Is It Spring Yet?

The calendar says there is a month to go, but Mother Nature seems to have other plans. As I backed my car out of the driveway this morning (my first day back at work), I noticed that one of my camelia bushes had some blooms on it for the first time! While I would have loved to have jumped out and snapped a few pictures, I knew that would take too much time. But, this afternoon when I came home, I pulled out my camera. Using my cast as a tripod of sorts (a shaky one, that is) I managed to get a few pictures that make me smile. (I don't know why my fonts are getting all wonky)

The bush is full of buds, so I look forward to seeing many more blossoms in the next few weeks.

I brought a couple inside to replace the daffodils my sweet friend, Vickie brought over.

Seeing those first few touches of spring and beautiful, blue skies makes me anxious for one of my favorite times of the year!

Saturday

Thanks, friends--I deserve it!!

Lefty

I was born a "righty" but the challenges presented this past year have made mr fairly adept at using my left hand. Wednesday I had the needed tendon transfer from my right index finger to my right thumb. One more occasion to get in some left-handed practice! Callie and Jordan have been staying with me at night and slowly but surely I am becoming more sure of myself and my one- handedness.

You won' t be seeing any great craft or sewing projects in the next month or so , but I'll be getting inspired for sure! With my new iPad, there is nothing to keep me from perusing magazines, websites and Pinterest boards!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

(I noticed the heart of branches behind this sweet sparrow when I put my pictures on the computer)

Valentine Party Fun

This afternoon, the members of the Good News Sunday School class of Noel UMC gathered at my house for the first time for a Valentine Party. My good friend (and our Sunday School Class's angel), Leah, helped me pick people up and assisted with whatever was needed.

Just before I left to pick up friends, I took set out all the food and snapped a few pictures of the food and decor.

Almost all of the party goods were picked up at Dollar Tree---they had a great selection of doilies, cups, plates, napkins, straws, cupcake liners and even decorative toothpicks.

To make this garland, I simply sewed many of these embellishments onto a piece of string with a zig-zag stitch.

Everyone was anxious to eat as soon as they arrived, so we enjoyed the really tasty cupcakes---the sugar-free ones were everyone's favorites!

After the food, we moved to the table for a game of Valentine Bingo. I printed out the great freebies offered by Confetti Sunshine and we used candy for the markers. While this is a game that is routinely played by many, I was reminded of how special even simple, common things are to my friends.

The favorite activity of the day was the photo booth that I set up in my hallway prior to everyone's arrival.

I used a couple of plastic tablecloths hung from a tension rod and decorated them with more garlands made of hearts. Using hats, boas and other fund props, everyone enjoyed plenty of laughs as they hammed it up for the camera.

Finally, we decorated travel mugs to take home as a souvenir.

It was lots of fun and I'm so thankful for the perspective offered by these special friends.

Valentine Party Prep

Tomorrow I'm hosting a Valentine Party for a very special group of people. Today, while the parade revelers grabbed for beads and dabloons, I worked on the getting my house ready for the festivities. Several of my friends are trying to watch their sugar intake, so I made a batch of sugar-free cupcakes first.

I haven't tasted the final product, the batter was sure yummy. I added sugar-free frosting, some sprinkles and cupcake picks from Dollar Tree.

Next I worked on a batch of confetti cupcakes---the confetti was on the inside. I topped these with this great new Easy Frost and it really was---easy and pretty!

I pinned these fruit kabobs a few weeks ago. When I went to the store this morning, it was sorely lacking in fruit choices, so I settled on using just strawberries and canteloupe.

Source: parents.com via Linda on Pinterest

Since I don't have a tiny heart cookie cutter, I ended up using a flower cutter on the cantaloupe. The strawberries took just a simple cut or two to make them heart-shaped.

Last up was a bouquet of white-chocolate dipped marshmallows (another Pinterest idea I found over here). These were quick and easy and turned out really pretty.

I still have a bit of cleaning to do and I guess I'd better take a look at my Sunday School lesson now.

Mardi Gras Madness

Brrr - it's cold today!! As I set out to run a few errands this morning, the crowds were already beginning to gather.

Most of the streets were not yet blocked off, but people had begun staking out their sites in anticipation of the first Mardi Gras parade of the season. All around my neighborhood, grills and fire pits are burning - both in an effort to cook some yummy food and to stay warm - and young and old alike are ready to catch a few beads. (sorry for the strange coloring of these photos--they were taken through my car window as I was stopped in traffic at various spots)

As I returned home after lunch, the floats had begun lining up over the levee and even now , the parade is beginning its journey through the streets.

For the first time, the parade route is reversed this year---beginning by my house and ending downtown. I didn't walk up there this year, but I can hear the music and shouts of the revelers from my yard.

Laissez les bons temps roulez!!!