A TABLE FOR TWO

Another Tablescape Thursday brought to you by our friend Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Just click away on her blog at the right side and you can go on a visit for lunch to everyone's home and enjoy their table settings. Have fun!

Lunch today is an onion tart. I carmalized onions and red peppers, added black olives and spices on a crescent roll crust. M-m-m-m.

It's time to get out the bunnies even though we still have snow on the ground.

Here is the table just set for two. I turned the center tablescape sideways so we can eat close together.

These fruit dishes just remind me of spring and warmer days.

I wrapped the napkin with an ivy ring and added a bird Christmas ornament.

TRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

I'm taking a course in digital photography every Monday evening. Last night we learned how to use the Paint program on the computer and cut and paste people on a background. This was really fun. I took a picture of the Eiffle Tower and added Dan who was climbing a rock wall in Tennessee. This will make me think twice about believing any photo I ever see in the future.

One time I was taking a graduate class and our instructor asked us to write down five dreams...things that you would like to have happen in the future. Among mine I wrote "Go to Paris". At that time I had never thought about traveling to Europe (or anywhere else so far away). Within five years from that time I went to Europe for the first time. My friend, Yrsa, invited me to travel to Denmark to visit her family. The second trip a few years after was to Frankfort, Germany where we met up with my sister's friend and traveled all over Germany, Eastern France, and then took a train to Paris. (see dreams do come true). My third trip was a vacation to the south of France traveling through Provence. When I innocently wrote "go to Paris" I never thought that I would travel that many times.
They say that a written goal is much more achieved than one that is not written down. I've had very good luck putting things out to universe and recieving back just what I need. So here is my list of things that I would like to do.
..travel somewhere warm in the winter time
..take my family to Florida on vacation
..create a beautiful landscaped area by my courtyard that reminds you of being in France
..go to Provence again
..enjoy going on more picnics
..go to plays and events
..gain more energy by eating heathy
..spend more time with my grandchildren

I'm not a complainer...really I'm not. But much can one person bear? I feel like the pioneers who are stuck on the prarie with bitter winds and blowing snow. This season has been one to test the enduance of even the most positive of thinkers. It hasn't reached above the freezing point in weeks. The driving wind and constant snowflakes can drive a person mad. Despite creating all kinds of diversions for myself...movies, eating out, visiting friends, playing cards...I still am like a wild animal shaking at the bars saying, "Let me out of this!!" OK that's my rant for today, now I feel better.

AN UPDATED BATHROOM

Here is the newly resurfaced tub and the gold fixtures.

I matched the flowers with my favorite flower picture.

Even though the bathroom is very small I love the fresh green on the wall and the ribbon embroidered shower curtain and curtains.

I love my glass containers for powder and q tips. The lavender in the Nantucket basket reminds me of France. The three photos I took in France say, "One summer I went to Provence. The memories made there still stay in my mind. In the deepest winter snowstorm I can recall the scent of lavender."

This Delta hand held shower was just perfect for the tub.

To keep the tub neat I put the shampoos, conditioners and shower gel in this great container.

Ole! A Mexican Fiesta

It's Tablescape Thursday time again...yeah! Please visit Between Naps on the Porch and see all the wonderful tables.

Hola, Amigos! It has been so cold and snowy here in northwestern Pennsylvania that we needed a South of the Border party to heat us up. This celebration for my friend Kay who turned 65 had a Mexican theme.

Being from the North we don't have a lot of experience with Mexican food other than the occasional trip to a Mexican restaurant. I decided to serve Tamale pie and Tortilla soup for the main course. The desert was a Mexican ice cream ball (frozen yogurt rolled in crushed granola and cinnamon served with honey) and a creme caramel with wafer cookies.

Of course with the appetizers we had frozen pina coladas and lemoncello with pineapple juice. My friend Linda brought two different kinds of dips...a hot chesse dip and an avocado dip. We had blue corn tortilla chips and multicolored vegetable chips too.

Linda, Yrsa, and Kay are toasting to our friendship.

I wanted to keep the theme a suprise until they walked in that day. The mexican music and the table setting showed them that they were going to have a "hot" party.

I pulled out my summer napkins of pink and blue stripes and the plates that had been hidden away all winter for the appetizers.

This ivy colored rooster seemed just right for the table. I put a pasmina scarf on the white tablecloth to add brightness.

These coffee plates really added punch to the table. I used my bamboo flatware, amber glasses, yellow napkins with wooden napkin rings, and beaded gold placemats.

I made the placecards and menu using the Photoshop program on my computer.

Just to give it the Mexican cantina feel I strung party lights.

This lantern that I found out the Olde Time Pottery in Pigeon Forge Tennessee was just right for the occasion.

The centerpiece was a very old baking dish with a pottery smaller dish inside filled with herbs and a candle.

The lights are so pretty I'm having a hard time deciding when to take them down.

IT'S WHAT I LOVE TO DO!

Here is just a peek. I have been having the best time preparing for a surprise luncheon tomorrow for my friend Kay who is turning 65 today! Four of us will be having lunch at my house which I have turned into a Mexican cantina. I love doing themed lunches and will show this one on my blog tomorrow. I am happiest when I am doing something creative. I guess that is what they mean when they say "follow your bliss".

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Our Valentine's card (including one from Top Gun aka Linda Green)

Don's will enjoy these Valentine chocolate covered nuts.

These gorgeous pink roses lit up my eyes!

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!", he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing", said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
~A.A. Milne ( borrowed from Pat..Back Porch Musing)

This is what love is...dependablity. In our family we have a quote, "Nothing you will ever do or say will make me hate you."

We will be there for each other always.

A DAY OF LOVE

This is the day I can say "I love you" to all the people who are so special in my life. Where would I be without all those who accept me and love me unconditionally. My human faults that I repeat over and over in those sleepless hours of the night are ignored by my loved ones. Instead they boost me up by telling me of my good points and encouraging me to be a better me. They stand by me in times of crisis and worry along with me hoping for the best. They prop me up with support when I feel I cannot stand. In the good times they are close by to share with me the happiness of my experiences. If you have someone like that who loves you consider yourself the most fortunate human on the planet.

A page from a journal

FOR TODAY Thursday, February 12, 2009

Outside my window...I see the trees blowing from the rainstormm

I am thinking...I am chilly and can't wait for warmer weather when you don't have to put on a sweater to be warm in the house.

I am thankful for...reconnecting with my cousins recently.

I am learning...I will be taking a digital photography class soon and can't wait to learn new techniques

From the kitchen... I am planning to purchase a new dishwasher

todayI am wearing...A chocolate brown velour jogging suit with a red top

...I am going... to the dr with Don later

I am reading...books about digital photography to prepare myself for class

I am hoping...everything will work out for Don

I am hearing... the wind blowing

Around the house...I am organizing the bathroom

One of my favorite things...my new candle-lier over the sunroom table.

A few plans for the rest of the week: a dinner out for Valentine's day

My wish for you....may you have peace in your heart, may cares vanish, and you have the promise of many happy tomorrows