tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36767791092598817622024-03-13T10:14:26.380-05:00Hidden PromiseMiss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-3656093006133007812010-04-08T08:27:00.012-05:002010-04-08T21:05:27.139-05:00Show & Tell Friday and Jewelry Making<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S76IQuu59zI/AAAAAAAAA14/UxfPUY1uU_w/s1600/show+and+tell+fridays.jpg"></a> I'm so sorry! I was planning on joining Cindy at Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday! Honest, it was going to be the last post I did on my Etsy Shoppe! I truly wanted to show off my jewelry but when I went to link with her blog I discovered you weren't supposed to post things you were selling! As my children say.."MY BAD!" But I either have to delete this whole post or just not link with Cindy's. Maybe a few of my blogging friends won't mind me advertising again! </div><div align="center">What I am showing and telling about today is my handmade jewelry! I have just recently started my own Etsy shop! I have to tell you it's sort of scary putting your creations out there for all to judge! Do they like my jewelry or do they hate it? Will they buy it? It really made me feel quite vulnerable! But please forgive me, I tend to be harder on myself than others and definitely bend toward the lower end of self-esteem!<br /></div><div align="center">My father died 4 years ago. My mother is still with us but is paralyzed on her left side because of a stroke she had when she was only 58. She is living in an independent living apartment facility and loves it! After my father passed I completely redid their apartment to make it comfortable and more feminine for mom. Dad was a garage sale junkie and had pretty much taken over the apartment! I painted and stenciled and cleaned out! My mother had so much jewelry! Mostly broken or she couldn't wear because she couldn't put it on by herself! I had seen jewelry making supplies in my favorite craft stores and thought "Hey, I'll just restring all these so she can pull them on over her head with one hand! The brooches would make beautiful pendants on these necklaces! And I was hooked! I have been selling my jewelry creations to friends and at church and at <em>Curves</em> where I work. I kept seeing everyone's Etsy shoppes on their blogs and the ladies at <em>Curves</em> encouraged me to put my jewelry on it! I initially called my jewelry "Butterfly Creations" because I was taking vintage jewelry and repurposing it into something else. When I started my blog that name was already taken so I went with "Hidden Promise" from my favorite hymn ...<em>"in cocoons a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free." </em></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73apZbkEaI/AAAAAAAAA1A/r2aYoHp-LWI/s1600/Etsy+Shoppe+067.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457758728178897314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73apZbkEaI/AAAAAAAAA1A/r2aYoHp-LWI/s320/Etsy+Shoppe+067.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">I have recently started making collages with different vintage pieces. This is my first collage necklace. It's made up of 3 vintage pins, (actually 4). The small flowers are from a pin I cut up to use the flowers on the antique brass stem findings I used. And then I added my signature butterfly charm! Every necklace or bracelet I make includes a butterfly, either a charm added or a butterfly is used in the piece itself.<br /></div><div align="center">The following piece is made with a vintage Sara Coventry brooch and earring set.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cRQ-N9zI/AAAAAAAAA1o/UXR7zdk17t4/s1600/Etsy+Shoppe+015.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457760512614725426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cRQ-N9zI/AAAAAAAAA1o/UXR7zdk17t4/s320/Etsy+Shoppe+015.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cP8snryI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/7vHd2rcgrcA/s1600/Etsy+Shoppe+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457760489992335138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cP8snryI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/7vHd2rcgrcA/s320/Etsy+Shoppe+012.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cQutQ-_I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/ubda7jQfx6U/s1600/Etsy+Shoppe+013.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457760503416814578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cQutQ-_I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/ubda7jQfx6U/s320/Etsy+Shoppe+013.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cQzfLZtI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Qt1yA8vpzk0/s1600/Etsy+Shoppe+014.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457760504699905746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cQzfLZtI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Qt1yA8vpzk0/s320/Etsy+Shoppe+014.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I did turn the earrings into pierced. They were originally clip ons. I do want you all to know that I do not use signed collectable pieces such as Weiss. I would never cut up any piece of vintage jewelry that would destroy its collectable value. If a piece is signed it's either Sara Coventry or vintage Avon. Now some of you might think that's destroying too but I hope my repurposing is turning a piece that was a bit dated into something beautiful someone would want to wear now! I like bling so a lot of my pieces look pretty <em>"dressy"</em> but I like to say that the same piece of my jewelry can be worn with jeans or a cocktail dress! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I made my first sale today!! Yippee!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S73cPOEBwHI/AAAAAAAAA1I/p-YVKdEtNJo/s1600/Etsy+Shoppe+008.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-34703490071388499572010-03-31T16:00:00.000-05:002010-03-31T16:03:59.776-05:00Easter Table<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453494180946898130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S660EE__7NI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/4zgeOxpfqYk/s400/tablescape+thursday.jpg" /> <div align="center">I'm joining Susan @<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/</a> for Tablescape Thursday. She is the queen of tablescapes! In fact, there will be so many pretty tablescapes to look at be sure and go over there and check them all out!!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 120px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453498631765700290" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S664HJl5LsI/AAAAAAAAAxw/sbCg3QCncpA/s400/-happy-easter_-rabbit-driving-tractor.jpg" /> <div align="center">My Easter decorations and table today are mostly from one place...Hobby Lobby!</div><div align="center">Don't you just love that place!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 402px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453495065805161970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6603lWphfI/AAAAAAAAAxY/b41H6i6s5NM/s400/Easter+table+2010+002.jpg" /> <div align="center"></div><div align="center">Okay, this isn't an official tablescape, but it is part of the Easter decorations that go with my tablescape! Isn't that bunny adorable! It looks like he's made with purple hydrangeas! I got him at the grocery store! They have such great floral departments now! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453496631133904994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S662SsqGoGI/AAAAAAAAAxg/4MjzB9DmxSk/s400/Easter+table+2010+005.jpg" />Here's my Easter table! I'm going to add some Easter cookies later to the teirs!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453500934073515074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S666NKW2fEI/AAAAAAAAAyI/0Fl8qNuL__I/s400/Easter+table+2010+006.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453500930140708322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S666M7tMneI/AAAAAAAAAyA/JHGMUOPZY5Q/s400/Easter+table+2010+003.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453500945992946258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S666N2wqklI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/s5f2rbeYkwI/s400/Easter+table+2010+013.jpg" /></div><div align="center">The butterfly and bird plates are from Hobby Lobby. The white plate/chargers are Southern Living Gallery. The blue butterfly stemware is from Big Lots last year and I need more! Did you notice the flower shape placemats? I got those at Kohl's with only one thing in mind!</div><div align="center"> TABLESCAPE THURSDAY!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454899859071163138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S7OyhUFD2wI/AAAAAAAAAzw/aeqgtWH9dyE/s320/Easter+table+2010+012.jpg" /><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454899871409473154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S7OyiCCvhoI/AAAAAAAAAz4/XPjMNmyHrpA/s320/Easter+table+2010+009.jpg" /></div> <p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S7OyhOFrClI/AAAAAAAAAzo/BlmRk-xjdUI/s1600/Easter+table+2010+014.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454899857463118418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S7OyhOFrClI/AAAAAAAAAzo/BlmRk-xjdUI/s320/Easter+table+2010+014.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454899847611045618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S7OygpYwVvI/AAAAAAAAAzg/9W7WC8iQvIw/s320/Easter+table+2010+010.jpg" /></p>Aren't these napkin rings adorable! Hobby Lobby!! Each one is doing something different!<br />The napkins I've used before! My dad got them and the tablecloth to match at a garage sale! I haven't used the tablecloth yet!</div><div align="center">If you haven't had the chance please be sure and check out my new Etsy Shoppe! I'll be adding more jewelry and some purses I decorated and maybe even a few tassels! Thank You!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-42437954889980834352010-03-28T10:55:00.009-05:002010-03-28T17:59:23.078-05:00Joining in on the fun at the Vintage Easter Blog Hop!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6-Df25e4uI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/e7RhcHyPAAI/s1600/Easter+blog+hop.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453722257104757474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6-Df25e4uI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/e7RhcHyPAAI/s400/Easter+blog+hop.jpeg" /></a> What a great meme! Be sure and go over to <a href="http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com ">http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com </a> I love Easter with all the bunnies and the colors of easter are my favorite! But most of all I love Easter <strong><em>"Because He Lives I can Face Tomorrow!"</em></strong></div><br /><div align="center">This is some of my Easter decorations around the kitchen!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6-DfT5kXjI/AAAAAAAAAzI/FVwfm6bJfzQ/s1600/Easter+table+2010+019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453722247709875762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6-DfT5kXjI/AAAAAAAAAzI/FVwfm6bJfzQ/s400/Easter+table+2010+019.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6-De0xEcRI/AAAAAAAAAzA/Enb6FSAgNKQ/s1600/Easter+table+2010+018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453722239352729874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S6-De0xEcRI/AAAAAAAAAzA/Enb6FSAgNKQ/s400/Easter+table+2010+018.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698x5oECKI/AAAAAAAAAy4/us0g3iWT9Rk/s1600/Easter+table+2010+016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453714870493251746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698x5oECKI/AAAAAAAAAy4/us0g3iWT9Rk/s400/Easter+table+2010+016.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698xXsZwwI/AAAAAAAAAyw/2P-3Av9Y4rQ/s1600/Easter+table+2010+015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453714861384647426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698xXsZwwI/AAAAAAAAAyw/2P-3Av9Y4rQ/s400/Easter+table+2010+015.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698wz1tSDI/AAAAAAAAAyo/LtPibeNWIzA/s1600/Easter+table+2010+011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453714851759999026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698wz1tSDI/AAAAAAAAAyo/LtPibeNWIzA/s400/Easter+table+2010+011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698wu5TWhI/AAAAAAAAAyg/YRghkMj_pbU/s1600/Easter+table+2010+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453714850432899602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698wu5TWhI/AAAAAAAAAyg/YRghkMj_pbU/s400/Easter+table+2010+006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698wY6YK9I/AAAAAAAAAyY/AD3J8vjlpDM/s1600/Easter+table+2010+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453714844531829714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S698wY6YK9I/AAAAAAAAAyY/AD3J8vjlpDM/s400/Easter+table+2010+002.jpg" /></a><br />Thank you for visiting! And have a blessed Holy Week!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-34921308817513467612010-03-27T12:34:00.010-05:002010-03-27T13:24:52.297-05:00My New Etsy Shoppe and Favorite Saturdays with Laurie<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S65DuOl57uI/AAAAAAAAAw4/EfcFFzo3KVY/s1600/Etsy+Banner+two.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 102px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453370660262375138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S65DuOl57uI/AAAAAAAAAw4/EfcFFzo3KVY/s400/Etsy+Banner+two.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Well I finally did it! Some of you know I make jewelry. My friends have been telling me for months to put my jewelry on Etsy and I finally did. Just look over to your right! I was up till 2 am this morning!! I feel sort of vulnerable! My own personal creations out there for someone to either love or hate! I plan on adding more pieces but I thought I would start slow. I also have some purses I've decorated that I call "Wedding Purses" I want to add, especially with the season coming up! I made one for a friend's daughter-n-law when my friend's son was getting married. Bride's need a little purse too! She absolutely loved it and when her sister got married she used it too! I may even have some tassels!!! I know, blogland is full of tassels!! LOL! But I do enjoy making them and mine are a little different. I am also trying to get back into blogging again!! I've got an Easter tablescape I need to share! Love You All!!! Lauralu :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I am also joining Laurie @ <a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/">http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/</a> for her "My Favorite Things Saturday"! She has such a wonderful blog, almost as wonderful as herself! I love to create and I love jewelry, especially fashion and vintage jewelry so I'm shamelessly promoting my new Etsy Shoppe here! Okay, maybe I feel a little shamed but making my jewelry is one of my favorite things to do ! </div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-9356430679210047362010-02-08T19:27:00.005-06:002010-02-08T20:55:24.032-06:00Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!Now I know to many of you out there this is nothing! But to us Memphians this only happens once or twice a year, if at all! And we had no warning! I got up this morning, as usual, to get everybody up for school and work. At first I thought it was really foggy outside, until I got closer to the window and saw it was snowing like crazy! I was quite flabbergasted! Usually, we'd have every weather man out in full force warning us of the bad weather coming at us and to be prepared and tell us how to drive and what to get at the grocery store! The kids wouldn't do homework because they knew for sure they wouldn't be going to school and then of course nothing would happen! Well, they sure missed this one! But it was so pretty! Now it's raining and supposed to sleet and maybe more snow!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436058900130475602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DCxKhgrlI/AAAAAAAAAwA/v5H5K-l5uoA/s400/snowday+2-8-10+014.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">View this morning from my front door!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 399px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436058924533186290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DCylbkfvI/AAAAAAAAAwY/x6Kylq75SAU/s400/snowday+2-8-10+011.jpg" /></div> Poor little frog!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436058917975788066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DCyNAKiiI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/ecVXgP9w6Sg/s400/snowday+2-8-10+006.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"> Love her new hat!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436058912390752482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DCx4MlqOI/AAAAAAAAAwI/TOZn3AxZuWU/s400/snowday+2-8-10+005.jpg" /><br />The view from our breezeway!<br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436063401547038498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DG3Lm2fyI/AAAAAAAAAwg/iq0IDKLSPrw/s400/snowday+2-8-10+002.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436063403567995458" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DG3TIr2kI/AAAAAAAAAwo/n_YZBigRouw/s400/snowday+2-8-10+003.jpg" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436063418616196978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/S3DG4LMdL3I/AAAAAAAAAww/7-Gik3NidyM/s400/snowday+2-8-10+004.jpg" />And Molly loved it!<br /><br /><div align="left">Sorry I haven't been around much lately. Family issues have taken precedence. I'll be back, I promise! Meanwhile, I'll miss you all! I'm still trying once in a while to check out your blogs but I may not leave a message. My heart's just not up to it. Someone tell me! Why does it all go so wrong when they grow up?! What happens to our sweet little babies?? God is right there with us I know! "My Trust is in you, Lord! You are my God! I am always in your care!"<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-9797592214712138972009-12-14T19:45:00.011-06:002009-12-14T20:45:35.566-06:00'Cause We Need A Little Christmas!<div align="left"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SybquE22pGI/AAAAAAAAAuY/PjgitYKMM_0/s1600-h/Deck+the+Halls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415273679258297442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SybquE22pGI/AAAAAAAAAuY/PjgitYKMM_0/s200/Deck+the+Halls.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Hi Everyone! And Merry Christmas!!! I'm joining many others over at Susan's Deck the Hall Party! Everyone is showing off their Christmas decor over there. So be sure and go over to Susan's @ <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/">http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/</a>. (After you've visited mine of course!;)</span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last week I showed you some of my various ornaments. I finally got things finished in the great room and cleaned up a bit around the tree! Many of you wanted to see the whole thing! So here it is!</span></div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="right"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415276131301123586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sybs8zba5gI/AAAAAAAAAuw/THkIXjFx_LE/s400/Christmas+2009+012.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="center">The star's not as crooked as it looks! I think it's the angle I took it at! I know everyone is doing some fun stuff at the tops of their trees now but I'm just a traditionalist! I love the star at the top of a Christmas tree.</div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="center">This weekend, before it started raining again!, the DH actually stayed home from hunting and helped me get the yard cleaned up and I got the outside decorated. My oldest son usually puts out a big plastic light up Santa we have and puts some lights out but he's been busy with exams. I got the door done and the mailbox and the little breezeway we have between the garage and the house.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415277565277758322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SybuQRaF43I/AAAAAAAAAu4/n-m6My0pqE0/s400/Christmas+2009+007.jpg" border="0" />The topiary is an iron frame I wrapped with 3 different kinds of garland! First, a green garland went on and then some holly and then a lit holly garland! The garland above the door has grapevine bells, white hydrangeas and poinsettas with white, green and red lights. You can see my ugly tile floor!!! I made the door basket with a metal basket from Southern Living. Mr. Nutcracker is guarding the staircase!</div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="right"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415280004804918802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SybweRWsPhI/AAAAAAAAAvA/lb9hF4r9o6E/s400/Season%27s+greetings+mosaic.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Just pretend all that wrapping paper paraphenalia isn't over there!! I did the buffet in my entry all in Santas! And the banister garland I've had forever! It's got poinsettas and pine cones and then I dripped it with gold, red and silver bead garlands. You can never have too much bling at Christmas! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415280947996216674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SybxVLBBTWI/AAAAAAAAAvI/3DfhTtqBbFw/s400/Snowmen+mosaic.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">I love these snowpeople spelling out JOY! I saw these 2 years ago at Hobby Lobby and had to have them with the trees in a little vignette I made. I took a piece of styrofoam and added some smaller pieces on top to give it different heights then covered it with batting. Hot glued the trees and the snowpeople in place, added the greenery and used the glue gun to make some glue ridges on the batting and covered it with white glitter! I think I've told you I love glitter! Then of course I couldn't stop there! I added glitter to their hats and some on the trees! Do you see the potted trees next to the snowmen? I made those too! The sweet angel trio I've had forever! They're so beautiful! I've used them on the tree and off. This year I nestled them in with the greenery on my mantle.</p><br /><div align="center">And speaking of mantles! I've never been quite satisfied with my mantle...but I do like it this year!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415282741704236738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Syby9lGVnsI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/5npmxFe7CDs/s400/Manger+scene+mosaic.jpg" border="0" /><br />I love my manger scene! My set includes the holy family, 3 wise men on their elaborate camels, a shepherd boy (which I bought cause it reminded me of my oldest son), the drummer boy (which reminded me of my youngest!) and a lady with a lantern, (that's me!), I haven't found one to represent the DH yet! I'm sure he'd say he was one of the wise guy's! I mean wise men! (LOL)<br />My father gave me that angel plate a long time ago! He's been gone now 4 years! It just doesn't seem that long ago! My boss at Curves gave me that beautiful Jim Shore angel last year! The whole mantel is my manger scene and just about every angel I could find!</div><p align="center">Well, that's it! My memory card is full! So I couldn't show you the kitchen! I'll have to get a new one and take more pics! This year I added one of Kristen's adorable picture frames!<br /></p><p align="center"></p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-63425713905275701312009-12-04T17:07:00.023-06:002009-12-07T23:33:11.165-06:00<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3jnCBzPrI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/po-_pxK8pjE/s1600-h/Deck+the+Halls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412732586868031154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3jnCBzPrI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/po-_pxK8pjE/s200/Deck+the+Halls.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">I'm joining my friend and neighbor Susan @ <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/">http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/</a> for her Deck the Halls Party! I missed last week because I just wasn't ready! I still have alot to do today to finish my Christmas decorating. I've posted pictures of a few of my Christmas tree ornaments. Hope you enjoy this little peek into my obsession with ornaments! When you're done be sure and go on over to Susan's blog and check out everyone's Christmas decorations! Susan is one lovely lady inside and out and her blog is just like her!<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">This year the tree was the first thing I got up! Last year I bought a pre-lit tree from Hobby Lobby after Christmas! We don't get real trees anymore because they effect our sinuses too much! My old tree was the kind with the pole I had to stick each branch in to and then string it with lights. I always used white and colored lights. I had it down to a science! It only took me a whole day to get the tree ready to decorate!!!!! Needless to say I'm a little anal about my Christmas tree! Pardon my french! Did I say that?!?! Anyway, while I was cooking Thanksgiving dinner I asked my 21 yr. old to bring down my tree. We put it together 1,2,3 and voila the tree was up and the lights already done! How cool is that! Okay, so I'm a little behind the times! It wasn't until last week I got around to decorating it. This new tree is smaller than my previous. My DH came home and saw it and the first thing he said was "you'll never get all of your ornaments on that tree!". Well, he was right, so I'm working on the tree in the dining room and the one in the study. Since I knew my space was limited I rummaged thru my ornaments only putting my most beautiful and favorite ones on the tree! I started putting them on the front first. I had also added a star. By the time my DH came home from work my tree was leaning to the front with the weight of the ornaments! We had to take everything off and straighten the tree again and start all over! It's done and I do believe it's my favorite tree ever! Of course I say that every year! I thought I would miss my colored lights but my ornaments actually seem to show up better with just the white! I love Christmas tree ornaments! Did I mention I love Christmas tree ornaments! You know how most of you are dishaholics....while I'm an ornamentaholic! Whew! that was hard to spell! My tree is a mixture of all kinds of ornaments and all colors! Take a look! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Handmade Ornaments!<br /></span></em></strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma2lbHqSI/AAAAAAAAAqY/MfL2f6AaF5g/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411526689811835170" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma2lbHqSI/AAAAAAAAAqY/MfL2f6AaF5g/s320/Christmas+2009+001.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">These are two of my favorites I made. The ball I made 2 years ago. It's decorated with ribbon and various Christmas piks! The santa ornament I made from a kit 2o something years ago! I can't believe it's that old!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma3RDZW9I/AAAAAAAAAqo/4avqGim3q-g/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411526701523491794" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma3RDZW9I/AAAAAAAAAqo/4avqGim3q-g/s320/Christmas+2009+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Last year I made several of these Christmas flags. I saw the idea in a magazine. Don't remember which one! They're all different. I have three on my tree. I made them out of scrapbook paper, stickers, ribbon, red and white pipe cleaners and small wood finials I covered with glitter. Have I mentioned how much I love glitter!?! I love how you can glimpse my Christmas tree elf! Isn't he adorable?<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma26bKhSI/AAAAAAAAAqg/MQqBk7XtFGM/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411526695449167138" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma26bKhSI/AAAAAAAAAqg/MQqBk7XtFGM/s320/Christmas+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma381mbBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/vutRTnZyIow/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411526713276787730" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxma381mbBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/vutRTnZyIow/s320/Christmas+2009+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">To your right is a styrofoam ball I covered with sequins and pearl pins of various colors! Took me forever! But I loved every minute of it! The star was a form I got at Hobby Lobby. One side is this pink and green and white with gold accents, the other is gold and silver. I love glitter! Oh yeah, I said that already!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>Faberge Eggs!</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxme2ySlCYI/AAAAAAAAAq4/UDsUUIj-Cps/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411531091312183682" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxme2ySlCYI/AAAAAAAAAq4/UDsUUIj-Cps/s200/Christmas+2009+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxme39yTsRI/AAAAAAAAArQ/YXvjc5xBfls/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411531111577923858" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxme39yTsRI/AAAAAAAAArQ/YXvjc5xBfls/s200/Christmas+2009+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxme3Y3kiGI/AAAAAAAAArA/RvhKCPVdL2g/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411531101667887202" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxme3Y3kiGI/AAAAAAAAArA/RvhKCPVdL2g/s200/Christmas+2009+015.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Oh, I have more! Trying not to make this post too long!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3gfuVBLWI/AAAAAAAAAuA/-czxJGwM9g0/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412729162785959266" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3gfuVBLWI/AAAAAAAAAuA/-czxJGwM9g0/s400/Christmas+2009+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3gfN7CthI/AAAAAAAAAt4/QvA5ZTU8Yzw/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412729154087073298" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3gfN7CthI/AAAAAAAAAt4/QvA5ZTU8Yzw/s400/Christmas+2009+019.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">I love these kind of ornaments! Does anyone know what they're called?<br /><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Angels! </span></em></strong><strong><em><br /></em></strong><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmySwjfMI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/ysfBiwsNxF4/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411539810221522114" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmySwjfMI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/ysfBiwsNxF4/s320/Christmas+2009+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmxcKyy7I/AAAAAAAAAsA/SUSWhnmiOHg/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411539795567627186" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmxcKyy7I/AAAAAAAAAsA/SUSWhnmiOHg/s320/Christmas+2009+027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxmmx3-q-8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/LSksb7kUXFs/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411539803032976322" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxmmx3-q-8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/LSksb7kUXFs/s320/Christmas+2009+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">And Faeries!<br /></span></em></strong><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmxAt-o3I/AAAAAAAAAr4/e4jpjPTRaWc/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411539788199011186" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmxAt-o3I/AAAAAAAAAr4/e4jpjPTRaWc/s320/Christmas+2009+009.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmvzxoGMI/AAAAAAAAArw/PMflwLSZ-LQ/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411539767544780994" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxmmvzxoGMI/AAAAAAAAArw/PMflwLSZ-LQ/s320/Christmas+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412723049919670834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3a76IH6jI/AAAAAAAAAtA/TxGAJRRNef8/s320/Radko+ornaments.jpg" border="0" /> The ones on the left are part of my Christopher Radko collection. On the right are blown glass ornaments I actually bought at Hobby Lobby last year or the year before...I can't remember!<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>Vintage Ornaments!</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3cUoU1t3I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/BJYovbEGkEg/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412724574149523314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3cUoU1t3I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/BJYovbEGkEg/s320/Christmas+2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3cVbqzIcI/AAAAAAAAAtg/nA85qsqIE2c/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412724587931836866" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3cVbqzIcI/AAAAAAAAAtg/nA85qsqIE2c/s320/Christmas+2009+031.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3cVEv2pMI/AAAAAAAAAtY/ArTqWioft40/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412724581779023042" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3cVEv2pMI/AAAAAAAAAtY/ArTqWioft40/s320/Christmas+2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These are ornaments from my Grandmother's. We used the birds on our tree was I was little! A long time ago!!!<br /></div><div align="center"><br />Okay, I'm done! But there are so many more! I'd love to share them all but you'd be here til next Tuesday! I'll leave you with this mosaic and a large Merry Christmas!</div><div align="center"> </div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412726145009108450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sx3dwEO8xeI/AAAAAAAAAto/9796MCjfAmM/s400/ornament+mosaic.jpg" border="0" /> <strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Merry Christmas!</span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-90757059499832187982009-12-03T21:07:00.004-06:002009-12-03T21:52:37.865-06:00Marty's Hostin' a Party!<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiC4wmEbGI/AAAAAAAAAqA/4mJlnp8jfh4/s1600-h/Cloche+Party"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411218863914511458" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiC4wmEbGI/AAAAAAAAAqA/4mJlnp8jfh4/s200/Cloche+Party" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">This is my first time to join Marty @ <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/">http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/</a> for her wonderful cloche parties! I don't have a real cloche! I don't know where you ladies are getting yours but I've only seen a couple around here and they're expensive! But I'm gonna get in on the fun anyway! Marty is such a sweet lady and has the best blog! Be sure and go over to see everyone elses fantabulous cloches! (After you've looked over mine! of course!)</span></div><br /><div align="center">Now this is actually a covered serving dish I got at Marshall's. But I had such fun making</div><div align="center">little Christmas vignettes under it!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiEeSa65JI/AAAAAAAAAqI/sHCAVkHqYSU/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411220608161342610" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiEeSa65JI/AAAAAAAAAqI/sHCAVkHqYSU/s200/Christmas+2009+032.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiEelzLeEI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/yFAxPVK9_zo/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411220613363365954" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiEelzLeEI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/yFAxPVK9_zo/s200/Christmas+2009+033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center">This one's sort of hard to see. A golden rocking reindeer sitting on a bed of Christmas greenery!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxh_31Kq1OI/AAAAAAAAAo4/9wSQ4ywSSLA/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411215549427012834" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxh_31Kq1OI/AAAAAAAAAo4/9wSQ4ywSSLA/s200/Christmas+2009+034.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxh_4VqydUI/AAAAAAAAApA/t5HbWTAJk6I/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411215558151664962" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sxh_4VqydUI/AAAAAAAAApA/t5HbWTAJk6I/s200/Christmas+2009+035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A vintage snowman, trees and a couple of old Japan bunny figurines!</div><div align="center">I also used the tip I got from Mary at Mary's Meanderings about using Epsom salt instead of the fake snow!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiAuohg2hI/AAAAAAAAApI/fpkpwSUB5KU/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411216490925971986" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiAuohg2hI/AAAAAAAAApI/fpkpwSUB5KU/s200/Christmas+2009+036.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiAu1QrQZI/AAAAAAAAApQ/I4DFIKHKgcY/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411216494345011602" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiAu1QrQZI/AAAAAAAAApQ/I4DFIKHKgcY/s200/Christmas+2009+038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center">I changed the snowman out for a couple of miniature wooden santas!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiBJToYGZI/AAAAAAAAApY/2J5-yboUSaM/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411216949174081938" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiBJToYGZI/AAAAAAAAApY/2J5-yboUSaM/s200/Christmas+2009+042.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />This is an adorable little elf ornament I got last year at Hobby Lobby!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiBhgpgAAI/AAAAAAAAApg/hGMonWH3SAY/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411217364985315330" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiBhgpgAAI/AAAAAAAAApg/hGMonWH3SAY/s200/Christmas+2009+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiBhyj1loI/AAAAAAAAApo/iAvNZgF6rIA/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411217369793402498" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiBhyj1loI/AAAAAAAAApo/iAvNZgF6rIA/s200/Christmas+2009+044.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div align="center">A silver glittered tree and one of the miniature santas. Can you see he's holding a bunny!</div><div><br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiB_ZMUSAI/AAAAAAAAApw/hWfaUtqMGKg/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411217878379939842" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiB_ZMUSAI/AAAAAAAAApw/hWfaUtqMGKg/s200/Christmas+2009+046.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiB_r-6IlI/AAAAAAAAAp4/fh_MSTnj5Ks/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411217883423973970" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxiB_r-6IlI/AAAAAAAAAp4/fh_MSTnj5Ks/s200/Christmas+2009+048.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div align="center">The one on the left is actually a music box! (I got my DH's nose in the picture!)</div><div align="center">And the one on the right is actually a tree ornament!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Well, Thanks for stopping by and checking out my pretend cloche's! Don't forget to go over to Marty's to see many more!</div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-62889497572469766102009-11-28T22:30:00.003-06:002009-11-29T19:13:54.525-06:00Sunday Favorites<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxH6dAP5EAI/AAAAAAAAAoU/jmxq-IDjN3E/s1600/Sunday+Favorites.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409380003638480898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SxH6dAP5EAI/AAAAAAAAAoU/jmxq-IDjN3E/s200/Sunday+Favorites.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, I'm finally going to join my bestest, sweetest blogging friend Chari @ <a href="http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/">http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/</a> for Sunday Favorites! Chari has such a beautiful blog! She is one talented lady, and have I mentioned how sweet she is? Well she is! So be sure and go by and say hi and check out other blog favorites you might have missed the first time around! But before you go I wanted to revisit my very first tablescape! This was March 2009! So long ago! (LOL)<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />I was just mindin' my own business! I had the day off and was in the kitchen baking a birthday cake for my son, nephew and brother-n-law (they're birthdays are the 11th, 9th and the 6th of March) and I was thinking about all the beautiful tablescapes I had been privy too that morning via Susan at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/</a> and one thought led to another and before I knew it I was imitating Laurie at bargainhuntingwithlaurie running all over the house looking for just the right thing to complete my tablescape! I hope you enjoy it! I really did have fun!</div><div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309798590367174114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbAxr3e0jeI/AAAAAAAAAMA/ORBJ3XePC7U/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+038.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">It's a garden theme! I didn't use placemats because there wasn't room and I really love my handpainted table! Can you see the tree branches? There's a wren and nest under my plates! I did it myself! Painted right over the top of an antique oak pedastal table and my husband hasn't forgiven me yet! Recognize the green glassware from Old Time Pottery?! I told you they would go with my everyday china!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br />This pattern is George Briard and you had to buy it in sets of four because each plate has a different flower! Wasn't I a horrible bride?! It's discontinued now but I have seen it on China Replacements, Inc. And this is gonna hurt ya...years ago I had alot more of it including some serving pieces I had displayed on a wall mounted shelf in our kitchen in our first house and one day I was mopping the floor and I had moved the table and chairs out from under the light fixture... when I raised up from bending over mopping my back hit the bottom of the shelf which pulled it away from the wall and CRASH! Not much survived. Luckily I only had 2 plates and 2 salads up there or I probably wouldn't have what I have now!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1oCkaUgI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/clp5GqHBGqw/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309802922670445058" style="WIDTH: 343px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1oCkaUgI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/clp5GqHBGqw/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+044.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1nvfW_OI/AAAAAAAAAMI/2O9RTCwOf0M/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309802917548981474" style="WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1nvfW_OI/AAAAAAAAAMI/2O9RTCwOf0M/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Lupinus, texensis</em> or better known as Texas Bluebonnet! Do you see my little butterfly and bunny Sabino glass?<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1o-nRDwI/AAAAAAAAAMg/g6Or9jFvW3k/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309802938788548354" style="WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1o-nRDwI/AAAAAAAAAMg/g6Or9jFvW3k/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+045.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1oR_z_XI/AAAAAAAAAMY/50TnO58Ph34/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309802926811905394" style="WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA1oR_z_XI/AAAAAAAAAMY/50TnO58Ph34/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+040.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>Persicum Giganteum</em> or Cyclamen. See the little Sabino squirrel chewing on a nut!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4gkDkrLI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Kje_B8lbHlQ/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309806092755446962" style="WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4gkDkrLI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Kje_B8lbHlQ/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+046.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4f8zapvI/AAAAAAAAAMo/GBWj8LT2gWI/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309806082218698482" style="WIDTH: 344px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4f8zapvI/AAAAAAAAAMo/GBWj8LT2gWI/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+041.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>Viola Pedata</em> or Bird's-Foot Violet. Over in the left hand corner you can see my Sabino garden statue. It's a little cherub holding a bouquet of flowers!</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4hNv4ucI/AAAAAAAAANA/8XrU3uumIhU/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309806103947164098" style="WIDTH: 328px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4hNv4ucI/AAAAAAAAANA/8XrU3uumIhU/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+047.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4gBjIRTI/AAAAAAAAAMw/a7lOCs0MpHI/s1600-h/Hidden+Promise+Pics+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309806083492562226" style="WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbA4gBjIRTI/AAAAAAAAAMw/a7lOCs0MpHI/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><em></em></p><br /><p align="center"><em>Chrysanthemum Segetum</em> or Corn Marigold</p><br /><p align="center">The flatware was my grandmothers. The white chargers are actually plates from Southern Living! I'm trying to collect the whole set! So far I've got 4 plates and 4 bowls. The butterfly napkins were a gift from my dad who was always perusing a good garage sell. I have the tablecloth to match! He found so many great things at garage sales! Alot of junk, but alot of good things too!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309814680501175394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SbBAUb5tRGI/AAAAAAAAANQ/C_kAT595m6M/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+043.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Don't know if you can really see. I used a bird's nest and faux violets in my Southern Living toile pots and of course my Sabino glass pieces and a Goebel bird and I had the little garden urn...it was a candle that had burned down and this Christmas I was putting up things and there was this silver ball and the urn and I thought hmmm if I turn it upside down in this urn it looks like a miniature garden reflectory ball! Aren't I just so clever?! LOL</p><br /><p align="center">Thanks for taking a look at my first tablescape! God Bless! Now be sure and go over to Susan's to see all the other great tablescapes! I'm going too!</p></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-31279253077114687682009-11-25T23:51:00.004-06:002009-11-26T00:45:58.446-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4e-8_IPyI/AAAAAAAAAmc/7HcGQdVVYPE/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408294269390176034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4e-8_IPyI/AAAAAAAAAmc/7HcGQdVVYPE/s200/Thanksgiving+2009+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">It's that time of year to remember and to be thankful for all of our blessings! </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">It's late and I've made the Southern Living Magazine pumpkin pie recipe and my family's favorite rum pie. I've polished the silver and set the table. The turkey I'm hoping is completely thawed! Schedules for oven time are swirling in my brain but I'm just too tired and I'll figure that out tommorrow! (you can call me Scarlett!) I've created a tablescape I'm rather proud of and it's all been inspired by every one of you! I am counting my blessings for my blogging friends! Some of the sweetest ladies I've never met! (LOL!) It is such a blessing to get to share one another's creativities and thusly each other's lives. The ladies I've met are all about beauty, creativity, love of family and home and of God. I am constantly inspired, touched, awed and humbled by each one of you! Thank you! and Thank God for bringing us together! </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4e-gJpQtI/AAAAAAAAAmU/g_V2zLTHHNs/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408294261649654482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4e-gJpQtI/AAAAAAAAAmU/g_V2zLTHHNs/s200/Thanksgiving+2009+015.jpg" border="0" /></a>I know that you all have probably already got your Christmas decorations up and I'm just now getting around to showing you some of my fall decor with my Thanksgiving table! I am having my in-laws over for Thanksgiving. First my sons and I are going over to my mother's assisted living and eating turkey and dressing with her! I'm going to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners! Boy, am I going to have alot of dieting to do after the New Year!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408292327315969122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4dN6MjlGI/AAAAAAAAAmM/sPVq_7TmVUE/s400/Thanksgiving+2009+008.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I did the arrangement myself! They're real too!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </div><p></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408292312389288418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4dNClwgeI/AAAAAAAAAl0/RUJwMtiHpMw/s400/Thanksgiving+2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">My china is Marjolaine by Havilland Limoges. I love it! I love the colors, the flowers, the scalloped edges....I picked it out 25 years ago and I still love it! The gold chargers are the one's my mother-n-law gave me. I wanted something different for the Thanksgiving table so I combined 2 wired ribbons and just laid them over the top of the charger and then just folded down the edges!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408292316868469858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4dNTRrZGI/AAAAAAAAAl8/dIEJcWZbJXw/s400/Thanksgiving+2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Look at my napkins! I've had these for awhile! I think I got them at Target years ago! They're ivory with a little gold thread going thru them and gold autumn leaves. There are actually 2 different sprigs that make up the napkin rings. I took some of the ribbon I used on the chargers and just stapled the ends together on the back then just tucked in the leaf sprig and put the acorns on top. They're actually Christmas sprigs I got at Michaels half off!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408292321430343794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4dNkRUEHI/AAAAAAAAAmE/dAXPmkRR-Po/s400/Thanksgiving+2009+010.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Here's my close-up Mr. DeMille! My crystal is Wedgewood Majesty. I got the little candleholders at Michael's too. They're Christmas too! And on sale 40% off! There's alot of copper and brown and purple this year for Christmas! Not my style though. I am still a traditional red and green person myself.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408292305187221506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sw4dMnwpsAI/AAAAAAAAAls/lihju4G6meA/s400/Thanksgiving+2009+011.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!</p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-15613222425534654702009-11-13T08:13:00.003-06:002009-11-13T08:56:39.961-06:00Pineapple Cake Extraordinaire!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sv1qW3fMPeI/AAAAAAAAAlk/vNdS6IiPG8w/s1600-h/Foodie+Friday+Logo+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403592068998905314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sv1qW3fMPeI/AAAAAAAAAlk/vNdS6IiPG8w/s200/Foodie+Friday+Logo+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Hello Everybody! Last night I promised the recipe to this oh so fabulous cake! My mother-n-law gave it to me years ago! Before my husband and I were even married! It's his favorite cake! For years I didn't make it for him because the kids always wanted chocolate cake with chocolate icing which my husband loves too! I made it one year for my boss on her 49th birthday; my dear friend who was my manager at Curves. She's the one working at the jewelry shoppe now! You know, the one who got my hubby to get me that amethyst ring for our anniversary! Come to think of it...I ought to make her one now just to thank her!</p><p>Of course I'm linking to Michael's wonderful blog <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com</a>. Be sure and check out all the wonderful recipes everyone else is sharing today!</p><p>My menu for my husbands 51st birthday was a wonderful pork tenderloin out of Southern Living's cookbook, the DH's favorite potatoes out of the Silver Palate Cookbook from way back, and a great salad I got out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine! I served a wonderful Zinfadel from the wineries at the Biltmore Estate! I am usually a Merlot lady myself but this was perfect! And it had such a beautiful pink color too it! Okay, for the moment you've been waiting for! (sorry I didn't take pics of the food!)</p><p align="center"><em><strong>Favorite Pineapple Cake:</strong></em></p><p align="center"><em>1 yellow cake mix</em></p><p align="center"><em>1 15 oz. can crushed pineapple</em></p><p align="center"><em>1 pint sour cream</em></p><p align="center"><em>4 tbsp. corn starch</em></p><p align="center"><em>1/2 to 1 cup sugar ( I used 3/4 cup)</em></p><p align="center"><em>Make the cake as directed on the box. It helps to oil and flour the pans for easy release. Let cool thouroughly. I made the cake 2 days in advance and wrapped well in saran wrap and you can either freeze or store layers in refridgerator. Cut each layer in half with serrated knife before adding filling.</em></p><p align="center"><em><strong>To make filling: </strong></em><em>In med. saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch. Add pineapple (juice too) and cook carefully until thickened. Try not to burn! Cool completely and then add sour cream stirring slowly to blend well. Fill between halved layers of cake. FYI: I actually forgot to add sour cream this time but it was still delicious!</em></p><p align="center"><em><strong>Cooked White Fluffy Icing:</strong></em></p><p align="center"><em>In top of double boiler combine:</em></p><p align="center"><em>2 egg whites</em></p><p align="center"><em>1 1/2 cups of sugar</em></p><p align="center"><em>1/4 tsp. cream of tartar</em></p><p align="center"><em>1/3 cup water</em></p><p align="center"><em>Beat with hand mixer until icing forms stiff peaks. Yes, this may take a while! But it is worth it! Let cool slightly and fold in 1 tsp. of vanilla extract. When cooled, ice your cake as normal.</em></p><p align="center"><em>This is a cake made best atleast 1 night before serving! Enjoy!</em></p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-7870593115914673102009-11-12T21:10:00.005-06:002009-11-12T22:01:28.111-06:00<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzTYfcfHzI/AAAAAAAAAlM/O6Eb5Xv1_BI/s1600-h/tablescape+thursday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403426070649052978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzTYfcfHzI/AAAAAAAAAlM/O6Eb5Xv1_BI/s200/tablescape+thursday.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Hello Everybody! Boy! I am just squeaking in at the end of Tablescape Thursday! But I thought if I don't go ahead and put this in I won't be around til after Thanksgiving! I don't know how you all keep up with all of your wonderful posts! I really miss visiting with everyone! So I'm back to show you the fancy table I set for my hubby's 51st birthday! I had his parent's over and made his favorite cake, pineapple! Boy, do I have a recipe for you! But I think my mother-n-law would disown me if I shared it. But guess what?! They don't have a computer! So, I'll post my recipes tommorrow on Foodie Friday! I'm so bad!! Of course you've probably already been over to Susan's at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/</a>. She has the most beautiful blog, especially with everyone sharing their tablescapes today! Anyway...here's my tablescape:</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403424578082857458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzSBnM-YfI/AAAAAAAAAk0/RG00DlpuMv0/s400/ebay+item+066.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Gold chargers were gifts from my mother-n-law. What do you think of my fall china?! Did you guess it's paper?! Yes, I used paper plates! I thought they were so pretty and I wanted a Fall table! Hey! Have you priced some of those fancy paper products lately?! Some of ya'll have bought real china for much less! (LOL!)</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403424581485731714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzSBz4SH4I/AAAAAAAAAk8/xQkEpo7uTI8/s400/ebay+item+068.jpg" border="0" /> My crystal wine glasses are "Majesty" from Wedgewood. I don't think Wedgewood is making crystal anymore. The green etched glasses I used for water or tea. They're from Old Time Pottery. I bought them last year for about $1.50 per stem. The Wedgewood is about $50 a stem!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403424573001354834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzSBURczlI/AAAAAAAAAks/gUpIZXbewrg/s400/ebay+item+065.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Notice the flowers? I used a glass vase I bought at a thrift store. I didn't have any floral foam so I carefully cut all the flowers down to size and then placed them in so full they couldn't fall over! I also used a closeup of them on my Fall blog header! The candle votives came from Walgreen's last year! The tablecloth is actually yellow gold but it doesn't show up very well in these pics. I bought it two years ago at Tuesday Morning. It's reversible!<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403429000075631058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzWDAaNWdI/AAAAAAAAAlU/YNuIfzAjNbg/s400/ebay+item+069.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Paper plates and matching napkins and my mother's sterling! I really mixed it up for this tablescape! (LOL) This pattern I think is Stradivarius. That's all I know. It got stolen once and mom and dad had to replace it. Did you notice how the etching on my green glasses is reflected on the knife?<br />I'm so glad to be back! Hopefully with Thanksgiving and Christmas I'll have stuff to blog about!<br /></p><p align="center">A friend emailed me this and I thought about all of you!<br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403432856838211906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 315px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SvzZjf-ECUI/AAAAAAAAAlc/CCh8b7jAZaA/s400/image0033.jpg" border="0" /></p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-71786296763448786612009-09-25T11:21:00.005-05:002009-09-25T12:12:08.050-05:0025 Years of Wedded Bliss!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Srzur1BbQmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/KZeYXlUOCvo/s1600-h/25th+edited+photo.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385441691163116130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Srzur1BbQmI/AAAAAAAAAkM/KZeYXlUOCvo/s400/25th+edited+photo.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">I haven't been around much this month! I'm sorry! I haven't done any wonderful projects to share with you all! I've been working alot at Curves, started selling Avon!, my sister from Fresno, Ca has been visiting and the DH and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary! And I can say with great pride that "DH" stands for "Dear Husband!" and not "dumb husband"! LOL! I took the week off from work because he had wanted us to go back to Florida where we went for our honeymoon. From previous experience last spring for my birthday we were not inclined to leave the house in the hands of our 21 and 17 year old boys! So we planned to go out to dinner as we do every anniversary. I've been worked up about this anniversary! I wanted it to be special! Special dress, manicure, pedicure, jewelry...I worked myself up into a tizzy! Did I expect a gift? No, I really didn't. He's never done that for an anniversary before...but then again?!? It is our 25th! Yes, I admit here, to you all, that this lady was feeling quite sorry for herself the morning of the 22nd on our anniversary. A friend of mine works at a very nice local jewelry shop and she had picked out some pieces she knew I would love. I even went by there and tried on the ring. It was a sterling band with 18k gold filagree overlay and a beautiful faceted amethyst and 2 little pink sapphires! Very vintage looking! It fit perfectly. "you can try, but he's never given me an anniversary gift like this," I told her. As I was indulging in a pity party that morning I told myself this was ridiculous! Laura, you have a blessed life! I needed to turn to the Lord that morning to get myself back into perspective! I have to share the scripture message: "My life makes its boast in the Lord. ~Psalm 34:2 "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Understand who you are in Jesus Christ. You are more than capable in Him." In other words, He has given me everything I need to do and to live as I should...flowers, rings, these things are not what I should be seeking to make me happy! You'd think I was 10 years old and not 49! I immediately felt strength and peace and happiness with what I have! That night I came downstairs decked out and ready to go out to dinner with my wonderful DH (dear husband) and of course asked him the proverbial "How do I look?" Wonderful he says, "but something's missing" WHAT! ...then he hands me a small wrapped package! Good things do come in small packages! He got me the ring! I ate humble pie for dinner that night! I cried! I told him how special he made me feel! Did I need the ring to make me happy? No, by that time I had learned my lesson. But, as I've tried to explain to my husband...it is the thought that counts! What I truly needed was the thought and not the ring. Here's to the next 25! (But don't get the idea I'm returning the ring! After all, it does fit perfectly! LOL!)</div><div> </div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-50896196488836620172009-08-17T21:07:00.005-05:002009-08-17T21:35:22.994-05:00Late Mosaic Post!<div align="center">I've been trying so hard to make some mosaics out of the pictures I took of the jewelry I've been making! Some of the pictures just did not turn out good. I don't know what I did? Then when I put a mosaic together it was cutting off the pictures and not showing the whole piece of jewelry. After fiddling and fiddling I finally just made this one mosaic with the bracelets I made that the pictures turned out the best. Mosaic Monday is sponsored by Mary @<a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com</a> and she has the most beautiful mosaics! And much more experienced mosaic makers have posted their gorgeous mosaics too! So go by and take a look!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">About 3 years ago I started making jewelry and decided I would call my "creations" <em>"Butterfly Creations" </em>. Every bracelet and necklace I make has a butterfly on it somewhere. I named it this because I was taking old, vintage pieces of jewelry and making new pieces with them. Not all of my jewelry is made this way but that's how I started. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371121956511181314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SooO9kcmagI/AAAAAAAAAkE/u-uR9BMjK2I/s400/mosaic107dc1c05e468c01d00e0f129561ec6d94687ce3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">All of these bracelets are made from vintage brooches except the one on the bottom left hand side. It is made with Swarvoski crystal components. The top left bracelet is made with Swarvoski pearls and Swarvoski crystal rondelles. It is a pull-on stretch bracelet with a beautiful little butterfly charm added. The top right bracelet is one of my favorites. I love the color combination of turquoise, white, cobalt, crystals and gold. It too is a stretch bracelet. The bottom right bracelet is also one of my favorites made with a gorgeous emerald green and aurora borealis brooch, Swarvoski pearls, aurora borealis glass beads and a sterling clasp. </div><br /><div align="center">I do sell my jewelry, so if you're interested let me know. I made many more pieces, including several necklace and earring sets. Hopefully I can figure out how to make them work in another mosaic.</div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-4136858556037411432009-08-09T21:13:00.011-05:002009-08-09T22:13:07.847-05:00Just Another Mosaic Monday!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sn-CxscHSkI/AAAAAAAAAj0/BoeYXhNiXgI/s1600-h/mosaic0014065fb91bec2d853924c9a6789b58aa8980f6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368153071103199810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sn-CxscHSkI/AAAAAAAAAj0/BoeYXhNiXgI/s400/mosaic0014065fb91bec2d853924c9a6789b58aa8980f6.jpg" border="0" /></a> Summer Flowers & a little piece of the baker's rack in my breezeway!</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">This is my first mosaic! I'm still working on my techniques! But you can go see alot more professional mosaics by going over to Mary's @ <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/</a>. It's been almost a month since my last post! Thank you all for your sweet and caring comments concerning the post about my sister! My elder sister lives in Fresno, CA and keeps up with my blog and your comments meant the world to her too! Now, for an update. </div><br /><div align="center">You might have heard of the great meeting of the midsouth bloggers! Laurie @ Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie and Susan @ thoughtsfromovertherainbow and Glenda @ adabofthisandthat all met for lunch and had a most wonderful time! We knew each other instantly and fell into conversation as if we'd known each other forever! Glenda shares my passion for vintage jewelry and making jewelry! I'm hoping we can get together and share ideas! And yes I enabled Laurie into buying some great things! Both of them were pairs! First a pair of outdoor light fixtures that I loved!!!! and then a beautiful pair of country girl and boy figurine pot thingamajigs that Laurie has already used in a tablescape! We were comparing our southern accents! Laurie with her Arkansas country, Susan with her Mississippi belle drawl and Glenda and I have our own unique west Tn. city accents! And the value of words like "ya'll" and "fixin'" and the phrase "bless her little heart" or the variation "bless her little, pea-pickin' heart!". Being the southern lady that I am I can't tell you what it means when a southern belle replies "Thaatt's nice." But rest assured we always say it with the sweetest little ole smile on our faces! I have been busy making a huge mess on my kitchen table making jewelry! I told ya'll I am a messy crafter! So I haven't done any tablescapes lately. I'm hoping by next Monday I can put together a mosaic of my jewelry. I'll also tag it in Met Monday because alot of the jewelry I make is from vintage pieces I reconstruct! So now I'm going to leave you with my 2nd attempt at mosaics! These are photos I took in the greenhouse at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC this spring!<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368164102224507730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sn-MzykYc1I/AAAAAAAAAj8/xc4Np9KzOU8/s400/mosaic6a0c1178d11f8773420165bc011d876b2c6ddff9.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><strong></strong>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-72566597932555885682009-07-05T21:55:00.000-05:002009-07-05T21:45:04.786-05:00In Loving Memory of my Beloved Sister!<div align="left">7 years ago today is a day I will never forget for the rest of my life. I lost my baby sister, my best friend. She commited suicide. She would've been 47 yrs. old now. I'm not quite sure why I am doing this post. I am not trying to elicit sympathies. It's just that I think blogging offers us an outlet to our thoughts that we don't have in the non cyber world. I guess I want to share my memories in this new outlet with my new friends. So this post is in loving memory of my sister Carolyn and an opportunity to give voice to my constant thoughts about her life and her death. </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355169648791917906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SlFibDQyFVI/AAAAAAAAAjg/etpgYpBQ06k/s400/cloisonne+vase+024.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><strong>Here we are at my wedding 25 yrs. ago! She was my matron of honor. 4 years earlier I had been her maid of honor. She was 17 when she got married. She had always wanted to be married in April like our mom so she hadn't even graduated from high school yet. I was the old maid in our family! My mother and my sister's, even my grandmother were all barely out of high school when they got married! In this picture (which I took of a picture) her first child was barely a year old.</strong></em></span></p><p align="left">Carolyn was my younger sister by 2 yrs. At times my best friend and then my worst enemy! Boy did we fight as children! Mother would try and settle our "disputes" by making us draw pictures of each other! We drew some pretty hideous faces, but always, as we drew and calmed down, each picture got prettier and prettier! Carolyn was the youngest out of 4 children. There were 6 & 8 yrs. respectively between us and our older brother and sister. My sister Carolyn loved me so much! I only wish I had showed her half the love I had for her! She had a difficult and rebellious youth, but my sister's heart was so tender and loving! As I'm writing this I am want to go on about her troubled life, our difficult teenage years as our father and mother struggled with his health issues. I have eluded to his brain surgery and resulting disability and the need for my mother to go to work in previous posts. My sister had her own set of issues which I cannot divulge but they only added to the turmoil of a young teenage girl. When I look back now, I think I handled these desperate years by taking control of the household as best I could while my mother went back to work and concerned herself with my father's health. Good Lord, I was no angel by any means! But I find that if something is bothering me I will seek out someone to talk to. Carolyn kept things to herself. When things in our lives are taken completely out of our hands there are those of us who grasp for what we can control and give the rest to God. Then there are those of us who seem tossed about on a rolling sea with no control as to where the tides will take us. That was my sister. I know that when things around here get too crazy I automatically start cleaning and organizing. Hey! You'd think my house would be spotless! (LOL) And the whole time I am working I am praying. I think my sister spent her life on the rolling sea without a life preserver, struggling not to drown. And then finally the only control she could muster was to let herself drown. Do I blame myself? People will advise you not to blame yourself for other's behavior. "Laura, it wasn't your fault she killed herself!" "Don't blame yourself!" The last time I saw my sister alive she was standing at her door waving goodbye to me as I left for the 6 hr. trip home from NW Arkansas to Memphis. She asked me to call her when I got home. I didn't. She called me. You see, it had been an emotionally exhausting visit. She had divorced her husband of 21 years just about 7 or 8 months before. She had been struggling with issues I cannot divulge but I knew she was suffering greatly! I wanted time alone with her to talk and visit. There was a man she was hanging out with and she seemed to want to spend more time with him than me. I didn't like this man and I didn't like the way she was living her life. I should've called her when I got home. She needed God so badly! But some people will not open that door for whatever reason they have come up with. I believe it was because she thought she was not worthy of His love and thusly believed Him to be more of a vengeful and judging God rather than loving and forgiving. I prayed the 6 hour drive to her house that summer of 2002 that God would give me all the right words and actions to help her open her heart to Him and if not me, then give someone else in her life the words! I know that I came across preachy sometimes when I would try and witness to her. I prayed for God to lead me. It only works if it comes from God! To this day I don't know what happened on that trip. Her suicide note was dated the day after I left. But it was to be about 2 weeks later she finally gave up her struggle. Giving it to God, I trust Him that my sister was so far gone in her struggles that peace for her on earth was not to be and only coming home to Him would she find the peace she so needed. In my heart this was not her choice. She was not able to make a rational choice, but God knows what we do not. He took her home. We played "In the Arms of the Angels" by Sara McClaughlin at her funeral. No, it is not my fault that my sister is gone from this earth but....I didn't love her enough. I didn't love her unconditionally. I know that we are not responsible for another's actions, but we are responsible for our own and I know now that I should have been praying for <strong><em>my</em></strong> ears and heart to be open to see where Carolyn was, how much she was hurting. If I had paid attention to the signs. The shotgun resting against the wall in the kitchen. The bills piled up on the kitchen table. The hopelessness I could feel in that house. I wish I had paid attention! Why don't we pay attention to each other? Jesus said the greatest commandment of all is to love God and to love yourself as you love God and then to <strong><em>love one another as you love yourself. </em></strong>Paul told us what love is: <strong><em>"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1Cor. 13:4-7</em></strong> I didn't love my sister this way. Do any of us love like this? "I" have not loved like this! Do you have any idea how many people commit suicide?! Suicide is an act of desperation and hopelessness. Why are there so many desperate people with no hope out there today? People need attention and appreciation so badly. I learned that I have a responsibility as a child of God to show love. We should go out of our way to show love, God's love, to everyone we meet. Maybe, just maybe, if we did, there would be more people feeling loved and appreciated and not desperate and alone.</p>I know this post is extremely long and I thank God for you if you've journeyed with me this far but I would like to share this prayer that we recited at my sister's funeral.<br /><p align="center"><strong><em>" God of us all, we thank you for Christ's grace, thru which we pray to you in this dark hour. A life we love has been torn from us. Expectations the years once held have vanished. The mystery of death has stricken us. O God, you know the lives we live and the deaths we die, woven so strangely of purpose and of chance, of reason and of the irrational, of strength and of fraility, of happiness and of pain. No mortal life you have made is without eternal meaning. No earthly fate is beyond your redeeming. Thru your grace that can do far more than we can think or imagine, fulfill in us your purpose that reaches beyond time and death. Lead us from strength to strength, and fit us for love and service in your kingdom. Into your hands we commit our lives. You alone, God, make us to dwell in safety. Whom, finally have we on earth or in heaven but you? Help us to know the measure of our day, and how frail we are. Hold us in your keeping. Forgive us our sins. Save our minds from despair and our hearts from fear. And guard and guide us with your peace." ~~ Amen </em></strong>Carolyn I miss you so very, very much!</p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-91659166650429188092009-07-01T18:02:00.006-05:002009-07-01T18:39:13.908-05:00I'm on Ebay!<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Well, I did it! I jumped in with both feet! I've never sold anything on ebay before! Bought stuff...in fact I just bought a chandelier for my dining room! I'll be sure and post when that one comes in! But I've been on the edge of the ebay selling pool for awhile now because I've got some things of my dad's I really need to sell for my mother. She's on a fixed income and in an independent living facility. She's been disabled ever since she was 58 and had a stroke. Dad collected everything and was a true garage sale junkie! But today I decided to get my feet wet and auction this cloisonne vase I found at a consignment shop. It really is beautiful! The details are amazing. I could only post 4 pics on ebay but I wanted to show my blogging buddies more!</span><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353635523455740242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SkvvJNB96VI/AAAAAAAAAiw/7CfZO84OmPU/s400/cloisonne+vase+005.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">The vase itself is just over 6" but with the stand it's about 7 1/4". The background in the front and back is some kind of coppery foil which shows up in the art deco design at the top of the vase too! It's also in little tiny dots within the tiny scrollwork! Isn't it amazing! I got a real good deal on it so I hope I make some money!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353635526167163330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SkvvJXIa8cI/AAAAAAAAAi4/qlmMEKRSOUY/s400/cloisonne+vase+001.jpg" border="0" /> See the copper foil shining!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353635541621175698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SkvvKQs8dZI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/3EQEV4DsMjU/s400/cloisonne+vase+012.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353635531666879698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SkvvJrnp9NI/AAAAAAAAAjA/0QiAqe7QRlE/s400/cloisonne+vase+014.jpg" border="0" /> A bluebird is flying under wisteria and swooping down on a lotus blossom!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353635533807542114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SkvvJzmB32I/AAAAAAAAAjI/LYD5VwU0WLk/s400/cloisonne+vase+015.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center">These dragonheads are on the sides of the vase and there's even scrollwork inside the color around the dragonhead! Can you see the little dots of copper foil in the scrollwork?</div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353637268682874738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Skvwuygin3I/AAAAAAAAAjY/UNPUAEylutg/s400/cloisonne+vase+023.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Isn't it just beautiful! I bought it to keep of course but I really thought I might do well on ebay with it to help mom out! Wish me luck!</p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-22727993716860912602009-06-10T21:24:00.000-05:002009-06-10T21:06:02.262-05:00Tablescape Thursday!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sim4fFkVagI/AAAAAAAAAhI/gfHnepmvL_Q/s1600-h/tablescape+thursday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344005277061835266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sim4fFkVagI/AAAAAAAAAhI/gfHnepmvL_Q/s400/tablescape+thursday.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm joining everyone else over at Susan's @ <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/</a> for Tablescape Thursday! Everyone is doing it so be sure and go over there and check out all the beautiful tables!!!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>My sister was in town for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I was sick with a sinus infection some of that time, but as soon as I got well we made our traditional trip to Old Time Pottery! Yes, blogging is turning me into a dishaholic! I bought 6 of these plates! I loved them! They look so summery to me! They were only a $1.99 each! They're marked "Home Goods". I bought the green and white ginham napkins too! I already knew exactly what placemats I would use. A friend gave me these for my birthday one year! I think it looks like a picnic!<br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344002154586364050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sim1pVcK2JI/AAAAAAAAAg4/KSSY7lChx7g/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+010.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344002146714914386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sim1o4HeDlI/AAAAAAAAAgo/4zRtRDq4oko/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+005.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">I originally had my white Southern Living At Home bowls on top of the plates but I decided I like just the plain plates...no charger, no salad or bowl...just the colorful plates! The little pitcher was my grandmothers. I just thought it looked good with the plates! The red pottery vase is from Southern Living At Home! And the fleurs are real! Do you see the little frog? Just a touch of whimsy!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344002152367114642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sim1pNLDyZI/AAAAAAAAAgw/NyP_iF_tC6U/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+009.jpg" border="0" />The stemware I bought at Old Time Pottery last winter! The flatware is our Oneida we got when we married! We're a tad low on forks now! (25 years later!)</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344002160451092114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sim1prSbfpI/AAAAAAAAAhA/EYqaxFe1xkE/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+006.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Thanks for stopping by! God Bless! Lauralu :)</div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-16979036050546365152009-06-09T20:22:00.008-05:002009-06-09T20:52:14.104-05:00I've got some Blooms!<div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8LFiXhGKI/AAAAAAAAAhw/34PCaG3mty4/s1600-h/OutdoorWednesdaylogo56.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345503472464763042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8LFiXhGKI/AAAAAAAAAhw/34PCaG3mty4/s200/OutdoorWednesdaylogo56.png" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>It's another Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan @ <a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/">ttp://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /></div><div>This is my second time to participate. Last week I showed you some of my front and back yard but not much was blooming. But now the daylilies have burst open!</div><br /><div><br /> </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345505761601623042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8NKyERlAI/AAAAAAAAAiI/5zZoOyFLsP4/s400/Picture+519.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345505755143569218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8NKaAjf0I/AAAAAAAAAiA/N5ygZYRdtls/s400/Picture+522.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345505754540397010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8NKXwv0dI/AAAAAAAAAh4/xnuxmMS5v8g/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345508739775595938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8P4IoSBaI/AAAAAAAAAig/W4gBh3Bg3pY/s400/Picture+526.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345508749955473698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8P4ujWoSI/AAAAAAAAAio/rNt-5RV5dK4/s400/Picture+528.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345508735394224770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8P34TrmoI/AAAAAAAAAiY/CzRh27daYbo/s400/Picture+525.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345508730459978818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Si8P3l7Q_EI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/xQxLnN-XWDE/s400/Picture+523.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center">Hope you enjoyed your visit! Maybe by next Wed. my front flower bed will be blooming! Now be sure and go visit all the pretty outdoor scenes over at Susan's! God Bless! Lauralu :)</div></div></div></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-17942727039351259242009-06-05T20:09:00.007-05:002009-06-05T20:48:58.790-05:00Blogland's Next Top Model!!<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Yes, it's true! I am Blogland's next top model! (LOL) Some of you may remember that I did a photo shoot (that's what we call it in the biz!) last fall for Diane magazine. Diane magazine is the magazine that "Curves" puts out 4 times a year. And they selected me for one of their Body Love sections in the magazine! Can you believe it! I still can't! I originally said I liked my boobs best because when I was skinny...a long time ago...they weren't bad, but being fat only added to them! (LOL) Of course I was being funny! So seriously I said I loved my arms...yeah they're still too big but because I work out at Curves they ain't too flabby! But mostly because you use your arms to give people hugs! They liked me, they really liked me! And today we received the magazine! I'm a celebrity at my own Curves! The owner is going to have a special magazine signing! I told ya'll that I wouldn't really look like myself because they did my hair totally different and my makeup totally different! But that's my blouse I'm wearing! It turned out better than I thought! I'm not too embarassed! So as promised I'm sharing my magazine shot with all my friends in Blogland! </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344023710867312978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SinJQE2C0VI/AAAAAAAAAhg/H5Z9-INCEhU/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+012.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Oh! did I tell you I do runway too?! One of the members of the Curves I work at did a fashion show and tea for the mother's and daughters at the alzheimer's daycare she volunteers for and she asked me to model! I got to wear 2 beautiful outfits! And here we all are!</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344019896042798530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SinFyBhAPcI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ZANjW_Ra5aU/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+125.jpg" border="0" />The lady to the far left is my friend Teresa that hosted the fashion show, then my friend Debbie, moi, and my friend Shelby. They are all members of the Curves where I work! I love that place! I wanted to buy that top but it was $149 dollars!!!!!! Yikes! See what a giant I am compared to everyone else! Alas, I was not born with a petite bone in my body! Well, I hope you are all properly impressed! (LOL) That's all the bragging I'm gonna do about that! God Bless! Lauralu :)<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-78981117356296073242009-06-02T19:11:00.010-05:002009-06-02T20:26:37.717-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXOPFtscsI/AAAAAAAAAgY/uixvftsQ93Q/s1600-h/OutdoorWednesdaylogo56.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342903291572155074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXOPFtscsI/AAAAAAAAAgY/uixvftsQ93Q/s200/OutdoorWednesdaylogo56.png" border="0" /></a> <div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hi! This is my first time to participate in Outdoor Wednesday! Outdoor Wednesday is hosted by Susan @ <a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/">http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">We've had a very rainy Spring this year! I finally finished planting everything I was going to plant this year. I took these pics of my front yard. Hopefully soon I will have some before and after shots once all my perennials start blooming and the annuals fill in some!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm really trying to make Tootsie proud of me! </span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342890388518206002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXCgCF5-jI/AAAAAAAAAfo/a-hgHSlu8_Y/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+154.jpg" border="0" /> This is my front yard. I used to fill this flower bed with begonias every year but I decided last year to make it into a perennial flower bed. I have 3 kinds of daylilies, purple cone flowers, black eyed Susans and various others I just picked out at the nursery and didn't pay attention to the names. I filled in with some double bloom impatiens, coleus and pink begonias. Dusty miller and blue salvia come back every year. I really hope everything blooms well this year!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342890385485133826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXCf2yw-AI/AAAAAAAAAfg/FaCxkMbezWw/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+151.jpg" border="0" />A little closer look from a side angle. </p><p><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342890381039736338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXCfmO5lhI/AAAAAAAAAfY/qTFQGS7qc3M/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+149.jpg" border="0" /> This shot is from the side of the front yard and encompasses the flower bed on the other side of our creek bed. I wasn't thru cleaning this bed out and I've got to do a little work to it so I'll save that for another Wed. You can see a little of the creek bed on the other side of the oak hydrangea.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342896478057404386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXICfZMF-I/AAAAAAAAAfw/vzxsbPvqgQc/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+150.jpg" border="0" /> Here's my little pond. Yes, I've had fish in it before and I've had plants in it, but the fish attract racoons or get caught in the pump and the plants were getting too big! I like it without them. You see more of the water.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342896478635525346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXIChjBhOI/AAAAAAAAAf4/rZOmkpwQpko/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+152.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342896492713397906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SiXIDV_czpI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ORAB-s3gPwQ/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+156.jpg" border="0" />Here's a little of the backyard. I'm trying to little by little extend the flower bed around the pool. Last fall I planted some ferns and wild phlox and a purple leafed bush I can't remember the name of! I bought the bush at our zoo's plant sale and my best friend gave me the phlox and ferns from her yard! All the daylilies are from my father-n-laws daylily collection he had when they retired in Arkansas. They moved back to Memphis several years ago because of his health and he came over and got daylilies from me this time!<br />Thanks for dropping by and be sure to go over and check out the other outdoor pics at Susan's!<br /><br /><div></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-46702565965865367892009-05-13T22:08:00.010-05:002009-05-13T23:03:34.616-05:00Mother's Day Breakfast Table<div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! Mine was, well, I've had better. I really don't want to sound like a whiner but things in our household have been, shall we say, a little tense?! I'll put it to you this way...I have three men in my family...my DH turned 50 last Nov., my son's turned 17 and 21 in Feb. and March...I don't ever want to hear how bad women's hormones are!!! Testosterone is running rampant in my household of alpha males, indian chiefs, Peter Pans, whatever you want to call it! But the kids came thru for me last Sunday. My 21 yr. old loves to cook and being a college student, was without funds, so he made plans to make me breakfast. That Saturday night I was up fretting about how to keep peace in my family so as I was cleaning the kitchen up I decided to set a table for my Mother's Day breakfast! Then I could use it for Tablescape Thursday! Which I have not participated in for awhile! Tablescape Thursday is of course hosted by the most talented and lovely and sweet Susan at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/</a>. So be sure and check out all the tablescapes posted on her blog!</span><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335520852985653842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SguT8m3mKlI/AAAAAAAAAew/ZHWcF80Q-Ps/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+131.jpg" border="0" /> The plate is Southern Living "Gallery". It's so large I use them as chargers too! Of course, I had to add the coffee cup & saucer of my George Briard everyday china! I have to tell you! My 6'5" 21 year old that was on the offensive line for the Tigers of the Univ. of Memphis football team, drank his coffee from this cup just for me! He was trying so hard to use good tablemanners! Usually we're all swigging down the caffiene with humongous mugs!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335515673037292578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SguPPGDqxCI/AAAAAAAAAeA/V6ZMGZp9Ng4/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+134.jpg" border="0" /> Here I am trying to imitate all you talented and artsy photographers out there! I love my scalloped round placemats from Marshall's! The blue glassware is from Big Lots! I showed you these in a previous post! They have the most beautiful butterfly design etched on them! <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335517273181164002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SguQsPDskeI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/Nl4cEjdJQOI/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+133.jpg" border="0" /> The flowers are for my mom! Usually I do my own florals but I just loved this compact little arrangement with dark coral roses, daisies, mums and asters! I love the pot too! And what do you think of my birds?! I bought them in the floral department at Schnucks when I got the flowers! They were $6.99 ea. but I just couldn't resist! I don't think that was such a bad price! They look much more expensive! The little votives I picked up one time at Marshall's. They're all different colors! I used the dark purple, yellow, green and dark pink!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335517267957451314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SguQr7mRCjI/AAAAAAAAAeI/1u9YlKahIWc/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+140.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335520033906999890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SguTM7kBwlI/AAAAAAAAAeo/ch5CayYn-Ik/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+138.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335520022707836626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SguTMR18FtI/AAAAAAAAAeY/SGsc8MoeAHQ/s400/Hidden+Promise+Pics+130.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">These were taken at night, but breakfast was wonderful! My youngest, the 17 yr. old, gave me a beautiful cross necklace! Unfortunately the DH was pouting about a 'disagreement' in teenage management 101! (You know they do that sometimes!) But I'll forgive him! He did take me to the Biltmore you know! Men! Gotta love 'em! <br /></p><p align="center"></p>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-56209620064800680182009-05-08T07:52:00.005-05:002009-05-08T08:38:27.089-05:00Sayings to Live By!<span style="font-size:130%;">Good morning ladies! My post today is to share 2 wonderfully witty statements I discovered on my trip last week! Some friends of ours own a chocolate shop in Knoxville. We stopped there on the way back to pick up some goodies for the ladies in my husband's office. On the wall above their counter hangs 2 absolutely adorable art pieces. They were collages that featured the following statements on a woman's life that I thought you all would enjoy so I wrote them down! I've added my own pics from the web for effect! </span><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><em>"I am fairly certain that given</em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><em>a cape and a tiara, I could save the world!"</em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SgQ0KZo5loI/AAAAAAAAAdw/H5_PCNpKT4M/s1600-h/tiara.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333445211999278722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SgQ0KZo5loI/AAAAAAAAAdw/H5_PCNpKT4M/s320/tiara.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></em></strong></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">and</span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">"Life is tough ~~ so I recommend getting a</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">manicure and a really cute helmet!"</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SgQ0KfsrqTI/AAAAAAAAAdo/NxBmvV9T5k0/s1600-h/helmet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333445213625755954" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SgQ0KfsrqTI/AAAAAAAAAdo/NxBmvV9T5k0/s320/helmet.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></em></strong></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-2867071385190473632009-05-02T12:30:00.000-05:002009-05-02T17:47:46.202-05:00It's Good To Be King!<div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331246619030210850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxkjclMSSI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/7I_s0jI3KTA/s320/Biltmore+trip+020.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Well, here it is, The Biltmore! George Vanderbilt was only 33 yrs. old and a bachelor when he opened his home on Christmas Eve 1895. Talk about a most eligible bachelor!!! What a bachelor pad! The Biltmore is not measured in square footage but acres! 4 acres to be exact! This little country house has 250 rooms: 33 family rooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, 3 kitchens and an indoor swimming pool! The 125,oo0 acres of surrounding grounds featured farms and a dairy, 250 acres of wooded park, 5 pleasure gardens (see previous post) and 30 miles of roadways! So now for the closeups! I love architecture and this house was incredible! No cookie cutter stuff used here! Every little nook and cranny was unique and beautiful! I thought about waiting to post these on wordless Wednesday because no words are needed but I couldn't keep ya'll waiting!</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfuQs0NNY-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/eIx3SB7RJRw/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331013683525805026" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfuQs0NNY-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/eIx3SB7RJRw/s320/Biltmore+trip+024.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudHx902sI/AAAAAAAAAao/sI0J9eAAf2g/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331027340920412866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudHx902sI/AAAAAAAAAao/sI0J9eAAf2g/s320/Biltmore+trip+030.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudIdjCX_I/AAAAAAAAAa4/dHykd6WK5gs/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331027352619212786" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudIdjCX_I/AAAAAAAAAa4/dHykd6WK5gs/s320/Biltmore+trip+034.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudHRIT1HI/AAAAAAAAAag/3NSqwXh5xes/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331027332106015858" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudHRIT1HI/AAAAAAAAAag/3NSqwXh5xes/s320/Biltmore+trip+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfuQtHFPjmI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/w3Y-Xa-xgV0/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331013688592666210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfuQtHFPjmI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/w3Y-Xa-xgV0/s320/Biltmore+trip+025.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfuQtdOHwgI/AAAAAAAAAaY/dIIbeQfXPI4/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331013694535483906" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfuQtdOHwgI/AAAAAAAAAaY/dIIbeQfXPI4/s320/Biltmore+trip+027.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudIg3uQjI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Vt6RbFZSN28/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331027353511281202" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudIg3uQjI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Vt6RbFZSN28/s320/Biltmore+trip+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudIGbtqSI/AAAAAAAAAaw/43MFumnCkqM/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331027346414479650" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfudIGbtqSI/AAAAAAAAAaw/43MFumnCkqM/s320/Biltmore+trip+032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These were on the side of the house where the spiral staircase is! It's too the left of the front door.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxssspgJEI/AAAAAAAAAbY/CN8QK3TEd5M/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331255574055101506" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxssspgJEI/AAAAAAAAAbY/CN8QK3TEd5M/s320/Biltmore+trip+038.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxssvWKoTI/AAAAAAAAAbg/5KVJ4uylB7k/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331255574779306290" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxssvWKoTI/AAAAAAAAAbg/5KVJ4uylB7k/s320/Biltmore+trip+039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />You can tell the sun was coming in and out that day!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx6xNXH2NI/AAAAAAAAAdI/9L8ARmK6Tck/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331271044718647506" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx6xNXH2NI/AAAAAAAAAdI/9L8ARmK6Tck/s320/Biltmore+trip+033.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">The Italian Garden! on the left side of the house!</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfxt6IQQJrI/AAAAAAAAAbw/s0HIQWPRxoo/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331256904315315890" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfxt6IQQJrI/AAAAAAAAAbw/s0HIQWPRxoo/s320/Biltmore+trip+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The conservatory sits one terrace down from this formal garden! You see the top of it!<br /><br />Details of the front of the house! I could've gone on forever!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx9znOQw6I/AAAAAAAAAdg/AQqQBKV2Hos/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331274384555426722" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx9znOQw6I/AAAAAAAAAdg/AQqQBKV2Hos/s320/Biltmore+trip+037.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwDWmoQwI/AAAAAAAAAb4/7vOdH4Fkydo/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331259261809345282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwDWmoQwI/AAAAAAAAAb4/7vOdH4Fkydo/s320/Biltmore+trip+036.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwDsf2F1I/AAAAAAAAAcA/IYKBcghviak/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331259267686471506" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwDsf2F1I/AAAAAAAAAcA/IYKBcghviak/s320/Biltmore+trip+040.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwEGlasMI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/H1bgrdEaTF8/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331259274689163458" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwEGlasMI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/H1bgrdEaTF8/s320/Biltmore+trip+043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Details from the back veranda!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwEcoEWXI/AAAAAAAAAcY/2zDoUN5clyk/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331259280605862258" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfxwEcoEWXI/AAAAAAAAAcY/2zDoUN5clyk/s320/Biltmore+trip+046.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Even the copper gutter spouts!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx49WCOGHI/AAAAAAAAAc4/cXCiLr0Gtwc/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331269054182070386" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx49WCOGHI/AAAAAAAAAc4/cXCiLr0Gtwc/s320/Biltmore+trip+050.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">I wonder what this little guy was playing!</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx49SNrjLI/AAAAAAAAAcw/4J4JlqdaRYw/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331269053156396210" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx49SNrjLI/AAAAAAAAAcw/4J4JlqdaRYw/s320/Biltmore+trip+048.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">I just loved this owl! Look at the fabulous artistry!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx5pUY3BnI/AAAAAAAAAdA/qgi1iFrPtmA/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331269809654400626" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx5pUY3BnI/AAAAAAAAAdA/qgi1iFrPtmA/s320/Biltmore+trip+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And an elephant! Do you see his trunk coming up underneath the scrollwork?</div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx8nk8905I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/xXirTzjYGM8/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331273078275953554" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx8nk8905I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/xXirTzjYGM8/s320/Biltmore+trip+053.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx8oNy16XI/AAAAAAAAAdY/_iIuvhMQ-ZU/s1600-h/Biltmore+trip+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331273089239345522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfx8oNy16XI/AAAAAAAAAdY/_iIuvhMQ-ZU/s320/Biltmore+trip+055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Out of the window as we were leaving!<br /><br />I know this post was long, but I hoped you enjoyed it! If you're not too tired and don't have anything else to do today! you can look at my previous post to see the beautiful gardens!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676779109259881762.post-73561041640591126782009-04-30T12:15:00.015-05:002009-04-30T14:19:40.926-05:00My Birthday Trip!<div align="center"><div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Gosh, I feel like Christine! You know yesterday was her birthday too! Happy Birthday Christine!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, I just got back from a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC! My DH had a business meeting in Pidgeon Forge and offered to take me to the Biltmore for my birthday! We had a wonderful time! I got to shop at some antique malls in Sevierville! (That will be another post!) We got to, I mean, "we arrived at" the Biltmore Tuesday afternoon and decided to tour the gardens, conservatory and the winery that afternoon and save the house for the next morning! I'm glad we broke it up like that. We enjoyed each without getting too worn out! I took lots of pictures but you can't take pictures inside the house!!!!! Trust me! It was drop dead gorgeous! I can't even imagine the amount of money that was spent on this house!!!! Everything inside is a priceless treasure! I mean everything! Down to the last little detail! But I could've spent all day just taking pictures of the outside! I love to take pictures of beautiful architecture! But alas I had to stop so we could actually tour the inside of the house! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I'll start with our tour of the conservatory 'cause that's where we started!!</span><br /></div><div align="center">Look at this beautiful hot house orchid!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330537890719883762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnf-B4eYfI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/sW_bzz0TqII/s320/Biltmore+trip+001.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">I wish I had a place in my yard that looked like this!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330537898315120338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnf-eLUftI/AAAAAAAAAWY/Aipa1CxdlLs/s320/Biltmore+trip+002.jpg" border="0" /><br />Look at this gorgeous terrarium!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330537900962324882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnf-oCdoZI/AAAAAAAAAWg/0kCq1fOOH6E/s320/Biltmore+trip+003.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Here's a close-up!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330555507083743666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnv_b86kbI/AAAAAAAAAYY/nmG-wFxG9n0/s320/Biltmore+trip+005.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">I don't know what these are but they were beautiful!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330541933694229810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfnjpXIrHTI/AAAAAAAAAWw/yQgAcFW_SDo/s320/Biltmore+trip+008.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330541942286137026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnjp3JJNsI/AAAAAAAAAXA/dUOT_UzuMAw/s320/Biltmore+trip+009.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330541940168451218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfnjpvQP5JI/AAAAAAAAAW4/cGP_lbYVSDo/s320/Biltmore+trip+007.jpg" border="0" /> And another terrarium! Look closely in the bottom left corner...venus fly traps!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330541951276772834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfnjqYorbeI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/5GP6Cs9E1ks/s320/Biltmore+trip+010.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Now let's go out to the gardens. For the most part, spring had done sprung and summer was just beginning to wake up. They had tons of roses but alas they were not blooming yet! This beautiful foxglove was surrounded by blue sky and wisteria! I have a planter just like that!</div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330544791390731650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfnmPs4nPYI/AAAAAAAAAXY/rZfubXpXtmw/s320/Biltmore+trip+011.jpg" border="0" />And look at this wisteria! I want to paint this! If only I was a painter! Hey, isn't that from a song? Sheila help me out here!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330545489441742386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnm4VU8XjI/AAAAAAAAAXg/nysk4BUrgX4/s320/Biltmore+trip+012.jpg" border="0" /><br />Some of the tulips still looked pretty good! I love the cream and magenta!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330546128462397682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnndh3VwPI/AAAAAAAAAXo/vZUgeQCsBSw/s320/Biltmore+trip+013.jpg" border="0" /><br />Now for the azalea gardens! You're not tired are you?! Just wait til you see!</p></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330559179505932354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfnzVMymGEI/AAAAAAAAAYo/8_ew22GqNlg/s320/Biltmore+trip+014.jpg" border="0" /> These were the steps down into the garden!<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330549587632149330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnqm4RrU1I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/VHUwaSey__k/s320/Biltmore+trip+019.jpg" border="0" /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330549569055784610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/SfnqlzEufqI/AAAAAAAAAX4/hgSclqElosg/s320/Biltmore+trip+016.jpg" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330557678532328050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfnx91OmenI/AAAAAAAAAYg/oNDV5GQQyiU/s320/Biltmore+trip+017.jpg" border="0" /> I'd love to be able to paint this one too!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330562098012808882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BIg6BRMvCDk/Sfn1_FE25rI/AAAAAAAAAY4/c8qcJIXrczY/s320/Biltmore+trip+018.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, ladies, I think I've captured enough of your time for this one post! I have to say I was pretty impressed with my camera! The DH gave me the camera last birthday! I just put it on auto and pointed, zoomed and clicked! I promise to post the house either tomorrow or Saturday! Thank you for sharing the first leg of my trip with me!</span></div>Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960http://www.blogger.com/profile/06773275230902868289noreply@blogger.com9