Americana

This is everything I love, Americana at it’s finest.  I remember the day when I would have been all over this like mayo on white.  Recreating the look, having poor hubby build me the wooden flag.  Oh those were the days, and I miss them.

I wish I could just muster the energy to do projects like this again.  Oh get real, Jan, you don’t even have a porch, let alone a wagon!  It’s a nice little dream though, you have to admit.  And my antiques are long gone, they haven’t been around since the 90’s, and I miss them too.

Waaaaa, a little whiny pity party on a rainy day.  *sigh*

But wait, I do have that great Uncle Sam in the attic that V made for me back in the day.  And I could buy a red geranium, and I could sit it on my stone bench by the front door with a flag stuck in the pot.  There is always a workaround, always, sometimes I just forget...

Grandchildren Grow up

i love you grammy    ;):):(

i miss you grammy

How many times have I said about my grandchildren, “oh they are so precious, if I could just freeze time.”  And I truly wish I could. But Abby taught me an important lesson this afternoon when she texted me the above. Yes she’s growing up, and she’s learning things in leaps and bounds, and I need to practice what I preach and live in the moment and just soak up the moments of her life.

February, 2013, she was playing on my computer and typed the following and I saved it -

hgtrgvgvjrtjtgriotrgjrtiljgtoigolzxrhrgtltnyohtbhtgbfhfgtroitohgtrrrtt7htrjgwrtuhtrgtr gutugtuoguilhdu3tihhhfvdfvohvfdabbyis4gcfhkdvbdfhgvfjdchugbtrnjhdgvkrfhgedj vw2erfucdxnrtfv gfgvbfrtufgv XZ  √bvv  nbccfvfhrvhfgvefcfihouh2exxxxxxxxxxxxxxoyfegbetgykgtrnkhjbhghggtyyh5bgtgnhtgvbgnjhiuyk5hjgvutye5yhytiuyhtu6juuyuyhyriuyghtkrjhturjfjhjgnytkjgytygnykjghnytkyjjhny5jhnyjhyyyyyyhjolytjhiouytpuhjiygjuiytujhyiujltihhythythyuhtyljguiylhuythujyoihkjptyhytpijohytjhiotjokhiyjhpotytpoyhtiyjghyklgjvtjkyghnoiytjnhotyigjo51m\\\\\\\\[[[[[[[[[[[]]]]]]]]\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;===============================================================================================================================================================================================================------------------------------------------------=-=-==-==--=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=---=-[==-=-=-=-=--=======================-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She was three years old when she typed this and I thought that it was amazing that she could do it, and it was, but just look at her now.  GO ABS!!!!!! 

Vlasic Farmer's Garden pickles

There are pickles and then there are pickles. Oh my, these are just the best!  My buddy, V, introduced me to these a few weeks ago, they’re in the condiment section of your grocery store, they’re not refrigerated and I’m hooked.  

The Garlic Dill Slices are extremely thick, that’s what makes them so good.  If you’re a pickle lover and haven’t tried these, pick up a jar and you will see what I mean.  Four stars on this one, V!

Abby's growing up so fast....

Sweet little granddaughter’s first riding lesson.  She’s clearly having a blast, there is pure joy on her face.

Since they live in Lexington, the horse capital of the world, it was only a matter of time until she started riding.   Now how long until she gets her own horse?   Somehow I don’t think her Daddy is quite ready for that...

 

Tammy's Baby Foot Review

 

I really admire Tammy (Uppiesbeads59) as you well know if you’re a regular read of my blog.  This beautiful woman  just lays it all out there and tells it like it is.  There is no pretense with Tammy, she’s the real meal deal, and genuinely does her best to help women in our life long quest to be anti-aging.

She uploaded this video about Baby Foot, it’s a must see if your feet need attention, and at the end of the video, it is unbelievable what a difference this treatment makes.  

She say’s its difficult to find, I found it on Amazon for $21.48 a pack, not Prime, but a good price.  Obviously this won’t work for me, but I bet a lot of you can identify with dry cracking feet.  Give this a watch, this woman is pure gold!!!!  And if you haven’t subscribed to her YouTube channel, do it, she will teach you so much.

Love you, Tammy, you’ve the best!  

Bisous my friend, Bisous!!!

Thelma and Louise, twenty years later...

Sure, they’ve had work done, and you may or may not approve of their politics, but you have to admit, for a couple of old broads, these two look amazing!  Hats off to the old(er) girls...

Are you streaming Amazon Prime music yet???

Now that Amazon Prime is streaming music free, I finally got on the bandwagon after my friend, Holly, reminded me about it.  There are apps of course, I have one on my iMac and it’s super easy to  use.  I haven’t uploaded to my iPhone or iPad yet, but I will, just a busy week here.

Anyhoo, if you’re a Prime member and haven’t done this, you can build a really great library for no money.  My favorite album so far, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  Oh, I do love this album, easy listening...

Try it, it’s a good thing!  ~ Jan

Cedar Cove, 2nd Season

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It’s back ladies, premieres July 17th.  Mark your calendars, it’s worth watching just to see Andie MacDowell’s wardrobe and the scenery! 

Paderno Vegetable Slicer, McDonald's Diet Tea and more, some of my favorite things this summer...

Fuze Slenderize Tropical Punch, 10 Calories, 1 Carb, and delicious.  It’s not like Hawaiin Punch, it’s pineapple, apple, mango and has Garcinia Cambodia which will help curb your appetite.  The other Fuze Slenderize flavors have 3 carbs, but Tropical Punch, only one!

I had Mickey D’s Diet Tea for the first time yesterday, and all I can say is “oh my.”  I asked hubby three times if he was sure it was Diet, since he went inside to order it.  It’s so good, you would swear it’s fully leaded sweet tea.  I couldn’t find nutritional info online so I called them, it’s 0 calories, 0 carbs.  Works for me...

My Paderno Spirelli Slicer just showed up on Williams-Sonoma, how about that.  It’s $39, but you can grab it on Amazon for $26.54, free shipping if you have Prime.  I would’t be surprised if they didn’t change that price ASAP, since it’s the exact same thing and it’s so much pricier on Williams-Sonoma site.  Here’s the link if you’re interested.  This is a great deal, I think I paid $35 or $39 for mine on Amazon months ago.  

And what’s so great about this?  Well, this is actually my third rodeo with these slicers.  I started last year with an OXO Julienne Cutter.  I blogged about it and thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread for making my low carb zucchini/squash pasta.  But I took it when we visited John and Deanna and forgot to take it home, so I read about the Spirelli Spiral Slicer, people seemed to like it, so I bought it on Amazon.  I was never a fan of this, it was so hard to use, it was awkward, it wasn’t nearly as good as the little OXO Julienne Cutter and I paid $28 dollars for the darned thing.

But the more I got into low carbing, the more I learned and realized that the Paderno is the one that people prefer.  So then I bought it, and it’s just the most amazing little machine.  It turns out wonderful faux pasta, it’s so easy to use, I’m including a video below of this lady demonstrating it, and she cuts her zucchini mid way down to make short pieces.  If you want to buy something new this summer, this is a great little investment, faux pasta is wonderful.  Good with fresh herbs, pesto, or just butter and garlic.  Hubby and I are huge fans…  This lady explain this well..

 And finally, I have a repeat for you.  This is hands down the best little gadget I’ve bought in years, and you all know that I’m the Gadget Queen.

I bought this a few months ago, blogged about it, and have to follow up because It’s changed my life.  Okay, quit rolling your eyes, it has!

For those of you who struggle with jars, the EZ Off Jar Opener is this amazing little piece of equipment that mounts under your upper kitchen cabinet, it’s totally hidden, you can’t see it, and you just give any kind of a jar or bottle a twist counter clockwise and the lid pops right off.  The best part is that you can use both hands to turn something so it never spills.

Here it is on Amazon, just think, you, too can change your life for only $16.95.

~ Jan

 

Father's Day is full of special moments...

 

Ryan and Lindsay with Ben and Abby at her Grandmother’s house in Alabama yesterday, John with Lexi at brunch this morning.   Sometimes there are just no words, such precious families...

Remembering Daddy

This is the Daddy I never knew as a young man.  He was thirty-six when I was born, this picture with his sister was taken in his twenties.  But  Daddy lives on in our John,  the genetics are so strong, the bone structure is the same, it’s shocking sometimes because when I see John, I see Daddy.

He was a great dad, kind and gentle, he sang with me, called me his “Sweet Georgia Brown”  and jitterbugged with me in the living room.  He loved to read, and as a toddler he taught me all the nursery rhymes, and patiently taught me to read before I started school.  He was a fine man, always interested in my life, my grades, my activities and kept the communication open when I was a teenager.   He thought Larry was great, loved his grandsons, didn’t quite know what to do with little boys, as his life had always been filled with first, many sisters, and then me, but he tried his best and loved them dearly.

He’s been gone for nineteen years now, but I have wonderful memories, and in my mind I can still hear his voice and his laughter.  I was so blessed to have him in my life.  Happy Father’s Day, Daddy, you will always live on in my heart...

The Cat and the Ducklings

 

This video is just amazing.  The power of motherhood is a wondrous thing...

Embroidery, it's a lost art...

These pictues are the individual squares of a doll blanket my friend Marti gave me for my daughter-in-law, Deanna.  She knows how much she loves vintage so she gave me this darling little doll throw to give to her.  She also gave me a child’s blanket that will be perfect to lay in the grass and sit Lexi on.   Deanna will love them, they are really special, especially Hansel and Gretel’s Gingerbread Cottage.

Women don’t embroider anymore, it’s becoming a lost art and it’s so sad.  In today’s busy society there seems to be no time or desire for the old crafts and I have wonderful memories of mother and my aunts embroidering when I was a child.  I still have some of mother’s pillowcases, oh what a treasure they are and what a treasure this will be for sweet little Lexi...

FLAVORED WATER, IT'S A GOOD THING...

I’m a little late to this parade, fruit and veggie infused water has been making the rounds on Pinterest and Facebook for quite a while now.  But it’s been on my “try” list for because I really need to quit the diet soda and drink water, which unfortunately I’m not a fan of.

Today, hubby and I were out and about and we stopped in at Tuesday Morning and found these Del Sol Beverage Dispensers.  We bought them, found out later we got a good price, $30, and they are sold online for $60, stocked up on different kinds of fruits, bought some jugs of filtered water and filled the containers.  Slices of lemon went into one container, and slices of watermelon into the other.

I tried the lemon first, it was really refreshing, yep, I could drink this, then I tried the watermelon, and oh . my . goodness - it was amazing!  Next I’m going to mix cucumber with lemon, it seems to be a big “spa drink” favorite online.

I was on Ball’s site, they sell an infuser that you put in a Ball Fruit Jar, a handy little gadget, but I like the dispenser idea better.  They also had several different suggestions for making your own water, maybe some of you who haven’t already done this might like to check it out.  Of course you don’t really need the dispenser, it just makes it handy.  Frozen fruit works well too, just dump a bag in a gallon container, and you’ve got instantly cold flavored water.  I should have tried this a long time ago...

Raquel Welsh Today

She’s 73 years old and looks fantastic!  Wig and all.  You go girl!!!!!!!!

Usually it’s the guys who look better as they age.  Here’s Mick Jagger at 70.  Just sayin'….

Who does this remind you of...

Lindsay sent a picture of my cute little grandson brushing his hair.  He reminds me of a younger version of Maculey Culkin in Home Alone

Now if we could just get this kid a movie contract, mama would be driving him around in a Mercedes Benzzzzzzzzz...

♪♫♪♫
 

 Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz 

♪♫♪♫

Janis Joplin
Recorded: 1970

JUST LOOK AT THAT SWEET LITTLE FACE...

 

 

 

It’s hard to believe that Lexi is already a month old….

Houdini Horse

 

This guy is pretty special, a must see….

Grammie just loves her grandkids...

 

 

And now I have three to love.  It seems like yesterday that Ben and Abby were babies, but oh, just look at them now.   And now we have another baby, cuddly little Lexi.  Oh they are all just precious beyond words and I count my blessings every single day….

P.S.  That isn’t Daddy’s motorcycle, it belongs to a friend.  Grammie would have one of Abby’s come aparts if Daddy rode a Harley...

THAT CWAZY WABBIT IS EATING MY HERBS!!!!

Butterbean, our lop eared bunny loves to hang out on the patio.  Yeah, umhmmmm, what he really  loves to do is eat my herbs!  We let him out of his hutch, the patio is enclosed, so he can romp and play, and we stay out there with him, but sometimes we get busy and go in the house and that little scamp is into everything when left by himself.

But he’s just the cutest little guy, I’ll take pictures of him soon and post them, he follows us around the patio like a puppy.  If you’re planting flowers, he’s peering into the hole, when you sit in a chair, he stretches out besides you, then he spins and runs back and forth as fast as he can, sniffing everything in his path, no doubt scoping out his next snack!

So yesterday LC and I were in the house, Butterbean was on the patio having himself a full fledged meal.  He ate the tops out of my basil, no doubt his herb of choice.  And he not only ate the tops out of then, he was sitting in the next pot doing it, totally mashing my chives.  Well, I guess he did have to be comfy.

Oh that little stinker, but he’s such a funny wabbit...

Now that I'm an old(er) woman, will I wear purple???

The year was 1984, the popularity of the book When I’m an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple exploded on the scene.  I rushed right out and bought it for mother, thinking she would enjoy it, but she was not amused.

And now that I’m old(er) I’m thinking perhaps I should read it.  I have a better sense of humor than ma did, so I’m going to drag it out and give it a read.  It’s going on my bucket list, yep, it is...

WARNING
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens . . .

The ending of the poem , that’s the best part...

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Grandchildren just melt your heart...

Remembering the good old days...

Hubby and I were just talking the other day about how life used to be when you went to the “service” station.

The attendant came out in a uniform and a hat, greeted you by name, would always wash the headlights and the windshield, check the oil and oftentimes he would check the tire pressure.  All of this for a five gallon of gas purchase!

I want those days back again!  I absolutely hate pumping gas!!!

IPHONE REMIX - TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

If you’re an iPhone person, you will love this.   Some day, when I have nothing to do, in another lifetime, I’m so going to cut a snippet of this for my ringtone.

I’m just blown away….

A SNEAK PEAK...

The glider I talked about a couple of days ago is coming along nicely.  The boards are cut, LC is painting the rails, and yes it’s hanging in the tree.  He’s painted in tree’s forever, he can get to each and every nook and cranny when it’s suspended.  I know, you’re going, ewwwwwwww, it’s pink.  Well actually it’s more of a coral, Krylon Watermelon to be exact, but it’s not finished yet.  Is it going to be a hit or a miss?  We’ll know soon.

Stay tuned, hubby is staining the boards tomorrow, the patio is getting fresh mulch, we’re getting closer sports fans, much closer.

I’ll be back with an update...

SPRINGTIME ALWAYS MAKES ME HOMESICK...

Oh, what I wouldn’t give to hear Mother’s screen door slam again.  To sit in our creaky porch swing, sipping sweet tea, smelling the freshly mown grass, the sunlight filtering through the trees, a gentle breeze blowing, a kitten or two scampering at my feet and the red winged blackbirds singing their songs, oh what I wouldn’t give.

There is nothing like thoughts of your childhood on a beautiful spring day.  And even though I’m lucky enough to live in the quasi country, with a pretty yard, looking out at the horses in the pasture, there is absolutely . positively . nothing . like . your . childhood . home.

Even if it only lives on in your memory….

ONE MAN'S TRASH...

 

So last week hubby and I are tooling down the road, off to run some daily errand, and I’m talking to my buddy V on the phone.  Yes, I know, I’m always talking on my phone.  We’re having yet another discussion about my patio and how I don’t want to spend thousands on outdoor furniture when summer in Heavensville  strikes with an early vengeance and we can’t sit outside anyway.  We usually have a nanosecond in May when outdoor living is a possibility.

I have Adirondack chairs, they’re ancient, but still look pretty good and I like quirky in the garden.  Whimsy is much  more entertaining to me than elegant. V is telling me that maybe I should think about buying an Adirondack glider to go with the chairs, and I’m thinking that’s a great idea, I do love a glider.

And then hubby piped in saying, “there’s one, right there in the trash!”  Now had I been younger, I would have been horrified at the thought of getting something out of the trash, but I’ve had many a rodeo with this man and I know his capabilities.

So we come to a screeching halt, he trudges off to the back yard in search of the owner, an 80 something year old man who has had the glider for years.  My estimate would be circa 1960’s.

He was glad to be rid of the thing and, I was already thinking of the possibilities, so LC threw it in the back of the Jeep and we were off to the races.

Now, looking at this picture, I admit, it looks pretty bad.  Okay, it looks like a piece of junk, and it leans sideways, you can’t even sit in it for fear of it crashing to the ground.  But it does glide, and I’ve learned to never underestimate hubby.  The weather has been just gawdawful in Heavensville, we’ve had rain for the past seven days and more coming today, so his project has been on hold.

In the meantime, he’s purchased new wood, new paint, and the total refurb for this is $30.  Wow, what I deal, or is it?  Will it look awesome, or will it still look like a piece of junk.

Time will tell. Check back and  I’ll update you when the project is completed...

~ Jan ~

IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE...

Despite my love of all things vintage, and especially all things country, I just couldn’t work it into a new blog template.  I’ve been waffling back and forth between templates for months now, just trying to find a fit as I’m sure a lot of you realize, when you link to this page you never know what it’s going to look like.

Once I gave up the idea of a retro theme, it was much easier.  This is my latest attempt, with some much needed coding assistance from the awesome guys at css-tricks.  It’s awfully uncluttered for yours truly, , but I can always work some vintage elements into it later to busy it up a bit.   It’s time to give it a rest, get on with my life and take my nose out of the Mac. I need to just kick back a bit, play in the garden, ride on the golf cart with Maggie, and stop obsessing over these templates..

And I am, and I will, just as soon as I do just a few more tweaks...

~ Jan ~

SPRING RAINS...

 Enough, already!  I have my hydrangeas planted, new hostas in the ground, my pots are planted, everything is now flooding.  Geezy Pete, if this rain doesn’t stop it’s all gonna rot!  Lower leaves are turning yellow by the hour!!

Bitch, bitch, first I’m sick of winter, now I’m sick of rain.  Stop and smell the fleurs and count your blessings Jan.  

Note to self:  SHUT UP ABOUT IT!!!!!

Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste Review

 

We all do it, check out the toothpaste aisles, trying all kinds of toothpastes that promise your pearly whites will glow in the dark, and they don’t really work.

Well, it turns out, mother really did know best.  When she was a child there was no toothpaste, she brushed her teeth with salt mixed with baking soda.  Of course she had dentures in her 40’s, but there wasn’t fluoride either.

But I thought of mom the last time I was checking out the toothpaste aisle at Wally World, and this just grabbed my attention.  I’m just finishing up my first tube, and guess what, my teeth are noticeably whiter.  Now this isn’t the best tasting toothpaste in the world, it’s a little salty and doesn’t have a fresh minty taste, but if it bothers you, you can always use this first, then finish up with your regular brand.

But if you want something that works on old(er) tea and coffee stained teeth, pick up a tube of this, and see if you too don’t see brighter, whiter teeth.  It’s not a miracle worker, nothing is at this age, but it does make a difference.

 

Happy Mother's Day...

When I was a small girl I made my mother’s a mother’s day card at school.  I’ll always remember it, I have it stored away or I would post a picture.  It was made of construction paper, I had colored an iris on the front, and written the following inscription:

In all the world
There is no other
That can take the place
Of you, dear mother

There were never truer words spoken than these...

It's all about the grandkids this week...

Abby told me last week that her friend Addie was having a birthday party and she was invited.  Oh, she was so thrilled to go, and it looks like she had a great time.  Abby always has a good time when she can be a Princess, but she will be the first to tell you that she’s the Queen!





And Ben, he’s blowing lots of kisses these days.  Lots of kisses.  Just look at that adorable little guy, he’s the sweetest little boy.

Grammie is missing them a lot, but they’re visiting in a few weeks.  What a joy it is to have these sweet little children in my life.  Now, if I could just freeze time….

Hydrangeas

They’re one of my favorite plants, hubby planted several for me last year, and has already planted more this spring.

Midwest Living has an article about new varieties for the Midwest.

You can read about them here...

Grammie is home...

 

One more Lexi picture for you and I will settle down and get on with my nonsense.  We came home today, it was so hard to leave that precious little thing.  I’m so going to miss sitting in a chair, holding that sweet little lavender lotion smelling baby.  She’s so soft and cuddly, and this time passes so quickly.

The whole family is doing wonderfully.  It’s hard to believe that this time last week she wasn’t even here.   Every day is dress up, she’s like a living doll.  Daddy picks out the outfits and Mama puts them on her and we all stand back and ooh and aah.  Oh what a fun time in their life this is.

And as for yours truly, the garden is beckoning me.  Poor hubby will be doing a lot of manual labor in the next few days, it’s spring, and what a wonderful spring this is for our family...

 

Precious little granddaughter...

 

Katherine Alexis, 8 lbs., 11" ~ 19.5 inches was born Wednesday, April 30th in Nashville.

Lexi is home with Mom and Dad and doing just great!

She looks a lot like her Daddy with a head full of red hair. She's just a doll baby, such a soft, warm cuddly little poppet with chubby cheeks and fat little fat drumstick legs. Grammie and P-Pa are so blessed to welcome this little granddaughter into our lives...

 

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