Show and Tell Friday: Antique Rocking Chair

Show and Tell Friday: When I was a toddler, my parents bought this rocking chair from a used furniture store in the Washington, D.C. area, where we lived. I consider it an antique. I don't remember what it looked like prior to my dad recovering it. It will stay in the family.
Buddy has to check it out. I had it in the back of my closet and brought it out. Now I have to decide where to put it.

Hop on over to Kelli's blog to see what else is on for Show and Tell today:

http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/show-and-tell-friday_16.html

Vacation Pictures, Part III

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for

• Advances in treating cancer
• Blueberries!
• The internet
• A dog who is very loyal to me
• Rain just when we need it

Frogmore Stew, Lowcountry Boil, Beaufort Stew

My area is known for its abundance of fresh seafood. One night during our vacation, I made this: Fill a stock pot with water, add a packet of Old Bay Seasoning and boil. Then, add these:

• Kielbasa sausage
• Corn on the cob
• A few potatoes cut up

Boil for about 10 minutes or until done. Add a pound or two of shrimp. The shrimp will be done in about a minute, once they turn pink. Let soak about 3 minutes and drain.

Vacation, Part II

It is against the law to pick the sea oats because they serve as a barrior to erosion.

This little prayer chapel is on the way to our vacation spot. It is so quaint, I wanted a picture.

Matthew enjoyed the swimming pool.

Cat Antics on Cat Tuesday

Miles is my Garfield-personality cat. He is very aloof except when he wants to be petted, and then I better oblige. I just took the electric blanket off the bed, put it in the laundry basket, and was getting ready to wash it. He snagged it for a quick nap first. He did NOT like the flash going off in his eyes.

Do you have any cat antics to share? If so, please leave a link on Mr. Linkey below:

Vacation

Back in June I thought about going to the mountains after summer school was over. The more I thought of driving 4-5 hours, the less appealing it was. So, we went to a local resort island that is 20 minutes away.

CVS Deals

Kashi snack crackers and cereal: 3 boxes for $10.00, used one $1.50 coupon, earned $5 ECBS: paid $3.50
Arm and Hammer detergent: 2 for $6.99, used a $1.00 off coupon, earned $2 ECB: paid $3.99
2 packages of binder clips: $1.98, earned $1.98: FREE
2 packages of sticky notes: $1.98, earned $1.98: FREE
2 packages of Pilot pens: $1.98, earned #1.98: FREE

I used almost $10 in coupons and ECBS I had accumulated. I paid $13.56 OOP and earned back almost $13 in ECBS.

So, I count these as FREE items.

Show and Tell Friday

Show and Tell Friday: Today I am showcasing my handmade china cabinet made by my dad right after I got married back in '91. He drew out a pattern he had in mind and voila! Notice the three drawers and two doors. It is actually in two pieces. The top part is screwed onto the base. I absolutely love it!

I think homemade items like this are so much more precious. It will be passed on to my son as a remembrance of his grandfather.

Do you have something to share for Show and Tell Friday? Check out more goodies at: http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/show-and-tell-friday_16.html

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• the ability to go away for a few days of quiet and rest
• the beauty of the ocean
• air conditioning in this climate
• an abundance of fresh, local veggies
• fresh local seafood (yum!)

What are you thankful for?

Cat Antics on Cat Tuesday

I have discovered this wonderful blog devoted to cats that is owned by a woman from Belgium. I will be participating in her Cats on Tuesdays, since I, too, am a cat lover.

Here is Miles, age 12, trying to get some relief in my closet from the young whipper-snapper, Minnie.

She is not being very amenable to him.

Mom, WHY did you bring her home? Couldn't she have stayed at the shelter?

Do you have cats? If so and you want to get in on the fun of their antics, you can upload your photos to Mr. Linkey.

You can also visit Gattina's blog: http://gattinamycats.blogspot.com/2009/07/cats-on-tuesday_21.html

Freebies in the Mail

I love getting freebies in the mail. This is what I've gotten over the past two weeks:

• Full Scott toilet paper roll
• Razor
• Cereal bar
• Crest toothpaste
• Scott wipes
• Viva paper towels

$1.96 at CVS and WAGS

CVS and WAGS have some great deals this week. Here is what I got for a total of $1.96: $1.74 at WAGS and $.22 at CVS. Here is the breakdown:

WAGS: 6 packs of mechanical pencils for $.19 each and one pack of highliters for $.49. Total with tax: $1.74

CVS: I used $9.75 in coupons and ECBS, paid OOP $.22 and got back almost $9 in ECBS. Items: 2 packs of lined paper, one pack of pencils, one pack of Duracell batteries, and one pack of liners.

Simple Pleasures

For the last three years, when I have gone to have my annual mammogram, the x-ray technicians have been giving out a rose to each lady as they left. I think this is so special, especially in these economic times. So, thank you to http://www.ropersaintfrancis.com/

Show and Tell Friday

Show and Tell Friday~~~ Here is a doll from my childhood. I was born in the '60s, but she is from the '40s or '50s; I'm not positive which era. I love her because she is porcelain and has real looking hair. She is in her original dress after all these years. I took very good care of her as a child.

Do you have a special treasures in your home?

I am participating in Show and Tell Friday over at Kelli's blog: http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/show-and-tell-friday_16.html Go over there to see more treasures.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• My parents' health
• A good, dependable job in this economy
• Two years cancer free
• Good coffee in the mornings
• In-door plumbing

What are you thankful for?

Where's the squash?

I had great luck growing a squash vine---where's the squash? I think the same squirrel that was after my plants on the front porch got to these as soon as the blossoms appeared.

New Blog Recommendation

If you are a Christian, I highly recommend my pastor's wife's blog, http://motheringfromtheheart.blogspot.com/. She tells it like it is from a biblical perspective.

Recycle

I am a firm believer in recycling when possible. I take separate containers of cardboard, plastic, glass, and newspapers to the dump when I take the trash. Does anyone have any ideas what I could turn this empty Crystal Light container into?

Sweet Gift

My sweet friend Monica at thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/ sent me on the last day of summer school this sweet bouquet from her garden. Thank you for your hospitality, Monica!

Mischief!

Look at this sweet girl:

Who would believe she could, or would, do this:

A few weeks ago when she did this, I chalked it up to youthful exuberance. BUT, Friday morning I was at the computer for an hour reading the news and having my coffee. I noticed Minnie was no where to be seen. She was busy in my bathroom.

CVS Steals for $6.18 and Walmart Deals

Above: A trip to CVS landed over $16 worth of products for $6.18. I earned back $8.49 in ECBS. The two Twix bars were totally free with 2 coupons.

$64.29 worth of groceries for $41.35. I had $24 in coupons that I wanted to use before they expired. We won't use all this this week, but they are a stockpile since I have room in the freezer.

Blueberry Craze!

Every June and July, my addiction rears it's ugly head. It's an expensive one, but one I must feed. This is what makes me giddy during these months:

Blueberries are probably the best fruit for you, nutrionally speaking. They are full of anti-oxidants, and since I'm a cancer survivor, I love them. I am eating them on Kashi cereal every morning at school, and both are so full of fiber that I am full until lunch, around 11. They are pretty cheap now, and since the frozen ones are quite expensive in the off-season, I decided to stock up. Once these have frozen on the pan, I will transfer them to ziploc bags for the freezer. This fall and winter they will be yummy in smoothies. What is your favorite fruit? What is your favorite way of eating it?

Lunch on the 4th

Growing up in the lowcountry, I had always heard of this wonderful seafood restaurant: http://www.hymanseafood.com/. We finally ate there on the 4th. They started us off with boiled peanuts. If you're not from the South, you just wouldn't understand how addictive these things are.I forgot to get pictures of the food, but I have to say it was the best seafood I've ever had, and I've had a LOT! Matthew got his prepared light cajun, and I had mine Caribbean jerk. It was wonderful.

A lot of famous people have eaten here, including Neil Armstrong, Barbra Streisand, Lynard Skynard, and Tanya Tucker, to name just a handful. Now, we got lucky enough to get the table where Senators Strom Thurmond (R-SC, deceased) and Joe Lieberman (I, CONN) sat. They have plaques on the tables where the different people ate. This is not very legible, but it is Strom Thurmond's. For any non-South Carolinians, Strom Thurmond served SC as senior senator from 1956-2003, when he retired at age 100.