Cross that off the list!

As I pick away at reorganizing my way through the house I was able to cross another item off my list yesterday!

Remember - in order to create order one must create a mess! :)

This meant pulling everything out of the pantry - and throwing away things that have expiration dates from 2009!!  The shelves before, had become cluttered - this is why one either moves every couple years, or pulls everything out to simulate moving :)!

Then, one shelf at at a time, I tried to be methodical about how I laid out the shelves.............(as I look at this picture I see the Crisco can I temporarily set on the canned goods shelf until I had a place for it - it's no longer there!)

Of course the work is always more fun when one has a helper (NOT!)

It's done and now I just open the pantry door when I go by just to admire it!
Yes, I am aware there is a backstock of spaghetti sauce, crackers, cereal, etc.  This is what happens when one starts couponing (this is a whole separate post - soon to come)!

Today, since church was canceled because the snow FINALLY decided to show up (and it's melting already!!!!), I am going to tackle the last area that needs a do-over......the closet up in Randy's office that I keep my decorating supplies in (candles, glass pieces, candlesticks, silk plants, grasses, rocks, sand, etc).  Pictures of progress to follow!

P.S.  I got a NEW CAMERA!!! Finally!  I've wanted a new camera for a LONG time now and have been disappointed over and over again with blurry pictures!  I picked up a Canon Powershot SX130 IS, 12x optical zoom, 12.1 megapixels. (I would've loved a Canon Rebel, I was just a few hundred short!!)  The beauty of this purchase is, that I can use this camera for 14 days and if I'm not happy I can return it, no questions asked and no restocking fee.  So, we'll be taking it to the state tournament to get some great shots of Em cheering!  I can't wait to test it out!

Found Treasure Revisited

Remember when I told you about A New Found Treasure?  Well, I promised that I would show you when I took down the Valentines look and revamped it for a more spring like look (although looking outside maybe I need to put the snowflakes back out)!

I took my set into work and LaVon helped me decorate my tray for spring!

I love the succulents and bright green moss!  Thanks LaVon - it's perfect!

25 years ago today................................

There was snow on the ground.........lots of it!
Lots of friends and family present...........about 350!
3 bridesmaids, 3 groomsmen......................all good friends!
The colors were mauve and blue........of course - it was the 80's!
Lots of music................instrumental and vocals!
One incredibly handsome 23 year old man................hunky is more like it!

 One 20 year old woman................young, but excited!

Two people with hopes and dreams!

Dinner with friends

Sunday we had a last minute Valentines dinner with our friends.  No fancy menu. Just good friends.

We LOVE our friends!

Red and white of course!

We had heart shaped mini meatloves, heart shaped  biscuits and on the table I had Dove chocolates!!  They were a flavor I had never had - dark choc./cherry swirled - AWESOME!  Please come and get the rest from my house - these things are lethal!  Hope you had a great Valentines Day!

A new found treasure

YEARS ago my parents received a silver service for their 25th Anniversary (the year was 1972).  It is quite ornate and it has a coffee urn, tea urn and sugar and creamer.  It all sits on quite a large tray with a pattern etched in it. 

25 years ago next week, we used it at our wedding. My mom gave it to me. Since then it has been wrapped up in plastic wraps and plastic bags.  It's been moved countless times - never to see the light of day.  My co-horts at Grandiflora encouraged me to pull it out and decorate with it - they encouraged me to LET IT TARNISH, that's what is in right now.  I was skeptical - but decided if I didn't use this thing it needed to go!

I pulled it out for Christmas, put some greens around it, placed a candle on it and filled the creamer with tiny ornaments  I LOVED IT!

I left it up into January and couldn't bear to take it down.  So now it is decorated for Valentines.

I'm thinking this is a new permanent decoration on my island!  I've got some succulents and other goodies to add to it after Valentines, so I will keep you updated on the change!

It reminds me of my parents and their almost 61 years of marriage.  My dad went home to be with the Lord in 2008 and I know my mom misses him dreadfully.  61 years of marriage - we all know that equals a lot of hard work and determination - AND a lot of love and Valentines!

The Boat Show, the boat show.....

Last Sunday, (after quite a late evening before), we headed down to the boat show with our dear friends Rick and Beth.  I made Latte's for the 4 of us,Rick drove so we could relax and we chatted our way down the I-5 corridor.

The show was at Qwest field and boats afloat on Lake Union.  As we were in the parking lot at Qwest field waiting for the shuttle to Lake Union we saw a Med Flight come into Harborview Hospital (it was straight up the hill from us), and it brought tears to my eyes as I am always reminded now that a med flight means that someones  life is in the balance.

At Lake Union it was cold, but there were some really fun boats to walk around.  Randy sat at the helm of a few and decided he could "do this".   I'm afraid he's got boating running deep through his veins!

Taken from atop a fly bridge on a 47 foot yacht.

Rick and Beth posing in front of a boat "they could live with" :)

He looks good at the helm doesn't he?  I was afraid of that!

 

Leaving Qwest field was a pretty sight.  This is the best my pitiful camera could do - but you get the idea.

Don't worry - we're not leaving town on a yacht anytime soon - but my man can dream can't he?  I would proud to be his first mate anyday!