Happy Halloween!

So, over the weekend, Morgan sent me these pictures of her and "the boys!" I just had to laugh!!

I'm laughing becasue:

1. It looks like she's getting ready to carve pumpkins with them.

2. At first I thought she had them in aprons.

3. But then I realized, it's their cute little Halloween neckerchiefs!

How darn cute is this? And everyone knows, I don't even like dogs!! Still, I can appreciate cuteness---sometimes!! But not when a dog tries to trip me up at the drugstore!!

The pumpkins came out really good!! I wonder if "the boys" were involved at all! We haven't carved pumpkins in years!! Hers are pretty cool, but this one is amazing!

I love it so much. I am not artistic--and definitely not with pumpkins.

Here's a clever idea that I saw recently:

It's rice crispy treats (with lots of red dye and candy eyes). When I first saw them, I thought it was ground beef--and a Halloween prank by some grocery store. Considering I do not like rice crispy treats, I have to admit, you can adapt them to just about anything.

And finally, I thought this was hilarious!!

I hope you have lots of trick or treaters tonight!

Something for Sunday

Well, we're still in Washington, but coming home today. Just thought I'd share a fall photo.

Lots of pretty color in our yard! That's what I love about fall---such beauty everywhere!

Pay attention to your yard. If you send me pictures, I'll share them here!!

Scrapbook Saturday

1. This was our AYM kit that Janet designed. The song she picked is "Here Comes the Sun." We were all impressed at how she designed the title. She used Word Art in Word.

I decided to go with the title metaphorically. Stephanie was my "sun"!

The journaling says it all!

2. "The Difference Between Boys and Girls."

I already blogged about this--you can read about it here.

3. "Camp Mother-in-Law"

4. "The Muddy Dash"

Butch did a mud hike/obstacle course with Nicky, Stephanie, Justin and Mindy. I did not!

5. Well, I've finished all 4 layouts about our Africa trip. I'll share those layouts next week. But for now, I wanted to tell you about the titles. 

I knew that I wanted the title to be cut out of photos. After all, I had 500 prints printed! I knew that it would be a challenge to line the pictures up in order to cut them out on the Cricut. Instead, I started by cutting the title with my new Cricut out of scrap cardstock. Then I just used that as a pattern and cut the letters easily. I did all the titles at the same time--while watching tv. I love how they came out! Can't wait to show you--I ended up getting more than 75 pictures on each layout. Yes, you read that right---more than 75!! You'll see---next week!

Friday Funnies

Five Things Thursday

What I Buy Wednesdays

Well, I started my Christmas shopping while we were at the beach. Internet shopping, so I won't be sharing any of those purchases. But, a few days before we went, I got the "sale" postcard from Talbots in the mail. They were running their "40% off the entire store" sale. I just had to go! So I did! 

Now don't be fooled by this picture. It would appear that I do not need anymore pants. 

But, I do! I needed some nicer slacks. Most of these are either jeans, capris and others that are more for summer. So, I bought 4 new pairs--2 navy and 2 black in different styles. 

However, I started with an armful of tops and sweaters. And then I remembered this:

I don't need anymore tops or sweaters.Oh wait, I did buy another crisp, white blouse. Because, well, you can never have too many---AND---everybody needs at least one in their closet! 40% off I could not resist! (Notice very few hangers are still turned around. Those are the sweaters that are just now starting to be needed. I've proven to myself that I really wear just about everything in my closet).

I managed to steer clear of jackets and pashminas/scarves.

I keep most of my coats and jackets in the hall closet. I use my pashminas ALL the time! I travel with at least 4 to go with various outfits.

When we go to the outlet mall at the beach (Silver Sands), I have specific stores I always visit. Talbots, Kate Spade, Coach and Cole Haan. On this trip, I didn't bother to go in Coach or Kate Spade because I was with Butch and I knew he would not want to be shopping for too long.

I did stop in Cole Haan. That store is always hit or miss for me. But, some of my favorite shoes are from there.

I bought this stylish pair of black (sort of mesh) shoes. They are going to be my new travel shoes. They are very lightweight and so comfortable. I've been pretty tired of the pair I've been using for at least 5-7 years. 

Then, I could resist this pair of waterproof boots.

I actually needed a nice pair of snow boots. Not that we ever get much snow here in Nashville, but we do go places where there is snow. I like the little leopard print. They are really comfortable too. I'll be wearing them in Canada this December, New York in January and Colorado in February! 

Anyway, that's if for "what I buy Wednesdays" this week. I'm all set for awhile!

What new things have you bought lately?

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...sleep divorce. Yeah, I never heard of that either. But, I just read and article about it. 

I had no idea that—that was a “thing.” 

“Sleep Divorce” is when a happily married couple splits up just to sleep. Actually, at this stage in my life, I could get on board with that. But, I do like to cuddle in bed. So there lies the dilemma. I notice that I love the comfort and space of a king bed. We have a queen at home, but a king at the beach and most hotel rooms. 

As for separate rooms—I don’t want to do that. We actually have friends who have had separate bedrooms for years—for a variety of reasons—mostly she sleeps with the window open in winter and has the thermostat on freezing in summer. They even installed a separate thermostat for her. She stays up late and he gets up very early. It works for them.

Other couples say that snoring is the reason. Sure, Butch snores, but I’ve been used to that since nearly he beginning and for the past 51 years. It really doesn't bother me at all. For him, he could complain about my booklight. Sometimes—okay, often—I even read in the middle of the night. When I wake up, I’m awake--no matter what time it is. If it's before 4/4:30--I just read for awhile until I get drowsy again. If it's after that time, I just get up.

But, really, for me, this "sleep divorce" thing is about the space! I love being able to spread out!

I want to get new furniture for our bedroom and switch to a king bed. The only thing holding me back is making that big thing! I’m not sure I want to deal with that. Did I ever tell you that I have short arms? I really do.

So what do you think about the "sleep divorce" concept?

Monday Mystery

Since when did someone decide to change the bathroom logo?

I passed this up several times at the Denver airport while looking for the bathroom. I'm used to the lady in the dress logo. Apparently I don't actually read the logo!

Still, it's a mystery to me that there was a need to change the logo.

Something for Sunday

So, we're at the beach. I'm the most relaxed that I've been in a long time. Actually, that's a lie!

The truth of it is, I've been totally stressed out because I left ALL of my charging cords at home!! Okay, Butch has his phone cord, so I can borrow that. But, my computer and iPad cords are the same---but different than Butch's---so I'm SOL there. And then my Kindle started to die. OMGosh! Yes, I'm addicted to my computer AND the internet, but I cannot go without my book. C*A*N*N*O*T!!! I do have an alternative--the Kindle app on my phone. But that's not really good. It's okay when I'm out and about or in a pinch--but it's not great. And then, wouldn't you know it---I got a message that my Fitbit battery was running low. OMGosh!

Sheesh! It seems my whole life revolves around electronics! It's kinda true. 

I went to Walmart to see if I could find a cord for my iPad/computer since that's the most important. When I got home, it turned out to be a "lightening" cord--which is meant to be used to transfer photos from your phone to a computer. In the meantime, we found a portable charger that we had down here that had some different "hook-ups." It seemed to have what I need, but was so extremely slow. Plus, I'm a little uneasy using things that are not specifically made for my Apple products. 

I took the lightening cord back the next day and found something else. When we got that home, it didn't work---on anything. There was a phone cord included with that one which didn't work either. Those were obviously defective. Back to the store. Now we decided that we'd just bite the bullet and drive in to Destin to Best Buy. 

Best Buy was a real "trip"! and I don't mean in a good way. When we got there, we found the area we needed to be in, but couldn't really figure out the connectors. I needed to be able to see them to know if they would work. The boxes were sealed shut. I was trying to find someone to help me. There were not enough workers and too many people needing help. To make a long story short, let's suffice it to say, that I came home with something. And yes, it works, but it's so ridiculously slow it's hardly worth it.

So, you might think that I could just "unplug" for a few days. Well, that could be true if the project I was planning on working on could be done without my computer.

A friend of mine has done all kinds of research on her family genealogy. There is tons of information. She told me that she couldn't even look at it anymore. I told her that I would love to edit it for her. As it turns out, it's pretty mind boggling and had my head spinning too. In fact, I had to take many breaks to clear my brain. Some people share names, have initials as names and then one of the main characters has a "girl's" name that kept me confused for awhile. Still, it's my kind of "thing!" I love this kind of organizing job. I'm good at it. Basically, it's a huge puzzle. I feel like I'm back in school working on a huge research project.

I started (at home) by printing out all the information that she had--about a dozen pages of notes--going off in many tangents. 

Once I started here, I cut each bit of information and starting putting the snippets in a more organized fashion. I had printed out a couple blank family trees and family group sheets. But I quickly realized that neither of those would work--there was way more information than there were spots for. So instead, I began building a family tree using post-it notes.

This was just the beginning. 

I'm not finished, but have a pretty clear idea of how to approach it and make it easier to read and understand. 

So now you know why I need my computer!! I'm thoroughly enjoying working on this project. Oh the hours! The things I do!!! Butch just shakes his head! I've found many discrepancies, but also discovered a few new things. I'm not near done. I haven't even begun the "re-write!" I should finish up the organizing tomorrow and then I'll be ready to start the story.

I haven't even been down to the beach and really have no plans to. I always say that I like coming to the beach because it makes me feel like I'm on vacation. I can do anything I want. The same is true of home, but for some reason, I have a lot of regular stuff to do there. It's really not like vacation at home. Here, my time is totally my own!

I brought my stitching too. I've gone as far on an ornament as I can--I ran out of one of my fibers. All that's left after that is the beading. I didn't want to drag my needlework stand down here, so I'll finish it when I get home. I just wish I had brought another ornament to work on. I like small things like this for travel projects.

Now it's 8:30 on Saturday night. We went to 5 p.m mass and then to dinner at our most favorite place---Cafe Tango. We shared the crab and corn chowder (loaded with fresh crab), a wedge salad and each got our own entree. Butch got the lobster ravioli while I had pan seared grouper with a jalapeño cream sauce (not spicy at all) with crabmeat and shrimp on top. The food is so delicious! We brought home leftovers for dinner tomorrow. 

We got home, watched Survivor and then I decided to head to bed--to write this post and read. Butch is watching football. 

Tomorrow, I plan to read in bed for awhile. Butch will bring me my tea--as he always does when I choose to stay in bed to read. It's really my favorite thing. I don't get to do it the often because I usually have to be on my treadmill first thing in the morning. See what I mean about the beach?

Then I plan to make avocado toast for breakfast. He's going to fish and I'll be back tackling my project. 

Can't wait! So see, I am sorta relaxed!

We'll be heading home on Monday.

 

Scrapbook Saturday

1. You can never have too many title or end pages. There's nothing worse than sitting down to put an album together and you don't have a title or end page. Now I try to make them now and then--it's a great way to use up scraps.

2. I often use my blog posts as the journaling for my layouts.

I printed this one for this layout---Mindy might want to forget this, but I don't!

3. I'm posted about "the chair" before AND the Antiques Roadshow. 

It's nice to have the journaling done and just be able to create the layout.

4. One of our AYM layouts.

5. Another AYM layout.

Friday Funnies

Five Things Thursday

1. Great idea!

This looks so pretty, but I also believe, it could result in a sloppy, rotting mess on the street/sidewaks.

2. I've actually seen someone whose nails were like this. 

I'm not sure if I like it--I prefer a flatter nail--not so pointy. But I'm pretty sure my granddaughter Elizabeth would be all over this!

3. Nature amazes me. But I have to admit...

...I've never actually seen anything like this in person.

4. Apparently, decades ago, fresh air was considered crucial for children.

Maybe this was a good idea, but it looks scary to me. Another thing, couldn't this lead to a lifelong fear of heights? On the other hand, children aren't usually scared of anything.

5. I've never tried these cookies, but they certainly seem easy enough!

I really need to try them--soon!

What I Buy Wednesday...

...well, this week, I didn't buy anything. Nothing, nada. But, I did get something new.

Morgan and Olly brought us a gift on Saturday along with the sweetest thank you note. 

It's a photo book they had made from our safari! When we were on the trip, I told everybody that I wanted one for Christmas. Instead, they surprised me (us) early. It's an awesome book with so many fun memories. You'll find if on the coffee table. So, if you want to stop by for coffee, you can look at it!!

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...being a princess!

I never knew I was a princess!

 I never considered myself a princess. Not. At. All! Never, not once have I thought that. 

I admit, maybe I’ve acted like it once in a while. I can be prissy now and then. I remember one time years ago when we were skiing. We went to a new place and had to park in a parking garage. I was whining about having to "carry my heavy skis and why did we have to park so far away, why couldn't we be dropped off and wah, wah, wah!" Butch turned to me and said, "Barb, what do you want me to do? I'm carrying my skis and Mindy's skis!" She was about 11 at the time--and the real princess of the family! Still, I whined. I'm spoiled and I know it! But when I act like that, I guess I need to blame Butch. Sometimes he treats me like a princess—making my tea in the morning and bringing it to me in bed so I can read for a bit before starting my day, or carrying stuff for me so I don't tumble down the stairs, or warning me about cracks in the pavement while walking so I don't trip, and just being generally nice most of the time. So, really, it's his fault if I act princess-like! 

But there's a little more to the princess thing than that. It goes all the way back to my childhood.

The Princess and the Pea

When I read that story as a little girl, I can remember thinking this is kind of stupid. How could you possibly feel a pea under one mattress much less 20? That was totally ridiculous to me. Well, now I know. 

I do not recall having a problem with this when I was a kid. I remember that I didn’t like anything with elastic around my wrists and ankles. Oftentimes, pajamas had elastic on the tops and bottoms. My mom used to cut it for me. I couldn’t stand the tightness. I still don’t. I don’t own anything with elastic around the wrists or ankles. 

But, I do have a problem. I didn’t have this problem as a kid. As I get older, it’s getting worse. It’s this: I can’t stand wrinkles like socks in my shoes. That’s fairly easily solved: pull the socks taut. It’s not a terrible problem because I don’t even wear socks much. My biggest problem now is my sleepwear. I cannot sleep in pajamas. They get all bunched up. I prefer nightgowns and always have. But now those are bunching up too. I can’t stand the feel of a wrinkle or bunched fabric against my skin. The only type that feels okay is silk. And you know how much silk costs!! It’s hard to justify spending $150 on a silk nightshirt. On the other hand, if you spend 1/3 of your life in bed and are a princess, then perhaps it’s justified! Yeah, that's about right. After all, I think I might be a princess! And I just never knew it!

Party Time!

The invitation:

The happy couple:

The sisters:

Stephanie and her girls:

And the boys:

The food:

The butter board:

The beverages:

Ginger tea, water and the pumpkins for well-wishes.

The hot chocolate bar--the coffee bar was on the other side of the kitchen.

The cake and party favors:

Popcorn because Olly "popped" the question. My little sign reads: "thanks for "popping" by!"

The cake was beautiful and delicious! Really, I was glad to see it go--I couldn't have that around!

The party went off without a hitch. And now for the breakdown of the cost:

Decorations, food, flowers, pumpkins, paper products and coffee makers. I bought 2--hard to believe that in all these years of entertaining, I never did a party where coffee was on the menu! All of this for $449.69. So, less than the cost of just the $600 barista! This amount did not include the cake (Morgan's dad got that), the tea punch or the invitations--Stephanie handled that. Still, not bad for a party for 50! That's why it kills me to pay a caterer! 

It was not a difficult party to do. Actually, since the guests were all Morgan and Olly's friends, Butch and I were happy to putter around in the kitchen--replenishing food, cleaning up, etc. The last guests left about 1:30. We sent most of the leftover food home with Stephanie. By 2, we had the dishwasher running and remaining dishes washed.

Mindy and Justin stopped by yesterday to get some of the leftovers. The only thing no one would take is the hot chocolate. It's amazingly good--which means lots of calories. It kills me, but I'm going to have to dump it out. I would love to drink it, but I just can't! I need to let it go.

The un-fun part of any party is putting everything away. Oh, and the un-decorating! I sent Morgan and Olly home with all of their decorations. I guess I'll hold off with the rest until I get the Christmas stuff out. That's just around the corner. I'm already NOT looking forward to that!