One month to live...

One of my favorite blogs is hosting a Mr. Linky called "My One Month". She wanted us to write what our last month would be like here on earth..what would we do or say...how would we live that last month??? Check it out on her blog! It is inspiring!

Honestly, as I started to think of this whole "topic"...One Month To Live...it is overwhelming! There is great peace and true assurance in my life after death...saved by grace and the gift of my God is eternal life with Him. Amen!

However, an earthly perspective, it is quite sad. If I had only one month to live...what I would miss in the lives of my family...sweet sixteen birthdays, graduation, visiting colleges, falling in love and marriage, grandbabies, holidays,...oh, there is so much!

My husband and I both have a love for the island of Nantucket. My children, husband and parents would take off to the beaches of Nantucket and rent a wooden house that one last month of my life. It is there where we would walk the beaches, hold hands and savor every minute we had together. There in that wooden house on the coast of Nantucket...we would sleep under the stars and moon...breathe in that fresh ocean air...snuggle up close and talk! I would not dwell on the past or even tell them what to strive for in the future. Maybe some of those nights there in Nantucket, there would be a "sorry" here or "regret expressed" there...but they know I love them and when they hear or see certain things...they would think of me and my love for them.

There on that island of Nantucket with those I love....there would be some dear friends that I would want to spend time with, too. So we could laugh and cry together...say our goodbyes but to many of the people I love...I will see them again someday...very soon...life is just a vapor!

Lastly, one night on the island of Nantucket...I would sit on the beach with my kids on a blanket and play this song!

Thanks be to God that we don't know our future one minute before and this is just a posting on my blog! So for now, I am off to tuck my children in....kiss them goodnight and hold their hand to tell them I love them as far as the East is from the West. Not in a wooden house on the coast of Nantucket but in their sweet little beds...

"Every breath is counted and time is timeless."

Can this Yard Sale "Find" Be Saved?

My daughter and I were on our way to have lunch with a friend and her kids. As I was driving, I went by a garage sale and took a quick glimpse. I quickly turned around b/c it was a great one...I found some amazing things! I did buy this heavy iron "who knows what???" candle holder thing! It is so heavy but I liked the base of it and who can pass up .75 CENTS! The cone that holds the flowers...swings back and forth! Normally, I like black iron but this reminded me of some gothic iron castle thing. So I started to spray paint it cream and than ran to Michaels and bought some "fakes". After putting it together, it looked like a centerpiece for a wedding at the Love Chapel in Vegas with a "couple" on their fourth marriage in their 70's! It was dreadful with the flowers! So I took it apart...took some stuff from here and there....inside and outside! It turned out quite fun and shabby! I have a den that is quite frenchy with toile and it looks kinda fun!

I'm It!

Wow, I was tagged twice this morning ......thanks to Andrea from the Hinsley House and Baby Make 5 for thinking of me!  Okay...6 random things about me...

* I love pizza....my favorite toppings are pineapple, ham and bacon...I love it for breakfast!

* In college, I had Christmas brunch in LA with Sean Penn and Alec Baldwin (long story...I was a companion for a wealthy lady whose son owns divisions of a big movie production company)

* I have never had a speeding ticket!  BUT, I have talked myself out of one two times!

* In my neighborhood, as a kid, we use to toilet paper and fork lawns....we were so bad...Where were our parents????(sorry, mom, had to type it!)

*I did a summer project under the streets of NYC with the homeless...it was very eye opening!

*I worked at McDonalds for one day in highschool.

Now,if your tagged, this is what you do:

1. Post the rules on your blog

2. Write 6 random things about yourself

3. Tag 6 people

4. Please pass it along for fun...

Let's see....I tag:

The Happy Homebody

Just a Girl

Full Bellies 

Our Scoop

The Long Road To China

Melissa Ellen Parker

Have fun!

Stir and Season "Saturday"
Our weekends equal "football" around here. My husband sees, feels and thinks about football...I think he is on 3 fantasy football teams and organizes fantasy teams online. So through the years, I have collected some great "football"
watching recipes....here is one of my favorites!


Lone Star Fondue
1 round loaf of bread(grocery bakery)
1/2 cup sour cream
8 oz sharp cheddar shredded
8 oz cream cheese soft
1 cup of diced ham
1/2 cup of scallions chopped
1 4 oz can of green chiles drained and chopped
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

*Hollow out bread bowl (save bread)
-To prepare fondue; in a large bowl combine the sour cream, cheddar and cream cheese; Stir in ham, scallions, and chiles and worcestershire sauce. Spoon Mixture into bread bowl and replace it tops. Wrap the filled loaf with several layers of foil. Set on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for one hour and 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
After done put the inside bread around the bread bowl and dip and enjoy!

Does your hand look like this?

Late at night, when I look at "your" inspiring blogs, I often find information or websites I want to check out. So since I cannot find any paper in my computer area...I use my hand! My MAC is in my kitchen desk area with a lamp, phone , stone bird and whatever else finds it's way there. So I wanted a small writing board to write info just long enough to check it out or write in the proper "spot".
This writing board is EASY and looks great! You will need:
frame to paint (or buy one already painted the color you want)
ribbon
one piece of scrapbook paper (color of the room you are putting this in)
magnet
one earring (You know...the one lonely earring where you lost it's pair
somewhere b/t the coach and the grocery store)
Rewritable dry erase pen (love the ones with the eraser on top)
Mr. Glue Gun

Step One: Paint your frame any color...mine is white!
Step #2 Get the wooden letters if you want to spell something on top. Mine does not have a word on top...I like it more simple but I will show you both ways! Spray paint them the color that matches the paper.
Step #3 Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the frame!
Step Four: Cut a ribbon to make a "side" bow. You can do this anyway you want...a big poofy bow looks cute too!

Step Five: Glue bow on side of Frame for "interest". I also added a sheer ribbon behind...it is hard to see!
Step Six: Take your magnet and hot glue it to the back of the frame. These markers have a magnetic box so it sticks on the magnet for safe keeping. No more looking for a pen!

Step Seven: Get that earring or anything that would be fun, exciting and add interest to your bow. Hot glue the piece in the middle of the bow!
Style One without the letters.... It erases so easy and no residue!
Style Two with wooden letters painted and glued...
So easy and it looks better than a normal white board and it writes easier than chalk (at least for me). I know many of you with your creative juices could really come up with something! A fun quick and very "useful" project...my hand is "happy" not to be poisoned with ink anymore!

"It was not in my plans"

When I think of Fall or harvest? It brings on words like "blessings"..."new beginning", "change", "preparation". In so many ways, I have been blessed upon measure and so much to be thankful for. But, in the midst of realizing your "blessings", there can be sadness and disappointment.

Two months ago I had an emergency hysterectomy...totally unexpected and just a normal day like any other day. As a matter of fact, I was waiting for four of my girlfriends to visit for the weekend...we had a BIG weekend planned. They

called and told me they were only 45 minutes away! I hung up the phone and in a matter of seconds there was pain, numbness in my body like I had never felt before. All I remember is telling my son to hand me the phone and I called 911.

After getting to the ER...they took many tests. My white blood cell was three times higher than normal and I was facing a whopper of an infection. After morphine and talking with surgeons and doctors (different opinions every time a new doctor walked in) it was decided that I needed a hystrectomy. I had a fibroid that was the size of

a large grapefruit(I knew it was there but grew quickly) and was bleeding from the inside out.

I remember the morning of the surgery...crying out to the Lord that this was NOT my plan or desire. I wanted more kids. My dear friend drove

down 31/2 hours to be with me that morning...she was a ray of light and even made me laugh minutes before the surgery. But, deep down, I wanted to grab the hand of my nurse and tell her I wasn't going through

with it.

My husband tried to encourage me. His first priority was having my body heal and I think at times couldn't understand my "struggle" there in the hospital bed(I was in it for 7 days). He reassured me he was content and ready to move on to the next stage. But, oh how I wasn't!

After the surgery, with so much love and support from family and friends, I heard many things like count your blessings, you have 3 great kids etc...it

was meant with love and encouragment. However, that "desire" in me still burns deep and I try to deny it and not entertain my thoughts. But, there is a sadness! I can't go back...it's as permanent as it gets!

My prayer now is for contentment. The Lord has given me a peace most days and excitement with the three children I do have....sometimes if I let my thoughts wonder...there is just an empty "pit" feeling inside. After 36 years on this earth, I should know now that MY plans are not His plans. The Lord has blessed me with the desires of my heart...in His way and timing!

I was holding a friend's baby after the surgery and she swept him out of my arms and said..."I don't want to make you sad." But, I feel nothing but joy as I see babies, baby stuff...showers etc. That is a joyous time and you know what? I enjoyed those moments to the fullest (that is a blessing)...three times! Plus my hearts desire of having a larger family may come in a different way or it may not! This is a verse I cling to often...knowing my future and my hopes are known by my God!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer. 29:11

I blogged this today as a reminder for me and you...enjoy the moment of each day that you have b/c Yesterday is over and we do not know what tomorrow
will bring!
Our God is Good!

I have been tagged!

I was tagged by Life of a Southern Belle! It is my first time so here we go...

1. I played fast-pitch softball in highschool( I was All-State my junior and senior year) and college... now if I throw a ball I am taking motrin the next day!

2. I went to France with my husband and was robbed TWICE!

3. Since I was a child, I would gag if someone licked their fingers...I still do but NOW I can at least excuse myself to the bathroom...I have a very weak stomach!

4. I had acrylic nails put on for about six months...I couldn't stand them! So I went to take them off and was in tears. It hurt so bad! The lady behind the table got mad b/c I was moving in "pain" and told me to go to another salon b/c I was a "baby"!

5. I love to shop at any store, anytime, anywhere with anybody!

6. I still have a "baby tooth" in my mouth!

7. I love to Look at houses!! I take different ways to everywhere to look at houses...my poor kids can't even figure out where we live b/c we take a different way home each time!

Well, let's see...I am going to tag....

Lions and Tigers and Boys Oh My

Morning Glories

Pages of Our Life

The Happy Homebody

Always Kiss Me Goodmorning

Southern Sassyness

Reluctantentertainer

....Your It!

Something More Than An Apple For The Teacher...

Before I had kids, I taught second grade(also 6th and special ed.). I have a soft heart for teachers b/c I know how much money they spend of their own in their classrooms. So I try to do special things throughout the year to show appreciation and acknowledge their hard work! It always helps if they can use it in the class, too. Today, I began making some Fall candy jars(they say harvest time in the glass) and filled them with candy.

I get out my handy dandy glue gun and glue a bow with a "homemade" fall tag! I would love to show more of the finished product but I am protecting the "innocent"...smile!

I hot glue the "candy corn" on the bow for a finishing touch! These jars are fairly large but even small ones make great gifts for teachers, piano teachers, coaches, Co-op coordinators, Sunday school teachers...it's endless.
I love the individual packets of "sixlets"...they are the colors of fall! I also decorate the lids with poms, polka dots, spray paint...so much you can do! It's just a inexpensive way to show appreciation who make a "mark" in your life or your kids!

Eating a cookie can be political!

We took a visit to a wonderful cookie shop that sells all kinds of wonderful cookies full of sprinkles and big chocolate chips. It is settled in a cute town that is a huge bicycle riding area with great paths and parks.

Right when we walked in my son yells out that he wants a "McCain" cookie. Of course, my girls echoed that request with even more "excitement"! My son wanted to buy them all...it would look like a victory...like father like son!

Just so you know...there are people at the Blue Chip Cookie Shop eating cookies based on their political views....

A Door To Welcome Friends

Well, there is silver lining in most trials in life, our roof has a lot of repair needed from the wind storm last week. So since this man will be at our house fixing our roof, he is putting a new screen door on. I now have to decide what kind...Here is a picture of my front door and I will be getting a screen door that is black.  

What design do you like?

Victorian # 1

Cottage #2(this is my favorite...I wonder if Fido comes with it??!!)

Modern #3

UpDate :  Thank you to Sandy at reluctantentertainer!  I won her giveaway!  Thank you very much!  You made my Monday!

Stir & Season "Saturday"

The recipe I am sharing with you today is one of my favorites.  Honestly, I am a very picky eater and some of the things in this...I would go "ugh"(I am worse than my kids).  But, all these ingredients together makes one of the best chicken dishes ever...for a family meal and even for a dinner with guests!

How I came about this recipe or I should say how my friend came about this recipe is quite FUNNY!  My friend was at a dinner party at her HUSBAND'S BOSS (keep this in mind).  They served this dish and my girlfriend loved it.  So she asked the wife if she could have that recipe.  The wife said it was a family recipe and would rather NOT give it out.   Well, that didn't stop my friend b/c she saw it on the recipe stand behind some plates.  So she took it in the bathroom and quickly wrote the recipe down and put the card back!  So needless to say she served it to my family and WE loved it.  But I didn't have to write the recipe down in the bathroom under locked doors..thank goodness!   

So enjoy...don't let some of the ingredients scare you...believe me it is so good it may be worth jeopardizing a husbands career!

The recipe none of us should have:

6 to 8 chicken breasts

Combine for marinade:

1 head of garlic (finely pureed)

1/4 cup of dried oregano

1 tsp of salt and pepper

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1 cup pitted prunes

1/2 cup pitted spanish green olives

1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice

6 bay leaves

Arrange chicken in roaster or 9 by 13 pan and pour marinade over the top.

After Sprinkle on:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white wine

Pinch of parsley

*Marinate overnight.  Next day, bake at 350 for 60 minutes, basting frequently!  Enjoy!

The neighbors are watching...

Pulled out my spray can...then the first color I spray painted was "cream"! Cut out little paper circles...used painters tape and gently taped them on. My second coat was "black" then gently peeled off the paper circles. Tied a bow on top and it's a cutie "patootie" from stem to bottom!

My neighbors are very curious why I am spray painting all my pumpkins! I do love the simple, orange pumpkin. However, my porch furniture and cushions are black so I thought polka dot pumpkins would "spruce" it up.

I took out all my summer flowers (dead from cold nights and wind) and replaced it with berries and pine plus pumpkins. I spray painted a couple pumpkins cream as an added touch! I think it was "Joy of Home" that was talking about "tweaking" her decorating. I will be doing some "tweaking" but for now it will do!

I think the polka dot and cream pumpkins would look great on some type of stand and some type of greens or sticks under it...not just on the pavement! Any ideas??? What could I do to make this a bit more dramatic? I know I know ....it's just a pumpkin but even a little pumpkin can have "Drama"!

Have a great weekend!  

Autumns Best Cheer- Part One

This garland is great...it has little "pumpkins and cranberries" in it. I bought a whole bag of pods by this local lady above. I have them all over...they are so fun! This is a great idea above...take any wreath lay it on the table and put a glass votive in and with all kinds of fall stuff with a light. A hole was drilled in the bottom of the glass container for the cord...it's beautiful when lit up!

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower"

Well, I love to decorate the outside of my home in the fall. There are so many delightful things you can do with pumpkins, hay and cornstalks! Thank goodness I waited b/c the wind storm would of had a time with all that! Decorating my home in the fall is a "gift" to my family...a place to feel cozy and surrounded by wonderful fall "smells".

Hope you enjoyed the part one of my fall decorating...much more to come through the month. Also, I have seen so many wonderful ideas from my "blog" friends, hopefully, will be able to make some of those fall decorating ideas.