Behind closed doors...

Oh hello pretty green cabinet!! Found this little cutie in California at Home Goods on clearance for $135.00!! But behind those doors is the greatest thing ever.....

Wait for it....................





























Wait for it...................

















































It's a freaking JEWELRY BOX!!!! Me loves, me loves, me loves...... :)

A very Happy New Year to you all!! I will be spending mine in Cali with my hubby, the kiddies and their mates :) Something I treasure more than all the jewels in the world ...... :)

Need Appetizer?

A few weeks back Rio and I came across these lovelies ($2 for 2 boxes) at a garage sale. Woo hoo!! How cute are they?? I'm in Cali right now enjoying some last minute R & R before Christmas and these little things kept staring at me saying "please fill me with crab dip" !! Recipe follows :) Oh, and this little starter would be fantastic for New Years... :)

Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip

1/2 c mayonnaise

1 1/2 tsp whole-grain mustard ( I used Maille - old style)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning

1/2 pound lump crab meat

1/2 c chopped cooked shrimp (about 1/4 pound)

1/3 c shredded smoked cheese

1/3 c sliced almonds, toasted

Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Stir in crab, shrimp, and cheese. Spoon mixture into a 3-cup baking dish. Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with almonds.

** I served mine on a bed of micro greens for an added crunch, and okay cause it looked pretty!!

Gingerbread houses!!

About this time every year Rog, the kids and I get together and make gingerbread houses. I say gingerbread, but some are made out of graham crackers because that way you create whatever you want! In years past we have made some pretty crazy ones. This year we shared our tradition with my brother, his wife and their girls. Soooo much fun I tell ya!! This post is short, cause Christmas is fast approaching and I'M NOT READY!!! See you next Tues!! :)

Terry and a table :)

This is Terry, and I love her. We first met in the 7th grade lunch line at Poston Jr. High. We've been friends ever since. I often tell my daughter Rio that if you find yourself a friend and still have her 25+ yrs. later you are a very lucky woman. I mean seriously? Girls can be AWFUL to each other! Why is that?? There's just something about a true friend, and if you have one- treasure her. They just aren't that easy to come by... :) Oh and her smile? It's permanent :)

Last Friday night Terry hosted a table for a women's event at her church. Every host was to decorate or "tablescape' her table. She asked me to help and this is what I came up with. It was a beautiful event, with every table unique. Enjoy!

I started the centerpiece with a green feather wreath I found at TJ Maxx (best place ever). And added in the center a grouping of mercury glass candlesticks (thanks Allie!).

The place settings are Arte Italica. I know, beaut right? Purchased from my sister's AWESOME store M&Co. (that sadly :( shut it's doors this summer) The stemware is Williams-Sonoma and the flatware is Villeroy&Boch.

And yes! Those are REAL flowers. Women were asking all day and all night. What? The cute green mercury vases are from Domestic Bliss. And the hobnail pitcher below? Anthropologie.

Then I just filled in with lots of votives and silver whatevers that I could find at home.

The sweet silver bird candles? TJ Maxx. The little glitter birds? Michaels :)

And here's Ter with her sweet daughter Chelsea. Love them :)

When we visit the ocean, our spirits soar. We long to return to our favorite shore...

You already know my love (near obsession) for old small houses. I think this may be the one that started it all. This is our sweet home away from home in Dana Point, CA. Oh, I know- I'm verry blessed. This little cutie brings smiles to all who visit it. This 1000 sq. ft. house was built in 1948 and I literally was jumping for joy when we purchased it 6 years ago :) You see, this house has a "yard". Something very rare here in the O.C. Sooo, in March of '07 my lovely hubby gave me a full renovation of our cottage for our 20th anniversary. Yep, he's a keeper !! :) So without hesitation- here she is.... !!

 

The guest house: all 400 sq. ft of her !!

** got the new camera! still trying to figure it all out, so bear with me... :)

Yep, I'm verrry thankful.

So I'm sitting here thinking about what to write. I know this is the time of year for all those "thankful" posts, and I reeeeeally wasn't going to go there, till we met the kids tonight for dinner...

This is the result of the only job I've ever had. Almost 22 years in the making...

Rio is a gorgeous girl inside and out. Never afraid of a challenge or rescuing a stray chihuahua. She has the biggest heart and smile to match. But most importantly she truly FEELS with her heart. If you know her, you love her. Her crazy creativity is just beyond, the girl can seriously figure out how to make ANYTHING!!

Ryne is the thinker. He sees the world as it is with the honesty and wisdom of someone twice his age. He's got the brains like his Dad, and will no doubt follow in his footsteps. He too has an amazing heart, always ready with a hug and a smile for his "pearl" ( his name for me). He's a lover of the earth and wishes he could save it. :)

I guess I'm trying to say, that I thank the Lord every day for trusting me to raise these babies. When you're in the thick of it and you don't know exactly how it's going to turn out it can be quite worrisome. Trust me, I've had my days, and many sleepless nights with these two. But sitting there tonight listening to them be the adults they have grown up to be, I sorta gave myself a little pat on the back. It was aaaallllll worth it, and I'd do it all again... :)

I'll MAC it fit!!!!

Since moving into the new little bungalow, I've been really challenged with making the best use of the little storage space I have. In saying that, my obsession with MAC eye shadows and makeup in general was becoming quite a problem. Quit buying them you say? YEAH RIGHT!! I mean everyday when I would go to get ready I would have to deal with this nonsense!



So yesterday while sifting thru my makeup, I happened to notice the unused space on the back of the door. That's some prime real estate I thought! I can make use of that!!

So off to Home Depot I went. I found these squares of galvanized roof flashing already cut in 6x7 inch squares. I bought 4 for each door and secured them with this miracle adhesive called lightning bond. This stuff is sooo easy to use and works in seconds.

Next, I found this roll of magnets that you can cut to any size. It has a peel and stick back on it so it made it really easy to attach to all my eye shadows.

Here's the finished product!! I lOVE it!! I did both doors and now all 63 (yes 63) of my eye shadows are verrry happy to have a home :)