June Ramblings...

Well, it has been quite some time since I have visited blogger land.  I think the invention of Pinterest has definitely swept me off my feet!  I have also been busy with another attempt at gardening.  This year seems to be going better with the exception of a few pests.  My yellow squash has been attacked by vine borers and I am hoping I can save them.  These are very nasty pests and I will spare you the gory details.  Aphids have also taken up residence; but luckily, these are much more manageable.  I am staying organic and it is no easy task in south Texas.  I resorted to blasting the aphids with a water hose, but they always found their way back to my tomato plants within a few hours.  So, I was fortunate this weekend to find a nursery called The Arbor Gate nearby that sold live ladybugs.  Two thousand ladybugs for $10.50?  Sure, why not!  Ladybugs are awesome and stealthy little garden ninjas! 

Aside from the ladybugs, The Arbor Gate was a real treat!  If you are in the Houston area and haven't gone, please do.  The staff is very knowledgeable and the nursery itself is very unique.  The herb selection was unreal.  I was able to find herbs such as Stevia, Feverfew, etc. that mainstream stores never carry.

I ended up buying a pot of french lavender and a pack of Thai basil.  The smell of basil is heavenly but the Thai version takes it up a notch!  As we wandered through the gardens I was fascinated by all the wonderful artistry on display. 

 Who doesn't love fairy gardens?

 These eclectic bird houses were beautiful.

 The easiest flowers to grow!  We were even greeted by ducks.

 I love his wisdom.

 Tea anyone?

 The shops on the grounds were loaded with fairy garden supplies.

 This may be a new hobby.

The white cottage garden decor makes me swoon!  I cannot wait to go back, especially in the fall. 

Off to check on the ladies! 

Christmas in July

This week has been relatively quiet in our household. I've done some major decluttering but have a long way to go. I guess I need to stop looking at the big picture and tackle little areas at a time. Tomorrow my desk is on the agenda! Baby steps!

I did manage to spend some quality time with my daughter last night. Just us girls, no boys allowed! I was teaching her how to cross stitch and we worked on a these little Santa kits together.



They will be ornaments when completed. Now, I know what you're thinking, Christmas?! Well, only 5 months and 5 days until the big day! Therefore, I am celebrating Christmas in July. Here is a sneak peek of the season we all love so much courtesy of Country Living.

I absolutely love the look of bare branches decorated.


This feels clean and festive.


An advent calendar cleverly made out of match boxes.


A Christmas card collage adorns a door perfectly.



I adore the mix of white and red in this lovely distressed armoire.


Stayed tuned for more Christmas in July...

All About You

I have fallen in love with this magazine. Not only does it have information and recipes for real life, it has coupons! I'm pretty sure Walmart is the only place to buy it. You can also subscribe from Amazon, which occasionally has annual subscriptions on sale for $10. The All You website is great too. You can find recipes, get budgeting tips, and even print coupons. In this economy I am all about saving as much money as possible.

Tonight for dinner I am trying out a recipe from the magazine. I did not see this particular one on their website, but I will post it for you. I love any vegetable stuffed; be it tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, etc. This recipe is healthy and nutritious; and if you are watching your diet, at 152 calories per serving, it is perfect!

Stuffed Greek-Style Zucchini

1/2 cup brown rice
3 large zucchini, halved lengthwise
1 Tbsp. canola oil (I use olive oil)
1 medium onion, chopped
8 0z. white mushrooms, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried dill
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 28-oz. can diced Italian-seasoned tomatoes
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Kalamata olives chopped for garnish (optional)

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pan. Add rice, cover, lower heat and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Scoop out centers of zucchini, leaving a 1/4 inch rim. Chop zucchini centers.

Warm oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion until soft, about 4 minutes. Add chopped zucchini, mushrooms, and garlic; saute 4 minutes. Stir in cooked rice, dill and mint; cook 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper; remove from heat.

Spread tomatoes in baking dish. Fill zucchini with rice mixture and place in baking dish. Top with feta and olives, if desired. Bake until Zucchini is tender, about 40 minutes. Spoon tomatoes on top and serve.

Nutrition facts per serving:
152 calories, 3g fat (0g sat.), 0mg. cholesterol,
5g fiber, 6g protein, 28g carb., 670mg sodium.

Buon Appetito!

Reflective

Luckily I’ve been able to read for pleasure this summer instead of pouring over textbooks. A very rare treat indeed. The Birdhouse Chronicles was one of many books that sat on my shelf collecting dust until recently. It is a book that reflects a lot of my views toward life and happiness. It is the realization that simplicity equals happiness. In the book, a couple decides to abandon their cookie cutter city lives in San Francisco, for a simplistic country life among the Amish in Pennsylvania. It isn’t always an easy adjustment, but it is an unexplainable contentment. It is truly an example of less is more. Reading the book made me realize that priorities really do change as we get older. In our teens and 20s we are chasing dreams and figuring out what we want to be when we grow up. Somewhere around mid 30ish, something unexplainable occurs. There is a quiet acceptance of a simpler, less complicated life; a life that is centered on meaningful connections and simple abundance. We yearn for so many things that were always taken for granted previously. Most of all, we are chasing the seemingly unattainable balance. It seems the more materialistic society becomes, the more misery is inflicted. We also fail to savor the beauty that is all around us.

Imagine a day like this…

Gathering fresh, organic vegetables from your beautiful garden.




Feasting on fresh vegetables and preserving the rest.


Gathering eggs from the free roaming ladies in your yard.


Baking something absolutely delectable using those fresh eggs.


Sitting on the front porch of your country home or cottage, sipping on a heavenly cup of coffee, while indulging your sweet tooth.


Creating something amazing while engaging in meaningful conversation.

Watching the sunset, breathing the fresh air, and listening to the absolute calm that only nature can provide; all the while soothing your soul.


Actually, I guess we never really do stop chasing dreams. I would just like one week to experience this bliss…

A little creativity...

Sewing machine, material, stamps & stamp pads open up whole new possibilities of creativity. I am in French mode and loving every minute of it. It is also good for the nerves when one's team is in the playoffs!



I still have to stuff the fleur de lis pillow.






Cute little knob hanger....tres chic!


I heart the Eiffel Tower :)

Thanksgiving Landscapes

Where will your Thanksgiving dinner take you this year? If I had the luxury to choose, it would definitely be al fresco.


Maybe a beautiful lakeside venue...



Listening to the harmony of the ocean waves...


Commemorating life's blessings with a luscious glass of wine in Napa Valley...

A beautiful country backdrop with colorful autumn leaves hosting dinner...

It's that time again....

Dear little blog,

Oh how I have missed thee! Tis the season for brightly colored orange pumpkins, rustling leaves weeping gently to the earth, warm apple cider, and the merriment of yuletide to follow. In other words, I absolutely love this time of year! It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is soon upon us and in a week I will be adorning my abode with wreaths, ornaments, and the beloved Christmas tree.

Despite the little road blocks along the way and the trials and tribulations of life, I am thankful for the blessings I have. Most of all my family and dear friend, and pursuit of a dream. I always knew I wanted to teach from the time I was a little girl. Admittedly I sit back and wonder if I am doing the right thing. Such a daunting responsibility educating young minds! Despite my doubts, my longing always brings me back to the same place; to be a teacher. Unexplainable I guess.

School has taken the majority of my time but I am just grateful for the opportunity. The semester is almost over and I am going to try to get back to regular blogging as it is good therapy!

Stayed tuned for a little holiday bliss ;)

Take Me To Paris

I bought The French Inspired Home recently and it makes me want to sell my house and buy a little cottage in the French countryside. I dream of gardens full of big fluffy sunflowers and sitting on my terrace sipping French wine. One can dream right? I think I've been listening to Julie Child's book, "My Life in France" way too much. Anyway, this book inspires much. I've learned that you don't have to buy new things to furnish your home, there are many treasures out there in antique stores, flea markets and even yard sales. I guess the old adage that another man's junk is another man's treasure rings true.



One thing I would like to do is start making home decor. Throw pillows are so expensive and it's sometimes hard to find what you are looking for. I recently retired my old sewing machine and bought a new one. Actually it is refurbished but works like a charm. Much better than the old one that kept jamming on me repeatedly. The only think I have sewed so far is part of a doll quilt and a butcher apron for a school play.



I've also revamped my creative space a little to make it simpler and not so crowded. I can't work in a cluttered space and luckily have an armoire that holds most of my things.



Isn't this lamp cute? It's pink and brown. A Hobby Lobby find.




A little Parisian inspiration...


My mother's wedding dress hangs in my space. I think it gives it a vintage touch.


Until next time...
Ann

Warning...Rambling Blog Ahead

Okay...deep breath....tapping keys....hmmmmmm....

I always have much to write about but sometimes have writer's block of some sort. Sometimes I just want to post pictures and have them tell my story but what fun would that be without the narrative? Sometimes we just have to slow down, breathe and let our creativity flow. Life is too fast and this week is no exception. I often complain that I am not busy enough at work but this week had an agenda of its own. I'm happy to be busy for a change but a compromise would be nice too. So, without further adieu, pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee; I have a few little things to share....

Before we get started I want to introduce you to Hermie.



Hermie, along with his sister Hermianna joined our family in December. He is the funniest hermit crab ever! This crab is a total ham for the camera and has no fear whatsoever. He is quite the little social butterfly. I say "he" but for all we know Hermie could be a "she". Nonetheless, who knew a crab could be such a cool pet.

After holding on to money I received for Christmas I decided to start spending it and bought this cute little camera in my favorite color RED!

It doesn't replace my wonderful SLR but I wanted something to keep in my purse, strictly for blogging purposes of course.

Last but not least I wanted to share a glimpse of this confection I broke my diet rules for today.



Around mid January these colorful cakes start popping up in stores everywhere. They are called "King Cakes" and are to celebrate Mardi Gras. Most states bordering Louisiana on the gulf coast celebrate their own little Mardi Gras in various cities. The cake is sort of like coffee cake with a very sugary, cavity inducing icing. The meaning behind the cake is very similar to a cake Greeks bake and serve on New Years Eve to celebrate the New Year. The name King is to commemorate the 3 wise kings that visited baby Jesus upon his birth on Christmas. The cakes typically have a little plastic baby (to represent baby Jesus) baked inside of them and the person that ends up with the baby in their piece is said to have good luck for the next year, or in the New Orleans tradition, that person must buy the next King Cake.