Inspire Me.

My friend Tricia is hosting Inspire My Staurday. Tricia descibes it as this, "Inspire My Saturday is a weekly (mostly) feature that I do here at Life at the Zoo to share some of the things that have touched my heart, made me laugh, made me think, and just plain inspired me over the past week."
I gotta admit, this was a tough week for various reasons. Stress. I usually try my best to try to allow to roll off my tailfeathers-for I am no differnt.... everyone has stresses. I also go into hiding, because I HATE for people to see me in  a rotten mood. Rotten moods can be contageous, as I tell my children often, so when  I feel one coming on- I hide. Most have stresses that I am fortunate to not have or have ever known, and I try and remember that when things begin to feel overwhelming. I am truly grateful for my life. I truly am. (TY God)
That being said, this week my inspiration came through music.
Music can instantly put me in another mood. In another place. And I like it. I love it (and gosh that in itself makes me start singing a certain song...do you know the one?)
So when things began to bubble over, I put on some music and drove down the road and sang as loudly as I could.
Another thing that is an instant inspiration....sunshine! It can transform my attitude. So as I sang loudly, I rolled my windows down (it was in the 70's this week) and allowed the music and the sunshine to pour over me, envelope me, and I soaked it up.
Life is Good. And I am blessed. And inspired by the little things. For it's the little things that really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Thanks for dropping by today! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sing*Dance* and truly LIVE
HUGS!
Leigh

T*G(oodness)*I*F+ Contest Winners Announced

The Tales from Bloggeritaville 2010 Costume Contest has come to an end.  I want to thank everyone who entered. It's always fun to see all the costumes!  And my goodness, each year I am amazed at the work put into them. I think we all had our favorites this year. It was a close race and a fair race. The Tales from Bloggeritaville 2010 Costume Contest winners are as follows:
Best Adult Costume: "A" Dust Bunny (not to be confused with the Dust Bunny Hostage)
Best Children's Costume: Little Clown ("Bean")
Best Animal Costume: Inmate Puppy

And what is it that you win?Well let me just tell you.....

Al Malekovic is the creator of Country Bob's Sauce. I had the opportunity to sample and review Counrty Bob's sauce, a sauce that can be used on just about anything to eat! Country Bob's has so generously given the winners of  the children's and the animal costume contest  a Country Bob's Gift Basket.

Each Gift Pack Includes:1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce,1 Bottle of Spicy All Purpose Sauce,1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce,1 Container of Seasoning Salt as well as the  Country Bob's Cookbook. I myself own this cookbook. It feautres some wonderful recipes featuring The World's Greatest Sauce, as well as  The history of Country Bob, Inc. . But what I really appreciate about both the cookbook and Country Bob's Company is their steadfast stance on morals, values, family and most of all-God. Throughout the cookbook you will find inspiring scriptures for living an abundant life. This giftpack has a value Price of $28.95.

And guess what...Bob is so convinced-and generous that you will love Country Bob's Sauce too, that he is offering Tales from Bloggeritaville readers a bottle of sauce for free, check it out. Yes-everyone's a winner in this deal!
That's not all....
Penelope Poet has always been a wonderful friend and sponsor of Tales from Bloggeritaville.  If you haven't checked out the Penelope Poet website, you are missing out. Artist, Creator and Business Savy mom, Joanne Gouaux is the founder of this equisite jewlery line in which she handcrafts custom pieces that are-sheer wearable  poetry! Joanne has so generously given the winner of the adult costume contest a Nashelle's silk friendship bracelet. The bracelet  is hand braided from plush silk threads, laced with strands of delicate gold chain, and accented with a beautiful hand-hammered clasp made of recycled precious metal. This artisan bracelet celebrates the beauty and refined strength of friendship with a contemporary style in your choice of three earthy hues: camel, chocolate, or black. Each color choice lends itself to a feeling of chic simplicity and sophistication. Joanne has chosen for you, the camel color. Value-$72.00














Because the race was so tight between the adult contest winners (there was a 1vote difference between the two) Country Bob's agreed to give a gift basket to the runner up in the adult costume contest . That is Sarah Hinson aka Sarah "Palin". Sarah wrote about her costume that she wore for a Halloween party on her blog. You can read all about it here.

Congratulations to the Winners. If you will please email me your home mailing address so that I can have your prize shipped to you. Thanks to everyone that entered. You were really ALL winners in my book!
Sincere Thanks to the Tales from Bloggeritaville 2010 Halloween Costume Contest Sponsors:
Penelope Poet Unique Jewelry and Gifts
Country Bob's Sauce

I mentioned earlier this week that some folks had some problems getting through to vote. I am sorry for that.  I think it was isolated instances, but there were a few that did comment to say that.  I did try and do some things to my blog that I thought might help, though I am not a very computer literate person. I took off applications that I thought might make it slow. One of these was my play list. I have to tell you, I got so many emails regarding the removal of the music. I was quite surprised.  I know it's a split subject with many so when I first put music on my blog,long ago,  I put my list at the top of the page so that if you do not like the music you can press pause. Or simply turn your computer sound down. But again, I got so many emails regarding the removal of the  playlist, requesting to  "put it back up". Telling me that you like the music. Telling me that you "love the playlist selections, that is "It makes (you) happy." It makes you dance. Someone even emailed saying that they pop up my blog, and turn up the sound and do household chores, which made me laugh out loud. Ha! I love that! And I love music too, which is why I put it on my blog. I am glad that some of you find it so enjoyable.So today, since the Halloween contest is complete, I invite those of you that enjoy it, to sing along, turn up it and to stay awhile in Bloggeritaville. I always enjoy the company with friends!
Speaking of friends.....
Did you get a chance to visit all of the Thrifty Thursday participants yesterday? So many of you are so good to take the time and visit everyone, like the good party guest that you are. I appareciate that. Its fun, its interesting to see all the great finds and creative ideas and  the best part-making new friends and catching up with old ones!
Yesterday in making the rounds I came across some fabulous finds....I cannot share them all, but I did want to share a handfull.

Cindy of Cottage Instincts  shared a fabulous project on the cheap. Take a look what she created with gorilla Glue and tell me it wouldn't make awesome Christmas gifts? I see the cheesedomes at the Thrift often-as in everytime I go. With the additions that can be found easily, you have a priceless gift for someone special!

Jan at Bobby Pins Boardwalk gets the award for using the most skill. You will NOT beleive her thrifty creation....these custom made bookshelves. She walks her readers through the entire process over at her blog. I still am in shock!

And really, who IS Mamie Jane? Who IS this woman? Every week she is cranking out ingenious yet thrifty  ideas that I almost believe even I can do if I put my mind to it. This week she uses tennis brackets to make the cutest Christmas tree.

Yes, people. Tennis brackets! Before that, she used them in her Halloween decor.
Mamie Jane, I cannot help when I visit your blog to think back to my childhood days in vacation bible school. The arts and crafts lady at the VBS I attended always had the coolest things to make year after year. If I said I went to vacation bible school for the crafts each year, it wouldnt be a lie. But don't think ofr a moment I wasn't praising God for this crafty woman who made things fun. Honest the crafts were not textbook tiddlywash. They were amazing!!!!When I go to Mamie Jane's Blog, I think that  Jane could've very well have been the one teaching craft class (but I think she and I are about the same age so it's not possible) And Mamie Jane, perhaps you should teach crafting classes...I am ready to sign up! You astound me each week!I just adore you and your creativity, Jane! Mamie Jane, I bow to you!!!

I invite you to stop by my food blog, PLATES & PLACES, for Foodie Friday! There I am sharing a dish (by way of video) from a local restautant located in Helena, my hometown. The dish is Creole Pasta by 122 Tree Lane. It's simple, it's quick, its filling and its delicious. Oh-and it's authentic creole. The chef is from "Lu-ze-anna" and can cook up some food like nobody's business. I LOVE her cucumber salad...it's like my grandmother made it. Umm, memories. Anyway, drop by and educate yourself in some creole dishes.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! I truly appreciate you taking time from your bbusy day to stop byy, comment, email. I really do. I send the love right back at cha!
Sing*Dance* LIVE (really live)
HUGS!
Leigh

Thrifty Thursday #41 Plus Tablescape Thursday

Hi! It's Thrifty Thursday! I am your host, Leigh. Thank you so much for stopping by and additional thanks to those who also participate in Thrifty Thursday! I am most delighted to have you join in..for it's YOU who makes it a "show and tell party". I also participate in Tablescape Thursday the host of that fun carnival is the Hostess with the Mostess...Susan of Between Naps on the Backporch. That's no lie or exaggeration, each week I visit Susan's porch and just long to be a guest at any of her tablescapes...especially those held on the porch.
(You can click on any pictures for a closer view)
*If you do not know what Thrifty Thursday is or need more info on Thrifty Thursday you can go here.

*Don't forget to copy and paste the Thrifty Thursday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Thrifty Thursday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Thrifty Thursday.

I love a thrifty find, as much as the next person. I also love a FREE find. Let me tell you about a free find, one that you can take advantage of too. It's Lowe's Creative Ideas Magazine.  It is full of creative ideas that can be used indoors and outdoors of your home. And its free! All you have to do to get a subscription is go to the Lowes website and sign up. Before you go, let me share with you some of the creative ideas found in this free magazine.

How about making your own Christmas gifts this year? That is what my girlfriends are doing for one another. This is a fabulous idea...using lampshade finials and celing fixture pull chains. Just attach the aformentioned hardware to a cork with a dab of liquid nails and allow to dry. Wah-la custom made wine corks with great personality! (hardware, cork and liquid nails can all be purchased at Lowes).


And for that outdoor decor....Christmas is only 49 days away.
Breath deep.
It's ok. I know a great way to decorate that cost very little. Use your tomato cages from this past summer to create twinkling towers. Stack 3 cages and bind them together ising wire. Apply white spray paint-or whatever is your choice. Decorate with small ornaments and wire lighting.

In the photo above C9 lighting is used on tops of 6 gallon metal cans. The lighting is hot glued to hold into place. Drill a hole in teh back of the can to run extention cord. Fill can with rocks or pebbles.
Here is another for a rustic look, also using outdoor decor. This being birdfeeders. Pile small white lights inside bird feeders for a burst of color and light.

Thrifty Organization:
Use Peg Boards and hardware (all found at Lowes) to create a gift wrap station.

Here is the simple directions:

Now, onto to Tablescape Thursday, which is hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Tablescape can also be Thrifty.

This Thrifty Thursday is also brought to you by Lowes Creative Ideas. All featured products in this entire post, including burlap and twine can be found at Lowes...
For tablescapes use burlap and twine folded around napkins and utensils for a tidy look and a quick way for guest to pick up their silverware.

What about the table....use inexpensive tiles for a pop pf color down your table. To keep from scracthing furniture, use small felt pieces on the back!


For these ideas and more, go to Lowes.
What is a tablescape without the food? I invite you to stop by my food blog, PLATES & PLACES, tomorrow for Foodie Friday!
If you havent voted in the Tales from Bloggeritaville Halloween Contest be sure to do so on the sidebar. Click the pumpkin to view the contestants.
Thanks to all of you for stopping by and participating in today's Thrifty Thursday. Please use Mr. Linky below to link up your blog.I encourage you all to spread the love and visit the other thrifty Thursday participants, for that's what half the fun is. Aside from seeing a cool treasure it's making friends!
Thank you, all, FRIENDS! I appreciate YOU!
THRIFTY THURSDAY PARTICIPANTS:

Jessica Leigh's Bathroom Transformation

I love to repurpose. To think out of the box. To use things in ways that are not always "the correct way".
My blogger friend Jessica Leigh likes to do that too (she is also a photographer- and a very good one)!
She has been revamping her bathroom. Take a look...
She used outdoor lighting above her large bathroom mirror.Outdoor lighting!

And she used house numbers and hooks to hang towels.

Scrabble tiles and game hourglasses for gentle reminders for her boys to "get the jobs done!"

You can see more of her bathroom transformation by clicking Jessica Leigh.

If you haven't voted yet (or had trouble getting through yesterday) please go by and vote in the Tales from Bloggeritaville Halloween Costume Contest! Click here to go and see contestants and cast your vote for your favorite.

Costume Contest Participants-Vote!

UPDATED!!! There were some technical difficulties on Monday with the contest. Many people could not get through to vote, fortunantley the contest is open all week and only one vote per catagory is allowed. You may vote for all three catagories.
I hope to have worked out any kinks by putting all of the contestant photos up versus the slideshow. You can click any photo for a closer look.  I also used one photo per contestant.  Votes left in the comments will not be counted.  To vote, go to the sidebar on the top right of the blog and vote under each catagory. 
In that computer problem, "Pumpkin" in the adult catagory was not listed. It is now up. In fairness, Votes for Pumpkin will be counted by vote number rather than percentage and then tallied at the end of the week with all of the adult contestants to provide the winner.
If you have any further questions, let me know. Hope this fixes the problem. I apologize for the issues. I still do not know what happened, but hopefully I have resolved the problem.
Now, go and VOTE for your favorite! Best of Luck to everyone!

I hope everyone had a great Halloween! By the looks of the contest entries for the 2009 Tales from Bloggeritaville Halloween Contest, it appears everyone did! We have some outstanding costumes, it's going to be very difficult to chose a winner, they are all so good. Fortunate for me, I am not making the decision, that is up to you to cast your vote (one entry per catagory). You can ask your friends and family to vote too!

Without further Ado...Here are our nominees (I always wanted to say that. LOL)

Children's Contestants:

Skunk

Flower

Bat Princess

Fairy Princess

Charlie Brown as a Ghost

Chomp, Chomp (Little Tebow)

Hulk

Cinderella

Titantic Ghost

Wicked Witch of Oz

Little Clown

HR Pufnstuff, Mayor of Living Island

MadHatter(from Alice in Wonderland)

Strawberry Shortcake

Penguin

ADULT CONTESTANTS:

Jolly Green Giant and Little Sprout

Hippy Chic

Sarah Palin

A Dust Bunny (not to be confused with the DB)

PUMPKIN

In the Animal Group: There were only two
It's a head to head battle between
Princess Puppy

and
Inmate Puppy

You can find the Voting Tab on the Tales from Bloggeritaville sidebar, just underneath the "Follower" button on the top right.
Polls close at 6PM on November 5th.
Be sure to tell your friends and family to vote!
You can vote one time per catagory.

On November 6th I will announce the winner of each category.
The winner in each category will receive a Bloggeritaville Prize. I am hoping to get some business sponsorship on that one. If anyone is interested, let me know (if anyone wants to join in and donate prizes, let me know. It's good marketing and lots of fun).

Sarah of LuShae Jewelry is hosting a competition on her website, LuShae Jewelry. Be sure to click over for more information on how you can win $200.00 CASH.  That's right, I said cash. While there, be sure to check out the blog badges. To visit the site: CLICK here.

If you missed  how we spent our Halloween in Funky Town., you will NOT want to miss, click on "Funky Town" to see the party that rivals a Martha Stweart Halloween Event. Hope you all had a fun Halloween.

Thanks for stopping by, friends-old and new. And if you are new, won't you become a follower by clicking the button on the top right sidebar. Bloggeritaville always has room on the "island" for more friends!
Welcome!

The Freaks Come out at Night....(and Daytime too, apparently)

(Click any photo to make larger)
My friend High Mae has earned herself a new nickname. Martha. As in Stewart.
Such shoes to fill, yet High Mae came in with her high heeled witches boot and stomped her nemisis with a party that would make even Martha scramble for an invitation.
Yesterday, prior to the yesterday's trick or treating High Mae hosted quite the Halloween soiree.
There were scavenger hunts, where the children hunted for "bones".

There was pumpkin carving stations.

There was pumpkin paining stations.

There was stations where guest topped their own cupcakes...

with the likes of "skeleton mush, brain spread, and feetjam (icing)...

....  as well as spider/slug goop-n-poop (icing) . Scary!

There was delicious food.

And drinks.

Enough to make even the older goblins happy.

There were games like eyeball races...

And timed mummy wraps.

As well as "guess the guts" (man, that's nuts. In the bowls I saw cooked chicken , spaghetti and dirt jalepenos and unidentifiable goop).

Oh! And even caramel "poisoned" apples, treats from the "evil wicked witch"

And as the sun went down, the freaks went out. The freaks came out at night.

A good time was had by all!
Thank you, "High Maintance", for a delightfully and frightfully good time! WE throughly enjoyed ourseves, as did the rest of the gouls. We'll be back next year!

Scenes From Halloween

For more Outdoor Wednesday Participants, be sure to visit Susan, of A Southern Daydreamer. She is the gracious host of Outdoor Wednesday!

If you havent't already, be sure to take a look at the Bloggeritaville Halloween Contestants and Vote for your favorite, click here to see the contestants.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope that you will drop by this evening and link up to Thrifty Thursday.
Happy OW!