A New Project...

This is not "it".

 Finally, after having a fountain kit waiting in the garage for 7 YEARS(!), I am getting my water feature for the lanai. My men got together to "do" this project for my Mother's Day gift. 

Of course, any project around here means so many more things have to be done...

such as....

moving furniture... 

cleaning the pool... 

repairing the walls (new spackle) in the hall...

dabbling with the car...

NAPPING...

WATCHING the RAYS baseball games...

and the 
AUBURN baseball games...





You get the idea.....

So.....in just a few more days...(or weeks)...I will have my longed-for water feature. Yippee!!!

Maybe it will be done in time for my birthday... It's in July!


I am taking part in Outdoor Wednesday...Visit Susan's blog to see all the beautiful posts.

Is Blogger Being Bad Again?

It's like being told to leave my toys behind and go home...




For the past few days, I have been unable to leave comments on many of my favorite blogs. It's not that I have abandoned all of you...I truly have tried...and tried...and tried....  But Blogger is not being friendly to me. I have also noticed the lists of Followers is missing not only on my blog, but several others' blogs. 

Am I the only one experiencing this? Are there any solutions you might share with me (us)?


Jane

There's More to the Story...

Remember the post with this photo:

Well....... the other day I was in a Home Goods store, and there was a new shipment of coastal goodies...including several copies of this sign. All of them had the same error. When I pointed it out to the clerk, she said that it was meant to be this way...and "Get over it!"

It must have been a bad day...or perhaps several patrons had already pointed out this mistake.

For those of you who asked what I planned to do with the sign...

I bought the it for "the box". I will completely redo it into something for my patio. When I do...I'll share it with you.

Have a fabulous holiday weekend...

    AND

WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!

Hugs,

Jane

ROASTED CORN DIP

Oh no!!! It's 6:00 and I forgot to fix an appetizer for small group! There's no time to get to the store....what can I fix?


Open the refrigerator...
    milk, eggs, butter, jellies, orange juice....where are my usual staples? Oh yeah...I was supposed to go to the store today...


Hmmmm....2 ears of roasted corn from last night's dinner...half a tomato....diced jalapeno peppers...cheese...yogurt...


I GOT IT!!!

Roasted Corn Dip (for lack of a super creative name)


2 ears roasted corn, scraped off the cob
1 can kernel corn (no salt added), drained (optional, but good!)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
tomato (I used what I had...1/2 large tomato, chopped)
Grated Sharp 2% Cheddar Cheese (to taste)
1/2 c. Greek Yogurt (plain...fat free)
Diced pickled Jalapeno Peppers....to taste (I used 2 heaping spoonfuls...and then added a little more)
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil Mayonnaise


Combine all ingredients. Taste, and adjust according to your taste. (This really is a "by guess and by gosh" combination!) Serve with Scoops (tortilla chips), flatbread (Olive Oil and Sea Salt), Plain Pita Chips, etc.


This was a tasty spread...crunchy, fresh-tasting, and it even had a little "kick". Judging from the empty bowl, I would say it was a hit!
Be sure all the liquid is drained from the canned foods and the yogurt...you do not want this dip to be runny.  Adjust all the ingredients according to your personal taste. It's amazing what you can create when there is a need...
Enjoy!
Jane


Visit Foodie Friday for more wonderful treats!!!

What's Wrong with this Sign?

While shopping at the local Marshall's store, I found this...

Do you see anything wrong with the sign? 

It took 5 employees...including the store manager...before someone recognized the mistake. And that "someone" was a kindergarten teacher who was standing in line to check out.

I got the sign for 25% off the sale price! 

* 

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

(The sign should read:  "If you're not barefoot, THEN you're overdressed"

Grammar counts!!!

Jane

Motivation Lacking...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               It's so pretty outside! I cannot motivate myself to do ANYTHING...much less BLOG...or even paint! 


For a change, the temperature is such that the house can be opened up and aired out (first time in weeks!!!). The birds are singing...the breeze is gently wafting through the palms...and the neighbors' parrots are out on their porch. It sounds like Paradise!

I think I'll head to the beach....


Maybe I'll return with some motivation...


or maybe not...


Ever had days like this?

To the Many MOMs in My Life...

Mother's Day...a day set aside for us to honor our mothers. Yes, our moms have played a huge role in our lives...beginning at our conception.

My mom was wonderful!!! and, at 92, she still is!
I am so blessed that I am still able to laugh with her, to cry with her...and even to sing with her. Mom had a difficult time showing her affection for us...she was not a demonstrative woman...not comfortable with any kind of touching. We always knew she loved us...even without these tactile actions. She was always at our events...cheering us on. She would relentlessly work with us on our spelling and grammar homework (Thank goodness for that!). She was our cheerleader...she even taught me how to do a cartwheel (I was 14...she was almost 50!) She sewed tiny Barbie clothes for my dolls...and matching outfits for my friend's dolls. She made thousands and thousands of cupcakes, tea sandwiches, and cookies for our school programs...scouts...classrooms. She welcomed our friends into our home...cooked for them...and encouraged so many of them. She even fed my big brother's college football team for several days...and boy could these guys EAT!!! She taught me a lot about being a mom. And I am very grateful for her....

But there were many other "mothers" in my life...Women who stepped into her shoes when she wasn't there...women who filled in the gaps where she was not able to do so...

     There was Miss Frances... She was my first grade teacher. Everyday she gave me a warm hug...and told me that I was special. Many years later, she was my supervising teacher...and she still gave me hugs and encouragement. Then, upon graduation from college, she became my co-worker.  Again, Miss Frances hugged me everyday and told me I was SPECIAL. She was a great encourager to me.

   Aunt V taught me to hug...and to tell others "I love you!" She even stood up for me when my parents yelled at me for sitting on my fiance's lap...just weeks before our wedding!!! (We weren't supposed to show affection in public...now can you see why hugging is sometimes difficult for me?)

   There was my sister-in-law. She filled the role of "big sister" and explained many life experiences a mother would usually share ...My SIL came into my life when I was quite young. She taught me how to apply makeup...how to talk with boys...how to be "me".  She listened to me...answered my questions...made me feel like I was truly special. She was my very best friend during some of my most trying years of growing up...

   Honor was another special "Mom"...she invited me into her home several times to teach me skills like baking bread and "putting up" jelly. We had many a tea party...just we two. During these times, she helped me accept...and to actually celebrate... my awkward height (5'9" in 7th grade...all arms and legs!) She taught me to walk tall and straight. All my friends were petite and cute...the adults just loved to hug them...but not me. I think I put a wall all around me...but Honor breached that wall and taught me how to demonstrate love and grace.

   There was the cafeteria lady at my Jr High School...she always made my "favorite" cookies and sent them to me in college...for my friends to share. She made, not only me, but all my friends feel special with that little touch of "home"!

   When I moved to PA...far, far from home...while pregnant with my first son...Louisa, the minister's wife, "adopted" me. She was always there to answer questions, to wipe tears, to hold my hands when I was fearful. She taught me to love unconditionally...she taught me the meaning of hospitality and the true meaning and importance of fellowship...

   When we moved to our current home, Miz Becky adopted our family, becoming a grandmother, of sorts, making each of our boys, and me, feel welcome. She stopped by with goodies for the boys...hired my youngest to catch lizards on her lanai...listened with endless patience to my eldest as he regaled her with stories...And she encouraged me through my years of home teaching my boys!

There were many more Moms in my life....to those who I have mentioned...and to all the other wonderful women in my life....

THANK YOU!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Jane

 

Fancy Flea

Saturday was the bi-annual Fancy Flea market...and I got to spend the day with old and new GIRLFRIENDS while wandering through all the displays...

Shellbelle and I met under the oaks in Tampa and carpooled to the event. Ms Bake-It, unfortunately, had a problem at work and was unable to join us.We really missed her!!!

 

My "do not buy anything" plan was thwarted as soon as we entered the blocked off street...because I found this RED mirror. (I LOVE mirrors! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE RED!!!) I just had to have it.... Actually, Shellbelle encouraged me to buy it because she KNEW it would be perfect in my family room...but I decided to think about it...until I ran into Becky, from One Shabby Old House and Lace and Lures blogs. She KNOWS what I like...and she KNOWS my house.... She even told me what to offer for the mirror...so I walked ran back to the vendor and bought it!!! Yippee! It's a perfect addition to my mirror wall...

Thankfully we drove in Shellbelle's car or this table and chair set might have found its way to Palm Harbor...

As would this cabinet...made from door panels...(Hey MacDaddy! Do you think you could make this for me? Mother's Day is coming...)

Since I cannot shop for "me" anymore...I decided to "shop" for few  bloggy friends.... This "pig", made from a crib headboard, is for 
Happier than a Pig in Mud. Hope she likes PINKY... (This vendor also had wall hangings that looked like circus train cars...complete with tigers, giraffes and elephants. The bars on the cages were made from more crib railings....super cute idea!

Chalkboard paint was in evidence at many of the tents... Love this silver-plated tray/chalkboard....and this

 

 frame with chicken wire. Wouldn't these be interesting in a home office...clip notes to the wires...magnets for notes on the tray. Who needs some interesting things for an office?

(These items were from another blogger: http://confessionsofanewoldhomeowner.blogspot.com)

For the music lover....this "piano keyboard" sofa table would be perfect in my sister's music room...(this table and so many other items were painted by the sweetest lady. She even had plastic stools painted to look like brick!)

This table and chairs were painted turquoise. Guess who I thought of.... Yep! Heather at Simple Daisy. The table and chairs would look great in her backyard...

About this time, my phone rang...It was Becky from Junk to Joy blog. She drove over to meet us at the Flea... It was my first time meeting this wonderful woman...and it felt like I had known her for YEARS!!! We found each other by waving arms like maniacs...and immediately upon introducing ourselves, we hugged (and I am not usually a hugger)...With Becky...and later, with some other wonderful women...it was NATURAL. Becky is such a warm, funny lady. I cannot wait to get together with her again...

Now the three of us shopped...there was still so much to see. 
Red chairs...I was drawn to them. Their seat cushions were lime green and white. They would look super in my home...but the Fleur de Lis reminded me of Jessica at Thoughts of a Bama Belle. What do you think, Jessica? Do you like this stool?

How about these pillows? Who do you think would appreciate rosettes on burlap pillows? They were so cute...as were the fringed burlap pillows with linen napkin appliques. Another GREAT idea...

Would you believe it...I have this table in my dining room (still a natural mahogany). It was a treasure found in my son's "new" home. The style did not fit them, so they offered it to me. Now....what do you think? Should I paint my table red? or honeysuckle pink? Decisions...decisions...

 

OK, ya'll. No one can have THIS tomato red dresser...it's MINE! (Wish I could have bought it...but now I have the idea...I just might have to change the color scheme in the guest room...

More to come...when I get back to my office...

Have a great week...

Jane