Star Gazing

Ssshhh! Let's not wake the baby. If you want to find out how she did with her bottle feeding last night, go see Jenn for an update! Also, if you want to find out what other great surprises are in store at The Summer Market...go see Carolyn!Me? Why, I think I'll just sit here real quite like for a spell and just stare.

Pay Close Attention To The Following Message!

Look deeply into my eyes, deeper...you are getting sleepy, sleepy! You will now do as I bid. You will mark your calendar to come and see me Saturday, July 18th at the Carolyn Westbrook Home Summer Market!

When I snap my fingers, you will wake up refreshed with an overwhelming urge to shop! (Photo courtesy Carolyn Westbrook Home) SNAP!!!

Shade Tree Shopping

Do you have time for a little update on the Summer Market that Carolyn will be hosting on her Fab U Lous plantation grounds? I thought so! As if Carolyn wasn't enough to get you to come spend the day with us, guess who else will be there? Give up? Linda and Ludmil of Willow Nest Farm!!! I promise you up and down, if you are anywhere near driving distance of Chatfield, you will hate yourself if you don't plan on stopping by. Girls, girls, girls, the lessons in presentation are worth the drive! If you are concerned about the heat, don't be. This is Texas and we girls know how to "man up" when it comes to serious shopping. And speaking of "manning up"...take a look at the extra bonus of eye candy we are providing free of charge. All at the same location, all at the same time, for your viewing pleasure only...I present Joe Cool, Prince Charming AND Cat Daddy!!! Need I say more?

I'll leave you now to cool off and start making decisions on what to wear! Remember, July 18th!!!!

White Magic!

Remember how I alluded to a couple of tricks I had hidden up my skirt a few posts back? Well tighten up those bra straps ladies, I am ready to reveal one of them now. If everybody has their oohs and aahs handy, I will now reveal what is behind Door #1.Carolyn Westbrook will be hosting another show at her wonderful home, The Oaks Plantation in Chatfield, on July 18 from 9am-4pm....AND I have been invited to participate! I KNOW!!! Hard to believe, right? I am just so excited to be a part of this year's event titled appropriately enough...Summer Market. Now you know why I have been MIA recently. The pressure is on to try and make some magic with Carolyn and company.

For those of you who attended last summer's sale, y'all know what a beautiful venue this is. Carolyn's home has several outbuildings that she has been busy transforming just for her children, but she has borrowed them back as the perfect setting for this year's sale. Picture large, old, majestic oaks over a blanket of green with dreamy garden accoutrements all dressed in a summer pallete of white. Is there anyone who has not seen Carolyn Westbrook Home signature linens? If you haven't, here is the perfect opportunity!

I'll be giving y'all daily updates until showtime....July 18th! Go ahead and mark your calendars...it's only ten days until you'll get to shop for all the latest trends and merchandise that will just have to be seen to be believed! Are you oohing and aahing yet? Just wait, you ain't seen nothin' yet!!!

One For The Road and One To Grow On

Ok girls, I am sending out an SOS of a junking kind. Hayley at Nesting Notions is going to be traveling to Texas on July 11th. She will be coming out of Missouri on I-44 to Muskogee and then onto Hwy 69. She is looking for places to junk along the way. I want y'all who know this area to go on over and let her in on some of your great hidey holes! You know you can't afford to support them all by yourself, so why not share the wealth. I don't know that route at all, so I am just about as useless as, well you know, but I'm counting on y'all to give her some great shopping tips. Let's make her promise to show us what all she finds in return, what do you say?

Also, I want to say thank you to Gigi at G.I. Junker. She's a new blogger and she selected me as one of seven to receive the Kreative Blogger Award. Now y'all that know me, know that I don't take an award lightly. I am always thrilled when someone sees fit to give me one and this is no exception. I am supposed to list seven things about myself and then select seven more recipients. Talking about myself is never a problem. Picking seven more to pass this along to...not so easy.

1. While I love words, I hate the word squat as in "She don't know squat!" It's just an ugly little word.
2. While I love sugar, I hate marshmallow. What a total waste of sugar in my book!
3. While I love Brazil nuts, I hate filberts. What the heck is a filbert any way?
4. While I love clothes, I hate "designer logos" on clothing. I'm not getting paid to advertise, so why should I walk around with some one's name on my behind?
5. While I love grapes, I hate raisins. Go figure!
6. While I love life, I hate growing old. Hmmm? Maybe that's why I hate raisins...reminds me of wrinkles!
7. While I love Cat Daddy, I hate putting the seat down. But then, he probably hates raising it!

As far as naming seven others to bestow this on, I'm afraid everyone is either out of town or shut down for the summer. So Gigi, it's just you and me Hon, but I thank you again!

You've Come A Long Way Baby!

Just a reminder of where you were just a few months ago, but Baby Bella, look at you now!Through God's grace, you are as fat as the town dog and twice as pretty as any Miss America!

I look forward to calling you Madame President some day! You are my little Yankee Doodle Dandette.

I hope everyone enjoyed the 4th...I know we sure did! (Isn't she just tutu precious for words...all 6 lbs. and 15 oz. of her?)

French Gifts of Friendship

Tomorrow is an important day and not just for fireworks and eating hot dogs. The crown on the Statue Of Liberty will be reopened for visitors after being closed following 911. The importance of this (and please keep in mind, this is just my point of view) is in showing the world that we are not afraid as a country. We were designed to endure just as she was. To sway during trouble winds, but always to remain standing upright and proud.

Lady Liberty is the ultimate symbol to the world that democracy can and does work. While we may not see eye to eye on how things should be done within our government, she is the testament that we can agree to disagree and not be afraid of consequences.

She was given to us by the people of France, who incidentally raised the money to design, build and ship her for our centennial celebration. Bartholdi, her designer, named her "Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World". How fitting because I truly believe that is what America stands for. I strongly urge everyone to go to www.nps.gov to read the history of her. I was just amazed at how little I knew. I guess it's just one of those things we just assume we learned in school all there was to know, but believe me, there is so much more to this Lady than a torch.

That leads me to more gifts from France. (Don't you just love the way I just segued right into that?) Shelley at Sweet Pea is hosting a "I'd Rather Be In Paris Swap" and asked if I would like to participate. (Would I? Big ears, big ears, big ears!) I've never done a swap, but I'm always up to something new and it really sounded like a fun thing (PLUS, I was just so flattered she asked!). Imagine my delight when Shelley said that my partner was going to be the one and only Sue of Bella Shabby. I was just over the moon, but the pressure was on! Sue is so talented and I.... well let's just say I am creatively challenged and leave it at that, whaddaya say?

Kiddies, I may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but I have quickly learned presentation is everything! She even went so far as to stamp the tissue paper and the outside of the box with little French nothings! The above photo is of a gorgeous tablecloth she sent. You can almost smell the roses...or at least I thought I was until I realized she had included the most divine smelling French soap as well. Let me tell y'all, as hot as it is here in Texas, sweet smelling soap is a must! Sue, Cat Daddy says thank you!!!

I am crazy nuts over these French flash cards. I have no idea what they mean, but who cares....even ordures sounds better when said with a French accent!

Oh and my favorite thing? A wonderful 1927 book titled "Intermediate French"! Can you say mais oui? Now practice saying it with a Texas accent!!!

The most charming clip art...now if only I could do art! People, I can't even color within the lines.

Sue was one of the first persons that I "met" when I started blogging and I don't think I would have continued without hers (and a few others...you know who you are!) continual support. We've never met, but I consider her one of my dearest friends and a blessing straight from God.

You can see that I made out like a bandit and I didn't even have to wear a mask! Sue, you are just too generous, clever and kind. I loved everything mainly because I know you selected it all with me in mind. That makes it precious! You may not know it, but you had already given me the greatest gift ever...that of your friendship. Merci!!!

So I'll close now before I get all sentimental on y'all. I would like to say adieu and everyone.....Have a wonderful 4th and take a minute to remember the cost! God Bless America!!!