A Little Audrey...anyone?

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain...

I pretty much cannot take a photo with a cell phone...Michelle and Heather at the Koger Center

My daughters and I went to see the musical "Grease" at the Koger Center for the Performing Arts.  Michelle loves to sing, dance and act.  She played Frenchy in a high school version of the play.  In the foyer we noted the upcoming season at the Koger Center.  Could it be?  Yes, Yes indeed...My Fair Lady (one of our all time favs) will be here in November!  I think perhaps the most celebrated would be the movie version starring Audrey Hepburn.  Audrey Hepburn exemplified inner and outer beauty.  I have noticed a maybe not so new trend but new to me...many younger ladies are emulating Audrey Hepburn and ladies of her era.  Is that refreshing or what?  I loved her sense of style, grace and all encompassing beauty.  Googling along the way, I found some favorites:

What's not to love...bring out your inner Audrey!

and one more quote from Audrey:

Laissez les bons temps rouler

One Big Pot...One Fabulous Neighborhood...50 pounds of live crawfish...Lots of Assorted Goodies...Beverages...Music...Children of All Ages...Toss with a huge dose of various cultures...A Good Time was had by All!

Trust me...she would rather play with the live crawfish, cooking and eating them held little appeal!

Sorry, my little pretty it is in the pot for you...my initiation into the JOYS of cooking crawfish...did I mention they are live when tossed  in the boiling water? 

"Try at least one"...a valiant effort was attempted and later a hasty retreat to the nearest trashcan!

Bargaining for ice cream...how many???

Playtime...

Our top o the hill neighbors, she originally hailing from Louisiana and he of Tunisia host this annual event.  My ever so helpful neighbor D showed me how to twist the tail off the body, suck the head and proceed to pry a teeny tiny bit of meat from the tail.  To be a good sport I attempted sucking the juice one time after which I ate a few more...I am not really the squeamish type however the already prepared shrimp and grits and other goodies beckoned me! 

We have lived in our neighborhood since 1991.  Neighbors have come and gone...at one time we knew everyone on two streets...now, not so much.  It was a pleasure and delight to meet the newbies!  The parents of the children I see walking dogs, riding bikes or passing in cars.  Once predominately good ole Southern boys and girls...now a melting pot of diversity...I LOVE it!  Many continents and countries were represented...an afternoon, late into the night celebration of friendship...perhaps the world leaders could take note...break bread, come together in fellowship...celebrate our diversity!

I baked a cake and made the following salad which can be used as a side dish, topping or dip.

Black Bean and Corn Salad/Salsa

4 - 6 tomatoes chopped small

1/2 large red onion, diced

choice of sweet peppers, red, yellow etc., hotter varieties may be included as well, about 1 - 1 1/2 cups

1 package of white shoe peg corn thawed (small bag)

1 can black beans, rinsed

2 avocadoes, diced

 mix all diced, chopped ingredients and toss with lime cilantro dressing

Lime Cilantro Dressing:

juice from two limes, zest a little of the skin as well

1/8 teaspoon cumin (or more if you like lots)

handful of chopped, fresh cilantro

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or more to taste, if too acidic)

salt and pepper to taste

Makes enough for a huge crowd and it is a crowd pleaser!  I prepared this for the crawfish boil on Saturday and again on Sunday for our family get together. 

"Let the Good Times Roll"



I think it's coming...Spring is coming!

Spring is in the air!  We saw our first daffodils down south on Saturday!  After a harrowing attempt to feed two cranky children, daughter # 2 and I took the lovelies to Swan Lake.  We walked on the boardwalks through the swamps, admired the cypress "knees" and all the abundant flora and fauna.  

The grandchildren were particularly fond of this old man and he was quite willing to hang out and beg for a morsel or two of something tasty. 

Swan Lake is one of our favorite parks and is home to eight species of swans. Other inhabitants of the park include the Canada Goose, myriad varieties of ducks, herons, turtles and fish.  The park hosts an annual Iris festival.  Camelias, Japanese tulip trees and a few other trees were blossoming.  I love the eerie feel and shadows that the Cypress trees and Spanish Moss cast upon the black waters. 

We are enjoying some lovely weather despite some terrific winds and a howling rainstorm or two.  The grandchildren and I have some plans to build a fairy house or two on Friday...so do come back and take a look.  Happy March Everyone!

(daughter#2 took the photos with a Canon powershot)

Have I done Any Good in the World Today?

It is mid-week, I can say that I gratefully practice random acts of kindness.  I can also say that I was unkind to my dear husband.  It often surprises me that one can be so kind to strangers and then treat our loved ones badly.  I have made up for any and all rudeness (sometimes it happens, we are together 24/7) and am forgiven.  Be kind to yourself today and forgive yourself of any "misdeeds" , forgive those to whom you feel a grievance, you will feel better...I know! 

So many people are hurting, some express this by being angry.  So many people are grieving.  Smile a little more.  Be more patient even when that is the last thing you feel you can do.  Each day passes by so quickly...at the end of the day, the week, the month, the year...can you honestly say,  "I did something good or kind, thoughtful, generous"?   The following hymn is a wonderful reminder of what each person can do to improve their lives and those around them.  Whatever your belief system...the Golden Rule always applies!

 Have I done any good in the world today?


Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]

Then wake up and do something more

Than dream of your mansion above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love.

 There are chances for work all around just now,

Opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”

But go and do something today.

’Tis noble of man to work and to give;

Love’s labor has merit alone.

Only he who does something helps others to live.

To God each good work will be known.

How is your week coming along.  Do you need a hug or a big smile.  Consider yourself (((hugged))) really tightly and I am sending you the biggest, brightest smile!  Can you feel it?  Can you see it?  Go look in the mirror and smile, yeah, it looks something like that!!!

Creativity of a Very Random Nature

We recently had the inside of the house painted.  The rooms look so fresh, warm and inviting.  Most of my efforts have been in the direction of restoring order.  My friend Jayne says that in Feng Shui, you are to move about 27 objects a year.  Well Jayne, I see your 27 and raise you 27 more!  Nothing appears to be going back to its original location.  Of course, then somebody wants new pillows, rugs or something!  Somebody has been trying very, very hard not to purchase more "stuff".  My creativity has leaked all over the house and I am tripping over it. 

In January, my precious granddaughter had a beauty shop type birthday party at our house.  Nonnee (that would be me) made the colorful headbands for each beauty to take home.  The pattern can be found here and these are super simple to make. (I sewed the flower through the button and directly around the headband)  I made a few for myself, using felt I already had and scrounging through my vintage and not so vintage buttons.  The last week or so before a trip to the hair salon requires some creativity or the proper use of a hat, clips or headbands.  My goal has been to be creative each day.  I have been doodling, sketching and knitting. Some days getting a meal on the table has been all the effort I could put forth.  My camera and I apparently need some time away from each other these cold, windy days.  I am sure a reconciliation will occur as soon as the weather stays sunny for more than an hour.  I am curious, are you more or less creative in the winter months?

Just a little reminder, Random Acts of Kindness week starts on February 14 ( a good day, eh?)  I hear there are little "fairies of good will and cheer" out and about.  I have been the recipient of these fabulous notecards by Diane English.  I love her quirky sense of humor and fabulous art.  AND I have already given Stickboy one of the cards which has made him all red in the face and gushy!  Love is in the air.

If you have any fabulous, creative ideas...let me know what you are up to...Peace and Love ya'll!

Psst...can I share a secret?

So I have been dreaming of toilets, yes you read that right the first time.  The toilets in my dreams are not the beautiful, pristine white Kohler ones either.  They are usually clogged up nasty ones with doors missing from stalls and really strange people staring at you from said stalls or sinks.  It seems in my dream I am in search of a clean, private space to take care of business.  The interwebs are such a wonderful research device.  I searched out dream interpretations and it appears I am emotionally constipated.  Who knew?   From this site we learn,  "If the toilet is overflowing, this symbolizes a blockage in eliminating difficult feelings and emotions in waking life."  OR if you are literally dreaming of crap...Feces are a common dream symbol. A room filled with excrement that is filthy or uninhabitable is a warning that you are dealing with a lot of crap in your waking life. If it’s other people’s excrement, the dream is telling you that either you are sick of people who dump all of their personal and private issues on you or you are tired of dealing with someone’s crap.  In my waking, daily life I am done with all that sort of thing, Release was last year's deal...we are done, remember?
Apparently my dream life has decided I still have work to do. 

Speaking of toilets...here are a few for your consideration!

For a rustic, thronelike feel...

For those who share everything...

For those who like to go in style...

So my lovelies which dreams plague your otherwise beautiful slumber?

Planet Connie

Hey Ya'll,

I haven't fallen off the planet...just been hanging out on my own little planet...they like me there!  Spending lots of time daydreaming and planning projects, mulling over "stuff"  I have no shortage of ideas.  I proceed to go all manic and want to do everything at once usually when it is time to go to work.  Yeah, I made a flower headband before I came to the office this morning!  So I guess that counts as a Day 1 creative endeavor.  I have spent the greater part of too much doggone time researching, reading and browsing "creativity" sites and books about being creative that I failed to notice I am creative every day.  Although I should probably be less creative with my bookkeeping and accounting (that is a joke)  So my loyal fans...stick around and I may just share some of my projects...I am seeing how much of my stash of art/craft supplies I can plow through without purchasing new stuff.

Birthday celebrations are still underway...since I started late...I plan to continue until about February or so.
Favorite riding in the car music this week...the soundtrack from "Wicked"  It reminds me of the recent wonderful trip to NYC, the fabulous play at the Gershwin Theater, about how being different is not a bad thing, being popular is overrated, judging people = not good, defying gravity can be a good thing, to stand for something (or you will fall for anything)  "people" in charge do not always have your best interests at heart...stay informed, the line in a song that states, "no good deed goes unpunished"...that was my friend Dot Dot's favorite comment! 

It is a rainy, cold Winter day and I find I am missing my fallen comrads something terribly today.  Sleep well my pretties until we meet again. 

Excuse me, I must go find my sparkly ruby slippers...