My new toy...

The other day while walking around Wal-Mart I came across this. I knew I had to have this thing-a-ma-jig It would solve all my hedging problems...
My first project was to get this over sized hedge back to normal. In case you are wondering why there is an electrical cord around the bush?... that is the connection to my Xmas lights.( and that it-self is a whole other blog post) I charged my clipper over night and first thing in the morning....
Took care of business and I think I may have gone a little scissor happy in one spot.. I didn't stop there.... trimmed very little here... Love it when everything is nice and neat...


P.S those long purple flowery stems in the first picture sticking out, are back and much fuller now. I think pruning it helped this Potter weed bush.

My Christmas Inspiration...

I fell in love with this Toile plate at Ross a few weeks ago, I didn't buy it then because they only had 4, so when I went back for my weekly walk-around to see what else is in.... To my surprise~ right next to a white porcelain elephant and some jars of salsa were the two other plates I needed to complete my set. I love Ross its like treasure hunting at a garage sale.
Well, Its not made in England but for $3.49 a plate it is french to me...
And besides I have 10 yard's of this fabric don't remember why, but I do.. and with life's funny little curve ball of a HUGE car repair bill this will have to do... I can work it....

Its 7.00pm

That's my favorite time of the day! why?...well, That's when all my lamps come on I light my candle, I grab my favorite blanket, (an old thin Summer quilt that Romeo and I always fight for) we catch up on the day's event's, and we turn the TV on to a good show and relax. I love to smell a good candle burning! Don't you? I love the fresh clean feel of a shower and pj's while I snuggle up in my living room sometimes I glance off to see the glow of the pumpkins in the candlelight... nothing can be more relaxing than that! If you don't believe me ask Burt & Ernie....

What is your favorite time of day?

Thanksgiving Tablescape ~

I am thankful for my husband who is my best friend. I am thankful for all the humor he brings me each and every day. He is the most honest,wisest,and rational man I know. I never have to worry about decisions he makes because I know they are well-thought-out. I am thankful for all his loving ways the smallest things he'll do show how much he truly cares! I am thankful for my parents who are always there for us. I am thankful for their health and thankful that they taught us the value of hard work I am grateful that they instilled in me good morals and values that will be with me for a life time. I am thankful for my sister's who I speak to every morning I am grateful that they keep me grounded and set me straight when I need that extra love. I am thankful for my In laws who are always there for us. I am thankful for their many prayers, kindness and hospitality. I am thankful for the time I spent with all my nieces and nephews and even more grateful when they go back home :) I am thankful for all my aunts,uncles cousins, and extended family on both sides. I am grateful when I get a chance to spend some time with them. I am thankful for my close friends, I always feel instant happiness when I get to talk or be around them. whenever something happens there always there for me. I feel so very blessed to have close friends like them. I am thankful for my home and the opportunity I have to be here and take care of it. I am thankful I can spend Fall mornings working on my yard planting, pruning and watering. I am so very grateful when I see my flowers blooming especially my bird of paradise. I am thankful for the smallest things that we sometimes take for granted like smelling fresh air, taking long walks, snuggling with my favorite blanket, eating left over turkey, washing the car barefoot, taking long summer naps, warm winters where we don't have to shovel snow, and the sound of chicharras in the summer. Have a wonderful & blessed Thanksgiving!!

Chargers from Target 2 for a dollar

White plates are my everyday set

Turkey decorative plates from Wal-Mart $2.99

Place mats from Bed Bath & Beyond $1.99

Napkin's from Big Lots 2 for $1.00

Napkin rings from Pier One $3.99 for each (gift card)

Wine goblets 2010 Christmas gift from my sister in law Ashley

Glass decorative vase (already had)

Mini pumpkins from Michaels $3.99 a bag

Center picks from Hobby lobby 40% off (last year's purchase)

Candle holders from Marshalls purchased 2 yrs ago

Ivory candle sticks from Dollar Tree $4.00 (already had 3)

Large center candle (already had)

12 Votive candles ( a surprise in my attic from previous home owner)

Fall Pasta ~

The other day while shopping at Ross this caught my eye! Loved all the fun Fall shapes of pumpkins and leaves! Brought it home and with very few ingredients I created this! This little $99.cent package I had in my pantry made it all come together.
This is how... COOK pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces. 1 red pepper, cut into thin strips and 1/2 cup thinly sliced zucchini. ( I used squash) 2 cups baby spinach leaves. Heat olive oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 to 7 min. or until done. Add next 3 ingredients; cook and stir 4 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and spinach is wilted. DRAIN pasta. Add to ingredients in skillet with Parmesan blend; mix lightly. It was very yummy! Do you see the pumpkin & leaf shaped pasta? I sprinkled some shredded Mozzarella cheese on top! so delicious! Here is a link to the web sight that was on the package... in case you don't find any at Ross. click here

I've been told...

that little Nathan (my nephew) has a special friend Mr.Chico the Dino~ who he LOVES and CARES for very much!
I've been told.... he plays, sleeps, and reads to Mr. Chico everyday!
I've been told....Mr.Chico goes EVERYWHERE with Nathan....Church,Grandmas,HEB and the park.. and yes even SCHOOL!!!

Breakfast is served~

Lately, I have been playing with my blender experimenting with different types of fruit and juices mixing and blending for a quick, healthy, pick me up fast breakfast! I have found so many different concoctions! I found a really simple one with very few ingredients in this book... Purple Monstrosity~

2 frozen bananas chunked

1/2 frozen cup blueberry's

1 cup orange juice

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

1 tbs honey (optional) I use two splendas
Place all ingredients in blender and puree use more or less liquid depending on thickness. ( I also sometimes add frozen strawberry's to the mix) why not? Makes half a pitcher... This stuff is SO GOOD!! and keeps you full till way past lunch time.

Attic ~ Fall bin ~ DUST.

Three weeks ago I noticed my neighbors across the street had pulled out pumpkins, ghosts, and a flying witch. I thought it was a little too soon, but then again what do I know? I always wait for the first cold front to start getting into the groove of things to me, it just feels like fall when the weather changes! This morning I woke up thinking... I need to make a few changes maybe bring down the flag I was flying in honor of the 10Th anniversary of 911, and go into the scorching attic to bring down my Fall bin. Where did Summer go? As I was going up the attic ladder... I thought why don't we have an attic exhaust fan?... Sure let me just add that to the loooooooooooong list of projects we need around here.... Why not? Okay first off who is the owner of these chairs Mom, Mel, Bey, Ashley, St Paul's? And how in the world did they end up here? Look at all the DUST!! And of course the Fall bin has to be at the very back! It is about 125 degrees in here, I am now moving, organizing and rearranging stuff and, I am full of DUST... One thing leads to another.. went down to get wet rags with soap and a broom.. About half hour later....as I am bringing this bin down it gets stuck on the ladder! It weighs a ton, and it won't budge!! about now a little voice inside me starts to speak. " You should of waited for Romeo like he told you too" After pushing ,shoving, and groaning while squeezing the bin gives!!! and comes right down, but now I'm exhausted and think I will let this bin sit here for a day or two. There is always tomorrow!