My Fall Topiary

Hello my fellow blogger friends!   After visiting Amy @ http://keepnthesunnyside.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-such-copy-cat.html and saw the topiary she made, I knew I had to make one for me too.   I don’t think mine is as pretty as hers but it sure was fun. 

I started with this pot I found at Hobby Lobby on clearance.  It was a burgundy color so I spray painted it with oil rubbed bronze color. 

I used my hot glue gun to attach the pumpkins and that was it.  I also used the glue to attach the leaves and mums.  I made the bow myself and glued the back of the center to the pumpkin.   I may have to run to Michaels and buy some rub on letters like Amy put on her topiary.  Love it!  

She will be placed outside as soon as I finish redecorating my garland out there. 

This is a very easy project and I really enjoyed making it. :)  I hope everyone has a lovely and blessed weekend.

Blessings,

Sandra

Prayers For Nine Eleven….

9/11/01. 

Memories of finding out that our great country had just been attacked.  As a mother, all I wanted to do was get in my vehicle and pick up my boys from school to protect them just like a mother will.  I also had my baby twin boys at home.  They were just a yr old.  I called my boys’ schools and was reassured that they were safe.  All of the parent’s calls were being directed to the principal of each school.  

My flag is flying outside my home to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

I think it’s a day no American will ever forget. 

In memory of 9/11/01. 

Sandra

It’s Time for the Fall Cloche Party!

Hello!   Welcome to the much awaited Fall Cloche Party hosted by our wonderful blogger friend Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life.   Please visit her blog for a complete list of participants  

I am excited to participate in this cloche party!    As you come into my home, you will find this little apothecary jar dressed and ready for fall.  It is filled with mums, autumn leaves, and a single pumpkin.   Surrounding it, is a pumpkin and a fall spray I purchased at Hobby Lobby. 

And then we move on to my small dining room and you will find another apothecary jar filled with a bird couple who also seem to be preparing for autumn. 

I wonder if this could be classified as a cloche?  I found this at Hobby Lobby.  I added mums, small berries, and a pumpkin.  Next to it is a candle holder and candle I found at Hobby Lobby last year. 

And last but not least.  I have this little vignette on top of my grandmother’s antique stereo console.  I love the glow and warmth of this photo without my camera’s flash. 

 

Don’t forget to visit everyone participating in Marty’s Fall Cloche Party!  This was a lot of fun as was the last cloche party we had.  :) 

Marty, thank you for being such a gracious hostess.  :) 

Blessings,

Sandra

Oranges + Spinach= Turbocharged Energy!

Top your greens with berries or mandarin oranges.  A study shows they also ramp up energy.  Vitamin C helps the body absorb the fatigue-fighting iron in leafy veggies, so you get more out of them!  In fact, we usually absorb only about 15% of the iron we eat, but vitamin C doubles that amount by making it easier to digest. 

Woman’s World Issue Sept 14, 2009.

Hello, my blogger friends.  I always look for ways to eat much healthier and look for recipes or ways to eat in different magazines I like to purchase.  This week, I bought Woman’s World and this little article intrigued me.  I thought I’d give it a whirl and came home to make this for me.

Oh!  Let me tell ya!  The mandarin oranges were such a yummy touch to my salad! 

I not only added mandarin oranges and spinach leaves, but I also added sliced red bell pepper, red onion, and carrots.  I also grilled some chicken tenders in some olive oil and added it to my salad.  I cannot tell you how delicious this was!  I get tired of eating heavy meals that leave you feeling blah.  This was perfect! :)  I hope y’all try this!  I’m telling you it was yummy!

Blessings,

Sandra

My Counter Top.

Hi everyone.  How about taking a peek at the progress we’ve made so far?  Let’s start with the counter tops.   I think my husband did a fantastic job. 

This is what the counter looked like before.   Can you say ugly?  Very outdated. 

And after!  I love the color.  Love the different shades it has. 

My hubby wubby cleans his mess too. :)  Thank goodness. :D 

This is a close up of the formica top.    I love it.  We didn’t spend a lot money because we’d like to add on to our house and our addition includes a kitchen.  Someday.  For now, this is what we’ll have.  I love it. 

For the backsplash, I am using the beadboard wallpaper everyone is using lately. I ordered mine thru Home Depot.  They have the best price.   I’ll make another post as soon as I finish this part.  For anyone that is thinking about using beadboard wallpaper, I say go for  it.  It is very easy to handle.  And…..it’s paintable.  I will be painting mine probably in the same shade as the counter top.

We also bought a new sink in a slate color.  It is a dark color almost black but not quite black.  Love it.  We are adding trim to the cabinets and then I want to paint the trim and make it look distressed.   Hopefully, it’ll look good.  I saw some cabinets at Lowe’s and I loved the look they have.  They have a glaze over certain areas. The glaze is called Toasted Almond.  Love it.  I’m going to attempt doing that on my cabinets.  Wish me luck.  hee hee

Well I hope y’all enjoyed a little peek at my counter top.  I’ll make sure and give y’all an update as soon as we finish.   I can’t wait to show  you all! 

Blessings,

Sandra

Happy Labor Day Everyone!

Hello y’all!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful labor day weekend.  Is anyone having a bbque or get-together?  We’re not having anything major here.  My oldest son came to visit. :)  My medical student son. :)  He’s doing great in school.  He said that medical school is very challenging but he likes the challenge. :)  

Oh!  Dh and I have been working in our kitchen by painting the walls.  I finally decided that I want my walls in a Cottage White.  So we bought Cottage White by Behr.  Duh!, I should have known that I’d want that color since I’m going for a cottagy kitchen.   hee hee!  My hubby wubby has also changed the counter top in there!  Oh! I’m soooo happy at how it looks now!  I can’t wait to show you guys!  I also got my beadboard wallpaper and will use that in the kitchen.  Tomorrow, dh will add some trim to the cabinets and then I’m going to paint them and distress them up a bit.  I think it’s going to look great!   I can’t wait to show you my kitchen! 

And finally!!  I have twenty more posts until my 100th post!  I’m planning on having a giveaway and it’s going to be good!   More details to follow. :)

Well I hope my blogger friends have a great weekend. 

I sincerely appreciate you guys soo much. I truly value your friendship. :)

Blessings,

Sandra

I’m Changing My Kitchen’s Wall Color.

Hi y’all!  How is everyone doing?  I hope everyone is doing good and getting ready for fall.  I can feel it coming.  It has been a little cooler in the mornings here. 

Anyway, I’ve been busy painting my kitchen.  I’m aiming towards a cottage kitchen type.  I am having a tough time with the different shades of white out there!  I have bought a color called Oyster (by Behr) and a color called Sandstone Cove (by Behr)  I made the mistake of buying gallon size.  *eek*  What will I do with all this paint?  I proceeded to start painting yesterday, you know….doing the cutting in, and then rest.  Well the color (Sandstone Cove) is not speaking to me.  I’m not feeling that  “I love it” feeling.  What am I to do?  ugh!  Like I said, I want that cottage kitchen look.   I want the shade to be a shade of white.  Not stark white.  Something like a creamy white.  Something cottagy.  Is that a word?  LOL  If anyone has suggestions for me, I’d love to hear (read) them. :)  I would appreciate it very very much. 

I also spray painted the  handles on the cabinets in the Oil Rubbed Bronze and I love it!   They look awesome!  I’m excited to paint the doorknobs too.  That’ll be my next project.  hee hee 

So, I will eagerly wait for my blogger friends to give me some advice on paint colors.  

Blessings,

Sandra

Calling All Prayer Warriors!

I totally believe in the power of prayer! 

Bella~Mella. Melanie http://bellamella-melanie.blogspot.com/  has a son Andrew who needs a miracle. They found out that Andrew has a large mass on his brain. After MRI's, three lesions were discovered and they are of the aggressive type.  You can read about it here.  This is her link to her blog. http://bellamella-melanie.blogspot.com/ 

This lady is very passionate about the Lord.  I can sense it in her posts.  What an outstanding example she is. 

We need God to perform divine healing on Andrew's body. Now I know that the Lord does miracles even in this day and age.   Let us all come together and send prayers to our Heavenly Father.   Let us pray for healing.  Let us pray for peace and  comfort for the whole family.  Let us pray for the doctors to have wisdom and knowledge.

PRAY FOR A MIRACLE

Let’s spread the word to all the blog buddies who believe in the power of prayer.   Let’s join together and ask our Heavenly Father for mercy,

They need our prayers.

Blessings,

Sandra

Strength For Today

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

All of us have moments when we feel drained.  All of us suffer difficult days, trying times, and hard periods of our lives.  Thankfully, God stands ready and willing to give us comfort and strength if we turn to Him. 

Let’s focus upon God and upon His love for us.  I was listening to this song this morning and it reminded me of the promises God has given us.  Can you imagine?  We will get thru the difficult moments in our lives and soar like eagles.  What a blessing this is to us.  We will soar like eagles.

May all my blogger friends and everyone who reads my blog have a beautiful and blessed day. 

Sandra

If you’d like to watch the You Tube video, click on my music to turn my blog’s music off and then click on the video’s arrow. :) 

The Roosters Go Marching…

Hello!  Welcome to the rooster party going on at http://barbsgoodlife.blogspot.com/  Please visit her to see a complete list of everyone participating!  I am looking forward to visiting every single blog and see the different roosters. :) 

To the tune of “The Ants Go Marching”

The roosters go marching one by one.
Hoorah! Hoorah!
The roosters go marching one by one.
Hoorah! Hoorah!
The roosters go marching one by one;
The little one stops to suck his thumb,
And they all go marching down into the ground
To get out of the rain.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

I’m very excited to be part of the rooster party that the lovely Barb is hosting! 

First, I’d like to share my little roosters along my window sill.  They love to watch and see what is going on outside.   

And then to the left of the window, we have this hunk of a rooster keeping an eye on things.  He has to keep order or the lady of the house will be very upset. :)  Check out my towel holder. :)

These match my towel holder.  And………they’re red!

To the right, is a picture that I found at Hobby Lobby.  :)

I just found this little lamp and candle holders at Hobby Lobby.  The rooster to the right came from Home Goods.  I really splurged at that store when we went to Houston!  We don’t have a Home Goods in these parts of Texas.  :D 

A close up of this fall collection from Hobby Lobby.  So pretty! 

How about these fellows?  These pitchers are ready to be used for whatever you’d like to drink.  :)

Would you like a cookie  from this proud rooster?

I can’t leave these out.  They want to be part of the party too. :)  

A close up of these plates.  I purchased these at Hobby Lobby.

And then to the other wall are these plates. :)   

A close up of the plates. :)

And last but not least, are these plates.  I bought them from Ebay a long time ago. :)

Soooo?  Do I have a lot of roosters?  Naaaah…but I wouldn’t be able to add more to the group. :)

I had a lot of fun participating and I’m looking forward to visiting the other participants. 

Blessings,

Sandra