Congratulations to My Daughter Tara!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

I am getting ready to come back to 

BLOG LAND

on a regular basis starting next week.

I have been playing "catch up" after

getting nothing done for a few weeks. UGH!

Today I just wanted to give a little

CONGRATULATIONS

to my daughter, Tara.

She is the new executive director of

ON BROADWAY.

She is on the right.

On Broadway is revitalizing

 the West side of Green Bay.

She will do a wonderful job!

Here is the Press-Gazette story:

Tara Gokey named executive director of On Broadway Inc.

Gokey was project manager before being named interim director in October when Naumann announced his resignation. She joined Broadway in 2012 as marketing and communications director and is the seventh executive director of the near west side economic development and historic preservation organization.

Also announced Tuesday, Ahnna Luckeroth joined On Broadway as project manager. She joined the organization in April as an intern. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

On Broadway was founded in 1995 to revitalize the Broadway area from Mather to Mason streets and from the Fox River west to Ashland Avenue. It is a member of the Main Street program.

Congratulations, Tara!

I am SO proud of you!

As you can see-the girls are proud of her, too.

Taken downtown by Mom.

I am feeling much better and have been 

working like crazy to catch up.

I hope to be back blogging regularly next week.

I apologize for not visiting you..

but I will!

I might even have an ELF story

or two to share with you!

He is SOOOO naughty.

WHO could he be watching take a shower?

Let's just say-it isn't Barbie!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Romantic Country- Winter 2014

I am really enjoying this 

ROMANTIC COUNTRY

Winter 2014 magazine.

Under the heading of
Cottage Comfort is an article 

An Eye For Fabulous.

It is INDEED fabulous as is Michelle @

Petite Michelle Louise

Are these the cutest things you've seen today?

And wouldn't you love to sit here?

Or linger over coffee here?

Michelle- I am available for coffee any day between

8:30am and noon....just sayin'.....

While I am awaiting that invitation I will 

take you to see a condo in an article called

The Art of French Style.

YES! A CONDO

owned by Will & Cathy Kimmel.

She co-owns The French Flat

Now THIS is a condo!

Isn't this lovely?

I know that doesn't leave you feeling blue 

BUT

How about some

OLD WORLD WARMTH?

This is a bit of the kitchen in the home of

Gail Smith - of the Agoura Antiques Market-

Her whole home is warm and welcoming
and there are several pages devoted to it.

And-this doesn't strike you as a typical

Florida home,does it?

Look what Robin Smith did here!

I couldn't find a site for her but she mentions

The Vintage Soul as inspiring her.

This is just one room of her sweet home.

And, last but not least.

Rhapsody In Blue is brought to us by

Sandra Linderman.

The only link I could find for her is here.

How fresh is this?
She has a very minimalistic approach to decorating
and it showcases her pieces beautifully.
There are MANY more pages devoted to her home.

AND
Just for fun...
How cute are these little
PAPER TREES?
There are instructions for making them in the magazine.

And what does that magazine 
LOOK LIKE you ask?
Why-Just like this!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING and THE BEST Appetite Suppressant and it is FREE!

I am so thankful for

my beautiful family

and that we are all healthy.

I am thankful for another face at our family

table this year-our beautiful grandgirl,

Anna (Bright Eyes)

Last year at this time we were 

begging for answers and prayers for our little

CJK.

He was SO sick.

Bloggers came through and we were blessed

to get an answer from another blogger.

He had Kawasaki's Disease.

Once he started treatment the recovery 

started immediately.

At two he is happy and healthy.

So-Thanks to this 

BLOGGING COMMUNITY

our little boy was saved

for something special.

I am THANKFUL!

I am GRATEFUL!

I am BLESSED!

IF you feel inclined to overeat today

this is 

THE BEST APPETITE SUPPRESSANT

I have ever seen.

source

You can thank me and PicMonkey 

for cropping this picture.

You're welcome.

I plan to be back full time soon.

As soon as Starbucks kisses me Good Morning.

A Quick Update On Me and Something To TICKLE You!

I am pretty private when it comes to 

personal things.

I don't like to complain or even admit to myself

that life can throw me a curve sometimes.
I love this saying by Elizabeth Edwards.
I have a hard time adjusting my sails sometimes.
I don't like to think I am unable to do something
I have always done..

That being said,

I didn't want to leave you all hanging

or thinking that things are worse than they are.

A few of you know that I was on an old

heavy duty anti-inflammatory for three years.

It is something I should have been on for about

2 months- but it worked when nothing else did.

Long story short

(as my dear daughter-in-law says and then 

tells you the long version anyway-Lordy,

I love that girl!;>)

Anyway-I weaned off it over a period of

about 3 months.

That is good.

The bad part is that it absolutely 
tore my stomach up.

Think somach on fire 
with nails scratching across it.

Yeah- That would be it!

Anyway,

I am on some meds that should work 

in a few more days.

When I can concentrate on what I am doing

I will be back.

Bear with me.

Ya can't keep an old broad like me down long.

ps.  I DID make it to Walmart 
for a few minutes.

Yes.I.Did.

This is NOT the Walmart pharmacist that 
dispensed my meds....but wouldn't he 
tickle you?

Back soon.
Thanks for all your well wishes.

Taking A Few Days Away~A Short Break (I Hope)

You remember last week I told you

my stomach was bothering me?

Well, it is no better.

I went to the doctor yesterday.

Apparently, I don't have a virus so that is

ONE GOOD THING.

That means I haven't infected any of the kids.

I am on a course of treatment for a few days

so I am going to snuggle down,

watch some crappy old movies,

thumb through my Christmas magazines & books

and stay under a heated blanket

because I have chills.

Don't worry-

I will be fine-I just didn't want to leave you hanging..

waiting on me and wondering where I am.

Guess my new curtains will wait a few days, too.

Darn it!

I'll be back soon to regale you with

a few more snickers pictures-

like this one!

Personally-I have always loved a man in a bow tie.

I don't usually expect to see one in Walmart though!

See you shortly!

IT'S TRUE- I AM BEGGING A FAVOR-It's Called The Case Chase!

I don't often talk about my

ADULT CHILDREN

on my blog---other than as the parent 

of all my 

extra-special, super smart, talented, beautiful

grandchildren.

But, today is an exception.

Mama's Boy is a brilliant young man.

He works full-time for a large corporation 

but on his own time he has developed a few patents.

This particular project has taken 

TWO YEARS to get off the ground.

First, he had to get a patent and then

copyright the idea.

Do you know how hard it is to get a patent

on an IDEA?

NOT EASY!

Then, he had to get clearance 

to put it on the internet,

find a server that would not fail,

check out the different laws as they relate to different states,

find a spokesperson to be 

THE FACE of THE CASE CHASE

and then

TEST , TEST  & RE-TEST

to make sure the idea would work.

This officially launches this Saturday,

November 22nd

and it is going to be a blast.

It is like GEO-CACHING

except there is REAL CASH

at the end of the search.

I have a very little part in it-

writing a few clues

but my biggest part is my support.

Could you please, as a favor to me,

swing by his Facebook Page and 

LIKE IT?

If you want to share it on YOUR FB

page I will do a little drawing in a bit

for those that do that.

Can't even tell you what the prize is..

maybe an 8x10 glossy of My Hero 

in a "special costume"?...or maybe not~

If you do share it on your FB page

come back and let me know so I

can throw your name in the drawing.

Anyway...

Here is the link.

You can find the game here.
There is a really funny little
video on his FB page.
IF you have 60 seconds watch it-
it is really a good laugh.

The Case Chase is starting 
in Wisconsin & Illinois but is

headed all over the country in the upcoming weeks.

It should be somewhere near you in the near future.

Sorry-can't give all you guys any 

SPECIAL CLUES

cuz someone might hurt me!

Thank you SOO SOOO much!

Mama's Boy thanks you, too!

I am not showing HIS face here because he

will be hanging around different places

hiding the tokens.

Watch Don't Watch for him!

Before I hit publish on this I was
told that the
Local News Fox Channel 11
had picked the story up.
You can watch it here!

Again- Thank you SOOO much!

You Buy One Rug And It Turns The Whole House Upside Down- Just Call Me The Stitch Witch!

My house has been a house of 

subtle earth tones for a long time.

One of the reasons I have stuck to basics

is because we usually live in a house for a few years

and then sell it and move on to another

rehab project.

I always put my personal taste in small things

that I can pack away before showings

and take with me.

Well, I don't know what has happened to me.

I have been longing for a change lately.

The last time I had any BLUE in my house was

in the 80's when I had 

COUNTRY BLUE.

Remember those years?

Anyway,

Lately I have been crushing on 

LIGHT ROBIN'S EGG BLUE.

So, when I saw this rug in Home Goods

I was smitten.

This came home with me along with two runners
that matched.
This is now the anchor under the dinette table.

Well, as you know,
one thing leads to another--at least for me.
Now the dining room needed something to pick 
up the blue in there.
I had taken the curtains down for summer
because I like bare windows when there is no need
for privacy.

But with winter coming I needed something to 
warm those windows up.
Holy Schmoley!
Decisions-Decisions-Decisions-
I love florals and have not had them 
for a very long time.
MyHero thinks he doesn't like florals
so the house is pretty much floral free.
But the dining room?
Well-when I saw this Waverly material
(and it's an old one) called Robin Egg
I knew I had to tote it home.
I waited until Sunday when they had a huge sale
and got it for 1/2 price 
plus I had a coupon for $50. off.
I won't embarrass myself by telling you 
how little I paid
for this material.
I got all they had -just over 7 yards.

Now the trick is-this has to blend with the 
rug that is already under the dining room table.
Blue is NOT an easy color to introduce 
(at least for me).
But, hold your bathroom break-
I like the way it picks up that rusty color in the rug
which is otherwise lost in the big picture of things.

 Whew!  I think it is gonna work.
But, before I put the pedal to the medal
scissors to the fabric,
I pin  the bolt in place and look at it.
And I look at it..
and I look at it.
Should I?
Does it?
How will it..........

It is so odd to look at pattern when 
you have not had pattern in a long time.

Why is it so much easier 
to pick patterns and textures
and accessories for everyone else?
Oh-yeah- It's because I have to 
LIVE with these choices!

So, hemming and hawing
 I did what any weirdo would do...
I took some photos and mailed them to my
good friend and confident and voice of reason
PERSONAL CONSULTANT.
 I won't name her here but she knows who she is.
She said-
Love it-Go For It!

Ahhhh--there it is!
Someone besides me thought it was okay.

What else did I find?
Throws and some fabric for pillows-

The bottom right is the upholstery on the dining room chairs.
That has to stay.
The fabric has that same rosy tone and this also
goes nicely with the rug in there.

Oh- and I found a couple of lumbar pillows 
in the exact shade of robin's egg blue
for the leather chairs.

So--today---
Lord willing 
and the sewing machine 
doesn't seize up
I will be stitching my little heart out.
I hope to have results to show you a 
FINAL REVEAL
by the end of the week.

And just so you know...
I did NOT shop here for accessories!

source

You all have a GREAT TUESDAY!

Just A Quick Before And After......I Can't Believe It~

Oh No!

The time has come!

The time is now!

The hair is gone!

I can't say how!

It was here before-

But it went away.

My "baby" is gone.

He's a big boy today!

(apologies to the book Marvin K. Mooney)

BIG BOY E

BEFORE:

Five Months

Fast forward:

After:

FIVE YEARS

He said he would get his haircut if he could get

A MOHAWK!

This works for Mom & Boy!

Mom might have shed a few tears when they cut off the curls last weekend.

I might have joined her with a sniffle myself.

AND for your morning viewing pleasure

here is a 

WALMART SANTA

with a mohawk!

I don't think Big Boy E's Mom is 

gonna let him do that!

Lots going on here-

Working on a project that I hope to share

by the end of the week!

Have a great Monday.

Prayer Request AGAIN For Linda & Update on Toby & Me

A few weeks ago I asked you to pray for 

Linda@ Chocolate One of My Many Addictions

here & here.

Her best friend, Deb, posted this yesterday

and Linda has asked for extended prayer.

My bff, Linda is in the hospital.  She had another echocardiogram (Nov. 12th) and her heart was worse.  The doctors have NOT been listening to her complaints!  The cardiologist's office told her to go to St. Lukes in Milwaukee which is a much larger hospital and specializes in heart disease.  Already the IV Lasix is helping, or at least, working.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.  You may put this on your blog.

Edited to Add:
I just received this at 8:30 am from Deb this morning:

Linda's condition is VERY serious.  I broke down yesterday when we went to visit.  I am so afraid for her, but she is being strong, and following all the medical advice, etc.  She knows me, and knows I cry.  Please spread the word on the blogs.  Not everyone reads mine.  Prayers for Linda and also prayers that I can be a good support to her.
 

If they cannot get her heart issue resolved

they will not be able to do the cancer surgery

that she desperately needs.

On another note-

Several months ago you prayed here for 

Toby, hubby of Teresa @ Magazine Your Home

He had some pretty serious cancer surgery.

I asked Teresa the other day and she

said he is recovering beautifully and is back to

his sassy self!

Prayers DO Work!

As for me and all you who thought I was 

SICK FROM TOO MUCH

Coconut Cream Pie.- LOL--

Let me just say----NOT SO!

The pie incident was over a week ago.

My granddaughter complained of 

her tummy hurting for a few days.

I think I might have picked up the bug

from her.

I AM feeling better this morning.

At least I can drink a cup of coffee

and THAT is a 

GOOD THING as Martha Stewart says!

I am going to lay low for one more day here

and hope to be completely fine by tomorrow~

BJ's Coconut Cream Pie-Nana's Way-And The Liars In My Family

Well, most of you know

that crazy ole' BJ @ Sweet Nothings, right?

She is always up to SOMETHING..

and sometimes she teases honors blesses me

by mentioning me on her blog.

Like I said- Crazy.

Anyway,

A week or so ago she posted a recipe for

her mother-in-law's recipe for

Coconut Cream Pie.

She told a story that put a lump in my throat

about her hubby's experience as a kid when

his mom made coconut cream pie.

Now, I happen to LOVE Coconut Cream Pie.

Yes. I. Do.

(which is really funny because I don't like

coconut anything else-yes.I'm.weird)

So, I copied down bj's recipe from this card she posted.

Well, you know me-

I had to change it up JUST A BIT.

Here is my version of bj's pie.

Coconut Cream Pie

3 tablespoons flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups milk (I used 1-1/2 cups milk & 1-1/2 cups half & half)

2 LARGE eggs (3 small ones)

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Tablespoon Vanilla (I use real vanilla)

1-1/2 to 2 cups coconut~ I used Bakers from the bag in the baking aisle (we don't like it toasted like some do)

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk; cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; gradually stir about 1 cup of hot mixture into beaten eggs. Return all to saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until nearly boiling. Reduce heat; cook and stir about 2 minutes more (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in the coconut, butter and vanilla. Pour into pre-baked pie shell.  Chill for several hours before serving and top with whipped cream and sprinkle with more coconut if desired.. Refrigerate leftovers.

 Yield: 6-8 servings.

Do NOT believe anyone that tells you 

I ate the whole pie by myself over

the course of a day week.

There are SUCH liars in this world.

AND-if they tell you I made a

SECOND BATCH

to serve as pudding?

Big lie!  BIG LIE!

I feel a trip to the confessional coming on.........sigh......

ps.  I have the chills and a stomach virus, I think.
I never get sick.  
I am into it about 36 hours this morning.
yuck!
I have things to do.
IF I am not around today you will know why!

Finish It Up Friday- Five Fotos (or 6 or 7 or 8 or is it 9) For Fun!

Still working on purging my pictures.

I had planned on doing all

OLD PICTURES

but I couldn't resist these taken

this week at my house.

#1- Guess Who's Coming For Dinner?

It's little CJK

Let Nana whip you up a nice meal!

#2-

GREAT MEAL, Nana

Good to the LAST DROP!

Wait- What do you mean you think I lied about

COOKING A nice meal for the kid?

#3

The truth is out!

The box is a dead giveaway!

#4

Look! Look!

Look what you can do with a Happy Meal Box.
Who needs the toy inside?

#5

AND- Who needs prescription glasses?

Not this one!

Uhhh-Ohhhh.

The family clown

(famously known as SweetCheeks)

is being out-clowned.

Methinks I see trouble brewing!

Cheer Up!

Here's your little cousin giving you a 

CUTE LESSON!

Nano-Nano, Nana!

~remember Mork & Mindy~
Doesn't your heart ache for the loss of 
Robin Williams?

uh-oh--another hiccup, SweetCheeks!
Look who ELSE is getting cuter by the day!
Baby Bright Eyes,. Big Boy E & CharlesInCharge!

Don't worry, SweetCheeks,
you will always have a special
spot in my heart!

Happy Fall-Y'all.

Have a good day AND

thanks for smiling at the "littles" in our family.