Signs, Signs-Everywhere are Signs!

My friend Misti of Studio M Designs is hosting a "Sign" Party today. What a creative carnival! She invites everyone to join in and show "your sign".

No, it's not a horoscope party. Nor is it a take on a comedian's tag line. At least in this case.
I have to admit, as soon as Misti invited me to enter, I couldn't help but begin singing...

"Signs, Signs-Everywhere a sign, blocking up the scenery breaking my mind

Do this, Don't do that-Can't you read the signs?

So, without further ado, Can't you read the signs?

The first sign "speaks" for itself. Everything with me is a song. Everything reminds me of a song. I think it is a sickness, and my family would agree because it drives them bonkers, but just one word can remind me of a song...so, I do what comes naturally...I break out and SING! (as "demonstrated above)~

These signs below are on the side of my fridge (the only part that isn't stainless. I purchased all of these from my favorite store, "At Home" in Homewood.

"May you LIVE all the days of your life"

LIVE, LIFE.

To me, it means-take nothing for granted. I know. I LIVE it.

Umm. Hmm. Self Explanatory. And true. Mom's, can I get an Amen?

Live Generously, Praise Loudly, Live Fully (What great words to live by!)


How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

It reminds me of a Jimmy Buffetism, "Growing older but not up". To be forever young with childlike spirit, where everything is new and exciting, where life is squeezed of every drop in it.

How old would I be if I didn't know how old I was? I would guess 27, maybe 30? We'll call it safe with 29.

You can guess where this sign, a magnet, came from......

This sign is above my stove in my kitchen. It reads the name of my family and established date (when Big Daddy and I were married) An Etsy find. One of my favorite things.


This above my kitchen window. Words for everyday.....

This sign is above my laundry room. It is painted on a piece of driftwood. I saw something similar at Pirates Cove that I wanted to emulate.

Speaking of driftwood.....

This I made for Sister Sledge, who loves mermaids and the beach.....

And this one for our deck, to point me in the right direction, should I forget....
(Painted on more driftwood-from Fort Morgan)

AS IF. LOL! Nevah!

Sister Sledge has this one in her room:

Amen. I think Peace. Still....in the Spirit.

This is on my bed....

Good to remember-especially in times of weakness....to me it stands for self discovery. It means that even in the worst of times, good will come from it. And from those times, lessons. And those lessons, if realized, will take you on a greater path.

And this, one of my favorite movie's and favorite movie lines because it is so true....

Geographically sometimes, but to me "Home" is with my family.

And there IS no place like home.

And that my friends....are my signs! When I began, I thought...I don't have any signs. Then I thought of one. And I began to walk around my home, reading the signs!

Can you read the signs? Do you have some signs to be read? If so, link up over at Misti's blog.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a roadmap to your place!

Have a great weekend!

If you live locally-hope to see you at the Buck Creek Festival! Say hello! Be there or be square!

*Be sure to buy one of Laura Beth's t-shirts. Support your community. Support great causes.

Thrifty Thursday-Plus a Tablescape

Hey! It's Thrifty Thursday! Thanks for dropping by!

Thrifty Thursday is a show and tell of sorts. It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, dumpster diving, even antique stores. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements. I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures.

It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it.Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it?

Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found. So....do show and tell! Be sure to grab a button and link back with your direct hyperlink. Link back to this post in your thrifty thursday post.






I am so excited about this week's Thrifty Thursday! My friend Rhoda told me about a local neighborhood garage sale this past weekend, so I was all to happy to check it out. I got some great deals!
One of my favorite finds was this Betsey Johnson bag!

It was marked $10.00 but I got it for $8.00. I knew that even at $10 it was a fantastic bargain. I love it for it's rocker style....and it's a Betsey! I got home and looked it up online. It is a new product.

This from the online site:

Betsey Johnson Lucky Charms Bag
Betsey Johnson Lucky Charms in Brown. Soft deep brown leather. Front flap snap pockets. Bronze studding throughout. Leather strap detailing front and back. Cloth leopard interior. One side zipper compartment. Oversized center divider zipper pouch. Side cell phone pouch. Material: 100% leather.Measures: 14" wide, 13" tall, 4.5" deep..

Online Price: $395.00!!!!

I am so happy with my bargain!!!!! It will be perfect for toting my books, magazines and snacks around come wrestling season.

I also lucked up with clothes! Sister Sledge racked up with brands such as Abercrombie (which I refuse to buy from the store because of their suggestive ads! Not to mention the prices are ridiculous IMHO), Hollister (again, I wouldn't buy from store. At the mall I pull the pants up on the manikin's....), Justice, Limited Two.

I purchased 20 pieces of brand name clothing at fifty cents a piece!!!

I found myself some black Ann Taylor pants, with the $98.00 tag still on them for $3.00! I got them for $2.00! I also bought this cute Chico top for $2.00 (below) as well as a black top from Black and White Market for $1.00. The chico top is very Stevie Nicks-ish. Can't wait to twirl round and round in it giving my best Nicks impression. LOL!

I got this sweet little maiden hair fern for $1.00. With a little love and I am sure it will flourish. (The pot was mine, I just put it in. I need to repot it.)

Finally I purchased a illuminated world globe for my history loving son, J Smooth.

The globe has the raised mountainous regions, and sits on a walnut base. It works fine. It was $7.00. I found this one online which almost exactly like it. Online it is over $200.00.

Tablescape Thursday is hosted by the ever gracious and lovely Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. I did not get my tablescape done in time. I hope to get it up so I can post with my Foodie Friday, though no promises. Things have been crazy at my end.

I do encourage you to visit the great tablescapes though! I have met the most wonderful bloggers through that carnival. Thanks to Susan for hosting!! She is such a doll.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to link up. I will also be putting the direct links within the post. I look forward to seeing your Thrifty Thursday!
MR Linky

1. Marty
2. Vintage Swampgirl
3. http://whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com/
4. Indiana Keetha
5. http://ofbeingdomestic.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrifty-thursday-glass-dish.html
6. The Shabby Chic Cottage
7. The American Homemaker
8. Sandi
9. Kristin -The Goat (Thrifty Card Display)
10. http://bigblackdogs.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrifty-thursday-and-my-first-treat.html
11. Valerie KC
12. Chandy
13. http://shopannies.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrifty-thursday.html
14. http://shopannies.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrifty-thursday.html
15. http://www.reinventedkb.com/2009/05/projects-and-pms.html
16. jerri
17. songbirdtiff
18. http://creativelydreaming.blogspot.com/2009/05/instant-project.html
19. http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/2009/05/yardsales-flea-market.html
20. jen the dust bunny hostage
21. Lucky to be Me
22. Kara
23. Andy
24. Brenda

25. Vintagesquirrel (embellishing your thrifty finds)

26. http://studiomdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrifty-finds-shopping-basement.html

Garden Party!

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality was kind enough to a Garden Party at her home. I would like to invite y'all into my garden. Come on in, ya'll.....
We'll look around......

Oh! Look at that basil. It's so hearty and delicious in so many dishes!

This is my little patio garden.This pot holds some cherry tomatoes. My kids will go out and "pick and pop" them right off of the vine and into their mouths. Also in there is banana peppers, green peppers, lemon balm, cilantro and dill.

This peace lilly sits on my deck. It is shaded, so it is happy. The blooms are popping up everywhere. The lily was a gift from my friend Janet. I think of her when I see it.

My mother bought my this plant. It used to have little white blooms all over it but I almost allowed it to get away from me in the heat. I hope they will return. I planted it in a fountain that my sweet cousin Beckie gave me. I think it looks so pretty in it! Beckie was so kind to give it to me.

This plant was a gift from my friend Deborah. I loved it's little curly leaves. And to my surprise, it even blooms these sweet little dainty pink flowers.

A geranium. The pot it is in was used in mine and Big Daddy's wedding reception. We had several that held ferns. They sat on the buffet tables. Now I put the geraniums in them because where they are receives alot of sun.

This massive tree is a Jade! Ok, this really is an unbelievable story, but it is the honest truth. Big Daddy's great grandmother immigrated to the United States from Italy/Croatia region. She came by boat. Taking with her to the new country, she brought over a jade plant. This jade plant is a direct descendant from that original jade. Grandpa, as mentioned before, has a green thumb. Apparently it was inherited. Grandpa had several jades (as do most all the family members). If you take a single leaf from the jade plant and stick it directly into the dirt, it will grow, as this one did-from Great grandma's jade. We have had this one for 12 years. It was one of Grandpa's. There is no telling how old it is. I need to repot it. But I love it's history.

Thank goodness this little guy has a smile on his face. I was frowning when I saw that the chives growing out of his head had received to much water. I had to give him a haircut. Doesn't he look Hawaiian? He reminds me of that dreaded tiki from the Brady Bunch episode. Remember, it caused alot of trouble? But I like this guy. He makes me smile too.

This is a flowering cactus. Big Daddy's grandfather gave it to us about 8 years ago. When it blooms it has huge star shaped pink flowers on it. And that chair, my friend Deborah gave it to me. Her husband Phil made it. I have good friends. And good family.

I do not know what this is called. My mother gave it to me a couple weeks ago (already in the pot). It is gorgeous with it's green and pink leaves. Hey Mom, if you are reading, look at the middle left, there is new growth or a new plant coming from it.
And I adore my bird girl. I am really quite obsessed with her. My infatuation began about 10 years ago after I read the book, "In the Garden of Good and Evil". Which is a great book, BTW, and it does tie into the theme of gardening.....

Yellow mums. They bloom in several times a year. I got them at Sams in the fall. They came in huge pots for 15 bucks.

Hibiscus. They have huge blooms, about the size of an average plate. They feel so tropical. But I have to take care of them. The beetles like them too.

This pot has a variety of things in it. On the ground blooming all around it, is fresh mint. I love fresh mint in my lemonade, on strawberries, mojitos...and it smells so good.

I don't know what this is called, but I like it's red leaves.

Gardenia Bush. What a glorious smell!

Sage. That little yellow and brown butterfly likes it.

Double Flowering Japanese Karia (I hope I didn't misspell that). It is like forsythia in that it grows like mad and has yellow blooms. I wanted one because as a child my mother had one that grew by my childhood home. I think of it and how pretty it was.

Leigh's Blue Berry Bush. My favorite varieties are Climax and Premier. These varieties seem to be the sweetest to me. I love to go pick at Petals from the Past because you can try the varieties and decide what your favorite is.

Holly Hocks. An heirloom flower indeed. I love these flowers, lifting their mighty heads to the world. They seem so confident, yet still so delicate. Don't they look like a flamenco dancer?

a "garden bunny" hiding amongst the hedges (Wow. They need trimming...)

Purple Salvia (I think it is what it is). Oh, no-needs weedeating....

Lantana. It is so easy to grow. As with everything in my garden, If it isn't easy. I don't grow it.

Portulica (perhaps misspelled). Also called Texas Rose. Oh, these little flowers love the heat. You cannot kill these flowers. I like that!

Hummingbird Love..... For they help my little garden grow.

And that my friends, has been a stroll through my little garden. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. I did. I have said it before time and again, that love is like a garden. If you tend to it is grows and flourishes if not, you have a patch of weeds. That can be said of any relationship.
As I walked through my garden today, I realized that my garden is a simile of my relationships & friendships. And in my garden are little reminders of the special friendships that I have been blessed with. And how they continue to grow and florish. Indeed, I am blessed!

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Consider yourself blessed too! Oprah and KFC have teamed up giving everyone in America who responds before tomorrow a free meal from Kentucky Fried Chicken! Perfect for a outdoor garden picnic. Click Here to take you to the coupon. Don't give up. It took many clicks on my end for the link to finally work. It kept saying broken link but it did finally work for me. Problems? There is an email address you can write to if you experience problems trying to get your coupon.

Be sure to join me tomorrow for Thrifty Thursday!
Details Here.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

Outdoor Wednesday-Plus a Reminder!

Today is Wednesday and we all know that that means.....it's a great day to be outdoors! Or at last in spirit, as today in my neck of the woods we are expecting some thunderstorms. But this was not the case a couple weeks ago when my mother and I took off to Gadsden for an errand. We drove through Southside along the Coosa River enjoying the show that nature was putting on. It was as if Nature had kissed everything with Spring time goodness. It was just a perfect day! We drove past a log in the river and I shouted at my mom to stop so I could get out. Thank goodness she is used to that request after many years, quick on the brake so I don't miss my opportunity. I snuck down to the water's edge just in time to snap this photograph before all but a couple of the turtles dove into the water.

Actually four or five did jump in before I got them. I can't even imagine where they were sitting on that log, but I did see them dive in.

So? How many turtles do you count on that log? (you can click for a larger view)

Happy Outdoor Wednesday! To see more outdoor post visit our host, Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer!

I posted late yesterday on some giveaways over at some other blogs, so be sure to scroll down to see where you can enter.

I do want to mention my sweet friend at A Beach Cottage. She is having a giveaway. Be sure to check out her blog for her giveaway, as well as escapism. Love her beachy blog. Her photography puts you in a beach cabana.

Also in a post below, if you are playing Idol judge too, is my opinion of last night's American Idol performances. I do have to chime in on Dancing with the Stars! What a shocker!! I did not expect to see Lil Kim go home, I thought Ty had done his last two step, as much as I enjoy him. Seems I will enjoy his serenade around the dance floor a week longer. Smile. Such class and charm. I like a gentleman.

I want to remind everyone about Thrifty Thursday. I am so excited to show you all my loot from my garage sales last weekend, that I cannot stand it! Be sure to come back and link up to join in on the fun!

Thrifty Thursday is a show and tell of sorts. It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, dumpster diving, even antique stores. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements.

I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures. It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it.Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it? Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found.

So....do show and tell! Be sure to grab a button and link back.

Don't forget to come back here tonight at 8PM and paste your direct hyperlink to your Thrifty Thursday post here at Mr. Linky.

Have a fabulous day, y'all!