#139 It's My 50th Birthday!

I want to start off by saying, I've never had a birthday party as an adult and this year "October 24, 2015 -- my dear husband threw me a great birthday party that I will never forget.  Oh no it was not a surprise -- I invited 40 (I had a limit since it was being thrown at my home) of my closest friends and of course my mom, mom Harris, my sister Lisa, mother-in-law, mom Barry and my sister-in-law Ursula -- all I can say is -- Wow, what fun!  

My decorating ideas came from the musical "Sound of Music."  I love that musical and I went on the theme "These are a few of my favorite things."

This was my basic theme -- I made some last minute changes in my table arrangement below and I added more food to the table on the day of the party.  My favorite color is purple and most of the things on the tables were purple, not to mention the table cloths and lamp shade etc.  

There was food galore -- fried chicken, ham, mostaccioli, salad, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese and so much more.  My hubby really did it up (thank you Brian for such a lovely birthday party) -- he did most of the ordering in.  Thanks also to my sister, and sister-in-law for their food contributions.   We had so much food leftover we could have fed a troop. 

Thanks to all who came and made this a day to remember!

 

Until next time...

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#138 Fun Time with A Friend!!!

I'm not big on musicals, but there is one that I have just fallen head over heals for and that is:

The Sound of Music, composed by Richard Roberts and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (Roberts & Hammerstein) is truly one of my favorites.  How did it come about that I fell in love with this.  It was the scene on the hill at the very beginning and the dramatic music begins to play and she belts out with this fabulous voice "THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC..."  It just looked so freeing and sounds so beautiful -- and I just can't for the life of me remember any of the other words but those.  I twirl around and make my kids highly upset by belting out in my own way those lyrics -- but it doesn't have the same effect on them as it does on me (maybe it's the voice :-))  Whatever the case, I love the charisma she has as she pumps herself up to go to her new job as a glorified nanny to total strangers.  She goes through the streets singing and encouraging herself and by the time she's at their front door -- she is pumped to do the job!  (May I say, she was not very sure of herself when she set off to do this -- but on the way she encouraged herself).  

On her way to her new gig

She reminds me a lot of myself -- singing through life's challenges and trying to being creative in all you do.  For example, taking the old curtains off the windows and making outfits for the kids. Making the day fun by traveling all over with the kids and doing fun things that are memorable.

Funny the outfits you can make with curtains!!!

Learning new things everyday

When I found out that the St. Louis Art Museum was showing this as one of their featured films on the hill this summer -- I was all in!!!!!  I just needed to get together with a friend who enjoyed it as much as I did.  Well that's exactly what I did.  But to my surprise, I not only went with a friend who loved the Sound of Music as well -- she knew everyone of the songs and said it was Julie Andrews who she looked up to as a singer when SHE HERSELF sang professionally!!!!  WOOOAHHH talking about scoring it big with a friend to go with me to this film.  We had a BLAST!  Thanks Karen!!

Me and my girl friend Karen on the left

The big inflatable screen on the grounds in Forest Park

I will always remember this event with a smile on my face -- and I could not have went with a better person.  So if I'm overcome with a serenade of "The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music.." -- don't be alarmed -- that's all the words I know. (LOL)

Until next time...

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#45 May Favorites -- The Color Purple

The Color Purple

My May Favorite Things



Before I began this "Favorite Things" post -- I would like to say Happy Birthday to my sister (May 31st) who is one of the sweetest, loving and the most kind hearted person you would ever want to meet.  Happy Birthday LISA HARRIS!!!!!!  I pray that you have a wonderful birthday -- I know you will after you clock out from the job (HAHA).  Thanks for being you and for all you do and thanks again for your encouragement that you give me with this blog!!!!  Love ya!!!! 

Anyone who knows me know that I love the color purple and flowers.  Or even if you don't know me and you pass by my house -- you would figure it out!  Now that it's spring and my perennials are springing up from their hibernation -- I thought I would show some of them off.  Along with other pictures I've taken with "purple" in them!

Let me start off with my purple clematis on my light post.

Clematis

This tall Iris grows up in bunches under my windowsill every year
and because the rain and wind whip them around they
are unable to stand for long so I...

add them to more Iris' and place them in a vase in the kitchen

to enjoy a little bit longer



I added purple hanging Verbena to the porch



Also purple flowers made from tissue paper

My friend Tony the hummingbird visits outside my
kitchen window in his "Purple Feeder" every year

Can't forget the purple door!

Row of purple Iris'

People find my house by looking for this vase LOL



These pictures below are pictures I've taken of other places.  They have "Purple" somewhere in them.  Enjoy!

At the Jewel box in Forest Park - Check out the dragonfly!!!

Main Street -- St. Charles

Jewel Box

Main Street - St. Charles



Main Street - St. Charles



Main Street - St. Charles - the Purple in here is called Persian Shield -- love it!



Main Street - St. Charles



Jewel Box



Jewel Box



Flowers around the corner from my home



St. Charles



Love this landscape in Florissant and the purple elephant ears growing
from the pots

OK, OK as you can tell I love flowers and taking pictures of them.  So I hope this has brightened your day and that you enjoyed my collection of "PURPLE."

Until next time...



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#124 Funky Monkey Smoothie -- My Favorite Thing for March!

Haven't done a favorite thing in a long time.  Since this is the last Friday of the month I thought I would get back into the swing of things by adding my favorite thing for the month of March.

It's this fantastic smoothie that I've been enjoying called Funky Monkey.  I got this recipe from Domestic Geek.  You can check out the original here:  5 More Incredible Smoothies.

Here's the recipe:

I can't get enough.  So easy and so good!

Funky Monkey
1⁄2 cup milk
1⁄2 cup Greek yogurt
2 bananas
1 tbsp chocolate protein powder
1 tbsp natural peanut butter

Blend together and enjoy!  It's is sooooooooo delicious.  Until next time...

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