The Extreme Makeover

Now many of you already know that my back porch is my island of retreat. With sounds of trickling fountains, chiming wind chimes, relaxing music, refreshing breezes, flickering aromas and the chatting of birds, how could one not retreat as often as possible? But my retreat needed a redo!

So I designed an even more enticing/inspiring get-a-way. I began by painting the natural wicker furniture black, re-dying the red cushions and pillows, purchasing black and zebra pillows (my wild side). Recovered the bottoms to my breakfast nook chairs, added a few accessories (plants, candle pedestal, antique black jug, lamps) and Walla! Now this did not require creativity, just time, work and a little planning.

But I did have one really neat idea that my husband thought was quite creative! I took an old flower pot and painted black swirls on the sides; finished the edges with black and I now have the cutest ZEBRA pot! It looks great with green foliage and red flowers.

Cost of paint: $45
Cost of accessories: $40
Cost of plants: $20
Time spent on my new porch….PRICELESS!

Who is Going to Start the Bid?

It’s Saturday night, Ole Argo Auction night! This is the coolest place to hang out from 6P-10P. It is inside a 125 year old store beside the railroad tracks in Argo, Alabama. Some people might be leery of this leaning building with its tin roof, wooden floors (iffy at times) and the partly hanging door. Everything possible is auctioned off in this little abode. I purchased half of a deer antler for $1.00. Makes great jewelry!

Vendors from all over bring in treasures they have collected and everyone gets to bid! They auction off everything from half of a deer antler to a 100 year old paintings and furniture. It is a lively place to be and they have great homemade soups, chili, hotdogs, desserts and ice cream. There are many memories made, recovered and passed along at the Argo Auction on Saturday nights! It’s a happening place for all ages!

Gran’s Chosen Six

As a grandmother I feel it is my duty, right and privilege to share some incredible news flashes about my grandchildren. They continue to give me reason to strut around and flap my wings.

A couple of weeks ago, my grandson Bailey (12 years old) charmed and delighted the judges with his awesome rendition of the "Snap, Crackle, Pop” on the Snare Drum. He was so cool and calm…but that’s what make a drummer a great drummer. When he beats the beat, you have to move the feet! P.S. he has his own band too!

Now, his brother (14 yrs. old) is all about baseball. He is an awesome second and third baseman and hits the ball so far, his teammates can glide into home. He spends a lot of time practicing in between practices and doing what it takes to be a great team player! Go Nick!

Then we have Cory (15 yrs. old) who runs like a deer! He can speed around the track so fast, he leaves everyone else behind. He has placed first in many of his meets and enjoys the sport (he runs in 20 something weather…..burrrr!). He is only a freshman too!

Then we have Katie (11 yrs. old), she is the master at card games. She is so good she beats everyone in the family. She lets her mom, dad and me win sometimes (thanks, Kate). She is a gracious winner and is teaching us how to master the game. Keep dealing the cards Katie. She is also a great swimmer and diver!

Now Carly (13 yrs. old) is not a card player, she is the dance queen. She makes the splits look easy! I didn’t know you could expand your muscles that much…ouch! But it requires discipline and hard work. She just made the dance team at her school. Whoopie! She will be on the football field every game beginning in August. Sooo looking forward to watching her dance!

And last, but certainly not least is Cole (9 yrs. old), our youngest grandchild. Cole has the fastest fingers in Alabama. He is the master chief of video games. He loves to read (7th grade level) and brings his Gran flowers when he comes to hang out.

Now you see why it is a privilege to be a “GRAN” and why I must brag

Crazy Days of Alabama

Okay, I admit, I am lazy. I could give a list of reasons I haven’t blogged, but the important thing is I’m blogging again. What a crazy two months in Alabama! Snow. ..Yippee (almost enough for a miniature snowman). Sunny warm days (the birds even got confused and showed up on my bird feeders), tornadoes and strong winds (blew my storm door right out of the door frame), and freezing temperatures (my fountains froze solid). I have to check the weather every day to know which closet to dress from. But, it has been fun and never boring.

Another crazy…..I was on local TV for a total of 1 minute. My husband and I met with a local reporter who interviewed us about our counseling ministry. I didn’t have time to get nervous, he handed me the mike, asked a few questions and it was over. I don’t know about you, but I can always find something that I did or said to “pick over”. Any who (hmmm…..where have I heard that before) it was fun, hope I get to do it again sometime. New Year resolution…..blog more!
Happy New Year!!!!!!

The PB & J

I just finished a PB & J! My favorite J of this acronym is Strawberry Perserves (Smuckers). My favorite PB is Jiffy. I take two pieces of “fresh” bread, spread a thin layer of PB on the bread, too much PB sticks to the roof of my mouth. My husband likes a thick layer of PB on his PB & J. On the same slice of bread, I put on a thick layer of Strawberry Preserves. I lay the clean slice of bread on top, pour a tall cold glass of 1% milk and bite in!

I have been eating PB & Js all my life (hundreds). I just found out who was responsible for such an easy, cheap, and tasty meal! Around the 1890s a Doctor from St. Louis decided to develop a health food that provided protein for his adult patients. He mashed some peanuts in a meat grinder to make a paste. His friend then mechanized the system and WALA! Peanut butter was developed. Peanut Butter has evolved into PB w/peanuts (go figure!) PB w/o peanuts (how do they do that!), PB with jelly mixed in, etc. My preference is to eat PB on crackers, wafers, banana sandwiches, in fudge, in milkshakes, by itself, etc. PB & J is equivalent to a three-course meal (so I have been told). So how do you like your PB & J?

Oh Yeah! Can someone tell me why there are two font colors?

How Do They Do It!

These little flowers are incredible! Their petals are thin, petite, and very stubborn when it comes to cold weather. They hold their heads up high in freezing weather and cold winds. They burst with color and need very little maintenance. Pansies are one of only a few plants that can survive and thrive in the cold winters here in Alabama. I have planted them in specific areas around my house so I can see them when I look out my windows. Their tenacity amazes me and motivates me to weather the hard winters in my life. What motivates you through your winters?

Jigsaw Puzzles

As a little kid, jigsaw puzzles were intimidating! Hundreds of little pieces that were shaped alike and colors that melted into each other. Why spend so much time on something that would be taken apart and put back in the box?

Until……I went to a garage sale in my neighborhood and found a wonderful idea for completed jigsaw puzzles. I paint them with Mod Podge (water-based sealer and finish). I let them dry and tack them to the entrance wall of my garage. I don’t stop there! I cover each one with a piece of Plexiglas and bingo! I have a transformed my garage entrance into an art gallery.

But the best part is the quality time I spend in conversation with my husband as we sit around a card table putting all the little, look-alike pieces together. We are working on our 6th and have two waiting to come out of the box (one is a picture of the Hoover Dam…..really cool, but VERY hard!). What a great way to spend the cold winter nights sitting by the fire, sipping vanilla caramel coffee in cozy PJs.