Saying Goodbye to an old Friend..

At the top of My Blog I have a photo of My backyard Gate. The first painting I did on it was an Urn with a Boxwood Topiary planted in it. Cute, but not magical. Then in a magazine I saw a picture of The Goddess Flora, and I fell in love immediately!This is the Goddess Flora that I saw in a magazine years ago, tore it out and put it in a folder. I was in love with Her.

So as the years passed and the Topiary started to fade on my Gate, I got out my folder of Ideas and Projects yet to be done, and there I came across my photo of Goddess Flora, I was in love all over again and just knew she belonged on my Gate. So I painted her on, using only a sponge to do her whole body, She just flowed on. Everyone loved Her Too. She just gave my Garden that Magic I was looking for.

But now, the years have taken their toll on Her, even though I put a clear coat on Her every year, to help protect, She is saying Farewell to My Garden. Just fading away..

Sooo I've been thinking of what to replace Goddess Flora with, and I have a few ideas running around in my head. I have saved so many photo's that inspire me. One is Santorini Greece, our favorite place on Earth, next to Rome and Nice France..wow I got side tracked...well anyhooo I was thinking I could paint a scene of the White houses with the blue rooftops..but don't know how that relates to my Garden..hmm

I also love this painting of the Ladies having Coffee, they have the look that would suit my Garden to a Tee, thought I could paint one standing with that cool hat on, kind of like a welcoming person, like at Walmart! LOL

Then there is this fantastic Lady with the Cats and Roses on a bench...I mean come on..what's not to love..She's quite magical ...

I also love this Sad looking Woman, I could paint her with Blonde flowing hair and a soft color Kaftan..just make her not quite so forlorn.

So you see I have quite a few Ideas, I just have to commit to one...easier said than done..but I hope to post pictures of my Newly painted Gate in a few weeks.. I do know one thing...That first stroke to cover the Goddess will be so hard....

April 2016 Spring in Neptune Beach Florida!

I hope everyone is having weather to be jealous of ! Here in Neptune  Beach we have already hit the mid 80's a couple of times this Spring!  I'm totally enjoying all the changes this year, the most beautiful shades of green seen everywhere, Azaleas blooming, but soon to end, at least mine are, just a few left! I haven't seen any Red Bud Trees blooming at the beach, is it time? and I haven't seen any Dog Wood either! Do we still have any left here? My neighbor has the most beautiful Angels Trumpet blooming right now, love it.They say they are poisonous, but you can't beat them for beauty!

This is in my back yard, Pale pink Azaleas...doesn't get any prettier, they are fading but so delicate looking.

In my front yard, that Split Leaf Philodendron is so huge, it is taller than Me! And it all started out of a small dish garden! I placed the plant out there after all else had died, it was about 2 feet tall and two leaves! Now it is at least 12 feet across!


This is a very big year for Me...I'll be turning 70 in September! (Lord Willing)  I still can't wrap my 16 year old brain around that! LOL Now come on..70...really...seriously...wha?  But I can't complain, no serious illnesses, just a hurtful right knee, but I can cope with that believe Me! And people are always commenting on my photos about how young I look, but that is totally subjective, but I do appreciate the kind comments.
I thought I would share what I use for cream and makeup, as so many ask what I use on my skin. Honestly I really don't do anything special, not even an expensive make up line. But when younger, I used Germaine Montiel  exclusively, I was so disappointed when they went away. Their perfume Royal Secret was My signature, ever since I was 19...and it still is..I find it on Amazon or Ebay!. But here I am with no Makeup.

I'm not blowing this pic up!!
Now this is a pic of what Use on My face when I go out.

The cheapest stuff ever!!  Any cream I use has to say Body Butter, that's my only requirement, I put it on my face, neck and decolletage ( like to say that with a posh accent)  It works for Me. Revlon 24hr Colorstay Liquid Makeup in Toast, Wet and Wild Bronzer SPF15 in Bikini Contest, MaryKay Shadow in Cinnabar, Wet and Wild Shadow in Pearl White and Nude Matte, CoverGirl Eyeliner pencil in Black, Blush Brush and Shadow Blender brush, and a Lipstick by Mary Kay that I've used so long that they have discontinued the Color!!! So now I have to go on Amazon or Ebay to find Mary Kay in Sun Burst! And that My Friends is it!!

When doing My eyes, I put the light color on the body of the applicator and run the tip over the dark color, then as I apply to the lid, the dark goes right in the crease of My eye. take the blender to brush across to blend out, so easy, then I apply my eyeliner on upper and inner lower eyelids... easy peasy!

 Most days I don't use the Liquid Makeup, I just use the blush and eye makeup, and of course Lipstick! I don't even do yard work without Lipstick!Lol Then after all the Spackle has been sanded! LOL this is how I Look! Sexy Huh!
Happy Spring Y'all!

Starting The New Year 2016 With a Catch Up of 2015!

Happy New Year! Usually I'm glad to say goodbye to the old year, but 2015 was such a big changing year for Wayne and I, and our Family. Wayne, after reinventing himself , starting a new Career and EXCELLING! Grandkids are Kids no more. Evan has turned 21, starting his 5th year in Life Guarding at Neptune Beach, Working and will get his AA Degree in April, he wants to transfer to Tallahassee and attend FSU for Civil Engineering. Kingsley is 18, in Gainesville attending Santa Fe College, working and will switch to Florida after her AA Degree, Communications Major. We still can't figure out where the years went from the time they were babies till now! But just so happy to bear witness to all these happy times! My Daughter and Son in Law are almost empty nesters, maybe they can do some of the traveling they've always wanted to do. Wayne just says "Book the Cruise to Santorini"! Well hopefully sooner than later..

Well let's get caught up! September Wayne and I got Older..enough said.

October I did Fall Decorating, not as much as usual, but enough to make me Happy!

This year I put my Scarecrow on the Mantel! Isn't he so cute there?! Bless his heart, I got him for like $5.00 at Big Lots 15 years ago! He has been outside every year, Sun, Rain, Wind, Animals..survived it all, he looks so happy being inside! LOL
I also volunteer for the Nutcracker Tea (prelude to the Nutcracker Ballet) that happens in November, but this year I helped revamp some (23) of the Senior Girls Ballet Costumes. It was a big job but the girls were so happy with the changes! Took Me from late October to about a week before the Tea to finish it all.

I Took all the old flowers off the fronts of the Tees, Designed New Corsages to be worn on the side, and just put Glitter and Rhinestones on Everything! The costumes were half pink and other half purple.

November started Us out Celebrating our 33rd Wedding Anniversary! Wayne and I married in 1982, and if our Marriage could be applied to a Richter Scale it would register about A 7.2 earthquake! LOL Hey all marriages have ups and downs and chilled out phases, we have definitely hit them all, and are the better for it! It's been Mr. Toads Wild Ride..Love you Baby..

Later in the month was the Nutcracker Tea, this benefits the Make a Wish Foundation. 33+ Tables have to have Centerpieces designed for them, and this year I think it was the most beautiful. This was my third year to Volunteer.

Pictures of the Centerpieces, every table (33+) is different, and a picture of the entry. I pleated wrapping paper for the entry tables and it turned out to have the look of Fabric! A Magical Tea..

December was here in a Flash! I still had time to Decorate Dr. Duffy's offices, This is a picture of the large display case in the Waiting Room. Christmas 2015 Design.

Time to turn My Attention to My Home!
Time to Decorate the Tree! This is the first time in three years that I've put up the big tree in the Living room. This tree holds every Ornament that I've acquired since the age of 22! And of course My Mantel Design 2015!

 Also we had our 13th Annual Christmas Party, we Skipped a couple of years, so wonderful to have it again! I always give every girl a bag of Ornaments to take home with them, these bags lined from the tree all the way around my Dining room wall! This year there was 37 bags!!

 Christmas Day! Ready for all the Family to get here! Fun day ahead!

Thought I'd share a pic of Me, with my Christmas Readers on! Cute Snowmen on each corner! Blurred just right! LOL

Do any of you do this? After all the wrapping paper mess is cleaned up, I always take the gifts and display them under the tree! It gives us a chance to see what each one received, and lets us appreciate them.

 Just had to show this fun gift I got my Grandson Evan, a Life Guard Chair Lamp! He loved it! and we laughed alot!

 Oh and I love my new Everyday China, Oneida "Italian Cypress"

And now don't be jealous...a Rooster Wine Holder! Thanks Tiffany! But I see myself using it  for my Olive Oil!

Well we are all caught up for 2015,  Looking forward to an exciting year, now on to Enjoy 2016!

My Friend Tracy Latham is having a Birthday Today 9/18/2015

Look who's having a Birthday!! Tracy Latham!! Let's all Celebrate with Her!

I feel like we were Sisters From Other Mothers!

 I certainly couldn't love her anymore than if we were Sisters!

Now if you know Tracy, she has a HUGE SWEET TOOTH!

 So a cake with her Face on It is certainly apropos! Tracy you have to share!!

Oh My God!! Look who has stopped by to give Tracy

a Birthday Kiss!! It's The Bieber!! (no tongues)

Tracy you Glamour Girl, I know you say you aren't, but not by this picture!

I'm wishing My Friend Across the Pond (Crewe England) The very Happiest of Birthdays! Love you My Friend! Have fun on Your Special Day Tracy!

Life Just Keeps Sucking the Time Outta Me!

Guess I'm turning into a Once a Month Blogger! But honestly my intentions in the beginning was to have a productive and active Blog. You know when I started Blogging, all the Bloggers I followed, were like the old HGTV days. I mean it was all about Crafting, Gardening, Home Cook'n, Life Happens Stories...like Design on a Dime, Carol Duval, Christopher Lowell, Room by Room, Decorating Cents, Aileen Crafts and so many others I can't seem to pull out of My brain right now, but you get the Idea. Now, if I go to a Blog site, nothing but Advertizements, PopUps and not even a Header. Not so much fun, but I'm sure the Bloggers are making money off of all this. And Kudos to all the Girls that have Recipe Blogs, I really don't know how they do it, responding to all the--Well I used pecans instead of walnuts, and added in pineapple, I also used an egg substitute and whole wheat flour and topped it with coconut--do you think it'll turn out?? God Bless em..then they have to kindly reply, Well Doris it should be all good...BUT PLEASE TAKE MY NAME OFF THE FU*K'N RECIPE!! THIS IS NO LONGER WHAT I SHARED!! FOLLOW THE D*MN RECIPE BIT*H!! Doris please let Me know how it turns out, thanks for your suggestions. LOL

In the last Month more things have happened than I can shake a stick at! All house related! New Electrical panel being installed, Gardener trimmed all trees overhanging house and clearing big areas on the south end of garden (that I never enter), new Insulation put in Attic, got Carpenter coming next two weeks to replace T 1-11 siding at front, replacing sliders out to screened room with French doors..on and on and on..

And to top it all off My Granddaughter leaves in about 6 days for College, but even though she'll only be a couple of hours away, it's like Grandmothers are the last to be seen, if at all, just so much they have to attend to. Grandson will turn 21 in October, he is in his Fourth Year of Life guarding at Neptune Beach, also going to College to be a Civil Engineer, will be transferring to Tallahassee soon. Time marches on.. Talking of Marching on, Fall is right around the corner, I think this was the shortest Summer ever. Maybe it's because the kids return to School earlier..These are a few pictures of My flower beds, The last looks of Summer..

 The last of the Society Garlic and My Donkeys Ears Succulent sprouting babies that grow on its Ears.

                                              Coleus and Christmas Cactus on the side yard.

                                             One lonely bloom on a Volunteer Vinca.  

                                      Ornamental Peppers and Bromeliad blooms fading.

                                    Mexican Firebush and Volunteer Vinca  blooming their hearts out!

Front Door garden area, Coleus, Vinca and Papyrus, this area will be cleared out for Autumn Crotons and Ornamental Cabbage. It just didn't seem to last long at all..

Fourth of July!! 2015!!

I just can't help saying it..."TIME IS FLYING BY"!!  I mean July..really.  Oh and can you say "Hot as Hell"! Man the heat came on this year, early and with an agenda..to make you sweat! But I am swallowing all my words, cuz I love Florida, and I really do love the heat, because the alternative is the COLD!! UH no LOL
Looking forward to the Fourth, invited to some parties, and will head down to the Beach to watch Fireworks over the Ocean with the Family. Honestly I could watch them all night, even the ones going off in driveways and being set off in the streets..just all good..even the Sulfur smell..it's just so exciting!  I love wearing the glowstick necklaces, last year I got the glow earrings! Now this year I've got the Bracelets and the big dome rings! Ooo gunna  be fun!  I'll also put some on my bike, just weave in the wheels and wrap the handlebars...yeah I'm a kid!!
Just finished decorating My Mantel for 2015! And the theme is "Celebrating with Fireworks"!


Does it look like Fireworks exploding!
The only Memory that I really have of California, My Birth State, Is attending the Fireworks over the Pacific Ocean! I had to of been maybe Three years old, Mom had sat me on a stone wall, and the Fireworks began, I've never heard them as loud as those were , and the Roar of the Pacific is like no other! I grabbed her slacks and held on so tight! Scared..but couldn't take my eyes off that glorious site! When it was over I looked up to see My Moms face, and soon found out the slacks I held onto was not my Moms!! A total stranger!! LOL  I didn't even realize that someone else had sat down next to me..Wow to be mesmerized like that again.. So that must have been my first falling in love with all that sparkle!
When we lived in England they had a Firework that was called a Catherine's Wheel, it looked like a spiral, kinda like the mosquito repellents we got at the Drive-ins to light in the car. Well these you nailed to a wall, then lit, and it spun around like mad sending out the sparkles in a gorgeous spray with every spin. My Dad would nail them to the wooden garage door. Loved Them! My other favorite is the Roman Candle! Oh Man holding that stick, just knowing all that power would be shooting out any second...squeeeee! Thunk Thunk with each burst, shooting across the yard, and up into the night sky, each a different color...magic I tell ya! One time we had ones shaped like Army Tanks, and when lit they would roll forward and shoot sparks out of their guns! Oh and who doesn't love the big fountains that explode with sparks flying up high,  and all this accompanied by  the loudest whistle in the world! Gotta cover your ears!
Ahhh..I hope you have a safe and fun Fourth of July, Celebrating Our Independence! Light a few Fireworks..you'll be glad you did!

Well the Hot Weather is Not Waiting for Summer!

Hi All! Hope everyone had a Splendid Memorial Day, We had no plans for this long weekend, just letting Wayne have two days off in a row was special! We usually just have the Sunday together, so we chose to just rest up. Went over the the Daughters to visit just a bit, celebrated a belated Birthday of our Son in Law Scott, and of course always fun seeing the Daughter and the Grandkids. June 3rd Kingsley Graduates High School ! Now that is still something I'm trying to comprehend! Then she leaves in August for College..wha??
Alot of my Friends are going through this too..damnit the time is just going too fast. Grandson Evan will be 21 this year!! Come on.!!..stop it..
We are already in the throws of Summer heat, 90 degrees in the screened room!! We went to the nursery a couple of weeks ago to get a few plants, annuals for their blooms, but the pick'ns were slim! I ended up with Marigolds, Petunias and Coleus, and they were on the skimpy side! And it's May! The thing is, I've planted them and they have stayed the same size, not spreading out being all nice and full like they usually do.. disappointing. Don't know if the early heat is to blame, but the gardener in me will keep trying! Thought I would put a few of my Garden Pics up for your sheer enjoyment! LOL

 Oh and I forgot to mention the prices!! What is on my bench is $13.00!! Y'all do know I Mosaic, well I did this bench years ago and it still looks fantastic!

 Looking through the Heart in my Gate toward the side yard.

 My PomPom Shrimp plant is blooming, I have about four of them throughout the yard, just such a striking bubble-gum pink.

 The yellow Hibiscus is from my Daughters yard, this bloom is the size of a lunch plate! Beautiful  The Lavender Althea Patio Tree is just loaded, bloom'n it's little heart out!

One of our Kitties, Dixie Boy, rest'n in the Screened Room. Only one Day lily Bloomed this year, but I managed to get this pic before it was gone.
Monday is June the 1st, wish I was a child again, Mom, Me and My Brother heading to Midland City Alabama to spend the Summer at my Grandmom Vera's small farm. Most times it was just the three of us traveling from Florida or Virginia, depending if Dad was out at sea on the Ship, serving with the Navy. We always seemed to arrive at two in the morning, Lord driving down those two lane country roads at night, never meeting another car, Dad would have the Brights on so we could see, and when I say pitch black I mean it,! not a light to be found! Our eyes fixed on the road ahead, straining, afraid a cow or something might run out of the  rows and rows of tall corn! Kudzu Vine covering everything like a carpet, even taking the shape of an old farm house that was abandoned. On one trip, Mom looked over at Dad "Good Lord Jimmy! What's that Smell"? We had passed through a Skunk Cloud!! Whew! even the windows down didn't help! We all laughed the rest of the drive to the farm. It was always fun for us kids. I can remember in the morning I would get one of the stick brooms, and then find a spot to "sweep out" my playhouse. I would find a cool spot under a tree, and start sweeping until I got down to hard pan, take the loose sand and pile it around the edge, making the outline to my rooms, then dash around the yard and get the small chippy blue painted rocker, the small pot bellied stove, bricks and a plank to make like a shelf, then I would find discarded Mason Jar lids, and they would be my plates!  Ahh so much fun, cuz now I got to spend the rest of the Summer "Not" letting my Brother in my house!! LOL! Grandmom would get me a small flour sack , with the prettiest flower print, about the size of a tea towel, fold it in half, then roll it up, take a piece of string and tie it tight,about three inches down from the top of the roll, then she would whip stitch in some eyes, nose and a mouth, then fluff out the rest of the roll, and that was my Dolly for the Summer! Awesome! I have so many fun memories, kinda makes me sad.. But now we all  have this Summer ahead of us to enjoy! I just need someone to whip me up a Doll. ♥