Top of the Morning To Ya'

Well I am feeling special as can be today.  I have had goodies in the mail thanks to Nessa and Bush's Grilling Beans.  And a great lil award from Boarding the MOTHERship too!  Thought I would say thanks to them and tell you a lil about my great start of the day.

Nessa, who host Ramblings of a Texas Housewife, had a visit from Chef Tim Love over at her place.  In honor of that they passed on some goodies.  I won!  I have a great grill set from Weber, $25 American Express gift card and four free coupons for Bush's Grilling Beans.  So it seems we have the start up for a great weekend cookout going on here.  Plan on using that gift card to go toward some vittles and get the smoker going.  Sweet.  Thanks Nessa and Bush's.
Lua at Boarding the MOTHERship gave me a great lil award.  It has been awhile since I have had one of these pop up on here.  As part of my acceptance, I must reveal 5 secrets about myself/blog.  And gosh, I am not sure it I have any secrets from y'all?  Do I?

Well I will give it the ol college try.
1  Did you know I am addicted to Face Book games?  Silly me!  But I have my zoos, cafes, pets, fish, farm, and island.  Did you notice the plural use of some of those words?  Yeah, like more than one!  Have you gotten caught up in the apps?  Which do you like the most?  Hey, wanna be my friend?  LOL
2.  Oh, I have started my Christmas list.  Meaning I am gathering the gifts I am giving out this year.  Have you started?  I plan on it being much smaller this year.  Dear Hubby will be off work for 8 weeks with his second foot surgery during that time.  Love having him home but it will be quite tight around here.  Do you want me to do another Gift Guide this year?  I was thinking it over. 
3.  Dear Hubby and I are looking at a trip to Mexico.  Wow, think of it.   Margaritas and good spicy food.  Music and the atmosphere.  Dental work and pain................What?  Yeah, actually we are seeing about going and getting DH's teeth pulled and dentures made.  He does not have too many left and they are all in bad bad bad shape.  I also need a partial done.  So we can go there and with passports, travel and dental work...still come out under $1,000.  We could not even get started on his dental work here for that.  And we are only 5 hours away.  Would you do this?  Have you done this?
4.  I am sucking BIG TIME on any diet.  Not doing anything right there.  Eating when I want and what I want.  So of course not losing any weight.  I so need to get back on track there.  Been reading about how thin people eat and think.  Wonder if there is anything to that?  I think some of us are thin, some of us are fat and some of us are LUCKY.  Guess where I fit in there.

Image via Wikipedia

5.  Last one!  Hummmmm?  Thinking about food now.  So do you know my go to sweet treat?  You know, your wanting candy or ice cream or cookies....dang it, just wanting something sweet.  I go to marshmallows.  Yeppers.  Seem to always have a bag around here.  One or two and I am happy again.  4 large ones equal to 100 calories and are fat free.  That is better than those lil crisp cookies that seem to vanish in thin air when I pop them in my mouth.  And I get that sweet taste I am craving.  What is your favorite go to sweet?
 Well of course I am to pass the award on.   Consider it passed.  It is here.  If you love awards then it is for you.  If you do not do them, then ok, your not saddled with it.  If you wanna just print it out and hang it on your wall.....well I can make a certificate suitable for framing for you.  Otherwise, think of what is a good thing that happened to you today.  And share it with us!

San Saba House

Here is the house in San Saba Texas that we stayed at this weekend with Nessa. It is a beautiful home and made my soul sing. I wish I could have taken all of my blog friends with me and had a great weekend sitting on the front porch drinking wine and yaking.
This is the children's bedroom. What a quaint iron baby bed that is there. Of course all of that lovely sunshine made me happy.
Here I am in the room that appealed to me the most. The front parlor with all of the roses, lace and sunshine made me feel so relaxed. I am not one of the formal ones there, nope curled right up with a book!


This is the downstairs bedroom that was the "servants" quarters. Don't we all wish we were servants here!


The front entrance hall with a massive staircase. Here is the setting for a bride to be coming down the stairs to meet her future husband. Think I need to get a second wedding soon?

The front "mans" den had all the right touches. It would be a great place for the fellows to talk about the fish that got away or how beautiful that deer was that they could not bear to shoot.

Oh how I love a large claw foot tub to soak in. Yes I did sit here and dream away some time. Bath time ladies is not for getting clean but for relaxing.

And my dream country kitchen! How I could spend my days making cakes and cookies here. But wait, that is an original oven from the 1900's without a thermostat.

This was a great home to visit. I would adore living here. Heck I would even be the "hired help" for a fantastic bed and breakfast. Think I can get a job from the owner????

Off and Running again

Well we are off to San Saba with our neighbors Nessa and Dan tomorrow morning. They were so kind to invite us to visit the family "haunted" house. Whew! I am so excited. I wonder what spirits we may encounter?

Image via Wikipedia

It will be great to have some time with just the adults. Nessa's kids are with their grandparents. College Girl is really glad to have some time without the "parental units" around too. So it is going to be great to have this weekend get away. I am also hoping we get to pop over to Llano. I am so hot all of the time here. Without any a/c on I sweat all of the time. There is not one chore I can do without big droplets of sweat falling from me. Honest! It has even happened when I brushed my teeth. I really want to just have some time to sit in some cold water and hydrate.

Well, I am taking my new lil net book with me and see if I can pick up a signal from anyone. If so then you will get a blog or two from me. If not I will see y'all back on Monday. Have a great weekend, We should have a spooky good time.

Summer Showers for the Flowers

We had quite the gully washer around here last week.
Even Nessa and Dan went tornado chasing.
YEAH!

But the heavy rains sure did help.
Our grass is green, the air was cooler and oh all the wonderful flowers that have bloomed.

Now I can just take time to smell the flowers.

P.S. College Girl took this photo too!

Kitchen Organization

Nessa keeps me so busy.
Honest she really does.

You should see all the things she accomplishes.
They moved into a house that had sat empty for a long long long time.
Then they emptied the house as it was left as it was when the owners had passed.
Next it was all the yard that had overgrown.
Then electrical, sheet rock, paint, decorate, gardens...and now they are working on the kitchen.

She is going to have MY kitchen. Yeah, really!
Red and white country kitchen.
And I know just what to add to it for her.

A hanging enclume pot rack.
You know where your can reach up and pick the pot or pan you need to cook with.
Wait! Problem with that.
Nessa is....well on the short side.

Ok they have enclume pot racks that hang on the wall.

No still the issue of too low on the wall.
I can't help it that Nessa is short, I mean small.

Ok, Ok, I can still do this.
There are enclume standing pot racks.
There we go.
Nessa can use that.
Oh and a step stool.

Colleting those Pennies and Dimes

(I want to purchase the vintage ethnic children myself! lol)

Come one, Come all!

Nessa is having a garage sale.
And I am so ready to go through all of her junk.

Wanna come and join me.

Smile!

This is Juls, Big Daddy, Hannah and Maeci
from
Everyday is a CRAZEE Day

They have had some trying times to say the least.
I have had them in my mind daily.
In my prayers constantly.

And I miss them.

We had a great visit early in the summer.
Short but fun.
I think we may have scared them a lil.
Nessa says we can be quite overpowering.
That I do not doubt.

Anyway, Juls I am thinking of you.
And wanted to let you know.
I also wanted everyone to see how beautiful you and your family are.

What's Up with This?

Tonight my husband has a date.

And it is with a much younger woman.

The hardest part about it is that I am asked to be the chaparone.

Which I have agreed to since I feel I need to know what is going on.

Also my college girl is going out tonight with a much older man.

I want to warn her of this folly.

But you know when your 22 what does your mom know.

So what should I do.

I think I am going to ask Nessa to help me out.

She is so much wiser than me in ways to handle family problems.

I think that it is time for me to uncover my wicked ways.

As your well aware I adore my husband.

But I have set him up.

Yeah with my daughter.

LOL

Tonight we are going to "The Last Picture Show" Drive In Theater.

It is a request my daughter wanted.

She pointed out that it was something that her generation does not have.

So we found one in Gatesville Texas.

And a fantastic bargin too.

The double feature this weekend is "UP" and "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" .

At only $10.00 a car load.

We have asked Nessa and her gang to join us.

So what are your plans this weekend?

Taking a Trip with a New Me

Oh ladies and gents I just have to tell you on my plans for the next few days.
I am so excited.
You would be too!

Tomorrow morning my college girl and I am on our way to visit one of my best friends I had growing up.
We have not see each other in over 20 years!
Yes, that long.

I have search for this friend over and over again.
And finally this spring a friend of hers saw one of my messages looking for her.
The information was relayed and then I received a great phone call.
I was dancing all around when she called.

Now--finally I am going to get to see her.
WOW

I am not sure what we will get to talk about first.
Oh and I get to see her mom too!
I love that.

So I will be off and Nessa is going to do a guest blog for me.
So she is going to be one busy lady.
What another great friend I have.

What a blessing I have.

OH, OH, OH, you have to know this also!
I have now lost 21 lbs and 25 INCHES.
WHOOT!
I am really excited about everything.

Nessa has a Cooking Column

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Come May 25th Nessa will have her first column up for
Homemaker Barbi!
You can pop over to where the announcement was made.
I can not wait to see what all she comes up with.
Nessa is great with frugal meals, good recipes and how to help the new kitchen cook.
Yippeeee for Nessa!

Busy as a Bee

thanks to http://d21c.com/tas/mtag3/m75_busy_as_a_b.jpg for the picture

Well I have been going all day. And humming right along. Today is the day that I get to meet Juls from Every Day is a CRAZEE Day.
Juls and her family of Big Daddy, Mae & Hannah are motoring on down as I type. I have fixed up the bedroom for them. We have some home made gifts for the girls and Big Daddy from my mom's etsy store.
There is also a bath time basket there for Juls. We have notes welcoming them along with Werther's Chocolates from Nessa's House Party.

Tonight we plan on enjoying a simple dinner of chips and sandwiches. Also hope to get up a mean game of Hand n' Foot.
I have citronella candles burning to ward off the Texas 'skiters. Music is playing as I keep changing the cd's. And I think I just heard my Dear Hubby pull up in the backyard along with College Girl.

So gotta go! Have a great weekend!

Help for Nessa's Itchy Itchy, Scratchy Scratchy

Ramblings of a Texas Housewife: Itchy Itchy, Scratchy Scratchy
Well Nessa, I do not have the answer to the Mosquitoes. But I do have an ol time'y answer to the bed bugs.

Whipped Into Shape

Well after spending the whole evening doing a redo here, I am tuckered. But more I am amazed at all Nessa can do. She made my header, noting I am now the comment queen, I love coffee, I am an avid reader and am always on this ol' puter. Pretty good huh? Well she also has my side kick there too, my mom, aka grandma. Nessa is a major grandma fan. Nessa also made all these lovely characters to represent all of my family. DH is wearing his work uniform from job #2. CG is day dreaming as always. And Mom is out in her beautiful garden. Here is my round of applause to Nessa.

So why isn't she doing more. Like website hosting? I am sure she could do it if she set her mind to it. How hard could it be? Well for us normal CD's (computer dummies) it would be impossible. But those that can whip out so much so easy, well they are the ones who can surf the web like a pro. I for one know who to turn to for help. Who do you use? Are you the genius? Or is there a pro out there for you?

New Look--Same Ol' Me

Whoop-de-do!
Here is the NEW look.

Due to technical difficulties
changes had to be made.

I hope you like them.

First THANK YOU NESSA for the new look, header and pics of our family.
Second Thank Juls for my new name--The Comment Queen.
Third thanks for waiting for me to get this back up and running my Adoring Fans!

Strong Women Series

I have done 4 post in the last week about some very strong women. I would like to feature them all together today. Why? Well I feel they help incorporate the many facets of the women we all are. How? I will connect the dots.

First I want to highlight Nessa. Her post was called "Just My Opinon on Nessa". She is the mom in so many of us. Caring for hearth and home with the little reserves that come her way. As so many of the moms before us have done. Quietly and with a strong will these moms (Nessa included) have toiled to make a nest for us to grow up in. Where we remember the times of nestling in our mommies laps, the comfort of being tucked in and the reassurance that they will always be there. This is very hard work that so many women do daily with little thanks. I want to tell Nessa, my own mom, you, others and even myself--Thank you for caring for all of us!

Second we see Soojung Cho with "Quiet Art". Here is the beauty and grace that women hold. This that we do by nature and can quicken a man's heart and loins so easily. Soojung conveys that same tranquil quality in her art work. When viewed nature takes us and transports the image into a feeling that can touch our very core. Every woman has this same ability in the arch of her back, the line down her leg or the wisps of hair escaping her carefully done up hair. And while we so often do not notice this in ourselves, others will. Then for that quiet moment they stop and take it in with appreciation. Thank you Soojung for allowing your talent to be shared that we all may have those moments of appreciation for the subtle things.

Next there is the independent woman who conquers the world. In "Quite a Lady" Laura Diaz displays the strength that ladies everywhere draw upon. Laura takes the bull by the horns and goes out to achieve greatness in her life. Should we all take this same trip. Well we do. But in other venues. Rhea of Texas Word Tangle makes light of the quirkiness within each of us. Do we have aliens living with us or are they just our children? Juls herding up "Every Day is a Crazee Day" has pointed out that a successful marriage has more to do with working toward a common goal then just Prince Charming sweeping us off our feet. (Big Daddy we do know your the Prince!) And those amazing ladies, Heather and Tiffany, from SITS shows us every day that we all can make great things happen when we pull together.

Now last, and for a purpose, there is Annie Kelleher of Writers, Witches and Words...Oh My! with "Two Thumbs Up for Silver's Lure". Why last. Well it not due to age for sure even though she claims the title of Grannie Annie. No Annie shares with all of us our spirit. That indestructible thread of love, guidance and purpose that weaves our lives. Annie my own very personal thanks to you. You have made changes in my life by sharing yours. Ladies also hold tight to your own gifts within for a little while. Enough to get the joy out of them too! Then let your spirit fly, spreading your wings, gliding on the wind and DANCING in every twirling circles among those around you.

So I know this has been long. But we are all strong women. We are the moms, artist, independent women and free spirits that make up this community. And there lies the beauty that is share. I wish you a wonderful weekend. Open your doors and let Spring in. Open your hearts and let love flow. And most of all, know that the Awards of life are yours to keep.

Just My Opinon on Nessa

Ramblings of a Texas Housewife I would like to say that this blog is a lot like the TV theme song from Beverly Hillbillies. You know where it goes something like this: Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed, Then one day he was shootin at some food, And up through the ground came a bubblin' crude. But it is not the same all the way. Instead this is a blog that goes more like this: Come and visit in a life about a lady named Nessa, A poor Texas Housewife who kept her family fed, Through scrimping and saving to get some food, And up through the ranks she became a coupon guru. Nessa uses her knowledge of coupons, balancing a budget, innovative ways to earn a wage and great family activities to help others navigate these tough times we are in. When visiting Ramblings of a Texas Housewife and the sister blog of Texas Housewife's Homemakin' Blog you will encounter a remarkable woman. Do not be surprised to see great recipes, frugal tips, fun music videos, tall Texas tales (and they are true) and fantastic book reviews. Nessa seems to be a Jill of all Trades when it comes to homemaking. Using her skills to make fantastic crock pot meals one moment and then tackling the thrills of Ebay the next. You will meet her adorable kids and devoted hubby as they show up in surprise post of everyday life turned impossible and even improbable at times. I know that by tuning in to this blog I am entertained and learn something new on a regular basis. Just check out Ramblings of a Texas Housewife and see for yourself.

Time to Make a Move

Back in December I had a lady friend and her children staying with us. Since then my friend was able to rent a home. Unfortunately her mail is still coming to my address. I need to have it forwarded to her. And of course to have her change her address.

When I check my mail box and see a stack of bills my heart swoons. I do say I am glad that it is not all mine. I think I am going to purchase my friend a mailbox as a house warming present. Do you think it will be tacky to have a change of address form inside it?

Our mailboxes are in clusters here. Mine is next to our across the street neighbor Nessa. I know that we meet there checking what goodies have shown up. At one time Nessa was looking at beautiful brass mail boxes. I know they would really class up the look here. Maybe some day we can get them.

Nessa's Give Away!

My neighbor and friend is having her blogiversery! And I have to celebrate with her.
Go see Nessa, as I am always sending you over there anyway, and enter for her favorite things she is going to send to you. She is celebrating that she has been on for one year.

I am so thankful for Nessa. She helped me get started back on here. Actually til her, I just thought this was like a quiet online dairy. I never even knew y'all were all out there. Funny, I know. Anyway, back to Nessa's give away, she has some really nice bath items going in to the box. I know because I can sneak over and peek as she is making it up. If we are all lucky I can come back and tell you more without her knowing. Ya' think?

Man Toys

Dan, Dan !!!

I have found the place that calls your name. With all the work you have to do around your house remodeling then your going to love this.

You can find all of your workshop and home improvement needs all right here. And no it is not where you work! You can pop over here and search for just the right tool. Then, automatically, it will start searching all the places you can find it. Think of the budget savings you can find. Where what is on sale at when you really need it! What a life saver there. Heck you could even find those "man toys" that you really really wanted.

I swear my DH gets near a home improvement place and his pulse quickens. I hope I still have that same effect on him myself. So Dan, go check this out and see if you are able to click fast enough?????

Kitchen Cleaning Frenzy REDUX

Please take the time to visit
my 50 toy give away and
my mothers etsy shop.

My dear sweet friend and neighbor posted this blog.

• Kitchen Cleaning Frenzy

I have to say that I did go and help. Actually she does not know how much I enjoy being with her. She is the closest thing I have to a sister, friend, confidant, partner in crime, blog buddy, expert advice giver and many many other roles.

But I died laughing when she said I came over loaded with cleaning supplies.

She answered the door and I told her I brought the cleaning supplies. She was confused as she has plenty. Then I held up the "box o' wine". I told her it was alcohol and it would disinfect anything. But that I thought the cleaning would go better with a little loosing up of the joints. Boy did my joints get loose. I consumed 3 large wine glasses of the "cleaning" agent.

Photo from franzia.com

Well, I hope you have a good friend. Especially one who brings the booze to the cleaning party!