50Th Anniversary

Dont you just love the Andy Griffith Show? I love this show and have since I was a kid. TV Land is celebrating the 50 th anniversary with back to back shows. Andy is the father everyone wishes they had. Loyal, kind,wise and good. An upright man who always does the right thing even when it hurts.

Opie is just too cute. I have always longed to live in a community where your children could play outside in the fresh air and ride their bikes without fear.

But, Aunt Bea is my favorite! She is the epitome of all that is gracious and good in a homemaker. Her pearls are gorgeous and her hair just right. Even after a long day of baking and shopping for her home. Take time to watch a few of the re-runs. I know you will walk away feeling better about everything, with a good chuckle to boot!

My Wonderful Weekend

AHHHH! I have had such a great weekend. My grandson, spent the morning with me yesterday. He was such a trooper! I had to grocery shop and run errands, and he was very patient with me. After we returned home, he spent the morning dazzling me with his new writing and spelling skills(he is6). We looked at Halloween decorations and decided that we would go for the autumn look rather than the scary pumpkin look.

I bought sunflowers and arrranged them in an old galvanized watering can on the sun porch. Drug out some fall decor and fluffed and puffed the living and dining room. I still have a way to go, but at least its a start!

I was sidetracked, by my new Barefoot Contessa cookbook and just couldnt wait to look at it. As a result, I have spent two days cooking non stop! Yesterday, I made Chicken alfredo with penna pasta, salad and some fabulous bread I discovered called Rosemary Potato bread. It is wonderfully fragrant and very tasty. This morning I got up at the crack of dawn and had a great frittata made for the family. My daughter just looked at me and asked what time did you get up? It was really easy and went together fast. After that I made a apple and pear crisp for dessert tonight. Now, I am grilling some steak and throwing together a salad. I am going to make some mashed potatoes instead of baked and add some onion and chive cream cheese. Hopefully they will be delicious! Have I mentioned that I am addicted to Food Network? I tape my favorites to watch over the weekend. Ina Garten is one of the best. I love how easy her recipes are and so delicious. She will be on a book tour this fall, stopping Dallas for a book signing. I would love to go!!!! But, I have to work that day!

Have a great week, love all of the wonderful blog posts this week. It seems everyone is really inspired to transform their homes for fall.

Fall

Im so ready for cooler weather! We have had 3 days this week in the low 90's, which is a treat for us. Can wait for a nip in the weather! I love sitting out in the mornings with a nice cup of tea and planning my day. Have a great Friday!

School Bells

School has started and it brings me joy and sadness. My daughter is in her senior year, kinda bittersweet. On one hand, I will never buy school clothes with a teenage daughter again. On the other, Im sure next year I will miss it.
But more than ever, I am so happy that fall is upon us! We have had a severe heat wave and it is just now starting to wane a bit. By the end of the week temperatures should only be around 95 degrees. I cant wait for fall, it is my favorite time of year.
I hope that you are enjoying the cooler weather and having a great week.

Heat Wave!

We have been having some really hot weather in the past 2 weeks. Temperatures are well above 100 degrees and it is so miserable. So I have been staying inside playing with the new grandbaby. He REALLY likes to take a bath!
School starts on Monday and not looking forward to it at all. We shopped today for a few things to add to my daughters existing wardrobe. But really didnt find that many sales going on. Next week is Tax free weekend. Most shoppers are out and about then, but not me. I cannot fight the crowds looking for clothes with everyone else in the city. So we will add a few things and make do with what we have for now.
Stay cool and hope you have a fabulous week!

Home

I love being at home! I have really enjoyed my new house and the space it affords. I now have enough room to display my favorite things without neglecting my husbands belongings. The home we shared before had belonged to him for 30 years and it was very much a bachelors home. It had taken me a year to incorporate our things together and make it ours. But we just didnt have enough room. Together we have 7 children, 4 grandchildren and tons of family and friends. So space is a premium when we are all together.

The pantry door has been painted with chalkboard paint so we have had all the kids sign it for us as they came to visit.

I was just noticing today how many items I have that say "home" and several things that make me feel at home. Have you ever watched the movie "The Quiet Man"? I love this movie. There is a part where she tells her new husband she has to have her things about her. I feel that way also. Everyone has special items that just make you feel at home.

I found this great key rack at Pier One

I love the bird pillow and it is soooo comfy. The rocker and old sewing box I found at an estate sale.

I love having scripture in the house. It reminds me daily to give thanks for all I have in this world.

Sorry this is so blurry. This is a cross stitch sampler that I did about 25 years ago. I recently spray painted the frame flat black to update it and hung it in the kitchen.

I fell in love with this picture the minute I saw it in the Gooseberry Patch catalog. I bought it for myself as an early Christmas present last year.

More pictures soon. I have been spending all of my time with my new grandson. He is so adorable and babies grow up so fast. Im trying to get my time in now. Little boys are not still for very long once they start to walk!

Have a wonderful week.

One More

This is my favorite photo that I took today, just had to share!

Grandson Has Arrived!

we have been blessed with a new grandson today. Logan Patrick arrived today at 3:15 pm. He weighed 6lbs 8oz and is 20 inches long.

Mother and baby are doing great! I share this little miracle with his paternal grandparents who live in Ireland. They were able to see Logan today by the internet and will come to the US in October to spend some time with him.

In the meantime I will spoil him enough for both of us and enjoy this little blessing that God has given us. You can just barely see it, but he has the cutest little dimple in his chin! And just look at those precious little lips.
I was working today and ran back and forth until he was born. I have had quite a workout! Thanks be to God that he has arrived safe!

Trying to Cool Off!

We are having a heat wave! The temperatures are soaring and we are trying to stay indoors as much as possible. I thought it would be nice to set out the beverage dispenser and fill with ice, water and some fresh strawberries. The berries give the water just enough flavor to taste. I have also used lemons, limes and oranges sliced into thin wedges.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I cannot believe that it is August 1st already! School will be starting soon and Christmas will be upon us before we know it. I noticed that Hobby Lobby has started putting out the decorations for the holiday season! This year is just flying by.
We are expecting a new grandbaby any minute now. Kristy's due date was yesterday. She came over and stayed most of the afternoon. She is having alot of contractions, but nothing is happening on a regular basis. Hopefully it wont be too much longer. Im staying by the phone just in case!
Well, I am off to read a book, Have a wonderful Sunday!

My glass dispenser was a Christmas gift from a dear friend. But have seen similar items at Dillards and TJ maxx.

Laurie Anna"s Vintage Home

I have fallen in love with this birdhouse! I found it online at Laurie Anna's Vintage Home. She has the most wonderful shop in Canton Tx! This weekend, I will get up at 3am and drive to her shop to ooh and ahh over all the fabulous finds. I soooo hope this unique find will be in my budget, I have just the right place for it! Love at first sight!

Best Birthday Ever!

Yesterday was my birthday! I had such a great time. All of the kids came over, we had a cookout, went swimiing, sit around and enjoyed each others company. My cake was awesome! Thanks to the Bakerman! He is sooo booked up with weddings, but cranked out a delish cake! Many thanks to my daughter Jennifer for getting it.

Those two grandsons of mine can swim like fish!

Arent they handsome???

We had a wonderful time.

Inspiration

I was needing some inspiration today so I went to my old stand by and looked through some magazines and then went to Country Living on line. All photos are from the website. Enjoy!