A Day In Atlanta

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, we visited Hanna in Atlanta.  Stan and I traveled for Thanksgiving and knew this would be our one opportunity to spend with Hanna before leaving on Wednesday morning. One thing Hanna and I planned was to go to the Indie Craft Fair. Stan was not thrilled with the idea but said he would go if we went with him for a tour at the Braves stadium. This was not a hardship for Hanna or me because we both love Braves baseball. 

 

Hanna and Stan at the entrance to Turner Field. 

I love the next three photos. We were in the hallway by the locker room. I was taking this photo of Hanna. Stan walks up unaware that he is in the way. The expression on Hanna's face was priceless. And then, Daddy is always up for a photo with his baby girl. :)

Stan and his rebellion documented. The only caution was to NOT touch the grass. Do you see that right heel? He couldn't stand it!

Hanna and Stan in the dugout.

Stan and I in the dugout.

Hanna and I sitting on the largest Adirondack chairs. EVER. 

For two shorties, it was a challenge getting in and out of the chair!

My favorite shot. Hanna in a panoramic of the stadium.

Hanna and Stan at the Hank Aaron statue. 

After lunch, we headed to the Indie Craft Fair. There were lots of fun booths but it was too crowded for any photo opportunities except for this one. It is a Christmas tree made out of rolled paper plates. It wasn't for sale but was used as a decoration. 

We headed back to Hanna's apartment to rest and wait for Rob to get off work. When he joined us, we went to dinner and then a visit with his family. Stan and I then headed back home. It was a good day. :)

At dinner.

A Month Of Thankfulness - Day 20

Morrie's Home!

I am thankful that my daughter and her BF found their missing cat, Morrie. They think she escaped while they were working and the maintenance crew at the apartment complex made a repair in the apartment. They realized she wasn't in the apartment last night around 8:00. My daughter made flyers and put up this afternoon. They received a call that she was spotted and when they arrived it was her! Yay! I was saying lots of prayers for this cat. My daughter has had her since she was only 4 weeks old. She cared for her and carried Morrie in a scarf against her chest when she was so tiny. It would have broken Hanna and Rob's hearts to lose that cat. So, YAY! I am so thankful!

Veggie Salad & A Lot Of A Month Of Thankfulness

Do you have that go-to dish you like to take when your girlfriends get together? Mine is this scrumptious and easy Veggie Salad. It goes together beforehand so no rushing around at the last minute. It is a cold dish, which is easier than keeping something warm and it taste oh, so good!

Veggie Salad

Print Recipe

1 can LeSueur Peas, drained

1 can shoe peg corn, drained

1 can French-cut green beans, drained

1 jar pimento, chopped, drained

1 cup celery, chopped

1 large bell pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

Dressing:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup Smart Balance oil or your oil choice

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Dissolve dressing over low heat. Let cool. 

Mix all vegetables in a large bowl. Pour dressing over veggies and mix well. Let sit in refrigerator at least 24 hours prior to serving. Will last in refrigerator for 2 weeks. 

Serve cold. Makes 8 servings.

A Month Of Thankfulness - Days 13-19

I am a week behind on my thankful posts. Not that I am not thankful but that I was sick most of the week last week and took a few days off to recuperate and then immediately went out of town. 

Day 13 - I am thankful for the military men and women who serve our country.  We have some wonderful friends and family that make this sacrifice daily. No thanks are ever enough.

Day 14 - I am thankful for Stan's family. When we married 30 years ago, I inherited a new family. I am thankful for each and everyone of them. 

Day 15 - I am thankful for NyQuil. :) Yes, that trusty friend helped me rest when I was so congested and miserable.

Day 16 - I am thankful for old friends. Sometimes seasons of life may move you away from one another but the foundation of friendship remains.

Day 17 - I am thankful for my daughter's boyfriend, Rob. He not only loves our daughter but is always so welcoming to Stan and me. We have shared many good times over the last 2 1/2 years and I look forward to many more. I love him like a son and am so thankful for his kind and considerate heart. 

Day 18 - I am thankful for second chances. 

Day 19 - I am thankful for my son and daughter's friendship with one another. 

 Taken in May 2011 at Hanna's college graduation at College of Charleston.

Life is good.

Fabric Flower Pin = Gift Wrap Bow

Last week I met a friend for lunch. We were celebrating her birthday.  I had her gift for a while but had not wrapped it. It was a lovely garden stone. It can be laid flat in a flower garden or it has the option of hanging on a porch. 
It was too heavy for a gift bag. I wrapped it in tissue and used a large shirt box. I covered it in a lime wrapping paper but I didn't have a bow that was big enough. I decided I wanted to make a bow that could be used as a pin on a scarf, hat, sweater or even a tote or handbag.

I used pinking shears to cut a long strip. I used it like ribbon and wrapped and taped it around the top quarter of the box. 

The inside of an embroidery hoop makes a great template for a yo-yo. I traced around it on the backside of the fabric. Cut it out and took a large running stitch around the edge. I love making yo-yo's.

I found scrap complementing fabric and made two rolled flowers. 

Once I put the three together, I knew the yo-yo needed a little something extra. I went to my button jar and tried several different options. I settled on this beauty.

I love polka dots.

I finished the back by cutting a piece of felt to fit around all three flowers. Hot glue is an amazing invention. I then added a pin clasp. To attach the pin to the package, I opened the pin and stuck it in to the fabric strip. I love how my  handmade bow turned out! Do you have a wrapping trick that you use?

sharing:

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/11/whatever-goes-wednesday-144.html

http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2012/11/your-whims-wendesday-85-and-features.html

http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/11/we-did-it-wednesday_13.html

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/11/wow-us-wednesdays-92.html

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/11/wow-me-wednesday-77-nativity-vinyl.html

http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-link_14.html

http://www.semihomemademom.com/2012/11/show-share-wednesday-12.html

http://www.finecraftguild.com/party-40/

http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-we-wore-read-and-made-thanksgiving.html

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/11/diy-christmas-ideas.html

http://growingupgabel.com/2012/11/pin-it-link-party-3/

http://www.504main.com/2012/11/tickled-pink-no-123.html

I've Been Tagged! You're IT!

Good morning! I've been tagged for a game of blog tag by Sunshine and Lollipops. It's an opportunity for bloggers to get to meet and know one another. 

Here are the rules:

1. Every tagged person has to tell 11 things about themselves.
2. The person who tagged you asked 11 questions, answer them.
3. Ask 11 questions for the 11 blogs you are going to tag, please choose blogs with less than 200 followers.
4. Mention the blog that tagged you, but don't tag them back.

11 Things about me:

1. I am the oldest child and I have one younger sister. And no, we are not twins. :) We get asked that a lot.
2. I married my high school sweetheart at the ripe old age of 17! I have been married to said sweetheart for 30 years!
3. I have two children. A son, 25, and a daughter, 23.
4. I am originally from MS and grew up in a rural area with chickens, pigs and lots of fields to hoe and grow vegetables.
5. I have picked cotton. Once. I was 7.
6. I love country music. My husband does not. ;)
7. I live in the beautiful state of SC and have for 26 years. We moved here for my husband to finish school at Clemson University.
8. I love to travel and just got back from a trip to CO.
9. I love coffee. I am a 4 cup each morning girl. 
10. I am saved by grace and am thankful for God's merciful love.

Sunshine and Lollipop asked me the following questions.

1. What is your favorite craft/hobby? I change this often. Right now, I would say embroidery. I also love to machine sew and really any thing that has to do with a needle and thread. My other love is reading. 
2. How long have you been into your hobby/crafts? I learned to embroider, cross-stitch, etc. around the age of 12. My grandmother taught me. I learned to sew on a sewing machine at age 15 in a home economics class at school. My grandmother continued that education.
3. Do you have a special room or designated place to do your hobby? If so, what do you call this space? I call it the guest room. :) Well, that is for any sewing on my machine. Embroidery is done in my large comfy chair in the den while I watch a DVRed program. I did have a craft/office combo room but my husband has commandeered that room as a full office since he works from home now.
4. What time of day do you craft? I usually craft in the afternoon. I cannot do anything creative if my house is a mess. I do all my morning chores and then can feel free to make a crafty mess. ;) I can't see well enough to craft at night.
5. What is your favorite tool for crafty/hobby? This is hard because I have so many. I do love my embroidery scissors that have a curved blade. I can nip threads so close without a tag left.
6. What was your last purchased tool? New needle packet.
7. What would you purchase if money were no object? If you're meaning something for crafts, I would have a studio built just for my use. Wouldn't that be divine? 
8. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? I would live where it is warm year-around. Maybe with mountains and ocean together, so I am thinking Hawaii! Aloha!
9. What is your favorite season? Summer! I love flip-flops and shorts weather.
10. What is your favorite TV show? Justified!
11. Do you like sports? What's your favorite sport? We are huge baseball fans and I love watching Braves baseball. I also am a huge Dukes basketball fan. 

The Grand Finale! My 11 questions to ask.

1. How long have you been blogging and what is your main focus on your blog?
2. What is your favorite craft/hobby?
3. What is your current or latest project?
4. Do you craft for yourself or for gift-giving?
5. What is your favorite holiday?
6. Who is your favorite author?
7. Do you have a favorite blog that you have to read? If so, share the name and link. :)
8. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
9. Do you love to cook or eat out?
10. What is your favorite food?
11. Tea, coffee or wine?

I am tagging the following blogs. Please let me know if you want to play and I will check out your answers! 

1. http://phaedrasadventures.blogspot.com/
2. http://gracelangdon.blogspot.com/
3. http://livingforhisglory2.blogspot.com/
4. http://lifewithremii.blogspot.com/
5. http://stillwoodsfarmhouse.blogspot.com/
6. http://www.arahbellas.blogspot.com/
7. http://sugarspiceandeverythingnicely.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-weather-calls-for-soup.html
8. http://ohforpaperssake.blogspot.com/
9. http://blessedbeme-rita.blogspot.com/
10. http://southernchiclove.blogspot.com/
11. http://graycardigan.blogspot.com/

A Month Of Thankfulness - Days 9, 10, 11 & 12

I have had an unusually busy last two weeks. I decided to take a weekend off from the blogging/online world and just spend time with my family and friends. Friday we had a Thanksgiving dinner at church. We have only been going there since April but already feel a connection with so many. We were blessed to be there and so,

Day 9 - I am thankful for Seacoast Church. 

Saturday I spent the morning running errands while my guys went to the Clemson-Maryland game. Good thing they are Clemson fans and my hubby is an alumni. Bless Maryland's  heart. Our son's girlfriend, Kristin, and I had a girls night and had dinner and a movie. Kristin had never seen Steel Magnolias and that was the choice for the evening. Many giggles and a few (her) or lots of tears (me) made a wonderful evening.

Day 10 - I am thankful for my relationship with Kristin. Not only is she Cody's long-term girlfriend, I am honored to call her friend and a daughter of my heart.

Kristin and Cody. This was taken at the last Braves game of the season.

Stan and I went to early service yesterday morning and then spent the afternoon with my sweet niece, Jordan. She turned 6 in June and she is our little miracle. We are so blessed and thankful for each and every day of her sweet life. The saying about an adopted child being carried in the mother's heart instead of their womb is true for our entire family. Jordan climbed trees with her Uncle Stan and we colored and watched Scooby Doo. Then we took her to a friend's birthday party at Chuck e Cheese. When the 2 hour party was nearing the end, Stan looked at me and said he knew why grandparents napped, it was because they are tired!!! LOL. It has been a long time since we have run after a 6 year old all day.

Day 11 - I am thankful for Jordan and the joy she brings to our lives.

Jordan and I coloring and watching Scooby Doo. (yes, that is stacked boxes of hardwood in the background. We only have our bedroom and bath left to do!)

Yesterday, tree climbing!

This is one of my favorite photos of our daughter, Hanna, and Jordan. 

Have you ever seen such a sweet and trusting face? She adores her Uncle Stan. 

2009 Grandkids photo for my mom.

Day 12 - I am thankful for my sister, Angie. We fought like nobody's business as kids but have grown in to the best of friends. And she is willing to share her sweet baby with me. See day 11! :) Angie is a wonderful sister, aunt, wife, daughter and momma. I love you, sister!

Okay, it is so sad I had to go all the way back to 2008 to find a picture of Angie and I together. And I am 30 pounds heavier with short hair! Ugh. New goal for 2013 is take lots of family photos. 

Jordan, Angie and Lionel. A beautiful family. 

A Month Of Thankfulness - Day 8

Day 8 - I am thankful for my momma. Not only is she a great mom but she was a great wife to my dad for 42 years. In the last months of his life, while battling cancer, she cared and nursed him daily, meeting all his needs. My mom is also a great nanny. My adult kids love and adore her and our sweet little Jordan, my 6 year old niece, does as well. Mom treats both her sons-in-law as her sons. And now my mom cares for her mother. My grandmother lived with her for several years and after a massive stroke, she lives in a nursing facility. My mom goes each day to check on her, do her laundry and love her when she isn't recognized by her mother. So, today and every day, I am thankful for my mom, Linda. Love you, Momma.

Here Come the Holidays - SPARK Link Party & Printcopia Giveaway

It's November, that means that not only are we all gearing up for the holidays, but it's also time for our new November SPARK themed party!

Time to inspire and be inspired with our recipes, stories, home decor, photography, crafts, DIY projects, Etsy items, and more.

The November theme for the month is-

A big welcome and thank you to our party giveaway sponsor this month-

Printcopia is a photo printing company that creates personal photos on canvas prints. The process is super user-friendly, just click the link and upload your photo. You even have to option to upload from Facebook or Instagram.
One lucky winner will receive a custom 8x10 canvas print (ARV over $40)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SPARK is co-hosted by these lovely bogs

and these November guest hosts

SPARK Participation Guidelines

1. Become followers of each of the co-hosts as well as our guest hosts. We all have a variety of follow options on our blogs to make it easy for you.
2. Only family friendly links
3. Feel free to link up your Etsy items (not your shop), but no more than 5 items per Etsy shop
4. NO giveaways or linky parties
5. Link up to the original post, not your main blog
6. Please grab a party button (found at the end of this post) and display it on your blog somewhere. If you're not a blogger, a shout out on your social media sites is greatly appreciated. The more the merrier!

November Theme- Here Come the Holidays

 

Remember, each month has a unique theme, and we ask that you only link up posts or items that are relevant for that month. Please grab a button to post on your blog and help spread the word!

<a href="http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/search/label/SPARK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h425/myartsybaby/th_WinterSparkButton.jpg" /></a>

Have fun!