AUGUST 22, 2010...A LIFE CHANGING DAY IN MY LIFE

Thirty years ago, Mr. T and I met for the first time.  Little did I know that morning when I awoke would that day in history hold one of the most profound moments in my life.  My blue eyes were only hours away from connecting with the most spectacular brown eyes I'd ever seen.  The love that we share 30 years later is still as fresh and new as that warm August night when our lives' paths first crossed.  When I kiss his sweet lips, it is still as if I am kissing him for the very first time.

The song, Love Story, by Taylor Swift has become a bit of a hilarious joke around our home.  Each time the first few notes of the song come on the radio, Ashley exclaims, "Oh, no, here we go again!"  See, I have pretty much created my own lyrics to the song, and I guess you could say I use each of those opportunities to show off my semi-song writing skills, kind of like semi-homemade!

Anyways, I've decided to post the lyrics as I sing them, based on our love story.  I had attended a Sunday school class party with a friend that night at another member's home, and we were all standing out on the front porch when Mr. T first came into my view.  Once we entered the house and Mr. T went to make his way across the room, I tripped him!  He tells people, "I've been falling ever since."

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes, and the flashback starts,
I'm standing there,
On the front porch in summer air.

I see the headlights, see you pull up the driveway.
See you trip your way through the crowd,
And say, "Hello".
Little did I know,

That you were Romeo,
You were driving a fast car
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet,"
And I was crying on the telephone,
Begging you, "Please don't go."

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting, all that's left to do is run.
You be the prince, and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

So I sneak up to the library to see you,
We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if he knew,
So close your eyes,
Escape this town for a little while.

'Cause you were Romeo,
I was verrrry young,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
But you were everything to me,
I was begging you, "Please don't go."

And I said,

"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting, all that's left to do is run.
You be the prince, and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

"Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid, he's just got a big bark.
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

Well, I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you would ever marry me.
My faith in you was fading,
When you kissed me by the white Christmas tree.

And I said,

"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you, but you never ask.
Is this in my head,
I don't know what to think."

You knelt to the carpet,
And pulled out a ring and said,
"Marry me, Crystal, you'll never have to be alone.
I love you, and that's all I really know.
Don't break the bank when you pick out a white dress."
It's a love story, baby, just say, 'yes'."

We were both young when I first saw you...

I am so thankful for this man in my life.  Even though I was only 14, and it was a long 7 years until we were married, it was worth the wait, and without hesitation I can say I would do it all again!!!

FOODIE FRIDAY - TRYING MY HAND AT HOMEMADE FONDANT

Hello all you fellow bloggers.  It's been a loooong time since I've joined Foodie Friday.  It's not that I don't cook often, I just don't take the time to take pics.  The recipe and cake that I share today were so labor intensive though, that not photographing was absolutely not an option...besides it was my baby's 15th birthday celebration!  That's right, Miss Ashley turned 15 on March 21, which also means she was eligible for her learner's permit.  Sooo, with that said, the only thing I've been eating much of lately is Valium...LOL.  I'm TOTALLY kidding...come on loosen up.

Anyway, 'bout the cake.  She had wanted a multi-tier cake and wanted fondant.  In the past I've had the privilege almost every year as being summoned as the baker for this grand occasion, and this year was no different. Admittedly, I did question the multi-tier part as I was listening closely to her plan unfold.  Never fear though, I've yet to balk at such a special privilege, so once again, I went to task.  I began googling frantically for weeks for pics, hoping to get her to commit to a style.  Then, I decided, in pro-baker fashion, we would have a consultation.  Finally, we made some headway.  She decided on a theme...FLAMINGOS nonetheless.  Let's see, multi-tier, uh, fondant, and, uh, flamingos, uh, and can you sort of make it match the plates and napkins.  Oh sure, baby girl, you're mammy is "Super Mama!"

Fast forward to the scene the next morning..."Dear Lord, I know when you chose Ashley for me, and me for Ashley, there was a very special reason, and except on this and maybe one other rare occasion, I've never questioned it, but dear Lord, did you hear her?  She wants multi-tier, fondant, and flamingos, and she does NOT want me to use any "plastic" decorations.  Uh, Lord, if I understand that correctly, she wants me to make those feathery creatures by hand out of some sort of pastry material I've never even held in my hand.  Now, uh, back to the questioning part. You do remember that I'm the little girl who was served homemade biscuits on a daily basis, yet has never mastered the art of biscuit making as of her up and coming 44th birthday?  Do you also remember, that my earthly father, "King of Chicken and Dumplings," closes his ears when he hears that I use "pre-made frozen dumplings?"  Do you also remember that at the age of 44, I've never been able to successfully make a pie crust?  I know, Lord, that I can throw down a good meal with the best of southern gals, but for whatever the reason, pastry, doughy type thingies are not my specialty." With all my fears and shortcomings on the table, we hashed it out, and I left, as usual, feeling as if I could accomplish this task just to make my baby girl's grand day even more special.

In like personality, I set out to do a test run on the cake, at least just 1-tier with the fondant. First, I purchased the Wilton fondant...BAD IDEA! At least for my taste buds, it was horrible, and I don't even want to discuss the price! What to do?  GOOGLE TO THE RESCUE, once again :-)

Apologies, but I have not listed the recipe here.  I, however, am including a link to the website which I found, which basically saved the day.  There is no way to type in all that I learned from this lady's site in order to produce a halfway eye-pleasing cake which also pleased the taste buds.  I can 100% say that I recommend this site for instructions, but most of all for the recipe of her easy marshmallow fondant!  It was a labor intensive cake, and the fondant is tricky to roll out to an acceptable yet workable thickness, but the end result was well worth it.  Another benefit...the cost; very basic ingredients at a minimal cost versus the store-bought, pre-made fondant.  Here's the link to the website:  http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm

Now, see for yourself.  Before you judge though, I admit that the cake is not perfect, but I was tickled pink, uh, blue, with it.  Look on, you'll see what I'm talking about.

This is the only picture which shows a little bit of the plate, which, remember, she wanted to match the cake...PLEASE!

For the top flowers, I also used a basic flower-shaped cookie cutter in 2 different sizes.

Ahh, of course, the flamingos.  My first plan was to roll the fondant and cut them out by hand with a very sharp knife...not a good idea for a beginner.  To think my husband had to drive back to Greensboro, 30 minutes away, to our local Williams-Sonoma, not to mention 4 hours before the party was to begin, to get the flamingo cookie cutter at 0.99 which I had passed up on no less than 3 occasions in the weeks leading up to this event.  Oh, how he loves me!

Although not perfect, it tasted delicious, and for the buttercream frosting base under the fondant, I added my usual secret trick which leaves everyone wondering about the mystery FLAVOR...hint!  No vanilla in my buttercream.  One of her friends has even tried to twist my arm to make her one of these cakes for her birthday, but sorry, sweetheart, with 2 bad disks in my back, I save these ambitious rarities for once a year for my own sweet darling!

I so appreciate each of you stopping by.  I hope you've enjoyed the pics, and please take the humor lightheartedly.  I don't really question why my sweet Ashley was placed in my life.  I love her dearly, and this was all in good fun, although all events were real and the people are true characters.

One last thing, please click on the link above to Gollum's blog so that you can view all the other wonderful recipes shared this week.  P.S.  As is suggested by "Gollum," please have a pen and notepad handy to write recipes on...you will need them.

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY - ORANGEY INDEED

It's a celebration.  Welcome to Home Is As Close As a Robin's Nest.  Thank you for visiting.  Today, I'm joining Susan at Between Naps On the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, which just happens to be Susan's 100th Tablescape Thursday!  Congratulations, Susan!  Thank you for once again hosting this fun event.  Please visit the link to Susan's blog to enjoy many more beautiful table settings this week.  I promise you will be inspired!

Today, I'm sharing a tablescape I put together a couple of months back but have failed to share.  Life has been busy.  The inspiration for the tablescape was actually the dessert which is a Kraft foods cherry Jell-O recipe with a cream cheese base.

 

Placemats:  Marshall's (summer 2009)
White Dishes:  Gibson (Big Lots 2009)
Orange base plate and cups:  Home Goods (spring 2009)
Silverware:  ??? (They're over 15 years old and I think I purchased at Wal-Mart.  I remember liking the 3-pronged forks)
Salt and Pepper: (Target Birds...remember these cuties)
Vase/Ceramic Pitcher:  Michael's
Faux Flowers:  A shop in Blowing Rock (purchased many years ago)
Orange stemware:  Pier 1 (probably 5 or 6 years back)

RECIPE:  Cherry Orange Delight (click on link:  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cherry-orange-delight-61213.aspx)

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you've enjoyed viewing this table setting.  Please remember to visit the link above to Between Naps On the Porch and join in more of the fun.  Praying you and yours have a blessed day!

Missing The Grandeur of Spring Peonies - Another Exquisite Gift From God

While strolling down the side of my home this morning, I quickly spotted the 2 green shrubs, which just a very few short weeks ago, were showcasing some of the season's most splendid blooms.  There are few flowers which boast the old-fashioned elegance and fragrance of a peony.  They remind me of a time when my father started his in an old Ball canning jar on our kitchen cabinet from a cutting a neighbor had given him.  That same little cutting, now nearly 30 years later, never fails to emerge in the spring as a massive display of grandeur.

A single cut peony in a vase can fill a room with a magnificent aroma, not to mention a breathtaking sight.  During spring you will often find peonies in almost every room of my home.

I sure wish a variety could be developed that bloomed all summer, but also understand the delicateness of the bloom could not survive the heat here in the sunny, humid south.

Just a couple of pics from Mother's Day lunch...

Yeah, yeah, I know, it's no peony.  With all the eye candy, I couldn't resist giving you a tease for your tastebuds.  While browsing my peony pics I found a pic of this Luscious Lemon Roll with fresh strawberries in my Mother's Day pic folder...YUMMY!

Praying you have a blessed day!

Tabletop Tuesday and Tablescape Thursday - Bunny Easter Table

Welcome everyone. Today I'm linking to Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life, hosted by Marty. I'll also be linking later in the week to Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps On The Porch, hosted by Susan. Thanks to both these ladies for hosting these fun weekly events that we all look forward to participating in or simply viewing others' creativity.

 

 

Today I'll share a tabletop/tablescape I created by "shopping the house."  Nothing was purchased specifically for this table.  The dishes are the "Gollum's China" purchased at Big Lots last year.

The lime green chargers were a wonderful find from last year, as well, 0.99 cents at Goodwill.

The bunny ornaments were purchased after Easter last year at Big Lots...clearance, of course.  They are a rubbery consistency, and I believe their original purpose to be for an Easter tree.  They each had a hook in them between the 2 ears with a ribbon attached, both of which I removed, but can easily be replaced.  Look closely at the bottom of the little bunny.  I bet you could write in someone's name and use these as name/placecards.  There seems to be plenty of room to write.

The daisies were previously in my daughter's room, but had since been placed in "Crystal's Goody Closet" waiting to be repurposed...wahla!  The glasses are from the same Goodwill trip when I purchased the chargers.  I added multi-colored sugar crystals.

Yellow napkins and crystal napkin rings.

Plenty of room to write on this little guy!

Princess House crystal candleholders.  The bunny candles were given to me by my MIL many, many years ago.  I'm sure she wondered why she never saw them.  I've never used them until now.  They were perfect.  I had almost forgotten I had them stored away.

Okay, this is a re-run from my chocolate duck tablescape last Easter.

A large glass vase filled with grass and colorful plastic eggs.

The little purple bunny has a mate on the other side of the table in green...also purchased on clearance last year from Big Lots.

I so enjoyed putting this table together on a whim last evening. It's been a while since I've done a tablescape, and I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy them.  Thanks for stopping by, and please be sure and visit Marty and Susan at the links provided above to see all the other delightful entries.

MISS ASHLEY LIKES LIME GREEN AND PINK

Welcome to Tabletop Tuesday, hosted by sweet Miss Marty of A Stroll Thru Life.  Please visit Marty to view all the other participants' entries for this week's event.  This is my first participation in Tabletop Tuesday.

With temps approaching 70 today, I was in the mood for something bright and cheery, and these days I don't have to look far for bright and cheery.  About a month ago Miss Ashley coersed (more like batted her eyelashes and said, "Please, Daddy.") Mr. T into painting her room, NO LESS THAN NEON lime green (sunglasses required)!  More about the room re-do in an upcoming Met Monday post.  After painting the room and rearranging her furniture, she finally needed Mom's help :-)  She realized she needed to spruce up and rearrange some of her accessories.  Thus, the inspiration for this post.  One of the areas we re-worked was her nightstand.  She had all the items in her room already, they were just in other places or grouped with other items.  After a little dilly dallying with various items, we came up with the following.

This pic shows the reality of the lime green.  We chose mostly pink accessories against the

backdrop of the paint color.

These beauties have me longing for fresh-cut flowers from the garden...soon, very soon.

Thanks for dropping in.  I hope you've enjoyed your visit, and if you're like me...you're longing for spring!  A little reminder...please visit Marty at the link provided above; you'll be glad you did :-)