The Olympics and P & G

Here's a question:

Am I the only one who loses sleep by watching the Olympics every night?

Day 4 and I'm already exhausted!  lol 

I can't help it, I love the Olympics and I don't want to miss a thing. 

• I love the athletes.  
• I love their determination, their strength, their dedication. 
• I love their uniforms, their smiles, their sportsmanship.
• I love seeing their parents literally ready to fall apart as they watch. 
• I love the friendships & the rivalries. 
• I love screaming cheering from my seat, wishing I was there in person to wave a big American flag. 
• I love the medal ceremonies...oh what pride!
• I love the commercials.
• I love the incredible voice of Morgan Freeman in the Visa commercials that melt my heart.  
• I love the Procter & Gamble commericals that never fail to leave me teary-eyed. 

Have you seen this 2012 P & G commercial yet? 

Although this one is from the Winter Olympics 2010, I still have

to show it, because it's my all time favorite.

I don't think I've ever seen it without crying.  It just kills me.

Please tell me I'm not the only crazed Olympics watcher...

and it's ok if you have to lie to me to make me feel better about it.  

I've been framed!

In the past couple of weeks, I went to a few garage sales.

Something seems to be afoot.

I didn't realize it at first, but I have an addiction.

I keep buying pictures for their frames!

I don't know why I have done this, 

nor do I have any clue what I'm going to do with them,

but I just can't seem to resist.

Maybe the heat of Summer has finally gotten to me.

I guess I better start figuring out what

to do with them! 



Shades of Blue & Green tablescape

Many, many years ago, I watched an episode of Martha Stewart where the divine Ms. Stewart carried on about the wonders of blue & green and how they are colors that should be considered neutrals because they are found in nature that way.

Well Ms. Stewart would be happy to know that her praise of blue & green has always stuck with me, at least subconsciously anyway.  When I was deciding on a tablescape color scheme, Martha's words came to me and carried me off in this blue & green direction.

I wonder how Martha would pronounce the word, tablescape? Do you think she'd have some sort of elite pronunciation, like when she says marinod for marinade? Sorry, just thinking aloud. lol

Placemats & green salad plates are from Pier1.
Plaid napkins from Target.
Green flatware is by Cambridge and from Home Goods.
Napkin rings & bubble goblets from Christmas Tree Shop.
Green dinner plate from Oneida Outlet.
Blue dinner plate from local grocery store.

A close up of  "Martha's neutrals."   

I used simple hydrangeas for the table's center.  I have had the table runner for quite a few years.

I guess you really can't go wrong when you use the colors found in nature. 

Thanks for visiting today!

Linking to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen


 

Kitchen Word Art (in the Spotlight)

Happy Wednesday!   Time for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week...but first,

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♥♥♥ I would like to thank each and every one of you who left a sweet comment for my daughter, Olivia.  She is doing better each day and I really appreciate all the well wishes you've sent.  You ladies are the best!  ♥♥♥
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Ok, now it's time to shine Debbiedoo's Newbie Spotlight...

on...

Jeanette & Leigh of Crafty in Crosby!

I think this kitchen word art is just so cute, and funny too.

I love the vintage look that it has.

This mother & daughter team were even nice enough

to share the freebie download with us! 

Go on over to Crafty in Crosby and take a look around. 

Jeanette & Leigh, congratulations to both of you!! 
Here is a button for you to display:

<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 other Newbie picks this week, stop by and visit:

Debbie at Debbiedoos
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage
Debbie at Refresh Restyle

Be Back Soon

Hey friends,

I've been missing a couple of days & wanted to let you know

 that I may not be around for a couple more.

We spent 7 hours in the emergency room Saturday night.  

My daughter wad admitted (finally) at about 2 am Sunday.

She was diagnosed with appendicitis

and the surgeon removed her appendix Sunday morning.

We've been at the hospital round the clock.

She just came home this afternoon, 

she's doing well,

but give me a couple more days & I'll be around.

See you soon!

 

Old Window Gallery Wall

If you've seen my post earlier in the week, you know I have been working on a little project concerning some old windows found in the trash.  You may also remember when I couldn't find my kitchen table because it was buried beneath a whole lot of projects.

Here is the post where everything comes together.  

I am ashamed to say that I have had this unloved wall in my living room for a couple of years. 

That mirror looked so blah, but I could never figure out what to do with this wall. 

That is, until the old windows entered my life.

After painting one old window & adding chicken wire, I then wanted to add a little color.  So I  thought I'd clamp some mason jars onto the chicken wire and fill the jars with flowers.

First:   I couldn't find flowers in the colors I wanted.  Ok, no problem, I'll make some.

Second:  Wouldn't it be more fun if the mason jars were colored?  Ok, I'll paint them.

I still needed something else for this window though.  

Third:   How about if I make a small paper banner?  Ok, I will.

Fourth:  What if, instead of silver glitter, I use German glass glitter?  Perfect excuse to buy some on Etsy! Thank you, Sugar Camp Cottage. 

Wait, there's a problem. 

This window is too narrow to fill this whole wall!

Fifth:  What if I have an old picture of my kids put onto canvas? Canvas 4 Life to the rescue!

Sixth:  What if I add a pop of color with this picture that's been hanging around?  Sure, why not!

Sixth:   What about the other side?  Hmmm, what if  I paint a sign of some sort?



Ok, no more "what ifs" left....would you like to see it all together?

When it was all said and done, I have to be honest, I started giggling.  Yes, giggling with delight. 

Finally that wall has found some much needed ♥ love! ♥

And to think, it all started with an old window found in the trash!

Linking to:

Hot Fun in the Summertime Blog Party at Miss Flibbertigibbet

One More Time Party at One More Time

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots & Jello

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Go USA decorations (in the Spotlight)

I don't know about you, but I love the Olympics. 

Now I'm sure you're asking,

 "What does the Olympics have to do with the

Newbie Spotlight of the Week, Gina?"    

You shall soon see, my pretties.

This week, I am giving the Gold Medal spotlight to:

Emily at

 Entirely Emily!

When I spotted Emily's USA related decor, I knew I had found another 

patriotic,Olympics-loving, kindred spirit! 

Go on over to Entirely Emily and take a look at these
fun & fantastic decorations.  (How incredible is that USA cutout?)

While you're there, find Emily's posts in her "Funny Friday" category. 
If you are in need a laugh, Emily is your girl.

Congratulations Emily
and
here is your button to display:

<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 other Spotlights of the Week, check out the girls at:

Debbiedoos
(the founder of this party & Champion for Newbies everywhere)

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle

See you next week for another Newbie Spotlight of the Week!
(and could someone please turn off the heat!)

Old Windows

One day in late June, my daughter and I were driving home & I took a shortcut through a nearby neighborhood.   It was then I spotted 2 windows leaned up against someone's trash. 

I did not stop for those windows because:

1.  My daughter was with me & I know the whole thing would have mortified her & perhaps scarred her for life & then I'd have to hear about it my whole life how I scarred her for life.

2.  I know people in the neighborhood & honestly I was kind of embarrassed to be caught picking trash.

The next morning, my daughter & I were the only ones awake as she was getting ready for school.  I remarked to her that I had forgotten to tell her Dad about the windows last night.  (I was hoping he'd go get them for me.)  I knew it was too late at this point & I gave them up for lost.

That afternoon, coming home from work, I was pulling into our driveway,  when I spotted the craziest thing leaning up against our garage...it was the windows!    I couldn't believe it!

Here comes the crazy stuff:

I ran into the house & asked my husband how he knew I wanted those windows!
He said he vaguely heard me (in his sleep!) commenting to Olivia about windows in the trash.

I never mentioned the location of the windows!
He drove around the nearby neighborhoods until he found windows & figured those were the ones. 

He rescued them before the garbarge truck had come!
I guess it was just meant to be that I have these windows.

So here is one of the two:

My husband thought I was crazy when I asked him to take the glass out of it.  He thought I'd be happy the glass wasn't broken.  So much for that.  lol 

With a little paint & some chicken wire, this is what one of them looks like so far:

So stay tuned, my friends, because this is not the end of this little pretty!

Watermelon Lemonade

So many of us are addicted to Pinterest.  It's so much fun to pin anything and everything that strikes our fancy...crafts, home decor, recipes, quotes...the list goes on and on.

There seems to be a revolution among "Pinteresting home bloggers" that we should  actually start making those pinned recipes or start creating those pinned crafts.  Not just pin, but do.  I sound like Yoda. 

So I thought it was time to put a recipe that I pinned to the test.

I saw a recipe for Watermelon Lemonade and thought it sounded good.  I just so happened to have leftover watermelon from the 4th of July so this was the perfect way to put it to good use.  (I made this a couple of days after the 4th and am justing posting now.  I don't want you to think I used 10 day old watermelon!  lol)

Now I'm not really sure how this whole credit thing should go.  I hope it's ok for me to post the recipe.  The original recipe can be found at Once a Mom...Always a Cook. 

Watermelon Lemonade

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons)
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
6 cups water
7 cups of cubed or balled melon

Place all in blender and blend.

*You can freeze the cubed melon a little if you'd like a slushier texture.
*This whole recipe will not fit in the blender all at once.  You will need to blend it in halves.
*I noticed the longer this sits, it separates quite a bit.  So you will either have to stir or reblend or hey, maybe just drink it all in one sitting and you won't have to worry about it!

I have to say, we really thought this was good.  Very refreshing on a hot day.

Go ahead...try one of the gazillion recipes you've pinned. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Summer Brights Tablescape

This news just in:
I'm happy to report that I did find my kitchen table, which was a good thing because now I could put together a Summer tablescape! 

I had alot of fun with bright Summer color.  I love it!

Here's a close up of the different colored dishes I used:

For this tablescape, I did borrow a few items. 
All dinner plates are Fiesta and were borrowed from both my Mom & my sister.  : )
Napkins & napkin rings are from Target, bought on clearance last year.
Goblets from Dollar Tree.
I purchased the salad plates from Home Goods, also last year.  Not only did I love their bright colors, but they have a glittery effect to them. 

Here's a close up:



See?  It shimmers!

I thought it would be fun to mix up the flatware.

All flatware is Cambridge from Home Goods.  I used yellow-handled forks too. 

My other sister let me borrow her antique aqua pitcher for the centerpiece.  : )

Summer brights can make even a gloomy day cheerful! 

Thanks for stopping by.  I really do appreciate each & every visit!

Linking to:

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Stained Table (in the Spotlight)

Here I am, bringing you another great Newbie Spotlight of the Week!

Here's a recap:

Every week,  Debbie at Debbiedoos hosts a Newbie Party. 

Click the link below to see this week's party. 

Debbiedoos Newbie Party

Debbie has put together a tag team of fellow bloggers

who search the link party each week and scout out new talent to spotlight. 

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on:

Melanie from

My Rags 2 Riches!

She took an ordinary table (the kind we've all seen before) and

with some elbow grease & TLC turned it into something fantastic!

Pop on over to My Rags 2 Riches to see the before picture. 

Melanie, please grab your Spotlight button and a big congratulations! 

 

<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 other Spotlights of the Week, please see:

Debbiedoos

Fox Hollow Cottage

Refresh Restyle