Spreading the Love……..

First I’d like to thank everyone for their comments, prayers, and support yesterday for my husband’s hand surgery. The surgery went well and and he is home resting. Your kind comments really made me feel better!

Today I received The Spreader of Love Award from my friend Riet at Quilt n' Stitching Lady.

 

Riet lives in the Netherlands. I am fairly sure our paths have crossed before I started blogging when I was more involved in cross-stitching. She loves quilting , cross stitching, reading, shabby chic, old mirrors, and decorating. Take a few minutes and visit her blog when you have the time!

The Spreader of Love Award description is as follows:

This blog has been awarded The Spreader of Love Award created by The Love Blog, for an outstanding demonstration of blogging love. Nominate as many blogs you want to!

I’d like to share this award with some blogs for their sharing their love of the following:

• Blue - Smiling Sally
• Food - Cuisine Kathleen, WFD and More , and Once in a Blue Moon
• Pink - How Sweet the Sound
• Tablescapes - Between Naps on the Porch
• Tea parties - Etiquette with Miss Janice and Designs by Gollum

Thank you all for inspiring me with your blogs!

1/28 Outdoor Wednesday

It’s time for “Outdoor Wednesday”. What is “Outdoor Wednesday”?

Every Wednesday participants will be posting pictures of anything outdoor on their blog.  It can be something outside of your home such as your porch, deck, patio, garden or lawn. Your photo can be outdoor shots of the beach, forest or mountains. (We don’t want to exclude anyone who might not have a yard). Or, you could simply post pictures of a favorite plant or flower. Only rule is it has to be outside!

To participate:

1. POST- Post your outdoor photos and the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on your blog and link back to A Southern Daydreamer (link) so that others will be able to find all the links to other Outdoor Wednesday posts.

2. (Optional) PLACE LOGO - Place the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on the sidebar of your blog. It lets others know you will be participating in future Outdoor Wednesdays.

Reminder: Do NOT link in until after your post is up.

3. LINK NAME & PERMALINK- Enter your name and the Permalink to your post (NOT your general blog address) in “Mr Linky”.

• Why use a permalink instead of your general blog address? A permalink points to a specific blog post after it has passed from the front page to the archives. It will make it easier for readers to find your Outdoor Wednesday posts whenever they get a chance to visit.
• To create a Permalink: Either 1) right click on Outdoor Wednesday post and “Copy Shortcut/Link Location” or 2) click on your Outdoor Wednesday post title and copy the URL from the http window.
• Copy your permalink into “Mr Linky” URL box next to your name and select ENTER. You are finished. You should see your name listed on my site.

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On Wednesday morning as many of you are waking up I will be sitting in a hospital waiting room waiting for my husband who will be having outpatient hand surgery. It isn’t major……but he is still my best friend…. and I don’t look forward to see him suffer and in pain. I hope we are home by mid-day and I can sit at my laptop and watch him sleep nearby.

I wasn’t sure what to post for this week’s Outdoor Wednesday. It has been dreary and rainy lately and the lack of sunshine has certainly been noticed by ME! I walked out onto our deck today and sighed….it was still overcast and no sign of the sun. Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw something….some color! What?

When I bought this tree over ten years ago it was tagged a cherry tree. I soon discovered it was a flowering plum tree. I couldn’t believe my eyes today when I saw it was beginning to bloom!

I had to go get my camera and get a few pictures!

Some pictures I took last year on a sunny day. This tree has beautiful bark and beautiful blooms.

I will try to take some more pictures over the next few days. Hopefully we won’t have a heavy rain or windy day which would whisk away my beautiful blooms. I know, it’s a silly tree….. but the signs of spring were what I needed today!

Don’t forget to visit other Outdoor Wednesday participants by clicking on their links. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Outdoor Wednesday participants.

Technorati Tags: Outdoor Wednesday

We had 36 participants in the Outdoor Wednesday !  I want to thank again the following for posting (clicking on their name will take you to their Outdoor Wednesday post): Tam, Melissa, Patti Cakes, Sheila,  Debbie, carolinajewel,   Diane, pendy, Kathy, Cielo, Maryrose, Kathy b, Lana, Anne Marie, Wendy, Kathleen M, claudie, Cindy,  sue, Robyn,   Margaret,  Katherinellen,  Merisi, Kathy, Alfazema, CC Catherine, Diane, Lisa, Madeline, JudyBug, Charlotte, Mamapippa, Mumzie, ellen b, Cam, Beth

1/27 Tablescape Tuesday

It’s Tuesday which means it is time for Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan and her blog Between Naps on the Porch.

I realized I haven’t used my every day Blue Willow dishes in a tablescape, so I thought I would use them this week.

I have a few serving pieces, but chose to use the place settings, berry/fruit bowls, and gravy boat. I didn’t want too much clutter on the table. Something is missing….duh, napkins (oops)

Here is the place setting. I never get tired of these dishes. I am glad I have been using my silver more often…what was I saving it for all these years?

Beneath the cereal/soup bowl is the salad plate…

and finally, the dinner plate…

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Tablescape Tuesday and don't forget to visit Susan's blog Between Naps on the Porch to see more wonderful table settings!

Reminder: Tomorrow is “Outdoor Wednesday”! (Post will be up by 11:00 pm EST Tuesday night). To Learn More about Outdoor Wednesday, click on the button below!

Technorati Tags: tablescape,Tablescape Tuesday

Blue Monday

It’s time for Blue Monday hosted by Sally at Smiling Sally. Don’t forget to visit her site to see links to more participants!

Today I am going to share……. blue flowers…… These aren’t in my yard (I wish). I have been browsing through plant catalogs lately…. while waiting for spring!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog ……

 

Technorati Tags: Blue Monday

1/25 A Southern Daydreamer Week in Review

This weeks posts: (clicking on post title will open link in a new window)

• 1/24 Pink Saturday
• Organizing your blog.....
• Moi? part 2
• Three or More Thursday
• Outdoor Wednesday #2
• 1/20 Tablescape Tuesday
• Blue Monday
• Is your computer sick?
• 1/18 A Southern Daydreamer Week in Review

We had 25 participants in the Outdoor Wednesday !  I want to thank again the following for posting (clicking on their name will take you to their Outdoor Wednesday post): Patti Cakes, Susan, Margaret, Diane, ellen b, Kathy,  TerrieDJ, Sheila, Gollum, Katherinellen,  onceinabluemoon, Alfazema, Catherine, Tam, Beverly, Lisa, carolinajewel, Jeanne, The Muse,  Diane, Kathy B, Elizabeth, Jadehollow, Judy, Beth

Comment Questions Answered:

• “How did you group all of your awards and such?” from Lynne at Lynne’s Gifts from the Heart- since more than one person wanted to know the answer, I tried to explain it in a post (Organizing your blog..... )
• “How long did it take you to finish?” (Blue Needlework in Blue Monday post) from envoy-ette at It Could be Worse, Claudie at Claudie’s Blog, Diane at  Four Paws & Co, Sheila at Quintessential Magpie, and Wendy at Some of my Favorite Things- I don’t remember exactly…guessing three months. I always had more than one project going at a time.
• “Is it a Martina Weber design?” (Blue Needlework in Blue Monday post) from Riet at Quilt n’ Stitching Lady  and Susan at The Good Life– Yes, it is a Martina Weber/Chatelaine design. I have finished a few and started a few others. They are large projects! It is called “Watergarden”. Most cross-stitch shops have it or can get it.
• “How did you get your same background on Twitter, if you don't mind my asking?” from Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict- I don’t mind you asking! You can change background in Twitter by going to settings>design>change background design…. My background isn’t the same (exactly).. I took an image of a portion of my background and then selected “tile” to have it repeat it.. Looks the same…but it isn’t!

I enjoyed reading all the comments left by everyone. It is very humbling to get compliments from the bloggers whom I have admired for a long time and who are the inspiration behind me finally starting my very own blog!

A Southern Daydreamer Visitors: Thank you to all  the visitors who left wonderful comments this week: Ahrisha, Alaura, Alfazema, alicesg, Alisa, Angie, Ann, Barbara, Becky, Becky G, Beth, Betty, Beverly, BJ, Bo, Bobbi Jo, Cami, Carol, Carrie, Cate, Catherine, Ceekay, Charlotte, Charlene, Christie, Claudie, Cindy, Darlene, Dawn, Dawnie, Debbie, deckthehalls, Diane, Diane W, domestic designer, Elizabeth, Ellen, Ellen B, envoy-ette, faeryhollow, Gabriela, Glenda, Glennis, Gloria, Gollum, Helen, Jain, Jan, Jane, Jeanne, Jen, Jenny S, Jewel, Jillian, Joyce, Judith S, Judy Bug, Kandy, Katherinellen, Kathleen, Kathleen E, Kathleen M, Kathy, Kathy B, Kim L, Kris, Kymber, Lady Jane, Lady Katherine, Lady Lynn, Lana G, Laurie, Lidy, Linda, Lisa, Liz, Lynette, Lorri, Lynn, Lynne, Ma'dame French, Manuela, Margaret, Marina, Mary, Mary Lou, Mary Rose, Mary Ruth, Melissa M, Melissa W, Michelle, Mishelle, Miss Janice, Mojo, Neabar, Nicole, Pat, Rechelle, Rhondi, Riet, Ro, Rose, Sally, Sarah S, Sheila, Sheila W, Sherrie, Shirl, smilingsal, Stephanie, Sue, Sue D, Susan, Sweetie, Syndee, Tam, Tammy, tar devil, Teresa, Teri, Terri, Terrie, the Muse, Theresa, Valerie, Virginia, Wendy, Zoey

I appreciate all of the wonderful things you had to say! I hope you all will stop by again soon!

I host “Outdoor Wednesday”! Learn more about it HERE

1/24 Pink Saturday

It’s Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Be sure to visit Beverly's blog to see a complete list of all the participants in today's Pink Saturday. (clicking on picture will open a link to her site in a new window)

Last weekend at the family reunion one of my husband’s cousins brought a plate to share with everyone that was their grandmothers. My husband’s grandmother won this plate at some type of canning event (I didn’t catch all the details)

Even with the chip, I love the details…and a family treasure for the cousin who now owns it!

I recently decided to “collect” dishes and I try to add to the ones I have when I can. Most of the dishes I have are blue/white but I may have to add a few pink. Here are some pretty pink dishes that I like…..aren’t they beautiful? 

 

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog and don't forget to visit Beverly’s blog How Sweet the Sound to see more pink!

Have a great weekend!

Technorati Tags: Pink Saturday

Organizing your blog……

I had a couple people ask about how I organized my blog….  specifically “My Blog List” and “Awards” ….

First I created a blog called “A Southern Daydreamer Extras”- you can easily create another blog by going to your dashboard (top right corner select customize and then dashboard)

After I created the blog… I set the background and fonts all the same, so that if you moved form the front page of my regular blog to a page in the “extras” blog it wouldn’t be obvious.

You can add whichever gadgets you want. I added “My Blog List” gadget to the sidebar. (just as you would your regular blog). Your followers will come up the same on each blog you have at blogger/blogspot or you can import from Google reader (don’t forget to hit save)

To link items from my “regular” blog to the “extras” blog I simply used “picture” gadget (from layouts and add gadget)

I’ll use my most recent one as an example. I wanted to place all the weekly blog posts in one place (are they called memes or carnivals? I don’t know… like I said I am new to blogging) .

First, I posted them first on my “extras” blog in a regular post. Then, I pulled up the “add a gadget” (in layouts) in my regular blog and selected “picture” gadget and put the link to the post in ….

and added in the title box “Click below to see weekly posts” and then browsed on my computer to select an image to use as the “button” (I made all the little images). Don’t forget to hit save. After the gadget is saved you can drag it where you want it on the layout of the page. That’s it! When you click on the image it will go to the post!

The award list is simply a post on the “extras” blog that I can pull up and edit any time I want to add or change anything…. just like you would any other blog post and then hit publish. It will post again on same day and post.

Does this make any sense? (Not sure I am explaining it well enough) I’ll try to answer any questions you might have (just leave a comment). I am still new at this and learning as I go…. and happy to share what I do learn….. just ask!

What do you think of my “Weekly Blog Posts” page? Name might not be right and I may change it… and I am sure I will add more “weeklies” to the list!

Have any other questions? If I don’t know, I can Google it and try to figure it out!

Technorati Tags: blog tips

Moi? part 2

I have been blogging a little more than a month and this week I received three awards! I am honored and humbled. Thank you ladies for the awards!

I received the Sisterhood Award from Teri at The  Boosalis Bloggle. Thank you Teri!

Teri started blogging last summer and I “met” her my second week of blogging. Stop by her blog sometime and say hello!

It is always hard to select who to give an award. The rules state 10 blogs… so I am going to give this award to 10 bloggers who have commented 10 or more times on my blog… whom I have not yet given an award.

1. Ann at Life at Ann's Place
2. Cami at Creating Myself
3. Carol at She Lives
4. ceekay at Thinkin of Home
5. Diane at Four Paws and Co
6. Kathleen at Kathleen Ellis
7. Sally at Smiling Sally
8. Stephanie at Angelic Accents
9. Teresa at Happy Yarns
10. Wendy at Some of My Favorite Things

Thank you ladies for reading my blog and taking the time to comment. You are appreciated!

Here are the rules for the Sisterhood Award recipients:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

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I also received the Friends Award from Charlotte at Charlotte's Weblog . Thank you Charlotte!

 

Charlotte has been blogging over a year. In addition to her blog, Charlotte's Weblog, she also has the following blogs: At Home in Scottsdale, Dolls, Dolls, Dolls, and Spiritual Sundays. Stop by and say hi to Charlotte!

I would like to pass the Friends award along to the following:

• Ma’dame French at British Colonial Love Affair
• Envoy-ette at It Could Be Worse
• Lynette at Lynette's L.A.M. Blog
• Liz at Rose Vignettes

Thank you for your support!

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And last, but not least, I received the You are Truly Beautiful Award from Ann at Life at Ann's Place. Ann has been blogging almost a year since November 2008 (Thanks Gloria). I met her my first week blogging. She is very sweet and makes me laugh out loud (often). Visit her blog when you get a chance!

 

This award reads: “You Are Truly Beautiful. Beautiful means so much more than just a pretty face! It also means that you are unique, and oh so full of grace! The things in you that go on much deeper than the softness of your skin. Are the things that make you beautiful, both outside and within!”

The rules for this award are as follows:

1. Find the beautiful ladies that you follow.
2. Give them this award.
3. Hopefully it'll truly mean something to each and everyone of you.
4. Don't be shy to give it to the same person!
5. Don't forget to tell them!

I would like everyone who reads and comments on my blog to have this award…for without you.. I would be blogging to myself! You are ALL beautiful to me!

Three or More Thursday

Tam at The Gypsy’s Corner is the hostess for “Three or More Thursday” and I’m joining in for the first time this week. (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

This week I am going to share the artwork of a local artist, Joy Hulgan. I had the opportunity to get to know one of her sisters when our sons played soccer together over fifteen years ago. All the sketches we purchased were of places that were sentimental to us.

Georgia Institute of Technology, where I went to school and where my son now attends:

Lanier School for Boys, where my husband when to elementary school:

First Baptist Church, where my in-laws and my husband and I were married:

The Pig, a local barbecue restaurant (yum):

and the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Golf Tournament:

From a bio I found online:

“Joy Hulgan comes from a family of artists, including her mother and two sisters. As a group, the sisters have enjoyed over twenty years in the fine art business, reproducing Joy's art and the art of their mother, Mary Hulgan. Joy began drawing architectural sites and landscapes in 1978 and has published numerous reproductions of her work. She also works in oils, painting landscapes and portraits. In her spare time, she teaches art to seniors and finds that a particularly joyful experience.”

Thanks for visiting my blog. Visit Tam at The Gypsy’s Corner. for more Three or More Thursday participants.

Technorati Tags: Three or More Thursday,Joy Hulgan

Outdoor Wednesday #2

Today is “Outdoor Wednesday”. What is “Outdoor Wednesday”?

Every Wednesday participants will be posting pictures of anything outdoor on their blog. It can be something outside of your home such as your porch, deck, patio, garden or lawn. Your photo can be outdoor shots of the beach, forest or mountains. (We don’t want to exclude anyone who might not have a yard). Or, you could simply post pictures of a favorite plant or flower. Only rule is it has to be outside!

To participate:

1. POST- Post your outdoor photos and the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on your blog and link back to A Southern Daydreamer (link) so that others will be able to find all the links to other Outdoor Wednesday posts.

2. (Optional) PLACE LOGO - Place the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on the sidebar of your blog. It lets others know you will be participating in future Outdoor Wednesdays.

Reminder: Do NOT link in until after your post is up.

3. LINK NAME & PERMALINK- Go to A Southern Daydreamer and enter your name and the Permalink to your post (NOT your general blog address) in “Mr Linky”.

• Why use a permalink instead of your general blog address? A permalink points to a specific blog post after it has passed from the front page to the archives. It will make it easier for readers to find your Outdoor Wednesday posts whenever they get a chance to visit.
• To create a Permalink: Either 1) right click on Outdoor Wednesday post and “Copy Shortcut/Link Location” or 2) click on your Outdoor Wednesday post title and copy the URL from the http window.
• Copy your permalink into “Mr Linky” URL box next to your name and select ENTER. You are finished. You should see your name listed on my site.

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Last Saturday we went to the annual family reunion for my father-in-law’s family. My father-in-law is the oldest of seven (yes, seven) children, so it is a rather large family. It was great getting a chance to see everyone. Before we went, I asked my father-in-law if he wouldn’t mind showing me some of his childhood places before we left town to return home (of course, he said yes!). I am not sure who was more excited…me or him )I love family history and wish I could visit all the homes of my ancestors.

We visited cemeteries and neighborhoods. Of course I took many pictures. (Don’t worry, I am going to share only a few).

The first photo is where the house stood that my father-in-law was born 87 years ago (to the left of the pine tree and in front of the pecan tree).

The next photo is of some pecan trees my father-in-law’s mother planted in 1920 ……

Next, a picture of my father-in-law’s grandfather’s house. He lived from 1863 to 1946, mostly in this house.

No one lives in the house now, but the land is still owned by the family. The kitchen was in a separate building in the back (and has fallen down). It was separate from the main house, so that if there was a fire, the entire house wouldn’t be lost. I love old buildings like this.

Finally, a picture of an old oak tree next to the house.

I want to go back for a visit when the weather warms up a little. My husband said he spotted an old door propped up behind the kitchen….and he wants to ask if we can have it. (fingers crossed that we get a yes!)

Don’t forget to visit other Outdoor Wednesday participants by clicking on their links. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Outdoor Wednesday participants.

Technorati Tags: Outdoor Wednesday

Here are this weeks participants:

1/20 Tablescape Tuesday

It’s Tuesday which means it is time for Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan and her blog Between Naps on the Porch.

When I went to move Mr. Rooster and Mrs. Chicken from the center of the kitchen table I was asked, “Can’t you change the table and let them stay another week?” So if the table looks similar to last weeks Tablescape Tuesday …. yes..it is similar…but different!

I removed the platter they were both sitting on, and placed Mrs. Chicken on a small pedestal (I do hope Mr. Rooster puts her on a pedestal every once and awhile). I removed the three eggs and added the orange glass ball (I have a feeling Mrs. Chicken is eyeing it and thinking, “I did NOT do THAT!)

For the place settings I used my square Tuscan sunflower plates. The sunflowers go well with the one at the base of Mr. Rooster…..

I love the big sunflower on the salad plate…..

and the four little sunflowers in the corners of the dinner plates…..

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Tablescape Tuesday and don't forget to visit Susan's blog Between Naps on the Porch to see more wonderful table settings!

Reminder: Wednesday is “Outdoor Wednesday”! (Post will be up by 11:00 pm EST Tuesday night). To Learn More about Outdoor Wednesday, click on the button below!

Technorati Tags: tablescape,Tablescape Tuesday