Happy Birthday Buddy!

The patriarch of our furballs is 9 today!  Hard to believe it's been that many years since Kelleigh and I picked him up.  He has been the sweetest dog ever and we love him to death.  (He does NOT like birthday hats!)

Finally organized!

After being inspired by Heidi Swapp's event and her post talking about her efforts to get her office space organized, I decided I needed to do the same.  I wish I had taken a "before" picture as it was very different from what it is now!  I removed everything from the closet, painted it, put up new shelving, and did a whole reorganization of the items.  I listed over 100 items in my Etsy store so it was a true purging of things that I have accumulated over the years.  It's amazing how inspiring it is to have things handy and organized.

Happy Easter!

Remembering ... sunrise service as a child at the church below with my dad ... getting to wear new white shoes for the first time of the season ... new dress with hats and gloves ... such special memories.

Good Friday

Who? Me?

What this picture fails to show clearly is the mud all over his face as he comes from behind the wall ... leaving behind a nice little hole he'd been digging ...

Samson's growing up

Took Samson for his next baby shot today so he's napping now.  My little sausage gained 4 lbs. in a month!  He's 7.5 lbs. now ... no wonder he's hungry all the time.  Serious growing spree!  Unfortunately they said he can't be groomed for another month as he needs his rabies shot then must wait a week.

Happy 22nd Birthday Ryan!

I remember so clearly sitting in the waiting room with Mom and Dad waiting to hear that Ryan had arrived.  Mark was waiting in California for the call so he could get a flight to Virginia.  In the wee hours of the morning, I got to make the call that we were finally, after many years of trying, parents.  Twenty-two years have gone by so quickly and we are so proud of the young man he has become.

We spent yesterday enjoying a hockey game at the Staples Center seeing his team, the LA Kings, play the Boston Bruins.  It was his girlfriend's first time at a hockey game and she was appalled at the fighting and that the opposing team was being boo'd!  We had a great time.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

A walk down memory lane ...

My fiestaware dishes came yesterday and it made me teary eyed as all the memories of visiting my paternal grandparents came flooding back.  There are times I wish we could go back in time and relive some of those memories as they were indeed special times.  I'll be forever grateful to my parents for giving us so many great trips throughout our childhood and all the memories along the way.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My Etsy store

I made the decision it's time to go through my craft room and do a little Spring cleaning.  I opened an Etsy store last night to list the items I haven't used in a long time and am not allowing myself to have second thoughts!  Feel free to share the link to the store to any crafty friends you know!

Link:  www.etsy.com/shop/BeautyAmongBranches

Who will he pick?

Yes, I'm one of the pathetic women who watch the Bachelor and Bachelorette despite saying each time that it will be my last!  Tonight some girlfriends are coming over for the finale and some wine, dessert, and laughter.

Fun with Heidi

We had a great time at Heidi Swapp's workshop last night and came home with lots of goodies.  The venue was decorated gorgeous and the hosts, Queen Bee Market, had tremendous sponsor support for the event.  I was fortunate to win three raffles with my favorite being "the Cinch".

Heidi

Gorgeous cookies

Beautiful blooms

We are leaving shortly for Heidi Swapp's event so will post tomorrow all the fun goodies we get.  Today there were so many beautiful blooms and flowers around the yard I thought I'd post a few.

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Jen and I are so excited about tomorrow night at Heidi Swapp's event.  Here are a few sneak peeks from Instagram ...

Office is finished!

While it won't show up very well in a picture, the valance for Mark's office is finished.  It looks great against the navy blue walls and blends nicely with the cabinets and Cal pictures.

Memories

One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting Grandma and Grandpa Bell's house.  Aside from living in a small town which we thought was so great, were the Fiestaware dishes they had.  I recall so vividly sitting at their table with these bright colored dishes and each place setting being a mixture of color.  Through the years I've been buying original pieces as I come across them and today received a box of six bowls in fabulous condition.  I made the big decision to order "fake" fiesta pieces from Penney's to mix with my original pieces.  While the colors are close, nothing will ever be as great as the ones Grandma had!

Sun with a little hail

Yesterday was a miserable day with random rain storms and hail.  Today we have sunshine and warmth and things are greener after only one day of rain.

My little guy, Sammy, is growing up fast.  He slept from 10p-5a last night and comes and barks to let me know he needs to go out.  He is much more active the last few days and he and Chloe have been playing a lot.

Can you see the hail on the ground?

Easter decor

With Easter being in late March, I put that holiday on the seasonal table and the St. Patrick's Day decor in the kitchen.  I just love Easter and spring ...

Spring blooms

The trees are confused and think it's spring ...

The gumballs haven't even finished falling and blooms are appearing

Happy March!