"Beachy Keen"

It seems to me that almost every magazine editor or store owner has a strong desire to retreat to the beach these days. Me too!!!

Decorating with seashells, sand, and coral has become all the rage, even for those who do not live along the coast. I found some photos of different ways to casually bring the "surf" into your everyday design without having to buy new furniture or paint the walls blue.

Shells bring a natural, simple, serene design to any room. I love how they used the large clam for an ice bucket...so refreshing!

Strawberrylicious!

Cream Cheese and Pecan Stuffed Berries
Recipe courtesy The Deen Brothers
Show:
Paula's Home Cooking
Episode:
Berry Good

20 whole large strawberries, hulled 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup confectioners' powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract 2/3 cup chopped pecans
Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each strawberry so the berries stand upright. Place berries, cut side down, on a serving platter. Carefully cut the berries into 4 wedges, cutting almost to, but not through, the bottoms with a criss-cross cut. Fan wedges just slightly, taking care not to break them. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until combined but still stiff. Using a teaspoon or pastry bag with decorative tip, fill the strawberries with the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the stuffed strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

1,2,3 Strikes Your Out...

Ah, yes, spring has arrived! And with it at our home comes baseball season...I'm not talking just any baseball season...it's my 5 yr. old's FIRST baseball season. Now things can get a bit hectic when you have two boys playing ball, but...I LOVE IT! Being out at the park, seeing them do what they love most, and letting someone else deal with them...what's not to love? And did I mention it's men that have to deal with them...even better! Besides, loving to watch them play ball, you know my passion is with paint brush in hand. So we thought we'd share, with baseball as our theme, a couple of things we've done recently...just in case anyone needs a cute gift, or a little something extra in their child's room.

The first is a home plate we've been commissioned to do (and it's become a big HIT, pun intended). We've painted and personalized never imagining we could make a base look so...Cute.

Thanks for the idea, Sherri, and for letting us help you out.

This is a frame I've done for my child's room...got the idea from Koo Koo Bear Kids. Just added a little ribbon to it. And, last is some jerseys that I painted on the wall in the same room (per my son's request)...he's so proud of them...it makes me smile.

So, when I'm not painting these days (or doing laundry) I've got my peanuts and cracker jacks and I'm at the Ol' Ballgame!

Frame It Up

Oh, how special my weekend was...I've been feeling a bit blue lately and my sweet sister came to the rescue. She hopped on a plane and in a flash (well, despite the delay of her flight) she was here...with me...making me laugh. (Thanks, Ellen) And to top it off she wanted help with a craft project! So off we went...several times...to the craft store. Needing a couple of baby gifts we decided to make these very cute picture frames. A "frameless" glass frame, scrapbook paper, and ribbon...how simple is that? We added some cute little appliques we retrieved from the scrapbook aisle just to add a personal touch but you could even print names or phrases or Bible verses to them. We thought they turned out great and took such little time. So if you've got some adorable pictures to frame here's a great way to do it. And for all of you with sisters...they really are SPECIAL, huh?

Horse'n Around

Being from Kentucky, and born near a barn (not in one) this time of year makes me super excited!! Over the years I have become very fascinated by all things "horsey". With May 3rd right around the corner, and the green grass growing, it can only mean one thing...DERBY!!!

I have always wanted to have one of those HUGE Derby parties...you know...the kind of party that everyone gathers under a huge white tent, all drinks are served in a silver mint julip cup, each person puts in a dollar and chooses a horse name out of a hat, etc...

I also have a great love for local art and I stumbled upon the 2008 Derby art poster and shouted, "I gotta have it!"

I love this one, it is a great portrait of what Derby is to me...women wearing HUGE hats and fancy new clothes, looking at their programs and telling their husbands which horse to bet on, the husband screaming because he is cheering for a horse he would not have picked, jockeys decorated in colorful silks and lots of fun!

Believe...in the little things

Ok...can you keep a secret??

Sometimes I like to pretend that I am a little girl again, and I love it when my daughter lets MY inner child play with her imagination. What fun!

At the top of our stairs there is a little door. This is where our "Angel" lives. She watches over the kids and protects them from scary monsters, storms, and the occasional bump in the night. It also makes it a little easier for the parents to sleep all night in their own bed. God sends angels to guard our lives and to remind us that he is always near. When we walk up the stairs and pass by the door, we are reminded that there is someone watching over us and to not be afraid.

There have even been times where we have gone a whole week with out a "MMMOOOOMMMMMYYY" at 3:30a.m. and she has left us a note or a piece of candy on the bench.

What brings out the little girl in you? Leave us a comment or a great story and we might send an angel and her door your way. We will pick the story that makes us smile the most.