Happy Independence Day...a day early.

America loves her red roses, doesn't she? 

This is such a very easy table and centerpiece.

The bowls are prep bowls. I have a set of blue ones and

a set of red. 

Two dozen grocery store red roses. That is all that I spent. 

Seriously simple for a simple meal.

 After the meal I wanted to keep the theme, so I picked a few 

items and put them on my new tray from Hobby Lobby.

Did you know... that the tradition of fire works started on 

the 4th of July in 1777 when 13 rockets were sent into the sky 

in honor of the 13 colonies? 

That is how it all started. 

We're off for some fireworks and ice cream. 

I hope you are having a wonderful celebration and

that you enjoy your day tomorrow!

Easter At Our House....

I hope you all had a BLESSED Easter. Don't forget the reason that we celebrate!

I thought that I would share our Easter tables from yesterday. 

It was such a lovely time! 

Here's the Menu

3 Herb Skillet Chicken (with wine sauce)

  Roasted Asparagus  (with Hollandaise sauce)

Au Gratin Potatoes  (provided by MIL, thank you very much)

Fresh Berries  (provided by daughter, thank you very much)

Rolls  (also provided by daughter, thank you very much)

Home made Cherry Pie and Pecan Pie (provided my my Mom, thank you very much)

with 

your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Not your typical "Easter Feast" but spring-ee none the less. 

I broke down and bought this gold colored flatware.  I really 

did hem and haw about it, but now I'm glad I did the dirty deed. 

It was an unexpected change in how I usually do my tables. 

And even though it is more modern than I prefer, the gold added a warmth to the table.

I'm glad I gave in to my (dare I say it?)  impulse!  (gulp)

If you see any thing you would like to pick up I will list the 

description and sources here for you. 

Blue water goblets : Walmart  (a million years ago)

Wicker Chargers: World Market years ago, but surprisingly, they still carry them.

Wood Chargers: in a resale shop years ago (World Market has some that are similar now)

Linen Napkins and Tablecloths: Home Goods (years ago) 

Gold Flatware: Target (currently in stock)

We had eight for dinner. This causes a problem for me because 

I don't have a table that seats more than six. 

BOO! 

So rather than putting 6 at one table and 2 at the other, I did 4 and 4. 

I tell myself that this is a more intimate setting and that the conversation 

can go deeper.  (...whatever)  :P

I kept the tables similar so that everyone would feel like they were

at the same party. No jarring differences. 

It worked. I was eaves dropping and I heard some pretty intense conversations 

going on at the table behind me. 

Anyway! The point is that we make do with what we have. 

And it was lovely! 

I have a wonderful family that appreciates the 

effort that a big holiday dinner takes. And I'm so grateful!

Here is the front room... 

I just realized that I rarely photograph the family room (the one behind this one) 

I think that it's because I can never take  decent photograph of it. (bleh) 

.... anyway!

I hope you had a wonderful Easter! 

As my Mother-in-Law always says.. " Remember, Number One!" 

Monday's Manicure ....4th of July

How about a Patriotic manicure?

Brought to you by:

 Sinful Colors: Snow Me White

                   Endless Blue

                       Ulta: Let the Flames Begin

                            Essie: Set In Stones (big glitter)

                 Julep: Joelle (fine glitter)

I hope you have a Happy Independence Day my friends!

Monday's Manicure.... Red and Gold Chevron

Hey hey hey! :)

Hello!

 Today's holiday mani is a fun red and gold chevron. 

Perfect for fun holiday parties.

Gold - Got My Groove Back by Ginger and Liz

LOVE this gold foil! I had never tried the brand and got it on sale last year after Christmas. 

So glad I did! 

Red - Spellbound Glitter by Sparitual

An awesome red glitter.

How did I get those nice clean lines?

Painters tape and pinking shears. 

I got the inspiration from Pinterest and thought "I need to try that."

 It actually worked!  

I love Pinterest!

Monday's Manicure

Hi Friends! 

Tonight I'm sharing

the first of my Christmas manies! 

This one is a combo of 2 colors. 

Essie - Sable Collar 

2 base coats

Essie - Shine of the Times

2 top coats

I love Shine of the Times! It is probably my favorite glitter. It color changes in the light and

has an iridescent quality. It adds holiday to any color you have on. 

You'll probably see me use it again before the holidays are over.

Are you having fun?

Memorial Day

To all our men and women that serve and have served:

Thank you!

Easter Hodge Podge

It is Holy Week and we are in the process of celebrating. 

We will be attending Maundy Thursday or Good Friday Services and 

of course Sunday morning we will attend church and then have 

a family meal where we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. 

Our Easter table is a bit of a mash-up this year. 

I found these mid-century cups and saucers at Goodwill and they 

just reminded me of dirt and grass. 

Perfect for Spring, don't ya think? 

So I just went with that!

Everybody gets a chocolate chick!

Happy Easter and Passover!

I'm joining Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday

My-Oh-My! What Have I Been Doing?

Well, we are still enjoying the holidays. 

I can't believe that we are almost done with the year. Where did it go!? 

I have a sweet friend whose grandmother would always say that life is like a roll 

of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end the faster it goes! 

It's a true statement!!

Our season started early. Before Thanksgiving, actually. 

We splurged and bought tickets to the Michael Buble` concert. 

All I can say is "WOW! What a treat!" 

Add youth to a combination of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and 

Sammy Davis Jr. and you have the Michael Buble` show. 

What a great entertainer! 

We had so much fun!

Yeah... that's the big screen... If you look down at the bottom of the picture you will see 

Michael... Thank goodness for technology!

The weekend after Thanksgiving Sweet Daughter came over and helped me decorate the house for the holidays. We had so much fun. What a pleasure to have her at home again. 

The cards were out by the first weekend of December.

Of course there were manicures!

For Christmas Eve I made this soup. Short Rib and Barley Stew.

You can find the recipe here.

Oh! This was good! You SHOULD make this!!

 

 And this week I started a new project. A gingham afghan. I'm pretty excited to 

see it come together.  The pattern is here. I found it on Pinterest. 

SO, YES! People really do, actually, make SOME of the things that they Pin!

If you would like to see some of what I call inspiration just click on my Pinterest button 

on my side bar.

At any rate... In some ways I am glad to see this year come to an end. I don't want to 

go all maudlin on you... but for every fabulous thing that happened we really had 

something horrible to deal with. 

 I'm grateful that the Lord provides balance!

 Tomorrow night Hubs and I will share a very nice, quite, early dinner and then, with our

jammies on, will quietly say good by to this year and toast the new year in.

What will you be doing?

Thursday night... I will have the linky up for Fresh-Cut Friday! 

I hope you will join in!!