Taking tea seriously

tour part 2

2011-07-15T14:17:00.003-04:00

Hello Friends,
Hope you enjoyed the kitchen tour from the previous blog entry....now, on to Part 2! If you click here you will be sent to our second youtube video....
Then, as if you thought it couldn't get any better....well, I have more video on my dining room table place settings....YOU are sooooo fortunate to know ME! (you know I am kidding, right?)
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cathy

Hurrah for youtube!

2011-07-14T15:49:00.002-04:00

Dear friends,
I made several videos to share with you so you can "see" some of our latest home diy endeavors. Hopefully you will get the picture....'scuse the pun....!
You can go here to have a look at the first one, which is a tour of our kitchen....but not the finished product as yet, still more diy ahead!
hope you have some fun plans for the weekend, we are helping friends celebrate the nuptuals of their only son to his true love!!! We get to go to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding and dinner reception.....I am excited, should be just beautiful....and I can relax and enjoy, hoo-ray!
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cathy

A July Post!

2011-07-02T18:40:00.002-04:00

Hello Friends,

I have seen a lot of design blogs that have been talking about adding color to your interior doors. One in particular, though not a design blog per say, but still I enjoy is NYC taught me. She painted her entry door a nice blue…but I have been drawn to aqua lately. So, I picked up a sample jar of Valspar Simply Aqua and put two coats on our front door!

I know I need a new rug now, but I really do like the look, makes quite a pop!

Here it is from a distance, still saying howdy

this is a lovely geranium in our window box outside the kitchen window…I was seriously thinking of painting the door this color….what do you think????

Can you believe it is July already? Paul and I are still working on painting projects…but we have made good progress and are on target for completion very soon. Paul added bead board to 2 sides of our “L” in the kitchen. We were told by a “pro” that it would not work, but, well…ignorance is bliss and we just plowed on ahead and what do you know….it worked and looks amazing! We have all the supplies ready to put up our new back splash…the tin…wow, that will make a huge impact. Then we will begin painting our 40 year old Ethan Allen club chairs, they are a pine-dark stained, we will paint them black and upholster the cushions in this fabric. They should look like whole new chairs. I bought the fabric from Joann’s to cover the cushion on the ottoman and just fell in love with the pattern.

Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July. Celebrate freedom, remember the heroes who created and sustained our liberty. Pray for our country, her leaders and her people. Recognize we are among the absolute luckiest people on this planet to live where we live and have what we have. Renew your resolve to guard our great gift with all your might.

God bless America

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cathy

June is just beginning

2011-06-07T09:50:00.002-04:00

Hello friends,

I am using a new-to-me software from windows and I have no idea how it will work out….but, if I can figure it out, it should make blogging a whole lot more exciting and easier. Nothing ventured….right? and it is free, so what is not to like???

***click on any photo to enlarge***

We brought Zion out to camp with us this first week in June. Above: Z sleeps real cozy in the tent!

Here’s a shot of Zion’s new bike!

Paul loads up the red truck to take the first load back to our storage unit.

Here’s what it looks like from the rear!

Chilin with the psp

loading up the W too

Here’s Paul’s new Cruiser…it’s a beaute

camping with us is a MAJOR production

we do have a lot of fun….

lots and lots of smiles

In June, the garden flowers are breath-taking

The deer eat my roses, but somehow, a few escape

I love hydrangea…

Progress is made in the painting of the kitchen cabinets….they are looking fantastic!

We are getting a new stainless microwave (LG) installed soon

We will also be using this faux tin for backsplash and getting new countertops!

more to follow

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cathy

My 200th Post!

2011-05-25T14:04:00.003-04:00

Hello friends,

I was just looking at my stats...not a big deal as I have 9 followers and perhaps on a very good day, 15 hits....this is just fun for me to do...no big deal.....but then I saw "Postings:199" and thought THIS IS A BIG DEAL!!!! Wish I could give a car away or a cruise or a trip to Disney....but maybe when I hit 500????

Summer is here in NC with a vengence....90 degree temps and lots of sun....good beach weather!

We are bicycle shopping....I want a cruiser, maybe 7speed, Paul wants a no speed. Seen alot of nice ones for good prices especially at WMT. With his employee discount, they are even more attractive. I am no Lance Armstrong, but, I think it would be fun to tool around camp and get some exercise.

The photo above is of me and my grandson Woody. He is the best guy ever. I am so fortunate to have him in my life. We attended his orchestra concert last night and it was very very good. He will be a senior next year....where does the time go??? We had so many good times. I could make him happy just watching Thomas the Tank Engine. He has always been a good student and is very smart and talented (I am sure you have folks just like Woody in your life too!). Woody has a tender heart and I hope he keeps being the great young man he already is forever!

Thank you Woody for allowing us to be a part of your life, it means so much.

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cathy

Kitchen make over...or...Eat your heart out HGTV

2011-05-24T11:53:00.003-04:00

First set of cabinets to get the "treatment". I emptied the cabinets, then removed the doors and all the hinges and hardware.

The stuff from inside the cabinet resides in the dining room for now.

Paul taped and painted the first coat of primer after we washed down the cabinets and doors really well to get rid of greese and grime. Did a bit of sanding, but not much.

Here's the cabinet after 2 coats of primer and two coats of paint.

Here's all the cabints on the sink side all painted and drying. We are waiting a full 5 days for them to cure and dry out before re-hanging the doors....

Hello friends,

I know I have told you this before, but it bears repeating: I am a gypsy. Never did I think I would live anywhere for 23 years, and yet....lo and behold...this July marks our 23rd year of owning this home on Arrowhead Way! I am more surprised than you are right now! When I look back, I think we have done a bunch of home improvements, but nothing major in quite a long while. Home maintanance was more our theme....but with the advent of my love of the internet and all those wonderful diy blogs of all sorts and google and youtube....well, I think, if I really wanted to...I could find a video and directions on self-open heart surgery!!! All kidding aside, I did find tons of info on painting kitchen cabinets, but I went with my brother, Alan's advice since he is a seasoned professional painter-and have been very happy with the results. Alan's best advice....patience.....boy, do I know what he means now! He also said start small, do it in parts rather than all at once. That has been good advice, but man am I weary of this endeavor! The good news is that it really is looking so very nice and bright and just the way I imagined and will update our kitchen to match the cottage look of the rest of the house and for very little money, but alot of labor....I have the time, it is just the two of us and

we deal pretty well with the chaos........

When we finish painting the upper cabinets, we will begin painting the lower ones in a very soft grey...........should be pretty. I promise to keep you posted. I have tons more photos, but blogger is fussy about too many photos. I am really hoping to get the painting all done very soon...but you cannot rush....patience....right!

We are going to get new countertops and a nice backsplash and then....I think that will be all for a while!

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cathy

Camp tour part one

2011-05-13T15:29:00.006-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXdpvbRaEw8
Hello again friends,

Have had fun with the Flip camera. I made a short...6 min. video of our camp, but, it takes Blogger forever to upload, so I am not sure it will work, but I will try. Gives you a real "feel" for camping with us!

Any questions?

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cathy

Scenes from Lake Woe-beGone

2011-05-13T13:57:00.005-04:00

Hello friends,

Paul and I are very fortunate to share some "hobbies". We love Christmas celebrations and all that entails and we love to camp and travel, we love NYC and we love our family and we love the Lord! (not necessairily in that order.....) Camping for us has become a bit of an obcession....as in, let's have the coolest set-up in the entire park! Not really, but we do enjoy all the creature comforts that we can haul out here....and do we haul! Since we are tenting it, there are alot of extras we manage to bring....porta-john (a must), 2 room bath house, very large screen room with neat stuff(video coming soon....) cabin tent, lots of astro-turf carpet, and on and on....we work very hard to get set up, and you may ask yourself why?

#1 because we still can!!!

#2 because we really enjoy it

#3 because we can't afford a camper just yet

#4 because we don't want to just sit at home, this lake is soooo close and sooo lovely, well....we really can relax out here.

#5 because Paul would like to catch a fish he can gut, skin and bring to me to cook!

So, here are a couple of videos of Paul launching the canoe.....enjoy Oh, by the way, Blogger took forever to upload these very short videos....think I will try another venu next time around, but hope you get a kick out of seeing Paul in action!

Mr. Capote does not have a corner on memories

2011-05-08T15:20:00.003-04:00

The summer I turned 8 my mom married Jonfre Airington. We kids got to move into what we have always called it, "The Green House" It was not green....but it did have a couple of actual glass greenhouses, one free standing and one attached to the side of the ancient...at least 80 years old back then in the mid 50s farmhouse -style house complete with a huge front porch and one bathroom...upstairs (another in the dark and a bit scarry basement). That dear old house is the home of my childhood and the holder of so many sweet memories that my heart aches at the thoughts of all the laughter, tears, fears and joys of those Elmwood days. We lived just one block from our elementary school, Milton Moore, and could walk home for lunch, which we did many days! Those greenhouses became our new grandmother, Beulah's business...EASTSIDE GARDENS.

We grew geraniums, petunias, salvia, tomatoes, and many more annuals along with a yard-full of wonderful perenials which we would dig out using a sharp-shooter shovel and wrap in newspaper and sell for whatever Beulah decided to price it. Pansies in the spring, petunias in the summer and lots of weeding inbetween. Now, I say, "we" grew, but the heart of EASTSIDE Gardens was Beulah and she knew everything there was to know about plants, soil, literature, history and people! The older I grow, the more I am aware of just what a treasure she was in my life. Oh, I wish you could have known her!

So, I have a love of plants and gardening that has a foundation deep in Missouri soil. I still dislike weeding tho, but it is a necessary evil. I was not a hard worker so don't get the idea I just loved working in the greenhouse, I didn't....but...here's the interesting thing, upon reflection, working in the garden was not so bad, in fact, I am so thankful for having the experiences I shared with my sister and brother and friends and family there
at the green house.

These photos are of our home and yard. I put this other window box together to hang in front of our dining room bay window. It already looks so pretty, just love the colors. We planted 3 knockout double roses in front of the bay to take the place of two very old and gnarley (is that how you spell it???) hedges that were super ugly and no color at all. The knockouts should bring lots of color to that part of the house....2 pink and one yellow in the middle! It will take about a year for them to really show, but I am patient, since we have decided to stay....I have plenty of time to wait and watch and smell the roses!

Happy Mothers Day...Mom, Grandma, Beulah, Grandma Graybeal....

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cathy

Ah April

2011-04-12T14:48:00.003-04:00

Hello friends, I love this time of year because everything in the yard is looking so great. Little or no weeds, no bugs, lots of rain so everything is green and lots of beautiful color. I took an idea from a local nursery and lined most of my flower boxes with burlap! love the look and it really is quite practicle and a whole lot cheaper than those other liners. Below is my kitchen herb box. I planted from left to right: cilantro, a basil that died because of a surprise frost so is not there now, but will be replaced, a rosemary and a creeping thyme.... Here's a windowbox in front of our great room window. It has cool weather plants right now and will definately be replanted by the end of May as it gets full sun and with the window behind it is very very hot there....but for now, oh my, love the look, don't you?

Here's a close up shot. Stock, riniculas and can't think of the name of the blue flowers on the ends or the chartreuse plant in the front....those will both stay as they are good in hot weather!

Well, it was a cloudy day today and so my shot of the lilac bushes did not turn out well, but you know, they say lilacs won't grow in the Carolinas..but ours did! they are just gorgeous and that is a wonderful little dogwood growing in front!

If you click on the above photo you will be able to see the lilacs a lot better!

Here's my master gardner! Paul is such a wonderful co-worker. He is the muscle in our team! We have owned our home for 23 years and are the only owners so everything in our yard was planted by us (expect for a couple of wonderful "volunteers" planted by God with the help of some little birds) It is so satisfying to live somewhere long enough to see the fruit of your labor and to enjoy it so much. We are content on Arrowhead Way.

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cathy

Catching up part 2: NEW FRIDGE!

2011-04-11T12:15:00.003-04:00

Hello friends, Well, I tried to re do these photos, but no luck....so, here, in the wrong order are photos of our new refrigerator! I wanted an ice maker...so here it is! Here's a shot of both doors open! LOVE IT

Here's a photo of one of the features that sold me on the LG...the base pulls out so you can fit a pitcher or the coffee maker's pot on it and fill it right under the tap for the filtered water! It is sooooooo cool! Here's the sweet fridge. We are very happy

Now, we have plans to get a new microwave and paint the kitchen cabinets and then get some new counter tops. All on the agenda.....oh, and sometime we will be getting the washer and dryer, gotta bit more saving to do.

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cathy

Catching up part 1: The Sale

2011-04-11T11:37:00.003-04:00

Hello friends, So, this is what my great room looked like the first morning of the big Tea Pot/Tea Cup sale about a month ago. I had gotten very serious about weeding out my tea accoutremont. Many items were very difficult to part with, but I knew I had to be strong and determined! I also decided that my first goal was good homes for all this great stuff, so to that end, I had two options for pricing. #1. buy a grocery bag for $10 and fill it full with items from select tables and #2 Tea Pots were either $10 for large or $4 for small and all bone china tea cups and saucers were $10. That was it.

A view of the bone china tea cups...there were 30! I sold all but 3 hooray!!!

The tea pots, can you believe it???

Day two...still plenty to choose......Day one was huge, lots of traffic and full bags! When it was over, I was left with 2 boxes for Goodwill....that was it! I was thrilled and I think everyone who came felt they had gotten some nice items for good prices. I still have plenty of tea cups in my collection....about 100.

So, we have spent a whole year de-cluttering, intentory-ing, packing up, hauling to storage...then hauling back 10 boxes at a time to once again decide what to keep and what to dispose of to the tune of 18 boxes full for the big sale! I have touched all this stuff way too many times, I must be honest here....I am glad it is gone. We have shed literally a ton!!! My criteria for this process: Keep only what we will use. that is it. Now, remember, simplifing is a process. I know I am not really done, but, I am on the right track and heading in the right direction. Spring is here, summer is not far behind, camping is fast forward, yea!

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cathy

Oscars....weather

2011-02-27T19:18:00.002-05:00

Hello friends,
Seems to me all the buzz is either the Oscars or the awful or wonderful (depending on where you are at the moment) weather....I actually think this is a good thing, because, well, we could be talking the huge national debt, or say....instability in the mid-east...or perhaps threats from North Korea???? And that's just a start! What is going on? I am ready for some peace and civility. Doubt we will have that any time soon tho. Is it just me, or does the world seem a lot scarier? There are still good folks everywhere, but seems like the bad guys are center stage. What can good people do? Well. for now,we must be diligent in observing the world situation. Then, perhaps, we might have to stand up and speak up on an issue that burdens our heart. We might have to put our money where our mouth is and invest in a cause....We cannot be complacent, we must be passionate. Will refuse to be controlled by the media, we will thoughtfully and thoroughly research the issues and make intelligent and independent decisions based on our very own observations and opinions. We will remember the heroes of the past and what made them such icons. And I, for one, will pray.
Search yourself and discover your core values. Those values or principles you will not compromise ---ever. This is very important. Find some, take a stand, be a hero!
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cathy

Tea and Chocolate with EVA

2011-02-16T15:13:00.002-05:00

Hello Friends,

because I used to work at the Eva Perry Regional Library I still have friends working there and they remember me (fortunately) and I love them all so it is always a treat to go back and be with them again like the "old days"...kinda. Some of the old team are retired, some at other libraries, some, like me, went on to a new career (tea entrepeneaur, that's me)...but it is always good to go back and see those sweet faces, hug their necks and catch up a bit on what's happening. So, when I got an invitation to do a tea themed program I was thrilled. This Valentine's Day I spent at Eva doing a Tea and Chocolate Pairing event. All went very well, lots of help setting up, serving and cleaning up. We had a full house and the audience seemed to enjoy themselves and of course, I love to talk.....great fun! The table where I steeped the teas

Some of the audience

Me, the tea expert!

Photos compliments of T Witherspoon

I learned alot preparing for this event and also enjoyed tasting the new teas, all of which, by the way, were delicious. Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green, a Sumatra oolong and a very good Golden Yunnan. Lots of savvy tea drinkers in our area and all very enthusiastic, so we had good questions and everyone drank their tea....all of it....every bit, so I know they enjoyed themselves and that is such a good sign that the tea drinkers are becoming much more sophisticated! good news for the tea industry!!

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cathy

Every day dishes

2011-02-06T06:48:00.003-05:00

Happy Sunday friends,
Also, Happy 100th Bday, President Reagan....time flies, wow!
I think I have told you that I come from a family that shows love or, better said, their "love language" is food. We cook, and we cook good. We talk food, we talk recipes, we talk "what's for dinner? we talk and we cook and we eat and all this is done in love for those we are cooking for and remembering those who taught us and have passed. This food is a tie that binds us as family. I am not boasting when I admit that I am a good cook, it is a gift that was genetically given....I can take no credit. Sometimes I am a bit surprised at my abilities, but most of the time, I take it for granted. I cannot sing, dance, climb a rope, play an instrument, paint a picture or do higher math....but I can cook!!!
Maybe, after you understand my affection for cooking, you will understand why I also am attracted to china! Plates, bowls, cups, platters....you name it, I think I want it! Below is a picture of my "everyday" dish closet. My winter dishes are called Friendly Village...they are in browns and greens with a bit of soft red and winter/fall scenes....very old world looking and so pretty.
I have a spring set and a summer set as well...then of course I have my Christmas china...two sets....and a set of Lennox china that is art deco and more formal. Not all this china is a full 12 place service. Some I have more plates (16 for the Lennox Christmas set), just 8 in the art deco, but I have enough to set a nice table for just about any occasion! Oh, I have 3 sets of silverware...two stainless patterns and one silverplate that was my grandmother's and I treasure it, but use it regularly and remember her each time! I do not have any sterling, wish I did but I do believe it is way too expensive for me to obtain and I have lived a long time without it, so.....but I do admire sterling.
Linens.....well of course I love table cloths and cloth napkins, and table runners and all manner of decorative accessories......see where being a good cook leads??????
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cathy

The junk in my......

2011-02-05T16:08:00.004-05:00

Hello friends,
Below is a photo of my very own junk drawer....you have one also (maybe more than one???). I decided that this situation could go on no longer and so I began by emptying the drawer. Ah, ha! the empty drawer. I like the washable shelf liner, so left it.....

Here's what was hiding in that messy drawer....takes 2 pictures to show all....how many decks of cards do we reallllllly need?

I already had the tea cups and they were doing a good job, so I kept them. I purchased this acrylic organizer at Target, it is sturdy and clean-looking, you will see it is perfect for this drawer!

The finished drawer. I kept 4 decks of cards....well, I love canasta...here it is and it just looks so calm and un cluttered. I am a happy camper!

Now, go forth and get you a messy drawer and do what I did, it is easy, really. Let me know how it worked for you!

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cathy

Happy Ground Hog Day

2011-02-02T07:54:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,
Yes, it is that time of the year. Get out all your Ground Hog decor and deck the halls! I have already watched Ground Hog Day movie will Andie and Bill....how about you? What are you doing to commemorate this day? Some folks are diggin out of a huge snow. We lived in the Syracuse, NY area for about 2 years back in the 80s. What a surprise to find snow every day from October to May!!! talk about shock. Snow hell is what we called the area, but in truth, we made many dear friends, shopped at Wegman's, actually rode on the Erie Canal and found peroigis....so it was not a waste of time and also, it made us appreciate all the more living in the Carolinas....where we will have a high in the 70s today....thankyouverymuch. The birds are chirping and spring has sprung....well, maybe not yet, but it looks promising!
We cannot believe that we have owned our home for almost 23 years! We never thought we would live anywhere that long. Just never entered our thought process as we were the proverbial rolling stones. I like moving to new places, seeing new things, meeting new friends, new shopping venues, new and exciting. Our kids did not feel the same. oh well. Anyhow, we are officially granite these days...solidly entrenched....here to stay. We give up. We will have to make HOME IMPROVEMENTS. Those two words have never really entered our vocabulary until just recently. Paul and I looked at each other and said..."well, if we are staying (no ifs), then we need to re-side the house, paint the inside and outside, new hardward, new counter tops....oh it goes on and on....my goodness, we had no idea. we were just going to slink off on a new adventure and wham-o....we didn't get to slink anywhere! At our advanced ages we are officially grown ups. Oh, and by the way, I HATE THE MONIKER "SENIOR CITIZEN". DO NOT EVER CALL ME THAT, PUT ME IN THAT GROUP OR OTHERWISE MAKE MENTION OF MY ADMISSION TO THAT "CLUB"! ok, rant over.
So, this post had no photos but lots of ranting. and a bit of weather info on sunny Syracuse....
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cathy

My cup over-floweth

2011-01-31T20:26:00.002-05:00

Hello friends,
As you can see, I have a few tea cups. My love of tea began as a child drinking Constant Comet tea with my dear grandmother, Beulah, out in the greenhouse which was her garden business attached to the home we lived in on Elmwood, in Kansas City, Missouri. We would "help" her...she always had a job for us to do and she would treat us as adults when explaining what she expected to be accomplished. As a treat, we would have tea. I loved those times and that tea. I never developed a taste for coffee. That love of tea led to to a whole new adventure as a tea entrepeneur....way back beginning in May of 2001. Long story short....I had a tea shop in a mall and sold tea items and loose leaf teas (over 100 in my inventory). An amazing, wonderful, sometimes unbelievable journey that God took me on and led every step of the way....to places I never dreamed I would go, that's for sure! Anyway, one of the things I sold in my shop was bone china tea cups from England. Well, I would buy them on ebay usually 4-6 sets at a time as shipping was a bit cheaper that way. They would arrive at my house and I would unpack and check them out....oh my! they were soooooo lovely, many of them I could not part with! finally, when I had about 250 sets in the house my husband said, "Cathy, is this a hobby or a business?" reality check!!! So, I began sorting through the cups and saucers trying to figure out which ones I could part with and which just could not go!
Last year I packed up almost all the tea cups for storage while we sold our house and traveled the world....NOT! So, this week I have been unpacking the tea cups and once again I felt the need to weed....This is the part of simplifing which you get better at with much practice...and believe me, I have been practicing!

I spread all the tea cups and saucers out on the dining room table. I played "duck-duck-goose" and pulled out about 30 sets to sell....oh, I am having a tea cup/tea pot sale the first week of March. You are invited. I will get out more details. Bring lots of $$$ I would love to buy a washer or dryer from the proceeds of selling my beloved china

I am not selling any of these....these I am keeping and you will have to wait til I die to get them

I am not perfect. I am trying and that is all I can say for now.

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cathy

Dinner Party

2011-01-25T20:39:00.006-05:00

Big Night Table(above)

Happy Party-goers (below)

Joe and Karen
Woody and Bridget

Paul and Cathy

MANGA!

Hello everyone,

One of my three new years resolutions was to entertain more often. I thought a "Dinner and a Movie" night might be a fun couples event and ran the idea past my hubby. Paul is an avid movie watcher and he loves my cooking....so it was a big green light from him. I invited 3 couples (one could not make it :-( but will be available next month). So six of us had a really tasty Italian dinner and watched the movie Big Night. If you haven't seen this movie, you should, it is a good foodie movie!

BIG NIGHT MENU

Italian Beer

Champagne cocktails (all the rage in the 50s)

Antipasto tray

Caprese salad

Bruchetta

Tossed green salad with home made vinegarette dressing

rosemary foccia bread with olive oil dipping sauce

Lasagna bolognase

hearty red wine

Chocolate tart with caramel glaze and toasted almonds

coffee/tea

What a great time we had and I think everyone enjoyed the movie too.

I am already planning next month's festivities!

This is fun!

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cathy

So What's Clutter?

2011-01-23T10:14:00.004-05:00

Clutter: Stuff you do not use....ever....at all. Stuff you shove back on the shelf or in the drawer. Stuff that doesen't fit...you, your lifestyle or your decor. Stuff someone has given you that you feel obligated to keep. Stuff that reminds you of a person, trip, evening, event or activity that you enjoyed. Stuff that you might need.....someday.

There's "good stuff", then there's the rest. You need to get rid of the rest!

Why do you need to de-clutter?

1) So you can lighten your load

2) Easier to clean

3) See what you do have and enjoy the view!

4) So your children won't have to deal with it

5) So someone else can enjoy (your stuff is someone else's treasure)

6) To evaluate what is necessary

I am sure there are many more good reasons to de-clutter. You will probably have to de-clutter more than once since this activity is actually a character-building exercise which requires practice and fortitude (endurance). You must have a sense of humor too!

Questions??????

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cathy

99 bottles of beer on the wall....

2011-01-18T16:55:00.004-05:00

Hello Friends,
Bet that header got your attention. Well, seems as my blog for now, has taken on a bit of the simplification-esque flavor, so I will endeavor to share a bit more of my journey towards the simple life.... You are certainly welcome to gleen any widsom or advice or "tricks of the trade" from anything I post.
Backround timeline....simplified
birth-56.....shopper...motto: more is good
56-56 1/2.....slow realization that my "stuff" was dragging me down, but no earthly idea how to change.
56 1/2.....FIRE (God knew how to turn my life around big time!)
56 1/2 to now.....slowing down gradually on the shopping (I still enjoy looking, but changing from the compulsion to get something....anything....just put it in a bag and I will be happy/ to "I do not need another table runner!" (this is big for me folks) motto: less is best
So, now you have a little, short, rather breezy account of my life so far. I am really not this shallow, but we are focusing on the simple life here, don't want to "clutter" the issue with extra unnecessary details. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section, I will try to answer.
So, we have already spent some time talking about pre-purchase initiatives, let's talk about sizing up your situation where YOU live. Obviously, we all can't be lucky enought to have a fire....so what do you do when you realize your life/home/car are all out of control and full of stuff, most of which you wanted, but now don't even know why, much less what you actually have! Well all the organization peeps say: Begin small, say a drawer, or a table-top or a shelf. Empty it completely. Have 3 boxes handy (some say four) one:keep, two:give away, three:throw away. Number four could be : think about. But do not think too hard. Another approach is to put items away for a certain amount of time...say 3 months or so. If you do not need them or miss them, then perhaps they can be sent to box 2 or 3. I had purged my home of so very much, no kidding, flat bed truck-fulls, 4 garage sales and a huge amount sent to Guardian Angel thrift....and still, when we were getting the house ready for sale we put that infamous 157 boxes into storage. Granted, we are big-time Christmas decorating folks and 49 of those boxes held Snow Village, and lots of Wonderful-I-will-never-get-rid-of-decor..... but, that still left over 100 boxes of....you got it, stuff. So, now, I am again going through each box deciding once again, keep, store, toss. Actually, I am enjoying the process this time...makes about the third time I have done this huge project, so I am getting real good at it. It is like anything you want to learn to do, you begin and are slow and rather tedious, but somewhere along the way you begin to master the technique and before you know it, you are in the groove.
So, take heart, begin the process...like Julie Andrews says: "Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start!" One drawer, one table top, one shelf....whatever....just begin
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cathy

Social Network

2011-01-13T23:08:00.005-05:00

Paul is checking email while we camp!

Hello everyone,

Paul and I just finished watching Social Network via a Red Box rental...do you ever say: "Wish I had thought of that"? I can name a few things that make me want to say that myself. Such as: Red Box movie rentals, NetFlix, those great candles that run by battery, with timers no less! Crockpots, and, if you give me a bit more time, I bet I can list a few more. But you get the idea. Lately I am feeling the speed of technology...literally. Are you keeping up? I am having a hard time, I mean, I do have to sleep and then there's my life, I should live it, right? When do you find time to hunt up and learn all there is that's new out "there"? I confess that we watch no television, so I miss out on alot of the hype. We don't take the paper, so there's another source that goes untapped in our home. Well, I love facebook and I am glad that whoever invented it did. I also think that Red Box and NetFlix are brilliant (we do watch a ton of movies). I love my computer and honestly don't know what I would do without it. I thought the movie was very good, by the way.

I do not have a smart phone, but, my netbook is wonderful and very handy. I don't text, ever. I think most of the time it is kinda rude at best and dangerous sometimes.

I think that the next best electric-driven item I have and dearly love is my KitchenAid Stand mixer! Bright red, 22 years old and going strong. I have whipped up alot of stuff with this sweetie and can tell you she was worth every cent!

How did I get off on this tangent? Oh yeah, Social Network. Isn't a blog part of the social network? Hey, I am hip!

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cathy

To be or not to be....that is the question!

2011-01-12T12:00:00.002-05:00

Hello Friends,
Above is a picture of amazing hot chocolate from Chocolate by the Bald Guy in New York City. The drink was divine. We had a wonderful time taking one of our granddaughters to the city for her first trip! Many good memories. So, why am I telling you this? Well, it has to do with living a simple life. I should have been happy with the hot cocoa, the picture and the memory. But no....I had to go and buy my own little oval cup and saucer to take home. At a hefty "tourist" price to boot. Now, I have a not-so-functional piece of flotsam that I have to deal with!!! To keep or not to keep??? See where I am heading? The very best place to start on your journey to simplification is PRE-PURCHASE! This will save you tons of money and time if you just say to yourself....is it beautiful, functional, or disposable (I am thinking that purchase of H&H bagels...very disposable mmmmmm!) Do I have a place for this??? or a purpose for this?? If you stop to consider a purchase, you will not have to make the hard decision to get rid of it in the future and once again, you will save money!!! This goes for everything you buy and bring into your home....everything. May I confess I am the proud owner of over 80 lovely teapots? I also have managed to acquire a collection of close to 200 bone china teacups and saucers. Excessive? A bit. Do I need to STOP THE INSANITY? Perhaps.
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cathy

Simple life

2011-01-08T20:27:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,
I used to live a very cluttered life. My hobby was shopping and I was probably one of the best shoppers you would ever have met! Maybe even Olympic-class shopper. Not quite as good as my dear friend Barbara D., but we did some damage, that is for sure! I believed every space should have something "in" or "on" it. Now, think about that statement for a moment.....mind-boggeling isn't it??? Every wall, counter, table top and nook and cranny had something adorning it and I was always on the look-out for more! Is anyone thinking obcession??? Harmless you say??? Well, I thought so, but the truth was, these things were making me crazy (not insane, just frazzeled, turbulent in my spirit, the opposite of calm). Then we had a house fire! All of a sudden I experienced what William Wallace meant when he shouted FREEDOM!!!! (Mel Gibson in Braveheart). We moved into a two bedroom apartment with absolutely nothing but the clothes we had on and I had my purse....full of $$$ from the insurance company to buy any necessities we would need while our house was being restored! I bought two dishes, two knives, forks, spoons, mugs ....you get the idea. It was liberating. I know I have written about this before, but just this weekend we have been putting away our Christmas stuff and contemplating bringing back some of the pocessions we stored while we had the house on the market....once again moving back into this house. I want a leaner approach to the look of our home. Not austere, but certainly more open and less cluttered. We have walls with absolutely nothing but paint on them! I want order and simplicity and beauty and peace and comfy and charm. I want clean and hospitable and I want to entertain angels.
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cathy

PB...hold the jelly

2011-01-06T20:14:00.002-05:00

Hi
That clever title is PANERA BREAD....hold the jelly can I get a groan? Well, I am trying....
Panera makes you happy as you spend $10 for lunch, easily! Panera makes you happy as you refill your drink 10 times while you watch all back episodes of Serrenity on Netflix while using their free wi-fi. Panera makes you happy to pick two and get added carb dessert for only .99! Panera Bread is the Cheers of the 21st century....If any of you remember my little tea room in Durham, well, Panera Bread stole my whole model for a wonderful place to eat,drink,socialize, and just hang out. The only difference is that my place created a bit of community and at Panera, they give you the freedom to bring your community in with you and stay as long as you like...or until closing! Plus, everything tastes real good there. I get nothing for this review and have no interest in promoting Panera other than I think they are brilliant and admire them from the bottom of my heart. Also, must mention that both Target and Panera come straight from the American Heart....they know US (as in us ---you and me---) they like us, they understand us and they cater to US, hooray and only in America (a flag wave here). Altho, the rest of the world is welcome to enjoy these great businesses too! (Oh, I love IKEA, don't me wrong, they are top notch too, but not my most admired since I never even thought about selling homegoods....(did I say "homegoods???love that store too)
better close while I am coherent
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cathy
love your feedback friends!

Why I love/admire Target

2011-01-04T13:54:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone!.
For the whole first decade of 2000 I have been an entrepeneur. That is someone who is in business for themselves....in other words...you are the boss, numero uno, the man (who usually never gets a paycheck!). From the very beginning of my journey I realized that marketing and originality would be key in development of my business. There were two business out "there" that caught my attention and since I was in the food-trade, even tho tea is a drink, there are many foods that can be included if desired....and I was in the retail business as I sold all things tea-related. That being said, I honed in on Panera Bread and Target! Both had business models I studied and admired. Both extremely successful and growing, both tapping into the American psyche in a positive and influential way! I mean, Panera survived the big CARB SCARE....survived and became even more popular .....Target overcame the BELL-RINGING SANTA DEBACLE...with not even a shout! So, first, Target....why is this company so extremely good at reading the American public??? /Well, they create an environment that appeals to us...as a whole. But, in this environment, THEY are in charge (so subtle, but so true...we don't even know it! it's brilliant) and even if we do know it (since I am letting you all in on this secret, which won't be a secret anymore!) Most of the time, they stock the shelves with four of the same item....that's it....so, lady, you better buy this cute thing-a-ma-jig now, it won't be here for long!
NO MUSIC (I love this!)
Lots of light, wide isles, very very clean.
NO WAITING (I mean, very little to no waiting again, brilliant
Great clothes and shoes. Hey, we want some trendy stuff and who cares if it only lasts a season, we didn't pay an arm and a leg for it anyway and it is CUTE
On the other hand, most stuff is very well made and does last! thankyouverymuch....the cool Ugg-like boots I have worn for two winters and lovelovelove, for example
All this to say: TARGET rocks on all levels and I give them huge kudos and want to be them when I grow up!
As a person who studies retail, I see no faults with anything Target does and commend them in every way....Wallmart is not close to their league.
What do you think?
Next post: Panera Bread-love
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cathy

What happened to Day 2???

2011-01-03T02:14:00.003-05:00

Me and my grandson Woody, Dec. 2010

Hello!

I am already behind and it is only January 3! woe is me, this does not bode well for the rest of the year.

Did you set a goal, a resolution, a wish or intention for the New Year? We all have moments where we see improvement needed and determine to alter some habit, trait, performance in our lives. Once, I decided to rid myself of "toxic" friendships (and I use friendship here very loosely, perhaps acquaintance would be a better choice of words). Not an easy task, but I will tell you, a good decision and on reflection, I am better off without those entanglements! Another year I decided to cultivate positive friendships....well...it was such a wonderful success and has added many lovely memories and wonderful relationships for which I am blessed! I say all this to encourage you (and me) to continue the habit of evaluation and positive goal setting that a New Year provides.

Today is the first Monday of the New Year...the kids head back to school, folks are back to work, Christmas decor is over and done....until oh, say, August???? But for now, it is behind us and let's see....Valentine's Day is on the horizon...but before that we have Ground Hog Day and MLK. Lots to look forward to and of course there is Friday...which is only 4 days away. I wish you good goal setting, positive critical analysis, and happy results.

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cathy

Day One

2011-01-01T19:06:00.002-05:00

hello

This is the first day of a new....decade, year, month. The slate is clear and the road is ahead. Choose this day.....

Well, I wanted to start this new year off with a bang...at least a post....and perhaps be better at keeping whoever reads this a bit better entertained than last year.

This first day of 2011 is very balmy and overcast, quite a change from just last week when the lovely snow began to fall. We had our daughters over for dinner. All Chessons were on hand, Woody had to work, so Amy came on her own. I fixed a stuffed pork loin, hash brown potato casserole, red cabbage, green beans and a lovely tossed salad. It was a big hit and I had fun doing it. We all watched Nation Lampoon's Christmas Vacation....again....then they headed home. Zion had spent the night and was my New Years "Date". We went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D. Great movie...then to WalMart to visit Paul, he worked until midnight. While at WMT we bought sparklers and snaps for midnight and also a wonderful white artificial Christmas tree...6.5 feet, 400 lights....all for less than $9!!!

Wish I had taken some photos of events, but alas....no. So, I will put in some photo to amuse you a bit.

1 day down....364 to go

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cathy

Merry/Happy

2010-12-27T13:55:00.005-05:00

Beautiful SNOW

Jazmine's concert

Day trip to Biltmore

Thanksgiving at our daughter Amy's

Christmas Morning 2010

Our stockings are grocery bags and this year I got star balloons and wrote everyone's name on them....they turned out so cute!

Chesson Family

The Robinsons

Hello

So we are inbetween Christmas (Merry) and New Years (Happy), this is a good place to be...between merry and happy! hope you are both!

I "think" I might be able to uploard a couple of photos...we had a wonderful open house with tons of friends and family....did I take a picture???? nope

We had a wonderful Holiday season. 1)Thanksgiving at our daughter Amy's

2)Wonderful day-trip to Biltmore

3) Jazmine's winter concert

4) Christmas Bunco

5) Woody's concert

6) Our open house

7) Christmas eve day shopping, lunch and church at Hope

8) Christmas Day with family

9) BEAUTIFUL SNOW

Of course I cannot put the photos in order, but you get the idea....lots of good food, good fun, good memories.

Now, I have to figure out what we are going to do with all this "stuff" since we are not going on the road....157 boxes in storage is alot of UNPACKING!!!

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cathy

New Stuff

2010-12-17T15:01:00.002-05:00

Hi all,
Since last I blogged on a regular basis I have acquired a new computer....HP netbook (xoxoxo) a new camera....and a new gadget called a Flip video recorder....they are great, but I am technically challenged as to how to integrate these into use with this new computer! Let me tell you, I have some awesome photos of our Chrismatized home....wish I could share....and I want to share a tour of Sarah and Eric's cozy cottage all finished and looking oh so charming...hopefully, they will be available in the near future.
So I am getting ready for a big open house here on the 23rd....should be tons of fun and I love to feed friends, so I am in my element. I have some vegetarian buddies and want to make sure I have enough meatless tasties to make them feel all warm and happy....not to mention all those carnivores in my acquaintance. Tomorrow is our daughter Amy's birthday and we have a surprise road trip planned.....more after the event!
Blog without photos = boring....sorry.
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cathy

OH MY....IT IS I

2010-12-16T17:00:00.002-05:00

Ok, let's get it over with. Yes, I have been awol for a long while. Yes, I have been avoiding you. And NO, it is not your fault, you did nothing wrong and I am not mad....really.
1) I forgot my password and it was a hassle to get into my account....
2) I was bummed over not selling our home
3) I had nothing very interesting, informative or even remotely funny to share.
4) Big, boring changes going on that have to do with getting old, being old and living old.
5) Everybody else's blog seemed much "cooler" than mine and far more captivating
6) I was bored
7) I lost my direction
8) I also lost focus
9) I had put my life on hold and could not get the button that said "forward" to work
10) No motivation....zero....zip....nada
SO.....what's changed????
Well, since the house didn't sell and it looks like that will not be happening in the next few years....come on economy.....we have decided to dig in, do some upgrades that WE have wanted to do ourselves anyway and stick around here for a while....hey, this is a great place to live. We love our home, our kids, our church, our friends, our neighbors. We are so blessed, so staying here is no sacrifice.
Enough about me, how are you?
Here's hoping I will be better blogging in 2011
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cathy

Urban Pioneers/drat...no sound

2010-06-30T19:25:00.004-04:00

Meet Sarah and Eric, our daughter and son-in-law. They are working very very hard in some very hot, humid summer weather to build a home! This is our first visit and we are so impressed by their hard work, talent and determination to make this happen!!! Eric has been in the construction business for many years and knows what he's doing, plus, he also knows others who are super talented...Sarah knows how to work very hard....we applaud them....TEAM CHESSON rocks.

This is my first try at uploading a video from my new Flip. the file is way huge....so sorry...need to figure out how to make it smaller????? taking forever to upload!

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cathy

Number 98

2009-10-06T22:19:00.002-04:00

I pulled into the parking lot and found quite a few good spots. After parking and making sure I had my list, I headed for the door past a couple of friendly-looking ladies thanking me for coming out....when I pulled open the door, there were four friendly people, all intent upon....ME, I was the only one there, for a moment, then another "Cathy" walked up. Really, her name was Cathy too, how's that! After making sure I was who I said I was...all conducted in English, thankyouverymuch, I headed over to the kiosk, marked my ballot, fed it to the machine and realized that as of 1pm, I was number 98 voter for the entire day so far! I am so disapointed in YOU guys.
The good news is that the folks I voted for all won! The bad news is that so very few of the voters showed up. Can't think of another clever thing to say. So will say, God Bless America
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cathy

Get out and Vote

2009-10-06T10:51:00.002-04:00

Dear ones,
Today is an election day in counties all over the USA. Small beans in the scheme of things one might say...I mean, how important is a seat on the school board???? HOW IMPORTANT! V-E-R-Y. Can I say it more clearly? With this election we can send a message to congress, we not only don't agree with how you're running our country, we will DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. We legally and morally have the authority to do this, so get your umbrella out and go vote (in the rain here in NC). Lots of good people have died so we can do this. Lots of good people sacrificed so we can do this. Lots of good people all over this world would love to be able to do this....we are blessed above all to have this liberty. Shame on all who decide to not participate. How dare you?
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cathy

Making a List!

2009-09-16T13:37:00.006-04:00

Good Wednesday friends and family...(not that my family is not "friends"...)
We, Paul and I, have a dream/goal. A dream is something that your heart desires...a goal is the end of a process in which you obtain your dream. Is that clear? Maybe not. Well, a dream is something out there...a goal at the END OF A LIST OF "TO-DOS". One dream was to be debt-free and live on our AF retirement (check!). Another dream is to save all Paul's regular paycheck (check!). And the big dream is to head out to visit every single state in the lower 48 and include perhaps a side trip to Canada a couple of times and perhaps Mexico too...anyhow...a longgggggggggg road trip of at least a year, THEN, head to Europe and spend at least 6 months in Great Britian and the continent....now, here's where the list comes in....
1) get some things fixed up on our house to get ready to sell in January 2010.
a. get yard in shape
b. get ceilings repaired and painted
c. power-wash
d. new counter-tops in kitchen (maybe a new sink???)
2) begin packing/sorting/tossing our belongings with an eye on a long term storage situation. Ask ourselves, "is this something that we will be glad to see 2 years from now?"
3) make long range medical plans
a. Dr. appointments and a full year's worth of prescriptions
b. Dental procedures...and regular appointments
c. Eye exams and new glasses
d. Fiona's shots and such...
4) Make final decision on travel trailer to purchase...think Casita is our choice!
5) Buy Blackberries or IPhones, don't know which...
6) New laptop?
7) Flip thingy for videos
8) Begin a new blog for this adventure
9) Continue to live life normally as we have no idea when the house will actually sell since we have never been able to sell it before!!!

That's the list. That's the plan. That's our dream/goal
So far, we have 3 books on road trips and a nice gps, it's a beginning
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cathy

We're heading back!

2009-09-03T08:29:00.002-04:00

Good Thursday everyone!
We are heading back to the "lake" for a fun-filled Labor Day Weekend! Sarah is helping me set up camp today so we can hopefully get a prime spot on good ol Loop 2....usually packed out....we will hope that folks are planning on coming tomorrow and we will slip in ahead of the crowd. Who knows? Some years it is very busy, others---dead. We have rented a pontoon for a morning and that should be fun. Packing light, well, lighter. No AC, no multiple chairs (just our 2), leave a big fan home, and some other stuff. The weather has taken it's cue from the calendar and is just a bit cooler, high in the 80s which makes for delightful camping weather. The nights dip into the 60s so we will be cozy. Celebrating granddaughter Jazmine's 14th BDay. Hooray for J. She is a lovely young lady who is very talented, smart and above all, kind. She is a delight. We love her dearly.
Oh, this camping trip I have made detailed menus in order to avoid taking too much food or not having what I need....since we are going for a short time, I don't want to spend any of it rushing out for an ingredient! I found a neat site here
it is full of good info and recipes and she is fun to watch. check it out! Perhaps I will do a "cooking show" video and share with you on the blog! Well, the sun is shining, the weather is "crisp" and autumn is on its way, another year heading into the stretch. 9/11 is fast approaching. Halloween decor is taking the place of "back-to-school". I was in KMart yesterday taking advantage of the great clearance prices on all things "Martha". I am so sad to see her leave KMart! I bought wonderful blankets, glassware and two sets of dishes all at unbelievable prices....we will use the blankets, the dishes were for Amy and the glassware for Sarah, so I didn't add much to our home inventory. I also began boxing up the summer decor for storage. I am so excited to begin this process which will end with our belongings going into long term storage while we travel for a good long while!
Oh, below is a photo of what 60 looks like.....

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cathy

Today is MY birthday!

2009-08-31T08:56:00.003-04:00

Hi there!

Well, Aug. 31 is the very last day of the month...been a bit vacant here on the ol blog...but, since it is my bday, thought I would check in and say hello. Last week Paul took the whole week as vacation and we did a "staycation" out at the lake. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies loaded up in that little red pick up and the black vw beetle...packed so tight that when you open a door something gets flung out with a whole lot of velocity. We certainly had a sweet set-up. It was hot...days averaged in the 90s, but we had 3 fans and an ac unit (no kidding) Nonetheless, we were sweaty. I read most of My life in France, by Julia Child. It is very very good and made me want to read her cookbook, so I bought Mastering the Art of French Cooking (not that I will ever make a single recipe in there, it is just a fun read, seriously). While at the lake we ate, read, walked, swam, and relaxed a whole lot, it was very nice. Paul had his bday while there too. Friday we packed it all up and came home to ac comfort. Saturday we saw Inglorious B*, it as a very good movie. I am now Two for two as Julie/Julia was also good.

I know I have rambled on about "change"....and for certain, it is what life is all about....I am so much more aware of change in this time of my life. When I look back, of course my previous years were chock full of change, but I do not recall analyzing or being even aware of all the ramafications of those changes...NOW is a different story. Change has me captivated. Perhaps it is because I have the luxury of free-time to ponder events??? Whatever, I am scrutinizing the changes happening or about to happen in my life both personally and globally. Thank goodness one thing NEVER changes...that's Jesus. I am so very thankful for the faith He has given me and the assurance that whatever change occurs, it is within His good will for me. I trust Him. Still, facing change can be painful or frightening, or both! A bit over 20 years ago my immediate family was moving to NC from Boston...a change that the USAF dictated and we complied. Not so easy for two teenage daughters and much drama and trauma ensued. Rough going. My parents were also moving...from Kansas to Arizona. A big change moving from family completely....now, that is something WE had been doing for all our married life, but not my folks...another big change and I have to admit I was surprised at them, how could they move away from family???? Well, fast-forward and here I am, 20 years older and contemplating the exact same type of movement...and I now know exactly why they did it, cuz it is why I will do it too. I admit that the dynamics of my family have changed and I will adapt to that change too! I will not sit and moan and resent...I will run, dance, skip to meet the change. I will change too.
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cathy

Still raining in NC

2009-08-02T19:09:00.002-04:00

Hello all,
I did not get the Madsen bike...but that's ok. I bet they are expensive. Nie got the bike and she deserves it for sure with small children and surviving an airplane crash and all she has been through. Wow. She is quite an example of strength. Blogland is full of stories of courage and compassion and strength and I really enjoy being part of it all. There's lot of humor and knowledge and good ideas out there too for any and all who spend some time searching a bit using key words. Or, I hop from blog to blog...did I mention I think I might have a bit of a dependency issue going on here? Just finished reading JULIE/JULIA the book about the young woman (Julie) who decided to do every recipe in Julia Child's THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING VOL 1 in a year and blog about it....she then wrote this book which then was made into a movie soon to be released! Now, that is a fairytale. I enjoyed the book altho the author is totally irreverant and cusses a whole lot and her friends are pretty immoral and slutty...now why did I say I liked the book???? I just did. Maybe because she is funny and an excellent writer. I can enjoy stuff without agreeing. She also says some stereotypical stuff about Republicans....which could be said about Democrats as well....but hey, it was her book. I am a bit tired of the cliches tho....they are lame. So, if you can read over the f word, don't mind hearing about women who don't mind having sex with married men and other such stuff...then you will enjoy the book, maybe. Am I recommending the book? With reservations. Will I see the movie? Sure.
Now, on the the TIME TRAVELERS' WIFE what a rare book it was....awesome in it's ability to make sense in the middle of "who's on first, what's on second and I don't know on third!" I mean, half the time I had no idea where the heck the guy was....but somehow it worked and I loved this book/story. How will they ever make this movie???? Am I going to the movie? You betcha!
What do you say?
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cathy

Wild Kingdom

2009-07-30T11:53:00.002-04:00

This is our Sweet Bird

This is another ....sweet bird!

Hello everyone,

This is the photo I wanted to share...right here in our very own backyard! He is sitting (could be a she?) on top of our empty of seed bird feeder pole. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him/her and I said, "Hold that pose!" and rushed over to my ever handy sony camera and snapped this pix! I think we have very active hawks in our neighborhood. Birds are so interesting to watch and even a casual "birder" like me, have moments of sheer and total pleasure as we happen upon something this wonderful, quite by accident! I remember one morning I was driving down a stretch of Cary Parkway just before a bridge over a greenway walk, kinda secludid and there, in the middle of the two-lane road was an eagle. He was tall enough to look me eye-to-eye as I drove very slowly past him and he did look me straight in the eye...I couldn't believe it, I felt like I was in some kind of nature movie or theme park, but no, I was on Cary Pkwy....other cars slowed down to pass him on the other lane, it was surreal. A moment to remember. Maybe my life hasen't been all that exciting, but I tell you, seeing that eagle up close like that is a memory I treasure.

Growing up, we had a series of pets, mostly found ones like strays or baby bunnies or squirrels. We did have a very nice parakeet named Auggie. He was a great fellow we all loved and he lived a great long time and so began my fondness for budgies. Paul and I love dogs and we have had a dog for most of our married life. After spending some time visiting my folks and their birds, I wanted birds again too....so I bought Peep and RePeep. A great pair of parakeets....RePeep was with us for 4 years when suddenly he passed....poor Peep...she did miss him. So, my good friend and bird-lover Michelle found a bird in need of adoption. Enter Sweet Bird...well I have posted about him before, so 'nuff said. He is a Prince of a Parakeet. Thought that these two pix of birds would be quite interesting to share. Should of called this post "Birds of a feather" (now isn't that clever????)

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cathy

A LOT of rainy days and homemade wine

2009-07-29T18:24:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone,
First, let me tell you I am sick of the phrase "scattered Tstorms". We have been having that phrase in our weather forecast for the past week and it continues to pop up for the next full week!!! Rain every day. It is very green that is for sure, but not good for camping, which is what I would love to be doing this weekend. We could take our chances, and maybe it would not rain until after we got set up....but it might rain alot after we're all set up and then we would have to put it all away wet which is not good....but still....I want to get out and do something...............summer is quickly passing.
Last night was the book club. We have no name as yet. Very nice ladies. Lovely home. Adorable pets and family. Good book to discuss (The Art of Racing in the Rain). Homemade WINE. My gosh it was awesome. I had to have some cuz I am a good guest. 3 kinds. I had the merlot. All I can say is it was incredible. After 3 sips my tongue was numb (say that 3 times fast). Then, I spilled my soul....I mean I talked talked talked. Told all about my kids, their spouses, my grands, camping (in detail). Would somebody please gag me???? Oh, no, these are nice ladies. Hope they understand I am a very cheap date. I told them I would get up and dance if there was music playing....(I will be at the next bc meeting with a paper bag on my head). I don't get out much and now you know why!
It is raining AGAIN.
I am on Twitter. I don't know why. I am on Facebook. I don't know why. I have about a thousand blogs I follow daily...I think I have an internet dependancy issue. I found a wonderful pastor who is doing a series of sermons on the book of Ruth. Today his sermon actually made me hungry for crusty bread dipped in garlic-flavored olive oil from Macaroni Grill...then he actually mentioned that in the sermon!!! Hello, am I into this or not? I got out two frozen rolls, heated 'em up nice and made my olive oil dip and voila, lunch! All while I listened to the rest of the sermon. Now, don't look up to me as a pillar of sainthood...I also watched the last of the Bachelorette. I love Jillian, she is cute and dresses the best of any of them. I love to see what she will wear and she never lets me down, a class act. I also loved Ed from the very first, so I was happy with the ending, but what I had to go thru to get there...ugh, I hate to admit I even watched it, but, well, I am confessing right here.
There are no pix today, sorry, but I do have a great one to share. I know some of you are out there saying, "Bet she won't post today" so I had to write something just to surprise you....all two of you! (Karen and Joyce)
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cathy

Miss Eula Part 2

2009-07-21T12:40:00.003-04:00

Well, we brought Miss Eula home and let her get comfortable on the sofa in our parlor...here she is sitting next to Paul as he checks his email....

Look out Paul!!! She is a barracuda...very very friendly. Think I will have to do something about her!

She is now re-located in the great room...cooling her heels

She loves to put her feet up and relax. But she is such a flirt!

Even with that big crack...she is still feeling frisky

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cathy

"Camping Queen"

2009-07-20T17:02:00.004-04:00

The "Cottage"
All inside our wonderful screen room! No place like home!!!

The thrill of it all...see the hose? Makes doing dishes a snap!

Even Paul took a turn at the amazing camp kitchen sink!!!

That's the sweet lil microwave behind my smiling camping queen face! (the left lense of my over-the-counter reading glasses kept falling out all weekend...bummer. came home and glued it back it place!)

Dear folks,

(Remember the song from the BeeGees...."Dancing Queen"? well just substitute "Camping" for "Dancing" and there you have it...my theme song!)
Back from the wilds of Raleigh, otherwise known as Lake Jordan. We had a very nice time camping out...but must admit that it is a big deal to set up and take down and if we go out on a Friday, that means just one real day to relax, then it is back to breaking up camp...too much for a couple of old folks! I like comfort when I camp and that equals....indoor/outdoor carpet, camp kitchen, screen room for cooking and relaxing, toilet, private shower, ac and comfy bed....that takes some time to set up....and to all this add....A MICROWAVE!!! Yep, I got us a cute little one at Target for just $39, how cool is that? Along with our dorm fridge, neat-o hot plate, elec. skillet, and toaster....what else could you want??? Oh, our tremendous fabulous, unbelievable....camp kitchen! I love cooking now and doing dishes is just such fun. I am the envy of all who tent camp out at the lake and folks are in total awe of our set-up....but all this takes time and patience and fortitude...which we have to have plenty of since we have decided not to go into debt to buy a camper, which would not be half as cool as out tent set-up. I did not visit the campsite shower once, yet took lovely warm showers every single night in our two-room shower tent! even washed my hair! So, all we need is an inflatable pontoon boat (do they make those?) and we will be totally set! We do have the megastation!!!
I love America!
I love the outdoors!
I love my camp kitchen!
and
I love my hubby for loving this stuff too
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cathy

Back to the Lake

2009-07-16T08:48:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone,
DH and I are headed back to the lake for this weekend. The weather forecast does not look very promising....30% chance thundershowers today, 50% tomorrow and all day Saturday...pt.cloudy on Sunday....and you are probably asking yourself "why?" It is fun for us to be in a tent when it rains....
Stuff dries fast.
We love the "get away from it all" feeling of being out at the lake.
So, I am all packed up in the "W" and Paul is meeting me out there around lunch time to help set up the tents (I will have them all put together ready to raise). He will head back to work, I will go home, get the cooler and dog and head back out until Sunday afternoon....We will set the new camp kitchen up....it is awesome! and I will take photos...I really do enjoy doing this and so does Paul, so we are HAPPY CAMPERS.
Yep, you heard it here.....
What are your plans for the weekend? Harry Potter? BBQ? Relax? Shop? Eat?
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cathy

Miss Eula

2009-07-10T20:03:00.003-04:00

Meet my tea friend, co-worker, confidant and always smiling dear sweet Miss Eula. I bought her 9 years ago for two reasons: 1) Her name is Eula and that was my Grandmother's name and 2)she makes me smile. She has been my trademark during my whole life in tea and we have toted her to teas near and far, she was in my tea room with me, at the flea market every weekend, always positive, always cheerful, always there for me. She had been hanging out in our storage unit for some time and when I opened my little booth at the consignment shop, I thought she would enjoy being out among folks again, plus, I put a price on her and thought perhaps someone might be able to use her in their business....well, folks let me tell you....Fuquay was not nice to my Miss Eula. Someone took her false eyelashes several months back and today I had the worst shock of all...she fell and split her scull! She has a hole in her head now...right at her hairline, but her face is cracked almost in half...oh, let me tell you I was just sick! And do you know what that lady at the Brew 'n Browse did after she told me "sorry" and that she didn't have insurance and was not going to give me any money for the damage and she figured her daddy didn't see or hear anything....she wanted to give me a HUG!!! I have not been so upset in quite a while. Miss Eula is family to me. She doesen't deserve this kind of treatment....I am bringing her home, will pamper her a bit and try to make it up to her with a bit of glue, some new eyelashes and a bit of new make up. She's still smiling. I was in a bad mood, but got over it, finally. All my stuff is out of the B&B and now what??????? There's not much left of the tea business.
Some days are like this.
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cathy

A "good thing"

2009-07-09T10:20:00.012-04:00

Cluttered fridge....a problem

Cork tiles....the solution

Affix adhesive squares to back of tile....(I just love the word "affix")

Back of cabinet door

Affix cork tile to afore-mentioned back of cabinet door

Voila! I use push pins to hold everything on the cork

less is definately best!

Hello everyone,
I must admit that I am a Martha Stewart fan from waaaaaaaaaaay back. I have her Entertaining book, 1st edition. She is undoutably the absolute genius of our time.....culturally speaking at least....and promotionally, marketing, branding, astute, savvy, quality-driven person of the past century and this one too! Whatever short-comings she has, and we all have them, she has become an American Icon and I salute her and enjoy the light she shines. So, here I am, doing a "Martha" thing....by way of a blog called Young House Love . You must check them out, they are so talented and charming and live up the road from here in Richmond, VA.

Hope you enjoy this little project. cheap+easy+fast sounds like a bad girl from my high school days!

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cathy

Two Days in a Row---Way to go!

2009-07-08T17:07:00.002-04:00

I am a rolling stone.

I am a dreamer of far-away places.

I am a gypsy.

Fortunately....my dh is ok with this.

I love our home and being at home makes me happy, BUT....I do get the "wunderlust" and must travel if at all possible, so the short drive to Lake Jordan kinda satisfies me. I am already making plans in my head for our next stay. I have found the absolute ultimate "camp kitchen" accessory so check it out, watch the video. Now you know I am "into" camping in a big way.

There is so much left for me to see and as a grow older I am aware of my time limitations and I am in a hurry to get on the road. But, I have to confess here and now, I have already seen and experienced so much more than I ever dreamed possible that I am so very thankful for and will never feel short-changed. On the other hand, this is a very wide world. I read (skimmed) the 1,000 places to see before you die....book and I had seen maybe 20 of those places, but hey, many of them I really don't care to see. so, there. Don't have a "bucket list" either. Just want to get on the road and see where it goes.

My friend Karen says you should never go back and see a place twice...and she is right to a point. I will always go back to NYC. That is about it.

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cathy

Our camping story

2009-07-07T09:41:00.004-04:00

The little red truck all packed up
Camp Smallwood loaded and ready for home

The VW has the over-flow

VW packed tight

Inside our cottage

see our "AC" unit?

Lake Jordan

another view of the lake

Fiona likes the "carpet"

this little dorm fridge is a life-saver!

other end of screen room

Camp kitchen inside screen room

Inside the VW headed for camp

Hello everyone,
I have taken some photos to share, but my camera is needing her battery charged before I can download....so, the text will be first!
Paul and I have had a love affair with camping for our entire married life. We took our first trip for a weekend get away while my mom watched Matt. (Matt turns 40 this August....so it was waaaaaaay back!). Our "rookie" trip was a bit of a disaster, but we had enough fun that we didn't abhore the thought of camping, we just didn't do it again for years. While living in Germany we made friends with several couples at our church and these folks camped while site-seeing! They invited us to join them one weekend in May and the rest is history. We had 3 small children and the very best way to travel with them was camping and I was determind to see as much of Europe as we could possible see on a Staff Sargent's salary. We began with a sturdy canvas tent and camp stove and progressed to a "caravan" which is a pull-behind camper. Our Tabbert camper was adorable and would be classified "vintage" as it was made in the '60s, but it was heaven for us. We spent 3 weeks in Italy, a week in Switzerland, a week in Holland (made 5 more trips to Holland in that camper), long weekends in France, and many many trips in Germany. My friend Karen was a pro at organizing and arranging and she advised me on the best way to pack, plan and prepare for 5 traveling for extended periods, what fun we had. Planning was literally half of the fun. I would read about a place to see or an event to attend, then we would put together the itenerary and then plan the food and the clothing needs. Wish I had a photo of that camper to share, I will hunt for one. Seems like another person in another lifetime, but we were all together and having a good time. A dream come true for a girl from the heart of America who never thought she would see such sites!
After 5 years in Europe, we returned to the USA and settled in Idaho of all places! Each summer we would travel to Kansas and then to Ohio to visit our families and we camped for those trips. Back to a tent again. A cooler and sleeping bags (no air mattresses for us). Primitive and kinda uncomfortable, but we were still young and it was cheap.
We camped while stationed in Boston at the military camp site called Fourth Cliff just up the road a bit from Cape Cod, what a beautiful space and so much to see and do while in the area. We tent camped there as well and the view was awesome, but the wind could get fierce too.
Moving to North Carolina kept us busy and our kids were teens and life was hectic so camping was not on the agenda for a while, but we started tent camping to go to the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain and then bought an Aliner camper (a very neat one which we loved). We camped all over in that fellow for a couple of years, then he was totaled by a storm and we were back to tenting it! My tea business kept me too busy to even think of camping, but now that I am not running a shop, I have time to plan and prepare again and Paul and I are camping up a storm. Lake Jordan is just 20 min. from our front door, yet you feel as if you are out in the wilderness when you are there. We have already been out camping there four times this year. We began with a trial run of camping the week before we had our "Camp Lake-In-the-Woods" with the grands, then we had camp, then we met Paul's twin brother John and his wife Ruth out there for a weekend camping and Sarah and Amy and families joined us, then we were back for the 4th.
Well, all this rambling, so sorry but my memories got the best of me for a moment...I once did a talk on camping in Europe for Christian Women's Club and called it "Camping....how can so much work be so much fun?" that is still true to this day. I told Paul I feel the same after getting all the Christmas stuff down each year....but hope I never tire of doing this as it keeps us in the flow of life. We work hard, but oh it is so enjoyable.
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cathy
ps pictures will follow!

2009-06-29T13:59:00.003-04:00

Our Cottage (without the roof cover)
View of inside and one of the closets

The "MEGASTATION"

Good Monday to you,

Definately summer time here in NC. Our highs are in the 90s and clear blue skies. Lawns are baking, container plants are withering and corn is about 5ft. tall and lookin good....perfect summer. We are "stay-cation" pros here on Arrowhead Way...Paul and I are loving camping at the lake and each time we go we up the anti on comfort....this trip we added a wonderful screen room to our inventory....it is 10' x 20' and a delight to set up and just keeps us about totally bug free, plus great shade and protection from rain....if it ever rains again. We get a site with elec. and water and hook up a good heavy-duty extension cord to a multi-port elect. power strip and we can plug in our dorm fridge, our elec. skillet, our crock pot, or elec. tea kettle...our wonderful fan or even our Ipod dock...

I also connect a long hose to the water source and we have water on demand without going out of the screen room! Next on my "hafta have" list is the Coleman Hot water on demand unit and a free standing shower room and I will be in bliss!!! I love camping. Luckily, so does Paul and 2 of our 3 children, so we all head for the Lake and have some fun. Amy has a canoe, we have the Mega Station, lots of blow up rafts and such, and it is total water fun, campfire, eating smores, hanging out fun. and cheap too...no it is not Disneyland, we make most of our fun ourselves...and cook all our food too. The best part is being together and enjoying the moments. Paul and I like to head out alone too... so we have our recreation and don't spend a bunch.

When we pack up, it looks a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies tho....I promise to take a bunch of photos to show my mother...so I will share with you all after the 4th. Now remember, we all love doing this. It would be a different story if one of us was not as enthusiastic.

Well, I am off the find the two-room shower tent......

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cathy

Thursday thoughts

2009-06-18T15:19:00.002-04:00

Hello all... I saw this poster first time in an article I was reading about a couple in NYC. The article was in Domino...a now defunct design magazine I really enjoyed....along with Country Home, Blueprint, and Mary Engelbreight's magazine....anyhooo. Then I kept seeing the poster pop up in all kinds of cool apartments, homes, kitchens, bedrooms, just everywhere and I wanted it too! So, I ordered it off Etsy and framed it and hung it over our fireplace where a big basket of neat flowers and such used to hang over a neat arched window frame....that is now gone! I had noticed an abundance of silk flowers in our great room...they were all great, and I love them and they look not silk, but real and you would love them too and not think they were fake or anything....but they were just too much, so now here is our way=cool poster instead. How's that for thinking outta the box?
The fireplace mantle used to be white....boring...then I painted it dark dark blue, better....after our fire in '05 I had them paint it black and I added the embellishments and voila! better.
I am debating with myself on the idea of painting our kitchen cabinets...we have lived here at least 19 years longer than I ever thought we would.....we moved into the house brand new back in 1988!!! I turned 40 that summer too....we have moved into this house 3 times!!! painted the outside 4 times already, replaced the hv/ac 3 times and the water heater twice. We have had a house fire that netted us a brand new roof, all new insulation and dry wall not to mention pergo flooring downstairs and smooth ceilings throughout and all new ceramic tiles in the bathrooms....we are blessed. Now I think we should paint the kitchen cabinets....white....but I am scared. It is a big job, could look really bad and would be a mess or could look fantastic and we would do the happy dance....
I have been seeing alot of photos of bloggers who do this very thing and they all look so nice and everyone looks pleased....what do you think? Is this a fad (painted cabinets) or a real style statement?
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cathy

Camp Lake-In-the-Woods

2009-06-17T14:12:00.004-04:00

Dear Ones,

We made it home safe and sound and pleased with our 4 day camping adventure with our teens, wow, it was a whole lot of work, but also alot of fun too. Paul and I went out a day early to get set up and we stayed a day longer to take down...the stuff we hauled was huge....would you believe we even had a dorm-sized fridge???? yep we did. The kids ate well......and no rain the entire time!!! Dave Ramsey's Generation Change for teens program was awesome and we believe the kids learned a whole lot about the value of money and their own value too!!! So, all in all, we are pleased, but pooped.

Next week is Vacation Bible School at church and I am helping there so it will be another busy week. I am glad for this bit of a break although, I need to do some planning and prep for the week ahead.....

Our yard looks like the "Land that time forgot"....just a week of neglect and it shows. So, we will spend a bit of our weekend on the yard along with setting up for VBS and Father's Day....

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cathy

Summer Time

2009-06-10T14:04:00.010-04:00

Summer time is....camping! (our new "camp cottage")

I took over 200 photos of setting this little baby up....it is quite a process, but oh, so nice!

Summer time is "end-of-the-year" programs above is Bella in her dance recital

Woody on far left with his buds at the High School Band concert (he had a solo btw, and did awesome)

Zion recites poetry at the Poetry tea at his school

Summer time is parents attending all the wonderful programs!

Summer time is tea parties!!! with friends

Summer time is re-covering the sofa in a soft white with new pillows! A "no sew" project, of course!

Summer time is gardens....my small herb garden

So, are you ready for summer???? It will be in the 90s all week long here in NC. Camp Lake-in-the-Woods begins this Friday.....ye gadz and rain and heat are in the forecast, so folks, it is going to be ****fun***** really, it will be. I have so much planned, just hope I can pull it off.

Took our friend Fiona for her check-up and found out she and I are the same age!!! both 60. And the vet is just like my Dr. trying to push lots of tests and such...me and Fiona just say, "No thanks" Still cost over $200. whew, she is glad it is over, and I still have to go back cuz I did not get her heartworm pills.....well, this post is just to keep in touch, I don't know how much I will get to post until after camp, then VBS begins. But July promises to be lots less eventful.

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cathy

I promise to do better.....

2009-05-29T16:46:00.005-04:00

Hi friends---family---et al
I have been very slack and altho I have some good excuses, still, I could have been a bit better keeping in touch.
1) I got a bad bug, maybe a bit of flu, not of the swine persuasion tho....and I have been out of it for 2 whole weeks.
2) My life is mundane
3) Couldn't think of a thing worth saying and that is pretty difficult to admit as I can usually chat to wrong numbers!
So, here and now, I do so promise to do better.
Now, I need to post a bit of great retail info. I found Wild Olive via another blog....(don't ask me who, I do so much blogging and love it so...)
oh, I know from Stellan's mom at this blog you need to check that one out! Such a wonderful family...there's ever so many of them out "there". Anyhow, the mom was wearing a tee that I loved and had my favorite Bible verse on it and she gave a link to the web site where you can buy the tee yourself, and I did and I also bought another so now I have two and can't wait to get out there and witness and you should get one or two of them too! I got the "transform your mind" one...and they are both way way too cool, I love them and you will too.
Just two weeks from today and Camp Lake-In-The-Woods begins! Planning is at fever pitch here at camp headquarters....lots of fun for the campers. Since I have been a bit under the weather, I have not done much planning but that is behind me now. There will be 8-10 teens and tweens at the camp plus me, my dh and my two daughters. Adults are the councilors. We will have 3 tents (cabins) plus the Lodge where food will be prepared and campfires will be held, oh, it is all alot of fun, plus this year we will do Dave Ramsey's Generation Change for financial freedom! I think they will enjoy the sessions with Dave and then we will have tons of other stuff to do too. I'll let you know more about the plans as the days progress towards camp! Even at my advanced age, I love camping and being outdoors. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, check out Wild Olive and let me know what you think!
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cathy

Did I NOT blog one single day in April???

2009-05-04T15:58:00.009-04:00

Five perfect small blue eggs
5 perfect little house wren babies

Mama is watching me watch her!

Yep, they are all there and thriving

Oh look, only two left, we watched the Mom and Dad come and persuade the babies to fly the coop! These two are reluctant, but ready!

Empty nest says it all....

That is a rhetorical question...... the heading, I mean...not the empty nest (altho I know what an empty nest feels like...lonely/quiet/finished.)

oh dear, I am terribly sorry and all. If you missed me, I was still here, just not much to share altho I had a lovely April and no catastrophes that I can recall....and May is going quite nicely so far......I feel a bit like Alice as she falls down the tunnel......life is passing me by very quickly and I have no idea where I will end up...well, I mean I know where I ultimately will end up...but for this here and now...I still am waiting to turn the page. I have made some very strong decisions about my health. I am watching what I eat very closely...using http://www.sparkpeople.com/ an excellent FREE site for healthy weight loss. I am working hard on my $ habits (learning new areas of self-control is painful friends!) I take a cart and do my twice around Target all the while saying, "can't eat this...can't eat that, can't buy this, won't buy that!" painful.......I think my source of happiness quite honestly came from food and stuff I bought. Pitiful. So I sit here and I want to eat SOMETHING probably salty or chocolate....but I WILL NOT. I will eat yet another delicious tangerine! Yes, I am coming face-to-face with the truth about Cathy! I have lost 8 lbs so far. I am not trying to loose weight to fit into a size 8...I want my numbers to go down for my blood work as in cholesterol and diabetes and blood pressure and oh yes, my liver count too....none of which are yet over the top....but I am heading that way and if I simply use a bit of self-control and change some bad (not illegal or immoral) habits...I could make a huge difference in the next 20 years of my life (Lord willing).

I have also discovered http://www.daveramsey.com/ and am totally hooked on the Total Money Makeover! so....that has been my April....and will be my May....etc.

I did do a desert tea for the local library and if you would like to see a slide show of the event here is the link.

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cathy

Saint Patrick's Day in Raleigh

2009-03-26T16:43:00.005-04:00

My husband Paul, has been on the "parade committee" for 17 years and his particular job has been to oversee the Irish Village. This is held on Moore Square in downtown Raleigh and involves food, drink, entertainment, bathrooms skydivers and crowd control...not necessairily in that order...well This year, he has given the lead over to another, and did just non-profits and the dancers...which was way less stressful. Also, the parade was post-poned for a week due to terrible weather...so on the 21st of March Raleigh celebrated!!! And what a grand day it was.
The largest American flag to "fly" with a sky diver!

Awesome!

I have tons more photos here

Just click on Raleigh St. Patrick's Day parade and you can have a look.

Last night was the beginning of a good thing. A book club. 9 of us met...some knew each other well, others had never met. Really a nice evening. Our first book is Water for Elephants. I am looking forward to reading the book and getting to know these ladies better! Thanks Joyce and Karen for getting us organized! Neither of those ladies had met before last night. They "met" in the blog world. Isn't it a small world after all????

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cathy

Which comes first?

2009-03-04T14:17:00.004-05:00

Click on the photo and enjoy the pictures. From the George and Martha series by Marshall...such humor is univerally appealing to "children" of all ages.....

Picture1: George is peeking in the window Picture 2: Martha is having a bath while George watches Picture 3: Not a good idea to peek!

Good Wednesday Friends,

So, which comes first....the headline or the text? Well, for today it has to be text, cuz I have NO earthly idea where this post is headed!!! Once again my world is a bit small and not so full of anything worth much discussion.....Now, next week is full of stuff....Fiona goes to the beauty shop, I see my Dr Zhang, Paul gets ready for the big St. Pat. Parade and actually, it is held next Saturday...the 14th (my dear mother's birthday). Our house is looking nice an spring-y while it is still looking a whole lot like winter outside....we expect warmer weather this weekend, so that should make a big difference!

I could talk a bit about the Dow Jones..........NOT

I could share some budget factoids...........NO WAY

I might share some dietary info.................HOLY COW NO WAY

so.....this is limiting my ability to wax eloquent. Oh, you will not believe this but Paul is hooked on the Bachelor....he is giving his opinion of Jason (he's a jerk, says Paul and he doesn't trust him one bit...watch out Molly) and we are both happy that Jillian will be the bachelorette as she is by far the best dressed of any of those gals...loved her outfit last night, very classy. And tonight is Lost, so we are happy about that....we only have 3 channels we can get on our tv and I hate television but we are kinda hooked on a couple of shows.....are you hooked on any show?

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cathy

We had some snow!

2009-03-03T16:05:00.007-05:00

This is "today", Tuesday...note the beautiful blue sky? Note that the snow is almost gone...

This is our snow of Monday, really heavy, wet and beautiful

A holly bush covered in our March snowfall...wish you could see how hard it was snowing

Our daughter Amy stopped by and waited for her office to open

The redbud tree through the screen porch...it was already getting buds, wonder what will happen as it is usually so very pretty

An internet purchase....cupcake toppers, but way too pretty to use for that purpose, don't have the foggiest idea what I will do with these pretties, but I know they will come in handy. They came in the lovely doiley envelope wrapped in tissue and tied with a pink satin ribbon, how very lovely.

Happy Tuesday everyone,

This has been another day of hibernation for me....been getting on board with a program thru this fellow .

We purchased his software and now I am plugging in all the info, it is incredible...but a bit time-consuming and overwhelming at first.

IKEA just opened late February in Charlotte....not too very far from where I live...ok, 2 and a half hour drive....but hey, that is not that far to travel....our closest IKEA was DC area and that is a good 4 hours drive, so this is an improvement. I am itching for a road trip.....but with my committment to our finances...well, maybe a road trip is not a good idea. It is so painful to change your habits....self-control is an acquired attribute. We humans are more into self-gratification...oh, we can label it alot of other names....but boil it down, its all the same: we want what we want when we want it. (oh I do hate to end a sentence with a preposition....). I am in the process of changing some hard core habits of mine and will try to tackle them with God's help one day at a time. Phil4:13, Romans 12:2 and Phil2:5 are giving me support, you'd think I was on heroin or something....it is just food and money, we all need both, but some of us handle them better than I do and anyway, I need a change, it is good for me. I find that these two...food/money are very inter-related and principles I am applying in one area really do apply for the other, so it makes it a bit easier as I am getting two for one....in some ways.

I will keep you posted on the red bud, he sure is a pretty fellow and I hope this snow did not harm him....

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cathy

Springtime hits the Brew & Browse

2009-02-28T18:09:00.011-05:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!
We have tons of vintage china to pick and choose from to create a lovely tea table

Lots of different ways to make the perfect cup of tea...not to mention many other goodies

Bunnies and chicks, a sure sign that spring is in the air!

(you can click on any photo for a close-up)

Lots of lovelies

I worked pretty hard on this little booth

Miss Eula is peeking thru to say "Hey Goodlookin' "

Happy Saturday friends,

I have been spending lots of time prepping for the new look at the booth at the Brew & Browse and this past Monday and Tuesday I worked hard to create a little masterpiece of "WOW". I sure hope it does the trick and stuff just flies off the shelves....Someone (who could be so evil?) actually pulled off Miss Eula's eyelashes!!! So I have her "behind glass" and hope she will be safe! They are a rough crowd out in Fuquay.....

The weather is very dark and rainy here in NC, that's ok with me, I had no big plans and so my dh and I stayed in all day doing house-type stuff and eating good, sensible food! I go to see my sweet little Dr. Zhang this month and hope to have a good report from her...she is ever famous for telling me once..."You not dead yet!" and the ever popular, "It's YOUR body" keeps me a tried and true patient of this good Dr. At the ripe old age of 60 you tend to think that your number is up at almost any sign of aging....or not, I mean a cough, or a bump and you think....awful stuff. I thought my red face was roseacia...but in fact, it was a day in the sun last St. Patrick's day....*whew* I really do think we boomers need to get a group going so we can compare notes and situations and suggestions....I mean there's a "What to expect when you're expecting", a "Your One Year Old, and on thru your teenager", why not a "What to expect as you're aging"...???? I mean, what is after menopause? Do you take SS at 62, or hold out to 66,67,68???? Sell your house and go on a cruise, stay put and just be happy to have a roof over your head. Count on your kids///don't count??? Tons of issues way too numerous to mention and that's the problem, we don't mention. I read blogs daily discussing pros and cons of budgeting working versus stay at home moms, food co ops, homeschooling versus public versus private schools, vacation planning with toddlers....oh there is a wealth of good fun info out there if you are YOUNG and raising a family.......hey, what about US??? I guess there is no fun left? Well, if there is we better hurry up and find it and while we are at it, let's share with others......PLEASE. I do not want to be an AARP--NO WAY, but I do believe there are many good days/years ahead....let's talk about them you empty nesters out there, got an questions? or answers or advice?????

I AM WAITING

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cathy

A winter walk in the park

2009-02-18T12:13:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,

Well, I did it! I made my video of our friend Fiona's walk in the park. It is here if you want to take a look. I admit, it is all dog, but kinda fun. Fiona is 10 and she has been taking almost daily walks in this park all her life, so she has come to believe that this is HER PARK. Usually we go during the day on the week instead of weekend and so we hardly ever run into other dogs...she actually likes that....she is a Princess, I guess. At any rate, it is rainy and miserable here today in NC and I am not getting out, neither is Fiona....so we will take our "walk" vicariously.

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cathy

Do You Remember????

2009-02-17T11:22:00.003-05:00

This is Zion in his 2nd grade classroom on Grandparent's Day (not the official day in Sept., but a special day at his school)
This is me and Z

This is what I brought to share with his class....the red booklet is my mother's autograph book from 1934, a photo of my mother and her mother, and Kit, an American girl doll "from the 1930s. I thought the children might connect better when they saw the Kit doll....

Hello everyone,

I promised some photos and here they are. The visit to Zion's class was very very nice. The other grandparents looked like grandparents, I always don't see myself as looking old enough to be a grand....but, that is just denial, I am sure.....the grey is there, more and more all the time...The children had questions to ask us and everyone shared memories of their childhood and how things had changed over the years....Change is inevitable, we can not count on anything remaining the same except love, deep, true, steadfast and eternal. There was much love in the room. Lots and lots of memories too. The most popular item brought to share was a bag of cool rocks....that Grandma knows her stuff!!!

I firmly believe we have to talk to each other, share our memories, relate our history. I remember vividly my 8th year....don't know why, but it is right there in the front of my head. Milton Moore, Brownies, the cafeteria, the greenhouse on Elmwood (not the color green, but a garden center that grew and sold plants of all sorts), Glenda Tally, Bobby Brooks, Paul Farmer, Gary Shelley, Amy and Nancy Sultzbaugh, Mike Donahue, Freddy Delriso....just to name a few...cannot remember my 3rd grade teacher's name tho.....I got the 5th disease that year. We always wore dresses with petticoats and shoes and socks, no tennis shoes! We played 4-square and dodgeball and lots of jump rope. I loved Captain Kangaroo and Rocky and Bullwinkle and the Three Stooges. I loved school. I didn't worry much about stuff altho everyone was a bit concerned about an atomic bomb and we did have drills for them as well as fire drills, but the idea of them actually hitting Milton Moore, well, seemed out of the question! We lived lives of bliss and innocence....played outside way past dark, never feared, ate whatever we wanted and never wore any kind of safety equipment. We did scratch our knees, bleed, loose skin, get scabs and bruises.....part of childhood, no one thought a thing of it, and we also got spanked.

Well, enough of memory lane, just got started and wandered away....My memories of those times are for the most part, happy and make me smile. That's been a long time ago and times passes so quickly, it almost seems like yesterday.

Share your memories with someone real soon, time is flying!

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cathy

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2009-02-14T12:03:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone!

This is my sweet little valentine's day gift from my wonderful husband! (wh) How very lovely of him to do this as I hate spending $$$ on flowers which just dry up and die in less than a week!!! This little cutie will last forever!!! I have added her to my "collection"

Paul and I have already done our laundry at the laundromat....and then I fixed a wonderful breakfast for us....we are planning a movie and then dinner (at home). I hate to eat out on Valentine's day....Mother's Day....Easter....Father's day.....4th of July....well, you know, holidays! Hope your day is special in some way.

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cathy

A little crafting

2009-02-12T17:37:00.007-05:00

Hello everyone,
Spring is in the air.....off and on that is! One day it is 70 and the next the high is 40. With swings like that in the temperatures it can only mean one thing...at least here in North Carolina...spring is on its way!!! The past two mornings I have been woken by the chirping of a very loud Carolina Wren and I have seen my first Towhee and Robin too!!! Daffs are pushing up and buds are out on the dogwoods....I was wandering through one of my favorite shops....Garden Supply....they are the masters of display marketing....saw the large letters spelling NEST and fell in love, but wait....they cost over $40, well over. Remember, I am living within my means these days, but I thought to myself, "I can do that!". I headed right over to Michael's and bought the paper letters and began creating. The photo above is of the process almost done....I embellished with ephemera (that's do-dads and what-nots in laymen's terms) and below is the almost finished project. I still have a wee tiny nest and 3 itsy bitsy blue robin eggs to attach to the E...they will be in my little shop at the Brew and Browse after Valentine's day....my spring theme is going to be "FEATHER YOUR NEST". (gotta have a theme)

Covering the letters was not that hard, but it did take some time. I had all the supplies on hand already, which made the project cost effective!

Here's the back of the letters...they look nice too, just not embellished.

I went back to Michael's and bought letters for TEA and hope to get those made also, it is rather fun to do, hope someone will think they are "gotta haves".....they will be much cheaper than $40!

Tomorrow I am invited to Zion's 2nd grade class for Grandparents Day. The teacher is hoping we can share a bit of ourselves with the children and help them to connect to the fact that we were once children, just like them! I am taking my mother's autograph book that I somehow acquired and is a treasure to me. In this book are autographs of her school friends, neighbors, cousins, aunts, grandmother and parents.....my grandmother and grandfather writing to their little 7 year old daughter....my mother....Zion's great-grandmother!!! I will take my Kit, American Girl doll as she is from the 30s era and the girls will be familiar with the doll....and I have a picture of my mother and grandmother at that age along with a recent photo of my mother....I will encourage the children to begin an autograph book and perhaps 75 years from now, they will be sharing with their 7 year old great grandchildren!!!! Ah, the circle of life!

I will take photos and share, I promise.

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tts,

cathy

Get Happy

2009-02-06T08:52:00.002-05:00

Good morning everyone!
So, the news is all bad???? Turn off the TV and radio....don't read the paper (if you are one of the 10 in America who still do!), ignore it all people!!! It is just plain bad for ya! I have a song here that will give you some solid encouragement and lift your spirits in all the right ways. I am so thankful that I believe God. Most of the time it is quite easy for me, and in those times when it is hard, well, somehow He gets through to me, hauls me up and out of dispare and well, it is just good, that's all I can say. When things get dark, I get excited, because I KNOW God has something in store for His people that will literally amaze them. Shock and Awe. What a way to live. So, in this current "economic crisis" I am just anticipating something so over-the-top awesome that I am on the edge of my seat!
Thank you Awesome God!!!
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cathy

Friends

2009-02-03T10:50:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful day of browsing....at a huge antique "mall" full of hundreds of booths! We spent close to two hours there and didn't see it all! But Linda got a great wrench, Joyce begain her vintage silverplate collection and I got a great frame (see above!). Then we headed to Pinehurst for tea at Lady Bedford's...perfect-o!

We ate the whole thing!!! Plus I had the best creme brule with fresh raspberries....

A day, well-spent. Oh, and did you notice...no heavy coats and that clear blue sky???? We have enjoyed a lovely winter in NC this year.

Thank you Joyce and Linda!

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cathy

The Road Ahead

2009-01-15T12:38:00.003-05:00

Here's our friend Fiona...she is on her walk in her park with her sweater on and feeling spunky! The road looms ahead...what is at the end of the bridge, the path that goes on, the one we just can't quite see... we have no idea what direction it will take??? Fortunately for Fiona, she is attached to someone holding her leash, someone who is taller and can see around the bend, someone who knows what is ahead and better yet for Fiona....she trusts the person on the other end of the leash! Who's on the other end of your leash?
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cathy

2009-01-14T18:56:00.003-05:00

DID YOU KNOW? Food Trivia;
The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.

Happy Wednesday friends,
Are you cold enough??? So cold we no longer call it "Global Warming" we now call it Global Climate Change....duh....I have always felt our elected officials should be sharp, sophisticated, urbane and aware...I am beginning to wonder who these people really are????? And worse...who do they think "we" are? They must have a poor opinion of our intelligence to insult us daily....hourly. But, we are good sports, we take it, re-elect them and blame someone...anyone else for all their failures. Hey we even give them raises, exemptions and perks that rival royality.
Speaking of perks, I just love being unemployed.
honest
I am getting used to living way within my means. I am spending my time with me. I have found my niche.
Hope nothing breaks around here
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cathy

OBF

2009-01-13T15:07:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone,

Let's see...my life...well....um.....not exciting. Shall I bore you....? Perhaps!

I love that word....Perhaps.....opens up a whole lot of options, right?

Well, the big news is I voluntarily opted for the "Senior" price on my movie ticket last Friday night....($9 for a regular ticket, $6.50 for Senior) to save $2.50, no problem....except the guy in the booth didn't even blink....guess I LOOK 60 (or over.....) See what I mean about my life???

I know I am in denial.

Oh, then I took our friend Fiona to "her" park for a walk and shot 65 pictures....of Fiona walking in her park....get my drift??? I think I will do a documentary and set it to music too.....

Finally get over to the Brew and Browse to "check" on my booth there...had not been since Dec. first, so knew I had to de-Christmas the spot and fluff it up for Valentine's Day....which I did. I still owed $ for booth rental which means I didn't sell enough to cover that expense.....so....now you know....I think I am an Old, Boring Failure. OBF

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cathy

Day 1 of 2009

2009-01-01T23:30:00.003-05:00

Hello....I couldn't resist at least saying hello on this very first day of the New Year! I have been silent, I know. Sorry. You have not missed much, honestly.
November....KC for Tgiving
December....NYC with 3 grands and middle daughter for a very quick 2 and one half days in "the city"
December....Christmas with our family at our home for Christmas morning then to the Matt Smallwood's for dinner and games that evening.
December....A lovely long weekend in Little River, SC with Matt, Jacki and girls at their new beach house!
December...New Years eve at home, just us two.
So, that catches you up.

Here's a little "treat" for you to enjoy. One day I spent a delightful couple of hours building a gingerbread house with my two youngest granddaughters: Olivia (4) and Sophia (3), they had just had their Christmas program at preschool, which I had attended, and so were full of song and showmanship!

Happy New Year one and all!

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Cathy

Oh My! it is November!

2008-11-09T09:22:00.013-05:00

Hello dear friends and family! I have "Chris-ma-tized" my little booth at the Brew and Browse...for the Christmas Open house just this past Thursday! Busy busy time....I created a "theme" (My dh asked me, "Why a theme??? Your booth is just 3ft. square!" ) He is so right, but I do love to have some kind of structure to my display....so, the "theme" is: BEGIN A TRADITION....CREATE A MEMORY.

You can see here that the space is very limited, Miss Eula always looks ready to party!

My little tree filled with Bonne Motes. They were fun to make, hope someone buys them!

Oh, here's is a nice cloudy skyline of my home town...Kansas City, Missouri. After War Eagle, my sister and I headed to KC where she lives. My folks live there also. I had just Monday to do some "KC STUFF"

I was able to visit the new Nell Hill's store...breathtaking.....over-the-top!!! Must see for any and all in the KC area.

Of course we had to have Bar-B-Q and this place was the "Nell Hill's" of bar-b-q!!!

Need I say more???

Now, I am back in NC and enjoying our annual Cary Band Day. The above is a photo of our Grandson's marching band. It was a beautiful day in the 70s, full sun no clouds. wow, the 50th anniversary band day for Cary, NC!

As you can see the colors of the trees are at their peak too.

This is Woody's band again.

We are proud band boosters.

Oh, and here is our youngest grandson Zion, as a sloth! What a great program his class presented this week too. Am I blessed or what???

So, this gives you a bit of an idea about where I have been and what I have been doing. Also got my annual mammogram. all's well on that "front". Not a whole lot of big news here other than, oh, the results of the election. Congratulations to all....and I am glad it is over. I sometimes think that I can make a difference, but am fairly cynical when it comes to politics, so the intensity of the past two years just wore me out. Let's get on with it!

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cathy

2008-10-23T09:35:00.002-04:00

I am back from "the War".....
What a great time once again down in Arkansas with all the ladies shopping! My mission was to find "the" hat! Well, I found two, wonderful, cool, classy, cute, very 20s hats, so I felt I achieved success. I also found a cute bird house, a neat button pin and earrings, a Christmas angel, a snowflake and a tiny pink pig, a wonderful pin cushion (which I think I have lost...boo hoo), sugar scrub, old very very old sheet music (as in 1904) and a tie-dye t shirt and a lovely mantle scarf....oh, I think that is about it. OH, a Sarah Palin T shirt too. We laughed and ate and had an all-round great time, wish you were there! Maybe next year............
Now, back to the real world. Today I go back to the dentist for my permanent crown, sure hope it is a short visit. My tmj was really awful this time, but thank goodness, no huge pain for a week now....yea!
Getting ready for a Christmas open house at the shop where my booth is located. That will be Nov. 6. Am trying to talk the dh into a road trip to KC for Thanksgiving again this year....we will take the dog this time! Also hoping to get to NYC before Christmas to help a friend celebrate a big birthday! So, I have a whole lot of persuading to do..................................yikes
I have a neat slide show on phanfare, check it out...
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cathy

A Tea Party!

2008-10-13T08:21:00.012-04:00

Good Monday morning friends!
This past Saturday my Daughter-in-law Jacki and I gave a baby shower tea for our friend Carolyn who is due to have her baby on Oct. 31! To celebrate this new addition to the family we invited friends for tea, of course! The colors we chose to use were soft green and violet as the gender of new baby is unknown to us.

Made these cute little cupcake flags from Tracey's kit you can click on the photo for a closer look.

Jacki is a tea party champ, she knows how to entertain in style!

Our "Hello Baby" banner and the tea trays ready to serve!

I made this vintage banner for Carolyn, that's Linda filling the cups with "mock" Devon cream and jam for the scones!

Here's another shot of the food...that's scones on the bottom, savories in the middle and sweets on top!

Here's how the table looked. A huge table seated 14!

Carolyn and Jacki

Below is a phot of another tea party event! I was fortunate to be invited to tea with these ladies last week. We had tea at Lady Bedford's Tea Parlour in Pinehurst, NC....wonderful!

After tea, we remembered to get a photo to remember the wonderful event and the good time we all had that afternoon. A very special thanks to Pat for treating us all to a very fine tea party!

Now, today I have a busy schedule...since I have been "waiting" for several things to happen and two at least have happened...I can begin to make other lists of things I need to accomplish!

1) I did not get my proposal accepted for the World Tea Expo, so that is now behind me. I admit at first I felt rejection...but that is silly, they have their reasons for choosing and while I know my proposal was perfectly acceptable, for their reasons they did not choose it, not because they don't like me...so I am over it!

2) My pain issues are lessening, while not gone, I am getting better little by little and for that I am extremely thankful.

So...today I go back out to my booth at the Brew 'n Browse and add more stuff! I will pick up a box of tea items from Jacki and also drop off some things for the Goodwill (Paul and I did a big closet clean-out over the weekend and have nice organized clean closets!)

I will take back to KMart a Martha Stewart bed spread I bought on sale for $24, since I purchased the same one marked down to $10 this weekend! Hooray!!!

Oh, slowly but surely, the elves at KMart are putting out the "Martha" Christmas decor....As you know, this is when I become almost a stalker at KMart. I go in every day and check to see what is out, what is new, etc, etc. I have been known to check out three or four KMarts in our area in a day....oh, I am so bad...and I am going to War Eagle THIS WEEK!!! SO, I need to be very good and not spend any $$$$

Oh, and this is my week to do a tea with the Lord!!! Wedgwood, that is.... Tea is on Thursday and then I fly out to Arkansas right after that! busy busy week. I will get photos this time!!!!

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cathy

OH MY GOODNESS....I ALMOST FORGOT................

Saturday was a competition for Woody's marching band and we attended with our daughter Amy. They won Grand Champion of the competition "Rumble in the Jungle". Here's a photo of Woody and his mom.

waiting

2008-10-06T12:30:00.002-04:00

Good Monday morning friends,
Well...I am waiting to "hear" from anyone regarding SOS...
and
I am waiting to hear from the Tea Expo regarding a speaking proposal I submitted. We were to hear by the end of Sept. as to who was selected. I received a nice email on the 30th stating they were overwhelmed with applications and they would get back to us with their selections by Friday, no later than Monday...well Friday has passed and it is Monday and still no word.
I am waiting to feel better....on Thursday I had a crown replaced and two fillings redone which may seem to you like not a big deal, and it wasen't actually except that I have TMJ and all those pain shots and having my mouth open for so long triggers a mega-attack on the muscles and nerves in my jaw and they have been giving me alot of problems ever since. I am not a good pill taker, but have been shoving pills down at an alarming rate to try to get some comfort. Last night I took the $28.88 pill, a muscle relaxer...which threw me into zombie-land...am finally beginning to focus and it is noon! I have taken oxycodone, and lodine too. The longest relief I have had is 4 hours and I am getting a bit tired of this...Yesterday I took 3 advil and got some relief so I was hoping things were beginning to get better...not so. Pain is a pain in the neck...or head...literally! I do not function well, sorry.
My weekend was lost to this mess, and so far my Monday is as well. I will call my dentist and inquire as to what we should do next???
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cathy

SOS

2008-09-30T17:36:00.003-04:00

Good Tuesday Friends,
I had a great idea, brought about by a bit of hardship and inconvenience, which sometimes brings forth good. Born from the experiences of a fire, my idea was: SOS which means: Simplify, Organize, Support! An 8 week course for those whose desire is to live life a different way. The class, in a nutshell, is a tool to help those of us who are hopelessly rambling around wanting to be organized in our personal life, our family life, our home and our dealings with the outside world...be it job, profession, school, career, whatever....those of us who recognize that "things" are holding us down, keeping us back, robbing us of freedom! We have all the good intentions...but just no accountability...hence, the "support" in SOS. Part of the appeal was that each of us in the class shared our frustrations and hopes and we gave support to each other. The goal was to begin to change our habits and acquire new ones in their place. Each of us claimed an area we would de-clutter and re-purpose by the end of the class, then...the last class we had a progressive party and went from house to house to view the finished area! We had a ball and it worked! Everyone achieved satisfaction from actually doing what they said they would do, it was delightful and what fun we had. I have been asked to think about doing this class "on line"....but I hesitate because part of the magic of a weekly on site class is the relationship built between all the attendees...but hey, blog land is full of wonderful friendships between people who have never met, so maybe this might work after all.... Now, Lindsey, you might say: "Heal thyself"....yep, I do believe I may be back sliding and I NEED this class again just for myself....well, what do you think? Should I put it together for a virtual class??? Mom, you do NOT need to take this course, you are the great de-clutter queen and I stand in awe of your refrigerator alone!!! But, for those of you whose fridge is one huge mumble-jumble (and you know what that means and who you are!) maybe SOS is for you.....
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cathy

Orange is "IN"

2008-09-22T23:30:00.014-04:00

Good monday evening friends....
yes, orange is "in" and doesen't it look good with blue??? I have discovered a new fondness for orange that I thought I lost decades ago....who knew? This is our front door wreath.

Of course Target has these wonderful door-mats for each season...I do think this fellow is very friendly looking and Fiona is keeping her eye on him too!

The pumpkin in the urn is ceramic and very real looking, says "Welcome Friends" kinda hokey, but I like it...so there! See the cute little crow flying above the pumpkin? I am liking crows too.

The lamp needed to be taller, so we got out a few old books, looks nice, huh? Those sillouettes are of me, my brother and sister...very vintage....

Another crow and more orange!

Yet more orange...our trees are not yet turning but there's lots of color inside!

This is a neat carved pumpkin or the kitchen counter....orange and blue....way cool.

Your first Christmas sighting!!! A new teapot from England called "A Fine Romance"...adorable! New St. Nick too (thank you HomeGoods)

More orange and blue with a great artichoke candle holder....

This is a very old tea cart and more great gourds and small pumpkins...orange again

Here's more crows...I will admit that the one is from the Dollar Tree!!! The other with a votive is from Target...love the print.

More orange and blue, there is a theme going here.

I love real-looking artificials, they are a good investment. If I have real flowers I usually cut whatever I have in the yard. Around Christmas I do use roses from Sams club, but I like the look of the artificials and I use them everywhere...they never die on you and always look good even if you NEVER water them! I have been drying my hydrangeas. They look wonderful, blues and violets...so pretty and they last a long time dried.

Well, I took alot of pictures just to show you a bit of my autumn decor, hope you enjoyed the "tour"

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cathy

The booth !

2008-09-18T17:31:00.009-04:00

Good Thursday Friends!
Here's a shot of the little spot before I got it all fluffed. ^

This is another pre-fluff shot from a different angle. (above)

Well, here's how it looks all done, but already I see things I need to change...oh me. At least it is almost all priced and tagged and I can take a break. HOpefully this weekend I will make some sales.....

More photos of the space. It is very small and I have a bunch in there, I do hope it shows off well enough. We will see...

I probably should have taken some photos of other booths. Some of them are much larger and very impressive. I just want to make enough to pay for the rental and make some $ and get rid of this stuff and maybe become rich and famous too. (smiling here)

Saw my sweet Chinese Dr. today, she is always upbeat and so very nice to me. "It's yo body" is her favorite saying and after telling me her opinions on the state of my health and hearing my thoughts on the subject, she always smiles and says: "It's yo body!" How can I argue with that??? Can I loose 30 lbs? That might solve all my woes...but that is not easy to do. The dh needs to loose the same 30 lbs. wonder if we can work on it together??? still, not easy for a couple who enjoy their food!

I went out to my beautician Ms. Beverly Booe! got me a Booe-do (the e is silent!) another perm, which is quite curly right now. cannot touch it for 48 hours...strict orders. Ms. Booe is tougher than Dr. Zhang!

Well, now I can relax a bit. Am attending a tea on Sunday, will take photos as it should be over the top!!!

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cathy

TWO WORDS

2008-09-17T09:00:00.003-04:00

Good Wednesday morning friends,
No, I am not limiting my blog today to just two words, but I had a brainstorm on my way home from working on my booth yesterday and thought this might be a good place to share the thought!
I think I would be correct to assume that what Americans of every ilk and political pursuasion really really want is CHANGE!, right? And if we were all really honest we would have to agree that the election of a President really won't bring about the big CHANGE that we, the people, seem to really desire. I sincerely believe we must change Congress---radically in order to begin to bring about the CHANGE that is desired by one and all. How do we do this?????
Here's where my two words come in:

TERM LIMITS

Think about it. We would have "citizen statesmen/women" not career politicians. We would have people who knew they were returning to the general population in a few short years so they better work hard and not screw it up. We would have true policy making done, not empire building. The "citizen soldier" served America well, still is serving....why not the Citizen Statesman/woman??? I, for one, would love to see some fresh faces and new ideas....I want change!!! Not just lip service and more of the same and no matter how hard they try, the executive branch will be thwarted by the legislative branch as it stands now. Let's see if we can convince more people to demand term limits for congress and see what those career legislators have to say to that kind of CHANGE!!! no pay raises, no huge retirement benefits, no special medical benefits.....just serve and good bye! Stop for a moment and think of this, why the huge outpouring of attention (both positive and negative) on the selection of Gov. Palin for VP on the McCain ticket? Could it be that for one reason she is not a Washington insider? She is a citizen-stateswoman!!! "The elite" are afraid of her because she is one of us....now, maybe you are not a conservative-Christian-woman-mother-Republican...but you are a civilian-person-not on the Federal government payroll-American...and so is she! The first thing I thought about was : "A breath of fresh air". No matter what your leanings are philosophically, religiously, or politically, you have to admit Mrs. Palin is no senator....for me that speaks volumns!!!

say it again:

TERM LIMITS

TTFN

TTS

cathy

Progress!

2008-09-15T16:12:00.013-04:00

Good Monday friends!
I feel very proud of myself because I spent 5 NON-STOP hours working on my little area at the consignment shop today!!! Here is how it looked after unloading yesterday (above photo) ^ Below v is another shot of the spot full of boxes! That is what greeted me this morning!

The first thing I did was to begin unpacking the boxes after I dusted and cleaned the two cabinets which hold most of the inventory!

Then, I decided to use some of my teacup tissue left from the Mall shop and lined the back of the kitchen hutch with it...turned out cute! You can see it here below v

Miss Eula sure did enjoy having so much company and she was all smiles while I worked my tail off!!!

I went through every single box...one is for sale to tea shop lady, one is lamps and I need to decide what to do with them and one is full of linens to be put out tomorrow I am sure. I moved Miss Eula out of the space as she was just in the way...sorry and I continued to empty boxes and stack stuff. I am getting the flow of it now and feel much better about how the spot will finally look, PLUS...while emptying a box I found a great menu from a tea class I did years ago and think I will use it to promote more tea classes in the shop...well, not the classes, those would be in homes...but I can advertise in the shop! So now my mind is running on more revenue streams.

My spot ends where you see the tall screens on the right of the cabinet. Someone else rents the space under the window. They rent every bit of space in this place...even book cases and the bathroom.

Kim, one of the owners made up my price tags from a 3pg list I gave her yesterday, but after unloading, I have 3 more pages of inventory...I have yet to tag anything...that is for tomorrow!

When I got ready to leave I wanted to make sure nothing "left" the shop before I had it tagged....so I swathed every space with fabric and I had made some cute signs to clothspin on the fabric to let people know the space would open soon. I love Alice in Wonderland, so used graphics from that book's illustrations and such, they turned out sooooo cute! Click on the photo to enlarge!

Miss Eula is now on the payroll ... she will hold this sign to let folks know we are on the way!!!

I call the shop "TEA TIME" I like that ...

Good by Miss Eula, hold the fort down, see you tomorrow.....

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cathy

Attack of the "Killer STUFF"

2008-09-14T11:57:00.006-04:00

Good Sunday morning friends,
I did promise pictoral proof of my challange....here is Paul sitting amidst a sea of "stuff". His job was to haul it out of the bowels of the storage unit to the light of day, where I would sort into: Keep, give away, sell at my shop, sell to tea shop owner and finally....toss (that was the 5th category....1)keep, 2)give, 3)sell, 4)sell, and 5)toss ) I still have about 20 boxes that I didn't get to , but now that we have accomplished this much, the rest will be a breeze! Here's another view with Miss Eula lounging in my sweet antique wicker tea cart....both are going to my shop to sell....hate to do it, but Miss Eula is a people-person and she has hated being cooped up in this storage unit with no one to flirt with...so off she goes to Fuquay, hope she makes tons of new friends!

On our way to late lunch...or early dinner...we passed a gas station selling regular at $4.09! Yesterday, Friday, it was up to over $5 a gallon, is that awful????? We both have a bit less than half a tank, but will wait to see it come down under $4 (you can click on any picture to enlarge)

We ate here, a great restaurant with a huge menu, lovely decor and great service. Notice the sky! It was 90 outside

Paul sure looks pooped here. He worked very hard in a very hot space, thank you sweet baboo!

This is MY dinner, salisbury steak with mushrooms and potatoes and gravy. I think I might have to begin changing what I eat, as the Dr. says my numbers are a bit high....so this was a big splurge, I drank water and had no dessert tho!

So, today we load up the truck and the W and head to the shop where we will unload and I will begin the task of fluffing and marketing all my wonderful stuff...will share photos as I progress.

Hope you are enjoying a restful Sunday, we are going to be very busy....

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cathy

Almost High Noon

2008-09-13T08:36:00.003-04:00

Good Saturday morning friends,
I have been procrastinating, with lots of good reasons. I have been piddling around, with plenty of time. I have been doing bits and pieces, without delving into the whole pie. TODAY IS D DAY. I have the good fortune to be married to a man who is such a hard worker and he is so kind to always be available when I need his help! So today, dh and I will tackle the monster that is named "My tea stuff". We will lug, pile, sort, trash, re-arrange, move, shove, heft, tug, transfer, haul, place, unload and re-arrange once again!!! I have been working piece meal (is that how that is spelled?) on the storage unit for almost 2 weeks, and have gotten alot done, but I really need help and thank goodness for Paul. So, I am up and will fix him a good breakfast and then we are out to work. Tomorrow we will load it up and take it over to the antique mall, then unload and next week I will work on fluffing everything. Oh, I also did an inventory of every single item and it's cost. Pictures coming, promise.
It is supposed to be in the 90s today, but dry, thank goodness again. I am thinking of those folks on the gulf and praying they are safe. We have been through a bad hurricane and it is not fun....for weeks. Gosh, we have been through a fire and a hurricane.
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cathy

To honor 9/11/01

2008-09-11T09:32:00.000-04:00

I remember..................

My walk on the wild side

2008-09-09T16:19:00.006-04:00

This is what our house looked like on March 10, 2005 *

Here's what your "stuff" looks like after a fire.... *

Good Tuesday "afternoon" friends,

I am a bit late in blogging today because I had to make a trip to the laundromatt and the bank...well, bank first to get $$$ so I could hit the laundromatt. After 3+ years of no washer/dryer in house, I was getting a bit flirtatious with the idea of owning a pair again....until we did a bit of shopping. I wanted Maytag, stackable and front loads....$1200 or more....hello laundromatt. I can live a while longer making the trek. Since it is just dh and me, life is very relaxed. We have plenty of undies, towels, and dishcloths/dishtowels...we can last a good long while under normal circumstances. Today's visit was comforter/duvet trip. Also did a whole load of cloth napkins of all sorts to iron and take to the shop and some vintage tablecloths I will also put in the shop....still have to make a laundry trip for regular clothes-type washing. A visit to the laundromatt is like a trip to another country...literally. Say, Mexico or Nigeria, or some Slavic speaking country....if I were INS I would have a field day as I am sure alot of my fellow laundry workers might be other than legal....but, who can say??? I know I have lived in Cary, NC for 20 years and in the last 8 we sure do have a lot more Hispanics here than ever before. We are quite the international destination...but in the Laundromatt you hardly ever see Indians or Asians (Asians own the laundromatt tho and keep it absolutely spotless, at least to begin with, that is why I like to be there when they first open the doors, it gets pretty messy as the day progresses.) I know they are wondering why I am in there as you hardly, and I mean almost never, see any white folks. I guess I am a rebel at heart!!! Walk on the wild side is my motto....oh, I forgot, it is Taking tea seriously...oh whatever. But, I like the fairness of the laundromatt...if you have dirty laundry and tons of quarters, you are welcome!!!

Grandson Woody is coming over this evening with our daughter Amy. He will be turning 15 the end of this month and I cannot believe how fast this time has flown. I was not even thinking of grandchildren when both our son and daughter announced pending births, and I wondered how I would feel in this new situation. I mean I didn't feel like a grandma. I had not been longing for grandchildren or anything. I had no idea how blessed I was. Isn't that the case sometimes, you just get so darn lucky and with no thought of it at all. Now that I look back, I am so awed by the miracle of those children...all 8 of ours. So when I held Woody for the first time I didn't hear violins playing or angels singing...he was lovely and I loved him. Same with Breana just a few days later. I wanted to squeeze them till they popped! They just got better all the time. Now that I have 4...four...IV....teen grandchildren, well, let's just say they are amazing and gifted and wonderful in every way....but very busy with their lives and I am not a big part of that. It's ok...to everything there is a season.....I love all 8, they are part of me and I won't let them forget it!!!

So, I am making pizza for Woody, well, he will help me make it. They get picky as they get older, and I think he will be happy with pizza. He is in the High School Marching Band, we are so proud. Breana is a varsity cheerleader at her high school and Camryn is cheering for her middle school. Jazmine plays violin at her school orchestra and also is learning guitar, Izzy (Izabella) is in all ag classes for 6th grade!!! wow and I think Bella might make a great politician as she has such firm convictions....Zion is an avid reader for 2nd grade is way beyond his grade level already and a delightful person. Olivia is the sweetest child who is always so good, she and her sister Sophia (who is a bit mischevious....) are both in 5 day preschool and also taking gymnastics! So, there I have caught you up on 8 great kids....LOOK OUT WORLD!

*Shocking photos of our house fire of over 3 years ago and the reason I don't have a w/d is because when we finally moved back into our house, I enjoyed the storage space that happened in the place of where the stackable w/d unit used to "live".
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cathy

Over my head

2008-09-08T11:25:00.003-04:00

Good Monday morning friends,
I am committed to living simply. I am committed to a "NO CLUTTER ZONE" in my home. I am committed to the philosophy of less is best....in some instances....
But I find I am a fraud. (is that how you spell "faker"?)
My intentions are good, really. I am working on getting rid of some stuff, honest. I am overwhelmed. Just beginning to go through the stuff in the storage unit is daunting. Three years ago we put our house on the market (didn't sell) and I filled 12 boxes full of minutia that was just hanging around our home. Things like extra linens of all sorts: sheets, towels, blankets, quilts, a whole tall floor curio cabinet full of "collectables", kitchen items, some great baskets, clothes that I know I will wear when I hem the legs, sew the button, loose 10 lbs. You all know where I am heading...right? So, Paul and I are staging the storage unit for me to be able to access my tea room stuff and in front of all that is all.....this....I am so overwhelmed! (I think I said that already, but it bears repeating) THIS IS GOOD STUFF FRIENDS! I have to get rid of it, I am getting that panicky feeling...it has got to go. I cannot have a garage sale....I have no garage. Some will find a place in the "shop" I am renting, but some of it is just not right for that space....I will give alot to Sarah! The rest must go to Goodwill I guess, but I cannot keep it much longer or I will implode. I am going to put some stuff on Craig's list.
I got out some of my fall decor items and put up most of my summer stuff. That feels good. I am re-covering the sofa for fall...got a nice soft sage green denium for the couch and will re-use the fabric I had on the cushions, they look good together. Still a no-sew, which I love! I will share a photo when I am done.
This post seems a bit choppy and not all that refined or smooth. Guess that I am in a kind of frenzy, unfocused and frantic. Yikes. Scarry. Gotta go toss some stuff and maybe I will feel better.
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cathy

Hanna-Hype...or Big Brother is here

2008-09-06T11:01:00.003-04:00

The Birthday Girl*

Good Saturday morning friends,

I have had my suspecions...my opinion, my "gut" feelings...but now, all are confirmed! Dh and I both agreed more than 3 years ago that we would refrain from watching any television because we felt it was a very dangerous instrument of mind control. Does that sound wack-o to you?? Well, we decided together and didn't go on a rampage or vent our beliefs, they were agreed upon in a family decision and not meant to be any kind of "statement". We felt better when our minds were not bombarded with subtle influences.....

But, we wanted to see Sarah and hear and see the Republican convention...well, let me tell you....we are totally RIGHT. WE CALLED IT FOLKS....BIG BROTHER HAS ARRIVED! G. Orwell was spot on, folks KILL YOUR TV!!! Now, with the approaching Hanna, it was crazy how much it was hyped, how often we had interruptions, both on tv and radio, the gov. held many press conferences, we were instructed on what to have in our emergency kits, evacuation processes, evac routs, what to have for our pets...on and on and on....give me a break. I am so totally bored with this Hanna mess it isn't funny. We are all running around getting "ready" like a bunch of mind-numbed mice, it is pathetic. My neighbor lives alone and she yelled at me across the street, "I am off to the store to get something....I have water already, don't know what else I should be getting". I was bringing in a 15 lb. bag of russet potatoes I had just bought at Sam's (don't ask me what we will do with 15 lbs of potatoes...they are so pretty and cheap too...lots of baked potatoes) anyway, I was carrying that huge bag of spuds and I replied, "Well, I have the potatoes!" We both laughed and headed our separate ways....we have had rain, a little bit of wind and that is it! There is some flooding in low-lying areas expected...next is Ike. I am not tuning on the tv, and will hold off on the radio too....

Happy 13th b day Jazmine Sky Breen*, we love you and are proud of the young woman you are becoming!

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cathy

Gifting - A Two-way Street

2008-09-05T09:24:00.002-04:00

Good morning friends,
The photo above is of some lovely birthday gifts I received and thought I would share them with you! These gifts were given by people who really know me, they are thoughtful, beautiful and practical too! Of course they are tea-related! My cousin Tina (and her dh Rob) sent these amazing flowers in a too sweet tea cup! My friend Elizabeth sent this vintage tea cozy from England along with the gorgeous demi-cloth. I will use and treasure these gifts. Thank you.
Gifts come in all manner of dimension....wrapped, delivered, spoken, unspoken, physically touching, emotionally touching, but they all have one thing in common...they are shared. A gift never stands alone...someone is on each end and that is what makes a gift special. The giver sets the process in motion, the receiver responds in joy giving back...and so the gifting becomes a duet whereby both the giver and receiver participate and profit. The receiver from the knowledge that someone cared...the giver from the knowledge that their gift brought pleasure. "It is more blessed to give than receive." Sums it all up. The joy of giving is habit-forming...kinda like a natural high. Now here's a thought: What if the receiver has no idea who the giver is or that they even have gotten a gift???? Well, that takes one part of the equation away...or has it??? God becomes the receiver in these cases....wow..... It is like getting a May basket on your door knob and not knowing who sent it. God loves to give, He never tires or runs out, He knows just what we desire, need, long for and He knows just when to give....His joy is when we thank Him!
Magnificent Obcession is the name of a book that was made into a movie. It is a story about giving.
Oh for a "magnificent obcession"!
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cathy

I like Sarah

2008-09-04T00:04:00.002-04:00

Here's some of the reasons I like Sarah

1) She is NOT a Senator

2) She is NOT a lawyer

3) She is NOT Ivy League Educated

4) She is NOT a "good ol boy"

5) She is NOT a Washington insider

6) She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister

7) She is an excellent public speaker

8) She looks great in skirts

OK, so this list may seem trivial to you lacking issues of great importance...all those things we already know....but folks, honestly, I was sick of the DC crowd running things and felt very disinfranchised until Sarah. She's kind of like that Jimmy Stewart movie..."Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". See, I am from Missouri, the home state of a common fellow named Harry, who broke into national politics at a time when he was completely overshadowed by the political insiders....Harry had little experience, heck he didn't even have a college education....but, he was a great man who loved his wife and daughter and his country. He was a man of his word and honest too. Harry Truman served his country well, then went home to Independance and lived the rest of his life....well, I see Sarah as kind of like Harry except she is a she....she is a Republican, she is college educated and experienced too...she is fantastic! A person we can all admire. I think alot more highly of John McCain after his choosing Mrs. Palin as a running mate, he is pretty sharp. I would love to see a big change in Washington and I think Sarah is up to the task. Go girl!

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cathy

And the BIG news is.....

2008-09-03T09:26:00.003-04:00

Tea Room "Stuff"

Good Wednesday morning friends,

Thanks to many of you who commented last post, it is very nice to know someone is out there reading my blog, altho I admit, writing is very theraputic (SP??).

1. Summer, your little baby boy is how old already??? Many congratulations and felicitations and when can I come visit???? time sure flies

2. Amanda, I will gladly give you any assistance on sewing that I can...after being a school (home-ec) trained seamstress over 45 years ago, I have not developed many skills beyond those first learned at an old singer....but I will be there for ya!

3. Joyce, you run girl.

So, now for the news....

I did it, I rented a booth in an antique mall and will spend this week getting into my tea room stuff in storage and hopefully getting it to the space so it will find a home in someone else's life! This is a big step because somewhere in the back of my heart I was holding onto the dream of the tea room being revived and re-visited. But, that was a dream and you can never go back. My shop in Durham was a complete blessing from beginning to end. A dream come true, a prayer answered, a gift from a loving Father and I will never be able to Thank Him enough for allowing me to fulfill my dream. Now, it is over and I need to turn my head and heart to other ventures and this space is the first really big step in that direction away from the past and toward the future. Pretty good idea for my 60s.

Last night I dreamed I had gone to High School with Tom Cruise and we were hanging out together. We were having a good time visiting old places and seeing his parents...wierd. I also dreamed I was in a huge church choir wearing a flowing choir robe when I noticed I had it on backward, so I was raising the robe over my head in order to turn it around when I also noticed I had just my underwear on underneath and the choir was beginning to march onto the stage in front of the whole congregation...with me with my robe up over my head....I couldn't see where I was going and oh it was hilarious, I woke up laughing. Isn't that a great way to start your day????

I will be busy today inventoring...is that a word? stuff to put in the shop. Now, I am a bit apprehensive as to if I have enough stuff....I think so.....more later

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cathy

Did you miss me?

2008-09-02T07:43:00.002-04:00

Good September Morning friends,

Well, my last post was in the middle of August and I bet you are a bit curious as to where I have been.....nothing exciting or even amusing to regail you , just a bummed computer for a while, then a bit of a bummed me...then this last week the dh and I spent the entire week camping at the lake close to home...but oh so far away! I "lost" my digital camera...then "found" that prize once again, but too late for any photos of the wonderful campsite we shared. We worked very hard, but also relaxed completely. We laughed and argued and ate and drank and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, a real treat for us both and now....normal life begins again (whatever that is?) We had our trusty radio, so kept up with the news and were thrilled with the VP choice of Sen. McCain! Our children gave us a portable DVD player and the season 3 of PrisonBreak, so we were well entertained while we were roughing it.

Seems as if the air has cooled...how amazing, just one day and the heat of summer is out of the way. It is still going to get hot, but not that furnace feel. Have a whole lot of green tomatoes on the vine which I hope will ripen a bit as would love to enjoy them ripe and juicy.

Today, well it is no longer the birthday celebration, so the treating is over! But, I am going to begin something....will share tomorrow, if everything works out! Today I pick up my youngest...Sarah Breen....and she will go with me to check things out and give an opinion. If all goes as I am hoping, then we will begin a process.....well, more on that tomorrow. I hope you are planning something to being this season.

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cathy

Ides of August! Day 15

2008-08-15T11:34:00.007-04:00

Anatomy of a Family

The Wrights

circa 1950s

starting left and going around the table:

Marie(Wright), Jack, Shirley(dtr of Marie) Pittman, Phyllis(Mimran)Brown(my mother, dtr of Eula), Elaine(Picard, dtr of Marie), Dewey Wade(husband to Marie), Eula Mimran(sister to Marie, mother to Phyllis, grandmother to ME), Annie Gardner(sister to Marie and Eula), Tub and Betty Holcum (dtr to Marie, sister to Elaine and Shirley), Kathryn and Napoleon Boudreau(sister to Maire, Eula and Annie) I think my grandfather, Ray, took the photo, he is the only one missing except for my father, Walter Brown. All are past except for Shirley and Phyllis....

Good Friday Friends!

Day 14 was great! I discovered a shop that sells Amy Butler fabric and patterns...I am a huge fan of Amy Butler a very talented young woman indeed. I bought a purse pattern and fabric to make one...bought most of the notions across the street at Walmart...the best prices on fabric and notions around! Now, all I have to do is make a purse, which should not be very hard. Hopefully, this will be another gift on my Christmas list.

Today, we are preparing for our camping weekend...again to Lake Jordan. This weekend is just the dh and myself so it should be rather quiet and restful. I am off to get a few last min. grocery items and ice.

Hope your weekend plans are also restful. See you probably Monday

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cathy

Day 14

2008-08-14T07:48:00.004-04:00

My friend Marian is having her dream come true! She is opening her very own tea room next week...Lady Bedford's Tea Parlour and Gift Shoppe. Horray for her!

Good morning friends!

Rain, cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, all point to the inevitable...autumn is coming! Altho it has been many years, I still feel the pull of "back-to-school" in the air as well. Won't be long now....pumpkins, and apples and warm bright colors of fall.

Today, after doing a bit of laundry (laundromatt, here I come) I will head out on a recon....have decided to perhaps move my stuff to a booth-type consignment venue. We have a couple in the area and I want to check them out first to see what kind of traffic they have and what sort of inventory they carry. I have such a mix of stuff, but think this might be the way to go for me. Paul agrees and that gives me comfort as he is careful in considering all the pros and cons where I just JUMP.

Got an email from Belk regarding another tea gig with the Lord in October! So, little by little my life moves on, hopefully forward most of the time!

Hope your dreams come true!

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cathy

Day 13 Matt's BDay

2008-08-13T09:42:00.003-04:00

Our Son Matt

Are you ever just totally blown away by someone? This guy has done that to me many times in his life. He was my first baby.....breech....had NO IDEA he was appearing that way and what a total surprise!!! He was wise, and savy and didn't miss a thing...always observing, noticing, remembering. He was into computers way before most. He always had a good sense of humor and indulged his parents during his teen years, which was harder for his sister to do. He joined the Air Force and was a Loadmaster (a very difficult job, technical and demanding and also way cool...) He completed POW training and survival schools, a big accomplishment! He came to NC after his Air Force stint and started his own Travel Agency. He met and married a wonderful young woman who is such a perfect match and partner for him. They continued in the Travel business for several years building Dolphin Travel into a huge success. THEN they began a limosine service Elite Coach....now one of the largest in the entire state...oh and they have four beautiful daughters, live in a lovely home, and I could go on and on....but you get the idea....Matt just is amazing to me! Sometimes Paul and I just shake our heads because Matt is so savvy....we feel a bit like bumpkins compared to him. We are very proud of who he is and what he has done with his life and wish him a very very happy birthday and much love....m & d

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cathy

ps....Matt is my day 13 treat

Day 12 and What is Facebook?

2008-08-13T09:35:00.003-04:00

Fresh basil from our garden

Good Wednesday friends,

This is a day 12 recap. I had several good things happen on day 12

1) went to lunch and toured the new Marriot Hotel in downtown Raleigh...very nice!

2) Learned I had friends on Facebook who added me to their list and so I signed up too....

3) Had several friends write on my "wall" thanks and hi to them all!

4) "Chatted" on line for the very first time with dear friend Michelle!!!

So all-in-all, I had a lovely day.

Now....what the heck is Facebook? I have no idea how to begin to use this new internet tool, which, by the way, looks fun and awesome....but, what do I do??? There are so many new gadgets and do dahs out there it is overwhelming to this child of the 60's (mid-century, I believe is the term used these days....)

Hope you are mastering your internet world....

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cathy

Sad

2008-08-11T18:40:00.006-04:00

Nothing is wrong with our friend Fiona
Fiona is very photogenic

She has some friends of her own!

Hi Friends,

I know this world is full of tragedies, sadness, pain and sorrow. I am on a prayer team for my church and daily get requests for prayer that make my heart break and would not for the world equate my present sadness with any of the above...but...our little yellow parakeet Peep passed away quietly last night. She was with us for 8 years and a good little friend she will be missed by both Paul and I and her companion Sweet Bird. Doubt if Fiona will mind she's gone... Why is it we humans get so attached to these little animals and they make such an impact on us? We had a hedgehog...Mr. Prickles...he was a fine fellow and a great hit at the library. He got cancer and we had to have him put to sleep...how sad too. Then our dear dog Blarney was 17 and slowly fading and in pain and he went to the vets too...we cried for weeks....still miss Blarney. Paul did not want to get another dog for just that reason, but after waiting 5 years, I just had to over-ride him and we got our friend Fiona....she is dear to us and just the thought of her not being around sends us into orbit....are we nuts?

Cannot for the life of me find our photos of the birds....just think "yellow parakeet" and you will "see" Peep. But, did find some cute photos of Fiona.

No birthday fun today....

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cathy

Day 9-10

2008-08-10T17:15:00.002-04:00

Hello Friends,

I really did try to post this earlier...before we headed out on a spur of the moment camping weekend....but blogger was not taking anything...a real glitch. I couldn't even save the post... I just checked...and the post was saved...not all of it, but at least it shows I was making an effort.
We had a wonderful time. It rained this morning, but that was nice and cozy and we were under a nice tent having our coffee (them) and tea (me) so we were snug as bugs in a rug. But, when it comes time to clear out and go home, what alot of work...both Paul and I are wiped out.
Above is a photo of my dollies. I don't really play dolls, but I do enjoy them and so I have a bit of a collection going. Left to right in chairs we have Kirsten, then Nellie and Kit... in front of Kirsten is Eloise and there's Bitty Baby in front of Nellie who is next to Woody from Toy Story (love that guy and have a grandson named Woody too so the name is very special to me!) and then I have a couple of Steiff cat puppets (probably worth the most of anything I have) and then in the other basket is a couple of Madame Alexander dolls from McDonalds. I need a brunette...either Ruthie or Molly can't decide....
So day 9 and 10 were spent enjoying the beauties of nature and appreciating all 5 sences and thanking God for His wonderful creation.
See you on Day 11!
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Cathy

Day 9...a bit early

2008-08-08T18:53:00.004-04:00

Hello friends!

We are heading out this evening to do some camping so will be "out of the loop" for a couple of days....rest assured I will be having birthday fun while out in the wilderness....I have not outgrown my love of camping!

We are taking our youngest grandson, Zion with us tonight. His mom and sisters will join us tomorrow, but he will be our "helper" and get camp set up and a good fire too...it is supposed to get into the 60s tonight, so we will enjoy a fire! I sure hope Paul hurries up, I have everything packed and loaded up in the W, we need to stop by the storage unit on our way out to get the tent and such. We are keeping it simple, hopefully....

see you in a couple of days

ttfn

tts

cathy

8-8-08 Day 8 the "STUFF"

2008-08-08T08:46:00.004-04:00

This is what it looks like when you open the door to our storage unit
Once inside you have a very narrow aisle to move about

"Stuff" is stacked to the ceiling...this is their largest storage unit...I must get rid of the stuff!!!

Here's Cathy!

Cathy is 6 weeks old

Good day friends!

This is one cute baby ... right? My mother longed for me to have natural curly hair...mine was as straight as an arrow and so she "worked" with it...alot. I spent alot of time in curlers.

So, the Chinese think the number 8 is lucky and today is a very lucky day in China. The Olympics begin today...in China!

Oh, My "day 7" fun was school shopping with some of my grands. I really do enjoy getting them some things that make them happy. We got some shoes, some book bags, some jeans, some tops, some undies and then we got some On the Border (since I didn't get there earlier this week).

The a/c is fixed at our house now.

Lovely morning here in NC, temps in the high 60s right now, delightful. Will get up to just the 80s, so this will be a good day to be out and about which I think I will be....out and about! Perhaps an adventure or two to share tomorrow! off I go.....

ttfn

tts

cathy

Day Seven and still havin fun

2008-08-07T06:45:00.003-04:00

Good Thursday morning friends,
Here's a photo of my tags for prices on my stuff. I will show you some stuff tomorrow, you will not believe how much I have...maybe you will!
Day six surprise was I got KIT! She is so pretty and I got the laundry day set which comes with a small wringer washer, a clothes drying rack, an iron and ironing board....too cute, can't believe I got this, it is really over the top. Oh well...humor me.
Our a/c is on the fritz, so it has been warm here. Hopefully it will be fixed today. The unit is just 3 years old, since our fire. The fire was started in the hv/ac unit so we are a bit leary of problems now. We have owned our home for 20 years...we are the original owners....and we have had 3 hv/ac units! I think that is too many.
Keep cool
ttfn
tts
cathy

Day Six

2008-08-06T09:09:00.003-04:00

Good Wednesday morning friends,

I have to be honest here, day five did not turn out the way I intended...no Mexican food or B&N...stayed home all day. Good news is...no $$$ was spent. So no big deal. Sorry to report a ZERO on the birthday-meter.

Today, I had high hopes, but they might not pan out either, so, I will not say in advance what my plans are for celebrating. Keep you in suspence.

I am slowly moving towards preparations for my big sale at the fairgrounds flea market in Sept. Making tags for pricing things. I am also going to make my annual physical appointment today. (yuck) The tags are fun to do, I have a die cut machine with a tag and I use card stock. I have a great clock/watch stamp and I write Tea Time....so it is cutsie and clever. It has been so hot here, and my ac in the car is broken, so getting out during the day really has little appeal to me. If I cannot get out and done by noon, I just say "no thanks". It is a solution to the heat that I can live with for now.

I decided to add the photo of my "china pantry". This photo may have been seen before, can't remember, but it is worth another look...do I really need any more china....no not really....! I do have a hutch full of my "best" china...Lenox and a bit of Royal Albert....not the everyday stuff, but oh so lovely...also included is our Christmas china from Lenox as well. I will take a picture of that...maybe I have one already..but not with the doors open so you can see! When I am gone, someone will be getting one heck of a deal on some great china!

On that note, I guess I will be "gone" for now....

ttfn

tts

cathy

Day 5...I believe...

2008-08-05T11:24:00.002-04:00

Here I am sitting on Santa's Lap, is that a poodle skirt??? I am a true believer...in lots of things...
1) I believe God
2) I believe my hubby
3) I believe my mom
4) I believe in good
5) I believe there's bad
6) I believe Santa (and he knows who has been good or bad!)
So there!!!
Not to be flip, or anything, but I am not trying to answer some universal question here...this is a fun blog most of the time and it is my BIRTHMONTH CELEBRATION, for Pete's sake!
Yesterday, Day 4, was ok, I found a really cute little over-the-door hanger that is white and where the hook is there is a rose...so it is sweet...that was less than $10, so a nice treat....
Today, I am going to eat Mexican food at On the Border my favorite place to eat and then I will browse Barnes and Noble....that's my treat for day cinco.
I hope you are enjoying the month of August as much as I am enjoying the month of August!
I have all the words down for my proposal to speak at the World Tea Expo...now I just have to put them in order and make it flow and then I will send it off to be considered and ask you to keep your fingers crossed. There is not much money in this, but a bit of prestige and opening of doors for networking, so I am hoping I will be considered.
Have a wonderful day
ttfn
tts
cathy

Day 4 of Birthday Month

2008-08-04T10:32:00.003-04:00

Good Monday friends,
So, here we sit... on my Aunt Marie's lap (Tina's grandmother)...notice our hair is different, our dresses and shoes are different...but Tina still has that purse! She was always into fashion! Love the chair. Wonder what Marie is saying to us, we look comfy and I look happy, Tina has a bit of a wary expression...maybe I might try to grab that purse! I believe that chair is covered in a bark cloth...wow!
60 years ago my mom was pretty uncomfortable...big and pregnant for the first time and in the very hot month of August...and little did she know, she would have to wait the entire month to get some relief! Then, she followed up with two more babies born in August as well! Those days no one had AC...everyone was equally uncomfortable...altho those ladies who were pg were a bit more uncomfortable than most! The post war boomers were making their appearances in the thousands....I was just one of many. My mother named me Cathy...not Cathleen, or Kathryn, just Cathy...to make it simple. I like the name but it seems a girl's name...maybe that is why I feel like a girl still, not quite grown-up. My middle name is Rae, so is hers...we are named after my grandfather Ray Mimran. That made me proud to have my Mom's name and my grandpa's. My sister is Claudia...what a glamorous name...I love that name and she got my grandma's middle name "Grace". Such a pretty name. Names are so interesting to me. I love to hear the stories of how people got their names, some are very interesting. I went to high school with a fellow who had a little sister named Ethel Ora....after each of her grandmothers...poor child. If I had been named after grandmothers I would have been Eula Beulah....what a hoot! Oh to be able to hug my grandmother just once more.......
Now I am off to find me a day 4 birthday goodie of some sort!!!
ttfn
tts
cathy

Day 3 of Birth Month

2008-08-03T13:48:00.004-04:00

Here I am on the right, my dear cuz Tina is the one holding the purse...we have our hair all done up, I bet by our grandmothers (who were sisters!). We had the good fortune to be grandaughters to the BEST grandmothers in the whole wide world...Marie and Eula. When we would "vacation" with our grands, they would get together and that way we saw cousins often. Our mothers were first cousins and always good friends too. Time and distance has not dulled our mutual love for each other bonded by our love for our grandmothers and family. Our cousin Debbie is also in the mix as well as many many others...but Tina is a computer whiz and we can keep in touch electronically so much easier! I know she keeps up with this blog and so Hi cuz!
Where does time go??? I cannot believe how fast I got to 60....I have alot of time on my hands and so I ponder things.....alot....
So, for today, I think Paul and I are going to the movies. It is very hot here in NC...so indoor cool activities are desirable. I have fixed a brisket, a fresh tomato and mozzarella salad, artichokes and macaroni and cheese for lunch...then off to the movies. We are seeing Iron Man at the $1.50 movie...good deal!
Well, my beeper is going off. Bon appetit!
ttfn
tts
cathy

WHY???

2008-08-02T13:24:00.003-04:00

Bet you wonder why I call this blog "Taking tea seriously"...well, I do...take it....seriously! And I think that it is a clever play on words, and I just like the way it sounds.

I am a tea snob, I confess. When I consult I always tell the client that info. You do not have to treat tea the way I do, it is a free country and if you pay my consulting fee and decide not to follow my advice....so be it, again...it is a free country! I know alot of tea places that harrass and assalt their tea, but folks love the place and they do great business...bottom line is, make money. I respect tea. I buy very good tea and want to make it the best way I know how, so that is just my humble opinion. I feel, if I make tea correctly, folks will begin to acquire a "taste" for good tea and then they are hooked! See, I am also a teavangelist!

The first picture above is of a small "tea tray" for afternoon tea. Included were assorted tea sandwiches, scones, fresh fruit and tea cakes. and a photo of a tea table set for afternoon tea.

When making tea with loose leaf tea, measure your teapot to see how much liquid it holds...16oz is 2 cups, 48oz is 6 cups....that is 8oz. cups, not teacups which normally measure 6oz. For every 8oz cup measure 1tsp loose leaf tea. 3tsp equal 1 TBS. So if your pot is 48oz, measure 2TBS of loose tea into a tea filter. I favor tea filters as there is plenty of room for the tea to expand as it steeps....(btw:tea steeps....coffee brews) set measured tea filter aside, bring freshly drawn water (tap is ok, if the water tastes good...if not, use filtered water) to a boil, warm tea pot using very hot tap water, swirl the pot so the water moves all around the pot, pour out....place filled tea filter in teapot, add the boiling water* to cover the tea, place the lid on and time the steeping....3-5 min. for black tea, 2-4 min for greens and whites, depending on taste preference. After steeping, remove tea filter, squeeze, stir the pot to incorporate the tea liquor into the water, replace the lid, add a drip catcher and cover with a cozy and serve!!!

Any questions?

*Please see comments below....

ttfn

tts

cathy