Sweet Giveaway...

How cute is this?? Love. It. Imagined and designed by the oh so creative Cathy over at "Tadpoles & Teacups" and she is giving it away to one lucky visitor! Don't wait...the drawing is April 1st and the list of wannabe winners is growing!

Here's what Cathy had to say: The tiny, round papier mache box has been covered in vintage-style paper and makes a perfect place for hiding a small gift. Perched atop the box is a shy blue bird made of paper clay. He is sitting in a nest of aged crepe, accented with seed pearls and vintage salmon-colored crepe.

Her works of art are so special...be sure to get in on this and spend a little time getting to know her, too...she's a sweetie!

Got a couple of irons in the fire...who doesn't, right??...hope to share that with you guys in a couple of days. Here's a hint....

Probably not a lot of help, but so cute!!

Here are a couple of St. Patrick's Day images for you:

Enjoy your friends and families while having fun...celebrate responsibly & be safe!!!

Pool Toys

Bunny in the yard and now it's ducks in the pool! It HAS to be Spring! These guys are winter residents of our lake and are always down on the beach. We have noticed that there is one boy and two girls that are always together. I think these mallards mate for life, don't they?? Just guessing that one of the girls lost her partner and has found a new home with this couple...sweet.






Anyway...they spent some time in and out of the pool and walking around the yard and I saw one of the girls head into the hedges by herself. Hmmm...could she be scouting for a nest?? Can't take any close up pictures since they take off as soon as they see anyone. I was in the house and took these through the back glass door. I'll let you know about the nest... :)

Our Very Own Yard Bun

Let's see, it was just a couple of weeks ago we showed some pictures of the ice on our lawn...kind of freaky for Central Florida...and even though it's been chilly for the last few days...here's what we are seeing now!!

These pics are taken from inside our screened porch but he seems to be pretty calm about the whole thing. That could be because the kitties are always at the edge of the screen giving him a stare down....or because the shrubs get trimmed once a week with a weed whacker and he lives right in there!

Once we discovered him, we checked to see what we could add to his diet and make him want to be our forever yard bun, but the all knowing internet said "Do Not Feed Wild Buns". Okay, okay...whatever.

He seems to be by himself. Makes you wonder how he got here. Where is his family? Does he really live somewhere else and this is just his get-away? What does he do all day??

Who knows? But, if he's happy, we're happy. So be it.

Another Small Re-Do

Seems like once you re-do one thing, you have to keep going...one thing just leads to another. We have already been through that when we started to work on the kitchen and bath downstairs and then suddenly decided to just keep going in the family room, foyer and living room.

This house, built in the 50's had a huge makeover sometime in the late 70's and not much done since then. We have made some improvements outside as far as landscaping, decking, etc but the big changes started last June when the downstairs renovation began.

Now, all I can think of is the poor upstairs. The bathrooms have wallpaper that is shiny and textured, brass accents and lucite towel holders. Well, after everything else we have done, the upstairs will have to wait, but I am doing a small re-do (accessory wise) on the hall bathroom.

Trying to go for a "cottage-y look" since the cabinats and counters are almond formica (yikes)...just trying to blend it all. Working with shades of green since the small border tiles are a greenish color:

Here's the cabinet knobs...I don't think they even make these anymore! It's pretty worn, but did have a brass edge all around that cool almond center...

So...replacement with some cute oval shaped glass knobs...thanks, Ebay!

I am really not the lacy, frilly type so a duck cloth shower curtain works for me...yay, Target! The shower curtain rod is kind of a speckled green and I used dark bronze hooks..

For some reason I always think of bird stuff when anyone talks about that whole cottage look...so on to the birds! This is a tea-light holder that was only $4.99 because of his bent legs. That's an easy fix...

This is a tin wall hanging...I don't get the upside down birds...but, whatever, it matches.....

And just a touch of lavender...this looks so real!

I really like this bird shelf and it is just the right green color...

And, here's some stuff to set on the bird shelf...got the sprayer at the thrift store...$1...

And, finally a bird nest mirror. Who doesn't love a bird nest mirror?

I really think I need a picture for color but better get all of this up first. One thing leads to another leads to another.....

Right Place, Right Time

***Serendipity***

the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

***

I can't help myself...I am a John Cusack fan from way back and I think Kate Beckinsale is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. This is one of my all time favorite movies and I watched it this past weekend on some channel...who knows what??



It's a very simple story, but almost too involved to explain...if you haven't seen it, but you are a believer in fate or destiny...if you think that things will turn out the way they should no matter what obstacle falls before you, please find this movie and watch it. Even the music...which is what I was lucky enough to find for this post...is lovely. Oh, it isn't meant to change your life or anything like that, but it will make you feel good inside and give you the hope that love like this is real....



As long as we are visiting Neverland, get this ,too...




Richard Gere & Diane Lane...do you really have to add anything else?? (Unfaithful, anyone?) Beware, good chemistry between two actors does not a good movie make, but it can make you feel good...like "just from the oven" cookies or something. This is the house that was used in the movie...I did read somewhere that beach erosion has made it unlivable and it's pretty much just waiting to fall into the ocean...







Based on a story by Nicholas Sparks...who wrote "The Notebook", one of the sweetest love stories ever... so you can almost guess the ending. Just be sure you have some tissues..


Anyway...The Hub was away at an all guys weekend of stuff (whatever it is that they do) and these two chick flicks were just a part of a self indulgent weekend! **sigh**

So...What Is This Exactly???

Do you ever wonder what people think about when starting a business...who do they consult with or do most think they just have all of the answers? I would have to think that advertising...which is how you bring people to your business...would be pretty high on the priority list.

There is a small, kind of "seen better days" shopping plaza just a bit down the road from us and stores go in and out of there all the time. What used to be a restaurant specializing in some kind of Indian cuisine just became a Dr.'s office and the Chicago Hot Dog place is now the Munch & Crunch Cafe (what could you possibly want to crunch on during a meal?) But, anyway, something else new just moved in...look at this sign that is on the main road....

This is what I am getting at here. To be a part of this monument type sign is pretty expensive...several hundred dollars, at least...and it is usually required for anyone that has a business there . Look closer....

See it??

Is this where you get a tane? What is a tane and why would I want one? Or, is this a salon for tanes? Whatever it is, I hope they are giving or getting enough tanes to make up for the $$ in their advertising budget that they threw away with this crack up.