Friday, June 29, 2012

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

I am dedicating this Friday's post to July 4th, as it is the last Friday before the holiday! So happy July 4th, a bit early! We are having a family reunion this week. The temps are supposed to be in the 90's plus humid - ugh!
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Friday!

The American Flag -


Fireworks -


The Statue Of Liberty -


President Thomas Jefferson -


The Jefferson Memorial -

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Happy Birthday To My Youngest Baby!



19 years ago today, I gave birth to my youngest daughter! She got an early start, but it took 21 hours for her arrival. In the time since her arrival there has not been one dull moment. As an example - she didn't say one word until at age 24 months we went to Disney World and she saw Donald Duck (thank goodness I read to my girls constantly) and she pointed at him and blurted out, "Donald Duck". Literally her first word (s) were Donald Duck. My husband and I both had walked around Disney with tears in our eyes and our little girl just kept blurting out words.....it was amazing. That was just to be the beginning. She has continued to push the limits, go against the grain, and worry me crazy,  but she also has a heart of gold and can be sooooo very sweet! She is who she is and I love her! She just finished her freshman year of college and we are very proud of her. Wow....these 19 years sure did fly by! I know the next 19 will be just as interesting with weddings and babies and oh my .... I think I will just enjoy today ;-)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I Love Monograms!

I love all things monogrammed. Here are a few ideas that I have added to my must buy list! Do you love monogrammed items?

Monogrammed Spa Items- Pamper Yourself!
Love these bathrobes!

tinytulip.com Great monogrammed items
Adorable earrings from TinyTulip.com

love monogrammed items!

Love these pillows from letterperfectdesigns.com

Monogrammed Serving Tray
Every hostess needs a monogrammed tray!

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Water Aerobics!

It is here...my first day back to Water Aerobics. I am making time to go today and I am so excited! It is so refreshing and such a good form of exercise! Have you tried it? If not, give it a try! What is your favorite summer exercise?


As a plus, I am playing water volleyball first! Have you tried it?


Happy Monday! Enjoy your day!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Saturday Eyes!

Well, I woke up again with puffy eyes. They weren't puffy because I was out all night partying with friends. Far from it, I was up all night thinking, worrying and wondering about everything. Many of my contemporaries say they suffer the same fate - not being able to sleep all night. Well, I have an answer for my puffy eyes -

Caldwell Massey Cucumber Eye Pads.


They feel great and they did help with the puffiness! What do you do for Saturday Eyes?
Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, June 22, 2012

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

Entertaining reading for fans of Jackie O!


Strawberry Pie!


St. James Galathee Tees - especially in the navy, so perfectly paired with white capris!

Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese - so easy and so delicious!


South Haven, Michigan - the perfect little beach town on Lake Michigan

Happy Friday!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ten Buck Tees at Target!

I made a Target run the other day and much to my surprise I found these really cute Tee's for $10. They fit great, they wash great and they are perfect for this heat wave! The colors are varied. I bought a white one, a pink one and a black/white print one! Three new tops for $30, works for me!  Even if they are a "one season" top, I think it is a good deal. Check it out and see what you think. Don't you love Target?


Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wisdom On Wednesdays!

First off, Happy Summer Solstice. Summer is finally here and not a moment too soon. The temperature here today is 95* which is high for us this early in the season! Below is the thought for today -

Pinned Image

Happy Wednesday and Happy Summer Solstice!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tuesday Tidbits

I love Pineapple Grove Gifts! They offer EXCEPTIONAL customer service and I don't give that compliment lightly! They went above and beyond! If you haven't shopped with them, give them a try!


Barclay's Bankcard (LLBean Visa) made a "HUGE" mistake on my account. The customer service reps or rather, relationship managers that I spoke too - 3 of them to be exact each promised the error would be corrected with in 48 hours - Hah! So today I called - I was calm, yet tenacious. I told the CSR to escalate the call and after some assertiveness on my part she did. The real Manager that I spoke to fixed the problem while I was on the line with her and sent me a letter with the corrections! I told my daughters - Calm, tenacious and assertive - great combination! Oh, if this happens to you and I hope it doesn't - good luck and remember to escalate! They came sooooo very close to losing a customer!



Otherwise - it's a hot, but quiet day here in Ohio! I hope your Tuesday is going well! Happy Tuesday!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Fantastic Book Find!

This weekend was somewhat lazy, other than celebrating Father's Day. It was hot, my husband was traveling and I had some rare quiet time. I picked up a book that I had ordered for $3.99 on Amazon (free shipping too) and I couldn't put it down. I finished it just a few hours before my husband returned on Sunday. The book is Mortal Friends by Jane Stanton Hitchcock. It is set in Washington DC, which could be another reason I loved it - it spoke of so many familiar places, especially in Georgetown. For example, the characters would dine at Cafe Milano, which I loved to visit when I lived in Northern Virginia. The book is entertaining, witty, filled with suspense and sophistication. If you are looking for a good summer read - it fits the bill!
 
Happy Monday!!!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day!


Pinned Image

Happy Father's Day to my Husband, my Father and all the wonderful Dads!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saturday!

Saturday

Enjoy your weekend! I am off with daughter #1 to find secure the perfect Father's Day gifts! Happy Saturday!

Friday, June 15, 2012

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

This Friday's Favorites post is dedicated to all things southern! Having lived in Virginia for many years I miss the "southern way"! Here are a few of my favorites!

1. Sweet Tea! I can't live without it!


2. The Book "What Southern Women Know (that every woman should) by Ronda Rich!

This was great book I read while sitting on the shores of Orange Beach, Alabama. I finished it in the 2 weeks we were there! Most enjoyable!

3. Love this ecard. My niece sent it to me and said it made her think of me!
Inline image 1

4. Yummy Pecan Pralines! I can make them, but rarely do as I eat too many ;-)


5. This list would be incomplete without a quote by our beloved Scarlett O'Hara!

I love this one -


Happy Friday and Have A Wonderful Weekend!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Mommy Memory

:)

This post on Pinterest brought so many memories rushing back. I remember when my daughters were young and they thought I was the best at everything. They thought I was the prettiest, the smartest, the best cookie maker, and my favorite - the best singer. They just couldn't understand why I didn't make CD's like the singers on TV....hahahahah! Ah, the beauty of young eyes and ears. Fast forward 15 years and they ask about my hair color, snicker when I don't know the latest tech gadget and how to work it. Too top it off, yesterday while singing and preparing dinner my daughter said to me, "really Mom? Do you have to sing like that?". So I know they love me, but I guess they have realized that in some areas - I may be just "ok" and that is ok with me! I am happy though that they still think I am the best baker and sometimes, they may glance over at me and say, "you sure are pretty Mom". Gotta love our adult children!
Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Delicious Seven Layer Salad

I tried a new receipe for an upcoming famly picnic yesterday. It is a 'Seven Layer Salad".


It makes 10-12 servings

5 cups chopped green leaf lettuce
2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 cups yellow bell pepper
1 (12 ounce) package frozen green peas thawed
2 cups chopped radishes
2 cups diced seedless cucumbers
seven layer salad dressing
garnish - shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon

In 3 1/2 quart glass bowl, layer lettuce, tomatoes, bell pepper, peas, radishes, and cucumbers. Top with dressing, spreading to edges to seal. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight. Garnish with cheese and bacon, if desired!

My family loved it and it was easy!!!!!

* Seven Layer Salad Dressing
2 cups Mayo
1/4 cup chopped chives
1/4 cup chopped dill
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
In small bowl, combine and stir well!

Enjoy and Happy Tuesday!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Fun Morning!

The Hollywood Casino opened in our part of the state two weeks ago and we decided to give it a whirl or should I say, "spin"...lol.


We got up early to miss the usual crowd. We gambled for one hour, lost some money and started for home. We aren't really gamblers, but it was fun just to visit and try our hand at the slots. We tried it in Delaware in April and thought we would try the one in our state too. We stopped for breakfast on the way home and we took an hour nap once we arrived home. My day seems like a new day now. I didn't win any money, but I had fun with my husband. I love our little road trips! I hope you are enjoying your weekend too! Happy Saturday!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Lose It!



A friend introduced me to this weight loss application - loseit.com. I signed up yesterday and I thought it was helpful. The user types in what they have eaten and the application does all the work with calculating the information. It also tells you how many more calories you have to eat before the end of the day. It includes in the calculations the exercise you have done for the day. The best part is that it is FREE. Have you tried it? Did it help you? I will let you know how it works for me! Have a wonderful Friday!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Girls Day Out!

Yesterday, a friend from school (literally pre-school to high school) and I went on a "Girls Day Out" adventure. We traveled to little Grand Rapids, Ohio. It is a small village on the banks of the Maumee River. It offers great little boutique shops, restaurants and a relaxing ambiance. Needless to say, we shopped and visited for hours. What a fun day! Here are a few of the places we visited.

This is a small shot of the village's Main St. -


La Roe's is the most popular restaurant - unfortunately they were closed for lunch yesterday. We just crossed the street and had a light lunch at Fernando's. Which was fine, but you had to wait in the line to pay your bill with all of the ice cream patrons - ugh!


They have an "Old Country Store" which even has the original wooden counter with big jars of candy to pick from!


You may have heard of Grand Rapids because it is home to the world famous, The Kerr House Destination  Spa. It is on my list of places to stay! Check it out!


Just down the road is Nazareth Hall. It opened as a boarding school for boys in 1928. It closed under suspicious circumstances in the 1970's and now is open for weddings and receptions. They have an outstanding Sunday Brunch as well. It is a beautiful, interesting and some say, haunted place.


Well, that was my day yesterday! Have a wonderful Thursday!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Real Housewives Of New York

I watched the season opener last night of "The Real Housewives Of New York". Did you? I am not sure what to think about it. I know that I still can't stand Ramona. She drives me crazy, with friends like her who needs enemies. Sonja is just toooo over the top for me. I find her somewhat vulgar. The new women were interesting, but I have to wonder how they "drama" will unfold. The "Countess" appears to be the same, though I must say I was disappointed with her "hit and run" storytelling at lunch. Honestly, I am a bit embarrassed that I watch this show. My friends and I laugh that it is our "little secret". Oh heck, it is just simply entertainment! If you watched it, what did you think?




Have a great Tuesday!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Whoa....That Was A Close One!

Today was the day I had planned to take my Mother, age 88, to renew her driver's license. How I was dreading this day! My Mother hasn't driven in several years and she no longer owns an automobile. But she really, I do mean really, wanted to maintain a current license. I knew she needed a state issued ID, for identification purposes (flying, etc), but I had nightmares of her Aid taking her to the car dealership to buy a "little" car. I was nervous and she was nervous too. But I must say she looked great. Her hair was perfect, she choose a coral outfit with pearl jewelry. She told me that she photographs well in coral. It brought back memories of taking my two daughters to the DMV when they each turned 16. Lots of nervous energy, nervous laughter and they looked perfect for their pictures! Well, as luck would have it, thank you Lady Luck, all of the computer systems at the DMV were down - the server, everything. Oh shucks....LOL.
So instead, we went to lunch and did some shopping. When I took her home, of course, she asked what day would I like to take her back to the DMV. I told her to let me know when she was ready again and I would take her. I know she will probably call and ask about tomorrow or another day this week, but at least for today it's over!!! She is just the cutest!



Happy Monday!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Farmer's Market!

I went to our local Farmer's Market this week! What a neat event and such a healthy way to shop. I bought fresh flowers, tomatoes, fresh bread and home made soap. It was fun enjoying the fresh air, talking to neighbors and helping the local farming community. !





This is something I look forward to until it ends in October! Do you shop at your local farmer's market? Have a wonderful weekend