In just a few short hours...

...I will be here. It's my daughter's first time & I can't wait to see her reaction--that first impression. Something tells me it'll be just like mine was over 25 years ago...love, pure love.



See ya soon!

Monkeying Around Tablescape

It seems as though I haven't put together a tablescape in awhile. Now that I'm off work for the summer, I figured now is as good a time as any to play with my dishes. I've been busy working on lots of projects around here, but Monkeying Around with dishes proved to be a fun diversion.





Funny, I had intended to make this a "banana split" tablescape using my banana boats that I purchased at Pier 1 many years ago. However, once I got started, the little banana split tablescape turned into a full-fledged dinner scape instead!



The placemats & napkins are from Pier 1. The green plates, as well as the brown striped plates were purchased at Oneida Silver Outlet. Flatware is Cambridge bought at Marshalls/Home Goods. Green goblets from Target several years ago.





I borrowed "Douglas" the monkey from my daughter who just rolled her eyes when I told her what I needed him for. Teenagers. ;D

Barley Twist Pedestal from Southern Living at Home. Jar from Michaels last fall. Banana salt & pepper shakers borrowed from my sister.

See? I told you I was Monkeying Around with my dishes!



I'll be joining Susan at her blog, Between Naps on the Porch, for the 150th Tablescape Thursday. 150 weeks of Tablescape Thursday...can you believe it?



Have a nice day & I really do appreciate your taking the time to visit me today.

I'll Know

I don't know how many of you are fans of the musical, Guys and Dolls, but I've been singing bits of the song in my head for the past couple of days. Of course, I changed up the lyrics ever so slightly.

Suddenly I'll know when my love comes along
I'll know then and there
I'll know at the sight of that can
How I care, how I care, how I care
And I'll stop. And I'll stare.

And I'll know long before we can speak
I'll know in my heart.
I'll know and I won't ever ask
Am I right, am I wise, am I smart.
And I'll stop. And I'll stare.
At that can. In the throng.
Yes, I'll know when my love comes along.

What has brought on this Broadway-induced burst of song you ask?

I'm very impatiently waiting for this to arrive..........



Oh yes, I have finally bitten the bullet & ordered Annie Sloan's chalk paint. I cannot wait until it gets here. Suddenly I'll know when my love comes along...

Let Freedom Ring

Just starting to get a few things ready for our 4th of July bash.





It's a beautiful sun-filled day here and I thought I'd take a moment out (before it gets too hectic) to wish each of you a Happy 4th of July!

Be safe & have a blast!

The Copycat

I'm sure many of you know Debbie of Debbiedoos. Well, I'm sure many of you also know that she's having a Magazine Copycat party. So, I had to try my hand at it. After all, Debbie makes it look so easy.

Can I just say? Not so easy. I definitely won't be quitting my day job to photograph magazine layouts any time soon ever.

I started with this rather pretty spread from Flea Market Style.



Of course, I wanted to switch it up a bit. Make it my own...copy, but not copy, if you will.



I don't think it turned out too well. I can see lots of things I should have done differently. Which gets me thinking...remember when Debbie had that party of all the "oops" moments? You know, the crafts & such that didn't turn out too well? Maybe she needs to have another one of those parties so I can enter my magazine copycat attempt. Just sayin'. ;D

I'm sure that there have been many more successful attempts than mine so you should probably head over to Debbie's Copycat party & check 'em out.



As always, thank you for visiting me despite my fruitless attempts at magazine photography!

My day in cartoon

Here we are, 3 days into summer vacation & I feel like that's all I've done is this:



I also feel a little like the snowman in this Dora the Explorer cartoon:



Yesterday, it's 85 degrees, today it's 59! I actually had to put the heat on in the car on the way home from the last taxi service run. Can someone please bring Summer back to me?

I've been searching & searching for something to hang on the wall in my bathroom. I've been to every store within a 50 mile radius.



I've searched online til my head spun & eyes watered:



What did I find? Nothing. Now I feel like this:



Looks like I could use a little of this:



Followed by some of that:



Good night!

Uncle Sam on Display

Here we are in our first full week of summer vacation (finally!) and I thought it time to put together a little something for my dining room hutch in honor of the old red, white & blue.

I don't believe I have ever decorated for the 4th of July (indoors) before. Limited though my patriotic decor may be, I managed to put something decent together.





I bought Uncle Sam when Bayberry Cove was having a 50% off sale. Isn't he cute? The bottle brush trees also came from Bayberry Cove.



The red, white & blue stars are from Pier 1. White pail from Michaels.





The big white star is from Joanns, as are the hat votives.



I made this paper pennant from stuff out of my scrap stash. I love when all the money spent on scrap crap is actually put to use elsewhere.





I'm linking up to Tabletop Tuesday at Marty's blog, A Stroll Thru Life.



I am so happy you came to visit me today. Wishing all of you a very happy week.

(By the way, I'll be sharing my bathroom as soon as I've put the finishing touches on it.)