Florals and the Patio

 Spent my day inside hiding from our 96' day.. someone told me it was almost Fall?  I thought  it would be a good time to decorate,  while the guys tore apart my front sidewalk.

With all the silk fall floral I had stored for the year,  I made a few table arrangements.

Just took a vase, stuffed it with a plastic bag then popped in a few stems.  I'm not fussy!

 The Taco dish I have not used all year was the perfect color for a centerpiece.

 Took a few of the rocks I  found on the beach in Michigan this past summer,  to anchor the stems in the dish.

 A bit of Spanish Moss.

 Perfect!

 While I was arranging,  I took a peek outside the front window to see the guys busy with the sledge hammer... all the stone broke easier than we all thought.  It's been there since the early 80's.

"I just love to watch other people work"

  The space started out nice a few years ago but then the rain kept it a mud pile and also the snakes were living under the dirt and scared me when I first opened the door.  These snakes are harmless black garden snakes, but I still don't like them!

My minds eye is seeing a nice braided design,  paver floor with a few easy chairs, foot stools, small table for my coffee cup and a few large decorative pots with floral color.  The large oak tree provides shade most of the day so it's a perfect spot for winters in Florida.

Clean and ready for the floor to be laid.

  I thought of laying the floor myself but leveling the space might be a bit much for me... I'll give it a good try.   Mr N called a handy man yesterday and he will be out today with a price.  If it is a good one, I think I'll let him do it for me.   The bricks are here along with the sand and all the supplies.

This is going to be a good weekend!

I'll be linking @

Craft and Share

Handmade Harvest Party 

 

 

Mushrooms

If I did not know how wild mushrooms could kill me, if I ate them, I might have taken these beauties into my kitchen and stuffed and baked them..  

Look how Big they are.

When we go through weeks of rain as we have this past few months, the wild mushrooms usually take over my lawn.

 

 There I was, to the amusement of my neighbors, in the grass when the sun first came up, to get a few shots of these really beautiful, perfectly formed, Mushrooms!

 

  My reasons for being out at the crack of dawn was to inspect my front steps and walk way.

A Tree root has grown to the point of moving my walk way out of shape and soon someone was  going to trip and fall.  Then I'll have to pay for them to mend their broken leg!

 

 While I waited for the lawn guys to arrive to remove the entire sidewalk, I pulled all the planting in the space, then I measured the area for brand new paver's to not only replace the sidewalk, but to create a front patio of sorts.  One I can put a bench or a white wooden rocker, foot stool and a glass of Ice Tea,  while I sit outside and work on my blog or read.  This is the space that will be my next project.

I feel like "Ma" on the Golden Girls,,, 

Picture this, Sicily 2011.... Beautiful terra cotta pavers in a really nice design covering the entire area.  No dirt or plants of any kind in the ground  (well, some really nice potted plants of course),  to create a front patio of sorts..

A window box? 

That is a decision for another time?

Good bye ugly, wet, dirty front!

And NO, I did not cook those really beautiful Mushrooms!

To be continued!

I'm linking up to

Tuesdays Garden Party

Outdoor Wednesday 

Cottage Flora Thursday 

Bloomin Friday 

"Knitting"

Christmas is just around the corner and I've been busy knitting.  This was the perfect weekend for me to sit in front of the TV, but a trying time for all Americans while we "Remembered 9/11"

I also spent my days with a few good friends,  "Ice and Whining"  they were such a comfort to my poor mouth that went through two root canals this past Thursday and Friday.

All I have to say about that,

"It was not fun"!!

JoAnns had such nice yarn this year.   Sequins were showing in many of the designs and this one will be for my grand daughter who lives in Juneau.   She is a brand new Teen and will so enjoy the sparkle.   She'll  also need all the warmth she can get during the up-coming winter months.

Trying my hand at 'cable stitches' I think it turned out quite nice. 

Not too many mistakes?

 The "Silver Grey" color is not showing very well in the photos but this scarf is really pretty.  I live in hot Florida and never have the need to wear a scarf.   But, I have plenty of family members that will be getting a new set of Hats and Scarves for their Christmas gifts this year.
Lets see, I have 4 sets finished so far.   Maybe I could make a nice light weight cotton scarf for me.   I do get a few days that I may put on a sweater during the month of February.   Sad don't you think?

What gifts have you completed for the Christmas season this year?
If you haven't started shopping, the holidays are fast approaching!

I'm Showing off @

Brag Monday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 

Creative Bloggers Party Hop 

Tuesday Free Hop 

Mom

 

Today is your Birthday Mom...

I'm sending you a pure, sweet rose,
Gathered in the early morn,
This rose you planted in my heart,
The day that I was born.

In kindly, loving thoughts of you,
And with the faith you still impart,
The rose I give to you today,
Is the love that's in my heart.

"Happy Birthday"

"I love and miss you"

Fall in Juneau

Sept 9th 2011

"Fall in Juneau, Alaska"

For all of you eagerly awaiting "Fall" 

I've posted the photo my son sent today from the town he lives in.

Somewhere in America, "Fall is setting in" so don't despair,  yours is on the way!

((huggs))

Fall Wreath

The weather guy told us this morning to expect a Tropicas Storm or Hurricane in the next week or so.  Not sure where it's going?
 One more month of Hurricane Season for us... oh boy!  It's been a busy season, to say the least.


For the past few days, like all out there, my mind has turned to Fall and getting my decorations out of storage.  
I went to the stores yesterday wanting to buy a wreath for the front door.. but they were all in the $40.00 range and I just did not want to spend that much money.. so I went digging in my storage box and pulled out all the bent, folded and crushed floral from the years gone by...
I need a new wreath and thought to make one out of what I have.  
I did look in Michaels and they wanted $7.99 for a simple styro circle and again,, that is too much money so I went into my good ol' store room and took out a sheet of styro that I saved from something?  Traced a circle and cut out my own.

 

Cutting styro with a kitchen steak knife is messy so I took it out to the deck.

I then wrapped the styro wreath  with some floral tape and it worked perfectly!

After cutting the wires of all the Fall floral I found in a bag I then put a dab of hot glue on the end then put in the styro in what I thought would be a nice design.

It's working!  I added a bow of Raffia to complete the little wreath. 

My little Door Hanging turned out perfect!

It's October and although our weather is turning.   No need to wait to put out my little wreath because it will he hot well into December, here in Central Western Florida, with Tropical Storms coming and going well into November... I need Fall now!

It's up on the door and looking pretty good,  if you don't mind my saying so!
And it cost me nothing!

I do know one thing,  "It's lifting my spirits" and that is what it's all about!


I'm linking this post to


Outdoor Fall Decor

Anything Autumn @ Jenny Matlocks 

Under $100.00 link Party 

I should or should not do, what?

It's September today and it had me thinking of "How Fast Time is Moving"

Then I ran into the following article.. Put a smile on my face as I thought of how I'm feeling about life and how I have been thinking of.... my looks, my clothes,, my words...

Each year I look into my closet or think about the things I do and say then wonder, Should I be saying or doing the things I did when I was younger? 

Should I grow old Gracefully? (does that mean look like my grandma did?)  Or just continue if it feels good?  Hell, I still wear my shorts because I like them and it's HOT here!

The September issue of the AARP Bulletin tells people over 50 to stop tolerating arrogance, don't say the word "panties" and never, under any circumstance, wear low-rise jeans.
Here is a full list of things AARP says people over 50 should and should not do: 

Words to ax...
- Panties
- Smashed, overserved, or hammered.
- Sick!
- Whatever
- I'm like ... We mean "I said" or "I say." So we should say it.
- Totes. Unless you mean that clever little umbrella.
- Hot. Except when referring to the weather or habaneros.
- Kick it 

Things never to do again...
- Jell-O shots
- Karaoke after Jell-O shots or any other time.
- Crowd surfing to the mosh pit.
- Drinking champagne from your son's girlfriend's shoe. Drinking champagne from your own shoe.
- Visible tats, no matter what (or who) you escaped, no matter who or what you discovered.
- Collecting owls made of shells, frogs made of ceramic or lawn gnomes made of anything. 

What not to wear...
-Miniskirts, minishorts, anything that's been deliberately diminished or ripped.
- Low-rise pants that showcase low-rise anatomy.
- Super-tight skinny jeans, even if you are both.
- T-shirts that say "Sexy Grandma," "Vote for Ozzy" or "I Am the Man from Nantucket."
- Purses with dogs on them. Purses with dogs in them.
- Gold chains with your name on them. Gold chains. Chains. 

People to no longer tolerate...
- Those who don't know you when you're down and out but just love you when you're "back."
- People who learned all they ever needed to know in high school-and are still living it.
- Gossips
- Arrogant doctors, educators, waiters, TV commentators, athletes, authors, legislators, coaches or anyone who lets a little influence go to their head.
- Space invaders. Those who stand too close, consuming space, energy, oxygen and time. 

 
- Create a boundary in life. Then take down a wall.
- Write long handwritten letters to your grandchildren, even the ones who aren't born yet.
- Put your wedding photos in an album before your 25th anniversary. Finish the baby book before the kid's 25th birthday.
- Start telling the truth, every day.
- Stand up for what you believe, and do so with dignity.
- Dance outside at night in a foreign land. (this is mine)
- Be able to retire but say, "The hell with it, I'm going strong." 

I'm like most of you, My mind is so young (still)... I'm happy and busy and just not wanting to think "Old" just yet... so I'll continue to do as I have been...

I have given up one thing... Those "Low Rise Jeans"... I'm just tired of pulling them up!

One more thing...... my hair!  When I hit 55 I read that "Older women should cut their hair"... we will look better... so after debating this I did (had a lot to do with the heat here in Florida and pre-menapause) Went and got myself a cute short hair cut!  I'm now wanting to grow it back.. but it's so funny looking in the, In between stage...?

As for Jello-Shots, I gave them up years ago!

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Why would they do this to me?

 I stepped out my front door this morning,  this is what I saw.

 A beautiful lonely  dresser, tossed out for the "Trash man".  The poor thing had to endure the rain storm we had last night!  

It was calling my name!
Save me, save me from the Trash!

A neighbor is moving and left this for the trash man tomorrow. 

I crossed the street to take a look ... not bad!

It is a good sturdy dresser, but the neighbor,  who left yesterday, did not put the drawers out with it?

Now why would they do this to me?
Why would anyone put such a nice piece out in the trash without the drawers?  I bet they left the clothing in each drawer and just carried them out to the  moving truck..

After inspecting this nice frame of a dresser I had so many different thoughts going through my mind... hmmm?  Maybe I could take away the sliders and turn it into a nice shelf with baskets? 

Paint it white and distress it?  So many ideas.

Do I really need this?  Where would I put it?

I walked around it for a bit and then a neighbor came out asking "What was I doing and why was I taking photos of it?" 
But then they all know me here on the block... I'm always bringing home something in my car.  My trunk has signs of my over stuffing it with all sorts of "junk"... they just laugh!

"No Sandy"  "Turn around and go home"... leave it in the trash!

It hurt me to not take it home!   

I found myself looking out the front window, still trying to think of how to  rescue and restore  this really nice wood dresser. 

No!   close the blinds and stop looking out!

Why on earth would this neighbor

NOT PUT THE DRAWERS OUT WITH IT?

As I said, the trash man does not come until tomorrow morning.
Knowing me, I'll be dreaming about this dresser out there, in the dark rainy night!  Just waiting for the trash man to haul it away!

I may still go out there and bring it home.. 

to be continued... Maybe?

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.I'm linking up to Jennys @ Alphabet Thursday

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"Women are Angels"

Women are angels and when someone breaks our wing we simply continue to fly ...

"On a Broomstick"

 

We are flexible like that.

Have a great week!

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The Vase

 I'm a very simple person when it comes to decorating.  I know so many people go for the fancy or elaborate way of design but I like clean and also things with meaning to me.

A simple terracotta pot with Ivy on the guest room wall.

 I received a bouquet of Roses a few years ago and needed to save them. I hung them upside down on a string and let them dry... then put them in a simple glass jar in a basket.  The little bear family is very special to me. After my mom died my family gave me this as a memory of her grandchildren sitting on grandmas lap.

 On the staircase landing, a simple large pot with dried sticks.

 I love Tulips and had to put a bunch in a simple urn beside a stitched memory sampler from my sister.

 There is something I love about blue bottles... simple flowers tucked into a few.

 This little coffee cup is my most prized possession.  It was sitting on my moms night stand, half full with her morning coffee when I came home from work,  to find she had passed away during the day.

 This wonderful fountain was a gift from my sweet Niece Mothie.. it was ment to be put in my garden but I thought better of letting the weather destroy it... It sits next to my stairs with a bit of Ivy.

 Another memento, a vase that was given to me by Mr N's mom.  She will be celebrating her 100th birthday this November.

 Again, Tulips  

They are the perfect orange color and until I find another simple flower of this color, they will stay there.

 

A blue glass juice pitcher that belonged to my mom.

Simple things make me smile.

I'm linking up this post to.. 

Funky Junk's .

things as vases

Tatertots and Jello's
weekend wrap up party

2805 @
Potpourri Friday

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