Oh So Refreshing

Two years ago my girls and I took a spa vacation to Cancun. The spa had big beautiful containers of the most refreshing water I have ever tasted. It was a mixture of cumcumber, lemon, lime, mango, and I am not sure what else they added. I used those ingredients, mashed some of it on the side of the glass to release the flavors and added ice and water....simple uh?

It is just wonderful...next time I am going to make a big pitcher full. The flavors get better the longer it sits. My glass didn't get to sit long because I loved it so much! I think the cucumber is the real secret of the flavor!

Speaking of cucumbers, Wal Mart has some delicious ones. It is a small package of Gourmet, 6 mini, by Sunset. They are perfect to slice and eat, with salt and pepper. They are so mild and crunchy!

I hope you are all having a good long weekend! I have gotten so much done around the house already and have another day to go!!! It has rained everyday for the last week at 3:00 PM.....yesterday it was running late and held off until 6:00. I'm not complaining because I am trying to get some grass to grow in bare spots. It is coming up very fast, I love it!

Well I'd better get outside before the showers come........have a good day!

Nanny

Skywatch Friday

It looks like the sun left a track in the sky!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Nanny

Early morning swim

He flew in for a quick swim....

Got out... dried off...



And was gone.
I loved watching him.

Nanny

Southfork Ranch

On our last visit to Dallas, we finally took the time to visit Southfork Ranch.
As huge Dallas fans, we have wanted to see the ranch for years. Just north of Dallas in Parker, Texas is the setting for Ewing ranch.


As you enter the visitors center you are greeted with a short video presented by J.R. (Larry Hagman)


The tour begins by passing the famous driveway....remember how long it seemed as they came racing in? Well that is the first example of, shall we say trick photography. It was made to seem long by the use of mirrors and filming a segment, backing up, and repeating....they put powder or dust on the tires of vehicles and the drive to give it a country road appearance....it sure looked real to me!

As we approached the house, the guide explained the seemingly small house; as compared to our memory of the mansion....once again, magic of photography. This house is 5000 sq ft and the mansion on the show was 35,000 sq ft. How was this achieved? No shots were made in this house...all done on set! Only outdoor shots were filmed on location. The owner did not want his family life disrupted to that extent! His other requirement was that all filming was done May thru August. His children were in school and he wanted their privacy during school months.
It is a beautiful home and a fantastic location!

The living room is small but the picture of Jock over the mantel was so great. Of course it is a replica of the original, which mysteriously disappeared from the set and miraculously appeared over Larry Hagman's mantel! Good Job JR!

The peaceful patio where so many morning breakfast scenes took place. (I now understand why....they couldn't go inside/ha)

And now the famous pool....small uh? Yep, mirrors again! Plus they wore a clear harness and would swim...be pulled back....swim, repeat! Sounds like good exercise to me! Wow that pool looked so big on the show!!

The bedrooms were all small with pictures of the stars on the walls; but my favorite room in the house was the master bath. Very exquisite!

Dallas ran from 1978 to 1991 and I still watch the reruns when I can find one.
It was a great show and JR is still the guy I love to hate!

One funny story about the love of Dallas. I have a friend who was on the drill team in high school during this era. Her Mom and Dad came to every game to watch her perform at halftime, and quickly left to watch Dallas! One night after the game she had an accident leaving the stadium. When the police arrived, they were so nice to her and said, "don't cry, it's just a fender bender". She replied, "I'm not crying about the car, I'm crying because I have to call Mom and Dad during Dallas" LOL


Nanny

Season Finales!

I think I have it figured out....how I can see it all....
Watch The Biggest Loser Finale from 7 to 9.
Who are you pulling for? Gosh I like all of the contestants this year!

Record American Idol, final 2 appearances from 7 to 8! Come on Lee....pick a great song and blow them away!!!!

Dancing With the Stars drags on from 8 til 10......I am not totally into this season but I will watch the last hour and see who wins!!

I feel free....
They are all over next week.....and then....
The Bachelorette began....what a group of losers for Ali to pick from....I'll just record it and skip the junk and see who she ends up with!

OK, gotta run, busy night/ha

Nanny

Think Again

Think you need lotion for that sunburn?

Think Again!
If you are suffering from a bad sunburn, don't reach for that expensive lotion. Just cut an apple in half, remove the core, and rub the apple over the affected area for three to four minutes to keen the sking from blistering or peeling.

Ad from one of my magazines (sorry don't remember which one) courtesy of T-Mobile!

This one is worth a try. Try not to need this folks, be careful and don't get that burn. As the weather heats up so quickly, burns can slip up on you! I got pink Sunday just sitting out for a short time. I didn't realize it was happening until I felt it..........

Have a good day all!

Nanny

Macro Monday

So many brilliant colors at my favorite nursery in Dallas!

Lots more beauty here


Have a great Monday!

Nanny

Me and My Fans

Fan - any device or machine used to set up a current of air for ventilating or cooling.....Yes, that's what I'm talking about....Air...I love it and I can't get enough of it!

This one is directly in front of me at night when I am in my chair watching TV

This one is on my side of the bed......
(look at the dust...I must take it apart and clean it....)

Now you know how hot it gets in the kitchen while cooking....this little baby does the trick .......

When we built our house, I was asked if I wanted a heat/light combination in the bathroom? Duh, No, I just want a fan. This one is my favorite! Every morning when I am getting dressed it is on High! I highly recommend one for your bathroom!

The little ones are all in addition to much needed ceiling fans....can't get enough air circulating, right?

Hey it's 90 degrees and my fans are ON! I love hot weather!

Nanny

Mini Vacation

When my husband told me he was attending a two day training class in Dallas, I volunteered to accompany him/ha! Was that luck or what?

Lila is a super shopper.....relaxes.....enjoys talking and smiling to anyone that will pause to pay attention to her....

We had a fun day! Of course everyday is a fun day for me when I'm with this sweet little girl!

Hope you all are having a good week!

Nanny

Live Your Dream

My good friend, Marty, at A Stroll Thru Life, urged us all to read a special post yesterday. It is the life story of Laura Ingalls Gunn at Decor To Adore. Marty commented that reading this story will bless and inspire you beyond belief! I think she was putting it mildly. As you settle down for the evening, take some time to sit back and read this remarkable story....I was touched and want you all to share in the joy and determination you feel after reading.

Nanny

Any Ideas?

The umbrella cover over the feeder is designed to keep squirrels OFF! The squirrels in my yard are not aware of this, obviously. I have seen them jump from the ground, straight UP to the feeder. I raised it higher and don't know if that's how they are getting on the feeder or are dropping down from the tree. That's how they got on before I put the cover on. It was funny to watch them drop and land right on! Pesky little varmints!!! I know they have to eat too but they won't stop until they wipe out every feeder, completely.

One to many jumps on this one......

Trixie chases them up a tree for me and then she waits and waits and waits for them to come back down. She loves the chase, but bless her heart they go down the opposite side of the tree and are gone. She doesn't have a clue, she is frozen looking up. She has so much patience. I've seen her sit in one spot for hours!



A break in the rain has brought the birds out to eat too. I think they are preparing for the next round of downpour.

Guess I'll go out and hang the downed one and fill the others.

Not for you squirrels....do you hear me??? Go eat some nuts!!!

Nanny

Grilling

What's on your grill?

I would love to have new recipes for the grill, especially ones that you recommend!!

I haven't made k-bobs in months so I got out the skewers and loaded them up with what I had on hand. I don't really care if there is any meat on them, I love the vegetables.......

I hope you all are having a great Friday. It's getting dark here, rain is approaching. No outdoor activities this weekend!

Nanny

Theme Thursday......Mystery

I have always loved a good mystery! Even as a child, I was fascinated. The Trixie Belden series was my favorite! I wish I had all of my books......where did they go?
Many moves and many spring cleans must have removed them!

My current mystery addiction is the ID channel....48 Hours on ID, Dateline on ID, On the case with Paula Zahn. If that is not enough I always have 20/20, Dateline, and 48 Hours Mystery....

I like my shows to have a conviction or an arrest, really! I don't like to be left hanging with unsolved crimes! That's just me.............

For more Mystery themes, click here

Have a good day all!

Nanny

Happy Birthday Lacey

It is so hard to believe that 14 years ago today my first grandchild was born. It was on Mothers Day! What a wonderful day that was. I had so much fun....Her mother (my daughter) said she was glad I enjoyed it, because she didn't think it was much fun! She was in labor for many hours and was exhausted, so I stepped up and gave Lacey her first bottle, helped the nurse bathe her and dressed her...oh it was great!





And now that sweet baby is 14!
Sonic even wished her a Happy Birthday..(I think she is one of their best customers)



She is active in competitive cheerleading..her last competition was in Dallas (how perfect is that)? We dressed Lila in the team colors and all went to show our support.




Last weekend we were all together for mothers day and Lacey took such good care of Lila. Lila was so sick with ear infections and feeling just awful. Despite her illness she did not suffer from the lack of attention. We took turns rocking and pampering....



Lila tried so hard to have fun, and did have a short time of feeling OK.....tearing up magazines is fun!



Having all three together was just a perfect mothers day for me!
Aren't they sweet?



Nanny

Nature's Potpourri

Can you smell it? It's everywhere!
As I drove home from errands this morning, the car was filled with the most wonderful fragrance.



I love the way it grows around trees, fences, anything it can attach to.

Add the scent of hedges in full bloom and it makes the most wonderful air freshener!



I love opening the windows and letting it drift in....
One day windows are open
Next day air conditioning on
Next day heat is back on
Will it ever just pick a season and stay with it??

Nanny

Theme Thursday......Pink

I am looking forward to turning this.....


Into this......



At least for the weekend!!
I love PINK!!!

Have a Happy TT-Pink! Join in here


Nanny

Yard Day

Today is the day......
88 Degrees
Perfect!




Have a good day all!
See you tomorrow!

Nanny

Cedar - Part II

Well it appears that the bright orange things in the cedar tree are called Cedar-Apple Rust.
Very complex and deadly fungus, esp. to apple trees. The wind can carry the spores up to 3 miles!! I don't have any apple trees, but I don't if any neighbors do......

If you want to read more about this fungus, click here

Nanny

Cedar

Do you ever see something and wonder how long it has been there and how you missed seeing it? Last night I stepped outside, looked at a cedar tree in my front yard and thought it had been decorated with big orange flowers...... take a look.....








I took a closer look and decided these things look like something from the ocean to me....





We built our house six years ago and I have never seen these before. I wonder, did I miss them, or is this the first year for them? Are they blooms of some sort?

Cedar trees are not really what you want in your yard. They don't have a pretty shape or pretty limbs.



They are very unusual trees to me..... the shapes and curves are just so different. It makes me wonder what happened to them to cause the curves and bulges.







Looks aside....cedar boards are some of the prettiest I have ever seen, and the smell is wonderful. There were so many trees on this land we bought that we had them cut and built our house of cedar.



Our mantel is 1/4 of a tree and I love knowing that it came from our yard.



The bar in the poolhouse has a cedar top that my husband wouldn't take anything for..... He kept the shape of the tree on the edges and loves the way it turned out.



I remember when cedar chests were a must. Everyone stored their quilts in a cedar chest. You raised the lid and the scent was so strong. The house had that wonderful smell when we first built it, now I don't notice it.....

We had lots of rain, lightning and wind this weekend. I hope that is over.......
Have a good evening all.

Nanny