Sunday, March 27, 2016
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Friday, March 25, 2016
My Favorite Finds Friday: Easter Eggs
I am a total geek when it comes to coloring the Easter eggs. I always boil many... far too many... eggs. The family gathers 'round the table with our cups of Paas egg dye and various coloring tools. (The male offspring grumbles a little) and we set to our creative work. Much hilarity ensues. A good time is had by all. (Ignore the male offspring's grumbles)
According to the Internet, there must be about a billion different ways to decorate your eggs. And thanks to Pinterest, I have seen examples of roughly half those ways. Here are a few of my favorites:
This looks like a very fun - and very messy! - way for the little ones to color eggs. Maybe as an outside project?
I wish I had found the directions for these "Dinosaur Eggs" when the male offspring was young! You know, before he turned too cool for Easter eggs.
These silhouette eggs are simple to create with stickers and Sharpie markers. A little more of a grown up look. Or if you don't want to deal with cups of dye.
Would I love to find these beautiful eggs tucked into my Easter basket this Sunday? Yes, please!! Especially that bumblebee. Gorgeous!!
Do you color Easter eggs? Share your favorite method in the comments!
According to the Internet, there must be about a billion different ways to decorate your eggs. And thanks to Pinterest, I have seen examples of roughly half those ways. Here are a few of my favorites:
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| craftymorning.com/ |
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| ourbestbites.com |
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| cutesycrafts.com |
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| countryliving.com/ |
Do you color Easter eggs? Share your favorite method in the comments!
Thursday, March 24, 2016
I Feel Rather Rotten
It began when the female offspring and the grand baby spent the weekend in Charlotte. Because, as any grandmother knows, when you have gone days without grand baby snuggles - you are not going to let the fact that he is all congested and sniffles keep you from loading up on hugs and kisses when you finally get the chance.
Or maybe my mother brought some germies back from Atlanta with her when she stopped by last week.
Or maybe I picked some up at the anniversary party we went to last weekend.
What ever the source is - I have a cold.
It is not fun. My head hurts. I can't stop sneezing. My throat is sore. I have that whole "only one nostril is going to be clear for breathing at any given time" thing. And now, it keeps trying to move into my ears. I haven't slept well for the past two nights, thanks to all this.
To sum up - I feel rather rotten.
And that's just about all there is to say on this Thursday.
Or maybe my mother brought some germies back from Atlanta with her when she stopped by last week.
Or maybe I picked some up at the anniversary party we went to last weekend.
What ever the source is - I have a cold.
It is not fun. My head hurts. I can't stop sneezing. My throat is sore. I have that whole "only one nostril is going to be clear for breathing at any given time" thing. And now, it keeps trying to move into my ears. I haven't slept well for the past two nights, thanks to all this.
To sum up - I feel rather rotten.
And that's just about all there is to say on this Thursday.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
My Monkeys... Our Circus
Last week, we took the grand baby to his first circus.
It was the Garden Brothers Circus - a small one ring circus showing at the local arena. Which was perfect for a first time circus experience.
Before the show there was a "kid's zone". You could buy tickets for things like pony or elephant rides, face painting, and a bouncy house. This is where we learned the hard way that if you let our grandson play in a bounce house - you had better be prepared to go in after him when it's time to go. Yikes!!
He very much enjoyed the clown acts.
And the acrobats.
But most of all, he enjoyed the circus food.
Popcorn and cotton candy, of course!! Definitely my grand kid!
It was the Garden Brothers Circus - a small one ring circus showing at the local arena. Which was perfect for a first time circus experience.
Before the show there was a "kid's zone". You could buy tickets for things like pony or elephant rides, face painting, and a bouncy house. This is where we learned the hard way that if you let our grandson play in a bounce house - you had better be prepared to go in after him when it's time to go. Yikes!!
He very much enjoyed the clown acts.
And the acrobats.
But most of all, he enjoyed the circus food.
Popcorn and cotton candy, of course!! Definitely my grand kid!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Welcome, Spring!
This past weekend the temperatures here ranged from chilly to downright cold. With a bit of snow up in the mountains. Apparently the weather didn't get the memo about the change of seasons. Or maybe winter was just trying to make good use of its last days.
However, the view out my dining room window was pure spring.
However, the view out my dining room window was pure spring.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
My Favorite Finds Friday: Ain't Nobody Got Time for That
This week as I browsed the Pinterest for Easter ideas, I found myself thinking that there are a lot of people out there with too much time on their hands. Or, with much more flex time than I have available. And though, I suppose the argument could be made that if I spent less time on Pinterest seeing what others are doing, I could then use that time to create some nifty, but time consuming, niftyness of my own. (I am choosing not to dwell on that concept)
Anywho... in the spirit of all my "That's really neat! But who has that kind of time?" discoveries, I present to you this week's Friday Finds:
This bunny face fruit platter from www.worthpinning.com would be an adorable addition to the Easter brunch table! And the grand baby would eat it up - literally and figuratively. But, if I'm honest with myself - I know I would run out of prep time and it's just gonna end up as a bowl of fruit salad.
There's also these too-cute-for-words deviled egg (or angeled egg, if you prefer) chicks from cincyshopper.com! I think I may have actually said "aawwww!" Out loud when I saw them. And while the thought of serving these little peepers up at Easter dinner did make me pause for a moment or two, I don't have that kind of patience. In fact, I usually delegate the egg making to someone else because... I have zero patience for all that peeling.
And then there are the bazillion items shaped as Easter related items which began life as humble rolls and buns... now, bunnies, chicks, carrots filled with egg salad! One can have an entire Spring scene of baked goods on the buffet table.
Now, PLEASE understand - I am not knocking anyone who creates any (or all) these adorable items for their Easter meal. So, please refrain from leaving angry comments or sending me hate mail. I truly do think they are beautiful! And if I had a little more time or patience, I would probably try to produce a few of them for my own family. If you decorate your holiday table with any of these items - More Power to You! I would love to see pictures of your own creations.
Or even better, maybe you could send some over to my house? (hint, hint... wink, wink)
Next week: Unique ideas I have found for decorating eggs!
Anywho... in the spirit of all my "That's really neat! But who has that kind of time?" discoveries, I present to you this week's Friday Finds:
This bunny face fruit platter from www.worthpinning.com would be an adorable addition to the Easter brunch table! And the grand baby would eat it up - literally and figuratively. But, if I'm honest with myself - I know I would run out of prep time and it's just gonna end up as a bowl of fruit salad.
There's also these too-cute-for-words deviled egg (or angeled egg, if you prefer) chicks from cincyshopper.com! I think I may have actually said "aawwww!" Out loud when I saw them. And while the thought of serving these little peepers up at Easter dinner did make me pause for a moment or two, I don't have that kind of patience. In fact, I usually delegate the egg making to someone else because... I have zero patience for all that peeling.
And then there are the bazillion items shaped as Easter related items which began life as humble rolls and buns... now, bunnies, chicks, carrots filled with egg salad! One can have an entire Spring scene of baked goods on the buffet table.
 |
| www.epicurious.com |
Now, PLEASE understand - I am not knocking anyone who creates any (or all) these adorable items for their Easter meal. So, please refrain from leaving angry comments or sending me hate mail. I truly do think they are beautiful! And if I had a little more time or patience, I would probably try to produce a few of them for my own family. If you decorate your holiday table with any of these items - More Power to You! I would love to see pictures of your own creations.
Or even better, maybe you could send some over to my house? (hint, hint... wink, wink)
Next week: Unique ideas I have found for decorating eggs!
Thursday, March 17, 2016
The Luck of the Irish
I am wearing my green. I have a lovely Irish stew started in the slow cooker for our dinner this evening. I think that about says everything that needs saying for my feelings today. Have a great one!
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
- Irish Blessing
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| publicdomainpictures.net |
Go n-eirà an t-ádh libh
HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!
Monday, March 14, 2016
Mother - Daughter Time
Last weekend the female offspring and I had a girl's day out to the Biltmore Estate. The original plan was for us to take my mom for her birthday. But, she decided to go to visit my sister in Atlanta; and once I realized that my passes expired after this weekend, the female offspring and I decided to go ahead by ourselves and make a day of it.
We were especially excited to learn you can now take non-flash photography inside the home now with your phones and small cameras. Previously this has been a BIG no-no.
The estate currently has a "Fashionable Romance" exhibit, with costumes from several movies on display throughout the house.
It was so much fun to see all the wedding dresses, gown, and outfits from the movies.
The house itself was also decorated for the event with gorgeous floral displays.
We spent our entire afternoon gawking at costumes from various historical eras, snapping photos, enjoying a wine tasting, and the gorgeous views around the property.
It was nice to spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the company of my girl in such a beautiful setting! I hope we get more mother/daughter time like this again soon.
We were especially excited to learn you can now take non-flash photography inside the home now with your phones and small cameras. Previously this has been a BIG no-no.
The estate currently has a "Fashionable Romance" exhibit, with costumes from several movies on display throughout the house.
It was so much fun to see all the wedding dresses, gown, and outfits from the movies.
The house itself was also decorated for the event with gorgeous floral displays.
We spent our entire afternoon gawking at costumes from various historical eras, snapping photos, enjoying a wine tasting, and the gorgeous views around the property.
It was nice to spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the company of my girl in such a beautiful setting! I hope we get more mother/daughter time like this again soon.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
My Favorite Finds Friday
It's Friday, y'all! This week has been a total blur, and I think I may have lost a few days in the middle there. I'm not even entirely sure how that happened,; because I really wasn't all that busy. But no matter... with the exception of some grocery shopping tomorrow, my big plans for the weekend consist of sitting for too long, watching too much Netflix, lots of crochet, and painting my toe nails a bright Spring-ish color.
But first... Here are a few of my favorite discoveries from the past week:
This new exhibition at the Biltmore Estate appeals to me on so many levels by combining history, romance, costume design, and Biltmore. Featuring wedding dresses and attire from popular films throughout the house as well as a special display with a recreation of Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil's wedding gown and the actual wedding veil worn by Jackie Kennedy and her cousin Mary Lee Ryan (Who married the grandson of George Vanderbilt). The exhibition runs through July 4.
Speaking of historical fashions: When I saw this exquisite Edwardian Era "bumblebee gown" on Pinterest, I became a teeny tiny bit obsessed. Edwardian fashion AND bumblebees? Yes, Please!!
And while we're sorta, kinda on the subject... if you're wondering what to do with yourself now that Downton Abbey is over, I recommend the above series from the Smithsonian Channel to scratch your Anglophile itch. I didn't exactly discover it this week, but it seems to fit pretty well with the theme I've got going here. It showcases some of the real life American heiresses married to land-rich,money-poor English aristocracy in the late 1800's and early 1800's. Aka - the inspiration for Downton's Lady Grantham. I have been watching full episodes on the Smithsonian Channel website and quite enjoying it!
And while you're at it... You might as well read the book behind the show (because: the book is always better, right?)
And there you have it. If you enjoy history, costume design, romance, Downton Abbey, Anglomania, uber-wealthy Americans, or reading - I've got you covered! You're welcome.
Have a wonderful weekend.
But first... Here are a few of my favorite discoveries from the past week:
 |
| Fashionable Romance at Biltmore |
This new exhibition at the Biltmore Estate appeals to me on so many levels by combining history, romance, costume design, and Biltmore. Featuring wedding dresses and attire from popular films throughout the house as well as a special display with a recreation of Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil's wedding gown and the actual wedding veil worn by Jackie Kennedy and her cousin Mary Lee Ryan (Who married the grandson of George Vanderbilt). The exhibition runs through July 4.
 |
| Photo credit: Indulgy.com |
And while we're sorta, kinda on the subject... if you're wondering what to do with yourself now that Downton Abbey is over, I recommend the above series from the Smithsonian Channel to scratch your Anglophile itch. I didn't exactly discover it this week, but it seems to fit pretty well with the theme I've got going here. It showcases some of the real life American heiresses married to land-rich,money-poor English aristocracy in the late 1800's and early 1800's. Aka - the inspiration for Downton's Lady Grantham. I have been watching full episodes on the Smithsonian Channel website and quite enjoying it!
And while you're at it... You might as well read the book behind the show (because: the book is always better, right?)
 |
| To Marry An English Lord |
And there you have it. If you enjoy history, costume design, romance, Downton Abbey, Anglomania, uber-wealthy Americans, or reading - I've got you covered! You're welcome.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Spring Like
I know it's not officially Spring for another couple of weeks. But today is one of those days that tries to fool you into thinking Winter is over. You know those days, right?
Sunny. Bright blue sky. Temperatures in the upper 60s. A bit breezey.
The grand baby and I ate our lunch on the back porch today. He enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich and pretzels with a juice box. I had a sliced apple, a clementine and some walnuts.
It's been so nice; we're still here. He's playing with bubbles while I write this on my tablet.
Hoping we have many more days like this before the heat of summer sets in, chasing us back inside.
Sunny. Bright blue sky. Temperatures in the upper 60s. A bit breezey.
The grand baby and I ate our lunch on the back porch today. He enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich and pretzels with a juice box. I had a sliced apple, a clementine and some walnuts.
It's been so nice; we're still here. He's playing with bubbles while I write this on my tablet.
Hoping we have many more days like this before the heat of summer sets in, chasing us back inside.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Under The Sea
I meant to share pictures of the adorable cake the female offspring made for the grand baby's 4th birthday and somehow never got around d to it. Eeks! So, over a month after the fact...
It was an Octonauts themed party, so she created this adorable underwater cake with Captain Barnacles and a Sea Urchin figure setting on top.
I wish I had thought to take a picture of the inside. It was four layers. She used food coloring to make each layer a slightly different shade of blue for an ombrè effect.
Our girls got some mad baking skills!
It was an Octonauts themed party, so she created this adorable underwater cake with Captain Barnacles and a Sea Urchin figure setting on top.
I wish I had thought to take a picture of the inside. It was four layers. She used food coloring to make each layer a slightly different shade of blue for an ombrè effect.
Our girls got some mad baking skills!
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