Surf's Up - Theme Thursday

All elements my own

Texture by Sharon Pruitt

A Flower for You!

My youngest daughter loves to pick flowers to give to me, she used to pick them everyday. They brighten my heart so much more than store bought flowers....just like her!

Before and After

I still use Microsoft Picture It to edit a lot of my photos, I just can't seem to get past the ease of the program.

Textures Amy Locurto

Etsy Favs

I haven't been able to upload photos during the couple of times a week I can catch a connection...thus the lack of posts...I'm still around though, mostly at the beach...catching up with family...if you'd like to see recent photos I am able to post onto my 365 blog with wordpress here and there, you can catch a glimpse of the action there :)

Thrift Shop Find

J Crew linen dress included in the $5 grab bag at the thrift shop.

Unfortunately it's a size 2 so it will fit my daughter.

Renovation update.

We've been busy in our kitchen the past few weeks. Our appliances were on their last legs as it was 15 years ago when my MIL redid her kitchen. We initially wanted a 36' Viking stove with the grill, but it was priced at over $10,000 with the hood. Knowing we needed to buy a larger refrigerator which would be expensive, we contemplated the 5 Star which was around $2,500. Of course these were just our initial picks, we didn't know when the time came what we'd actually get.

With the refinancing on hold at the moment, the appliances still needed to be replaced, so we thought we may find something reasonably priced to use until the new kitchen happened. Hubby was drawn to an ad on Craigs List for appliances in the Bronx and went to check it out. We actually went to look at a Kenmore refrigerator, but this guy had everything, including all the high end brands. Our new Viking stove was obviously well used but in very good condition, apart from 2 missing grates. The top plates had been recoated but could be replaced in the future. Our cost $500, and exactly what we wanted. Granted there are perks to living in a big city.

Old Stove

 New Stove

We had to cut 6" off the counter, but it was space that wasn't really being used as the dishwasher and dishrack are there. Our big pots and pans look small on it, I couldn't use these together on the old stove. Now storage is a probem, we lost the pantry area with the demo and with the refrigerator, I have no storage for the cooking & baking things...I'm still trying to find a space here and there where they'll be out of the way.

Wordless Wednesday - Tiptoe

Storm Catching - Macro Monday

It started pouring on Thursday and we hoped for a break from the very hot weather we've been having the past 2 weeks...but not so. I thought the kids had gone outside to splash in the rain and thought I'd catch a shot or two. Luckily the kids were inside, well...all but one who followed me out. When I realized no-one was out...I headed for home...I didn't get far when I realized it had started hailing. I was under the neighbours dogwood tree where I often stand to wait for the bus when it rains...it gives coverage unless it's raining very hard.

Just as I started shooting a my head felt a sharp pain, and as I scrambled for safety my thumb on my camera was bruised and Nathanael came racing towards me.

I yelled at him to get inside, but it was too late, he only made it 10 ft to our driveway, and found shelter, crying and afraid. Luckily it didn't last too long, a few minutes the sun was out and everything was steaming again.