Just a little corbel

There once was a sad little corbel.

All broken, sad, and blue (well, brown actually), but then someone found him.

Took him home and used some glue.

Now this sad little corbel is as good as new!

This poor little corbel was at the Goodwill for $2.00!!! The price tag on this bad boy said $29.99!

Suh-weet!!!!

Right now it has a home on my antique vanity. I may, eventually, incorporate it into an actually curtain ensemble. For now, I just like looking at my pretty little corbel.

Happy Wednesday!

a la Rose'

Okay...I'm going to brag a little here...my hubby really spoils me. He has to be the most amazing cook in the world! (are far as all the cook's that I have had the pleasure of trying their food)

We went out to eat at this upscale restaurant on Friday night. My upscale and your upscale may be different, but we're talking around $40 a person. The ambiance of the restaurant was great...nice music, candle lit, nicely appointed tables, and they asked if you had a reservation when you walked in the door.

Since we were having a date night, we were in the mood for a nice romantic meal.

This restaurant seemed to fit the bill, until...

It took forever to get our food. The "warm biscuits," they served with butter, were cold. The dishes that they brought with the biscuits, had specks of something green on them....they weren't clean. When we finally got our main dish, my "seasoned to perfection" rare rib-eye steak was medium to medium-well and did not taste like it had any seasoning on it. I put A-1 on top of it and still had to dip the steak in A-1...that's how not seasoned it was. Hubby got a pan-seared mahi mahi that absolutely had no taste at all. You didn't know you were even eating seafood!

We went in expecting something amazing. Everyone raved about how great the new restaurant was and how the head chef trained in France. There was even a write-up in the local paper about her.

I can easily say...we won't be back!

Back to the part about me being spoiled...I was so disappointed about this restaurant. We wanted to have this nice date night, but after we got our food all we could talk about was the food. I told the hubby that he could have cooked a much better meal and we could have bought all the stuff to make the meal we were eating, plus the dishes we were eating off for less than the $80.00 we were spending on dinner.

Hubby took this as a challenge!

The next day we purchased the square white dish set I had been eying for a while. Then, we went grocery shopping and bought all the items to make our fabulous meal. Last night, hubby cooked it!

Oh!!! It was aMAZing!!!! We had grilled steak, sautéed mushrooms and sweet onions, steamed and sautéed asparagus, sweet potato cakes, pan seared tilapia, and last but not least mussels in a tomato garlic sauce! I loved every single bite!!!!

Just look at these pics...doesn't it just make you hungry thinking about it?

Ahh the smell...wonderful!!!

Plus, I got my dishes!!!! They're pretty too, right?

As for the title of today's post... a la Rose', well hubby has been thinking of starting his own restaurant and/or going to culinary school, for a while. I think he needs to start one or the other. A cook this amazing, needs to share his food with the world...or at least our little part of it! I thought a la Rose' would be cute, what do you think?

Hope you have a fantastic Tuesday!

A.Rose

More birthday goodness...

Yesterday, I told you about the sweet gift my hubby bought me. You can read about it here. When I got home, we exchanged more gifts. The first thing I opened was a car charger / battery booster for my iPhone. I know a phone charger doesn't seem like much, but anyone that has an iPhone knows...if you use the internet on it for very long...you will run the battery down. I tried to find a pic of the kind he bought online, but wasn't able to...and I threw the box away, but it's pretty neat. You can plug your phone into it to charge in the car, or pull the booster off and hook it into your phone on the go. It's like having a back up battery. Really cool invention!

He also got me an assortment of Ghiradelli chocolates. I LUVVVVVVVVV Ghiradelli chocolate. It's the most creamy sweet indulgance you can find. (Especially the caramel kind!) Talking about them makes me wish I had brought a couple to work with me. Oh well, they will be waiting for me on the coffee table when I get home!

I should also mention that before he found the cool iPhone charger, he had bought a plain ole' car charger for me. So..he gave it to me and told me I could take it back and get myself something else. I'm thinking about one of those purse organizers...

In case you're wondering what I got the hubby...remember yesterday was his birthday too. Well, besides the ginormous hunting blind, I also gave him a chef's hat and chef's apron. (He has been talking about going to culinary school, which I wish he would. He is an amazing cook!) He wanted this little chopper scooper uper thing too, I'm not sure what you call it, but I bought one for him. Last, but not least, I gave him some money. He was very happy!

I joined our church choir last night. Let me just say WOW!  I was in the choir in school and at the church I grew up in, but that's been over 10 years ago. I have sang karaoke and solos at a friend's church, but not in a choir setting since high school. I figured out that I'm going to have to do breathing exercises before next week's practice. I'm not sure how many people are in the choir, but I know there are definitely over a hundred. It's truly amazing to hear them sing. I'm so proud to have been asked to join! Crimson will be joining the children's choir, she starts Sunday night. Wish her luck!

One last thought...there are only 70 days until Christmas!!!!!!

Happy Thursday!

A. Rose

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to...

Today is my birthday. I'm not going to say how old I am. You can read yesterday's post and figure it out if you really need to know.

At any rate, I had to tell you about my awesome birthday present. Normally, the hubby and I don't exchange gifts. If we see something we want we just buy it (or talk ourselves out of needing it.)

This year we decided we would get each other gifts. We've spent so much on our daughter that we felt like it was our turn.  I didn't ask for much. I told my hubby that there was this really cute purple alligator wallet/clutch I wanted. I told him how much it was, which store it was at, and even the place in said store to find it. I didn't expect it since the hubby runs in the opposite direction everytime I go to the "girlie" section, but I put it out there just hoping.

I told hubby, last night, that we should wait until after work today to swap gifts. He agreed. The reason I said that was because I bought him a hunting blind (that he so casually suggested he needed everytime we walked by it in Wal-mart.) and the box was just way too big to wrap. I put the box in his truck last night after Crimson's cheerleading practice. (After I told him we'd exchange gifts after work.) I figured this way, he'd never expect to get it this morning. It worked! He was surprised!

Now back to my clutch...I get up this morning to a note on the dining room table. Hubby had already left for work.  It stated that "he was sorry, but he had already did this before I told him we'd swap gifts after work" it was laying beside a new pair of tongs....you know the kind that you would flip steaks on a grill with? Well if you know me at all, you know I don't like to cook. I'll do it if I have to or if hubby is sick, but as a general rule hubby does the cooking. I'm sure you are just as confused as I was. I picked up the tongs, waiting for something to magically click and there be some hidden message in them...nothing!

The hubby had called before I woke up, so I called him back. He begins the conversation with..."I thought we were going to wait." Obviously referring to the huge box in his truck. I'm like yeah, we were...what's with the tongs. He laughs! I'm like...what? He says look in your purse!   So I did and...

Said alligator wallet/clutch is tucked under a few other things in my purse! I know this is just a wallet to you. It didn't cost much and you may not even like purple, but the fact is...hubby had to go to the "girlie" section to get it. That's a HUGE accomplishment in my book!

We have other gifts to exchange this evening. I have no idea what he has for me. Like I said, the only thing I asked for was the wallet, but I see a day after bday post coming.

I hope your Wednesday is sunny and great! (It's really rainy here!)

Hugs, A.Rose

8 years

I'm going to warn you now...this is a sad post.

Eight years ago today, my father passed away. I miss him more and more everyday! I wish I could post some pics of this amazing man, but unfortunately I don't have any digital copies. (and my scanner doesn't like me lately)

Only July 9, 1915 Frank Wymon Parker was born to John and Sarah Elizabeth Parker. He was the youngest of 5 boys, but did have one sister born a few years later.

He served in the 2nd World War via the United States Army, stationed in California.

After serving his time, he drove a tractor trailor truck and a Greyhound Bus for many years.

He married his first wife Anna Louise sometime in his thirties but didn't have any children, as she had 2 daughters from a previous marriage.

In the 70s, he and Anna were driving through Tennessee and found land for sale. They decided to move from California to Tennessee and bought a farm. Shortly after moving to Tennessee, they were divorced.

He stayed single until 1978 when he met and began to date my mother, Wilma Louise. They were married on October 18, 1979. She had one son, my wonderful brother Woody and didn't plan on any other children. My mom had major heart problems and was told she shouldn't have any more children. In January of 1980, she wasn't feeling well and went to the doctor...to everyone's surprise, it wasn't a heart issue, it was a baby! She was pregnant with me. I was born on October 14, 1980. My mother was 42 and my father was 65!!!!

You can imagine how excited my father was when he found out she was pregnant. Yes, he had my brother which he took in as his own and loved very much, but at 65 years of age, he never thought he would have a child of his own flesh and blood.

My mom's pregancy was pretty normal, aside from the heart issues that she had to monitor. Shortly after I was born, however, she had a major stroke. This left her paralyzed in her left side. Amazingly enough, she was still able to sew gorgeous dresses for me...which I still have a few. When I was in Kindergarton, she went into a coma. After that, she never was really well. She died on October 25, 1990. Eleven days after my 10th birthday.

At 75 my father found himself as a single parent! Not only was he having to deal with losing the love of his life, but he was going to have to raise a little girl by himself. I can't say I agreed with all the things he did, but I think I turned out to be a pretty decent person. I made good grades in school and have a great job, a wonderful husband, and a beautiful daughter.

Unfortunately, my father didn't get to join in much of my joy...in February of 2001, he went in to have a kidney removed (it was 95% covered with cancer) and have the aneurysm in the aorta of his stomach fixed. (Not sure exactly what they do when they fix an aneurysm) We spent the night at the hospital the night before his surgery. The nurse came to our room to get him. We thought we would get to see each other before he actually went under, so I just told him bye and I would see him in a little bit.  We always gave each other a kiss and told each other we loved them any time one of us would leave to go somewhere, but for some reason we didn't this time. He went through his surgery and when he came out, he was asking for me. I came in to see him and he told me all he could think about was that he didn't get to give me a kiss or tell me he loved me when he left the room. So, he got his chance. He was in the ICU, so we didn't get to stay long. Between that visit and the next time we saw him, he had a stroke. He barely recognized me after that. We went through months of him going in and out of reality. He had Alzheimer's and it set on full force when he had his stroke.

He was able to go home a few weeks after surgery, but in August ended up back in the hospital. His stroke had done something to his esophogus, which made him have a hard time eating. He was 6'1" and 190 pounds +/- when he had his first surgery. He was down to 85 pounds! We brought this problem up on every doctor visit, but no one seemed to be able to get anything done. It was his heart doctor that finally got the other doctors to listen. A feeding tube was put in place and he seemed to get better. He was too weak to go home, so we had to put him in a nursing home. I absolutely hated doing it, but I didn't really have a choice. I couldn't take care of him and didn't have anyone else that could.

The last time I saw my father, he thought he was 5 or 6 years old. He told me about playing in the hay with his sister and getting in trouble. By this time, I just went along with the story and I'm glad I did. That was on October 11, 2001. I didn't get to go see him on October 12, because I got home late from work and had to get up early the next day. (It sounds like such a pitiful excuse now.) I went to bed around 10:00 that night. At about 1:00 in the morning, my husband woke me up to tell me that my father was gone. It was October 13, 2001...the day before my 21st birthday. My father was 86 years old!

He wanted to be cremated, so after an open casket ceremony he was sent to be cremated. On Father's Day of 2002, we took him to Burnsville, North Carolina (where he grew up) to spread his ashes on Mount Mitchell. The wind started blowing when I poured them out and the ashes flew across the mountain side. My husband took a picture, because it was really beautiful. When we got the pictures developed, we were amazed...in the ashes was the outline of an angel! It wasn't a camera trick or a mind game. I showed the picture to friends and never said a word. Everyone that sees it points out the angel. I felt heavy for months after he died, but after we spread his ashes, it was like a weight was lifted. I now know that he was hanging around until we fulfilled his last request. (When I get my scanner up and running, I'll add some pictures. )

I didn't tell you this story to make you sad. I told this story, because my father was truly amazing and I love him so very much!!! I'm sure there are others out there that have a similar story. It helps to know you're not alone.

Homecoming!

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post. We've been busy little bees, though. Last Thursday, my sweet little Crimson had 3 baby teeth pulled. One of them had to be surgically removed, but you can't tell it in these pics. Two days later, she was as good as new! She's out for fall break the next 2 weeks. Luckily my mother-in-law doesn't work outside the house and can keep her. Otherwise, I don't know what I would do...

Crimson had homecoming on Saturday! Here she is heading to the ball field.

All the girls were paired up with 2 boys. The one on her left has this look like, yeah I know...I'm cute...LOL!

It was sooooo sunny and windy, but I'm not complaining!

Always the model...she had to "pose"!

I think she was bored at this point.

But...I had to get a pic of the crown. Each of the girls were awarded a crown for participating this year. So, here is my Homecoming Queen...or should I say Princess?

Here is my beautiful girl with my cutie pie nephew. He was born the day after her 8th birthday. What a birthday present! These 2 are attached at the hip. She loves him to death!!!

Here we are! Sitting in the stands cheering my baby on!

By the way, we won our game that night! We have won every game but one this year. I'm happy and sad at the same time. I'm pretty sure we're going to playoffs. The first playoff game is on Halloween!!! We already bought Crimson's costume. I was going to make it, but I doubt I'll have time.

She's going to be a 50's girl! So cute!!!!

But...if we have to play that night, Crimson won't get to go trick-or-treating. Since she is 10, I figured this would be her last year anyway, which makes me sad. Maybe she can wear her costume to the game that night! LOL!

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

A. Rose