garden party!

This morning was our annual Garden Party/Plant Exchange. Debbie Mininger hosted it at her "Bellingrath Gardens." :) We basked in the shade of the oak tree while listening to tips on how to compost and grow tomatoes. After numbering into groups of 1's, 2's, and 3's, we took turns picking out plants to take home. I am most excited about my "shrimp plant"! It blooms reddish-orange shrimp-looking blossoms! There were a handful of door-prizes too, and believe it or not, I actually won a house plant! That is not my normal luck! (I think the plant is called a "bromilliad?" It looks like the one pictured above.) Hopefully I won't kill it right away - I do think my thumb is beginning to turn a very pale shade of green. The snacks and drinks were very Southern and so refreshing for such a sultry morning. The dewberry-lemon tea hit the spot, along with cherry limeade punch, poppy seed ham sandwiches, veggies 'n dip, party mix (that had malt eggs and darling lil cheese crackers shaped like birds in it!), and also some brownies that I had seen on pinterest and had volunteered to make. I really enjoyed the party, and felt like I learned a lot about gardening! Now I need to get busy planting my pots of "gold!" Or should I say pots of "green" since we saved our $ by sharing plants instead of buying them?!

pillow time for Saturday night - (Do I HAVE to say it?????  it was 11:30pm.)

Sunday night - Much Better! :) 10:38pm!

R.I.P. Colt

Today our hearts are broken as we grieve along with Wade, Rhonda, Jacob, and Neil over the passing of their little chocolate brown wiener dog, Colt. He will never be forgotten.

From Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam:27, 1850:

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

last night's pillow time = 10:26pm

words

Words

Words can be suffocating; a rushing torrent.

Never ending, relentless.

Words can be a simmering stew, low and spicy.

Words can be a BandAid, a kiss that makes it all better.

Precious, savoured, stored away to keep forever.

Life consists of

Words.

written by: Sharon Faircloth

4.27.12

(last night's pillow time - 10:49 p.m! Clap, clap! Kinda late, but pretty good considering my track record!)

random ramblings

1. I want to start going to bed earlier!!! (Think my night-owlish ways could be the root of my tardiness problem?)

2. I, Sharon Faircloth, do hereby commit to report the hour upon which my head hits the pillow for the forthcoming 7 days. The accountability of this action will hopefully bring forth the desired results wished for in #1.

3. The Help was such an awesome read! Definitely recommended....I couldn't put it down! Thanks, Mom, for snagging me a copy for $1.50 at the thrift store! :)

4. The Annual Plant Exchange/Garden Party is scheduled for Monday.....I only have one plant to donate so far.....hmmmm, wonder why?!

5. I'm keeping Jackson tomorrow for a change! Really excited; especially since they have a new inground pool in the backyard!

6. All my prayers and beatings and bumpings on the dryer don't seem to be doing the trick anymore; it appears to have finally given up the ghost...    (RIP Faithful Vintage Dryer ????-2012)

7. So thankful I have a sturdy drying rack from Target and a gutsy little white fan!

8. Daniel and I will both be delighted when the guys are out of school for the summer and are once again faithful employees of FL&L!

9. Dewberry cobbler is proof that God wants us to be happy and enjoy the fruits of the earth. :)

10. Goodnight friends and fam! I love you all! I better be hitting the hay, or I'll be too embarrassed to post the hour my zzzzzz'z began tomorrow.

question of the day

And the question of the day is, "Does Running Late count as exercise?"

Ha! Ha! If it did, I would be SO fit!! If I could only overcome my dislike of being early, I might actually be on time instead of consistently LATE! Maybe if I had this awesome mint green watch that I'm drooling over from anthropologie I would be cured! :) I don't normally go for gold, but this one pulls it off!

 BTW, does anyone feel like lending me some advice on how to be on time? (or lending me $58 to buy this watch?!)

Bulldogs become Boxers!

I guess Leroy and Diesel were bored with their normal rough and tumble tussling last night, and decided to go for an all-out boxing match! It ended in gory glory with Leroy as Mike Tyson; he bit Diesel's ear! I wasn't home, but Daniel said they both were covered in blood, although after a thorough examination, he concluded that there was more blood than damage, and that it would heal quite nicely without stitches. Thank goodness, because such things always seems to occur when the vet's not in office! Maybe he will always have a little hole though; Danl said we should get him a little ring for his tooth-pierced ear and a pirate's patch to wear over one eye! He would be the sweetest lil pirate-bulldog you ever saw!

to kill a mockingbird

  Our evening in Monroeville yesterday at the play was delightful! We arrived early to browse the museum and gift shop, and to feast on the best chicken and sausage gumbo I've ever eaten!!! (that comment was for you, Rhonda!) A slice of homemade pound cake and Diet Coke completed the meal. The weather couldn't have been more pleasant for a picnic on the courthouse lawn. Southern songs wafted on the slight breeze as we waited for the old courthouse tower clock to dong 7 o'clock! And the play began.....I won't even attempt to describe it all, if you ever get the chance to attend for yourself, definitely do so!! It felt as if you were truly living in Maycomb with Scout years ago....trying to sift through the complex feeling of racial injustice. The profound truth that Scout tells Jem "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.", sums up the greatness of Harper's book to me. Twas a memorable night that I'll never forget! I really want to go again next year! :)
  As for Becca Leann, I was pleased to make her acquaintance yesterday as well! She is adorable! Lots of wispy, black hair and the cutest little round face and button nose! So tiny, too! I'm ready to see her again! Hopefully, we can stop by tomorrow so Daniel can meet her too! :)

life is good

Life seems extra hectic this week....I've hardly had time to eat cupcakes or ped-egg my feet!!! (am loving my new ped-egg!) Monday was a desperately needed "stay home and de-clutter the house" day. We also kept Jacob and Neil that eve. Tuesday Rhonda and I went to Mom's to help sew on new dresses for Mom and Mel to wear to Luke and Becky's wedding. Wednesday I took Mel to Pensacola to get her DL (she passed no problem!) and to shop and eat, (we tried "Chow Tyme" for lunch and relished some awesome fro-yo at TCBY). Today I baked a carrot cake for Aunt Glenda, finished a dress for Mel at Mom's, and received the exciting news that Glendon and Annie's little Becca Leann entered the world today at 12:23pm! She weighed 6 lbs 5 ozs, and was 18 1/2 inches long. I am planning to go see her tomorrow morning! Then in the evening, ten of us will be attending the play "To Kill a Mockingbird" in Monroeville. I'm so thrilled; it's gonna be a dream come true!

I wish I were.....

a GLOW WORM! :) Thought this was cute, and a good quote for life!

chevron

Aren't these chevron mugs just the bomb?! If you feel like spending 80 hard earned dollars for one of these handmade babies, click on this link! http://www.jillrosenwald.com/products/chevron-mug I think that coffee just couldn't help but taste even better than normal in one of these stunning mugs! It would have to be Piggly Wiggly brand beans instead of Dunkin' Donuts for a LONG time though, to justify the purchase in my mind! :)

But this DIY chevron rug is downright thrifty! It's on my list of things to make; I think it would look great in the kitchen. http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2010/01/i-am-so-proud-of-my-diy-zig-zag-rug.html

today

You'd think after posting around 80 posts that I'd remember I have a blog, and that maybe it would be good if I would update every now and then! It totally slipped my mind Saturday, Sunday is my "Internet-free" day, and tonight Jacob and Neil spent the evening with us! So I was reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas instead of blogging! :) But that's a good thing; nothing like having such precious lil nephews! After they left, I preceded to cut out a dress that I wanted to sew last December for Christmas! Since it is the lovely color of- you guessed it- GREEN, I decided it would make a lovely dress for Spring as well. Then as the midnight bells were almost pealing it dawned on me that I had never blogged....so here's a speedy post! Goodnight to my family and friends! Hope you had a wonderful Monday! (and please do a little congratulatory clap for us since I managed to get our tax check mailed to the IRS today!)

sweet sixteen!!

"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Melanie,
Happy Birthday to you!"

Can hardly believe that my little sis turned SIXTEEN today! This is the "virtual" cake I made (picked out) for her. Wish I could say that I made this majestic cake!!! She wants homemade cookie dough ice cream instead of birthday cake though whenever we have her official party. We postponed the family celebration since tonight was the festive fundraiser that the youth groups put on to raise money for the Church in Nicuragua. It was an awesome evening! The theme was "Deep South". Bamboo poles supporting strings of lights encircled the tables, which were topped with red gingham tablecloths and daisy bouquets. The menu was fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes and white gravy, black-eyed peas, and biscuits, with banana pudding and peach cobbler 'n ice cream for dessert. After stuffing ourselves, we sat back and listened as the the youth stood on a utility trailer for a stage and sang their hearts out! "Massa in de Cold, Cold, Ground", "Star-Spangled Banner", and "This Land is Your Land" rang out over the sound system out under the stars while the old "johnny pop" tractor and wagon gave hayrides. Can't beat an night of good, old-fashioned fun on a balmy Spring evening!

decorating personality

What is your design style?

I took the Better Homes and Gardens quiz and my result was "Polished Casual!" and the description was as follows.

You love to mix and match your favorites from several styles, so Polished Casual is the best way to describe your look. Crisp, fresh, and always comfortable, this approach anchors itself in neutral, subtle hues and furniture that isn't fussy but isn't slouchy either. Pair your clean-lined sofa with a dark leather wing chair or a weathered metal table—anything goes, but simplicity is key.

 

 I think it describes my taste quite well except for the "neutral hues!" I like brights! Take the quiz http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/quiz/?psrc=R1201BPM5639R394DQ and find out what look you go after! Please post a comment with your result. I'm curious to know if most people agree with BHG :)

this quilt = LOVE!

This eye catching quilt caught my snagged my attention while "pinteresting" earlier. It looks easy! But looks can be deceiving I've learned......Anyway, it's called "Rainbow Connection". I liked the name; a bit of whimsy. The pattern is for sale on etsy. Here's the link if you are interested! http://www.etsy.com/listing/96957269/rainbow-connection-quilt-pattern So far, I haven't commenced quilting anything on my own yet, unless "mind quilting" counts!

a bucket o' thoughts

1. I really like grocery shopping at 8:30 p.m. There aren't as many buggy wrecks.

2. Sashing a quilt is complicated.

3. There sure were a lot of scrummy desserts at Sewing Day today! I think the lemon bars, angel food cake 'n goo, German chocolate cake, and dewberry cobbler were my favs.....this list also completes the entire selection for some reason.

4. It's Spring.

5. I hardly wore my new caramel-colored winter coat.

6. My weight is no longer a stable 142.5lbs. It is now a scary 150.6 lbs! HOW did that happen?! (please see thought #3 for answer.)

7. My husband was thankful for the gourmet supper I cooked him tonight. Seafood is always a good menu choice! And tuna sandwiches aren't too hard on the grocery budget either.

8. Diesel and Leroy are now dining on Purina Lamb and Rice dogfood. Life gets complicated when your pets eat better than you do.

9. The maid musta been sick today.

10. Daniel is ready for bed and me thinks from the looks of this post that I shoulda been snoozed out a long time ago! Goodnight y'all....

Hello again!

We rolled back in to Walnut Hill yesterday evening; tired and a bit sunburned, but fat and happy from our great Easter weekend of camping! Diesel and Leroy were so ready to see their people again, too! Even though I know they enjoyed their spa weekend of being pampered with blueberry facials, whitening baths, and endless attentions at the K9 Kleaners! We grabbed a pizza for supper on the way home from picking up the baby pigs (our nickname for the dogs since their bellies are pink and spotted like pigs!) and had the dogs spend the evening inside with us. I phoned in the church service and tried to unpack a few things. Today I have piles of laundry to attend to, along with getting the gear all put away. Camping is a lot of work, but SO worth it! The water at Blue Pond was just gorgeous; turquoise and so clear! We kayaked around the perimeter several times, just chilaxin' and watching the fish darting around. The weather was perfect for tent camping too! Was nice and chilly at night, but warm and sunny during the day. We had such a good time with family and friends....eating, talking, and enjoying the great outdoors!

happy easter!

"Ten thousand angels, all hovered 'round....
they could have come, and taken Him down....
Removed the nails with loving care,
but it wasn't the nails....that held Him there."

This chorus of my favorite Easter song has been running through my mind ever since the youth's Easter program last Sunday night. I love it. It made me cry to think of what Jesus did for me; for everyone. I wish the significance of Easter was this real to me each day. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Easter!! :) With lots of good food! I know we certainly will! As soon as we can get the dogs booked into their posh, puppy hotel rooms, and get the tent, kayaks, sleeping bags, foam, air mattress, blankets, pillows, more blankets, fan, tent light, lantern, clothes, fishing gear, cookies, cupcakes, granola, fresh-squeezed lemonade, HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM, (it did turn out! Yay!) and ourselves loaded up, we will be on our way to Blue Pond to spend a relaxing weekend with the Rabon family! So looking forward to some fishing, lounging, reading, kayaking, and quality time away from the daily stresses of life on the go...we won't have cell service or internet, so goodbye blogging 'til Monday!

strawberries....Yum!

  I wish you could've eaten a heaping bowl of strawberry shortcake with us! What could be better than tart, juicy, red strawberries over "Velvet Sponge Cake" (suggested by Anne; recipe found in Friends and Family) topped with fluffy white clouds of REAL WHIPPED CREAM! Cool Whip just doesn't really make the cut when it comes to the perfect bowl of strawberry shortcake.
  Today was kinda a helter-skelter day, but thankfully it did turn out to be quite profitable! I ran to Atmore this morning to finally take our numbers in to the tax lady! Talk about being sanguine and waiting 'til almost the last minute! How I wish I would've inherited just a few melancholy genes; at least the ones that would help me get organized and get to church on time! And stay on the subject....uhhhhumm! Back to being in Atmore here.....I also went to the P.O., fueled my car, made my customary "We Care" browse which netted me an aluminum banana bread pan and two demin skirts that will be perfect for camping this weekend, grabbed some groceries, and dashed into the dollar store! Whew! Good thing Melanie had invited me for spaghetti for lunch; I was starving! She also served caesar salad, navel orange slices, and savory strawberry pie for dessert! Our folks were out celebrating their 29th anniversary which was yesterday. After it quit raining, we struck out for the strawberry patch on Tungoil Road. Amazingly, I was able to pick berries and not Kleenexes this year! I'm giving the credit to my daily steroids and the dose of Nasalcrom I had taken beforehand. Anyway, I picked 11.3 pounds of beautiful berries! I intend to be a virtuous little Mennonite wife tomorrow and make some of them into jam! Hope it turns out; I've never yet made jam!! I helped Mel finish a dress, and then went home to the huge mess I've made cleaning out the freezer. It hadn't been keeping everything totally frozen, so I completely emptied it to defrost its inards. We are hoping that does the trick! Sure don't want to give Sears any more business for awhile. Now I need to clean out all the dust bunnies (and who knows what all else I'll find?!) from behind it while it's empty. (I have been working on it but decided I deserved a little break!) Think I can get Daniel to help me finish the job?!....

"whale" wishes

Ever since I glimpsed the little, blue glass whale in the curio case at the Stacey Rexall Drug Store last Friday, I can't get it out of my mind! It was a charming midnight blue; darker blue than my glass rabbit from Brooksville, MS, and my songbird from Grammie, but just the same shade of blue as my little chicken that I found in a Destin flea market while shopping with Shannon. I didn't buy it because I didn't know what all I would find at the outlets, and I thought it was probably just a passing fancy. (I have those quite regularly!!) But now I am having "whale" wishes every day! Why didn't I make the purchase?! My glass figurine collection desperately needs the symmetry and balance that little blue glass whale would lend it....Anyone hankering to make a Foley trip soon?

eBay!

We are thrilled to announce that our first sell on eBay has now been completed! Let us only rejoice about the $34.78 this transaction has netted, and cease to reflect on the initial cost of purchase of the Carhartts that now are happily being worn by a new owner. Future sells are anticipated that hopefully will exceed the profits afore mentioned.
 (Please excuse this writing style! I sometimes don't know what possesses me!)