It's Wine-Thirty...so let's Dish!

Hey Yall!  I'm officially back from my bloggy break and ready to dish it all out.  

I've set the table for you so come on in and let's have a little chat shall we.

I'll sit here because it's set for me.

Yes friends, it's wine-thirty!   If you care to indulge, I hope your all comfy because this may take a bit of reading on your part. 

 I have been on a blog break for many reasons.  One thing that made me take a break AGAIN was just plain old despair.  This isn't the first time I have felt this way.  I was looking at far too many popular and creative blogs and feeling like I had nothing to share that hasn't already been done or said before.   Because let's face it ladies, a lot of what you and I are sharing, someone is also doing much the same, only a different version of it.  Yep, I said it.

 The difference is that some bloggers get a lot more attention from it then others.  Some are wittier, some are more creative and some work harder at growing their blogs then others.  Hooray for them, and I sincerely mean that! The problem for me was, I did't fall into the above description.

And you know what they say about birds of a feather. 

 I had sincerely been feeling left out of the flock.

 I happen to fall into the NOT working so hard at growing my blog category.  The fact is I just don't have the time to devote to it that others do because I am BUSY woman.  Yep, I said it again!

 My plate is very full, not just with all the extra dishes!  

  I work full time outside of the home.  I have also taken on a new position in management and find myself even more hurried then ever.  I'm sure some of you can relate right?   Let me be clear, I am NOT implying that those of you who have popular blogs are not busy.  You obviously are and you are also working hard at growing your blog.  You have made it a higher priority then I do. That's fantastic.

But, let's be real and true here.  Not all of us want to devote so much time to blogging and that should be okay too.  Because, really it is!  If you blog, one of the best things you can ever do is come to terms with why you are blogging.  This can take time for some of us but, I do believe I have finally arrived!

  I read not so long ago about how you should never mention how busy you are because you might imply you are too busy for your readers.  Well ladies, I am sorry to say this but there are many times when I am and you are... just too busy!  This is life.  But, I don't feel like I should have to pretend I am not when in fact I am.  I have always felt it best to be completely honest with my readers and have always done so.  I am busy, but the fact that I am taking the time to blog should be enough to show you that I am not to busy to communicate and share with you as well.

I am not changing my blogging style which is very personal to who I am just to portray something online.   This brings me to the real meat of why I took a break.  Blogging is such a mixed bag of expectations, isn't it? 

 I recently read another post about what turns you off about other blogs.  While posts like this can be a very helpful tool for some, it was quite helpful to me except in a very different way.  Because, all I can say about all the hundreds of comments was...Wow!  Honestly ladies, who could ever meet up to all of the expectations that I read on there.  OMG!

  I certainly have committed several of those hundreds of comments and dislikes at one time or another.  OH Well!

Here's a few I know I've done...

1.Yep, I've always centered the wording on my blog...apparently this drives others nuts.

2. I'm usually way to wordy...because who has time to read!

3. I post too many pics of the same thing at several different angles....Guilty!

4.  I've used poor grammar many times I'm sure from rushing to post..though I do use spell check. 

5. I use waaay too many explanation points and cutesy language.  Guilty! Guilty!

6. I am not always sharing something new, original or exciting enough. Blah, blah,blah!

7. I sometimes share info about my family.

8. I've had music on my blog...this scares too many people.  Ooops!

9. I've not taken the time to always email people back who comment on my blog.

And No.10 (the biggest pet peeve out there)

10. I've whined and complained and not always come across as perfectly cheery and happy.

Seeeriousslyyy?????

Well, at least I've never had those annoying pop up ads on my blog that get in the way of your reading.  Haha!  But....I totally get why some of you do and I don't get my panties in a wad about it.  Life is just to short to get in such a snit about these things.  Really Yall!

It's just a blog!  I am not going to change who I am because I like who I am.  I seriously do not understand how anyone could ever meet up to all the expectations of many who commented about their pet peeves.  And, that's just it.  If you spend your time trying to fit into a mold in the blog world you may not be quite so happy.  In fact, you run the risk of loosing all your inspiration as I did.  Who says we all have to blog for the same reasons or follow the same rules?   I blog because I enjoy it and that's why I keep coming back even after so many struggles with not feeling good enough.  I am done with trying to fit into a blog mold.  I'm done trying to adhere to all the preferred blog rules and even some of the so called blog rules of etiquette.  I have my own set of God given rules and they have served me well most of my adult life.

I will whine at times because my life is full of ups and downs.  I feel like I am all the richer for it too.  I will cheer at times (hopefully a lot more now) because I have family and friends and thoughts that are awesome and worth shouting out about even if the majority doesn't agree. 

Thanks so much for sitting a spell at my table today.  If you've actually read this, I hope you'll be back and visit with me some more if you like.   I am so ready to move into my random blogging mode. I don't fit into a category, I blog all over the map, and I'm good with that.  I expect most of my upcoming posts to be very short due to time restraints.  I'm not going to let that stop me anymore though.  Blurb or blab, it's still my blog.

Well, I gotta run now I am already behind schedule for taking a shower and getting ready for the day.  I've got the day off and there is a new Home Goods grand opening today across town.  Guess where I am headed?  

I've joined the following parties today to share my story.  If this were a real party with many ladies all gathered together this type of a discussion might just go on right?  I think so and I happen to think there's room for all of us at the table.

So come on and join us at;

Let's Dish

Tablescape Thursday

Have a good one!

Happy Labor Day!

picture from examiner.com

Wishing everyone an very enjoyable Labor Day!  I will be working hard selling to all of you shoppers who have the day off.  Don't feel sorry for me, I am happy and proud to be part of the American Workforce and will be able to take my day off (with pay) on another date!  Woohoo!  So come on out and support your local economy!  Have a wonderful day!!!!

Southern Mediterranean Dining

Hey Bloggers!  I am taking a break from my break!  :)  LOL!

You see, I have to because I've got something to show you and I need a little help with a decorating decision as well.  Things have been quite hectic around here lately in more ways then you can imagine.  So... I will do my best to keep this post from being "all over the Map" but it's going to be hard.

First off, if you have children you know it's back to school time and that always means scrambling around to get things done in short order.  This year was no different, except that we sent our youngest son off to college.  He is going to be local at USC, that's the University of South Carolina, not California yall!  Woohoo!  Go Cocks!!!  Anywho, he moved into the dorms last weekend and starts his first day today. I am so proud and happy for him that I just had to include this update in here too.

Here's my precious college boy the night before he moved out.  Looking pretty happy huh?   I will update you with dorm pics another time.

With such a quite house around here in the evenings I am already finding myself dreaming of beautiful dinners for two in romantic and exotic places.  Oouu La La!  Except, with a schedule and budget that doesn't allow for much travel right now I've decided to try and create one of my own.

Welcome to the Mediterranean South Yall!

This setting may not be anywhere near the beautiful shores of Greece, my ultimate getaway island, but it's a great way to spend an evening at home don't you think?

I first fell in love with these dishes a few weeks ago at a resale/antique store.   I really wanted them, but they were selling them only as a huge set for $125.00.  Seriously?  I only wanted a few and something told me I could find them for much less.  Imagine my shock when the just a few days later I did find them for much less and sold individually at TJMaxx.  I was only going to buy four of one size but decided to go for it and get four plates and four salads.  You will see more on that and why in just a bit.

These beautiful iridescent oyster plates are clear and made of glass.  I found them early this summer at Marshall's.  They were sold as a set of four.  Instant love!  I have been wanting to use them all summer and have even purchased other dishes to use with but haven't gotten to creating that setting yet.  

My newest flatware is from Gibson purchased at work, Stein Mart.  The hammered look reminds me so much of bubbles and the water.

Speaking of bubbles, I thought my beautiful handblown purple goblets from Mexico that I got from Novica were the perfect touch for this setting.  So sorry for the crooked picture here, my photo skills seem to be lacking tremendously lately.

And to top it all off, I brought out the blue bubble glass napkin rings again.  They look really cute paired with some of my newest summer napkins also purchased from Stein Mart.

I threw in a few shells to capture that island feel I am craving!

And you should know I had to have my sailboats in here too!  Can you imagine going on one of those Mediterranean charter sails?  OMG! One day I pray!

My poor little crepe myrtle blooms are so beaten down by all the rains we've had lately.  The good news is I am off today and it looks like the sun is coming back out!

So what do you think?  Does it look vacationey enough for ya?  Hehee!

I think it will work just fine!  Now I have a secret to tell ya about these plates though.  They are going to be very short lived as far as dining with them goes.

Why? 

 Because I have other plans for them that's why!  

You see my bloggy friends, I did not just buy these dishes to eat off of....oh no!  I bought them specifically to use as wall decor.  And that my dear friends, is where I need your help.

I want to add them on the wall here on each side of my picture in the den.

Since I cannot figure out exactly which way I like them best.  I decided to make a few imitation plates to see how they look on the wall before putting in the nails.

Option no.1 has one of the larger plates in the middle with two smaller plates above and below.

Here's a few more further off glances to help you decide.

And this is option no.2.  I would only use the smaller salad plates and place two on each side.

So which layout do you like best or do you have another suggestion.  One set up seems very bold to me and would make quite a large statement.  The other seems more subtle.  I am just not sure how much I want of a statement I want because I certainly do not want to detract from the picture.  What would you do?  I would love to know!

Here's a final look at the two options.  Pretty cool! 

I love Picasa!

I am joining the following parties today.  

Let's Dish

Tablescape Thursday

I hope I hear from you soon.  Have a great day everyone!

Some say ToMAYto, Some say ToMAHto!

No matter how you spell it...tomato...I am sure you have your own way of pronouncing it that is reflective of you.  

This morning I sat and did quite a bit of reflecting.  Not just on my pool as I've taken to doing.  But also, on my wildly overgrown tomato plant.

More specifically on "why?".  

Why has my plant grown so well, but yielded very little fruit to enjoy?

I think the size is just wonderful.  I love how it has reached out on several sides instead of growing larger just straight up and down.  I've "looked" at this plant all summer and watched it closely, often musing on how it seems like it has arms wide open.  This plant knows my heart.

However, I can no longer ignore the fact that I have for the most part left this plant to fend for itself.  It's really needs "tending" to!  I have fruit that is there for the picking.   I have older ripened fruit that are still hanging on the vine and beginning to rot, not to mention the many that have already fallen off.   I even have new fruit that is freshly green and growing but desperately looking for sunshine and nutrition.  Additionally, I see many blooms that are hanging around as if deciding weather to bud here or not.

This plant is so much more though...

...it is really a metaphor of my blog!

  I have been thinking quite a bit lately about blogging and the demands of life.  I have been experiencing a huge case of the "why bothers" when it comes to posting on my blog lately.  Does it really matter who says "tomayto" or who says "tomahto"?  Heck, I even enjoy hearing from a few "mayters" every now and then!  

  I am especially enjoying the posts of others and finding new inspirations to look at quite a bit.  I want more time to bring that inspiration to life.  I am taking a much needed break here.  

It is a break time to enjoy the fruits of my labor.  A time to feed and tend to those precious things in my life that need it.  A time for being tired, a time for being inspired.  I'll be back when the "why bothers" leave.

Until then... 

A New Kitchen Vignette

Hey Friends! I know I don't need to tell you that nothing feels as great as rearranging things in the house to come up with a new look.  Recently, I decided I wanted to change things up a bit in one of my favorite spots and after one thing led to another I ended up with a new look in the kitchen too.

Here's the new look!  I moved the bakers rack from where it was outside on the screened porch to inside in the kitchen.  I just love it!  I can't believe I have not put this in here until now.  I guess since I bought it just to go outside that's where it's been, that' is until now.

Here is the desk I used to have in here in the same spot.  It's still in the kitchen, just over by the coat rack now. 

I am really lovin the way this looks and fills the space so much better.  Especially since I have a space to decorate and display some of my collectibles now without having to install shelves.

Speaking of shelves, let's see how I loaded them up.

I just couldn't resist bringing out the few roosters that I have along with a few new and older items.

I bought these fantastic woven wired basket trays as a set of three at one of our local antique thrift stores.  I think the contrast between them and the silver I inherited from my in-laws is just wonderful.  I love mixing things up!

I think the last item to go in this vignette was the crowning touch!  After searching around the house for something to complete the look of this shelf. I was just a tad near giggly at how well my new tea towels from our very own blogger friend Debbiedoo's fit right in.  The stenciled wording look on these totally made it, don't cha think?  I sure do!

  I am so glad I commented about wanting to buy some of these from her.  She really has quite a skilled hand at stenciling.  She is considering doing more stenciling to sell, so if you like them hop on over to her blog and ask about more.  I'm sure she would love to help ya out cause she's like that ya know!  Thank you...thank you...thank you Debbie!

On my next shelf I have a wooden garden box I bought on clearance from Michael's.  It has four divided compartments perfect for and keeping a place setting of flatware and napkins handy.  And right next to it is a stack of dishes.  Four dinner plates and four desserts of course! 

And on the very top is my favorite Roo of all.  I think he loves sitting up top.  Don't they all!

I still haven't spruced up my old season block like I thought I would, but honestly it's starting to grow on me now just as it is.  

Down on the bottom is this wonderful crate I got from my old job at the gift shop.  I had been using this thing as a bread box but decided it will make a better storage box here.

It really was very large for a bread box on the counter and bet I can store a good amount of table linens in here instead.  Hopefully!  I didn't put the old wine bottles back on here just yet and now I am thinking I might be able to store some of my goblets on those racks instead.  What do you think?  Maybe?

Okay, so that's my new look!  How do you like it?  

Do you want to see why I moved this off the screen porch?  

Well, to make room for the hammock on the porch again.  I can't believe it's been well over a year since I've had my hammock on the porch.  It takes up a lot of space but it's so enjoyable especially in the spring and fall.  I'm not quite ready for Fall just yet, but a few cooler evenings relaxing on the porch sure would be nice.

I am linking up with the following parties today for;

Seasonal Sunday

Metamorphosis Monday

Tabletop Tuesday

Please be sure and visit the links above to see so much more!

Hope your having a great weekend!