The only grocery store I love

I hate to grocery shop. Probably part of the reason is lack of interest and part is also lack of interest. When E does make me go with him, my parting words at the door are, "look for me in the magazine aisle". BUT, I do love to go to Fresh Market...it is a beautiful place to visit. While E hunts for the elusive flour or seasoning or rice, I take pictures of everything I love about this store. Today, he lured me into running errands by promising me a stop at Fresh Market. And I barely made it past the entrance. I touched all the lavender plants lovingly...I can still smell them, envied the roses and paled before the hydrangea, and just wanted to throw myself into the rest...just like in the movie, Bed of Roses. But, dear gentle reader, I showed great restraint and, in order to do this, took pictures in the candy section! An elderly gentleman (at least a year or two older than I am)kindly moved out of my way so I could get the shot down the jar after jar after jar of forbidden fruits! lol

And before that we went to the Christmas store on Gulf to Bay...another of my favorite places to oooh and aaaah. (and Barb, they've gotten in new pieces for you village...the one you want! you know!). But those are blog posts for the future.

Fat Tuesday...

That is what E and I have nic-named my Weight Watchers meeting and check in day. This is not because of the amount of weight I lose or do not lose but rather that after weigh in, this is the one day of the week that I do not follow the program as closely as I do the rest of the week. If E is going to do ribs on the charcoal grill or fix one of his yummy desserts, this is when he does it. That way I have 6 days on program to maintain my loss. I know that one should follow the program 7/7 but with E and his cravings, this one Fat Day helps us stay more true the rest of the week. So, Happy Fat Tuesday to all!

The last of my reveal for July

This is my 4th. layout with the July kit. I've done a card (see my altered blog plus directions), a mini album (tribute to Goof with mini from add on kit ) and the four layouts I have posted here over the past couple of weeks. I know I've said this before but...wow, lots of stuff in these kits!

The desk top in here is clean...well, stuff is sorted and ready to be put away and then a good scrubbing on the counter top is in order. I need a new craft mat. I've used my old one so much I've rubbed holes clear through it cleaning it. I have my 50% off Mike's coupon and will be heading that way later today. Jo's didn't have any and the manager of the store kept trying to tell me there was no such animal...he needs to talk to his suppliers!

All packed for North Carolina Girls Weekend and clothes organized but not packed yet for the beach and CHA clothes all grouped in my closet. I think poor E does not know what to make of all the organization and planning on my part. He is the list maker, the detail man in our dynamic duo and I am the fly by the seat of my pants type gal. But organizing myself for 3 weeks has taken planning (and shopping...got some cool plaid shorts!)or I'll end up somewhere with nothing on...HEAVEN HELP US then! lol

Off on our morning bike ride...love to all!

Hope you had a good 4th. of July

Other than the fact poor E gotten eaten alive by No Seeums, we had a great evening. There was a nice breeze off the Gulf, the music was fun, the beer cold and the fireworks wonderful. Most of these were taken on the top deck of Capt Jack's restaurant and tiki bar on the Anclote River here in Tapron Springs. Although Tarpon Springs did not have a fireworks display this year, from our bird's nest perch on the Lido Deck (as it is now called), we had a great view of four or five displays in surrounding towns. Capt Jack's now owns the old Pappas building across the river from where we were and that is where the owner had his own fireworks display which was super!

Quieter day here today. We are trying to tie up all lose ends by Wed. evening so we can head out to the beach concert at Sunset Beach. I am all packed for N.C. and all my scrap stuff is packed for the beach. I won't pack up my clothes until Thurs. to diminish the wrinkles as I won't be unpacking that suitcase until I get to the beach last Monday. We have our list for our house sitter, Rob so all should be well there.

And, the Queen of Procrastination, moi, even has her clothes ironed and sorted for the five days in Orlando for CHA. I am so proud of me...lol

Have a good one!

Happy Birthday USA

Hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th. of July!

KNK JULY KIT...so much stuff!

I know I've said this about a dozen times since I got my kit but this month's was so filled with goodies that just now I finished the last of 4 layouts and did a card with just enough left for maybe one more card or a tag. Now that is in addition to the mini album "You are so Tweet", a tribute to my cat, Goofy. One layout and the card will be up Monday both here and on the home page of KnK. This one goes in my 'favorite places to bike ride' album. It is a shot I took of the outrigger canoes in Craig Park on Spring Bayou here in Tarpon Springs and it really is a "Little Peek at Heaven". It looks a trifle crooked up here...think I scanned it a bit off...oh well, you get the idea. I kept this one simple and love the colors! Thanks for looking.

One more day!

We rode our bikes through a 'herd' of dragon flies this morning...it was amazing. I'm suppose to be organizing for the beach...more later!

One day closer to the 4th.

I hope the rain stops by then or we'll be watching the fireworks from our ARK! lol
Busy day here for us: foot dr. apt. for E, hair cut and color for me, errands to run and some sorting and cleaning to do.

And, of course, what I'd really like to do is play with a half finished shadow box project I have on my desk top...the very desk top that is covered with other projects like the card I did yesterday with G45 papers (see my altered art blog) and the layouts I've been working on for KnK and the last project I finished for Genuinely Jane Studios.

Be sure to get yourself over to both of the sites. KnK is having a refer a friend event with goodies.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Introducing KnK’s Refer a Friend Promotion
Do you have a friends that drool over your kit each month? Well….now is the time to tell them….”Hey! Get your own kit!”

Starting today, KnK will reward you and your friend for becoming a member of KnK!
For every friend that you refer, we will send BOTH of you a FABULOUS bag of extra goodies!

How do you make sure YOU get credit for your friend signing up?
Your friend just has to do 2 simple things:

1. When she signs up on the KnK website have her fill in your first and last name in the
Refer-A-Friend section on the first page of the sign up process.

2. Send us an email at admin@knkclub.com and include in the Subject “Refer-A-Friend”
And in the body of the email just type:

Hi!
My name is (first and last name)
My friend (first and last name) just got me to join KNK!
Please send my friend and ME our Welcome to KnK! Goodie bag!!!!!!!!

That’s it!!!!!!! Your goodie bags will be sent with each of your next kit shipments. There is no limit to how many goodie bags you can get! So get ALL your scrapbooking buddies to sign up!

Offer Expires: July 30th 2009

As an extra bonus: for every 5 friends you get to join KnK you will have the fee for YOUR monthly kit waived!
5 friends = a savings of $24.95 to you!

So, What are you waiting for?? Show your friends why you love KnK so much!


AND Genuinely Jane Studios is having an on-going contest on their blog too:

http://www.genuinelyjanestudios.typepad.com/

In July, Genuinely Jane Studios will be revealing a HUGE release - 57 new products for your creative pleasure!!!!

From now until release time, we will be having a super-cool contest for you! Beginning today, we will be posting cropped photos of our new products. If you think you know what it is, send an email to gjscontests@gmail.com put the sneak peek number in the subject line. (example: Sneak Peek #1). This number will be found in the post about the contest.

You may submit as often as you wish for each sneak peek. If, after the first day, no one guesses the new item, we will post a hint. And, continue posting hints daily until someone guesses correctly. The first person to correctly guess will win that new GJS product! Once you win, you cannot win again. (We want to spread the cheer and the wealth!)

After someone wins, we will post another picture for another chance to win. Members of our DT and their families, our reps and their families and employees of GJS are not eligible to participate.

So, enjoy your day!

What to do on a rainy day in Paradise...

E called me to the lanai early this morning to show me that even the Tiki god of Beer was trying to stay out of the rain. It either looks like he has a funny umbrella over his head or he has spouted some funky kind of hair. Then we noticed he is also growing a mossy mustache and beard. We also had to drain over 2 inches of rain off the pool which was overlapping the edges...it has since filled again.

During a lull in the storm (from the same book that starts, "It was a dark and stormy night")we attempted to sneak in a bike ride. The sun was out; we could see some blue sky so off we went. Joke was on us. We hit a downpour not fifteen minutes into our ride and were soaked through by the time we got home! You can't tell but my shorts are soaked and the rain is dripping off my visor, legs and arms...what a day.

Hope yours was drier!

Rainy day in Paradise

It looks like we will be housebound today. The forecast is for rain, rain and more rain. I am hoping we get a break some time so we can hit the Trail and bike or walk. We got so busy, mostly having fun, yesterday that we did not get our ride or walk in and, if we go too many days like that, I feel like a slug.

I need to do some clothes sorting today for the upcoming 3 trips and organize this work room. Or maybe I'll just scrap. Watch this spot just in case! lol

Have a great day!

You are so TWEET

This is the mini album from the KnKclub.com add on kit. The shapes are darling, the colors fun and summery yet perfect for lots of things...like this tribute album to Goofy the Cat, who is mine. E is owned by Just Jack who prefers him to anyone else. And Jack is the photographic one of the two brothers. He actually poses when I get the camera out. Poor Goofy, on the other hand, is a cat of a different hue and ilk. He loves his mommy to distraction but is shy and reclusive so doesn't get nearly the attention that Jack does. So, here is one for you, dear Goof!

It's Twilight time...(the old song not the Vampire book)

I found tiny twinkle lights through a catalog right before Christmas last year and ordered two sets. They are solar powered and looked so good on the gate and the arbor seat that we left them up for good. We have lined the pathway from the house to the gate with hanging solar lights and, from twilight to dawn, it looks like a fairy's walk. Yesterday, during a trip to Home Depot on a search for some plant replacements, we stumbled over these solar powered tiki lights and bought two for the pool. They even flicker and look great with the Tiki god of Beer!

Color me happy!

Friday night at Miss Vickies

Even though Randy, the blues guitarist, was not at Miss Vickie's, we had a lovely time. We sat out on the patio with a great breeze and, for the first time in a while, we were not drowning in our own sweat. The storms that had been moving through had caused the cancellation of the music. The beer was cold and the boiled peanuts in Cajun sauce spicy and good. What more can a girl ask for on a Friday night on the river?

p.s. I not only survived the hour and a half yoga stretch class, I loved it and am going back for more.

Pray for me...(lol)

If you don't hear from me for awhile, please check local hospitals (traction wing). I am heading out soon with Kristen for a yoga stretching class. I have never done this before and, in my older years, am trying to be more open to trying new things and this seemed far safer than bailing out an airplane with an ex-pres of the U.S.

It was a scrappy day here in Paradise

We did about 7 miles on our bikes this morning. The faster we rode, the more of a breeze we created so we were zooming.
After a load of laundry, I started playing in my work room. I finished a layout I had started eons ago with some wonderful MM paper and finished the Summertime one you see below. Doing this layout brought back so many good memories of last summer with the gang at our time shares at Estero Island Beach Club.
The Shabby Chic Shopping one makes me happy. These are pictures of Retro Annie's Antiques and More store in Bradenton, Fl. where Kip, Janet M and I went shopping to our hearts' content, trying on hats, buying vintage lace and buttons and more. All the journaling is done on the tiny price tags that I got from Manto Fev and Artful Illusions (both shops are listed on my altered blog).
It has been a scrap happy day here in Paradise!

We got rain!

Finally! It started with a wonderous lightening and thunder show around nine last night and the sky poured that lovely wet stuff for about 45 min. The cats and I watched the display out the bedroom window and listened to the rain on the sky light in the bathroom until one of us (me) drifted off to sleep. The ground is still wet this morning so the lawn and plants should be happy.

I played with some paper scraps yesterday that I found on a shelf and made two more nosegay bouquets. I'll put them on my altered blog some time later today and will put the layout up here as soon as I get the pictures for it printed.

I have been cleaning out my closet. We have a community clothes drive pick up on Thurs and I've been amassing a bag of things that I no longer wear or that no longer fit. While I didn't lose weight this week, I didn't gain either. In the process of closet cleaning, it dawned on me that I am shy in the shorts department. I wear the 'street' length ones and TJMaxx just happened to get in a new shipment. My "old" size was too big and baggy and the next size down a bit snug but I am bound and determined to meet my 5% goal this next week so they should fit better by then.

July is going to be a mad house, albeit a fun one. I am gone to N.C. with a bunch of the Hilltop/KnK gals the weekend of the 10-12 visiting our friend, Jill, our first week at the beach starts the 12th. with Rob house sitting for us for the next two weeks (love it when we have someone who stays here)! Then, on our way back into Tampa area we are tentatively planning on picking up Pam from Wisc. that Sat and Monday she and I drive to Orlando for CHA and meet up with G-a, Sonia, Chris, Kip and others. And thus endeth July! I think I've just met myself going in the front door as I am leaving...lol

Hope everyone has a great day!

Had tons of fun with this one!

Everyone who knows me even just a little knows that I do NOT cook. It is not that I can't; it just is not something I am good at. I love the fact others can cook and do appreciate those who do like Linda (www.hilltopmemeories) and my own Chef E.

And, since E heard about the toaster fire from the kids (a whole other story), he has taken complete control of the kitchen. I do cook my own breakfast fajita or omelet in the morning and do make a mean veggie pasta salad but, because these are optional things to do in the kitchen, I have been able to manage them without a single mishap (ok, there was that towel that ended up a bit singed but I love "distressed" things and the small mishap with the steak knife)!

And take a look at the July kit from KNK. So far, I have done 4 layouts, a mini album (from the add on kit), and a card. And I still have paper left.

It's another Monday here in Paradise

First, the shrine to home (more detailed pics on my altered art blog http://jules-atoasttoalteredart.blogspot.com)is my part of this half month's reveal at Genuinely Jane Studios who is also having a contest. Here is the link so be be sure to check it out:


Read all about it and play at: www.genuinelyjanestudios.typepad.com While you are there, check out the super awesome projects created by our DT and the always amazing Suze Weinberg!

--
Genuinely Yours,

Susan and Mark
Genuinely Jane Studios
www.genuinelyjanestudios.typepad.com
Phone: (609) 864-0666
Fax: (888) 711-9322

Second, here are a few pictures form our Father's Day celebration for E from yesterday. Kristen hates to have her picture taken (at least by me) so I have to ambush her to get any. The kitchen shot is where she was making a salad for E's meal. Rob cooked the chicken and Chris did the corn on the cob. A wonderful meal. I dug out the new dishes (gotta love Home Goods)for the occasion...love these bright colors and they match the great room walls...lol. And, finally, the family photo. There are several versions of this mostly of Chris' posterior as he raced for the couch but this one is pretty good. Thanksgiving is the next time I'll be able to talk them all into sitting still together so I have to grab these while I can!

Have a great day...it is suffocatingly humid and hot here in Paradise. Hope your weather is better.

Bayou in the morning

E and I decided to ride earlier this morning than our usual 8 am due to the oppressive heat and humidity. We left the house at 6:30 am and headed into town to Spring Bayou, one of my very favorite destinations here. We only ride town on weekends as the traffic is much less.

Spring Bayou is one of the many bayous that lead to either the river here or out to the Gulf. They are brackish and affected by the tides as is our river. The park surrounding the bayou is where the Epiphany celebration is held each year, where people come to read the paper, drink coffee, watch the birds, walk their dogs and even fish. The live oaks are draped with shawls of Spanish Moss creating an oasis in the middle of our busy little town. It is surrounded by Victorian house many from the late 1800s. It is a calm and serene place populated by fish and manatee, squirrels and birds.

Happy Fathers Day to all out there who are. And may you all find your "Spring Bayou".