Giveaway @ Don’t look now! (Closed)

Have you been to this blog? If you haven’t, you need to check it out. Once there, you will see the most beautiful quilts, the most colorful pillows and the cutest little monkeys you have ever seen!

There is also a giveaway in progress. The deadline is next Monday, so go on over to Don’t look now! for a chance to win a colorful pillow and cute little monkey! You’ll be so glad you did!

Anna's Pantry Party

This is my sister, Anna. Anna got married almost 2 weeks ago. The week before she got married, we had her a pantry party. A pantry party is a little different than a bridal shower. One idea is to bring your favorite recipe, the ingredients for that recipe and something to make the recipe in (i.e., a bowl or pan). Another idea is to give a cookbook, choose one recipe and bring the ingredients for that recipe.

It's basically a party to help the newlyweds stock up on stuff that they might otherwise forget to buy when getting their kitchen ready.

I didn't have time to go grocery shopping,

so this cake was my gift.

Sisters: Carol, Me, Anna, Dala & Alicia

Giveaway @ Loves to Create (Closed)

Nancy over at Loves to Create is a collector of mirrors, and she has decided to part with six mirrors from her collection. So, go on over there and leave a comment for a chance to win! The deadline for this giveaway is Saturday night. (I like #1 & #5)

On another note: you must check out her craft studio. It’s beautiful!

The Letter "L"

I was randomly assigned the letter "L" by Jackie of Smooth Pebble. I'm supposed to make a list of 10 things I love that start with the letter "L". Here it is:

10 Things I Love That Start with "L"

1. Laughter: I think it's true that laughter is the best medicine. Nothing makes you feel as good as a good laugh and plenty of humor.
2. Letters: Whether it be the letters of the alphabet or a handwritten letter, I love them both! I think it's amazing that you can take a few letters (from the alphabet) and make so many wonderful words, thus creating a wonderful handwritten letter.
3. Lyrics: This almost goes in the same category as letters. When you think about it, lyrics to a song is just like a handwritten letter. The only difference is the music that goes with the lyrics.
4. Lists: I'm making a list of my favorite things that begin with the letter "L" so I just had to add lists. I love lists; I love making lists. I make a list everyday, sometimes more than one a day. Lists keep me organized. I guess that's why I love them!
5. Lazy days: Spring is here! YAY! This is my favorite time of the year (Fall is my second). Lazy days come with the spring. Must be the weather. It's perfect for just relaxing and enjoying...
6. Life: I know this one is predictable, but I really do love life!
7. Love: This one is predictable, too, but there is no greater feeling in the world than to love and know you are loved in return!
8. Lisa Lutz's books about the Spellman Family: There are three: The Spellman Files, Curse of the Spellmans and Revenge of the Spellmans. I haven't read the 3rd yet, but the 1st two were excellent! I enjoyed them so much it was impossible to put them down.
9. Lakes: Nothing is more relaxing than spending a day on the lake. Unless of course you are on the lake on a lazy day with the one you love, enjoying life and lots of laughter (and a Lisa Lutz book!).
10. Little Luxuries: Does that count as two words? I think it's the small things in life that bring the most joy: a new book, a nice meal, a new fishing pole, a mocha frappucino....I love any little thing that makes me happy that I'm able to get on a whim.

So, that's my list. If you want to make a list of your own, comment on this post and I will randomly assign you a letter.

In Memory: Bailey

This sweet baby is Bailey.

Bailey came into our lives 6 months ago today.

He was only with us for 3 days.

It's amazing how someone so small can touch so many hearts.

CaSandra, Bailey's mommy.

(The silly man beside her was trying

to see which one of them had the bigger belly.
I think he won!)

Me & Bailey about an hour after he was born.

Someone said, "Some people go a lifetime without seeing an angel, but we've held one in our arms.

The day he passed away, I went to work, crying,

and my friend, Nancy, really encouraged me.

She told me that God sent Bailey to show us what love really is.

And I truly believe that.

I wrote this poem a few weeks later.

_______________________________________________
You Showed Us Love
By: Me

You were here for just a moment,
then, too soon, you were gone.
God called your name and wrapped you in His arms;
then, he brought you home.

He knew our hearts were breaking,
He knew we would shed many tears.
He knew that we would miss you,
in the coming years.

We didn’t understand it:
why did you have to go?
Even now we still don’t understand,
yet, in our hearts, we will always know:

You were our bundle of joy, our dream come true,
a sweet gift from Heaven above.
You were sent down here to bring joy to our lives
and to fill our hearts with love.

You filled our lives with wonder
and memories that can never be erased.
We’ll hold each one close to our hearts
and remember you with each passing day.

In Loving Memory of Bailey Scott Davis
September 16, 2008—September 19, 2008

Flowers-2

Remember these flowers?

They ended up in some pretty hot water!

To be more specific, a pot of boiling hot water with a tea bag.

After a day and a 1/2 in the water,

this is what the flowers looked like:

After the flowers dry, the edges start to turn dark brown.Add some ribbon, some lace...maybe some pearls. Add a pin to the back. Pin it to a hat...or a jacket or shirt. Pin it to a lampshade for a quick decoration.

Go to this blog to get the frayed flowers tutorial.

Bored?

Do you ever get bored? You know the kind of bored where you will do anything to pass the time? Well, here is the perfect cure for that kind of bored. It's about the most pointless thing I've ever encountered, but once you click the first square, it's hard to stop! Check it out if you have nothing else to do.

Flowers

These flowers are not real.

They are pretty, though.

I'm using them for a project.

I hope to be finished by the end of the week.

They should be even prettier then!

Pecan Pralines

This is my recipe for pralines. My Aunt Jo used to make this every year at Christmas time. When she passed away my Grandaddy continued making them. A few years ago I got the recipe from him since he had stopped making them at some point. He is a diabetic, after all, so I suppose pralines just sitting around would be too much of a temptation. I know they would be for me. These are great! The original recipe called for condensed milk, but when I made my first batch, all I had was evaporated. They were not as sweet as the pralines we were used to eating as kids, but everyone liked them. So I've made them with evaporated milk ever since.

My brother-in-law has been on my case about making him some for weeks, months even. He said he had to beg me to make them. It's true. I finally got around to making him a batch this past weekend. Here's the recipe.

Pecan Pralines

2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups pecans

Butter 2—3 cookies sheets or plates. Combine sugar, butter and milk in a medium pot. Cook on medium heat until mixture forms a hard ball when dropped into cold water.

Add vanilla and pecans. Stir until mixture begins to get hard. Spoon onto buttered plates or cookie sheets. You can make the pralines however big or small you want them to be.

My Birthday

My birthday has come and gone yet again. It happens the same way every year. You make plans, you spend so much time trying to get things to come together, and then, all of a sudden, it's all over. Your hard work all comes down to just an hour or two of good fun.

In the end, though, it's worth it!

My Dad asked me last year how old

you have to be before you stop having parties.

To me, parties are a fun excuse to get

together with family and good friends.

And as long as I feel like having a good time, I'm gonna have a party!

p.s. I will post more about my party later!