Home Alone......

Someone out there has to be like me......
Yes, I know its late...6:00pm to be exact and here I am......


My husband went off on a job interview in Ohio and here I sit wondering what to eat for dinner! Cereal, PB & J, crackers & cheese, a hard boiled egg?????? No way!!!


This time I am making something good to eat and sit down like a human and eat it....Usually I eat standing over the sink. Anyone out there like me???????


What is it that the family does something and MOM just makes due?? What's up with that! Don't I deserve to eat a nice meal??? At least part of one I figure......I feed my dogs chicken every night yet not myself!
Tonight I am going to be selfish! Yes!




Anyway I made myself a bean salad...Not a BIG accomplishment BUT one, none the less. I DID IT!
I even made myself a pretty PINK tray! YUP!! Imagine that! MOM!!! making herself a pretty tray......


Thought I'd share the tray and recipe with all the LADIES out there like me.

The rose pattern is "Desert Rose" by Haviland
The blue is hand painted made in Japan
The cup & saucer have no name on them.

The dishes were all bought at Goodwill in Buffalo, NY.

The napkin is a handkerchief I have saved.

The swan is from Avon, a Goodwill Houston purchase.

A simple tray but fun to pretend I am a princess!

The Original Recipe........

4- Bean Relish

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

1/4 cup scallions, sliced

3/4 cup red onions, diced

1/4 cup red peppers, diced

3 tablespoons honey

1-12oz.can white beans, drained

1-12oz. can chick peas, drained

1-12 oz. can pinto beans, drained

1-12oz. can black beans, drained

Mix all ingredients together and let sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour for the flavors to blend. Mix throughly before serving.

What I do.................................................

I use 15 Bean Soup...."Hurst's Ham Beans"(Walmart). I throw out the soup packet...soak the beans overnight and cook them the next morning until soft. Then follow the directions above. I also add black olives and I cut them into rings.

I sometimes serve this as a dip and use "scoops"!

Everyone loves this salad.

You can add or subtract according to your tastes. I happen to love this salad and serve it a lot of different ways. I love it over field greens for lunch and as a side for dinner.

Let me know if you make it and how your family liked it!

Thank you for stopping by......

Thank you to Susan for hosting BNOTP!

Blessings My Friends,

Hi Everyone!


Sorry for not posting but I have been very sick......
I finally went to the ER Wednesday morning. Once they plugged me in and filled me with steroids, I felt like the incredible HULK!  It will take a a week but at least I am up and walking. I was dehydrated to boot! I know you are suppose to rest and drink plenty of fluids.....I thought I was!  I have an acute sinus infection. The thing that scared me was I wasn't getting any better and when I woke up Wednesday morning my eye was blood red. The doctor said "The infection was taking over"! The good news is that the infection did not get into my bloodstream!


Anyway this brings to the reason for my post. I was watching Dr. Oz on Wednesday and he had a very interesting show......I am going to share it with you because I think it's something we can all do......


Dr. Oz's Top 10 Daily Essentials

Dr. Oz boils down what he considers the top ten most essentials habits you need to carry out on a daily basis for optimal health.

#10. Eat a hard boiled egg everyday to fight frailty. Eggs are rich in choline, they also reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s. You can cook up a week’s worth in advance and take them with you on the go. If you’re not a fan of hard-boiled eggs, eat one a day scrambled, poached or any other way you like it.

#9. Check your poop....not necessarily my favorite but I guess its important! It should never be white. ALL righty then....How many poops should we have? What ever is normal for you! Thank God!
OK..enough of this .... Let's hurry and move on...

# 8. When looking at a plate full of food it should be half full of veggies. I love this! It is so simple to remember.....no measuring and I like that you can teach this to kids too! Big Husbands??? I am still working on this one!

#7. You should take half of your multi-vitamin in the morning and the other half at night. Your body can't absorb the nutrients all at once so to get maximum absorption take it twice a day. This makes  sense to me.....but I don't take vitamins! Read on....ladies!

#6.  To protect your bones, a multivitamin is not enough. You need a bone-boosting cocktail ....
Vitamin D3 1000 IU
Calcium 600 mg
Magnesium 400 mg

Now, this is not really me. I have a hard time with doctors telling me to take supplements. I thought if you eat right why do we need all this extra stuff? And IF I have to take all this extra stuff why am I eating food ???? Shouldn't we cut out food and just pop pills? What do you think? I think I would be thin?????



# 5. Get at least 7 hours of sleep. If you aren't rested you can't do your best  the next day.
So that's why I can't function!
My bladder calls at 4am, Peanut is barking in the entry hallway because it echoes and she likes to hear herself at 5am, Caesar wants us to get up at 5am to go in the Living Room with him because Peanut has started the ball rolling and Chloe just growls at everyone and goes back to sleep! I can't tell you the last time I got 7 full hours of sleep! Before I had my daughter...maybe????

#4. Have Sex!
Remember this is everyday...????
I'm not sure of this one..... everyday? Do I even have the time & strentgh? I am only on #4 and I'm already tired! Maybe this is why I need vitamins??? Hmmmmm......

#3. Breathe & Stretch for 5 minutes.
 It creates a stress buster and can add years to your life. It's simple just touch your toes and relax your body as you do so...walk around a bit and repeat!

#2. Eliminate Simple Sugars.
If its white or processed get rid of it! This one I have been working on for years...I cut down on buying anything in a package. I make my own cookies, cakes, mac n cheese and even bread. I have tried over the years to eliminate as much as I can but there are always exceptions. I do buy tuna, jams, dressings, ketchup, mayo, cakes mixes for last minute occasions, cereal and crackers.  There just are some things that are going to be hard to eliminate! I figure what ever you can do without is great! It took me one year to get my husband to drink 2 percent milk! And two years to get rid of the Twinkies!!! The way I see it, I'll be dead before I can eliminate everything!

#1. Sit Less & Move More!
My favorite...I do have to keep reminding myself to get moving! I am not an exerciser. I do have a treadmill but it is effort for me to get started. Like everyone else, life happens. I have to admit it is sitting in the corner of our family room just the way the movers left it. I haven't even dusted it!

Not sure how much of this I will do but I am going to try....let me know if you are willing to change some habits and which ones. I am eager to hear what you think so leave me a comment good or bad. I love to hear from you.

If you want more information you can go to:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-top-10-daily-essentials?page=3#copy&fbc_channel=1



Blessings My Friend,

Something To Think About

                                He has RISEN!
                           He has RISEN indeed!

I hope you had a great Easter!
My husband and I had a wonderful, sunny & restful day! I didn't want to have a traditional Italian Easter sooooo.......
We went to church, had a yummy breakfast, went swimming and BBQed steak western style! We had so much fun! Maybe because we did something out of the ordinary. I want to make good memories, its all we have to leave our loved ones!
How did you spend your Easter?

 On April 18th, my friend Kim died suddenly. It was on the same day my Dad died last year. I guess I have realized life is short and God can call us home at any moment. I have been thinking about all the people who don't know Jesus. I know Him and I am on the road to knowing Him better! Do you know Him? Do you know if you are absolutely, positively going to heaven??? Not sure?????? A little doubtful?
I know Him and I am going to heaven!


 How Do I Know I Am Going To Heaven????

 Jesus answered, " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) 
 Acts 4:12 says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

We must accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Then start a personal relationship with Him, by reading the Bible. That's where we get to know who He is and His promises. Start reading the Four Gospels Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.


I don't mean to get on my soapbox, but I think it is important for you to think about. I want to know all my friends are going to heaven when they die. I want to spend eternity tablescaping with all of you. Don't you?


I felt led to share that with you today.

                        NOW MY TABLESCAPE!!!!!

We are in my kitchen at the round table.

The little green wine glasses I bought at Goodwill in Buffalo, NY.

The chargers & white pleated plates are a Goodwill find.

The napkins I purchased at Goodwill in Texas. The placemats were given to me by my neighbor, Shelly from Buffalo.

I love the white pleated plates! I use them often. I am glad I bought them.

This green plate I bought in Marshal's for my last post. Do you see the raised bump? It keeps the odd shaped plate from rocking on the white pleated plate!

My beautiful bowl.....I only have two. I bought a placesetting for two at Marshal's.

I just love the swirls of gold.....

The tea set matches.......

My centerpiece...the swan is from Avon..I bought it at Goodwill for .99 cents. The vase & roses are from my living room. One of my favorite colors is vanilla. The mirror, I have had awhile.

A last peek.....

Thank you to Susan at BNOTP for hosting this fun event.

 Make sure you visit the other fabulous tablescapes.

 Sweetladyelaine thanks you for visiting her today.

I am looking forward to visiting your sites.

Remember to Thank God for everything He has given you!

Blessings My Friend,

Happy Easter Everyone!

I pray that you will have a Blessed Easter with your loved ones....
Remember, why we celebrate Easter....


                 "He is not here; he has risen!"Luke 24:6
                


Blessings My Friends,

Tablescape Thursday and I need help!

Hi all,
This week has certainly kept me busy......

It's already time to play with my dishes. I bought new ones in Katy at The Home Goods Store!
I'm not sure if I have shared this with you but we have not found a church and are very concerned. Anyway, this past Sunday we visited Redeemer Community Church! It was wonderful...the people we met were friendly and just loved on us. I have to admit we were needing it!  Pastor Mitch Maher greeted us and asked us where we were from and named our old church...The Chapel at Crosspoint! The service was great! The problem...we drove 45 minutes to get there!!!!!
On the way to church I spotted a Home Goods Store and you know me...I had to stop! so we did...

Now I will admit I love the dishes but I am NOT happy with the centerpeice! It is just not me....I know all of you will love it! It's a little too much for me.....you decided. I like simple.


We are in my dining room. The wall color is like a cadet blue. A little dark but dramatic!

This picture has a green salad plate.

This one has a yellow salad plate.
 The napkins I bought at Salvation Army here in Houston.

The yellow plates are by Sweet Olive Designs;

 Fancy Scroll Collection.

The green plates are Artistic Accents.
The placemats I bought in HomeGoods. They have a green center.

I bought these dishes because I loved this little crown bowl.

I need to thank Susan at BNOTP for hosting this fab party!

I have alot more pictures.....

I just can't show you any more pictures because I ran out of room on Picasa Web. Does anyone know what to do...I really don't want to buy any more space. Does everyone have this problem? If I delete my pictures from the album it deletes them from my blog. I thought blogging was free...

I am a little confused on what to do!

Please leave me a comment.....

Blessings My Friend,

Running.......

I am not sure how you ladies get everything done and still post! I am running around like a mad woman.....please tell me your secrets!!!!!

I want to join a few blogs on Tuesday and then of course Tablescape Thursday...but I never have enough time!

You must not sleep...or do anything but blog!!!!!

Oh My.....I am exhausted!

I started really early today in setting my table. I changed it a few times. I have good ideas, but never the stuff to make it come together. I try to focus on details but I guess I don't like when a table is overcrowded.
I always use my tablescapes for dinner.....whether its just the two of us or for company! This is my living room.....

 I hated putting a TV in my living room but I liked having my morning coffee overlooking the pool. I had an end table between the two chairs and moved it to the family room. I love having small tables all over the house to enjoy a cup of tea or a bite to eat. 
In Buffalo, I had the two chairs in my family room with a oak round table between them. I loved that! It overlooked the backyard and pond. Now the round table is in the kitchen.....

It is a very simple table....... the tablecloth was my inspiration. Or should I say the piece of cloth. I bought it at Goodwill with the intentions of covering a bench with the material. I realized I wanted an all over print and a different color on the bench. So I now will use it as a tablecloth! I used a different centerpiece in the picture below.

A silver tray is used as a charger with a dinner plate from Bella Lux, "Alexandra Gold". I added the Alexandra Gold bowl.....

This is a clear scalloped plate that has three roses in the center. I think my mom and I bought them at the Dollar Store. I have a place setting for 12, she has a place setting for 24. We bought them alike that so if we needed to, we could put them together for a party!

The green dessert plate is vintage. Our neighbor gave them to my mom and she gave them to me. I use them at Christmas. I have 12.

The teacups match the dessert plate. I do love the color!

The green bowl is a gift from my Aunt Emily, years ago. I have always loved green & pink glass. I just never had enough money to collect it. Now, I'm glad I didn't because I love mixing and matching dishes.....Thanks to Tablescaping.

 If I told you I am eating Blue Bell ice cream would you believe me??? Yup, I am.... Southern Blackberry Cobbler. It just sounded so good to me and since I have to stop and think while writing this I decided to indulge myself. lol

Well, I hope you are up to something good this week....love that you stopped by. Please stop and chat again. I love hearing from you. It gets lonely in Texas with no friends!

A BIG Thank You to the ladies hosting these wonderful events:

 Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday
Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor for Tea Time Tuesday
Wanda Lee & Pam's at A Breath of Fresh Air for Tea Pot & Tea Things Tuesday
Suzanne  at The Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingie Thursday



Blessings My Friend,

A Perfect Day.....

Yesterday was a really nice day. A perfect day, really.

 My neighbor, Ruby, came over for coffee and we did alot of girl talk! Five hours to be exact! I loved it! We ate banana bread and drank coffee.... It was a really relaxing day and I needed it! I miss my friends in Buffalo and I am so glad God sent me Ruby. She has lived in Texas for only a year, so we are new together!

She really is a gem!

I am getting to the good part.......

My husband came home from work and we had to bring his car to the dealer, make a stop at the pool store and mail some letters at the Post Office.

I was following him in my car and on the way out of our development I saw alot of stuff on a lawn.....my heart was doing leaps! We stopped at the stop sign and kept going. Oh well..... I did spy a green cabinet that I liked and hoped we would stop on the way home (more like talk my husband in to it).

 My car has a mind of its own and it will stop at every garage sale, estate sale, trash can it finds along the way! lol

Not my hubby, but.....

When we got to the car dealer, my husband jumped out of the car and excitedly said "Did you see all that stuff on the lawn". 

 Me, casually I said, "ya". He said, "We're going back!!! I saw a chair and attached desk I want to look at"!  Me...."Oh really"?????

Now you must know.......I am a trash hunter...... I have learned to act like I don't care...but my heart was pumping so fast I thought he could hear it! He WANTED to stop!! He wanted too!!!!

After our errands....we STOPPED! We asked how much she wanted for the chair /desk combo and would you believe the lady said "just give me a donation"! A donation???? WOW! I never heard of that before....at least not in Buffalo! I was like a kid in a candy store...so much eye- candy!

I was looking around and chose a few things. Meanwhile my husband gave the lady $20.00 and was off with HIS purchase! I have to admit I was shocked!

I wanted the green cabinet but it was gone....there was a white one but another lady wanted it. I should have offered her more money but my husband took our stuff and ran.

This is what I came home with.....I wasn't too excited...I was ecstatic!!!!

AND MY HUSBANDS PURCHASE.......drum roll, please....

It needs some work, so we will see what Mr. Wonderful comes up with. This will be his first big project. I can't wait to see what he does.....it will be at least a year before it is complete! He has so many projects to do!

The best part of all this....

The picture is a Thomas Kinkade!!!! It has the Certificate of Authenticity on the back! I was jumping up and down!What luck!

We have several of his paintings and I was not aware of it when I picked it up. What a great surprise........

I'm not sure what I am going to do with everything but I do know you will see it here. I will put them all over the house before they actually have a HOME! I am like that......
I am happy with my teasures...I hope you enjoyed looking at them.

 Now get out there and bargain hunt!

I am linking up a little late with Laurie at Bargain Hunting with Laurie for Favorite Things....

Thank you for visiting Sweetladyelaine. I do love when you leave a message and chat for awhile.

Blessings My Friend,