GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

I truly love candles!  And one of my favorites is the "Sand and Fog"!  Of course being an Ocean and Beach fan it would only be natural!  They always remind me of the ocean and they are inspired by a some gals on the California coast.  Wonder if you have them where you live. Yeah! Since my cateract surgery I don't have to wear distant glasses! When I see a picture of myself without them, I do a double take and remember I don't have to wear them anymore. My blog friend Linda, was sharing her long hair and she looks so cute with it.  I wore long hair for years and finally after the red was gone and the grey was in decided to wear it short! A WONDERFUL find at the Community Thrift Store last week.  A beautiful leather bound NIV Bible in pristine condition!  No marks in it....But as you can see, I've only had it a short time and I can't help but underlining when I reading!  This Bible has so many notes, and insights that I'm just loving it.  I ha...

We know Spring is coming when the tree outside our balcony begins to blossom.  Love these little white blooms! The plant on the table on the balcony is also singing a happy tune.  My white pumpkin is still looking healthy! This is the largest candle I have every seen!  My frind gave it to me as she knows I have a fettish for candles.   It's twelve inches across and has seven wicks!!  I love Sand and Fog, and this one is Sea and Sand.  I think it will light up the whole room! And this little guy (Daniel) lights up my heart!!  Is that not a sweet face! This picture cracks me up!  It is not "photoshoped" but I have two big tall handsome grandsons and my little old lady 5' 1" is no match for these two.  They are so special to us. Both in the medical field and Elijah on the left just got married October 1st, and Kaleb will get married in May.  The family keeps growing, and we love it!!  

  I found my Easter Bunny Welcome sign so it's now enjoying the balcony.  Can't hang things on our front door, so it's welcoming me and my dearest!  HaHa   Made an apple crisp in my new blue square casserole.   It's pretty sad when your dog's wardrobe is bigger than yours.  Just kidding Molly!   "Pulled Pork" for Two!  I get a small pork roast at Trader Joe's.   Approximately 8" long.  Cut into smaller pieces, season and brown in olive oil.   I know a lot of recipes put the raw meat directly into the crock pot.  But I find that the searing seals in the juices and the meat is so tender and juicy.  (I don't mind the extra step)   This is my favorite BBQ sauce for pulled pork.  I think I could just drink it!!!   I bought this small crock pot which is perfect when cooking for two.  I put BBQ sauce in the bottom and more on the top of the meat and let it cook for several hou...

My dearest knows I love lighthouses, so the other day he was in a different part of the thrift shop and without me knowing, bought me this lighthouse which is now the night light in our bathroom.  Isn't it adorable?  Thanks Hon, for thinking of me.   Tuesday mornings are special to me.  I attend a Women's Bible Study and the fellowship is so special.  we take turns bringing the "goodies" and after everyone has got their coffee and goodies we have a great Bible Study.   I got a shot of the setup up.  By the time we start, all tables are full.  There is about 20+ ladies each week.     I like to make my cookie dough ahead of time so I can pick and chose the time I want to bake them. Today it was Oatmeal~chocolate chip ~ walnut and.... Chocolate chip, with a few white chocolate chips thrown in! We will be taking a little trip and for the first time in a while, this one does not include a funeral or...

~ A Trip to the Thrift Store~   I'm always on the look out for nice pie dishes.  Especially decorative pottery ones.  This large white one caught my eye as it works for any occasion being a neutral color.   I tested it out with a Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake.   I love my little kitchen. Also have a thing for "quilts".  This very nice yellow and blue flowered one was in pristine condition.  Usually these are anywhere from $25 to $35, but the tag on this one was $12.  Yep, it jumped into my cart. I especially liked the scalloped edges.  Since I use blue in the bedroom, I already have several sets of blue sheets.   We have a few more days with our friend Tom, before he leaves for Texas.  It's been a most excellent visit.

  Our grandson Marc is getting married July 1.  His bride to be loves succulents and gave me a start from her variety.  I think they look really cute in this small tin bucket.   Lunch with our daughter and sil at El Pescador.   I had the salmon lunch.  All this food for $10.99.  The salmon was pan seared just perfect!  Brought home half!  Delicious. Today was my cooking class at the Villa.  I made "Taco Salad" and a "half and half" cake.  I wanted to do something for Saint Patrick Day so made a white cake with green swirl, and frosted with half colored coconut and half plain for those who don't care for coconut. I was a delightful time and how nice to enjoy lunch after the class.  They watch ~ and they they eat.   Win~Win  

My dearest has found a perfect spot to read his Bible while I'm shopping at the Mall.  The Paris Baguette on the ground floor.  Fresh coffee, a pastry and morning devotions.  He's a happy man. A happy Molly, taking a nap with her teddy bear.   The recent rains have given all the plants in the Villa a bath.  Everything looks so fresh and clean. This is my exercise machine.   I use it several times a day.  This is the "UP" mode. This is the "DOWN" mode!  So far today I've been up and down 4 times.  Why go to the gym...HaHa I completed the first week in my "Flourish Journal" and the first coloring page.  It was fun, and the first week was on God's love.  I know I will enjoy this project each week. How is your new year going?

  Took a little trip to the Community Thrift store and came home with a couple of treasures.  This Fall platter is 10x13 and perfect for serving up some treats to my Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Study that starts in a couple weeks. I love the lacy pattern on this very small platter.  I can never resist a platter or a tray!!!   It's only 9" long but just so pretty.  Perhaps a slice of brie and a few strawberries would look perfect on it. When we moved into Villa Ramona a couple years ago, Willie (above) was the maintenance man for the complex.  A wonderful man and his little granddaughter was born with many physical issues.  She spent most of her first months in the hospital, have a bone marrow transplant, and two series of chemo. We prayed for her every day.  That's Willie's wife.   One year later, we were invited to share in her first birthday last Saturday.  She's doing so good, improving every day.  Sh...

  Getting ready for the Tea Party Wednesday.  Unpacked my hatboxes and washed a ton (not quite) of cups, saucers, teapots, sugar and creamers and plates. Molly in her Christmas sweater. "Carols and Cookies" at church.  At the end of the evening, the music director ask all of us that could to come on the stage for a final carol.  Can you find me?  ~ I think I'm on the left side of the lady in the red sweater.  Anyway it was a fun time and so many wonderful carols, and homemade cookies. It's beginning to feel like Christmas.

Ever been in the mood for a certain food, and when you are able to have one that it's just as good as your imagined.  That's the Taco Salad I was so in the mood for and it was delicious.  See that juice under the shell.   The best beans and rice I've ever tasted were hot and filled the bottom. My dearest decided on a chicken enchilada, rice and beans.  He wasn't disappointed.  We had never eaten here, but it's just a few blocks from The Villa. It's a small "family owned" restaurant with a couple of younger sons cleaning the tables and welcoming the guests.  I liked that. It was clean and the service was very friendly.  The food authentic and the price reasonable.  We will definitely go back. Had a good day at the Sun Thrift the other day.  One tan and one brown top.  A yellow plate from Pier 1 to add to my colored dishes.  Two nice bread pans, one Teflon and one Pyrex.  A book for Tristan, and a new...