Mardi Gras Season

It's in full swing down here on the Gulf Coast. There are several parades a night to choose from. Tonight, we're heading over to Daphne for the Mystic Order of Shadow Barons parade.

I attended the Maids of Jubilee parade in Fairhope last night. It was so much fun. I collected way too many beads and will have to share them with you all! Especially when we bring more home tonight!

The Maids of Jubilee parade consisted of the Mystical Mermaids' Circus Train. I tell you what, there was a lot of dancing going on, for sure.

There were several marching bands, sounding straight out of New Orleans and another band playing some good rock on a float. Sorry for the horrible photos but I was so busy collecting goodies being thrown, who had time to concentrate on taking photos? ha.

Doubloons.

The kid going through the booty.

St. Bea adorned to the nines.

The King Cake has been cut, but no baby yet.

They did put a little extra one on top. I've never seen a purple one before.

The kid ready to head out into the night.

This is the horizontal view of the hub's who is napping at the moment.

And I'll close with Bella in the aftermath of last night. Too funny! I so tired.

xo

ro

Rainy at Riverside

It seems like a lifetime ago that I was here. I had two muck buckets full of "Riverside stuff." Some things I found up in Maryland, Canada and California. Some were gifts like above which is a gift from my SIL, Jacq and Mad.

I played around with the bedroom desk and added a new goody.

This is another gift from my sweet family.

It rained and sleeted all night long. I love to listen to the rain as I fall asleep. This was about 7 a.m. (of course, I went back to sleep after I shot this!). And, obviously, we never did get a flake of snow! Everywhere around us at least had flurries. We had nothing. Oh well.

Probably a good thing. The gent who watches the place had turned the water off last month when we had a faucet pipe freeze and burst at the boat house. He had attempted to fix the faucet but it still had a small leak. So, he kept the water off. Long story SHORT(er), this is the main water shut on/off. Joy. After it quit pouring down rain and sleeting, I thought I could get this done. Well the water was up over the box here and I stuck my hand in there and couldn't find a thing. I only made with worse with all my stirring the mud around. Thank goodness our next door neighbor (who had originally found the burst and cut the water off) knew exactly where the valve was. She was sweet enough to come out into the frigid weather. We bucketed the water out of the pit (it was completely over that green flag!) and she stuck her hand in that freezing water and shut the water back on. Well, it took a lot longer than that! OY. What a savior! Not only did she catch the break and turn the water off, but she was there to turn it back on for me! She is good, through and through!

I drove down to the Bay since I was told it was snowing in Mobile and you can see Mobile from our side of the Bay. I didn't see any sign of snow anywhere. In fact, it seemed to be clearing up. Sniffle. The water was still quite stormy though.

Look at how different it looked in town as compared with the Bay! Spring had already sprung down here before heading back into winter mode.

I got back to the house just about in time to turn back around and go back into town for one of the Mardi Gras parades. Above is just a teaser. Sorry.

xo
ro

Home Away From Home

We arrived at Riverside safely. Bella is as happy as a clam at Riverside--as long as Frankie isn't also here. This was her first home. Jacq picked her out at the shelter and the next day we left for Riverside. She was a tiny little thing. Awwwww. (PS Bella does not have one blue eye. I tried to fix the glowing cat eyes and this is what happened.)

We stopped at our little market to pick up some groceries and had to photograph the cotton in the wagon. It started raining as soon as I hit Gulf Shores Parkway. You know they're calling for snow down here? Yup. Way down south, snow. I know so many of you are smothered in the stuff, but some of us still want a little more way down here in the South.


As many times as I told myself not to stop, I did in fact pass Fish River Grill once. But then I had to go back out for water (our water is still off from the freeze and it was dark when I got here! We're kinda ruffin' it, Bella and I. Yea right.) So anyway, I couldn't help from stopping and getting a shrimp basket. Lawdy me.

Big ol' juicy Gulf shrimp. Ummm. Sorry. I did have some swamp soup too, which I think balances the FRIED shrimp. lol

Bella and I are snuggled in for the evening, waiting for the rain to turn to snow. Too exciting!

We started a fire when we first arrived and are SO enjoying a real fire--the sound, the smell. mmmmm...... Finally!

A shot of the docks in the rain. I will never get tired of that view, any time of year.

The hub and kid (and Frankie) are heading down tomorrow; that is, if the weather cooperates. We'll have to wait and see what comes of it. Snow in Mobile? Hmm, soon we'll know.

xo
ro

Just a Little Bit

We got a little dusting of snow this evening--before it turned to rain. Here the hub is walking Frankie dog. I loved this photo the kid took. I added a little swirl in the street light glare, but that's it. Too cool.

I think everything looks prettier in the snow.

Now, how 'bout those Saints! New Awlins needs the love! Congrats to the entire Who Dat krewe. (Photo credit: Garden & Gun/Daniel Erath)

xo
ro

K, what's up with Blooger? It took me three days to get pictures to upload. Hmm. But I still can't move them around. Oh well, you can figure it out, I'm sure!

Color My World

These are the Moleskines I got from Gilt. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with them yet. There's one for each month. Already missed January!

When I ordered them, I thought I would make monthly journals of them. But I'm really not a journaler. This blog is as good as it gets when it comes to journaling. I'll figure something out, or they will just sit there--HOARDER! lol

I promised to show you all the lamp shade by my bed that I am filling with flowers.

And other what-nots friends have sent to me over the years.

This is what I awake to each morning.

My corner.

My Bella. How could you not wake up with a smile to this face?

The kid had a doctor's appointment this week. He's really not so much of a kid any more, is he? He got his driver's license two weeks ago! My baby!

And on Friday, thee was a dove convention in the back. Gotta love these fellers. I put two extra feeders out since it's been so cold this winter. Everyone seems to be enjoying it. Even us. It's been a lot of fun watching all the flurry!

Well, yes, I'm rooting for the Saints. I'm not a football person, but I know NOLA needs it. So bring it on boyz! The only thing I like about Superbowl Sunday is it's the anniversary of the hub and my first date way back in 1986. Wooooot! Did we watch the Superbowl? Nope. Went and had a nice German dinner in Old Towne Alexandria. Awwwww.

And to all my DC friends who are snowed in? All I have to say is :-P! Raspberries to you all. Lucky ducks.

xo
ro

Beauty

I've heard much of you all, and you know who you are, will be getting more snow! I know you all are sick of it, but we just had a little bit and it sure was fun. This photo was sent to me by my friend Linda back in Virginia. How beautiful is this??? It's her back yard!! Wish I were up there. Pout.

And speaking of beauty, my latest addiction is this site called Gilt. You have to be a member, which is free, and you have to be invited to become a member expeditiously. (I think otherwise, you have to wait.) So, I'm inviting you all to go and check it out. My only warning is that it is totally addicting. I am not a fashionista by any sense, but they have so much more than clothes. If you're interested you can click HERE to sign up. Again, it's free. I can't tell you how many Christmas presents I purchased saving so much $$. It's kooky! And TODAY, everything is free shipping! (Yes, I partook in some Valentine's presents for family.)

A couple of days ago, they were selling moleskines! I got a little pack. Yes I did.

Made mac-n-cheese for supper tonight. Very good. Very fattening. Oy.

xo
ro

Mo Knows Flowers

I have been motivated by Mo Jackson for years now. I first came upon her doodads over at Mrs. Staggs' Merryville and have been enamored ever since. Oh yes, that is how it all began way back when. I didn't even know what a PNG was. Photoshop? Not a clue. But, of course, that soon changed after being introduced into Moland and welcomed with open arms by Mo herself.

Some people simply continue to evolve. Missy Mo is one of those creative souls that doesn't stop here or there. She keeps on transforming beauty. Ever creating. So, I was delighted to find Mo's doodads coming to life in her Etsy shop. Obviously, I had to have some of these delightful flowers.

I was delighted when these charming specimens arrived in the mail. Each one was sweetly tucked inside its own hand-sewn pouch--a thrill to unveil.

I have quite a collection of beautiful flowers that friends have made me over the years and have begun pinning them to my bedside lamp shade. I'll have to photograph it soon for you once I add my latest bouquet.

xo
ro

Gettin' Down to the Nitty Gritty

I worked on this piece for HOURS! Photoshop is NOTHING like real photography. Whattup wit dat? This photo is from Canada.

This is from my mom's celebration. Did I tell you the story of when we put them out on the table at my brother's? About an hour after placing them, I went back in to turn some lights on before guests arrived. One lily had jumped out of the vase and was on the floor. Funny thing about that is there was no water on the glass table and the flower on the floor was pretty far away from the table. I took it as a sign that mom was with us. Anyhoo. I did this photo tonight. A lot easier than the previous one, pretty basic stuff in this one. But I adore it. For obvious reasons. Ok, now Georgia is playing on the radio--and Willy Neslon singing it to boot. Now, I KNOW mom is here. Ahah! (Remind me to tell you the story about this song when it played in Canada. Deary me!)

xo
ro

Cookies and Wine?

Well, kinda.

I made chocolate chip cookies this evening. It was a miracle that I had all the ingredients in the house. Never again, I'm sure. But I think even Mawtha would have been impressed with that feat in our household!

I did have to look through this mess--the closet behind the stove--to find a cookie sheet that fit the AGA. What a mess. Never did find the right one. Do you think Mawtha lives like this? Hmm. I dunt thenk so.

Therefore, it was the smaller sheet which fits the smaller oven. Oy. Three cookies at a time, mind you. Yes, that's right. Three at a time. Are you giggling?

Aw, the idiosyncrosies of an AGA stove. Gotta love 'em. (Or else you would go mad.)

They turned out well. Yum. Think I need to add dark brown sugar next time, rather than just the light. I kinda went solely with the ATK recipe.

Mmmk. Now for the wine. The hub had ordered some from Napa/Sonoma way back when. Now, ya know, I'm normally allergic to the stuff--at least the red variety. But I was willing to give it another go. Y-u-m ! This one has to be my fave.

Then we opened this bottle. Coming in a close second. Now, why, all of a sudden, am I not flaming red? Or swelling? Is this a better wine? Gotta figure this sh*% out!

All the while, the kitties sat by closely by the warmth of the stove. Loverly Abby, aka Phoebe.

And trusty ol' Dave by the "farrr." (The vent under the sink.)

Awww, life is gud. Indeed it is.

xo
ro