Giveaways, Breakfast & Jewelry

(***My GIVEAWAY~enter ***)

And another giveaway that Irma's Rose Cottage shared with me: Yarni Gras is giving away some cute heart pins! Thanks Irma!

I thought I'd share another healthy breakfast idea that I had this morning and do quite often...

I make a habit of throwing fruit that is in danger of not getting eaten anytime soon into the freezer in containers and then, when the mood strikes, I make a frozen fruit smoothie. Usually just fruit with a little juice or water to help it blend easy but I have been know to add ground flax, wheat germ, plain yogurt & maybe a touch of splenda if it's not quite sweet enough for me (grapes are a great sweetener too!). This morning was just frozen fruits & water: grapefruit, blueberries, pineapple, grapes & orange mango juice (frozen into cubes)...

Mmmm, frosty (I like these anytime of day actually!

And before I get caught up in the whirlwind of my day, I've been meaning to share this beautiful jewelry set I got from Eve at Jewels of Eden~ she makes luscious jewelry and I have so enjoyed wearing mine around town. Thanks Eve!...

Aren't they dreamy?

Another fellow shop owner on "etsy street" that has some precious prim tags, quilts, machine embroidery (check out the Redwork!) and other fun stuff is Sunbonnet Sue Lady . She's very creative and talented!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to enter for your chance to WIN!!!

I Love a Bargain!

(***To enter my GIVEAWAY click here***)

Don't you? And unfortunately, this wasn't a real bargain, since I paid full price, but while shopping at Pier 1 on Sunday with hubby, I rounded a corner and suddenly, a little bird was telling me to take him home. He said I needed him. Well, I've been sweet talked by fellas before so I brushed him off. But I found that I couldn't stop thinking about him. So Monday afternoon, I hopped in the car and went back to the store hoping he was still there waiting on me. He was. It must be true love...

THIS...this was the bargain...

less than a third of the original price at Target~I'm sooo excited!

Thanks for visiting!

In the Pink

I've been feeling a little blue...

we all have those days.

Maybe it was the gloomy start to our day yesterday...

or could it possibly be (she says in a whisper) hormones? I don't know. Whatever the reason, I just was...

But then as I was getting ready for the day this morning, I saw these little faces staring at me...

in their pretty pink finery, and I began to cheer up.

A little.

And then I found myself in our pink water closet (well, the walls aren't pink~yet)...

and began to count my blessings...

I have a beautiful home and family and we all have excellent health.

And I am once again tickled pink.

What cheers you up when you've got the blues?

(Pssst...will somebody please pass the chocolate?)

The Wayward Crafter-Feeling Crafty

I've been cutting, sewing & knittin'...

"to stock the shelves" at TJ's Sweet Home

You may remember this post...

I made this for my kitchen...


Not sure of the exact spot I'll put it in but I think I have an idea!

Have a great weekend!

Birds of a Feather...and a Cat?

Baby, it's cold outside! It's in the thirties here in our little Texas coastal town. There's frost on the roof of my car and socks on my toes...brrr.


These little birds are huddling together from the chill as they wait for their new homes and partners. They just make me smile every time I look at them.















Yesterday, as I was getting ready to make our bed, I spied something furry on my side...





Bobo has been taking to climbing in when the house quiets and Daddy and Ari have gone to work and school. I have been shooing him and making it up but this particular morning, I didn't have the heart. So he stayed in the cozy covers all day and the bed never got made. Stay warm!

Less

I thought I would share some of our meals & recipes for our new "healthier, lower fat, lower calorie" adventure. Still going strong.



Last week, I came up with a quickie meal that was lower (fat, cal) & convenient. I had a can of sweet potatoes on hand, (I don't prefer canned, but when in a pinch for time...) & a pound of leftover ham in the freezer. I rinsed the syrup off the potatoes & drained in a colander then put in a lightly Pam sprayed baking dish with the ham on top. Drizzled a little apple juice on top for moisture & threw it in the oven to heat. A little salt was my only seasoning and I served it with fresh, cut up pineapple and salad. Not perfect in the realm of hard core dieters & fitness buffs I realize, but better than our usual fare (butter anyone?) Next time, I think I'll place sliced pineapple on top before I bake. It wasn't stellar, but it was good and "lower" than we would have normally had.



This morning, I had this...





Lite, lite butter in the eggs, a sprinkling of salt & pepper on the tomatoes, and dry toast from my homemade wheat bread. Served on a pretty plate (we DO eat with our eyes too!) Again, lower & less than normal. But still, mmmm...

Now, go have yourself some breakfast.

Busy New Year

I've been staying busy trying to catch up from the time I "took off" for the holidays. It wasn't that I was doing nothing; my hands and creative juices were busy making Christmas gifts for grandchildren. But my etsy shop has been neglected. I'm working on several projects to put in there and am excited about my little creations. For now they are hush-hush!

I am also trying to narrow my focus this year on key projects instead of being scattered here and there (I have so many interests!) so I am trying to cut down my internet "playtime" which will somewhat affect my blog :-(. Especially right now while I am trying to stock up TJsSweetHome with goodies.

The beginning of the year has been blissfully quiet and calm around here. Mike and I are committed to a healthier way of eating (I am always working on that; the fact that HE is and is doing so well...I'm VERY proud of how he is doing. He's showing much discipline and self control-something I struggle with :-0) as I'm sure is a greater portion of the U.S. . Doing it together is motivating though. I have a true blue veggie buddy! (The only down side to it is that I have to make his lunch every morning so he doesn't succumb to take-out :giggle: I don't really mind! But did I mention I am having to put my bread making into overdrive so he has a steady supply for sandwiches? )

I'm off to stitch & knit y'all...Have a great day!