July Fourth Prep - Things to Do - And A Glass Tabletop Warning

I'm counting down my things to do as I move forward with preparations for our Fourth of July bash.  I've posted about my food wagon idea and menu and you can see that info here.  Can you believe how quickly time flys?  Once we move into July, we are on the downward slide towards Christmas, and  all we can do is hold on and take the ride. 

I bought some wood boards yesterday and have a pattern from J&J Crafts to make an Uncle Sam for the deck.  I got the idea from Painting Thyme Needfuls, from the one she completed and has posted on her site. She does such a great job with her painting and creations and I have no doubt that mine will look no where near as professional as hers, but you can't really go wrong with red, white and blue.  I'm hoping to get him finished by the weekend.  I made some red and white pillows last year and will be making some more to bring in lots of color. 

One thing I did not expect was to have to replace or repair my patio table.  I was walking by the patio door yesterday and just as I passed, I heard a loud cracking noise and turned my head just in time to see my Martha Stewart glass tabletop shatter into thousands of tiny pieces and fall to the floor.  I Googled it, of course, and found out that this is a common occurrence for Martha Stewart and Hampton Bay (made by the same manufacturer) glass tabletops and has been a known problem since around 2000...there is some problem with the glass that is manufactured on the tables and it is not an issue of if they will shatter, but when.  Some people had it happen as they were seated around the table.  If you have one of these tables, be warned.  We were lucky, no one was on the deck at the time.  My table is about 5-6 years old.  There is no recall or replacement and apparently the companies are denying that there is a problem but the number of reported occurrences says otherwise.  If you have children and you have one of these tables, you might want to think about replacing.

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Meet My Precious Grandbabes

I first fell completely in love with a little bundle back in January 2004.  There is no comparison that can be made to the feeling you have in the first moments when your eyes fall upon one of your sweet babies.  The love and the bond is immediately forged.  I have had this joy, four times so far and each time is special and beyond compare. 

Grandbabe 1 - Alden Brantley Staley
Alden or Aldie as well call him, is 6 years old and is full of life and energy.  He loves being a character (any character will do) and has a wide and wonderful creative imagination. 

6 Years old as Cowboy

3 years old as Superman

Grandbabe 2 - Alexis Mae Shadrick

Lexi is our 30 year old 3 year old.  She takes care of the whole family and keeps everyone in line.  She never forgets anything and has no problem holding her own with all the boys in the family. 

3 Yrs old in her Softball Uniform

2 Yrs old at Halloween

Grandbabe 3 - Connor Michael Staley

Con Man is our little Dozer and is 2 years old.  He likes to rough house and takes a straight line to everything.  If it doesn't move, he just walks right over it. 

2 yrs old at GPs Home on Mother's Day 

Grandbabe 4 - Braeden Cole Shadrick

BraeBrae or B is 5 months old and is our little sweetie.  He watches everyone and as soon as he catches  your eye, he breaks into the biggest and sweetest smile you have ever seen.  He loves to watch his sister and cousins when they are playing and running around...I think he is making mental notes. 

1 week old

4 Months Old

God has blessed us with four beautiful, interesting, funny and healthy precious bundles.  I could not love anything more. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Fourth of July Celebration Party Prep - Food Wagon

I've started thinking about our July 4th celebration and planning some of my decor and food set-up.  I finished the invitations today and will be mailing them this week, since we will be indulging in one of our favored weekend getaways and I want to get them in the mail so our guests can be aware and prepared.  I already have my menu planned and have been thinking of a creative way to display the food for the best flow.   Here is what I have come up with so far. 

This is a sketch of our hay wagon, decked out with buntings and topped with a selection of drinks to desserts.  I think the size of the wagon and the set-up beginning with the drink station, progressing around to the plates and flatware, on to the hot and cold foods and ending with dessert will allow us to move a large group of people through rather quickly.  I plan to look for some other options to build differant levels so that all the food is convenient and fits in the right area....I am on the lookout for a long deep tray to hold ice and all my cold foods, so that they will stay nice and cool during our balmy (Southern speak for hotter than a firecracker) summer night.  I like the idea of a small shelf unit to store my desserts.  The buntings over the wheels will add color and serve to hide them from view somewhat. 

The menu might evolve somewhat but for now, here is what I'm planning.

Smoked baby back ribs

Hamburgers

Hot dogs

Chili

Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Corn on the Cob

Yeast rolls

Chocolate Stack Cake

Sugar Cookies

Vanilla Cupcakes

Individual Strawberry shortcake cups

Sliced Watermelon

Iced Tea

Fresh squeezed lemonade

Soft Drink Assortment

 

Anyone have any other ideas to make the display more functional or cute...each one is equally important. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Silver and Beautiful Blooms

I'm joining Silver Sunday with Gypsy Fish Journal. Please be sure to visit by clicking on the link and cast your eyes on some gorgeous Silver from around Blogland.

I have finally found a beautiful silver fan vase, after I have lusted over some of the fantasic ones that others have displayed.

I had filled my vase with a simple arrangement of Vinca Vine and a gorgeous pink Hydrangea from my garden.

The heat index has been awful over the past week, so come on in and sit under the fan with me.  I'll serve you a cool strawberry lemonade and some frosty ice cream.

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Thursday Fitness Update - Week #5

I want to encourage anyone who has been thinking of a healthier lifestyle to take some steps to put your changes in action.  I cannot tell you how much better I feel already.  Basically eliminating sweet drinks, white breads and pasta, and sweets along with exercising, really makes a differance in the way I feel overall.  Last weekend over the holiday, I was not as careful with what I ate and I could feel myself being weighed down and tired.  I really think that there is something within these 'unhealthy' foods that reacts with something within our systems to make us feel bad.  Come join me on this journey and tell me of your successes.  Even what we initially perceive as failures, are not in my eyes...that's life and if you get depressed about falling off the wagon, you will talk yourself into going back to your old ways.  If you can climb back on the horse, that is success.  Always keep it in a positive light and realize that there will be ups and down...expect them and you won't be surprised when they ultimately happen. 

Before I get into my status results for this week, I want to introduce you to my new love.  The UPS Man (he's not my new love...wait for it...)  knocked on my back door yesterday and delivered this wonderful package to me ...the package contained this:

The Keurig Platinum Brewer...be still my heart.  This is the easiest most convenient way to make coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate.  You just pop in one of these puppies, otherwise known as K cups and hit the button and you get a perfectly brewed single cup serving. 

There are no messy filters or measuring to deal with...once your cup is brewed you simply remove the K cup and drop it in the trash. More importantly and what made me decide to purchase this sweetie in the first place, there is no aftertaste if I brew differant flavors. I love flavored coffees and my husband likes a good cup of cowboy coffee...strong and black. With our old coffee maker, he would always complain about the aftertaste of any flavored coffees I would brew. Now we don't have that problem and with the many differant flavors of K Cups available, I can keep hot tea on hand for me and hot chocolate for my Daughters and Grandbabes.

If you have one of these brewers, let me know if you are loving it as well.  I have only owned mine for a day but I already am looking to name her and invite her to live with us, longterm.   

Week #5

• Weight Loss - 1 pounds - Total Loss - 9 pounds
• Exercise-
• Goal 30 minutes daily
• Actual - 2 days 20-25 minutes
• Nutrition - Water intake at least 48 oz daily.

My daughter gave me a treadmill.  Love you Baby!!! Going to try to pick it up this weekend and I think that will go a long way in helping with the exercise.  I have also been incorporating some stretching and cardio this week....I need to really kick that up.  I started lightly and have had no sore muscles so far, so I'm going to stretch myself a bit more this week.  My Nutritionist said that sustained weightloss and lessening the plateau time is dependant upon keeping your exercise routine mixed.  That way, you are not constantly doing one single thing and your body reacts by missing or lessening the plateau weeks, during a weightloss program. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Horchows - One Day Sale Today Only - Everything 25%-30% Off

I don't know about you, but there are some beautiful items that I would love to wrap my grubby little hands around on the Horchow Website.  Checking my email this morning, I saw that they are having a one day sale with everything at 25%-30% off.  I know that we all love beautiful things and wanted to be sure that you were aware in case there is something that you have been waiting to buy, but did not want to shell out the big bucks to own.  Horchow certainly knows how to dangle those pretties in front of our eyes, but usually at a price that makes me think a few times before I cave in and pull out the debit card or leave crying. 

I have my eye on a set of these beauties...but, today is not the day.  Horchows has 3 designs and I have not decided which I love best...plus, these are bigger bucks and would be a thoughtful purchase...you know the kind I mean...how many meals do I need to miss and can I sell my firstborn in order to own these babies.

Hope everyone has a great day and if you can do a little shopping, all the better. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

It's Picnic Time - Are You Ready To Go?

It's the time of year when I yearn for picnics.   Packing a picnic lunch and then finding just the right place to spread everything out, makes for a fun way to spend the day.  There are as many ways to enjoy dining

Al Fresco as your imagination can dream up.  Your spread can be as casual or as elegant as you'd like.   Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity.

A soft spot of grass under a stand of shady trees would make for a romantic getaway for two.

A blanket and several soft, plump pillows makes any spot idea for a relaxing meal.   Watching the clouds or indulging in a good book will make the afternoon that much sweeter.

Fill a wicker hamper and bring along some wooden chairs and a nice soft rug for a Vintage feel.  Horseback riding would be a perfect ending.

image by cotedetexas

For a family size gathering, the picnic table is much more traditional.  Sandwiches wrapped in colorful paper make for a pretty and tasty display.

Michael at Designs by Gollum has a great idea for serving a salad in a beautiful glass jar and paired with sandwiches and watermelon makes for an easy and tasty picnic lunch.  You can check out her entire post here.

B.J. at Sweet Nothings has indoor picnics with her Grandkiddies.  I'm always on the lookout for fun things to do with my Grandbabes and I think this is an excellent idea and B.J. makes it special with style.  You can check out her entire post here. 

Whether you pack your picnic in a cardboard box, plastic clothes hamper or a pretty wicker hamper, remember that the most important thing in having a successful picnic is to keep it simple, do it with style and have fun. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Thursday Fitness Update - Week #4

image from fropki.com

I don't want to refer to my changes as dieting...that is just part of what I am doing as an entire lifestyle change.  But, I have to admit that I sometimes feel like my friend here, with something delicious just out of my reach...should I or shouldn't I...always the question.

I was not as watchful of my eating habits this weekend as I should have been.  We ate out more due to the long holiday weekend and we had a cookout one day.  I did a lot of walking, but not in a structured, exercise 30 minutes kind of way so that continues to be my focus for setting the habit.  Why do lifestyle changes have to be so hard...why can't we all be perfect sizes?  Is that really too much to ask?????  I've always heard that anything easy is not worth having and you need to work for what you get....I have surmised that the person who said this was someone who had no idea what they were talking about.  I really would not mind it being easy and would be okay with going to bed one night and waking up the next morning with all my weight loss having happened while I slept.  I will take easy, and gladly. 

I also went to the movie all by myself on Monday, which I love to do but rarely have the opportunity.  I induldged in the ultimate experience, including popcorn but I did have water to drink.  As I said, I was not as watchful this weekend as I should have been.  I watched Prince of Persia, which I found to be good entertainment and was able to just enjoy and lose myself to the experience.  I know the critics are hammering it, but I'm not hard to please and love a good action swatchbuckler.  Any movie with dessert sand, sword fighting, and horses is good in my book.  I have been known to love me a good B movie every now and again...and they don't even have to be a good B movie...I love some cheese with my movies sometimes.  It's all about the fun for me.  I enjoy everything about going to the movies....the walk into the theatre with the darkness and little lights in the floor leading the way...I love the coolness of the theatre and the walk down the little hallway before opening into the auditorium.  I love watching the previews and the way the walls vibrate with the intensity of the sounds from the opening title sequence.  I've talked myself into wishing I were there now. 

Week #4

• Weight Loss - 0 pounds - Total Loss - 8 pounds
• Exercise-
• Goal 30 minutes daily
• Actual - 2 days 20-25 minutes
• Nutrition - Water intake at least 48 oz daily.  Not as watchful of the food I ate this week, had white bread and sweets twice over the weekend. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Burber Roadtrip - Rome, Georgia

Mike and I jumped in the Burber, the name the Grandkids call my Suburban, and took off on a roadtrip last weekend.  We ended up in Georgia and visited Rome and Ringgold. 

While in Rome, we found an old Cemetery that is laid out on a large hill.  I had never seen a terraced cemetery on a huge hill like this and we had to check it out....lots of beautiful old statuary.  Notice the sign says that rubbings on the monuments is not permitted...I found that odd, as a lot of Genealogists commonly use this method and as far as I know does not cause any damage.  The pictures do not give a good indication of just how steep this hill was.

This is a view looking down from the very top of the hill.

We visited the Historic district and saw some beautiful old homes.

Love the wraparound porches on this Victorian.

Another wrap around porch.  Notice the attic window...would love to climb through and discover some treasures. 

One of the things I find so enduring and appealing about Historic neighborhoods is how peaceful they seem with all the old growth trees. 

I enjoy walking around and taking photos of the architecture.  These faces are on the Old Courthouse.

The Masonic Temple built in 1877 is an example of  Victorian Architecture- Second Empire Style with it's beautiful Mansard roof.   The Mansard roof  is characteristic of Italian and French Renaissance architecture and another beautiful example is the Philadelphia City Hall, as well as the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. 

The Old Town Clock is perched on top of another hill close to downtown.  The clock was delivered to Rome on Oct 7, 1872 from the E. Howard Clock Company Of Waltham, Mass.  The clock was designed to sit atop one of the city water reservoirs. 

We stopped by Ringgold on the way home to check out their Down Home Day Celebration.  As you can see from the sky,the rain was just on the horizon, so we did not stay long.  We timed it perfectly as it just started to rain as we were getting back in the Burber. 

I'm joining Marla at Always Nesting for Woo Hoo Wednesday and Susan at a Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.  Click on the links to visit both of these fine ladies and enjoy the varied posts from party participants for some enjoyable reading. 

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday - Living/Comfort Room Corner

Paula Deen refers to the Living Room as the Comfort Room...I think I agree with her on the idea.  A room has to be comfortable and serve several functional needs in order to be doing the right job.  I don't have a Great Room, so my Living Room serves as my Family Room and definelty my Comfort Room. 

I rearranged a little corner of my Living Room to make a comfy reading nook.

I've used double lamps on my side tables for something differant and to provide plentiful light for reading.  Touches of red brighten up the space. 

A great book for eye candy is Paula's Savannah Style.  Beautiful gardens and homes around Savannah with decorating tips from Paula's Assistant. 

I'm joining Marty from a Stroll Through Life for her weekly party - Tabletop Tuesday.  You can click on the link to be whisked over to visit with Marty and link to all the beautiful tabletops displayed.  Have fun!!

All The Best,

mill57@charter.net
http://www.theycallmejammi.blogspot.com/