Thoughts...

...from an over-tired, busy, stressed mom.

okay, if I were honest I would say "rants" from a tired mom but I don't do rants on my blog.

except today.

today is different.

they say it's good to get things off your chest once in awhile.  

but I try to keep my blog, such as it is, simple, HAPPY, and nice!

now you get a glimpse of the dark side.

just so you know, I might start with rants...

but I promise to wrap it up...eventually, on a good note.

first up...

 SUPER BOWL thoughts (rants:)

I spent the weekend driving around the state of Florida to summer ballet auditions...gladly.

then raced home for a super bowl I had absolutely no interest in.

Steelers...not a fan...no way, no how, NO WAY! 

(I said that already, right?:) never have, never will. 

I just remember THESE days all too well...

 YIKES!

(Please Tim Tebow, don't ever go there and make me cheer for them.  haha 

anyways, you're too NICE for that scene!)

Packers...no hard feelings, just nobody on the team I'm crazy about...

but I still pulled for you:)

although, the bit about finally bringing the trophy home to Green Bay...

ummm..it hasn't been 5o years or anything.

just saying...

okay, so I agreed to hurry home yesterday  for a "super bowl party".

can somebody please tell me when this became a Holiday?

Please!!!!!!!!!!!

because it's beyond crazy.

do we really need an excuse to get together with friends?

do we need one so badly that we choose to watch an over-HYPED football game?

(and this one was no exception.  I think it was more a game of who didn't lose than who won.  talk about sloppy....and YES, I DO know football.  very well, thank you.  

this is from the best girl football player in our neighborhood and my 6th grade class...quarterback, punter and kick return specialist...whose career goals were to be the first female player in the NFL and if that failed, the first female commentator in the booth with Frank, Al, and Howard for Monday Night Football.

so I can watch the game like any guy...if I wanted too.

and on the subject of OVER-HYPED...

how bout them commercials?

so hysterically funny...NOT

so cute...NOT

so clever...NOT

this girl, who left Michigan happily without a backward glance (except to look at family:)

who grew up in a GM family...BUICK specifically,

actually thought the Eminem commercial for Chrysler was pretty cool.

it caught my attention and made me watch till the end...

more than most can say:)

but other than that...

and lastly, do we REALLY need one more excuse to make the MOST fattening dips we can find,

along with sliders and wings...

and gain 10 pounds for a football game that if the majority were honest,

didn't care about?

I get tailgating.

definitely.

for your fav teams during the season and playoffs.

but that's where it ends for this girl.

don't get me wrong...it used to be fun.

in my humble opinion, I just think it's become a COMMERCIALIZED celebrity event/fashion event/pig-out event...

and the football is an afterthought.

IF my favorite football team OR player (Tim Tebow;) 

 were ever in it...

I would watch...GLADLY...but I would want to see the GAME and not what was happening at Diddy's party or whatever.

when it comes to football...I'm boring like that:)

so if I ever move into your neighborhood, I will happily send my husband to your super bowl party, but for me...if I'm going to watch TV for HOURS and eat good/bad food,

I'll watch Steel Magnolias, 

...Beaches or some other "chick flick"

and eat something like Chocolate Lava Cake or a plate full of wicked whoopie pies.

 ...unless it's the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Baltimore Colts (as long as Peyton Manning is there) and the Denver Broncos...because every good Florida Gator fan now cheers for the Broncos:)

now if you're still with me,  let's move on.

what's with the Valentine's Day bashing?

I keep hearing it's a "Hallmark" Holiday...you know, created and hyped by Hallmark.

okay...where did you bashers grow up?

because Valentine's Day DOES have a long history, well before Hallmark got it's hands on it.

remember handing out valentines?

I actually remember handing these out one year.
  okay, so the jewelry stores hype some tacky necklace of love and florists jack up prices.

then don't go there.

my husband knows...if he buys flowers, to stop at Publix and get a $9.99 bouquet.

it makes me happier than to think he spent $75 from a florist.

I could do something with that extra money:)

and talk about hype...nothing beats Halloween with all it's creepy, bloody decorations everywhere.

at least we don't have a ton of lawn blow up hearts for Valentine's Day...
and what's wrong with pink, red, flowers, hearts and
CHOCOLATE?

 now, I do think Sweetest day is unnecessary but Valentine's Day?

noooo...a created Holiday is the unofficial one called the Super Bowl.
(Oscar too, which is coming up, but I'll spare you my thoughts on that one:) 

so bashers...please let us have our sweet little Holiday.

I'm sorry if you don't have a Valentine.

don't give up.

and please don't take away my candy hearts:)

let's see...

i gave up coffee during the week...

mainly because i know I use WAY too much cream in my coffee.

then I bought a low fat one and after struggling through it, realized it was only 10 calories less.

so I'm back to having coffee...MY way...with Coconut Cream...my own personal Coconut Cream Latte. sooooo good!

kind of like coconut cream pie in a cup:)

everyone who loves french vanilla cream or whatever, who tries this, LOVES it.

maybe i have to exercise a bit more...but I'd give up ice cream for my coconut cream.

now mine is kicking in...so I'm getting happy.

good thing, huh?:)

i know this was a post that i didn't need to write,

but I felt like it when i woke up to watch the news and...

this WAS the news.

so, how to wrap this up...
NICELY
after all that...
because I kinda feel bad already for ranting and sounding so grumpy.

I know...animals!
Who doesn't love cute animals?
like this...

 or these, which I want when I have my barn someday:)

 what's not to love, right?
Have a FABULOUS week my friends!
I'm outta here...

Fresh Starts and Winter Whites...

So I've managed to do it again...

take such a LONG break from my blog that friends are wondering if I'm okay.

That's nice!

To answer that question, I'm totally okay.

Busy, tired...but okay.

And still remembering to find a bit of HAPPY in each day.

I actually thought a lot about my blog.

It isn't that I don't have time or ideas...

too many sometimes.

But I get sidetracked and feel bad about posting something new on my blog

when I have yet to answer comments and emails.

So I don't blog...and then wish I did.

On that note, guess what I am doing?

Turning off comments to my blog.

Just for a week or so...

and during that time I want to post...and go back to visit/answer those sweet comments.

Moving on...

have you heard of "Blogging without Obligation?

Tiffini came up with this because she saw people apologizing all over the place when they hadn't blogged.  (haven't read her site...just this post)

Her philosophy:

• Because you shouldn’t have to look at your blog like it is a treadmill.

• Because its okay to just say what you have to say. If that makes for a long post, fine. Short post, fine. Frequent post, fine. Infrequent post, fine.

• Because its okay to not always be enthralled with the sound of your own typing.

• Because sometimes less is more.

• Because only blogging when you feel truly inspired keeps up the integrity of your blog.

• Because they are probably not going to inscribe your stat, link and comment numbers on your tombstone.

• Because for most of us blogging is just a hobby. A way to express yourself and connect with others. You should not have to apologize for lapses in posts. Just take a step back and enjoy life, not everything you do has to be “bloggable”.

• Because if you blog without obligation you will naturally keep your blog around longer, because it won’t be a chore. Plus, just think you will be doing your part to eradicate post pollution. One post at a time. . .

I would say "what do you think"...

but my comments are off.

Now that's a bummer:)

But I think I like this blogging without obligation!

Here's what else I like...

WHITE!

Notice my new look?

Very white, soft...peaceful.

at least I hope:)

This is one of my favorite cookies...

whether in cookie or bar form...

DELICIOUS!

WHITE Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoons baking soda

10 ounces white chocolate (chips or bars cut in chunks)

1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped into chunks

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 F. In large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, beat well. Stir together flour, and the baking soda; gradually add to butter mixture,beating until well blended. Stir in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. (Edges are golden brown and center is set.) Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool completely.

These would SCORE big at a Superbowl party!

YUM~YUM~YUM!!!!!

And lastly..

this is NOT what it looks like outside my window...

but I wish it did.

Crazy, I know.

But isn't it so pretty?

 Okay, so remember, comments are off for a few days.

Not because I don't want to hear from you

(I do have an email link you know...hahaha)

But because I want to get off to a fresh start with my blog...

new habits,,,old and new friends...

and tons of HAPPY thoughts!

now THIS is going on my list...

...my WISH list

...my BUCKET list

...my SHABBY CHICKS list

...my someday i REALLY, REALLY want to go here list!

i love flea markets (the antique kind...not touristy junk) and antique shows...

especially the kind that are filled with LOTS of shabby, chippy stuff.

i have wanted to visit the Round Top Texas show for a long time...

2 shows a year...I should be able to make one, right?

wouldn't you think?

well, now there is another reason to go to this show...

Rachel Ashwell...

 Ms. Shabby Chic herself...

bought a Texas guest ranch a few miles down the road.

formerly the Outpost at Cedar Creek,

i saw this on her site in December...

The Ranch by Rachel Ashwell...

Here is how she describes it...

"A bed and breakfast. Seminars on inspiration, creativity and business.  A place for events...and dreams."

oh my gosh, i'm ready to make my reservations!

She held a sale and sold everything to make room for her shabby makeover...

and to get ready for her guests (that would be me:)

yep, I'm sensing a girls road trip someday in the future...

but then, since my husband is actually a fan of hers too,

he just might crash the party.

hmmm...don't think so;)

The ranch has several different buildings...

this is one of the cottages waiting for her chic, tattered touch...

 there is a barn cottage...

 take a peek at this...the prairie cottage...

(looks like somebody was already a fan of Rachel:)

log cabins...

and there is even an airstream 

 how adorable will THIS be when she's done!

bet it will be THE place to stay...

"a house becomes a home when life happens and memories are made"...Rachel Ashwell

i bet the kitchens will get a redo in the shabby style...

 and a comfy bed 

 with her favorite, white poplin linen and as Rachel called them

in her DVD I watched the other day,

"smooshy" pillows:)

 who wouldn't appreciate a LOVELY cup of tea in this dining room...

 bet she's busy in her workroom coming up with all kinds of goodies to decorate her new ranch.

 

but you don't have to take my word for it.

visit Rachel's blog (TELL ME YOU SUBSCRIBE...PLEASE!!!)

www.rachelashwellshabbychic.blogspot.com

or you can also visit

www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com for a lady who is in the know.

Shabby Chic:  “Evidence of life.  Anything from children’s art to dog-eared magazines to fresh-cut flowers that aren’t perfect.” – Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic

and keep an eye out for her NEW, 7th book that is due out in October...

Inspiration & Beautiful Spaces

just in time for another LIST...

your Christmas List!

ciao!!!

3 Little Gifts...

 It's cold...

not quite like the rest of the country but in south Florida,

38 degrees is cold.

(But don't get me wrong...I LOVE IT!)

So this morning, I bundled up...

put on jeans, tennis shoes (no flip flops this morning:),

my favorite fleece, gloves and scarf

 (we love scarves and gloves down here:)

and headed out for a walk on the beach.

Did I mention it was 38 degrees?

 ***Note to self...next time, don't wear jeans with holes if you want to stay warm!

Brrr...it's cold...

 but beautiful.

Up ahead, there is one lonely set of footprints when usually there are many.

 Even the water LOOKS cold...

is that possible?  

 i tell you, it isn't blue and pretty but kind of sandy gray and cold...

But life goes on at the beach.

Looks like there was a party and I wasn't invited...

 a sea urchin party.

The little birds still play around in the surf.

 Shells and sea life still roll on shore...

 but those shell seekers are inside where it is warm...

except me!

And I doubt there will be many sandcastles built today...

I wanted a long, brisk walk along the beach...

and I did start out that way...

until I looked down and saw THIS...

 a sweet little sand dollar.

Do you know how special it is to find these on shore?

Usually we find them broken in lots of little pieces,

not surviving the rough ride to shore.

But not this little guy...he made it in one piece...

even though he didn't survive the ride.

He'd been washed up just a little bit too long.

But since I like sand dollars, 

it looks like I found my first GIFT!

Couldn't be happier.

On with the walk...and a few steps later I see this...

a heart shaped stone!  

 It's a sign:)

On my return walk, that's when I feel the wind...COLD wind in my face.

But in a strange way, it feels so good.

I'm so blessed to be here...and the only thing that would make it better

would be if I found a piece of the sea glass that I LOVE but is so hard to come by down here.

No luck there...

or so I thought!  Just before leaving I look down and there,

nestled in some tiny shells and pebbles...

is my sea glass.

 GIFT NUMBER 3!

It's a good day!

For a lot of reasons, of course, but for the simple reason that I love sea glass so much that

finding a lone piece MAKES it a good day!

Time to go home...

What a beautiful morning.

When I was diagnosed with MS this summer, 

I didn't know what the future holds.

I still don't...but I can't sit and wait to find out.

I kept thinking I wanted 3 things...

to be able to walk...or RUN if needed, whenever my girls may need me,

to be able to take nice walks with my fur babies, Maui and Freddy,

and to be able to walk on the beach, collecting sea shells and searching for that lone piece of sea glass.

This morning was special!

But there was a FOURTH gift in store for me.  

Walking in the door, cheeks still red and hair windblown from the sea winds...

to find a hot bowl of oatmeal waiting for me from Taylor.

And you wonder why I dread the day my girls are gone?

I'm spoiled!!!!!!

Happy Friday...hope you find a few gifts in your day too!

Looking for a baby crib...

...GOTCHA!

No, this isn't some cute~crazy way to say that this 

lady is having a baby:)

Although, up until a few years ago I would have JUMPED at the chance,

even if it meant I might be the oldest new mom in history!

BUT...

I AM looking for a baby crib.

When you see these photos, you'll understand.

(You would also understand if I told you my husband bought me a little shack

and told me to go live there and decorate it to my heart's content:)

It's because he knows I have leanings like this...

the kind that push things just a tiny bit too far but to me are SO amazing!

Where would I put this?  

Don't know...but I'd sure be willing to try and find a place:)

I'm learning from my scavenging that these old metal cribs are snatched up as quickly as 

someone puts them out...sometimes by people like me and sometimes

by shop owners who need a display OR simply a conversation piece.

See for yourself what I'm talking about...

photo: Country Living

Okay, so maybe I won't be getting a crib anytime soon...but I AM looking for a daybed.

The girls bedrooms are a bit on the small side and Taylor,

in her all white bedroom, is thinking she would rather have a daybed with loads of pillows

and a comfy, pretty chair to read or do school in, as well as her antique vanity.

But that was yesterday...

today may be a different story.

We've been checking a few out...they would be painted, of course...and on sale would be a plus:)
Not quite as "cutesy"...she IS 16 now, you know:)
Lots of white, some pink...
(even 16 year old girls have taste...shabby chic taste, of course!)
VERRRYY comfy, cozy and "smushy" as Ms. Rachel Ashwell would say!

very cozy...maybe  we DO need a daybed...

after all, if she got tired of it, Maui would LOVE it!

Hope you have a wonderful day and please stop by Faded Charm

for more White Wednesday posts!