The Coolest Party

I finally have something to post for Blue Monday.

We have just gotten back from a fabulous wedding weekend at the beach.
Rob & Brandi took care of  all of the wedding details (photos to come). We got to plan the 'coolest party' for the night before the wedding.
Since it was a destination wedding for everyone, we wanted to have a casual evening for family and friends. A chance for everyone to mingle and get to know each other.

I couldn't have done it without my A-team of helpers. Even Hope was a big help. . . and she is the cutest as she is resting before the party.

This was an area that is poolside at Caribe. We swooped in as folks went in for the afternoon. Throwing out table cloths to claim our party space. A party banner helps!

We decorated with pinwheels and giant bubble wands. Perfect for the poolside, since the kids were all wanting to swim. The adults were close enough, but could enjoy their evening too.
Such a fun night.

The weather was perfect (compared to the rainy evenings all week prior). Even the sunset cooperated.

We had made a bucket of sand and kerosene burners for a s'more station. (what kind of dessert can you serve when the bride is a pastry chef ??? )
It was a great way to end the evening . . . And begin the wedding weekend.

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Coastal Charm for her 'Show and Share'.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

The best Blues

Happy Blue Monday.
I have just downloaded a thousand photos of my recent trip to Italy . . . these are some of my favorite blues.
I always stop in Charlotte for a little LuLu time before the long flight to Rome.

Spending a few hours at the park with this little bundle of energy ensures that I will be sleeping on the flight.

While I was there we just had to try some Gelato . . . I love the concentration on Hopie's face. She declared that the banana tasted just like a big banana!

A quick drop and kiss at the airport . . . and I was on my way.
Buon Viaggio

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Happy 'Blue' Monday . . . I had a busy weekend, in the Holiday rush.

I made some office gifts for my invaluable girls at work. They all deserve much much more, but 'Tis the Season' ~

Tis the season to get crafty.
I have made sugar scrubs before and they are so simple. Here are the links to Vanilla Spice Sugar Scrub and Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub, part of the fun is the cute packaging. They make great gifts.

This year I decided to go with the relaxing scent of Eucaliptis and Peppermint . . . Mostly because I love the Dr.Teals salts that you can find at Target (in the BLUE bag). Why not give it a try?
So . . . my recipe was
1 bag of Dr.Teals soaking salts
1 bottle of baby oil with aloe
1 cup raw sugar
AND Stir ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Even my olive wood spoons enjoyed the job of stirring the oil and salt. Mix it until it is well combined. (I was a little worried that I would end up with a bowl of disolved salt and sugar, but it worked ! )

I was able to make 8 little jars of Sugar Scub that can be used in the shower or just a dab for a refresing Hand Scrub.
The hardest part was finding the little candy canes!
~~tis the season~~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Blues . . . and a new couple!

Happy Blue Monday ~
I have just finished a new Wedding CakeTopper from my ETSY store Gimme Some Sugar Y'all  

This was a special order . . .  and I just hope she likes it.

She is planning on wearing her Grandmother's dress, so I did my best to replicate it (on a clothes-pin of course) She wanted to carry blue flowers and have flowers (made from Grandma's dress) in her hair.

He is a Nutcracker Prince. . .
Her Nutcracker Prince.

I wish them love and happiness as they are waltzing down the aisle ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Ocean Blue Sandals

I'm joining in with a post for the Blues ~ Ocean Blue Sandals

We found this little shop in Positano. I can't remember his name of course . . . but he was super friendly and a bit up from town.
He can make Any style or color of sandal you can imagine.

I really mean ANY color and any size.
With bling or without.

I thought these Might be perfect for a beach wedding . . .

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

New Curtains ~ and a Blue Monday

I haven't posted on a blue monday in a while . . . Not because I haven't been to some 'Blue' Places. I've been traveling.
Now that I'm home . . . there are a few projects that are calling my name.

I decided that our screened in porch needs some new curtains.
(check Buddy on his doggy perch that allows him access to the back yard AND a place to bark at everyone in the neighborhood)

I digress. I am replacing the curtains that have been there for years, It was beyond time.
I measured and cut out strips of fabric (good deal thanks to my JoAnn's coupon... I am done with the politics of Hobby Lobby).

The process is really simple, especially if you are using those hammer in grommets. . . The only sewing I had to do was the hem. It does take time. . . and a good hammer.

The end result gives us a shaded spot . . . where we can look at the BLUE pool and watch the hummingbirds at sunset.

Glad to be back ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

PhotoHunt ~Focus

The PhotoHunt for this week is 'Focus'
I don't go to the beach without my handy camera.

. . . there is always something to Focus on

I could have done a better job on Focusing in on this shot.

But I still love the memory of it ~

Check for all the other Focused Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Post Christmas Blues

Can I post about Christmas and Post Christmas Blues at the same time?

I realized that I haven't had time for any Christmas posting . . . huge Bloggin' Fail.
But . . . I have managed to run my clinic full time, Get the gift-buying and gift-wrapping done, Enjoy having a housefull for the holidays, Get a few batches of sweets made, AND be private duty nurse to Bill after his total hip replacement.

Can I get a hallelujah ?

It is already time to pack it all up ~ I am looking forward to a bit of R&R.
I will be posting photos of the cute grandbaby (once I can find my camera).
I reluctantly swept up cherios and glitter . . . the markers of a bit of LuLu time..
Memories of a wonderful Christmas Holiday surrounded by family and Grateful for the blessings we have.

Now I am gong to sit back and think about my Promises for the New Year ~


Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Blue Monday and Travel Tuesdays

It's hard to get exticed about Traveling on Tuesdays . . .
When I am stuck at the office.
That makes it a Blue Monday.

This says it all ~
Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

I'm Blue

I have to admit that I am a little Blue ~ on this blue monday

It's time for me to part with 'Bugalu'.
I've had her for 11 years and we have some special memories together.

We called in the experts to get her cleaned up and ready to go.
These guys are awesome! The Auto Medic came to our driveway with a van full of touch up tools . . . if you are in the Birmignham area
205-907-6060

She is 'spit shined' as we say in the south.
Now, she is ready for a new girl with a cute hat (and some sunscreen)

Of course . . . I've traded up.
Don't ya Know ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues.
Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

The Origami Cranes

This is a display in Birmingham ~ 15,000 origami cranes that have been hung in RailRoad Park.

These cranes have been made by individuals all over the world and sent here to be hung. Imagine how much time was spent in making thousands of paper cranes. Here are Instructions For Origami Cranes  (in case you want to get started)

The display was inspired by the paper crane display at Ground Zero in New York city.

The Birmingham Art Peace Project is in memory of the four girls who were killed in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in September, 1963 . . . Just blocks from where RailRoad Park now stands.

I am glad to see that something positive is being done in the city . . . We seem to have been the focus of so much bad press.

Birmingham is a beautiful mix of old and new. People working together to turn a dark history into something new.

I couldn't stop snapping photos of the colorful cranes . . . and the beautiful blues.
What a masterpiece.

I have a friend who did this for her daughter's wedding . . . I knew that Barb would especially appreciate these photos!

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi