Lazy, Rainy Days

It was a perfect day for tea. Rain's been falling mostly all day and it was just right for a cup of tea.

I found a new tea that is absolutely delish. I loved Earl Grey teas way-back-when; but then I found them getting stronger and stronger--just a quick dip for my bag. Whatever my reasons, I haven't had it in years. 

I had received this free sample of Mighty Leaf's Earl Grey just last week. Mmmmm. Just as a proper Earl Grey should be, to me, anyway. A very enjoyable Earl Grey {hot}, if I do say so myself.

Perfect for a rainy day.

Labels: Tea, TN

Genes

This is one of the oldest pictures we have of our mom. Isn't she precious? 

I've been absent from here, I know--same ol' song and dance. I have been, however, absolutely enthralled in our family genealogies since the New Year. We took a trip in the early spring to Atlanta; and we ended up going to my mom's home town, not too far west of Atlanta. I was on a mission to find some family members in the old town cemetery. (We found only a few. ugh.) And now, I'm totally hooked. I've found a lot of new information since I first began this journey. It was 1985. No computers. Only libraries. Can you imagine? Of course, I wasn't able to find a whole lot way back then.  I did, amazingly, have enough sense to ask my Aunt Mary to write down all she knew of the Bailey family. And she did. Her papers have given us endless clues.

This is the kid, probably about the same age my mom was in her photo. He was so much like her. Look at that face. Same sweet grin. Sniffle. Now he's grown. But he's doing great away at college!

And then we move to the hub's family. His mom is Italian and second-generation American. His father is Ukrainian and first-generation American. I can't tell you how much information I have found online for both sides. Finding a lot of the ship manifests when they migrated to New York has been absolutely amazing. Then, I began going through old family photos on the hub's side. I had brought this picture back from NY last fall after helping the SIL go through the parents' things. No one knew who it was. I think it looks more of the Italian side. But there are a few who could also pass as Ukies. 

And, speaking of Ukies, the hub and teenager are in New York to celebrate Ukrainian Easter this weekend. I gave the hub a copy of this photo so he can ask his mom if she knows who it is. I know she will. She is sharp as a tack!

I have always so LOVED old studio shots. No one ever looks happy. Notice the three back drops? Poor feller on the right is too tall for two of them! Awkward. I think those two boys on the ends are WAY too tall to be Ukies. But "momma" in the back, she don't look too happy. Perhaps the first son did not marry first. That is what happened at the hub's mother and father's wedding. The Ukrainian momma wasn't too happy about the whole thing since he was the youngest son--the oldest had not married yet. And it is told that she let it be known she was none-too-happy. Now those, my friend, are some strong, old-world customs. Kinda harsh, don't you think?

Oh well. Now I'm wishing I were in New York with the family. But, then again, I am kinda enjoying the peacefulness of the house.

Будьмо

Labels: Aunt Mary, Family, Georgia, Hub, Kid, Mom, Teenager, Ukrainian Easter

Just in Time for Spring!

 I LOVE this idea, since I've been doing it for years from White Flower Farm.

You can choose your plants online; and they will be shipped out to your home at the right time for planting in your zone. Easy peasy!

I just ordered a bunch of these in the primary colors, above. Gorgeous!

And I ordered some of these gorgeous yellow dahlias! I've always wanted some. Perfect!

And, a few of these, too!

You can order yours through HSN on TV or  HGTV HERE!

I hope they sell out!

Congrats to Randy and Sarah!

Labels: Flowers, Friends

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

We had a cold, blustery day earlier in the week; and I was completely stir crazy by about 3 p.m. sitting in the house. The hub was in Tejas; and I was soooo bored. Funny, you probably would not have heard that from me a year or so ago when he began working out of the house. Ha!

There's a coffee shop on the East side of town named Barista Parlor that I've had on my mind recently. I had never been, so, I jumped in the car and drove on over. I have now finally had my first cup of coffee with a pretty swirled heart. Well, yes of course I've tried this at home--none as pretty as this. A neat place inside what looks like an old car garage. I wonder if they open the doors during the warm months? I can't wait to take the hub here.

Speaking of which, we just had our 26th wedding anniversary yesterday! Yay! We're going out to celebrate as soon as he gets home tonight. 

Fun.

Lables: Hub, Restaurants, Nashville

Camellia

I took this pic when we were at Riverside in January! 

Here I sit in Nashville, rain pouring down and temperatures dropping, and I'm ready to head South!

Unfortunately, there's work to be done here now. We lost part of our roof in February (while we were in Alabama) and are still "working" with our insurance company to get that repaired. Then, last night, I find our water heater leaking. Ugh. Of course, it's in mom's bedroom; and that room is carpeted. Joy. I had to pull the ol' dehumidifier out and plug her in down there.

You know I'm water jinxed, right? Oy.

Labels: Flowers, Riverside

Post Holiday Windows, NYC 2012

We literally had about 36 hours in NYC at Christmas; so our time was very limited. We specifically made the trip to see Bob's mom and our new niece, Grace. We didn't even tell anyone we were going up. Of course, we wanted to see everyone. Just couldn't do it this time.

I accidentally ran into the new space for MacKenzie-Childs on W. 57th while wandering to find my favorite pharmacy. That sounds kinda strange. But you see, this is a old fashioned, European-style pharmacy. They sell all kinds of worldly beauty and fragrance products that are sometimes hard to find in little ol' Nashville. I have to hit it every time I'm in the city. And, of course, I always find some new European beauty product that will take five years off my face. Tehe.

For future reference, Rosa, the pharmacy is at 6th Avenue @58th. Ya see folks, THIS is exactly why I need to continue blogging!!! My memory is about shot; and this damned thing is one of my lifelines! Seriously. And now, with these fancy-schmancy cell phones, I can get the information I need from LAR at any time I'm lost! Which is a lot these days, it seems. 

Oh, and, by the way, aren't the windows fab?

Labels: NYC, Christmas

Christmas, Come and Gone

I'm playing catch up, as you can see. Here we are almost to March, and I'm still thinking (and putting away) Christmas! We have been all over the place, the hub and I. We've stayed pretty busy since Thanksgiving. But, as the hub is fond of saying, "It's a good busy." I think it's exactly what the doctor ordered to get me out of my Empty Nester Funk. What better way to enjoy our "golden" years together, albeit a tad early? Regardless of what we may call it, the hub and I have been traveling about. Between his work, our families and our friends, we've been hitting the road pretty regularly since Thanksgiving. I am totally enjoying it! We've worked very hard to get to this stage in our lives and it's so rewarding to be able to enjoy one another, just like we used to. We even had a wonderfully long break at Riverside which was very therapeutic. I have been taking photos of everything, as usual. Just haven't been doing the blog stuff. Solly.

I did, however, have to properly place my new Christmas piece by Natalie Sarabella in Rosa's annals. I was completely humbled by her generosity, once more. I cannot tell you how special all of her pieces are; but this one--with the names of our (the hub and my) families, starting with our parents and all the way to my great nieces and nephews listed--is absolutely heart warming. Of course, I ran out and had it framed. Thank you, my dear friend Nat.

I hated taking it down (like yesterday!) and am now awaiting for Christmas 2013 so I can put it back up!! Wait, wha??? 

I swear, 2012 came and went way too fast. It's kinda scurrrry. 

Labels: Christmas, Sarabella Creations, Friends

As If It Were Yesterday

Thanksgiving 2012

 We were a few short this year, but the table was still filled with lotsa love and delicious food!

The teenager took my place as head sous chef. Definitely not complaining! I so enjoyed being the extra, extra help. Jim enjoyed showing the teenager the ropes. It was all good.

Three days' worth of prepping and cooking makes the difference in a meal. Having three sets of hands makes a difference in a kitchen! Since I wasn't head sous chef, I kept the prep area stocked with what was needed and clean as a whistle! It was a well-oiled machine, that kitchen was. We could have pulled off a TV program in there, I swear--that is, if it weren't for the language at times. We got pretty goofy. It sounded as if we were back in the hood. HA!

Our dessert this year was from Garden & Gun. My brother and I both subscribe to the magazine; and when the fall issues arrived, we called each other and said "Check out the dessert recipes -- FOR THANKSGIVING!" We decided on the Pumpkin Bread Pudding. A lot of steps, a lot of time; but it was worth it--IF you have three sets of hands in the kitchen!!! *Note: Could replace the cranberry sauce with a caramel sauce. Just saying.

It was all good. (Except the first batch of whipped cream tasted a tad cheesy. I was afraid to say anything since Jim and the teenager had worked so hard. Then Jim brought it up the next day. We all had a great laugh over that!)

Jim looking oh-so-British. A fork AND a spoon? Must be gud!

 And then --dun dun dun-- we had time to play. Hit TMR on Black Friday. A quick snap out front.

I then took him over to Otis James where they hand make fabulous ties and hats out of scrumptious fabrics. Great shop!

  

 Brutha tipping his hat to the ladies. So propa! (JK, this was staged.)

 Love him!!

And I miss him.

Labels: Brother Jim, Family, Hub, Jacq, Kid, Nashville, Teenager, Thanksgiving

Valentine's 2013

I loved the pink champagne (on ice).

When you find this sign upon entering Better Than Sex, you know you're in for a sweet treat.

Or, as in our case, many sweet treats. Absolutely sinful.

How else should you spend your Valentine's?

Labels, Hub, Key West, Florida, Restaurants, Valentine's

Forever With Us

Happy birthday to my brother, John. He would have been 58.

Miss ya, my bruva.

Labels: Brother John

Here, There

and Everywhere.

Labels: Hub, Riverside

Holiday Craftin'

I finally finished one of the papier mache houses I purchased way back when. Finished? Well, I probably will add more to it. But for now? Good enough for government work.

The hub made it home from overseas on Wednesday. He had been gone for over three weeks! Oh, the plans I had, as I mentioned. None of which got done. C'est la vie!

Dreaming about Thanksgiving coming up! My brother and niece, Jacq, are coming down on Tuesday. And, the teenager arrives from DC on Monday. Yay!! The rest of the clan had plans, so it will be a smaller gathering this time. No worries. Jim and I will still be in the kitchen cooking up a feast. I simply cannot wait for them to get down. It's my favorite holiday--does it get any better than delicious food and wonderful family? 

Life is good, indeed.

Labels: Autumn, Brother Jim, Jacq, Teenager

Rock Your Right!

Rock it, baby!

Labels: America

Another Day in Paradise

Did you think the kitchen fiasco was over? Nahhhhh. I don't think we will ever stop paying for this dream kitchen with blood, sweat and tears. Oh, and a whole lotta money!

Back in March, yes March, another--ANOTHER--leak sprouted and just about ruined the cabinets, AGAIN. I kept hearing this hissing sound and when I opened the cabinet doors to see what it was, there was more water everywhere.

Thank goodness, I'm a hoarder and had all kinds of tea pots, coffee presses and miscellaneous jars in there because the water filled them just about to the tops! If they hadn't been there, we would have had the ceiling damage in the basement. Remember this HERE!

Ok, so far, BOTH water filters have leaked (see above), the instant hot water unit leaked (and was replaced by Insinkerator at no cost), the ice maker leaked and ruined our wood floors (U-Line replaced the ice maker and gave us a settlement on the floor damage); and so I'm just about done having everything replaced. 

Today, after having everything turned off for over seven months, I finally got our plumber to come in. I told him to just replace all the hoses, lines, filters--whatever he could see and touch, REPLACE IT! Lawds have mercy.

Now, the only thing left (well, I should NEVER say that) is to have the cabinet doors replaced which were ruined by the last leak. Wonder how much that will cost?

Maybe I'll get to that next year. Maybe I won't.

Ok, enough sour grapes. I am feeling better!! Yay. Yesterday was the first day I didn't have to lay down after I got up! I felt almost normal. Ok, that's about three weeks being sick. I'll be well by the time the hub gets back. Last night was the first night I did not wake up hacking! I is so thankful!

Alright, that's it for the day. Stay calm and carry on!

Labels: Kitchen Redo

Day by Day

My view from the sofa. 

I brought these plants up from Alabama and they seem to be enjoying this spot. They were just about dead when I returned from my trip to DC and NY last month. The hub had watered every other plant in the house and somehow missed these. My absent-minded professor. But thank goodness, a little love and water brought them back. Let's see if they survive the gas heat this winter. Fingers' crossed.

I can't say that I'm any perkier than yesterday, but I am feeling better. My sleep patterns are all over the place after being in bed for two weeks, ugh. I think my body aches just from that alone. I'm going to get the guest room ready for when the hub gets home (he's been overseas since I got sick!). I wake up at all hours with this horrible barking cough; and that's the last thing he needs when he returns from a grueling trip. Perhaps I'll move into the girls' room. I've never slept in there; and it's such a pretty room. I had meant to start working on the guest room re-do while the hub was gone--in time for my brother's arrival at Thanksgiving; but obviously, that didn't happen. Didn't get anything done I had planned while the hub was away--no bike riding, no hiking with Frankie, no painting, no decorating, no nuthin'!

I'm just grateful to be feeling better, day by day. Let's all make a pact to stay well from now through the holidays. K?!

Labels: Health

Halloween 2012

A very happy Halloween to you all! Hope you get more treats than tricks!!

I am a tad behind in everything, especially decorating. I had to gather my dead body together yesterday and get pumpkins and candy! I was afraid if I didn't put any pumpkins out, we would look like the bah-humbug house! Cannot have that on one of my favorite holidays of the year!

Ooooofy, it took everything I had just to get dressed!

Truth of the matter is I had pneumonia! I was so weak, I didn't even have enough strength to get on the computer! Ugh. It's been a long time since I've been knocked so low. A check-up and more x-rays at the doc's today looked promising.

But, I am on the mend now thanks to friends and family keeping my spirits up. Dar sent these up from her trees in 'bama--Satsumas and Myer lemons!! A little rest, a lotta love and a whole lotta vitamin C is going to do the trick! I'm getting stronger every day!!

It's hell getting old.

Labels: Darlene, Halloween, Health, Friends

Presh

The precious Bella and my valiant hub have been taking real good care of me; but lawds, nothing is getting better. Last night, I thought my fever was breaking? Hmmmm, must have just been hot flashes. Because today I feel as bad as yesterday. Thank goodness for ibuprofen. 

Going to spend the day visiting my old blogger friends, since I've been very lackidaisical in doing so for the past year or so! Oy.

Labels: Cats, Health, Hub

Sick

Ugh. I haven't been sick in a long, long time. Which makes being sick even worse. Everything hurts, and I feel old and sick.

Cough, cough.

Labels: Health

Can't Get Enough

Cheers to autumn, finally!!

I've found a new spot to sit and watch the leaves turn. Just loving the leaves and their brilliant colors.

 I think the entire process of watching/waiting for them to fall exhausts Frankie. Yawwwwwwn.

The hub has been home this week; and we've been getting a lot done while he's around . . . including getting our early vote in! Yay, glad that's done. (Now if I can just talk the kid into coming home on Friday to do the same!!) 

Don't you just love old government buildings? NOT! A tad too hospitalesque for my taste.

And, speaking of hospitals, it's October, ladies--Breast Cancer Awareness month. Don't forget to schedule your yearly mammogram. Ugh.

Happy Fall, y'all!!

Labels: America, Autumn, Dogs, Health

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

Sitting and waiting for the rains to begin. It's nice and breezy, a tad cooler (still, not cool enough) and the leaves are definitely on the move--either flying about or changing colors.

It's nice just sitting and watching it all outside your window.

Labels: Autumn

Short Lived

As they say in Tennessee, "If you don't like the weather, wait a day." Hey, wait a minute. I LIKED the weather! And now it's back to swampy heat. Ugh.

Hey, 'grats to the Yankees (hub was sporting his proud Yankees' cap today), but boohiss for the DC Nats'. I would have loved for them to have made it to the World Series.

A Nip in the Air

 Ahhhh, finally!

You know what I do in the fall. I start cleaning out. Bella is always in the thick of it, of course. Ever trying to get to the top of everything, literally! Can you say "sock drawer?" Boom done. With a couple of other drawers thrown in (or out, actually!) for good measure. 

But who wants to stay indoors and clean when it's so beautiful out? Not me. Frankie and I had to see what the trees were doing on the Trace. Natchez Trace bridge. 

Frankie was a happy dog. We pulled over, found a path and took it as far as it would go.

  On our way home, I had to do a drive-by click. Isn't this a gorgeous property? Taylor Swift's? lol

I found all kinds of goodies and brought them home to play with.

                                           

And play I did, adding to my little vignette for the fall. 
Yay!

Labels: Autumn, Dogs, Franklin TN