'd given me too much she thanked me and said that money would have come out of her check. Then I thought to myself that if she had made many mistakes she could have possibly lost her job.

I was so thankful to the Lord that he changed me, and that I can be a blessing to someone by showing that there are people that do the right thing because they believe in a God that says it's the right thing. He forgives our past when we've done the wrong things over and over again. Thank you Jesus for YOUR WONDROUS GRACE, for washing me, forgiving my sins, and giving me YOU to hope for. I love you Jesus, I need you in my life. Your word makes me a better person, day by day.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:4-5

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! Psalm 32:1

Purify me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow -Psalm 51:7

Hall Closet, before

Hall Closet, after

~A Happy Birthday and Fall Decor~

2008-09-02T09:24:00.027-05:00

This Labor Day weekend we celebrated our daughter Lashanda's birthday. She had a small party and invited a few friends and family. This was her 30th birthday. Above you see Lashanda and Sunni singing a duet. Lashanda is on the left.

As others enjoyed the show. That's Lashanda's and Sunni's mother in the black and their aunt seated right behind her.

Of course the kids wanted in on the entertainment. This is Michael and Colin. Colin is Lashanda's son ( on the right), it was amazing how he could dance and he even did a dance where he stood on his head. We had a really nice time, please join us in wishing her a happy birthday!

Yesterday I went to Walgreens to pick up my prescription, when I walked in the door my eyes fell upon a little section of fall decorations. They had pumpkins, leaf dishes, candles, and lots of other fall items. I chose the leaf dish as a matter of fact I bought two. They were only 5.99 each and they are pretty large. They had them in green, orange, and white. Well you all know I love green, and that's what I got.

I tried them here on the table but, they are so large they overpowered the table, there was not space left for my husband and I to place our plates, we eat here in front of the TV, anyway I didn't buy them for the table, I bought them to use on the food table when we have our Thanksgiving dinner. They will be holding something don't know what yet, maybe mints or something.

I picked up a few fall bouquets from the Dollar Store and made a little Fall arrangement for the table.

I sat the leaf dishes on top of the Mantle until Thanksgiving. My camera is on the blinks pretty bad now, I took lots of pictures at Shanda's party but most of them were ruined. Now I know what I want for Christmas. Christmas? Yes! Christmas is right around the corner.

Welcome to Fashion Fridays

2008-08-29T03:50:00.003-05:00

First I would like to introduce a few World Class Fashion Diva's.

Betty Boop

Remember Betty was pretty outrageous for that period of time

No, there was nothing discreet about Betty

Poor Olive she's wondering how will she compete with that but......

Even a girl named Olive Oyl

Cleans up good

Then we have Miss Piggy

Nothing discreet about her either, and Miss Piggy was determined to get her man

And that she did!!

Now for the Absolute Fashion Diva of all times

Madame, I loved her and saw her live once at the Comedy Club

She's a very none discreet Sweet Chick, as my friend Connie would say and they are both tell it like it is, kinda girls

Wait a minute, who's this?

Excuse me, this lady is not in the show. Miss, Miss, you'll have to leave the stage!!!

I'll take care of this!

Not Johnny Bravo! Okay now we're really off track

Sorry! Here's Deb, all the way from Birmingham Alabama, modeling Casual Wear, all fashions are from Macy's Department Store * Brookwood Village Mall *

Here I'm wearing wide leg blue jeans by Jones New York and a brown, black, and off white tunic by Style & Co. I loved them both and get this ladies, I bought them!

This multi-colored little piece is by Style & Co., I love the neck on this one. I also loved that it was very light-weight and comfortable.

This is the tunic from the first picture and white shorts by Sunny Leigh which I purchased. Yes this trip cost me a little, but I enjoyed the trip. Notice I tried to get a new pose, Ha! I am by no means a model.

Here I'm wearing a red short sleeved sweater by Jones New York and shorts by Charter Club. I guess you can tell by now that I love the Bermuda shorts, I 'm just drawn to them like a moth to a flame. I really loved that sweater but couldn't get over the cost, 69.99 I didn't think I should pay that.

Please stop by and visit, the other Fashion Fridays participants they are .....
Donna @ Donna's Story
Kady @ Life On Bonnie Lane
Mrs. B @ Mrs. B's

Note you can show your fashion any way you like, you don't have to model.

That's all folks!!!

All Aboard!!!! for Fashion Fridays!!!!

2008-08-28T10:43:00.007-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen! Fashion Fridays are near, come one, come all and join in on the fun!!! I Deb your hostess would like to address a few questions I got concerning the show. Kady @ On Bonnie Lane wanted to know if she could model at home wearing something she already has. Of Course! Mrs. B wanted to know if she could model shoes. Of Course!

It's all about fashion! If you would like to show off shoes, clothing, jewelery, purses, hats, or anything pertaining to fashion whether you are wearing it or not. Got a beautiful dress and you don't want to wear it, just photograph it and join in on the fun!!!! I would love to have you any Friday!

You can let me know if you are participating and I will link you on my post or just participate!!!

Feel free to take the smaller pic if you like and post it on your blog and let's have fun!!!!!!!!!