December – My favorite month

Filed Under December | 17 comments

Happy December everyone!!

Ever since I can remember, December has been a very magical month for me. Some have said– ok maybe true– that I was just wee bit over the top when it came to Chritmas’  raising my family. I so enjoyed the spirit and love that seemed to be emanating from everyone. Even the “bahhh humberg-ers” made me smile.

This season, per the norm it seems… my brilliantly talented and creative sister and BIL have been the inspiration of my first December posting. I am in total love with this fantastic Snow man and birdie Flag!

See the metamorphosis in the front yard circle frames? (summer, fall and winter) Pssst. make sure you visit Susan at Between Naps on the porch and her Metamorphosis Mondays. These items are never store bought– they are her creative brain clicking away and her handy side-kick hubby that makes it all sparkle and shine.

The spot where once sat the crooked pot project is now the fun Drum stack! (more on that DIY later )

People stop and tell them how divine their yard is — and how they look forward to the next seasons transition. They enjoy thinking of new yard decorations and being totally unique and themselves.

Now if that isn’t giving — I don’t know what is. They give the best gifts– straight from their hearts!

Please be sure and stop by Marys Monday Mosaics.

I think we are off to a great start celebrating December. You will probably hear me be a bit politically incorrect at times because I will talk about Christmas (because that is the holiday I celebrate and love) I certainly don’t mean to offend any of you that might celebrate other holidays– but please be sure and share those with me as I am  excited to stop by and visit your corner of the world.

May the holiday season sing in your heart!  TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

November 30, 2009 at 1:44 am | December | 17 comments

Baby Pink

Filed Under Uncategorized | 21 comments

A little baby pink for Pink Saturday…  visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

Forgive such a short post– I am feeling the residual from a very determined bug that just loves me so much it won’t leave. *cough cough*

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

November 28, 2009 at 1:05 am | Uncategorized | 21 comments

Mosaic Monday – Thanksgiving memories

Filed Under Mosaic | 37 comments

Thanksgiving week… one of my all time favorites.

Reading through some of my old journals I came upon one of the funnest Thanksgivings I ever had.

Twas 1989 — My mother- in – law was the best entertainer and cook. She decorated her home to the nines and could put on a 5 course meal and never break a sweat and loved every minute of it. I so wanted to be like her in this area, she told me she had total confidence in me… so I volunteered to host TG at our home that year.

I planned the menu for weeks. I shopped and had everything laid out perfectly. I even went to our local Turkey Farm to purchase the “BEAST” as we were feeding over 25+ guests. Our family plus 4 others.

2 days before…I cleaned and decorated and borrowed long banquet tables from our church so we could all sit around one VERY long table. The moms from 3 of the families had volunteered to bring some of the feast so I could have some of my burden eased. My task was potatoes (mashed of course) dressing, drinks and of course the TURKEY…

1 day before… Prepared all the food and had calculated exactly what time in the wee early morning I needed to get up to put the Turkey in the oven. This Bugger weighed over 35 lbs!  I am serious as a heart attack… I scrubbed it and bought a special pan to hold it. I figured 15 minutes per pound… uggh would take about 9 hours to cook. 

I went to bed late — and got up about 5:30  getting it all stuffed thinking I should put it in around 6:30- 7ish to be ready around 5pm. I swear I got a hernia lifting that guy from the fridge. I tried to be as quiet as I could because my family was all still in their beds. I stepped back and smiled at myself — this was going to be a very cool beautiful bird, if I didn’t say so myself!

The oven was set perfect… I opened the oven door and grabbed the handles on the pan… 

 

OOOOOOOOOOOH my gosh!!

HE was too big to fit in my oven!!!! No matter how I lowered the rack on the bottom he still couldn’t fit in! I had 25 guests coming… WHAT was I going to do? 

I’m guessing I had made a pretty big racket… as when I turned around from the oven  my entire family (2 boys and my daughter and their father) were all standing in their jammies starring at their crazed mother… they knew better than to say a word.

My sweet A (middle son) reminded me that we were “house sitting” for our neighbors across the street… so why didn’t I try their oven? — GREAT IDEA—So we put on our snow boots (still in our jammies) and trekked across the street, through the slushy snow, toting the nekkid bird. We were slipping and sliding– I can only imagine what a sight we would’ve been had anyone been looking out their windows.

I won’t mention that no one had brought the house key of your neighbors on the first trip… but we finally got in– to no avail…NOPE– still tooo big for the oven. I was saying things like… “why would they sell me a bird that I couldn’t cook???” “They must have seen me coming a mile away– I was so naive.”  I had a very smart family — none of them made any comments.

*sigh* It all worked out in the end– We hacked the guy straight down the middle and cooked one half in different ovens. Ok, so the presentation was a little on the non-prefect side. BUT…

One of the best lessons I learned from this event was…  If you want perfect — your life is boring… it’s when everyone freaks out a little bit and works together that memories are made and some day — you too could tell your silly story on your blog!!

Do you have a fun Thanksgiving story? If so I would love to hear it!

Stop by sweet Marys for Monday’s Mosaics.

Susan at Southern DayDreamer is holding her Outdoor Wednesday celebration… visit her.

Have an awesome week… Aren’t you thankful you aren’t a TURKEY? 

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

November 23, 2009 at 12:58 am | Mosaic | 37 comments

Mother Nature’s time to relax

Filed Under Outdoor Wednesday | 33 comments

Does this photo look familiar? Hopefully it should –  my header??

Yes, this is the same spot I love to visit and walk– only this visit was in  Autumn this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think of Mother Nature like I would any typical contemporary woman– she has tons on her plate.

 

In Summer there is pressure here for sure— there is much expected  and she wants to  look her best.

Break out the best dress!  The colorful eye shadows and of course just the right touch of blush in the cheeks.

Or it’s like putting on the best for your family or boss — nothing goes unnoticed, every detail is perfection.

Even Mrs. MR. P… (you remember her  Him don’t you?) As you can see I had my late night Brain Freeze and thanks to commenters I have corrected my gender error  

Then there’s Autumn… or FALL…

Mother Nature worked hard all summer long (ran the kids to every summer camp and picnic possible) so she needs a much needed rest.

 She was the first NATURAL BEAUTY– only with out her make up on. Still gorgeous with out all the trappings.

She is excited to have the days shorter so she can kick off the high heels and put on her Tennies!

She can relax and curl up in her jammies and read a good book… even cook some comfort food.

And she doesn’t have to ask ANYONE– if her butt looks fat in these jeans!  (well, if I imput He / Him in for Her then the joke isn’t funny any more    (Dont you just HATE when that happens??)

Back to Funny School 101 I go!!  — For those of you who have asked where this garden is — Salt Lake City.

 It’s another fantastic Wednesday. Come celebrate with others over at A Southern Daydreamer.

Also Beverly at How Sweet the Sound with Pink Saturday.

Here’s to hoping your Fall is a relaxing and much needed rest– just know you are still beautiful!

TTFN~~ Claudia  ♥ ♥

November 17, 2009 at 11:52 pm | Outdoor Wednesday | 33 comments

Finding Beauty – Survey

Filed Under Fridays Finding Beauty | 53 comments

The following TRUE STORY is new to me. I found it this early this morning. Many of you might have seen this, but bare with me to the end– I have a good question for you–

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The child stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

 The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, a onetime child prodigy, presently one of the greatest musicians of the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post (for Full story click here) as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…

How many other things are we missing?

 

I know that taking a moment to capture that specific moment in time (with my Blog persuading me) has helped me to see more of the ordinary beauty that surrounds us daily. Perhaps it’s not that we don’t notice the beauty but maybe we don’t let it make an imprint on your minds and hearts.

Mary At Little Red House is hostessing another Mosaic Monday, stop by and see her.

In January… when life takes on a bit slower pace I was wondering if any of you would like to Participate with me on Fridays for “Finding Beauty – from the simple to the grand” ??

Please  just make a note in your comments if you think you might want to join in …

Survey Time!!

OHHH and while you are at the comment box please leave me a suggestion for great movies– I love movies and am in charge of selecting the movie for our Monthly Girls night IN (I bring the movie) I need wonderful suggestions of perhaps ones I have forgotten. (Gimmie your top 3 please!)

Visit Beverly at Pink Saturday and see all the creative gals over there.

Thanks so much for your comments and help!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

November 14, 2009 at 12:29 am | Fridays Finding Beauty | 53 comments

Comments

Back  Back to Top   Next Page »