Finally Friday

I can't tell you how happy I am that it is finally Friday! Yeaya. (This is the drive to pick the kid up at school.)

I've been busy finishing up duties around the house. Finally finished the invitations for MJ and got them off in the mail. Phew. Finished my Halloween ATC swap.

Made some more charms to give away (these are not for the charm bracelet swap).

And this is the paper pumpkin that I painted and stressed. Love it.

I am still kind of organizing my new space. Found this in Fairhope. An old utensil holder for my tools.

Mwahhaaahaaaaa. And lookie at what else I found. When I read the Baltimorian insignia, I had to have it! I'll do something with it at Halloween.

Tonight, we went to one of our favorite haunts in Franklin, Saffire Restaurant.

It is always soooo good.

I tried their drink of choice, the Saffire martini. Mmmm, made with fresh blueberry-infused vodka. Doesn't get any better! It was like drinking grape juice. Kinda dangerous!

Always start with the Southern Caesar salad. The hub tried their salad with white peach vinaigrette. I think I'll have to go with that one next if it's still on the menu. Oh my. The hub then ordered the prime rib (ew), the kid the chicken fried chicken, and I had the Country Cordon Bleu. It was all most excellent.

Of course, we had to have dessert. We all chose the Kahlua Cake. Yummy indeed.

With all that said, I am stuffed and ready for bed. Sweet dreams.

xo
ro

Shifting into Fall Mode

After the peaches are all gone, it's then time for the apples to be giving their bounty. I just got an email from my SIL in San Diego asking if we wanted to go apple picking while we were out there. How fun does that sound! We haven't gone to any orchards since we were back in Virginia.

It's still warm here, but I am truly shifting gears to Autumn mode. Love it.

I found this lovely runner on Ebay. I love anything with felt involved.

I collaged this small paper pumpkin. Needs some more work. But for now, it's decor. I finished another one with paints. It's downstairs, so no pics yet.

While looking for something to fill the pumpkin with, I found my fall flowers to put in my little cups above the stove top. Now where did I put those tiny little dried pumpkins??? Hmmmm.

All the while, Bella kept a close eye on me. Just look at that face. Just want to smooch it!

A very happy birthday to my SIL Mary Jane! Cheers!

xo
ro

President Obama Speaks at My High School

What an inspiration to listen to President Obama speak to the next generation of Americans. It just so happened that he spoke at MY Alma Mater, Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA.

I am so proud!

In case you were unable to hear it, you can go here to catch the video. I wish every American would give their child the opportunity to hear this speech. It truly was inspiring--not only to my 15-year old, but also to me.

Ok, now, I expect straight A's from the kid!

xo
ro

Alabama Sunset

We had been planning our first dinner out at Tin Top in Bon Secour. Mmmmmm. It was a beautiful sunset as we made it there.

Passing through Magnolia Springs (Fanny Flagg territory).

Obviously, I was into the blurred vision last night.

The meal, as always, was spot on.

Who doesn't love Barney? Had to chuckle over this warning at their market next door.

The kid drove us home, since the hub and I had partaken in happy hour. :-P He is driving so well. Even on the back roads of rural Alabama. So proud.

Yesterday, a seagull feather flew to me in a parking lot, so I had to add it to my TN blue jay feather already hanging on my rear-view window.

Today, the hub and I had lunch at a Crab Shack.

Always lots of hot sauces to choose from down here. Yumm.

Other than that, we woke up to a thunder storm this a.m. Always sets the tone for the day. Perfect.

The rest of the day is being spent as Frankie does. Laying low.

xo

ro

Frog Day Afternoon

It seemed to take for-EVER to get here yesterday. Between the holiday traffic, Alabama football and hitting Montgomery at rush hour, it was a long time in the car. But no worries. We made it in time to crawl into bed and sleep in late this morning.

Frankie is enjoying the weather, quite nice actually, for the beginning of September in the deep south.

Very quiet on the river considering it's Labor Day weekend. Not complaining!

A day full of relaxation. The boys went out for a very late lunch. I decided to stay in. Still trying to lose the last four pounds of the ten I gained this summer! Ooooof!

An apple for me will do.

Frogs seem to follow me around like a mother hen. They are naturally drawn to me for some unknown reason. I think either I was a frog in another life or some frog spirit likes me. Today, as I was sitting on the dock drinking my coffee, I felt a little feller on my leg. We had already shoo'd his mother away earlier. As cute as they are, I still don't like them ON me. lol For whatever reason, I always have at least one surprise encounter with one of the little guys each trip. I count them each as a good omen.

Hope your weekend is full of hopping frogs!

xo
ro

PS As you can see, the old Cybershot is A-ok buckwheat! Wooooot!

Riverside Bound

Heading South for the holiday weekend. I don't know if the old camera will be working, so I may be off for the weekend. Don't know.

In other news, President Obama will be speaking at my Alma Mata next week in Arlington, VA. Woot! Now, of course there is controversy from the right-wing kooks. Puullleeeeze! Our kids need a little direction when it comes to education. We're going to hell in a hand basket over here. Pfffft!!! NY Times story here, if you're interested. If not . . .

Enjoy your weekend!

xo
ro

RIP Little Sony Cybershot T-100

Last night, before going into the house, I threw my little Sony Cybershot in a shopping bag I was carrying in. I put the bag on the kitchen table and the camera fell out onto the floor. I didn't think a whole lot about it other than "Well, that's good for it." Later the kid came in and opened it up to take a photo and the auto focus is just grinding. Doesn't stop. Oh my. I am totally beside myself. Thank goodness we're taking a trip down to Riverside this weekend where my old Cybershot is in semi-retirement. Not for long!

Of course, I'm in need of a new camera at this point. I don't think I mentioned it, but the kid and I are tagging along on a business trip to San Diego towards the end of the month. SO, I need a camera by then. I began doing some comparing last night and found this little diddy that will be on the market in a couple of weeks. I love the old DSC T series, but the newer models have the touch screen controls. I don't do touch screen, thank you very much. Call me old fashioned. Remember, I had to search and pay EXTRA for the T100 because it was already outdated. Now that just doesn't make any sense. The new WX1/B will be a little bigger, but I have to have the controls on the outside. C'est la vie. Nothing is perfect, is it. Anyway, I have pre-ordered it.

I had a lot of pictures in the memory before breaking it. Thank goodness I was able to download them! Here's Frankie in his shy mode. Poor little boo. He is just so timid!

The studio is coming along.

A lot of this stuff will go back into mom's bedroom once I have the carpet replaced. I need to get on that. Geesh.

My shelf unit arrived. The hub had to put it together for me. I'm really bad at reading directions, even when they're easy. But it's done. All my things are properly put away, at the moment.

I'm in the middle of making charms for a Halloween charm bracelet swap over at Saucy's. How fun is this! It has motivated me. Thank goodness for that. I'd show you pictures, but I don't have a camera! lol

I have also been working on baby shower invitations for my SIL's, MJ, niece. So I had to run into Green Hills yesterday to pick up the card stock I had ordered. There were some pretty flowers all around.

And I snapped this for SNAP! I just went to get her addy to link to and read that she just lost her kitty, Rocky. I am so sorry Snap. That is just so hard. I know. I've been there way too many times. Big hugs my friend. Hope this picture brings a smile to your face.

I have sunflowers and mums on the kitchen island. Wish I had taken more photos. They are just delightful.

Sniffle. The last picture I took with my T100 seeing if it still worked. Sniffle. The focus just runs and runs. Sniffle.

xo
ro

It's Fall, Y'all

Well, at least it feels a little like it. Doesn't take much to get me Autumn motivated.

1. Felted Art Doll can be found @ Living Felt

2. Wool Felted Acorns in orange can be found on Etsy @ truLuxe

3. Autumn Rose Ring can be found on Etsy @ WhimsyHouse

4. Festival Knit Cowl can be found on Etsy @ Knittles

5. UT Big Orange Tutu can be found on Etsy @ baby2bnashville

6. Owl Stuffies can be found @ Bee Posh

7. Primitive Witch Hat Centerpiece can be found on Etsy @ northwindstar

8. Butterscotch Lucite Flowers Earrings can be found on Etsy @ Dalim

9. Lambswool Throw can be found @ Pendleton

Happy September 1st!

xo

ro