Rain drops...

Beautiful yellow rose taken at Mabel Ringling's Rose Garden on a recent trip after a full day of rain - lucky me the whole entire garden was in full bloom what an exquisite sight to see.

Trash to Treasure

One thing that I really enjoy doing is finding something old and disgarded and giving it a new "life". I'm not really sure why I am so drawn to "old" things or things that need to be spruced up but I am. Truly I would rather take something old and make it new agian then go out and buy something that's brand new with no history or character. Here is a chest that I recently found in someone's trash - I just couldn't leave it there I knew it could be something special. These are the before, during and after pictures. I have to give credit to my husband who helped me by rebuilding a couple of the drawers that were in need of repair. In the first picture you may have noticed that the chest had doors at the bottom - they were very warped so I decided instead of asking my husband to build new ones I would just make this a neat place for some pretty storage baskets I am so happy with the way it turned out. What do you think?

Easter Orchid

Pretty Orchid my husband gave to me. I thought it would look cute "dressed up" for Easter.

Colorful Globe?

Happy Color Carnival Everyone!!!!!!

Ruby Tuesday - This Way Thursway

You may recognize this sign from a popular restaurant - my son works here as a cook and just loves it. When he graduates from college he hopes to own his own place. I know that one day he will fulfill his dream. Happy RT and TWT!!

New MeMe on the Motivation Station

Now that my kids are grown I don't really do a weekly meal plan any more - I don't feel as though I have to so I don't - most of the time it's just me and my husband if our son is around he usually eats a dinner plate that I make up for him for when he gets home from work around 10 pm - our daughter is back at home now but she rarely eats at home her schedule is so busy. I do still cook every night but, it's really more of a what are we in the mood for type of food prep these days. During the week we keep it simple and share the chore - we grill a lot probably 3 or 4 nights a week it makes it nice for me since the grill is man territory in our house :) Yesterday morning at around 6:30 am I made this simple but, delicious macaroni salad for my husband and some of the workers to have for lunch with li'l smokies that I did in the crockpot with jelly and ketchup and mustard - they all really loved their lunch - the mac salad was a favorite. This was a simple and filling lunch for a bunch of hardworking guys.

Simple Macaroni with Shrimp and Crab

1 pound of elbow macaroni
2 ribs celery sliced thin
1 - 6 oz can tiny shrimp (don't drain)
1 - 6 oz can of crabmeat (don't drain)
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 tsp celery seed

Cook and drain macaroni.
Place the macaroni in a large bowl add all of the above ingredients including the liquid in the canned fish. Mix well - refrigerate until well chilled.

Go play on The Motivation Station!

"Hello!"

These are 2 of the 4 amazing pups that I get to come home to everyday - Biggie (left) Fletcher (right) they make me laugh every day! Happy CC everyone :)

Oh WARM Me Up Soup! - Color Carnival

I know I know I just posted this a few days ago but, I thought with all of the wonderful colors in this pot it deserved to be a Color Carnival. Look at my earlier post for the recipe if you are interested. Happy CC have a great weekend!

"Red Rooster"

These neat Roosters were handmade by a crafter from Maine - I spotted them at a recent artfest they are so lifelike as were all of the "animals" that she made. I thought these guys said Cocka Doodle Ruby Tuesday!

Mellow Yellow Monday

Even with all of the cold and rainy weather some of the plants and flowers around here have been thriving - this is some sort of Alamander vine it was growing along a fence at Shamrock Park. The blooms are so fresh and vibrant - I may have to get a plant like this for my garden. Happy March only 20 days left until Spring!!