Feminine Blouses

All these tops are from Charlotte Russe. I can't find the link to the pink light-weight sweater but it's comfy and cute.

I also have this Smocked Open Sweater but haven't had a chance to wear it for it has been too cold!

Pleated Lace Blouse

Crinkle Lace Top

Where do you find feminine clothes?

The Cat Chronicles

This is CryBaby. He belongs to the previous owner {who moved four blocks away} but refuses to stay at the new place.

I think it's pretty safe to say that he now belongs to us. I've always wanted a big kitty and he is indeed big.

Even though he's a tom cat, he is so sweet and loves to be petted!

This is Clover. We have had her & her sister Zoe for almost four years. Clover refuses to use the litter box with the other cats so we put her outside during the day and let her in at night when it's cold.

We also have Kitty, a Himilayan, who is about 9 years old.

Can I come in now?

This big boy is solid black and mean! He growled at me the otherday when I got too close. CryBaby chases him out of the yard.

See his golden eyes as he's peeking out from under the house?

Clover is not too sure of him. She decided to stay on the porch & away from His Meanness.

Just call me Cat Lady...

xx

Things I Love

 Cameos! This spread was in the January/February 2010 issue of Victoria.

Here are my cameos. Aren't they just so feminine and romantic?

What is it that you love?

Courage Chili

This is a recipe by Paula Deen and it's fabulous! Alfred's not a big fan of chili but he loved this recipe. It's definitely man-friendly. :)

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef

2 large onions, finely minced (about 2 cups)

1 tsp. garlic powder

1.5 tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. chili powder

 1.5 tsp. dried oregeno

1 tsp. sugar

One 10.75 oz. can condensed French onion soup

1 Tbsp. flour

1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce

One 28 oz. can chopped tomatoes with juice

Two 16 oz. cans kidney beans, drained (I used pinto beans)

1 large bag of Fritos

1 cup sour cream

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

Brown beef and one & a half cups of onions in large skilet. Drain off pan drippings.

Add garlic powder, salt, chili powder, oregeno, sugar, soup, flour, Tobasco sauce. Mix well.

Simmer 1 hour, covered, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes & beans, stir & simmer, covered, for 20 minutes longer.

When the chili is done, empty the bag of Fritos into a large serving bowl, scoop the chili on top of Fritos & top with dollops of sour cream, remaining half cup of onions, and cheddar.

Serves 4-6

Sky Watching

Amazing!

Bits and Bobs

I recently won this lovely little package from Rhonda at A Little Bit French! Her blog is filled with lovely handmade treats that is perfect for the Francophile and the romantic at heart. She has an Etsy shop that is a definite must see.

Thank you Rhonda for these lovely bits! I'm quite sure I can put them to good use in my craft projects.

xx

Explorers

Before we moved back to the city, the girls spent the last couple of weeks exploring the Secret Woods along the creek.

They wanted to show me their discovery, this place that was hidden yet full of natural beauty as it has been uncultivated.

Off we go...

A possible "bear track"!

I believe it is a dog print, but I could not bear to quench their thirst for adventure and discovery.

We reached the little creek only after much crouching and creeping...

I should note for those worried parents that it was quite chilly cold so there was no threat of snakes. Shudder!

Tangled mess becomes a place of wonder to the young.

Cold water...

...that flows creating a magical sound.

A quiet place to reflect.... an oasis.

Let us learn from our children and regain our sense of wonder, a spirit of adventure, and a love of learning and discovery.

Treasure Hunting

Seven issues from 1992 Victoria magazine

Four Porcelain China Chintz dessert plates

Four Porcelain China Chintz teacups with matching saucers

 

What treasures have you found recently?

Welcome Home

Joy is a flower that blooms when you do. ~Author Unknown

Welcome to our home!

Earlier this week, I purchased these two beautiful bougainvilla plants from a sweet old lady who was having a plant sale a block away from our home.
 

I love adding cheerful colors to our home - indoors and out.

Pink blooms

Purple blooms

The sweet old lady shared with me that she is opening a little shop right on the corner which should be open by the first of March. I'm not sure if it will be a thift type store or what, but she'll also be holding art classes, too!

I asked if there would be painting classes and she said yes and asked if I was a painter. I shared with her that I was not, but I had always wanted to paint. She said everyone has talents and that she would be looking for me once her shop opened. She was so sweet!

What is so weird is that I was just talking to Alfred the day before about wanting to get into arts & crafts and try my hand at painting!

Kismet?

It never ceases to amaze me that when I step out in faith, the next step is illuminated.

Home Corners: Living Room

Welcome to my living room! On the toy chest turned coffee table is a red glittering sign reminding me to seek joy daily and an apple cinnamon candle. We won't talk about the stack of library books taking up most of the table! ;)

This is my $30 couch that is so comfy! To the left is the $15 matching chair that is equally  comfortable. I love a good bargain. That is my sweet husband and youngest daughter, Kenzie, on the couch.

Just another angle of the room. The door leads to the hall where the kids' rooms and main bathroom are. That's Kendall's skimboard in the corner. Once his room is painted, it will go in there.

Here are the cane back chairs I picked up for $20 each. They are ugly right now, but I plan to paint them white and recover the seats with a beautiful fabric. They are sturdy and comfortable to sit in. Oh, the mirror is another thrifting treasure. I paid $20 for it, but the original price sticker on the back reads $50.

Just another corner...

This is right next to the front door. I'm not finished with it yet. It needs a little more pizazz, but it is what it is for now.

This is a wide angle shot of the living room. My cherub/angel grouping is on the tv. I love the large picture window that lets in natural light during the day.

Please forgive the pictures. I had to shoot with the flash so the pics wouldn't come out too dark.

Thank you for visiting. Please do come again! 

Signs

I thought it would be nice for each of the kids to have personalized signs to hang in their rooms. I purchased three art canvases at Walmart for $5.47 each. I already had pink and purple paint, but I spent about $4 on black and orange. Then I spent about $8 on these scrapbook pretties.

Isn't the blue background pretty? That is the color of the girls' room.

Kenzie's sign is purple because that is her favorite color. It was my favorite too when I was a kid.

Kayla is pretty in pink. She shares my love for pink pretties.

A close-up of her sign. The butterfly decals are 3D. Aren't they cute?

Kendall's room is going to be a blue-green shade so we needed a contrasting color for his sign.

He is into the beach scene - surfing, music, palm trees and pretty girls! *grin*

It was a lot of fun working on their signs. I love doing crafty things!

Home Corners

This is a built-in shelf in the hall which holds a number of my treasured pretties. I need a step ladder to reach the very top shelf, once I figure out what I want to adorn it with.

Thank you visiting my corner!

Flying Free and Shining

My son, my firstborn - Kendall - is now a licensed driver!

Oh, how the years have flown swiftly by. My once little boy is quickly growing into a man. How hard it is to let go, to let him spread his wings and fly. I always knew this day would come, but my Mama-heart still wants to shield and protect againt unforseen dangers. Hard as it may be, I will let my boy fly free and shine.

I will wait quietly in the shadows for those times that he needs me.

My Valentine Surprise

I made heart-shaped strawberry muffins for my crew's breakfast on Valentine's Day.

Alfred took Kendall to work and returned home with this sweet card....

...and half a dozen pink *passion* roses.

He also filled my car up with fuel and washed it for me.

Kayla and Kenzie went out into the yard and clipped a couple of camellia blooms and arranged them  on the table and Kenzie gave me a handmade card.

Am I a lucky girl or what?