Can you feel...

...love in the air?

I feel the love of glass!

I hit one of my favorite "junk" shops last week

in seach of Valentine Finds.

Pink Toile Napkins fit the bill and how about a perfect little bowl to match.

Lots of pink depression glass

But what caught my eye over and over again

was plain Glass!

Cut Glass

Stamped or Pressed Glass

I also thought of a romantic lace table cloth or

my pink floral bedspread as a table cloth.

What to do with these fun finds.

Well, a tea party would fit the bill

but a little wine tasting could be fun as well.

A little game of HEARTS any one?

What do you have in mind for Valentines Day?

Glasses here...

....there and everywhere!

I wear glasses...the Accountant wears glasses

and now...

Shea wears glasses.

The state of Illinois mandates that every child

entering kindergarden must have a complete eye exam.

Mac and Hannah did not have this mandate so

I just never thought about it.

When I received the letter from school, all I could think

was that "here we go again, more government involvement...

don't they understand moms know best."

Well, much to my surprise the doctor said Shea

really needed glasses. One eye is worse than the other and let

me tell you...these glasses are stong...yikes.

My guilt consumed me and I immediately brought

Mac and Hannah in.

Thankfully, they are just fine and no glasses needed.

I have had glasses since 2nd grade, so I understand that they are

a pain in the butt.  I also understand seeing clearly is a blessing.

He's such a trooper!!!

What are you doing...

...the Saturday Morning of February 13th?

Why not join me and a few blogger girlfriends

from the Chicagoland Area,

for a few hours of fun and sharing.

Jen Rizzo over at Sanctuary Arts at Home 

and her friend Amy

have put together a morning in which

we can all meet and have some face time with one another.

So, if your a blogger and want to get to know other bloggers

in the Chicagoland area, think of joining us.

I plan on going because the friends that I have made though

the blogging community have been so

inspiring to me.  They keep me going and challenge my creative self.

Fostering those relationships is important to me!

If you are interested visit Jen's website and get more information.

Hope to see you there!

What to do with my new....

....Dremel Tool???

Oh the projects that lie ahead of me this year and oh how much fun I am going to have!

Yes, this was a gift I asked for and received from my dear mother.

Around my house I am Mrs. Fix It.

Got a problem, let me find a solution...although

I do not touch plumbing...yuck.

I am thinking of some of the following projects and might just use my new toy.

Although...on this one I am thinking of putting holes in the glass to

make the light speckle.

From Country Living

Refinishing some furniture is first on my list....

any one have a vintage secretary for sale?

....or my new Camera???

Nature really inspires me to take pictures.

The snow that came down after Christmas was amazing and

if I could have figured out how to catch

an individual snow flake in flight ... you would have seen it here.

But, I didn't catch it...not yet.

I have so much to learn about the camera and all the wonderful techniques

you can use with it.  I want to catch those moments on my

kids faces that will make me smile forever.

So, with those words I am off to figure out what will come first...

Camera or Power Tool.

The last photos...

....of 2009 and my hopes for 2010.

I have been reflecting on the

year 2009 and have come to many new conclusions.

It's been an amazing ride for this cowgirl and by God I am still on my horse.

Here are just  few of my many tangled thoughts.

I have learned of a wider world out there and I know

it has so much more to offer... I only need to ask for it.

If I search out the answers to my questions

I will find them...eventually.

It only takes my time and desire to get more out of life.

Put forth an effort and the rewards will be ten fold.

There are good people in this world, who are ready to

open up their hearts and offer a kind

word or a compassionate gesture.

They are hiding in the most interesting places...just seek them out.

As the world seems to be falling apart all around us we need to 

 look into each others souls because, deeply

embedded in this world is its heart, a heart that thrives on the goodness that

is the human spirit.

I believe the human spirit keeps this world together.

With all the terrible things we hear each day,

we can counter those stories with 100 more

great stories of human kindness.

GOOD OUT WEIGHS THE BAD!

In 2010 my goal is to search out the positive in life, look for the goodness

in others and continue my quest for happiness in all that I do.

Sometimes easier said than done.

The road before me is filled with potholes waiting suck me in...but I am much

better prepared for this trip ... I have sharpened my defensive driving techniques this time around the block.  My reaction time will be much quicker as I approach the rough roads because I have learned

and I will continue to learn how to keep focused on what great things lie ahead.

I will not get stuck on the negative...I will pry myself from its grips.

They say... take things in small step for best success.

In my world it's baby steps...

...each day needs to be taken on an individual basis and lived to its fullest.

If I can remember that...I should be good.

I am the TURTLE you know.

Finally...my pictures from Christmas Eve.

Oh ...you just had to be there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !

MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY.

Merry Christmas to all...

...and to all a Good Night!

Our Christmas Cards have finally arrived and are now in

transit to family and friends.

I have finally finished the decorating...

...well in my life it is never completed.

My gift to our feathered friends, covered with berries, bird seed ornaments and

stockings filled thistle.

We have had snow and now we have ice...

Oh the dichotomy in the midwest...

Wishing all of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

A toast to the year ahead...

2010 will prove to be a wonderful

year for all...I know it!

All American....

...Casserole Night

It was my youngest

6th Birthday

Since he really doesn't like

much food, I decided to pick a menu

that would stir memories of childhood delight.

Comfort food that would bring us all back

to the olden days of casserole night.

Now, for those of us that eat healthy on a regular basis

or those of us that have gone organic...

...this might make any of us ill.

But, bear with me this is good...it will remind you that

everything in moderation is the right way to go in life.

So, here is the line up of All American Classics...it will make you proud

to be an American.

To start out with with had to have my favorite,

Spinach Dip

Creamed Spinach, Chopped Spinach, Knorr Veggie Soup Mix

Just a dash of Miricle Whip, Sour Cream, Onion and Swiss Cheese.

Don't forget the red pepper flakes.

Trust me...it has spinach it has to be healthy.

You warm it up and it's the perfect winter treat.

Now the main course...hold on to your heart.

Broccoli Cheese and Rice

Made with Cheese Wiz, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Minute Rice and Butter

Enchilada Casserole

Made with Refried Beans, Cheese Soup and Cream of Mushroom Soup

I used turkey meat just to health it up a little.

Smother in Enchilda Sause and bake.

Much better the next day.

Chili Chicken Casserole

Made with Chunks of Chicken, Chicken Soup, Cheese and Grands Biscuts

"Somore Please"

Ground Beef, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Onions and Chinese Noodles on Top

"Goolosh"

Noodles, Ground Meat, Tomato Soup, Dried Onions, Durkee Onions

It's the item on the right.

Yes, I used our best china and silver for this dinner.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Sure sounds harmless enough...but added bacon, ham and peas, topped off with

Ritz Crackers

Now, I didn't provide all this food, guest were invited to bring their favorites.

We had a blast reliving our youth and remembering why

we all eat much healthier these days.

But, as I said before...

...everything in moderation is good!

LEFTOVERS ARE EVEN BETTER!!!!

This week you will find me walking my butt off and trying to

drink enough water to get my sodium levels down.