My first bloom of spring

(Obviously I wrote this awhile back and am just getting around to posting it)
(I just can't seem to get healthy and get on the ball)


today's the first day of spring  

the first day of spring makes me happy 

(although I'll admit to being a fall girl at heart)

Spring brings:

little girls in sundresses

flowers blooming

easter bunnies

john john's on baby boys
neighbors grilling
birds singing

I was happy to find in the mail my first bloom of the season

The children at Trees of Glory made "flower" for their sponsor

families.  Look at that sweet face. 

If you interested in making a difference and becoming a sponsor family,

contact Karen at Family From Afar.

Happy Spring!

Forever Gifts

   Mike's Valentine Gift

One of my all time favorite blogs, Dixie Delights, did a post on special "forever" birthday gifts she 

gives her sons on their birthdays rather than the usual toys.  We all know how our kids get plenty of toys from grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends.  She buys them a gift that they will carry with them and hopefully cherish and use when they have families of their own.  One of her gifts to her boys was 

a house portrait.  She linked an artist on etsy who does pin and ink drawings as well as watercolors.

Mike spends a lot of time taking care of our house, especially in the yard.  He's very proud of it and gets lots of compliments for his hard work.  As we age (don't you just love that expression) we are beginning to think more often about what to do in the future.  Do we want to downsize? 

Do we want to move to a new weather friendly location?  What do we want our future to look like?  We don't have all the answers yet but we know some point in our future we will have to make a decision.  When we first got married we lived in Mike's house for a few years but it was really never our home.  This house we had built.  We went through all the decisions of what we wanted and needed.  Some decisions we choose well and others not so much but I know this will be the house

 that always represents "our family home".   I thought it would be a great idea to have a 

painting so that we would always have it as a reminder should make to decision to move on.

I commissioned a watercolor and the artist did such an awesome job.  We were so happy with it.

The watercolor itself is 9x12.  It comes with a white matte which makes the portrait 12x16.  I thought I would easily be able to find a pre-made frame in that size.  After searching Michaels, JoAnns, Kohls, Walmart, Target and Hobby Lobby, I just could not find a frame that I was happy with.     In order to have a custom frame made it was going to cost about $140.00 which wasn't in my budget.  A very sweet employee in the framing department at Hobby Lobby suggested that I just get an 11x14 frame and have a new mat cut.  Now why didn't I think of that.  I knew a wanted a pewter color frame because I'm going to hang this in our bedroom and am planning on a "renovation" this year.   The colors will be grey, white, silver and an accent color not determined yet.   I found the perfect style and color 11x14 in frame at 50 % off from Hobby Lobby for 14.99.  I decided the have the matte ($6.00) cut in black to play off the future wall color.   So for a total of $21.00 I got the custom look I wanted.  

The artist, Paul Young has an etsy shop.  Not only does he do beautiful work,  he was professional and made sure I got my portrait in time for Valentine's day for my sweetie even though

I didn't make the order until January.

I want to thank A from Dixie Delights  once again for her constant inspiration
and resource list.  I just love her traditional and southern coastal style not to mention
her very sweet children and family parties.  Thank you for my new tradition of
forever gifts for my husband, children and grandchildren.

Valentines (better late than never)

I'm really going with the "simplicity"theme this year in my seasonal decorating.  I added a few new ideas to a few of my old favorites and spread little touches throughout.

I made this with a heart styrofoam wreath and tule, cut in strips and tied around 

the shape.

Easy but somewhat time consuming. 

Very happy with the results.

I gave my daughters, sisters and friends some homemade sugar scrub and put into

cute little mason jars as little token of what they mean to me.

Wishing you all the blessing of love on this special day.

Remembering to be grateful in all things

911.  grandkids smiling for pictures

912.  my grandma and papaw enjoying their shared birthday in heaven today with jesus

913.  mike's new hearing aids 

(he can finally hear well after 22 years)

914.  lent

915.  trip next week to see my northern grandbabies

916.  taylor who amazes me constantly with her courage to try new things

917.  my little sister's engagement

916.  gno birthday's for two of our girls

917.  blogging friends who encourage and inspire

918.  a beautiful weekend with cold snuggling weather

919.  my sister-in-law done with her radiation treats

                       

Playing Catch-up

I really had great intentions on posting more often.  I don't really have an excuse, just nothing interesting to say.  Playing catch up with some fun events.

I took Ryan out for a birthday lunch.  Loved playing catch up.  I told him he needs

a hair cut but he's letting it grow for a specific event in March and he promised he'd get it 

cut afterwards.  Am I ever gonna stop being "that" mom.  The one who suggests to her all grown up

son that he needs a haircut, shave and all the other "suggestions" that I'm sure he doesn't need or

want to hear but always listens to with a smile.  Love this boy.

Happy Birthday Bubba

Had a fun GNO in January at Kathie's house.  We've been doing alot

of craft nights since last September.  This night we made pillows.

I made a cute silvery gray pillow for my bedroom reno that I'm planning this year.

I'll be adding a flower with a rhinestone pin in the corners and will update a

picture when I finish.   

I didn't get pictures of everyone (or their finished results) but I wanted to show what cute and 

delicious treats that Kathie's daughter, Krysta, made for us.

Button cookies and cupcakes with fondant spools of thread on top

Other exciting happening:

My BFF (am I allowed to say that at my age) drove into town all the way

from Mobile for a much needed and long awaited weekend together.

our dog Koby loves his Aunt Janet

We had a two day visit:

stayed up "really late" at night talking

mike took us to the movie, identity theft  (really funny)

quick hobby lobby shopping trip

janet treated us to lunch

girls day shopping together

yummy salads at the mall

oh yes janet, i did post a picture of our lunch  ha

she made her famous fried rice for dinner when we got home

she makes the best in the world as every member of my family has 

declared time and time again

yep, i put a picture of your fried rice too

after dinner we had a late night marathon of season 1 of "the walking dead"

i know, what is a person my age watching this show

i admit it, i'm a closet fan of the show and janet is a true

kindred spirit.  janet had never seen the show and loved it, hence the marathon

sadly she had to go home to be with her family the next day but

happy to say we've already planned my next visit to her

until then bff, phone calls and texts will have to do 

the quality of the pictures above are awful because i have been

using my cell phone.  so easy to use but i always hate the results.

Remembering to be grateful in all things

903.  visits from best friends

904.  girls night out crafting (my favorite)

905.  eli's 1st birthday

906.  spending time with my sisters at a cooking class

(thanks Michelle for setting that up)

907.  a sweet valentine from Dylan for my mom

908.  my sweet friend how made a cute outfit for my granddaughter who loves twirly skirts

909. God who is always willing to give second and third chances

910.  two friends expecting grandbabies in September

Favorite Pick

This favorite find came about by accident.  One of my Christmas gifts from my husband was a beautiful

heart necklace from Brighton.  The problem is he'd already gotten me "very similar" necklaces before.

                                                                               Opps!

Even though I was thankful for it, I asked if he minded if I just took it back because, well as I stated before, I already had so many of them.  I didn't want anything in exchange.  I told him just to put the

money back on the card.  I didn't want or need anything and he was just fine with that.  :-)

We decided to walk around the mall for a little while (first mistake) and ended up in Anthropologie.

My husband actually saw it first and found me in the store (second mistake).  I feel instantly in love.

We both did actually.   I have a mirror hanging over my piano that I've never really been fond of.

It was my husband's before I even met him but it was a nice mirror and I never really saw a reason to change it.  Well, now I had a reason.  So today's favorite find is:

Coat of Arms Anthropologie Mirror

Mike, stop reading this post now.

My only problem is the frames that have my kid's senior pictures on each side don't exactly 

match so I'll be trying to decide on exactly what to do about that in the future.

If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Everyone have a blessed weekend.

Winter Mantle

when you live in Florida you pretty much have to dream of a "white winter"

after the christmas ornaments came down everything looked so bare 

and empty and even though  my word of the year is simplify 

 i just needed a little something

and i  felt the beginning of January might be pushing it on the valentine decor

so my solution was a little winter mantle

i already had everything except the wooden snowflake banner and a framed winter sayings list

i would of loved to make  a winter "to do list" but  that's not going to happen here

I already had the frame (from Hobby Lobby) so all it cost was a piece of scrapebook paper.

the wooden snow flakes were were 80% off at Michaels (after Christmas sale)

which made them about 50 cents a piece and I just sprayed painted them white

and strung them on fishing line

***************

I was so blessed to be the winner of a giveaway from Melissa of  "A Little Loveliness"

I will tell you that this is the best smelling homemade soap I ever seen

and it has the softest texture too it

I haven't decided if I'm gonna use it myself or save it for my best friend 

who's coming for a visit soon

that's gonna be a hard one

:-)

Thank you Melissa 

(One of my favorite blogs ever who puts on the most beautiful and fun parties)

and Thank you My Sister's Antiques

located in Loganville, Georgia

(770) 554-4900

for sponsoring the giveaway and making such a lovely product

12 from 2012

         I've meant to post this at the end of December but you know how best laid plans .....

                                                       12 Highlights of 2012

                                                    #1
                                                 Snow

This was technically the end of 2011 and into the very beginning

of 2012 but it counts.  This Florida girl rarely gets to see snow

so it was a great surprise that I woke up to the snow on my first

morning visiting Kelly and the kids after Christmas.  It didn't 

last long but it was a definite highlight.  i love the way the snowflakes 
photographed making round circles.

We got in a little play time before it all melted.

# 2

If you knew my son and nephew, getting these two boys together and "smiling" for a picture is a feat in itself and a highlight for this mom (and aunt).  

My nephew Ben (in the beard) came over for a small

get together for Ryan's birthday and even

cooperated with a smile.  thanks Benny boy.

this is the first set of boys who stole my heart.

# 3

Creatively Made online art course by Jeanne Oliver

mixed media

I loved the course and would recommend it to anyone who

enjoys being creative and learning new technique.s Jeanne 

rocks and all of her quest artist were completely awesome 

I've taken Creatively Made Business and am currently 

doing Creative Made Home

(disclosure:  obviously I'm not an artist but I really enjoy creating)

the course is for all levels of ability

#4

The Pearl Event

This was a life changer for sure and I recommend all women:

mothers, sisters, daughters and grandmothers to attend one of Sibi's Pearl Events 

if you ever have the chance.

and icing on the cake was getting to meet three of my 

all time favorite bloggers

Paige

Sibi

Edie

Sibi is one of the most beautiful, spiritual and loving women I've ever met.

She is the author of the beautiful blog, Pearls and Grace.

She is the creator, organizer, planner and heart behind TPE-II.

Her calling, in addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, is blessing

women with the knowledge that they are God's pearls.  No matter

what has happened in their lives or where they are now.

God created and loves us and we are SPECIAL.

All the speakers were so special and I know it changed the lives for many that day.

It was held in Nashville at the Gaylor Opryland Resort.

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

#5

Brody's 2nd Birthday

All of my family's birthday's are special but I'm limiting my list

to grandkids because....

     

         I'm trying to limits this to 12 highlights and my family is big

I went up to Illinois to help Kelly with the  opening of her new performing arts studio

and it happened to be close to Brody's 2nd birthday so I was able to be there for 

the special day.

              This year Brody was crazy about Cookie Monster so the theme was easy.

Kelly and Matt planned it at a beautiful park and the weather was sunny,

breezy and 70 degrees.  You can't ask for anything better than that for a June birthday.

Brody's favorite toy,

his electric buzz light year 4 wheeler

I'm so happy I got to be there for his special day.

# 6

Gulf Shores

My best friend and her husband invited us to stay the week with them over the 4th of

July in Gulf Shores.  They had planned a sweet sixteen surprise party for their

daughter, Madison.  We got to bring Taylor along with us and we really had

a great time.  We were so happy to be included in the festivities.

Taylor and sweet 16 Madison

Here we're on the beach after watching the fireworks doing sparklers

Two of my favorite girlies

Taylor and her Poppy

What a great way to celebrate Madison's sweet 16, Fourth of July

and friends who are really family to us.

#7

Illinois trip with the Girls

In July I took a road trip with Carrie, Gail (SIL), Jessica (my niece)

                         and Rahel, Hermela, Caroline and Meron (my great-nieces).

                  We headed to Illinois for Makenie's fifth birthday party and a trip to the

                            American Girl Store in St. Louis.  We had such a great time

and the girls did so well for the long car ride.  They really made

Makenzie feel so special that they came all the way up for her 

Princess Party.

Makenzie and her girl cousins including Ella (who lives there) at the beginning

of their tour of the new American Girl Store in St. Louis.

we had lunch in their Bistro

each of the girls got to pick out the doll of their choice

after we left AG, we visited an underground shopping area

the girls got such a kick out of watching the fudge maker who happened

to give them lots of samples because "they were so cute"

we got to see the arch as we were leaving

Makenzie's Birthday Party

some of the girls in their princess dresses

and this is some of the girls over me taking pictures

the birthday girl with her Mommy, Daddy and brother

**************

they also had picnics in tree houses

and slumber parties at night

and we even got to visit Matt's family farm and the girls were able to ride horses

and tractors

it was so much fun at the farm but well over 100 degrees so we left after a few hours

it was a long trip and we were crowded at times but I think it just made for a lot

                                            more fun and definitely more memorable

#8

Legoland with the boys

Since we took the girls on a fun trip, Gail treated Dylan and I 

to a day at Legoland with her, Colton and Caleb.

We had such a great time and I highly recommend it to anyone with

children under 12, especially boys.  It's a really fun Grandparent/grandchild outing.

we were actually there in August of 2012

my batteries had to be changed while I was there and the camera reverted by

to the original date and I'm too lazy to go back to iphoto to take the date out

the boys had a great time and the water park was

the best one I've every seen for younger kids

I wanted to put in this picture because this is where Dylan feel in love

with gummy frogs.  Colton was so sweet to share his with Dylan.

#9

Fun Friday Sleepovers

One of my favorite things this year was having Dylan stay over

on most Fridays.  We did this with Taylor when she was growing up

and she was so sweet to stay with us every Friday until she was 14

#10

Two nephews

This year I got to meet my great-nephew Tyler.  

                     Cindi (my niece) came down for a visit for the first time since 

                       Tyler was born.  It was the first time for most in our family to 

                                                           meet our sweet little guy.

My brother and his wife and kids and grandson, Tyler.

It was also the year our newest family member joined us.

Cutest little guy ever, Eli

Jessica and Nick were able to bring him home from Ethiopia

in November.

# 11

Dylan's 4th Birthday

Dinosaur Party

love how all the kids are "helping" blow out the candles

there was dinosaur egg hunt and pinatas

the fun stuff

# 12

Taylor's Sweet 16

Taylor wanted a dance party for her Sweet 16 so her mom

found a cute little night club and rented it out for the evening.

It turned out spectacular and I'm sure Taylor will remember it always.

          

Taylor with her Mom and Dad

They set up a photo booth with all kinds of accessories.

We attempted to get a group pictures but there was over

60 kids there so this is as close as we got.

Her cousin group shot.  It was special that they all came.

This is only a small look at her party.  The photographer took over 800 photo.

Mostly of silly faces in photo booths and tons of kids dancing.

I think I'll spare you that.  

Ha

This was one happy girl on her way home.

As I was making my highlight list of 2012, I realized there were a lot more

I could have added in because the everyday things that happen are just as special.

I'm so glad I take tons of pictures, much to my family's chagrin.  

However, I'm so glad I do because when I look back over the pictures it reminds

me of the special times that make us who we are.

We'll miss you "2012"  but I'm looking forward to 

         seeing what God has in store for me in 2013.

Happy New Year!