Let's Chat

 I don't really have a reason to be here today except to just chit chat a bit. Those of you who know me know that I am more than ready to take down my spring decor and put up my patriotic. And, with Memorial Day right around the corner, I could certainly do that without the neighbors raising too many eyebrows. Lol Not to mention that spring has been up a loonnnggg time...and it's not my favorite. But, although this week is looking pretty free with only a few obligations, there are enough of them that I really won't have the uninterrupted four days that I will need AND, I can't go into next week because all of the pre-graduation things start happening.

And so, I instead satisfy my decorating urge by looking at past years, planning this year and, if necessary, shopping for things to fill in. To be honest, I really don't need much but, since I have been doing the "art" in the kitchen for the last few months, I knew I would need something to fill these frames.

Of course, my first stop was Pinterest and Google. I wanted images that kind of "spoke" kitchen to me without being too cutesy. I found images that I liked but, no matter how hard I tried, with my programs and meager knowledge, I couldn't resize them correctly. I'm sure there is a way. The way I usually do it is simple but, for whatever reason, the proportions on these images were off and it just kept cutting off parts of the picture. And, being the "patient" person that I am, I couldn't wait for someone to have the time to come help and so I did the next best thing-I ordered some.

I think the two smaller ones will be perfect in the kitchen because they both have old tin cans-maybe coffee?-in them. I will probably leave the frames that are there and just add in these pictures in the same spots-we shall see. I also like that they both have a bit of "wood" to tie the wood in my kitchen.

In going back over last years photos, I remembered that I used some red, white and blue books as risers...

...and, since I like the look of the stacked books I ordered this one.

I seem to find myself drawn to the stacked book pictures and I usually order them in a larger size, mat it in a larger frame and hang it here.

And, I must admit, that was kind of my plan again but since I just bought this sign last year and there are the nods to fireworks and sparklers on the shelves...

...and I really couldn't think of anywhere else to use it, I went with a simple 8X10. I could also mat it and put it in a slightly larger frame as well but, I have a stack of these basic black frames left from Han's birthday party centerpieces so I think I will give this a try. I might end up jerry rigging a few more books to use in the shelf cubbies and then I will probably put this new image where the Statue of Liberty was last year in the above photo-then, to find a new place for that. Lol That's half the fun of decorating!

And, honestly, that's all I've got for today. I'm off to change some sheets on beds and pray that the VERY few dark clouds I am seeing in the sky bring a bit of rain before I have to go out and fill fountains and water everything! Stay safe and stay tuned.

More Springtime Fun!

 As I have posted, springtime in our family is always busy and full of fun things...especially when you throw a graduation into the mix. And, once again our "best laid plans" changed at the last minute and I unexpectedly ended up in Gainesville with daughter #2 and her family where we were so excited to attend the opening of a time capsule that she and her class had put behind a wall in the newly constructed cafeteria in the school where she taught and two of my granddaughters attended.

It was a bit of a bitter sweet occasion because this school that we all loved so much-me included as I did many, many hours of volunteer work there-was being shut down. The PTA decided that since they would not need the money left in their account after this school year that a final blow out was called for and they put on a wonderful FREE event-no tickets needed-including food, games, crafts, and all sorts of extra activities. As the crowd reached the peak, everyone was called over to unveil the contents of the time capsule and my daughter was as excited as everyone because she didn't remember what went in there from back in 2000. Of course, there were a number of things reminding us of the favorite TV shows, music, movies, prices, etc. of the year as well as a Beanie Baby, Pokémon cards and toy, a favorite book, a hair clip that was all the rage with the girls back then, a newspaper and letters from her students. It sure brought back so many memories as did roaming the halls of the school and revisiting classrooms, playgrounds, etc.

I got to spend the night and have a fun visit and catch-up with all. While I was on one side of town with part of the family, daughter #3 and granddaughter #5 were on the other side where they got to see Morgan Wallen for the second time-which is a VERY BIG thing for my granddaughter! And this time, she actually got a high five from him as he was leaving the arena...and she swears she is NEVER washing that hand again!! Lol

Saturday saw my grandson, his sweet girlfriend and my granddaughter heading to prom.

And then Sunday saw us at Hud's graduation party. It was for him and 6 of his buddies and I will say, a fun time was had by all! It was held at a place called "The Infinite Ale Works" and we had the entire venue at our disposal-which was a good thing because there were a lot of people.

The moms-and this Nana-set up a table for each of the boys in one room and then all of the food, drinks, videos, photo area, etc. were out in the main part of the venue. It really was a wonderful day and I think all of the boys-who really weren't sure they even wanted a party-had a wonderful time.

So that is it for today. I have a lacrosse banquet tomorrow and then I think things slow down until they REALLY kick up next week. Stay safe and stay tuned!

Try to Remember

Wow! This is definitely a test of my memory. It feels like forever since I have been here and it is taking me a minute to remember just how I am supposed to go about this. Lol

After ten days of having other people and a dog here with me, my house is once again too quiet and I miss the company. Luckily, it is spring and spring is always a busy time for our family just by virtue of the number of family occasions we have to celebrate. Then, you add in the end of school year activities-and this year one of those is a high school graduation-and there is generally never a lack of something to keep me busy.

Now that everyone is safely home and back to their own routines, it is time for me to get to mine. And so, let's finish off this year's spring decor tour before I fill you in on the rest of my life. I will say that leaving the bathrooms and a quick peek in the primary is a bit anti-climactic because, not only do I decorate less for this theme than any other, these are the rooms that are always less decorated so I almost feel guilty to "drag" you along for this. LOL

The guest bath is pretty much void of my typical spring colors-mostly just the greenery of nature. It also has a lot less decor than normal which actually worked out perfectly because there were "real" people that had to live their lives here for ten days and they were appreciative of the fact that they did not have to maneuver around a counter full of "stuff".

Let's take a quick peek into the primary...

I didn't put the daffodil painting a friend did for me out in the kitchen where it usually lives because I was trying hard to downplay the yellow but I couldn't not have it out to enjoy so I put it on the dresser along with the small pot of daffodils I got at PB years ago.

The little pony is something granddaughter #5 made me many years ago and it is ALWAYS out somewhere in my house at all times. 

So that is a wrap for the spring tour but I do have a few other things I want to share since I am kind of the keeper of the family archives with this blog.

First of all-Mother's Day. I think I told you it was going to be a bit different this year. Daughter #2 was up in Philly with her daughter-my grand-for the weekend so she and I will celebrate soon. Daughter #1 had been here with me the whole week so we got in our celebrating then...and, daughter #3 was in town but her hubby was up in CT with their son-my grandson #1-while he had a surgery. Her other two children decided that they would plan something and they ran with it. Grandson #2 planned, shopped for and prepared our entire meal and it was delicious! He tried to zone in on favorites that my daughter and I have so he did seasoned tilapia, roasted veggies, mushrooms and potatoes. The only thing I did was set the table and show up...at my house. LOL Here he is checking on a temperature setting.

The kids don't have drinks in front of them because they were drinking LaCroix out of cans and they knew I would rather they have them in a glass so they tucked them away. LOL Do they know their old Nana or not? And yes, daughter #3 was there but she was dressed to head to the gym later that day so she didn't deem herself "photo ready". Lol

We spent the whole day together just catching up on all of the plans for the next few weeks and also got in a number of hot and heavy Yahtzee games so it was a fun day...and, I got calls and messages from everyone who couldn't make it so it was a lovely day.

Before I leave, I just need to share a few more honors that Hud had picked up along the way.

So enough bragging for me but I am just so proud of the young man Hudson has become!

Now that I am almost back to being on routine, I am getting busy on making some things for his graduation party this weekend. Because graduation has been moved to 7:30 PM-due to the insufferable heat of the usual 10AM time- there really can't be a party that day so, a number of the boy bud moms got together and are doing a joint party this weekend. Of course, that leaves out lot of family who have a far way to travel for both a party and graduation not to mention the ones who are already going to be on a trip out of state or town this weekend so, it looks like I will be representing at the party and then hosting all for the graduation night. I am always happy to do that as my house has always been the place to gather and I love it. Of course, along with that will come some preparation but I have time.

This week is all about getting his "display" set up for the party and then we will worry about what is next next. Lol

I think that catches you up on me. I am off to water anything that didn't get the VERY WELCOME rains we had yesterday. If I hadn't have had to spend so much time at the license plate office yesterday, I would have dragged everything out for a good soaking but that can be a story for another day! All's well that ends well. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Quick Update

 I'm back for a quick update since I've been gone for so long. Sometimes "life" takes over and takes you to unexpected places. That is kind of what happened this week. The story is longer than you need to hear-or even want to hear-but it all started with a phone call from daughter #1 last Friday telling me that she was on her way to her daughter-my granddaughter #4- in Gainesville and asking if she could drop off my grand dog. It seems as if my grand's 5 month old kitten had suddenly taken ill and they were at UF Veterinary Hospital with things not looking great.

This would always have been a concerning call but it was made even more so by the fact that my granddaughter was to have her first final exam of her 2nd semester of law school that day-which, of course, wasn't going to happen for her.

After 12 hours of waiting they were sent home-to my house-without the kitten but with what might have been cautionary optimism...only to receive a call not too many hours later that they needed to get back. Unfortunately, the kitten didn't make it and we had a pretty rough weekend as that cat was kind of a "support" friend through the first year of law school which seems to be pretty isolating with all of the work and studying being required.

There were so many other ducks to get into rows after that but, in the end, my granddaughter was allowed to make up that exam yesterday and she and my grand dog are staying with me this week as she studies for her next exam on Friday while my daughter finally returned to her home in St. Pete yesterday to get back to work.

I am enjoying spending time with Liv when she isn't studying. It is kind of mind blowing to realize just how grown up my grands, who I guess I still think of as young, have become. Conversation topics have certainly changed as they face life's realities and my mind is challenged just trying to keep up. Lol

With all of that said, that is why I haven't been here to visit or finish our tour. My house is being used for its "real" purpose-living!!- and some places just might not currently be "photo worthy". Lol

I have been doing some 4th of July photo perusing from past years and I'm not sure there is a lot I will be changing. I think with the possible exception of Halloween, the 4th actually has the most of my craft decor and, most of them are things I really like. I am still looking for new ideas-if anybody has one please send it along-but, so far I am coming up empty.

I will say that if I didn't have Mother's Day, baccalaureate, more award banquets, prom and graduation all still to go this month, I might have been tempted to start my patriotic decor now. So many others are-I guess because this one is #250! But, honestly, there is no time for that in my schedule right now. And so, I will wait. Here are some of the things that are really popping out for me and I know you will see them again.

I made this one last year and was able to make the base using various leftover pieces and shapes of wood that I had on hand.

 These are both "oldies" but I love them.

Not sure why, but I LOVE the star. It is another of the "faux $Tree tile" crafts and not really spectacular but, it speaks to me. And, I can't believe it took me so many years to remember these commemorative pewter plates that have been sitting in my closets for YEARS!!

I'm actually shocked that I still want to use this guy. I am NOT a fan of dolls for decor-especially ones that look so scary but, this is what a primitive Uncle Sam looks like. I made him without a pattern and was truly flying by the seat of my pants so he almost didn't make it to completion more than once during the process. Lol

I made the box he is sitting on because I had it in my stash leftover from when I bought the boxes to make the drum pictured above. The boxes came in sets so it was just sitting here waiting for this idea to finally pop into my head.

And, of course, a "fan favorite"-the wreath that daughter #3 made me using my grandchildren's handprints back when they were still small enough to do this. Sigh!!!!

I bought this dough bowl last year because my antique one is SO LARGE and sometimes decor like this simply gets lost in it. And then, as the month continued, I found more and more tchotchkes to make and add. It's kind of fun but I'm thinking it may need something with some color as a base-a piece of fabric, some red "shredded filler" or ??? Yet to be determined. Lol

I've got to say that I am looking forward to revisiting those things-I hope you are too. Not sure when I will be back-the rest of the week is still pretty full-but until then, stay safe and stay tuned.