Debbiedoo's Copycat Challenge, Patriotic Style

It's time for another Copycat Magazine Challenge hosted by Debbiedoos!

I took my inspiration from Romantic Homes magazine, June 2012.

No, I did not copy that gorgeous room on the cover! 

Isn't that incredible though?

I chose something quite a bit simpler.

I really liked the votive holders embellished with vintage brooches

on the top of this page.

However, as much as I love those vintage brooches,

 I decided to give mine a little patriotic style. 

After all, we have the 4th of July coming up,

not to mention cheering for the

red, white & blue

in the upcoming Olympics.

(I love watching the Olympics!)

I knew just who to call to pull off this patriotic look too.

One call to Mom brought her to my door, within 15 minutes,

bearing a box of patritotic pins in assorted styles.

That woman has everything and is beyond awesome! ♥ 

I am linking this to Debbiedoo's Magazine Copycat Challenge.

I hope you enjoyed my copycat, patriotic style!



Jute Flower Bouquet (in the Spotlight)

I feel as though I've started every post within the last month

telling you how busy I am. 

Blah, blah, blah.  I feel like a broken record. 

So today, let's forget about all that and get on with our

Newbie Spotlight of the Week, okay? 

This week's Newbie Spolight of the Week goes to.............

Morena

from

Morena's Corner!

Morena shares some pretty fabulous projects

and includes the tutorials as well. 

She is all about fast and frugal creations.  

Who doesn't love fast & frugal when the results are so fantastic?     

Take a look at this Jute Flower Bouquet...

Pretty darn fantastic, huh?

I also have a soft spot for this little bottle she made

in honor of the passing of children's author, Maurice Sendak. 

It's Mickey from In The Night Kitchen. 

Pretty darn cute!

Anyway, head on over to Morena's Corner and take a look at all she has to share.

Morena, feel free to grab this button...

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

To check out the other Newbie Spotlights of the Week, please visit

Debbie at Debbiedoos

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage

Debbie at Refresh Restyle

Kristin at Simply Klassic Home

See you next Wednesday for another Newbie Spotlight! 

Strawberry Pretzel Squares

Having been so super busy as always this time of year,

I actually had a few minutes to make a yummy dessert last weekend. 

I can't remember the last time I actually cooked something,

let alone made a dessert!

This is a recipe that I have had since I was a newlywed,

and I always try to make it every Summer because I like that  it's

cool & refreshing, not overly sweet,

yet gives me the sweet & salty combination that I love so much!

Strawberry Pretzel Squares

2 cups finely crushed pretzels

1/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup margarine or butter, melted

12 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cups sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 cup thawed Cool Whip

2 cups boiling water

2 packages strawberry jello

1½ cups cold water

2 pints strawberries, sliced

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix crushed pretzels, 1/3 cup sugar, and margarine or butter.  Press firmly into bottom of 13 x 9 inch baking pan.  Bake 10 minutes and let cool.

Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and milk until smooth.  Stir in Cool Whip.  Spread over cooled crust and refrigerate.

Place jello in a large bowl, add boiling water and stir 2 minutes or until completely dissolved.  Stir in cold water.  Refrigerate 1½ hours or until thickened.  Stir in strawberries.  Spoon over cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm.

Cut into squares, garnish as desired.

Wishing you a happy Memorial Day!

Sharing at:  Tatertots & Jello

Simply Klassic Home

Giveaway Winner, revisited, and a lesson

Hello my lovelies!

 I'm not sure if you recall, but a few weeks ago

I had a wonderful giveaway from PrintRunner.

At that time, my daughter selected a winner.

Unfortunately that winner had no way for me to contact her.

Without a blog and no email address provided,

I could not relay the happy news

that she had won my giveaway.

So here in lies the lesson.........

If you are going to enter a giveaway at a blog,

any blog,

and you do not have a blog of your own,

please, please provide an email address when you comment

so you can be contacted in the event you should win. 

It's really a shame and I feel bad about it,

but I have no other option other than to select another winner.

Pulling from the hat milk glass compote again, I have selected

Lynn at UpCountry Olio!

Congratulations Lynn! 

I will be in touch. 

Happy Thursday friends!

A Bumblebee Birthday Party (in the Spotlight)

Here I am, ready to bring another Newbie blogger into the spotlight!

Drumroll please...........

This week, the Spotlight shines on...

...Laura of Hoosier Life, Hoosier Wife!

I fell in love with this sweet bumblebee-themed birthday party

that she put together for her daughter's first birthday.

How can you not fall in love with all the details?

Yellow, black & white sweetness,

and just wait until you see the birthday cake!

So please, head on over to Laura's blog,

Hoosier Life, Hoosier Wife

You'll be glad that you did!

Laura, here is a button to display in your sidebar should you want to.

 

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

 To see a whole bunch of talented Newbies,

take a look at Debbiedoos weekly Newbie Party. 

If you'd like to see the other Newbies who

were spotlighted this week, take a look here:

Debbie at Debbiedoos

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage

Debbie at Refresh Restyle

Kristin at Simply Klassic Home

Let's hear it for the Newbies!! 

 

Sweetest Scent

I can officially say that we are finally getting some pretty blooms in our yard.

I know, I know, blooms are old news to you Southern belles,

but is it ok if this Northerner shares?

Sunday was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining,
the temperature was in the low 80s,

and there was the slightest breeze. 

As I walked around my yard to inspect the progress of my 

soon-to-be-blooming garden,

 the slight breeze sent a swirl of the sweetest scent around me.

  I knew immediately then that my Lilies of the Valley were ready to greet me!

Every year, when my Lilies of the Valley bloom,

I just stand in my yard and take in the scent. 

I love the sweet, delicate scent so much.

This year, I thought, why not cut a few flowers to bring indoors?

After all, it seems as though I catch the lovely scent one day

and before I know it, these sweet little flowers are gone

away for another year. 

You know, it's silly sometimes when I think about how

something so simple can give me such joy. 

Why in the world have I never thought to bring a few of these

blooms indoors before?  

Hoping your day is a beautiful one!

Factory Cart Table (in the Spotlight)

Time for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week!

It's hard to believe this is week #3 already!

If you are asking yourself,

"What is this Newbie Spotlight of the Week all about, anyway?"

then take a look at this post by Debbie of Debbiedoos.   

  

So, without further delay, this week's winner is....

Are you ready for some magic?

Inspired by Restoration Hardware, Amy made this amazing table herself!

Yes, that's right, I said she made this amazing table herself. 

Can you believe it? 

Amy gives a full tutorial on how she made this beauty,
but I know I could never take on

a task like this myself...I'm just happy to brag all about Amy
and admire her mad furniture making skills.

Amy is from Texas and is a Graphic Designer,
but I'd also say she's one heckuva DIY-er as well! 

With incredible projects like this and a beautiful home to share with us,
 something tells me that Amy's blog is getting ready to soar.

Please go on over and take a look, you'll be glad you did!

The Blissful Bee

Amy if you would like, here is a button to display on your blog.

 

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

For more Newbie Spotlights of the Week, see:

Debbie at Debbiedoos

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage

Debbie at Refresh Restyle

Kristin at Simply Klassic Home

If you are a Newbie, please link up at Debbiedoos Newbie Party.

  You never know, you could be the next Newbie Spotlight of the Week!

Burlap Rag Wreath, restyled

Do you remember this wreath that I shared for The Great Spring'tacular Party?

I decided it was time to give it a little restyle.

I bought some flowers at Michaels and

this little aqua watering can from The Dollar Tree.

With the addition of some red & white gingham ribbon

(which I always have on hand),

 I gave this wreath a quick restyle.

I have to say that Debbiedoos & her twig wreath were my inspiration.

Debbie has refashioned that wreath so many times with

amazing results, I just had to try it with my burlap wreath. 

Thanks for stopping by today, lovelies! 

Linking to:

Swing into Spring at DIY by Design

Thursdays are Your Days at 52 Mantels

Oh yeah, quick question.  Do you think my photos are too large? 

I have such a large computer monitor, I'm not sure how they appear

on smaller monitors/laptops. 

Giveaway Winner

Hello my friends! I feel as though I've been missing from blogland again. 

 I apologize for that, honestly I do, but sometimes life gets out of control busy

and this week was just that. 

I would love to announce the winner for the PrintRunner giveaway! 

Here is Olivia:

She is ready, although giggling like crazy because as she says 

my taking a picture of her drawing a winner is just sooo stupid!  lol

The winner is: 

   

Congratulations to Betty! 

Betty, I do not have an email address to contact you. 

Please get in touch with me. 
(If I don't hear from you by Friday 5/18/12, I'll have to draw another name)

That's about all I have for today.  Lots of work going on around here,

just nothing to share yet.

Got to get ready now.  Somehow Mr. Random & I got talked into this:

A night of WWE wrestling.  This ought to be fun interesting!  lol 

A Room with a View (in the Spotlight)

Time sure is moving at a rapid rate as of late.
It's hard to believe it's time for another

Newbie Spotlight of the Week! 

My Newbie Spotlight of the Week goes to:

Lorrie from Finding Secret Treasure!  

I love this stencil project that Lorrie shared at Debbie's Newbie Party.

After stenciling the branch on the wall,

Lorrie added this old window to make it  "A Room with a View." 

Seriously, don't you love the way this turned out?  I think it's pretty clever. 

The window was the perfect finishing touch.  

Exploring Lorrie's blog, I find she is very creative.  Take a look at this clock

she made from the lid of a rusty barrel.

Pretty awesome, huh?   

So please head on over to Finding Secret Treasure and say hello to Lorrie.

Lorrie, you are welcome to grab this button below for your blog.

 

<br><a border="0" href="http://randomthoughtsfromanincoherentmind.blogspot.com/"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/newbie_spotlight.png"; /></a><br>

To see 3 more Newbie Spotlight Picks,  please visit:

Debbie at Debbiedoos

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage

Debbie at Refresh Restyle

In My Mom's Shoes Tablescape

Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen hosts Let's Dish every week.  Her theme for the month of May is none other than...Mother's Day!

Instead of doing just a traditional Mother's Day tablescape, I thought I'd try to tailor it to something my Mom loves.  She loves alot of things, and shoes just happen to be one of them.  So, I borrowed her shoe salad plates and her shoes.  Well, not her actual shoes.  I didn't decorate the table with her actual shoes, instead I chose to borrow her little shoe collection! 

I found this table to be a challenge, because I feared there were too many colors going on, but that's Mom for you, full of color! 

Placemats from Home Goods.  Dinner plates are my everyday Corelle.  Salad plates borrowed from Mom.  Napkin Rings are from Pier 1.  Mixed silverware by Cambridge from Home Goods.  The glasses are borrowed from my sister.  They belonged to my Grandmother originally and are quite old.  

Here are the different shoe plates:

For the centerpiece, I used my milk glass compotes to display some of Mom's little shoes.

I would so wear that leopard print pump!  Mom would too.  Actually, Mom probably has a pair of leopard print pumps already.    



I  hope you enjoyed being In My Mom's Shoes today. 

Oh yeah, how could I ever forget....The Life of the Party...Mom.  She will be 78 this Saturday! 

I'm linking this to:

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Please don't forget to enter my PrintRunner giveaway here.