For My Friends

Happy Mother's Day

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Bathroom Beauty Snapping…This One’s for the Girls

Sheila’s party made me want to share something that I’ve been working out in my mind for a while now. Who is this person staring back at me in the mirror?

It’s been creeping up on me for a while…first the funny Maxine emails about sagging body parts, raging hormones, and waning concentration began arriving in my inbox. I let my subscription to Cosmopolitan lapse, because I couldn’t relate to the articles. My metabolism, always a friend in the past, began to betray me. Then last June Sunshine got married….full of the promise of new trails to blaze and fresh experiences to be had…things that were in the past for me. Firstborn had one of those pivotal birthdays that end in a zero. And it hit me…square in the middle of my wrinkly little forehead and right between my saggy little eyes. I’m one of those people…..part of the past and not the future…..

I began to avoid mirrors. I botoxxed (yes, it does hurt and no, I did not think it was worth the cost or pain) and I flirted with having my eyes “done”. I brooded over squandered opportunities and lamented unfulfilled dreams. Frankly, I threw myself a grand pity party….for just a little while.

But a little time, the example of women I admire, and a lot of praying helped me get out of my funk…brought me back to gratitude. I seldom listen to the radio in my car, but I heard this song by Martina McBride on the way home today…..I think it was just for me…..and for the girls in all of us. Martina says we’re all the same from one to ninety nine. So, I think I’ll keep “wishing on shooting stars, loving without holding back, and dreaming with everything I have….we’re beautiful the way we are….This one’s for the girls”. Thanks for reminding me Martina.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the strong gracious women I know, especially those in Blogland……this one’s for the girls. Click here to join Sheila at Notesongs for some real bathroom beauty snapping!

Run for the Roses Tabletops—Part 2

In my last post I told you about a garden club show I attended last week. The theme was Run for the Roses and the arrangements were magnificent! I was intrigued by the designs, but imagine my sheer delight when I found out there was tablescaping category…..hmmmm…setting the table for fun and sport :) A competition? I had to contain myself to keep from trampling other guests!

I’ll start out by showing you the winner. Now remember, the judges’ focus is on the flowers within a tablescape setting and not on the tablescape itself. I do love the colors, but haven’t figured out what the odd bread plate is doing :)

This is a fun one. I love the pink paired with the black and white harlequin design. Layered napkins too.

The crystal epergne was filled with pink roses. Do any of you know what the green plant is?

This was my personal favorite. I love the tall arrangement and red and yellow combination. There were three layers of linens. (I do not take photos well under pressure :). The julep cups and mint incorporated the derby theme.

The china continued the red rose theme. I asked the designer about the china. She said she didn’t know what it was….had never looked…..should I pick it up? Noooo….I’m too busy juggling a cucumber tea sandwich, a glass of mint tea, and my camera :). No way to be discreet :)

Now, SSSSHHHHH….don’t tell. I think you ladies (and Bill, of course :) are much better at this. Please don’t rat me out. I want to go back next year!

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Click on the TT button…your carriage awaits! Susan and her guests are certain to inspire you! Thanks for stopping by. Happy Mother’s Day. I hope you are with the ones you love :)

Run for the Roses Tabletops

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life and Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor have parties on Tuesdays that seem to just go together like peas and carrots….like the Kentucky Derby and roses!

Last week I was invited to attend a garden club flower show whose theme was the Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses. I live in a “horsey” community where stables and houses are interspersed. This club has a stellar reputation and I knew I would not be disappointed.

This beautiful arrangement of roses sat on a baby grand piano. I can’t even imagine how the owner created this .

Red and white roses with mint---and this was only Honorable Mention.

This arrangement won first place in its category. I love the mixture of colors and the lines of this---I can see why it won.

Riding boots and horseshoes…. I love the moss and grass in this one.

Of course there were hats….

And not just in Derby red…the judges loved this one. It also won first place.

This is my favorite---look at that gorgeous pewter horse pitcher!

Brussel sprouts and roses in the base….a horse’s mane of lacey fern….and still just second place :(

Look at the gorgeous colors in this loving cup. I think Calvin and Super Saver would have been proud to receive this!

This is not on a table, but I wanted you to see this. I have posted some of these before as has Glenda at A Dab of This and That. Horse statues were given to local artist to decorate several years ago to commemorate the anniversary of our local charity horse show. This one adorned with daffodils was moved temporarily to the flower show site. She’s a beauty!

Thanks for stopping by! You can visit Marty here for Tabletop Tuesday and stop by Lady Katherine Tea Parlor for Tea Time Tuesday by clicking here! Thanks Ladies!

Quick, Cheap, and Cute for Mother’s Day

Many years ago, when two of my children were very young, I had aprons made for their grandmothers for Mother’s Day.

A local seamstress made the apron, appliqued their traced hand prints in a cute print fabric, and painted names on the aprons. I don’t remember how much I paid to have them made. It probably was not expensive and didn’t really matter. The grandmothers LOVED them! A couple of months ago a local dollar store went out of business. I found white cotton aprons for eighty cents….and bought fifty! Beat you to them Glenda :)

Today the owner of this tiny little handprint is a kindergarten teacher. The third child who wasn’t born in time to make the apron now dates a second grade teacher.

Last week my daughter and son’s girlfriend had their students make handprints on the apron pockets in washable paint. I have spent part of this rainy gloomy weekend watching the weather channel for tornado warnings and adding names and the date with a paint pen.

I have about 35 more to go to finish the two classes. At $.80 a gift, I think my time is worth it. If these mothers treasure their aprons as much as our grandmothers did, it will be worth it!

I am linking for the first time to The Girl Creative for Just Something I Whipped Up---Isn’t that a cute blog party name? You can click here to visit! I hope Susan at Between Naps on the Porch will consider this a metamorphosis for Metamorphosis Monday! I turned eighty cents into a keepsake! Thanks for visiting.

Cutting Up With Cake

Beloved left town to go turkey hunting. Do I miss him? Yes, but not nearly as much as when he left me here with three small children :) Now, I consider it a little “me” time…time to play in the kitchen.

Does anyone remember this book? I found it while going through my mother’s recipes. It is a freebie published by Baker’s Coconut. I’m pretty sure those scribbles are mine….must have been learning to make the letter 8! I remember looking at this book as child. I wanted one of these cakes…I wanted to know how to do it. Anyway, although my mother never made one of these to my knowledge, she must have had good intentions. Time to rectify that.

I must be going through a “buggy” stage of life. Lately butterflies, bumblebees, and fireflies seem to be creeping into my thoughts, food and decor. You may remember I made butterfly cookies for Easter. You can see those here. I had promised a friend a birthday cake and decided to give the butterfly cake a try.

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT NOW, NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN A BAKER. You’ll soon believe me :)

I started out with white cake mix in a rectangular 9x13 pan. I made two cake mixes and used about 1 1/2 of the batter. One cake mix just seemed a little flat and I wanted a big fat fluffy butterfly. I lined the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. This is one instance where sticking won’t do –I know these little tips because I tried one last month too. It ended up in the garbage disposal :) Cut the cake in five pieces—one at the bottom about one inch wide and four triangles. Be absolutely sure the cake is cool before cutting---another tip from my previous fiasco :) I used a serrated bread knife for cutting.

Assemble the pieces on the tray or platter you plan to use to present it. One of my wings lapped over a bit, but it was no problem. I made two batches of cream cheese frosting tinted with yellow food coloring. You can find the recipe here. Two recipes was a bit too much. However, with a bag of vanilla wafers in the pantry, this presents no problem for me :)

Now for the fun! I frosted the sides first. You will be frosting some cut edges so be sure to wipe the crumbs off your knife or spatula to avoid crumbs in the icing. I decided to skip the coconut (sorry, Baker’s). I bought an assortment of gummy worms and gum drops. These cut more easily and with cleaner edges if you use kitchen shears dipped in warm water. The result is definitely not ready for the food channel but fun and worth the effort. Even a little closure for me-now I can make 8’s and butterfly cakes too :)

Fanny the Fish is next on the agenda!

Michael Lee West is hosting Foodie Friday (on Friday, of course) I’ll be linking up with her. She always has something beautiful and good to share. Join her and a long list of “foodies” by clicking on her button on my sidebar! Thanks for visiting!

Hooray for Hollywood….A Metamorphosis

I have mentioned that for the last year, and very intensely for the last couple of months, I have been working on a silent auction, fashion show, and luncheon for an organization I belong to. Hooray! It’s over! It was a success! It will make a difference!

Of all the gin joints, in all the world over 500 people walked into ours.

We set fifty three tables with black cloths and silver and gold toppers. Popcorn boxes held favors. The centerpieces were fresh flowers, “Hollywood wine” and fresh flowers on movie reels.

The grand ballroom of the Hilton was transformed with Oscar replicas and a lighted red carpet runway for the models.

Of course, there were special guests…Bogey dropped in.

But you know Dorothy and Toto were my favorites.

But Annie and Alice in Wonderland were cute too. Who could resist that smile?

The silent auction was taking place right outside the ballroom with over 250 items. We’ve been collecting items, logging them in and making baskets for months. There was something for everyone.

A wonderful children’s section

Iron pieces filled with macro hydrangeas for the gardeners.

Entire vignettes created by designers

This necklace made by a local artist was a favorite. It is made of sterling, jade, and vintage time pieces.

Even a basket for tablescapers :). We raised a lot of money and had a lot of fun. It was a giant undertaking accomplished by many talented and dedicated women. But I told you this is about making a difference…a metamorphosis. What does all this get you besides aching feet and a neglected hungry husband???

The money raised will provide interest-free loans and scholarships for deserving students. Many of the recipients are men and women returning to the academic world after a leaving to raise families or for financial reasons. Some are seniors in high school starting out for the very first time. Lots of them are nursing students. I like to think that we provide more than money….we provide hope and a plan. My aching feet and husband will get over it :)

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more makeovers! Just click her button for immediate transportation! Thanks Susan!