Me and Art....

***photo taken by DD

Art....

Yes, DH....art.

Please click to enlarge and read about this art....

"New" bedroom...

Last month, while DS1 was at camp, DH & I decided to redo his room as a surprise. His is at that "not ready for a big boy room" but not wanting to be locked into baby boy either. He is a Tweener and we tried to give him a balance between both worlds. His interest are in sports right now, but he doesn't have a particular favorite team so we decided to pull out DH's old sports pennant collection from his room when he was a little boy. We oainted, added the extra wide black and white boarder and then layered the "antique" pennants on top. It was really neat because some of the teams represented are not longer called that or are in different cities...even the football ones sported helments that don't have face masks like the more modern version.

I even went for the coolio multi-colored floor lamp for some spunk!
I had forgotten how much fun a bullentin board can be and had copies of lots of photos of family and friends made for him and stuck them up.
I had forgotten how much fun a plain old bulletin board can be. I made copies of lots of photos of family and his friends and stuck them up for him. He really seemed to like that. My DD has always done things like that for herself but I don't think my DS1 had thought about it and I hadn't either.
When we went to a festival a while back DS1 invested (why???) in a sword and in an attempt to actually incorporate it into the decor...and thus on the wall rather than in play...I hung it above his computer and framed this Bible Verse with it.
Now, I admit, this "tweener" look isn't quite my style but it does seem to suit him where he is. I am so pleased also that his room has stayed very neat since returning home from camp and finding his surprise!

Getting ready for school

This is my sweet, girl with her brand new lunch bag for school. I picked it up today, when the monogramming was finished. She and I share a love of all things monogrammed...might it be genetic? or maybe contagious?

Anyway, she is my preppy girl. I can't believe that I lucked up with a DD that loves preppiness as much -- or MORE -- than I do! It makes for some fun joint retail therapy.

New Product that is so cool!

Since it has been a slow week on the creative side I thought I would show y'all what I found this week. Aren't these cool? They are called Lappers and they have solved an age old problem. How many of you have been at someone's home for a party and picked up your plate/drink only to have to juggle to avoid an ugly mess???? Well, at least I know I have! Anyway...they solve the problem by not letting things go flying willy-nilly all over the place and they come in some really coolio colors, doncha thing? I read about them in Southwest Georgia Living http://www.southeastgeorgialiving.com and really think these are a must for anyone who entertains, likes to eat away from the table or even for caretaking of someone who is not very mobile. You can find out more information on where to acquire your own Lappers at http://www.archerinnovations.com. The best part is they were the brain child of an Ashley Hatcher (and not she isn't into design she created them out of necessity -- all the while being a wife/mother and holding a full time job as well) of Columbus, Georgia. I love hearing success stories about innovative Southern Belles! Not to mention we used to live in Columbus and I still have a major soft spot for the area which made me even more excited about Lappers.

Happy Birthday, Katy!!!!

Tomorrow, my dear friend Katy (the Queen of Retail Therapy!) is having a birthday. I was hoping to find a photo of us together from "back in the day" to post here in honor of this special day but those must be in a box somewhere.

Katy is an Atlanta Shopper Extraordinaire and does a spot on the radio and also has a wonderful website http://katyshops.wordpress.com/ that shares her shopping finds with the rest of us.

So, if you have a minute will you please pop over and leave her a Happy Birthday comment? Thanks!!!!

It has been quiet around here.......

My boys have been away the last 2 nights and it has been such a different place -- a much quieter place. DD and I spent Monday evening in Atlanta shopping and enjoying all those shops that the boys just hate such as the Paper Affair (http://www.paperaffair.com/) and getting most of DD's school supplies taken care of.

Yesterday, she and I went to the Lake. She took a friend and quickly dissappeared so I spent most of the day beside the pool reading -- yes, reading! I didn't have to watch one little soul to make sure he didn't drown. I even had a really wicked lunch from the cafe...one of their super huge rice crispy treats! I laid there in my chair and just pretended to be a lady of lux that didn't have children to scamper after....boy, did I feel cool.

Today, while DD was at her Latin class I found a nice, shady bench on the square - of course, I had to snap a photo - and started the new book my sweet neighbor loaned me. I will tell ya more when I finish but from what little bit I read this morning it is going to be GREAT (it is another Charles Martin book!).

Afterwards we both got our hair cut and went to lunch at Panera (http://www.panera.com/) and had their amazing Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella Salad, the bookstore, Office Depot for her a new fancy-smancy calculator and the uniform shop to pick up what new pieces she needs for school. On our way home, we stopped into one of our favorite little shops called Cozy Corner, where we finished off her school supplies by ordering a new hot pink monogrammed lunch tote and picked up a 50% off "initial" Olivia Mullin umbrella http://www.oliviamullin.com/products/pursenals.asp, and a 50% off Vera Bradly T-Shirt (http://verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?dept=8&sku=572%3A100%3A0)! I do love a deal.

Although I have missed my boys, the quietness was much needed and I realized that I probably need more of it to regenerate myself on a regular basis. Tonight I will pick the little men up and tomorrow it will be back to life at full speed ahead and volume on HI!

Deals and inspiration!

Target Alert! When I was in there today they were having one of their wonderful "clearing it out" sales and all kinds of pretties could be had for a song! If you have heard my singing you understand the great value of such a sale! Anyway, I picked up these absolutely adorable, gorgeous napkins. I think I am in love and am now contemplating the perfect use of such perfect napkins. What I wouldn't give to find a fabric like these paper napkings...oh, what a cute skirt they would make!!!! They were less that $1 a pack so I picked them all up (sorry, I am not big on sharing). I will definately use one pack as napkins for DD's lunches when school starts to lively up her lunchtime and I am thinking a brunch for the girlfriends would be the other perfect use...hmmm. I think they may become my inspiration pattern...pinks and greens AND paisley.....just gives me the shivers!

Speaking of inspiration, I picked up this really fantastic book last week: Nesting, It's a Chick Thing by Ame Mahler Beanland & Emily Miles Terry. These are the same gals who have that cute site http://www.chickstyle.com. It isn't a new book and has been out for a couple of years but it is just a great little book and would make a perfect wedding or graduation gift. Even though I have been "nesting" practically in an obsessive way for almost 19 years (wow...that is a long time when said like that) I still found it inspiring and motivational and really got some great tips from it.

I love the blurg on the front cover: "100 Tales, 1,000 Tips, and Endless Inspiration for women who seriously play house and garden (and hold pink poker nights)". Here is a great list of things "every chick should have..." in our kitchen according to the authors (Mahler 183):

• "Luxurious hand lotion next to her kitchen sink"


• "A stereo in the kitchen to play tunes that inspire, calm, and cheer"


• "At least one delicious frozen entree' in the freezer--for afternoons or evenings too fun to stand in front of the stove"


• "A well-worn recipe card with a favorite family dish from a grandmother or other cherished relative"


• "Pictures of family and friends on the refrigerator door"


• "Someone to call if you get into a culinary fix"


• "A hidden box or bag of some wonderful junk food"


• "A signature specialty that you can whip up with one arm tied behind your back"


• "Something distinctly 'you' in your kitchen--a frilly apron, an oven mit, or a trivet from a memorable trip"


• "A beautiful bottle or tin of something deliciously refined and gourmet--like a limited-run estate-bottled olive oil or balsamic vinegar, or English tea biscuits in a vintage tin"


• "A neighbor who will lend you an emergency cup of sugar or an egg."

Same hat, bigger boy

DH thought I should do a follow up photo of "the cowboy" taken on the day the hat was purchased in Florida, Mass-a-chew-etts -- Circa. 2003. What can I say...a hat will transform a person!

Cowboys are intense....

Don't you agree?

Lacrosse...

The biggest man child has been at Lacrosse Camp this week. This is one sport I truly don't get but he loves it. I offered to let him stand in the yard while I whacked him with a stick and threw a pool table ball (yes, it is that hard and heavy) at him...for free...but he just didn't want to...go figure.

Happy 231st Birthday America!!!

"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does."

James 1:25

Preparing to Celebrate...

Flags welcome you to downtown!

Yes, this is a Patriotism Tree right in downtown...it has Red,White, Blue and, of course, yellow ribbons to remember all our brave souls who are serving our nation.

Flags and Coca-Cola, nuttin' better!

I saw this cute, but simple decoration sitting on the wall behind a condo and it just made me happy.

July and Patriotism

Last night, as I was walking through town I thought about how the lovely town that I live in has a wonderous sense of patriotism, in a traditional sense. We don't just wait for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Veterans, Flag Day, etc. to fly the flag. There is a deep seated love of this nation and what it stand for that seeps into the pores of those who live here. But give us a traditionally patriotic holiday and you will see some preparation for the celebration to be sure...maybe we just like to celebrate? I snapped these photos and hope they help you get in the spirit of celebration for the blessing that this nation is! These are everyday signs of love for America...please check back for the shots I took of the homes that are decked out for the celebration!

It's Hot ...'specially for a baseball camp!

DS1 spent last week at Baseball Camp. It was a 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, all day event. He was so tired after a day of workouts and man, man, man was it H-O-T!!!!! I would only go for the last hour to watch their games but would be just be whipped from the heat. How do these boys keep going and going?

HE had fun, improved his skill...but was ready for the week to end.