Croquet Anyone?

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Isn't this cute!

I rediscovered this little mini croquet set that I had gotten years ago.

I loved it because it reminded me of when my best friend, Midge, and I used to play in her back yard. (It was her croquet set.)

We played quite a bit in our grade school and Jr Hi years.

This one stands about 8 inches high. It is complete with the mallets, the wickets, posts and the cute little balls

Now . . . .,I do have a real set that I got way before my husband died. However I could never find anyone who would play it with me. I have a good backyard for it too!

Where the set is at this exact moment, I don't know but I run across it every once in awhile; still new in the box!

Sue, next time you visit me in the summer, we are playing croquet!!!!

Be forewarned : ))

Shirley

Rocky Won't Let Me Sleep

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There's a thunderstorm going on here which Rocky is terrified of. So he comes up on the bed and claws at me till there is no use to try to sleep. It's 3 am! I want to go to bed!!!! When I close the door he scratches on it and barks. He wants to be with me and he wants me awake!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I'll go bake some brownies.

I'm feeling better except for my bum (lower back). I can hardly sit and takes me forever to get in a comfortable laying position. Even walking isn't pretty! I hope I didn't break anything!

Tomorrow is barn day for me although there's not that much I can do. I won't be riding for a few weeks I'll tell you that!!!

Shirley

Under the Weather!

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My sister brought it to my attention that I'm way behind on my blog. Well, I've been under the weather. Literally and figuratively. We had a huge snow storm but that passed and that wouldn't have kept me off the computer. However, as most of you women out there will understand I've been going nuts with a UTI. Finally gave up trying to cure myself with lots of water and cranberry juice so called the doc and got on an antibiotic. Antibiotics never make my stomach feel good but I was starting to feel better when yesterday, while at the barn, Echo knocked into me and I fell backwards right on my sacrum. BIG OUCH!! I can barely walk up and down stairs and getting in and out of the car is torture! Now I also have ringing in my ears from a few too many aspirin!

That's my story. So now I have both front end and back end damage!!!!!!

Shirley

A Couple of Nifty Thrifties

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From a Visit To Goodwill

On Saturday I stopped in Goodwill to see if there was anything interesting. Didn't find too much but went home with these 3 things.

This forsythia garland will be something perfect for me to use on a spring time tablescape.

It was $3.00 minus 20%.

My grand daughter's 4th birthday is coming up in March and I spotted this huge plastic horse that looks a lot like Echo!! Has a removable saddle and bridle. ($8.00 minus 20%)

And at 50 cents each I couldn't leave these blue denim salad plates!

Sometimes I find a lot and sometimes just a few things. The fun is in the hunt!!

I'll link up with Coastal Charm this week for "Nifty Thrifty Tuesday".

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Have fun everyone!!

Shirley

Candlelight Mosaic

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Candlelight

I'm linking this post with Little Red House for "Mosaic Monday".

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Shirley

A So-Simple Treat

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These are so simple and quick that I'm ashamed to put them on a "Foodie Blog" So I'm just telling you guys!

It's just a Pillsbury thing : ))

Recipe below.

You can also use some toffee chips with the chocolate chips and drizzle some caramel sauce over the top which I think I'll try next time. Or how about a center of chocolate-hazelnut spread and raspberries!!!

Experiment!

These are perfect, really easy things to make with my grand-daughter!!!

Shirley

Old China Tablescape

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I'm linking up with BNOTP for "Tablescape Thursday".

You can find Susan's wonderful blog and all the other tablescapes here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I found these old china plates at a garage sale a couple years ago. It isn't anything fancy and you can tell it was well used. It's made in the USA and has "University Ware" stamped on the back.

I like the soft color of the flowers. The gold edges are worn and there's a couple chips.

I dressed it up with some crystal and it makes a pretty table.

I like to use several non-matching candlesticks of different heights.

This teapot came from Marshalls

The sherbets were my mothers and are old. They go perfectly here.

This is my sterling silverware. Pattern is Towle "Rambler Rose". My Godmother started buying it for me when I was born and for a few birthdays. I've bought a few pieces years later.

Evening is approaching.

This serving bowl and the cups and saucers were Goodwill finds and go with everything!

This gorgeous Cambridge Glass platter was a wedding gift from my Aunt Kitty for my first marriage in 1963.

The candlelight makes all the difference to a table setting!

Doesn't it make you wonder . . . What's for dinner! Ha!!

There's those little birds again. I should really look for some different S&P shakers!

I love little paper doilies!

I hope you liked my fancier tablescape this week.

Shirley

Rocky's Barn Visit

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I think a barn counts as outdoors. So I'm linking up with A Southern Daydreamer for "Outdoor Wednesday". Take a look at everyone's blogs after looking at mine (of course : ))

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Yes, it's my day off but I had to deliver Michele's birthday gift to her because I won't see her on Thursday. I had Rocky in the car from when I had taken him shopping with me! Michele was working with Satire in the arena when Rocky and I arrived.

The arena is terrible dusty from not being able to water it in the frigid temps. By Thursday, the arena hose should be thawed out and I'm hoping to get it done then.

Rocky watches and sniffs . . . and sniffs and watches.

He should remember horses because when he was young and was at the trainer (for hunting), they hunted him on horseback. They use horses with the English pointers because they are far running dogs and so fast.

Satire's not impressed.

Well, come-on!

The rest of these pictures are blurry; sorry! Rocky is just too fast moving in this barn light with my point and shoot camera!

Look at Preacher's ears! He looks threatening but really wasn't.

Echo's head is almost bigger than my whole doggie!!

Sniff, sniff

Rocky isn't all that impressed either. He gets much more excited over a chipmunk!

Shirley

Tomorrow, A Day Off!

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Now, my daughter says I have every day off but that's not how I look at it. You know, your kids don't think you do anything or have a life if you don't work a regular 9-5 job! By my day off I mean on Tuesdays and Saturdays I am not scheduled to go to the barn or watch my grandchildren. It means I can do anything I want even though one of those days I should be cleaning and organizing this house. My "days off" are the days I just go bumming around to a store or two, go have coffee at Starbucks or maybe have lunch somewhere, go to the thrift stores, or maybe just vegetate at home and watch a couple movies! I think everyone needs those days! It's finally going to warm up a little and as soon as the ice melts on my road, I want to start taking Rocky for walks. Sometimes on my days off I seem to "waste" hours on the computer but it's something I enjoy and that's the point.

Oh, Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!

Shirley

Hearts and Lace

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I'm linking this little post with My Romantic Home for "Show and Tell Friday".

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

My Valentine

I got this beautiful handmade card today in the mail from my sister.

She makes wonderful cards and they are getting better and better.

Yes, don't worry Sue, I've saved them all.

I love the colors of this one and the lace plus that scalloped edge.

We started doing scrapbooking together but I have let it go and sold all the supplies I had. Now, my sister on the other hand, has narrowed it down to just card making. She makes them for everyone. In fact her son is in the mortgage business in NYC and she makes his Christmas cards every year for his clients. That's 500 cards!!! She's already started on next years.

Well, happy Valentines Day to everyone and Thank You Sue for this special card!

Shirley

Valentines Day Table

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It's almost valentines Day so I'm posting this table with Susan At BNOTP for "Tablescape Thursday". Find all the other participants and Susan's wonderful blog here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

My Own Little Valentine Party

Red and white. My second favorite after blue and white or just plain white.

I set this up this afternoon hoping my grand kids leave it be tomorrow when they come!!!

Those little hearts are very tempting though aren't they!

This entire table are dishes from GW or some other thrift shop. (Except for the square polka dot plates which are from Marshalls.)

The red stainless flatware is from Walmart.

Awww, the tea drinker will sit here.

I had to use my birdies again. Lets call them love birds.

As evening approaches I light the candles.

Now it looks very romantic.

I didn't really have a centerpiece so I had to improvise!

Layering dishes, I love it!

Now, all I need is Mr Valentine!!

No, No, I was fibbing!!!!!!!!

I didn't say that!

Nope, nope nope!!!

Happy Valentines Day everyone.

Shirley