What I Buy Wednesday

So. We're getting ready to start the HUGE job of renovating the pool and pool deck--again! We've been here for 30 years so it seems like it has to be done every 15 years--although this is the third time we've had to replace the tile. 

Butch and went shopping last week. Of course, we don't always agree on things. I remember learning this lesson when we were house-hunting. Sometimes, I would love a place and he didn't. I'd be upset to not get my way. But, eventually I learned that when it's the right thing, we both love it. It's no different with pool tile.

There were several things that I liked but he didn't. And visa/versa (sp??). We finally agreed on this one:

On the way home, I said, "Hmmm, I think this might be what we already have." He looked at it again and said, "I think you might be right." 

We got home and he immediately went out to the pool. He didn't even have to go up to the pool. He came back inside and said, "Yep, it's the same!"

What?? How in the world did we pick out the exact same tile as we did 15 years ago? More importantly how did we not recognize it right away? 

Oh well, we liked it once and we like it again. 

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...hummingbirds!

I know, I've talked a lot about birds lately. I just want to add two more bits on interesting info and then I'll stop. Well, unless I come across other interesting facts!

These are just amazing!

Monday Mystery

Well, I have a humdinger of a mystery today.

Last Monday, I was playing bridge. When I got home, Butch said that I had missed some excitement. He said that he came downstairs from his office and saw a snake in the kitchen. He was a little puzzled and thought maybe that Margarita was playing a trick on him--but she has never done anything like that before. About that time, Margarita walked in. He asked her and she kind of freaked! 

Butch got the snake out of the house. That leads us to wonder how it could possibly get in. 

We're not blaming anyone, but we did have various family members staying last week. I'm just wondering if someone left the door open. We cannot come up with any other explanation.

A mystery for sure. One that has me freaked out too! It was only about 12" long--so a baby. Does that mean there are others under the house that have figured out a way to get in? 

I know we have snakes in the yard. This one was spotted several years ago. 

This still creeps me out. Our neighbor got these pictures of this snake in our tree. It's a king snake. So, I had to find out more about it. They live for 10-20 years. These pictures are 6 years old, so this snake could still be on our property. I'm pretty sure I know where it lives.

These are the pictures from last summer.

This is a huge snake hole with lots of snakeskin around it. So, my research found that during the 10-20 years that these snakes live, they can produce 100's of offspring. These babies reach reproductive maturity in 2-4 years and the cycle continues. I cannot wrap my brain around that math! We can have hundreds of snakes living here. 

This year, we were having happy hour on the patio when Butch and I looked at each other. We saw a snake slither into either the pool shed or behind the pond--we couldn't exactly tell, but we saw it and it was a bigger one. Now I'm extra careful when I'm pruning plants in the pond. I'm so afraid there might be a snake in there.

I don't know if there's anything to be done. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if any more turn up. 

It's a mystery.

Something for Sunday

Don't you just love surprises? I definitely do.

These bushes are my favorites. They are English laurels. They have shiny leaves and stay green year round. 

One day, I was doing my garden chores--the dead heading and leaf plucking that I love to do to keep everything looking pristine. I saw this cute little flower. I had never noticed them before. 

Upon further investigation, I discovered this cute little berry. There aren't many, but it's still a nice surprise.

I do love surprises! 

Scrapbook Saturday

I've mentioned Margarita many times throughout the years. She is my cleaning lady and comes faithfully every Monday. She also works for Stephanie and Mindy as well as a couple of my friends.

Margarita's son, Kevin enlisted in the Air Force and was leaving in August. My friend, Kim--introduced me to Margarita--about 23 years ago. She came up with the idea to send Kevin off in style while also showing our appreciation to Margarita and how hard she's worked for us through the years. She wanted us to give them a cash gift. She asked me to give the gift to Margarita on the Monday right before Kevin was leaving on Tuesday. 

Well, there was no way I was just going to stuff money in an envelope and "be done." I have to make it pretty!

The is Kevin's. I made him a "stuffed envelope." They are so much fun to do! I know that guys probably don't care about this kind of thing, but I still had to do it. I pulled out my box of "patriotic" scrapbook supplies and came up with this. I used a library pocket that I covered with some flag paper to hold the actual gift.

I started with a red envelope and just began stuffing it with all kinds of stuff to make it a collage. Then I had to have something to put the money in. I came up with this:

I save all kinds of things that I might be able to use in my scrapbooking. It's the envelope that holds your hotel key. I took it apart and used it as a pattern.

I made a plain white folder.

And then decorated it.

And then, I just tucked the money inside---$800! I split the money collected between Kevin and Margarita. That's a hefty gift for him and bonus for her! 

This is the one I made for Margarita:

It's a great way to use up bits and pieces and turn them in to something so cute.

She was thrilled! She has seen plenty of scrapbook pages I've made through the years, but this is a first for her! 

I had so much fun making them. Now I need to make a few to have ready when I need them!

Friday Funnies

Ten Things Thursday

How about some beautiful houses?

Okay, this is more of a castle--but so beautiful. That landscaping looks so perfect.

John Mellencamp isn't the only one who loves "little pink houses"! This one looks like it's right out of New Orleans.

Annabelle hydrangeas give you the most bang for your buck! This house can definitely stand alone on its beauty, but the flowers take it to the next level.

This one looks like a cute cottage. That purple door! I'm not a "purple" person, but it sure looks good here.

OMG! This house definitely makes a statement. It says, "look at me! Aren't I beautiful?" Yep, you are.

So pretty with a touch of snow.

Love this! I'm not sure which house is the "mother-in-law quarters"--but I'll take either! What a beautiful statement this makes with the landscaping tying it all together. But it only works if it blooms all season long.

I see all the beautiful landscaping in these photos. This is how I want ours to look. We just can't seem to get there!

One thing is certain, if you have a white house, you can get away with any color front door. I love this green, but it would never occur to me to use it on my front door. And that roof!!!

Very cute. Is this a thatched roof? It's kind of hard to tell. Such an inviting little place (or maybe not so little)!

I just love beautiful houses--don't you!