Patriotic Inspiration & Ideas

i LOVE the fourth of July and all the patriotic inspiration.
here is some of my faves!


(photo source unknown)

(country living)

(photo source. some talented blogger that i can't remember)

(family fun)

(family fun)

(country living)

(photo source, unknown)

have a fantastic week!!!

I'm feeling alittle SPRINGY!

let me just start by saying that if you live in a part of the country that has been taken over by that cold white stuff i'm sorry. i know that, most of us, who live in california don't have a clue what winter is like..

and with that said, and the rain clouds no where in site (at least they say so...)

i'm starting to feel an itch for some spring cleaning/decorating...

tracey over at a cottage industry, inspired me with the cute picture above.

i'm looking forward to some time when i can work in the yard and get my patio back to this state.

and my sister's yard is starting to bloom and i love it! i can see spring!!!

have a GREAT day!

A Thankful Welcome, Part 1

if you're like me, i have tons of halloween and christmas decorations, but that time in between leaves my home feeling a bit empty and searching for inspiration. i thought i'd share with you some outdoor decorations that inspire me, courtesy of my cousin jeni. my absolute favorite is the scarecrow who, every year, welcomes my most favorite time of year. my kids and i love driving by and seeing it. one year i'm going to make one of those guys.

A Thankful Welcome, Part 2

here's some pictures of my thanksgiving (fall) decorations. i tend to decorate with foliage, pumkins and gourds. they make a larger statement and it doesn't cost as much as individual decorations. i do buy faux gourds and pumpkins, that way i can use them every year. of course, decorating wouldn't be complete without a quilt or two. if your willing to share, i'd love to see your photos. happy decorating!

Mackenzie's 13th Birthday

gave my sister and i an opportunity to do what we like best. plan a party! i have to say, i really love working with her. we think alike and work really well together. one day i would LOVE to own a business with her. we would have a blast and it would be stinkin' cute! suz decided to go with a pink & yellow candy theme. loved it!

she made centerpieces with wide mouth mason jars filled with lemon heads and a pink candle. i sprinkled pink candy shavings inside for added color. she made the candy poppers for favors. everything looked super cute layed out on the pink and white polka dot runners!

my favorite part was the sweets. she filled different apothecary jars with candy.



they served double duty as an eye-catching display and take home treat.

speaking of serving double duty, a friend of hers brought this cute, tasty treat. it's a lemon cheesecake dip served with vanilla wafers and it was delicious.

instead of the traditional birthday cake, we went with large cupcakes topped with candy shavings and a lemonhead.

of course a party wouldn't be complete unless you added friends

and a hade made gift.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENZ!!!

Happy Halloween

everyone. i hope your halloween was fabulous! i'd like to share an unfortunate motto that has taken my life my storm. it reads, "if it weren't for the last minute, i'd get nothing done." halloween was a perfect example of this. i woke up thursday and realized that halloween was the next day. as i mentioned earlier, sissy had to remind me to get pumpkins. i also realized that i hadn't put my treats together for the families who were coming over to eat and go trick or treating. friday morning i set out in a frenzie getting everything together and in the last minute it all came together. here's how it turned out.

i put together these

and these for gifts. (sorry karen, i owe you...)

for the first year, sissy didn't trick or treat with us. instead she went to a church sponsored halloween party on a horn blower cruise. fun.

although sissy was gone, there were plenty of little (and big) goblins that filled our home. we all gathered early for chili and cornbread with yummy cupcakes.

once we filled our bellies, we went trick or treating.

we visited my cousin who lives down the road, and enjoyed the many neighbors who's homes were decorated and "spooky". there seemed to be a lot more trick or treaters than there have been in several years.

we even ran into this great man who was patroling our streets. thanks. we had a great time, i really love halloween and its traditions.

Baby Boy Shower

i wanted to share the pictures of a baby boy shower that i co-hosted tonight. i love the blue and brown theme. it's easy to do. brownies, peanut butter pie, yummy cupcakes (for fantastic cupcake ideas, check out a this blog, you'll love it!) and the gorgeous fruit bouquet (that sharyn made) all made for great pictures and an even better dessert table. here's the recipe to a great, easy baby shower. hold a shower on a week day, start it at 6:30pm, serve desserts and a choice of drink, play the baby memory game (email me if you're curious), open gifts and eveyone goes home by 8pm. it's always a hit. here's a tip...i have two color themes (girl and boy) and it makes it easy to decorate. i'll post pictures of the baby girl shower i hosted. enjoy.

Baby Girl Shower

here's the pictures of the baby girl shower that i hosted. enjoy.