periodic boost.

Living in Florida isn't all glamour, ya know.

The sun can be pretty devastating to the epidermis...

That's why I insist on periodic manicures.

It just makes me feel pretty!

I spy with my holiday eye!

I made a quick trip to the St. John's Town Center Sunday to do a little birthday shopping. As I was coming out of the store, Pottery Barn beckoned to me. What the heck. I dashed across the street and did a little looking. As always, I found the in-store catalogue and brought it home with me...

...and hyperventilated when I found this cardinal salt and pepper shaker set. I really adore this little nest. Cardinals at Christmas remind me of the cold winters in Buffalo, as the real birds perched on snowy branches, puffing out their feathers to stay warm. I think this little set just may find its home on my dining table.

These are the ever-popular, whimsical reindeer dinnerware. Very cute!

And back to the cardinal theme. Love these salad plates. And the table runner. I love it all.

It won't be long now...I feel Christmas coming!

I'll post more great seasonal "finds" as I find them. I hope you'll find my finds to be helpful in finding unique and inspiring finds for the hard to find gifts for those people you find  difficult to shop. For. **let's ignore that writing rule**

let's chat!

~You may recall how a few weeks ago, "someone" was complaining about the oppressive heat in Florida and why, on God's green Earth, would anyone want to live here?  Well...the weather is absolutely gor-ge-ous right now in the big city of Jacksonville!  So I guess that "someone" won't be complaining unless, of course, the temperature spikes and we're back up into the 90s.  Then "someone" is going to start her whining again...

~ A little alarm incident this afternoon...no problem and the officers were as nice as could be! They let me off the hook and no paddy-wagon for me!

~Here is a link to some adorable Paper Dolls. Too cute! Throw some card stock in your printer and make these for your kids. Yes, boys can play with them...there's nothing manlier than a pirate!

~This is an awesome project using dollar store pumpkins. I think it's a beautiful vignette. Go here for the project. I just might tackle this pretty pumpkin project myself!

~How do you like my unconventional pastel Halloween Blog banner? I don't like spooky stuff, so I figured happy colors make the whole vibe much less threatening.  Is it too soon for Halloween decorations?

~Christmas will be here soon...I love Christmas!  I think I'll start my shopping soon. We already know what we're getting Dad.  One down, lots to go!

Alrighty, then. I enjoyed our little chat. 

I'll see YOU soon...

50th Birthday Party!

Not my 50th...our friend Carl's 50th!

It was a surprise party at Mudville and what a great evening it was!

So here's to you, Carl.  Even though there are more photos of Suzy...there would be more of you if you were my girlfriend, but you're not!

Entering the Party Room...surprise!

These two were little babies together...they're not babies any more. 

I often told Carla when she was a little girl that if she married Jonathan, I'd spoil her rotten!  I would...rotten! The offer still awaits you...

The Thurson Boys.  Big, tough.  TEDDY BEARS!

Love them!

A dancing Teddy Bear...dancing with his fun-loving lady.

We love the lady Thursons! 

There's an original Lady Thurson, in the black.  She's just as much fun as her sister Suzy!

These three are my dear, crazy girlfriends.  Audrey, Suzy and Kathy. 

They're the best girls a girl could ever hope to have as friends.  Loyal, trustworthy and fabulous!


Next up: more photos of the party and if I can figure out how to get them off of my camera , a few movie clips of the party.

it pays to snoop!

This is my a chest.  A cedar chest.

It belonged to my mother's step-mother, our grandmother. Ruby.

Jason and I bought my grandparent's home from my mother and aunt and the cedar chest came with the house.  It's always been in our bedroom and honestly, I've never paid that much attention to what was stored inside.

Normally, framed photographs (and other random "stuff") sit upon the ol' cedar chest. Today, I decided to clean it off and take a peek inside. 

Let's have a look...

Blankets. Not too interesting. Wait, I see something...

Look, a new pet! 

Hey, PETA!  Look at my new pet!

My grandmother's fur cape. Smashing!  Our dog BB has a new playmate!

Help me out here, Mom. Is it real?  What kind of animal is this?

 Every Southern lady should own animal fur...after all, it's only 100-degrees in Florida and if an animal can run around in fur, so too, a Southern lady! 

Yes, I can use it. Perhaps as an accent rug...?

My mother's father served on the Jacksonville Police Force. 

This is an ID card, stating his rank of Uniform Captain. He also was an Inspector and rose in the ranks to Assistant Chief. He coined the phrase:

 " I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking "did he fire six shots or only five?" Now to tell you the truth I forgot myself in all this excitement. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and will blow you head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?"

I jest, I jest.

Grandpa's police hat. 

He was an imposing figure. Tall, dark, methodical. Smart and inquisitive, we all know where our brother Tom inherited his love of books.

Upon Grandpa's retirement from the police force, he went back to college and earned a degree in education.  He taught little inner-city school children in the '70s.  Imagine, from a tough cop to a school teacher of little elementary school children.

I'll have to do some more rummaging around in the cedar chest. 

One never knows what one might find at the bottom...

Perhaps another animal skin?

Or inspiration for yet another Dirty Harry quote?

ooh la la! Oui!

Every once in awhile, it's important to ditch your husband for a few hours.

Just remember to take your mother with you. She'll keep you on the straight and narrow.

And that is what I did today.

 Mom also ditched her husband (who also happens to be my Dad...hi, Dad!) and together, we headed for lunch at the French Pantry. Knowing how long the lines can get, we arrived a little early and found ourselves standing in line with two delightful gentlemen, Francisco and David.

New to Jacksonville from Atlanta, they said how friendly our city is and how much they love it here.  We had a wonderful conversation standing outside in the humid air, but taking it inside at precisely 11:00, the magic hour when the Pantry doors open and the lunch ordering begins. 

Good fortune was with Mom and I, as we were seated with our new guys. 

What a lovely lunch! 

Once seated, a lady brings a plate of fresh, warm bread and a bowl of dipping oil. 

Then the meal arrives and boy, the food is truly remarkable.  Worth every penny. 

I bought a loaf of bread...I had to try a piece!

I ordered the Chicken/Buffalo Mozzarella Bruschetta, which was outstanding.  Mom ordered a Shrimp & Fried Green Tomato Salad, of which she said the shrimp were delicious, as were the fried tomatoes.  

Our new friends ordered sandwiches of epic proportions...the freshest restaurant food I've ever laid eyes upon. 

The desserts are out of this world.  We normally don't order dessert, but to pass one up here would be criminal.  I only wish I could remember the name of the "best-ever piece of something I've ever tasted!"

We ate, we chatted, then said our goodbyes. 

Mom and I were so happy to meet new friends. 

I hope they leave a message somewhere, because I didn't get their contact information.

Excuse me one moment...Francisco & David, if you're reading this, Mom and I would love a peek at your new home, once you've finished remodeling.

Next time I dine at the French Pantry, I'll be sure to take some photos of the food and decor. How I forgot the camera today, I'll never know.  What a shame.

In my bid to end the boring blog posts, I do believe I've redeemed myself and wish to leave you with these two thoughts:

~ visit the French Pantry at 6301 Powers Avenue.  Here is a link to their information
     http://local.yahoo.com/info-13962710-french-pantry-jacksonville?tab=reviews#reviews

~ it's OK to go to lunch with Mom and sit with nice people.  Life is much more interesting when you share a little of your life (and your Mom) with the world around you.

Just be sure to return home to your husband once lunch is finished...

Trucks.  They're big.



They're powerful.

They're manly.

And when you're on a manly mission, you need to drive a manly vehicle. 

I don't know what these are called. 

They're canisters of some sort.

I think air is stored in them.

This has nothing to do with anything...I just thought they looked pretty cool. 

It's what I did on Sunday.

Rode shotgun in a truck.

My life is boring...it's sad when I write about my husband's truck.

I'm so confused!

My friend asked if I'd mind making her a custom-collegiate, handy-dandy tote bag.

Naturally, I said "yes."

Blue, green, orange, gold and black.

Go Gators!

Go Noles!

Go ........ I can't remember the other school.

Three, or is it four, schools are represented with these colors.

This is going to be one crazy tote!

I'm not sure how I'm going to manage keeping these schools straight...

Stay tuned for my progress on this menagerie of collegiate goodness.

Sewing this bag is going to be a challenge!

Too bad I don't have a degree in rocket-science!

dog-day afternoon.

She loves getting her "hair" done.  Can't say as I blame her.  I mean, what girl doesn't love to sit in a chair and have someone dry her hair? Unless you're a dog, in which case you lay on the floor and let the warm, dry air of the blow dryer and your stylist work their magic on you.

I think I need to make an appointment to have my fur hair done. 

Do you think I should sit in the chair or just lay on the floor while Tony dries my hair?

tribute to headbands.

Headbands...I used to make quite a few of these little gems.

Perhaps one day soon, I'll whip more up. 

It helps to have a girl to make them for.

All I see on the horizon are boys...

A family full of boys.

And still, I make girlie things...

thanks for stopping by.

Hello.

I've been MIA all week.

And I really don't like these periods of silence on this-here-blog.

I worked a little extra, met a friend to select some fabrics for a custom purse, and spent the same day doing some laundry and cleaning.  Oh, I also finished two purses.

So yes, I've been a little side-tracked. 

Fall is here...ha, ha, ha.  There is no Fall in Florida.  Only slightly cooler weather with a breeze.  No crunchy leaves, no brilliant red and orange hues, no nippy evening air. 

I'm complaining again. 

Sorry.  Kind of.

A new fabric store has opened up in town.  I think I'll make a pilgrimage this weekend.  Just to check it out.  I won't buy a thing, I promise.  I'll buy two things!

Is it evident that my life has hit a boring spot?  Nothing to share with you.  Just endless, mindless prattle.

Sorry. 

Kind of.

morning run.

This is how I roll in the mornings. 

I can too, do this!

Jealous!

Have a great Monday, my friends!

and the winner of the purse is...

Lucky #3!

Pat Kennedy said...

This is too cute, you will have people begging for other holiday themed purses for gifts!

September 8, 2010 11:21 AM


Thanks to everyone who entered.  Keep checking back, as there will be more giveaways in the following weeks. 

For my loyal "Friends" over there in the right-hand margin, I'll be holding giveaways for you, too!  I might just decide one morning to pick a random winner and slap it up on the blog.  So if you're not a "Friend" already, become one today and you'll automatically be entered to win.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

whiney autumn lament.

Hello.

It's still hotter'n heck, hades, h-e-double hockey sticks here in Florida.

Tell me, what does fresh, cool air feel like?

I knew it once, a very long time ago.

Tucked in my bed as the evening settled in, curtains dancing upon the cool autumn air.

...and the breeze would lightly kiss my cheek.

The tree frogs and crickets sang their orchestrated lullaby as a girl drifted off to sleep.

Now all I have are hot flashes in the middle of the night, a damp t-shirt and lizards staring at me through the window. 

...the dog sleeping on the floor at the foot of the bed, dreaming and snoring like an old, craggy sea captain.  Nice.

I miss the dancing curtains and the songs of the night critters.

...Autumn in Florida just isn't the same!

Boo, To You! {A Giveaway}

It's time for a giveaway.

I've been meaning to make something nifty to give away and I think I've got it! 

These little Halloween ghosts and bats, pumpkins and cats, vampires and spiders are too cute.  Not at all evil looking. 

I don't like evil.

There's a nice roomy pocket on the back. 

Perfect for receipts and other stray items.

There's a coordinating key fob to go with the strappy shoulder bag...I seem to have misplaced the hardware to finish the fob.  But I promise, once I find the missing bag of metal, I'll post a photo.

All you have to do to enter a chance at this Halloween fun is leave a comment...that's it.  Please be sure to leave your email address somewhere for me, I'll need to contact you.  If you forget, I'll wait 3 days and randomly select someone else.

If you're a blogger and would like to mention the giveaway on your blog, just slap in another comment...you know the procedure! 

Fun, fun, FUN!

In other news, I had a surprise root canal today.  Lucky me.  Now my head hurts. 

Hey, FYI...don't try applying your lipstick following a dental procedure.  Don't ask me how I know this...you'll end up looking like that old crabby cartoon lady, Maxine.  But in our family, we call that crabby senior "Ruby." 

brand-spanking new purse.

Happy Labor Day!

This is the purse I've been laboring over for the the past week.  Not that it was difficult or time-consuming, I was just consumed with finding the time to finish it.

All that was needed was adding the closure, handles and lining.  Easy, right?

Right.  It's just that I started working again this week and as I told Pat on my first day (at 9 AM), I'm tired!  I'm not used to being accountable for my time.

Thank goodness for Labor Day...I really needed a holiday to rest!

The purse will be listed on my web site, the rubia.  I should have it posted by this evening.  Or, you can email me or leave a comment with your email at the end of this post.

Update: the purse has sold, thank you for your interest in it.  Stay tuned for a "spooky" giveaway!