Shabby Chicks

hearts and hugs...keepin it simple

2012-02-10T11:38:00.001-05:00

so Tuesday is Valentine's Day.

are you ready?

or is that what this weekend is for?

now don't get mad at what i say next...

you COULD go out and BUY a box of valentine's.

your kids will LOVE it.

mine always wanted the little Barbie valentine's...

or Blue's Clue...or Scooby Doo!

but NOOOOOOOOOOOO...

their mama didn't get the nickname "Martha" or "Suzanne Stewart" for nothing.

oh...and by the way, us OLD moms didn't have pinterest or
"tutorials" to help us.

you young mamas have it SO easy:)

heeheehee!

OKAY...

there are so many amazing ideas out there, right?

and with Pinterest, you get to see TONS of ideas.

i know i'm hooked on it!

but...it's kind of overwhelming sometimes.

and i've learned, sometimes easy and SIMPLE is best.

YES...that is coming from me:)

so today, here are a few ideas that are all about EASY!

we've done a few, pinterest helped alot...

the main ingredient is simple...and sweet!

later this weekend, we'll turn it up a notch...maybe:)

our traditions in a nutshell...

plenty of decorating, homemade valentines...

breakfast: heart shaped pancakes (pink),

strawberries, heart shaped toast...

pink milk...stuff like that.

lunch: heart shaped sandwiches,

fruit punch, heart cookies, strawberries...again.

dinner: PINK, red or heart shaped foods only...

pink mashed potatoes and gravy, red jello, heart shaped chicken tenders...

thank GOODNESS for cookie cutters!

here are a few pics and ideas...hope you find something new:)

DECORATING:

this one is so cool...kind of like those ornaments you make at christmas.

no instructions needed, really.

just cut strips of paper in three lengths of choice (5", 6", 7"...or so)

and staple:) EASY!

valentine meals...

Bubbly Love Potion

(mix pink lemonade, sprite, raspberry sherbet)

cute lunch tray.

heart shaped pepperoni...wish i'd thought of that!

twinkie strawberry shortcake...GENIUS!

class party...

peanut butter or sugar cookies with hershey hugs (and tinted red)

or DOVE heart chocolates.

easy, right?

okay, are you still with me?

now for the fun part...Valentines!

maybe for a teacher?

bear hugs...cute:)

"OWL" be your valentine if you'll be mine.

awwww...

a bit more traditional...

okay...this is our choice for 2012...

pretzels, white chocolate and sprinkles.

easy, cheap and YUMMY...

and I should know, i've eaten enough:)

fortune cookies dipped in chocolate...SWEET.

i think i'd leave the lollipop wrapped...

but this is just heart shapes folded, then opened and layered...

with a lollipop poked through the center.

print out a little saying...i don't know, maybe

"valentine, you make my heart blossom" or something like that...

tie it on the stick.

VOILA!

my personal favorite, most likely for a teacher...

buy a candy box, place one candy/truffle/cake ball in it,

and a little gift of earrings in the other side.

pretty AND sweet:)

that's it for today.

if you have no ideas...and don't have time to search online or through magazines,

than this is for you:)

sending you hugs and piggies on this beautiful Friday...

piggies, get it? :)

XOXOXOX

Suzanne

some VERY cute ideas!

2012-02-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

so while surfing around the web,

i found some cool ideas...

and thought i had to do a blog post about them.

all are ideas i would have done or am planning to do.

take a look...

i absolutely LOVE the idea of a monogram on the front door.

nice change from a wreath;)

i'm not sure what i love more...

the extremely cool and clever craft table or the FLUFFY white POOF!

when my girls were little, my mom always told me to

write down cute little things they said and did.

i did...but not as much as i WISH i had!

this book would make it so easy to remember.

and speaking of books...

what a great idea to have a journal through the years. If you set a goal of just 5 letters to each other per year, what a precious memory book you would have!

SO CUTE...ribbon curtains!

okay...the most amazing, stop you in your TRACKS idea yet...

okay...admit it.

this idea stopped you in your tracks, right? lol

seriously, this one is for my nieces...

(except Kristin. your boys may not appreciate it:)

but here is advice from your aunt sue...

DO THIS...DO IT NOW!!!

i would give anything to go back in time and do this with my girlies.

do it for me...PLEASE:)

this next one falls under the category of

someone had the sense to figure out a way to

store cupcake liners and make a cute kitchen accessory at the same time:)

MOM...this one is for you!

don't worry...i'll come up in the spring and help.

but you have a fabulous old wheelbarrow just BEGGING for this:)

(all photos found on pinterest. thanks clever people!)

CIAO!!!

eye candy...

2012-01-31T12:53:00.000-05:00

definition: something that is INCREDIBLY pleasing to the eye.

something you just can't stop staring at.

now, i THINK the term "eye candy" came about to describe a VERY

attractive person...girl OR guy.

so for those of you who want THAT kind of eye candy,

i give you Mr. Phantom of the Opera himself...

Gerard Butler.

i know...SERIOUS eye candy:)

actually, i have a board on pinterest that is just for eye candy...

STUFF that is so amazing, so beautiful, I don't know where else to file it.

my vintage glam, shabby chic, dreamy creams and whites and stuff i love boards have

lots of eye candy too:)

so i thought i'd share some of my favorite eye candy with you.

ENJOY:)

(all photos with links can be found on my pinterest boards)

shades of sea glass eye candy

for the bride...LOTS of eye candy:)

vintage "brooch bouquet

shabby chic wedding...sigh:)

oh yes...definitely eye candy!

cinderella shoes

cake plus cake pops...sweet eye candy!

no way...we EAT these gorgeous things?

BEAUTIFUL!!!

true eye candy;)

feathers never looked so lovely! (feather tutu)

i might seriously think about another baby after seeing this...

shhh...don't tell my husband!

hahaha

okay, okay...i'll settle for another puppy:)

talk about adorable eye candy!

shades of shabby chic...perfectly shabby eye candy:)

holy guacamole...cool cake pops!

okay...look closely at these.

can you BELIEVE they are made from watercolor paint and coffee filters?????

EYE CANDY!

STUNNING!

vintage jewelry

pretty and pastel...for spring!

LOVE the pillows!

more cake...

can you call this cake? or are these works of art?

one thing for sure...they are EYE CANDY!!

and one of my favorite eye candy photos...of course...

those cheeks!:)

personally, i think even food is eye candy sometimes.

TOO MANY times:)

white chocolate lemon truffles.

(from kitchensimplicity)

White Chocolate Lemon Truffles

1 cup white chocolate
5 Tbsp. unsalted butter
3 Tbsp. heavy cream
pinch salt
1 tsp. lemon extract
icing sugar, for dusting

Melt chocolate, butter and cream over a double boiler or in a microwave. Stir until smooth.
Stir in salt and extract. Allow to cool slightly before covering with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm enough to handle.
With a melon baller or small spoon scoop out mixture and form into 1 inch balls. Toss with icing sugar to coat.
Store covered in the fridge for up to one week. Freeze for longer storage.

Makes: 24

* Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salty flavour of these truffles. The pinch of salt helps to cut through the sweetness of the white chocolate. If you decide to use salted butter make sure to omit the pinch of salt called for in the recipe or they will be far too salty.

* If you want to amp up the yellow color, stir in some yellow food coloring along with the extract and salt.

lastly, if you notice, i have a new "print this" button at the bottom of my posts.

just trying to make life easy for ya:)

CIAO...

Suzanne

the dangers of living in the tropics...

2012-01-28T19:33:00.000-05:00

actually, i believe south florida is the sub-tropics...

but close enough:)

okay...but what's so dangerous,

other than tourists?

heeheehee (couldn't resist)

well...you could come across one of these while you're out

walking the dog.

yes, i took that photo and yes...they do pop up every now and then

and get a bit too friendly.

then you have to worry about hurricanes, sunburns, SHARKS, jellyfish.

and flying beach umbrellas that hit you in the face and

require you to get stitches the day you have to go to a BALL!

no CINDERELLA here!!

FUN stuff like that.

but today, i was thinking, there are a few OTHER dangers of living down here.

i was sitting out by the pool,

playing fetch with Maui, my dog.

when i heard a noise and a suddenly BIG coconut

fell from a palm tree.

so what, right?

except it was BIG, solid and hard.

okay, so it didn't hit me.

but look at the chair i was sitting in and how CLOSE it came.

imagine telling them that in ER.

uhhh...my head busted open when a coconut fell on it.

the coconut didn't bust open...but my head did.

hahahaha...oh well. it didn't hit me.

but as you can see by where it landed,

it came pretty dang close!

WHEW!

and the last danger i want to share with you is this...

you've heard of key lime pie, right?

good...but it can actually be a bit TOO tangy and TOO sweet for me.

but still pretty darn good...if it's made right.

well, the new danger is THIS...

MANGO KEY LIME PIE.

OH. YUMMMMM!

it is so good, CREAMY & mellow

with a hint of tang and plenty of mild sweet MANGO flavor.

a touch of CINNAMON in the graham cracker crust and HOLY COW!

delicious AND dangerous...

because you want to eat the WHOLE pie...

and gain 15 pounds instantly:)

it's been around awhile...

and i admit, folks in other states, like my Georgia friends,

enjoy this too.

but we're talking TROPICAL:)

here are a few recipes...

one using fresh mango puree and the other using

Nellie and Joe's mango key lime juice.

Nellie and Jo's is sold at grocery stores and is the REAL deal...

they have some of the BEST pies in the keys!

so if you need to break up winter a bit, make one of these.

you'll feel just like you're in the tropics.

and you won't have to watch for falling coconuts!

Nellie & Joe's Recipes from the Keys
Nellie's Favorite Mango Key Lime Pie
One - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
    3 - egg yolks (whites not used)
    One - 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
    1/2 cup - Nellie & Joe's Mango Key Lime Juice
    One - 9" chocolate pie shell

Combine milk, eggs and softened cream cheese. Add mango key lime juice and blend until smooth. Pour into pie shell and bake at 350° for 15 minutes.

Allow to stand 10 minutes before refrigerating. Just before serving, top with fresh whipped cream and slivers of fresh mango if desired.

and one more...

MANGO KEY LIME PIE
1/4 c. lime juice
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 egg yolks
1 1/2 c. mango puree
2 egg whites
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust

Thoroughly mix lime juice, condensed milk, egg yolks and mango puree. Beat egg whites with dash of salt to stiff peaks. Fold in mango mixture. Add to crust and chill until firm.

ENJOY!!!

modeling,concerts,dolphins,twinkies,dogs,dandelions,tebow,quilts, and simplifying.

2012-01-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

i know you're thinking "SIMPLIFYING???"

sure doesn't sound like that!

well...read on.

you'll get to the simple part eventually...PROMISE;)

i thought maybe i'd play catch up and write about the things i've been meaning

to write about but haven't gotten around to.

first up...

Jordan and I went to a COUNTRY concert this weekend...

Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean!!!

our favorites:)

so you know we had a BLAST!!!

cowboy boots, hats, plaid shirts and bling all over the place.

but it sure beats 10 year old girls dressed like Lady Gaga.

uggghhh...but that's another post:)

anyway, it was good ol' FUN!!!

Taylor is doing a bit of modeling this week and next.
the local performing arts center called and needed a
BALLERINA
to pose for painting classes.

and get this...she will be paid:)
it's kinda COOL, ya know?
nothing she loves more than putting on a tutu and doing a few
pirouettes!

DOLPHINS...
you know, my girls are 17 and almost 15...
and i am STILL on the lookout for nice family movies.
we love good movies with good stories.
so when we watched Dolphin Tale recently
i knew i had to tell you about it.
we LOVED this movie.

what's not to love about the TRUE story of a smiling,
bottlenose dolphin fitted with a prosthetic tail
after losing hers in a crab trap at the age of 3 months.
(PLUS, Harry Connick Jr. is in it:)
very SWEET movie...we give it FIVE *****

TWINKIES???
well, they're actually called BINGLES...
but they are basically the same thing.
EXCEPT...these are RED VELVET TWINKIE/BINGLES!

help me now...

DOGS...
okay, this might be the SWEETEST dog poster i've seen yet.
the quote is familiar...
but look at how the dog is gazing LOVINGLY at the girl.

DANDELIONS...
i saw this idea on pinterest and thought...
how super simple and CUTE are these?
dandlion twigs...

made by creating pompoms and attaching them to the end of twigs.
definitely on my TO-DO list:)

TIM TEBOW...

i'm constantly AMAZED by his convictions...

and willingness to share.

QUILTS...
this would be SOOOOOO cute for a picnic or even better...
a beach blanket!

a BANDANA quilt!
i'm thinking that even though i don't really sew...
i could figure out how to make one for us to take to the beach.
i would need to use more bandanas...
but i think MAYBE i could handle this.
MAYBE:)

lastly...we all want to SIMPLIFY, right?
i came across this ebook from simple mom.

it's really the "simple" and practical stuff that we all know...
but broken down into easy to follow and motivating steps.
check it out HERE...for kindle or nook.
this is also a good one for simplifying...

well...i better get moving.
need to tackle my To-Do list!
Ciao, Suzanne

i LOVE being a GAWKER...

2012-01-18T09:03:00.000-05:00

and more STUFF i love!

okay...like we NEED another site to waste hours on...

but just like Pinterest, which i LOVE...

this site is very cool.

it's called GAWKERVERSE...

and one visit tells you why.
no, no no...i'm NOT talking about Facebook!
although, you have to admit, GAWKERVERSE is a MUCH more appropriate name for Facebook!
OR...maybe STALKERVERSE!!!
hahahahahahahahahah...
(yes, i am cracking myself up right now:)
oh, admit it...you've done some Facebook gawking and stalking before.
we all have...
but this is NOT about Facebook, so get back on subject suzanne:)

okay, here is the official description of the gawker verse...

"a network of inspirational, user-submitted photo gallery sites"

including:

FOODGAWKER

CRAFTGAWKER

WEDDINGGAWKER

DWELLINGGAWKER

i haven't spent much time on the other sites but i can say that

foodgawker is pretty amazing.

each photo sends you to the link that has the recipe.

and if you join, you can create recipe files with your own notes, comments...

TONS of dinner recipes, which i need:)

and YUMMY dessert recipes, like

ORANGE CREAMSICLE COOKIES

Mmmmmm....

LASAGNA SOUP...
(which i can say is DELICIOUS and hubby approved:)

and of course...plenty of APPS for your phone.

so...when you've done everything on your to do list...
head over to the gawkerverse...
and whip up one of these BEAUTIES...

PINK VELVET CAKE...HELLOOOOOO!

actually, i'm fighting a cold these days, so the stuff i'm REALLY loving is
plenty of tissues, nyquil, chicken soup, vicks and SLEEP!
before i go, a few thoughts for your day.

and you KNOW i love this next one:)

CIAO!

Stuff i Love...Beauty Products

2012-01-16T08:35:00.000-05:00

what on earth am i thinking...

sharing my "beauty picks"?

HECK, i don't know much about it...

but i do know what i LOVE right now.

and for some reason, i do get questions when i'm out.

some very KIND women, trying to make my day,
will often ask what i use for this or that.

so you see, i'm doing this for them! (haha)
AND...i'm showing you a before make-up and after make-up photo too.
just like oprah:)

now before i start, i should say that

I'm CHEAP!

let me rephrase that...
i like a good buy:)

oh...if i thought it made a huge difference, maybe i would pay big bucks for cosmetics and stuff.

but having dabbled in makeup for many years,

even selling it,

i know that it isn't about where you buy it or what you pay...

it's about what works.

so please forgive how downright CHEAP some of my stuff is!

but i really do love it:)

let's get down to the good stuff...

1. Face cleanser: PONDS COLD CREAM!

seriously...i LOVE this stuff.

gentle, refreshing, great for my dry skin, removes my eye makeup...and CHEAP:)

i am absolutely hooked on this cool, white cream.
and i LOVE the clean scent!

2. Dry, Cracked heels and fingers: Gold Bond Healing Ointment!

Very thick emollient...a little goes a long way.

lasts through hand washing. even helps my dry, brittle nails.

AWESOME!

and for all over dry skin...new Gold Bond Ribbons Body Cream.

again...AWESOME:)

3. Primer: Pur Minerals correcting face primer.

all of us chicks are in LOVE with this stuff!

this fixes our skin before we even do foundation:)

4. Foundation: L'oreal True Match in Warm 6.

I've tried SO many foundations...probably 6 this year alone...and come back to this every time. Just right coverage and goes on nicely with a sponge.

5. Blush: I like a pinky-brown shade...and can't find one i love...
so i make my own!

i dab my brush in a bronzer by Rimmel..."Sundance".

and then i dab it into "pink passion" blush by ELF cosmetics ($1.00)...

the two combined give me a perfect pinky-brown shade:)

6. Eyeshadow: I used to wear Clinique and still recommend it. But these days i like NYC eyes in "Union Square".

wow...it's amazing!

Comes with a plum accent color, 2 browns and a beige shade for highlighting.

PLUS a primer for the eyes and pearl shimmer for highlighting cheekbones.

all for about $4.40!

I also like L'Oreal eyeshadow quad in "Neutral".

These shades are great for accenting my hazel eyes and bringing out the green.

7. Eyepencil: "Purple Passion" by Sonia Kashuk, sold at Target.

My favorite for a few years now...makes my hazel eyes green:)

M.A.C. waterproof pencils are great too.

8. Mascara: wish i had a secret here, but it all comes down to preferences.

My lashes are short and sparse...

yet i don't like a gloppy mascara to thicken them.
oh, i've used Lancome to thicken. but i never stick with it...
so i must not be crazy about the stuff.

these days I wear black waterproof mega-length mascara by Wet n Wild.

Really thin brush and 2 coats gives me lashes longer than normal.

stays on with no smudging but comes off easy with my Ponds Cold Cream:)
but i really do believe mascara is one of those things you really have to experiment to
find your favorite.

9: Lips: I line with a neutral rosy brown pencil and fill in with NYC pink lip pen in persistent pink.

again...i'm going for a subtle pinky-brown shade. Then I follow that with a gloss or sometimes JUST the gloss and lip pencil. Shimmer gloss...always shimmer!

i LOVE Galactic by Chanel...my splurge:)

however, my sis recently gave me an adorable kit of Mary Kay glosses that are just as nice and have a variety of shades...all wearable.
Big hit in our house...i think we may be hooked!

10. Nails...I use Nailene Skinny French White Manicure pen and clear topcoat for a french manicured look.

This stuff is AMAZING!!!
Especially great for pedicures.

11. Haircolor...L'Oreal Petite Frost in Chardonnay.

comes with a cap but I only do that about every third or fourth time.
the other times, I just paint on a few highlights where I need them.

12. Perfume: i know some like a fresh scent.
i like a sweeter scent which is why i LOVE Pink Sugar!

for a flowery scent, i would have to go with Sarah Jessica Parker's perfume...
LOVELY.

and it sure is:)

13. Body Lotion/Spray/Shower Gels: Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush line.
The body wash comes in Cotton Candy, Juiced Berry, Coconut Craze, Honey Do,
Slice of Heaven, and Appletini.

You can use these as a shower gel, bubble bath, or shampoo
a la Philosophy 3-in-1′s! Awesome right? Plus they are priced at 3 for $25 so you won’t break the bank too much by indulging.

14. Shampoo: I'm a really simple, cheap girl here.

i like Suave Coconut or Mandarin Orange shampoo:)

15. Styling Products.
i LOVE Jonathan's "dirt" for hair but haven't found it in years,
so i use Surf Head paste these days.

16. Skin Care: my skin has gotten so dry.

and with the sun damage i did to it, there's no telling what is on the horizon for me.

but for now, i seem to be warding off horrible signs with a simple routine.

Taylor got a sample of this stuff and i used it...

and was quickly hooked.

it's the anti-aging skin care line by Dr. Patricia Wexler,

sold at Bath and Body Works.

best part...it lasts a long time!

well, i guess that's it.

sorry this isn't more inspiring but at least you can say it's a bargain, right?

thanks for stopping by!

i'm not sure what my next "stuff i love" post will be about.

guess it's a surprise...

for me too:)

i need to clean out my closet...DESPERATELY...so maybe

i'll do a Stuff i Love closet edition.

see you soon!

xoxoxo

Suzanne

P.S.

OOPS...forgot the before/after photo!

see below...

hey...i just said before and after makeup...

i didn't say all in the same day!:D

all about STUFF...

2012-01-15T13:12:00.000-05:00

wow...that would almost be a good name for a blog like mine...

since i seem to just ramble and it's not about anything

special.

it's just about STUFF.

well, not this time.

i DID change the name

(same web address...can't change that. DARN:)

so while the blog address is still shabby chicks,

the NAME is

land of sugarplum fairies, southern girls and sandy toes...

courtesy of my sis Deb.

she wrote me over the Holidays and ended her email with

"i hope things are good in the land of

sugarplum fairies, southern girls and sandy toes".

NO WAY!!!!!

the proverbial lightbulb EXPLODED in my head:)

i was amazed at how that covered the fun stuff we love...

ballet, southern/country life, the BEACH...

all of it.

except our love of junky stuff...but i still have "shabby chicks" to cover that:)

COOL, huh?

thanks Deb!!!!

so, to launch my newly-named blog, which "they" say you should never do

(change the name of your blog.)

who cares...life is short...make it fun, i say:)

anyway, to celebrate...i'm having a week full of

STUFF i LOVE.

i know, i know...what DO i know.

hey...i ask myself that every day:)

but maybe someone out there will like SOMETHING i mention.

at least i know my mom will! (thanks mom)

first up for Monday...

STUFF i LOVE

BEAUTY products.

i might even show a before and after photo.

might.

maybe.

but probably not.

STILL...you never know:)

before i go, here's something i REALLY love.

inspirational messages.

sometimes they're deep...and sometimes they're a short, simple reminder.

like this...

have a beautiful day!

Suzanne

a sweet, sweet story...

2012-01-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

A SPECIAL DOG AND HIS "SEEING EYE" COMPANION

Lily is a Great Dane that has been blind since a bizarre medical condition required that she have both eyes removed. For the last 5 years, Madison, another Great Dane, has been her sight. The two are, of course, inseparable.

taken for granted...

2012-01-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

ever had someone special in your life that you take for granted?

someone who's just always there...

and you kind of expect them to always be there?

my SPECIAL person is Aunt Margaret.

she is my mom's older sister...

the only two sisters in a family with 5 kids.

they have been close their entire lives.

my aunt and uncle paul lived one street over from us my whole life...

and they were like second parents,

having no children of their own.

(knitting circle with aunt m)

they were always there for family gatherings

and hosted many FAMILY picnics at their own home

as they had this huge backyard

(and the cleanest garage to sit around and eat in;)

my wonderful uncle passed away some years ago,
but my aunt is still with us...thankfully!

she's 88 years old (i think...could be 87 turning 88...
and she IS a little thing...with a great laugh:)

my husband calls her "Iron Margaret" because up until the past year or so,

she took care of that big back yard...

even changing the oil in the mower every spring!

all my life, she would drive anywhere...anytime...in any traffic.

she shoveled her own drive for years and then used a snowblower

...as recently as a few months ago.

she could fix many things around her house...

a regular handy-woman!

she LOVES her dog and would take it for a nightly ride...

downtown to see the pretty lights.

she would take anyone for that ride,

earning her the title of

tour guide:)

she wouldn't miss church if her life depended on it and even volunteered

to clean the church once a week up until last year.

(she loves her white christmas tree!)

well...a month ago she fell on the driveway.

Iron Margaret fell!

basically, she broke her hip and her wrist...

and after surgery, she is recuperating and in rehab at a local

nursing home.

like many people, she deserved better...but to use a phrase my mom and I

have come to despise after the past few traumatic months of hearing it over and over...

it is what it is.

but...

it really is.

so all we can do is PRAY and encourage her in every way.

the surgeon was amazed at how strong her muscles were...

but she is very weak now, of course.

still positive...HOPEFUL...but weak.

Aunt Margaret...

always there with a smile and encouraging word.

never forgetting a birthday or anniversary.

always willing to pitch in and help where needed.

LOYAL sister.

friend.

dog lover.

faithful christian.

sometimes taken for granted...

but never saying a word.

one very COOL lady...

and because i wasn't always good at remembering to say this...

i love you!

my Aunt Margaret.

xoxoxoxox

Suzanne

p.s. prayers for aunt m. willingly and gratefully accepted;)

you know you're getting old when...

2012-01-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

you can't remember how old you are!

this just happened to me.

we finally decided that i am 48...

but i seriously thought i was 49.

maybe i went through my 47th year thinking i was 48!

when i was younger, i couldn't understand when my mom

would ask me how old she was.

seriously...how can you NOT know your age???

well, it's pretty easy.

i see that now mom:)

but trying to figure it out the other day was priceless!

kind of like "Who's on first...

no WHO is on second..."

so in case i forget again,

i AM 48 years old! in 2012 i will BE 49!

GEEZ!!!!!

anyway, this got me thinking...

does this happen to everyone?

I know i've forgotten a lot of things i used to know...i think:)

so i've started looking around for advice on aging.

someone told me that you get really talented when you age...

you can even do THIS...

can't wait...hahahahaha!

someone told me this and it is happening to me...

i LOVE lettuce, meatloaf and celery...

but i REFUSE to ever eat Broccoli. (yucky:)

watch...i'll be in a nursing home someday and they'll serve those gross little green things every day...and my girls will say it's good for me and i'll

say there is nothing good about eating little trees so leave me alone already...

then i'll throw the trees at anyone who tries to make me and

they'll say i have dementia and i'll say

NO...i just HATE broccoli!

GEEZ:)

has this ever happened to you?

it did to me the other day.

but i consider them my EXTRA lucky pennies when this happens...

the older i get, the more i appreciate the book by Robert Fulghum,

All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

here is what he has to say...

Say you're sorry.

~Wash your hands before you eat.

~Flush.

~Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

~Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

~Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

~Be aware of wonder.

~Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

~Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

~And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

"Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain,

but right there at Sunday School."

Gee...if we learned it all in kindergarten, than why all those years in school?

mom...if only you had let me stay home more,

we could have had SO much fun!:)

i don't mind aging...really.

no plans for plastic surgery.

when i smile, i WANT you to see it...including in my eyes and all those little laugh lines around them:)

i mean, so i've smiled and laughed a few times in my life...is that a bad thing?

don't THINK so!

and when i scowl or raise my eyebrows at something my girls do that i am questioning...

i WANT them to see that in my face...oh yes i do!:)

SO...now that we know how old i am (48)

and how old i will be in 2012 (49)

what can we do to slow down aging?

i have two SIMPLE things you can do.

and you're gonna LOVE them!

Number 1. Chew Gum...BUBBLEGUM.

did you know, chewing gum can slow down aging?

Nothing ages your heart, brain, kidneys and skin faster that the stress hormone cortisol, says Ronald Klatz, M.D., of the American Academy of anti-Aging Medicine.

To the rescue: a piece of gum!

Proof that it works:

In an Australian study, two sets of people were asked to complete the same stressful tasks. The only difference: Half were told to chew sugarless gum, too. Result: Cortisol levels in the gum chewers 16 % lower than in the non-gum chewers! That’s because chewing gum boosts blood flow to the brain, easing the stress response.

so go ahead...chew that gum...

blow that bubble:)

Number 2. EAT DESSERT!

see...i told you this was good:)

now, i didn't actually research this.

but i DO think that totally denying yourself is not necessary.

having a little dessert now and then...maybe even BEFORE dinner...

makes life a little SWEETER.

nothing wrong with that.

as long as it's a little.

don't lick the spoon, plate and pan like i do.

that's when you have a PROBLEM! hahaha

so, here's a little something to help you get started...

BUTTERFINGER CAKE!

Directions: Bake a yellow cake, poke holes in it while still warm, pour a can of sweetened condensed milk over, then a jar of smuckers caramel ice cream topping. Cool, spread with Whipped Cream and sprinkle with crushed Butterfinger.

It may not make you younger but it WILL make life a WHOLE lot SWEETER!

ROLL TIDE!

XOXOXOX

Suzanne

It's Monday...I'm on my Soapbox...Go TEBOW!!!!!

2012-01-08T23:10:00.003-05:00

BRONCOS 29........STEELERS 23.

what a game.

what a GREAT game Tim Tebow had!
316 passing yards!
get it...316. as in one of his favorite verses, John 3:16?

whoa...

can we FINALLY, PLEASE, once and for all,

leave this young man alone?

let him play the sport he loves so very much...

and serve the God he loves even MORE?

OMG.

the cruel, mean, vindictive, raunchy way he is villianized

is ridiculous.

BEYOND ridiculous.

disgusting.
calling him a Nazi?
antichrist?
like i said...DISGUSTING!

if I ever doubted we lived in a screwed up world,

i wouldn't doubt it any longer.

let's see...what's not to like about him?

he's moral, spirit filled, doesn't have a police record,

hasn't been in rehab for drugs or alcohol,

no illegitimate kids running around without their dad,

has a charity that does a LOT of good,

ministers to sick children and those in less fortunate countries,

plays football...and plays it WELL...good enough for the NFL!!!!!

family oriented.

gives any and all glory to God...

like I said...what's not to like.

Tebow haters have a problem...

deep down Tim makes them look and feel bad about themselves

because they know

they could be SO much better.

you don't have to believe like him to like/support him.

just once, can we take the side of the good guy?

applaud his athletic skills, determination...

his values...

and leave him alone?

and stop judging every play/game...

because you don't do it fairly.

little credit for wins...tons of blame for a loss.

news flash...he won't win every game, make every pass.

he has his work cut out for him next week...

but he can do this...play in the sacred NFL that they say he can't play in.

he might lose next week.

most teams would if playing the Patriots.

but he's proven...he IS a winner anyway.

the good thing about Tebow haters is they bring a lot of attention Tim's way...

and let's him get his message out.

thanks for that!

he is famously known as the PRAYING quarterback.

the guy who wears his faith on his sleeve...literally.

(it used to be on his eyeblack:)

that's cool!

they call what he does on the sideline "Tebow-ing".

let me clear this up for those who think he is kidding around,

starting a new trend.

it's called PRAYING. P-R-A-Y-I-N-G.

he doesn't cross his fingers or hold his breath for luck...

he prays.
please stop mocking him...because that's what is happening.
oh, he can take it.
but i might blow up on my blog more often:)

living in Florida, being Gator fans,

we've known about Tim for awhile.
6 years we've followed him.
(yes...i'm bragging. heehee)

we are accustomed to seeing him pray on the sidelines.

so glad he has an even bigger audience now!

it's not an act.
he even has the other team's players and coaches
gather on the field praying with him.

Tim Tebow...one of the good guys.

it's nice to know they DO exist in this world.

trust me...with 2 daughters of dating age, it's VERY nice to know they exist!

XOXOXOXOXOXO

SUZANNE

P.S.
ROLL TIDE...GO BAMA!
(SEC football is SOOOO much fun:)

feelin kinda crafty

2012-01-06T11:15:00.000-05:00

with the Holidays gone, we all have so much free time, right?

okay, so maybe we don't have all that much.

but it IS a fun time of year to get crafty.

especially with new projects.

with that in mind, look what i found on pinterest...

can you believe this?

the site is The Long Thread...

i just know you'll find something that catches your eye!

there was another project on pinterest that i loved...

and i'm thinking it will be so cool in my girls rooms.

papercup garland!

you can go here to see how you make these but be warned...

the instructions are in a different language:)

in a nutshell, you buy those throwaway plastic cups,

make a template for the cup and cut out pieces of scrapbook paper according to

the template,

mod podge the paper on the cup and poke a hole in the bottom

to insert a twinkle light.

SUPER EASY and SUPER CUTE!:)

in Taylor's room, I'll use shabby papers and in Jordans room, I'll use...

well, i'll find something that goes in her cool room:)

now, if you don't find something here to waste time on this weekend,

something is seriously wrong:)

Happy Friday!

XOXOXOXOXO

Suzanne

confession time...

2012-01-05T14:52:00.000-05:00

i haven't taken down my Christmas tree.

worse yet, i don't WANT to take it down.

it just goes so perfectly in my house that i hate to take it down.

the rest of the decorations are down,

packed in boxes,

downstairs in the family room...

waiting for that last step of moving them into my storage room.

somehow that seems to take awhile:)

but my tree?

no way...not yet.
even the chenille tree skirt is gone.
but not that tree!

i LOVE my white christmas tree.

it warms up the room, day or night.

what's not to love, right?

and my ornaments feel so MAGICAL to me...

here are a few of my favorites.

and i hope Target brings back their colored, narrow TINSEL trees next year.

i could kick myself for not buying two of the

champagne colored trees to go with the big white one.
something like this...

my own little SHABBY CHICKS tree farm:)

then i really would cut down on whole house decorating.

i would just focus on my pretty little corner of the room filled with Christmas trees.

i wonder if anyone else has this problem.

actually, i'm kinda glad the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over...

but please let me keep my tree...i promise to stop blogging about it:)

XOXOXOX

Suzanne

lessons in decorating from a country girl/surfer girl/cowgirl....

2012-01-03T10:27:00.000-05:00

a new year...

time to take a look around the old house and see what others see.

i've always wondered if a stranger could walk in our home and

learn who we were....what we like....stuff like that.

i think they could.

but nothing like when you walk into my 14 year old's bedroom!

now she REALLY knows how to bring her

personality into a room.

see for yourself...

come on in and meet my

Country Girl/Surfer Girl/Cowgirl!

first of all, her room is painted mermaid blue/green.

and all mermaids are welcome:)

this is the first thing you see when you walk in...

her MUCH LOVED surfboard, guitar, cowboy hat and

FAVORITE new sign from the Junk Gypsies...

Cowgirls are Forever.

take a closer look at the guitar case and you'll find out she is also a

huge Florida Gator fan, loves to watch Swamp People (me and Taylor like it too:)

and also, like her mama...LOVES the Junk Gypsies!

moving on...

she has a little VINTAGE vanity/writing desk where she does school,

while looking at her art gallery wall and especially at her favorite

country singer, Luke Bryan:)

every good beach lover/surfer girl has this poster, right?:)

next up, her own little pinboard...

with everything from tickets to her sister's ballet performances,

to a painting she bought in Paris.

to a photo card of her grandparents.

in the corner of her room sits a VERY important part of her life...

her tennis gear!

okay, so she doesn't have a huge room.

but she managed to get her dream bed in it...

a cream iron bed with twinkle lights on it...

and the coziest BOHO comforter from Anthropology!

by the bed, a lamp from World Market that she picked out,

as well as her iphone and a little statue of Jesus

that she bought with her very own

dollar at the dollar tree when she was 4!

so what do we learn there...she is a young lady of FAITH...

and likes a variety of styles...

from vintage to shabby chic to surfer style to boho.

even her bed pillows say something...

that she loves dogs and

that she is still only 14 and not afraid to show that part of her childhood.

just a few more things that tell you a bit about my girl....

she's not afraid to show what she believes.

she LOVES anything Union Jack...

she loves inspirational quotes...

and last but not least...

she'll always be my little girl:)

so there you have it...a lesson in decorating from a 14 year old girl.

she shows that it isn't about walking into a furniture store

and buying what they put together...

but putting together your OWN style from the things you love.

and then when someone walks in they look around and like i do, they say

a really COOL person lives here!

someone who knows what they like and isn't afraid to show it!

if only we all could decorate like that.

but HEY...it is a new year...

so give it a try:)

XOXOXOXOXO

Suzanne...Country Girl/Surfer Girl/Cowgirl's mama:)

Sparkly...Shiny...Happy New Year Wishes

2012-01-01T10:05:00.000-05:00

Hmmmm....i wish i had some amazing blog post for January 1.

or i wish i had some inspiring advice (HA:)

wish i had some amazing resolutions...

and the secret for keeping them.

but i don't...

soooo...i'll just wish you THIS kind of new year...

for me, i want a HAPPIER year...

for me AND you.

today IS a blank canvas...

full of PROMISE.

i'll hope and pray for all GOOD things to come your way!

now i have to get moving...

the beach is calling my name:)

XOXOXOXOXO

Suzanne

A Christmas Love Letter...

2011-12-25T10:17:00.003-05:00

Dear Child of Mine,

I see you sitting there...tired, stressed, worn out and empty.

Another year has used you up.

You sometimes feel happy...and you sometimes feel helpless,

like a baby.

That's okay.

I know all about being a baby.

I was born one for you many years ago.

I know the ache you feel to be held and loved,

and that is why I came.

I knew you would be sitting there in the future,

praying and asking me to hold you...

and I am, dear one.

I am holding you.

Let me give you a special Christmas gift of love

as I breathe new life into the center of your soul.

Do you know that I think of you every moment of every day?

I watch you as you go through your day.

I watch you with the children I gave you and i know how badly

you feel when you get frustrated and lose your temper.

I forgive you, my child, just as you forgive your children when they make

a mistake.

I'm so proud of you and how you followed me when I asked.

Your sacrifices say that you love me.

I know all about sacrifices.

I left everything that was mine when I came from heaven.

I know how you feel when the Father asks so much of you.

Look at me, my child. You may feel beat up, but do you know that

you are still beautiful?

I see that smile.

Yes, you're still as beautiful as the day I created you.

I love who you are and I'm whispering your name.

Can you hear me?

Remember, my child, this is not your home.

You really belong here with me in heaven,

but I want you where you are now,

to love the friends and family I gave you.

Don't give up.

Don't despair.

Trust me.

I won't let you down.

Every promise I've made is true, and someday,

I'm coming back for you.

For now, rest in my love.

Tonight...and tomorrow when you wake up,

I'll be here watching over you.

I love you.

Merry Christmas..

And thank you for celebrating my birthday:)

(Merry Christmas, my friends!

i received a letter in my email this morning.

it was a devotional for homeschooling moms.

talk about a WINK from God!

it got me thinking how we ALL need a love letter like this,

especially those struggling right now.

so i re-wrote it...from me to you.)

XOXOXOXOX

Suzanne

Wink, Wink...

2011-12-24T03:31:00.000-05:00

hey y'all...Merry Christmas Eve!!!

hope all is merry and bright with you!

i'd like to tell you about this little book i'm reading,

"When God Winks at You"

by Squire Rushnell.

it isn't new...2006...but it's really good!

it would make a GREAT last minute gift for someone if you need it.

see...i'm a SIMPLE person.

one time i even had a patient tell me and a fellow nursing student that he thought

we were PRETTY nurses...but kinda simple:)

the same goes with the way i learn...

i like to keep it simple.

so when i find a book on Faith,

i especially love when it speaks to me...SIMPLY:)

here's what it's about in the author's words...

"What do Godwinks mean? Think about when you were a kid and someone you loved gave you a little wink across the dining room table...Mom or Dad or Grandma. You didn't say "What do you mean by that?" You knew. It meant: "Hey kid, I'm thinking about you right now." That's what a Godwink is too: a message of reassurance from above, directly to you, out of six billion people on the planet, saying "Hey kid...I'm thinking of you! Keep the faith! You're never alone."

it also talks about how our life is a jigsaw puzzle.

all the pieces are there and looked at from above, they all fit.

and those little "coincidences" throughout our life weren't coincidences at all.

this isn't a new concept to many of us.

but it may be to some...

so to them, THIS IS FOR YOU.

ever had a "strong gut feeling"

or felt that "someone is trying to tell you something?"

as a believer, i don't think it's my gut talking:)

but let me tell you about a few "winks" i caught recently.

one i already spoke about happened after my daughter's

performance in the Nutcracker,

when a relative stranger reassured me that my dad did see the whole performance,

with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eye.

you can read more about that HERE.

something else happened shortly after my dad passed.

my sister welcomed a new grandbaby into this world.

i think baby Lathan Leo (named after my dad and his great grandpa)

arrived just a few days after my dad went to Heaven.

well, my sister didn't even know he was to be named after my dad.

it was a last minute change...and what a precious one.

she told me that her first thought, and what she said to my mom,

was that she wished my dad had been able to hold this little boy.

then, it occurred to her, that he DID.

he held this baby close before God delivered it to earth.

he cuddled it and kissed it's soft cheek before sending it to all of us.

now that baby has some mighty big and wonderful shoes to fill.

maybe my dad whispered some words of wisdom in his ear:)

see...i said i was simple.

but i think many in this world are.

and they want to believe...have faith...

but sometimes it seems so out of reach.

but it isn't.

God is right there.

giving winks and signs to let you know which way to go.

so what do you say...

ever received a wink from God?

i'd love to hear about it if you did!

now don't forget to get a copy of this book.

speaking of jigsaw puzzles,

we'll be starting our Christmas puzzle tomorrow

for my dad, the puzzle king.

bless and BE blessed, my friends!

XOXOXOXOX

Suzanne

naughty...or nice?

2011-12-21T23:10:00.001-05:00

since i KNOW y'all are NICE out there,

i have some nice little treats for you.

and since we ALL know someone on the NAUGHTY list...

some goodies for them too:)

(thanks to pinterest)

let's start with that naughty list.

what else to give but lumps of coal, right?

but these...oh man!

these are some seriously GOOD lumps of coal.

first up, these are AMAZING!

just like coal rice krispie treats.

but instead of rice krispies, use oreos.

Lumps of Coal

One 16 oz package of Oreo Cookies

5 cups large marshmallows

4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Butter an 8X8 inch baking pan. Line the baking pan with parchment paper letting the paper extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. Butter paper; set pan aside.
Grind oreos finely.
melt butter and marshmallows in the microwave until puffed, about 1½ – 2 minutes. Stir in ground Oreo Cookies until combined. Transfer to prepared baking pan. Using a piece of wax paper, press cookie mixture evenly into prepared pan.
Let set up for at least 10 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.

more nasty treats:)

how about making rice krispie treats and coloring them BLACK...

instead of cutting them, place them in blobs on the cookie sheet...like those

cornflake wreath cookies.

they look ooey-gooey and like perfect lumps of coal.

but they TASTE great!

you can use any rice based cereal...fruity or cocoa pebbles, cornflakes

or maybe you have a GRINCH in your life.

if so, check these out...

you just need green m & m's and you're good to go!

okay...enough for the naughty list.

how about some NICE little treats.

the only criteria here:

EASY...YUMMY...and CUTE!

1. Christmas tree brownies:

pretty self explanatory but how CUTE!

we also like to cut out brownies like snowflakes and draw

on them a snowflake design with icing.

2. North Pole Cupcakes.

again...just look and copy them.

i mean, what isn't to like about a cupcake,

FLUFFY frosting and a candy cane stick?

personally, i think this next one is GENIUS!!!

3. Donut Snowmen.

i say it's genius because it's SUPER easy, yummy AND kid friendly!

4. Santa's Hat Brownies.

again...self explanatory. These are soooo good!

we also used to make them on a vanilla wafer when my girls were young.

Sometimes i make a tray of the strawberries and whipped cream hats alone

and put them on a tray Christmas morning.

very FESTIVE...and simple.

hope you're all feeling MERRY and BRIGHT!

xoxoxoxoxox

Suzanne

PRETTY Christmas Trees and GRINCH Cookies Too!

2011-12-17T16:29:00.004-05:00

okay, so they're not really for sale...

they are in my own personal tree lot:)

and they are SOOOO pretty, if i say so myself.

what do you think?

thanks to my sweet friend Trisha from Glass Slippers and Stuff,

i am HOOKED on bleaching and coloring bottle brush trees.

(soak in bleach water...color in easter egg coloring...and decorate:)

i bleached, Taylor decorated.

cute huh?

i know...i keep saying that.

but doggone it, we haven't done anything this cute in a long time so let me just say it again...

CUTE!

hahahaha

and we made us some GRINCH cookies too...

thanks to cookin cowgirl..my favorite food blogger.

sooo easy, yummy and GREEN!

and the best part...you don't even have to be a grinch to eat them:)

BEST cake batter cookies this shabby chick has ever tasted.

give em a try...you'll be hooked!

GRINCH COOKIES

makes about 36
1 box French vanilla cake mix
6 T butter
2 eggs
Green food coloring (60 drops)
1 C powdered sugar
1 t corn starch

Preheat the oven to 375°. Melt the butter and set aside to cool. In a shallow dish, mix together the powdered sugar and cornstarch with a fork. In a large bowl, mix together the cooled butter, cake mix and eggs. This will be a little hard to stir together. Add the green food coloring and make sure it is all mixed in. drop a blob of dough in the powdered sugar.

Move it around with spoon until it is mostly covered in powdered sugar. Then, once it is already covered, roll it into a ball and place it on a cookie sheet.

Make sure you don't over crowd the baking sheet because these cookies spread out.

bake these for 9 minutes. (They won't look done but they are.) They will look slightly puffed up and crinkly...very GRINCHLIKE:)

that's it for me folks.

XOXOXOXO

Suzanne

it's all how you look at it...

2011-12-13T06:49:00.001-05:00

after the Nutcracker last Saturday,

(official pictures coming soon but here's one...)

a SWEET lady came up to me,

a lady i didn't know...

to tell me what a JOY it was to watch Taylor...

and to give me a hug and say she was so sorry about my dad.

she had heard through the grapevine that he went through a lot...

and had prayed for God's strength...

for him and for us, the whole time.

that she was STILL praying for us meant a lot.

imagine that...

someone i had never really talked with...

remembering a family she had never met in PRAYER.

just talking to this lady, i knew she meant it.

her words were precious and so meaningful.

as if i wasn't teary from watching my daughter perform,

i burst into tears and wished out loud...

"i only wish he were here right now to see his granddaughter."

she took my hands, looked me straight in the eyes and said

"do you not realize...he saw the whole thing.

he watched his beautiful granddaughter

perform with GRACE and BEAUTY, from his new home in heaven,

with a smile lighting up his beautiful face...

a face that is perfect and a smile that is pain free"

WELL...wouldn't you think i REALLY cried then?

but i didn't.

it's as if i opened my eyes and saw clearly for the first time.

it took a stranger to look into my eyes,

to make me listen to every word...

to realize my dad...and my girl's PRECIOUS grandpa,

would always be with us.

as if her performance wasn't special enough,

i met a stranger,

who reminded me of something

i knew...but sometimes forgot.

my SWEET dad is by God's side...

and is still the proud grandpa he always was.

i saw a quote the other day by the author C. S. Lewis...

now go spread some joy, find some for yourself...

bake cookies, wrap gifts, take a walk and look at the pretty lights...

you know, the simple things.

and remember there really IS something to look forward to:)

XOXOXOXOX

Suzanne

sneak peek...pink nutcrackers and opening night at the ballet

2011-12-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

happy pink saturday everyone!

it's been awhile since i got my PINK on:)

but i couldn't resist today...

after all, what could be more pink than ballet.

pink tutus, pink-ish pointe shoes,pink tights...even pink Nutcrackers!!!

tonight is opening night...

and it really is SOOOOO exciting!

AND...it just so happens that my ballerina is dancing the role of

Sugarplum Fairy/Grown up Clara.

AND, AND...she is wearing ALL pink!

like a sneak preview?

in case you're wondering, those tutus are even MORE beautiful up close:)

and cost a LOT of money...like $700 and up.

anyway, i thought i'd not only give you a peek at her,

but a peek into her dance bag.

trust me...it's pretty interesting...and yes, she could live out of it, i'm sure:)

COOL dance bag, huh?

okay...let's look inside...

what do you see?

there's the usual stuff...

cellphone, water, bandaids, legwarmers, sweater/shrug,

practice skirt, scissors, notebook, ballet magazine, needle and thread,make-up...

vitamin C lozenges...

take a CLOSER look...

see the flexi-stretcher, to help perfect those arabesques and other things:)

there's hair stuff, shout wipes, a first aid kit, and icy hot cream for those aches and pains...

and JET GLUE.

haha...yes, jet glue. sometimes it's called pointe shoe glue.

she puts it in the toe/box of the shoe to harden them and get a TINY bit more life out of them.

at anywhere from $70-$90 per pair of shoes,

and they last about a week and a half...

extra life in the shoe helps!

just a few more peeks...

there is a foot massage ball, a ballet shoe change purse,

tiger balm for aches...and pliers.

what? Pliers?

i've been looking all over and they are in her dance bag????

and a lighter???

what is going on?

well, let me tell you...

each dancer has a a different way of getting their shoes ready.

Taylor's is this...

take the pliers and pull the nail out of the shank of the shoe.

bend the shoe back and forth and push on the sides of the shoe to soften them.

(there may be more but that's my take on it:)

then she sews the elastics and ribbons on...in a certain way...

and uses the lighter to singe the ends of the ribbon.

WHEW!

glad she does her own shoes these days;)

so like I said, today is the day...

and i woke up to find her sitting in bed, making last minute touches to her shoes:)

(i tell you, this girl LIVES in a bun...

that's why ballet dancers are affectionately know as BUNHEADS:)

so there you have it!

pink saturday, ballet, opening night and Nutcracker all rolled in to one:)

and since this is a sneak peek kind of blog post...

take a sneak peek behind the scenes...

have yourself a great day!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXSuzanne

random HOLIDAY treats...

2011-12-08T08:28:00.001-05:00

yep...random and holiday in the same sentence..

because i'm pretty sure that's how the Holidays are stacking up around here...

totally RANDOM:)

first up...Christmas TV!

My sis just sent me an amazing link with ALL your favorite

holiday shows and movies listed and what dates they are showing.

http://www.digtriad.com/news/article/201538/1/2011-Christmas-Specials-And-Movies-TV-Schedule-

and now that we're on the subject, what are YOUR favorites?

let's see...for stupid humor (the best kind)

i like Elf and National Lampoon Christmas:)

and for classic we LOVE White Christmas and

Miracle on 34th Street.

so how about you?
any favorites you watch every year?

Naples had it's big Christmas parade the other night.
it's really so cute...
they have every band and firetruck in town with a few floats
thrown in for good measure:)
i think next year i'm going to wrap lights around Maui and ride him through town.
he's about as big as a float:)

my sugarplum fairy rode on the Naples Ballet float
so that was really COOL for us!

(this is last year's sugarplum fairy costume...
she's wearing PINK this year:)

on to SHOPPING!
any tips for me?
because i am just not feeling it this year.

I will probably do much of it online.
guess i better get going!
now i'm not saying this next part because you can order them from
my blog,
but did you know you can order AMAZON.COM gift cards
right here, at the top of my blog?
JUST SAYIN...
seriously, i'm ordering a few cards myself today:)
and i saw this idea which i am SOOOOO doing for next year...
take a plain binder and print out some christmas photos, 2012...
and you have a Christmas idea binder for gifts, decorations you want to try,
recipes...

so...have you been baking?
we haven't...maybe after Nutcracker.
actually, i might just make about 10 batches of my favorite wreath cookies...

but since i would eat all 10, that might not be a good idea.
i know...cookies made with cornflakes, butter and marshmallows?
hey. i'm a simple kind of girl:)
but i have to say, if you've never made them...
and if you like rice krispie treats...
you'll LOVE these treats!

last up, let's talk LIGHTS!
i put a few up at my mom's house...

it looks so cute:)
BUT...it took the WHOLE week to get them to work right!

in the midst of sadness, we managed to crack up over those STUPID lights.
just call me Clark Griswold:)
(but isn't mr. snowman cute?)

i wasn't going to put any up around here...
then last night i had an idea.
as soon as i'm done...and it may take a week...i'll be sure to show you!

are you doing lights?

baking?

shopping much?

watching Christmas tv?

XOXOXOXO

Suzanne

Wishing You...

2011-12-05T09:36:00.001-05:00

a BEAUTIFUL monday.

THANKING you for your MANY prayers and kind emails

with the illness and passing of my sweet dad.

SWEET...

even through 9 weeks in the hospital the nurses nicknamed him

"SWEET LEO"...

because that's my dad...

SWEET.

i will be emailing each of you to thank you personally.

but for today...it's back to it,

and back to getting ready for Christmas.

in fact, this is NUTCRACKER week!!!

so i'm off to get STUFF done...

my gift to you today is this.

notice the photos?

while in Michigan, we had snow (YAY!) and these photos

have been edited with the photoshop app...

something for us photography rookies to have FUN with.

check it out...

and like I said, make it a BEAUTIFUL day!

XOXOXO

Suzanne

someday

2011-11-25T15:37:00.001-05:00

"SOMEDAY...

a loving hand will be laid upon your shoulder

and this brief message will be given:

COME HOME".

Billy Graham

that "someday" was today for my dear, sweet dad.

today, God laid his hand on my father's shoulder and whispered "come home".

for 9 long weeks, he fought to stay with us.

if i listed the complications that wracked his body,

you wouldn't believe me.

it wasn't that he was afraid to die.

for he knew exactly where he was going

and who he would be with.

he would finally be home...with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

with his family and many friends who had gone before him.

(click HERE to read a birthday blog about my dad:)

i know they are falling all over themselves to greet him...

Perry, Emery, Jack, Doc...just to name a few.

and Pork Chop...

yes, Pork Chop...the man he worked with for many years,

who loved my dad,

who watched my dad, a man of faith, live his life for Christ every single day...

and knew that my dad was a true man of God.

i believe that

the real believers know how to reach others by example.

that was my dad.

i'm not sure why Pork Chop came to mind...

except that story is a perfect example of the kind of man he was.

reaching out to others.

i learned a lot watching him with Pork Chop and so many others like him.

Pete is another example of someone my dad reached out to.

my dad fought to stay on earth to live one more day

with his beautiful bride of 61 years,

to have one more cup of coffee with her in the morning,

gazing out at the backyard he loved so much.

to be there for his four daughters,

to treasure his many grandchildren and great grand-children.

i just love the quote at the beginning of this post.

it is by a true man of God also.

i read it in a book i bought this week to give my dad for Christmas.

it's called Billy Graham in Quotes and I can't tell you

how wonderful this book is.

as if Billy Graham hasn't already reached many people, he will reach so many more with

this book, because it is so simply written yet based on scripture.

i can't stop reading it...the comfort it is bringing me today is priceless.

this book covers more than 100 subjects, every feeling and sentiment,

many different trials and life's more difficult moments...

my dad would have loved this book.

now i think it's my mom who will treasure it.

...just as i treasure all of the friends i have made through this blog,

who take the time to stop by,

read, comment...even when i have checked out and don't respond back.

i can only hope i get my head straight and

that all changes in the near future:)

mostly, i treasure the prayers i know have been sent up for my dad...

and i will be so grateful if you continue to remember my family...

especially my amazing, wonderful mother...

who will undoubtedly be the subject of a blog post someday.

i think it will be a post that talks about what it means to

not only SAY your marriage vows, but what it means to LIVE them...

as my mom did...by my dad's side until the very end.

i'm sorry to write this on thanksgiving weekend.

but that's life, isn't it?

we need to always remember to be thankful in all things...

most importantly for those we love and those who love us.

i don't believe we lack faith when we grieve.

as he also says in this book...

when we grieve, we simply are showing how much we have loved.

Billy Graham has another quote in this book...

it really does say it all.

we could all replace his name with the one we love.

here it is:

"Someday you will hear that Billy Graham is dead.

Don't you believe it!!!

I shall be more alive than I am now.I will just have changed my address.

I will have gone into the presence of God."

Billy Graham

i know my dad is also in the presence of God.

while we will miss him terribly,

he is now in his perfect heaven...without any pain...

waiting for the rest of his family to join him someday.

and because he was a faithful husband and father,

because he raised us as God's children,

he knows we WILL be with him someday.

thank you dad...for everything!

i love you.

Suzy