How do I live?

Well….to tell you the truth….I have made some decorating faux pas over the years!

I have an old afghan on the back of my chair that I like to wrap up in and I really should find a new one! We have hand made cards here and there around the room that our precious grandkids have made, movie cases open from movies we’ve started and haven’t finished, books and magazines stacked in odd places, dolls on beds, 2 orange velvet pillows that my husband had when we met over 16 years ago and refuses to get rid of,  postcards displayed alongside art, candles and droopy roses, armoire open with wires and ‘stuff’ showing, things we’ve collected in 15 years of marriage… nice comfortable things that make our condo our home!

But do you not think that I could find something else to put on this coffee table? How long has this ‘wrapped in plastic’ candle been holding the spotlight in my living room? We ordered this table a few years ago and it was built by an Amish furniture maker. I loved it from the moment I saw it and value it. But do I value it enough to put something worthy in the center of the glass top?

So this is a plea…..WHAT should I put on top of my lovely coffee table? I’ve had candles and baskets in the past. Should I look for a round flower arrangement? Remember this is the mountains and I have mostly dark red and dark green in my decor.

(Below..another candle another month! lol)

HELP! What would you put on this table?

What would make it really stand out in this room? Thank you! I knew you would understand…..and be able to help!  ; )

Happy Monday!

We’ve had so much fun this weekend that I am getting a slow start to my week!

We went to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event and enjoyed it…and left humbled. We did the silent walk around the loop of the park in honor of those that have died and for hope to those that survive. It was lit by luminaria ….candles in bags with the names of those lost. We listened to the group, Genesis and they were awesome. Later they shot fireworks that rivaled anything we’ve seen at any Fireworks display! Another youth group sang and it was a beautiful night of Hope in my favorite setting….Fletcher Park. The link to the newspaper article is HERE !

Saturday we went to a birthday party! Our grandson B. was 6 years old….what a fun age!

We missed the fun of our grandson J. turning 3 this past week! They don’t live nearby….but we love getting the photos of his fun…and growing up!

Yesterday we enjoyed a little day trip……

and I think I will save most of the photos for another post!

I want to spend some time catching up with all of my ‘favorites’ and see what you’ve been up to! (no cropping or color enhancement on these photos….just the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains…sometimes taken out my side window! heehee!)

Happy Monday!

Blackberry Cobbler and the mountains!

We live in a condo but still own property with raspberries, mint and blackberries. And I still LOVE to pick berries….and eat cobbler!

I made this cobbler by an OLD tried and true recipe except this time I changed a few of the amounts.

Blackberry Cobbler

1/2 c. butter
1 c. whole wheat flour plus a little unbleached flour
1/3 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. milk

2 c. ripe blackberries (or whatever you’ve picked!)

Melt butter in a 2 quart casserole. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and milk in a small mixing bowl, mix well. I usually add a little vanilla to this mixture, too.

Pour mixture over melted butter, do not stir. Spoon blackberries over batter; do not stir.

Bake at 350° F. for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

It tasted great to me…..but I don’t eat much sugar so my taste buds are not set to expect sugary sweet! lol (if I was not concerned about the amount of sugar in this dessert, I would recommend sprinkling sugar on top of this dish before you bake…don’t stir!)

I just had to spoon a little Natural Vanilla ice cream on top while it was hot….oh my!

This was the sunset last night….

Do you see the moon and Venus? AMAZING!

I love to shop but tend to go to the same stores…over and over! This week I shopped at Marshall’s! I know it’s not a new store…but it was my first time to shop there!

And look what I found! A new hand bag! lol I REALLY needed another summer tote! It will be perfect for a day trip to hold those extra things that I need! (and it was $12.99! can’t beat that! )

Enjoy your afternoon! Any other stores you would like to recommend? I’m in the mood to SHOP!

“Wednesday Wee Ones” Max says BOYS are BEST!

In our quest to decide who’s the favorite…

 

we can’t forget the boys! (Max with Mandy!)

 

Max thinks he’s the sweetest…

the cutest…..

the best dressed….

and the most debonair!

What do you think?

Is he your favorite?

Have a FUN Wednesday!

Take time to play

and use your imagination!

Looks like Hubby’s been playing with dolls again! heehee! HAVE FUN!

Let the FUN begin….

….and how can it already be over?  We had so much fun that I don’t know where to begin and how to do a post without all 100 photos! lol  This is the Quilt Garden!

We were on the go the entire time my youngest son and his family was here! The kids were REALLY on the go when they ran in the Firecracker 5 K ! That’s the day we saw the hot air balloon at 7 am!

 

I used to be able to walk with them but now they are running the whole race so we are on the sidelines cheering!

Our granddaughter won 2nd place in the 12 and under female division and received a silver medal!

 

Our grandson ran it in record time! It was a great race!

We spent one afternoon at the NC Arboretum !

What amazing grounds…Trails to explore…

trees, flowers…..art?

indoor art and displays…

and my favorite…

the Bonsai trees!

Of course…there were dolls to play with…

and Legos to build things!

Come back SOON!

Hope you’ve had a good week! It takes me a little while to get back on the computer after taking a break! Do you have a garden or Arboretum in your area? We’d like to visit some more!

Add Beauty!

We had a wonderful, memorable visit with our family and I have lots of photos to share but today I would just like to share some beauty.

 

Have you seen the movie, Enchanted by Disney? It’s one of our favorites! I dreamed about the dance that is near the end of the movie last night. If you’ve seen the movie, you will remember it….but even if you haven’t….it’s a beautiful video! ENJOY!

Have a beautiful day!

“Wednesday Wee Ones” Miss Mandy

I’ve taken so many photos of this sweet little girl …

that I didn’t know which ones to post!

She’s a Zapf doll by the artist Brigitte Paetsch. Zapf has discontinued these designer dolls and now you can only find them on EBAY.

Her original name was Nice and I renamed her Mandy. (check out those ruffles !)

She is so precious in her nightgown!

She wears Preemie or 0-3 month size baby clothes so she is lots of fun to dress!

I hope you like this sweet girl!  Is SHE your favorite?

oh NO fair showing your cute little knees!

Hope you’re having a wonderful day!

Take time to PLAY and do the things you enjoy!