Saturday Evening Post...

Since I haven't blogged since Wednesday, I hardly know where to begin! :)

Yard Sales, I suppose are as good a place as any...

I only found one yard sale today, and was pretty pleased to get the Paris picture for Ashley's room, and the fish soapdish for the lake...both for a dollar! (got a 25 cent discount...woohoo!)

The flea market was packed, but full of 80's decor, that no amount of spray-paint could transform!!! LOL!

Finally, it feels like Fall!!!

The last few days have been so nice and much cooler, with little humidity!

Fall in our household brings about harvest time...corn picking!

Kevin and Josh making their first round of the year, below.

Is this not the cutest little combine??? It was made in 1968, the same year I was born!

Doesn't need near the maintenance I do to keep it up! LOL!

Josh making a few adjustments...

So on to the more fun, girl-stuff!

I have now joined the ranks of Ballard Designs Copy-Cats! Marie and Susie are both such pros, with their imitations, I had to jump on the band-wagon!

TAKE NOTE: Ballard Designs will be featured on the Oprah Show Monday. I don't normally watch Oprah, but I did get an email from Ballard Designs, so I will definitely make an exception! Have the Tivo already set! :)

Why you should never give anything away...

My MIL gave me this lamp several years ago. It's cute and gives off great accent lighting, but it is silver. ...Doesn't really fit in with my decor. I started to put it in the "thrift store" bag last week, but I just love the capiz shell accent. So I stuck it back under the bathroom counter.

Then I got the Ballard's Catalog in the mail...and look below....

Capiz shell lighting with dark brass metal hardware.

I went to Wal-mart for a can of Rustoleum, and here is my very own imitation...

But the Copy~Cattin' didn't stop there.....

Scattered all over the magazine, on the backs of chairs, knobs, etc., were bayleaf wreaths, tied and hung with pretty wide checked ribbon.
So, I went "shopping in my store," and found an old bayleaf wreath. (Boy, is that a real tongue-twister!) Couldn't find the ribbon in a check, but I did find a wide satin chocolate brown.

(The two pictures below don't do it justice. The leaves are more uniform and full all around, than appears in the picture.)

Here it is hanging in my newly trimmed windows! The windows had no moldings around them. (None in the entire house!) I compensated by strategically using window treatments! The guys are doing such a good job trimming them out, now I don't want to cover them back up.

Just a few more shots of the kitchen...
Didn't want to overdo "pumpkins"....too late, huh! LOL! The cute little turnip was something a little different to add to my fall decor, found at HL.

My dad gave me the old picture above, and it reminds me of my favorite story of Ruth and Naomi.

We also added a coffered ceiling to the kitchen, painting it a lighter shade of green, trimmed in white...

That is about all I have to share! I am hoping to put out my "outside fall decor" tomorrow!

Here are a few sneak peeks of what I will be using.....



Hope everyone is having a great weekend! ~Rhonda :)
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"And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,..." Genesis 1:14

A Friend Needs our Prayers...

A dear blogger friend and her family need our prayers!

Heather's Dad, (from Hopscotch & Hydrangeas), was in an accident. He was hanging a tree stand, and fell 12 feet to the ground. He lay there for a hour, before Heather's brother found him. He was life-flighted to the nearest hospital and transported by squad to a larger trauma center. He couldn't be moved by air the 2nd time, due to severe storms. He suffered a broken wrist, multiple fractures to his left arm, broken pelvis in several places, broken ribs, bruising around his heart, and has a heart arrhythmia. He will be facing surgery in a couple of days, but as I understand it, they are still trying to determine the true extent of his injuries and breaks! Heather is three hours from the hospital, so let's pray for her safety in traveling back and forth. Her dad faces a very long and difficult recovery. He will be out of work for at least 8 weeks, after he returns from the hospital, and is the sole provider of his family. If you follow Heather's blog, you will know that the family not only needs physical healing, but healing "of the heart" also! You can leave comments and I will gladly pass them on to her, or you can go over to her blog and leave them! I know she will appreciate your prayers and encouragement so much!

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them." Matthew 18:19-20

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I may not be able to make my rounds and visit ya'll today. The carpenters have "pulled the plug" on my internet and cable for the day. I'm trying to get this post up while they are at lunch. I'll be back! ~Rhonda :)

Beauty In the Eyes of the Beholder & A Fun Swap for the Kids...

Since I had a hair appointment Saturday (post below), I was only able to go right around the corner to one Moving Sale. The lady had a college-age daughter, so Ashley decided she would go along with me in hopes of finding a few pocketbooks, and such!

I got up at 6:35 and normally would have been out of the house by 6:45. Doesn't take a lot of primping for yard sale'ing! :)

Unless...you are Ashley, who straightened her hair, put on full face make-up, .....well, let's just say it was 7:25 by the time she was ready! I was losing my mind! LOL! I just knew everything would be gone or picked over. Unfortunately, the only thing Ashley got was a Spanish-English Dictionary. She guarded my stash pile the rest of the time! :)

Here's what I found....

The Liz Claiborne bag in the first picture, is in brand-new condition.

The butter warming dish is old and still works, (picture below.) The two press board tables also included the round glass toppers. The tureen will compliment my Grandma B.'s china perfectly.

I was so excited to find the brass candelabra, below. I have two already and think they will be beautiful on the dining room table for Christmas!

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I was so excited to get the metal washstand below. The lady's initial plans were to paint it black and adorn it with monogram towels, but it was one of those projects she never got around to! I have some of those! :) But, thanks to Blogland, I do now complete more! (... so that I can share them! LOL!)

Kevin couldn't quite get my vision with this piece!

Milk Glass...My affection for Milk Glass was rekindled after seeing all the great pieces Heather, at Hopscotch and Hydrangeas found on her outings, to add to her collection.

So, if you are wondering how much all of this cost....$50.00. A little more than I usually spend on a Saturday morning. But, for the two tables, washstand, and all the other items, I was pleased.

I wanted to pass this tidbit along....

I picked up the candle below at A.C. Moore for $1.00. It smells absolutely wonderful! It is small, but last a really long time! You might want to try one! I promise you will not be disappointed!

I love Candy Corn, but you know what I like even better??? ....INDIAN CORN! Check out the glorious chocolate on the ends! This was my great Wal-mart find for the day! :)

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A Children's Swap

If you are looking to participate in a swap, Swapdex is a great place to go and see what is available. I found a neat one that the children could participate in, and they are really excited!

One Good Book Swap

Hosted by Jill, at The Adventures of a Little Nature Lover and Her Mom. Or you can contact Jill at jillytacy@yahoo.com

You are to create a package including one children's book and at least 3 things related to that book, with one item being handmade. If you are interested, hurry on over, the deadline is September 18th, and the shipping deadline October 18.

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I will see you tomorrow for E.W.W! ~Rhonda :)

Stay True to Your Roots...

Have any idea what all the different objects below have in common???

I'll give you three guesses....

Last week, I decided to paint the other two walls in my dining room dark olive green. After painting the accent wall and powder room years ago, there was little left in the can. So off to Wal-mart I went to get another batch.

As I was coming out of Wal-mart in the garden section, the very elderly Wal-mart greeter motioned for my receipt. I knew she was going to ask for it, ...duh? But without thinking, I'd stuck in my pocketbook. She said to me, "Oh, looks like you are going to be painting!" "Yes mam," I replied, as I bent over to sit both paint cans on the ground, attempting to locate the receipt. When the lady caught sight of the top on my head, she said, "Oh, it looks like you have already started!" ....."NO, I haven't, I just have really bad roots that are in dire need of a touch-up!" Well, I didn't actually say that to her, but that is what I was thinking! LOL!

So off to the salon I went Saturday morning, foregoing all but one beloved yard sale, to get my roots done! As I was sitting with my head over the wash bowl, ...processing, my SIL walked in. I proceeded to tell her about my slightly embarrassing experience at Wal-mart, in which she replied, "that was awfully rude of that lady!" Notice, that I made reference to her age at the beginning of the story. I can only hope that due to her age, she wasn't being rude in the least, but because of her eyesight, she honestly thought my roots were of the same dark paint I was purchasing! "smiles"

Which brings me to what color my roots now are!

I wanted to try a slightly different style and since it was Fall, darken my hair just a little!

Bleached blond highlights are however, a beachy, coastal summer look...not a Fall color!

You know the etiquette rule about not wearing white after Labor Day??? Same thing with Blond hair! Of course, you won't find that in Amy Vanderbilt's Book of Etiquette, but it stands to reason, doesn't it??? LOL!

Please don't be offended if you have blond hair, just a personal preference that works for me! :)

So, I showed my hairdresser a picture of a BROWN headed girl, with the instructions, I want to go DARKER, maybe a carmel BROWN! When all was said and done....I was BLOND...."blind your eyes, brassy blond!" ...lighter than before!

It was such an improvement though, that my family likes it and sees nothing wrong with the color, but for me, to jury is still out!

So, I have a question for you today, as we fight the aging process...just how many hair products does it take for you to be beautiful??? ;)

See the picture above...

No, it isn't a display of products AT the salon, it is my stash....all the goo that goes in my hair!

When I was younger, I had a lot of flaws, but one thing I did have going for me was "Good Hair!" And at that time, it didn't take all this to keep my tresses voluminous and shining. But as I get older, new products are added with each passing year.

Shampoo to maintain the color, one product to make it silky, while another gives it a healthy shine. One to lift my roots and keep them from drooping, another keeps the rest of my hair from frizzing. One to hold the style as I blow-dry it, and an extra hold once it is complete. Luckily I have "connections," and get my products half price! ;)

I am worse than a man fighting balding. Which may I add, you want to know how many products Kevin uses??? The ONE bottle of Head & Shoulders! No extra conditioner, no mouse or gel, and no hair spray! He doesn't even blow it dry. He jumps out of the shower, combs it, and he and his thick, dark beautiful hair are own their way! How unfair is that???

I would love to hear if you have any humorous "Hair Tales!" I'll share another with you later in the week! ...or how many products it takes to keep you going. How many of you remember what your natural color is??? LOL!

It may appear that I am high-maintenance, but really I'm not! :) I do my own nails!

Kevin you can get out of the floor laughing right this minute! LOL! ...please!

Pink Birthday Party ~ Summer's Last Hoo-Raa!

Labor Day Weekend, we hosted a cook-out to celebrate Ashley's 15th Birthday, at the Lake House.

Her Birthday Party Theme ....PINK!

Which worked out well...producing a PINK POST event to share for PINK SATURDAY,

hosted by Beverly, at How Sweet the Sound.

Visit Beverly and the other contributors, for more "sweet Pinkness!"

Ashley made her Happy Birthday Banner in the first picture, out of various PINK patterned paper!

She also decorated her own cake, icing it PINK and adding white polka dots!

In keeping with the PINK theme, we had PINK strawberry donuts and PINK strawberry Whoppers, along with PINK party paper goods.

ONE of our grill masters, Josh! Actually, he was the gofer! :)

Food Galore...

The Birthday Girl blowing out her candles!

And then everyone hit the water, to enjoy the last of the summer fun!

Ashley & David tubing....

Josh & David, The Boat Captain and His Skipper!

Such Concentration...

Due to his arm injury, this was the first time David was able to tube this Summer!

Check out his facial expressions in the next 3 picture! LOL!

He was one happy kid!

I took the picture below a few days before the party! I was doing some cleaning, and the kids called me to come quick with my camera, we had a visitor!

We are not far South enough for him to be PINK! :)

Picture Perfect Summer Day!

Sunset over the Lake

~Thanks Alan H. for providing the great pictures!~

Praying for a hedge of protection around those facing Ike! ~Rhonda